Drug Addiction Solutions Treatments Rehab

Visiting Drug Rehab Is The Most Effective Way To Overcome Addiction

2010-08-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

When someone has problem with drug, then he must have the solution right away. One of the best solution to overcome the drug addiction is by visiting drug rehab. Drug rehab is one of the most effective way to overcome one’s drug addiction. It must be remembered that person who has drug addiction problem to visit drug rehab as early as possible. It is because if that person who has addiction problem visit drug rehab as early as possible then, the bigger the chance is to cure the addiction.

Though there are many ways which can be used to overcome the addiction problem, the most effective way is still by visiting drug rehab. Therefore, visiting a drug rehab is a ‘must’ when one has problem with addiction. In drug rehab, that person will get the treatment from the expert who knows their field already. That’s why you will have nothing to worry any longer if you send that person to have the treatment in drug rehab.

In addition, the treatment in drug rehab is very much safe for that person. Therefore, you mustn’t have any complain about the treatment. Drug rehab also provides the best circumstances for the patients. This situation is very helpful in helping the patients to be cured sooner. Well, don’t you think it’s the best place to cure drug addiction, then?

The Rise and Fall of a Drug Addict – Part 4

2009-07-21T05:20:00.000-07:00

What a mess I have gotten myself into, 25 years old, and hooked on crack. After I left my parents house five years ago, I went to stay with some guys I use to work with. Unfortunately, these guys did more drugs then I was doing in any given day. Of course as time went on and I was going from job to job, and not really doing anything with my life, it was just easy for me to take my drug use up to another level. I don’t even know how I got hooked on this stuff in the first place. I was getting high at some guys house with some other people I know, and one these guys passed me a pipe, and said this will definitely make you feel better. The high was like nothing I ever experienced before; it gave me this intense feeling, almost like total bliss. I remember the high not lasting very long, but my mind was screaming at me for more.

Drug addict suffering.

It went on like this for some time, throughout my mid twenties I became very unreliable as an employee, and could barely hold down a job. My parents were catching on to everything; yet, I don’t think they knew I was hooked on crack. I never imagined I would end up like this, I always thought things were under control. Right now I am working as a bartender at a local bar, it seems to support my habit, and I work at night. I don’t sleep much; I seem to be spending most of my day getting high. I live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment, its cheap and in a bad area, but I am left alone. I haven’t talked to my parents in months, and they have not tried to contact me. Some days I wish this never happened to me, and other days I can’t go on unless I am getting high. I remember one day specifically, it was actually one week before my 26^th birthday and when I got into work, I was given a message that my parents had called. Being that I did not own a phone, or any real means of keeping in contact with anyone, the bar was the only place anyone could reach me at. My parents found out I was working there through one of my old high school friends who came in one night. Anyways, the message said for me to call them, it was about my birthday. Part of me was very suspicious about why I was getting a call now, but another part of me was relieved I got the phone call. I would call them the next day after work.

I got to a pay phone outside my apartment and called my folks, my mom answered the phone. She was inviting me over for dinner to celebrate my birthday; she said it was going to be just the three of us there. I didn’t really hesitate, I said yes, and she told me what time to be there and offered to pick me up. I told her I would just have a friend drop me off; I did not want my parents to see where I lived. I made it to my parent’s house, and saw my mother standing outside waiting for me. She smiled and seemed happy to see me, and I did everything I could to hide my drug use; yet, I think she still knew. She brought me inside and walked me to the living room, and I saw my father, my brother, and one of my high school friends all sitting in the room. This strange guy came up to me and introduced himself as a intervention counsellor. I did not know what to think, I wasn’t high, so I knew this wasn’t a dream. He sat me down, and him and my family all started intervening. Of course, I denied everything, and blamed them for everything, got angry, threatened suicide, anything I could think of to get them to back off. The thought never crossed my mind to just take off and run, I guess because I was sober, there was a part of me that wanted to hear this. But, I was not convinced; they said they had a treatment centre picked out for me, and everything was going to be ok, they loved me and did not want to see me like this.

Long and short of it; I walked out. My parents gave me a bottom line and told me never to contact them unless I wanted help, and that they could not support me. My dad, just as he did five years ago, gave me a number to the treatment centre, and said nothing. I got back into my regular routine, but my drug use picked up to the point I was missing work again. Eventually I got fired, and I had no money saved.

Drug Addiction: Mental And Physical Signs

2009-07-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

If you suspect a family member, friend, or loved one is abusing or addicted to drugs, there are specific signs and behaviors you might see them acting out. The signs of drug addiction vary considerably depending on the substance; this article will present an overall view of addictive behaviors as they relate to a personal mental and emotional state and their physical behavior. You will quickly learn what sort of signs to watch out for by reading this article.

When someone is dealing with an addicted substance, the body will suffer for it. This means there will be physical signs evident of this addiction. Some physical reactions you may observe related to drug-induced behavior include a huge increase in energy, often manifested by fast movements, talking, and insomnia. Conversely, a person may suffer from an abnormal reaction time, slow, slurred speech, masked in confusion and a disoriented state of mind. Another physical reaction from the use of certain drugs is a sudden change in weight, usually losing weight more so than gaining it.

For smoked substances, a nagging cough may be present. Users of substances injected with a needle might have a predisposition for wearing long sleeve shirts to hide track marks, wearing such items even when the weather is not appropriate for it. Speed can cause severe dental issues to develop over time. Another physical sign would be the actual presence of drug paraphernalia and related items, such as pipes, foil, lighters, rolling papers, and so on.

Drug abuse has no less effect on the mind than it does the body. Abusing drugs tends to lead to rapid changes in emotions and behavior and ones mental mindset. If someone changes inexplicably, has rapid mood changes, suffers from anxiety or paranoid delusions, it is possible drugs could be the cause of these changes. Note that under the influence of drugs a person can experience psychotic states of mind and behavior. These behaviors usually only last for the duration of the drugs effect on the body.

The signs and symptoms discussed in this article are of serious consequence. Observe the suspected users behavior and see if there are any similarities. Careful consideration must be given towards how to deal with the situation if there are signs of drug abuse, and this is more suitable to another article than to discuss here. Keep in mind that drug addiction may mandate the use of rehab and life long support groups to remain sober.

Prescription Drug Addiction Not Helped by Treatment Center Budget Cuts

2009-07-11T06:12:00.000-07:00

All across the country, states are slashing health and human services budgets to compensate for dwindling revenues and rising expenses, primarily because of the economic situation that has seen millions of people lose their jobs, and tens of thousands lose their homes to foreclosures. And among the many budget casualties are treatment centers dedicated to helping people suffering from alcohol, street drug and prescription drug addiction.

Unfortunately, the apparent savings to any state budget by reducing support for treatment centers will be offset in the long run by any of various alternatives to state-supported treatment, which almost always cost taxpayers more in the long run.

A prime example is happening right now in Vermont, where Gov. Jim Douglas has announced budget cuts of 4 percent to nonprofit agencies that contract with the state to provide addiction treatment services. But Rep. Ann Pugh, chairwoman of Vermont's House Human Services Committee, said the plan will actually wind up costing taxpayers more overall.

"It's going to shift the cost from residential medical detox centers that have the full range of necessary treatment, to expensive hospital treatment," Pugh, D-South Burlington, said. "And it's all coming out of Medicaid. It's so stupid."

The executive director of one of the state's contract treatment centers told lawmakers that 296 people went through its medical detox program last year, where patients are assessed for underlying medical problems and stabilized for several days before transferring to longer-term residential drug rehab programs. He said because of the planned budget cuts, he will have turn away 100 patients, roughly 30 percent. Many will end up in hospitals, where costs can be five times as high. And because patients are on Medicaid, the state will have to foot the higher bill -- a significant net increase in the state's expenses.

Proponents of such budget cuts say that just because someone is turned away from a residential treatment center doesn't automatically mean they'll show up at a hospital emergency room. Although that may be difficult to prove or disprove, it is already apparent from reports in some cities that hospitals are indeed experiencing increases in patients with prescription drug addiction and other addiction problems.

But the increased costs to taxpayers will not only be from higher hospital costs. Hospitals often can be impersonal, and their detox treatments less effective, because hospital personnel are not experienced addiction experts and don't have solid connections with rehab centers to follow-up with.

The treatment center director described people who come to his center with both addiction and underlying medical problems. He described a 22-year-old patient addicted to the narcotic prescription painkiller OxyContin, and the anti-anxiety drug Xanax. The patient was struggling with depression, and was also an insulin-dependent diabetic with a history of diabetic coma. These kinds of patients with multiple diagnoses almost never receive the kind of specialized treatment they require from hospital emergency personnel.

For these reasons, and sometimes because of the fear of legal repercussions, many addicts are less than comfortable seeking hospital emergency room drug detox. Instead, they remain in the streets, supporting their habits through drug-related crime. And as we all know, drug crimes and the justice system always cost taxpayers more in the long run than drug detox and drug rehab, which transforms lives from tragic parasite to contributing citizen.

The volume of Medicaid-eligible patients is up all across the country due to the sagging economy, and the story is much the same in almost all other states as it is in Vermont. Treatment centers are feeling the pinch of budget cuts, yet the volume of people suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction -- especially prescription drug addiction which is basically now a national epidemic -- is actually rising.

The sensible economic solution, say those who have really studied the situation, is to increase support, or at least maintain existing support, for successful drug detox and rehab programs which, overall, cost society and taxpayers less than the alternatives.

The type of medical drug detox that is favored is a program tailored for each patient's unique DNA and metabolism, provides a thorough medical evaluation, 24/7 medical supervision, and cutting-edge detox protocols that reduce or eliminate the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. Such programs take less time, and more thoroughly prepare patients for drug rehab programs when these are indicated.

How to Quit Alcohol and Drug Addiction

2009-07-11T06:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why we have a lot of individuals checking out ways to quit alcohol and drug addiction without having success? I have found a lot of of them in forums. They tell you of their desire to quit. They know of the devastating effect their addiction is bringing on them and their loved ones. Many of them have even lost high paying jobs and are now broke. But despite the answers of a lot of individuals in such forums and articles online, there are still lots of individuals who are unable to win the fight. The problem with such individuals is that they fail to take the necessary steps required. These individuals simply read books, magazines, articles and answers on a lot of forums but they are not taking the steps needed. I want you to know that you can never overcome your addiction problem if you don't take action.

If you are short of cash and can't afford to check into an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center, there are some steps you can take to quit. One of the numerous steps you can take is to separate yourself from individuals that usually make you to take to drinks and substances. If you are really serious about throwing in the towel, you will dump all your alcohol and drug dependent friends. No matter what you used to overcome the problem, as long as these friends are still around, you will have problem throwing in the towel. So, separate from them. Furthermore, there is need for you to avoid all forms of gatherings that will make you fall. Politely turn down any request to attend late night parties where the temptation is often strong and hard to resist.

After avoiding individuals and gatherings that promote alcohol and drug addiction, it is really essential for you to replace them with individuals and gatherings that will sustain your new life. This is very essential because if you don't replace them with these new individuals and gatherings, your desire for a new life will be short-lived. Get involved in community projects or religious activities. These will consume your attention and time and you will not have time for drinks and substances again.

Drug Addiction - Three Stages of Recovery

2009-07-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

When you think of recovery from drug addiction, a particular length of time has to be kept in mind. It is divided into three main stages, early recovery, middle recovery, and late recovery.

In every stage of recovery, certain lessons are needed to be learned and a number of tasks completed, before you move on to the next level. When we say that a person is an addict, we mean that the person has lost control over the use of drugs and alcohol. This has affected him in a negative way, mentally, physically, morally and disturbing all his relationships. Hence, when recovering from addiction, a person struggles to change these negative attitudes slowly, into positives, while admitting that there is a need to control the drug intake.

Three phases of drug addiction recovery are;

1. Early Recovery

The first task in the early recovery phase is to gain control over all drugs that alter the mood of the addict. Controlling drugs allow the brain to recover from the chemical changes that have permanently taken place, and help in going back to the normal state.

In this stage, a person should develop awareness about addiction, build a social support system, and work on a deterioration prevention plan. These activities will help the addict remain drug free. Recovery time depends from person to person. In some cases, the early recovery stage might last for up to two years.

2. Middle Recovery:

In the middle recovery stage, the person continues to sharpen his skills to stay away from drugs. Care and satisfaction of the person is a key in this stage. During the middle stage, lessons that a person may have forgotten or have never learned need to be discovered. Damages that were done previously are to be identified and repaired turning towards a balanced lifestyle.

In this stage, relationships that were negatively affected need to be recovered. If we need to test whether the person has learnt the lessons and achieved all the goals, we need to test for a balanced approach towards life and things around him. The middle recovery phase may last from six months to five years.

3. Late Stage Recovery:

Once the strength has been achieved, the last stage addresses some fundamental issues. These issues might be deep-rooted, perhaps going back to the childhood. They need to be analysed to find out what exactly caused the person to indulge in drugs. Normally, these issues include low self-esteem, desertion, and broken family. It is recommended to address all these issues once the person is fully recovered and make him accept the reality.

Progress in all the phases depends upon learning important lessons, rather than an accumulation of time of staying away from drugs. The last stage recovery is growth and maintenance phase that always goes on. It is highly recommended that constant education and awareness continues.

sad

2009-07-11T06:07:00.001-07:00

3thj7bevw5

Is Marijuana Addictive?

2009-07-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Marijuana is a drug made from the dried flowers, leaves and stems of the Cannabis sativa plant. The main active ingredient in marijuana is THC, a fat-soluble substance that remains in the lungs and in brain tissue for as long as three weeks. In recent decades the potency in terms of THC content has increased dramatically in marijuana.

There are hundreds of slang words for marijuana, but the most common are pot, grass, mary jane, chronic, herb, weed, loco weed, and ganja. Marijuana can be smoked by rolling in cigarette papers, smoked in a pipe or water bong, or eaten by being baked into such items as brownies and cookies.

Recent research indicates that regular marijuana use undermines your ability to learn and to remember information. When people are “stoned” they are less able to focus, sustain, and shift attention, which are essential components of learning and storing information. One study found that long-term marijuana use reduced the ability to organize and integrate complex information.

Heavy marijuana smokers tend to show short-term memory impairment as well as decreased motivation. One study showed that even small doses of marijuana impaired users ability to recall a list of words a mere 20 minutes later.

In men, long-term marijuana use can result in impotence issues and reduced fertility.

The most persistent myth about marijuana is that it is not addictive. Although it might not be as quickly addicting as alcohol or cocaine, animal and human studies show physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from marijuana, including irritability, restlessness, insomnia, nausea and intense dreams. Tolerance to marijuana also builds up quickly. Heavy marijuana users need much higher doses of the drug to get the same effects as those who smoke only occasionally.

For some, marijuana can be highly addictive. Researchers estimate that approximately 10-14% of marijuana users develop serious dependency. Every year over 100,000 people in the United States seek treatment for their marijuana addiction. Because of long-standing cultural beliefs about the “harmlessness” of marijuana, many people with addiction do not recognize the impairment caused by the drug and delay or never seek treatment.

Treatment for Marijuana Addiction

Support groups and cognitive-behavioral therapy are effective in helping people who are struggling with marijuana dependency. One of the issues with addiction to marijuana is that many people who smoke tend to hang out with others who smoke, it being a “social” drug like alcohol. This can make it difficult for the user to abstain for any length of time unless they make a decision not to spend time with those still using the drug.

Medical Marijuana Abuse

2009-07-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

In recent years, the medicinal value of marijuana has largely been scrutinized and contested. Proponents of the drug argue that cannabis provides help for individuals with life-threatening illnesses; opponents contend that there isn’t enough medical evidence to prove that marijuana has any positive effects on patients, and that the drug could actually cause further complications and ailments. As the debate over medical marijuana continues, a new cause for concern has developed—are individuals using this new prescription drug just to get high?

Marijuana, or cannabis, is the most widely abused illicit drug in the United States, and it is currently listed as a Schedule I drug under the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. Marijuana comes from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, and it is one of the oldest known psychoactive plants in the world—some approximate that it appeared as early as 2700 B.C. In the early years of its existence in the United States, the plant was cultivated and farmed, and its hemp was used in the production of rope and clothing.

During the 1800s, the drug was slowly introduced into the medical world and became a common ingredient in medicine. The early 1900s brought regulation of the drug, thus bringing an end to the legality of marijuana—until now. There are currently 14 states that have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes and a handful of others are considering the proposition.

Although medical research is still up for debate, studies suggest marijuana is helpful in treating illnesses such as nausea, glaucoma, migraines, and asthma. It can also be useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and AIDS. If marijuana can bring pain relief to individuals in need, why does legalizing the drug still cause so much controversy? Well, as with any prescription drug, there runs the risk of individuals misusing it. Given how popular marijuana already is in America, abuse is likely.

When legalizing marijuana was first proposed, it was under the premise that the drug would be strongly regulated and it would be prescribed to patients with serious medical conditions. Fast-forward ten years and it has become apparent that patients are no longer using marijuana to relieve serious pain, but instead to get high. In California, where pot dispensaries or “potshops” are legal, it is quite common to see the waiting rooms filled with people with a variety of “painful” ailments who don’t appear to be sick at all. While under California law it is not illegal for a physician to prescribe marijuana, there is little discretion taken as to which patients are prescribed the drug versus those patients who really need it.

While supporters of legalizing marijuana argue the health benefits it has for patients, opponents are worried that by legalizing the drug, it opens the door for all narcotics to become legal. Legalization will also pose problems for law enforcement agencies that will be faced with the challenge of regulating the distribution and sale of marijuana. One final concern addressed by opponents is the social implications. Legalizing marijuana may lead teens to believe that marijuana is safe to use recreationally and the increased availability of the drug will make it easier to come by.

As more states weigh the options of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, it is safe to say the debate will continue. Several states are already hard at work tightening their medical-marijuana bill to avoid abuse in the future.

Sullivan Returns to Washington, Opens Up About Alcohol Abuse

2009-07-11T05:55:00.000-07:00

US Representative John Sullivan is returning to Congress after a month-long stay at the Betty Ford Clinic in California for alcohol addiction. He plans to seek another term in office.

The 44-year-old Oklahoma Republican told Tulsa World that his announcement in late May to seek treatment was not triggered by a single incident. He says he experienced “one of those moments of just clarity” that people struggling with addiction often have.

“I know people were thinking some shoe was going to drop — I got a DWI, did something awful,” said Sullivan, who now admits he is an alcoholic and a “periodic binge drinker.” “I had just a lot of negative feelings, guilt, shame, remorse about it, and I just want to be a better person, better man, better husband, better father,” he added.

He told Tulsa World that his drinking—which he sometimes abstained from for years at a time—was impacting his family. “I was snappy with my kids, yelling at them, arguing with my wife in front of them,” he said. “It just got worse. My kids saw it. I was setting a horrible example.” He called his battle with alcoholism the “most challenging time of my life.”

Sullivan checked himself in to the Betty Ford Center on May 28 and said his stay there was one of the best experiences of his life and that his time there strengthened him. He said his treatment changed his perspective on alcoholism, saying he used to think “an alcoholic was a guy under a bridge cooking a squirrel on a stick.”

He said he also learned that his body processes alcohol differently than others, which played a role his sporadic binge drinking. He added that he now knows that total abstinence is his only acceptable option with alcohol.

Sullivan wrote in a statement, “My time at the Betty Ford Center gave me the opportunity to reflect on my life and afforded me a clearer perspective on what is truly important: God, family, friends, and service to others. Although this was certainly not what I had planned for my life it has turned out to be something that has strengthened me. I am already back to work. All of you have stood by me in this difficult time and I will stand stronger than ever for you in the US Congress.”
Sullivan said serving in Congress was not a factor in his drinking and that he wants to run for re-election next year.

Methamphetamine Addiction Treatment

2009-07-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

Methamphetamine is the second leading drug threat in the U.S., according to the U.S. National Drug Threat Assessment 2009, released by the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC). Cocaine, another stimulant, is number one. Over the past 10 years, methamphetamine has become one of the most widely abused street drugs. Treatment for meth addiction is complex and evolving. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is currently funding research to develop medications for treating stimulant addiction (cocaine and methamphetamine). But there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for meth addiction. And the treatment process requires a long-term commitment.

Primary Treatment

An individual addicted to methamphetamine has a chemical dependency that comes with a high risk of permanent brain damage and is potentially fatal. The best type of primary treatment for methamphetamine addiction, according to experts, is in an extended care residential treatment center. Primary treatment involves detoxification followed by a multi-disciplinary treatment process. A minimum of a 30-day primary treatment program is recommended, to be followed by comprehensive aftercare programs and services.

Meth Detoxification – The First Step

Before any meth treatment can begin, the individual first has to undergo detoxification from the drug. Detoxification from methamphetamine involves many physical and mental health issues, many of which relate to the drug’s biological effects on the brain. Meth withdrawal symptoms can last from 2 days to 2 weeks. Typical symptoms include anxiety, depression, drug craving, fatigue and severe cognitive impairment. Even after meth use has stopped, brain dysfunction can last for months. Other symptoms may include paranoia, hyper sexuality, irrationality, drug craving in response to conditioned cues and violence.

• Medications for Withdrawal – NIDA-funded research is working to develop medications that can help to suppress withdrawal symptoms during detoxification from methamphetamine addiction. There are currently no medications that can safely and effectively reduce life-threatening overdoses from meth, nor are there any medications that can reliably reduce episodes of paranoia and psychotic behavior.

• Medications for Treatment – Similarly, medications can be very useful to help the recovering meth addict to re-establish normal brain functions and to prevent relapse. Such medications can also help to diminish cravings that can occur throughout the treatment process.

• NIDA Meth Clinical Trials Group – NIDA has initiated the methamphetamine clinical trials group (MCTG), a network to provide new clinical research teams in areas with high meth substance problems. Current sites include Costa Mesa and San Diego, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, Des Moines, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri. These addiction pharmacotherapy groups west of the Mississippi will be working to evaluate new medications for meth disorders and to ramp up the pace of development.

Matrix Model

First developed in the 1980s as a cocaine addiction treatment program under a NIDA grant, the Matrix Model is the only methamphetamine treatment program with demonstrated effectiveness. According to several sources, the Matrix Model is the primary protocol for meth treatment at several Southern California clinics.

The Matrix Model is a method of outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy. It is backed by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), a division of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA.

• What’s Involved – The Matrix Model involves a 4- to 6-month process that consists of 3 group or individual therapy sessions per week. Patients are coached on their addictions, how to manage cravings, avoid risky situations, and helped through their recovery. Family therapy, urine testing, and 12-step activities are also part of the model. A shorter 2-month approach is in development.

Rehabilitation for Meth Addicts

Residential drug treatment programs for methamphetamine addiction typically involve a 28- to 30-day inpatient program. The patient, with guidance from trained professionals, learns to address the spiritual, emotional and behavioral aspects of their addiction. Daily activities include self-help groups, individual counseling, group psychotherapy, experiential therapies, recreational activities, educational discussions and techniques for relaxation.

Other Aspects of Meth Treatment

Each meth addict receives personalized treatment, often involving a multi-disciplinary approach. Some of the therapies that may be utilized include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy, and rational emotive therapy – all designed to help the patient overcome their addiction.

• Outpatient Services – Designed to encourage long-term abstinence, the range of techniques includes problem-solving groups, specialized therapies (CBT, insight-oriented psychotherapy, 12-step meetings, etc.), and other approaches. The patient can remain in the program for days or months, similar to other drug rehab programs.

• Long-term Aftercare Support – Following treatment for meth addiction, a continuing long-term support program is recommended. Structured day or evening outpatient programs, referral to a sober living environment, and participation in 12-step meetings in the community and treatment alumni aftercare groups may be part of this ongoing support.

• Ongoing Monitoring – To prevent relapse and/or get the patient back on the road to recovery, ongoing monitoring is generally included.

• Family Involvement – Programs, services or referrals to help family members understand addiction and the recovery process in order to support the recovering addict are critical to the patient’s long-term success. Family members learn how to distinguish between codependency and what’s appropriate in a display of love and support. Although they vary with treatment facility, family programs can range from a week-end stay to longer.

• Contingency Management -This is a rewards-based approach in which patients are given non-monetary awards for successful achievement of specific goals. This positive reinforcement for abstinence from drugs helps augment other treatment approaches.

Search For A Vaccine

Although still in the developmental stages, researchers are working on a potential vaccine that may prove effective in methamphetamine addiction. With the heightened risk meth poses in the U.S., and with the focus of NIDA and other governmental agencies on developing effective medications, there is hope that we will one day be closer to helping curb this drug problem.

Christian Counseling Services An Individualized Approach

2009-07-10T23:55:00.000-07:00

I think the individualized approach to addiction treatment in Christian counseling services is the right way to go. My own situation may be similar to another persons addiction but never exactly the same. My reason for getting sober may be completely different than the woman sitting next to me. The thing I know for sure is that Christian counseling services are what work for me. I fell and needed God to help me up, with the help of my Christian counselor I found my way back to prayer and church. For many Christians A New Life at Lakeview Health in Jacksonville, Florida is the answer. I love having a custom tailored recovery plan just for me because my “story ‘ isn’t the same as everyone else. I need God’s grace, his spirit, to make me effective in my day and with the help of a Christian counselor who knew my faith in God I could do His will as I understood it. I was entirely ready to have God remove all my defects of character, step 6 of the 12 steps. I find that if I work these steps in my everyday life along with prayer and meditation my walk with God is so much easier.

Why Christian Drug Treatment?

2009-07-10T23:39:00.000-07:00

Christian drug treatment like the one at A New Life at Lakeview Health in Jacksonville, Florida is the place to go for a Christian drug treatment program that will get you back into your faith and trust in God. When we are in our addiction we forget that our only peace and serenity is with God in our lives. When we are drugging, we are living and unnatural life physically and mentally. We are punishing our bodies by putting drugs into them. We don’t eat right, we don’t sleep, we loose our family, our friends and our jobs. This is not the way God intended us to live. We can enter the Christian drug treatment program and find our way back to God and His strength through prayer, church, bible study, pastoral counseling and the 12 step program through Christ and Celebrate Recovery support groups. A Christian drug treatment program such as A New Life will continue to support us after treatment with counseling and 12 step programs in our own community. Find peace and serenity through God’s strength and begin A New Life through a Christian drug treatment program.

Drug Abuse in the First World is Serious

2008-08-12T04:18:00.000-07:00

How bad is Drug Abuse in the United States of America? How can we stop abuse of drugs with our young people? Why is the war on drugs a lost cause? Is legalization of drugs the right solution? What will we do in the future as all these folks in their teens or still young adults hit their middle thirties and need new Heart Valves? How can our already over taxed health care system handle it? All good questions indeed.

The answers are not so easy however, as drug abuse in the US is a huge problem and small businesses constantly complain about the drug problems and difficulty in hiring labor. The war on drugs seems to be a dead end game. If we stop the drugs from Mexico, we hurt legal trade with more barriers to entry and even if we do, most of the Meth is home grown in the cities and towns near where it is used anyway.

Legalization of drugs, which many have pondered seems like a solution but is it really? After all more druggies will not help the work force or health care costs in the future and although it might lower the costs and decrease petty crimes, it will still be a huge problem. Today we seem to have more problems and questions than answers. So, if you have a solution, well now is a good time to speak up. Consider this in 2006.

Oklahoma Drug Abuse

2008-08-12T04:15:00.000-07:00

The use of illegal drugs has become a reality throughout modern America. The state of Oklahoma is no exception to this rule. Emotional insecurity, poverty and plain curiosity have caused many Americans to experiment and use substances in hopes of alleviating the pain of everyday life and to achieve a pleasurable ‘high’. Many people choose to view these types of individuals as outcasts, but at the law firm of Atkins & Markoff, we view these unfortunate individuals not as criminals, but as victims caught up in the uncaring impartial justice system. This outlook greatly influences the manner in which we treat our clients and gives us the opportunity to provide them with the best legal protection they deserve.

Drug use in Oklahoma consists of many types of drugs. Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, extacy, GHB, and prescription drug use. These are among some of the most common problems on the streets today. The clients who turn to the law firm of Atkins & Markoff will be nothing less than satisfied. We pride ourselves on a proven track record of defending victims charged with drug crimes and will use every aspect of the law to make sure your rights and freedom are protected.

Introduction To Cocaine Addiction

2008-06-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

Coke, more commonly known as cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant which instantly affects the brain after introducing it to the body. The effects of this drug are extremely pleasurable and give a false sense of euphria. Like caffiene, coke makes the user feel awake, and energized. Cocaine addict's usually experience a sense of well being and feel 'powerful', combined with restlessness and anxiety. When the effects of cocaine wear off the user will 'crash', become depressed, and crave another 'hit' or 'wack'. Cocaine addiction is hard to beat, because of the great length's the user will go to get the drug. Some will even neglect their job, family and loved ones, in order to satisfy their craving for cocaine. This is one of the reasons why cocaine addiction is considered so harsh. It effects the user as well as everyone around him or her.
Signs of cocaine abuse include: change in mood, appitite and sleep cycles, depression, absence at work and home, running/ sniffly nose, new group of friends and a drop in school grades. Loss of interest in hobbys and other activities are also common signs of cocaine usage. Teenagers may also have a frequent need for money, without a good reason. Confronting the suspected user is the best solution. Cocaine addiction's should not go overlooked and should be treated ASAP. Long term effects of cocaine include: irritability, mood swings, restlessness, paranoya, possible auditory hallucinations and the number one long-term effect is addiction to the substance itself.
Many treatments have been found to be have great affects on treating cocaine addiction. It is important when selecting treatment methods, to match the treatment to the individual's needs. The main idea is to get the cocaine abuser to stop the use of the drug and help them maintain a positive outlook throughout the withdrawal. Rewards for positive behaviour and attitude are sometimes given and staying cocaine free becomes easier for the users in time. Residential programs focus on re-socialization, group therapy, and team work to assist an addict through withdrawal. It is very important, regardless of the treatment, is moral support from loved ones. Cocaine addiction is not easy to beat, but it's not impossible, with help and the proper treatment, cocaine addiction can be overcome.

Addiction to Clutter

2008-06-05T07:56:00.000-07:00

Clutter is a big problem for many people. At a lecture that I gave, I asked for a show of hands regarding how many people had problems with clutter and disorganization. I was surprised to find that at least half the people raised their hands.
One of my clients told me that she was trying to help her sister get back on her feet after her sister had been laid up with an illness and lost her job. Her sister’s house had always been a mess, and had become so filled with clutter that there was no place to walk or sit. My client, Rebecca, offered to buy her sister a car if she would clean up her house. Rebecca even offered to help her sister clean up the house. Rebecca was shocked when her sister refused the offer, even though she desperately needed the car. He sister was unwilling to get rid of the clutter.
Why? Why was the “stuff” so important to her?
Underneath all addictions lies fear - of emptiness, helplessness, loneliness and aloneness. Addictions are a way to feel safe from feeling these difficult and painful feelings, and an addiction to clutter is no exception. It’s all about having a sense of control over feeling safe. Clutter, like all addictions, provides a momentary feeling of comfort. However, as with any addiction, the clutterer needs more and more clutter to maintain the illusion of safety and comfort.
When my mother died and my son was cleaning out her house, he discovered huge amounts of clutter. While my mother’s house always looked neat and clean, the cupboards and drawers were filled with clutter. My son told me he found 6 broken hair dryers in one cabinet. Why would my mother want to keep six broken hair dryers?
My mother grew up during the depression and always had a fear of not having enough. No matter how much she accumulated materially, she never felt that she had enough. The six hair dryers made her feel safe from her fear, even if they didn’t work.
Carrie has trouble throwing things away, especially magazines with “important’ information in them. She subscribes to many magazines but, being the mother of three small children, doesn’t often have the time to read them. So the magazines pile up and pile up. Carrie hopes at some point to have the time to read them, but that time never seems to come. When asked why she won’t throw them out, her answer is, “Because there might be something important in them and I don’t want to miss it.” Carrie fears missing out on some important piece of information – information that may give her the peace she is seeking. It makes her feel safer and in control to have all the magazines around her with their important information, even if she never gets to read them.
When we don’t feel safe on the inner level, then we try to make ourselves feel safe on the outer level, and clutter is one way of doing that. Whether it’s things, such as hair dryers, or information, such as in magazines and newspapers, clutterers do not trust that they will have what they need. In addition, clutterers may be resistant people who see messiness and clutter as a way of not being controlled by someone who wants them to be neat.
HEALING THE ADDICTION TO CLUTTER
Clutter is created and maintained by a wounded, frightened part of oneself, the wounded self – the part that operates from the illusion of having control over people, events, and outcomes. As long as this wounded self is in charge of the decisions, the clutterer will continue to accumulate clutter as a way to provide comfort and the illusion of control over feeling safe, or continue to be messy as a way to resist being controlled.
Healing occurs when the individual does the inner work necessary to develop a strong, loving adult self. A loving adult is the aspect of us that opens to and connects with a spiritual source of wisdom, strength, and love. A loving adult is capable of taking loving action in our own behalf. The loving adult operates from truth rather than from the false beliefs of the wounded self, and knows that the comfort and safety that clutter seems to provide is an illusion – that no matter how much clutter accumulates, the clutterer still feels afraid. The loving Adult knows that safety and integrity do not lie in resistance. Only a loving adult who is tuned in to the guidance provided by a spiritual source and capable of taking loving action in one’s own behalf can create a sense of inner safety.
Practicing the six steps of Inner Bonding that we teach develops this powerful loving adult.

Meth Addiction Help

2008-06-05T07:53:00.000-07:00

Methamphetamine is commonly known as "speed" or "meth." It is a white and odourless crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water. The drug was developed early in this century from its parent drug, amphetamine, and was used originally in nasal decongestants, bronchial inhalers and other related products. Like amphetamine, it causes increased activity, decreased appetite, and a general sense of well-being. Meth is a highly addictive substance, and is widely abused among our youth. It has become Meth addiction is a serious problem and often has very serious consequences.
Treatments for meth addictions range from method to method. The primary treatment for methamphetamine addictions is an intensive outpatient program that is designed to treat the patient's dysphoira, paranoia, psychosis and agitation. Successful meth treatment requires the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy. This approach prepares the addict for life-long recovery. Although recovering from meth addiction is challenging, it is not impossible. With determination and support the addiction can be beat.
Treatment for meth overdoses require certain protocols in the emergency room. Becasue hyperthermia(overheating) and convulsions are common and often fatal, ER treatment focuses on the immediate physical symptoms. Overdose patients are cooled off in ice baths, and anticonvulsant drugs may also be administered.
Currently there are no pharmacutical treatments for addiction. How ever, often meth addiction is followed by depression, therefore the use of some anti-depressant medications can be helpful in users who recently have become abstinent. Shock therapy is a outdated form of addiction treatment, and was discontinued becasue it was found to have more negitive effects than positive.

Struggling With Addictions

2008-06-05T07:52:00.002-07:00

What kind of bad habits do you struggle with? Most people think that when they come to Christ that their bad habits will magically disappear. And some church people act like if you have any bad habits in your life that you must not truly be saved, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Christians or not, we are all people, and people make mistakes. People have bad habits.
If you are anything like me, you have poured your heart out in counseling sessions with your church leaders, stood in prayer lines, repented and vowed to do better. And still found yourself giving into that temptation the next time it presented itself, leaving you asking, “What’s wrong with me?”
Nothing. There is nothing wrong with you. The very fact that you are concerned about it is a good sign. It’s the people who won’t admit they have a problem that should worry.
Everyone, at one time or another, struggles with some type of bad habit or addiction. Maybe it’s shopping too much, smoking, drinking alcohol, pornography, coffee, sweets, etc. People don’t want others to know about their problems, so they hide them in the closet, hoping that no one will ever find out about their secret. When a problem is hidden in the dark, it will continue to haunt you. But once it is brought into the light, that is when you will be able to overcome it.
A bad habit or addiction is anything that robs you of your time with God, that you feel that you must hide, that hurts your health or the health of others or is against the Word of God.
It is important that we guard what we are feeding the gates of our heart–our eyes, ears and mouth. Looking at pornographic magazines or watching R-rated movies causes those images to enter our eye gates, and once there, our minds store those images for safe keeping. Then at the most awkward moments, it will replay those images. Maybe in your dreams, when you are praising God at church or when you are kissing your girlfriend.
Perhaps you don’t watch anything objectionable. Instead your vice of choice is heavy-metal or rap music that talk about killing cops and degrading women. At first, you may just think the music has a nice beat, but after awhile, even though, you are not consciously listening to the lyrics, those words–the ones about murder, drugs and sex–will seep into your subconscious. You will find yourself getting into trouble because you have a shorter fuse than you used to. You will blur the line between right and wrong. You won’t remember why having sex without a marriage license is sinful, why stealing and lying are immoral. All because you didn’t guard what you let through your eye and ear gates.
How do you overcome the bad habits and addictions in your life?
1. Repent. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If we didn’t struggle with problems in life, there would be no reason to repent. However, we do, so we must ask God to forgive us for our wrongdoings. He is a gracious God who promises to forgive us when we repent. The mistake most of us make is in hiding our sin from God. Somehow we think that we can hide it from the One who sees all and knows all. Run to God when you slip in your recovery. Run to Him when you sin because He is on your side. He is not sitting up in Heaven, waiting to pounce on you anytime you make a mistake. That is not who He is. God is love not hate.
2. Ask God For Help. In II Corinthians 12:9, God tell us “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Think about that for a moment. In our times of weakness, we can count on God to be strong for us. If we team up with God, we can conquer anything. Romans 8:37 promises that “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
Philippians 4:13 states that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Never be afraid to ask God for help because without Him, beating a bad habit is like digging yourself out of the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It’s an uphill battle.
3. Make A Decision. I will–when said together, those two words can be the strongest words in the English language. Why? Because they denote choice. Even in the Garden of Eden, we find humans making their own choices. Eve could have chose not to talk to the serpent. She could have decided not to eat the fruit. Adam could have refused the fruit when Eve offered it to him.
Every day we make choices. Will I have the soup or the salad? Will I cheat at golf? Will I give back the extra change the cashier gave me? Every day we make up our minds to do the right thing or to do the wrong thing. But when faced with a choice, humans usually choose the wrong thing because it is easier to give into temptations than to say “no.”
So, we must train ourselves to choose the right option. Whenever you have to choose between right and wrong, take a moment and determine which is the wrong option and which is the right. If you don’t know, ask yourself what would happen if you picked a certain option. If it would result in someone being hurt or in something that is contrary to God’s Word, it is the wrong choice.
4. Find Someone To Talk To. James 5:16 advises us to “Confess your faults one to another that ye may be healed...” As I said before, when we leave things in the dark, they continue to have a hold over us. In order to stop this cycle, we must find someone to confess our habits and addictions to. Once it is out in the open, then you will begin to heal in that area of your life. Make sure to find someone you can trust to talk to. You don’t want your sins to be broadcast all over your church, your neighborhood or your school. Instead go to your minister, youth pastor, parents, school counselor or a close friend.
Expose your bad habits and addictions to God’s light, and you will be amazed at how quickly they will crumble under the heat.

Signs That Rage Has Turned Into An Addiction

2008-06-05T07:52:00.001-07:00

All addictions have symptoms, which allow us to recognize these problems as addictive diseases. The signs of addictive diseases are self-stimulation, compulsion, obsession, denial, withdrawal and craving syndrome, and unpredictable behavior. Like alcoholism or drug use, anger meets many of the criteria.
Self-Stimulation
For those who are rageaholics, expressing anger is self- stimulating. It triggers the compulsion for more anger. For example, let’s pretend that we are going to provide treatment for alcoholics. On the way to the treatment center we stop and buy a case of beer. When we get to the meeting, we tell the alcoholics in therapy that they just need to do a lot of drinking to get it out of their system once and for all. This is similar to when therapist tell men with rage problems, “You just need to express yourself and get it out of your system.” It is just as absurd. The more alcoholics drink, the more they want. The more ragers rage, the more they want to rage.
Compulsion
Anger addiction or “rageaholism” is the compulsive pursuit of a mood change by repeatedly engaging in episodes of rage despite adverse consequences. Rageaholics continue to rage compulsively without regard to the negative consequences. Compulsion or loss of control is the inability to stop expressing anger once we have begun. The inability to control angry words is a certain sign of rageaholism. Loss of control--that is addiction.
Obsession
Rageaholics are frequently preoccupied with resentment and fantasies of revenge. Those thoughts sometimes rise powerfully and allow no other thoughts to enter. The force of anger is sometimes irresistible and followed by action. Therefore, the preoccupation with the “wrongs” of others and revenge continually leads to rage. Progressively, these thoughts crowd out all others until our life becomes chronically revenge-oriented. At that point, anger controls our thoughts.
Denial
Denial keeps anger addicts trapped. It is the mental process by which we conclude that the addiction is not the problem; it’s “them.” Ignorance of addiction and the inability to examine ourselves, work together to keep rageaholics stuck. Knowing no other way to live, we deny that there is anything wrong with us. This system of denial ensures that the process of rage and righteous indignation will continue. Righteous indignation keeps our focus off of ourselves. This is why ragers seldom are able to say, “I am wrong.”
Withdrawal and Craving
As with any addiction, anger has a detoxification period. Craving is high during this time. Those who abstain from name-calling, profanity and yelling during this period report more depression than usual for the first three months. Typically, during the first 90 days of abstinence, ragers feel vulnerable and spend a lot of time thinking and hoping for a situation that will allow us to use violence for some heroic purpose. Afterward, however, if we have achieved complete abstinence and maintained it for 90 days, we find we no longer think in profane or disparaging terms. It may even become shocking when we hear others do it.
Unpredictable Behavior
Another definition of alcoholism is that when an alcoholic drinks, there is no way to predict his or her behavior. He may drink appropriately from time to time, just as the rageaholic may express anger appropriately from time to time. However, when the alcoholic starts to drink alcohol, all bets are off. No one knows what is going to happen. When rageaholics start to express anger, no one knows where it is going to go. The most likely think is that they will explode, rant and rave. Rageaholics would like to learn how to express our anger appropriately just like alcoholics would like to learn how to drink appropriately. While there are some exceptions, I encourage those with rage problems to abstain from the expression of anger for one year.
This plan is only for that small percent of the population who have rage or violence problems. The approach described here is not for everyone; but for those addicted to rage, it won’t work to express your anger

Curbing Your Carbohydrate Addiction

2008-06-05T07:50:00.000-07:00

Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more of the body than of the mind, meaning biological factors are generally considered to be the main trigger for carb cravings. These cravings are described as a compelling craving, or desire for carbohydrate-rich foods; an escalating, recurring need or drive for starches, snack foods, junk food, or sweets.
This is where the cycle of carbohydrates and cravings start. High-sugar, refined starch, convenience and comfort foods feed the addiction like a drug. This results in high blood sugar and insulin levels which results in more cravings. The situation also results in higher levels of serotonon - a brain chemical that acts like Prozac. People eat sweets to get the sugar ‘high’.
Another contributing factor to overeating and sweet craving is stress. When we are tense, the adrenal gland produces more of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol stimulates production of a brain chemical called ‘neuropeptide Y’.
This is kind of a carbohydrate craving switch. Aside from this, neuropeptide Y also makes the body hang on to the new body fat we produce. In other words, tension not only triggers carbohydrate cravings, it also makes it more difficult to lose any additional weight. Cortisol also stimulates insulin, which leads to blood sugar dips and fat storage.
It's a vicious cycle that feeds on itself, over and over.
Food is not just a biological need; there is also an emotional element to it. Something in our emotional state, particularly a negative one evokes an urge for ‘comfort’ food. By dealing with the issue behind the cravings, it produces emotional relief that can reduce or even eliminate the urge to overeat.
All in all, most experts agree that by eating enough wholesome foods at meals and by having a healthy afternoon snack, people can minimize their cravings for sweets.
Here are recommendations to curb carbo cravings.
1. Eat less but more often. Eat small meals or snacks containing some PROTEIN every few hours to keep blood-sugar levels steady. Skipping meals causes blood sugar levels to drop, which leaves you yearning for processed carbohydrates and sweets for energy.
2. Be selective about the carbohydrates you eat. Avoid nutrient-stripped foods made of white flour, white rice, refined sugar and highly concentrated sweeteners. Look for foods rich in fiber such as fresh vegetables and fruits, which level off blood sugar.
3. Don't skimp on protein to ‘make room’ for large amounts of carbohydrates. Protein gives the body extended energy, helps balance blood sugar and keeps cravings at bay.
4. Limit your intake of alcohol, fruit juice and caffeinated drinks. These cause abrupt blood-sugar highs followed by troublesome blood-sugar lows, leaving you starved for energy.
5. Eat small portions of seasonal goodies AFTER protein-containing meals or snacks, if at all. If you eat sweets on an empty stomach, you'll experience blood-sugar lows that trigger the desire for more sweets.
6. Avoid becoming famished during shopping trips and while traveling. Carry protein-rich snacks such as nuts, hard-boiled eggs, nutrient-balanced energy bars or "vegetable green" tablets like those listed. These high-power foods are great when you feel your energy drop.
7. Get enough sleep. When the body and mind are well-rested, cravings for carbohydrates often vanish.

10 Tenets of Effective Drug Addiction Treatment

2008-06-05T07:47:00.002-07:00

On any given day in the United States, one million people are in treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction. It is not getting into treatment, however, that makes the difference. Instead, it is what a person gets out of treatment. The fact that many people do not find success in treatment on their first attempt is due in part to a lack of understanding about what makes effective treatment.
1.There is no treatment formula that will work for everyone.
Occasionally, people looking for treatment will come across other individuals who are already in recovery and who insist that the only path to recovery is whatever path the recovering individual has taken. This simply is not true. The ultimate success of each individual entering treatment depends on finding the right treatment setting and methods for the individual, and everyone’s needs are different.
2. Medically supervised withdrawal is only one step in addiction treatment; alone it will do little.
Frequently, it is necessary for addicts and alcoholics to go through a medically supervised withdrawal period before they can safely enter treatment. However, some people confuse this short 3 to 7 day period with treatment, which it is not. Some people cycle in and out of these withdrawal episodes convinced that they should be able to maintain abstinence afterwards, but never finding success. Seemingly tragic, this allows some addicts to continue in their addiction while giving the appearance that they are attempting to get healthy.
3. Length of treatment counts.
The appropriate duration for an individual depends on his or her problems and needs. Research indicates that for most patients, significant improvement is reached at about 3 months. The research suggests that this may be residential, outpatient or a combination of both depending on the individual’s needs. After this initial period, additional treatment can produce further progress toward recovery.
4. Drug addiction is a multidimensional problem, and treatment needs to address all of an individual’s needs.
Effective treatment must address the individual's drug use, but also any associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, or legal problems.
5. Counseling (individual and/or group) is a critical part of effective addiction treatment.
Many alcoholics and addicts mistakenly believe that if they could just stop using for a week or two they could stop using forever. In reality, they need therapy. In therapy, addicts examine their motivation, build skills to resist drug use, replace drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding nondrug-using activities, and improve problem-solving abilities. Additionally, therapy helps individuals to rebuild and re-learn family and social living patterns.
6. Medications are an important part of treatment for many people. Medications such as suboxone, methadone and LAAM can all be effective in helping certain individuals stay away from illicit drugs. Some times frowned upon by some individuals in recovery the truth is that these medications allow millions of individuals to live normal, productive lives.
7. Drug testing during treatment is important.
Drugs are found everywhere, even in drug treatment. Whether treatment is offered on an outpatient, inpatient or in a jail drugs are available to individuals in treatment. This puts individuals in treatment at risk for reusing even while in treatment. It also means that every individual in treatment should be monitored for drug treatment on an ongoing basis. In this manner treatment, plans may be modified to increase the chance of ultimate success.
8. Alcoholics and addicts with mental health disorders should be treated for both at the same time.
An alcoholic or addict who also has a mental health disorder is said to have “co-occurring” disorders. In the past, the question has sometimes been should the person be treated for the mental health problem or the addiction first. People may be using drugs to deal with the mental health problem or they may have the mental health issue because of their drug use. The most effective way to deal with these two “co-occurring” disorders and deal with the addiction is to treat them at the same time.
9.Addiction Treatment works even for people who don’t choose it of their own free will.
It used to be believed that someone had to want to go into treatment before it could be effective. New research has shown that this is not the case. In fact, treatment is just as effective for individuals who are court ordered to do treatment as it is for people who figure out the need for it on their own. Families and employers can be just as effective at getting unwilling addicts into treatment. Stephen King, in his autobiography “On Writing,” tells about the intervention his wife and family performed on him. King did not want to go into treatment. He was seemingly happy doing coke and drinking mouthwash, but his wife Tabitha and his children were not happy with the situation and performed an intervention. Forced to choose between family and drugs, King made the right choice. Interventions are most successful when done correctly and with the help of a professional. For more information on interventions visit www.interventionresources.net
10. Don’t give up.
As with other chronic illnesses, relapses can occur during or after successful treatment episodes. Addicted individuals may need lengthy treatment and more than one time in treatment before they can enjoy long-term abstinence and full restoration to a drug free life. The period after treatment is just as important as being in treatment. Finding support and continuous work to stay drug free will be necessary. A slip or relapse is just an indicator that more work, and possibly more treatment, is necessary. Don't give up.

Drug Addiction Treatment Centers: A Fresh Start

2008-06-05T07:47:00.001-07:00

Half a decade ago, I started working on a hotline to help addicts and their families find drug addiction treatment centers. Thousands of calls later, I still remember the first time I picked up the line.
I could hardly make out what the woman on the other end was saying to me. Shelly (not her real name) was sobbing. She had just arrived at her father's apartment and had found him passed out cold on the couch with a needle still sticking out of his arm. Why she called our line instead of 9-1-1 was a mystery. I called for an ambulance and waited on the phone with her until they arrived. She told me how her father had been a construction worker, though his dream was to play guitar in a band. Shelly said her parents split up when she was thirteen because of her dadâ€™s drinking. He moved away to live in another state for a couple of years and they began to lose touch. He would send the occasional card or make a call on her birthday the first couple of years, but that eventually ended. After college, Shelly decided to find her dad. It turned out that he had moved back and was living just a couple of miles from where she grew up.
Somewhere along the way, he had picked up a heroin habit. Shelly tried to talk him into going to treatment, but he always had an excuse for why he couldn't. Shelly said she visited him weekly, helped him keep his apartment up, bought his groceries and kept after him to quit. She said she they had just talked the night before and that he had, for the first time, agreed to try treatment. On my end, I could hear the ambulance approaching and then a knock on the door. Shelly hung up and I never heard from her again.
Today in America, there are 13 million people in need of alcohol or drug addiction treatment. Fortunately, according the government, there are just over 13,000 drug addiction treatment centers waiting to help these individuals. It may have been too late for Shelly's dad, I don't know, but I do know that it is not too late for anyone who is looking for a drug addiction treatment center today.

Overcoming Work Addiction

2008-06-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

Why are you so busy? Do you really have too much work? Is work so important to you that you'll sacrifice just about anything in your life to get the job done? Even if it's at the expense of your health and your relationships?
If you find these questions disturbing then see how you rate with these ones:
Do you work more than 50 hours a week?
Do you dream about work?
Do you feel that in order to succeed you must work late most of the time?
Are you a stranger in your own home?
Do you constantly miss family and social events because you're always working?
Do you schedule and undertake more than you can get done in a 40-hour work week?
Do you get bored when you're not working?
Is missing family and social events because of work unavoidable?
When on holiday do you constantly check your phone messages and email?
Your Score
The greater the number of yes answers, the closer you are to fitting the profile of a workaholic. If you've answered yes to more than half of the questions, it's time to take stock before you lose your health, family and everything you hold near and dear to your heart.
Do a Stocktake
First, of all take a really good look at your job, what you do and the importance of your accomplishments. Are you appreciated for all those long hours you've put in? Does it really - I mean really - make a difference to your income? Let's face it. In today's economic environment, employees are often nothing more than expendable pawns. No amount of overtime and sacrifice will make a difference when a company has to make cutbacks.
Are You Having Fun?
Secondly, determine if you're having fun at your job, long hours notwithstanding. If you're not having fun and are popping antacids to avoid a stress-related ulcer, then you need to rethink all that hard work you're putting in. Fun must be a high priority in your life and your job should be no exception.
Gary's Story
In one of our coaching sessions, Gary told me he wanted to expand his social circle yet didn't have time because he worked from 7.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. most days. He said he'd been doing this for years and that it was 'the norm' in his profession.
As I continued to question him about why it was standard procedure to work these ridiculous hours, he realised that those colleagues who succumbed to this belief were all very unhappy individuals. Most of them were divorced just like he was and had no-one to go home to. They used work as a way to avoid the loneliness.
Gary was divorced because he didn't pay attention to his relationships. He would arrive home at 7.30 p.m. most nights and his wife wouldn't bother communicating with him. She was busy looking after their two young boys and meeting their needs. At that time of night his wife was putting the kids to bed.
Gary would read them a story if they hadn't already fallen asleep.
He was missing out on everything that was important to him.
Unfortunately Gary didn't wake up to himself in time and got caught up with being 'Mr. Important' at work. He paid a heavy price with the divorce which followed.
Bringing Up Kids
In his book "Raising Boys", Stephen Biddulph categorically states: If you routinely work a fifty five or sixty hour week, including travel times, you just won't cut it as a dad.
He says: Your sons will have problems in life and it will be down to you.
The Final Word
If you seriously want to make changes to your life, then take action now. If it's too hard to do by yourself, get a coach. If you've been a workaholic it can take awhile to break your old habits and to instill new behaviours. After all you've got everything to gain by working less and everything to lose by continuing the way you are.

Identify and Remedy Work Addiction

2008-06-05T07:36:00.000-07:00

Work addiction is an unrestrained, unfulfillable internal demand for constant engagement in work and a corresponding inability to relax. A person with work addiction, a “workaholic,” is incessantly driven, relentlessly active. Work is the one organizing and effective activity. For some work addicts, inactivity or activity other than work gives rise to guilt, anxiety, or emptiness. Some individuals view work as the only area in which they can establish and maintain their identities, feel effective, and enjoy feelings of importance, validation, and affirmation. Others may use work to counteract underlying feelings of inadequacy and ineffectiveness. In either case, the workaholic cannot rest.
Working passionately, long and hard, and deriving satisfaction, does not make someone a work addict. An addiction is something you can’t do without. These addicted to alcohol or drugs feel as if they cannot do without them. The person who cannot maintain comfort or a sense of worth without working is similarly addicted. People with work addiction have to work constantly, even on weekends, and during whatever vacations they permit themselves. For these individuals, however, the relentless pursuit of work and the attainment of material gain do not result in pleasure.
Like other addictions, work addiction affects the workaholic’s social life and restricts his or her personal freedom and happiness. In fact, excessive work can be a means to withdraw from relationships, to manipulate relationships by limiting one’s availability, or to regulate relationships so that not too much is expected.
Individuals who are truly addicted to work do not find great pleasure in the work itself. Work, motivated by a desire to be effective, to experience mastery, and also avoids feeling bad. Like other compulsions work addiction is an attempt to regulate one’s feelings and self-esteem.
WORK ADDICTION: SELF-EVALUATION QUESTIONS
Change begins by looking at things in a different way. Consider the following questions in relation to your work and your feelings about your work identity.
• Do you have a specific time when your work life stops and your private life begins each day? Each weekend? For vacations?
• When you leave work, do problems, projects, calls, appointments, and meetings follow you home and erode your private time?
• Do you have withdrawal symptoms when not working, such as restlessness, anxiety, depression, or psychosomatic symptoms?
• Has anyone close to you ever accused you of being a workaholic?
• Have you become creative in rationalizing your excesses, perhaps by convincing yourself that success demands a dedication bordering on obsession? Do you fear failure if you do anything less?
• Can you not seem to stop replaying conversations at work, reassessing decisions, and reexamining work details?
• Is what you do who you are? Is your identity as a person so closely linked to your work identity that it is difficult to enjoy an activity not connected with work?
• Do you take setbacks, feedback, or criticism of work projects personally?
• Are you still trying to prove your worth to yourself, or someone else, by what you do? Do you believe that only unending effort will demonstrate your true value?
• Are you doing what you do for someone else’s response, or for your own benefit and satisfaction of your own ideals?
• Is work an escape? Does it allow you to fill a void or get out of doing something you regard as unpleasant, such as meeting family obligations or facing family conflicts?
• Do you have medical problems as a result of overwork, or a physical deterioration from alcohol, cigarettes, skimping on sleep, or overeating?
• Has your social or family function deteriorated as a result of excessive work, including neglect of children or spouse?

How to Avoid Drug Rehab and Drug Addiction for Your Kids

2008-04-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Some parents who dabbled in drugs when they were in their teens or early twenties may hear of their own kids smoking marijuana and not be too worried about it. After all, you lived through it and it seemed relatively harmless. What you may not know is that marijuana today is far more potent than it was in the 60's and 70's - some of it packs five to 10 times the wallop it did back then. Have a look at how you felt back in the 60's when you smoked marijuana and imagine feeling five to 10 times the impact and you can see why even 'harmless' marijuana is now more addictive and is sending people to a drug rehab.

Why is marijuana so much stronger and more dangerous today? Some growers have specifically cultivated the plants that way: The percentage of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the ingredient that gives marijuana its kick, commonly known as THC, varies widely - from about 0.1% to 10%. The 0.1% variety is grown largely as hemp, the plant fibers used for clothing and other goods, while marijuana used as drugs is usually in the 1 to 2% range. However, if growers separate the male from the female plants, the energy usually used to develop the fertilized seed in female plants is redirected to the flower and resin where the THC concentration is about 10%. The flower and resin are then harvested. This is just one of the techniques growers have employed to make the marijuana on the streets stronger than it used to be, and one of the major reasons why kids these days may need drug rehab even if they're only smoking marijuana.

The second reason why it's more dangerous is because the drug culture has changed. Back in the '60s, for example, it was difficult to find a high school - especially in the suburbs - where anyone at all smoked marijuana and, even then, it was probably just one or two of the hundreds of kids going to the school.

In our schools today, kids are not only smoking marijuana, they are also using heroin, prescription drugs like OxyContin, and just about everything else you can think of. This increases the exposure: no matter what school your kids are going to, you can pretty much guarantee that they know someone who is taking drugs of one sort or another and those drugs will be offered to them. They are also likely to know at least one person whose drug addiction or abuse problem is serious enough to require drug rehab.

Why the big change? High schools, colleges, and even elementary schools are no doubt a reflection of the overall drug culture now prevalent in the U.S. Back in the '60s, kids weren't given Ritalin if they were having trouble in school, parents weren't on tranquilizers, anti-depressants, and so on - not that no one was taking them, but the numbers were relatively small compared to the 22 million needing alcohol or drug rehab today.

Our television programs were not peppered with drug ads, patients weren't requesting those drugs from their doctors - as they are often instructed to do by the ads - and doctors didn't readily prescribe them. In those days, the prescription pad was largely reserved for patients whose problems were physical - antibiotics, blood pressure or heart medications and so on - not mind-altering drugs to which people became addicted and which they need drug detox or drug rehab to quit.

If you want your kids to stay off drugs, if you don't want your kids to look at drugs as the solution to life's problems, don't compromise - even with marijuana. Also, kids whose parents educate them on the dangers of drugs are 50% less likely to take them. If you already have a kid who's into drugs of any kind, get them into a good drug rehab program fast so you can avert the dangerous consequences you read and hear about in the news every day.

Drug Court Alternative Sentencing - Stay Out of Jail and Get Free Addiction Treatment

2008-04-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

Alternative Sentencing

Alternative sentencing is an option that many courts turn to when seeking punishment for certain crimes. Often, when the crime is drug related and non-violent, it would actually be more affordable and productive in the long term for both the offender and the community if they had treatment instead of incarceration. A prison sentence sometimes leaves people just as addicted when they get out as when they got in jail. The addiction itself is sometimes the real problem and by treating the disease itself and giving the offender skills to deal with it, it is hoped that they will not be in court again.

Non Violent Offenders

In recent years, drug courts specifically designed for nonviolent drug offenders and nonviolent crimes committed by drug users have emerged in all states to help the traditional criminal justice system - a system that is being overwhelmed by relatively minor drug offenses. Defendants can agree to participate in a drug court program and upon completion may get a reduced sentence or even dismissed charges.

The options offered and mandated by the courts can widely vary depending on the crime, the state, the judge, the defendant's history and situation. Typically, courts will offer one or a combination of probation, drug education classes, chemical dependency treatment, house arrest or mandatory drug testing. There may also be special programs in certain areas for family friendly treatment or supplemental mental health services for co-occurring diagnosis.

Getting In

Once an offender has been arrested, there are a variety of steps and procedures that they must follow. Usually, a professional psychological profile for when an offender is indicated or pre-sentencing evaluations used by law firms are necessary. Courts may have qualified expert witnesses in substance abuse or dependency. Some courts may refer an offender to treatment or one may need to find a state certified treatment program that can provide the proper documentation and support in court. Some treatment centers have established relationships with courts and can arrange individualized and structured alternative sentencing proposals.

Dare To Be Yourself Without Drugs And Alcohol

2008-03-14T22:59:00.000-07:00

Whether you are young or not-so-young, there is one fact which is probably true-- when you began using drugs and alcohol, you may have thought it was a great way to fit in with others who were doing the same thing. If you think about it, though, there is something that is much better than taking on a self-destructive lifestyle in order to be one of the crowd-- you can now branch out into an entirely new venture, and dare to be yourself!

If you are like most people, you are probably wondering what you can gain from such a radical move. There are a number of answers to that, and all of them are equally valid. For starters, when you are no longer bound to drugs and alcohol, you will also no longer be bound to a lifestyle which holds you back and holds you down.

If you have not yet thought of it in those terms, perhaps now is a good time to start. As many people begin to use drugs and alcohol because they do not wish to conform, consider how much conforming you have been doing as a result! If you have been going where your crowd goes, if you have been doing what your crowd does, it would seem you have lost something very important somewhere along the line.

When you dare to be yourself without drugs and alcohol, you are making a great positive statement about yourself! You are now beginning to assert that being an individual is your true priority-- and there could not possibly be anything better than that!

If you have been focusing on drugs and alcohol for a long time, you may have lost sight of who you really are. You may have been going along with the crowd for so long that you are not sure what is important to you and what you want from life. The best thing about this dilemma is that it is never too late to start, and today is the very best time to start.

When you take on the task of asserting this priority, you will find that you will no longer be in the position of having drugs, alcohol, and that lifestyle defining who you are. Although the thought may seem a bit intimidating at first, it should not be; after all, what could be better than finding that there has been a competent, intelligent, very individual person there all along? You will find what works for you and what does not; and you will find a nearly-limitless world of possibilities opening up for you each day.

You have not reached this point by accident. You can reclaim your goals, your interests, your dreams-- and you will have a much healthier life in which to enjoy it all. All you need to do now is to decide that you really do want all of those things-- and then take the challenge to dare to be who you are!

Recover From Drug Addiction With Three Basic Steps

2008-03-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes admission of a drug problem is a lot harder to deal with than the problem itself. If you at least suspect that you have it, chances are that you are experiencing a phase which most drug users, even at their early stages of drug abuse, have in common - denial. You must understand that whatever level of dependence you have right now, you have to quit drugs. It's as simple as that. There are numerous steps towards recovery, but they may be summed into three simple ones. None of them may be easy, but their effectiveness in providing a way for you to help quit drugs is undeniable.

The change begins with you. If you feel that drug use is getting in the way of your goal to achieve a fulfilled, happy life, then the first step in the effort to quit drugs is to admit that you are a user. This initial admission will afford for you to help quit drugs, and will put you on the right track to recovery. Forget the past and focus on your future. Understand that you are not a bad person for being dependent to drugs; this only means that you have a problem which is solvable; having this initial mindset will help quit drugs for you, while starting off on the right foot.

Talk to someone you can trust. Unfortunately, it is difficult to quit drugs without support form the people around you. Friends and family provide morale and emotional help. Quit drugs now and have those who are special to you back you up. You'll find that not only is getting rid of the habit easy, their efforts to help quit drugs for you will tighten the bonds which bind you close, resulting in a more meaningful relationship with them.

Seek professional help. If your level of dependence is strong enough to hinder your all your personal efforts to quit drugs, you'll need therapy and rehabilitation from a facility which specializes in such. These can help quit drugs for you in the most effective way, making the transition from drug dependence to drug-free as smooth and as manageable for you. They will also provide for post-therapy advice on how to stay off of it once you're back in the 'real world,' so to speak. If you follow these three simple steps, you'll be assured of a cleaner, more fulfilled life; one without drug dependence.

The Key Towards Drug Recovery - Moral Support

2008-03-14T22:53:00.000-07:00

You can support a friend or a family member in his or her efforts to quit drugs by getting involved yourself, and there are various ways of doing this. This usually begins with an intervention which makes the first attempt to help the person as to how to quit. Using drugs to the point of abuse can hinder the development of a person's self-image, a consequence which can only be reversed through support. This is effective if it extends past the intervention, and stays with the person in every step of the recovery.

Sometimes the best way to provide support to a person who is a drug dependent is just to be there for him or her at the time when the person needs your company the most. Recovery from the condition entails numerous mixed emotions as experienced by the person, with some more difficult to deal with than the others. You have to be physically there for the person, reminding him or her of the ways as to how to quit using drugs. Your physical presence will enforce the feeling that the person is not alone in the effort, and will be even more motivated towards his or her personal recovery. In order to help a dependent quit drugs, you first have to be there no matter what the situation, to provide for emotional and moral support.

Empathize with what the person is going through in his or her attempt to quit drugs. Remember that he is fully aware of the ways as to how to quit using drugs, but the body resists the change through withdrawal symptoms. Understand that the person's irrationality and irritability is experienced because his entire self is battling the sudden change, and the best you can do is stay close and show that you'll be there for the person.

Of course, you are only human and you cannot do this all alone. Sometimes you yourself will be taxed out with frustration in helping the person quit drugs; you feel spent yourself, both emotionally and physically. It is better if you help the person out as a group; discuss among his friends and family members the best way as to help him how to quit using drugs, and take turns at providing support, either individually or in groups. You may also need professional assistance; a drug treatment specialist will be able to answer your questions as to how to quit using drugs, he will be able to arrange a treatment plan which is personally set up for the drug dependent's individual welfare

Dealing With Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

2008-03-14T22:52:00.000-07:00

If you have decided on making an effort to quit drug addiction, congratulations; you've made the right choice towards better health. But you have to take caution though; the road you're treading to quit drugs may be bumpy, and sometimes you'll also feel that your efforts are like an uphill climb. This is due to the difficulty which all drug dependents go through during the rehabilitation process; withdrawal. You may have heard of this before and may even have experienced it in your initial attempts to quit drug addiction. Be sure that whatever you are going through, it will definitely pass in time.

Your body is experiencing these symptoms because it is accustomed to regular intake of the substance you are trying to get rid of in your effort to quit drugs. The unique thing about your body is that it becomes accustomed to an ever-increasing intake of any substance, and will get used to previous doses of the drugs you used to take, without providing the effect you were expecting to receive. Once you quit drug addiction, the sudden drop of the level of the substance will be missed by your body, and will react in a way that is normal for it - to flush out the residue and recompense for the loss. This to you can be either uncomfortable or entirely intolerable, depending on the intensity and the length of time which you have spent using it.

During this trying period, you will admittedly constantly think about backtracking on your decision to quit drugs. In all earnestness, don't. Think about the prize for going through this short-lived experience. You will get rid of your drug dependence and move on to a more fulfilled life without it. You will be able to regain the life you have missed before your dependence. It doesn't matter which substances you are trying to get rid off in your attempt to quit drug addiction; it is a hurdle which you can overcome - but you have to strengthen your resolve to get through it.

Sometimes the toll which your effort to quit drugs may be too difficult to handle; in this case it is better if you admit yourself into a rehabilitation facility which provides help for people who are trying to quit drug addiction. With professional help and therapy, your opportunities for returning to drug dependence are done away with, since you won't be exposed in any way with them during your admission. This will make your effort to quit drug addiction that much easier to bear, and you'll be able to get back to your life before dependence sooner than you expect.

How To Stay Off Of Drugs Once You've Quit

2008-03-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

If you have been successful in your attempt to quit drugs, well, congratulations to you! You've gone past the first part towards your recovery. But it isn't over; remember that you may have a fresh start, but this doesn't mean that you're body is ready to face up to the temptation without succumbing to it. The question which bugs most of those who've quit doing drugs can be summed up in two words: "Now what?" Indeed, your previous life was drug-centered, and now that it's gone, you'll have to fill in the gap, as soon as possible. Some people fail in their efforts to entirely quit doing drugs because they don't find another way to occupy themselves, causing them to suffer a relapse, and they eventually revert back to the habit.

Once you have quit drugs, you have to change your lifestyle with a holistic approach. Remember your motivations during the time when you have decided to quit doing drugs? Now is the time to do something about it. If you want to go kayaking, or if you want to take a prize vacation, do it. Do something to reinforce your previous motives to quit doing drugs, and to stay off of it.

Avoid at all costs the situations and things which have led you to drug dependence. You have made a breakthrough leap when you have overcome your drug dependence, that the opportunities for a relapse which you may face will pale in comparison to it. Keep in mind that once you've quit drugs, you've won the war; the rest will seem like trifle obstacles, and once you get used to the idea that you've quit doing drugs and have gained the resolve to stay off of it, denying its access to your life will eventually become second nature to you.

You have to keep your body and mind occupied, so you'll have fewer chances for a relapse after you have quit drugs. The body follows the mind, and as long as the former is conditioned to the thought that the body has done away with dependence after you've quit doing drugs, you have to feed your body with the right stimulus to stay on top of the situation. Take part in an active exercise regimen and start a healthy diet program. This will bring back the health you've lost before your drug dependence, and will revitalize your body and mind to a better, healthier new you.

When Rehabilitation is the Best Solution

2008-03-14T22:50:00.000-07:00

Oftentimes, drug dependence can be a condition which you will have difficulty handling all by yourself, to the point that the people who care for you may be affected. If you feel that things are getting out of hand, take a stand now and consider the option of a rehabilitation program, one which will help you quit drugs effectively. Rehabilitation programs differ in formats, but are geared towards the same goal: to help the dependent quit using drugs altogether, and to help the person start out with a renewed life.

Drug rehabilitation programs provide assistance in early detection and treatment of drug dependence. You may have recognized that you are indeed a drug dependent, and have decided to quit using drugs with professional help. Rehabilitation programs are comprehensive and multi-faceted, and will help you quit drugs through individualized treatment plans. These will guide you with every step of your effort to quit using drugs, and will employ tested methods towards recovery, such as multiple-approach intervention techniques, care management, and reinforcement.

While on your way to quit drugs once and for all, the program will also provide social skills training which you won't achieve on your own; these will help you recognize the situations and conditions which led to your dependence, so that you can easily avoid them in the future after you have successfully quit using drugs. Specialized services in the areas of medical, personal, psychiatric, and occupational concerns are also offered to make the recovery a holistic one for you. And because you are inside an environment which is drug-free, the impulses which you have felt before may be overwhelming at first, but be assured that they will eventually die down before disappearing altogether.

There is a chance that you may relapse back to your previous dependence even after you have completed the program and is indeed successful in your goal to quit drugs. For this reason, rehabilitation programs are designed to be a part of your life, during and after your drug problem. With the help of professional counselors and therapists, you will be able to regain your life back and keep it that way. You can share your motivations to quit using drugs to other dependents, through support programs which let you become an active part in other people's transformation, which will give you an increased sense of purpose and will motivate you to continue in your efforts not only to quit using drugs entirely, but to help other people deal with their drug problems as well.

Nutrition and Exercise - Keys to Drug Use Recovery

2008-03-14T22:49:00.002-07:00

If you are currently experiencing the pangs of your attempt to quit drugs, understand that it is your body which first feels the consequences of recovery. If you are looking for an easier way as to how to quit drugs, there are only simple ways to do so, and the difficulty in going through them will be entirely up to you. However, you can help your body recover faster once you know how to quit drugs with proper nutrition and exercise.

If nutrition is essential to a person of good health, then it is all the more important for you to observe a healthy diet during your efforts to quit drugs. It is important, though, that you first talk to your doctor, or if you are on a rehabilitation program, a health counselor. They will be the ones who are more in a position to determine for you as to how to quit drugs through an adjustment of your diet, by customizing it to fit your present needs. Depending on the substance which you are trying to do away with, your diet will most likely contain high amounts of protein, vitamins, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, with less fat and cholesterol. These will make up for the nutrient loss which your body suffered during the course of your dependence.

Another way as to how to quit drugs is through constant activity. Now this can be done through normal mobility, but is more effectively achieved through exercise. Not only does it promote blood circulation, it will also help you quit drugs without you knowing it, since your body is flushing out the harmful toxins through sweat. You will also regain the flexibility and the mobility you lost before the treatment, with each session of intensive workouts. Talk to your doctor or counselor about how to quit drugs with this method; they may be able to customize an exercise regimen which is both safe and helpful for you.

Remember that your efforts to quit drugs involve physical well-being as part of a holistic approach. Nutrition and proper exercise must be accompanied by the right mindset and the appropriate guidance from a professional. If you have questions as to how to quit drugs while having a healthy body with a healthy mind, get in touch with a rehabilitation facility within your area, sign up, and make the first few steps toward recovery. You owe yourself the chance for a better life without substance abuse.

The Role of Faith in Addiction Recovery

2008-03-14T22:49:00.001-07:00

There is no doubt that believing in something greater than ourselves will lead a person to be more humble and at peace. Faith is never a negative thing, yet the following question remains to be answered. Should Faith alone be the determining means to whether an addict controls the addiction or can other means be used to help the addict take control of his or her life and prevail over the addiction?

The Roots of Faith Based Addiction Recovery

Everyone has heard of A.A. and 12 Step Programs and Support Groups, yet as influential as these groups have been in injecting faith into addiction recovery, the roots of faith based addiction recovery reach much farther back. It is well known that Bill Wilson, the creator and theologian of A.A. and 12 Steps, was originally inspired by the Oxford Groups, a controversial 20th Century Christian Revivalist movement spearheaded by Frank Buchman, but faith based addiction recovery probably reaches farther back into the 1800's.

In the 18th , 19th , and early 20th Centuries there were what historians have classified as six Christian revivals. The 19th Century alone became a century of Christian Evangelical revival and awakening. In the midst of Christian revivalism in the 1800's an off shoot of sorts took hold, impacting the thought of American Christianity. Christian Science, formed by Mary Baker Eddy, espoused healing through religious devotion and connection to the divine. Her work won accolades from the century's Christian thinkers and formed the basis of many Evangelical and revivalist movements of the 20th Century. It is no doubt that Bill Wilson not only was heavily inspired by ideas of Buchman, but came forth with the kernels of A.A. after a long period of revivalist movements, in which Eddy found her voice. This voice, one which espouses health and spirituality no doubt had a heavy influence on the premier faith based addiction recovery program of the 20th Century: A.A.

Spiritual Salvation = Addiction Recovery?

The deeper question of whether spirituality alone can bring the addict out from the grips of addiction depends more on what it's "root-cause" is. A.A. and 12 Step Program supporters believe that the "root-cause" of any type of addiction is a result of a lack of connection and submission to God., thus giving a space for the addiction or "Satan" to take root. On the other hand, current medical research suggests some revolutionary findings in terms of what the true "root-cause" may actually be. Researches have noted that current findings indicate that addiction may well be rooted in "bio-chemical"deficiencies, often times influenced by genetics. If this is the case then it stands that targeted nutritional changes may prove to be much more effective in taking someone away from addiction.

Two Paths That Are Really One

Despite the seemingly great divide between these two paths both are reconcilable and can work in tandem. There is no doubt that genetics and biochemical deficiencies are merely factors that may cause one to have a predisposition to addiction. It is true that one can live their entire life without developing an addiction and yet be genetically predisposed to it. Other circumstances may or may not activate these factors. Such circumstances include psychological trauma and/or a spiritual vacancy. It is obvious there is no magic pill to end an addiction. It is important to note that dealing with one's medical deficiencies doesn't necessarily negate the need for a "spiritual awakening" to fill the void most addicts say they feel.

This joining of these two once divergent paths can be explained by using the metaphor of a cup. It is important to build a strong container or cup in order to develop a vessel that can hold the liquid one chooses to put in it, but after all a cup without any liquid in it has yet to fulfill it's purpose. In this example, the cup is the body, which needs to have it's certain deficiencies addressed and the liquid is the realm of the spiritual and metaphysical, which needs to have a healthy body in order to become fully expressed. It is only by intertwining both the physical and spiritual that the addict can be pulled out of the depths of addiction and find inner meaning and joy in their lives.

Reasons Why You Must Quit Drinking Alcohol

2008-03-14T22:48:00.001-07:00

Alcohol and your body don't go, but just how many people out there carry on drinking alcohol when they know this?

This should make you think before the next time you have a drink; within minutes of alcohol entering your body, it infiltrates your bloodstream, your brain, your liver, your pancreas, your kidneys, your lungs and every other living tissue in your body. When you think about it, everytime you have a drink of alcohol it's slowly killing you. Now that's a nice thought isn't it?

Did you know that heavy drinkers of alcohol are known as "Chronic Drinkers."

Studies have shown that heavy drinking will reduce the size of your brain, your reactions become slower and you begin to lose your memory. Also in the studies which where carried out, alcoholics showed signs of congnitive dysfunction, this was proved by using the latest technology in MRI scanning.

The strength of a drink you're drinking will have the effect and impact on the absorption rate. It's simple really the stronger drinks are absorbed quicker than weaker drinks.

When neat sprits are consumed in concentrated amounts, they can irritate your stomach lining, causing a response which delays the absorption of the alcohol.

Almost as soon as we have some alcohol, it seems to have an effect on out central nervous system. It begins by depressing the inhibitory centres of your brain. Alcohol effects people in different ways, some people become relaxed, others become very aggressive and some just become more confident in themselves, like taking more, and some even think they become more attractive (I don't think so).

If you have a problem with your drinking you'll notice the following. Once the euphoric feeling has worn off your on your way to a negative rebound. Which will include the following, depression sets in again, you become guilty and anxiety.

A Look At Drug Addiction

2008-03-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

Drug addiction is a complicated disorder which may involve practically every aspect of an individual's life in the family, at work, and amongst friends. It is actually a brain disease as the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and the functioning of the individual's brain. Drug addiction costs taxpayers millions of dollars each year and is a major public health concern for all of us, as it is a chronic relapsing disorder, which means that it lasts a long time and individuals who are trying to quit are apt to start using drugs again.

Addiction

Drug abuse causes changes in the brain, which then leads to certain behaviour, like taking the drug compulsively, but drug addicts can learn to change their behaviour. This addiction is influenced by a range of factors which involve one's genes, environment, and the age of the person when drugs were first used. Addiction to drugs and alcohol is a vicious cycle that can destroy lives, families, friendships, and anything else it comes into contact with, and the individual can become addicted to many drugs, not just so called street drugs like heroin. It should be understood as a chronic recurring illness.

Treatment

Drug addiction treatment is for people who find themselves not able to cope with life without drugs or alcohol and can be described as the therapeutic and educational process of initiating recovery. When it comes to prescription drug addiction, one of the main problems is that it is a hidden disorder. The treatment of drug addiction can vary widely according to the sort of drugs used, amount of drugs involved, duration of the drug addiction and any medical complications that occur.

Any treatment also has to take into account the needs of the individual concerned. Treatment for drug addiction is administered in many different settings, employing a selection of behavioural and pharmacological approaches and can be tailored to each patient's drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems they may have. This can then hopefully lead to sustained recovery and a life without drugs. Treatment medications, such as LAAM, methadone, and naltrexone, are available for any patient who is addicted to opiates.

Conclusion

It's a sad fact that drug addiction along with alcohol addiction is the number one cause of death among young people. The good news is that although breaking a drug addiction can be extremely difficult, it is by no means impossible. Obtaining the correct treatment is absolutely vital in an effort to end this compulsive behaviour.

Celebrating Recovery 12 Steps

2008-03-14T22:46:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Recovery ministry is to fellowship and celebrate God´s healing power in the lives through the 8 Recovery Principles, and 12 steps. Celebrate Recovery began at Saddleback Church about 16-17 years ago, and they have been able to start the program in over 10,000 churches and over 500,000 individuals have completed the program.

People who are interested to join their meetings, don't have to be alcoholics, or have past drug problems like I'm used to seeing at other A.A. or similar meetings. In fact anybody dealing with any hurts, habits or hang-ups can join and are welcomed. This recovery program is based on God's Word, the Bible.

A few years ago even President George W. Bush has recognized and praised Celebrate Recovery program as a ministry at the 11th Regional White House Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The 12 steps described here are as follows:

Step 1

We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors. That our lives had become unmanageable.

For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. (Romans 7:18)

Step 2

Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to act according to His good purpose. (Philippians 2:13).

Step 3

Made a decision to turn our life and will over to the care and loving concern of God.

I urge you, therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of God's great mercy, to offer your self as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

Step 4

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. (Lamentations 3:40).

Step 5

Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.

Therefore, confess your sins to each other, and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. (James 5:16).

Step 6

Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Step 7

Humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).

Step 8

Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

Do to others, as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31).

Step 9

Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that someone has something against you, leave your offering there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24).

Step 10

Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

So, if you think that you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Step 11

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you daily. (Colossians 3:16).

Step 12

Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others, and practice these principles in all our affairs.

Drug Addiction Recovery - The 12 Step Way

2008-03-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

I often find myself baffled by the alternatives to 12 step Recovery. It's kind of right out of the AA Big Book; "looking for an easier, softer way!"

If you really look at what happens to the person that is afflicted with the disease of Addiction, it's a tale of immorality, unscrupulous ways, and anti-social thinking being adapted to. With the focus of a life becoming narrowed down to obtaining and using a drug, not much is left that would indicate ever needing to be concerned about other people or things, unless they're needed for that "Quest"! A true Addict at the height of an Addiction does not care about anyone else, when all is said and done!

The goal of Recovery, in our Society, is to once again, or for the first time, become a productive member of said Society. An Addict most in generally becomes such an anti-social being in many or even just one way, that he can no longer blend in with, or hide from the rest of the world. Quite to the contrary, at some point the Addict begins to "stick out like a sore thumb." Thus they are apprehended by the law for one or more of their anti-social behaviors, if they don't die first. When Bill and Bob, the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 step concept, were in the conception and philosophical stages of their journey to Sobriety, they found that they had to very nearly do a 180 degree turnabout. This is the point I've been trying to get to in that it is what the 12 step concept guides one into being able to accomplish. This kind of turn around produces something that I don't think Bill and Bob would ever have been so presumptuous as to claim but I will. This "way-of-life" produces "Good" people.

True enough, the AA Twelve Step Program provides for the agnostic and only asks that one acknowledge a higher power of some sort. But God had a hand in the whole AA thing. Even though they carefully sculpted the program to leave no one out, they acknowledge God, by name, over and over throughout the Big Book. The actual goal that the Big Book accomplishes directly parallels the teachings of Jesus and His Disciples in the New Testament of the Holy Bible, and their goal! The outcome of a good personal 12 step program is what every Preacher, Priest, Minister, Rabbi, or any other Religious leader, is trying to produce with his congregation. I must say though, that the 12 Step Program does propose more of a loving, caring God. A God that only needs to asked for help and in no way professes Hell or Damnation. This is one of It's strongest points. My faith was restored by the 12 Step Program because it made it easier for me to believe that I could be forgiven and given Holy Graciousness. Every time that you walk into a meeting room, you see miracles. There, you learn to recognize a miracle when you see one!

Before AA I had given up believing, and thought that what I had done left no room for redemption. I could not even try, because every religion that I had experienced had led me to believe that I was a "hopeless sinner." I felt that no matter what I did, what I had done, left me destined to "burn in Hell." Then in meetings I met these people who were so able to care about others. They were people who had changed from one thing into something new. The more of this I saw the easier it became for me to think, "Maybe I could do that too!" Maybe there was hope for someone like me! Maybe God could forgive me! Maybe I could actually become a good person!

I'm a Drug Counselor now. But even with my education that led to certification, I see nothing more powerful, with any better results than 12 Step Recovery. I see where counseling added to 12 Step Recovery, increases success. I will state though that if one or the other had to be taken out of the equation, I believe that the 12 Stepper will do better than someone who only had Counseling. The 12 step concept is sort of a guide to living life, that doesn't leave out much of anything. In one way or another the answers to the dilemmas of life are covered.

Please Do Not Lower the Legal Age for Drinking!

2008-03-14T22:41:00.000-07:00

There has been so much discussion recently on lowering the drinking age to 18. Apparently, one of the key arguments is that if someone is old enough to die for his/her country in war then they should be old enough to drink. I don't buy it. This article will give just a few of the reasons that I totally don't buy this argument.

First, a short story I read in the paper this week. A group in England was petitioning that bars be kept open later to reduce the incidence of binge drinking. Yes, you read that correctly. Let them drink longer to reduce binge drinking. The justification was this - people increase the amount of alcohol consumption before "last call", so they will have a later "last call". Seems to me that a late last call is still a last call, and I just cannot imagine how letting people drink longer will reduce their level of drinking. This is similar to the reasoning I read about for proposing to lower the drinking age to 18.

First, as a college teacher, I can tell you that there is a HUGE difference in maturity between an 18 year old and a 21 year-old. HUGE. As a person reaches 21, they start to be more in control of their own actions and less likely to be swayed by the whim of their friends. Although there are always exceptions, the odds are better that a 21 year-old will take more time to reflect on the dangers of drinking and driving before getting behind the wheel when they are intoxicated. Maybe they have experienced a friend getting hurt or an acquaintance getting killed. Maybe they are just more likely to reflect on their own actions and be less swayed by sudden hormonal changes. I don't know all the reasons that the differences in those two ages are so pronounced, but I can assure you that they are.

Second, there is a strong belief in the "recovery" community about addiction and emotional development. Apparently, when a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, his emotional development STOPS at the age that the addiction started. Someone that started drinking at 14 tends to have an emotional age of 14 until they enter a rigorous program of recovery. Why does this happen? I'll use alcohol abuse as an example. When someone starts drinking, they might start for fun or amusement. But if the alcohol use continues and crosses the line of addiction, then he soon starts using alcohol as a "solution" to stress. A problem comes up, and he no longer learns how to deal with that problem. Instead, he quickly downs a drink - providing an immediate "release" of anxiety. Of course the problem doesn't get solved that way, but there is an "impression" that the alcohol made the problem "less problematic." So the next time a problem comes up, alcohol is the solution - and smart problem solving behavior never develops.

Emotional maturity is a process of learning to solve increasingly complex problems using our own personal resources. In the process of dealing with problems, we flex our emotional muscles and expand our ability to handle similar problems. We mature. If all problems are met with alcohol, then there is no emotional growth. There is one solution for everything and that solution is a quick drink. If this happens once or twice, there is no huge issue. But if an addiction develops and this happens repeatedly, then a person's emotional growth is stunted. That is why a person that starts drinking heavily at age 18 can remain an 18 year old emotionally indefinitely.

If we reduce the drinking age to 18, then we will freeze the emotional development of a large number of people who tend to abuse alcohol. Now you are thinking that a huge number of people aged 18 are already drinking and that is true. But at least there is some deterrent to that happening with a legal age limit of 21. But if 18 year-olds are drinking when the legal drinking age is 21, what age group will start drinking if the age is pushed down to 18. I have no proof, but I would lay a bet that a much larger proportion of 15-17 year-olds would start drinking excessively. The group of under-aged drinkers would not decrease, it would just be younger.

Cannabis Addiction

2008-03-14T00:17:00.000-07:00

This drug was consumed since the prehistoric period, however the all time greatest demand provoked in the early 20th century. The amount of people that are addicted to it is very high. Many people look it upon as a safe drug as it is abstracted from the nature. Anything that is consumed within the limits is all right. But when the limits are crossed and it is consumed excessively then this will act as an addiction, where a person will crave for more and more of it. For many people cannabis has become a daily routine. For them, if not consumed they won't be able to continue with their daily work. Actually it has become their way of living. This is addiction and in this situation a person will always feel impatience, frustration, and anger and so on. Those who are addicted to it go to an extent of robbing money to fulfil their desire for consuming marijuana. It is a serious problem as it affects both, your life as well as the people who are associated to you.

Many people who are well aware of their addiction and may at times come to a conclusion that they will stop it; however it is not possible for them to overcome it without any help or expertise assistance. So in order to trounce it they opt for joining a rehab centre. These rehab centres try and force you out of addiction however this is a forceful way. No sooner the victim is out of the rehabilitation centre, you will see him/her again addicted to cannabis. The reason for this is the problem was not sorted from the root. So for you it is very important to discover the root cause. You have made a habit of consuming cannabis, and so has your mind assumed that you are supposed to consume it every time you are out of giddiness. So your mind is the one that has to be dealt with. For this you will have to look help from a curative procedure that deals with a person's mind.

Hypnosis deals with a person's mind. It is the best possible help you can get in the concern of your brain. Unlike the rehab process, it is far more dependable, as it removes the problem right from the ground. Hypnosis will help your mind relax; it will then be taken to a stage where it will be made subconscious. A subconscious mind is then allowed to take in only the positive factor. Hypnosis will eradicate your present torment days into the ones those were normal at the time when you were not addicted to cannabis. This treatment is avail in the form of mp3. All you got to do is browse a certain website and you will be provided with the downloadable content. Once done you can conduct these self-hypnotizing sessions, in the comfort of your home. After following this simple process, your will be back on the track. So you can go ahead and get one downloaded for your cause and you will see a certain change in your health and life.

Alcoholism Recovery And The BAR Cycle

2008-03-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

Alcoholism is a serious condition that can lead to loss of employment, family, health...even life. There are different beliefs as to the causes of alcohol addiction...genetic, allergy, mental or behavioral. While professional diagnosis and treatment are often important, you can do a lot to help yourself, gain control and live in recovery. This article will discuss the nature of alcoholism, traditional treatment and self-help using the BAR Cycle.

Alcoholism-Disease And Addiction: This condition usually involves a low self-esteem described as "self-loathing." An alcoholic sees the physical stimulation of alcohol as a solution to their low self-esteem, to help in social situations, to provide "courage" or to get over stress from work or relationship problems. Drinking does, in fact, temporarily dull the feelings, so it seems to be of some use. Since it's temporary, we return to the self-loathing, which has been increased because of our needing alcohol just to live.

Alcoholism can have physical "causes" or, at least contributing factors. Genetics, diabetes and allergy are three that are commonly discussed. Other popular "causes" are parental example, peer pressure, and society. None of these "causes" have been proven to actually cause alcoholism, because many have endured most or all of these conditions without becoming an addict. Many others have become alcoholic with no evidence of any of them. Regardless of the cause, Alcoholism has proven to be treatable or controllable, though not easily so.

Traditional Alcoholism Treatment: Alcoholics with severe addictions often check themselves in to treatment centers, where medicines are combined with individual and group psychological therapy. Some of these centers use the AA's 12 steps in addition to other therapy. AA has been the most effective system in the history of alcoholism treatment...so much so that the 12 steps have been copied for help with most other addictions. Part of what makes AA powerful is that the 12 steps work to eliminate causes of self-loathing, while building a positive self-esteem.

The BAR Cycle And Alcoholism Self-help: The BAR Cycle of human motivation describes a process to control human behavior, especially addictive behavior. Instead of repeating that description here, we're going to jump right into how the cycle can be used to help control Alcoholism. The key is the "belief " part of the cycle...that self-loathing/self-esteem process. Since self-loathing is at the root of alcoholism, we need to change our belief from self-loathing to self-confidence. Like any addiction, our approach toward changing our belief has to be both general (self-esteem) and specific (not drinking).

With self-image, all the steps described in the BAR Cycle article apply, including self-talk, positive attitude, elimination of negative attitudes, positive behaviors, etc. All of these improve how we see ourselves so, over time, we'll feel self-confident without feeling compelled to drink.

With drinking, we apply the BAR Cycle to specifically reprogram ourselves into other activities that will form positive habits. Many do this with AA meetings, volunteer work, involvement in church, etc. The positive feedback received from going day-by-day without drinking and from meetings and volunteer work begin to replace self-loathing with a positive self-esteem.

For some of us who suffer severe alcoholism, professional treatment is a requirement. The self-help steps in the BAR Cycle can help us eliminate the root cause of the addiction and permanently change how we see ourselves. You can move from self-loathing to self-loving in a matter of months.

Alcohol Addiction

2008-03-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Alcohol is one of the hardest drugs to stop using considering its wide spread use and popularity in today's culture. It is easily accessible at most convenience stores and as we all know, convenience stores are everywhere. For a person trying to kick their addiction, something as simple as paying for a tank of gasoline could be a big issue. It can be challenging if the person is not on the right footing when entering the store. They may suddenly find themselves looking through the glass freezer doors, scanning the shelves, moving from Coca-Cola to Pepsi down to the energy drinks section and then to the alcohol section. For a normal individual (non alcoholic) it is a simple issue. They would give little thought and apply little effort in turning and walking away.

But for an alcoholic that wants and needs to drink, turning and walking away from the freezer door is like drowning in the middle of a stormy ocean, seeing a life preserver nearby but not reaching for it. For the normal individual, this example seems extreme but for the alcoholic that is still drinking, it is a hard truth.

Alcohol addiction has yet to be completely understood by the scientific and medical communities. One thing commonly agreed upon is that alcohol addiction, or alcoholism, is a fatal disease if not treated. Luckily, it is treatable. Though there has yet to be a vaccine invented that will cure the disease of alcoholism. As of today, there is no proven permanent cure for alcoholism. On the bright side, there are numerous ways to combat alcoholism for those willing to stop drinking and accept help.

Alcoholism is considered by most to be an obsession of the mind and allergy of the body. When thinking of an allergy, most people think of an allergic reaction to, say, shellfish. For someone who is allergic to shellfish to sit at the dinner table and fill their stomach with it could be fatal. But what if this person has an obsession that cannot be controlled once they begin eating the shellfish? They need more and more until they have filled themselves with it and must be hospitalized because of it. Family members and friends can hide the shellfish, not buy it, skip the shellfish sections of the local market but somehow, someway, the individual with the shellfish obsession will find a way to get it and eat it. Again, this sets off a turn of events that nearly kills the person and lands them in the hospital. Alcoholism is similar to the example above.

As it has been said before, one drink is too many and a thousand is never enough. The disease of alcoholism is sly, mysterious, potent and patient. A non alcoholic can be at a social event, have a drink maybe two, start to feel tipsy or a sense of loss of control, nausea might set in and they will stop. For an alcoholic at the same event, they will have a drink and begin to feel more in control, more elated and free. Another drink increases that feeling so another will be needed after that and another and then another. The alcoholic will continue to drink and will be drunk before the night is over.

When a person crosses the line between normal drinking and alcoholism, they will never be the same again. It is like changing a cucumber into a pickle. The pickle will never be cucumber again. The alcoholic will try to grasp the same feelings and emotions they once associated with casual drinking but it will elude them indefinitely. They will continue down numerous paths to try and regain what once was but will exhaust every avenue until there is nowhere else to turn. Even then, they may still drink.

Alcoholism is misunderstood by the general population and there is good reason behind this. Non alcoholics will never be able to comprehend the powerful obsession affiliated with alcoholism. It is something that cannot be understood unless it is lived by the individual themselves. Even the alcoholic may be baffled by their life threatening dilemma. Not too long ago alcoholics were thrown into insane asylums and locked away. But there is hope for the alcoholic today. By accepting help, an alcoholic can increase their chances of living a purpose-filled and happy, alcohol-free life.

Quit Alcohol Addiction

2008-03-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

The reason that many people tend to get addicted to alcohol is varied. Some people drink to enjoy their life and others drink when they have nothing to do, when at a party and others drink in their mournful days. Alcohol addiction can also be a consequence of the environment a person has grown up in. others may simply start to get a taste of varied alcohol flavors and different kinds of alcohols that the manufacturers dish out.

Alcohol addiction is a common sight in today's generation. Especially in the youth, none of the parties are said to be complete without the involvement of alcohol. Alcohol is stated as one of the top causes of death and ailment in the list of addictions. It can cause many conditions that can get the better of your health even before you realize it.

After consuming alcohol it's your liver that is targeted in the long run. This in turn guarantees that you start having problems with your internal body parts. It has been proved with recent studies that a person that tends to get addicted to alcohol reduces his own life expectancy by a minimum of ten years. People that are addicted to alcohol can be involved with a number of crimes such as murders, felony, and rape.

In such a situation a person might not have the intention of doing such an awful crime but excessive alcohol consumption takes over an alcoholics better senses. Not only do you ruin your health but also in the bargain, this will land you in a problem where you will find yourself behind bars under rigorous punishment.

People that are addicted to alcohol are described as alcoholics. Many people have attempted to try to stop this bad habit of theirs but are simply unable to. How to stop drinking alcohol? What exactly has to be done in this regard? Firstly a strong will is to be developed in order to get rid of alcohol. This is the time a person's will power can be put to an ultimate test and for this you should be ready to overcome all obstacles that come your way.

You can visit a rehabilitation center that can help you. Rehabilitation centers are well known for their success to help people deal with different kinds of addictions. Alcohol addiction is a problem that many have encountered and overcome. With the help of friends, family and, of course your own willingness, you can leave your past behind. Now that you are aware of how to stop drinking alcohol you should not find it difficult to put a stop to your dreadful habit.

One very effective way to control drinking is by using a process called Hypnotherapy. The use of Hypnosis in therapy became very popular towards the end of the last century, used by many in the western world to help them to stop smoking. Since then the practice has come a long way and there are many clinics the world over that can help sufferers of alcohol addiction with Hypnotherapy. Many people also wish to get this help in the comfort and security of their own home. If this is the case for you then you may wish to consider using an hypnosis download for alcohol addiction. This way you get the results that you want in the comfort of your own home and in your own time.

7 Tips On How To Stop Drinking Alcohol

2008-03-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

It is really difficult to get geared up stop drinking alcohol. Here are 7 tips to get started on the road to recovery:

1. You have to do it for yourself - You hear this and it's true. Not your family, significant other, or whoever might be asking you to stop. If you don't do it for yourself, you will be starting out with a handicap.

2. Physical exercise - Limited studies have shown that the people who get exercise while trying to stay sober are less likely to relapse. It is possible that the reason is at least partially that exercise tends keep the person in a more relaxed state.

3. Give yourself rewards - People forget this aspect of recovery, and it is an important one. Rewards help to keep you in the game. The more frequent the better.

4. Don't guilt trip yourself when you fail - Getting angry with yourself for a temporary setback is non-productive, and will make anyone more prone to give up. If you slip, forget it and move on. This is alcohol addiction, one of the biggest challenges you are ever going to face.

5. Get some kind of outside help - Whether it's A.A., some kind of therapy, or a proven formula to get sober, utilize something outside of your normal scope of thinking and experience. Left alone to ones thoughts and methods is probably not the best thing, since those thoughts and methods contributed to the addiction in the first place.

6. Spend as little time alone as possible - For single people this can be a tall order. If you can't surround yourself with people, get out more which helps generate a fresh perspective on life.

7. Develop a new daily routine that does not include drinking alcohol. Get up earlier, incorporate some exercise into the daily routine, the possibilities are endless. After all, to stop drinking is to make a fresh start on its own.

Everyone is an individual, and will have to operate on his or her own unique timetable. There are no rules or prescribed time limits to step from addiction to sobriety. Go at your own pace.

How To Stop Drinking Alcohol For Good

2008-03-13T07:56:00.001-07:00

Okay the most common question asked is can I stop drinking alcohol? And the simple answer is yes anyone can, but you have to have made your mind up and be fully committed to doing it.

Anyone going into this half hearted will not succeed so you might as well stop reading this article now.

Cutting down on alcohol will improve your health and your life, and remember your only here once this is not a practise or a rehearsal. Think of your reasons for curbing your alcohol addiction and make sure you write them down.

Are you looking to improve your lifestyle and health? Do you want to improve your relationship with your family and friends? What makes you want to drink less?

If you have answered yes to the above then this is a step in the right direction.

First you have to think of some realistic goals, without goals you'll not succeed. Maybe you have chosen to not drink at all, or maybe you have chosen to cut down your drinking by half, or cut down your drinking day by day or week by week, which ever way you choose you have to stick by it, trust me it worth it.

Remember you should always keep a day by day journal of your alcohol consumption, with out this you really have know idea of what your drinking. Here are a few questions you should be asking yourself after a few weeks.

Do you drink more when your alone?
Do you drink more when your sad?
Do you drink more when your lonely?
Do you drink more when your angry?
Do you drink more when your around certain people?
Do you forget what you have done when you've been drinking?

If you find that these apply to you then try changing your habits, lets say you drink when your sad, then watch something on TV or listen to so thing on the radio which makes you happy, you have to start getting in a routine and once you conquer your nearly there.

What most people do is set there sights to high so they fail at the first step, set realistic goals and you'll soon find that your reaching these. Drinking does not control me - I control my drinking!

Nearly everyone who has a drinking problem has a health problem and the simple reason for this is alcohol damages your organs and without your organs your body doesn't work, look after your organs and they will look after you.

Most people who take action and go and seek help for there alcohol addiction do either quit drinking altogether or drink in very rare occasions. If your looking for free information on how to stop drinking alcohol then head over to Stop Drinking Advice and grab there free report "Discover How To Permanently Stop Drinking Alcohol Within 21 Days Or Less. Guaranteed" they have help more than 2000 Alcoholics beat there nemesis.

Alcoholism - When You Hit the Bottom

2008-03-13T07:52:00.000-07:00

When you suffer from alcoholism, chances are there are going to be a few very painful "bottoms", and the more resilient you are, the lower the bottom is likely to be.

Hitting bottom is where an alcoholic finds him or herself in a bad situation as a result of drinking. The bad situation is usually beyond anything the drinker ever expected, and sometimes causes the drinker to get some kind of help. A "bottom" situation could be a drunk driving ticket, getting fired, or losing a love or a spouse among others, because alcohol pervades every area of the victim's life.

Even sober, the effects of alcohol will cause the drinker to make bad decisions when they think they are functioning normally. With heavy use, alcohol has a crippling affect on the drinker mentally and physically. It will affect your social life, work life, and family life, and leaves no area untouched.

Since alcoholism is a progressive disease with predictable stages (which is what qualifies it as a disease) it stands to reason that the more progressed an alcoholic becomes with drinking, the lower the bottom will be.

It usually takes a long time to become an alcoholic. It was not intentional and it wasn't planned. The drinker starts out with normal drinking, just like any other person, but because of some trigger in the brain or some predisposition to alcohol, the drinker then progresses to heavy drinking, and later becomes an alcoholic. Because it takes a significant period of time to reach this phase, it is almost impossible for the drinker to recognize when the actual transition into alcoholism took place. It takes only one drink to cross that line, that one forever unidentifiable step that takes this unsuspecting drinker into a new league - into alcoholism.

Simple Proven Step To Quit Drinking Alcohol

2008-03-13T07:51:00.002-07:00

Everyone comes to a decision to quit drinking alcohol in there life. You'll also find that people have tried before to quit drinking alcohol but have had very limited success. The first few days or week is very easy for anyone to stop, but you'll find after that they begin to drink again.

So just how do you quit drinking alcohol?

The first thing is to:

Ask yourself why is it you want to quit drinking alcohol? You need to weigh the plus points and the negative ones, but make sure you write them down. If you don't this, it will be your first step to failure.

Are there any plus points you have wrote down about drinking alcohol? If there are, you need to find other ways of achieving them. You need to start to get into good habits and get rid of your old ones today.

What are the bad things you have when you drink alcohol? This could be your health, depression, your family, friends, make sure you spend sometime doing this one, because you'll find most of these are the very important ones.

You also need to ask yourself and write down your answers, of the good things you expect to get out of life once you quit drinking, and how will your life be better? I have seen so many people do this and you nearly always find that people who write things down achieve there goals in life, but you still need to take action and that's quitting alcohol for good is one you need to start today.

Now we know that you're ready to quit drinking we need to work out a plan for you on how to stop drinking alcohol.

Developing a plan is much easier than your think. First you need to have will-power, but it won't stop you alone from drinking but it's a major step forward.

Then you need to find out what triggers you to drinking, this could be anything, but make sure you write them down.

Then you need to alter your bad habits, and start making new ones, the sooner you start doing this the sooner your going to quit drinking, I know you think this is all pie in the sky stuff, but trust me I know this works, and I have helped over two thousand people overcome there drinking problems, that's why I know it works.

It's quite obvious this won't happen over night or change in a few days. So start with small achievable goals to begin with, and then move forward to your bigger goals you have written down.

What I do find is that most people who drink alcohol , drink because of there feelings and I would say this goes for 90% of alcoholics. If you can control them you can stop drinking alcohol for good. So how do we do this? Well you need to find something else to do instead of drinking, I would suggest going for a walk, it keeps you healthy and keeps your mind at rest plus it's very good for you. But you'll need to find this one out for yourself, but don't give up.

You also should regularly review your progress, and find out what is working for you and what is not. Sometimes you will need some help from a friend or a family member, and remember everyone in life needs help sometime or other so you're no alone in this.

If your looking for free information on how to quit drinking alcohol then head over to StopDrinkingAdvice.org and grab there free report "Discover How To Permanently Stop Drinking Alcohol Within 21 Days Or Less. Guaranteed". I have found that this is one of the most respected habit busting (Alcohol) websites on the Internet.

Stop Drinking Alcohol Now - How You Can Stop Drinking Alcohol

2008-03-13T07:51:00.001-07:00

Drinking alcohol is potentially dangerous for your physical and mental health alike. It will eventually destroy family relationships and your job will be in firing line. But don't worry as ways to stop drinking alcohol are about to be revealed.

The initial step that needs to be addressed is the real reasons why you feel the time has come to stop drinking. Quite a lot of the reasons will be general ones but the one you will really have to think about hard are the ones that concern you. This task will be made easier through the assistance of a close friend.

Never go to far away from this vital list as it is a lifeline to your commitment for giving up drinking alcohol. I would suggest making a few copies and leaving them in all important places such as the fridge door and the bathroom mirror as well as keeping a copy on you, for example in your wallet.

If the condition is a serious one most alcoholics can give up drinking overnight, but the alternative option is to cut back gradually on quantity over a given period of time. The most functional method is to plan out a timed schedule for the daily reductions aiming towards the final step of zero alcohol consumption.

A great way to keep on track is to continually evaluate your progress over the first month until the new habit becomes a normal behaviour pattern. There will be both up and down days so keep an account of these feelings. This account will help you keep strong and could also be boosted by sharing your feelings with other people and you will be able to get support from them too.

There is no reason to get down about your abilities and self confidence should this self- help program fail. Alcoholism is a very dangerous disease which delves down deep into biological system causing certain chemical changes.

Vital body organs such as the liver, the pancreas, the heart, the kidney or the digestive system can be affected and even damaged by this addictive disease. Medication is another way of fighting alcoholism and will help to reduce the risk of organ damage. So the next step will have to be medical advice and don't waste too much time in getting it.

You can be sure to find many things on the way which will impede eventual success. Don't think twice about changing old friends for new ones or changing your route to work as long as you avoid any possible contact with alcohol. One really good change to get you on the right track is to substitute alcohol for healthy fruit juices and always have a piece of gum close at hand.

Internationally recognised rehab centers such as AA and AVERT are the best option for anyone who wishes to stop drinking alcohol. They involve past alcoholics giving great advice and support which is based on their own previous experience. You really couldn't imagine a better support while under these most difficult of circumstances.

One of the most important factors about these centers is their willingness to keep your identity anonymous. These groups or similar ones can be found on internet in your area and they will be just too pleased to find a plan that suits you to stop drinking alcohol.

Now the new battle becomes the old Devil's advocate when your best of friends will insist on your presence at the pub. Be firm and polite but definite in your wish to stop drinking alcohol and if they truly are good friends, then they will understand. Try a new hobby, go jogging or just do something that takes your mind off drinking. You will always find family and friends will be there to help you in your darkest hour of need and when things are going well, reward yourself with something special.

Alcohol Addiction Is A Deterrent To Your Existence

2008-03-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

Alcohol addiction is a compulsive need for a toxic liquid. There are various intoxicating liquids such as wine, beer, whiskey, vodka, or any other hard liquor. Generally such liquids are made from fermented fruits or grains. A person is unable to abstain from drinking alcohol or people are very prone to alcohol craving then they are surely addictive to alcoholism. There are few symptoms observed to decide whether a person is addicted or not. This includes shakiness, nausea, sweating when they intake alcohol or they have a huge amount of alcohol in order to feel high. People drinking at this level are called alcoholics. For some people it is easy to stop drinking at once. However, alcoholism can just suppress your will to stop drinking.

If you are thinking of getting rid of alcoholism, self help may be an option but not most people are so strong willed and as such it is not possible to quit on your own. The addiction and the feeling of getting high not only affect you but all the other people in your life. Alcohol could get you in trouble, including crimes, murders, and accidents on roads due to heavy alcohol drinking. As per reports, a substantial percentage of criminals have engaged in crime when they were drunk. Alcohol consumption also shortens you lifespan by 10 to 15 years. Alcohol does affect you mentally and physically, health problems due alcohol are serious and life taking. Problems like heart attacks, high or low blood pressure, and brain damage are common. Your addiction can cause serious liver problems and obviously there are less chances that a person may live.

Alcohol kills the brain cell which causes brain damage and it even distracts the functioning of the brain which makes you forget things. It even affects your ability to process information or things. You start experiencing a short term memory loss. When you are totally drunk and high the oxygen supply to your brain is decreased which causes blackouts, you feel darkness in front of your eyes and you cannot remember anything regarding it. Alcoholism also affects ones sexual life, as you are not able to satisfy your partner. As a result, frustration causes you to fall back on alcohol again. Alcoholism even decreases blood circulation in the body which makes you feel low and less energetic. Malnutrition, muscles and joints pain as well as skin problems are an outcome.

There are many methods available to help you stop alcohol consumption but these treatments work at the conscious level only. The best treatment for alcohol addiction will be hypnosis; hypnosis will not only help you in stop alcohol addiction at a conscious level but also at an unconscious level. There are many smp3 on the Internet regarding alcohol addiction. You should undergo all the sessions of the treatment and start living a new life where you can be a social drinker or best of all a non-drinker. Hypnosis treatment helps deal with the problem at grass roots levels and as such your chances of falling prey to addiction yet again are negligible. Hypnosis can help you start on a new path in life and soon you'll be on your way to recovery without having to waste your precious time, and above all life to this life threatening addiction.

Stop Destructive Self-Talk From Killing You!

2007-10-21T05:57:00.001-07:00

Stress. Depression. Anxiety. They’re powerful words that conjure up all kinds of images and prejudices in our minds.
People who suffer from these illnesses find it hard to cope with life. They can feel deeply unhappy, they can find no joy in anything life has to offer, and of course, their levels of self-esteem, confidence and self-respect plummet.
But how can this happen to someone?

Let’s concentrate on how these illnesses affect the way we value the self. Of all of the destructive patterns of behavior these illnesses cause, the way a sufferer talks to the self is the fuel that maintains their illness.

I have experienced depression from two sides. For 5 years, a series of traumatic events triggered a personal nightmare I believed would never end. One of these events came when my lover was diagnosed with depression. At this time, I too had entered into the spiral of anxiety-induced depression. Both of these experiences have given me an insight into how sufferers destroy any value of the self.

Let me give a couple of examples. With my partner, if I’d arranged an evening out with friends, she’d say:

"No, I won’t come, you go without me. I never have anything interesting to say. I just bore people. They’ll find me an effort to be with. I’ll stay here."

If I made a mistake, I’d say to myself:

"I’m useless. I’m no good at anything. Everything I do I get wrong."

This self-deprecation then spreads into other areas of life.
You begin to criticize the way you look, the decisions you make or don’t make, and you focus solely on the downside of life. Each time a little bit of self-worth, a little bit of self-respect and a little bit of self-confidence are eroded.
Eventually, they are lost completely. When I reached my lowest point, having lost everything and everyone I loved, I’d say to myself:

"If I died tomorrow, no one would know and no one would care."
So, what helped me to come out of the fog?

Well, the reason I thought I’d become depressed was because of a series of traumatic events occurring at the same time.
I was wrong. The root cause of my depression lay in the ways I reacted to them. One of the ways I’d reacted was to blame myself for events I couldn’t control. The more I blamed myself, the more I beat myself up. The more I beat myself up, the more my self-esteem decreased.

The phrases I have used to briefly illustrate self- deprecating phrases we continually use against the self are mild. I’m sure you realize that many people use much stronger phrases than I’ve given here. The point is that these phrases would be totally unacceptable to say to others. You wouldn’t tell a person that they were boring, an effort to be with and that everyone found their company dull and it would be better for everyone else if they kept away from people.

Agreed?

Yet, if I say to people:

"Pay yourself compliments. Accentuate your good in all areas of your life. Write down your good points, your triumphs, your achievements. Remind yourself as often as possible about all the good you have done."

They look at me like I’m an alien and say they’d feel stupid. Or uncomfortable. Or even embarrassed.

Yet they don’t feel any of these emotions when they talk to themselves using emotionally charged, self-deprecating phrases! And like rust upon metal, these phrases gradually erode your self-esteem and your confidence.

OK, here’s the bottom-line. I’d like you to inscribe what you are about to read into your mind over and over again until it is permanently etched there:

It is NEVER acceptable to talk to myself in a way I know is inappropriate and even offensive if I spoke in the same way to others.

Time for me to sign off, but before I do, here’s a phrase I say to myself every single day without fail. Please use it, it is very powerful:

"If you put yourself down, down is where you will stay."

Drug Rehab

2007-10-21T05:56:00.000-07:00

A Drug is any substance that is taken to suppress an unwanted condition. Extremely chronic or habitual use of such substances to alter states of mind or body, other than for a medically wanted purpose, is called drug abuse.

The inappropriate use of drugs is drug abuse. There are many illegal drugs on the market, which are potential sources of drug addiction. These may be classified into Narcotics, Depressants, sedatives, stimulants and steroids.

All kinds of drugs can be abused, including illegal drugs (Cocaine, heroin), prescription drugs (tranquilizers or pain killers) and off-the-shelf medicines like cough mixtures.

Anabolic steroids are abused by athletes and sportsmen to build up their bodies. Nicotine in cigarettes and caffeine in coffee can be abused. Narcotics include morphine, opium, heroin and methadone.

Depressants are alcohol, barbiturates and sedatives.

Stimulants are drugs such as Cocaine, and amphetamines, hallucinogens and marijuana.

An individual is said to be addicted when he becomes physically and mentally dependent on any of these drugs and experiences withdrawal symptoms when the drug usage is stopped or reduced.

Drug Rehab is the umbrella term given to the process of medical and psychotherapeutic treatment for abusers of illegal and prescription drugs. Most Drug Rehab programs teach patients to interact in a drug-free environment. They are asked to avoid the company of others substance abusers.

Drug Rehab is sometimes a part of the criminal justice system. Persons convicted of minor drug offenses are sometimes sent to Rehab centers instead of prison. The treatment of drug addicts has two major areas--behavioral therapies and medical therapies. Behavioral therapy includes counseling and family support, and medical therapy is administering certain drugs to counteract withdrawal symptoms.

The drug treatment program consists of different methods according to the needs of different persons. The first step is Detoxification, when the individual is systematically withdrawn from addictive drugs, overseen by a doctor who takes care of the physiological effects. After this there is a choice of various programs according to the severity of the problem.

An outpatient drug-free treatment program consists of individual and group counseling and no medication. Short-term residential programs have a 3-6 week inpatient treatment that resembles the 12-step program of groups like Narcotics Anonymous. After this, the patient joins an outpatient program or a self-help group.

Therapeutic communities provide 24-hour care in a non-hospital setting. Patients stay for 6-12 months in a highly structured program. They are usually long-term addicts with highly impaired social functioning. There are also Maintenance programs for certain drugs like heroin to stop withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and use alternate drug (methadone) therapy.

In sum, Drug Rehab must aim at rebuilding the life of the drug addict. This is possible only by educating the addict and his family through psychotherapy. Through Drug Rehab programs tailored to their needs, drug abusers can learn to control their conditions and live normal, productive lives.

Home Drug Testing

2007-10-21T05:55:00.002-07:00

Home Drug Testing: Important Things to Know When Using an At-home Drug Test Kit

Sometimes recovering addicts want to prove to their family or friends that they are not using drugs. Many turn to at-home drug testing kits, which are easy to use and provide immediate information. Proving that you are clean is a very important issue and you want to make sure your drug test provides accurate results. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice:
Choose a Test That Has Been FDA-Cleared

There are lots of home drug-testing kits on the market, but many of them are not FDA-cleared. The FDA reviews performance data to assure that the drug test meets current standards for accuracy and reliability. Tests that are not cleared by the FDA may not meet current laboratory standards. If the FDA has not reviewed a drug test product, consumers cannot be assured that the results of that drug test are as accurate as with an FDA-cleared test such as First Check Home Drug Testing Kits.
Types of At-Home Drug Testing Kits

There are many home drug testing kits available. Most are based on urine samples or saliva. There are kits that test for a single drug including amphetamines drug tests, barbiturates drug tests, cocaine drug tests, marijuana (thc) drug tests, meth drug tests and opiate (heroin) drug tests.
You can also get at-home drug test kits for panels of drugs. Combinations range from 2-panel drug tests for marijuana and cocaine to 12-panel drug tests for marijuana, cocaine, opiates (heroin), meth, Ecstasy, amphetamines, PCP, benzo's, barbiturates, methadone, tricyclic antidepressants, and Oxycodone.
How to Collect a Urine Sample for Testing
It is vital that you follow the directions on the at-home drug testing kit exactly. Be sure to fill the urine cup to the recommended level. Usually the results appear after a specified number of minutes. Wait the specified time to read results. Typically, results are not valid after the time limit.
Understand the Limits of Drug Test Results

Accuracy of a drug test depends on a variety of factors, including how soon the test is administered after ingestion of the drug and the amount of drug in the system relative to the cutoff concentrations levels (i.e. established minimum levels).

Some drugs stay in the system longer than others. Drugs like coke and meth stay in the system up to 2-4 days while PCP stays in the body 7-14 days. Heavy marijiana users may still test positive up to 40 days after the last time used.

False positives may result in the case of testing for amphetamines, if you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages or take cold medications containing pseudoephedrine. Other over-the-counter and prescription drugs may also react with various drug tests. It is important to read all information with the home drug testing kit so you are aware of what may cause false positives.

Home Drug Testing: An Overview

2007-10-21T05:55:00.001-07:00

The past 20 years or so have seen a large increase in drug testing in the workplace and elsewhere. This testing has usually taken place in a laboratory setting; home drug testing is a relatively new phenomenon.

With increased demand for pre-employment and random drug screening of employees came a huge market for home drug testing. Several products are available to consumers and can ease one's mind. Whether the person is a recreational or habitual user or even just worried that diet or environment may create a false positive, having results from a home drug testing kit can accurately predict the outcome of the official test.

Creators of home drug testing kits also had another group in
mind: worried parents of teenagers. As one of the largest consumers of this type of product, parents can now easily test their children if drug use is suspected. Some experts question whether or not this can damage the parent/child relationship, while others argue that it is a parent's right and obligation to know and to seek treatment for their child if need be. Parents appreciate the privacy and anonymity of home drug testing.

Testing is usually performed by the traditional urine sample method; however, the oral swab method is becoming more respected and popular. The kit can be obtained via mail order, at specialty shops, or even from major pharmacies. After the sample is taken, it is sent to the company's laboratory for testing.
One can expect results in just a few days. Some of the home drug testing kits offer immediate results (within about ten minutes) but then also offer laboratory certification of the results.

Most home drug testing kits test for the ten most commonly abused substances. Home drug testing kits, like many laboratory tests, do not detect the timeframe of usage. Marijuana is the most commonly tested and is available in all screening kits.
Some all-in-one kits contain tests for marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, opiates, PCP and common prescription drugs.

A variety of methods are available for on-site and home drug testing. Employers like the benefits of cost cutting and convenience; parents like the option of privately testing their children. The home drug testing and on-site drug testing market flourishes because of the obvious benefits. Some human resource experts believe that on-site and do-it-yourself drug testing kits are the wave of the future.

Vitamin and Nutritional Supplement Plan for People in Recovery

2007-10-21T05:53:00.002-07:00

Many people in recovery probably have some vitamin deficiencies and amino acid imbalances due to their former lifestyle. As they are getting on a healthier track, they find that establishing a good vitamin and nutritional supplement plan helps their bodies recover faster.

Many people find that a good place to start is with amino acid nutritional therapy because it can be helpful in normalizing brain chemistry. These amino acids include L-Glutamine, L-Phenylalanine, L-Tyrosine, L-Tryptophan, 5 hydroxytryptophan (5HTP), and GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid). Along with various amino acid supplements, a multiple vitamin supplement can help provide your body with a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, calcium, magnesium and other minerals.
Resources for Buying Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements

You can find vitamins and other nutritional supplements online at several websites that offer better prices on major brands than you'd find in health food stores.

Great American Products is a good resource for vitamin and nutritional supplements to help your body get back on track. They carry a full line of vitamins, amino acids, herbal supplements and body cleanse products. They also offer a free 14-day trial of their MASTER HEALTH PACK™ to help you build a healthy foundation and increase your energy and vitality.
Books about Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements for People in Recovery

There is also a variety of good books available that discuss specific foods and vitamin and nutritional supplements that people in recovery can take to help their bodies return to a healthier state and restore the proper biochemical balance in the brain. An excellent book is End Your Addiction Now: The Proven Nutritional Supplement Program That Can Set You Free by Charles Gant, Greg Lewis (Ph.D.). Dr. Gant features a three-stage program that can help you reduce drug and alcohol cravings, detoxify and cleanse your body using an over-the-counter remedy, and correct nutritional imbalances. He specifies which amino acids to take, according to your addiction.

Another highly regarded book on nutritional supplement programs for recovering addicts is Natural Highs: Supplements, Nutrition, and Mind-Body Techniques to Help You Feel Good All the Time by Hyla Cass, Patrick Holford. This book covers covers all kinds of natural means to feel better, including herbal remedies, amino acids and vitamins (along with specific doses to take), specific foods to eat, biofeedback, aromatherapy, massage, meditation and more.

* The information contained on this site is general in nature and is not meant to substitute professional medical advice. Dietary/nutritional supplement products mentioned or linked to by this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Different Detox-cleansing Regimes

2007-10-21T05:53:00.001-07:00

Your body should clean itself naturally, but today’s diets make that process difficult. Many turn to internal body cleansing to rid the body of waste products and toxins. A detoxification treatment is designed to help the body eliminate stored toxins and strengthen the organs involved in this process.

Colon cleansing helps clean the organ that assists the body in the elimination of waste. A dirty colon can lead to a build up of toxins in the body and illness. By using herbal treatments or irrigation therapy, a colon cleansing eliminates the toxins and helps the intestinal tract work properly. It is essential to do this cleanse first so that the waste produced by other detoxification procedures can be eliminated efficiently.

Your kidneys clean about 200 pints of blood daily. A kidney cleanse will help your kidneys function more efficiently. It usually involves consuming a very large amount of water or juice and then eliminating it all to flush the kidneys out.

Your liver completes about two dozen processes for the body daily, and cleansing this important organ helps the liver to assist the immune system and support the body’s digestive functions. There are several supplements and liver flush programs available.

Cleansing the lungs is also important for good health. American diets high in dairy products often result in fatty lung tissue. Cleansing the lungs eases this problem.

Finally, a skin cleansing releases the toxins lodged in the fatty layers just underneath the skin. Most are performed with herbs, saunas and sweat lodges.

Cleansing your body from toxins is a great way to keep your systems “clean” and running smoothly. The results are worth it: improved immune system, clearer skin complexion, better sleep, curing of acne, constipation, disappearance of unpleasant body odour.

Body Detoxification During Addiction Recovery

2007-10-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

As you begin to heal mentally and emotionally from addiction — and from the physical part of the addictive substance itself — remember to take care of your body as well. You may want to consider a body detoxification* or "detox."

If you have been abusing alcohol or drugs, chances are it has taken a toll on your liver and other internal organs, and probably your skin as well. Further, it is almost impossible to avoid chemicals, food additives and environmental pollutants that, along with drugs or alcohol, can burden our systems.

Many recovering addicts find it helpful to cleanse their system by performing a full body detox. Not only may it help cleanse your liver, kidneys, colon and other internal organs, it may also boost your energy, enhance your skin and even help you lose weight and sleep better.

Body cleansing or detox has been around since around the mid-19th century, but many people don't really know what that is.
What is Body Detox or Cleansing?

The body can repair itself when we are young, but as we age, and especially when we abuse our bodies, it becomes harder for our bodies to regenerate cells and repair themselves. "Detox" isn't just for recovering alcoholics or drug abusers, it can be beneficial to most people. Perhaps a better phrase would be a "body cleanse."

Body cleansing or detox can take a variety of forms. In Ayurveda, a form of alternative medicine, it can take the form of diet, herbs and sweating to move the toxins from the organs into the intestines and bloodstream. From there a variety of techniques are used to flush the toxins from the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, treatment is based on the cause, it is not a "one-size-fits-all" treatment. Other body cleanse programs involve fasting.

If you are thinking this is not for me, there is good news. There is also a variety of simple to follow body cleansing or detox programs you can do at home.
Inexpensive At-Home Body Cleansing and Detox Programs

Like many people, you may not have the time or money to invest in a body cleansing program through an alternative health care practitioner. Fortunately, there are a number of herbal-based full body cleansing kits you can purchase to do a body detox/cleanse at home. They are simple to follow and do not interfere with your daily routine.

Typically an at-home Body Cleanse kit will include a cleansing fiber, an herbal liver cleanser and a cleansing laxative in the form of capsules you take at prescribed times throughout the day for a period of one week. You can get body cleansing detox kits on line at many health and vitamin/supplement web sites. Great American Products offers a good detox/body cleanse called Master Detox Program.

Enzymatic Therapy also makes an excellent product called Whole Body Cleanse, which is an easy to follow, two-week program that works to cleanse intestines, liver, gall bladder, circulatory and lymphatic systems without using stimulant laxatives, clay or heavy metals. It is available at Amazon.com
Body Cleansing and Detox Tips

When you are on a body cleansing program, alternative health care professionals recommend that you try to drink lots of water to help your body flush out the toxins and eat a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains.

What to avoid during a body cleansing: It is recommended that you avoid refined sugar, all refined-flour products (bread, pasta, cookies, etc.), alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, meat, dairy and processed foods like lunch meats while you are cleansing your body.

* The information contained on this site is general in nature and is not meant to substitute professional medical advice. The products mentioned on this site are not intended to replace professional medical advice or treatment. None of the statements on this site are a recommendation as to how to treat any particular disease or health-related condition. Please read all health information carefully and consult with a health care professional before starting any diet, exercise, supplement, or medication program. Dietary/nutritional supplement products mentioned or linked to by this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Self care products are only for your personal comfort and are not intended to replace professional medical procedures or guidance. Individual results can and do vary.

ENJOYING LIFE AS A CLEAN AND SOBER PERSON

2007-10-21T05:51:00.000-07:00

Gratitude List

The cure for feelings of self-pity and lack of motivation, otherwise known as stinking thinking, is to create a Gratitude List. Learn about creating your own Gratitude List.

Gratitude List

Depression is defined as a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity.

Gratitude is defined as a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for what we have.

The cure for feelings of self-pity and lack of motivation, otherwise known as stinking thinking, is to create a Gratitude List.

(Print this page and make your list)

I am grateful for: ______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Remember all that you are thankful for. Stay out of a rut. And enjoy life!

SPIRITUALITY IN THE ADDICTION RECOVERY PROCESS

2007-10-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

For many, spirituality is a key component of the recovery from addiction. Many take comfort in the Serenity Prayer

Serenity Prayer

The serenity prayer is important to many people in addiction recovery. Some find it comforting to wear the serenity prayer as jewelry, such as a pewter cross or a dog tag so they have it with them at all times.

Being able to separate the things that can be controlled from the things that cannot is a basic and critical component for continuing the recovery process. Not understanding this concept can result in frustration, anger, and feeling stressed-out thus possibly leading to relapse vulnerability.

There are variations of the serenity prayer; here is the most common variation.
God grant be the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
God With the saying of this word, I am admitting the existence of a Higher. A Being far greater than I.
Grant With the repeating of this second word I am admitting that this Higher Power is an authority that gives and bestows.
Me I am asking for something for myself. The Bible states that if I ask it shall be given. It is not wrong to ask for betterment fro myself. For with the improvement of my character, people around me will be happier.
Serenity I am asking for calmness, composure, and peace in my life which will enable me to think straight and govern myself properly.
To accept I am resigning myself to conditions as they are right now.
The things I cannot change I am accepting my lot in life as it is. Until I have the courage to change any part of my life I don't like, I must accept it and not accept it
grudgingly.
Courage I am asking for the quality of spirit to face conditions without flinching.
To Change I am asking for conditions to be different.
The Things I Can I am asking for help to make the right decisions and seek progress not perfection.
Wisdom I am asking for the ability to form sound judgments in any and all manners.
To know I want to be able to understand clearly truths of fact.
The Difference I want to see things differently in my life so there can be distinction. I need to sense a definite value in love over selfishness.

Benefits of Leisure Activities for Managing Stress

2007-10-21T05:48:00.001-07:00

While most of us do not consciously think about the benefits of leisure activities for managing stress while we are engaged in an activity, listing the benefits will assist you in choosing meaningful and satisfying activities.

Think about activities you enjoy for the following situations:

* A leisure activity I do TO RELAX

* A leisure activity I do TO SOCIALIZE

* A leisure activity I do TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT

* A leisure activity I do TO BE MENTALLY STIMULATED

* A leisure activity I do TO COMPETE

* A leisure activity I do TO BE CREATIVE

* A leisure activity I do TO BE ALONE

* A leisure activity I do TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW

* A leisure activity I do TO HELP OTHERS

* A leisure activity I do THAT HELPS ME SPIRITUALLY

* A leisure activity I do AS A SPECTATOR

* A leisure activity I do FOR ACCOMPLISHMENT

Engaging in leisure activities can make an important contribution to your physical and mental well-being and major stress management technique!

Building Healthy Self-esteem

2007-10-21T05:47:00.001-07:00

Low Self-esteem can be the cause of many problems, from drug or alcohol abuse to marital issues. By boosting your self esteem, you can increase your odds of staying on your recovery track.
How to Build Self Esteem

There are many ways you can build your self esteem. You can start by trying to maintain a positive outlook and remembering that YOU are in control. If you are feeling down about yourself or a behavior or characteristic, you have the power to change yourself.
Ways You Can Improve Your Self-esteem:

1. Review you strengths and achievements. Make a list of the things you are good at. It can be anything from knowing how to hook up a stereo system or playing basketball to being a good speller. We have all struggled to learn something and we have all accomplished something, big or small. Make a list of your achievements and think of ways you can use and develop your strengths and skills in other situations.

2. Stop comparing yourself to others. If you are focusing on people you think are "better" than you, it will only set you up for more negative thoughts and even lower self-esteem. No one is perfect. On the other hand, by noting the characteristics or behaviors of people you admire, you can try to develop those same characteristics in yourself.

3. Don't be a doormat: Learn how to say No. You don't have to say yes to everything people ask of you. Start to develop boundaries and accept that it is perfectly OK to say no. If you don't acknowledge your needs and desires, no one else will. It leaves the door open for people to take advantage of you. If you can learn to say no sometimes, you are telling yourself you have value.

4. Lean how to accept compliments. It's great to receive compliments. Accept them graciously. Just say thank you and smile. If you dismiss compliments or ignore them, you are giving the message that you are not worthy of them. In the future people may be less likely to compliment you if they think you are just going to brush them off.

5. Associate with positive people. Being around people who are positive and supportive will help you feel better about yourself. If you surround yourself with negative people, they may influence your own attitude or put you or your ideas down. Find time for your friends. Stay in touch, whether by phone or e-mail. Having a network of positive, supportive friends can be a great source of support.

6. Celebrate your own special qualities. Make a list of qualities that you like about yourself, such as having a sense of humor, being a thoughtful person, having patience, being good with kids, etc. If you are having a hard time with your list, ask some close friends. You may be surprised with what they come up with. When you are having a bad day and feeling down, bring out this list and reaffirm yourself.

7. Stay Active. Exercise gets those endorphins flowing and helps promote a more positive attitude. Besides, when you look good and feel healthy, you feel more positive about yourself. You don't have to go to the gym if it is not your thing. There are lots of fun activities you can do to stay fit or active. Try walking your dog, going swimming, or any other activity you enjoy.

8. Take care of your physical appearance. This does not mean to obsess about your looks! Wear something you like and that you know looks good on you. Get a haircut. Stand tall. It is amazing how your posture can reflect on the way you feel. When you slump and shuffle along, you tend to feel the way you look. When you stand straight and walk with confidence, this gives you an immediate boost. Try it and see!

9. Distance yourself from people who are negative or overly critical. Or resolve not to let them bother you. Some people see the glass as half empty. Try to turn off those critical voices in your head putting out all that negative energy—that includes yours, too. It is hard to develop self esteem when you keep putting yourself down. Everyone makes mistakes. Try to learn from them rather than keep punishing yourself for them.

10. Try to do nice things for other people. (This doesn't mean you can't say "no" sometimes when people ask you for a favor). When you do something nice for someone, it makes you feel good, and that helps increase your self-worth and self-esteem.

The important thing is, take action, even if it is only a baby step. You have the power to change your life, one step at a time. When you start feeling better about yourself, your self confidence and self esteem will skyrocket.

REBUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AFTER TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION

2007-10-21T05:45:00.002-07:00

Communication Traps

Why are words so important? What difference does it make how something is said? How is it possible that the listener can receive a different message than the speaker intended?
Avoid Communication Traps:
Effective Communication Skills

Why are words so important? What difference does it make how something is said? How is it possible that the listener can receive a different message than the speaker intended? Learning effective communication skills can help you in recovering your relationships with loved ones.

It is vital to a recovering relationship that both parties leave the past behind and stay in the present. It is a very difficult thing for most couples, and those involved in other relationships such as work and friendships, to accomplish.

People have overpowering feelings of guilt, anger, hurt, stress, low self-esteem, and defensiveness. Negative patterns of interacting have become automatic.

In order to learn new ways of talking to each other and avoid blaming and arguing, the following issues need to be considered. If there is a particular pattern of interacting you recognize, try to guard against falling back into it when you discuss "stressful or sensitive issues" with another person. Check yourself when you are talking and see whether you are falling into any of the stress inducing communication traps.

1. Are you assuming?
If you are not certain whether a remark was meant to be positive or negative, check it out by asking.

2. Are you hinting?
Ask openly for what you want or need and try to accept the fact that your request may or may not be granted.

3. Are you giving double messages?
Often facial expressions or our gestures give a very different message than the speaker's words. Listeners need to be aware of nonverbal cues they may also be giving.

4. Can you admit a mistake?
If being right is more important to either party than being understood, communication will clearly break down. The idea is to begin to understand each other and not to resort to stress inducing power struggle.

5. Do you triangle?
When you are talking "about" someone and speaking to another person you are triangling. Speak directly ro the person you are discussing to avoid this trap. Triangling is not communicating effectively.

Paying attention to these issues will help the recovery process and reduce stressful situations. Clear positive interactions will allow both people to grow in self-esteem and confidence and will pave the way to a committed, enjoyable and trusting
relationship.

Fighting Fairly

Fighting is not good or bad but, the way people fight can have positive or negative results

Fighting Fairly: Rules for Healthy Arguing

It is not realistic to expect a relationship to be free of stress-inducing conflict. Fighting (arguing) is not good or bad, but the way couples fight can have positive or negative results.

When alcohol and/or drugs are being abused and couples are arguing, bad habits can be learned. During the last fight you can remember, were you observing these ground rules?
Arguing Recommendations

1. No physical violence allowed! This rule cannot be repeated too often. While conflicts can often help you strengthen your relationship, abuse always destroys relationships.

2. Try to keep your voice down. If you start to yell, your partner will probably react to your loudness instead of responding to your words. What you are saying gets lost in how you are saying it.

3. Say what you feel when you feel it. Make a commitment to share your emotions honestly, even when they are at their most intense level. Do not forget to share the good feelings too, not just the bad.

4. Don't say it if you don't mean it. Choose your words as carefully as you can in the heat of the moment. Although you can apologize later or say you didn't mean it, you can never truly take them back once they've slipped out of your mouth.

5. Don't hit below the belt. The better you know someone the better you know his or her most vulnerable spots. Avoid the temptation to aim for those vulnerable spots during a fight.

6. Do not blame, condemn, attack, or criticize your partner. Concentrate on communicating how you feel.

7. Stick to the here and now. Don't bring up old issues, third parties who aren't really involved, or any other extraneous material.

8. Be specific. Don't generalize or use expressions like "You never…" or You always…"

9. Give each other equal time. Listen. Don't interrupt when your partner is speaking. Give the other person a fair chance to express their feelings and options.

10. Make a commitment to end fights peacefully. Do not allow a fight to become open ended or ongoing.

Common Symptoms Leading to Relapse

2007-10-21T05:45:00.001-07:00

In recovery it is important to be aware of the symptoms that can lead a person to relapse. These behaviors or ways of thinking have proven to have harmful effects and consequences on the maintenance of the recovery process. It is suggested that you remain mindful of these symptoms in caring for yourself.

1. Dishonesty: This begins a pattern of unnecessary little lies and deceits with fellow workers, friends, and family. The next step is you start lying to yourself. This is called rationalization- making excuses for not doing what you know you need to do, or pretending to do other things in lieu of what really needs to be done.

2. Impatience: You feel like things are not happening fast enough. Or others are not doing what you want them to do, in the way you want them to do it. Remember, using drugs or alcohol is about immediate gratification. Recovery is about being patient and honestly trusting the process.

3. Argumentative: Arguing small and ridiculous points of view indicates a need to always be right. "Why don't you be reasonable and agree with me?" Ask yourself "Do I always have to be right, and possibly alone?" Look at why you provoke arguments. Could it be you are setting up a justification in order to relapse!

4. It won't happen to me, syndrome: This is very dangerous thinking. Almost anything can happen to you if you get careless in your recovery. Remember, you have a progressive disease, and if you start using or drinking again, you start up where you left off when you quit.

5. Cockiness: So, you think you've got it made. You no longer fear your addiction. You start testing yourself, trying to prove to yourself and other that the problem is fixed, cured, or went away. Do this often enough and it will wear down your defenses. Before you know it you are using just a little on weekends, and then during the week. You know the pattern…

6. Complacency: It is very dangerous to let up on all the disciplines that have been structuring you recovery. When you get complacent and start taking your recovery for granted you are setting yourself up for the fall. It is always better to have a little fear about relapsing than no fear at all.

7. Expectations: "I have changed, why hasn't everyone else?" It is always a plus if they do although it is still your recovery even if they choose not to change. People may not accept you yet, and may still be looking for further proof that you can stay clean and sober. It is not wise to expect others to change their lifestyle and attitude just because you have decided to make a life-saving change.

Remember: Be careful with yourself. Life will be less stressful and more enjoyable.

Depression and the Affects on Life

2007-10-21T05:44:00.001-07:00

Depression is a serious condition, one that has many affects on life. It needs to be dealt with in order to maintain and enjoy the recovery process. Research indicates that drug or alcohol addiction and depression are related, although it is not yet known if this relationship exists because depressed individuals tend to use more or if drug/alcohol use causes depression. If the depression persists for more than two weeks seeking treatment is strongly suggested.

A large majority of individuals in addiction recovery experience problems with depression from time to time during the recovery process. Left untreated depression can lead to a relapse and possibly re-addiction. It is important to be able to identify the symptoms of depression and prepare yourself to challenge and cope with the feelings.
Symptoms of Depression:

* Sad thoughts
* Increased thought of drinking and/or using
* Insomnia
* Suicidal thoughts or actions
* Stopping 12-Step or other outside self-help program attendance
* Stopping an exercise regime
* Sleeping more than usual
* Over eating or not eating
* Feelings of boredom or irritability
* Losing interest in things (e.g., family life, hobbies, career)
* Low energy levels
* Isolating

Depression Affirmations: Tips for Healing Depression

1. Exercise
2. Talk to a therapist trained in depression treatments
3. Consider evaluation for medication
4. Talk to your 12-Step sponsor
5. Talk to a trusted friend
6. Consider starting a journal and/or creating a Gratitude List
7. Plan some outdoor activities with friends and/or family members
8. Cry and let the pain out
9. Attain a balanced and healthy diet
10. Assure going to work and strive to do a good job

Depression can have many affects on life. Effectively challenging and coping with depression will keep your recovery process intact and allow you to continue enjoying life as a clean and sober person.

Addiction Recovery Boredom

2007-10-21T05:43:00.000-07:00

When you are in addiction recovery, keeping busy will help alleviate boredom.

Often people who stop using drugs and alcohol say life feels boring. Some of the reasons for this feeling might be:

* A structured, routine life feels different from an addict lifestyle.

* Brain chemical changes during recovery can make people feel flat (or bored).

* Drug and alcohol users often have huge emotional swings (high to low and back to high). Normal emotions can feel flat by comparison.

People with longer sobriety rarely complain of continual boredom, so these feelings do change. Meanwhile there are some ways to help you deal with boredom.
Solutions to Deal with Boredom in Your Addiction Recovery Process: Keeping Busy

* Talk about this feeling with a mate or close friend. Does he or she have any interesting suggestions?

* Think about scheduling your time: forcing yourself to write out daily activity helps you see where you can schedule in more interesting experiences.

* Do something challenging that will further your personal growth.

* Plan something you can look forward to doing. ( a vacation, movie, visit a sober friend).

* Start doing the things that you enjoyed before using drugs or alcohol.

Anger Management When You Are Free from Substance Abuse

2007-10-21T05:42:00.002-07:00

Anger is an emotion, which leads many people to relapse. This is particularly true in early recovery. That is why anger management when you are free from substance abuse is so important. Anger is frequently experienced as a slow, building process during which you constantly think about the anger-producing issues.

Sometimes it seems that the issue causing the anger is the only important thing in life. Often a sense of victimization accompanies the anger. You may feel things like: Why do I get all the bad breaks? How come she doesn't understand my needs? Why won't he just do what I want him to?

Does any of this sound familiar to you?

* How do you recognize when you get angry?

* How do you express anger?

* Do you hold it in and eventually explode?

* Do you become sarcastic and passive aggressive?

* Can you think of any positive ways to deal with anger?

Anger Management Tips

Some alternatives to help manager your anger might be:

* Talk to the person who you are angry with.

* Talk to a therapist, a 12-Step sponsor, or another person who can give you guidance.

* Talk about your anger in an outside support group meeting.

* Write about your feelings of anger.

* Take a "time-out" to help change your frame of mind.

* Exercise

Most recovering people report having some problems with anger from time to time during recovery from substance abuse. For some people this anger, left untreated, can result in relapse. Therefore, it is important to be aware of signs of anger and be prepared to cope with the feeling.

Self Control and Addictive Behavior

2007-10-21T05:42:00.001-07:00

Identifying Symptoms and Triggers of an Addictive Personality

As drug and alcohol use increases, the user tries to keep life under control. That gets harder and harder to do. Finally the user does desperate things to try to continue to appear normal. These desperate behaviors are called addictive behaviors. They are the things people do related to their drug and alcohol use. Sometimes the behaviors ONLY occur when people are using or moving toward using.

Learning to recognize when one or more of these behaviors begin to happen will help you to know when to start fighting extra hard to move away from relapse.
Do You Have an Addictive Personality?

Which of these behaviors do you think are related to your drug or alcohol use?

* Lying

* Stealing

* Being irresponsible (e.g., not meeting family/work obligations)

* Being unreliable (e.g., late for appointments, breaking promises)

* Being careless about health and grooming (e.g., stopping exercise, poor diet, etc.)

* Getting sloppy in house keeping

* Behaving impulsively (without thinking)

* Behaving compulsively (e.g., too much eating, working, sex)

* Losing interest in things (e.g., recreational activities, family life)

* Isolating (staying by yourself much of the time)

* Using other drugs or alcohol

* Missing or being late for 12-Step or other support groups

* Stopping prescribed medication (antidepressants, anti-anxiety, Antabuse, etc.)

Learn what triggers your addictive behaviors and self-control techniques to keep those behaviors in check.

Stress Management During Your Recovery Process

2007-10-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

Stress can be a major side effect during your recovery process. Below are links to some tools for managing stress. Learn how to recognize and reduce stress in your life, and see how to spot stress induced thinking errors.
Recognizing Stress

Stress is the experience people have when the demands they make of themselves or those placed upon them are greater than what they feel they can handle

RECOGNIZING SYMPTOMS OF STRESS
Definition of Stress

What is Stress? Stress is what a person experiences as the result of difficult or upsetting events, especially those that continue for a period of time.

Stress is the experience people have when the demands they make of themselves or those placed upon them are greater than what they feel they can handle.
Symptoms of Stress

Sometimes we are unaware of this emotional state until the stress is producing physical symptoms. Have you experienced any of these symptoms in the past 30 days?

* Sleep problems including:

- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up off and on during the night
- Nightmares
- Waking up early and being unable to fall back asleep

* Headaches

* Stomach problems

* Chronic illness

* Fatigue

* Moodiness

* Irritability

* Difficulty concentrating

* General dissatisfaction with life

* Feeling overwhelmed

If you have experienced two or more of these symptoms, you need to think about reducing stress immediately. By becoming more aware of stress and its symptoms and learning appropriate ways how to deal with stress, you can further ensure your ability to maintain and enjoy a clean and sober lifestyle.

Reducing Stress

Learn how to identify which parts of your daily living are most stressful. Recognizing stress triggers and taking steps to minimize these problems will help reduce stress

IS STRESS TAKING OVER YOUR LIFE?
Reducing Stress: Questionnaire on Stress Management

The following stress management questionnaire should be answered as honestly as possible to help identify which parts of your daily living are most stressful. Recognizing stress triggers and taking steps to minimize these problems will help reduce stress in your life.

1. Your time, energy, and money are all you have to give. Are you investing them in work that you enjoy and that satisfies you?

2. Focusing on the present means giving your attention to the task at hand without the past and future crippling you. Are you usually able to stay in the here and now?

3. Do you appreciate things like music, reading, nature, and personal relationships? Or are you overly focused on having money and things?

4. Are you forcing yourself to do things that increase your self-confidence?

5. Do you tackle large goals by breaking them into smaller, more manageable task?

6. Are you careful to make your environment peaceful?

7. Can you and do you say "NO" when that is how you feel?

8. Do you know how to use self-relaxation techniques to relax your body? Do you allow time in your day to do it?

9. Are you careful to avoid large swings in body energy caused by taking in excess sugar and caffeine?

10. Are there specific ways you deal with anger and get it out of your system physically?

Stress Induced Thinking Errors

Our thoughts play an influential role in our perception of the stress we are under. Some of these stress inducing thoughts are referred to as cognitive distortions. These stress inducing thinking errors can exacerbate any stress we are under and it is important to identify and challenge them

Stress Inducing Thinking Errors (Cognitive Distortions)

Our thoughts play an influential role in our perception of the stress we are under. Some of these stress inducing thoughts are referred to as cognitive distortions. These stress inducing thinking errors can exacerbate any stress we are under and it is important to identify and challenge them.
Listed below are some of the most common of these thinking errors. Try and acknowledge those that might apply to you.

1. Black and White Thinking (All or Nothing Thinking): In black and white thinking we tend to see things, ourselves, and other people as being all wrong or all right, all good or all bad. We are either a total success or a total failure. We are completely 100% right or 100% wrong. The reality is we all make mistakes. Life is a learning process and nobody is perfect. For example, if we make one mistake we believe we have failed.

2. Overgeneralization: In overgeneralization when we experience a single negative event, such as not getting a job we applied for, we tend to think we will never get a job ever again. We make a mistake and we think we can never do things right. We arrive at conclusions based on single events. For example "Everything I do turns out wrong."

3. Catastrophising: When we catastrophise we automatically think the worst is going to happen, it will be awful and we will not be able to cope. For example "My relationship broke up, so nobody will want a relationship with me ever again."

4. Negative Filtering: In negative filtering we see only the negative and seldom see the positives. We filter out all the good things life offers and overly focus on the negative parts of life. We obsess on a single negative detail and dwell on it. We make predictions about what will happen to us in the future based on negative information.

5. Magnifying or Minimizing: In magnifying/minimizing we blow things out of proportion. We make mountains out of molehills. We tend to minimize the strengths and qualities of ourselves and others and magnify and exaggerate supposed weakness, mistakes, and errors.

6. Personalization and Blame: In personalization and blame if something bad happens we tend to assume it is our fault. We blame ourselves solely for situations and events that we were not entirely responsible for. The opposite example is we take no personal responsibility; we blame other people and/or situations. For example "My relationship broke up so it must be all my fault" or "My relationship broke up so it must be all his/her fault."

7. Emotional Reasoning: In emotional reasoning we let are feelings guide our interpretation of reality. We think that what we are feeling must be true and accurate, so if we feel we are a failure then we must be a failure; if we feel we are ugly then we must be ugly. We do not look for facts to support what we feel; we have a feeling and just accept it as the truth or reality. For example, we may be so stressed that we have difficulty with our emotions and therefore conclude that our marriage is not working when in fact it is our blunted emotions that are causing the problem.

8. Discounting the Positive: In discounting the positive we trivialize the positive things about ourselves and others by saying/thinking that these positives do not count for much. For example your spouse or significant other say you are good at something, but you say they are only mentioning it because they are your spouse or significant other. Try accepting the compliment and say thank you.

9. Heaven's Reward Thinking: In heaven's reward thinking we do the right thing to gain our reward; we sacrifice and slave imagining that we are collecting brownie points that we can cash in some day. We base our decisions and actions on what others need, often ignoring our own needs. For example "If I look after my own needs I am being selfish."

10. Unrealistic Comparisons: In unrealistic comparisons we compare ourselves to other people, work colleagues, neighbors, etc. and view them as being more successful, better looking than we are, happier than we are, and better at handling and coping with life than we are.

Identifying thinking errors is a big step in reducing stress in our daily living thus allowing us to enjoy life, our relationships, and our work life.

Addiction Recovery Tools for Life

2007-10-21T05:34:00.001-07:00

If you landed on this website, chances are you are a person in addiction recovery seeking information and solutions on how to rebuild your life and relationships. You may be looking for help in learning how to manage the stress of daily life after your drug or alcohol addiction treatment. We can provide help and support.

Addiction to drugs or alcohol is a chronic disease, which means you can relapse. So recovery from addiction is a lifelong process.

Developing strategies and solutions for coping with stress and anger, rebuilding relationships and learning to manage your day-to-day life is an important part of maintaining your recovery and will help prevent you from relapsing back into drug or alcohol addiction.