Not everyone with a mental illness is going to become a drug or alcohol addict and not everyone with a drug or alcohol addiction has a mental illness. There are underlying causes that lead to the occurrence of this connection of addiction and mental illness. Other factors play a role in the connection of addiction and mental illness. These factors include genetics, chemical deficiency, and environment.
A variety of mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, antisocial personality disorder, anxiety, sleep disorders, or depression, increases the risk of addiction. The highest risk of addiction connection to mental illness is those who have bipolar or schizophrenia.
It is not fully understood why people with these particular disorders are at a higher risk for addiction, it may be due to the extreme highs and lows associated with them. Some noted correlations between addictions and mental disorders are that alcohol and drug abuse does change the brain that can sometimes lead to permanent damage causing mental disorders and changes in personality. As well, alcohol withdrawal mimics schizophrenic symptoms in that one can experience hallucinations during withdrawal. Alcoholics, regardless of gender, frequently suffer depression and anxiety disorders.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Mental Illness and Addiction Connection ~ Conditions
Mental illnesses can increase the risk for alcoholism or drug abuse. People already inflicted with mental disorders, if not diagnosed correctly or seeking medical help for the mental disorder may self medicate by using drugs or alcohol. Some people may not even be aware that they have a mental disorder, just feel “off” and know that when they drink or use drugs, that off feeling is eliminated. All along, the core issue to their functioning problem in society was a mental illness that could have been medically taken care of. Often times those who become addicted to a substance don’t even find out that they have a mental illness until they seek treatment for their addiction. On the other hand, alcoholism can lead to significant anxiety and depression that may appear indistinguishable from mental illness.
Mental illness is compounded by drug and alcohol abuse making it a challenge to get the right diagnosis and treatment for them both. Addictions and psychiatric disorders often occur at the same time. However, each needs to be treated distinctively in order to get the best outcome for the patient in recovery.
The more common mental illness that are frequently associated with drug and alcohol addiction include depression, bipolar disorders, anxiety, and schizophrenia. People with mental disorder are less inhibited and more likely to show risk-taking behavior like buying and using illegal drugs or drinking to excess. The mental illness can cause the person to have impaired judgment leading the person to consume higher amounts of drugs/alcohol. This lack of inhibition and impaired judgment can quickly lead to alcohol or drug abuse/addiction.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Mental illness is compounded by drug and alcohol abuse making it a challenge to get the right diagnosis and treatment for them both. Addictions and psychiatric disorders often occur at the same time. However, each needs to be treated distinctively in order to get the best outcome for the patient in recovery.
The more common mental illness that are frequently associated with drug and alcohol addiction include depression, bipolar disorders, anxiety, and schizophrenia. People with mental disorder are less inhibited and more likely to show risk-taking behavior like buying and using illegal drugs or drinking to excess. The mental illness can cause the person to have impaired judgment leading the person to consume higher amounts of drugs/alcohol. This lack of inhibition and impaired judgment can quickly lead to alcohol or drug abuse/addiction.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Monday, March 29, 2010
Risk Factors for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism
Every year more than 100,000 Americans die due to alcoholism and drug addiction related causes. These deaths could be avoided if the early warning signs and risk factors where heeded and proper help was obtained. Genetics, environment, and personality all contribute to the risks factors of alcoholism and drug addiction and warning signs can be as small as complaints from friends and family about the behavior being exhibited by the addict.
By understanding the risk factors for alcoholism and drug abuse, proper steps can be taken reducing the number of lives lost needlessly. There is no one risk factor that can determine if a person is going to become a drug addict or alcoholic but rather a combination of risk factors in one’s life along with a persons biological makeup including genetics and their exposure to drugs/alcohol.
Risk Factors include:
Genetics: It has been shown that alcoholism and drug addiction can be inherited meaning if you have a family member with addiction issues, your risks increases.
Age: The younger the age of use, the higher the risk. Adolescents have a higher tendency toward reckless behavior and the ideology that nothing can “hurt” them.
Social Group: If the people one hangs around with frequently use drugs and alcohol, the risk rises. Friends are highly influential in ones behavior and even more so the younger the person.
Stress: Stress can be a killer on its own but for some a reason to use drugs or alcohol to take the edge off. This can become a deadly cycle in its own if the person all ready has predispositions for addiction.
Mental Disorders: People suffering from depression or anxiety disorders in particular are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs.
Drug of Choice: The way the drug is introduced into the body can increase the risk of addiction. Drugs that are smoked or injected into a vein are more likely to cause addiction because they produce a quick, powerful effect — they reach the brain sooner than drugs that are taken by mouth. This rapid "high" also fades faster, causing the person to need more and more of the substance to regain the pleasurable feeling.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
By understanding the risk factors for alcoholism and drug abuse, proper steps can be taken reducing the number of lives lost needlessly. There is no one risk factor that can determine if a person is going to become a drug addict or alcoholic but rather a combination of risk factors in one’s life along with a persons biological makeup including genetics and their exposure to drugs/alcohol.
Risk Factors include:
Genetics: It has been shown that alcoholism and drug addiction can be inherited meaning if you have a family member with addiction issues, your risks increases.
Age: The younger the age of use, the higher the risk. Adolescents have a higher tendency toward reckless behavior and the ideology that nothing can “hurt” them.
Social Group: If the people one hangs around with frequently use drugs and alcohol, the risk rises. Friends are highly influential in ones behavior and even more so the younger the person.
Stress: Stress can be a killer on its own but for some a reason to use drugs or alcohol to take the edge off. This can become a deadly cycle in its own if the person all ready has predispositions for addiction.
Mental Disorders: People suffering from depression or anxiety disorders in particular are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs.
Drug of Choice: The way the drug is introduced into the body can increase the risk of addiction. Drugs that are smoked or injected into a vein are more likely to cause addiction because they produce a quick, powerful effect — they reach the brain sooner than drugs that are taken by mouth. This rapid "high" also fades faster, causing the person to need more and more of the substance to regain the pleasurable feeling.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Friday, March 26, 2010
How to Recognize Alcoholism
When someone you know has a drinking problem, you might wonder at what point he or she would be considered an alcoholic or someone with an alcohol addiction.
Medical experts consider abuse to be the regular use of a substance that leads to serious psychological and/or physical disability. If the person demonstrates one or more of the following during the same year, he or she is considered a substance abuser:
• Repeated substance use to the point of not being able to meet responsibilities
• Repeated substance use when there is risk involved, like operating equipment or driving a car while under the influence.
• Repeated difficulties with the law related to substance
• Insisting on using the substance regardless of consequences.
When heavy alcohol use leads to an actual physical need to drink, people are said to have alcohol dependence. Dependence is defined as habitual use leading to significant psychological/physical impairment demonstrated by three or more of the following within the same year:
• Needing greater amounts of alcohol to satisfy cravings
• Going through withdrawal when not using alcohol, with symptoms such as tremors, restlessness, and agitation
• Taking the substance or a similar one to avoid the effects of withdrawal
• Using the substance longer than planned or more frequently and in greater amounts
• An inability to reduce use, despite a sincere wish to do so
• Spending a significant amount of time trying to acquire the substance
• Spending less time at work or on other activities because of substance use
• Continuing to drink despite being aware that alcohol is causing psychological or physical difficulties
The more problems a person has in their daily life, the more severe the addiction. To determine the severity of your loved ones alcohol addiction, ask yourself:
• Do they frequently say inappropriate things?
• Is their gait off balance when they walk?
• Do they exhibited slurred speech frequently?
• Are they notably drunk frequently?
• Do they have a high absenteeism record for work or other responsibilities?
• Have they had trouble with the law resulting from drinking?
• Do they have health issues due to alcohol addiction such as heartburn, liver problems, high blood pressure, or insomnia?
The more of these you have answered “yes” to the more severe the addiction, however, any level of addiction needs treatment and the quicker the better.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Don’t Lose Yourself Despite an Addict
Anytime you are dealing with someone who has an addiction, your life can quickly become turned upside down. You begin a ride of a lifetime, and not a pleasant one – a never ending emotional rollercoaster until the addict seeks treatment. Feelings of shame, anger, fear, sadness, frustration, helplessness, and despair are just some of the emotions you may experience when dealling with an addict.
On top of the emotional rollercoaster, people dealing with an addict often put their lives on the back burner allowing their own interest and activities to take back seat if they even attend to them at all. Their entire lives begin to revolve around the addict. Counselors who work with drug addicts and alcoholics strongly recommend that loved ones, family, and friends of addicts move on with their own lives by putting the focus back on themselves. The sooner loved ones realize they have no power over the person with the addiction, the sooner they can accept their limitations and take care of themselves. It is strongly suggested that those dealing with an addict seek out addiction support groups for friends and family members affected by substance abuse, such as Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and Families Anonymous. They can be very helpful in getting your own life back. When you see others that have been in the same spot you are, and how they moved past it and can actually smile and have a good time gives you the strength and belief that you too can be happy once again.
Other things you can do to help manage your emotions are deep breathing. When you’re nervous or upset your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. Deep breathing for a couple minutes sends more oxygen to the brain and can help you calm down Even doing normal household cleaning tasks such as vacuuming can help you get your focus back on you. Try running, work on your car, rearrange your home, gardening, mow the yard, whatever you can do to change your focus. For some, journaling, drawing, or painting is great outlets.
It can seem next to impossible to think about yourself when you are living on an emotional roller coaster with an addict but you can get your life back. It is the addict’s responsibility to take ownership of their addiction and behavior and not yours to own the emotional backlash.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
On top of the emotional rollercoaster, people dealing with an addict often put their lives on the back burner allowing their own interest and activities to take back seat if they even attend to them at all. Their entire lives begin to revolve around the addict. Counselors who work with drug addicts and alcoholics strongly recommend that loved ones, family, and friends of addicts move on with their own lives by putting the focus back on themselves. The sooner loved ones realize they have no power over the person with the addiction, the sooner they can accept their limitations and take care of themselves. It is strongly suggested that those dealing with an addict seek out addiction support groups for friends and family members affected by substance abuse, such as Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and Families Anonymous. They can be very helpful in getting your own life back. When you see others that have been in the same spot you are, and how they moved past it and can actually smile and have a good time gives you the strength and belief that you too can be happy once again.
Other things you can do to help manage your emotions are deep breathing. When you’re nervous or upset your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. Deep breathing for a couple minutes sends more oxygen to the brain and can help you calm down Even doing normal household cleaning tasks such as vacuuming can help you get your focus back on you. Try running, work on your car, rearrange your home, gardening, mow the yard, whatever you can do to change your focus. For some, journaling, drawing, or painting is great outlets.
It can seem next to impossible to think about yourself when you are living on an emotional roller coaster with an addict but you can get your life back. It is the addict’s responsibility to take ownership of their addiction and behavior and not yours to own the emotional backlash.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
How ones addiction affects the people in their life
Some people may think that their loved ones addiction has no effect on them, but they are wrong, no matter how much they deny it. They may say they have distanced themselves from the addict so they don’t have to deal with their behavior. Already, the need to distant ones self is an effect of the addiction. The addiction puts a strain on the entire family unit; it is like that snowball at the top of the hill, rolling its way down building speed and size on its way until it wipes out everything in its path. Even if it doesn’t hit you directly in its path, it will hit others in the family unit and you will feel the results in various ways.
Watching a loved one deal with an addiction can make you feel helpless. You may try to help them and feel inadequate. Their problem may bring you so much sorrow that the only way you can deal with it is to avoid it. Not everyone deals with a loved ones addiction the same way. Some people have the skills it takes to set strong limits and boundaries and know that if the addict distances themselves from them it is not a reflection on them, but rather just another part of the addiction. Some people feel deep guilt and question everything about their lives with the addict asking what they could have done different so the love one would not have started using drugs. There are probably a million different ways a loved ones’ drug addiction can affect a person and probably a million reasons why addicts started using initially.
Deny that a loved ones addiction doesn’t affect tem at all is dangerous and can lead to further problems with the family unit as a whole. You can deny any backlash from an addicts addiction while using, (although it is not the healthiest approach for people) but when the addict enters a drug treatment program you would be wise to use that time to deal with the effects the addiction has had on you.
Good addiction treatment program will have a component of family therapy giving you the opportunity to express your true feelings in a controlled setting. As the addict is in recovery, they have the therapist to help them work through their emotions that come from them honest, heartfelt confessions and anger about the addicts’ behavior while using.
When someone you love is battling addiction, it is important not to lose sight of your own well-being. It is easy to become isolated and preoccupied with whether the addict is going to drink or use drugs, or totally shut down. Family and friends often experience anger, fear, and frustration. You need to be sure that you don’t get pulled into a downward spiral and do not be afraid to speak to a drug/alcohol counselor regarding your loved ones addiction.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Watching a loved one deal with an addiction can make you feel helpless. You may try to help them and feel inadequate. Their problem may bring you so much sorrow that the only way you can deal with it is to avoid it. Not everyone deals with a loved ones addiction the same way. Some people have the skills it takes to set strong limits and boundaries and know that if the addict distances themselves from them it is not a reflection on them, but rather just another part of the addiction. Some people feel deep guilt and question everything about their lives with the addict asking what they could have done different so the love one would not have started using drugs. There are probably a million different ways a loved ones’ drug addiction can affect a person and probably a million reasons why addicts started using initially.
Deny that a loved ones addiction doesn’t affect tem at all is dangerous and can lead to further problems with the family unit as a whole. You can deny any backlash from an addicts addiction while using, (although it is not the healthiest approach for people) but when the addict enters a drug treatment program you would be wise to use that time to deal with the effects the addiction has had on you.
Good addiction treatment program will have a component of family therapy giving you the opportunity to express your true feelings in a controlled setting. As the addict is in recovery, they have the therapist to help them work through their emotions that come from them honest, heartfelt confessions and anger about the addicts’ behavior while using.
When someone you love is battling addiction, it is important not to lose sight of your own well-being. It is easy to become isolated and preoccupied with whether the addict is going to drink or use drugs, or totally shut down. Family and friends often experience anger, fear, and frustration. You need to be sure that you don’t get pulled into a downward spiral and do not be afraid to speak to a drug/alcohol counselor regarding your loved ones addiction.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Do you have a Strong Personal Support Network?
When referencing a personal support network, I am not referring to just your counselors and support groups. I am talking about a personal support network that will help you connect with the world outside of treatment. Having a strong personal support network is imperative part of your transition to your new drug free life.
While attending an addiction treatment program you will need support during and after the treatment process. By doing so only increase your chances of a successful recovery. Having people who care about you and your recovery give you the outlet needed to be able to go out and enjoy what the world has to offer without the worry of being put into situations that are not conducive to your goal of staying clean. This helps lowers the risks of relapse as well. .
When entering a treatment program you will have many emotions to deal with - emotions that you have kept hidden by your drug/alcohol use. As these emotions begin to arise, you will begin to think about various things you did to friends and family members that you regret – lying, stealing, and hurting those close to you in various other ways. Because of your past actions while you were using, you may feel you have alienated yourself from any outside support. You may feel like you have burnt all your bridges and do not deserve the support from these individuals anyhow. And more than likely you are uncomfortable in asking for support for fear of being rejected
With all these negatives thoughts, you have to stay positive about your recovery goal. During your time in the treatment program is the perfect time to speak to your counselors about these feelings and to work through them. The relationships that have been strained due to your drug or alcohol addiction are going to take time to heal, and in some situations, they may not ever heal. However, there are still other avenues to pursue to find a strong support network.
Leaders of your religious community such as ministers, rabbi’s, priest, deacons, etc.
- Family members still open to communication
- Good friends that have your best interest in mind.
- People at work in which you have connected with that have your best interest in mind.
- People from organizations you belong to such as your local gym that you can connect with doing fun things yet with your recovery in mind.
Approach people you would like to support you by being direct and honest and simple ask for what type of support you are seeking. Maybe it is just a companion to attend events with such as movies or other enjoyable activities. Maybe it is someone to go to church with you. Or maybe what you may seek in a support person is someone to just take a walk or drive with to talk over things tat are going on with you at the moment. By having others around you also gives you the opportunity to support back or learn how to be supportive. Often during the vicious cycle of addiction, many lose the basic qualities it takes to be a friend and by having a large support network, those qualities that you are lacking in can be learned or refined by a strong support network as well.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Monday, March 22, 2010
Parents Need to Know
What you say, what you do, and what you expect will effect your teens choice to drink or use illegal drugs. One third of teens who have seen one or both of their parents drunk are more likely to drink themselves, three times more likely to use marijuana, and three times more likely to smoke cigarettes then teens that have never seen a parent drunk.
How you as a parent feels about drinking and how you relay those feeling to your teen also plays a role in if your teen is at a higher risk of drinking. Compared to teens who believe their father is against them drinking, teens who believe their father is okay with them drinking are two and a half times likelier to get drunk in a typical month. Compared to teens who are living with no father in the home, teens who believe their father is okay with them drinking are more than one and a half times likelier to have had a drink.
Parents who expect that their teen is likely to try marijuana are 10 times likelier to have tried marijuana, compared to teens of parents who say future drug use by their child will never happen. Parents are key to preventing substance use in their kids by merely relaying the right messages through their actions, words, and expectations. Parents who send ambiguous messages to their kids about drinking and drug use or--worse yet--parents who encourage such use through their own words and actions are enablers of teen substance use.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
How you as a parent feels about drinking and how you relay those feeling to your teen also plays a role in if your teen is at a higher risk of drinking. Compared to teens who believe their father is against them drinking, teens who believe their father is okay with them drinking are two and a half times likelier to get drunk in a typical month. Compared to teens who are living with no father in the home, teens who believe their father is okay with them drinking are more than one and a half times likelier to have had a drink.
Parents who expect that their teen is likely to try marijuana are 10 times likelier to have tried marijuana, compared to teens of parents who say future drug use by their child will never happen. Parents are key to preventing substance use in their kids by merely relaying the right messages through their actions, words, and expectations. Parents who send ambiguous messages to their kids about drinking and drug use or--worse yet--parents who encourage such use through their own words and actions are enablers of teen substance use.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Friday, March 19, 2010
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens are among the oldest known drugs, many of which are found in plants and fungi. However, forms of it can be manufactured synthetically in illegal labs. The word “hallucinate” comes from the Latin words meaning, “To wander in the mind.” When consumed in non-toxic dosages, hallucinogens produce changes in perception, mood, and thought and make imagined experiences appear real. Changes in perception include:
- Psychic effects, which are disorders of thought associated with time and space.
- Physiological effects, such as elevated heart rate, dilated pupils, and increased blood pressure.
- Sensory effects – perceptual distortions that vary with setting, mood, and dose (Hallucinogens).
Hallucinogens affect ones well being and may change the way they feel emotionally. It causes feelings of suspicion, confusion, paranoia, and disorientation. Hallucinogens can cause mixed up speech, loss of muscle control, and make the teen act in aggressive, irrational, or violent ways.
Hallucinogens increase the heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to heart and lung failure. Hallucinogens are unpredictable; each time they are used the results can be different from pleasurable to frightening. The user may experience flashbacks, weeks or even months after the drug has been consumed. Various types of hallucinogens include:
- PCP
1. Users snort PCP powder, swallow tablets and capsules, or smoke the drug by applying it (in powder form) to a leafy substance such as marijuana, mint, parsley, or oregano.
2. Users increasingly are dipping marijuana or tobacco cigarettes in liquid PCP and smoking them.
3. PCP is an addictive drug; its use often results in psychological dependence, craving, and compulsive behavior.
4. PCP produces unpleasant psychological effects, and users often become violent or suicidal.
5. PCP poses particular risks for young people. Even moderate use of the drug can negatively affect the hormones associated with normal growth and development. PCP use also can impede the learning process in teenagers.
6. High doses of PCP can cause seizures, coma, and even death (often as a consequence of accidental injury or suicide while under the drug's effects). At high doses, PCP's effects may resemble the symptoms associated with schizophrenia, including delusions and paranoia.
7. Long-term use of PCP can lead to memory loss, difficulty with speech or thought, depression, and weight loss.
8. Most common names for PCP are angel dust, animal tranquilizer, embalming fluid, ozone, rocket fuel, and wack.
9. Marijuana or tobacco cigarettes that are dipped in PCP are called illy, wet, or fry. - LSD:
1. Most potent hallucinogen derived from a fungus that grows on rye and other grains
2. Manufactured synthetically in illegal labs.
3. Usually taken by mouth, but can also be inhaled or injected
4. Is usually mixed with other substances, such as sugar and is sold on the street as: blotter acid – pictured paper that has been soaked in an LSD solution, capsules, microdot tablets, and thin squares of gelatin known as windowpanes. - DMT:
1. Common names DMT, Dimitri, Divine Moments of Truth, Businessman’s Trip
2. Causes intense visuals and strong psychedelic mental effects when it is ingested by smoking. Injecting, snorting, or swallowing.
3. When smoked, DMT generally reaches full effects within 10-60 seconds of inhalation.
4. The main effects of DMT last approximately 5-20 minutes when smoked, with a period of 1-2 hours before fully returning to somewhat normal state in most people.
5. Causes overwhelming fear, immersive experiences, stomach discomfort, radical perspective shifting, overly-intense experiences, change in perception of time, auditory hallucination (buzzing), powerful “rushing” of sensation, difficulty integrating experiences (reality vs. hallucination), intense open eye visuals and kaleidoscope patterning color shifting. - Psilocybin:
1. A hallucinogenic substance obtained from certain types of mushrooms indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States.
2. Fresh mushrooms have white or whitish- gray stems; the caps are dark brown around the edges and light brown or white in the center.
3. Dried mushrooms are generally rusty brown with isolated areas of off-white.
4. Psilocybin mushrooms are ingested orally. They may be brewed as a tea or added to other foods to mask their bitter flavor.
5. Psilocybin mushrooms are popular at raves, clubs and, increasingly, on college campuses and generally are abused by teenagers and young adults.
6. Use of psilocybin is associated with negative physical and psychological consequences.
7. The physical effects, which appear within 20 minutes of ingestion and last approximately 6 hours, include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
8. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and psychosis also may occur, particularly if a user ingests a large dose.
9. The most common names for Psilocybin are magic mushroom, mushroom, and shrooms. - Peyote:
1. Peyote is a small, spineless cactus in which the principal active ingredient is mescaline. Mescaline can also be produced through chemical synthesis.
2. The top of the peyote cactus, also referred to as the crown, consists of disc-shaped buttons that are cut from the roots and dried. These buttons are generally chewed or soaked in water to produce an intoxicating liquid.
3. The hallucinogenic dose of mescaline is about 0.3 to 0.5 grams, and its effects last about 12 hours. Because the extract is so bitter, some individuals prefer to prepare a tea by boiling the cacti for several hours.
4. Peyote abusers may experience flashbacks.
5. Effects are similar to those of LSD, including increased body temperature and heart rate, uncoordinated movements (ataxia), profound sweating, and flushing. - MDA and MDMA:
1. Are extremely popular in the dance and rave club scene.
2. Teenagers hide the hallucinogens in inventive and secretive ways, such as in eye drop bottles, candy containers, and energy drinks so that law enforcement and parents cannot easily detect them.
3. MDA and MDMA is taken orally, usually as a capsule or tablet.
4. MDA and MDMA can produce confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, and severe anxiety.
5. Chronic users perform more poorly in certain types of cognitive or memory tasks.
6. MDA and MDMA abstinence-associated withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, depressed feelings, and trouble concentrating.
7. Has many of the same physical effects as other stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines including increases in heart rate and blood pressure, muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, and chills or sweating.
8. In high doses, MDA and MDMA can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature. On rare but unpredictable occasions, this can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), which can result in liver, kidney, cardiovascular system failure, or death.
9. MDA and MDMA can interfere with its own metabolism (breakdown within the body); therefore, potentially harmful levels can be reached by repeated MDA and MDMA administration within short periods.
10. Other drugs that are chemically similar to MDMA and MDA, such as PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine) associated with fatalities in the United States and Australia, are sometimes sold as ecstasy. These drugs act as neurotoxin and create additional health risks to the user.
11. Ecstasy tablets are often cut with other substances, such as ephedrine, DXM, a cough suppressant, ketamine an anesthetic used mostly by veterinarians; caffeine; cocaine; and methamphetamine which increases risk for adverse health effects.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Teen Marijuana Users
Research have established that marijuana is addictive and every year more teens are entering drug treatment programs with the diagnosis of marijuana dependence. Sixty percent of teens admitted for drug treatment say marijuana is their primary drug of choice. Marijuana has always been looked at as a gateway drug, and the lighter of illegal addictive drugs to use. The misrepresentation of the dangers of marijuana often get lost along the way when drug education is being delivered due to the way society ranks it amongst what they consider more hard core drugs such as heroin, crack, etc.
Researchers have found that heavy marijuana use impairs teenagers’ ability to retain information and concentrate. Regular marijuana use has been shown to be associated with poor academic performance. During the teens learning years, this is a huge issue. Their brains are not even fully developed at this time. There is an association between an increase in marijuana use and failure to complete a high school education.
Teens are receiving mixed messages about marijuana use. The fact is marijuana is an illegal substance that affects teens in many harmful ways. The early you start talking to your children about the facts behind marijuana use the better. Teens need to be told clearly and often that using marijuana and other illegal substances carries significant health, safety, and legal risks. Here are some facts about marijuana use to get you started talking to your youth about marijuana use:
• Regular marijuana use leads to breathing problems, such as chronic coughing and wheezing. Marijuana contains the same cancer causing chemicals as tobacco. The amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed by those who smoke marijuana are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers.
• The active ingredient in marijuana is THC (tetrahydrocannabinal). The behaviors exhibited by introducing THC to the brain are similar to those demonstrated by alcohol consumption. Marijuana can induce several emotional responses such as relaxation, introspection, feeling “in tune” with the world, and irrationality.
• Drug abuser use drugs such as marijuana as an attempt to deal with the demands of reality. This behavior is directed toward the pursuit of pleasure and reduction of pain.
• Teen marijuana abusers are often underdeveloped emotionally, academically, and vocationally.
• The use of marijuana affects school, sports, and other activities.
• Marijuana affects memory, judgment, and perception.
• Teens who smoke marijuana on a regular basis start to lose interest in their appearance and in every other aspect of their lives.
• The short-term effects of marijuana include memory problems, distorted perception, trouble problem solving, and loss of motor coordination.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Researchers have found that heavy marijuana use impairs teenagers’ ability to retain information and concentrate. Regular marijuana use has been shown to be associated with poor academic performance. During the teens learning years, this is a huge issue. Their brains are not even fully developed at this time. There is an association between an increase in marijuana use and failure to complete a high school education.
Teens are receiving mixed messages about marijuana use. The fact is marijuana is an illegal substance that affects teens in many harmful ways. The early you start talking to your children about the facts behind marijuana use the better. Teens need to be told clearly and often that using marijuana and other illegal substances carries significant health, safety, and legal risks. Here are some facts about marijuana use to get you started talking to your youth about marijuana use:
• Regular marijuana use leads to breathing problems, such as chronic coughing and wheezing. Marijuana contains the same cancer causing chemicals as tobacco. The amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed by those who smoke marijuana are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers.
• The active ingredient in marijuana is THC (tetrahydrocannabinal). The behaviors exhibited by introducing THC to the brain are similar to those demonstrated by alcohol consumption. Marijuana can induce several emotional responses such as relaxation, introspection, feeling “in tune” with the world, and irrationality.
• Drug abuser use drugs such as marijuana as an attempt to deal with the demands of reality. This behavior is directed toward the pursuit of pleasure and reduction of pain.
• Teen marijuana abusers are often underdeveloped emotionally, academically, and vocationally.
• The use of marijuana affects school, sports, and other activities.
• Marijuana affects memory, judgment, and perception.
• Teens who smoke marijuana on a regular basis start to lose interest in their appearance and in every other aspect of their lives.
• The short-term effects of marijuana include memory problems, distorted perception, trouble problem solving, and loss of motor coordination.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Children of Alcoholics
For some teens, the vicious cycle of drug abuse begins in their home. They are the children whose behaviors are influenced by that of their parents; parents that have addictive behaviors. One such at risk group is that of children of alcoholics (COAs). This group is exceeding 6.6 million, with children living with at least one alcoholic parent.
Researchers have shown that familial influence is the primary reason COA’s seek relief in the numbing effects alcohol.
Children of alcoholic parent(s) begin dealing with a great deal of pressure at a very young age. They are forced to take on responsibilities of the adult and as a result they end up taking on personality traits that reflect saviors, enablers, scapegoats, and lost children. With the taken on personas/behavior, often times it leads to self destructive activities such as drug and alcohol use as a means to escape the pain that alcohol has brought into their lives.
Low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, inability to express feeling, lack of control, distrust, issues with intimacy, hyper vigilance and an overwhelming sense of responsibility are all indicative of COAs. To add more insult to injury, with the alcoholic caretaker already not functioning normally, this population often time become overlooked or looked at as troublemakers or under achievers, often slipping through the cracks of society.
COAs severely compromise their own self worth for their alcoholic parent. Because of this, many unresolved issues remain buried deep within the child's subconscious. Other then using drugs or alcohol to forget the pain of their home life, COAs often follow a pattern of behavior that ultimately establishes its own pattern of self-loathing also to mask their pain such as the following:
• Taking extreme pride in maintaining self-control
• Basing self-esteem on having relationships
• Placing everyone else's needs before one's own
• Denying that one's own needs exists
• Sacrificing one's own identity for the sake of intimacy
• Changing one's personality to please others
• Battling low self-worth
• Always compelled by compulsions
• Abusing substances
• Trying to control others with love or anger
• Facing the world with a facade of false feelings
• Experiencing stress-related medical illnesses (Rodney, 1996, p. 19)
The manifestation of these distinguishable behaviors sets in motion a series of events some slow to pass, others more readily noticeable that mark the "accelerating disintegration of the whole person that is the mark of alcoholism" (Cruse-Wegscheider, 1989, p. 28).
Ketchum et al (2000) note that for many, alcoholism is a family tradition; not only does at least one parent drink but so did their grandparents and often even further back in the generational construct. "If someone in your family is an alcoholic a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, brother, or sister you have a much greater risk of getting the disease if you drink" (Ketchum et al, 2000, p. 270).
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Researchers have shown that familial influence is the primary reason COA’s seek relief in the numbing effects alcohol.
Children of alcoholic parent(s) begin dealing with a great deal of pressure at a very young age. They are forced to take on responsibilities of the adult and as a result they end up taking on personality traits that reflect saviors, enablers, scapegoats, and lost children. With the taken on personas/behavior, often times it leads to self destructive activities such as drug and alcohol use as a means to escape the pain that alcohol has brought into their lives.
Low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, inability to express feeling, lack of control, distrust, issues with intimacy, hyper vigilance and an overwhelming sense of responsibility are all indicative of COAs. To add more insult to injury, with the alcoholic caretaker already not functioning normally, this population often time become overlooked or looked at as troublemakers or under achievers, often slipping through the cracks of society.
COAs severely compromise their own self worth for their alcoholic parent. Because of this, many unresolved issues remain buried deep within the child's subconscious. Other then using drugs or alcohol to forget the pain of their home life, COAs often follow a pattern of behavior that ultimately establishes its own pattern of self-loathing also to mask their pain such as the following:
• Taking extreme pride in maintaining self-control
• Basing self-esteem on having relationships
• Placing everyone else's needs before one's own
• Denying that one's own needs exists
• Sacrificing one's own identity for the sake of intimacy
• Changing one's personality to please others
• Battling low self-worth
• Always compelled by compulsions
• Abusing substances
• Trying to control others with love or anger
• Facing the world with a facade of false feelings
• Experiencing stress-related medical illnesses (Rodney, 1996, p. 19)
The manifestation of these distinguishable behaviors sets in motion a series of events some slow to pass, others more readily noticeable that mark the "accelerating disintegration of the whole person that is the mark of alcoholism" (Cruse-Wegscheider, 1989, p. 28).
Ketchum et al (2000) note that for many, alcoholism is a family tradition; not only does at least one parent drink but so did their grandparents and often even further back in the generational construct. "If someone in your family is an alcoholic a parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, brother, or sister you have a much greater risk of getting the disease if you drink" (Ketchum et al, 2000, p. 270).
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Link between Teen Drug Use and Overindulgent Parents
“Spare the rod and spoil the child” regardless how you read into it is not helping in the issue of teens and drug use. If you read that saying to mean that if you use excessive discipline in the form of corporal punishment you will have a great child, you would be wrong. However, I am not here to debate the corporal punishment views. If you read that saying as to say that by spoiling your child, you do not have as much discipline problems you would be wrong again. There is a growing and dangerous trend going on in the United States called overindulgence – in other words, parents spoiling their kids. The spoiling is not limited to just over gifting toys and gadgets but also failing to set limits, not requiring responsibilities out of their child such as chores on a regular basis, not making the child wait or earn money for items they want, and rather than teaching their child anger management and other tools to encourage healthy emotions, give things to the child to eliminate negative behaviors (giving into a child rather than setting limits. According to experts, this type of parenting can lead to substance use and abuse.
Parents think that they overindulge their pre-teens and teens out of kindness, but in reality, they are training kids to be irresponsible and helpless. The truth is that overindulging your children can undermine their competence and confidence
A growing number of psychologists, educators, and parents have come to the realization that all this overindulging is producing lazy, self-involved, and irresponsible teenagers that are prone to drop out of school, continue to live with their parents into their mid to late twenties and beyond, and may develop a dependency on drugs and alcohol. The though behind this type of behavior for many parents is that they just want their child to be happy, be their best friend, and shelter them from the real world. However, what children need most is for parents to be parents not friends.
Kids, who have been given too much, too soon grow up to be adults who have difficulty coping with life’s disappointments. They have a distorted sense of entitlement that gets in the way of successful relationships at home and in the workplace. Psychologists report that parents who overindulge their children may be setting them up to be more vulnerable to promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, anxiety, and depression. Reality will strike them hard when the parent sees they have a selfish monster they created on their hands and kick them out the door. When everything is not just handed to them just because they want it, when they have to work for what they get, many of these children who were raised in overindulgent homes will result to instant gratifications; stealing, drugs, sex, etc.
“According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average American child sees more than 40,000 commercials a year. With the pressure of al the commercials, overindulgent parents choose to cave in on their responsibility to their children to say no. With long work hours, parents are tempted to give in to the guilt for not spending quality time with their kids, or to buy peace with a “yes.”
This merely teaches your child that if they whine long enough and loud enough you will give in. They learn manipulation and the parent fails to teach their child the important values and ethics they will need in their adult lives. Too little structure is giving children too much freedom and license to do as they please. Firm structure includes establishing and enforcing rules, creating firm boundaries, monitoring your child’s activities, and imparting effective living skills; critical life lessons that come from waiting, saving, and working hard to achieve goals. Parents who overindulge ultimately fail themselves and their children at the most important task of parenting: helping their children grow up to lead happy, successful, and productive lives.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Parents think that they overindulge their pre-teens and teens out of kindness, but in reality, they are training kids to be irresponsible and helpless. The truth is that overindulging your children can undermine their competence and confidence
A growing number of psychologists, educators, and parents have come to the realization that all this overindulging is producing lazy, self-involved, and irresponsible teenagers that are prone to drop out of school, continue to live with their parents into their mid to late twenties and beyond, and may develop a dependency on drugs and alcohol. The though behind this type of behavior for many parents is that they just want their child to be happy, be their best friend, and shelter them from the real world. However, what children need most is for parents to be parents not friends.
Kids, who have been given too much, too soon grow up to be adults who have difficulty coping with life’s disappointments. They have a distorted sense of entitlement that gets in the way of successful relationships at home and in the workplace. Psychologists report that parents who overindulge their children may be setting them up to be more vulnerable to promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, anxiety, and depression. Reality will strike them hard when the parent sees they have a selfish monster they created on their hands and kick them out the door. When everything is not just handed to them just because they want it, when they have to work for what they get, many of these children who were raised in overindulgent homes will result to instant gratifications; stealing, drugs, sex, etc.
“According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average American child sees more than 40,000 commercials a year. With the pressure of al the commercials, overindulgent parents choose to cave in on their responsibility to their children to say no. With long work hours, parents are tempted to give in to the guilt for not spending quality time with their kids, or to buy peace with a “yes.”
This merely teaches your child that if they whine long enough and loud enough you will give in. They learn manipulation and the parent fails to teach their child the important values and ethics they will need in their adult lives. Too little structure is giving children too much freedom and license to do as they please. Firm structure includes establishing and enforcing rules, creating firm boundaries, monitoring your child’s activities, and imparting effective living skills; critical life lessons that come from waiting, saving, and working hard to achieve goals. Parents who overindulge ultimately fail themselves and their children at the most important task of parenting: helping their children grow up to lead happy, successful, and productive lives.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Monday, March 15, 2010
Teen Addiction Help
The teen years are no picnic for any parent and possibly the most difficult time in rearing children. Add drugs to that combination and you can have disaster on your hands. When that drug use turns into addiction, family structures can fall apart and sometimes be destroyed. The goal of this article is to help families realize that they are not alone and that there is help and support available. There are valuable resources from prevention and to treatment.
The “just say no” anti drug effort, although in good intention, is not enough to stop teens from trying drugs. Sometimes, even open parental discussion isn’t enough. There are some teens that are going to experiment regardless of all the best efforts towards prevention, and a certain percentage of those kids will become addicted. This doesn’t mean stop talking to your kids about the dangers of drug use, it merely means that if your teen does “try” drugs or even becomes addicted, as long as you were making a valiant effort to prevent such action, you have done your job and now can only help direct your teen back on the right path.
If you suspect your teen is using drugs or alcohol, look for any self destructive behavior such as your teen coming home intoxicated or high; anorexic behaviors (excessive weight gain or loss); gambling; excessive computer of video game activity; staying out late with friends without being able to give valid location or names; dropping in school grades; irregular sleeping habits; violent out burst; redirecting fault; etc.
When seeing self destructive behavior or if you are fully aware that your teen is using drugs or alcohol it is time to take serious action. First off, be aware that the responsibility for the way your teen is acting belongs to them. Allow them to be accountable for their own actions, behaviors, and choices. This means that if they get in trouble with the law, it is time to let them deal with the consequences. Love them no matter what is going on in their life, but do not enable them by allowing these destructive behaviors to continue.
Keep in mind that the disease of addiction is a family disease. The alcoholic/ addict is obsessed with doing the drug, and the family is obsessed with the problem.
Some of the most effective ways of helping your teen get back on the right track are as follows:
Open communication: Keep the lines of communication open at all times and listen. By keeping open communication you will find that it is very helpful in putting together a plan of action that the entire family can agree on. We as parents are either part of the problem, or part of the solution. What is your position going to be? Look at the here and now, what can I do right now?
Live by example: If the parents are out partying it up, there is no teen that is dealing with drug or alcohol issues who will respond to any directive given by them positively.
Put the Past in the Past: Look at the here and now and what and where you can go from this point forward in helping your teen. By constantly bring up past issues will only anger the teen resulting in further issues. With addiction comes a lot of damage in several fashions; emotional, possible physical, material, financial, spiritual, etc. If you continue to focus on the past, the future will never get brighter.
Seek Help: By allowing your child to interact with a third party you will find that recovery often goes better, because often times the family is too emotionally close to the addict to be of any real help. Please realize that you are the parents and you are not responsible for the disease of addiction. Get help before it is too late. Remember that this disease does not discriminate against anyone or anything.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
The “just say no” anti drug effort, although in good intention, is not enough to stop teens from trying drugs. Sometimes, even open parental discussion isn’t enough. There are some teens that are going to experiment regardless of all the best efforts towards prevention, and a certain percentage of those kids will become addicted. This doesn’t mean stop talking to your kids about the dangers of drug use, it merely means that if your teen does “try” drugs or even becomes addicted, as long as you were making a valiant effort to prevent such action, you have done your job and now can only help direct your teen back on the right path.
If you suspect your teen is using drugs or alcohol, look for any self destructive behavior such as your teen coming home intoxicated or high; anorexic behaviors (excessive weight gain or loss); gambling; excessive computer of video game activity; staying out late with friends without being able to give valid location or names; dropping in school grades; irregular sleeping habits; violent out burst; redirecting fault; etc.
When seeing self destructive behavior or if you are fully aware that your teen is using drugs or alcohol it is time to take serious action. First off, be aware that the responsibility for the way your teen is acting belongs to them. Allow them to be accountable for their own actions, behaviors, and choices. This means that if they get in trouble with the law, it is time to let them deal with the consequences. Love them no matter what is going on in their life, but do not enable them by allowing these destructive behaviors to continue.
Keep in mind that the disease of addiction is a family disease. The alcoholic/ addict is obsessed with doing the drug, and the family is obsessed with the problem.
Some of the most effective ways of helping your teen get back on the right track are as follows:
Open communication: Keep the lines of communication open at all times and listen. By keeping open communication you will find that it is very helpful in putting together a plan of action that the entire family can agree on. We as parents are either part of the problem, or part of the solution. What is your position going to be? Look at the here and now, what can I do right now?
Live by example: If the parents are out partying it up, there is no teen that is dealing with drug or alcohol issues who will respond to any directive given by them positively.
Put the Past in the Past: Look at the here and now and what and where you can go from this point forward in helping your teen. By constantly bring up past issues will only anger the teen resulting in further issues. With addiction comes a lot of damage in several fashions; emotional, possible physical, material, financial, spiritual, etc. If you continue to focus on the past, the future will never get brighter.
Seek Help: By allowing your child to interact with a third party you will find that recovery often goes better, because often times the family is too emotionally close to the addict to be of any real help. Please realize that you are the parents and you are not responsible for the disease of addiction. Get help before it is too late. Remember that this disease does not discriminate against anyone or anything.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Friday, March 12, 2010
Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana addiction is similar to that of alcoholism. They both have that same uncontrollable urge to want their drug. Both are difficult to quit without help.
Excuses are a huge part of both marijuana and alcoholics make up. They have a million and one reasons why that particular time is not the right time for them to quit using. If you have been around either type of addiction for any amount of time I am sure you have heard many of the excuses used. Those addicted to marijuana will use excuses as lame as marijuana is not as bad as drinking, or that it is natural weed, has no ill effect, and with some you will hear repeatedly “I can quit any time I want. I just choose not to right now.” There are a million and one more, and I am sure everyone can add a abundance to the list. But what they all boil down to is one thing – an excuse.
Another distinguishing make up of a marijuana addiction is the symptoms one exhibits when they do not have the drug. These symptoms include irritability, jitteriness, sadness, excessive sleep, amongst numerous other obvious mood changes.
Marijuana addiction develops over time. At first, a user will use smaller amounts and after time, in order to achieve the same highs they had when they initially started using have to increase their dose. When the high once achieved strictly from marijuana use is hard to obtain even with increased use, many addicts begin alternating other drugs into their repertoire, This adds to the difficulty in getting “clean” and why treatment for withdrawals can be critical.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Excuses are a huge part of both marijuana and alcoholics make up. They have a million and one reasons why that particular time is not the right time for them to quit using. If you have been around either type of addiction for any amount of time I am sure you have heard many of the excuses used. Those addicted to marijuana will use excuses as lame as marijuana is not as bad as drinking, or that it is natural weed, has no ill effect, and with some you will hear repeatedly “I can quit any time I want. I just choose not to right now.” There are a million and one more, and I am sure everyone can add a abundance to the list. But what they all boil down to is one thing – an excuse.
Another distinguishing make up of a marijuana addiction is the symptoms one exhibits when they do not have the drug. These symptoms include irritability, jitteriness, sadness, excessive sleep, amongst numerous other obvious mood changes.
Marijuana addiction develops over time. At first, a user will use smaller amounts and after time, in order to achieve the same highs they had when they initially started using have to increase their dose. When the high once achieved strictly from marijuana use is hard to obtain even with increased use, many addicts begin alternating other drugs into their repertoire, This adds to the difficulty in getting “clean” and why treatment for withdrawals can be critical.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Understanding the Nature of Addiction
Alcoholism and chemical dependency are long-term illnesses similar to high blood pressure or heart disease in the fashion that symptoms come and go in differing strengths and varieties over time. Another common denominator between the two is the patients personal behaviors. Negative behaviors/habits can also affect the outcome of the disease in that if a person with heart or blood pressure issues does not take their medications right, eat unhealthy, etc. can have negative effects on the condition as with an addict, putting yourself in risky situations or going off treatment plan can result in relapse. Such diseases are called relapsing/remitting conditions.
By understanding the nature of addiction, family members and friends care better able to help the recovered addict in preventing a relapse or have a better understanding if one should occur.
For some in recovery, not knowing the success rate and percentage of relapses is more therapeutic for them. If they felt that the success rate was extremely high they may be more apt to think they can entertain occasional drug/alcohol use in a recreational manner with no ill results. For others, the success rates are their motivation to be one of the numbers. Regardless of the type of treatment program one chooses, keeping your focus on beating your addiction regardless of how rough the road can get, will serve you best. Having your friends and family members with you in the battle with a full understanding of the nature of addiction makes the bumpy spots along the road that much easier to handle.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
By understanding the nature of addiction, family members and friends care better able to help the recovered addict in preventing a relapse or have a better understanding if one should occur.
For some in recovery, not knowing the success rate and percentage of relapses is more therapeutic for them. If they felt that the success rate was extremely high they may be more apt to think they can entertain occasional drug/alcohol use in a recreational manner with no ill results. For others, the success rates are their motivation to be one of the numbers. Regardless of the type of treatment program one chooses, keeping your focus on beating your addiction regardless of how rough the road can get, will serve you best. Having your friends and family members with you in the battle with a full understanding of the nature of addiction makes the bumpy spots along the road that much easier to handle.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Realistic Expectations about Addiction Treatment
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, successful treatment of addiction to drugs or alcohol is defined as being able to maintain a stable family life, have success at work, and be well thought of in your community. Does everyone who enters into a treatment program come out with those out comes? No – more times than not, addiction treatment has stumbles and relapse along the way. Addiction is not a concrete disease that there is a singular cure for. Think of it like blood pressure where symptoms come and go at varying degrees. Part of controlling blood pressure is medical and the other part is the responsibility of the person with the blood pressure problem. What they do as a person can affect the stability of the blood pressure. The same goes with addiction treatment. Treatment gives the addict the tools to stay sober, but if the tools are not actively worked, the addict can relapse.
Treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction is not always immediately successful, so you shouldn't be too hard on yourself if you stumble on the path to sobriety but you should also take ownership of your stumbles. However, the outcome for attending a treatment program has a higher percentage of success versus attempting to “go clean” on your own. Fifty to 70% of those who attend a treatment program for alcohol dependency don’t ever drink again or relapse once and get back on track without any further setbacks. .
The key components for someone getting and staying clean are attending a treatment program, ongoing participation in a recovery program, active involvement of the addict’s family in the treatment program, attending meetings, and staying in counseling for longer than 90 days. If these components are in place, the success rate of treatment rises immensely.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction is not always immediately successful, so you shouldn't be too hard on yourself if you stumble on the path to sobriety but you should also take ownership of your stumbles. However, the outcome for attending a treatment program has a higher percentage of success versus attempting to “go clean” on your own. Fifty to 70% of those who attend a treatment program for alcohol dependency don’t ever drink again or relapse once and get back on track without any further setbacks. .
The key components for someone getting and staying clean are attending a treatment program, ongoing participation in a recovery program, active involvement of the addict’s family in the treatment program, attending meetings, and staying in counseling for longer than 90 days. If these components are in place, the success rate of treatment rises immensely.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sex addiction: Is it real?
I came across a great articles I wanted to share with everyone and get your feed back.
Sex addiction: Is it real?
By Lucy Moore
Scene Sex Columnist
With the recent publicity surrounding Tiger Woods’ alleged sex addiction and the impending release of the 5th Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) and its major reorganization of the sexual dysfunctions category, the debate about the existence of sexual addiction as a diagnosable mental disorder rages on. Although the American Psychological Association did not recognize sexual addiction in its publication of the DSM-IV-TR in 2000, reality show titles like “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew” keep the possible disorder alive in the media, at the very least.
Tiger Woods supposedly receives treatment for his “sexual addiction” at Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Mississippi (according to the Huffington Post); similarly, Californication’s David Duchovny successfully completed his own sexual addiction treatment in October of 2008. With so many similar stories popping up in Hollywood, the upcoming DSM-V is purported to include “hypersexual disorder” to address Woods’ and Duchovny’s psychological ailments, as well as the claims of many others.
“Hypersexual disorder,” a term already accepted by the psychology community, attempts to define sexual addiction outside previous definitions, which relied on sexual predation, nymphomania, sexual dependency and sexual compulsivity. Hypersexual disorder, in tune with the definition that comes from the sexual addiction therapist from “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew,” Jill Vermeire, will instead look at elevated sexual desire of enough significance to contribute to personal problems, daily distress and even health issues. Like Victor Mancini in “Choke,” someone experiencing clinically valid hypersexuality finds him or herself unable to stop seeking out sexual gratification, even—and often—when social, personal, economic and physical risks are at stake.
But the consequences remain vague, keeping hypersexuality out of the category of various other clinical addictions (alcohol, drugs, kleptomania, gambling, etc). While many, like Dr. Drew, treat those affected by hypersexuality in a similar fashion to those addicted to drugs (banning masturbation, taking away phones that could engage a patient in illicit sexual conversations, etc.), the DSM-V will continue the academic tradition of separating hypersexuality from substance dependencies. Although hypersexuality does not involve known physical withdrawal symptoms mirroring those of substance dependencies, Vermeire and others point out its “emotional” withdrawal effects. While hypersexuality can be compared to our societal convictions defining “addiction,” it remains on its own as a disorder accompanied by its own struggles and recovery plans.
But under the label of hypersexuality, it seems sexual addiction does in fact exist. Whether or not Tiger Woods paints a relevant picture of sexual addiction, however, remains unclear. A line must separate being exceptionally desirous of sexual contact, and even seeking it, from being unable to control desirous thoughts, feelings and actions in a sexual capacity in a way that shapes and even transforms one’s life. Diagnoses of either sexual addiction or hypersexuality will continue to remain controversial, but as the problem grows, perhaps its empirical backing and our understanding of its nature and trajectory will be more clearly shaped.
Sexaholics Anonymous (SA), formed in 1997, is one working organization pushing to adapt to this expanding affliction. Helping hypersexually afflicted individuals to achieve and remain “sexually sobriety,” the program, inspired by Alcoholics Anonymous and its 12 steps, has doubled in the last six years, according to the Detroit Free Press. SA’s 15 locations and booming membership show how sexual addiction and hypersexuality are significant emerging problems.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Sex addiction: Is it real?
By Lucy Moore
Scene Sex Columnist
With the recent publicity surrounding Tiger Woods’ alleged sex addiction and the impending release of the 5th Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) and its major reorganization of the sexual dysfunctions category, the debate about the existence of sexual addiction as a diagnosable mental disorder rages on. Although the American Psychological Association did not recognize sexual addiction in its publication of the DSM-IV-TR in 2000, reality show titles like “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew” keep the possible disorder alive in the media, at the very least.
Tiger Woods supposedly receives treatment for his “sexual addiction” at Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services in Mississippi (according to the Huffington Post); similarly, Californication’s David Duchovny successfully completed his own sexual addiction treatment in October of 2008. With so many similar stories popping up in Hollywood, the upcoming DSM-V is purported to include “hypersexual disorder” to address Woods’ and Duchovny’s psychological ailments, as well as the claims of many others.
“Hypersexual disorder,” a term already accepted by the psychology community, attempts to define sexual addiction outside previous definitions, which relied on sexual predation, nymphomania, sexual dependency and sexual compulsivity. Hypersexual disorder, in tune with the definition that comes from the sexual addiction therapist from “Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew,” Jill Vermeire, will instead look at elevated sexual desire of enough significance to contribute to personal problems, daily distress and even health issues. Like Victor Mancini in “Choke,” someone experiencing clinically valid hypersexuality finds him or herself unable to stop seeking out sexual gratification, even—and often—when social, personal, economic and physical risks are at stake.
But the consequences remain vague, keeping hypersexuality out of the category of various other clinical addictions (alcohol, drugs, kleptomania, gambling, etc). While many, like Dr. Drew, treat those affected by hypersexuality in a similar fashion to those addicted to drugs (banning masturbation, taking away phones that could engage a patient in illicit sexual conversations, etc.), the DSM-V will continue the academic tradition of separating hypersexuality from substance dependencies. Although hypersexuality does not involve known physical withdrawal symptoms mirroring those of substance dependencies, Vermeire and others point out its “emotional” withdrawal effects. While hypersexuality can be compared to our societal convictions defining “addiction,” it remains on its own as a disorder accompanied by its own struggles and recovery plans.
But under the label of hypersexuality, it seems sexual addiction does in fact exist. Whether or not Tiger Woods paints a relevant picture of sexual addiction, however, remains unclear. A line must separate being exceptionally desirous of sexual contact, and even seeking it, from being unable to control desirous thoughts, feelings and actions in a sexual capacity in a way that shapes and even transforms one’s life. Diagnoses of either sexual addiction or hypersexuality will continue to remain controversial, but as the problem grows, perhaps its empirical backing and our understanding of its nature and trajectory will be more clearly shaped.
Sexaholics Anonymous (SA), formed in 1997, is one working organization pushing to adapt to this expanding affliction. Helping hypersexually afflicted individuals to achieve and remain “sexually sobriety,” the program, inspired by Alcoholics Anonymous and its 12 steps, has doubled in the last six years, according to the Detroit Free Press. SA’s 15 locations and booming membership show how sexual addiction and hypersexuality are significant emerging problems.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Monday, March 8, 2010
Repairing Relationships After Addiction
Addictions wreck havoc on not only the addict but also everyone around them. Throughout the time the addict is actively using, relationships can be harmed if not destroyed. Abuse can occur and more often than not, trust is lost in the addict. Rebuilding those relationships after addiction can take time and not all relationships can be saved or brought back to where they were before addiction.
It is not hard to see why addiction compromises relationships. The behaviors that come with addiction – lying, stealing, lost of employment, financial despair, cheating, violence, self-induced injury, injury to others, breaking the law, etc. are the fuel that feeds the destruction. As the addict dwells deeper into their addiction, those around him/her are left to pick up that persons responsibilities. Already burden by the addicts’ behaviors they begin to feel extreme resentment, anger, fear, and distrust.
It may seem impossible to rebuild a relationship that has been so torn apart but it can be done. The process is slow. In the beginning, it is only natural that there is going to be a significant trust issues among many other hurt feelings. Both sides have got to equally want to rebuild the relationship, and in doing so, both sides (the addict and the family member, friend, significant other, etc) have to be wiling to do the work to get there. The addict’s work begins in treatment, and the affected parties work begins with support groups and or counseling.
During recovery, part of the recovery process is making amends to those the addict has harmed. The addict cannot expect that by simply apologizing you’re their past negative behaviors, the pain inflicted will simply dissipate. Both the addict and the other person in the relationship needs to consider what exactly they want and need out of the relationship, if anything at all. What are absolutes – e.g. honesty, faithfulness, etc. What might you be willing to make compromises on – e.g. financial restitution, etc.
Rebuilding the broken relationship is going to take hard work on both sides, but it can be repaired if both people involved are wanting the same thing.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
It is not hard to see why addiction compromises relationships. The behaviors that come with addiction – lying, stealing, lost of employment, financial despair, cheating, violence, self-induced injury, injury to others, breaking the law, etc. are the fuel that feeds the destruction. As the addict dwells deeper into their addiction, those around him/her are left to pick up that persons responsibilities. Already burden by the addicts’ behaviors they begin to feel extreme resentment, anger, fear, and distrust.
It may seem impossible to rebuild a relationship that has been so torn apart but it can be done. The process is slow. In the beginning, it is only natural that there is going to be a significant trust issues among many other hurt feelings. Both sides have got to equally want to rebuild the relationship, and in doing so, both sides (the addict and the family member, friend, significant other, etc) have to be wiling to do the work to get there. The addict’s work begins in treatment, and the affected parties work begins with support groups and or counseling.
During recovery, part of the recovery process is making amends to those the addict has harmed. The addict cannot expect that by simply apologizing you’re their past negative behaviors, the pain inflicted will simply dissipate. Both the addict and the other person in the relationship needs to consider what exactly they want and need out of the relationship, if anything at all. What are absolutes – e.g. honesty, faithfulness, etc. What might you be willing to make compromises on – e.g. financial restitution, etc.
Rebuilding the broken relationship is going to take hard work on both sides, but it can be repaired if both people involved are wanting the same thing.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Friday, March 5, 2010
Addiction Risks
Are you at risk of developing an addiction? Some people do have a higher risk of developing an addiction than others. There are four categories that can depict whether one has a predisposition to becoming an addict; physical, mental, emotional, and social.
Physical Factor: The physical factor is genetic. If there is a history of addiction in the family or a low tolerance to drugs, you have a higher risk of developing an addiction.
Mental Factor: If one already suffers from a mental disorder such as depression, bipolar, low self-esteem, etc raises the risks of developing an addiction.
Emotional Factor: The emotional factor has to deal with depressive circumstances. People who are in or have been raised under abusive situations raises the risk of developing an addiction.
Social Factor: The social factor comes into play when the person hangs out with a people to where drugs are easily assessable to them and/or used openly. Another fashion in where social factor comes into play is when one is dislocated from what they know, as in when one leaves off to college or relocated to a place unfamiliar to them.
Children raised in the state system of childcare have a large risk of developing addictions due to the varying factors that can come into play from one, to all four factors. However, having one or more of the noted factors that can lead to addiction just means they are more susceptible to addiction, not that they are predestined to become an addict. Many people have overcome great difficulties and disadvantages and have never developed an addiction.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Physical Factor: The physical factor is genetic. If there is a history of addiction in the family or a low tolerance to drugs, you have a higher risk of developing an addiction.
Mental Factor: If one already suffers from a mental disorder such as depression, bipolar, low self-esteem, etc raises the risks of developing an addiction.
Emotional Factor: The emotional factor has to deal with depressive circumstances. People who are in or have been raised under abusive situations raises the risk of developing an addiction.
Social Factor: The social factor comes into play when the person hangs out with a people to where drugs are easily assessable to them and/or used openly. Another fashion in where social factor comes into play is when one is dislocated from what they know, as in when one leaves off to college or relocated to a place unfamiliar to them.
Children raised in the state system of childcare have a large risk of developing addictions due to the varying factors that can come into play from one, to all four factors. However, having one or more of the noted factors that can lead to addiction just means they are more susceptible to addiction, not that they are predestined to become an addict. Many people have overcome great difficulties and disadvantages and have never developed an addiction.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Warning Signs Of Addiction
Did you know that detecting addiction is easier than treating addiction? If you are in recovery, then you do know this. If you are an addict and have heard stories of the process of recovery, you may know this as well. But do not let the process of addiction and the difficulty that the road may lead you on scare you from seeking help. Although treating addiction may be difficult, it is the most rewarding thing you will ever accomplish in your life. You will regain your life. A life that is healthy, happy, and fulfilling. The road of addiction is a non stop battle with no light at the end of the tunnel. The road to recovery there is a light that will shine through brightly.
Detecting addiction in yourself or a loved one is the first step to hopefully a life long recovery. The one common denominator regardless of what the “drug” is will be distinctive mood changes and visible appearance changes in the addict. (When I use the word “drug” in parentheses’ it is because the drug is not necessarily a substance, but it can be an activity as well such as gambling, sex, shopping, eating etc.) The most common warning sign is drastic mood swings appearing bipolar in nature ranging from happy at one moment to extremely agitated, sad, withdrawn, etc, the next moment.
Sleep habits can change to excessive sleep to getting by on hardly any sleep. The person may seem extremely driven at one moment trying to get a million things done at one time to where the next moment they can barely get out of bed little lone their home.
Changes in physical appearance is another signal to addiction. A person may have extreme weight gain or weight loss. They may stop attending to their physical appearance lacking in bathing, changing clothes, brushing teeth, hair, etc. Some drugs cause damage to the addict’s teeth, hair, and skin. Addicts that use needles will present with “tracks” needle runs, etc. Some drugs affect skin to the extent the addict may present with boil and sores on their skin. Sores on the skin may also be due to side effects of the drugs the addict is using causing itching or feelings of things crawling on the addict’s skin making them scratch excessively. Pupils of the eyes will also appear either dilated or constricted.
Other indicators of addiction are a loss of interest in previous loved hobbies or relationships, financial and legal issues, poor work performance and attendance, becoming verbally or violently hostile, or becoming socially isolated/recluse behavior.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Detecting addiction in yourself or a loved one is the first step to hopefully a life long recovery. The one common denominator regardless of what the “drug” is will be distinctive mood changes and visible appearance changes in the addict. (When I use the word “drug” in parentheses’ it is because the drug is not necessarily a substance, but it can be an activity as well such as gambling, sex, shopping, eating etc.) The most common warning sign is drastic mood swings appearing bipolar in nature ranging from happy at one moment to extremely agitated, sad, withdrawn, etc, the next moment.
Sleep habits can change to excessive sleep to getting by on hardly any sleep. The person may seem extremely driven at one moment trying to get a million things done at one time to where the next moment they can barely get out of bed little lone their home.
Changes in physical appearance is another signal to addiction. A person may have extreme weight gain or weight loss. They may stop attending to their physical appearance lacking in bathing, changing clothes, brushing teeth, hair, etc. Some drugs cause damage to the addict’s teeth, hair, and skin. Addicts that use needles will present with “tracks” needle runs, etc. Some drugs affect skin to the extent the addict may present with boil and sores on their skin. Sores on the skin may also be due to side effects of the drugs the addict is using causing itching or feelings of things crawling on the addict’s skin making them scratch excessively. Pupils of the eyes will also appear either dilated or constricted.
Other indicators of addiction are a loss of interest in previous loved hobbies or relationships, financial and legal issues, poor work performance and attendance, becoming verbally or violently hostile, or becoming socially isolated/recluse behavior.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Five Parts in the Cycle of Addiction
For the most part, it has been noted that an addict will go through five parts in the cycle of addiction. These parts can be repeated several times before an addict chooses to seek help for their addiction.
The first part in the cycle of addiction is the feeling of euphoria. This is the hook and what keeps the addict seeking more.
The second part in the cycle of addiction is the feeling of losing control. This is when an addict begins to feel they have lost control over the situation, that addiction has taken over and represents their life.
The third part in the cycle of addiction is craving. The craving is so strong leading the addict into the fourth part in the cycle of addiction.
The fourth part ion the cycle of addiction is the “score”. Getting the fix to curb the craving.
The fifth part in the cycle of addiction is the addicts feeling that their life has become predictable and repetitive. This is the part where the addict may reach out for help to make a change in their life. If the addict doesn’t reach out during this time, the cycle of addiction starts all over again as soon as any withdrawal symptoms appear. This is the critical part of addiction, the stage that can either end the cycle or reinforce it.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
The first part in the cycle of addiction is the feeling of euphoria. This is the hook and what keeps the addict seeking more.
The second part in the cycle of addiction is the feeling of losing control. This is when an addict begins to feel they have lost control over the situation, that addiction has taken over and represents their life.
The third part in the cycle of addiction is craving. The craving is so strong leading the addict into the fourth part in the cycle of addiction.
The fourth part ion the cycle of addiction is the “score”. Getting the fix to curb the craving.
The fifth part in the cycle of addiction is the addicts feeling that their life has become predictable and repetitive. This is the part where the addict may reach out for help to make a change in their life. If the addict doesn’t reach out during this time, the cycle of addiction starts all over again as soon as any withdrawal symptoms appear. This is the critical part of addiction, the stage that can either end the cycle or reinforce it.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Types of Dependency
There are two basic types of dependency – physical and psychological. Depending on the type of symptoms one is exhibiting will determine the type of dependency they have.
Physical Dependency: Physical dependency presents when the substance being used causes changes in physical appearance during withdrawal. There is also the physical medical aspect – vomiting, pains, sweats, uncontrollable tremors, shakes, etc. Physical dependency usually stems from substance abuse such as alcohol, nicotine, amphetamines, opiates, etc.
Psychological Dependency: Psychological dependency is mentally and emotionally based. It causes effects to the mind such as depression, mood swings, and violent behavior. Gambling, self-mutilation, eating and sexual addictions have more of a psychological type of dependency on the addict.
With substance addiction, an addict will present with both physical and psychological dependency symptoms but will always present with physical.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Physical Dependency: Physical dependency presents when the substance being used causes changes in physical appearance during withdrawal. There is also the physical medical aspect – vomiting, pains, sweats, uncontrollable tremors, shakes, etc. Physical dependency usually stems from substance abuse such as alcohol, nicotine, amphetamines, opiates, etc.
Psychological Dependency: Psychological dependency is mentally and emotionally based. It causes effects to the mind such as depression, mood swings, and violent behavior. Gambling, self-mutilation, eating and sexual addictions have more of a psychological type of dependency on the addict.
With substance addiction, an addict will present with both physical and psychological dependency symptoms but will always present with physical.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Monday, March 1, 2010
Overnight Addiction?
Addiction doesn’t just happen, rather it’s a series of things that happen that bring something to an addictive state. Addiction is an obsession or a compulsive physical and/or psychological dependency to anything if you rather. It is an unhealthy obsession to anything no matter if it is drugs, shopping, eating, etc.
The medical community considers one is addicted when the body starts to rely on a substance to function. When the drug or stimuli is no longer supplied to the body, withdrawal symptoms appear. The body then must go through the detox phase to reacquaint itself to be able to function normally again. Depending on the drug one is addicted to, the detox process has brought death. Addictions are no joke.
Addiction can come upon someone quickly or progress slowly over time and yes, overnight. The speed in which addiction occurs is usually tied to the level of euphoria gained from drug of choice. The higher the euphoria the more attractive the “drug” appears and faster one can become addicted. In some situations, the hunt for the “score” is more addictive than the actual high gained. When there is illegal or risky behavior involved in securing the “score” adrenaline is raised causing its own high drawing the addict in more than the addictive substance or activity.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
The medical community considers one is addicted when the body starts to rely on a substance to function. When the drug or stimuli is no longer supplied to the body, withdrawal symptoms appear. The body then must go through the detox phase to reacquaint itself to be able to function normally again. Depending on the drug one is addicted to, the detox process has brought death. Addictions are no joke.
Addiction can come upon someone quickly or progress slowly over time and yes, overnight. The speed in which addiction occurs is usually tied to the level of euphoria gained from drug of choice. The higher the euphoria the more attractive the “drug” appears and faster one can become addicted. In some situations, the hunt for the “score” is more addictive than the actual high gained. When there is illegal or risky behavior involved in securing the “score” adrenaline is raised causing its own high drawing the addict in more than the addictive substance or activity.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ABTomorrow
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
