Procrastination Gets the Best of Us

Are you familiar with procrastination in your life? I think most do to some point whether it is a chore need done or doing something that is uncomfortable for you but you know it is in your best interest. For addicts, that can be procrastinating seeking treatment.

On some days, my middles name can be procrastinator. The more difficult the task, if I haven’t received a good nights sleep or have a mountain of work to get done, the harder tasks I have a tendency to procrastinate doing. I have to come up with creative ways to conquer those tasks I am procrastinating. I will tell myself I will tackle a couple of the easier quicker task, then break down the harder task, and do it in portions. Two easy, one portion hard, until I have both the hard and the mountain of less daunting tasks completed.

Procrastinating can be so overwhelming for some though. Sometimes the things they are avoiding can overwhelm them to the point that depression can sink in. This of course compounds the problem. For a person in recovery, this can become even a more dangerous situation. It is important to learn ways to deal with those tasks that one does not want to address. It could be breaking the tasks down into bite size pieces like I do, or numerous other ways.

Check list work well for some. I am one of those people. I keep an on going list of things I need to accomplish both work and home. As I complete a task, I have to admit, it does feel good to cross it of the list. When I find myself repeatedly avoiding one of the task that is when I break it down and make deals with myself.

I would love to hear how you overcome those tasks that you would rather avoid.


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People with Addictions have 15-20% less Dopamine Receptors

A study using PET imaging scans on drug addicted volunteers versus normal subjects showed that people with addictions in general have 15-20% fewer dopamine receptors then their counterparts.

Joanna Fowler, PhD, senior scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton N.Y. stated, “This reinforces the idea that drug addicts experience diminished feelings of pleasure, which drives their continual drug use." Gene-Jack Wang, MD, senior scientist at Brookhaven, also used the dopamine PET scans on obese individuals and found highly similar patterns of low dopamine receptors validating that at least in some cases, obesity can also be considered a disease of addiction.

Studies like this help in determining what treatment strategies might be more effective in individuals addicted to drugs. You can read the full article at HealthImaging.com.

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Do you have a Social Media Addiction?

An interesting study was done at the University of Maryland regarding social media addiction. The University’s study followed 200 students who agreed to go without social media for just 24 hours. That included cell phones and computers. You wouldn’t think 24 hours would be that hard to go without social networks, but the 24 hour absence caused reactions similar to drug withdrawal. Read the article here at Voices.WashingtonPost.com. It is entertaining, yet scary and sad at the same time. Do you think we have a new epidemic on the horizon?

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Freedom House Closes its Doors Friday

After 20 years of servicing the female population of inmates with addiction problems, the Freedom House in San Diego will be closing its doors on April 30th due to funding problems. The Freedom House has helped over 2000 women make the transition from prison back to society with a treatment rehabilitation base. The Freedom House helps women readjust to living outside of prison walls, obtain jobs, and get suitable housing while working with them on their sobriety and self-esteem.

Within one year after release from prison, 30.1% of women will return to prison if they received no drug treatment. Within two years from release, the statistics rise to a recidivism rate of 43.7% without treatment.

“State funding for substance-abuse programs serving adult offenders was cut by nearly 40 percent this fiscal year, said Peggy Bengs, a spokeswoman with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.”

“The number of substance-abuse programs in California prisons dropped from 44 at 21 correctional facilities to 13 programs at 13 facilities, while the number of treatment slots dropped from 12,200 to 2,400.”

“Freedom House was the only program in San Diego County that took in female prison inmates under a state drug-treatment furlough program, which allowed inmates to finish the last four months of their sentences at the house.”

It is sad to see when a program is working to help addicts turn their lives around, close its doors. You can read the full article regarding the Freedom House closing at SignOnSanDiego.com


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Is your Teen Smoking Cigarettes?

It is generally pretty easy to tell if your kid is smoking. A dead give away is the odor of cigarettes on their clothing, hair, and belongings. But often times kids will excuse that away by saying it was from a friend who was smoking, or their friends house have parents that smoke. This could be, but it could also be that your teen really is smoking. If your teen testifies that the smoke odor is coming from other sources, yet you continue to smell it on them on a regular basis it is time to do a little investigating on your own. Check your teen’s pockets, backpack, and room for matches, lighters, or cigarettes. Watch for unusual or out of the norm behavior in your teen such as excessive brushing teeth, use of mouthwash, or chewing gum/eating mints. Take notice if your teen begins to make up excuses to take frequent walks or reasons to go outside out of their normal behavior.

If you notice the changes in behavior and find evidence of cigarette use you need to voice your concern to your teen calmly. Take time to compose yourself so you are able to speak with your teen without becoming extremely angry. Pick a time you are doing something together whether it is watching a TV program or driving somewhere and then mere state that you are not 100% sure but have concerns that he/she may be smoking. If your teen denies smoking, don’t push the issue. It will only result in a battle of words. Instead, tell your teen you are concerned about their health and available to talk whenever if they have questions regarding smoking or other substances. If your teen admits to smoking when confronted, try not to blow up. If you know you are not in the position to talk calmly at the time, you can let them know you are upset and that you will discuss it later when you have had a chance to calm down. When you do approach the subject, ask how and why they started smoking and offer support in helping them quit. Statistics say that 78% of teens who smoke want to stop, so the chances of your teen agreeing to the support will be on your side.

Agree upon a quit date together with care to avoid stressful times such as holidays and final exams. Have your teen write down all the reason why they want to quit. These will help motivate your teen on tough days. Talk with your teen about getting positive support from their friends as well in their effort to stop smoking. Talk with your family doctor or the school counselor about any smoking cessation support groups in your area that are teen friendly. Expect slip-ups and help your teen get back on track as quickly as possible. Your family doctor may suggest medications to help your teen quit if support alone is not effective.


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The Draw to Smoke

As many as 30 to 50% of adolescents who smoke attribute their habit to seeing someone smoke on TV. When I read that statistic I took sometime to reflect back and think what was it that drew me to smoke my very first cigarette. Was it the common elements spoke of such as rebellion, curiosity, peer pressure, or TV? After doing some soul searching, it was none of the pre-mentioned elements at all, but rather watching my father smoke.

In a recent study done by Dartmouth University, after tracking 6,500 students from 5th grade through high school and beyond, reported that those who watched movies that featured actors that lit up on screen are three times more likely to start smoking. What was even more surprising was that group of kids were not your typical vulnerable population, thrill seekers, or even kids that come from households where the parents smoked, just your typical everyday student.

Children between the age of 10 to 14 are subjected to more than 600 scenes (T.V. and Film) a year of individuals smoking. That is twice as much as the exposure to smoking 20 years ago. I can’t recall scenes off T.V. or Films that made any impact on my choice to start smoking at a young age (12 to be exact) but that was over 34 years ago and now I guess I really don’t notice smoking in film or on T.V. because I already smoke. On occasion when I see someone smoking on T.V I will get an urge to smoke however. What I would really be curious to see though is some statistics on how many kids started smoking due to their parent(s) habit. Do you smoke? Can you recall what it was that drew you to smoking? What do you feel plays a larger role in youth starting smoking?


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Hooked on Tobacco ~ Our Youth

Did you know an adolescent could become hooked on cigarettes after only smoking one? According to the University Of Massachusetts Medical School, kids are more vulnerable because their brain is still developing thus making it easier to rewire itself quickly to crave nicotine. In their study, they found that half of teens are hooked on tobacco after only smoking 10 cigarettes without even realizing it. They do not have the same cravings as an avid smoker; rather they may not even crave a cigarette for days or even weeks after their last smoke. An avid smoker will begin to have a craving on general 45 minutes after their last smoke and heavy smokers even sooner.

Experts also state that 40% of our youth who try to quit smoking will relapse in a week or less and only 3% will stay abstinent. The average age adolescents begin smoking is 13. They experience all the same side effects as their adult counterparts with the shortness of breath, coughing, headaches, poor over all health, and frequently getting sick. Cigarettes have been found to be a common denominator as a stepping-stone to riskier behaviors. Kids who smoke are 5 times more likely to drink alcohol and 13 times more likely to use marijuana.

Tobacco is addictive so it is no surprise that it would be considered a stepping stone for more addictive habits. It would be interesting to see some statistics on how many of our youth that smoke exhibited an addictive personality/traits prior to smoking and the percentage that did not present with such traits and became addicted to smoking. What are your thoughts?


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President Obama's Attempt to Change Youth Smoking Statistics

Daily, more than 3,000 kids under the age of 18 try smoking a cigarette. Half of those kids will develop a life long habit of smoking, and a third will die from tobacco related diseases. Pretty alarming when you look at the numbers. Smoking for some kids is a rite of passage to what they see as adulthood. The images portrayed on TV and advertisements glamorize smoking, similar to that of drinking a cup of coffee, a great way to relax or socialize.

In an attempt by President Obama back in June 09 to help keep kids from getting hooked on tobacco the President signed a tobacco bill. The law requires that more graphic warning labels be placed on the packaging of tobacco items and bans the use of terms like “mild” and “light” which he believes misleads the youth into believing that by smoking these products they can inhale more safely. It also requires that any advertisement be kept away from schools and playgrounds and the promotion of tobacco products are not allowed to be sponsored by sports or entertainment events. Many of these provisions however will not take effect until 2012.

Do you think President Obama’s new laws will lower the statistics of kids smoking or do you think that the tobacco will just market differently to draw in the new generation of smokers?


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Dreaded Family Get Together

It would be nice to think that all family gatherings are full of love, kinship, thoughtfulness, fun, warm, and all those other fuzzy warm adjectives in the dictionary. Sadly, that is not always the case, especially if you come from a family where addiction has not been a stranger. When you are on the road to recovery and one or more family members are still dealing with addiction or substance abuse with no intention of stopping, family gatherings can be difficult.

You are begged to come and join in on the festivities, although you are quite aware of where the event will end – conflict and family members arguing with one another. A part of you wants to attend out of respect and for those members of the family that are clean. Some of those same family members may even be a big part of your support group, yet you know that no good will come out of it in the end, but feel that you need to make an appearance at least. The struggle between “should I go or should I stay” wears on you.

What is right and what is wrong in this situation is a conflict many recovered addicts have. It is not uncommon for more than one family member to have or be dealing with an addiction making it a common scenario for family gatherings to be difficult causing a mental and emotional struggle. The best rule of thumb in situations that make you feel uneasy is to follow your gut instincts. If a part of you is telling you to steer clear, err on the side of your own personal recovery and follow what your gut is telling you.

The more time in recovery one has, the better they are able to deal with high stress situations. Through treatment and support groups, stress strategies are learned and one knows better what their breaking points are as well as their triggers. For those new in recovery, it is probably best to avoid situations where there is high stress, temptation, and possible drug/alcohol use. If you have no other choice but to attend or feel obligated to attend, take a strong support person with you who will be able to help you draw a strong line when it is time to go if the situation deems.

In closing, I am curious as to how much credence do you give to your gut instincts? Do you follow them? Under what circumstances? Have you ever had to attend a family gathering you knew would be stressful? How did you handle it if you went?


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What gives you hope?

In a hopes of drawing more people into sharing either their battle with addiction, recovery, co-dependency, or struggles even a family member is dealing with or has dealt with in a loved ones addiction, I am changing the venue of the blogs. I can write about the various drugs and their effects all day long. But it is the heart felt words of those who have dealt with various addictions in various degrees that really bring the true strength of hope. And with that, I ask, what gives you hope?

You know those days, when the road seems rougher then most. The days it takes every last bit of strength you have in you to even crawl out of bed. When the light that was shinning pretty bright is now flickering. What gives you the hope, the strength, and the power you need to pull thorough and stay on the road of recovery?

It is different for all. Some it may be the smile of their child’s eyes for others it may be the good book, and others may only need to reflect on the yesterdays and achieve all the strength and hope they need to face the day in a positive light. What is it that gives you that extra boost to make you face life head on and continue to take those steps forward?


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Link between Cannabis Use and Psychotic Symptoms

There have been many studies done supporting the link between cannabis use and psychotic symptoms such as the 25 year long study of 1265 New Zealand children (635 males, 630 females) done back in the early 90’s by Professor David Fergusson, Christchurch Health and Development Study, Department of Psychological Medicine. It found that regular cannabis use might increase risks of psychosis. This is just one of many studies that have been continuingly been linking psychosis with the use of cannabis.

It has been shown repeatedly that frequent recreational use of cannabis has been linked to high rates of depression and anxiety in teenagers. However, depression and anxiety in teenagers do not predict later cannabis use.

“Despite the high prevalence of cannabis use, uncertainty persists about its physical and psychological consequences. Among the most prominent concerns have been putative links between use of cannabis and mental disorders. A large intake of cannabis seems able to trigger acute psychotic episodes and may worsen outcomes in established psychosis.”

“Chronic daily users report high levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and their motivation is low. In one recent survey of young adults, over a third reported symptoms of anxiety that were associated with cannabis use; young women reported these more commonly.”

Resource:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC135489/


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Higher Risk of Cocaine related death in Warmer Temperatures

In a recent study, it was found that the mortality rate increases amongst cocaine users in the warmer months. When cocaine is used, it raises the internal body temperature. When temperatures begin to exceed 74 degrees Fahrenheit and a person ingests cocaine, the temperature of the core body exceeds even higher. The study found a significant relation between the climate temperature and accidental overdose fatality for users where the overdoses were due in whole or in part to cocaine but not for non-cocaine overdoses. Risk of accidental overdose death increases even more as the ambient temperatures rise. This heat-related mortality amongst cocaine users presents a considerable public health concern and one that more awareness should be made. If you know of a friend or a loved one in this high-risk category, make them aware of the dangers of using cocaine on warmer days. You may not be able to get them to stop, seek treatment, and even making them aware of the increased risk may not change their using patterns, but if it saves one life, it is worth the effort.


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Painkiller Addiction

Painkiller addiction can be easily missed and easier for an addict to justify over other types of addiction. After all, for the majority who become addicted to pain killers, the initial taking of the drug was due to an injury or other medical reason. A physician prescribed it, and each time the dose was uped’ a physician signed off on a new prescription. However, it is important to be able to distinguish between addiction and tolerance and know when to draw the line and seek help.

It would be easy to blame physicians for patients that develop a pain killer addiction, and in some circumstances; unfortunately, some doctors do play a role in one addiction when they fail to monitor the drugs use in the patient. However, for many who develop a pain killer addiction, they learn the ropes in how to work around the medical staff and how to obtain the drug to feed their addiction. Emergency room jumping is one way an addict will seek out more of the drug. Some will even go to extremes of inflicting self-injuries to be bale to have something to present with when entering an emergency room. For others, they seek the drug out on the streets. It is as available as illegal drugs. Others obtain their drug by the internet.

No one likes to be in pain, little lone want it. Painkillers do play an important role in medical care by significantly decreasing pain and increasing the quality of life for individuals. Patients who have to take pain medication long-term can develop a tolerance to the medication requiring the dose to be constantly increased to achieve the same level of pain relief. The difference between tolerance and addiction falls in the appropriate use of the medication. Most people who are aware of the addictive risks of taking painkillers are very cautious, however, even those patients, if they have a increased risk of addiction, can fall into the addictive pattern of pain killers.

A person developing an addiction to painkillers behavior will begin to change. They may appear less rational than in the past, make feeble excuses to take extra medication such as a hard day at work, and up’s their prescribed dose without getting the doctors okay and new prescription. Their life will revolve around the drug despite any repercussions it is having on their life. A classic sign of addiction is when a person whose pain is under control asks for more painkillers. Although doctors do have ways determining whether pain is under control or not beyond a patient’s self report, it does not stop a patient from obtain more painkillers through other means.


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Medications used to Ease Withdrawal Symptoms

When using a medical setting or supervision by medical professionals, when going through detox of a controlled substance, medical professional’s can administer medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. Some of the medications used to ease withdrawal symptoms are some of the very same drugs being abused on the streets and the reason some are seeking help.

For example, alcohol withdrawal is treated with long-acting benzodiazepines (Valium or Librium). Heroin addiction is treated with buprenorphine (Buprenex, Suboxone, and Subutex), Clonidine, methadone, and ReVia (naltrexone). Methadone and Suboxone are increasingly being abused on the streets, especially amongst the population of addicts with addictions to pain medications.
Barbiturate or benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms are being treated with phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal) or chlorpromazine hydrochloride, or with a "step-down" approach of using reduced amounts of the sedatives themselves.

Amphetamine withdrawal is sometimes treated with reboxetine (Edronax, Vestra) to help ease any withdrawal symptoms. Treatment for stimulant withdrawal includes Valium and antidepressant medications such as Norpramin (desipramine).

Although some of the same drugs that brought on addictions are being used to help a patient work through the withdrawal symptoms, it is being administered by a medical professional and being monitored. The patient is tapered off the drug safely as the withdrawal symptoms begin to dissipate. No one should try to administer there own thought to be therapeutic dose of any drug to help ease withdrawal symptoms unless advised by a medical professional. When working with a Meth clinic to work through an addiction, make sure to have a loved one hold your medication if you are not required to go in daily to receive your dosage. Make sure you have a strong support system. If not, consider seeking in-patient addiction treatment care.

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.
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Drug Addiction Withdrawal

The common misconception amongst many non-drug abusers is that if a person wanted to stop using, they could just quit similar to stopping smoking, or eating chocolate; that it should just be a breeze. For some, there may not be many if any withdrawal side effects, but that number is small in comparison to the real and even some life threatening side effects for the majority.

Going cold turkey, as many may due with smoking cessation, is not always the safest route. It is important to know and understand what and how the drug of choice affects the body’s system, and the real side effects that one incurs when that drug is ceased in entering the body. For many, supervised withdrawal is a safer and more effective option.

Treatment for alcoholism or drug addiction involves undergoing therapy to help you mentally and physically recover from the addiction, starting with cleansing your body from the substance.

Withdrawal can be extremely dangerous for some if done solo. Withdrawal can bring on side effects such as agitation, sweating, an inability to sleep, and high blood pressure. Those with addictions to Opiate and narcotic (heroin, codeine, Demerol, and Oxycontin) are amongst the hardest and experience even more severe and life threatening withdrawal symptoms. Other substances that tend to cause more severe withdrawal symptoms, and potentially life-threatening symptoms, are barbiturates, alcohol, and benzodiazepines and should be handled under medical supervision.


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Prescription Drug Overdoses on the Rise

Reported by BolivarMoNews.com, in just Polk County Missouri there were 14 fatal accidental prescription drug overdoses in 2009 and 6 already in 2010.

From the news report, Lt. Rod Parks with the Bolivar Police Department said, “What I think causes it is either they’re multi-doctor shopping or they don’t understand that they trade pills so much. You start mixing that together and that becomes lethal amounts in your system. Basically they overload their system and it shuts their body down.”

The victims in Polk County range from 18 to 35. Common abused drugs that have been leading to accidental prescription drug overdoses are Fentanyl patches Oxycontin, Clonazepam, Xanax, Lisenopril, and lithium. If the numbers are this high in just one county in the entire U.S., it is extremely scary thinking of what the statistics are United States wide.

If you have a loved one that you are concerned about not using their prescribed medication properly, talk to their doctor(s) about it. The doctor(s) may not be able to give you any information due to patient confidentiality, but it doesn’t stop them from listening to you with valuable input on what is occurring in your loved ones life. It may not stop the abuse, but it may make the difference between an accidental overdoses.

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.
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The Effects of Addiction on Children of Addicts

Adults have a hard enough time dealing with a loved one battling an addiction. Can you imagine what a child of an addict goes through? Addiction take a terrible toll on the addict, as well as any loved ones associated with the addict with the hardest hit, children of an addict.

Children look up to their parents for protection and guidance from the moment they are born. The adults in the life of a child are their role models. Even when the examples that are being set are unhealthy, such as drug/alcohol abuse and addiction, children absorb these behaviors. The child is left to deal with how to process what they are seeing and feeling.

A parent who has a drug or alcohol problem is not in the position to care for a child in the manner they should. Sometimes, the addicted parent is not even aware of their parental shortcomings to their child or how their actions and behaviors affect the child. They may not see their child’s suffering.

Children cannot always express their feelings about their parent(s) addiction. They may not even fully understand it themselves especially younger children who have not see how other children live. Some children will internalize their negative feelings they have towards their addicted parent, where others may feel like they are the cause of the parent’s behavior leaving them feeling guilty and responsible. This is common in addicts children who are constantly bombarded with negative remarks from the addicted parent while high in regards to how having a child has ruined their life, limited them, or comments blaming the child for various things that have gone wrong in their life. Some children feel shame and/or become depressed. They don’t invite their friends over, and some stop participating in outside activities to tend to the addicted parent. Some children take on a perfectionist personality to try to make up for the shortcomings in their home life. Then, some children who act out for attention. Negative attention is better to them then no attention at all. Some only know negative attention, so when praised will feel uncomfortable and will resort to negative behaviors to feel what they think is normal. In addition, some children turn to drugs and/or alcohol to bury the pain of their parent’s addiction.

A child’s processing skills are not fully developed. When living with a parent with an addiction problem, a child is left confused and often times feeling unloved, unwanted, and are often times abused in more ways then just the mental and emotional abuse that comes with addiction. A child will do almost anything to get love and positive affection from their parent. When that parent is an addict, it puts a child in a high-risk situation. Many children have been used to get the drugs/alcohol for the addicted parent, sold for drugs or alcohol, and even pimped out to feed the parents addiction.

Often times grandparents or other family members step in when they know there is a problem in the home with drugs or alcohol and will remove the child. Other times child protection agencies step in when reports of possible neglect or abuse is in the home. And then other times, the child is left to deal with the parents addiction when no one is there to intervene. These are the children at the highest risks of repeating the cycle the parent has set for them; however, it does not exclude the rest. Depending on what type of support the child gets in dealing with their feelings, understanding their parents addiction, supportive home front, and amount of adequate counseling will help lessen the risk of the child growing up deeply scarred or to be an addict. The addiction of the parent will have a life long affect on the child, but how much support a child gets and how early will determine how deep the scars of addiction will be left behind.



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/

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CoDA Twelve Promises

CoDA offers Twelve Promises:

1. I know a new sense of belonging. The feeling of emptiness and loneliness will disappear.

2. I am no longer controlled by my fears. I overcome my fears and act with courage, integrity, and dignity.

3. I know a new freedom.

4. I release myself from worry, guilt, and regret about my past and present. I am aware enough not to repeat it.

5. I know a new love and acceptance of myself and others. I feel genuinely lovable, loving, and loved.

6. I learn to see myself as equal to others. My new and renewed relationships are all with equal partners.

7. I am capable of developing and maintaining healthy and loving relationships. The need to control and manipulate others will disappear as I learn to trust those who are trustworthy.

8. I learn that it is possible to mend - to become more loving, intimate, and supportive. I have the choice of communicating with my family in a way, which is safe for me and respectful of them.

9. I acknowledge that I am a unique and precious creation.

10. I no longer need to rely solely on others to provide my sense of worth.

11. I trust the guidance I receive from my higher power and come to believe in my own capabilities.

12. I gradually experience serenity, strength, and spiritual growth in my daily life.

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/

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Co-Dependents Anonymous

When you are dealing with anyone personally with an addiction problem, you are encouraged to attend Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, or CODA support groups. CoDA stands for Co-Dependents Anonymous — a fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is freedom from codependency and to develop healthy relationships. You may question or even deny you have a co-dependent personality. You may not, but here are some questions you should ask yourself to help you determine if a co-dependency group would be beneficial to you.

Ask yourself do you:

• have difficulty identifying or explaining exactly how you are feeling?
• minimize, alter, or deny how you truly feel when question by others?
• have a hard time making decisions?
• over judge everything you do, think or say harshly?
• feel as everything you do is never “good enough”?
• value others’ approval over your own in how you think, feel, or act?
  appease others to avoid rejection and/or anger?
• stay in unhealthy or unsafe situations too long?
• use sex to gain approval, acceptance and/or love?

If you answered yes to three or more of these, you may be a co-dependent. By attending a CODA support group, you will receive much support and insight to your own co-dependency.

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/

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Strawberry Quick or Strawberry Meth = School Yard Danger

On playgrounds everywhere, a new drug is creeping into children’s hand - Strawberry Quick or Strawberry Meth. As parents, this is scary enough on its own. We feel like we warn our children sufficiently against the dangers of drugs, but what about when that drug comes in a candy form? What would your child do if they were offered drugs disguised as candy, smells like candy and even taste similar to candy. Would they accept it from another kid? The scary reality is that many children would. How do we protect our children from dangerous drugs when law officials, school officials, parents, and the children cannot always identify who’s dealing. It could be the cute neighbor boy down the street from a typical family showing no signs of anything amok.

This new form of drug targeting children looks just like pop rocks the candy that pops in your mouth when eaten but in reality is crystal meth. Kids are accepting and ingesting this unaware that it is a drug and are being rushed off to the hospital in critical conditions.

This new crystal meth is being produced in strawberry, chocolate, peanut butter, cola, cherry, grape, and orange. Talk to your children about accepting candy from others. Another sad part of this all is, that some children may have accepted it unknowingly from another person and in innocence merely want to share their r candy with their friends; candy that can be deadly to all of them.

Talk to your school officials and see what their level of awareness is of this new drug targeting our children. Just because you may live in a small community to where you don’t believe drugs to be a problem is not reason enough to not keep your child and those who care for your child in your absence aware of possible dangers. It may be your words that stop a child from ingesting a deadly overdose of this drug.



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/

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Happy Easter

Today is Easter. I waited to share this blog with you all until today because I know there are some who are able to be with family or friends for one reason or another. Sometimes the holidays can bring sadness because of this however, at the same time holidays are a meaningful time to make a major committed life change, like overcoming addiction.

Holidays, especially Easter and Christmas can bring people closer to their spiritual being, giving them that extra support they need to make a change in their life, a renewal, the strength they need to make the commitment to live a clean life. When family has been distanced due to an addiction, holidays are even harder to deal. As an addict, you may reflect more on what you have lost due to your addiction more so then any other time. N a way, a holiday can be a addicts savior if the loss they feel is strong enough to make them say “enough is enough” and steer them towards seeking recovery.

Easter is about resurrection, liberation, and belief - belief that you are worthy because you are. My hope for anyone and everyone today is that they realize they are worthy and that whoever you are spending your Easter with, that it is blessed and a peaceful one. Happy Easter from me and the entire A Better Tomorrow crew.


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/

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Symptoms of Withdrawal

Depending on the type of addiction a person has, will determine the typical withdrawal symptoms they will go through. This is a basic list of typical withdrawal symptoms from particular addictions.

Alcohol: Typical withdrawal symptoms are sweating, anxiety, tremors, seizures, psychosis, and fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate. A person will go through what is called the DT’s (delirium tremens) - a state of extreme agitation, with periods of hallucinations, hyperactivity, tremors, and confusion.

Opiates/Narcotics: Mimic alcohol withdrawal in the anxiety, and increased heart rate and blood pressure, with the addition of insomnia, dilated pupils, nausea, and vomiting.

Stimulants: Typical withdrawal symptoms are excessive fatigue, depression, and bouts with migraines.

Barbiturates: Withdrawal symptoms commonly associated with barbiturates are nausea, fast breathing, increased heart rate, tremors, muscle pains, insomnia, hallucinations, convulsions, and delirium. If withdrawal is not monitored closely when dealing with barbiturates, death is very possible.

Benzodiazepines: The common withdrawal symptoms associated with Benzodiazepines are delirium; muscle twitches; hallucinations; sensitivity to light, sound taste and smell; tinnitus; tingling and/or numbness; and insomnia.


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!
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