New Beginnings for A Better Tomorrow

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2010-08-30T02:32:00.001-05:00

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

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2010-08-30T02:32:00.000-05:00

Peer Pressure can be a Killer

2010-07-02T09:31:00.000-05:00

When people hear the term ‘peer pressure’ most of them will automatically think you are talking about teens. That is not necessarily so. It does affect teens more than any other age group, but there are a large number of adults who are just as easily pressured by their peers. It most definitely occurs with college age kids. It also happens to several people at their jobs and during their socializing events. There is almost always a drink pusher at parties. You know the kind I’m talking about. They are drinking to excess and think everyone else should too. Some of those parties include drugs. If you’re there, they want you to participate. If you decline, your peers start pressuring you. Peer pressure is a problem that follows some people through a good part of their lives.

Some teens, young adults as well as older adults would never have tried drugs that first time if they hadn’t been pressured into it by someone. Not all peer influence is bad. In fact peers have a profoundly positive influence on each other and play important roles in each others lives. Positive peer pressure includes friendship, the setting of positive examples, encouragement, new experiences, feed back and advice.

Negative peer pressure might have you considering, or worse, doing something that is illegal or immoral. The person who pressures is usually an aggressive person who doesn’t like to take no for an answer. They have 6 reasons for you to do something, to your every 1 reason not to. It actually takes a strong person to resist negative peer pressure. Teens are still going through a maturing stage so it is harder for them to resist. Adults should have already reached the point where this is not much of a problem. Adults, who still can be pressured negatively, were probably pressured as teens and just never overcame it.

There are some things you can do to bolster your courage and overcome this problem. Listen to your gut. Maybe this person is not really your friend. Plan for possible pressure situations and avoid them if you can, like parties where you are pretty sure there will be drugs. Learn to say ‘no’ comfortably. You should never have to offer a real friend any reason or apology for the way you feel. It’s not easy to resist, but it is a learned process. If you or a loved one suffers from an addiction, A Better Tomorrow is waiting to hear from you.

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

Anxiety and Insomnia

2010-07-01T09:31:00.000-05:00

Anxiety is a psychological (mental) and physiological (mechanical, physical and biochemical) state that is characterized by cognitive (process of thought), somatic (cells of the body), emotional (feelings and thoughts) and behavioral (actions or reactions) components. Together they combine to create an unpleasant feeling that can be described as uneasiness, fear, or worry. Anxiety is simply a mood condition that occurs without an identifiable triggering stimulus. It’s actually just short of fear. The main difference is we know what we fear and why we fear it.

Insomnia is not a diagnosis or a disease, it is a symptom. By definition, insomnia is “difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both.” There are several sleep disorders but they can generally be diagnosed and treated. Insomnia is typically followed by a period of functional impairment while awake. Some insomnia can be caused by a lack of exercise. Our minds are tired because they worked all day. Sitting at a desk does not make our bodies tired. A brisk walk, a run or another form of exercise may make it easier to fall asleep, without the use of drugs. More than 60 million Americans regularly suffer from insomnia every year and it is more common in women.

Downers are generally used to treat these two conditions and downers are the most prescribed and abused drugs in the US and Canada. If you, or a loved one, suffer from this addiction, get help now. A Better Tomorrow can show you how to escape the habit, and how to deal with life drug free. Make the call, we’re waiting.

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
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Legal Drugs making a Profitable Illegal Business

2010-06-30T09:31:00.001-05:00

There is no good reason to take drugs illegally but there are reasons that make people think it might be an alternative for them. The world can be a scary place sometimes. The fast pace of life in general, the pressures we deal with on a daily basis and perceived dangers of everyday life are enough to put the most stalwart person on edge. Add medical issues and/or emotional issues as well as social economical status adds to the mix.

It’s no surprise some people seek illegal drugs to help escape. In earlier times, about the only escape available was found in a bottle of alcohol. Today’s desire for instant escape has drug manufacturers scrambling to come up with better and faster acting chemical cures for anxiety and insomnia. There are dozens of new drugs to tranquilize us, making our problems appear trivial, at least for a while. These drugs on the market are the new illegal drugs on the street. Sold without prescription is no different than buying weed on the street and are just as dangerous and addictive as if you were purchasing crack on the streets. Still, prescription drugs have become the new escape drug for many.

You hear about the War on Drugs and how the government is trying to end the drug supplies coming into the States, but how do they curtail the abuse of prescription drugs? Where does prescription drugs fit in, if at all in the War on Drugs when the drugs are legally manufactured here or brought into the States legally? Anyone can get prescription drugs, any one can abuse them, and anyone can get addicted to them just as badly as if one was addicted to heroin. Like the saying.. when one door closes another one opens.. problem being one door hasn't even closed and a new door has opened. Illegal drugs being brought into the States has never stopped, and now legal drugs being used illegally is making a huge hit on the drug scene and unfortunately becoming a very profitable illegal business.

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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Lesser of Two Evils? Is there such a thing?

2010-06-29T09:27:00.000-05:00

The majority of drug users have someone who cares about what they are doing to themselves. Should you be more concerned about one drug as opposed to another? Is it a case of the lesser of two evils? That would be a difficult question to answer because addiction is based on a complicated mix of biological, social and psychological factors. One person may get hooked on marijuana after using it a few times because it helps them to relax. Another person may have no interest in the high that marijuana produces, preferring the effects of methamphetamine.

When determining the addictiveness of a drug, there are specific things that may have an impact. Look at the degree of intoxication produced by using the drug. Will the drug induce users to take it repeatedly? Will the amount of the drug fix have to increase for the user to achieve the same results? How hard will it be to quit using the drug, and stay away from it? What withdrawal symptoms will be encountered by stopping the use of the drug and how severe will they be?

The level of dependence is the common denominator for determining the addictiveness of a drug. Nicotine is probably the highest in dependence. Ask any smoker who has tried to quit. Heroin and Cocaine are pretty much neck and neck in the race. The body builds up a tolerance for both of these drugs, requiring ever increasing amounts the get the high it is seeking although Cocaine would have the highest reinforcement value for the feelings the drug causes. Alcohol would be the highest in intoxication and for an alcoholic the withdrawal symptoms are more severe than the rest of the drugs discussed. Caffeine ranks pretty high in more than one area. Certainly dependence would be an issue. Consider how many people don’t want to face a day before they’ve had at least one cup of coffee or a soda. It is something that is used over and over again. There are some withdrawal effects when you quit using it. Some days you crave more than others, depending on the stress of the situation. Marijuana, still a drug, probably ranks lowest in most areas.

If we had control over those we love, we would opt for no drug use at all. Unfortunately, not many people have that kind of control or influence over another. If someone you love has a drug or alcohol problem, there is help available. A Better Tomorrow can give your loved one back the life they enjoyed before the addiction began. They’re waiting for the call.

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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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
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Steroid Abuse

2010-06-28T09:26:00.000-05:00

You hear about it on the news, from school officials, and not just on the college level – steroids. The scientific name for this class of drugs is anabolic-androgenic steroids but that is usually shortened to anabolic steroids. On the street they are referred to as steroids, ‘roids’ or ‘juice’. The common users of the drug include bodybuilders, athletes and those overwrought with fitness. They believe the use of steroids improves their physical performance and therefore gives them a competitive edge. It has been reported that their use will increase lean body mass and strength and provide aggressiveness. Some believe that they can train harder because the steroids reduce their recovery time between workouts. Non athletes may take the drug in the belief that it will increase endurance, muscle size and strength and reduce body fat, thus improving their personal appearance.

If steroids are abused by teens they run the risk of stunted growth through early skeletal maturation and accelerated puberty changes. Short stature for life is a possibility if the drug is taken before the body has finished growing. Other side effects might include jaundice which is yellowish coloring of the skin as well as tissues and body fluids, fluid retention, high blood pressure, severe outbreaks of acne and trembling. In rare cases tumors may develop on the kidneys or liver. There are also some side effects that are gender specific. The guys might experience testicle shrinkage resulting in reduced sperm count, infertility, baldness, breast development and an increased risk of prostate cancer. The girls could develop facial hair, suffer from male-pattern baldness, changes in menstrual cycles, enlargements of the clitoris and a permanent deepening in their voice.

Behavior can be affected also by the occurrence of severe mood swings, including manic like symptoms that can lead to violence. Steroids can also cause depression and irritability, paranoia, jealousy, delusions and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility. Some users may become addicted to the drug. Steroid users can experience withdrawal symptoms that include mood swings, fatigue, restlessness and depression. If left untreated some depression symptoms can persist for a year or more after the abuser stops taking the steroids.

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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Your Thoughts: Addiction or Habit?

2010-06-25T09:26:00.000-05:00

I am going to list a few scenarios and would love to hear your thoughts on if the scenario is an addiction, habit, or something totally different.

1). You drive the same way to work/store/friends/family/etc. never wavering off your track. When you do have to take a different route you become irritated or uncomfortable.

2). Every morning you have to have coffee before you start your day. When you don’t have it you are irritable and extremely crabby to those around you until you have had your coffee.

3). After meal cigarette is a must have regardless of where you are at. If dinning out at a restaurant, you will step out to have a cigarette regardless if you have other guest with you.

4). Avoid movie theaters because you cannot smoke while watching the movie. You use excuses like “I will wait for it to come out in the stores.”

5). Always chew your food on the same side of your mouth and a certain amount of times before swallowing.

6). When faced with having to attend a non-drinking gathering, regardless if it work related or not, you will have a few drinks before heading out and possibly even bring a bottle with to keep in your vehicle or you will avoid the gathering completely, or attend for just a brief moment to make an appearance and then immediately afterwords drink – using it as an excuse to “award” for even attending at all!

7). Must always sleep on the same side of the bed when sharing a bed however, when you have the bed to yourself side doesn’t matter.

8). Cannot go to sleep at night unless everything is in its place. Will check more than once to make sure nothing was overlooked before retiring for the night no matter what time it is.

9). Must use something (drug or alcohol or even natural remedy) to help you fall asleep every night no matter how tired you are.

10). Check your email, Facebook, or other social outlets numerous times a day when it is not work related. When you are unable to you become anxious or irritated.

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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Moderation or Not..?

2010-06-24T09:26:00.000-05:00

For most people, drinking in moderation is not harmful, however if your drinking is above the level of two to three drinks per day, or if you are drinking in situations where impaired function is dangerous, you are not a moderate drinker, and alcohol is clearly harmful.

For those with a severe alcohol problem, treatment can be frustrating and can even be unsuccessful. Moderation seldom works for the true alcoholic and complete abstinence is necessary for people with this illness. Some self-help organizations, especially Alcoholics Anonymous, enjoy a success rate that is at least equal to that of any medical treatment. Associated organizations such as Al-Anon, which work with the families of alcoholics, are also effective. These programs work best with motivated individuals who truly wish to change, and the program continually reinforces the subject’s desire to remain free of alcoholic influence. They are very worthwhile.

However, not everyone does well with just support groups alone. Many require entering a treatment center to get more intense help with their addiction. Here are some strong signals that you need professional help: a drunken driving citation, an automobile accident after two or more drinks, missing work because of a hang over, a pattern of work absences, a hospitalization for alcohol-related problems such as gastritis or upper bowel hemorrhage, inability to function at top efficiency in the afternoon because of a two-martini lunch or equivalent. These signal are not subtle; if you recognize that your situation must be changed, you have become a good candidate for successful treatment.

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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Taking Responsibility for your Choices

2010-06-23T10:25:00.000-05:00

Part of taking responsibility for your choices is being honest with yourself first and then honest with others around you. The honest part seems to be the hardest thing to tackle when you have become accustomed during your addiction to hide everything with lies. Part of taking responsibility of ones choices is taking owner ship of the choices made in ones life. Ultimately, our choices in life are just that – OUR choices and no one else’s regardless if they are good or bad. It is easy to point fingers blaming others for our bad choices in life and only taking ownership of the good.

By staying honest with yourself in your recovery, you can make healthier choices. If you cannot be honest with yourself, there is no way you can be honest with others. Taking responsibility for your choices in life becomes a much easier thing to do if those choices can be backed up by the fact that you were just being true to yourself.

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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See it, Believe It

2010-06-22T08:25:00.000-05:00

Quiet some time ago, I recall an episode of “Rosanne” where Jackie (Rosanne’s younger sister) attended a self-help seminar that was titled something like “See It, Believe It”. (Feel free to correct my wording if you have also seen it and recall it. I believe it had to be in season one.. that was back in 88 I believe!) Anyhow, the theory behind the seminar was that if a person imagines something, they can become it by simply seeing themselves doing it, saying it, and they will become it. Recovery is similar in that is some instance (times when you would rather close down) that if you simply act as if you could do something that made you uncomfortable and do it, that eventually any fear you had will eventually subside and you would be fine with whatever task was at hand. For example, if you are nervous speaking at an AA or a NA meeting, simply act as if you are not and do it, and eventually you will be fine with it.

Some may say this is faking self-confidence, but how else can one build it unless they take the first step. Acting as if you can and doing so is merely a tool to help start the process of building ones self-confidence. Eventually you will start to see that those things that made you uncomfortable before no longer make you uncomfortable. You will begin seeing the positive changes in yourself and with that your self confidence naturally builds. The more self-confidence builds, the more you can tackle and the stronger you become in your recovery. So if you have to act as if to get the job done initially, do it! In time, it will be natural.

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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Illusion of Recovery

2010-06-21T11:32:00.000-05:00

A common denominator with all addicts is a sense of low to no self-confidence. The illusion gaining that self-confidence as soon as they enter a treatment center is just that. It doesn’t happen over night!

Like many who enter into addiction recovery, the thought is as soon as they stop using their drug of choice there was to be some sort of huge change in their life. That with recovery they would immediately become “normal” again.

The reality of it is, the only thing that has really changed is that you made the decision not to use drugs any longer and nothing other than that is going to change unless you actively seek to make those changes happen. The same internal and external problems you had before your addiction started are still there and it is up to you to realize that in order to make improvements in your life you need to begin to modify bad behaviors and work through issues.

Things that you may been oblivious to during your addiction can be rearing their ugly head such as habitual lying, stealing, procrastination, bad work ethics, financial irresponsibility, poor hygiene, lazy sloth behavior, self-absorption, etc. These are just a few of the bad behaviors that can develop quickly while addicted and unfortunately carry through even after no longer using. Facing that you have any of these bad behaviors can quickly dimension any of the self-confidence you may have built up during treatment.

If you are not careful, this line of thinking can lead you into a viscous circle of self-mental abuse, which leads to even lower self-confidence, which will lead to you not doing anything to make the necessary changes for improvement. When you see yourself exhibiting a bad behavior, take charge of it like you did you’re your addiction. Use your support people to help you if they see you displaying such behaviors to redirect you. Talk to a therapist and work through issues that may still be present. Just because you worked with counselors and therapist during treatment does not mean everything has been worked through. Some may require therapy for years afterward to get to a health emotional balance.

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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Recovery or Addiction? Which do you think?

2010-06-18T11:31:00.000-05:00

Along your road of recovery, you may ask yourself “Am I still in recovery or am I just kidding myself?”

A 50-year old woman started using drugs when she was 13. She partied her childhood away and by the time she was 20 she was using needles mainlining heroin, morphine, etc that she could get her hands on. Quaalude's became a big part of her drug rapport. He was hooked on opiate and then was introduced to Oxycontin. As her age increased, she found she just couldn’t “do it” any more and found a methadone clinic. That was 10 years ago. To date, she is still relying on meth to make it through each day and feels she will be on it till the day she dies. Now the question is, is she an addict or is she in recovery? I would like to hear what you all have to say.

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
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Online Recovery Support Groups

2010-06-17T09:31:00.000-05:00

When your circle of support is limited, or access to them is upon schedules, it is great to have another outlet – another form of contact to be able to reach out at any hour. Online support groups is a great way to broaden your support of your recovery.

For some in recovery it is hard to express exactly what they are going through with someone who has never dealt with an addiction personally. Support groups are based on that fact that others there have the “been there done that” knowledge making it a great outlet for others in recovery. Online support groups work on the same basis. The key is finding those that are supported and or moderated by people who know what they are talking about with the “been there done that and am here to help, listen etc.” Not only are online support groups great for reaching out, but also for being able to give solid advice to someone who is struggling with addiction or a part of recovery that you have already gone through. However, keep in mind that others in the online support group as well as your self are not experts but do have valuable information that can help.

Another really good thing is just like at an NA or AA meeting people who are really struggling are sharing with you and it drives home the fact that you never want to be in that position again. It can be that reminder of where you were compared to where you are at today. Recovering addicts need to never forget just how bad we can get.

When your outlets are limited, you may want to consider joining a online support group so no matter what time of day, you can find someone who can relate or help someone struggling.

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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Warning signs are there ~ Relapse

2010-06-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

If you have a friend or loved one who is in recovery, relapse is a real issue and a common thing. Many stumble along their recovery road but along those stumbles there are warning signs there.

There is a period of time during recovery where a person will feel impending dread, dread that they will no longer be able to experience that euphoric high once experienced while in their addiction. They may feel like all of the positive thinking they had done in their early recovery wasn’t a reflection on their true feelings towards sobriety, as if they are lying to themselves when they say they are grateful for their new found clean and sober life.

When these feelings come on, it can be very overwhelming and last for many days. The recovering addict may isolate themselves from anyone and everyone who may very well been the same people who could help them through these feelings. This can be their biggest mistake and a huge step towards relapse.

When you begin to believe that no one else could possibly understand how you are feeling and don’t reach out and ask for help – relapse is just seconds away. When you notice a loved one or friend in recovery beginning to pull away, stop attending support meetings, isolating themselves, that is when it is even more important to pull them back in. For the person in recovery – force yourself no matter how uncomfortable it feels at first, to reach out for help. It is the times when you don’t feel like you need anyone else that are the most important times to surround your self with others. Every day a person in recovery can face struggles making a strong support network essential in a healthy recovery.

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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Addiction Recovery - More Than Just Not Using

2010-06-15T09:31:00.000-05:00

Addiction recovery is about way more than just not using your substance of choice. It is about healing your addictive thinking, addictive behaviors, and dealing with life in a different way – a more positive and direct manner.

Once the concept of what addiction recovery is grasped is when the real journey of recovery begins. It will always be a work in progress with its highs and lows.

Addiction recovery is not just the cessation of addiction behaviors and abuse. It is about human development, growing, learning what was stunted in ones life while in an addictive downhill spiral. It is about learning how to deal with life’s ups and downs without abusive or addictive crutches. It is about being able to be proud of how far you have come and how much more yet you can grow.

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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The Fork In The Road

2010-06-14T09:11:00.000-05:00

When you reach a fork in the road, are faced with a decision or life situation that is either new to you or uncomfortable to you, do you run and hide or deal with the situation? You may do as you have always done in the past, run and hide with from the situation – live in denial, but is that really healthy? Does it solve anything, or does it just make matters worse? Your past experience will tell you it only makes matters worse.

Rather than run and hide or deny there is even a problem, if you have been in through a good treatment recovery center you can use the life skills and coping skills that you were taught to get through those trying times or when you come to a fork in the road to know a safe direction to proceed.

Since you are no longer using mood-altering substances you are going to find that living in denial of a situation is not as easy as it once was. There is nothing to fall back on to numb those feelings of anxiety, guilt, etc. There is no safe alternative escape other than dealing with situations that come your way. When you actually decide to face what you fear, you will begin to heal yourself. You will know there is no need for your previous addictive behavior patterns. Although your addictive behaviors are the ones that are second nature to you now, the more you work on dealing with life the more your improved behaviors will be the ones that happen without thought.

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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Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
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Time for a Change?

2010-06-11T09:30:00.000-05:00

Are you tired of being a slave to a drug? Are you tired of suffering? Are you tired of hurting yourself and the ones you love? Do you want to get rid of your addiction? If you are suffering from an addiction, rehabilitation is the best solution. By attending a rehabilitation treatment, you will rid yourself of your addiction and receive the tools needed to help you stay on a clean road. You will receive the consoling needed to help you discover your triggers and the underlying reasons for your addiction.

A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center is able to help you achieving your permanent recovery through their drug and alcohol rehab. There is aftercare support that enables you to receive lifetime support. This aftercare support will be very useful for patients as they usually have difficulties to face the world without using drug or alcohol.

A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center offers personalized treatment not a one treatment fits all base. This personalized treatment enables every patient to get the most out of their treatment. If you or a loved one is fighting an addiction and are ready to start a better tomorrow, let A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center help you make the change in your life for 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
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Self-Harm

2010-06-10T09:30:00.000-05:00

Self-harm or deliberate self-harm was previously referred to as self-mutilation. The act includes intentional self-injury or self-poisoning without suicide intent.
The most common form of self-harm is skin cutting but can also include burning, scratching, banging or hitting body parts, interfering with wound healing, hair pulling (Trichotillomania), ingestion of toxic substances or objects, and a wide variety of other self injurious activity. Behaviors associated with substance abuse and eating disorders are usually not considered self-harm because the lack of visible tissue damage however, a broader definition of self harm may also include individuals who inflict harm on their bodies by means of disordered eating.

Suicide is not the intention of self-harm however the self-harming behavior may be potentially life threatening. However, suicide is a risk with 40 to 60% of suicides having some form of previous self-harm behaviors.

Self-harm is considered a symptom of borderline personality disorder. However, patients with other diagnoses may also self-harm, including those with depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and several personality disorders. Self-harm is also apparent in high-functioning individuals who have no underlying clinical diagnosis.

Self harmers' do so to fulfill a number of different functions – as a coping mechanism for temporary relief of intense feelings such as anxiety, depression, stress, emotional numbness and a sense of failure or self-loathing. Self-harm has been associated with a history of trauma and abuse including emotional abuse, sexual abuse, drug dependence, eating disorders, or mental traits such as low self-esteem or perfectionism.

Self-harm is most common in adolescence and young adulthood, usually first appearing between the ages of 14 and 24. However, self-harm can occur at any age, including in the elderly population. Drug and alcohol abuse, dependency, and withdrawal is also associated with self-harm.

Self-harm is treated through various methods, both psychosocial and physical treatments.

Medication: Many people who self-harm suffer from moderate or severe clinical depression and therefore treatment with antidepressant drugs may often be effective in treating these patients.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Used to assist those with diagnoses, such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): Can be very successful for those individuals exhibiting a personality disorder, and could potentially be used for those with other mental illnesses who exhibit self-harming behavior.

Other approaches involve avoidance techniques, which focus on keeping the individual occupied with other activities, or replacing the act of self-harm with safer methods that do not lead to permanent damage.

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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Fax: 800.401.8464
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Trichotillomania

2010-06-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

“Trichotillomania (TTM, also known as trichotillosis, or more commonly as trich) is defined as "hair loss from a patient's repetitive self-pulling of hair" and is characterized by the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, facial hair, nose hair, pubic hair, eyebrows or other body hair, sometimes resulting in noticeable bald patches. Trichotillomania is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as an impulse control disorder, but there are questions about how it should be classified. It may seem, at times, to resemble a habit, an addiction, a tic disorder or an obsessive–compulsive disorder.” (Wikipedia)

Trichotillomania leads to severe and noticeable hair loss, distress, and social or functional impairment", and is "often chronic and difficult to treat". Trich can present as early as infancy but peaks between the ages of 9 to 13. Depression, anxiety, obsessive–compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and stress are common triggers for Trichotillomania. Many with Trichotillomania hide their disorder due to the social implications and embarrassment so it is hard to give a reportable prevalence of this disorder.

Part of the criteria in diagnostician Trichotillomania is an increasing sense of tension before pulling the hair and gratification or relief when pulling the hair. However, some people with Trichotillomania do not even realize they are pulling their hair, that after time it becomes habit or ritual.

Trichotillomania is usually "confined to one or two sites", but can involve multiple sites: "the scalp is the most common, then eyebrows, eyelashes, face, arms, legs, and pubic hairs". Children are less likely to pull from areas other than the scalp. It has been noted that the higher the stress level of a person with Trichotillomania, the more pulling they do.

Psychological effect can be low self-esteem, increased isolation, and increased depression. Medical complications that can result from Trichotillomania are infection, permanent loss of hair, repetitive stress injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, and gastrointestinal obstruction as a result of trichophagia. Trichophagia is when people with trich also ingest the hair that they pull.

Treatment is approached based on the age of the patient. Parents are counseled to ignore the behaviors in pre-school age children, as these children frequently outgrow it. In pre-adolescents to young adults, establishing the diagnosis and raising awareness of the condition is an important reassurance for the family and patient. Non-pharmacological interventions, Habit Reversal Training, including behavior modification programs, may be considered; referrals to psychologists or psychiatrists are considered when other interventions fail. When Trichotillomania begins in adulthood, it is often associated with other psychiatric disorders, and referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist for evaluation or treatment is considered best. The hair pulling may resolve when other conditions are treated. Medications may also be used, especially when there is dual diagnosis.

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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Fax: 800.401.8464
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Pyromania

2010-06-08T10:10:00.000-05:00

Pyromania is a type of impulse control disorder, again not looked at as a addiction base but treatment has many aspects of addiction treatments.

Pyromania is an impulse to start fires deliberately to relieve tension and typically includes feelings of gratification or relief afterward. Unlike arsonists, pyromaniacs start fires to induce euphoria, and often fixate on institutions of fire control like fire stations and firefighters. They will often remain at or near the scene of the firs just to watch the fire fighters get the fire under control.

Pyromaniacs are treated mostly through behavioral modification therapy. The prognosis for treatment is generally fair to poor. Treatment appears to work in 95% of children that exhibit signs of pyromania, which include family therapy and community intervention. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are also used to treat pyromania.

Pyromania is a rare disorder. Pyromania can occur in children as young as age three, but it is rare in adults and rarer in children. Only a small percentage of children and adolescents arrested for arson have pyromania. Pyromania is primarily a male disorder with 90% diagnosis male.

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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Problem Gambling

2010-06-07T09:10:00.000-05:00

Problem gambling, clinically known as “ludomania”, is an urge to gamble despite the harmful consequences it can have or desire to quit. Gambling is considered a problem when by the action of gambling causes harm to the gambler or others. There are two distinct levels of gambling issues – pathological gambling and gambling addiction. Pathological gambling is considered to be an impulse control disorder therefore does not fit the criteria for the American Psychological Association for addiction.

Diagnosis of gambling addiction has to meet at least 5 or more of the following symptoms:
1. Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.
2. Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same "rush".
3. Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
4. Escape. The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.
5. Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.
6. Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.
7. Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.
8. Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, or forgery.
9. Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.
10. Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling.

The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery stated after various research findings that pathological gambling is similar to that of chemical addiction. Reseearch has shown that some pathological gamblers have lower levels of norepinephrine than normal gamblers. Norepinephrine is secreted under stress, arousal, or thrill, so pathological gamblers gamble to make up for their under-dosage. In a study done by the Harvard Medical School Division on Addictions, when a gambler wins a monetary award the brain activity is similar to that of a cocaine addict getting a fix.

Most treatment for problem gambling involves counseling, step-based programs, self-help, peer-support, medication, or a combination of these. However, no one treatment is considered to be 100% successful and no medications have been approved for the treatment of pathological gambling by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a commonly used treatment for gambling problems. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, GA uses a 12-step model that emphasizes a mutual-support approach.

One form of counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to reduce symptoms and gambling-related urges. This type of therapy focuses on the identification of gambling-related thought processes, mood and cognitive distortions that increase one’s vulnerability to out-of-control gambling, and utilizes skill-building techniques geared toward relapse prevention, assertiveness and gambling refusal, problem solving and reinforcement of gambling-inconsistent activities and interests.

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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Phone: 800.971.1586
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Kleptomania

2010-06-04T10:09:00.000-05:00

Kleptomania is an irresistible urge to steal items of trivial value. People with this disorder are compelled to steal things, generally, but not limited to, objects of little or no significant value. Some kleptomaniacs may not even be aware that they have committed a theft. It is usually thought of as part of the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spectrum, although new evidence suggests that it may be more similar to addictive and mood disorders.

Kleptomania strongly differs from shoplifting or ordinary theft. Shoplifters and thieves generally steal for monetary value or gain. There is usually forethought intent while kleptomaniacs do not consider the value of an item or even contemplating theft until they are compelled without motive. Kleptomania can also demonstrate with hoarding symptoms that resemble those with OCD.

The onset of this illness generally begins during puberty and, in some cases last throughout the person's life. Kleptomania can present after traumatic brain injury or carbon monoxide poisoning. People with Kleptomania generally have dual diagnosis with specifically paranoid, schizoid, or borderline personality disorder and or substance use disorders. It is common for individuals with kleptomania to have first-degree relatives who suffer from a substance use disorder. Kleptomania can also present after traumatic brain injury or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Treatment of kleptomania typically involves medications and psychotherapy, perhaps along with self-help groups. However, there is no standard kleptomania treatment and researchers are still trying to understand what may work best. Medications may include Antidepressants, Mood stabilizers, Benzodiazepines, Anti-seizure medications, and Addiction medications. Psychotherapy treatment generally has a strong Cognitive behavioral therapy base and may include techniques such as Covert sensitization, Aversion therapy, and Systematic desensitization. Other forms of therapy, such as psychodynamic therapy, family therapy, or marriage counseling, also may be helpful.

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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Fax: 800.401.8464
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Intermittent Explosive Disorder

2010-06-03T09:09:00.000-05:00

Intermittent explosive disorder (abbreviated IED) is a behavioral disorder characterized by extreme expressions of anger, often to the point of uncontrollable rage, that are disproportionate to the situation at hand. It is currently categorized as an impulse control disorder.

Some have reported that they have emotional changes prior to an outburst which could lead one to think that a person is aware when an outburst is about to occur.

Prevalence is higher in men than in women. The disorder itself is not easily characterized and often exhibits with dual diagnoses with other mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder. Individuals diagnosed with IED report their outbursts were brief (lasting less than an hour), with a variety of bodily symptoms such as sweating, chest tightness, twitching, palpitations. The violent acts were frequently reported accompanied by a sensation of relief, and in some cases, pleasure, but accompanied by remorse after the fact; similar to that of an addict getting a fix.

The DSM-IV criteria for IED include:
• Occurrence of discrete episodes of failure to resist aggressive impulses that result in violent assault or destruction of property.
• The degree of aggressiveness expressed during an episode is grossly disproportionate to provocation or precipitating psychosocial stressor.
• Diagnosis is made only when all other mental disorders and all general medical condition that may cause violent outbursts have been ruled out.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder is treated through both cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotropic medication. Therapy goal is to help patient recognize the impulses that lead to the outburst with the reasoning, if they can recognize and are aware of the changes, they can take necessary action to control the outburst. It also aims to treat the emotional stress that comes with these violent outburst. Medications have shown effective in alleviating some of the pathopsychological symptoms.

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Are Recurring Compulsions A Type of Addiction?

2010-06-02T10:09:00.001-05:00

The term addiction does not just apply to alcohol or drugs; it is also applied to compulsions such as problematic gambling, computer addiction, sex, shopping, food addictions, kleptomania, pyromania, intermittent explosive disorder, and the list can go on. However, not all doctors look at each of these and many other types of recurring compulsions as a addiction. A recurring compulsion is an act by an individual to engage in some specific activity, despite harmful consequences, as deemed by the user himself to his individual health, mental state, or social life. Do you think the recurring compulsions sound a lot like the clinical description for drug or alcohol addiction?

Many psychology professionals and others now feel that there should be adjustment made to the addiction module to include psychological dependency so these types of behaviors count as 'addictions.' Psychological dependencies cause some of the same symptoms associated with drug or alcohol addiction such as guilt, shame, fear, hopelessness, failure, rejection, anxiety, and humiliation along with other medical conditions such as depression.

In the next several blogs I will be looking at some of those recurring compulsions that are seen by some professionals as a form of an addiction. You judge for yourself if they sound strikingly similar to that of addictions.

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Desiderta

2010-06-01T10:08:00.000-05:00

In closing about self-esteem, I would like to take this opportunity to share the poem that a reader had commented about. I felt it just as fitting as the commenter did. Desiderata (Latin for "desired things") is a prose poem by Max Ehrmann about attaining happiness in life. Please enjoy.

Desiderta

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

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Various Therapies used to build Self-Esteem

2010-05-31T10:08:00.000-05:00

There are five basic approaches therapist use to help build self-esteem in patients. The most effective approach is a combination of these five styles. The five varying approaches used are:

COGNITIVE APPROACH-This approach places the emphasis on developing positive mental attitudes, helping students to think about their feelings, and adopt healthier ways of interpreting or relating to the events that occur in their lives.

BEHAVIORAL APPROACH-This approach endeavors to develop specific functional behaviors in students so that they can display behaviors that command greater respect from others and self-esteem in themselves. Such behaviors may relate to voice control, posture, eye contact, or expression of feelings.

EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH-This approach is perhaps the most common among the programs published. It provides positive experiences for students to build up feelings of self-respect and self-esteem. Most of the activities rely on external sources of feedback and reinforcement.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT APPROACH-There are a number of programs that aim to build self-esteem by improving the functional communication skills, decision making skills, or social skills of students. They base their programs on the concept that unless students actually function at a higher level, they are unable to sustain positive feelings about themselves.

ENVIRONMENTAL APPROACH-This approach is a more holistic approach that structures the environment and the activities students engage in to develop particular attitudes and skills that lead to self-esteem. It tends to address such aspects as discipline, social activities, goal setting, responsibility, and how adults interact with students.

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More ways to build Self Esteem

2010-05-28T10:07:00.000-05:00

Make a habit to be on time for functions.

Show respect for others. The return respect will help build self-esteem.

Do not cheat, steal, or deceive, or lie to others.

Maintain proper grooming at all times.

Turn your negative thoughts to 10 positive thoughts.

Keep a clean conscience.

Take responsibility for your actions and choices.

Appreciate the good things in your life daily.

Share your knowledge about things in your life with others who wish to know.

Do what you enjoy.

Keep your word.

All of these tips change the way you will feel about yourself and how others perceive you. You can build self-esteem from within, but how others react to you also plays a role in ones self-esteem. Showing positivity brings positivity, which is a great way to build self-esteem.

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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Signs you may have Low Self Esteem

2010-05-27T07:51:00.000-05:00

You think about yourself a lot and are constantly analyzing why you are the way you are.

Your stress over adversity.

You may be alienated from parents, caregivers, and/or authority figures due to your choice or theirs.

Smiles don’t come easy for you.

You have more negative thoughts and a hopeless view of yourself and/or others around you.

You are excessively tired and it takes a lot to get you motivated to do even simple task.

You have a hard time meeting your goals.

You isolate yourself from others.

Avoid situations that are new to you or where you have to meet new people.

You have a hard time making and keeping friends.

You avoid eye contact.

You avoid intimacy and affection.

Can be needy and clingy.

Fake intimacy and affection when needy.

You do not take risks.

Create your own negativity.

Can be anti social and even violent.

Self negative talk.

Habit of lying.

Failure to keep your word.

Have a hard time forgiving yourself and others.

Lack empathy, compassion, and remorse.

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Self Esteem Boosters

2010-05-26T09:51:00.000-05:00

These tips are great for anyone in how to boost your self esteem.

1. Use Affirmations: A while back I posted a couple clogs about affirmations. Affirmations are statements you can repeat to yourself to help boost your self-esteem. They generally begin with the word “I”. Post affirmations throughout your home and in easily accessible areas so you can reflect on them through out your day. Repeat the affirmation(s) several times during the day, especially at night before going to bed and after getting up in the morning and allow yourself to experience the positive feeling of the statement.

2. Positive, supportive people: Who you surround yourself with will effect your outlook on life. If you are around negative people all the time, especially those who constantly put you down will without doubt, lower your self-esteem. When you are surrounded by positivity, your outlook on life will reflect that.

3. Positivity List: Make a list of things you have successfully accomplished. It doesn’t matter hoe big or little the success was, only that the success made you feel good. This list will be your own personal brag list, just for you. Review your list often and be proud of your accomplishments, no matter how big or small and pat yourself on the back.. Add to it as you continue to make successes throughout your life.

4. Don’t Compare: In life there is always going to be someone that has it better, looks better, has a better job, etc. Stop comparing yourself to these people. Some people think that by doing this it gives one motivation to do better. Not true. More time than not it just makes a person feel bad. Not everyone has the same circumstances, however we all have our own dreams and those are the only things that matter; not keeping up with the “Jones’s”. Shoot for your dreams, and be happy with who you are from the inside, not the outside.

5. Personal Put Downs: Don’t do it… under any circumstance! You can’t keep beating yourself up and expect your self-esteem to be healthy.

Give your thoughts and ideas on ways to boost self-esteem.

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The role Self Esteem plays in Addiction

2010-05-25T09:50:00.000-05:00

Many people who have either abused drugs or have become an addict have battled at one time or another a low self esteem. But what exactly is self esteem. Some think that self-esteem merely means feeling good or having positive thoughts about oneself. Yes, that is part of it, but not all of it.

Self Esteem is the experience of being capable of meeting life’s challenges and being worthy of happiness.

The worthiness component of self-esteem is tied to whether or not a person lives up to certain basic human values, such as finding meanings that foster human growth and making commitments to them in a way that leads to a sense of integrity and satisfaction. The competence is having the conviction that one is generally capable of producing desired results, and making appropriate choices and decisions.

A close relationship has been documented between low self-esteem and such problems as violence, alcoholism, drug abuse, eating disorders, school dropouts, teenage pregnancy, suicide, and low academic achievement. When a person with a low or defensive self-esteem lacks the confidence in themselves, they can often turn to drugs or alcohol to get an artificial sense of confidence. They may even frequently blame others for their shortcomings and even abuse or addiction to drugs or alcohol rather than take responsibility for their actions. This is why educating and building self-esteem is a critical component of any program aimed at self-improvement or any rehabilitation program.

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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Pets during Recovery

2010-05-24T09:50:00.000-05:00

How many people in recovery have discovered that having a pet can greatly help keep them from rseelap? I am going to guess that the percentage is high. Pets love unconditionally yet they do still require a certain level of commitment from their master. They require to be fed and tended to on a regular basis, things that are great for someone in recovery.

It is a known fact that even just petting a dog or a cat can calm someone or make a person feel far less lonely. These things help reduce triggers for a person in recovery. Do you own a pet and are in recovery? How has your pet improved your recovery? What type of pet do you have? Please share your experience with owning a pet while working your recovery.

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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25 Natural Mood Lifters

2010-05-21T08:50:00.000-05:00

Poor moods can be dangerous for a person in recovery. One of the reasons many addicts began using drugs or alcohol was to elevate bad moods/feelings. When a bad mood hits you need an arsenal of ways to cheer yourself up naturally instead of relapsing. Here are 25 natural ways to lift a bad mood.

1. Post inspiring quotes and uplifting jokes around your home just for those days. 2. Call a friend. Ask them to tell you something funny or catch a cup of coffee with them somewhere.
3. Think positive thoughts. Remind yourself that nothing can be as bad as where you once were.
4. Drink two glasses of water. Dehydration can bring on poor moods.
5. Make fake smiles in the mirror until you can’t help but laugh at yourself.
6. Read an uplifting devotional or meditation.
7. Close your eyes for a few minutes.
8. Call your mom or other family member you feel close to and tell them you love them. You would be surprised by how much redirecting your thoughts off your mood and onto another person you love can help.
9. Look through old scrapbooks or personal journals.
10. Go outside. A few minutes of fresh air can do wonders for your mood.
11. Exercise; go for a very quick jog, do some jumping jacks, anything, just get up moving and get the blood pumping.
12. Keep a gratitude journal, in which you write down things that you are thankful for. This is a great way to start and end each day. For a quick "pick-me-up," write as many gratitude’s as you can in one minute. Don't think; just write.
13. Make something. Use your creative mind, and create something.
14. What is your biggest goal (or your biggest problem)? Do one thing that will contribute to its completion (or its solution.)
15. Keep a running list of things you enjoy doing. This sounds funny, but sometimes, when we're in a funk, we can't think of anything. Do something that you enjoy doing, just for the sake of doing it.
16. Fix something. If you are not real handy, make it something simple, just so you can say you accomplished it..
17. Eat something healthy and fresh. Mood swings can come upon a person due to low blood sugar so keep fresh fruit and/or veges in your frig for a quick pick me up!
18. Buy or plant some flowers.
19. Pour a cup of hot cocoa or a cup of coffee and read a favorite magazine or book for a few minutes.
20. Make a to do list. Nothing that has to be done that instant, but thiongs you would like to accomplish. More than likely you will find something on that lisyt you will want to accomplish. IN doing so it takes your mind off your funk and puts you in a better mood when you can cross it off your list.
21. Crank on the tunes! Put on some upbeat music and make yourself dance!
22. Write down what's bothering you, as quickly as you can without stopping to think about it too much as you write. You can achieve clarity from this exercise and possibly find a solution to the problem that is bring your mood down.
23. Cheer someone else up!
24. De-clutter a part of your home or office.
25. Set a new goal. Having a new direction can direct your mind away from the mood and bring on a sense of excitement.

Make sure you are getting plenty of rest. And by plenty of rest, I do not mean, sleep all day. I am meaning a regular sleep pattern where you are getting ample sleep daily. It is alright to have a bad day now and again. It is normal. But don’t let your bad day risk your recovery. Do something to regain a better mood and out look if you are feeling weak.

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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Effective Way to Overcome Negative Emotional Patterns

2010-05-20T09:49:00.000-05:00

If you find yourself having dramatic mood shifts but are no bi polar there are ways of charting the moods to help shift the pattern. Some days you may feel cheerful and ready to tackle the world, other days you may just want to crawl under your covers and hide from the world. Sometimes even journal writing and other methods commonly used to lift ones spirits don’t work to shift your mood to a more positive one. By tracking your moods for a month, you may see an emotional pattern to your difficulties.

Use any calendar and mark your moods daily. After a month of charting your moods, look for a pattern. For example if you see that every Wednesday or 3 out of 4 Wednesday of the month you are always in a bad mood, ask yourself what happens or happened on those Wednesdays to throw you off. Maybe it is a particular work assignment you don’t do any other day of the week, staff meeting day, pressure of deadlines. Then look at the days that you are in a good mood. Ask yourself what was different on those days. On the bad mood days, change up your pattern some. Make sure to add something to your day that is enjoyable or something you can look forward to. Maybe it is making the bad day your night out to eat with friends or to catch a movie, or treat yourself to a special lunch. It can be as simple as on your typical bad days you make a point to pamper yourself with a nice relaxing bath, hair and nail day, exercise, work on a project you enjoy, etc.

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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Realistic Relationship

2010-05-19T09:48:00.000-05:00

Relationships can be like a drug. Have you heard the term serial dater? It is a person who will date someone for a few weeks during the happy go lucky feel good time when adrenaline is at a high and then as soon as the adrenaline rush starts to dim, boom – the relationship is ended and a new one begins. They do this to get the high feeling that new relationships bring. It is a form of addiction.

Realistically relationships have their ups and downs. It is the commitment to work through the bad that makes a relationship strong. Yes, in the beginning a relationship is fun and exciting full of first and new things and feelings. However, as a relationship ages, those feelings do dim. It may go through stages of highs and lows depending on what is going on around each individual. They can be painful and they can be exhilarating. A stable relation will have highs and low, with the highest percentage of it being just even toned where each partner is happy and comfortable with the other. You will bicker over laundry duties or other insignificant things, and argue over bigger things. You will work out duty details and through disagreements. There can be many things that bring your relationship to those exhilarating moments and just as many things that can bring it to a low. As long as your relationship isn’t like a roller-coaster out of control, you probably have a fairly healthy if not healthy relationship.

However, if it is full of constant battles that repeat regardless of makeup’s you are swimming in troubled waters. One of the biggest obstacles in recovery is placing unrealistic expectations on ones self, others and relationships. It is easy to become carried away with romantic fantasy of the future with a new relationship but when they do not pan out, the hurt hits and your recovery can be in jeopardy if you do not know how to work through it or have people to talk to during the difficult time. It is true relationships can add happiness to ones life, but in order for this to happen, you already have to be happy with where your life is at. You cannot expect a relationship to take you out of a slump. It may for a minute but only because it is new. Once the newness wears off, the slump will return. Relationships remain healthy because both parties are committed to keeping it healthy and happy. It is a dual effort and work.

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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Staying in an Unhealthy Relationship in Treatment and Recovery.

2010-05-18T09:47:00.000-05:00

Many people in treatment may find out that the person they were involved during their time of use was not healthy and will break off that relationship. That is a positive move in recovery. However, some, even knowing the relationship was not a healthy one may hang on to the relationship. Some do so because they fear they will not find another, others do thinking that after treatment the relationship will change. If the partner also used or is still currently using, they may think that their recovery will encourage the other to seek treatment and they will live happily ever after in recovery. In some cases this does happen, however, if they do not reach out while you are still in treatment for their own treatment, going back to that situation is only a huge danger zone to your recovery. It simply isn’t worth the risk. Some stay out of fear of being lonely. While in treatment, you should discuss these things with your therapist. Make sure, if you are staying in a relationship that could jeopardize your treatment that it is seriously worth the risk.

The dynamics of your relationship prior to recovery plays a huge role in what is or was a healthy relationship. Just because your partner was clean of drugs and alcohol abuse or addiction while you were the sole user doesn’t always mean it is a healthy relationship. The person is more than likely co-dependent and in the very least should see counseling to learn how to live with a person in recovery, visit their possible co-dependency, and deal with that.

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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Commitment

2010-05-17T09:47:00.000-05:00

Think about the word commitment for a minute. What does it mean to you? For people in recovery it means committing to not use for the next minute, day, week, month, to year. It is being revisited at all times. Is it impossible to have more than one commitment in recovery? No, its not. However early in recovery it is wise to keep your serious commitment levels manageable beings your commitment to staying clean and sober will be a challenging one. Adding a new relationship commitment during the early stages of recovery could threaten your sobriety.

Relationships are tricky and when they are new, fresh, and exciting they can be the perfect motivation to stay clean. However, when the newness wears out, and the honeymoon is over, those relationships can put a serious strain on new sobriety.

So how does one know when it is safe to step into the dating arena when in recovery? Honestly, only you know when you are ready but a good rule of thumb is, if you were not already in a ongoing relationship prior to entering treatment, give yourself a good year in recovery before considering adding more to your plate.

When you do step out into the dating arena, take things slow. Be honest with your recovery and if the person cares about you at all, they will be sincere in their efforts to support you in your recovery and not expect you to enter into situations that could jeopardize it. If the person you are dating expects you to attend a function or enter into a situation that would be unhealthy for your recovery or is trigger heavy with the debate that you should be able to handle it, they are genuinely concerned about your sobriety and are only concerned about their own good time.

However, at the same time if you meet someone who you do click with, who is supportive, and you feel a strong connection with, do not be afraid to make a commitment if it gets to that level. Keep in mind, communication will be very important, to both of you. If you do not have a open communication base, or feel uncomfortable talking about your feelings and thoughts with this person, reconsider the relationship or talk to a therapist in regards to opening the lines of communication with your partner. Many who used drugs and alcohol have done so to hide feelings rather than express them. If you have difficulty with this, wait before entering any serious committed relationship until you are comfortable talking about not only the good feelings that come in a relationship, but the bad 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/

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Leanna’s Story

2010-05-14T09:41:00.000-05:00

This Friday I want to leave you with the life story of a young woman and her battle with addiction. This is all in her words, nothing altered, as I felt her story was a powerful one as it was, told straight from her. Thank you again Leanna for sharing your story with everyone. For you readers, if you find yourself in this story, I pray it gives you the strength to take the steps to a better tomorrow because you can beat your addiction. Do not let it beat you.

“Just a typical 21 year old going to the clubs and partying. That's how it all began. It seemed like I was always the friend who ended up drunk, making a fool of myself dancing on the bar...hooking up with strangers...losing my friends...not remembering the next morning. This was normal right?

I was introduced to GHB and I thought I went to heaven. Just a lil capful and I no longer needed to load up on drinks to get that buzz I craved. Saved money on drinks...no hangover. Just a lil more than a capful and I found myself in the alley outside the club not knowing how I got there. Or waking up in my smashed car on the middle of the highway from G'ing out.

Through some X in the mix......now I've totally lost my mind....but I feel really good. Like I'm in my body but outside my body. I thought this brought me closer to God and my senses were heightened beyond belief. What is real...what is fake?

On top of all this why not throw in some coke when the roll started to wear off....and another cap...and some nitrous. Why not. Everyone does this right?
This lasted for a few years of intense weekend partying all while I was attending professional school to get what else....a doctorate in Pharmacy of all things. I managed to achieve that goal...barely...while doing bumps in between classes to stay awake and focus.

Landed a successful job in pharmacy....here I was introduced to Vicodin......all the Vicodin I wanted at my fingertips. Recipe for disaster. At this time in my life I was using GHB 24/7. I needed a cap to wake up (the best buzz of my day)...a cap roughly each hour to ward off anxiety....an extra cap to knock myself out at night only to get about 3 hours of "sleep"...only to wake back up and start the cycle again. Tough laws were passed banning GHB...I was getting it online or finding people who were making it. They could no longer get the ingredients...and I was SOL. Had to quit cold turkey.

The hallucinations and anxiety from the withdrawal were severe. I dissociated from myself. I felt like I was going crazy and was seeing and hearing things that weren't there. So I started drinking to fight off the anxiety. I had to drink myself into a blackout to get any relief. So here is where my chronic alcoholism began.

This continued for a few years. Drinking became a 24/7 activity now. I ended up losing my license to practice pharmacy because I turned into a sloppy drunk who was writing out my own prescriptions for narcotics. I lost my marriage, my job, but worst of all my self-respect. All the things I valued so much. Gone.

Turning point came last April. I let myself go to the point of not showering, my hair was knotted to my scalp, and I gave up eating. Mind you....I'm the type of person who takes great pride in my appearance. I looked like the walking dead...all 90 pounds of me. All I did was drink...all day...til I ended up in the ICU for 2 alcoholic seizures. They said my organs were failing and asked my mom if she really wanted to see me in the condition I was brought in. This was my absolute worst bottom.

9 days later I was released and started an intensive outpatient program. I was forced to look at myself...all the traumas in my life...who was I really? What was I hiding from?.....I learned that I was using these substances because I couldn't face the person looking at me in the mirror.

I hated AA in the beginning and didn't get it at all. Why the hell are these people talking about God. I just wanna stop drinking and using!!! God doesn't care about me.....or I wouldn't be here in these rooms with these freaks. I kept going to meetings. Suit up and show up! Bring the body...the mind will follow. WTH!!!!!

A few weeks of meetings and I started to understand. A little. This program is gonna teach me how to live without using. Cool cuz I never tried that before. Once I completely surrendered and stopped half-measuring the program I started to get "it". I started getting to know people in the meetings, hangin out with them and I slowly realized....I could do this! Sweet.

God brought me to AA and AA brought me to God. I've been clean and sober for a little over a year and my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for the simplest things in life. I have learned to love myself....to recognize my defects...to forgive...to pray...and to just do the next right thing.

AA saved my life. Sure I lost all the material things and my 6 figure job.....but I've never been this at peace with myself. Miracles happen every day these days. And helping another addict lets me keep what I have. I love recovery. “

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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Dealing with Bi-Polar

2010-05-13T09:40:00.000-05:00

Bipolar is a long-term illness, one that cannot be cured. However, even though episodes of mania and depression naturally come and go, it is important to understand that by staying on treatment, even during well times, can help keep the disease under control and reduce the chance of having recurrent, worsening episodes. With someone who is being effectively treated for bi-polar who is in recovery, stopping treatment for the disease can lead to a relapse of the addiction.

Anyone with bipolar disorder should be under the care of a psychiatrist skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Other mental health professionals, such as psychologists and psychiatric social workers, can assist in providing the person and family with additional approaches to treatment. Staying firm with your recovery and having a strong support system will also help with mania episodes and decrease the risks of relapse. It is important that those who are in your inner most support circle know of your diagnosis of bipolar so they can educate themselves to be better able to help you if you do experience any manic mood swings and encourage you to check with your doctor to see if your medications need altering.

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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Psychosocial Treatments for Bi-polar

2010-05-12T09:40:00.000-05:00

As an addition to medication, psychosocial treatments –including certain forms of psychotherapy (or “talk” therapy) –are helpful in providing support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families. Studies have shown that psychosocial interventions can lead to increased mood stability, fewer hospitalizations, and improved patient functioning. It is also very effective when a person is suffering from bi-polar as well as fighting an addiction.

Psychosocial interventions commonly used for bipolar disorder are cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho-education, family therapy, and a newer technique, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people with bipolar disorder learn to change inappropriate or negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with the illness. Family therapy uses strategies to reduce the level of distress within the family that may either contribute to or result from the ill person’s symptoms. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy helps to improve interpersonal relationships and to regularize their daily routines.

In some situations where medication and psychosocial treatment prove ineffective or work too slowly to relieve severe symptoms, electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) may be considered. However, the potential benefits and risks should be carefully reviewed with the attending psychiatrist.

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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Medications for Bi-Polar

2010-05-11T09:40:00.000-05:00

Bi-Polar can be treated effectively with medication. There are several different types of medication can be prescribed by your doctor if you have Bi-Polar. These mood stabilizing medications help control bipolar disorder. Along with medication, it is highly recommended that a person with bi-polar seek treatment with a psychiatrist as well. In a drug addiction program when dealing with a dual diagnosis, one being bi-polar, the treatment facility will enlist psychiatric care for the client as well for the best recovery.

Most bipolar patients will be prescribed antidepressants. Some individuals will need them on a regular maintenance schedule where others may only need them occasionally. This is variant upon the degree of bi-polar one has. When a person with a bi-polar diagnosis is taking an antidepressant, a psychiatrist or doctor will follow the effects closely.

Lithium, the first mood-stabilizing medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of mania, is often effective in controlling mania and preventing the recurrence of both manic and depressive episodes.
Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder generally are treated with lithium; however, researchers are evaluating the safety and efficacy of these and other psychotropic medications in children and adolescents. Anti-convulsant medications also can have mood-stabilizing effects and may be especially useful for difficult to treat bipolar episodes. Bipolar is an illness that can only be treated, not cured. Medications needed to control the mood swings may have to be altered several times throughout ones lifetime, but on proper medication a person with bi-polar can lead a fully active and normal 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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How Is Bipolar Disorder Treated?

2010-05-10T09:39:00.000-05:00

Most people with bipolar disorder-even those with the most severe forms-can achieve significant results with proper treatment. Mood swings and the related symptoms that accompany bipolar can be greatly stabilized. However, it is an ongoing illness, which requires long-term preventative care. The most effective strategy for treating bipolar combines medication and psychosocial treatment.

The hardest obstacle in treating people with bipolar is gaining their trust. Many people are in denial that they have a mental illness. By admitting they have bipolar disorder, many feel it makes them appear less than normal and out casted. Paranoia plays a role in this to some degree. People with bipolar have a tendency to be suspicious of people, they don’t trust people’s motives, and they feel persecuted. They may even act grandiose. They lack insight to the illness and therefore cannot tell that their personality has changed. They believe there is nothing wrong with them and the problems others have with their behaviors are not their problem.

In most cases, bipolar disorder is much better controlled if treatment is continuous than if it is on and off. But even when there are no breaks in treatment, mood changes can occur and should be reported immediately to the doctor. Working closely with the psychiatrist and communicating openly about treatment concerns and options can make all the difference in treatment effectiveness.

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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Mother’s Day Weekend.

2010-05-07T08:39:00.000-05:00

Mother’s Day will be here May 9th and for those of you who are struggling with an addiction, Mother’s Day could be a great time to reach out and get the extra help or support you need to take that step towards embracing a new way of life.

Mother’s bring life into the world. Mother’s Day makes for a great sobriety anniversary. Not only would it be a tribute to your mother, but mothers everywhere who are struggling with a loved one who is battling an addiction.

There are many types of mothers in the world. Just because a woman brought you into this world doesn’t necessarily mean she was the one who nurtured you. Many people struggling with addiction find holidays such as Mother’s Day difficult, especially if there in no bond between the child and mom. Sadly, this is often the reality in many addicts life. However, think of a woman who played or tried to play an active nurturing role in your life. You may have pushed them away due to your addiction, but it doesn’t mean that their actions and feelings where not heart felt when they did reach out to help you. Sunday May 9th is that day you can touch back that person that touched you, even if it was only in passing, or if it is the woman who gave birth to you and nurtured you, and loves you, even at your worse with your addiction. Mother’s Day is a great day to seek treatment, to get a new start, like a rebirth for yourself and the loved ones in your life.

Think seriously about paying the grandest tribute you could to a mother in your life and make a call to A Better Tomorrow and begin your path of recovery.

To all you Mother's out there.. Have a beautiful, wonderful, and special Mother's Day!!

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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What Is The Course Of Bipolar Disorder?

2010-05-06T09:38:00.000-05:00

Mania and depression episodes are generally reoccurring throughout the lifetime of a person with bipolar with symptom free spells in between. However, approximately 1/3% of people inflicted with bipolar will have some residual symptoms and even a smaller percentage, even with treatment will experience chronic, unremitting symptoms.

Manic and depressive episodes can fluctuate between multiple episodes within a single week or even within a single day to nothing for several months. When properly treated, people with bipolar disorder can lead healthy and productive lives however without treatment the natural course of bipolar disorder worsens overtime with more frequent and more severe manic and depressive episodes.

Bipolar doesn’t play favorites. Men do not fall pray to this illness more than women and visa versa. It does not favor the rich over the poor, the well educate over the high school drop out. Although family genetics and history plays a role in one becoming afflicted with bi polar, it can also strike an individual with no history. There is no rhyme or reason, but it does not need to destroy your life. It can be treated effectively. Self-medicating with drugs or alcohol is not the answers nor will it help the mood swings. Seek treatment from a mental health provider or a physician. If you have already been self-medicating and think you may have bipolar, seek help. It can be treated and you can be on the road to a better tomorrow.

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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Bipolar Disorder and its Connection with Drug/Alcohol Addiction

2010-05-05T09:38:00.000-05:00

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, ad ability to function. It is different that the normal ups and downs one has in their lives. The degrees of the fluctuating swings are far more severe. People with bipolar, left untreated can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performances, and even suicide. Treated, a person with bipolar can lead a full and productive life.

Bipolar is nothing new n today’s society. Currently there are more than 2 million American adults 18 and above that have bipolar. Bipolar typically presents in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, it has been known to present in children as young as two years of age. In the early stages of bipolar, it is often misdiagnosed leaving people to suffer for years. Bipolar is a long-term illness, so if not properly diagnosed and proper treatment received, a person with bipolar may try to self medicate not even aware of what they are medicating.

Manic-depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to live. It is an illness that is biological in its origins, yet one that feels psychological in the experience of it; an illness that is unique in conferring advantage and pleasure, but one that brings in its wake almost unendurable suffering and, not infrequently, suicide.

A diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made based off symptoms, the course of illness, and family history when available. People with bipolar disorder are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness.

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings-from overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.

When a person with bipolar is experience a manic episode, symptoms may present as:

Spending sprees
Increased sexual drive
abuse of drugs particularly cocaine alcohol and sleeping medications
High distractibility
Provocative and intrusive behavior
Increased energy activity and restlessness
Extreme irritability
Racing thoughts
Unrealistic beliefs in ones ability
Poor Judgment
Excessively high euphoric mood

When a person with bipolar is experience a depressive episode, symptoms may present as:

Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
Feelings of hopelessness
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
Decreased energy, heavy fatigue
Sleeping excessively or inability to sleep
Unintended weight loss or gain
Chronic pain
Thoughts of death or suicide
Difficulty concentrating

During severe episodes of mania or depression, a person may present with symptoms of psychosis. Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person’s usual cultural concepts). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. Bipolar disorder may appear to be a problem other than mental illness-for instance, alcohol or drug abuse, poor school or work performance, or strained interpersonal relationships.

Some people with bipolar disorder become suicidal. Anyone who is thinking about committing suicide needs immediate attention, preferably from a mental health professional or a physician. Anyone who talks about suicide should be taken seriously. Risk for suicide appears to be higher earlier in the course of the illness.

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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Finding the Right Drug Treatment Facility

2010-05-04T21:05:00.000-05:00

A much discussed topic is how do you know if the treatment center you enroll in will be effective. A huge part of that depends on you as well as the center. Here is a article from the Treatment Solutions Network that gives you a greta starting point when you are looking for the right treatment center for you or a loved one.

Finding the Right Drug Treatment Facility
By Jared Moré

If you or someone you love is considering treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction, there are many decisions you may need to make in order to find the right facility. Below are some things to consider when choosing a facility, as well as things to expect once you get there.

First of all, it might be necessary to call a hotline to get immediate help for an addiction. This would be used when a person doesn’t know where else to go for help, or possibly someone is in immediate danger. If this is the case, the individual on the other end of the phone can give you valuable information about immediate treatment options.

Types of Facilities and Programs
If the decision is something that is thought about for a while and discussed, there are many different types of programs that might be useful. The first questions might be whether the facility offers residential, in-patient, or out-patient treatment, or a recovery house or long-term care. Some facilities are gender or age-specific, which might be particularly helpful to adolescents or females who might feel more comfortable in a setting with their peers.

It may be necessary for the treatment facility to have a detoxification program for the individual to rid their body of harmful substances while being monitored by a staff of medical professionals. After the physical dependency of the substance is addressed, the patient can begin counseling and treatment to manage the psychological dependency. Many treatment facilities have different activities to aid in this part of the recovery process. Things such as group therapy and family involvement have proven successful in treatment, as well as the 12-Steps for recovery. Some specialized facilities also provide programs such as equine therapy, recreational activities, cooking opportunities, and other things geared toward giving the mind and body something positive to focus on.

Recovery is an Ongoing Process
It is important for patients to be directed to long-term care to assist them in staying sober in the future. By learning about the risks of relapse and the skills needed to cope with stress and addiction triggers, an individual will be more likely to stay substance-free. A facility should provide follow-up services to give the recovering patient a support base when they move back into their lives. Recovery is an ongoing process. The groundwork is laid when an individual goes through treatment, but recovery continues on as the person is put back into their lives and families and has to effectively put what they learned into practice.

Entering into a treatment facility is a scary thing for most people. The unknown is hard to face. But the right facility can ease discomfort with their caring staff and positive programs. It still won’t be easy, but the goal is for the treatment to be successful. By working with counselors and staff to learn about oneself and taking accountability for the addiction, an individual can actually aid in the recovery process. So while you can expect treatment to be a challenge, it will hopefully be the best thing you’ve ever done.

Sources

T., Buddy Components of Effective Treatment Programs What Makes Alcohol Treatment Programs Work? January 22, 2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_rehabilitation

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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A Better Tomorrow's Intervention Service

2010-05-03T09:12:00.000-05:00

Intervention is a technique that was originated by Vernon Johnson of the Johnson Institute in Minnesota. Mr. Johnson’s original idea was to create a “controlled crisis” for the Alcoholic who was reluctant to enter into treatment. This type of Intervention was then modified to address all crisis situations. Intervention, when conducted by a trained professional, is 96% successful in convincing a reluctant person to enter into treatment.

For many years the common thinking was that a substance abuser or chemically dependent person be it alcohol, illegal street drugs or prescription medications had to reach bottom and call out for help before anything could be done for them. Nothing could be further from the truth. In a way, an intervention is simply the raising of that bottom so that the chemically dependent don’t spiral further toward self-destruction. You might compare it to a loved one standing in the middle of the road with a truck heading right for them. Would you stand idly by and watch them being run down? Of course not! You would scream and holler at them to get out of the way. You might even dash onto the highway yourself, and push them to safety. That is the essence of an intervention.

Intervention breaks through the person’s denial by approaching several of his/her defense mechanisms all at once. Removing or short-circuiting the person’s defense mechanisms allows the family to present the truth about his/her problem in a calm, rational and loving manner.

A well-conducted intervention is objective, unequivocal, nonjudgmental and caring in the presentation of specific facts. It is empathy not to be confused with sympathy. You may express your understanding of the problem, but you most certainly don’t sympathize with the problem. The problem is the PROBLEM. The person IS NOT the problem.

Why now? The longer the delay, the longer the person will suffer and the more life threatening the disease will become. That said, it is unwise to charge into an intervention without careful preparation and the guidance of a professional interventionist.

Why you? Just the fact that you have researched the idea shows that you care. After all, isn’t it reasonable to expect loved ones and friends to care about someone who is sick?

A successful intervention has nothing to do with controlling the behavior of a person with this kind of problem. Instead, it provides you with positive steps to take. These steps help you to do all that you can do to offer a serious and effective gift of help to someone you care about.

It can be successful for you as well, because there’s one thing that we’re sure about; although each person is unique, the process of addiction is not. Furthermore, the process of recovery is a simple one, provided the patient follows a professional’s recommendation.

It should also be noted that several problems arise when a family attempts to conduct an intervention on their own. Since the family has not been trained in the proper format or even the appropriate language of an intervention, the process often breaks down into an argument and confrontation leading to a total breakdown and failure. We have witnessed it time and again, the distraught and disappointment left over when a family unsuccessfully attempts an intervention by themselves.

Normal thinking does not have any effect on the Problem. You cant argue logic with someone who is simply illogical. The Problem is a disease with four progressive stages. Once someone has reached the fourth stage, they no longer have the ability to control the Problem is controlling them. Actually, the Problem feeds off normal thinking and reactions by enticing the patient into a pattern of denial.

The Fear Factor

President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself. Never were such words truer than a family faced with the prospect of an intervention. In fact, the problem/addiction counts on fear as one of its strongest allies. It uses fear to maintain the inactivity of the family unit to confront the problem/addiction. This fear is often quantified by the family members looking at all the possible negative consequences of a proposed intervention. The rational of the problem/addiction is as follows: If I can instill just enough fear in the family, then maybe they will just leave things the way they are. That way, I can continue destroying the patient. In this manner, the problem/addiction has become a parasite with the patient as its host. Again, we cannot directly control the ultimate actions of the patient. However, by conducting the intervention, we have the knowledge that we did all that we could and that we are not going to stop our own healing process from the problem. However, these are all tolls that we may be paying for a bridge we never come to.

Denial

Almost without exception, the more deeply seeded the problem becomes within the client, the less likely the client is able to realize that there is any problem at all. This is denial. The problem/addiction also uses this tool to remain active and viable within the patient. In this way, the problem/addiction can mask its insidious spiral of death and destruction. It makes the patient feel that everything is really OK. This is where the rationalization we were talking about comes into play. Through the use of denial, the problem/addiction makes the patient think that they are really just like everybody else. The denial essentially removes the patient from reality. It is probably the strongest and most finely honed defense mechanism within the arsenal of the problem/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/

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Procrastination Gets the Best of Us

2010-04-30T09:12:00.000-05:00

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.

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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People with Addictions have 15-20% less Dopamine Receptors

2010-04-29T09:11:00.000-05:00

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.

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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Do you have a Social Media Addiction?

2010-04-28T10:11:00.000-05:00

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?

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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Freedom House Closes its Doors Friday

2010-04-27T09:11:00.000-05:00

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

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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Is your Teen Smoking Cigarettes?

2010-04-26T08:37:00.000-05:00

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.

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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The Draw to Smoke

2010-04-23T09:37:00.000-05:00

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?

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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Hooked on Tobacco ~ Our Youth

2010-04-22T08:36:00.000-05:00

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?

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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President Obama's Attempt to Change Youth Smoking Statistics

2010-04-21T09:36:00.000-05:00

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?

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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Dreaded Family Get Together

2010-04-20T08:36:00.000-05:00

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?

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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What gives you hope?

2010-04-19T08:35:00.000-05:00

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?

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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Link between Cannabis Use and Psychotic Symptoms

2010-04-16T09:35:00.000-05:00

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/

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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Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
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Higher Risk of Cocaine related death in Warmer Temperatures

2010-04-15T06:10:00.001-05:00

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.

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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Painkiller Addiction

2010-04-14T06:09:00.000-05:00

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.

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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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
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Medications used to Ease Withdrawal Symptoms

2010-04-13T06:09:00.000-05:00

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.
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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Drug Addiction Withdrawal

2010-04-12T06:09:00.000-05:00

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.

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
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Prescription Drug Overdoses on the Rise

2010-04-09T10:05:00.000-05:00

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.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
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The Effects of Addiction on Children of Addicts

2010-04-08T09:05:00.000-05:00

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)
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CoDA Twelve Promises

2010-04-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

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
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Co-Dependents Anonymous

2010-04-06T09:04:00.000-05:00

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

2010-04-05T09:04:00.000-05:00

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
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Happy Easter

2010-04-04T07:04:00.000-05:00

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

2010-04-01T13:04:00.000-05:00

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/

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Mental Illness and Addiction Connection ~ Underlying Causes

2010-03-31T09:03:00.000-05:00

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/

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Mental Illness and Addiction Connection ~ Conditions

2010-03-30T08:43:00.000-05:00

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/

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Risk Factors for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism

2010-03-29T09:43:00.000-05:00

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
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How to Recognize Alcoholism

2010-03-26T09:43:00.000-05:00

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/

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Don’t Lose Yourself Despite an Addict

2010-03-25T08:42:00.000-05:00

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/

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How ones addiction affects the people in their life

2010-03-24T09:42:00.000-05:00

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/

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Do you have a Strong Personal Support Network?

2010-03-23T08:42:00.000-05:00

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/

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Parents Need to Know

2010-03-22T08:42:00.000-05:00

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/

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Hallucinogens

2010-03-19T11:41:00.000-05:00

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/

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Teen Marijuana Users

2010-03-18T09:41:00.000-05:00

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.
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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
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Children of Alcoholics

2010-03-17T09:41:00.000-05:00

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
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The Link between Teen Drug Use and Overindulgent Parents

2010-03-16T09:41:00.000-05:00

“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/

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Teen Addiction Help

2010-03-15T10:14:00.000-05:00

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/

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Marijuana Addiction

2010-03-12T09:14:00.000-06:00

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/

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Understanding the Nature of Addiction

2010-03-11T10:18:00.000-06:00

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/

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Realistic Expectations about Addiction Treatment

2010-03-10T09:14:00.000-06:00

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/

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Sex addiction: Is it real?

2010-03-09T11:13:00.000-06:00

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/

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Repairing Relationships After Addiction

2010-03-08T11:13:00.000-06:00

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/

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Addiction Risks

2010-03-05T08:39:00.000-06:00

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/

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The Warning Signs Of Addiction

2010-03-04T08:39:00.000-06:00

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/

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The Five Parts in the Cycle of Addiction

2010-03-03T08:38:00.000-06:00

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/

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Types of Dependency

2010-03-02T08:38:00.000-06:00

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/

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Overnight Addiction?

2010-03-01T08:37:00.000-06:00

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/

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How to Support an Addict who has Relapsed

2010-02-19T10:37:00.001-06:00

If I have said it once, I have said it a hundred times plus – the road to recovery is not an easy one, but a road worth traveling. There is going to be difficulties, the only difference is, that in recovery, you have gained a better understanding of what brought on your addiction and developed tools to help counteract it from rearing its evil ways again. However, as I have also said before, relapse happens in recovery, and unfortunately, more times than not. As far as percentage of those who relapse during recovery, that is a hard question to answer in exact numbers. For one thing, not all report that they have relapse, not all re-enter a treatment center, and some never live to tell. Various numbers have been stated anywhere from 70% to 90% of addicts in recovery will relapse. Are them numbers correct, it is hard to determine. What is more important than what numbers can tell you is what you can do to help an addict in recovery who has relapsed, get back on the right track.

It is hard to see a love one return to drugs or alcohol after they left an addiction treatment program, sometimes devastating. Family embers can feel that all that effort was in vain, by both the addict and themselves. Some may want to throw the towel in and just give up while others want to do everything in their power to “fix” things to the extent there is nothing they wouldn’t sacrifice to get their loved one back on the right track. Neither one is a healthy response; you can neither throw the towel in nor become self sacrificing.

Here are some important tips to help you help the relapsed addict get back on track while protecting your own well being.

Remember who controls ownership of the addiction. This is the addicts’ battle and they need to own it, not you.

Hold the addict accountable for their recovery from the relapse.

Do not make excuses for the addict , dismiss the problem, or take on the addicts problems.

Encourage the addict to re-enter their original addition treatment plan and or attend addiction support group meetings.

Don’t push. Make your feelings heard as far as them seeking out help with direction then step back. They have to want to get back on the right track and no amount of pushing will change that. It is not your job to make them better; it is theirs alone.

Avoid the blame game. Do not try to remove the addicts’ guilt or anxiety about relapsing. Allow them to work through their feelings and it can be those exact feelings of guilt that can lead them back to recovery. Allow them to own them. However, don’t try to get the addict to feel guilty either. Inflicting guilty feelings will work in reverse than self-guilt and not motivate them to seek help.

Take care of yourself and do not allow the addict to pull you down with them.

Set an example of healthy living and healthy decision-making.

Be supportive by not having addictive substance in your home.

Don’t be discouraged and try to stay optimistic. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that drug addiction often requires more than one round of therapy. A relapse does not mean that the addict will never lead a “clean life” just that they may require more than one round in treatment.

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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The Blame Game in Addiction

2010-02-18T09:34:00.000-06:00

The road to recovery is a difficult one, for the one in recovery and those who support that person. It is hard enough without having the blame game going on. All the blame game does is shift responsibility for ones actions on to another. By doing so, one can never move forward successfully.

Common blaming that happens with addiction can involve a parent blaming a child for ruining their reputation, a child blaming the parents for being a bad influence, not being there for them, not caring for them, neglecting them, and a mess load of other dysfunctions, an addicts relapse do to the treatment center they attended, and on and on and on. Regardless of what the blame game centers around, it never works and it is never productive.

Treatment programs designed to help addicts recover from addictions are very clear that assigning blame has no place in the recovery regimen. It’s not about making the individual feel bad about the person they are now, how they got in this situation, what they may have done along the way that harmed themselves and others. On the contrary, the purpose of drug and alcohol treatment programs is to give the client the confidence and self-discipline to move forward in their lives free and clear of addiction.

Where blame game can really come into play is after the recovering addict returns home. It is not uncommon for family members or those that were close to the recovering addict during their addictive state to have ill feelings towards a lot of the actions the addict did prior to recovery. However, these same individuals play a huge role in the recovering addicts’ continued sobriety and by constantly monitoring, scolding, being critical or negative only drives the recovering addict in to feelings of being out of control making relapse much more likely.

It can be hard to avoid the blame game, especially when trust levels have been severely broken, and even more so if the support system has not received any counseling about addiction and how to deal with a family member with an addiction and recovery. Just as when we were children and peers requested, we did not lie about our actions because the out come would be far worse than the initial consequences, the same goes with addiction recovery. The important thing to remember is to not assign blame. For the addict – don’t assign blame to yourself for becoming an addict or to others for putting you into your current position. For the family and friends of the addict – do not assign blame to the addict for somehow ruining your life. Own up to your own individual actions and responsibilities whether you are an addict or part of an addict’s support system. The only truly supportive and reinforcing way of interacting is by steering clear of the blame game.

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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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABTomorrow
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What is Addiction Recovery?

2010-02-17T10:34:00.000-06:00

Addiction Recovery is far more than not using your drug of choice any longer or any kind of mood altering substance. It has to be your way of life. It is a healing of your addictive behaviors and thinking and growing with knowledge about how to deal with life’s situations differently than you had in the past. It is about being healthy in all aspects of your life, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is a never-ending journey, but a good one – not dreaded as life was in the past. Recover will always be your work in progress.

Addiction recovery is about human development. When an addiction begins, human growth becomes stunted. Your addiction led you to make numerous bad decisions for your life. Recovery is about learning and making the right decisions, the decisions that enhance your life rather than ones that are detrimental.

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