Recovery Coaching » alcohol addiction

Alcohol Treatment Center Brings New Hope

Jamison Findley — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:02:38 +0000

Drug addiction is a clinical condition, and because it generates both physiological and mental dependencies, it’s not something that a person can recover from through willpower on its own. Having said that, it is a treatable disorder, and with assistance it is practical for users to break away from the dependency. It will take lots of work, and it’s really a hard, and occasionally painful, process, but the appropriate treatment can do plenty of good for a number of people.

One estimate says that almost 12 million individuals in the country show some kind of symptoms of drug addiction. To be able to support these individuals work through their destructive addictions and remain sober for the long term, it is essential to understand but the causes and symptoms and then apply the solutions that will help them successfully beat the dependency.

To be able to overcome a drug addiction, the user is going to require some help. You can’t simply get past a severe condition by wishing it will disappear. That is why friends and loved ones, along with the professionals in a treatment facility, will need to focus on helping the abuser recognize the root cause of the condition. This must be addressed because if they do not know what drove them down this course in the first place, the probability of relapse is great.

The next task is to help the user admit that their substance use has gotten out of their control, and that they really have a drug addiction. Almost all addicts have already convinced themselves that they aren’t seriously addicted, or even worse, they’ve convinced themselves that they don’t desire to quit. They need to realize that there is a real problem.

Drug addiction is inclined to go through some recognizable stages and drug use progresses to drug seeking behavior, which then becomes a weakness to relapse and a decreased capacity to respond to normal and naturally fulfilling stimuli.

This process of drug addiction is often summed up in three categories. The very first is the preoccupation or anticipation stage, where drugs are continuously on the mind. The second is the binge or intoxication phase, where drug use begins to get out of hand, and the third involves tolerance, withdrawal, along with a decreasing desire to engage in normal life activities. It’s difficult to watch an individual go through these stages, however with the proper treatment, it is possible to break out of the never-ending cycle and begin living a healthy, drug-free life.

The progression of drug addiction is affected by genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors, and it isn’t always easy to spot the signs of addiction, but it is critically important to understand exactly what you are looking for so that you can step in and aid a loved one if it is necessary, or even to realize the symptoms in yourself.

Some of the well-known the signs of drug addiction include feeling you need to use the drug daily, failing repeated attempts to stop, always maintaining a supply of the drug on hand, and acting against your identity to get the drugs. There are also several signs which may be apparent depending on the kinds of drugs being used, such as red eyes, forgetfulness, slowed response, despair, weight loss, irritability, and much more. Always be familiar with these signs, and search for qualified help to defeat any drug issues.

One thing that Jamison knows about is alcohol treatment program and the problems it can cause. He will be able to teach you all about Malibu alcohol treatment and the concept of implement an effective program. For additional information see his related articles.

Alcohol Treatment Center Brings New Hope is a post from: Recovery Coaching

Alcohol Addiction

Heather Boddington — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:41:20 +0000

An addiction to alcohol is more than simply drinking too much; it is a dependency on alcohol from the body that can lead to nausea and immense anxiety when it is withdrawn. On top of this it puts a huge strain on relationships, work commitments, and general day-to-day activities. But while the symptoms of alcoholism are clear and apparent, the causes of alcoholism are not.

It is easier to think of potential causes of alcoholism as risk factors. Many people responsibly enjoy drinking but certain things may trigger the development of alcohol dependency. High levels of stress, depression, and low self-esteem have all been linked to underlying problems in alcoholics.

For example, heavy drinking in the short term as a response to the death of a close family member isn’t alcoholism, but there is a risk this initial use of alcohol to cope with the emotional shock develops into a greater dependency. With the help of a therapist, undergoing something known as cognitive behaviour therapy may help someone experiencing emotional problems find other coping strategies, minimising the risk of alcoholism progressing.

As with most conditions, it is thought a hereditary link may also be party responsible for alcoholism. Around 30% of men who have an alcoholic parent will go on to be alcoholic themselves (there is a weaker link among women). While it is very possible that it is not the genetic make-up that is responsible for this but rather learned behaviour, or a traumatic childhood, evidence for a genetic link has been found in studies carried out on identical twins separated at birth. This genetic link may account for the fact that many alcoholics have insulin resistance syndrome (a problem processing sugars).

This of course does not guarantee that if a family member was an alcoholic you will be too, it just means that you should be aware that statistically you are at a higher risk. Just as people who are aware they are at a high risk of developing other medical conditions may modify their lifestyle slightly, it is advisable that speaking to a GP about any concerns will give you the assurance that help is available should you need it. Equally, alcoholism has the potential to affect anybody, even those who don’t appear to fall into any of the risk categories – advice services are always there for anybody who is concerned.

Want to find out more about alcohol addiction, then visit Heather Boddington’s site on how to choose the best Thiamine for your needs.

Alcohol Addiction is a post from: Recovery Coaching

Denial: The Twilight Zone

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:29:36 +0000

Why do addicted people keep doing what they are doing? You may think that they know the consequences well enough. Many have seen their relationships break up, their children gone, their job prospects vanish, and have attended more funerals in a few years than most people attend in a lifetime.

Why don’t they know that their addiction is causing the problems? How can they continue with the addiction and manage to ignore the consequences. Many addicts look at the trail of wreckage in their wake and believe that their drug or alcohol use is the solution. So how can it be the problem?

This way of dealing with two opposing ideas, that their drug or alcohol use is the solution and the problem, is in part, what denial is all about. Denial works best if it isn’t spoken out. Those close to the addict know its best not to mention the addiction. Then the illusion can be maintained, the enigma does not need to be unravelled. Keep the truth under the surface.

We all have denial to some degree or another. It is a defence mechanism that helps us deal with all the impossible stuff going on in the world around us. How can you cope with famines, and children dying, and wars and a bad economy? Better to let ‘denial’ come in and allow us to operate at a functional level. If we analysed what was going on, we would need to deal with too many contradictions.

This is the addicts’ plight. If the denial kicks in and he pretends that there is no problem, then the addiction could kill him. Denial then ceases to be a defence mechanism. If he admits to denial he then needs to deal with the addiction. But he can’t give up because the drug or alcohol is the solution. Catch 22!

The denial concept then needs some refinement. If the addict comes to the point of admitting that the drug or alcohol is the problem, then they will have to take ownership and give up the offending behaviour. But often, they cannot do it. So they may try to control the offending habit. It is at this point, with help, that some manage to get on the cycle of change. But mostly, the addiction is about loss of control, and the addict loses sight of the goal again but may continue to believe that he is in control. In this smoke and mirrors world, many can go on for years in this state. It is denial that keeps them in this twilight zone.

Denial is a form of control that affects the addicts family. Relationships are established on co-dependent grounds. The family also adopt the denial as a coping mechanism. As long as there is no problem to deal with, the addict can justify his behaviour or project it on to others. It will work for them as long as it stays underground.

Am I addicted?

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 17:25:38 +0000

Most addicts don’t need to ask this question, they already know the answer. A life that revolves around the next fix, it fills your waking hours. Getting up in the morning (afternoon?) and getting everything into place. First, set the scene for the first act. Scheming and plotting for the money, then for the substance. Fixed! First you get the habit. Then the habit gets you.

Addicts live to use, and use to live. Very simply, an addict is a person whose life is controlled by a substance or action. Addicts are people living with a chronic relapsing illness steadily progressing to the same end, prison, illness, poverty, and death.

Only you can decide if you have an addiction. How do you know if you are being impartial even to yourself? The following questions may help you make this decision. If you answer Yes to four or more questions, you may have a problem that can be solved with the right help, if you bring it into the open. Remember, that it is no disgrace to admit that you have a problem. Answer the following 12 questions to find out if you need to take the 12 Steps!

1 – Have you ever decided to stop drinking/drugs for a week or so, but only lasted for a day or two?

2 – Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking or drugs and stop telling you what to do?

3 – Have you ever switched from one kind of drink or drugs, to another, in the hope that this would keep you from getting hooked or stoned?

4 – Have you needed something to help you face the day when you wake up, during the past year?

5 – Do you envy people who can drink or do drugs without getting into trouble?

6 – Have you had problems connected with drinking or drugs during the past year?

7 – Has your drinking or drug taking caused trouble at home?

8 – Do you ever try to get “extra” drinks or drugs at a party to top up?

9 – Do you tell yourself that you can stop drinking or doing drugs any time you want to, even though you keep getting drunk or stoned when you don’t mean to?

10 – Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?

11 – Do you have “blackouts”?

12 – Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink or do drugs?
Did you answer Yes, four or more times? If so, you are probably addicted. Why can this be stated with such authority? It is because thousands of people in recovery have had to answer these questions. They found out the truth about themselves, the hard way. Ask yourself one more question. Where will you be in one year’s time if you keep doing what you are doing now?

Decide if you are going to take the first step to sort out your problem. Try to keep an open mind. There are many people waiting to help you move forward. Remember, there is hope. It’s never too late to make a brand new start.

Am I addicted? is a post from: Recovery Coaching

4 Stages of Addiction

admin — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:10:58 +0000

According to the dictionary addiction means:-

1. Being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit forming (especially alcohol and narcotic drugs).

2. An abnormally strong craving.

3. (Roman Law) a formal award by a court sentence of a thing or person to another (as of a debtor to his creditor), a surrender to a master; “under Roman law, addiction was the justification for slavery”
The Chinese have a saying about heroin ‘You begin chasing the dragon but then it jumps on your back and begins chasing you’. Jackie Pullinger, the British woman who set up a ministry in Hong Kong t, wrote a book about her experiences there in ‘Chasing the Dragon’.

This expression relates to smoking heroin, but it could be applied for all mood altering drugs, alcohol, painkillers, tranquillisers, speed, solvents, LSD, cocaine, heroin, crack, ecstasy, barbiturates, and cannabis. It can apply to adrenalin based addictions like gambling, sex, shopping, people (co-dependency) and eating disorders.

Addiction doesn’t just happen. There is a progression towards chemical dependency, or any other addiction. It passes through four main stages.

1. Experimental Stage of Addiction

The Experimental Stage could happen out of curiosity or peer pressure. The user may say “I’ll just try it I don’t have to use it again” The user may experience pleasure or mood swings. The outcome may be intoxication or being stoned, or a ‘rush’ of some sort. Many who experiment with drugs do not progress to the next stage of addiction.

This may start in early teens (sometimes younger) with trying alcohol, cigarettes or cannabis. It is easy to get high because of the body’s low tolerance. Often done with their peers away from a parent or guardian. It may be seen as acting grown up, or a simple act of rebellion.

2. The Recreational Stage of Addiction
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During the recreational stage the user may use at the weekends with friends, just to unwind from a stressful week. Looking for relief. Tolerance increases and more substances may be used, amphetamines (speed), larger quantities of alcohol. Symptoms may include stopping out late, suffering hangovers.

The user is by now starting to plan for use. Waiting for the weekend to be with friends, but also risk taking may increase by smoking on the way to school. Starting to lie about how much, and what is being used. Parents may react at this stage by grounding their child.

3. The Early Dependency Stage

During this stage, the regular user becomes an abuser. Now maintaining an addictive lifestyle that starts to affect others. The young user may be missing school and stealing money to feed the habit. Older users may be struggling to keep their job and running up debts. There is a daily preoccupation to source drugs and this often leads to meeting dealers.

4. The Full Dependency Stage

During this stage of addiction, there is a self destructive and compulsive desire to escape to oblivion, or escape from reality. Sobriety is too difficult to face. If left untreated, the addict may now face despair and risks premature death through overdose, suicide, accidents or side effects. Many end up with legal problems, imprisonment and family breakdown.

Addiction causes two main problems, a chemical (or an adrenalin) dependency problem, and a lifestyle problem. These are explored within the framework of other articles. Has addiction faced you or your family?