Alcohol is socially acceptable and it’s legal. It’s also fine in moderation and even desirable in certain social settings and celebrations. Jokes and anecdotes abound that make light of getting drunk and the consequences of doing so.

Unfortunately because alcohol use is such a large part of our culture, abuse of it may go undetected until it’s too late. How do you know for sure if you have a drinking problem? The following questions will help you determine where you stand.

Has the thought crossed your mind that you should cut down on your drinking?

Do people criticize your drinking habits?

If people do criticize your drinking, does it make you angry?

Do you sometimes feel ashamed of your drinking?

Do you sometimes drink in the morning either to steady your nerves or “cure” a hangover?

Do you sometimes drink alone?

Do you hide how much you drink from others?

Have you ever missed work or important appointments because you drank too much?

If you answered yes to just one of these questions, you may have an alcohol problem. To help answer any questions that you may have please contact a substance abuse counselor. Talking to a professional drug and alcohol counselor you will receive the best information on alcohol addiction and methods of treatment. Taking advice from someone that is not a professional in the field of addiction is dangerous and may lead to prolonged suffering from you and your family.

Studies have shown that 80% of alcoholics that come into rehabilitation on anti depressants have been misdiagnosed. Alcoholics do not tell the truth about their drinking, and alcohol is a depressant when taken is large quantities; this makes it easy for doctors to misdiagnose depression for alcoholism and prescribe unneeded and often addictive drugs for depression when alcohol is the whole problem. When looking for an alcohol rehabilitation program talk to a professional counselor about the program you are thinking of going into before you go, they can help you find the best program for your needs.

To speak to an addiction counselor please call 1-877-744-3536   

Sometimes it isn’t easy to see when we’re looking at ourselves. Denial is common among those who abuse drugs and alcohol and their friends and family may not want to see the problem either. If you think you may be developing a problem with drugs or alcohol, or if you know someone that may be, ask the following questions.

Do I use regularly? Or do I use more than other people?

Whether it’s several times a day or even just once daily, if you feel that you have to have this drug or drink on a regular basis, you may be dependent.

Can I stop using the drug on my own? Have I stopped using drugs or alcohol for extended periods of time in the past several months?

Failure to discontinue use on your own is a sign of trouble. Casual users can take it or leave it. Those who are addicted cannot stop using and using the drug occupies their thoughts almost constantly.

Do I spend money I don’t have on the drug?

If you’re behind on your rent and your bills are going to collection because you spend that money to obtain drugs or alcohol, you need help.

Am I engaging in behavior I never thought I would?

Addicts often steal, sell belongings and resort to degrading practices such as prostitution in order to purchase drugs.            

Do I feel anxious when my supply runs low?

Those who are dependent on drugs work hard to keep a constant supply available. Feelings of anxiety or panic and distress often occur when the user realizes that his supply is dwindling.

Do I resort to getting high every time I’m faced with a problem?

Self-medicating with drugs or alcohol at the slightest provocation may be a warning sign. Almost everyone at one time or another has “had a few too many” when something devastating has happened in their lives. But if you reach for drugs and alcohol every time a problem is the least bit distressing, it may be a sign of addiction.

Is all my time focused on getting and using drugs?

Typically a drug addict will spend most of his waking hours chasing down drugs so he can get high.

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may have a drug or alcohol dependency that needs to be treated. To find a quality drug and alcohol rehabilitation program contact a professional addiction counselor. Not all rehab programs are the same, there are many different methods of treatment and there is not one that is right for everyone.

To speak to a professional addiction counselor call 1-877-744-3536

NIDA: 12 Principles of Effective Addiction Treatment

If you are seeking treatment for addiction for yourself or a loved one, the National Institute on Drug Abuse has put together 12 principles for finding effective treatment. Consider the following before making your choice.

One size does not fit all. Find a treatment or facility that matches your own personal problems and needs.

Treatment should be accessible and readily available so the patient applicant doesn’t get lost.

Treatment must encompass the drug abuse, as well as physical and psychological issues and legal troubles.

Treatment should be flexible and grow and change with the patient’s recovery progress.

Adequate time should be given oneself for treatment. Three months is standard although some addicts may require more. Whether you succeed or not depends greatly on how much time you receive effective treatment.

Counseling, both group and individual is essential for learning new ways to cope with stress, learn constructive activities to replace drug using habits and learn to navigate interpersonal relationships.

Mental disorders often are misdiagnosed with addiction and should also be treated only after the addict is clean and sober for at least six months.

Medical detoxification is but a small part of the total treatment experience and is only the first stage in getting the addict on the road to recovery. It is useful; in decreasing symptoms of withdrawal.

Even if the patient does not voluntarily participate, treatment can be effective. Sanctions and enticements by relatives, employers and the criminal justice system can get an addict where he needs to be to get help.

Monitoring possible drug use during treatment encourages the patient to stay clean and should be a component of the program.

Assessments for HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted and communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis should be given. Counseling can help patients overcome high-risk behaviors.

Relapse is often an inevitable part of the recovery process and should not be viewed as a failure. On-going sessions and participation in self help programs after rehabilitation can increase the rate of success and recovery.

For help finding effective treatment for drug and alcohol abuse and to speak with an addiction conselor please call 1-877-744-3536

Call a professional Addiction Rehabilitation Counselor today; 1-877-744-3536

Or fill out the form below and an addiction counselor will contact you in a timely manner

Rapid Detox

Ultra Rapid Detox, or Rapid Drug Detox, is a somewhat newer alternative for drug rehab that involves putting a patient who is addicted to opiates, prescription painkillers or other habit-forming drugs under a general anesthesia in a hospital.  This is done with anesthesiologists and nurses who are trained to perform this type of procedure. 

Once under the general anesthesia, the patient is given a drug that counteracts the drug to which he or she is addicted.  While the person is in this drug-induced coma, he or she can avoid experiencing the various physically painful and uncomfortable aspects of detox, such as shaking, sweating and delirium tremors. The body goes through some of this process while the person is still in a drug induced coma.  When the person is taken out of the Drug induced coma it is not the end of all withdraw symptoms, the addict is still going to be very uncomfortable and still experience many of the same symptoms of withdraw as he would have without going through the drug induced coma.  

Though the owners of these clinics make rapid detox an attractive alternative to traditional methods, it must be noted that therapy and other related aids to recovery are also needed. Lifestyle changes will need to be made and a patient must take responsibility for his recovery and understand his disease so that he can successfully manage his now sober life. Psychological triggers have to be addressed and healthy coping skills adopted. 

A recovering addict must learn a new routine; otherwise he may slip back into old patterns that lead to his drug use and addiction. Daily habits may need to be restructured so that reminders of his past drug use do not bombard him. 

With a sudden change, such as occurs from Rapid Detox, it may be harder for the patient to avoid returning to drugs than if he was weaned gradually. Such a quick and painless detox could be compared to an antidote.  It can be argued that this kind of detox is not as effective as one in which the addict has to endure the physical withdrawal. Some think it is necessary to work through it and learn that if he or she goes back to the destructive behavior again, those are the consequences that will be suffered the next time.

 Finally, as promising as this may be, it is not considered to be a mainstream form of treatment for addictions.  There are many others available which are successful and much easier for a person to gain access.   Also, there is always a risk to the patient who is put under a general anesthesia.  For those considering a treatment option such as rapid detox, it would be wise to weigh the various alternatives in treatment that are available and speak to qualified professionals in order to make an informed decision.

For more information about rapid detox and to speak to a professional drug and alcohol counselor please call:1-877-744-3536