Blog post | Addiction Rehab Help

Archive for the ‘Blog post’ Category

From User to Addict

March 2nd, 2010 | Author: admin

From User to Addict

Many times the question is asked: How many times do you have to take a drug before you become addicted to it? There are no easy answers, but understanding how substance abuse affects the brain may help you to make wise decisions to avoid any and all casual drug use.

Illicit drugs change the way your brain functions. The number of times a person has to “get high” before the brain becomes damaged varies between individuals but the sad outcome is still the same. What started out as casual use becomes a constant craving that cannot be subdued unless the brain is fed more and more doses of the drug. You are now an addict with a haywire brain.

Here’s how it works. You ingest, smoke, and snort the drug. The brain responds with elevated levels of dopamine—the hormone that regulates pleasure sensory. When you come down from being high the dopamine levels even out again. But at some point after repeated drug use, the limbic system kicks in and the dopamine levels don’t even out—they plummet below normal. Now your brain craves the drug the same way it craves air or food.

The addicted brain feels depressed, lethargic and the user’s life seems hopeless. Now he needs more of the drug to bring the dopamine level up to normal again. The longer he uses, the more tolerant his brain becomes. He has to take more and more of the drug to reach the same effects and he has to take it more frequently as well.

In effect, the drug abuser, by repeated uses has completely changed the way his brain works. He has developed an addiction that can only be cured through long hard work. A quality rehabilitation center is the first step.

Addiction can be cured, but not over night, nor by just going through a short term detox program. Addicts can make a recovery through programs that combine counseling, behavior changes and learning how to take responsibility for the decisions they make in life.

For more information please contact “Addiction Rehab Help” we can help you find the best rehabilitation center for the needs of your loved one.

Addiction Rehab Help 1-877-744-3536

Posted in Blog post, Counselors Notes, Families, prescription Drugs | No Comments »

Do you have a drinking problem?

February 26th, 2010 | Author: admin

Do You Have A Drinking Problem?

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

Posted in Alcoholism, Blog post, Counselors Notes, Families | No Comments »

Latchkey kids and drug abuse

February 25th, 2010 | Author: admin

Unsupervised Kids and Drugs

Approximately seven and a half million kids between the ages of 5 and 14 in the United States are latchkey kids. In today’s economy it’s a situation that can’t be helped as both parents or single parents must work full time to provide for their families.

Studies show that children left alone after school have a ten percent greater chance of trying drugs, alcohol and cigarettes compared to those who are involved in supervised activities. How can you protect your child?

· Involve your children in sports, youth groups and other adult supervised, after school activities. If your child must be alone, make sure he’s busy with homework and chores instead of hanging out with friends.

· Know who, what, where and when. Check up on your kids. A cell phone that is only to be used for this purpose can sometimes be effective in keeping track of your child’s whereabouts.

· Ask children to call home or at your place of work at regular intervals whenever possible.

· Spend whatever available time you have left in meaningful pursuits or conversations with your kids. Make them a priority, even if you get home late and feel tired.

· Keep the computer in an open area with little privacy. Always know what activities your child is involved with online. Monitor their television viewing habits.

· Talk to your kids about drugs. If you don’t, somebody else will and that somebody may be the person who introduces your child to drug use.

· Enlist the help of a friendly neighbor or friend who doesn’t mind popping in to check on your child when he’s home alone.

Careful planning along with good communication about your expectations will go a long way in protecting your children from becoming victims of drug use and addiction.

If you have questions about questionable behavior your child is displaying please call one of our drug and alcohol professionals.

1-877-744-3536

Posted in ADD and ADHD medication abuse, Blog post, Counselors Notes, Families | No Comments »

Teenage drug and alcohol abuse

February 24th, 2010 | Author: admin

Is Your Teen Abusing Drugs?

Recognizing addictive behaviors in teens is imperative in order for them to get the help they need. Unfortunately it isn’t always easy. Teenagers tend to be surly, distant and secretive in general. Knowing the difference between normal adolescent developmental behavior and something more sinister can be difficult but it’s not impossible.

School Daze

A sudden and drastic change in behaviors at school is often the first indication that something is wrong. Missing classes or skipping the day entirely, failing grades in students who used to get high marks and becoming disinterested in activities formerly enjoyed may be indicative of drug use.

Poor Health

Lethargy, sleeplessness or sleeping too much, drastic weight loss and lack of appetite can signal trouble in teens. There may be a legitimate medical reason so don’t rule that out altogether. Seek the advice of a physician if your teen exhibits any of these symptoms.

Appearances

Most teens are meticulous about their grooming. If yours suddenly becomes slovenly and unkempt, or goes for days without bathing and grooming, drug use may be to blame. But again, this is also a sign of illness such as depression so be sure to investigate further.

Privacy and Secrecy

Although part of the normal development of adolescents, extremely guarding their privacy and intentionally keeping you out of the loop could be signs of drug use. A sudden change in friends and the withdrawal from family members and activities and drastic changes in behavior are clear signs that something is up.

Money

Teen drug users often ask for more money but give very lame reasons why they need it. You may also notice money and valuable items missing from places that were previously safe to keep them. It isn’t difficult for a teen to pawn valuables in order to get money to buy drugs.

If you suspect your teenager is using drugs it’s important that you enlist the help of healthcare professionals trained to deal with drug abuse in young people. Time is of the essence and putting it off will only make it harder for him to recover fully. It’s not easy for a parent to admit her teen has a drug problem, but denying it could be fatal.

Finding help for teen age drug abuse

Finding the right Rehabilitation Center for a teenager is not something to take lightly; you need honest information from a professional addiction counselor that has experience in this area.

For help finding teenage addiction treatment please call us today; 1-877-744-3536

Posted in Blog post, Counselors Notes, Families, The nature of addiction | No Comments »

Crack-Just One Hit

January 25th, 2010 | Author: admin

Crack – Just One Hit

When I was 41 years old I was a successful businessman, I had a nice house, two new cars a great wife and a fifteen year old son. I had a job that most people could only dream of and a salary to match. I had drank a lot back in my twenties but never let it get out of control, my family has a history of alcoholism and that was always in the back of my mind, so I always controlled my drinking. To say I was a control freak is putting it mildly; I was in control of every aspect of my life from the time I got up in the morning to when I closed my eyes at night. I was for the most part a “stick in the mud” in most people’s opinion, but I was okay with that, I had a plan and I was sticking to it. At that point I was on track to retire by the age of 50 and spend the rest of my life in a sunny place with a lot of golf courses.

I often traveled for business and as with most business; entertainment was always part of closing the deal. This usually meant going to a bar drinking a little too much and going back to the hotel room and waking up hung-over and being pissed at myself for not controlling myself better. One night after a large closing I was invited out with a group of clients to celebrate, the celebration went late into the night and I had let myself drink way too much, someone offered a line of coke and I did not even think it through I just took it. A short time later a crack pipe came out, honestly I looked at it like okay which end do I put in my mouth, I had no idea how the process even worked. Well, someone was “nice enough” to show me the way a crack pipe worked and I took a big virgin lung hit of what turned out to be really pure crack………the first thought that came to mind after the rush slowed enough for me to think was… I want more… right now.

Many people say that you can become addicted to crack from just one hit, well I am here to tell you it is true. One hit of crack brought me down a road I never thought my life would go down. From losing my job, my wife, the house, the cars and nearly my life.. within 3 years it was all gone, all because of that first hit. I could tell you stories of the money I spent or the paranoia and the shame and guilt that come with crack addiction, but it would not make sense to someone that has not been there, and if you have been there you already know the feeling of total hopelessness. When the money is gone and everything else that you have worked so hard to achieve in your life and all you can think of is how do I get more crack. I have to get more crack just to kill these thoughts in my head. I need to get high just one more time.

Crack addiction is an addiction that needs long term rehabilitation, the thoughts of that first high will remain with you forever, but with the right drug rehabilitation center you can learn how to live a normal productive life without the drug. My family picked me up from my lowest point and brought me to a Rehabilitation Center 6 years ago, I was there for nearly 4 months. Slowly I am rebuilding my life only this time by helping others not by controlling others. Drug Rehabilitation was not something I ever thought I would need in my life but one hit of crack changed everything.

If you need help or if you know someone that does contact the number below and let them guide you to the best “Drug Rehabilitation Center” for your needs, the same way they did my family.

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

Posted in Blog post, Club Drugs, Counselors Notes, Families, Intervention, The nature of addiction | Tags: Addiction, addiction rehailitation, Alcoholism, crack | No Comments »

When to seek professional help

January 15th, 2010 | Author: admin

When to seek Professional Advice

The world of drug and alcohol addiction is a confusing place, and for some reason people think that talking to friends, family members, clergy or even their hair dresser is the best source of information when looking for addiction rehab help. Even if these people have had some sort of addiction experience in the past it does not mean they know what is best for your loved one. There are many different methods of addiction rehab and there is not one that is right for everyone. If you had someone with cancer in your family would you trust these same people to help you make the decision on where to get the best cancer treatment; or would you seek professional help. Of course you would go to a professional and let them guide you to the best treatment plan for your specific needs.

Over the past ten years as the addiction epidemic has grown Addiction Rehabilitation Centers have been opening up all over the U.S., in many cases these programs are nothing more than a way to make big money for the owners. They will incorporate the lowest cost methods of treatment, such as group meetings where 15 individuals are grouped together with 1 counselor. This method offers a very low success rate for long term sobriety but they are very low cost, so the program can make the most profit. These addiction rehabs have very qualified sales people working their phones and they will make you feel very comfortable about the center, only after you spend thousands of dollars do you realize your loved one is not getting the help promised.

Many times people will talk to other families that have had a loved one in an Addiction Rehabilitation Center; their family member is still sober after x number of years, so they think it must be a good Rehabilitation Center. They send their loved one into that same program; only, upon completion of the program their loved one relapses almost immediately. Every person has their own specific needs; what worked for one is not right for everyone. A Professional Addiction Counselor can assess your loved one and make recommendations to the best Addiction Treatment Centers based on their specific needs.

To find the best Addiction Rehab Help you need to speak with an unbiased addiction professional that has the knowledge of what programs and methods of treatment are available, not only in your home town or even home state but a across the country.

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

Posted in Alcoholism, Blog post, Counselors Notes, Families, Intervention, Legal and Dangerous, Process Addiction, Special Needs Addiction Rehab | Tags: addiction rehab, alcohol rehab, drug rehab, rehabilitation | No Comments »

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Addiction

January 11th, 2010 | Author: admin

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

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Addiction

Many people are exposed to high levels of trauma on a near daily basis, Doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen, people in the military and paramedics all fall into this category. Addiction Rehabilitation Help for such individuals that suffer from PTSD can be tricky.

What makes drug rehab for professionals such as this so difficult is that their very careers contribute to their desire to self medicate. Think of the emergency room of a hospital and how stressful the environment can be to doctors and nurses. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is common among healthcare workers and other professionals because they are exposed to the very worst of human tragedies; and they are exposed very often.

Not only is alcohol and substance abuse a worrisome occurrence among these professionals; it’s a threat to public safety. An impaired surgeon or nurse could theoretically injure or accidentally kill a patient if under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Those who rescue others in danger likewise could make a serious mistake that could cost civilian lives. Impaired police officers and firefighters for example have to make quick decisions at times. When under the influence public safety is threatened.

Accessibility might make treatment difficult for people with PTSD. Healthcare professionals for example have access and it’s not uncommon for their peers to “look the other way” or to even enable them to use drugs. Doctors can write prescriptions for other doctors and nurses and so forth. Not to mention that although inventory is taken regularly, small amounts missing might not be noticed or even recorded. Also people diagnosed with PTSD are able to get many different prescriptions from their medical professionals such as anxiety medication that are very addictive as well.

What is the best drug rehab or drug addiction treatment for these professionals? By far the best strategy is individualized treatment that begins early after a particularly traumatic event. Since substance abuse and addiction starts out very slowly and progresses over time with such professionals the best cure, so to speak, is prevention. When counseling is sought early on, many of the pitfalls can be avoided that plague those who never received specialized counseling after experiencing traumatic events.

More than one type of treatment strategy may be needed in order to cover the broad scope of events and issues that face those in healthcare and other public service careers. PTSD is a complex disorder that, if left untreated for long, can take many years to overcome and often leads to drug addiction. In the cases that lead to addiction, addiction rehab treatment is absolutely necessary, not only to save the professional who is addicted, but also for the welfare of those who they interact with every day.

PTSD is not limited to these professionals; many people have suffered tragic events in their lives from abuse to accidents, events such as this can also lead to PTSD. Finding the right Addiction Rehab Center for someone with PTSD is critical, not all rehab centers deal with the individual needs of each addict. For more information on PTSD and Addiction Rehab Help please call and speak to an addiction counselor today.

Call 1-877-744-3536

Or fill in the form below and a professional addiction counselor will contact you.

Posted in Alcoholism, Blog post, Club Drugs, Counselors Notes, Families, Heroin addiction, Intervention, Process Addiction, Special Needs Addiction Rehab, The nature of addiction, Treatment, prescription Drugs | 1 Comment »

Adamant Denial

June 15th, 2009 | Author: admin

Adamant Denial

When dealing with a loved one addicted to drugs or alcohol you will undoubtedly experience adamant denial from the addict. The addict will minimize or deny any use of drugs or alcohol with such sincerity that you find yourself questioning whether or not you are mistaken. “I don’t use drugs. I did before, but not now. A doctor prescribes my medication. I’m not that bad. I don’t need rehab. I’m not a junkie. I don’t drink every day. I can quit anytime I want to, I just don’t want to right now. That stuff was not mine; I was just holding it for a friend. I am fine, everything is OK. There is no problem”. All addicts become master manipulators and will do their best to stop these uncomfortable conversations and any other confrontations that may come up. The alcoholic or drug addict needs to find a way to get back to his or her comfort zone and adamant denial is the easiest way.

Addiction Rehab Help has counselors ready to answer your questions any time you call. If you think a loved one has a problem with Drugs or Alcohol but they are adamantly denying it give us a call, we can help you sort it out and show you how to find the real answers to how bad the situation really is. We can also help you find the best Drug or Alcohol Rehabilitation Center for their specific needs, or talk to you about interventions

Addiction Rehab Help – 1-877-744-3536

Posted in Alcoholism, Blog post, Club Drugs, Counselors Notes, Families, Heroin addiction, Intervention, Special Needs Addiction Rehab, The nature of addiction, Treatment, prescription Drugs | Tags: Adamant Denial | No Comments »

Alcoholism Blog

May 26th, 2009 | Author: admin

Bolg on Alcoholism starting 6-01-09

If you have comments on this subject feel free to leave a post anytime.

Posted in Blog post, Uncategorized | Tags: 12 steps, alcohol, alcoholic, alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholism, families of alcoholics | 1 Comment »