It can be unnerving and uncomfortable to confront a friend or loved one about a drinking problem. Basically it comes down to approaching the alcoholic and telling them how their drinking has affected everyone around them. The main purpose of an intervention is to get the individual to go into a treatment program. However, alcoholics have a tendency to deny their problems and get angry when others are critical of their drinking. Therefore, the intervention should be carefully planned before it is initiated.
An important aspect of planning is the element of surprise. An alcoholic should not be alerted about what will take place. If they find out in advance, they will likely already have their defense planned upon arrival. Prior to the intervention, you should bring 3-8 people together who are willing to learn how to help. Have a preparatory meeting to discuss important factors of the intervention. Everyone should bring a letter that is addressed to the alcoholic explaining the negative consequences caused by their drinking, the way their drinking has affected them, and the attempts they have made in the past to help. In the meeting, everyone can discuss these letters and edit anything that conveys anger, blame, or judgment.
It is imperative that you research and have information to present on a chosen treatment center. Plus, it's highly recommended to plan for a professional intervention counselor to be present. Often they can be provided by the treatment center and are able to answer any questions the alcoholic might have regarding his/her recovery. Next, identify any objections your friend or family member may have with the intervention and rehearse your responses. The chairman of the meeting should create a script for the opening and closing statements. Plus, every detail from where to discreetly park cars to the order in which the letters are read, should be predetermined.
Arrangements should be made for an alcoholic to enter an inpatient rehab immediately following the intervention. This means that a bag should be packed, travel arrangements made, and all loose ends taken care of. Make sure the treatment facility is expecting the new admission and let them know when the alcoholic has agreed to receive help. All letters from the intervention should go to the addiction counselor who will be overseeing the new patients treatment. Once your friend or loved one is in recovery, sign up for family programs like Al-Anon that will help you understand the disease and the recovery.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Alcohol Addiction
Nearly 14 million Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder. Alcohol addiction is a serious disease, affecting the lives of these 14 million and the people around them. More than 100,000 U.S deaths are caused by alcohol consumption each year. This statistic account for direct death by alcohol poisoning, as well as indirect causes including impaired driving, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer, falls, and strokes. Alcohol addiction is estimated to reduce ones life expectancy by 10-12 years. Awareness need to be raised about the dangers of alcohol addiction and how to avoid it.
About 90% of the U.S. population are drinkers. Although alcohol is necessary to develop alcoholism, there are other risk factors that help predict the development of addiction. The quantity, quality, and regularity of alcohol consumption all play a role in the likelihood of developing the disease. However, other risk factors include genetic predisposition, depression, mental health, social environment, ethnicity, age and gender. Alarmingly, about 40% of those who begin drinking before the age of 14, will have a problem with alcohol abuse.
Due to the nature of alcohol being a social drug, at times an addict can be hard to detect. However, there are a number of psychological signs that are highly indicative of a problem. Anti-social behavior, blaming others for one's problems, withdrawal from family and friends, anger, anxiety, depression, mood swings, loss of interest in regular activities, preoccupation with alcohol, changes in friends, and using alcohol to calm nerves or relieve a hangover, are all things that might be considered warning signs of alcoholism.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, seek professional advice. Addicts are often defensive when confronted about their drinking and may need a formal intervention. Recovery centers and treatment groups exist all over the world to provide behavioral therapies and support to those who are fighting the disease. Although, alcohol addiction can be dangerous to the body and mind, with the right alcohol treatment, there can be a successful recovery.
About 90% of the U.S. population are drinkers. Although alcohol is necessary to develop alcoholism, there are other risk factors that help predict the development of addiction. The quantity, quality, and regularity of alcohol consumption all play a role in the likelihood of developing the disease. However, other risk factors include genetic predisposition, depression, mental health, social environment, ethnicity, age and gender. Alarmingly, about 40% of those who begin drinking before the age of 14, will have a problem with alcohol abuse.
Due to the nature of alcohol being a social drug, at times an addict can be hard to detect. However, there are a number of psychological signs that are highly indicative of a problem. Anti-social behavior, blaming others for one's problems, withdrawal from family and friends, anger, anxiety, depression, mood swings, loss of interest in regular activities, preoccupation with alcohol, changes in friends, and using alcohol to calm nerves or relieve a hangover, are all things that might be considered warning signs of alcoholism.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, seek professional advice. Addicts are often defensive when confronted about their drinking and may need a formal intervention. Recovery centers and treatment groups exist all over the world to provide behavioral therapies and support to those who are fighting the disease. Although, alcohol addiction can be dangerous to the body and mind, with the right alcohol treatment, there can be a successful recovery.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Utah Drug Rehab
Alcohol and substance abuse is a growing problem nationwide and therefore so is the need for drug treatment centers. Utah is not excluded from this growing problem. For the past few years Utah has ranked among the top in per capita drug use, specifically in addiction to prescription pain medications. Because we have had several inquiries about what drug rehab options are available in Utah we will highlight a few in this post.
Gathering Place - This drug treatment center is located in Orem, UT and specialize in substance abuse treatment as an outpatient service to adolescents, men, women, pregnant/postpartum women, and DUI offenders. For more information contact them at 801-226-2255.
Southwest Center - Offers a number of outpatient drug treatment facilities across Southern Utah including Cedar City, St. George, Panguitch, and Kanab. Some facilities offer non-hospital residential (24 hour) however, most are outpatient. Their services are offered on a sliding fee scale, payment assistance is available, and most insurances accepted. Special programs available for co-occuring mental and substance abuse disorders, women, men, and DUI offenders. Click on "Southwest Center" above to choose a facility for contact information.
Blue Skies Recovery Center - Is an outpatient substance abuse recovery center, located in Ogden, Utah. They offer special programs for youth, co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, gay and lesbian, seniors (older adults), women, and DWI offenders. Accept many insurances including military and VA. Fees are based on a sliding scale. Call (801) 392-8900 for more information.
Utah also offers special drug rehabs for some Indian reservations and have residential treatment facilities across the state. If you do not find what you are looking for here, or need information on drug rehabs in any other state you can find more information at 4drugrehab.com.
Gathering Place - This drug treatment center is located in Orem, UT and specialize in substance abuse treatment as an outpatient service to adolescents, men, women, pregnant/postpartum women, and DUI offenders. For more information contact them at 801-226-2255.
Southwest Center - Offers a number of outpatient drug treatment facilities across Southern Utah including Cedar City, St. George, Panguitch, and Kanab. Some facilities offer non-hospital residential (24 hour) however, most are outpatient. Their services are offered on a sliding fee scale, payment assistance is available, and most insurances accepted. Special programs available for co-occuring mental and substance abuse disorders, women, men, and DUI offenders. Click on "Southwest Center" above to choose a facility for contact information.
Blue Skies Recovery Center - Is an outpatient substance abuse recovery center, located in Ogden, Utah. They offer special programs for youth, co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, gay and lesbian, seniors (older adults), women, and DWI offenders. Accept many insurances including military and VA. Fees are based on a sliding scale. Call (801) 392-8900 for more information.
Utah also offers special drug rehabs for some Indian reservations and have residential treatment facilities across the state. If you do not find what you are looking for here, or need information on drug rehabs in any other state you can find more information at 4drugrehab.com.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Chemical Dependency
The term chemical dependency refers to an illness or a disease that involves an addiction to alcohol or drugs. It can be used interchangeably to describe the physical aspect of addiction, the psychological aspect, or both. Sometime people see an individual suffering from a chemical dependency and do not understand the magnitude of the disease. They may believe the diseased person should “just quit,” and then everything would be fine. However, chemical dependency is a deeply rooted problem and often the body becomes unable to function normally without the addictive substance it has grown accustomed to.
The body is an amazing machine that is able to auto-regulate in order to maintain homeostasis, or a natural balance. Most of our body's psychological conditions/moods are controlled by hormones acting upon neurotransmitters to produce a desired effect. However, when foreign substances are introduced through alcohol and drugs, it interrupts the chemical balances in the body, mainly those of dopamine and serotonin. The body will produce less of its own natural auto-regulating hormones as a response. When an addict discontinues or reduces their amount of alcohol or drug use, the body, which has adjusted to functioning on the foreign substance will react poorly. It may go into a state of withdrawal, feeling extreme agitation and possibly experiencing physical symptoms of illness. This is because a chemical dependency has occurred and the drug is needed for the user's body to respond appropriately to normal stimulus.
In addition to a very real physiological dependence that occurs with alcohol and drug addiction, there is a psychological component of the addicts behavior cycle. DNA studies have shown that certain genes can make one individual more likely to exhibit addictive patterns of behavior than another. Cravings for a substance that the mind has come to rely on can be very strong for an addict. Each time they use, they reinforce this pattern of behavior that becomes more and more difficult to break. All addicts need behavioral therapy in order to recover from the disease of chemical dependency and return to a normal existence.
The body is an amazing machine that is able to auto-regulate in order to maintain homeostasis, or a natural balance. Most of our body's psychological conditions/moods are controlled by hormones acting upon neurotransmitters to produce a desired effect. However, when foreign substances are introduced through alcohol and drugs, it interrupts the chemical balances in the body, mainly those of dopamine and serotonin. The body will produce less of its own natural auto-regulating hormones as a response. When an addict discontinues or reduces their amount of alcohol or drug use, the body, which has adjusted to functioning on the foreign substance will react poorly. It may go into a state of withdrawal, feeling extreme agitation and possibly experiencing physical symptoms of illness. This is because a chemical dependency has occurred and the drug is needed for the user's body to respond appropriately to normal stimulus.
In addition to a very real physiological dependence that occurs with alcohol and drug addiction, there is a psychological component of the addicts behavior cycle. DNA studies have shown that certain genes can make one individual more likely to exhibit addictive patterns of behavior than another. Cravings for a substance that the mind has come to rely on can be very strong for an addict. Each time they use, they reinforce this pattern of behavior that becomes more and more difficult to break. All addicts need behavioral therapy in order to recover from the disease of chemical dependency and return to a normal existence.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Drug Abuse and Drug Rehab Treatment, New Statistics
With the recent celebrity deaths of Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, and Brittany Murphy and all the controversy over what part possible drug addictions may have played in these deaths, drug addiction and drug treatment programs are in the limelight again. Recent statistics from the US National Institute on Drug Abuse show that meth use is down amongst teens but that proscription drug abuse and marijuana abuse remain high. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse nearly half of all 12th grade students have used some type of illicit drug.
The problem isn't just that they are trying these drugs but that there is a common misbelief that prescription drugs aren't dangerous. Many teens believe that because these are "legal" drugs they are safe and wont cause any major problems. What they don't realize is that these drugs are only "legal" when taken by the person to whom they were prescribed and according to the specific instructions defined by the prescribing physician. Taken by anyone else or under any other circumstances can cause serious, potentially life-threatening, problems.
Part of the reason prescription drugs are becoming the drug of choice amongst teens is because they are so readily available. The majority of teens that have used prescription drugs report getting them from friends or family members, or taking them from a medicine cabinet or purse. Very few actually bought the drugs. Adderall, the drug commonly prescribed for ADHD, has become a big hit amongst teens. Adderall is a type of amphetamine that can cause feelings of exhilaration, increased energy, increased mental alertness, reduced appetite, and weight loss. They can also cause nervousness, irritability, paranoia, aggressiveness, insomnia, and heart failure.
Recent studies show that the U.S. is the leading consumer of painkillers worldwide. The U.S. uses 71% of the world's oxycodone and 99% of the world's hydrocodone, or Vicodin. If you know someone that is abusing any type of drug or if you are worried that you may have an addiction problem, get help now. There are drug treatment centers and drug rehab programs available in every major city nationwide. Don't let this epidemic take your life or the life of someone you love. There is hope and there is help available.
The problem isn't just that they are trying these drugs but that there is a common misbelief that prescription drugs aren't dangerous. Many teens believe that because these are "legal" drugs they are safe and wont cause any major problems. What they don't realize is that these drugs are only "legal" when taken by the person to whom they were prescribed and according to the specific instructions defined by the prescribing physician. Taken by anyone else or under any other circumstances can cause serious, potentially life-threatening, problems.
Part of the reason prescription drugs are becoming the drug of choice amongst teens is because they are so readily available. The majority of teens that have used prescription drugs report getting them from friends or family members, or taking them from a medicine cabinet or purse. Very few actually bought the drugs. Adderall, the drug commonly prescribed for ADHD, has become a big hit amongst teens. Adderall is a type of amphetamine that can cause feelings of exhilaration, increased energy, increased mental alertness, reduced appetite, and weight loss. They can also cause nervousness, irritability, paranoia, aggressiveness, insomnia, and heart failure.
Recent studies show that the U.S. is the leading consumer of painkillers worldwide. The U.S. uses 71% of the world's oxycodone and 99% of the world's hydrocodone, or Vicodin. If you know someone that is abusing any type of drug or if you are worried that you may have an addiction problem, get help now. There are drug treatment centers and drug rehab programs available in every major city nationwide. Don't let this epidemic take your life or the life of someone you love. There is hope and there is help available.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Holidays and Addiction
The holidays can be a great time to have family get-togethers, work parties, opportunities to celebrate, and create holiday cheer. However, the holidays can also be a very stressful, financially difficult, and depressing for some people. For someone who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, or someone who is struggling in their sobriety, the combination of these things can be a recipe for disaster, or at least a time of greater temptation and chance of relapsing. It can be difficult for someone who is struggling with addiction to go to all of these holiday events because of the added stress, pressure, and temptation (when these things are present). It is also tough to go to these functions if they feel they are known as "the drunk" or "the addict". Some may even justify their drinking or drug use during these functions because they feel it is how everyone knows them and others just expect them to be that way. Some may avoid holiday parties all together because they do not want others to feel uncomfortable, or like they cannot serve alcohol at their party because they are aware of a drinking problem or someone's fight for sobriety.
Family and friends of an alcholic or drug addict may also feel extra stress during this time because they are not sure how to address certain situations. It can be difficult on family and friends, of someone who is active in their addiction, to feel like they can have people over without fear of the addict ruining it, or embarrassing them by getting drunk or high and acting inappropriately. Families may also struggle with how to best support their loved one who is struggling with sobriety, especially if they are new to sobriety. They are often faced with decisions like whether it is okay to serve alcohol, it may be what they have traditionally done in the past and they feel their guests expect it, but they want to support their loved one in their sobriety and not be responsible for adding temptation if their loved one relapses.
The holidays do not have to be a time of stress, shame, loneliness, depression, embarrassment, and temptation. If an addicts craving is strong enough, it is not difficult for them to find an excuse to take a drink, or use drugs "just one more time". Don't let the upcoming holidays trigger past addictions. Here are a few helpful hings to insure happy sober holidays:
Family and friends of an alcholic or drug addict may also feel extra stress during this time because they are not sure how to address certain situations. It can be difficult on family and friends, of someone who is active in their addiction, to feel like they can have people over without fear of the addict ruining it, or embarrassing them by getting drunk or high and acting inappropriately. Families may also struggle with how to best support their loved one who is struggling with sobriety, especially if they are new to sobriety. They are often faced with decisions like whether it is okay to serve alcohol, it may be what they have traditionally done in the past and they feel their guests expect it, but they want to support their loved one in their sobriety and not be responsible for adding temptation if their loved one relapses.
The holidays do not have to be a time of stress, shame, loneliness, depression, embarrassment, and temptation. If an addicts craving is strong enough, it is not difficult for them to find an excuse to take a drink, or use drugs "just one more time". Don't let the upcoming holidays trigger past addictions. Here are a few helpful hings to insure happy sober holidays:
- Find strength in whatever you use every other day of the year to remain sober (a song, prayer, exercise, AA meetings, NA meetings, sponsor etc..)
- Communicate with family and friends if you are not feeling especially strong in your sobriety. By letting them know, you will be doing both of you a favor.
- You may find shame or embarrassment from slipping but you won't find shame in asking for a little support.
- Family members can help by taking the focus off of alcoholic beverages. Even where alcohol is being served, drawing emphasis to other activities will help.
- Have alternative non-alcoholic beverages available and avoid asking others why they aren't drinking, you never know their situation.
- If you are feeling stressed, depressed, or weak take some time out and go for a walk or take a nap.
- If you get a craving, try eating something sweet. Cravings for alcohol and drugs effects the same part of the brain that craves sugar.
- Consider taking a supportive friend who is aware of your situation, or someone who has been sober for a while, with you to parties for extra suppport, understanding, and strength.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Kentucky Drug Treatment Centers
Drug abuse is a national problem. Getting help as soon as possible is always best. In this post we will list several centers for substance abuse treatment that are located in Kentucky. If you don't find what you are looking for here please visit 4DrugRehab.com.
Adanta Group - Located in Jamestown, this center offers mental health services along with substance abuse treatment. They offer outpatient care for adolescents, and those with concurrent mental health and substance abuse issues. They offer self payment, Tri Care, Medicaid and private health insurance. For more information please call 1-270-343-2553.
Bluegrass Regional Mental Health - In Versailles, this program offers treatment for substance abuse as well as mental health services. They offer outpatient care for adolescents, those with HIV/AIDS, gay/lesbian, seniors, pregnant/postpartum women, and criminal justice clients. Please call 1-859-873-7316.
Leap, Inc. - This outpatient substance abuse treatment center located in Louisville offers programs for criminal justice clients. They accept self payment and have a sliding fee scale. Please call 1-502-561-0469.
Agape Counseling Services - In Russelville this substance abuse treatment center offers programs for DUI and DWI offenders. They accept self payment, Tri Care and private health insurance. Please call 1-270-725-8311.
Pathways, Inc. - Located in Morehead, this substance abuse treatment center is for women as well as DUI/DWI offenders. They offer a sliding fee schedule and accept Medicaid. Please call 1-606-784-4161.
North Key Community Care - This center in Newport offers substance abuse treatment as well as mental health services. They have outpatient programs for adolescents, pregnant/postpartum women, and criminal justice clients. They offer a sliding fee scale and they accept Medicaid,, self payment, and private health insurances. Please call 1-859-431-4450.
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