Addiction and Recovery Articles

Fear as a friend not an enemy nnnWhat we are really saying when we have fears or doubts is not that we are scared of getting hurt. Not that we are unable to do it but the real reason is we feel nn‘we cannot handle it’nnSome fear is pure instinct and keeps us out of danger but the majority, the part that hold us back from achieving what we want is due mainly to our conditioning. Have you ever heard a mother or father shout out to their child as they go off to school "Take

Addictions are a worldwide phenomenon adversely affecting the lives of millions across all geographical boundaries and cultures. At a personal level, people’s lives are destroyed by their addictions and their loved ones also suffer the trauma from the negative ripple effect.nn Causes of addictive behaviors according to modern science nThere is no consensus as to the etiology, prevention and treatment of addictive disorders. Many people consider addictions as ‘diseases,’

Healing Challenges In Relationships

As a counselor both in class and online alcohol awareness classes I always discuss how many alcoholic beverages and what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) each of my students had when they were arrested. It is important for people to realize how alcohol affects their mind and their body and to understand what is happening as they drink and continue to drink. Maintaining a conscious reminder of the how alcohol affects your body could mean the difference between life and death!

First of all lets understand what is positive thinking. Positive thinking only means approaching life with a positive outlook. That being said it does not mean you have to ignore potentially harmful situation that can impact your life adversely. The individuals with positive thinking do not allow negative events in their life to hold them back or prevent them from enjoying life. They take life as it comes. They don’t grumble or resort to saying poor me, poor me. They deal with life challenges with courage and maturity. They understand the futility in being negative or pessimistic.

My passion in looking at men and trauma comes primarily from my personal experience as a young boy, first growing up in a violent alcoholic home and then having to deal with the impact of that trauma long into my thirties — and long into my sobriety. I still have vivid memories sitting on the top stair outside of my parents’ bedroom, hearing my mother screaming and crying as I was trying to get up the nerve to open the door or bang on it, once they/he had finally gotten smart enough to lock it.

In order to cease an addiction such as smoking, drinking or using drugs, a person needs to go through foreseeable stages of change. Following on from Prochaska and DiClemente’s founding research in 1982, these stages of change have been extensively scientifically validated. It is unusual for a person to able to cease their addiction successfully after only passing through these stages once. In most cases there are a number of attempts at change before ceasing for good. Like

Do you have a loved one that is addicted to alcohol? If your answer was ‘yes’, you have now made a positive step in helping them overcome their alcohol addiction. In this article, we’ll tell you how to help an alcoholic and also provide you with some guidelines on what treatment is best for your loved one. But first, let’s define alcohol addiction. What is Alcohol Addiction?

John was addicted to Norco (a pain pill that contains hydrocodone the same opiate pain killer found in Vicodin), taking up to 30 daily. He started drinking heavily to cope with the feelings he would get when he could not get enough Norco. Things finally collapsed when the police stopped him while driving intoxicated. He was sent to a hospital for three days to "detox" off his pills and alcohol and then referred to "rehab" for a 2 week stay. While there he participated in grou

If you have an addiction to a substance, drugs or alcohol, you may often wonder what the benefits of a rehab are and why you should go to rehab for treatment. It takes a lot of courage to decide to get treatment. It means that you have accepted that you have a substance addiction, which you cannot handle on your own, and you need to get treatment for it. Rehab centers understand that you may be scared of what will happen when you decide to call them for treatment. They unders

Are you asking yourself ‘when is alcohol treatment needed?’ The fact that you are asking this question indicates that there could be a problem at hand. In this article, we’ll tell you how you to determine when alcohol treatment is needed. Knowing the Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction It’s quite common for an alcoholic to see the damage that their drinking is causing to their health and well being, yet they still will deny that there’s a problem present.

Can't fall asleep? Toss and turn all night? Are you so anxious about not sleeping that you CAN'T sleep? Millions of us battle sleep deprivation. Most of us occasionally lose sleep, but for others, it's a serious problem. So serious, that you can create physical and emotional problems and ...

It is well-known that trauma and addiction are closely linked. Years of clinical research have demonstrated that many individuals who struggle with addiction report exposure to trauma during the course of their lives. It is not uncommon for those dealing with addictions to have experienced any of the following: prolonged physical, emotional or sexual abuse during childhood, adolescence and/or adulthood; profound neglect; long-term exposure to violence, war or terrorism; and the chronic long-term health problems associated with these things.

Your teen has relapsed. Despite whatever fear, disappointment, and frustration you may feel, you need to remain as calm as possible. Your loved one still needs your support. So, what can you do as a conce ed parent to help them get back on the road to recovery? 1. Envision Relapse as a Setback—Not a Failure

Smoking is a severe addiction. Therefore it is not surprising that most of ex-smokers need more than one attempt to finally quit smoking. This article gives you an overview of the two key factors of sustainably quitting to smoke. Key Factor 1: A Sound Method to Quit Smoking A good method to stop smoking consists of three levels. The initial point is a comprehensive and detailed smoking diagnosis. You need to describe all of your smoking habits. The description of the smoking

A substance abuse evaluation is an assessment of an individual to disce whether the drugs or alcohol use is a problem in the person’s life. There are basically three general categories of using drugs, which are social use, abuse and addiction.r

THE BASICS – “Where it all begins!” In the last decade an explosion has occurred. The Laws of the Universe – the laws of attraction – the laws of abundance are now being made available to the masses. An electrical current is running through the planet as a plethora of information reaches the mainstream in a new way. Workshops offered by Esther Hicks who brings forth the group of Light Beings called ABRAHAM and J.Z. Knight who channels a being referred to as RAMTHA are being attended by the thousands.

When people talk about abandonment, or fear of abandonment, they often feel it is something that either happened to them, or what happens to other people in childhood, often without a really clear sense of what it might mean. There is some truth in this interpretation of abandonment, but its long-term effects, as well as its initial impact can have a much more powerful impact on people than they realise.

According to statistics for first marriages listed as “very happy,” there has been a decrease from over half in 1976 to a little more than a third in 1996. I recently attended a conference where the presenter stated “half of marriages end in divorce, while another third of the remaining are ...

Often when potential students contact me looking for an alcohol awareness class, they aren’t sure the length of course they should enroll in. Our alcohol awareness classes, for example, come in 8 hour, 16 hour and 24 hour lengths. These are also called our Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 classes. How to choose the right class

The Five Keys The Five Keys to freedom and recovery 1. I admit to constructing a “Core Belief System” that does not supported me living through my Artistic Self, my authenticity. 2. I commit to exploring my “Core Belief System” and come to an understanding of the beliefs that support my ...

Anyone in recovery desires several things. You want to remain free of the drug you had been using and you want to alleviate the negative physical and emotional conditions that were created by that addiction. Hopefully, you also want to lead a healthier life in general. In order to move along a new path in life in which you are becoming and staying healthier, you must not only stay free of your previous substance abuse, but you should live in a more wholesome manner, one that

In The Functioning Alcoholic: Gaps in Functioning I argued that doing one’s job is not one’s only function in life. For the alcoholic to consider himself to be “functioning” he has to function in various areas of life, not just on the job. In Can the Functioning Alcoholic Last?: Part Three I tackle the issue of using the term “functioning” when the alcohol leads to an early death. Abandoned Dreams and Under-achievement

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR MOST EFFECTIVE DRUG OR ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAM (A Chapter from “AA Not the Only Way” By Melanie Solomon http://www.aanottheonlyway.com Note: This is NOT a free product. You do not have the right to give it away or sell it without proper written consent from the author. The product is copyright © by Melanie Solomon. No part of this product may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any other means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written consent of the copyright holder.

Intervention means to interfere in the affairs of another person in order to bring about a positive change. The common use today in the mental health field is to interfere in life of a person who is in a self-destructive cycle. Most of the time, the self destructive cycle has to do with habitual use of alcohol or drugs, yet it could also be self-destructive behaviors such as overeating, gambling and compulsive sexual behavior. If a person is in a self-destructive cycle they will be intervened upon at some point by the legal system, financial institution, employer, spouse or the grave.

Members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) generally assert that their use of alcohol is out of control and that even one drink is too many. AA espouses total abstinence from alcohol for life. But is it possible for a person who has abused alcohol to gradually cut back on their use of alcohol and reach a point where they can handle a drink or two without losing control? There are many who say that tapering off alcohol is indeed possible and has been accomplished by many people. Is

Personal development is a linear progression where we are always striving to better our self. We begin life vulnerable and dependent on our caregivers. We progress to become independent and strike out at the world on our own. As we mature further, we realize that we cannot take on the world alone and learn to become interdependent working in harmony with those around us. The goal of development is to reach a state of interdependence, where we are self aware enough to understand that there is strength in developing strong relations with those around us.

I was recently invited to speak at an event in the same small Virginia town where I started my recovery journey and had the chance to be with some of the people with whom I first got sober 17 years ago. There were the guys I called the Fantastic Four: my first sponsor, my first best friend in sobriety, the man who taught me how to say “Hi” to other people, and the man who had what I wanted. And there were the incredible women—especially Mama T and all the adopted grandmas.

Originally this article was entitled “Being Happy.” But “Being” seems more appropriate. We are caught in an endless strive to be happy. We want to increase our pleasure and decrease our negative emotions. This article will discuss ways to accomplish this, while at the same time not neglecting ...

Chubby Hubby doesn't even have to answer that one. He better not! The worst part is that we know the answer. In our hearts that dress is perfect for the big event. We also have eyes, and can see our B and B, (butt and belly) is not. Here we go again with the time-honored solution - the crash ...

rnhttp://www.addictsfriend.com/tara-m---me-and-my-recovery.php rnby: Tara M. Me And My Recovery rn rnThe last week has been a very busy week. The school semester is winding down, and finals are here. The pressure I put on myself is so great, today I hold myself to a higher standard. And it is because of who I once was and where I’ve been. ......Yesterday I was reminded of these things as I drove down the street. I saw someone carrying all their stuff and looking lost. Not k

As a substance abuse counselor I have worked with many clients who were on the fence about their addiction. They would have some issues in their life that made then think they were addicted but they would also have some reasons why they couldn't be addicted. I have found it helpful to explore various ways to help them get off the fence and let go of any possibility that they might not be addicted. Denial is expected in alcoholics and addicts. I have met many Jack Whinery, homesteader, repairing fence whi...professionals that complained about a client in denial.

Self-improvement has become something of a mantra and a watchword for a vast industry that has grown up around it in the last 30 perhaps 40 years. A lot of the self-improvement industry has flourished in the last 10 or 15 years with the growth of the Internet. Perhaps an inevitable consequence of the growth of the web, has been a freedom for people to peddle whatever wares they like online, alongside a lot of highly reputable and good sources of information.

To first understand opioid addiction, you must first understand what opioids are. The term opioid refers to any drug or chemical that attaches (like a key fits into a lock) to sites in the brain called opioid receptors. The human body makes its own opioids (called endorphins) but the opioids we are conce ed with when we talk about opioid addiction are those that are manufactured in a laboratory or made by plants. For instance, morphine and codeine are found in the extract (the opium) of seeds from the poppy plant, and this opium is processed into heroin.

Everyone feel anxious from time to time, especially if his life is stressful, but, if he has an anxiety that is going out of control and interfere with your ability to function and relationships and makes it hard to enjoy life, he may have generalized anxiety disorder. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it. Symptomsr Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms can vary in combination and severity. They can include:r

Children should be able to trust their parent completely. This is a person who, usually, helped bring them into the world. But what happens when the parent is suffering from an addiction? Addiction doesn’t just affect the addict . It has far-reaching effects, many of which impact children and the relationship a child has with their parent. Here are 5 ways addiction can harm that relationship. 1. Decreased Trust Parents are supposed to be protectors, but someone who is strug

Choosing the right clinician for your needs is a complicated matter. There are some simple steps to begin heading in the right direction. It is important to understand your needs and what you are looking for. There are several different types of clinicians in the helping profession. I want to ...

Everything that has an impact on us from within or without is stressful. Heat, light, sound, job and relationship expectations, change, etc. all create a certain amount of stress. Only when this stress builds to the point of DISTRESS within an individual is the FEAR (Fight- ...

Most of the men I’ve talked to over the years in the journey through recovery can identify some point in their lives when they realized it was not okay to express certain feelings or behaviors, especially if those feelings showed weakness, vulnerability or sensitivity. Crying above all was strictly discouraged. They also learned—sometimes through everyday interactions with other men but frequently because of abuse or traumatic experiences—that the only appropriate way to express things like fear, hurt, rejection or sadness was through the conduit of anger and violence.

Determining the right time for drug and alcohol treatment is different for each person. Some individuals will go and get help as soon as they feel like they're developing a problem. Others seek treatment when they feel they're becoming dependent on drugs or alcohol to cope with life. Still, others will have to hit rock bottom before they become willing to get help. Many people fall somewhere in the middle. The problem with addictions is every one is different. Each person has their own set of circumstances that's unique to them, and that makes it difficult to judge their situation.

Many people find taking liquor a pleasant way to relax and beat stress. It has become an acceptable and common practice to take booze at social gatherings. There is a very fine line between drinking at parties, occasions and alcohol abuse. Many people cross this line, without even knowing that there drinking habit has turned into an addiction. Excessively drinking can cause physical and mental damage to the drinker as well as adversely affect people around him. Mild drinks d

The conscious awareness that we are ill and lack health, happiness and energy does not necessarily mean that we are ready, willing and able, at an unconscious level, to ask for and receive the health, energy and life changes that our Healing would bring about. Many individuals more safely manipulate, through their lack of energy and illness, the love, attention and support they desire and, in addition, protect themselves from any responsibility, failure and the expectation of others.

Anyone ever hear of Robert Muller? I hadn't until I just happened to catch him on a "Great Conversations" show. Muller used to be a Deputy to the Secretary General of the UN. He's been nominated 19 times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Now that's quite an honor. There have been a lot of NPP awards that were definitely more politically motivated than empirically justified. However, I think Muller is the real deal in the Peace Prize arena, and he should have gotten it. I don't agree with everything he says.

Oklahoma has long been known for many things, surprising to some, things like football, country music and meth labs. Home to Wiley Post and a few other famous people Oklahoma has a rich history that tells quite a story. From the dust bowl era back in the Great Depression and Oklahoma Land Run. Outlaws and moonshine ran through the backcountry hills and across the sweeping plains. Moonshine stills now being replaced by meth labs. There are more tha 3.5 million people in Oklah

I wrote this comment in response to a writer who raved against addicts for not being held to some standard of getting better, and my take on his article was he was frustrated with the addicts for relapsing in such high numbers, which is true -- and is outrageously expensive. I think there is another reason for all the relapsing, however, and that yes I agree, something needs to be done about it. Anyhow, the comment was too long to be accepted so here it is: Dear XYZ:r

Shyness is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a social phobia. Depending on the degree of introversion they have, some people may actually find that it can be debilitating, depriving them of a healthy social life. It not only affects their relationships, it also affects their careers, keeping ...

Sam has been charged with impaired driving twice. He drinks every weekend and he drinks a lot. His wife and other family members report that his personality changes when he drinks and he becomes mean. The next day he can’t remember much of what happened when he was drinking.

There’s no doubt that Alcoholics Anonymous has become a huge part of the world of addiction recovery since its founding in 1935. The 12-step program is designed to lead members to a spiritual awakening to achieve sobriety. Many programs – including those operated by Pyramid Healthcare – incorporate the teachings and tenets of Alcoholics Anonymous into the care that they provide. In some cases, inpatient facilities will host AA meetings on-site, or transport clients to off-site meetings in the community.

One who, as a result of having an attachment to a chemical, a person, an emotional state, or to anything else, ends up consistently behaving or living in a manner that he or she begins to view as “destructive,” which means in a manner inconsistent with his or her ideals or goals, has been called an “addict.” Similarly, one who not only develops an attachment to a chemical, a person, an emotional state, or to anything else, but who also tends to do this on more than on

Asia has one of the best alcohol rehabs in the world i.e. DARA (Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Asia). Asia's rehabs offer private, professional and world-class rehab treatment programs. Asia is a favorite destination for English speaking clients because of Asia's central location among many other reasons discussed below. 1. Asia offers the most cost effective medical services in the world: One of the main reasons why many people prefer to go for alcohol rehab in Asia is becaus