Alternative Treatment Archives - Page 27 of 28

Family Member May Be Struggling with Addiction

Feb092016Feb092016

The Role of Family in Addiction

Alternative Treatment, Articles, Australia, International, Understanding Addiction

Addiction does not only affect the person addicted to drugs, but, it affects all those connected to the one abusing drugs, including their family members and friends. Their family often experiences a great impact and rippling effect from the abuse as well. Family members might feel shame, guilt or anger because of the other person’s drug use. They are also often left to experience the consequences that come from the family member’s drug use as well. Sometimes those abusing drugs may have isolated themselves from their family, the very people that care the most for them, leaving their family members hurt and confused. Even more, sometimes family members can be enabling the drug abuser by helping him, either directly or indirectly, obtain drugs. Regardless of the situation, family typically plays a tremendous role in the drug abuser’s life and can also be extremely beneficial in aiding in their recovery process. Continue reading “The Role of Family in Addiction” →

Feb042016Feb042016

Healing Alcoholism – A Long and Winded Road

Alternative Treatment, Articles, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

The path towards recovery from alcoholism, as any sort of healing, is never easy. And it’s not supposed to be. A quick fix for this sort of problem, as anyone who had encountered addiction knows, never yields solid and durable results. It may even cause more damage than good – the addict and his surrounding faces yet another disappointment when the easy solution doesn’t hold water anymore, and his self-confidence drops, substantiated by examples of failure. Continue reading “Healing Alcoholism – A Long and Winded Road” →

Feb102015Apr252025

A Resort Environment Can be a Bridge to Addiction Recovery

Alternative Treatment, Treatment

The right recovery resort may be the key towards successful addiction recovery. Substance abuse is a life altering issue that causes pain and suffering to the user, their family and their friends. The first step towards getting help is admitting there is a problem. After that initial step, picking the right type of treatment for the individual patient is important. Every person is different and will respond to a different type of environment. Pricing and comfort levels are two of the most important considerations when choosing a recovery resort. The right environment could be the answer towards successful addiction recovery.

Why the Right Environment Matters and How it Helps

There are several things to look for when choosing a resort for recovering from addiction. It is very important to have the most comfortable and welcoming environment for anyone who wants to seek treatment. Often times, mentioning treatment brings an extreme picture of a stark white facility that is unappealing and impersonal. However, a recovery resort presents a warm and welcoming environment that eases the fears for those seeking treatment. The following are the essential services leading towards a more fulfilling life:

With two facilities in Thailand, DARA provides cost effective treatment plans for individuals looking forward towards a second chance at life. DARA supports and works with the 12 step recovery program. For those taking the initial step, the First Step Recovery Program is designed to aid people in taking first steps towards recovery. Additionally, clients can choose between inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. There are benefits and drawbacks to both and experienced staff at DARA can help patients choose the perfect treatment. DARA is the perfect recovery resort with a well-trained professional staff providing a warm, welcoming environment for addiction recovery.

If you, or someone you care about, needs help for a drug or alcohol addiction,
contact us at 1-888-457-3518 US, 0-808-120-3633 UK or 1-800-990-523 AU.
We’re here to help you take that first important step.

Nov192014Jan272016

Findings of the 2014 Global Drug Survey

Alternative Treatment, Education

The largest and most comprehensive survey of contemporary drug use was conducted in the last two months of 2013. Known as the 2014 Global Drug Survey (GDS2014), it has been published in 8 languages and represents data from over 80,000 respondents. Highlights include the following:

Internet access to drugs is increasing, with over 20% respondents from the UK reporting online drug purchases.
Alcohol (91%), tobacco (57%), and cannabis (48%) continue to be the top three drugs among consumers.
Cocaine and MDMA were voted, respectively, the worst and best value for money.
Alcohol was responsible for the largest amount of emergency room visits.
Hangovers at work are a concern for respondents, with Ireland leading the pack at 50% describing it as problematic.
Heavy consumers of alcohol have skewed perceptions about the frequency and amount they drink in terms of what they believe is normal drinking. Regarding this, the study’s authors suggest that drinkers utilize tools like the drinks meter app, which “provides you with instant feedback on your drinking . . . It compares your drinking against the Drinks Meter community to give unbiased, anonymous feedback.”

The study also produced a “Net Pleasure Index,” which aims to investigate the pros and cons, from a consumer perspective, of different drugs. Respondents were asked to rate each of eleven drugs according to a variety of positive and negative metrics. One of the drugs (GHB/GBL) did not appear in the results, and opiates were conspicuously absent from the list. Heading the list with the highest net-positive effect was MDMA, with LSD a close second.

Users were also polled on the effects of cannabis in terms of various criteria and the contrast between the product they have access to and an idealized cannabis that would only produce desired effects. Restlessness, hangover effects, forgetfulness, anxiety over other people’s judgment, and harm to lungs were the main shortcomings of cannabis products that respondents wished to have mitigated.

Nov122014Oct222019

Addiction in Afghanistan: No End in Sight

Alternative Treatment, International

In 2012, Afghanistan produced ninety-five percent of the opium consumed worldwide. This unintended consequence of the US-led war there has numerous ramifications, including a flood of heroin available on all continents, a huge source of funding for the Taliban, and a dire internal problem of addiction. In one province, a man named Abdurahim Mutar sold his sister to fund his habit. His wife medicated their children with opium to keep them quiet, and his mother and brother are also addicted.

Lack of information about opiate addiction, combined with availability of cheap drugs, is part of the reason for the ongoing epidemic. Abdurahim and his wife claim they were not aware of the dangers to their children when they force-fed them opium, saying, “It’s very common here.” He has been addicted for thirteen years, having started when he joined the mujahideen.

It is estimated that Afghanistan has over a million addicts. Treatment options are severely limited, with approximately ten thousand addicts receiving treatment each year. Thirteen out of thirty-four provinces in the nation do not offer any kind of treatment at all. Compounding the issue is the fact of police corruption and a general laxity in enforcement.

Also problematic is the addiction rate in neighboring Iran, which has long been among the world’s highest but also recently has seen a rise in the use of crystal meth. Because Afghanistan has a high rate of unemployment, many Afghanis cross the border into Iran for work, where they are introduced to cheap and readily available opium. In some rural villages, drug use is as high as thirty percent, and the attendant problems—crime, health problems, and zero productivity—continue to erode the war-torn economy and social fabric.

The Taliban, a product of the Russian occupation of the 1980’s, originally opposed drug cultivation on the basis that the Koran forbade the use of any intoxicants. After 9/11 and the beginning of the war in Afghanistan, the Taliban took advantage of the weakness of the new government, corruption, and the fact that opium cultivation was profitable to farmers and tribal leaders, and reversed their stance on the morality of the drug market. The problem persists, intractably, with devastating consequences.