Category: Articles

Definition of alcoholism

Alcoholism – What You Need to Know

Articles, Education, Understanding Addiction

When considering whether or not you have a problem with alcohol, consider the definition of alcoholism. Alcoholism is considered when having difficulty controlling one’s drinking, constantly thinking about consuming alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems in one’s life, needing to increase one’s consumption of alcohol in order to feel the same effects, or experiencing withdrawal symptoms when drinking has ceased.

How do you know if you might be drinking too much?

Consider these signs if think you or a loved one might have a problem with alcohol indulgence:

  • Unable to limit the consumption of alcohol
  • Spending an exaggerated amount of time boozing
  • Unable to complete prior obligations
  • Cutting back on previous activities in order to consume alcohol or needing more swigs in order to have the same effect.
  • A strong need to hit the bottle and the inability to limit oneself when drinking alcohol
  • Not being able to stop oneself after beginning drinking or blacking out from drinking too much
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop drinking is also a sign to consider. An example may be experiencing shaking when trying to stop drinking or when you haven’t had a drink for an extended period of time.

The above are all signs that one might experience when their drinking habits become a problem.

What puts one at risk for developing an addiction to alcohol?

Consistently drinking over time. A family history of drunkenness. If someone in the family has had problems with drinking alcohol, it increases the risk of another family member developing an alcohol addiction. Also, having friends close to you who drink alcohol regularly can increase the risk of alcohol dependence. Drinking alcohol regularly with friends often increases the amount and frequency one consumes alcohol, which increases the likelihood to develop a drinking problem as well. Furthermore, there are genetic links to alcoholism. Moreover, using alcohol over time can change the biology of the brain. Alcohol stimulates the pleasure senses in the brain and over time the pleasure pathways can change creating more and more need to consume alcohol. 

What effects can alcohol intoxication have on one’s life?

When one drinks, he or she has a higher likelihood of being in a car crash, especially while drinking and driving. A drop in performance in work or school can also be related to alcoholism. One who drinks regularly is also at an increased risk for legal trouble. Furthermore, those who become intoxicated are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. One could also develop liver disease, high blood pressure, sexual complications, pregnancy complications, neurological issues and even cancer. Family stress and other family issues are also often present when a family member has a drinking problem.

When can you tell if you need to seek help?

If any of the above information pertains to you or someone you know, even if they do not seem related to drinking dependence, please consider speaking to a professional. Consider your drinking habits and consider your overall health, including your physical and mental health. If you are feeling depressed, anxious or ashamed, it may be time to seek professional help. If drinking is affecting your health, either physically or mentally, seek professional counsel. If your obsession with alcohol is getting in the way of your everyday life or if family and friends are complaining about your misuse of alcohol, consider seeking professional help as well. Furthermore, if your alcohol misuse is getting in the way of your relationships, you may be abusing alcohol and need to seek help for this problem. If consuming alcohol is getting in the way of your work, it may also be time to seek aid from a professional.

What if you think you or a loved one has the symptoms of alcoholism?

Treatment is available. Outpatient counselling is an option for some, but a drug rehabilitation center is appropriate for others. Outpatient and inpatient rehabilitation centers can also help with co-existing mental health problems in addition to aiding you in the recovery of your alcohol problem. Aftercare programs are also important in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle following the initial help you receive. Spirituality is also often an important component to treating alcoholism as many believe this is strongly related to the recovery process. It also may be necessary to change other aspects of your life in order to change your drinking habits as well, such as finding new ways to do things that do not involve the need for alcohol. Treatment is easier for some and harder for others, but seeking help is the first step in the recovery process.

Ice Epidemic

Australian Government spending on ICE epidemic cure

Articles, Australia

In response to the current spate of drug-related deaths and the alarming growth of the nation’s crystal methylamphetamine, or ‘ice’ epidemic, the Australian government has awarded more than $300 million to reduce the abuse and harm of illicit drugs.

An unclassified report investigating methylamphetamine (‘meth’) in Australia by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) found of all illicit drugs, ice is currently the most dominant form of meth and therefore, poses the highest risk to the Australian community. [1] In addition, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre discovered Australian deaths caused by injecting ice have increased by 52 per cent in the past decade. [2]

The rampant nature and scale of ice addiction in Australia, begs the question, what is the solution to this tragic epidemic?

Following the recent drug-induced death of 25 year-old, Sydney pharmacist, Sylvia Choi and a 19-year-old man, Stefan Woodward, both of whom took illicit drugs at local music festivals, the Federal Government has announced it will allocate more than $300 million to battle the ice epidemic threatening the lives of Australians.

This grant comes shortly after the Government awarded the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) more than $1 million to conduct Australia’s largest clinical trial of medical treatment for “ice” addiction to date.

In an interview reported by ABC News, the Australian Prime Minister, The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, cited “The responsibility for tackling this very complex problem can’t be left to the police alone.” [3]

Turnbull explained arresting addicts is not enough, and claimed the funding would be allocated to primary health networks.

“We believe that the medical and healthcare professionals who are closest to the people in need, are best able to determine how the money is spent.”

In an opinion piece published by The Border Mail, Sydney lawyer, Tim Dick claimed the Australian imprisonment rate had doubled in the past 30 years and there are currently 196 people in full-time custody for every 100,000 adult Australians. [4]

The government has recognised an integrated approach must be implemented, focusing on the treatment, intervention and prevention of harm as the main way to reduce drug addiction, rather than investing in the policing of addicts. [5]

In terms of how to solve the raging debate involving the ice epidemic gripping Australia, there may be no single solution. Goverment measures and heightened community awareness however, should help make substantial in-roads into curbing this social scourge.

 

[1] Australian Crime Commission 2015, ‘The Australian Methylamphetamine Market – The National Picture,’ vol.1, no.1, p.5, https://www.crimecommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/AUS-METH-%20MARKET-%20200315%20FINAL.pdf, accessed December 11, 2015

[2] Downey, M 2015, National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, ‘Methamphetamine deaths increase across Australia and ice use jumps by 52 per cent among people who inject drugs,’ , accessed December 11, 2015.

[3] Fogarty, S 2015, ‘Prime Minister announces $300m strategy to tackle ice addiction,’ ABC News, online, available at: , accessed December 11, 2015.

[4] Dick, T 2015, ‘Drug fight needs to focus on intervention,’ International Business Times, available at: , accessed on December 11, 2015.

[5] Acosta, D 2015, ‘Government allocates more than $300 million to combat ice addiction,’ International Business Times, available at: , accessed on December 11, 2015.

 

Meditation and addiction

How Meditation is Crucial for Addiction Recovery?

Articles

Today meditation is a common term often associated with health skills such as stress management, and assists in the healing process of a number of illness conditions, other commonly known side benefits are improved self-awareness, anxiety reduction, autoimmune stimulation, and increased feelings of Well-being. It has been adapted for use in sports training and can increase our awareness levels. It has also formed part of a comprehensive therapeutic program to assist drug rehabilitation as a complementary healing process.

It has its’ place in such programs because not only is it a method used for accessing that part of us that knows how to heal, but the different elements of the meditation process can stand alone and be co-opted to address various levels of behaviour change and healing needs. For example, a simple body awareness and muscle tensing and relaxation process can address sleeping concerns; mindfulness techniques to address thought management and some avoidance behaviours and various breathing techniques to alter the biochemistry of feeling states. Meditation is also an educative and healing method when adapted appropriately, it works to support and enhance all other therapeutic modalities.

Therapeutic Meditation here is defined as an umbrella term that covers a range of affiliated disciplines. It integrates deep relaxation, concentration, focused breathing, self-talk, visualizations of symbols, shapes, colours, and sounds. It can be included into various energy healing methods that involve directing specific energy flow patterns through a persons’ body, the most commonly known are Massage, Acupressure, Acupuncture and Reiki.

Working with meditation is based upon a world view that there is more to life than the physical side. That we have an energetic and spiritual element to our being and our physical bodies have a subtle structure integrated into it. This energy field is as complex and multifunctioning as our physical body with all its organ systems and subsystems. When each step in the meditation procedure is integrated into a specific sequence of symbols, shapes, colours and mandalas, damage done to these subtle structures can be repaired and the body is stimulated to heal.

A person with a drug history is viewed as being on a learning journey and in existential crisis. Such specific meditation procedures address the damage done by drug abuse and is a successful option for a large range of people, from the highly experienced meditator, the person familiar with all rehabilitation processes and counselling strategies, to the recreational user. It is important to remember that even using a drug once does damage to these structures and healing must occur at all levels of the subtle structures, not only the physical, psychological, social, and environmental ones.

Meditation accesses that inner healing resource in all people, yet often goes unrecognized. Because meditation uses the language of the intuition and the unconscious, the deeper and avoided areas of required healing can be accessed. When using drugs, almost all experiences and awareness of altered states accessed are distortions of true insight. An analogy of what drug abuse does may be helpful. If we compare the person’s physical and energetic being to a house, drug use damages the rooms, smashes windows, punches holes through walls, rips off parts of the roof and flooring.

But as with all other healing methods used in this field of work, it cannot stand-alone and is not designed to replace other treatments. It must be used in conjunction with other specialist therapies, especially counselling, re-education in life-skills, anger management, communication skills, relationship maintenance, and in an ideal world, family therapy and environmental change.

Recovery and rehabilitation is dependent upon many factors, but knowing how to meditate is not a prerequisite for this method to work. Some of the greatest sceptics that have felt drawn to this therapy have had profound healing experiences.

Choice is a crucial factor in the effectiveness of any methods success, but in my 40 years of experience belief is usually not. All healing works toward repairing and integrating the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual aspects of the person, and meditation works from the inside of the self to the outside. Integrated into the process is self-esteem building and self-responsibility.

It must be stressed that meditation as a healing procedure is very different to what is normally understood when training to learn meditation as a skill, because the context and intention of each step is different and because each step has very focused healing intentions for specific outcomes related to healing addictions. Every experience during the meditation has positive value both for the person as self-learning, and for the meditation guide as information to the extent and severity of the damage done and indicates other potential areas of healing needs.

If you are worried that you have a problem with addiction and would like further information on how rehab can help you, please visit here.

Drugs australia

Australian Government’s National Drug Strategy

Articles, Australia, International

Australian Government’s National Drug Strategy on illicit drug use shaped by regulation rather than modern forms of rehab – December 11, 2015

A United Nations (UN) 2015 report estimates around 246 million people world-wide aged between 15 and 64 use illicit drugs. Australia is awash with drugs, with 42 per cent of the nation’s adult population acknowledging drug use at some stage in their lives[1]; almost 15 per cent of whom used drugs between 2014-15.[2]

Illicit drug use not only impacts users, but also weighs heavily on the Australian public purse – an estimated $55.2 billion in 2004-05, including costs to the healthcare system, workplace productivity, road accidents and crime.[3]

Notably, tobacco use accounted for $31.5 billion, alcohol for $15.3 billion, and illegal drugs $8.2 billion, with alcohol and illicit drugs together accounting for an additional $1.1 billion.[4]

Since 1985, successive Australian Governments’ have regularly revised the National Drug Strategy, by predominantly focusing on harm minimisation, and the framework for such, including issues of demand, supply and harm reduction.

The demand reduction component of this framework has focused on preventing the uptake of, or delaying the use of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs used personally, within the community, and for helping individuals recover from their dependence, and reintegrate into society.

The supply reduction framework aims to prevent, stop, disrupt and reduce the production and supply of illegal drugs. The framework also touches on controlling, managing and regulating the availability of legal drugs.

The harm reduction framework incorporates strategies and actions designed to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences from an individual’s use of drugs, and their effects on the community.

While this framework has played a pivotal role in helping successive Australian Governments formulate their drug use policy, it fails to account for other, more modern and proven approaches operating successfully world-wide, such as at DARA, Thailand.

Australian Governments have been slow to acknowledge the rise in popularity of high quality, evidence-based, drug care treatment programs. With an average completion rate of 92 per cent and overall treatment rate of 52 per cent, DARA Thailand offers its clientele, a cost-effective customised treatment plan that includes multiple modalities of care to assist with rehabilitation.

Part of DARA Thailand’s unique offering to clientele, is its focus on teaching individuals how to relax and socialise again, without the aid of drugs and/or alcohol, in order to mount an an effective recovery from addiction. In particular, the DARA Koh Chang rehabilitation program focuses exclusively on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) treatment, combining physical, social, psychological and spiritual components through a variety of individual and group-oriented activities, to aid recovery.

To learn more about DARA Thailand, head to https://dararehab.com/or contact a DARA therapist today, 24/7, for a free, confidential assessment via the following numbers:

Direct to Thailand +66-87-140-7788
Toll-free from United States 1-888-774-8459
Toll-free from United Kingdom 0333-122-9728
Toll-free from Australia 1-800-990-523

[1] United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime. 2015. World Drug Report 2015 . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr2015/World_Drug_Report_2015.pdf. [Accessed 11 December 15].

[2] United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime. 2015. World Drug Report 2015 . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr2015/World_Drug_Report_2015.pdf. [Accessed 11 December 15].

[3] United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime. 2015. World Drug Report 2015 . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr2015/World_Drug_Report_2015.pdf. [Accessed 11 December 15].

[4] National Drug Strategy (Accessed 2015) The Costs of Tobacco, Alcohol and Illicit Drug Abuse to Australian Society in 2004/05, Australian Government, Canberra

alcohol abuse on the rise

Alcohol Abuse on the Rise in Queensland Hospital

Articles, Australia

As the ice epidemic continues to dominate news headlines, the issue of alcohol facing the Queensland medical industry has reared its ugly head.

Patient alcohol abuse is the leading cause of nurses and allied hospital staff being punched, bashed and verbally abused, according to incident reports obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) under the Right to Information during 2012 – 2015 from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Gold Coast University Hospital, and Cairns Hospital.

Considered an ongoing issue, alcohol accounted for far greater hospital assaults than ice during the past three years.

In total, 2,695 hospital staff, including doctors, pharmacists and security officers, lodged formal claims of verbal, physical or other assault during this period,

Violent alcohol-fuelled crime cost the Australian public purse $1.7 billion between 2004-2005, while the social cost of alcohol-related violence tipped $187 million.

A 2007 National Drug Strategy Household survey revealed:

  • One-in-four Australians were a victim of alcohol-related abuse;
  • 13 per cent of Australians were intimidated by someone under the influence of alcohol; and
  • 5 per cent of Australians aged 14 years and over had been physically abused by someone under the influence of alcohol.

Overcoming alcohol abuse usually requires intervention in order to withdraw safely and comfortably from the addiction, while considering other health issues present and the length of the alcohol addiction.

DARA Thailand is one of the world’s most affordable, luxury rehabilitation centres, and Asia’s premier destination for addiction (drug, alcohol and gambling rehabilitation) treatment. Importantly, DARA’s treatment program has an extraordinary 92 per cent completion rate.

For assistance with alcohol addiction, or to learn more about DARA Thailand, head to https://dararehab.com/or contact a DARA therapist today, 24/7, for a free, confidential assessment via the following numbers:

Direct to Thailand +66-87-140-7788
Toll-free from United States 1-888-774-8459
Toll-free from United Kingdom 0333-122-9728
Toll-free from Australia 1-800-990-523