Category: Articles

Rehab abroad

Overseas Drug Rehab Benefits

Articles, Alternative Treatment, Education, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Anyone currently dependent upon drugs to help get them through the day must realise that the problem will not disappear on its own.

Indeed, continual denial that professional help is needed will simply send a person deeper into dependence. The more reliant a person become on their drug of choice the more difficult it is to let go.

A Clean Slate – A New environment:

There are several options to consider in terms of seeking drug rehabilitation assistance. These include your health practitioner as well as outpatient and inpatient rehab establishments in your own country.

While any assistance must be seen as a positive step in the right direction, many fail to consider the benefits of choosing a respected overseas rehab establishment to assist them through recovery.

One such country that offers sterling facilities, proven treatment methods and prices that knock those of your own country into a cocked-hat is Thailand.

Why consider overseas treatment:

We have touched on this briefly, but let’s give 7 reasons why this consideration is a must for anyone trying to beat a dependence that is currently ruining their life:

  • Well-established: The number of first class inpatient rehabilitation facilities in Thailand runs into double figures with many years of experience behind them.
  • Stunning locations: Whether your choice is a remote mountain setting, or an idyllic palm-fringed beach, Thailand offers beautiful settings in calm surroundings that are completely conducive to healing.
  • 1st Class accommodation & Facilities: The accommodation on offer is first class. Private, fully self-contained living with personal outdoor space blend perfectly with landscaped gardens, relaxation areas, communal dining sections and leisure facilities that include swimming pools and fitness areas. Many also provide yoga/meditation rooms.
  • Professional/Approved: Staff employed at these first rate facilities are qualified to international standards. They employ healing and treatment techniques that are internationally approved with the added benefit of some trademark treatments. In short, the treatment methods offered at home are yours in Thailand with additional benefits.
  • Individual/Focussed treatment: The fully qualified, committed staff at these luxury rehab resorts are there to ensure a comfortable, successful stay. The counsellors are fully aware that every individual is different and as such will tailor a recovery package specifically with you in mind.
  • Challenging but achievable: Whatever form of dependence treatment a person opts for it must be understood that it will not be an easy route to leave their drug dependence behind, but the methods, techniques and environment offered by professional rehab establishments in Thailand gives each individual an excellent chance of overcoming their issues.
  • Costs: This is surely the icing on the cake. The services and treatment offered for inpatient stay are far lower than those offered in your own country. In some cases a 4-week stay can cost just one-third of what you would pay at home. It must also be remembered that these establishments are approved by major health insurance companies.

Consider overseas treatment closely:

The rehab establishments in Thailand offer benefits galore to those seeking treatment and healing. Please take a close look at what is on offer. Deciding on this location for professional drug rehab assistance may be the best decision you ever make.

Feel free to contact one of our advisers to discuss rehab options with you. 

alcohol addiction out of hand

Don’t Let your Drinking Get Out Of Hand

Articles, Education, Treatment, United Kingdom, United States

Millions of men and women enjoy a drink, and when alcohol is consumed at sensible levels and on an occasional basis it is something that can certainly enhance a social gathering, but what happens if consumption continually increases?

It is relatively easy for a person to increase their drinking, but it is also vital that they do not let things get out of hand.

We will look at some key warning signs that show a person is heading towards a dependence upon alcohol and that should not be ignored.

  • Constant thoughts and actions: If alcohol is becoming increasingly evident in your thoughts and actions this must be seen as a potential problem regarding the amount being consumed. Those who are regularly considering where their first drink will come from, or while drinking where their next watering hole will be, need to recognize this as a serious sign that alcohol is getting the better of them.
  • Lying to those around you: Anyone who tells their loved ones or those around them that they are drinking far less than they actually are is maintaining a stance of denial. Denial is a major tool used by those who know they have a drinking problem but refuse to acknowledge it.
  • Drinking to deal with daily life: It may seem acceptable to have a drink in order to cope with life’s challenges, but this is a very dangerous approach. Those who need a drink to cope with the day ahead, or drink excessively after a day at work are using alcohol as an emotional crutch. While this may seem a good idea at the time, the reality is it will only compound a person’s problems.
  • Missing work or habitual lateness: Heavy drinkers regularly awake in a state of confusion, and the last thing on their mind is a day at work. This leads to excuses of being unable to attend work due to illness, or regular late arrival. Maintaining this type of behaviour does little for a person’s self-esteem and even less for their employment prospects.
  • Forgotten episodes: If the amount a person is drinking leads to loss of memory relating to events during their last session this is a dangerous pointer that dependence is getting the better of a person.
  • Relationship difficulties: There are times when difficulties with a partner will occur, but seeking to resolve these problems by drinking is not the way to go. Such actions will only serve to increase the tension and highlight relationship difficulties.

Seeking help should not be seen as an embarrassment:

Many people who have a problem with the amount of alcohol they are drinking see this as an embarrassment and therefore keep the problem to themselves.

This most definitely should not be the case. There is no embarrassment whatsoever attached to admitting that alcohol currently has the better of you, indeed, it is a very courageous thing to do.

Professional rehab counsellors are not in place to judge, they are there to help. Once contacted a person with alcohol problems will see just how effective this help can be.

Heroin Relapse & Overdose

Heroin – How Much is Too Much?

Articles, Education, International, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Heroin often comes with the label of being the worst drug to become addicted too and there is good reason for this. Not only can using the drug cause an addiction that is one of the hardest to break, it is strong enough to cause sudden death.

Some of the questions commonly asked are:

  • How much heroin will cause an overdose?
  • How dangerous can an overdose be?
  • Can you control the dosage to ensure that the drug can be taken safely?

Below we will explore the answers to these questions

How Much Is a Safe Amount?

The fact of the matter is – no amount of heroin can be considered safe.

If you find that you need the drug to function normally, then you can consider yourself as having an addiction.

Even if you feel that you are strong enough to be able to quit at any time you feel like it, you are still exposed to the risk of serious addiction and the health consequence of using the drug.

How Much Can a Person Take at Once?

As with most drugs, it will depend on the purity of the drug as well as your own tolerance towards it.

Once heroin enters the bloodstream it reaches the brain very quickly. However, the more heroin that is used, the more that is needed to get the same desired effects. This effect of tolerance can be expected for any drug in the opiate or opioid class.

So, how much of the drug do people us on average?

When using recreationally, people report that they take daily doses of between 5mg and 1,500mg. The average dose is reported to be between 300-500mg. On average, an addict will inject themselves 2-4 times per day.

As mentioned previously, the purity of the drug will also have an effect on how much someone can take. Street heroin usually has a purity level of between 10-75% and is often cut with the following ingredients:

  • Starch
  • Sugars
  • Ketamine
  • Quinine
  • Powdered Milk

Whether you are a frequent user of the drug or you have recently taken it for the first time, you face equal health risks because different people will respond differently to the drug. Effects can range between mild and severe and can also result in long-term health issues.

How Much Will Cause an Overdose?

If you are worried that someone you know maybe taking too much heroin, there are a number of physical and mental symptoms that are noticeable.

The most common signs are:

  • Clammy skin
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Bluish lips and nails
  • Weak pulse
  • Disorientation
  • Drowsiness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Delirium
  • Discoloration of the tongue
  • Convulsions

Overdoses can be very serious and lead to loss of consciousness, coma and even death.

How Much is Fatal?

In some cases serious or fatal side effects can happen from heroin use. The amount of the drug which can be fatal will vary for each person depending on certain factors such as:

  • The individual
  • Previous drug history
  • Purity of the drug
  • Route of administration
  • Overall health
  • Tolerance to opiates

Can you die from taking heroin? The answer to this question is YES! Any dose of the drug can lead to an overdose which results in a fatal outcome. Some sources have quoted that between 75 mg to 375 mg can be fatal for a male adult weighing 170 lbs who has not used the drug before.

 

If you are worried about your own addiction or you know someone that you think may be abusing heroin, feel free to contact one of our professional advisors who will be able to discuss the option of rehab for heroin.

Taxi blurred

Magpie’s Story

Articles, Education, International, Testimonials, Treatment

(Dealing with Addiction on Golden Pond)

#6: The Heartfelt Reality of Being Functional

I’m still 28 days out from checking into DARA. I’m struggling to stay afloat. I would
love to take off for Thailand tomorrow. I pray I can make it another 28 days. The
reasons for the delay are complicated, focusing primarily on financial issues.

Another reason might possibly be my cursed blessing of being functionality. I am
100% Irish and have addiction on both sides of my family. There is no doubt that I am
genetically predisposed. And, may I dare say, that as a culture we Irish have, over
time, developed an amazing tolerance for alcohol. Personally, my climb to the top of
the addiction pyramid happened very gradually….over 40 years. I have no trouble
admitting publicly that I have reached the top that pyramid and that there is no place
for me to go at this point but down.

The problem with my being functional is that everyone expects that of me. And, I
don’t want to ever let myself or anyone else down. I will do as much as others ask of
me or I ask of myself within the limits of my current state of health.

Today, I was asked to run an errand by a contractor I’m employing. I ran the errand
successfully, but with two very close calls driving on the highway. If it weren’t for
those two other drivers’ quick reactions, we’d all be dead.

Another essential aspect of functionality is that, even when I gently tell loved ones
how poorly I’m feeling, either they don’t believe me or they don’t know what to do
about it or they don’t care.

In journal/diary fashion, let me just conclude by saying that I have a 9:00 a.m.
appointment with an Addiction Psychiatrist tomorrow. The part of my brain that can
still think, tells me to call a cab. That will be costly, very costly. The other part of my
brain tells me that I can make it to 9:00 a.m. without a drink. And, I probably can.

But, I also have severe chronic sinusitis which also wreaks havoc on my frontal cortex
and my inner ear throwing off my balance, judgement and even my eyesight (dry eye).
I wish I had a support system that could really hear, empathize and help out.

I hope that in writing this I did not offend anybody, but those are my heartfelt
thoughts in this moment in time.

As always, look foreword to your thoughts.

With compassionate understanding,

Magpie

family alcohol talk

How to Help Your Child After Rehab

Articles, Education, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

After you have a child return home after completing a stint at rehab, it can be a very confusing time for both of you. While you will obviously be excited at their return, you need to understand that post-rehab can also be very unsettling. Initially, your child may feel at odds with their surroundings, even though the setting is familiar to them. They have undergone a huge life change after all.

The main question that parents want to know is “how can I best support them”

Although every situation is going to be different, the guidance in the article should be able to help you with the transition.

Continued Care is Required

Unfortunately, completing time at rehab is not a magic cure that ensures your child will be sober the rest of their life. Addiction is a chronic disease which your child must learn to manage. Managing this disease will be a lot easier with continued care and support from their loved ones.

Aim to work with your child to set up a plan for the future. The plan may include meeting with a trained therapist every so often or entering into a 12-step program. It is recommended that counselling and therapy sessions are encouraged more frequently in the beginning, especially the first 90 days. The plan can also include things such as diet and exercise as well as steps to avoid certain triggers in life.

Set Future Goals

A new path begins when your child steps out of rehab so ensure that you have a talk about the future and what lies ahead. Start setting rules and goals. Ask them about their own vision of the future and how you can play a part in helping them with these goals.

Maybe they want to start some new hobbies or learn some new skills. There is a possibility that your child may also want to talk about their relationships and how they were affected by their addiction. Maybe they feel that they need to build some bridges with certain people. Use these goals as an indicator of how they are coping.

alcohol rehab

Be Vigilant and Aware of Their Lifestyle

It is important that you are aware of what is happening in your child’s life. This will require communication between you both as well as trust. It might also lead to some frustration on your child’s part as they may not want you to know all about their everyday movements.

However, being aware of who your child is spending time with and what they are getting up to is important. They need to keep away from old habits and social patterns. It is important that you know the signs of relapse. These may include a continual feeling of negativity about their life and apathy towards their recovery. Some people also show signs of arrogance regarding their addiction and act prideful that they have beaten it. This can cause an overconfidence that eventually leads to temptation and relapse.

Hopefully the above guide will help you in supporting your child going forward. Remember, the most important thing is to help your child accept their new life. Encourage them to pursue sober activities such as sports that can lead to meeting new friends who won’t drag them down. Also encourage them to stay in contact with any friends that they made during the time in rehab. Starting afresh opens up the door to new interests and goals.

As a parent you must offer full support and be ready to listen or offer a shoulder to cry on when needed. Help you child succeed as maintaining sobriety is very tough.