Category: Articles

Travel broadens the mind. It takes just one visit to a drastically different country to understand the power behind these words. And when I mean a different country I mean a country with a fresh culture, different points of view, preferably a place with different type of weather and definitely a place that does not speak your language. Millions of people find their way to various tropical countries like India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam in search of extreme adventures, which is great, but in my opinion, lazy tropical beach life better lends itself to yoga, meditation as well as healing both body and mind. Excellent destination for anyone with demons to battle or wounds to lick.

Environment

For most western people cultures of warmer and more tropical countries always seem so relaxed, carefree and friendly. True, while a large cornerstone of their economy is tourism and in extension being friendly to attract said tourists, there is still something peaceful and calming about most people I ever had the pleasure of meeting while traveling these countries.

The fact that food grows in the trees wherever you go and there is little need to plan where to source firewood for the winter, it all boils down to pretty carefree approach to life.

This kind of environment is perfect for rehabilitation. It allows to focus purely on the issue at hand, namely addiction and allows the addict to tackle it at his own pace. The environment where you lead your daily life is one of the factors that led you to addiction. It may be a smaller or bigger contributor, it drastically differs from case to case, but it is a factor nevertheless. Inpatient courses provided by rehabilitation centers allow you to put the din and clutter of your life behind you for a while, providing the time, resources and support you need to tend your inner insecurities, emotional hangups, and bodily imbalance.

Equilibrium

The very cornerstone of sober and healthy human being is balance and equilibrium. While years of drug abuse and denial of any problems drives you deeper and deeper into a proverbial dead end, a rehab course supported by professionals, in a place where you can put it all behind you, is the perfect equalizer.

Self-doubt is tackled by continuous emotional and physiological support. Experienced and open councilors will hear you out and team up with you to plan, the best course on your road to sobriety, right after an expert of medical staff and nurses guide you through a rigorous and cleansing detoxification course.

Rehabilitation will remind you how to love your body and how to keep it efficient and functional. Professional exercise regiment, yoga and various other types of physical activities will get your heart racing while carefully planned diet and nutrient intake will help you on your way to kick your dependence on dangerous substances.

Energy

By far the most beneficial aspect of any rehab is its ability to rally people and lift their spirits. Going through tough times alone is extremely taxing and exhausting. No one should attempt kicking addiction alone because there will be a time when giving up seems like an excellent option. Giving up and laying down to die is impossible to do when you are surrounded with like-minded individuals who provide support or some brutal honesty when needed. The camaraderie that an addict develops with his group is tangible, many people who have become sober still do regular meetings with their group members just to remind each other what was all that battle for. A single link in a chain does not amount to much, but all together it can achieve amazing things.

Getting clean and kicking an addiction is not an easy thing to do. Anyone who says otherwise is either a liar or has no clue about rehabilitation process. Becoming sober after someone says “just don’t use anymore, it’s easy” is just like getting out of depression just because someone says “cheer up” – it doesn’t work. Getting your life back will require a lot of sweat, anger management, exercise and nutritious diet on top of the hordes of inner demons you will fight to get on top of your addiction and begin your way to managing it instead of it controlling you. Stack the odds in your favor by tackling this battle in an environment that is relaxing, pleasant and comfortable – consider a rehab abroad.

Many non-drug users are unfamiliar with the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction. They see the two as being hand-in-hand and if truth be known they are not so far off the mark.

To explain the very fine line between the two we will consider a huge misjudgment many users make, what drugs do to a person’s brain and the steady progression that causes increased use, escalating abuse and the stark reality of addiction.

Users should not kid themselves:

Those who see their drug habit escalating often kid themselves they are in control of the amount and regularity of use rather than the other way around.

If your drug use is currently escalating, please put the brakes on immediately. If you have tried but are finding this tough to achieve then do not hesitate to seek professional help.

What do drugs do to your brain?

It is common knowledge that different drugs cause different feelings and physical effects, but they all have one thing in common; repeated use of any drug can change the way the brain functions.

Addiction is an extremely complex disorder, but what is clearly understood is that its characteristics lie in the compulsive use of drugs.

The very fine line between abuse and addiction:

There is such a fine line between abusing drugs and addiction that many heavy users only realise this line has been crossed when they are over it.

Here are some key factors that turn occasional drug use into drug abuse and onward into addiction.

• Social integration – It is fairly common knowledge that most people experience initial drug use with others. It is often good friends who have had an earlier introduction to drugs and then encourage the first-timer to try. Others strike up new acquaintances with people who appear well versed and confident about drug taking. Curiosity is a natural instinct and even those who may be reluctant at first often give way to a ‘go with the flow’ attitude. Thankfully this is as far as many will go, and if they do use drugs again it will be on a very occasional basis.
• A backstop increases in importance – Those that persevere with drugs then reach a stage that should set the bells of concern ringing. Initial use of sharing a weekend spliff with mates, necking an ‘E’ at an all-night rave because those you are with have a stash, or even being offered and accepting a couple of lines of Coke at a party where everyone seems to be going for it should, but does not stop there. These enjoyable experiences encourage a person to dabble a few times a week.
• Daily acceptance – Gradually, unspoken, self-created excuses make every-day use an acceptable habit. Along with increased use comes a growing importance on how and where a regular supply can be secured. Alternative dealers are sought “just in case”. These actions clearly show that the importance of drugs is rapidly rising in a person’s list of priorities.
• Self-made excuses are in plentiful supply – Let’s face it, you do not have to try too hard to convince yourself of something if it is what you really want. The problem here is an active mind can conjure up easy to believe reasons in order to justify escalating drug use.
• Try to stop, unable to do so, all-consuming – It is a very sad fact that far too many drug users do not realise how deeply entrenched their drug use is. Things have gone from recreational and social, to a little more than is good for them, to a stage where even though they want to quit they simply cannot. The urge, need, desire and intense feelings are often overwhelming. The physical and psychological need overrides everything else in life. This is to the extent that even though an addict is fully aware of the hurt, harm and damage they are creating, they are powerless to stop use on their own.

A long road to recovery, but very achievable:

Thankfully professional help is available. Countless men and women over many decades have taken advantage of it.

Rehabilitation comes in a variety of guises. Many addiction specialists see well-respected inpatient rehab establishments as being particularly effective. They offer a sound base that can steadily be built on. Such empowerment and encouragement allows a clear sight of a drug free future.