Education Archives - Page 53 of 82

Dec162017Apr252025

Dating and Sobriety – How to Navigate the Process

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Dating and Sobriety – Dating can be one of the most difficult things to do when you’re sober. Chances are, when you were drinking, you weren’t very successful in relationships. Your alcoholism always overshadowed romance, intimacy, companionship and all the other aspects that are supposed to accompany a healthy relationship.

Dating and Sobriety – Now that you are moving toward a place of health and wellness, you may feel as though you are ready to start dating and find a special someone. Here are five things to keep in mind as you navigate the process of sober dating:

It is recommended that you don’t get into a relationship the first year of your sobriety. This may seem like a long time, but this suggestion is there for a reason. It is difficult enough to manage yourself in that first year of recovery. Throwing someone else into the mix makes things a lot more complicated and hard to manage.

Your sobriety has to come first. When you get into a new relationship when you’re sober, it’s easy to let your recovery slack. Don’t let this happen. Remember, without sobriety, you are a hopeless drunk who cannot manage your own life. You have to make sobriety your number one priority and not allow yourself to get swept away by your new relationship. Keep going to meetings, stay in touch with your sponsor, and continue to work the steps.

You have to decide if you are willing to date someone who drinks. Of course, you don’t want to get into a relationship with someone who is a practicing alcoholic. However; most people who drink do not have a drinking problem. Are you strong enough to go on a date with a person who might order a drink at dinner? Can you be in a relationship with someone who might drink socially on the weekends? If you think so, you need to be upfront and let the person know that you are a recovering alcoholic and that you can’t drink under any circumstances.

It’s a good idea talk to your sponsor and ask him or her if they think you are really ready to manage a healthy relationship in sobriety. It’s not that you are asking your sponsor for permission to date – after all, you are a grown up who is capable of making your own decisions – however; your sponsor will be able to shed some light on your sobriety. He or she can tell you if they think it’s a good idea. If they don’t think you are ready, you might want to wait a little while longer.

Remember that romantic relationships are very complicated. They involve intense emotions that can be difficult to navigate. Many people believe they are ready to get into a romantic, sexual relationship only to find the feelings that accompany them are far too difficult and frustrating to manage. You need to have a solid foundation in recovery, a strong relationship with your sponsor, and a firm practice of the steps to undertake a romantic relationship.

Dating and Sobriety – When you decide you are ready to start dating, take it slow. There is no hurry. Relationships aren’t a race. Remember to keep your recovery first and don’t drink no matter what. If you always keep your sobriety as your number one priority, no matter what happens, you will be equipped to handle whatever comes your way in the process of dating and establishing a romantic relationship.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Dec152017Apr252025

Why LGBTQ People Are More Likely to Use?

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

LGBTQ People Are More Likely to Use – Realizing that you are LGBTQ can be traumatic, stressful, and freeing. Learning about who you are should be an experience that brings about growth, but learning you are part of a smaller, often stigmatized population can lead to a host of problems if not faced directly. Stress triggers are common in the LGBTQ community. Some of these stress triggers include fear of persecution, isolation, emotional trauma, internalized homophobia, religious intolerance, social discrimination, frustration, and loneliness. Each of these will be reviewed, explained, and related to substance abuse below.

Fear of persecution is a big factor in many hiding their LGBTQ status. Though it is more acceptable to be LGBTQ at this time in history than ever before, the stigma is still attached. Many people fear this stigma and end up leading a double life. The life presented to others as a happy person in a typical heterosexual lifestyle and a life in which sexuality in other manners is acceptable. The hidden lifestyle means secrets and lying. The stress of having two very distinct lifestyles can lead to drug use. The drug use seemingly makes it easier to lie about one part of life and handle the stigma attached to the other. This is one reason why LGBTQ people are more likely to use. Unfortunately drugs tend to confound the issues more than help.

Isolation that arises from public ridicule and rejection. For those that do choose to make their sexuality public, isolation and ridicule may ensue. This rejection can come from those close to the individual or the public at large. This ridicule creates a great deal of stress and those wanting to escape the distress may turn to drugs and alcohol. These substances will simply numb the stress, not remove it, but for many they are an option that can ultimately lead to more stress and disturbing behavior.

Emotional trauma and internalized homophobia are also concerns. When some individuals make their feelings known it can lead to an abusive situation. This can be for those of any age. Family members and friends may make the LGBTQ individual feel bad for how they feel or make them believe homosexuality is a horrible plague on those who take part in the lifestyle. This can lead to internalized homophobia. This internalization can make the person feel terrible in their own body, leaving drugs as a seemingly viable option for escape. The intolerance may also be religious based as some in the LGBTQ community may be members of religious groups or brought up in faith. These people may feel that they are terrible for their feelings and need to find a way to numb those feelings.

Finally, social discrimination can lead to difficulty finding jobs and love interests. This creates loneliness and isolation that can be difficult to overcome. All of this fear and isolation can lead to the need to escape reality, even for a moment. Drugs and alcohol can temporarily offer this escape, but can create problems on their own. Once the user has reached a low point and decided to take a chance on recovery, the real work begins. If you are ready for this step than treatment is right for you. Just remember that the outcome is totally up to the person in treatment and the work put into recovery will make a difference on the outcome.

LGBTQ People Are More Likely to Use – CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Dec132017Apr252025

Detox Symptoms

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Many people entering treatment will find that their addiction is severe enough that they will go through some for a detox symptoms. Many of these symptoms are dangerous and require medical assistance. Alcohol addiction, for example, can be extremely difficult to completely let go of without medical help. The most common symptoms of detox are shakes, night sweats, anxiety, and sleeplessness. These symptoms generally abate within 3-10 days but tremors and anxiety can persist longer in some people. More severe detox symptoms will include seizures and hallucinations. Detox symptoms of this order require medical attention. The consequences for some people can be fatal. If you are going through an alcohol detox make sure to see a physician to make sure you can be properly monitored as you move into treatment. Many treatment programs include a medical detox, but not all.

For drug addictions such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine the detox may be difficult but is not generally considered dangerous. Flu-like symptoms, lethargy, anxiety and nausea are common. Here again, a medical detox will assist with these symptoms. The more far-reaching problem for addicted people is the severity of these detox symptoms can make it impossible for them to stop using. This is why a medical detox is often necessary. Once you make it through these detox issues which usually only last a few days, you are well on your way to sobriety.

It is important to remember that detox symptoms are temporary. They will pass. Make sure to work with either a support group or with a qualified addiction treatment professional. Support groups such as AA and NA know exactly how these symptoms unfold and members of these groups have been through the same ordeal. They know exactly how it feels and how to get you through the tough times. Obviously, a trained addiction treatment professional, with the help of a physician, can prescribe medications which will alleviate the severity of the symptoms.

Some general rules regarding withdrawal and detox:

Alcohol withdrawal can be severe and potentially fatal. One should work with a medical detox facility.

Heroin detox is most often a matter of feeling extremely ill. It is not considered life threatening.

Methamphetamine can require medical assistance due to the extreme mood swing which may attend detox.

Benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium withdrawal can be fatal. Consult a physician before you stop using these drugs.

Cocaine withdrawal and detox may require assistance with the extreme mood swings.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that all of these detox symptoms can be managed and alleviated. As stated above, many treatment facilities include a full medical detox as part of their treatment program. Keep in mind that the illness you are battling is far worse than the brief period of detox. Nearly all of these detox symptoms last no more than about a week. If you have any doubt whether or not you will encounter these detox symptoms, consult your doctor or make sure to go through a medical detox facility. The key thing to remember is that once you pass through the phase you are the road to health.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Dec042017Apr252025

Sex Addiction

Articles, Alternative Treatment, Australia, Celebrity Rehab, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Sex Addicts – While Sex Addiction is not officially recognized as a distinct addiction such as alcoholism or heroin addiction, it is quite real and it can be devastating. Experts and treatment professionals generally agree that there are a cluster of symptoms which constitute sexual addiction. Sex addiction, or hypersexuality, is difficult to diagnose largely because the line between a healthy and active libido and problematic sexual behavior is hard to define. Essentially, if one is so preoccupied with sex and engages in sex to the extent that these thoughts and behaviors negatively impact one’s life or get in the way of normal daily activity, then one is in danger of being addicted to sex. The difficulty is that psychologists have been reluctant to use the term “addiction” for this type of issue. Just a few symptoms may help a person decide if they are wrestling with this problem:

If one experiences continual and prolonged sexual fantasies to the exclusion of other thoughts.

Time spent engaging in sexual thoughts and fantasies interferes with regular activities.

If sexual thoughts and urges come as the result of other problematic feelings (anxiety, depression, etc.)

Engaging in sexual behavior without regard for social and legal consequences.

Sex addicts are generally vexed with a constant and unrelenting preoccupation with sex. Their thoughts about sex and engaging in sex persist to the exclusion of nearly every other aspect of their lives. It is normal to have sexual fantasies, but for the sex addict, engaging in sexual fantasies is on the order of an obsession. Their thoughts about sex interfere with other activities.

Another important feature of sex addiction is the problem of engaging in sexual activities without regard for social and legal consequences. Sex addicts, as opposed to those who engage in normal sexual activities, will engage in sex in the work place, in public, and other places and times in which there can be severe social and legal consequences.

Psychological experts generally agree that sex addiction arises from other issues and problems. Depression and severe anxiety issues are just two of the conditions which professionals have linked to what we now call sex addiction. Essentially, sex addicts are driven by deep psychological problems which are by and large untreated and they seek to escape from these difficulties by engaging in sex and endlessly obsessing about sex. Doctors have met with some success in treating sex addiction with antidepressants as these medication alleviate the underlying cause of sex addiction.

An unfortunate consequence of sex addiction is the prevalence of STDs and HIV/AIDS if people who have been diagnose as sex addicts. One of the stand out feature of sex addiction is indiscriminate sexual encounters. Many of these people do not use protection. The result is an tremendous increased risk for STDs and even HIV/AIDS. People who demonstrate the signs of sex addiction should find help as soon as they can. There is Sex Addicts Anonymous, as 12 step recovery program much like AA, which can help people recover for sex addiction. There are also an increasing number of treatment programs which specialize in sex addiction.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Dec032017Apr252025

Battling Depression In Recovery

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Depression Accompanies The Early Days Of Recovery – It’s A Normal Part of The Process

Battling Depression In Recovery – One of the most difficult things about the early days of recovery is the depression – heavy, soul-crushing, disruptive, unbearable depression.

Though it doesn’t feel like it belongs in your body, and that it has no business creeping into your day, depression is (unfortunately) part of the recovery process. It doesn’t feel like you should be experiencing it now that you are clean, but you absolutely should be. If you are new to recovery, and you are feeling depressed – you are right where you are supposed to be. Depression is completely normal in the first year of sobriety.

Depression doesn’t completely lift until up to one year after you stop drinking and drugging. This news itself may seem depressing, but, ironically – it should give you some hope. Without understanding that depression is a normal part of the restoration process, you might have been thinking that you’re “not doing something right.” It’s not that you are doing anything wrong. It’s simply that you need time to get your mind right.

Why You Are Experiencing Depression

Battling Depression In Recovery – The reason why you are experiencing depression is because you are no longer using drugs and alcohol. Depression is part of the withdrawal process.

After months or years of surging your body with chemicals, the neurotransmitters in your brain are misfiring. They are looking for cocaine, heroin, marijuana, alcohol – or whatever drugs you were feeding your body with. The problem is, those chemicals aren’t there anymore. Now that you are sober, your brain is confused. It is trying to form new neural pathways and re balance itself. This takes time.

The main reason why you are experiencing depression is because your brain lacks the chemical Serotonin. Serotonin is responsible for creating feelings of wellness, contentment, and happiness. When you were using drugs and alcohol, you were chemically inducing Serotonin, so the brain stopped producing it properly on its own. Now, it is depleted of Serotonin and your brain is working to begin making it without outside chemicals.

Don’t Let The Depression Take You Back To Your Addiction

Battling Depression In Recovery – Many people end up relapsing simply because they feel they cannot walk through the depression without some kind of drug to pep them up and get them to a place of normalcy. It’s easy to convince yourself that taking some kind of mood or mind-altering substance is a solution for depression.

This is a mistake.

Going back to the drugs or alcohol will only make things worse. It will set you back and force you to start your recovery all over again. Then, you will have to face the depression again – only this time, it will be more difficult. Ultimately, to experience the gifts of sobriety, you are going learn how to walk through the depression to get to the other side……and you WILL get to the other side.

When walking the road of recovery, you have to remember that things get better with time. This includes the experience of depression. You didn’t get where you are over overnight and you certainly won’t heal overnight. You will have to continue to walk your recovery journey with the faith that, with time, your mind and body will be restored to a place of wellness and your brain will begin to produce Serotonin naturally so you can feel better.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.