Category: Education

Alcohol Rehabilitation USA

Alcohol Rehabilitation USA

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

Alcohol Rehabilitation USA.

Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the United States. Government figures state that 1 in 12 of all adults have problems with the amount of alcohol they are consuming. This makes the topic of Alcohol Rehabilitation USA a very real and valid one.
Here is an indication of what is available in terms of rehabilitation facilities. We will also consider some of the main treatment solutions available for those looking to free themselves from a dependence that has both physical and psychological effects as well as causing those closest to them angst and concern.

Treatment facilities:

Alcohol abuse treatment is provided in a variety of different settings. Some opt for treatment via their local practitioner’s surgery, others in approved ‘drop-in centers’ that provide assistance. The majority of men and women in need of treatment will either attend an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation establishment.

These are both government and privately-run treatment centres with an estimated number of 14,500 specialised substance abuse treatment facilities available across the country. These establishments cater for all types of addiction with alcohol being the most common substance for which assistance is required.

Services provided by rehabilitation facilities:

The services offered by both inpatient and outpatient rehab establishments varies dependent upon the facility concerned but will include such things as:

  • Detoxification facilities
  • Counselling – One-to-one and group sessions
  • Case management
  • Treatment – A wide variety of different treatment methods are employed dependent upon the establishments policy
  • Administration of medication
  • Aftercare programmes

Outpatient or Inpatient treatment?

It must be stated that any type of treatment for those struggling with alcohol has to be seen as a positive. Outpatient treatment offers a flexible method of addressing problems and is on an agreed appointment basis. This type of treatment will certainly help, but it is also subject to the challenges of temptation. Those seeking this form of treatment remain in the same environment that helped fuel their addiction in the first place. They are fully aware of watering holes and outlets where alcohol can be purchased around-the-clock. It is this type of temptation that needs to be resisted for those looking at long-term sobriety.

Inpatient alcohol rehabilitation offers a far more focused initial treatment plan. By submitting to a stay at an inpatient facility the alcoholic will spend their initial period of recovery in a setting where alcohol (or any other illegal substance) is forbidden. The establishment is completely focused on rehabilitation and those attending are treated as individuals. As such, individual problems are met with in-depth counselling and treatment based on a personal need basis. This type of treatment is seen as being far more successful in terms of helping recovering alcoholics remain on the path of long-term sobriety.

Aftercare:

Alcohol rehabilitation USA would not be complete without comprehensive aftercare options available. This ongoing treatment is overlooked far too often by those who have taken to initial treatment positively. It must be remembered that rehabilitation establishments and the treatment offered are simply the start of a healing process that must be maintained. Aftercare is the perfect vehicle with which to maintain long-term sobriety.

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drug cocktail

Cocktail Recipes That Spell Rehab

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

Drug Cocktail – Dabbling with one type of drug on a regular basis is moving a person towards dependence. What begins as occasional use can very quickly move up a gear to twice or three times a week and before a user knows it they are finding any excuse to use daily.

Doubling dependence – Doubling the risks:

It is very common for users to mix substances in their search for a higher “high”, but entering the world of drug cocktails is a very dangerous thing to do. Drugs are loners by nature. They do what they are supposed to do on an individual basis and are not made to mix with others.

Those amateur mixologists who search for heady formulas and tinker with any illegal substance at hand really need to understand what a mixture of substances taken together can do to a person.

Commonly mixed substances:

The imagination of those mixing drugs is enhanced by the range of substances, chemicals and additives available, but there are some mainstays that many drug users see as a normal part of the social scene.

These include Marijuana, Amphetamines, Ecstasy, Cocaine and Heroin, and to make matters worse, many taking drug combinations wash them down with alcohol. This really is asking for trouble. If you are determined to use drugs, or to have a night out where excess alcohol will be consumed please don’t combine the two.

A legendary drug cocktail:

We will mention one drug cocktail that many see as the ultimate high. While this may be the case for some it also spells the end of the line for others as their final destination is the morgue!

Speedball:

There are a number of variations and ways to administer this long-established cocktail, but the most powerful and potentially lethal combination is the mixing of cocaine and heroin taken by injection. Although it is true that some users still stick by the original ‘recipe’ which is cocaine and morphine delivered in the same way.

Most speedballers will mix the 2 drugs together, a drug cocktail in one syringe for shooting up, but the more extreme user will fill one syringe with heroin, the other with cocaine and then empty both syringes into the arm simultaneously.

What makes this combo so effective?

The effects of this combination are so telling because the individual drugs come from opposite ends of the spectrum. Cocaine is a stimulant, Heroin a depressant. The dual result is an extremely intense, ultra-charged euphoria that takes the user into their own world, but it must be clearly understood that the dangers of overdosing on such a combination raise the stakes when it comes to a user being taken out of this world permanently.

Addiction at the double:

The other thing that must be realised in terms of cocaine and heroin is that on their own they are highly addictive substances. Once regular use of either becomes commonplace the person concerned is heading towards addiction. To use the two together really is doubling that date with addiction and the very real possibility of suffering a fatal overdose.

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LGBTQ Drug Abuse

The LGBTQ Community And Dependence

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

LGBTQ Drug Abuse – LGBTQ is a bit of a mouthful, but it is an abbreviation that has been in regular use since the 1990’s. Here’s what it stands for and some details on why the LGBTQ community and dependence issues are far more prevalent than amongst other social groups.

LGBTQ:

The origins of the abbreviation stem from the 1990’s when the need for a more inclusive term was needed for “the gay community”. It stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (and/or Questioning) Individuals or Identities.

Challenges that create high addiction rates:

Those individuals belonging to this global community face several challenges in life that have shown they face a higher risk of addiction than others.

To highlight the increased risk, it is estimated that while 9% of the general population abuse illegal substances this figure more than doubles amongst the LGBTQ community with estimates placed at between 20 and 30%.

LGBTQ Drug Abuse – The additional social pressures that are placed on those in this community prove overwhelming for many. Examples of what many struggle to come to terms with include:

  • Their sexual orientations
  • Stigmatisation
  • Discrimination
  • Open ridicule
  • Public humiliation
  • Threats of a violent nature that include hate crimes
  • Abuse – This is both emotional and physical
  • Rejection by family and friends
  • Work discrimination as well as unequal opportunities in the workplace.

Specific treatment programs are required:

With any addiction there is a need to get to the root cause of problems that have caused the dependence in the first place. When those belonging to the LGBTQ community look for treatment they need counsellors who fully understand the pressures their life-style brings.

Many try to hide their sexual preferences which only adds pressure to daily life. Counselling and treatment needs to be of a specific nature and must focus on helping the person concerned to come to terms with what they are, to embrace this and move on with their lives while leaving behind the stigma they and others feel about their sexual preferences.

An additional reason for specific treatment is that many from this community are suffering with more than one disorder.

Co-occurring disorders:

Classification of a co-occurring disorder is when a person suffers 2 or more disorders. An example is for those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and are also suffering with a psychological disorder. Common examples of such disorders within the LGBTQ community include:

  • Acute depression
  • Anxiety disorder
  • Excessive stress levels
  • Self-harm and suicidal tendencies

It is absolutely vital that anyone from the community is comprehensively assessed to establish exactly what addictions and disorders they are suffering from.

To treat an addiction whilst ignoring a disorder, or to treat a disorder while not also fully focusing on the addiction concerned can be self-defeating. Treatment of one addiction or disorder while ignoring another makes it highly unlikely that long-term recovery will be achievable.

Do not be afraid to seek help:

LGBTQ Drug Abuse – There are organisations and voluntary groups that have been established to help those belonging to the LGBTQ community. Those looking for assistance should seek these out to understand what rehabilitation treatment and counselling options are available.

The LGBTQ community and dependence ratio is something that must be addressed. Anyone currently suffering should not keep things to themselves or hide their sexuality. By doing so they are piling personal pressure on; a pressure that often leads into spiraling addiction and the raft of physical and psychological problems this creates.

There are professional rehab personnel as well as recovering addicts who are ready and willing to assist. If you are in need of assistance please reach out now and you will realise how many care.

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Sex Addiction Australia

Sex Addiction – Australia

Articles, Australia, Education, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Sex Addiction Australia – The recent report in an Australian newspaper of a 36-year old gay man who has been addicted to sex since losing his virginity to a stranger when just 15 years old highlights the fact that sex addiction Australia is a very real problem.

Couple this with the news that the rock star Ozzy Osborne is currently receiving treatment for his obsession with sex and it makes clear what many addiction experts have known for decades: Sex addiction is a very real, compulsive problem that is far more common than many believe.

No laughing matter:

The mention of sex addiction while having a social night out will more often than not produce lewd comments and an expression from those involved to spend just a little time with someone who is addicted to sex.

The sad reality is that those suffering with this very real addiction have problems that are completely opposite to satisfaction and enjoyment.

Defining sex addiction:

This is a medically diagnosed condition where men and women affected have a compulsive urge to perform repeated sexual acts.

Their need is on a similar level to that of alcoholic’s as they continue to drink themselves into oblivion, or drug addicts who constantly chase feelings of that elusive first high of the day.

Sex addiction is a disorder affecting a person’s physical and mental health. The chances of a sufferer being able to maintain a one-on-one relationship are extremely slim and because of the dangerous situations a person is prepared to put themselves in to achieve gratification they are risking assault and possible serious injuries.

Unable to control their behaviour:

Sex addicts are unable to control their behaviour in a similar way to those addicted to drugs are unable to stop using their substance of choice. This is despite the fact they understand the negative consequences such behaviour is causing.

Because of the stigma and embarrassment of such a condition many men and women are far too embarrassed to seek help. Rehabilitation specialists are certain that the problem is much more widespread than many believe and certainly far more common than official statistics show.

One acknowledged trait of a sex addict is to seek out multiple sex partners to satisfy their needs. While this should not necessarily be seen as a serious problem on its own, it is the fact that sex addicts will take things further and go to any lengths to satisfy their urges.

Experts at hiding their addiction:

Sex addicts come from a whole range of backgrounds and can be single, live with a partner or have, what seems on the face of it, a perfectly normal marriage. They become experts at hiding their addiction through embarrassment and a need to keep the truth from others.

Ways in which they maintain their secret include constant but consistent lying and ensuring that their sex schedule is complete by using a variety of different locations and tactics to minimise suspicion.

Stop this sexual merry-go-round:

If you are suffering from sex addiction it is absolutely vital you put hesitation and embarrassment to one side and seek professional rehabilitation assistance. You have a dependence that can lead to serious problems and it will not go away on its own.

This type of addiction must be treated in a different way to other types of addiction due to the fact that a person cannot simply be expected to stop or give up sex, but there is treatment and counselling that will help tremendously in terms of how to control your urges and allow you to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviour

Whether it is sex addiction Australia or sex addiction worldwide the message is the same:

Please do not continue to suffer. Please do not continue to put yourself into danger. Please DO seek professional rehab assistance.

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Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

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

Drug withdrawal symptoms present addicts with a two-pronged fear factor that many find easier to ignore than face up to. Turning their backs on this fear allows them to continue drug abuse and avoid the reality of just how serious their situation really is.

The intensity of these fears will vary from person to person but it will always come wrapped with uncertainty. This uncertainty relates to their need and desire for drugs and how they will possibly cope without them if they commit to addiction treatment. Such a conundrum is the reason behind why so many addicts have false or delayed starts before any true healing process can be put into place.

Here are the two sides of fear that addicts experience and which cause them so much angst.

Fear of withdrawal:

It is totally understandable that fear is a major factor for those who have finally ended their denial relating to just how dependent on drugs they have become. To compound matters this fear comes in two very different forms and it is debatable which is the most daunting.

Fear of going without their substance of choice:

Whatever substance a person is addicted to it will be an integral part of their daily routine. They will have been using for varying lengths of time and it goes without saying that the longer they have been addicted the more attached they have become.

To realise that withdrawal and treatment mean they will not be able to rely on those much needed ‘hits’ is a fear that many do not wish to face. They cannot comprehend how they will possibly get through life without the supportive crutch of drugs. This is the first major reason why so many addicts shy away from seeking much needed treatment.

Fear of the withdrawal process:

The withdrawal process is not a pleasant one. The constant and sustained abuse of drugs affects a person both physically and mentally and if use is suddenly ceased the mind and body react with painful thoughts and feelings. The fear of this pain is also a huge barrier preventing many addicts from kicking their habit.

Withdrawal is manageable:

What addicts need to understand is that while drug withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant they are also manageable. These symptoms will vary in severity and length dependent upon such things as a person’s physical and mental health, the drug they are addicted to and how long they have been addicted, but there are common symptoms that most will experience. These include:

  • Stomach pains
  • Nauseous feelings
  • Vomitting
  • Headaches
  • Hot sweats and cold shivers
  • Aching muscles
  • Rising levels of stress and anxiety
  • Insomnia or uneasy, erratic sleep patterns

Help is on-hand:

Those addicts who have made the brave decision to quit drugs should avail themselves of professional rehabilitation assistance. By doing so they will have qualified staff on hand to explain the procedures and projected timescales involved while also offering reassuring words of advice and re-emphasizing that while drug withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant they are certainly manageable.

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