Education Archives - Page 78 of 82

Mar032015Apr282025

Perfectionism Hinders Recovery Process

Perfectionism-Hinders-Recovery-Process One common thread among alcoholics, addicts and their loved ones is the presence of perfectionism. Those who are addicted to alcohol or drugs often seek to be perfect – or at least look perfect on the outside – in order to cover up the inadequacy they feel inside. They may present themselves with an attitude of bravado or self-importance, particularly in the early stages of their addiction when they may have periods of seeming to manage their alcohol or drugs. Meanwhile, their family members and loved ones try to appear perfect in order to cover up the problem. If they look good on the outside, then perhaps no one will notice their lives are falling apart. They also may strive for perfectionism in a vain attempt to hold themselves up as a beacon for the addict or alcoholic. No matter what the motive, perfection is impossible. It can create havoc with recovery.

Expectations Open Door To Resentment

Expectations are an aspect of perfectionism – expectations of oneself and of others. If an alcoholic or addict expects perfect performance at work, perfect relationships and perfect social connections, it opens the door to resentment. Setting excessively high standards by some internal measuring stick sets the stage for consolation in alcohol or drugs when the standards are not met. Expectations also create a critical attitude. When people are caught up in the behavior of others, it becomes easy to place blame and to avoid looking at one’s own patterns of drinking and drug use. It also can provide an excuse for relapse.

Treatment Offers Realistic Feedback

Addiction treatment can provide a solution for stepping out of the cycle of perfectionism and substance use. With the help of therapy and recovery groups, alcoholics, addicts and their families begin to develop a more realistic way to deal with life. They learn to let go of perfectionism.

If you, or someone you care about, needs help for a drug or alcohol addiction,
contact us at 1-888-457-3518 US, 0-808-120-3633 UK or 1-800-990-523 AU.
We’re here to help you take that first important step.

Feb242015Apr252025

Managing Anxiety in Recovery

Articles, Education, Understanding Addiction

Many people in substance recovery arrive with another condition such as anxiety. There is plenty of evidence from treating substance abusers who also have a mental disorder and the attitude is that both of these will be treated successfully. Research shows that “combining treatment medications with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches must be tailored to each patient’s drug and drug-related medical, psychiatric, and social problems.” Don’t think you are the only one to have another condition. It is very common.

The medications prescribed to treat your anxiety have a relaxing effect on your physiology. and Research says that the most common reasons for relapse are stress and being around illegal drugs or alcohol. The medications you will be prescribed in recovery are designed to interfere with your cravings. And you will need to be alert to avoid returning to places where drugs may be present. Changing the people and places from your using days is usually suggested. Counseling and learning new life skills to handle stress will help you recover from your anxiety.

Withdrawal from certain illegal drugs can cause anxiety, this is treatable and temporary. Certain prescriptions are intended to reduce the anxiety, making it more comfortable to stop the addiction and focus on recovery. The disruptive effects on your brain can often be reversed and you will return to a productive and useful life.

Because addiction can affect so many aspects of a person’s life, treatment must address the needs of the whole person to be successful. The top recovery programs use a blend of 12-steps, medical specialists, and counselors for the psychological needs of their clients. Even The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says seeking outside help is not only suggested but often necessary. A.A. offers fellowship who shares the same disease but members are not medical professionals. Listen to your doctors for advice designed to complement your substance addiction recovery. We wish you healing for your mind, body, and spirit.

Feb192015Apr252025

How the 12 Steps Help Manage Stress

Articles, Education, Understanding Addiction

Research shows that people often use alcohol and drugs for stress management. But most researchers also agree that these substances may actually induce stress rather than relieve it. So it’s important that individuals who have made the decision to stop drinking replace alcohol and drugs with more effective ways to manage stress. The 12 Steps, though not specifically designed as a stress management tool, use many of the techniques suggested by experts to deal with stress. For instance:

Numerous scientific studies have shown the positive effects of prayer and meditation on stress; as a result, health care practitioners often suggest prayer and meditation as a stress management strategy. The 12 Steps suggest the use of prayer and meditation as a means to sobriety. Though the writers of the 12 Steps weren’t aware of any science behind prayer and meditation at the time, they knew enough to include them at the heart of recovery.
Social support networks are known to relieve stress and promote mental health. While the 12 Steps do not explicitly mention group support as a way to stop drinking, they are written from a group perspective, using “we” and “our” in language, and they are recited at 12-Step meetings to provide common purpose, mutual understanding and a sense of community. The feeling of security that comes from group support can help manage the stress of being alone in the challenges of recovery.
Most individuals come to the 12 Steps with wreckage like financial debt, destroyed relationships and broken promises. The Steps help relieve the stress of a traumatic history by suggesting a complete inventory of one’s misbehavior, and amends to offended parties. By dealing with a troubled past, hope begins to take the place of stress, and individuals can start anew.

Dec232014Jan272016

Learning to Handle Responsibilities in Recovery

Education, Treatment

Many addicts can find handling responsibilities in recovery a challenging, if not completely new sort of task to endeavor. Assigning blame has become an easy method for people to avoid the truth about a situation and relinquish any need to resolve it. The responsibilities we hold to ourselves and other people, places and things can become obscured by this negative pattern.

People use blame every day, whether complaining about taxes or an unfair boss, its function is a venting of frustration. When abusing substances, addicts tend to have many justifications that deferred any accountability resulting in a chaotic and unmanageable life. Taking personal responsibility will bring to the surface the underlying issues about the ability to make choices, and become accountable for these choices and consequences.

Many argue that an individual is not responsible for falling into addiction, however they certainly have an independent responsibility to change their situation. No one else can do this, and this first step is essential to learning to manage responsibilities in recovery as well. Recovery teaches addicts to become answerable for their actions, in the past and the present, by outlining a course of action.

By taking sobriety one day at a time, and working with supporting, trustworthy people in a program of recovery, lost bills, broken promises and forgotten appointments can be sorted through, and over time, resolved. Learning to manage responsibilities in recovery is a process of learning to take everyday duties and obligations one at a time, with the next indicated step toward a positive action.

Addiction is a fact that won’t change, but no one is defined by their addiction and the future will provide the opportunity to grow and change. Was your life unmanageable before you entered treatment? How has accepting accountability in recovery helped your life become more manageable?

Nov192014Jan272016

Findings of the 2014 Global Drug Survey

Alternative Treatment, Education

The largest and most comprehensive survey of contemporary drug use was conducted in the last two months of 2013. Known as the 2014 Global Drug Survey (GDS2014), it has been published in 8 languages and represents data from over 80,000 respondents. Highlights include the following:

Internet access to drugs is increasing, with over 20% respondents from the UK reporting online drug purchases.
Alcohol (91%), tobacco (57%), and cannabis (48%) continue to be the top three drugs among consumers.
Cocaine and MDMA were voted, respectively, the worst and best value for money.
Alcohol was responsible for the largest amount of emergency room visits.
Hangovers at work are a concern for respondents, with Ireland leading the pack at 50% describing it as problematic.
Heavy consumers of alcohol have skewed perceptions about the frequency and amount they drink in terms of what they believe is normal drinking. Regarding this, the study’s authors suggest that drinkers utilize tools like the drinks meter app, which “provides you with instant feedback on your drinking . . . It compares your drinking against the Drinks Meter community to give unbiased, anonymous feedback.”

The study also produced a “Net Pleasure Index,” which aims to investigate the pros and cons, from a consumer perspective, of different drugs. Respondents were asked to rate each of eleven drugs according to a variety of positive and negative metrics. One of the drugs (GHB/GBL) did not appear in the results, and opiates were conspicuously absent from the list. Heading the list with the highest net-positive effect was MDMA, with LSD a close second.

Users were also polled on the effects of cannabis in terms of various criteria and the contrast between the product they have access to and an idealized cannabis that would only produce desired effects. Restlessness, hangover effects, forgetfulness, anxiety over other people’s judgment, and harm to lungs were the main shortcomings of cannabis products that respondents wished to have mitigated.