Category: International

Recovery From Binge Eating

Recovery From Binge Eating

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

Recovery From Binge Eating Can Be A Complicated Matter

When someone has a drug or alcohol addiction and they get into recovery, it’s pretty straightforward – no drugs or alcohol allowed. For an addict or alcoholic, this is what sobriety is all about. One day at a time, it’s about learning to live life without taking drugs or drinking alcohol to cope with painful feelings or the emotional stressors of daily living.

When you suffer from binge eating and you make the decision to get into recovery for your problem, things aren’t so simple. You have to eat food to survive, so you can’t simply remain abstinent from eating. In other words, you can’t make the decision to stay sober from food. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t work that way. Recovery from binge-eating is measured differently, which can make things seem much more complicated.

Food Functions As A Drug For Binge Eaters 

For those who struggle with binge-eating, recovery can be much more difficult than it is for those with a substance abuse problem. The addict or alcoholic simply stops using their drug of choice. With every sober day that passes, they celebrate one more day clean and sober. But, those who have an eating disorder have to learn to have a healthy relationship with their “drug of choice.” In no uncertain terms, for a binge-eater, food functions as a type of drug. Those who have this disorder must manage cravings and triggers as they continue to eat.

Imagine how difficult this would be for a cocaine addict! Imagine if we told them, “Here is some cocaine….. but, you can only use a certain amount. Good luck!” It would be impossible! This is how it feels for a binge-eater. Someone who abuses food to escape or uses it to get “high” doesn’t know how to only use a certain amount. Learning how to change eating habits can be quite challenging – and it can’t be done alone.

Recovery From Binge Eating Is Possible

This is not to say that it is impossible to enjoy recovery from an eating disorder. Quite the contrary! If you struggle with binge-eating, you can learn to have a healthy relationship with food and learn to eat properly. You can change the way you think about food and stop treating it as a drug. Food is designed to be fuel for the body. It is not supposed to function as a substance that helps you cope or escape from life’s difficulties.

At DARA Thailand, we specialize in treating behavioral addictions such as binge-eating. Our world-class program offers specialized counselors, focus coordinators, and an inpatient facility that was once a beautiful spa, which has been reengineered as a rehabilitation facility.

Our team of highly-skilled licensed addiction experts teach those who suffer from binge-eating the necessary skills to stop the destructive cycle of overeating. If you want to find freedom from binge-eating, DARA Thailand is the place to do it. Here, you will receive specialized care that will improve the mind-body-soul connection so you can learn to love yourself and treat yourself well. When you love yourself, you are kind to your body. You stop abusing food and establish healthy boundaries when it comes to eating.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Trusting Yourself Again

Trusting Yourself Again

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

It seems odd for someone to not be able to trust their own judgment, but addiction messes with our minds and bodies in a way that can leave us with trust issues, even self-trust issues. Addiction does so much damage to all areas of life. Whether you are addicted to gambling, sleeping pills, alcohol, or meth the addiction itself can change the chemistry of your body and change the way you approach even the simplest of situations. This can be difficult to overcome, but does get easier while in recovery. Part of this change is learning to trust yourself again.

Unfortunately, part of addiction is following your need for that addiction and not trusting your priorities, goals, thoughts, or even gut feelings. Addiction tends to make us act and think impulsively and that is something that needs to be dealt with in recovery. The first step in dealing with this in recovery is to build self-trust.

Starting out in recovery involves taking chances and making life altering decisions. In fact, deciding not to take part in your addiction or addictions is hugely life altering in every sense. This is an incredible undertaking and a journey that will change your life for the better if you allow it to do so. Though you are never done with recovery, you need to start building self-trust immediately. There are a few things you can do to start this process. As you start this journey know that everyone is different and everyone must go at their own pace, the key is to keep moving in the right direction. Read on to learn how to start building self-trust as part of your recovery.

First give yourself a clean slate. This may be the hardest step of all. Recovery means starting a new life, so give yourself one to start. Start where you are at this moment and let the past go. You cannot change what you have done, but you can change your behaviors from this moment on and into your future. There is no point in carrying your baggage into your new life. For some this may mean a whole new set of friends, moving to a new area, finding new employment, and much more. For others it may simply mean a new mind set and strong boundaries to start over in a supportive environment.  Remember that you are not your past or your mistakes. You are a person who has existed until this point and one who is now starting fresh. Knowing, understanding, and believing this makes it easier to focus on healing and build self-confidence and self-trust.

Next, build on your successes. Whether you are successful in simply creating a daily routine or in finding great employment, celebrate. This does not have to be an all out party, but share your joy and accomplishments with those who are supportive. It is healthy to be proud of yourself for meeting goals, big and small. Next, set new goals and milestones and keep celebrating as you meet those. Meeting these short term goals will help you reach milestones and those milestones will lead to larger goals. Don’t waste time, start working on these goals immediately.

Do not be afraid to ask for help in meeting these goals when you need it. No one can exist in a vacuum and having a support circle can go a long way when encouragement is needed. Finally, if and when you do make a mistake, do not give up. Everyone messes up from time to time, learn from these mistakes and start over when needed. As you grow you will learn to start trusting yourself and your decision making skills more and more. This will make long term recovery much easier.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Setting Boundaries in Life and Recovery

Setting Boundaries in Life and Recovery

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

Boundaries, everyone needs them in life. In fact, setting boundaries is a part of everyday life, but having boundaries is especially important when in recovery. Though boundaries are important throughout recovery, they are most important in early recovery. The necessary thing about boundaries is that they are a two way street. This means that you not only must have boundaries, but respect the boundaries of others. This can be a challenge because while most people are comfortable setting their own boundaries, they are not as good at respecting those of others. However, this is an important part of boundaries since if you expect others to respect your limits; you must respect theirs as well.

Establishing boundaries can prevent someone from being taken advantage of or manipulated. It can also help define relationships more clearly and prevent codependency. Boundaries help protect a person from conscious or unconscious harm while at the same time encouraging people to trust their inner voice. This also helps you and others to communicate needs, wants, and desires more clearly to others and allow others to do the same for you. When you have unhealthy boundaries you risk sacrificing personal values and allowing yourself to feel guilty for saying no. Or allowing others to define your boundaries for you. If others define your boundaries then they may decide things for you that you are not truly comfortable with in your life. In contrast, healthy boundaries require a person to consider what is best for them. If you set your own boundaries then they are truly for you. It can be a positive part of your life.

To set healthy boundaries in your life you must  first decide what you truly want out of life and what you are comfortable with as far as other people are concerned.  Consider your personal values and feelings. For example, if you are okay having friends that drink, but do not want them to drink in your presence or in your  home then this is a boundary you need to make clear.

Trust your instincts when setting boundaries.

If you are truly not comfortable with an activity or a person, then set strong boundaries with that person or remove them completely from your life. If that boundary is being pushed then remove yourself from the situation and then completely remove that person from your life until they can become respectful of that boundary. Finally, be prepared to defend your boundaries. You are setting boundaries for your own health and well-being. Defend your boundaries as something that is good for you and expect others to do the same with their boundaries. It can be difficult to defend your boundaries with friends, especially old friends with whom you are setting new boundaries. But it is imperative for your well-being and recovery. This may mean you need to focus on developing relationships with sober peers while also taking care of yourself.

So start immediately by thinking about what boundaries you need to put in place. Write them out and practice sharing them with those in your life. It may be difficult, but your recovery is worth the effort.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Dubai Changes Drug Laws To Get Addicts Treatment

Dubai Changes Drug Laws To Get Addicts Treatment

Articles, Education, International, LGBTQ, Understanding Addiction

Dubai Has Some Of The Strictest Drug Laws In The World

Dubai, the most populated city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has a reputation for being one of the strictest localities in the world when it comes to drugs.

Possession of any drug – including marijuana – (even in the smallest amount) is a felony with a minimum four-year prison sentence. Until recently, even drug use was a felony. That meant that if someone admitted to using drugs or they were reported by a family member, they would go to prison.

However, Dubai has recently implemented a new law that will allow users to admit they have been using drugs so they can get the treatment they need.

Dubai Has Changed One Aspect Of Its Anti Narcotics Law So Addicts Can Get Treatment

In 2016, the UAE Anti Narcotics Law in Dubai (Article 43) was amended to change the crime of drug use from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Now, if someone comes forward and voluntarily admits to authorities that they have an addiction problem, they will be offered a place in a two-year rehabilitation program (some of which will be out-patient) as opposed to the previous severe penalty of a minimum of four years imprisonment and a minimum fine of Dhs10,000. As an exemption to Article 43, someone can now admit to using drugs only if they are willing to get help for their problem without fear of prosecution.

Furthermore, family members (parents, spouse and siblings only) can come forward to report the addiction problem of someone they love to get that person help. If the addicted person does not cooperate or respond positively treatment, however; exemption from prosecution will be rendered invalid and they will be incarcerated.

If You Have A Drug Problem In Dubai, DARA Thailand Can Help

If you live in Dubai and you have a problem with drugs, we can help. We do not believe someone with a drug problem is bad, we believe they are sick and need treatment. Here at DARA Thailand, we can provide you with the help you need to get your life on track without the fear of going to prison.

We promise that all of the information you share here at DARA Thailand will be kept in the strictest of confidence. We won’t disclose your secrets with anyone and will treat you with compassion and respect.

At DARA Thailand, we offer top-of-the-line addiction treatment services in the comfort of a resort-style facility. We have individualized programs tailored to meet your specific needs to give you all the tools you need to enjoy a life of sobriety.

Addiction Never Gets Better

Keep in mind that an addiction problem never gets better, it only gets worse. You won’t be able to treat your problem with drug addiction on your own. Just think about everything you have been through so far because of your problem. Are you ready to find a new way to live? We can help!

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

DARA Dual-Diagnosis

Understanding And Treating Dual-Diagnosis

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

What Is A Dual-Diagnosis or Co-Occurring Disorder?

If you have a mental health diagnosis like bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, an eating disorder, or any other mental illness AND you have a substance abuse problem. You are considered to have a dual-diagnosis, also known as a co-occurring disorder. It is estimated than one in five people who have a problem with chemical addiction also have a mental health issue.

Treating a dual-diagnosis is more complicated than simply treating an addiction problem. That is because there are two conditions that need to be treated and each of these conditions complicates the other. Quite often, those who have a mental illness use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate to find relief from the symptoms of their condition. This can lead to frequent relapses.

Those who have a mental illness need to treat their condition AND their substance abuse problem. This requires specialized care and a highly individualized treatment plan executed by skilled therapists and addiction experts. At DARA Thailand, we are equipped to help those who have a co-occurring disorder find joy and freedom.

Diagnosing A Co-Occurring Disorder

Diagnosis of a co-occurring disorder can be difficult. When someone has a drug or alcohol problem, they can display symptoms that appear to be related to mental illness when they are just a result of prolonged substance abuse.

For this reason, many unskilled medical professionals don’t realize that someone has a mental health issue when they have an addiction to drugs or alcohol. They think the person’s mental health is directly affected by their substance abuse instead of an underlying issue. It often isn’t until someone stays sober for an extended period of time and they continue to have mental health problems that it becomes clear that someone has a dual-diagnosis.

We Identify Dual-Diagnosis Early On

At DARA Thailand, we conduct a thorough evaluation of every client who comes to see us. Our pre-admission process assesses the potential for a dual-diagnosis. We understand that it is important to treat substance abuse AND mental illness simultaneously. This ensures ongoing, long-term success for people in recovery.

Many of our clients come to us because they have tried other programs that didn’t work for them and they were unable to maintain sobriety. Our program works. We are known for the quality of our services throughout the international addiction treatment community.  

A Holistic Approach Is An Important Part Our Dual-Diagnosis Treatment

Mental illness is largely treated with medications. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety medications, and anti-psychotics are commonly prescribed to those who have mental health issues. The problem is, most people have to undergo a process of trial and error to find the right medication or combination of medications. This can be a lengthy and sometimes uncomfortable process.

At DARA Thailand, we offer a holistic approach to treating someone with a co-occurring disorder to address the mind-body-soul connection. While medication certainly plays an important part in treating a dual-diagnosis. We believe there is more to treating this condition than just offering someone a handful of pills.

We provide integrated care so that each one of our clients receives seamless treatment by mental health and addiction professionals under the same roof. Our balanced approach to dual-diagnosis treatment is based on the most current and effective evidence-based therapy.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.