Category: United Kingdom

The realization that one has a problem with drugs and/or alcohol is often a crushing moment. Usually there is a litany of problems which attend this moment of realization. The general state of one’s life can be utterly demoralizing and hope can seem a distance thing. But coming to this realization and making a decision to do something about it is in itself reason for hope. This crisis moment is the point at which we stop digging the hole we are in and begin to move toward healing and recovery. There are numerous options for treatment, so many in fact that the choice itself can be dizzying. Dara Drug and Alcohol Rehab of Thailand stands out for a number of reasons. Just one thing to consider are the specific treatment options available at Dara.

One of the first things that will strike you about Dara is that it is not a 12 step recovery program. Dara Drug and Alcohol Rehab offer a treatment option that is distinct from the standard model of the 12 steps. A program which is based in science and practice. 12 step may work for some people, but for others it is off-putting. For those who have been offered nothing but 12 step, they may feel a distinct lack of options. This is one of the tremendous advantages of Dara’s treatment programs.

Dara Drug and Alcohol Rehab utilizes a combination of treatment models and therapy systems to create a treatment system which is best suited for the patient. There are a number of programs which can be treated in more detail in another post, but suffice to single out just one such therapeutic model practiced at Dara which is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, works by interrupting negative thinking patterns and habits and destructive emotional behaviors. It creates more constructive and positive modes of thinking and feeling in their place. What this means, for example, is that CBT will isolate destructive patterns of thinking, patterns of thinking which are often the root of substance abuse, and creating new modes of thinking which are conducive to a more healthy emotional state.

Many of our thought patterns are learned early in life and the way we process situations, especially difficult situations. Old habits of thinking and feeling that we are only dimly aware of. Rather than focusing on the childhood traumas or early life experiences that produced these emotional habits, CBT seeks to replace the habits of thinking and feeling altogether. As people come to Dara for drug and alcohol treatment, they will find that in some cases, the negative modes of understanding their world are merely habits which can be unlearned and replaced. Thus the emotional triggers which lead to drug and alcohol abuse are redirected into more positive and healthy life skills. In this way, substance abuse becomes less of a temptation or even an option as the thoughts and feelings which drive substance abuse are removed.

This is just one feature of Dara Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Thailand which sets it apart from old-fashioned models of treatment. Patients at Dara are led through new forms of emotional therapy which remove the root causes of drug and alcohol abuse. They do this without having recourse to methods and models that some find inconsistent with their beliefs. These are treatment models based on science and practiced by experienced professionals.

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Krokodil Takes Russia By Storm

A devastating drug is sweeping Russia and taking out addicts one by one, but not before bringing about a slow, painful, flesh-eating death. Desomorphine, known by its street name krokodil, delivers a very powerful high similar to that of heroin. It is highly addictive. Many addicts use the drug just once and they are hooked.  

Krokodil is a very toxic and dangerous drug that gets its name because it produces dark, scaly patches of skin on the user that resemble that of a crocodile. It is made at home by cooking codeine, paint thinner, gasoline, hydrochloric acid, iodine and the red phosphorous from matchbox strike pads. Because codeine is sold over the counter in Russia and the other ingredients are easy to obtain, making krokodil is easy for those who know how to whip up the concoction. The liquid produced by a batch is injected using a needle.

The drug hit the scene in Russia in 2002 and has since spread across the country. It’s no secret that heroin is a major problem in Russia, but it is quickly replacing heroin as a drug of choice among users. The drug has a more powerful high, which lasts between an hour and a half to two hours, and it costs about a tenth of what heroin costs.

The Negative Effects of Krokodil – The Drug Is Extremely Dangerous

Krokodil is so toxic, it actually creates a flesh-eating disease among those who abuse the drug. The drug eats away at the skin and creates terrible abscesses. It also causes teeth to rot and fall out and it attacks the liver and other internal organs.

This is not surprising when you consider the ingredients. Anyone who ingests gasoline, paint thinner, and red phosphorous is signing their own death warrant. In fact, the life expectancy of those who abuse krokodil is one to two years. Also, many people who abuse krokodil share dirty needles, which increases the spread of diseases like HIV.

Withdrawal From Krokodil Is Extremely Painful

Once someone has been using krokodil for even a short time, they will go through the excruciating process of withdrawal if they try to stop taking the drug. While heroin withdrawal lasts about one to two weeks, withdrawal from krokodil lasts from four to six weeks and it is unbearably painful. Most users will quickly return to the drug to be relieved from the withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Chills
• Tremors
• Fever
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Head-to-toe body aches
• Seizures
• Coma and death in extreme cases

Medical Withdrawal Is Recommended For People Addicted To Krokodil

Those who are addicted should not attempt to stop taking the drug on their own. Withdrawal from this drug is not only extremely unpleasant, it can be deadly. A professional medical detoxification is recommended for people who want to stop using this deadly drug. A medical detox happens in a medical facility or an inpatient treatment center where medications are administered and progress is evaluated.

If you’re addicted to krokodil, get help now – before it’s too late.

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Addiction can damage every aspect of life. Homes can be lost, children taken, finances ruined, but almost universally in the world of addiction, relationships are destroyed. These are not just romantic relationships, though those are included, but relationships with friends, family, and others who are important in your life. These relationships are touched by addiction even when only one person is using. Friendships and alliances are often lost when active addiction is occurring and families may be separated or tied together in an unhealthy manner by that same addiction. Though these relationships are severely damaged or lost, they can be healed and regained when in recovery. The rest of this article will offer the basics of how that can be accomplished.

Addiction damages the mind and body. Proper treatment and counseling, paired with abstinence from drugs and alcohol can heal the body and help the mind, but the relationships that have been damaged will require a little more. It is funny that the irony of addiction is that those closest to the addict tend to suffer the most. Those closest have to slowly watch as the addict damages their life and health. They may have to watch as the addict slowly kills their mind, body, and spirit. These individuals may also suffer from the behavior of the addict as lying, stealing, and destruction is often commonplace for an addict. This could mean money has been stolen, property damaged, or possibly worse, mental anguish caused. If you choose to repair these relationships than much work will need to be done. There are only two basic steps, but these steps will not be simple.

First you must stop using and change your bad behavior. Second, you must allow time for the person to come back to you, to trust you again. Trust is very different from love or forgiveness. It may take someone much longer to trust you than to forgive you or offer their love. Read on as this is broken down further.

The first step of no longer using and changing your behavior starts the day you enter recovery. You must abstain from drugs and alcohol, not just those you previously used, but all that can lead to another addiction. Additionally you must begin changing your behaviors immediately. Addiction often leads to lying and stealing. This must stop. In fact, brutal honesty with yourself and others should be the ultimate goal. Be honest with yourself and others about what you have done and where you plan to go. If you have harmed someone in a way that can be corrected, then do so. This may include paying back loved ones if you have taken money. This is a good step toward earning trust and forgiveness. Just know that some people may never again be able to trust you, but if the relationship is worth the effort to you, than make the effort.

The second step is time. Recovery takes time, as does building relationships as yourself in recovery. People will expect the same behaviors you demonstrated as an addict, but you must prove to them that you are a new person in recovery. Get into a routine, learn to trust yourself, and be honest in all dealings, even if this is difficult. Over time your behaviors will be proof of your commitment to your new life. Two steps seem simple, but the truth is that it will be hard to wait for those you care about to truly trust your changes. Be patient and know that in the long run recovery is well worth the effort. Those that do come back into your life and show they care are the ones that will be meant to be a part of your life.

Stay strong, the first steps have been made and you can make it to long term recovery.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.