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Of the more than 4 million Americans who misuse prescription opioids, more than half also binge drink, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Put another way, people who binge drink are two times more likely to misuse opioids than non-drinkers, the agency reveals in a new study.
"We are losing far too many Americans each day from overdoses," CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield said in an agency news release. "Combining alcohol and opioids can significantly increase the risk of overdoses and deaths."
For women, binge drinking is having four or more drinks on a single occasion. The threshold for men is five or more drinks. Prescription opioid misuse is defined as taking powerful painkillers like morphine or OxyContin (oxycodone) without a prescription or to get high.
Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, explained that "the simultaneous use of alcohol and prescription opioids is dangerous because both types of substances act as central nervous system depressants." This interaction significantly increases the risk of respiratory depression and death, he said.
Glatter called the new study a "major wake-up call."
"We need to educate those who drink excessively about the added dangers of misusing opioids, which can be a recipe for respiratory depression and death," he said.
For the report, the CDC analyzed 2012-2014 data from the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Those who combined prescription opioid use and binge drinking were likely to be 26 or older. They also tended to be less educated and have lower incomes. Furthermore, prescription opioid misuse rose as binge drinking increased, the researchers found.
What's needed? According to the CDC, a comprehensive effort to tackle excessive drinking and prescription opioid misuse could help to reduce the risk of drug overdoses.
Communities can limit the number of places where people can buy alcohol, restrict the hours when it can be sold and take legal action against places that sell alcohol to minors, the agency advises. Better strategies to prevent and treat opioid disorders would help, too, the agency suggested.
The study was published June 11 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-06-11/opioid-misuse-binge-drinking-often-go-hand-in-hand
Put another way, people who binge drink are two times more likely to misuse opioids than non-drinkers, the agency reveals in a new study.
"We are losing far too many Americans each day from overdoses," CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield said in an agency news release. "Combining alcohol and opioids can significantly increase the risk of overdoses and deaths."
For women, binge drinking is having four or more drinks on a single occasion. The threshold for men is five or more drinks. Prescription opioid misuse is defined as taking powerful painkillers like morphine or OxyContin (oxycodone) without a prescription or to get high.
Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, explained that "the simultaneous use of alcohol and prescription opioids is dangerous because both types of substances act as central nervous system depressants." This interaction significantly increases the risk of respiratory depression and death, he said.
Glatter called the new study a "major wake-up call."
"We need to educate those who drink excessively about the added dangers of misusing opioids, which can be a recipe for respiratory depression and death," he said.
For the report, the CDC analyzed 2012-2014 data from the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Those who combined prescription opioid use and binge drinking were likely to be 26 or older. They also tended to be less educated and have lower incomes. Furthermore, prescription opioid misuse rose as binge drinking increased, the researchers found.
What's needed? According to the CDC, a comprehensive effort to tackle excessive drinking and prescription opioid misuse could help to reduce the risk of drug overdoses.
Communities can limit the number of places where people can buy alcohol, restrict the hours when it can be sold and take legal action against places that sell alcohol to minors, the agency advises. Better strategies to prevent and treat opioid disorders would help, too, the agency suggested.
The study was published June 11 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-06-11/opioid-misuse-binge-drinking-often-go-hand-in-hand
What is Co-Occurring Disorder?
People who have substance use disorders as well as mental health disorders are diagnosed as having co-occurring disorders, or dual disorders. This is also sometimes called a dual diagnosis.
Substance use disorder
A substance use disorder includes
Alcohol or drug dependence is a more severe condition than alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to facing more negative consequences, people with dependence have failed in their attempts to abstain from or control their use of substances. In some cases, physiological dependence may also exist, which is indicated by heightened tolerance (needing more of a substance to get the same effect) and withdrawal (experiencing symptoms such as tremors or nausea when substance use has stopped).
Mental health disorders
Some of the most common mental health disorders found in chemically dependent people include mood- and anxiety disorders. An even higher percentage of people with severe mental illness also have co-occurring substance use disorders. Called severe because of the severity and length of episodes of illness, these mental health disorders include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. (These latter two disorders with their symptoms of hallucinations or delusions are also sometimes called thought disorders.)
Mood-related disorders
Two entwined problems
Co-occurring disorders can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of substance abuse or addiction can mask symptoms of mental illness, and symptoms of mental illness can be confused with symptoms of addiction. People with mental health disorders sometimes do not address their substance use because they don't believe it is relevant to their problems.
However, some typical patterns do emerge among those with co-occurring disorders:
A worsening of mental health symptoms even while receiving treatment. Those diagnosed with mental health disorders often use substances to feel better. People who are anxious may want something to make them feel calm; people who are depressed may want something to make them feel more animated; people who are fearful of others may want something to make them feel more relaxed and less inhibited; and people who are in psychological pain may want something to make them feel numb.
Using alcohol or other drugs not only fails to repair the mental health disorder but also prevents a person from developing effective coping skills, having satisfying relationships, and feeling comfortable with themselves. Alcohol also interferes with medications prescribed for mental health disorders. In short, drug and alcohol use makes mental health disorders worse.
Alcohol or substance use problems that seem resistant to treatment. People with co-occurring disorders may stop using alcohol or other drugs, but they will find difficulties as the symptoms of their mental health disorders persist. Treatment centers and clinicians and addiction specialists may not be prepared to address both conditions. And some traditional peer recovery groups may insist on abstinence from all drugs - even medications prescribed for mental health disorders. As a result, people with co-occurring disorders find it very difficult to treat their substance-use problems without also treating their mental health disorders.
Integrated Treatment
Although in the past, mental health disorders and addiction problems were often treated separately, we now know that co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders impact one another and must be treated together. Treating just one disorder will not cause the other to automatically improve. And separate, parallel care for the disorders does not result in one, effective treatment plan. To be effective, both disorders must be treated at the same time, in the same place, by the same treatment team. This is called integrated treatment.
How Common Are Co-occurring Disorders?
Being diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder is often referred to as having a dual diagnosis. The disorders together are called dual disorders or co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders are common among people seeking treatment in the mental health or addiction treatment settings.
Although people with this diagnosis may not have received treatment for both disorders, co-occurring disorders are, in fact, common. In a 1990 survey of over 20,000 U.S. adults, over half (53%) of those with a drug use disorder also had a co-occurring mental health disorder. A little over a third (37%) with an alcohol use disorder also had a psychiatric disorder (Regier et al. 1990). Among people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, the rates of co-occurring disorders appear to be even higher. About half of people with these diagnoses also have substance use disorders. According to the 2006 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 5.6 million people in the United States have co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Causes of co-occurring disorders
There appear to be genetic risk factors for substance use and certain mental health disorders, but genes alone cannot explain all cases of these disorders. Scientists cannot fully explain why some people develop mental health disorders and others do not. One theory that has received support is the stress-vulnerability model. This model holds that both stress and biological vulnerability work together to contribute to symptoms of mental illness.
Biological vulnerability refers to a tendency to develop a condition. People are born with or acquire this sensitivity very early in life. Vulnerability also refers to what a person has been exposed to early in life, such as exposure to a virus in the womb. Stress or environmental factors can trigger the onset of symptoms. "Stress" refers to the challenges faced in our lives. It is affected by our coping skills, social support, and involvement in meaningful activities.
People with a mental health disorder may be more biologically sensitive to the effects of substances. They may also use substances to cope with symptoms or facilitate social connections. In general, people who have a mental health disorder are at much greater risk of also having a substance use disorder.
It is not known why people become addicted to a certain substance and not another. Some research indicates that access and exposure to substances may be the most important reason. That is, the substances people have access to determine the type of substance use disorder they are likely to develop.
People who have substance use disorders as well as mental health disorders are diagnosed as having co-occurring disorders, or dual disorders. This is also sometimes called a dual diagnosis.
Substance use disorder
A substance use disorder includes
- alcohol or drug abuse
- alcohol or drug dependence
Alcohol or drug dependence is a more severe condition than alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to facing more negative consequences, people with dependence have failed in their attempts to abstain from or control their use of substances. In some cases, physiological dependence may also exist, which is indicated by heightened tolerance (needing more of a substance to get the same effect) and withdrawal (experiencing symptoms such as tremors or nausea when substance use has stopped).
Mental health disorders
Some of the most common mental health disorders found in chemically dependent people include mood- and anxiety disorders. An even higher percentage of people with severe mental illness also have co-occurring substance use disorders. Called severe because of the severity and length of episodes of illness, these mental health disorders include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. (These latter two disorders with their symptoms of hallucinations or delusions are also sometimes called thought disorders.)
Mood-related disorders
- Major depression
- Dysthymia
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
Two entwined problems
Co-occurring disorders can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms of substance abuse or addiction can mask symptoms of mental illness, and symptoms of mental illness can be confused with symptoms of addiction. People with mental health disorders sometimes do not address their substance use because they don't believe it is relevant to their problems.
However, some typical patterns do emerge among those with co-occurring disorders:
A worsening of mental health symptoms even while receiving treatment. Those diagnosed with mental health disorders often use substances to feel better. People who are anxious may want something to make them feel calm; people who are depressed may want something to make them feel more animated; people who are fearful of others may want something to make them feel more relaxed and less inhibited; and people who are in psychological pain may want something to make them feel numb.
Using alcohol or other drugs not only fails to repair the mental health disorder but also prevents a person from developing effective coping skills, having satisfying relationships, and feeling comfortable with themselves. Alcohol also interferes with medications prescribed for mental health disorders. In short, drug and alcohol use makes mental health disorders worse.
Alcohol or substance use problems that seem resistant to treatment. People with co-occurring disorders may stop using alcohol or other drugs, but they will find difficulties as the symptoms of their mental health disorders persist. Treatment centers and clinicians and addiction specialists may not be prepared to address both conditions. And some traditional peer recovery groups may insist on abstinence from all drugs - even medications prescribed for mental health disorders. As a result, people with co-occurring disorders find it very difficult to treat their substance-use problems without also treating their mental health disorders.
Integrated Treatment
Although in the past, mental health disorders and addiction problems were often treated separately, we now know that co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders impact one another and must be treated together. Treating just one disorder will not cause the other to automatically improve. And separate, parallel care for the disorders does not result in one, effective treatment plan. To be effective, both disorders must be treated at the same time, in the same place, by the same treatment team. This is called integrated treatment.
How Common Are Co-occurring Disorders?
Being diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder is often referred to as having a dual diagnosis. The disorders together are called dual disorders or co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders are common among people seeking treatment in the mental health or addiction treatment settings.
Although people with this diagnosis may not have received treatment for both disorders, co-occurring disorders are, in fact, common. In a 1990 survey of over 20,000 U.S. adults, over half (53%) of those with a drug use disorder also had a co-occurring mental health disorder. A little over a third (37%) with an alcohol use disorder also had a psychiatric disorder (Regier et al. 1990). Among people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, the rates of co-occurring disorders appear to be even higher. About half of people with these diagnoses also have substance use disorders. According to the 2006 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 5.6 million people in the United States have co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Causes of co-occurring disorders
There appear to be genetic risk factors for substance use and certain mental health disorders, but genes alone cannot explain all cases of these disorders. Scientists cannot fully explain why some people develop mental health disorders and others do not. One theory that has received support is the stress-vulnerability model. This model holds that both stress and biological vulnerability work together to contribute to symptoms of mental illness.
Biological vulnerability refers to a tendency to develop a condition. People are born with or acquire this sensitivity very early in life. Vulnerability also refers to what a person has been exposed to early in life, such as exposure to a virus in the womb. Stress or environmental factors can trigger the onset of symptoms. "Stress" refers to the challenges faced in our lives. It is affected by our coping skills, social support, and involvement in meaningful activities.
People with a mental health disorder may be more biologically sensitive to the effects of substances. They may also use substances to cope with symptoms or facilitate social connections. In general, people who have a mental health disorder are at much greater risk of also having a substance use disorder.
It is not known why people become addicted to a certain substance and not another. Some research indicates that access and exposure to substances may be the most important reason. That is, the substances people have access to determine the type of substance use disorder they are likely to develop.
Addiction Statistics on Specific Population Demographics
- Adolescents (aged 12-17):
In 2017, approximately 4% of the American adolescent population age 12 to 17 suffered from a substance use disorder; this equals 992,000 teens or 1 in 25 people in this age group.
About 443,000 adolescents age 12 to 17 had an alcohol use disorder in 2017, or 1.8% of adolescents.
An estimated 741,000 adolescents suffered from an illicit drug use disorder in 2017, or about 3% of this population.
- Young adults aged 18-25:
About 5.1 million young adults age 18 to 25 battled a substance use disorder in 2017, which equates to 14.8% of this population and about 1 in 7 people.
About 3.4 million young adults age 18 to 25 had an alcohol use disorder in 2017, or about 10% of young adults.
About 2.5 million young adults had an illicit drug use disorder in 2017, or about 7.3% of this population.
Heroin use among young adults between 18 and 25 years old doubled in the past decade.
- Over age 26:
Approximately 13.6 million adults age 26 or older struggled with a substance use disorder in 2017, or 6.4% of this age group.
About 10.6 million adults age 26 and older had an alcohol use disorder in 2017, or about 5% of this age group.
About 4.3 million adults age 26 or older had an illicit drug use disorder in 2017, or 2% of this age group.
- Elderly individuals:
More than 1 million adults age 65 or older had a substance use disorder in 2017.
That same year, about 978,000 of people in this age group had an alcohol use disorder and about 93,000 had an illicit drug use disorder.
Two-thirds of the population over the age of 65 who struggle with alcohol use disorders developed the disorder before age 65.
Between 21% and 66% of elderly individuals battling a substance use disorder also suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder.
( Read more at: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/r…/addiction-statistics)
- Adolescents (aged 12-17):
In 2017, approximately 4% of the American adolescent population age 12 to 17 suffered from a substance use disorder; this equals 992,000 teens or 1 in 25 people in this age group.
About 443,000 adolescents age 12 to 17 had an alcohol use disorder in 2017, or 1.8% of adolescents.
An estimated 741,000 adolescents suffered from an illicit drug use disorder in 2017, or about 3% of this population.
- Young adults aged 18-25:
About 5.1 million young adults age 18 to 25 battled a substance use disorder in 2017, which equates to 14.8% of this population and about 1 in 7 people.
About 3.4 million young adults age 18 to 25 had an alcohol use disorder in 2017, or about 10% of young adults.
About 2.5 million young adults had an illicit drug use disorder in 2017, or about 7.3% of this population.
Heroin use among young adults between 18 and 25 years old doubled in the past decade.
- Over age 26:
Approximately 13.6 million adults age 26 or older struggled with a substance use disorder in 2017, or 6.4% of this age group.
About 10.6 million adults age 26 and older had an alcohol use disorder in 2017, or about 5% of this age group.
About 4.3 million adults age 26 or older had an illicit drug use disorder in 2017, or 2% of this age group.
- Elderly individuals:
More than 1 million adults age 65 or older had a substance use disorder in 2017.
That same year, about 978,000 of people in this age group had an alcohol use disorder and about 93,000 had an illicit drug use disorder.
Two-thirds of the population over the age of 65 who struggle with alcohol use disorders developed the disorder before age 65.
Between 21% and 66% of elderly individuals battling a substance use disorder also suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder.
( Read more at: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/r…/addiction-statistics)
What Is Narcan (Naloxone)?
In an effort to learn more about this life-saving drug that could aid their loved ones facing opioid addiction, thousands of people search online for “what is Narcan?” Narcan is the brand name of a medication (naloxone) that is used to reverse an opioid overdose. The drug can be injected intravenously by a medical professional, but the drug’s more common form is a nasal spray. It can treat a definite, or suspected, overdose, when the person seems to be having breathing problems, is unresponsive or isn’t breathing at all. Narcan essentially revives someone who is in the throes of an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain. However, the drug cannot substitute for medical help, and 911 should be called immediately, even if Narcan is used.
What Should I Do If Someone Is Overdosing on Opioids?
If you suspect someone is overdosing on opioids, first check their responsiveness. This can include shaking the person gently or shouting. You should then check to see if they’re breathing. If you carry Narcan, go ahead and administer one dose in one of their nostrils and call 911 immediately. Continue to monitor the person until medical assistance arrives.
Narcan Dosage
When an overdose renders someone unconscious, Narcan can’t be administered by the person who has taken opioids. Instead, the drug must be administered by a family member, friend or a bystander. For this reason, it’s important for the loved ones of people who are addicted to opioids to have a script for Narcan nasal spray in case of emergency.
The Narcan dosage guide includes information like:
* Administer one spray in one nostril: Every Narcan dose contains 2 mg or 4 mg of naloxone hydrochloride, which is usually enough to revive someone once. One spray in one nostril is the initial recommended Narcan dosage. It’s important to remember that each Narcan nasal spray contains only one dose. It must be sprayed once in the nostril, then discarded.
* Administer Narcan as soon as possible: The longer someone experiences depression of the respiratory system, the more likely they are to suffer severe damage to their central nervous system.
* Call 911 immediately: Narcan can revive someone who has overdosed, but it cannot substitute for emergency services.
* Readministration may be necessary: According to the Narcan dosage guide, each nasal spray has one dose of naloxone that can’t be reused, so a person should use a new nasal spray every two to three minutes if there is no response. If the person seems to respond momentarily but then falls unconscious again, Narcan should also be readministered. If multiple doses are required, Narcan should be given in an alternating nostril each time it’s administered.
How is Narcan Administered?
Narcan is most commonly administered in the form of a nasal spray that contains either 2 mg or 4 mg of naloxone hydrochloride. Each nasal spray contains a single dose of Narcan, and the entire dose must be used — it’s not possible to use half of one dispenser and save the other half. If one dose of Narcan is administered and the individual is still unresponsive, new Narcan doses may be given every three minutes, in alternating nostrils. If repeated doses of Narcan are given, multiple nasal dispensers will be necessary.
If someone awakes from an overdose only to become unresponsive again, more Narcan doses may be administered. However, it’s important to note that repeated doses of the drug cannot take the place of emergency care. If someone overdoses on opioids, it’s essential to call 911 immediately, no matter how many Narcan doses are administered.
(source: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/narcan-addiction/#gref)
In an effort to learn more about this life-saving drug that could aid their loved ones facing opioid addiction, thousands of people search online for “what is Narcan?” Narcan is the brand name of a medication (naloxone) that is used to reverse an opioid overdose. The drug can be injected intravenously by a medical professional, but the drug’s more common form is a nasal spray. It can treat a definite, or suspected, overdose, when the person seems to be having breathing problems, is unresponsive or isn’t breathing at all. Narcan essentially revives someone who is in the throes of an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain. However, the drug cannot substitute for medical help, and 911 should be called immediately, even if Narcan is used.
What Should I Do If Someone Is Overdosing on Opioids?
If you suspect someone is overdosing on opioids, first check their responsiveness. This can include shaking the person gently or shouting. You should then check to see if they’re breathing. If you carry Narcan, go ahead and administer one dose in one of their nostrils and call 911 immediately. Continue to monitor the person until medical assistance arrives.
Narcan Dosage
When an overdose renders someone unconscious, Narcan can’t be administered by the person who has taken opioids. Instead, the drug must be administered by a family member, friend or a bystander. For this reason, it’s important for the loved ones of people who are addicted to opioids to have a script for Narcan nasal spray in case of emergency.
The Narcan dosage guide includes information like:
* Administer one spray in one nostril: Every Narcan dose contains 2 mg or 4 mg of naloxone hydrochloride, which is usually enough to revive someone once. One spray in one nostril is the initial recommended Narcan dosage. It’s important to remember that each Narcan nasal spray contains only one dose. It must be sprayed once in the nostril, then discarded.
* Administer Narcan as soon as possible: The longer someone experiences depression of the respiratory system, the more likely they are to suffer severe damage to their central nervous system.
* Call 911 immediately: Narcan can revive someone who has overdosed, but it cannot substitute for emergency services.
* Readministration may be necessary: According to the Narcan dosage guide, each nasal spray has one dose of naloxone that can’t be reused, so a person should use a new nasal spray every two to three minutes if there is no response. If the person seems to respond momentarily but then falls unconscious again, Narcan should also be readministered. If multiple doses are required, Narcan should be given in an alternating nostril each time it’s administered.
How is Narcan Administered?
Narcan is most commonly administered in the form of a nasal spray that contains either 2 mg or 4 mg of naloxone hydrochloride. Each nasal spray contains a single dose of Narcan, and the entire dose must be used — it’s not possible to use half of one dispenser and save the other half. If one dose of Narcan is administered and the individual is still unresponsive, new Narcan doses may be given every three minutes, in alternating nostrils. If repeated doses of Narcan are given, multiple nasal dispensers will be necessary.
If someone awakes from an overdose only to become unresponsive again, more Narcan doses may be administered. However, it’s important to note that repeated doses of the drug cannot take the place of emergency care. If someone overdoses on opioids, it’s essential to call 911 immediately, no matter how many Narcan doses are administered.
(source: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/narcan-addiction/#gref)
Ten things you probably didn't know about Addiction
According to some surveys, almost two-thirds of American families have been significantly impacted in some way by addictions to drugs or alcohol. Virtually everyone knows someone with a drinking or drug problem – a family member, a friend, or a coworker.
Despite this, there are a number of misconceptions and little-known facts about addiction that continue to persist. Understanding is one of the main keys to mitigating the damage that addiction can do.
1. Addiction Is a Disease
Alcoholism was identified as a disease several decades ago, and it is now known that all addictions fall into the same category. Yet, many people still think of addiction as a personal weakness or moral failing.
To be clear – when an addiction is active, the alcoholic/addict has virtually no control over their actions. They are just as much a victim of their disease as is someone with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or any other chronic condition.
Signs of addiction include:
needing to use more and more of the drug/alcohol to achieve the same effect
anxiety or irritation when the drug/alcohol is not available
constant preoccupation about the drug/alcohol
inability to stop using/drinking, even in the face of negative consequences
hiding or lying about one’s usage
2. Addiction Is a Lonely Disease but Addicts Are Not Alone
Because of the deception and denial that, hand-in-hand with addiction, many substance abusers find themselves separate from those around them. This isolation can exacerbate their problem, because they feel alone and unworthy.
However, addicts are far from alone in their suffering. Some estimates report that up to 23 million Americans have an addiction to drugs or alcohol. What this means is that in response, there is help available everywhere. Even tiny communities will hold 12-Step meetings, and towns of any size whatsoever have access to professional drug rehab programs.
3. Addiction Is Incurable
Addiction is a chronic, progressive disease.
Chronic, because it can never be cured. A person who is addicted will always have to be on guard with their thoughts and actions, lest they suffer a relapse.
Progressive, because unless something is done, the disease invariably worsens, even to the point of being fatal.
There is no such thing as a “recovered” addict or alcoholic. A person who has had a substance abuse problem cannot go back to social drinking or recreational drug use without running the risk of picking up right where they left off.
However, the disease can be managed, in much the same way that other chronic afflictions are. Just as diabetics monitor their blood sugars and make adjustments and people with hypertension reduce their salt intake, addicts too can make changes that will halt their disease’s progression.
Time and therapy will allow them to recover from much of the damage – emotional, spiritual, and physical – that the disease has infected over time.
4. Many Addicts Cannot Feel Normal without Their Drug of Choice
Addiction is a disease of the brain. The brain of someone who is actively addicted to drugs or alcohol will actually undergo physical and chemical changes, and these changes are what makes it so hard to overcome an addiction.
When the substance is ingested, the brain floods the body with pleasure-producing hormones. Over time, that person almost completely loses the ability to produce those hormones naturally. This means that when they aren’t drinking or using, they can’t experience normal pleasure or joy.
When that person enters drug or alcohol rehab and totally abstains, this means that (1) they don’t have the substance that they physically need to feel normal, and (2) they can’t feel normal on their own. This is why withdrawal is such an unpleasant experience – the body no longer knows what to do without the alcohol/drug.
It can take several months for the recovering addict’s brain chemistry to come back into balance.
5. There Is No Such Thing as a “Stereotypical” Addict
For whatever reason, many people still have the mental picture of an addict/alcoholic as homeless, dirty, incoherent, and criminal. While there is no doubt that some substance abusers fit that profile, there are many more who appear outwardly as normal, productive, everyday citizens.
A person can have all the trappings of success – a good job, high income, nice house, seemingly-happy family – and still be lost to the disease of addiction.
Addiction strikes every segment of the population, and it knows no boundaries. Black, white, Asian, Hispanic – rich or poor – professional or blue-collar – anyone can suffer from substance abuse.
In fact, because up to 20% of the US population suffers from a drug or alcohol dependency, high-functioning addicts may even be the rule, rather than the exception.
6. No One Knows Exactly What Causes Addiction
Addiction is a disease with many contributing factors, but no single identifying cause. Some factors that may play a role include:
Genetics – experts believe that up to half of a person’s risk of developing an addiction is due to their own personal genetic predisposition. It is known that individuals who have close family members who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol are much more likely to suffer from a substance abuse disorder at some point in their life.
Trauma – many people who have suffered from some past emotional upheaval or traumatic experience will try to self-medicate in an attempt to feel better.
Family History – individuals who were exposed to drug or alcohol abuse as a child are at high risk of substance abuse when they become adults.
Social pressure – when a person already has a genetic/familial predisposition to addiction and they are exposed to regular usage, it can precipitate a rapid addiction.
Co-occurring mental disorders – conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD can both partially cause and be partially caused by addiction. During treatment, it is important to address both the substance abuse disorder and the simultaneous mental disorder.
Behavior – even when a person believes that they are inviting recreationally or socially, regular, heavy use can result in the brain changes that dictate addictive behavior. In other words, if a person drinks or uses drugs long enough and heavily enough, they will become addicted.
7. Addiction Can Be Fatal, but so Can Unsupervised Recovery
Most people understand that recovery from addiction means abstaining from drinking and using, and that means unpleasant withdrawal, with symptoms such as:
anxiety/irritability
nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
headaches and confusion
wild mood swings
muscle cramps/bodily pain
insomnia
tremors
As bad as all that is, withdrawal from most drugs is not inherently dangerous. Painful? Yes. That’s why it is recommended that when a person quits drugs, they do so in the safe confines of a professional drug detoxification center. The facility’s staff can help ease the worst withdrawal symptoms.
However, in the case of alcohol or benzodiazepine-class of drugs, it is absolutely crucial that the detox take place under medical supervision. Severe withdrawal symptoms from these two substances can be so severe as to be life-threatening. Often, medication must be administered for the patient’s safety.
8. A Person Can Be Addicted to Anything
When talking about addiction, we usually think in terms and focus upon drugs and alcohol, but those are by no means the only types of addiction. A person can be addicted to:
sex
cigarettes
caffeine
gambling
the Internet
video games
shopping
hoarding
Any behavior that disrupts a person’s life and leaves them powerless to stop may qualify as an addiction, and professional intervention and counseling may be necessary.
9. Recovery from Addiction Can Require Drastic Lifestyle Changes
People in recovery for alcoholism or drug addiction learn that in order to stay sober they will have to avoid the people, places, and things that were a regular part of their drinking and drugging lifestyles.
This means that to avoid risking relapse, the recovering alcoholic/addict must stay away from friends and family members who are still actively addicted, find new places to go, and change their behaviors and mindsets.
This can be difficult, but it is often necessary.
10. Recovery from Addiction Is Possible
With proper treatment by trained professionals, it is possible for a person to recover from alcoholism or drug abuse. Addiction is a highly personalized disease, and it will manifest itself differently from individual to individual.
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, call 901-382-8106 ext 218.
Source: https://www.northpointrecovery.com/…/10-things-you-probabl…/
According to some surveys, almost two-thirds of American families have been significantly impacted in some way by addictions to drugs or alcohol. Virtually everyone knows someone with a drinking or drug problem – a family member, a friend, or a coworker.
Despite this, there are a number of misconceptions and little-known facts about addiction that continue to persist. Understanding is one of the main keys to mitigating the damage that addiction can do.
1. Addiction Is a Disease
Alcoholism was identified as a disease several decades ago, and it is now known that all addictions fall into the same category. Yet, many people still think of addiction as a personal weakness or moral failing.
To be clear – when an addiction is active, the alcoholic/addict has virtually no control over their actions. They are just as much a victim of their disease as is someone with diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or any other chronic condition.
Signs of addiction include:
needing to use more and more of the drug/alcohol to achieve the same effect
anxiety or irritation when the drug/alcohol is not available
constant preoccupation about the drug/alcohol
inability to stop using/drinking, even in the face of negative consequences
hiding or lying about one’s usage
2. Addiction Is a Lonely Disease but Addicts Are Not Alone
Because of the deception and denial that, hand-in-hand with addiction, many substance abusers find themselves separate from those around them. This isolation can exacerbate their problem, because they feel alone and unworthy.
However, addicts are far from alone in their suffering. Some estimates report that up to 23 million Americans have an addiction to drugs or alcohol. What this means is that in response, there is help available everywhere. Even tiny communities will hold 12-Step meetings, and towns of any size whatsoever have access to professional drug rehab programs.
3. Addiction Is Incurable
Addiction is a chronic, progressive disease.
Chronic, because it can never be cured. A person who is addicted will always have to be on guard with their thoughts and actions, lest they suffer a relapse.
Progressive, because unless something is done, the disease invariably worsens, even to the point of being fatal.
There is no such thing as a “recovered” addict or alcoholic. A person who has had a substance abuse problem cannot go back to social drinking or recreational drug use without running the risk of picking up right where they left off.
However, the disease can be managed, in much the same way that other chronic afflictions are. Just as diabetics monitor their blood sugars and make adjustments and people with hypertension reduce their salt intake, addicts too can make changes that will halt their disease’s progression.
Time and therapy will allow them to recover from much of the damage – emotional, spiritual, and physical – that the disease has infected over time.
4. Many Addicts Cannot Feel Normal without Their Drug of Choice
Addiction is a disease of the brain. The brain of someone who is actively addicted to drugs or alcohol will actually undergo physical and chemical changes, and these changes are what makes it so hard to overcome an addiction.
When the substance is ingested, the brain floods the body with pleasure-producing hormones. Over time, that person almost completely loses the ability to produce those hormones naturally. This means that when they aren’t drinking or using, they can’t experience normal pleasure or joy.
When that person enters drug or alcohol rehab and totally abstains, this means that (1) they don’t have the substance that they physically need to feel normal, and (2) they can’t feel normal on their own. This is why withdrawal is such an unpleasant experience – the body no longer knows what to do without the alcohol/drug.
It can take several months for the recovering addict’s brain chemistry to come back into balance.
5. There Is No Such Thing as a “Stereotypical” Addict
For whatever reason, many people still have the mental picture of an addict/alcoholic as homeless, dirty, incoherent, and criminal. While there is no doubt that some substance abusers fit that profile, there are many more who appear outwardly as normal, productive, everyday citizens.
A person can have all the trappings of success – a good job, high income, nice house, seemingly-happy family – and still be lost to the disease of addiction.
Addiction strikes every segment of the population, and it knows no boundaries. Black, white, Asian, Hispanic – rich or poor – professional or blue-collar – anyone can suffer from substance abuse.
In fact, because up to 20% of the US population suffers from a drug or alcohol dependency, high-functioning addicts may even be the rule, rather than the exception.
6. No One Knows Exactly What Causes Addiction
Addiction is a disease with many contributing factors, but no single identifying cause. Some factors that may play a role include:
Genetics – experts believe that up to half of a person’s risk of developing an addiction is due to their own personal genetic predisposition. It is known that individuals who have close family members who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol are much more likely to suffer from a substance abuse disorder at some point in their life.
Trauma – many people who have suffered from some past emotional upheaval or traumatic experience will try to self-medicate in an attempt to feel better.
Family History – individuals who were exposed to drug or alcohol abuse as a child are at high risk of substance abuse when they become adults.
Social pressure – when a person already has a genetic/familial predisposition to addiction and they are exposed to regular usage, it can precipitate a rapid addiction.
Co-occurring mental disorders – conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD can both partially cause and be partially caused by addiction. During treatment, it is important to address both the substance abuse disorder and the simultaneous mental disorder.
Behavior – even when a person believes that they are inviting recreationally or socially, regular, heavy use can result in the brain changes that dictate addictive behavior. In other words, if a person drinks or uses drugs long enough and heavily enough, they will become addicted.
7. Addiction Can Be Fatal, but so Can Unsupervised Recovery
Most people understand that recovery from addiction means abstaining from drinking and using, and that means unpleasant withdrawal, with symptoms such as:
anxiety/irritability
nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
headaches and confusion
wild mood swings
muscle cramps/bodily pain
insomnia
tremors
As bad as all that is, withdrawal from most drugs is not inherently dangerous. Painful? Yes. That’s why it is recommended that when a person quits drugs, they do so in the safe confines of a professional drug detoxification center. The facility’s staff can help ease the worst withdrawal symptoms.
However, in the case of alcohol or benzodiazepine-class of drugs, it is absolutely crucial that the detox take place under medical supervision. Severe withdrawal symptoms from these two substances can be so severe as to be life-threatening. Often, medication must be administered for the patient’s safety.
8. A Person Can Be Addicted to Anything
When talking about addiction, we usually think in terms and focus upon drugs and alcohol, but those are by no means the only types of addiction. A person can be addicted to:
sex
cigarettes
caffeine
gambling
the Internet
video games
shopping
hoarding
Any behavior that disrupts a person’s life and leaves them powerless to stop may qualify as an addiction, and professional intervention and counseling may be necessary.
9. Recovery from Addiction Can Require Drastic Lifestyle Changes
People in recovery for alcoholism or drug addiction learn that in order to stay sober they will have to avoid the people, places, and things that were a regular part of their drinking and drugging lifestyles.
This means that to avoid risking relapse, the recovering alcoholic/addict must stay away from friends and family members who are still actively addicted, find new places to go, and change their behaviors and mindsets.
This can be difficult, but it is often necessary.
10. Recovery from Addiction Is Possible
With proper treatment by trained professionals, it is possible for a person to recover from alcoholism or drug abuse. Addiction is a highly personalized disease, and it will manifest itself differently from individual to individual.
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, call 901-382-8106 ext 218.
Source: https://www.northpointrecovery.com/…/10-things-you-probabl…/
5 Lies All Addicts Tell Themselves - #3 stands out and is probably one of the most common told by an addict!
As an addict, life is a game of survival. Day after day is dedicated to avoiding withdrawals and hiding the outward signs of chemical dependency. On top of that, feeding an addiction means developing an arsenal of psychological defense mechanisms. Simply put, addicts have to learn how to shield themselves from the reality of their behaviors.
Whether you label these defense mechanisms excuses or lies, it all boils down to rationalizing the addiction. And believe it or not, addicts lie to themselves more than anyone else. When your actions have tainted everything you once held dear, yet you continue participating in that pattern of destruction, lying to yourself essentially becomes the path of least resistance.
Here’s a look at five lies all addicts eventually tell themselves:
#1 My addiction doesn’t affect anyone else.
This is probably the most universal lie among addicts. Despite seeing pain and confusion on the faces of loved ones, it’s easier to deny that reality. Instead, they see loved ones as enemies trying to dictate their paths in life. They confuse concern with control and often say things like “If I want to do drugs, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
#2 I’d never be able to manage my problems without drugs/alcohol.
For addicts, even the smallest life problems can become amplified. While it’s true that everyone has issues, addicts convince themselves there’s no way to work through them without self-medicating. They often feel like the world is working against them or they’re forced to endure more stress than everyone else. What they don’t see, however, is that alcohol/drugs make things much worse. In all honesty, addiction is likely causing a majority of their problems.
By telling themselves this lie, addicts can feel as if their substance abuse is somehow warranted. It allows them to justify being stuck in a drug-fueled rut. Their judgment eventually becomes clouded; they don’t realize a bulk of these life problems would go away if they’d only commit to a recovery plan and focus on personal growth.
#3 I’m in control of my substance abuse; I can stop whenever I want to.
Control is a big deal for most addicts. This statement allows them to feel like they’re still calling the shots in life; they don’t want to admit they’re chained to their drug(s) of choice. Deep down, most addicts are desperately searching for some kind of justification and – if they can just convince themselves that addiction is a personal choice – it almost feels like they’re in control. Almost.
#4 But, I’m not like so-and-so…he/she’s really in bad shape.
Addicts like to use other addicts as a way to gauge their level of substance abuse. They’ll say things like “Bob’s been busted for three DUIs, but I never get behind the wheel when I’m wasted.” As long as there’s someone out there who’s much worse off than they are, it’s easy to feel a little superior.
All this comparison really means is that the addict hasn’t fallen to a deeper level of destruction. If they don’t get help, however, it’s only a matter of time.
#5 I don’t care about my life and I don’t care if my addiction kills me.
One of the lowest points an addict can get to is the one where life becomes meaningless. They are so consumed with pain and grief that the depression seems to justify the rampant substance abuse. This is a vicious cycle: the more they use, the worse they feel. When there’s no joy or pleasure left in life, there’s no reason to seek out recovery.
In reality, abusing drugs/alcohol is the largest hurdle that holds them back from leading a productive and meaningful existence. Once clean and sober, they’re able to focus and start enjoying life again. They’re also able to embrace the love and support of family, get back to the friends who truly love them, and lead the authentic, meaningful life they’ve missed out on for so long.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction please reach out for help! 901-382-8106 ext 218
(Credit source: https://drugabuse.com/5-lies-all-addicts-tell-themselves/)
As an addict, life is a game of survival. Day after day is dedicated to avoiding withdrawals and hiding the outward signs of chemical dependency. On top of that, feeding an addiction means developing an arsenal of psychological defense mechanisms. Simply put, addicts have to learn how to shield themselves from the reality of their behaviors.
Whether you label these defense mechanisms excuses or lies, it all boils down to rationalizing the addiction. And believe it or not, addicts lie to themselves more than anyone else. When your actions have tainted everything you once held dear, yet you continue participating in that pattern of destruction, lying to yourself essentially becomes the path of least resistance.
Here’s a look at five lies all addicts eventually tell themselves:
#1 My addiction doesn’t affect anyone else.
This is probably the most universal lie among addicts. Despite seeing pain and confusion on the faces of loved ones, it’s easier to deny that reality. Instead, they see loved ones as enemies trying to dictate their paths in life. They confuse concern with control and often say things like “If I want to do drugs, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
#2 I’d never be able to manage my problems without drugs/alcohol.
For addicts, even the smallest life problems can become amplified. While it’s true that everyone has issues, addicts convince themselves there’s no way to work through them without self-medicating. They often feel like the world is working against them or they’re forced to endure more stress than everyone else. What they don’t see, however, is that alcohol/drugs make things much worse. In all honesty, addiction is likely causing a majority of their problems.
By telling themselves this lie, addicts can feel as if their substance abuse is somehow warranted. It allows them to justify being stuck in a drug-fueled rut. Their judgment eventually becomes clouded; they don’t realize a bulk of these life problems would go away if they’d only commit to a recovery plan and focus on personal growth.
#3 I’m in control of my substance abuse; I can stop whenever I want to.
Control is a big deal for most addicts. This statement allows them to feel like they’re still calling the shots in life; they don’t want to admit they’re chained to their drug(s) of choice. Deep down, most addicts are desperately searching for some kind of justification and – if they can just convince themselves that addiction is a personal choice – it almost feels like they’re in control. Almost.
#4 But, I’m not like so-and-so…he/she’s really in bad shape.
Addicts like to use other addicts as a way to gauge their level of substance abuse. They’ll say things like “Bob’s been busted for three DUIs, but I never get behind the wheel when I’m wasted.” As long as there’s someone out there who’s much worse off than they are, it’s easy to feel a little superior.
All this comparison really means is that the addict hasn’t fallen to a deeper level of destruction. If they don’t get help, however, it’s only a matter of time.
#5 I don’t care about my life and I don’t care if my addiction kills me.
One of the lowest points an addict can get to is the one where life becomes meaningless. They are so consumed with pain and grief that the depression seems to justify the rampant substance abuse. This is a vicious cycle: the more they use, the worse they feel. When there’s no joy or pleasure left in life, there’s no reason to seek out recovery.
In reality, abusing drugs/alcohol is the largest hurdle that holds them back from leading a productive and meaningful existence. Once clean and sober, they’re able to focus and start enjoying life again. They’re also able to embrace the love and support of family, get back to the friends who truly love them, and lead the authentic, meaningful life they’ve missed out on for so long.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction please reach out for help! 901-382-8106 ext 218
(Credit source: https://drugabuse.com/5-lies-all-addicts-tell-themselves/)
When a family member or a friend is addicted to alcohol or drugs, it’s normal to want to do almost anything to help them.
There will be times, though, you won’t be able to say, “Yes” to their requests for help. It’s not easy an easy thing to turn them down; however, it is necessary if you want to avoid enabling your loved one in their addiction.
* Why It’s So Hard to Say “No” to an Addicted Family Member or Friend
- You May Feel as Though You Are Letting Your Loved One Down
If you have ever said something to the addicted person in your life along the lines of, “I’ll always be there for you” or “I’ve got your back,” turning them down when they come to you looking for help may feel as though you are backtracking on promises previously made.
- Saying “No” May Produce a Sense of Guilt
Some people feel guilty when they say “no” to a loved one. They want to be liked by the people who are nearest and dearest to them. It’s important to them to keep the peace.
- You May Be Trying to Avoid Conflict
Saying “yes” can sometimes be easier if digging your heels in and saying “no” might lead to an angry outburst. If you are the type of person who finds dealing with conflict very stressful, you may go out of your way to avoid situations where you have to turn someone down.
- Your Loved One Knows Exactly Which Buttons to Push
It’s not uncommon for someone with a substance abuse problem to manipulate relatives and friends to get things they need to keep their addiction fed. This is not a dig against your loved one’s character at all. It’s a statement about her disease.
- Addiction is known as a brain disease because it changes the way those who are affected by it think. Someone who is actively using drugs or alcohol no longer has any control over whether they are going to use or drink. At this point, the addiction has taken over.
- Your loved one knows you very well and has an insight that someone who is an acquaintance lacks. He really wants to get his needs met and knows exactly what to say to get you to respond positively to what is being asked of you.
- Your Loved One May Try to Blame His Addiction on You
If you find yourself being pestered (or even pressured) to give the answer your addicted loved one is looking for, it’s probably because this tactic has worked previously. Other people may bring up events from the past and try to blame you for them as a means to get what they want now. “If you had/hadn’t done [X], then I wouldn’t be using/drinking.”
These types of statements aren’t at all accurate. They represent an addicted person not taking responsibility for his own actions. Sadly, this victim mentality is not uncommon among those living with this disease.
- You Hope it Will Be the Last Time You’re Asked to Help
Another reason you may feel as though it may be a good idea to agree to help out your addicted loved one is that she is telling you that this will be the last time your assistance is needed. You may have heard this before. If you point that out, you will likely hear something along the lines of, “But, this is absolutely the last time.”
Addicted Loved Ones Need Professional Treatment
You may hope that if you give in and provide financial support, a place to stay, or whatever your addicted loved one is asking for, he will stop using. This is not likely to happen without help. If you know someone suffering from addiction please call 901-382-8106 ext 218.
(credit source: https://greatoaksrecovery.com/saying-no-addicted-family-member-friend/)
There will be times, though, you won’t be able to say, “Yes” to their requests for help. It’s not easy an easy thing to turn them down; however, it is necessary if you want to avoid enabling your loved one in their addiction.
* Why It’s So Hard to Say “No” to an Addicted Family Member or Friend
- You May Feel as Though You Are Letting Your Loved One Down
If you have ever said something to the addicted person in your life along the lines of, “I’ll always be there for you” or “I’ve got your back,” turning them down when they come to you looking for help may feel as though you are backtracking on promises previously made.
- Saying “No” May Produce a Sense of Guilt
Some people feel guilty when they say “no” to a loved one. They want to be liked by the people who are nearest and dearest to them. It’s important to them to keep the peace.
- You May Be Trying to Avoid Conflict
Saying “yes” can sometimes be easier if digging your heels in and saying “no” might lead to an angry outburst. If you are the type of person who finds dealing with conflict very stressful, you may go out of your way to avoid situations where you have to turn someone down.
- Your Loved One Knows Exactly Which Buttons to Push
It’s not uncommon for someone with a substance abuse problem to manipulate relatives and friends to get things they need to keep their addiction fed. This is not a dig against your loved one’s character at all. It’s a statement about her disease.
- Addiction is known as a brain disease because it changes the way those who are affected by it think. Someone who is actively using drugs or alcohol no longer has any control over whether they are going to use or drink. At this point, the addiction has taken over.
- Your loved one knows you very well and has an insight that someone who is an acquaintance lacks. He really wants to get his needs met and knows exactly what to say to get you to respond positively to what is being asked of you.
- Your Loved One May Try to Blame His Addiction on You
If you find yourself being pestered (or even pressured) to give the answer your addicted loved one is looking for, it’s probably because this tactic has worked previously. Other people may bring up events from the past and try to blame you for them as a means to get what they want now. “If you had/hadn’t done [X], then I wouldn’t be using/drinking.”
These types of statements aren’t at all accurate. They represent an addicted person not taking responsibility for his own actions. Sadly, this victim mentality is not uncommon among those living with this disease.
- You Hope it Will Be the Last Time You’re Asked to Help
Another reason you may feel as though it may be a good idea to agree to help out your addicted loved one is that she is telling you that this will be the last time your assistance is needed. You may have heard this before. If you point that out, you will likely hear something along the lines of, “But, this is absolutely the last time.”
Addicted Loved Ones Need Professional Treatment
You may hope that if you give in and provide financial support, a place to stay, or whatever your addicted loved one is asking for, he will stop using. This is not likely to happen without help. If you know someone suffering from addiction please call 901-382-8106 ext 218.
(credit source: https://greatoaksrecovery.com/saying-no-addicted-family-member-friend/)
Avoiding an Addict’s Manipulations and Lies
Living with an addict is difficult and confusing. Addicts learn to manipulate people close to them to provide the resources and behaviors that allow them to continue their habit. Their skills are sometimes astounding because they can focus minutely on the desires and needs of their target. They can then turn these needs and wants to their own advantage.Understanding their ability to do this can help friends and family members avoid an addict’s manipulations and lies and urge their loved one into treatment. With a little information, you can gain tips on how to avoid an addict’s manipulations and lies.
People around the addict must understand that his or her thinking is completely distorted by the addiction. Trying to reason with the individual is futile because they are not able to think along rational lines. Appealing to the previously close relationship with the addict does not work either. He or she no longer experiences the normal feelings of connection with others and is no longer held to the rules of normal relationships. In fact, your desires to “keep the family together,” “understand what she’s going through” or “prevent her from getting into further trouble” are apt to be more ammunition for an addict’s manipulations and lies in order to continue the substance use. The addict can easily use your efforts to interact with them normally to get money from you, have you drive them to where the substance can be acquired, pay off debts, or actively work to keep them out of legal trouble.
Families often have difficulty recognizing that they are being manipulated. It can take many years before they are able to see the steps that comprise the game the addict plays to get what he wants. Once the family understands their part in this process and knows about an addict’s manipulations and lies, they can learn to stop playing and force the addict to confront the many problems his behavior causes.
(read more at: https://aforeverrecovery.com/blog/addiction/manipulation-addicts-good/)
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction please call 901-382-8106 ext 218
Living with an addict is difficult and confusing. Addicts learn to manipulate people close to them to provide the resources and behaviors that allow them to continue their habit. Their skills are sometimes astounding because they can focus minutely on the desires and needs of their target. They can then turn these needs and wants to their own advantage.Understanding their ability to do this can help friends and family members avoid an addict’s manipulations and lies and urge their loved one into treatment. With a little information, you can gain tips on how to avoid an addict’s manipulations and lies.
People around the addict must understand that his or her thinking is completely distorted by the addiction. Trying to reason with the individual is futile because they are not able to think along rational lines. Appealing to the previously close relationship with the addict does not work either. He or she no longer experiences the normal feelings of connection with others and is no longer held to the rules of normal relationships. In fact, your desires to “keep the family together,” “understand what she’s going through” or “prevent her from getting into further trouble” are apt to be more ammunition for an addict’s manipulations and lies in order to continue the substance use. The addict can easily use your efforts to interact with them normally to get money from you, have you drive them to where the substance can be acquired, pay off debts, or actively work to keep them out of legal trouble.
Families often have difficulty recognizing that they are being manipulated. It can take many years before they are able to see the steps that comprise the game the addict plays to get what he wants. Once the family understands their part in this process and knows about an addict’s manipulations and lies, they can learn to stop playing and force the addict to confront the many problems his behavior causes.
(read more at: https://aforeverrecovery.com/blog/addiction/manipulation-addicts-good/)
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction please call 901-382-8106 ext 218
One of the most emotionally debilitating mental disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder causes intense anxiety, intrusive memories and nightmarish flashbacks that interfere with daily life. Many individuals with PTSD will turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to numb their pain or to gain some measure of control in their lives.
Chronic substance abuse creates a complicated Dual Diagnosis, or the co-existence of a serious psychiatric disorder and an addictive disorder. Recovering from this Dual Diagnosis requires a careful exploration of the causes of PTSD, combined with treatment for drug or alcohol addiction.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
ptsd and addictionPTSD is a condition in which an individual experiences tremendous stress or anxiety after witnessing or being engaged in a traumatic event. Any physical or psychological trauma that leaves the individual feeling powerless and out of control may lead to PTSD.
Some of the most common causes of the condition include:
Military combat
Violent assault
Natural disasters
Sexual assault
Childhood abuse
The nightmares and flashbacks of PTSD typically involve crises that have never been fully resolved in the individual’s psyche. For instance, a soldier who was taken prisoner in a battle and couldn’t fight his captors might have flashbacks to the incident as a way to work through unresolved anger and fear. A child who felt powerless when she was sexually abused by an older relative might grow up living with intrusive feelings of helplessness and revenge.
When alcohol or drugs are used to manage PTSD symptoms, the symptoms of the disorder only become more severe. As a central nervous system depressant, alcohol can worsen depression and anxiety and interfere with normal sleep patterns. Under the influence of alcohol, someone with PTSD is more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior, such as driving under the influence, or to engage in an altercation with someone else.
For this reason, PTSD and substance abuse often lead to legal problems, incarceration, poverty, broken homes and chronic unemployment. Getting the right treatment for this Dual Diagnosis may make the difference between whether or not an individual is able to lead a satisfying, healthy life.
(read more at: https://www.dualdiagnosis.org/mental-health-and-addiction/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-addiction/)
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, please call 901-382-8106 ext 218
Chronic substance abuse creates a complicated Dual Diagnosis, or the co-existence of a serious psychiatric disorder and an addictive disorder. Recovering from this Dual Diagnosis requires a careful exploration of the causes of PTSD, combined with treatment for drug or alcohol addiction.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
ptsd and addictionPTSD is a condition in which an individual experiences tremendous stress or anxiety after witnessing or being engaged in a traumatic event. Any physical or psychological trauma that leaves the individual feeling powerless and out of control may lead to PTSD.
Some of the most common causes of the condition include:
Military combat
Violent assault
Natural disasters
Sexual assault
Childhood abuse
The nightmares and flashbacks of PTSD typically involve crises that have never been fully resolved in the individual’s psyche. For instance, a soldier who was taken prisoner in a battle and couldn’t fight his captors might have flashbacks to the incident as a way to work through unresolved anger and fear. A child who felt powerless when she was sexually abused by an older relative might grow up living with intrusive feelings of helplessness and revenge.
When alcohol or drugs are used to manage PTSD symptoms, the symptoms of the disorder only become more severe. As a central nervous system depressant, alcohol can worsen depression and anxiety and interfere with normal sleep patterns. Under the influence of alcohol, someone with PTSD is more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior, such as driving under the influence, or to engage in an altercation with someone else.
For this reason, PTSD and substance abuse often lead to legal problems, incarceration, poverty, broken homes and chronic unemployment. Getting the right treatment for this Dual Diagnosis may make the difference between whether or not an individual is able to lead a satisfying, healthy life.
(read more at: https://www.dualdiagnosis.org/mental-health-and-addiction/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-addiction/)
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, please call 901-382-8106 ext 218
Wounds Aren't Always Visible
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental anxiety disorder that develops after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic, tragic, terrifying or life-threatening event. People suffering from PTSD experience flashbacks to the traumatic event and a sensitivity to emotional or mental triggers that remind them of the experience, causing negative changes in their lifestyles and an inability to achieve normal goals or objectives.
For people with PTSD, a co-occurring substance use disorder can be extremely harmful. People with PTSD often experience problems with their interpersonal relationships, health and everyday functions. Combine this with a substance use disorder, and these difficulties are only amplified.
PTSD sufferers may use substances to “self-medicate” as a way to treat symptoms such as isolation, sleep disturbances and emotional numbness. Unfortunately, using substances to alleviate PTSD symptoms provides only temporary relief while intensifying the negative effects and symptoms that stem from PTSD.
People with PTSD most commonly use alcohol to alleviate their symptoms, with about 52 percent of men and 28 percent of women with PTSD meeting the criteria for alcohol abuse. For people with co-occurring PTSD and substance abuse disorder, recognizing the signs of the disorders is the first step to recovery.
Read more at: https://www.drugrehab.com/co-occurring-disorder/ptsd/
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction please call 901-382-8106 ext 218
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental anxiety disorder that develops after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic, tragic, terrifying or life-threatening event. People suffering from PTSD experience flashbacks to the traumatic event and a sensitivity to emotional or mental triggers that remind them of the experience, causing negative changes in their lifestyles and an inability to achieve normal goals or objectives.
For people with PTSD, a co-occurring substance use disorder can be extremely harmful. People with PTSD often experience problems with their interpersonal relationships, health and everyday functions. Combine this with a substance use disorder, and these difficulties are only amplified.
PTSD sufferers may use substances to “self-medicate” as a way to treat symptoms such as isolation, sleep disturbances and emotional numbness. Unfortunately, using substances to alleviate PTSD symptoms provides only temporary relief while intensifying the negative effects and symptoms that stem from PTSD.
People with PTSD most commonly use alcohol to alleviate their symptoms, with about 52 percent of men and 28 percent of women with PTSD meeting the criteria for alcohol abuse. For people with co-occurring PTSD and substance abuse disorder, recognizing the signs of the disorders is the first step to recovery.
Read more at: https://www.drugrehab.com/co-occurring-disorder/ptsd/
If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction please call 901-382-8106 ext 218
Substance abuse and mental illness are often so tightly intertwined that it’s hard to distinguish one from the other. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that at least 50 percent of people with a mental illness also abuse drugs or alcohol. This close relationship makes it hard for addiction professionals to find the best way to treat people with a dual diagnosis.
Does Addiction Cause Mental Illness?
There’s no easy answer to the question of how addiction and mental illness influence each other. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) points out that in some cases, drug abuse may cause mental illness. Drugs like meth, cocaine and heroin can cause changes in brain chemistry that lead to mood disorders, cognitive impairment, depression or anxiety. On the other hand, many people who have a chronic mental illness learn to use drugs or alcohol as a way to manage their symptoms. In yet another possible scenario, addiction and mental illness are caused by the same risk factors, such as genetic makeup, trauma, impaired family relationships or social instability.
Which Substances Are Commonly Abused by People With Mental Illness?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the substances abused most frequently by people with a dual diagnosis are, in order:
Alcohol
Marijuana
Cocaine
Prescription tranquilizers and sleeping medications
NAMI adds that most mentally ill people who abuse drugs or alcohol are males, and most are between the ages of 18 and 44.
Read more at: https://luxury.rehabs.com/drug-addiction/mental-illness/
Does Addiction Cause Mental Illness?
There’s no easy answer to the question of how addiction and mental illness influence each other. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) points out that in some cases, drug abuse may cause mental illness. Drugs like meth, cocaine and heroin can cause changes in brain chemistry that lead to mood disorders, cognitive impairment, depression or anxiety. On the other hand, many people who have a chronic mental illness learn to use drugs or alcohol as a way to manage their symptoms. In yet another possible scenario, addiction and mental illness are caused by the same risk factors, such as genetic makeup, trauma, impaired family relationships or social instability.
Which Substances Are Commonly Abused by People With Mental Illness?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the substances abused most frequently by people with a dual diagnosis are, in order:
Alcohol
Marijuana
Cocaine
Prescription tranquilizers and sleeping medications
NAMI adds that most mentally ill people who abuse drugs or alcohol are males, and most are between the ages of 18 and 44.
Read more at: https://luxury.rehabs.com/drug-addiction/mental-illness/
Nearly 450 million people worldwide are currently living with a mental illness, yet nearly two thirds of people with a known mental illness never seek treatment.
Drug addiction is the physical and psychological need to continue using a substance, despite its harmful or dangerous effects to a person. It is important to keep in mind that these signs do not appear in every case, or for every drug addiction. However, these signs appear often enough that they are worth noticing and responding to with appropriate treatment.
1) Mood Swings / Anxiety / Depression
2) Strange unexplained need for money
3) Euphoria
4) Criminal Behavior
5) Sleeplessness
6) Unexplained Absences
7) Rapid Weight Loss
8 ) Strong Drug Cravings
9) Change or lack of concern about appearance or hygiene
10) New Peers
If you or a loved one display any of these symptoms, please don't hesitate to contact us. Addiction is Real. Hope is Real!
1) Mood Swings / Anxiety / Depression
2) Strange unexplained need for money
3) Euphoria
4) Criminal Behavior
5) Sleeplessness
6) Unexplained Absences
7) Rapid Weight Loss
8 ) Strong Drug Cravings
9) Change or lack of concern about appearance or hygiene
10) New Peers
If you or a loved one display any of these symptoms, please don't hesitate to contact us. Addiction is Real. Hope is Real!
Did you know that Alcohol Involved Crash Fatalities make up 34.5% of the fatalities on Memorial Day?
Most people don’t think twice about getting in the driver’s seat. In 2017 over 37,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. – more than 100 deaths each day. While various reasons contribute to the death toll, driving under the influence of alcohol caused one death every 48 minutes in 2017. We also know that more drunk drivers get on the road during the holidays, a grim fact that contributes to a higher risk of fatal collision for all of us. There’s much to celebrate and remember throughout the year, but drunk driving isn’t one of them.
There are more alcohol-related deaths attributed to holidays compared to your typical day. This may not come as a surprise, considering the effects of alcohol combined with driving paint a grim picture. Independence Day had the largest total of monthly fatalities, making up almost 15 percent of all crash deaths in July. Of those fatalities, 6 percent involved alcohol – again, the most of any holiday.
While Independence Day has a dangerous effect for drivers around that time, Memorial Day and Labor Day are the deadliest weekends to drive. In September from 2013 to 2017, 13.3 percent of driving fatalities for the month occurred during the week of Labor Day, with 5.1 percent involving alcohol. The same percentages were found for Memorial Day, with the only difference being the month in which the deaths occurred.
Please don't drink and drive! Call someone to come give you a ride. Your life and other's lives are depending on you to make the right choice!
(Source: https://www.niznikhealth.com/research-articles/holidays-drinking-and-driving
Most people don’t think twice about getting in the driver’s seat. In 2017 over 37,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. – more than 100 deaths each day. While various reasons contribute to the death toll, driving under the influence of alcohol caused one death every 48 minutes in 2017. We also know that more drunk drivers get on the road during the holidays, a grim fact that contributes to a higher risk of fatal collision for all of us. There’s much to celebrate and remember throughout the year, but drunk driving isn’t one of them.
There are more alcohol-related deaths attributed to holidays compared to your typical day. This may not come as a surprise, considering the effects of alcohol combined with driving paint a grim picture. Independence Day had the largest total of monthly fatalities, making up almost 15 percent of all crash deaths in July. Of those fatalities, 6 percent involved alcohol – again, the most of any holiday.
While Independence Day has a dangerous effect for drivers around that time, Memorial Day and Labor Day are the deadliest weekends to drive. In September from 2013 to 2017, 13.3 percent of driving fatalities for the month occurred during the week of Labor Day, with 5.1 percent involving alcohol. The same percentages were found for Memorial Day, with the only difference being the month in which the deaths occurred.
Please don't drink and drive! Call someone to come give you a ride. Your life and other's lives are depending on you to make the right choice!
(Source: https://www.niznikhealth.com/research-articles/holidays-drinking-and-driving
"You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with."
A person’s regular environment revolves around friends, family, lifestyle activities, and economic status. With these factors, an environment could also include peer pressure, potential abuse, stress, and exposure to drugs. When explaining addiction to a non-addict, the non-addict may have a hard time understanding the initial cause of the substance abuse. For every addiction, different factors take a part of why it was initially started. Other than the environment, a person’s genetic makeup can also present a mental disorder. This is especially difficult to understand because unless you’re pre-diagnosed, the addiction is not necessarily foreseen. There are also stages in an individual’s life that also affect a person’s risk for addiction. Teens are in a dangerous and vulnerable time of their lives where drug use is deemed trendy. It sounds horrible, and it is. The brain of teenagers is also still in development, especially the areas responsible for decision-making. This creates vulnerability because the lack of judgments and self-control may lead to impulsive drug use.
For those who suffer from addiction, the power of choice ends after the initial substance use. Explaining addiction to a non-addict may be difficult when non-addicts can sometimes judge a person by their initial actions. Since environmental factors take place with any age group, it is common that all sorts of people are presented with an opportunity to try substances. It’s not always easy to say no to drugs or alcohol. Dopamine levels are affected by drugs and alcohol. Dopamine plays a vital role in motivation, emotion, and pleasure feelings. A tolerance will build on the addictive substance when it is used over time. Seldom, a person thinks ahead and predicts how their body and brain will respond to initial drug use. No one chooses to be an addict, and many people are also not aware of the risks of common prescription drugs.
The truth with addiction is that it cannot be overcome by the individual alone. However much the person suffering wants to quit, other associated issues make it nearly impossible on their own. Other problems may include withdrawal symptoms and co-occurring mental health disorders. Mental health disorders are prevalent to co-exist with addiction. It’s important when learning how to understand an addict, that more than one issue will exist with addiction sufferers.
If you or someone you know if suffering with addiction please call 901-382-8106 ext 218
A person’s regular environment revolves around friends, family, lifestyle activities, and economic status. With these factors, an environment could also include peer pressure, potential abuse, stress, and exposure to drugs. When explaining addiction to a non-addict, the non-addict may have a hard time understanding the initial cause of the substance abuse. For every addiction, different factors take a part of why it was initially started. Other than the environment, a person’s genetic makeup can also present a mental disorder. This is especially difficult to understand because unless you’re pre-diagnosed, the addiction is not necessarily foreseen. There are also stages in an individual’s life that also affect a person’s risk for addiction. Teens are in a dangerous and vulnerable time of their lives where drug use is deemed trendy. It sounds horrible, and it is. The brain of teenagers is also still in development, especially the areas responsible for decision-making. This creates vulnerability because the lack of judgments and self-control may lead to impulsive drug use.
For those who suffer from addiction, the power of choice ends after the initial substance use. Explaining addiction to a non-addict may be difficult when non-addicts can sometimes judge a person by their initial actions. Since environmental factors take place with any age group, it is common that all sorts of people are presented with an opportunity to try substances. It’s not always easy to say no to drugs or alcohol. Dopamine levels are affected by drugs and alcohol. Dopamine plays a vital role in motivation, emotion, and pleasure feelings. A tolerance will build on the addictive substance when it is used over time. Seldom, a person thinks ahead and predicts how their body and brain will respond to initial drug use. No one chooses to be an addict, and many people are also not aware of the risks of common prescription drugs.
The truth with addiction is that it cannot be overcome by the individual alone. However much the person suffering wants to quit, other associated issues make it nearly impossible on their own. Other problems may include withdrawal symptoms and co-occurring mental health disorders. Mental health disorders are prevalent to co-exist with addiction. It’s important when learning how to understand an addict, that more than one issue will exist with addiction sufferers.
If you or someone you know if suffering with addiction please call 901-382-8106 ext 218
What are bath salts?
Bath salts are a designer drug of abuse with reports of dangerous intoxication from emergency departments across the US. "Bath salts" are not a hygiene product used for bathing, as the name might imply, but are dangerous synthetic cathinones. These mind-altering drugs are strong central nervous system stimulants that inhibit the dopamine-norepinephrine reuptake system (neurotransmitters in the brain). They can lead to serious, and even fatal adverse reactions. The drug effect is a high or "rush" that is similar to methamphetamine (speed). They are often sold on the street as cheap substitutes for other stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
How do people use bath salts?
Users usually snort the drug up the nose, but it can also been injected, smoked, swallowed or used rectally. Toxic doses for the newer synthetic cathinones such as bath salts have not yet been determined9, and doses can be variable due to the illegal nature of the drug. There is a great risk for overdose because retail packages may contain up to 500 milligrams. If ingested orally, absorption is rapid with a peak "rush" at 1.5 hours, the effect lasting 3 to 4 hours, then a hard "crash". The total experience may last upwards of 8 hours or longer. Snorting and injecting the drug can be especially hazardous.
What are the effects of bath salts?
Bath salts are noted for producing a "high" similar to methamphetamine: the sought after effects may include:
euphoria
increased wakefulness, concentration
elevated sex drive
hallucinations
talkativeness
empathy
a "rush".
Acute side effects may include:
rapid heart rate
chest pain
high blood pressure
hyperthermia (elevated body temperature)
excess sweating (diaphoresis)
pupil dilation (mydriasis)
vessel constriction
reduced appetite
muscle spasm or tremor
seizures
Higher doses can lead to serious behavioral and psychiatric effects such as:
severe panic attacks
psychosis (hallucinations, delusions)
paranoia (extreme distrust)
agitation
confusion
insomnia (inability to sleep)
irritability
violent behavior.
Overdose with bath salts
The pharmacological activity of MDPV, and related chemicals may result in serious and potentially fatal adverse effects. MDPV inhibits the norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake system (involving neurotransmitters in the brain) and leads to central nervous system stimulation.
Care of patients with an overdose and acute psychomotor agitation may require admission to the intensive care unit, use of intravenous sedatives such as benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and/or restraints, or other measures to protect the patient and health care providers from harm. Hydration, cardiac care and electrolyte abnormalities such as hyponatremia should be addressed. Rhabdomyolysis (the destruction of muscle fibers and the release of myoglobin, a protein, into the bloodstream that may lead to kidney damage) may occur, as well. Supportive and symptomatic care is given in overdose cases as there is no known antidote.
Read more at: https://www.drugs.com/illicit/bath-salts.html
Bath salts are a designer drug of abuse with reports of dangerous intoxication from emergency departments across the US. "Bath salts" are not a hygiene product used for bathing, as the name might imply, but are dangerous synthetic cathinones. These mind-altering drugs are strong central nervous system stimulants that inhibit the dopamine-norepinephrine reuptake system (neurotransmitters in the brain). They can lead to serious, and even fatal adverse reactions. The drug effect is a high or "rush" that is similar to methamphetamine (speed). They are often sold on the street as cheap substitutes for other stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
How do people use bath salts?
Users usually snort the drug up the nose, but it can also been injected, smoked, swallowed or used rectally. Toxic doses for the newer synthetic cathinones such as bath salts have not yet been determined9, and doses can be variable due to the illegal nature of the drug. There is a great risk for overdose because retail packages may contain up to 500 milligrams. If ingested orally, absorption is rapid with a peak "rush" at 1.5 hours, the effect lasting 3 to 4 hours, then a hard "crash". The total experience may last upwards of 8 hours or longer. Snorting and injecting the drug can be especially hazardous.
What are the effects of bath salts?
Bath salts are noted for producing a "high" similar to methamphetamine: the sought after effects may include:
euphoria
increased wakefulness, concentration
elevated sex drive
hallucinations
talkativeness
empathy
a "rush".
Acute side effects may include:
rapid heart rate
chest pain
high blood pressure
hyperthermia (elevated body temperature)
excess sweating (diaphoresis)
pupil dilation (mydriasis)
vessel constriction
reduced appetite
muscle spasm or tremor
seizures
Higher doses can lead to serious behavioral and psychiatric effects such as:
severe panic attacks
psychosis (hallucinations, delusions)
paranoia (extreme distrust)
agitation
confusion
insomnia (inability to sleep)
irritability
violent behavior.
Overdose with bath salts
The pharmacological activity of MDPV, and related chemicals may result in serious and potentially fatal adverse effects. MDPV inhibits the norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake system (involving neurotransmitters in the brain) and leads to central nervous system stimulation.
Care of patients with an overdose and acute psychomotor agitation may require admission to the intensive care unit, use of intravenous sedatives such as benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and/or restraints, or other measures to protect the patient and health care providers from harm. Hydration, cardiac care and electrolyte abnormalities such as hyponatremia should be addressed. Rhabdomyolysis (the destruction of muscle fibers and the release of myoglobin, a protein, into the bloodstream that may lead to kidney damage) may occur, as well. Supportive and symptomatic care is given in overdose cases as there is no known antidote.
Read more at: https://www.drugs.com/illicit/bath-salts.html
Top 10 Most Common Addictions
Tobacco (nicotine) – Over 40 Million
Nicotine addiction may not appear as harmful as many other addictions. This is likely because tobacco products are legal and easy to get, and the worst side effects of abusing them take time to develop. Tobacco use claims more lives than any any other addictive substance. Many smokers cannot quit despite knowing smoking’s impact on their health. Wanting to quit but being unable to is a telltale sign of addiction.
Alcohol – 18 Million
The social acceptance of drinking can make alcohol addiction hard to spot. Despite its legal status, alcohol’s potential for abuse opens users up to many health risks and possible addiction.
Alcohol abuse has numerous negative consequences. In addition to deaths from liver disease and alcohol overdose, drunk driving claims thousands of lives every year.
Marijuana – 4.2 Million
The legalization of marijuana in some states has made the drug’s use more socially acceptable. This trend can distract people from marijuana’s addictive potential. Rates of marijuana addiction might also be growing due to increasing potency (over 60 percent) over the past decade.
Painkillers – 1.8 Million
Drugs like codeine, Vicodin and Oxycontin are commonly prescribed to treat pain. Painkillers’ prescription status does not mean they aren’t addictive. Addiction to painkillers can develop from seemingly harmless levels of use. Most patients who become addicted to prescription painkillers don’t notice they have a problem until they try to stop use. Painkillers are also abused without a prescription, which can also lead to an addiction.
Cocaine – 821,000
Rates of cocaine addiction in the United States are dropping. The decline is slow, however, with an estimated 821,000 Americans still addicted as of 2011. Crack cocaine, which is cheaper and more intense than regular cocaine, is responsible for many crippling addictions and ruined lives.
Heroin – 426,000
Heroin’s severe withdrawal symptoms make beating a heroin addiction a difficult task. Treating heroin addiction typically requires a combination of therapy and medications to help manage symptoms of withdrawal and cravings.
Heroin abuse has been growing in the United States, particularly among young women. There is growing concern over heroin users contracting and spreading diseases like HIV and AIDS by sharing needles for injection.
Benzodiazepines – 400,000
“Benzos” — such as Valium, Xanax, Diazepam and Klonopin — are prescribed as mood-regulating drugs to manage conditions like anxiety and stress. Those developing an addiction to these drugs oftentimes aren’t aware until they can’t function normally without the substance.
Benzodiazepines are especially dangerous because of their powerful impact on the brain’s chemical makeup. Withdrawals can be deadly without medical assistance during detox.
Stimulants – 329,000
Stimulants range from prescription drugs, such as Adderall or Ritalin, to illicit substances like meth. These drugs are highly addictive, and intense withdrawal symptoms make quitting difficult. Stimulant users can quickly build a tolerance to the drug’s euphoric “high,” leading to increased use and risk of overdose.
Inhalants – 140,000
Inhalant addiction is particularly dangerous because inhalants are volatile toxic substances. The effects of these substances — gasoline, household cleaning products, aerosols — are intense and can have immediate consequences including hospitalization or death. Chemicals prevalent in inhalants can linger in the body and brain long after stopping use, making complete recovery more difficult.
Sedatives (barbiturates) – 78,000
Millions of Americans are prescribed barbiturate sedatives, commonly known as sleeping pills, to treat tension and sleep disorders. Every year, thousands of prescription users build a tolerance — and ensuing addiction — to drugs like Lunesta and Ambien. Sleeping pills can produce mind-altering effects that lead to continued abuse.
(Source: https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/10-most-common-addictions/)
Tobacco (nicotine) – Over 40 Million
Nicotine addiction may not appear as harmful as many other addictions. This is likely because tobacco products are legal and easy to get, and the worst side effects of abusing them take time to develop. Tobacco use claims more lives than any any other addictive substance. Many smokers cannot quit despite knowing smoking’s impact on their health. Wanting to quit but being unable to is a telltale sign of addiction.
Alcohol – 18 Million
The social acceptance of drinking can make alcohol addiction hard to spot. Despite its legal status, alcohol’s potential for abuse opens users up to many health risks and possible addiction.
Alcohol abuse has numerous negative consequences. In addition to deaths from liver disease and alcohol overdose, drunk driving claims thousands of lives every year.
Marijuana – 4.2 Million
The legalization of marijuana in some states has made the drug’s use more socially acceptable. This trend can distract people from marijuana’s addictive potential. Rates of marijuana addiction might also be growing due to increasing potency (over 60 percent) over the past decade.
Painkillers – 1.8 Million
Drugs like codeine, Vicodin and Oxycontin are commonly prescribed to treat pain. Painkillers’ prescription status does not mean they aren’t addictive. Addiction to painkillers can develop from seemingly harmless levels of use. Most patients who become addicted to prescription painkillers don’t notice they have a problem until they try to stop use. Painkillers are also abused without a prescription, which can also lead to an addiction.
Cocaine – 821,000
Rates of cocaine addiction in the United States are dropping. The decline is slow, however, with an estimated 821,000 Americans still addicted as of 2011. Crack cocaine, which is cheaper and more intense than regular cocaine, is responsible for many crippling addictions and ruined lives.
Heroin – 426,000
Heroin’s severe withdrawal symptoms make beating a heroin addiction a difficult task. Treating heroin addiction typically requires a combination of therapy and medications to help manage symptoms of withdrawal and cravings.
Heroin abuse has been growing in the United States, particularly among young women. There is growing concern over heroin users contracting and spreading diseases like HIV and AIDS by sharing needles for injection.
Benzodiazepines – 400,000
“Benzos” — such as Valium, Xanax, Diazepam and Klonopin — are prescribed as mood-regulating drugs to manage conditions like anxiety and stress. Those developing an addiction to these drugs oftentimes aren’t aware until they can’t function normally without the substance.
Benzodiazepines are especially dangerous because of their powerful impact on the brain’s chemical makeup. Withdrawals can be deadly without medical assistance during detox.
Stimulants – 329,000
Stimulants range from prescription drugs, such as Adderall or Ritalin, to illicit substances like meth. These drugs are highly addictive, and intense withdrawal symptoms make quitting difficult. Stimulant users can quickly build a tolerance to the drug’s euphoric “high,” leading to increased use and risk of overdose.
Inhalants – 140,000
Inhalant addiction is particularly dangerous because inhalants are volatile toxic substances. The effects of these substances — gasoline, household cleaning products, aerosols — are intense and can have immediate consequences including hospitalization or death. Chemicals prevalent in inhalants can linger in the body and brain long after stopping use, making complete recovery more difficult.
Sedatives (barbiturates) – 78,000
Millions of Americans are prescribed barbiturate sedatives, commonly known as sleeping pills, to treat tension and sleep disorders. Every year, thousands of prescription users build a tolerance — and ensuing addiction — to drugs like Lunesta and Ambien. Sleeping pills can produce mind-altering effects that lead to continued abuse.
(Source: https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/10-most-common-addictions/)
Suicide is the deliberate ending of one’s own life through one’s individual actions.
Considered one of the nation’s greatest health epidemics by many in the medical field, suicide is one of the top leading causes of death in the United States, especially among young people. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among all Americans, but it is the third leading cause of death of Americans aged 10-14 and the second leading cause of death for Americans aged 15-34. In 2015 alone, 44,193 Americans died of suicide.
Suicide, addiction, and depression have a very close and interconnected relationship. More than 90% of people who fall victim to suicide suffer from depression, have a substance abuse disorder, or both. Depression and substance abuse combine to form a vicious cycle that all too often leads to suicide. Many who experience such severe depression (as a result of Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and other conditions) frequently turn to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other risky behaviors to numb their pain and/or alleviate their negative feelings.
However, substance abuse and addiction actually increase the severity and duration of depressive episodes, despite any temporary relief they may provide, actually greatly increasing the likelihood of suicidal thoughts (suicidal ideation). This is exacerbated by the fact that addiction frequently damages or destroys familial, professional, personal, and financial relationships, further increasing the risk of suicide. Even worse, many substances severely impact judgment, leading to suicide attempts.
Causes of Suicide
Every case of suicide is dramatically different, as are its causes. In most cases, there is no single cause, but rather a large number of contributing factors.
Some of the most common risk factors for suicide include:
Suicidal thoughts
Previous suicide attempts
Depression
Drug and alcohol abuse
Family/community history of suicide
Family history of violence and/or sexual abuse
Previous incarceration
Presence of firearms in the home
Violent behavior towards others
Of all the factors associated with suicide, only depression (66% of people who fall victim to suicide are dealing with depression at the time) is more closely correlated than substance abuse. Individuals with a substance abuse disorder are nearly six times as likely to attempt suicide at some point in their life. Among veterans, men with a substance abuse disorder are more than twice as likely to fall victim to suicide, and women with a substance abuse disorder are 6.5 times as likely to fall victim to suicide.
Opioids and Suicide
Of all addictions, perhaps none is more likely to result in suicide than opioid addiction. In 2015, over 33,000 Americans died from opioids. Due to the nature of overdose, it is impossible to know how many of these deaths were accidental and how many were suicides. Men with an opioid use disorder were twice as likely to fall victim to suicide, and women with an opioid use disorder were eight times as likely to fall victim to suicide. Opioid use is associated with a 40%-60% increased likelihood of suicidal thought, and a 75% increased likelihood of suicide attempt. Some studies suggest that opioid and injection drug users are 13 times as likely to die by suicide.
Read more at: https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-and-suicide/
Considered one of the nation’s greatest health epidemics by many in the medical field, suicide is one of the top leading causes of death in the United States, especially among young people. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among all Americans, but it is the third leading cause of death of Americans aged 10-14 and the second leading cause of death for Americans aged 15-34. In 2015 alone, 44,193 Americans died of suicide.
Suicide, addiction, and depression have a very close and interconnected relationship. More than 90% of people who fall victim to suicide suffer from depression, have a substance abuse disorder, or both. Depression and substance abuse combine to form a vicious cycle that all too often leads to suicide. Many who experience such severe depression (as a result of Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and other conditions) frequently turn to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other risky behaviors to numb their pain and/or alleviate their negative feelings.
However, substance abuse and addiction actually increase the severity and duration of depressive episodes, despite any temporary relief they may provide, actually greatly increasing the likelihood of suicidal thoughts (suicidal ideation). This is exacerbated by the fact that addiction frequently damages or destroys familial, professional, personal, and financial relationships, further increasing the risk of suicide. Even worse, many substances severely impact judgment, leading to suicide attempts.
Causes of Suicide
Every case of suicide is dramatically different, as are its causes. In most cases, there is no single cause, but rather a large number of contributing factors.
Some of the most common risk factors for suicide include:
Suicidal thoughts
Previous suicide attempts
Depression
Drug and alcohol abuse
Family/community history of suicide
Family history of violence and/or sexual abuse
Previous incarceration
Presence of firearms in the home
Violent behavior towards others
Of all the factors associated with suicide, only depression (66% of people who fall victim to suicide are dealing with depression at the time) is more closely correlated than substance abuse. Individuals with a substance abuse disorder are nearly six times as likely to attempt suicide at some point in their life. Among veterans, men with a substance abuse disorder are more than twice as likely to fall victim to suicide, and women with a substance abuse disorder are 6.5 times as likely to fall victim to suicide.
Opioids and Suicide
Of all addictions, perhaps none is more likely to result in suicide than opioid addiction. In 2015, over 33,000 Americans died from opioids. Due to the nature of overdose, it is impossible to know how many of these deaths were accidental and how many were suicides. Men with an opioid use disorder were twice as likely to fall victim to suicide, and women with an opioid use disorder were eight times as likely to fall victim to suicide. Opioid use is associated with a 40%-60% increased likelihood of suicidal thought, and a 75% increased likelihood of suicide attempt. Some studies suggest that opioid and injection drug users are 13 times as likely to die by suicide.
Read more at: https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-and-suicide/
The Connection Between Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reports that there is a “definite connection between mental illness and the use of addictive substances” and that mental health disorder patients are responsible for the consumption of:
38 percent of alcohol
44 percent of cocaine
40 percent of cigarettes
NBER also reports that people who have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lives are responsible for the consumption of:
69 percent of alcohol
84 percent of cocaine
68 percent of cigarettes
There’s clearly a connection between substance abuse and mental health disorders, and any number of combinations can develop, each with its own set of unique causes and symptoms, as well as its own appropriate intervention and Dual Diagnosis treatment methods.
Self-Medication
By far the most common issue connecting mental illness and substance abuse is the intention of patients to medicate the mental health symptoms that they find disruptive or uncomfortable by using alcohol and drugs.
Some examples include:
- The depressed patient who uses marijuana to numb the pain
- The patient suffering from social anxiety who drinks to feel more comfortable in social situations
- The patient who struggles with panic attacks and takes benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium in order to calm the symptoms or stop the attacks before they start
- The patient with low energy and lack of motivation who takes Adderall, cocaine or crystal meth to increase their drive to get things done
Read more at: https://www.dualdiagnosis.org/mental-health-and-addiction/the-connection/
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reports that there is a “definite connection between mental illness and the use of addictive substances” and that mental health disorder patients are responsible for the consumption of:
38 percent of alcohol
44 percent of cocaine
40 percent of cigarettes
NBER also reports that people who have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lives are responsible for the consumption of:
69 percent of alcohol
84 percent of cocaine
68 percent of cigarettes
There’s clearly a connection between substance abuse and mental health disorders, and any number of combinations can develop, each with its own set of unique causes and symptoms, as well as its own appropriate intervention and Dual Diagnosis treatment methods.
Self-Medication
By far the most common issue connecting mental illness and substance abuse is the intention of patients to medicate the mental health symptoms that they find disruptive or uncomfortable by using alcohol and drugs.
Some examples include:
- The depressed patient who uses marijuana to numb the pain
- The patient suffering from social anxiety who drinks to feel more comfortable in social situations
- The patient who struggles with panic attacks and takes benzodiazepines like Xanax or Valium in order to calm the symptoms or stop the attacks before they start
- The patient with low energy and lack of motivation who takes Adderall, cocaine or crystal meth to increase their drive to get things done
Read more at: https://www.dualdiagnosis.org/mental-health-and-addiction/the-connection/
Heroin is usually the last opioid that a person becomes addicted to. Many people are introduced to opioids through prescription drugs, such as Vicodin or Percocet. Once they switch to heroin, they almost never switch back.
The cheap cost and easy availability of heroin make it more appealing than prescription opioids. People who are addicted to the drug have to use it daily to avoid withdrawal. The longer that they use heroin, the more addicted they’ll become.
When people develop a heroin addiction, the drug becomes the center of their lives. Things that they used to cherish lose importance. They often believe that they’ll be addicted forever, and they can’t see a way to escape. But heroin treatment can help people rebuild their lives.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is an illicit substance that belongs to a class of drugs called opioids. These drugs are sometimes referred to as narcotics. Heroin sold on the street can have several nicknames, including smack, dope and horse. The scientific name for heroin, which is derived from morphine, is diacetylmorphine. Morphine occurs naturally in opium, the sap inside the seed of the opium poppy plant.
People use heroin to get high because heroin affects parts of the brain that control pleasure and relaxation. The drug can also reduce coughing. Bayer actually marketed heroin as medication to treat cough in the early 1900s. That’s how the drug became popularly known as heroin. Today, drug trafficking organizations in multiple countries smuggle several different types of heroin into the United States.
Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug today because the Drug Enforcement Administration has determined that it has no acceptable medical use and a high potential of causing abuse and addiction. Heroin causes addiction by changing the way the reward and motivation pathways in the brain work.
Read more at: https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/drugs/heroin/
The cheap cost and easy availability of heroin make it more appealing than prescription opioids. People who are addicted to the drug have to use it daily to avoid withdrawal. The longer that they use heroin, the more addicted they’ll become.
When people develop a heroin addiction, the drug becomes the center of their lives. Things that they used to cherish lose importance. They often believe that they’ll be addicted forever, and they can’t see a way to escape. But heroin treatment can help people rebuild their lives.
What Is Heroin?
Heroin is an illicit substance that belongs to a class of drugs called opioids. These drugs are sometimes referred to as narcotics. Heroin sold on the street can have several nicknames, including smack, dope and horse. The scientific name for heroin, which is derived from morphine, is diacetylmorphine. Morphine occurs naturally in opium, the sap inside the seed of the opium poppy plant.
People use heroin to get high because heroin affects parts of the brain that control pleasure and relaxation. The drug can also reduce coughing. Bayer actually marketed heroin as medication to treat cough in the early 1900s. That’s how the drug became popularly known as heroin. Today, drug trafficking organizations in multiple countries smuggle several different types of heroin into the United States.
Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug today because the Drug Enforcement Administration has determined that it has no acceptable medical use and a high potential of causing abuse and addiction. Heroin causes addiction by changing the way the reward and motivation pathways in the brain work.
Read more at: https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/drugs/heroin/
"As the United States battles an ongoing epidemic of opioid abuse and deaths, new data shows that fatalities tied to cocaine and methamphetamines are also surging.
In fact, of the more than 70,000 lives lost to drug overdoses in 2017, "nearly a third involved cocaine, psychostimulants or both," reports a team led by researcher Mbabazi Kariisa, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
Read more at: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-05-02/not-just-opioids-deaths-tied-to-cocaine-meth-are-soaring-too?src=usn_fb&fbclid=IwAR1qe_qsVP7jzWGFuCnFF82ZAPvN2t7qsBzNG1k3H1ucHuYcBkLcpReugbs
In fact, of the more than 70,000 lives lost to drug overdoses in 2017, "nearly a third involved cocaine, psychostimulants or both," reports a team led by researcher Mbabazi Kariisa, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
Read more at: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-05-02/not-just-opioids-deaths-tied-to-cocaine-meth-are-soaring-too?src=usn_fb&fbclid=IwAR1qe_qsVP7jzWGFuCnFF82ZAPvN2t7qsBzNG1k3H1ucHuYcBkLcpReugbs
At some point in your life you will see, meet or know an addict.
These people do not wake up one day and decide to be an addict. They do not dream of living life in a constant spiral. They do not wish heartache on their families.
Addiction is a disease. While the initial decision to use a substance is a person's free choice, once the brain has been changed by addiction that choice or willpower becomes impaired.
We believe that addiction does not have to rule your life.
Addiction is real. Hope is real!
These people do not wake up one day and decide to be an addict. They do not dream of living life in a constant spiral. They do not wish heartache on their families.
Addiction is a disease. While the initial decision to use a substance is a person's free choice, once the brain has been changed by addiction that choice or willpower becomes impaired.
We believe that addiction does not have to rule your life.
Addiction is real. Hope is real!
"Nearly all doctors can freely prescribe opioids. Now a new movement aims to vastly deregulate an addiction treatment...
WASHINGTON — Eighteen state public health directors, a growing group of physicians, and a prominent member of Congress are pushing a dramatic expansion of substance use treatment by posing a simple question: Why can’t doctors who prescribe opioids also prescribe drugs to treat opioid addiction?
Their push to deregulate use of buprenorphine, which is used to lessen opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, would represent a fundamental shift in U.S. addiction treatment. The medication — and addiction medicine in general — are highly regulated, largely due to fears that opioid-based treatment drugs like buprenorphine and methadone could be misused.
This week, the effort will gain support from Washington: Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) will soon introduce legislation to allow any medical practitioner licensed to prescribe controlled substances to prescribe buprenorphine, he told STAT. Currently, physicians must undergo an eight-hour training to prescribe the drug — 24 hours for nurse practitioners and physician assistants."
Read more at https://www.statnews.com/2019/04/30/loosen-restrictions-on-prescribing-buprenorphine-addiction-treatment/?fbclid=IwAR0cJrXGYD0EdyJESNQAjM_g4wvBXV0oPm70MrmFTN__H9Isre5ElDzwjIk
WASHINGTON — Eighteen state public health directors, a growing group of physicians, and a prominent member of Congress are pushing a dramatic expansion of substance use treatment by posing a simple question: Why can’t doctors who prescribe opioids also prescribe drugs to treat opioid addiction?
Their push to deregulate use of buprenorphine, which is used to lessen opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, would represent a fundamental shift in U.S. addiction treatment. The medication — and addiction medicine in general — are highly regulated, largely due to fears that opioid-based treatment drugs like buprenorphine and methadone could be misused.
This week, the effort will gain support from Washington: Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) will soon introduce legislation to allow any medical practitioner licensed to prescribe controlled substances to prescribe buprenorphine, he told STAT. Currently, physicians must undergo an eight-hour training to prescribe the drug — 24 hours for nurse practitioners and physician assistants."
Read more at https://www.statnews.com/2019/04/30/loosen-restrictions-on-prescribing-buprenorphine-addiction-treatment/?fbclid=IwAR0cJrXGYD0EdyJESNQAjM_g4wvBXV0oPm70MrmFTN__H9Isre5ElDzwjIk
Alcoholism affects people from all walks of life.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 88,000 people die from alcohol-related deaths each year in the United States. Alcohol continues to be one of the nation’s most preventable causes of death, second only to tobacco and a poor diet/sedentary lifestyle.
Alcoholism has a profound effect on the entire body, especially the brain, heart, pancreas, mouth, liver and immune system. In spite of its negative impact, more Americans than ever before consume alcohol on a regular basis. Understanding the dangers of alcohol abuse and its impact on society can help you and your loved ones make healthier choices.
- Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for more than 30 percent of all driving fatalities each year.
- More than 15 million people struggle with an alcohol use disorder in the United States, but less than eight percent of those receive treatment.
- More than 65 million Americans report binge drinking in the past month, which is more than 40 percent of the total of current alcohol users.
- Teen alcohol use kills 4,700 people each year. That’s more than all illegal drugs combined.
- Drunk driving costs the United States more than $199 billion every year.
(Credit Source - talbotcampus.com)
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 88,000 people die from alcohol-related deaths each year in the United States. Alcohol continues to be one of the nation’s most preventable causes of death, second only to tobacco and a poor diet/sedentary lifestyle.
Alcoholism has a profound effect on the entire body, especially the brain, heart, pancreas, mouth, liver and immune system. In spite of its negative impact, more Americans than ever before consume alcohol on a regular basis. Understanding the dangers of alcohol abuse and its impact on society can help you and your loved ones make healthier choices.
- Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for more than 30 percent of all driving fatalities each year.
- More than 15 million people struggle with an alcohol use disorder in the United States, but less than eight percent of those receive treatment.
- More than 65 million Americans report binge drinking in the past month, which is more than 40 percent of the total of current alcohol users.
- Teen alcohol use kills 4,700 people each year. That’s more than all illegal drugs combined.
- Drunk driving costs the United States more than $199 billion every year.
(Credit Source - talbotcampus.com)
How long does it take for someone to beat addiction?
Addiction to alcohol & drugs is a chronic disease, which means it is an illness that will last a lifetime. There is no cure for drug addiction or alcoholism. Those who have achieved long-lasting sobriety refer to themselves as a “recovering addict”.
Addiction is a disease that can be managed, meaning that the effects it has on a person’s life can be largely controlled. This is the main goal of recovery, and why it is known as the recovery process. Those who battle drug / alcohol addiction must always be vigilant to ensure they are not sliding back into old behaviors that could jeopardize their sobriety.
For addicts, learning how to change their attitudes & behaviors, and how to avoid the people, places or things that lead to drug & alcohol use is not something they typically do on their own. Those things must be taught and lived in a structured program.
Safe Harbor has the tools in place to help recovering addicts. Our programs are set up to achieve an outstanding start to a new life, for those who are dedicated to accepting the help and working hard every day. The true goals of recovery are getting sober, healing & acquiring the tools needed to battle addiction one day at a time.
If you or someone you know is ready to make a change in their life please contact us!
Addiction to alcohol & drugs is a chronic disease, which means it is an illness that will last a lifetime. There is no cure for drug addiction or alcoholism. Those who have achieved long-lasting sobriety refer to themselves as a “recovering addict”.
Addiction is a disease that can be managed, meaning that the effects it has on a person’s life can be largely controlled. This is the main goal of recovery, and why it is known as the recovery process. Those who battle drug / alcohol addiction must always be vigilant to ensure they are not sliding back into old behaviors that could jeopardize their sobriety.
For addicts, learning how to change their attitudes & behaviors, and how to avoid the people, places or things that lead to drug & alcohol use is not something they typically do on their own. Those things must be taught and lived in a structured program.
Safe Harbor has the tools in place to help recovering addicts. Our programs are set up to achieve an outstanding start to a new life, for those who are dedicated to accepting the help and working hard every day. The true goals of recovery are getting sober, healing & acquiring the tools needed to battle addiction one day at a time.
If you or someone you know is ready to make a change in their life please contact us!
Drug overdose deaths continue to increase in the United States.
- From 1999 to 2017, more than 700,000 people have died from a drug overdose.
- Around 68% of the more than 70,200 drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid.
- In 2017, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and illegal opioids like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl) was 6 times higher than in 1999.
- On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.
From 1999-2017, almost 400,000 people died from an overdose involving any opioid, including prescription and illicit opioids.
This rise in opioid overdose deaths can be outlined in three distinct waves.
1. The first wave began with increased prescribing of opioids in the 1990s 3, with overdose deaths involving prescription opioids (natural and semi-synthetic opioids and methadone) increasing since at least 1999.
2. The second wave began in 2010, with rapid increases in overdose deaths involving heroin.
3. The third wave began in 2013, with significant increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids – particularly those involving illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF). The IMF market continues to change, and IMF can be found in combination with heroin, counterfeit pills, and cocaine.
(Credit: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html)
- From 1999 to 2017, more than 700,000 people have died from a drug overdose.
- Around 68% of the more than 70,200 drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid.
- In 2017, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and illegal opioids like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl) was 6 times higher than in 1999.
- On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.
From 1999-2017, almost 400,000 people died from an overdose involving any opioid, including prescription and illicit opioids.
This rise in opioid overdose deaths can be outlined in three distinct waves.
1. The first wave began with increased prescribing of opioids in the 1990s 3, with overdose deaths involving prescription opioids (natural and semi-synthetic opioids and methadone) increasing since at least 1999.
2. The second wave began in 2010, with rapid increases in overdose deaths involving heroin.
3. The third wave began in 2013, with significant increases in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids – particularly those involving illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF). The IMF market continues to change, and IMF can be found in combination with heroin, counterfeit pills, and cocaine.
(Credit: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html)
Day 5 | Finding Hope & Healing
Drug addiction can’t be wished away or banished by sheer willpower. Those who suffer from chemical dependency need trained, expert assistance from addiction specialists who rely on the latest in evidence-based medicine to treat this dangerous condition.
We believe God can bring peace and healing to seemingly impossible situations. We believe there is hope for everyone, and every follower of Christ has an obligation to use their gifts to help improve the lives of others. Our programs include transitional housing, drug and alcohol recovery support, transportation, and a back-to-work program that prepares individuals to re-enter the workforce and pairs them with local employers who give them a chance to prove themselves.
Our program is intended to help individuals overcome addiction and return to their home communities sober, employed, capable of independent housing, and engaged in helping others as they were once helped. We believe we can help people re-enter society after imprisonment and make a meaningful contribution to their communities, and, over time, regain the trust of others. Our vision is to one day expand our Nehemiah Program to cities across the United States, as well as worldwide.
If you or someone you know needs to find hope & healing please contact us. You can message our page or call 901-382-8106 ext 218
Drug addiction can’t be wished away or banished by sheer willpower. Those who suffer from chemical dependency need trained, expert assistance from addiction specialists who rely on the latest in evidence-based medicine to treat this dangerous condition.
We believe God can bring peace and healing to seemingly impossible situations. We believe there is hope for everyone, and every follower of Christ has an obligation to use their gifts to help improve the lives of others. Our programs include transitional housing, drug and alcohol recovery support, transportation, and a back-to-work program that prepares individuals to re-enter the workforce and pairs them with local employers who give them a chance to prove themselves.
Our program is intended to help individuals overcome addiction and return to their home communities sober, employed, capable of independent housing, and engaged in helping others as they were once helped. We believe we can help people re-enter society after imprisonment and make a meaningful contribution to their communities, and, over time, regain the trust of others. Our vision is to one day expand our Nehemiah Program to cities across the United States, as well as worldwide.
If you or someone you know needs to find hope & healing please contact us. You can message our page or call 901-382-8106 ext 218
Day 4 | The Effect of Drug Addiction on Family & Friends
As they track the descent of their loved one into drug addiction, family members and friends often experience the same emotions as the addict: anger, fear, guilt, helplessness, depression, and resignation. Addiction is an anchor on the families it affects, leaving them adrift in hostile and unfamiliar seas with safe land nowhere in sight.
Uncertainty about the future is another emotion experienced by the loved ones of drug addicts, and that uncertainty can at times be difficult to endure. Drug addiction can be a fatal illness, and people who live with or love drug addicts can never really be sure about what news the next phone call or knock at the door will bring. Living with an addict produces constant insecurity, accompanied by anxiety that never fully relents.
Some drug addicts can become emotionally or physically hostile while under the influence, and it can be highly stressful—or even dangerous—for spouses or children who must deal with that explosive and unpredictable temperament. Drug addicts can sometimes become involved with unsavory people, and having these individuals around can add to the stress and fear loved ones are already experiencing.
The damage done by drug addiction can be subtle yet pervasive. The addiction distorts everyone’s life it touches, manipulating their emotions and crushing their hopes time and time again. For the family members and close friends of an addict, nothing will ever be the same as long as drugs continue to exert their pernicious influence.
(Credit: Alta Mira)
As they track the descent of their loved one into drug addiction, family members and friends often experience the same emotions as the addict: anger, fear, guilt, helplessness, depression, and resignation. Addiction is an anchor on the families it affects, leaving them adrift in hostile and unfamiliar seas with safe land nowhere in sight.
Uncertainty about the future is another emotion experienced by the loved ones of drug addicts, and that uncertainty can at times be difficult to endure. Drug addiction can be a fatal illness, and people who live with or love drug addicts can never really be sure about what news the next phone call or knock at the door will bring. Living with an addict produces constant insecurity, accompanied by anxiety that never fully relents.
Some drug addicts can become emotionally or physically hostile while under the influence, and it can be highly stressful—or even dangerous—for spouses or children who must deal with that explosive and unpredictable temperament. Drug addicts can sometimes become involved with unsavory people, and having these individuals around can add to the stress and fear loved ones are already experiencing.
The damage done by drug addiction can be subtle yet pervasive. The addiction distorts everyone’s life it touches, manipulating their emotions and crushing their hopes time and time again. For the family members and close friends of an addict, nothing will ever be the same as long as drugs continue to exert their pernicious influence.
(Credit: Alta Mira)
The Emotional Life of a Drug Addict
When someone becomes addicted to any type of illicit drug, or to prescription medications they’ve misused, it plays havoc with their emotional stability. They may have turned to drugs to help them escape or forget troubling feelings, but their dependency has its own unique impact on their emotional wellbeing.
Some of the emotional reactions created by substance abuse include:
When someone becomes addicted to any type of illicit drug, or to prescription medications they’ve misused, it plays havoc with their emotional stability. They may have turned to drugs to help them escape or forget troubling feelings, but their dependency has its own unique impact on their emotional wellbeing.
Some of the emotional reactions created by substance abuse include:
- Guilt. Denial aside, addicts are usually aware of the stress and heartache their behavior causes for their loved ones, and their guilt at not being able to stop using can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, guilt and shame chip away at a person’s self-esteem, and a lack of self-esteem can make it more difficult for addicts to find the courage to quit using drugs.
- Fear. People with drug addictions fear the stigma of exposure, and the possible loss of relationships, employment, and sense of personal dignity that can result from others discovering the truth. Ultimately, their greatest fear is that they’ll lose everything they value most, including their own health and freedom.
- Helplessness. Most drug addicts try to quit on their own many times but are unable to make sobriety stick. After a while they begin to feel helpless against their addiction, which is yet another emotion that damages their self-esteem and feelings of personal power.
- Depression. Drug abuse haunts those it affects. It prevents them from achieving their goals, meeting their personal responsibilities, and controlling their fate. All of this can contribute to feelings of deep sadness and depression, and the changes in the brain caused by drug abuse can bring on or reinforce depression as well.
- Anger. Drug addicts are angry at themselves for their behavior, angry at others who try to confront them about that behavior, and angry at the world for abandoning them and leaving them without hope for a better future.
- Resignation. At a certain point, many drug addicts simply give up on themselves and their lives. This is an especially perilous stage of addiction, and it is imperative that people who’ve reached these depths get some kind of help quickly, before they drown in their own despair.
This week we will cover The Emotional Impact of Drug Addiction
Day 1
Drug addiction exacts an emotional toll on sufferers and their family members. Addiction grows in a bed of pre-existing emotional turmoil, and the feelings of anxiety, shame, guilt, and worthlessness that increase risk for addiction will only become worse as the chemical dependency deepens. Drug abuse also creates fresh emotional complications for everyone it affects. Emotional pain and disruption is inevitable for drug addicts and their loved ones, and only through treatment and recovery can families escape the pernicious effects of chemical dependency.
Drug addiction is a physical disorder with profound emotional ramifications and dimensions. More than seven million Americans are dependent on some type of illicit drug or misused medication, and the effects of their addiction are like ripples in a pond, spreading outward to cause pain and misery for everyone in the addict’s social and family circles.
The emotional devastation of drug addiction is experienced most directly and acutely by addicts themselves. But spouses, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family members, and close friends also feel addiction’s impact, and their emotional reactions range across a broad landscape of pain, stress, and discouragement.
Credit source: Alta Mira
Day 1
Drug addiction exacts an emotional toll on sufferers and their family members. Addiction grows in a bed of pre-existing emotional turmoil, and the feelings of anxiety, shame, guilt, and worthlessness that increase risk for addiction will only become worse as the chemical dependency deepens. Drug abuse also creates fresh emotional complications for everyone it affects. Emotional pain and disruption is inevitable for drug addicts and their loved ones, and only through treatment and recovery can families escape the pernicious effects of chemical dependency.
Drug addiction is a physical disorder with profound emotional ramifications and dimensions. More than seven million Americans are dependent on some type of illicit drug or misused medication, and the effects of their addiction are like ripples in a pond, spreading outward to cause pain and misery for everyone in the addict’s social and family circles.
The emotional devastation of drug addiction is experienced most directly and acutely by addicts themselves. But spouses, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, extended family members, and close friends also feel addiction’s impact, and their emotional reactions range across a broad landscape of pain, stress, and discouragement.
Credit source: Alta Mira
"You will need to take a step back for them to be able to move forward"
Family members should be prepared for what to expect with their loved one during the first 30 days. Continuing to be an enabler may hinder their progress. Many enablers have a co-dependent relationship with their addicted loved one. They may be people who feel the need to solve problems that aren’t theirs to solve, or people who need to feel needed. Things quickly go south for both the addict and the enabler. Remember we are here to help them through their struggles during this time and want the transition to go as smoothly as it can. You will need to take a step back for them to be able to move forward.
You can expect to hear pleas to leave, promises to abstain, how difficult it is, and other requests and/or complaints as well. This is natural! Overcoming addiction and coming to grips with the psychological need to use is tough work. Treatment isn’t a walk in the park, but is necessary to overcome addiction. Denial, resistance, rationalization, lack of motivation, inability to effectively communicate – all of these may be hurdles your loved one needs to overcome.
Keep in mind that some clients adapt quickly, fully committed to doing whatever it takes to overcome addiction. Others take longer. No two clients’ journey will be the same. Support is the best thing that you can provide for your loved one as they go through our program.
Family members should be prepared for what to expect with their loved one during the first 30 days. Continuing to be an enabler may hinder their progress. Many enablers have a co-dependent relationship with their addicted loved one. They may be people who feel the need to solve problems that aren’t theirs to solve, or people who need to feel needed. Things quickly go south for both the addict and the enabler. Remember we are here to help them through their struggles during this time and want the transition to go as smoothly as it can. You will need to take a step back for them to be able to move forward.
You can expect to hear pleas to leave, promises to abstain, how difficult it is, and other requests and/or complaints as well. This is natural! Overcoming addiction and coming to grips with the psychological need to use is tough work. Treatment isn’t a walk in the park, but is necessary to overcome addiction. Denial, resistance, rationalization, lack of motivation, inability to effectively communicate – all of these may be hurdles your loved one needs to overcome.
Keep in mind that some clients adapt quickly, fully committed to doing whatever it takes to overcome addiction. Others take longer. No two clients’ journey will be the same. Support is the best thing that you can provide for your loved one as they go through our program.
The Great Debate
For centuries, addiction to alcohol and drugs has been seen as a moral failing. The person addicted was viewed as lacking in willpower. But while that view is still held by some individuals, a new model for understanding addiction has risen to the forefront in the scientific community. The reality is that addiction is a disease, and the research is there to support it.
What is addiction and is it a choice?
According to DrugAbuse.gov, “Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her.” The key here is that the addicted person will continue using even when they see the harm their addiction is causing. They know it’s bad for them, and they don’t want to be addicted. But addiction is characterized by the inability to stop.
Why is addiction considered a disease?
Drug addiction follows a similar pattern to other chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes. The patient will go into remission, but may have several relapses before beating the disease entirely. And like these diseases, addiction too can be treated and managed. Many people who combat the disease model of addiction will make the point that the addicted person chooses to start using drugs or alcohol. This is true, but beside the point. Once they begin using, the addiction takes on a life of its own and is much harder to control.
Addiction is also considered a disease because it can cause changes to the brain. Not only does it create a physical dependency in which the individual cannot stop taking the substance without experiencing withdrawals, but it also affects the individual’s ability to make reasonable decisions.
What this means to the addict
Why is it so important to recognize addiction as a disease? The answer is that the way we view a condition heavily influences the way we treat those who have it. When you learn that addiction is a disease, the truths become clear.
It’s not all about willpower
When a person loses their life to a drug addiction, someone undoubtedly says something along the lines of “they made their choice.” While there is an element of choice involved, making the right choice is so much harder for someone with an addiction. The vast majority of addicted individuals are not addicted because they want to be, but because they feel they need the substance. And in many cases, their bodies are so dependent on the substance that they really do.
Credit source: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/recovery-blog/drug-addiction-disease-choice/?fbclid=IwAR0PQbQLo3P1DggrAxj2NEiuhxXeblVFJoQENfLrACx4-6tn8duJfaXpB_k#gref
For centuries, addiction to alcohol and drugs has been seen as a moral failing. The person addicted was viewed as lacking in willpower. But while that view is still held by some individuals, a new model for understanding addiction has risen to the forefront in the scientific community. The reality is that addiction is a disease, and the research is there to support it.
What is addiction and is it a choice?
According to DrugAbuse.gov, “Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her.” The key here is that the addicted person will continue using even when they see the harm their addiction is causing. They know it’s bad for them, and they don’t want to be addicted. But addiction is characterized by the inability to stop.
Why is addiction considered a disease?
Drug addiction follows a similar pattern to other chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes. The patient will go into remission, but may have several relapses before beating the disease entirely. And like these diseases, addiction too can be treated and managed. Many people who combat the disease model of addiction will make the point that the addicted person chooses to start using drugs or alcohol. This is true, but beside the point. Once they begin using, the addiction takes on a life of its own and is much harder to control.
Addiction is also considered a disease because it can cause changes to the brain. Not only does it create a physical dependency in which the individual cannot stop taking the substance without experiencing withdrawals, but it also affects the individual’s ability to make reasonable decisions.
What this means to the addict
Why is it so important to recognize addiction as a disease? The answer is that the way we view a condition heavily influences the way we treat those who have it. When you learn that addiction is a disease, the truths become clear.
It’s not all about willpower
When a person loses their life to a drug addiction, someone undoubtedly says something along the lines of “they made their choice.” While there is an element of choice involved, making the right choice is so much harder for someone with an addiction. The vast majority of addicted individuals are not addicted because they want to be, but because they feel they need the substance. And in many cases, their bodies are so dependent on the substance that they really do.
Credit source: https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/recovery-blog/drug-addiction-disease-choice/?fbclid=IwAR0PQbQLo3P1DggrAxj2NEiuhxXeblVFJoQENfLrACx4-6tn8duJfaXpB_k#gref
Are you enabling an addict? If you notice these behaviors in yourself or a loved one, then know that they may enable addiction.
- Ignoring the addict’s negative or potentially dangerous behavior – This behavior can involve anything from overlooking problems to denying that a problem even exists.
- Difficulty expressing emotions – Enablers are often unsure how to express their feelings, especially if there are negative repercussions for doing so.
- Prioritizing the addict’s needs before her own – While it is natural to want to help loved ones, enabling takes helping a step too far, where the addict has her needs taken care of while the enabler neglects her own.
- Acting out of fear – Since addiction can cause frightening events, the enabler will do whatever it takes to avoid such situations.
- Lying to others to cover the addict’s behavior – An enabler will lie to keep the peace and to present a controlled, calm exterior.
- Blaming people or situations other than the addict – To protect the addict from the consequences of drug abuse, the enabler might accuse other people of causing drug abuse.
- Resenting the addict – The result of the above behaviors is that the enabler will likely feel angry and hurt. She may act on these feelings by resenting the addict all while continuing to enable the addiction.
- Leave messes as they are - Leave the addict to clean up the messes she makes while intoxicated
- Weigh your options for short-term and long-term pain - Will helping the addict one more time cause more pain in the long run?
- Get back autonomy - When possible, you should not allow the addict to put you in situations which may endanger yourself or others
- Follow through with plans - Even if the addict refuses to participate in a planned activity, you should go through with it without them
People in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction need to take steps to protect their sobriety every single day. This often involves severing ties with people who drink or use drugs, even if they're longtime friends or family. Continuing friendships or relationships with active substance abusers can put you in very difficult situations that trigger cravings and lead to relapse.
Cutting ties is another part of recovery that you will have to face, but surrounding yourself with the right people and support will help you stay on the new path you have started.
Cutting ties is another part of recovery that you will have to face, but surrounding yourself with the right people and support will help you stay on the new path you have started.
“Why can’t you just stop using?”
“You need to be stronger to resist doing drugs.”
“Just use your willpower and you can stop.”
These are just some of the statements that those suffering from addiction often hear from others. There is a misconception that a person who continues to give in to their temptations to use drugs or alcohol is “weak” or has no willpower. But that is not necessarily true.
In fact, relying on willpower alone is simply not enough to fight the power of addiction. Many may believe that willpower is at the crux of beating addiction, but it can actually make things worse in many situations.
For starters, addiction is not a choice. People who develop a substance use disorder do not willingly do so. Somewhere along the line of using, choice disappears, and willpower no longer has an influence on whether or not a person can stop using. Further, willpower can actually push any underlying trauma down, which can make it even more difficult to overcome addiction. Substance use disorder often stems from some sort of trauma that the person experienced in the past, and drugs or alcohol are often turned to in an effort to numb any negative feelings as a result. Willpower can actually cause a person to suppress these traumatic feelings and memories, which can make the addiction even worse.Without dealing with trauma in a healthy way and exposing the issues that have caused addiction in the first place, recovery is much more of a challenge and people stay buried in their addiction.
Addiction to drugs or alcohol changes a person’s brain pathways. After a long period of time of heavily using drugs or alcohol, it can be nearly impossible to reverse these changes without proper medical intervention and cognitive support. When someone is fighting addiction, it is not enough to rely on willpower. What they need is an effective addiction treatment program that can help them safely and effectively detox and build the tools needed to achieve and maintain sobriety.
If you are tired of being a slave to your addiction, there is help! You do not need to do this alone. With the right support and guidance, you can be free of living in bondage to go on to live an addiction-free, fulfilling life.
If you are ready to start living a life free of bondage call 901-382-8106 ext 218 or message our page.
Article source: https://www.columbusrecoverycenter.com/blog/is-willpower-enough-to-fight-addiction/?fbclid=IwAR13qkuedZJgxZ17y1BG2ycfyXA2ddGxJCc3Jjn-dHqaHuWXxDUTQ7asZl8
“You need to be stronger to resist doing drugs.”
“Just use your willpower and you can stop.”
These are just some of the statements that those suffering from addiction often hear from others. There is a misconception that a person who continues to give in to their temptations to use drugs or alcohol is “weak” or has no willpower. But that is not necessarily true.
In fact, relying on willpower alone is simply not enough to fight the power of addiction. Many may believe that willpower is at the crux of beating addiction, but it can actually make things worse in many situations.
For starters, addiction is not a choice. People who develop a substance use disorder do not willingly do so. Somewhere along the line of using, choice disappears, and willpower no longer has an influence on whether or not a person can stop using. Further, willpower can actually push any underlying trauma down, which can make it even more difficult to overcome addiction. Substance use disorder often stems from some sort of trauma that the person experienced in the past, and drugs or alcohol are often turned to in an effort to numb any negative feelings as a result. Willpower can actually cause a person to suppress these traumatic feelings and memories, which can make the addiction even worse.Without dealing with trauma in a healthy way and exposing the issues that have caused addiction in the first place, recovery is much more of a challenge and people stay buried in their addiction.
Addiction to drugs or alcohol changes a person’s brain pathways. After a long period of time of heavily using drugs or alcohol, it can be nearly impossible to reverse these changes without proper medical intervention and cognitive support. When someone is fighting addiction, it is not enough to rely on willpower. What they need is an effective addiction treatment program that can help them safely and effectively detox and build the tools needed to achieve and maintain sobriety.
If you are tired of being a slave to your addiction, there is help! You do not need to do this alone. With the right support and guidance, you can be free of living in bondage to go on to live an addiction-free, fulfilling life.
If you are ready to start living a life free of bondage call 901-382-8106 ext 218 or message our page.
Article source: https://www.columbusrecoverycenter.com/blog/is-willpower-enough-to-fight-addiction/?fbclid=IwAR13qkuedZJgxZ17y1BG2ycfyXA2ddGxJCc3Jjn-dHqaHuWXxDUTQ7asZl8
6 Effective Methods To Talk To A Loved One About Their Addiction
Watching a loved one endure addiction can be terrifying and taking action to talk about it can be just as nerve-wracking. It may feel like you’re walking on eggshells around them, or that the pink elephant in the middle of the room is staring you down. You probably feel angry, confused, frustrated, scared and hopeless as you see them drudge down a dark road of despair. The good news is, you’re not alone and many others have come before you. The bad news is there’s no easy way to do it.
Use “I” statements
Symptoms of drug or alcohol use are not only physical but emotional, and defenses can rise when bringing up a double life that someone may or may not be hiding.
“I” statements can make a world of difference and will have you take responsibility of your emotions. They can change the entire tone of a conversation without placing direct blame on the person. This can soften the rhetoric and shift the focus from them to you, emphasizing your feelings and emotions rather than pointing fingers. Understanding things from your perspective can possibly plant the seed to help the addict see things a certain way.
Here are a couple of examples:
“You make me upset when you drink.” VS “I feel concerned when you drink.”
“You need to go to treatment.” VS “I feel frustrated that you won’t accept help.”
“You are killing yourself” VS “I feel angry watching you hurt yourself.”
Listen effectively
Addiction is on the rise and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, “drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S.” The conversation that you have with your loved one can be potentially life-saving, and even the non-verbal behavior you display can be pivotal. Listening can be an art in itself and in today’s world genuine listening is rare. Here are a few to powerful ways to make the most of it:
Maintain a positive posture
Keep eye contact
Listen to the words and picture what the speaker is saying
Accept the ideas and feelings of the person
Don’t interrupt or jump to conclusions
Ask questions to better understand
Keep your cool
Tread lightly!
One of the most powerful tools we use instinctively is “mirroring.” Mirroring is a social phenomenon that happens when one person subconsciously imitates the gesture, speech, or attitude of another person. If someone smiles at you, chances are, you’ll smile back, right? This is a prime example of mirroring. You as well as your loved one are in a vulnerable state and if you go into things as a ball of anxiety, chances are the person will be able to subconsciously recognize that and things could escalate. We all play off each other’s emotions, and some addicts can do this like an Olympic sport.
Have a plan
Make sure you talk to your loved one at a time when they are sober and be prepared to take action!
If the person you’re talking to is receptive to your thoughts and concerns, have a plan. It is encouraged to seek the help of professionals when dealing with such an undertaking, so it may be wise to have a couple of treatment centers or the location of a 12-step meeting on hand.
If the person is not receptive to your feedback, have another plan.
A good start would be setting boundaries. Boundaries establish guidelines for suitable behavior and actions, and in this case, your loved one’s substance abuse. Sometimes boundaries can help a person get to their “bottom” and increase the chances of them getting help. These can be easy to set, however putting them to practical use is the tough part. As long as they continue to use it is important that these boundaries are set to so you can get off your emotional roller-coaster ride.
Here are a couple of sample boundaries you could use:
“I will not allow you to live here if you continue to use.”
“I will not give you any more money.”
“I will not bail you out of jail again.”
“I will not support you in your addiction, but I will support you in your recovery.”
Don’t take it personally
“Hurt people hurt people” and if there is a negative reaction, it has nothing to do with you. If the conversation doesn’t end well and you’ve been open and honest with your emotions, you did what you intended to do.
Take care of yourself
Addiction is a family disease that can wreak havoc on all lives it touches, and if you’re close with the addict, there’s no doubt you may have been exposed to lying, cheating, or manipulative schemes. It can take a toll on your well emotional well-being and sometimes feels like you care more about your loved one than they do themselves. It would be wise to seek outside support such as therapists, or support groups like Al-Anon. Just like the addict needs to recover, so do you!
Watching a loved one endure addiction can be terrifying and taking action to talk about it can be just as nerve-wracking. It may feel like you’re walking on eggshells around them, or that the pink elephant in the middle of the room is staring you down. You probably feel angry, confused, frustrated, scared and hopeless as you see them drudge down a dark road of despair. The good news is, you’re not alone and many others have come before you. The bad news is there’s no easy way to do it.
Use “I” statements
Symptoms of drug or alcohol use are not only physical but emotional, and defenses can rise when bringing up a double life that someone may or may not be hiding.
“I” statements can make a world of difference and will have you take responsibility of your emotions. They can change the entire tone of a conversation without placing direct blame on the person. This can soften the rhetoric and shift the focus from them to you, emphasizing your feelings and emotions rather than pointing fingers. Understanding things from your perspective can possibly plant the seed to help the addict see things a certain way.
Here are a couple of examples:
“You make me upset when you drink.” VS “I feel concerned when you drink.”
“You need to go to treatment.” VS “I feel frustrated that you won’t accept help.”
“You are killing yourself” VS “I feel angry watching you hurt yourself.”
Listen effectively
Addiction is on the rise and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, “drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S.” The conversation that you have with your loved one can be potentially life-saving, and even the non-verbal behavior you display can be pivotal. Listening can be an art in itself and in today’s world genuine listening is rare. Here are a few to powerful ways to make the most of it:
Maintain a positive posture
Keep eye contact
Listen to the words and picture what the speaker is saying
Accept the ideas and feelings of the person
Don’t interrupt or jump to conclusions
Ask questions to better understand
Keep your cool
Tread lightly!
One of the most powerful tools we use instinctively is “mirroring.” Mirroring is a social phenomenon that happens when one person subconsciously imitates the gesture, speech, or attitude of another person. If someone smiles at you, chances are, you’ll smile back, right? This is a prime example of mirroring. You as well as your loved one are in a vulnerable state and if you go into things as a ball of anxiety, chances are the person will be able to subconsciously recognize that and things could escalate. We all play off each other’s emotions, and some addicts can do this like an Olympic sport.
Have a plan
Make sure you talk to your loved one at a time when they are sober and be prepared to take action!
If the person you’re talking to is receptive to your thoughts and concerns, have a plan. It is encouraged to seek the help of professionals when dealing with such an undertaking, so it may be wise to have a couple of treatment centers or the location of a 12-step meeting on hand.
If the person is not receptive to your feedback, have another plan.
A good start would be setting boundaries. Boundaries establish guidelines for suitable behavior and actions, and in this case, your loved one’s substance abuse. Sometimes boundaries can help a person get to their “bottom” and increase the chances of them getting help. These can be easy to set, however putting them to practical use is the tough part. As long as they continue to use it is important that these boundaries are set to so you can get off your emotional roller-coaster ride.
Here are a couple of sample boundaries you could use:
“I will not allow you to live here if you continue to use.”
“I will not give you any more money.”
“I will not bail you out of jail again.”
“I will not support you in your addiction, but I will support you in your recovery.”
Don’t take it personally
“Hurt people hurt people” and if there is a negative reaction, it has nothing to do with you. If the conversation doesn’t end well and you’ve been open and honest with your emotions, you did what you intended to do.
Take care of yourself
Addiction is a family disease that can wreak havoc on all lives it touches, and if you’re close with the addict, there’s no doubt you may have been exposed to lying, cheating, or manipulative schemes. It can take a toll on your well emotional well-being and sometimes feels like you care more about your loved one than they do themselves. It would be wise to seek outside support such as therapists, or support groups like Al-Anon. Just like the addict needs to recover, so do you!
Understanding Drug Use and Addiction
https://www.drugabuse.gov/…/understanding-drug-use-addiction
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
https://www.drugabuse.gov/…/understanding-drug-use-addiction
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
