Blog - The Colorado Counselor

5 Signs Your Loved One May Have a Prescription Drug Addiction

2018-09-30

Losing a loved one to a drug addiction is one of the worst things that can happen to someone. There is a plethora of help available, however. Diagnosing the problem is the first step to recovery. Here are five ways you can tell if your loved one has a prescription drug addiction.

Spending More Money

Look for an increased expenditure in your loved one’s bank account. Are they suddenly withdrawing large amounts of money or asking your for short-term loans? Consider their previous spending habits and how unusual it is for them to be spending more when their life situation is the same. A prescription drug addiction is expensive to maintain.

Changes In Mood

The psychological system cannot retain the same functions when the body has large amounts of drugs injected into it. This means that personalities will change. Are they suddenly getting angry? Did they lose their amiable demeanor? This can signal that a change has been brought upon by artificial drugs as opposed to one that has been brought upon through a natural change in their life.

Physical Change In Appearance

Due to the fact that a drug addiction takes over someone’s life, a person might look unkept. Did they stop bathing regularly? Are they suddenly dressing casual when they wouldn’t be seen without a pressed shirt? Look especially for a difference in their shaving habits and how neat they present themselves.

Poor Performance Of Life’s Duties

Drugs take a lot of time away from the duties in one’s state in life. Do they miss appointments regularly? Have they stopped doing the daily chores? Have they stopped taking an initiative in increasing the betterment of themselves or of others? Neglect in productivity can be a sign that their energy is being spent elsewhere.

Lack Of Interest In Past Hobbies

Since getting high from prescription drugs takes so much time from normal activities, they might forgo their past recreations. Look for signs of them ceasing to do things they found enjoyable. Without a good reason, it makes no sense for a person to give up a cherished activity. Did they love going outdoors and now spend their time inside? This can be a hint that something is going on with a person’s life.

There are many more potential signs of a prescription drug addiction. A person suffering from one could even exhibit very few differences in behavior. If they appear to behave differently without a notable reason, a loving inquiry made to them might reveal what is going on.

Joe Austin / Recovery Addiction / Addiction, drug rehab /

Five Things To Know About Recovery Addiction

2018-03-08

After finishing alcohol of drug rehab, many people think that toughest part is behind them. But they don’t realize that they are just starting a road to long-term recovery. However, no matter how well you prepare, there are so many aspects you need to take into consideration, and they can quickly throw you off balance. Even the smallest mistake can set you back on the previous path. So, here is the list of things you should know about addiction recovery from the start.

Addiction is a brain disease

You should keep in mind that addiction is a brain disease like asthma is a lung disease. You shouldn’t be ashamed of yourself because the addiction isn’t a moral failing. Every person has flaws, and no one is perfect. You need to learn to accept your imperfections. In reality, most diseases require ongoing care, and the same rule applies to addiction. This is a lifelong commitment, and you will face some challenging situations, but you mustn’t give up.

There is no cure

Going to a rehab center isn’t a cure. This place will provide you much-needed care and teach you how to manage the addiction. But, after you get out, it’s up to you to remain sober and clean. This is why many people choose the term recovering addict. It serves them as a permanent reminder that they can never be a cure because there will always be some temptation.

Getting sober and living sober are two different things

Getting sober or stop using the drugs is the just the first stage and many people call it detoxification. In this way, you are cleaning your body from harmful influences. However, living sobers requires significant changes that will become the part of your life, as long as you live. They will promote personal growth and long-term recovery.

Don’t fall for substitute addictions

If you participate in addiction treatment and you visit rehab center, then you are aware of dangers of replacing alcohol for another drug and vice versa. In this case, you should apply complete abstinence from all substances. Many people will reach for ways to fill the void, but don’t be one of them. If you have decided to recover completely, then stick to your goal.

Don’t follow only one way

When you are recovering from alcohol or drug addiction, you shouldn’t follow blindly one way. It will be beneficial to take advice, but find what works the best for you.

Joe Austin / EMDR / EMDR, Therapy /

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

2018-03-01

EMDR is relatively new and nontraditional type of psychotherapy, which is growing in popularity, especially in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD often happens when patients experience military combat, physical assault, rape and a car accident. During those moments they experience significant stress and which prevents them from functioning normally. Even though there is ongoing research regarding this topic, EMDR remains controversial among some healthcare professionals. In comparison to others, this type of therapy doesn’t rely on talk or medications, but on patient’s rapid eye movement.

What can you expect from EMDR?

Each EMDR session lasts for 90 minutes. The therapists, who you are visiting, will move his fingertips in front of your face and ask you to follow his motions with your eyes. During the movement, the EMDR therapist will have you remember a disturbing situation. This will involve emotions and body sensations that are connected to the event, and gradually, the therapist will guide you to shift your thought towards more pleasant ones. Some medical professionals use alternative methods, such as a hand or toe tapping. People who are willing participants of an EMDR therapy, often say that this treatment weakens the negative emotions in their body. That’s why it’s a common practice to ask the patient to rate his level of distress before and after the therapy.

How successful is EMDR?

Since 1989, more than 20,000 people were trained to use EMDR. This type of therapy is considered to be safe, with no adverse side-effects. Still, despite its continuous use, mental health practitioners doubt its effectiveness. Critics often remind that EMRD research only involved a small number of participants, while others say otherwise.

Even the biggest supporters of EMDR treatment don’t know exactly how this treatment works. At this point, we only have theories and assumptions. By causing the memories from a distressful moment to appear and diverting the attention, EMDR borrows the basic principles used in prolonged exposure therapy. A lot of EMDR therapists believe that this treatment can reduce the anxiety and allow patients to take control over their emotions.

Joe Austin / Drugs and Alcohol / Alcohol, Heroin /

Legal and Illegal Drugs and Alcohol

2018-02-25

When it comes to drugs and alcohols, we can’t say that their use is always illegal. Breaking the laws and limitations can get you into trouble, especially if you are abusing the substances. Some countries have adopted the rules where they provide medical marijuana to patients who are suffering from the most severe illness. In this case, it’s legal to use drugs. However, many people neglect the harmful effect of drugs and alcohol, thinking they can quit at any moment. But, once you get addicted, the recovery process is lengthy. So, let’s look at the list of drugs and alcohol, which are legal and illegal to use.

Alcohol

Alcohol is not an illegal substance, but it affects everyone differently. If you drink too much and too often, then you are a risk of suffering some injury or causing some accident. Heavy drinking also affects your entire body and emotional state, and this can lead to more severe alcohol disorder. For men, more than four drinks in a day, or more than 14 drinks in a week is considered heavy drinking. Women have a lower rate; for them, heavy drinking means more than three drinks in a day and more than seven drinks in a week.

Prescribed medications

Medications aren’t considered illegal if you aren’t abusing them. Many people who are suffering from various conditions require medications to recover. But, you can abuse medicine is you are taking someone else prescription, taking more significant doses than necessary and taking the drug for a non-medical reason. The most often abused drugs are painkillers, medicines used to treat hyperactivity disorder and anxiety medicine.

Heroin

Heroin is probably the most used drug nowadays, and it’s illegal. At first, heroin provides you a rush of a good feeling, but when it wears off, everything slows down. You can notice the changes in movement, speech, thinking and you may experience chills, nausea, and nervousness. The bad thing about this drug is that you will have a strong need to take another hit, just to feel better. This is one of the reasons why heroin is one of the most addictive drugs.