Rehab Resources

Alcohol Addiction - Drinking on the Job & Drinking at Work

2016-03-09T17:36:00.000-08:00

image/erikwanee

"Drinking on the job displays a loss of control over alcohol, and may well be a sign of alcohol dependence. Maybe it's time to take an alcoholism test. "

How does alcohol addiction effect a persons job performance while working? What can an employer do if they find out someone is drinking at work?

Source: http://www.the-alcoholism-guide.org/drinking-on-the-job.html

What is a 'Dry Drunk'?

2016-03-07T13:34:00.000-08:00

image/spiritualhands

"Someone who is no longer drinking but is not happy with life. This person usually still has his/her alcoholic mindset but not the booze"

I stopped going to that AA meeting downtown because it was mostly full of dry drunks.

Urban Dictionary: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Dry+Drunk

Dry Drunk syndrome is especially true for people that started abusing alcohol at an early age.

The commonality of those who started drinking and doing drugs as teens is that their mentality may still be stuck at the age of 14.

When a person quits drinking they need to learn how to think again, this time with a sober brain instead of a psychically toxic one. It takes about a year for the brain to 'decompress' from the literal harm that alcohol has done to the brain and many more years to learn how to rethink and learn new behaviors.

Approaching sobriety is not only about putting aside alcohol but learning how to live life again and work with our psyche instead of against it.

Here are some other articles and thoughts on Dry Drunk Syndrome:

Dry Drunk Syndrome - AlcoholRehab.com

What is Dry Drunk Syndrome? - MyVictoryCenter.com

Is There a "Dry Drunk" in Your Life? - Psychology Today

http://www.myvictorycenter.com/what-is-dry-drunk-syndrome/

What is Alcohol and Drug Rehab?

2016-03-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

By Daniel Callahan
@HappyRecovery

In life we are meant to discover, in fact the reason for Rehab is not what most folks think. It is "Discovery"! Any reasonably minded individual would gather all of the facts before making any major life altering decision. Therefore, how can an individual make a prudent choice of whether they want recovery/life or what they currently live without first discovering what recovery/life is first?

This is not a ticket to continue on a path of self-destruction. It is quite the opposite it is an invitation to explore what recovery can truly be.

Often the individual that is considering rehab sees it as a last resort. They have succumbed to family, friends or an employer/business partner's pressure to get help. Personally they can't fathom living a life of recovery. Why? Because they have no idea what to expect with a life free of "partying". It is like losing their best friend. They believe there is nothing that life has to offer to replace the temporary joy they receive from using.

At 16 years of age I remember my mother attempting to get me to take "The Pledge" an Irish method of getting someone to stop drinking alcohol. I remember looking my mother in the eye and saying "Are you kidding me? What would life be without drinking?" If you are in recovery or know of someone that needs help you have probably heard some variation of this statement a thousand times or more! It is all we know and comprehend. It is as necessary to us as oxygen is to others. It is how we think.

Therefore, making a short-term commitment to gather all of the facts together to make a prudent decision is a much more rational approach. It is simply committing 90 days out of your life span that is probably a good 80 to 90 years. Ninety days out of ninety years? Not much to ask.

Come take the risk and explore what your real options are. Find out what it really means to enjoy life. On September 12, 2008 my good friend Jack completed 48 years free of any mind-altering substances. Have lunch with Jack or simply meet him once and you will know what it means to enjoy life and not endure it. As a matter of fact, that is Jack's mantra "Life is meant to be enjoyed and not endured".

Addiction is the number one health issue we face. There is something that can be done and it can be done in an affordable fashion. Some times it takes family, friends or an employer to intervene and demand that the individual cease the use and abuse of mind-altering substances. For the abuser this is good news. At the time they do not think so. It feels like the end of the world is occurring. They believe they are losing what keeps them going in life, their best friend.

Life is good. Give it the chance that you truly deserve.

Dan Callahan, LMSW has an extensive human service background dating back to 1980. Dan has been involved in recovery based human service, alcoholism and substance abuse services, forensic services, case management with individuals recovering from mental health issues and recovery based program development. Dan is the co-author of a NYS training manual and program for mental health and correctional service professionals working with parolees with "serious and persistent mental illness".

Dan's experience encompasses Residence Manager of Bishop Ryan House, an adolescent home for homeless youth, the Program Director of Hands Across Long Island, Inc, Executive Director of the Bishop Gerald J. Ryan Resource Center and presently The Founder and Director of The Last Resort Panama.

Through the years Dan has been fortunate enough to be mentored professionally by some extremely gifted folks. He was offered flexibility and latitude to attempt methods of engagement and recovery services that were considered outside the box of traditional treatment. It has been through that flexibility and experiences that the Last Resort Panama has been created.

Dan has a unique method of assisting those in need to overcome their challenges with addictions. He has been successful with some of the most difficult of cases.

1-(718) 775-3639 or 1-(866) 501-3366. drug and alcohol rehab

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Daniel_Callahan/110351

Alcohol Dependence - Flip the Script on Drinking & Sobriety

2016-02-11T18:50:00.000-08:00

by Junker Eleven

@SoberANDTonic

"I reached a breaking point when my “ALCOHOL BULLY” needed to be dealt with once and for all. When you’ve been picked on and beat up more years than you can count; you just go outside and wait for the “alcohol bully” to meet you."

Do you have an "Alcohol Bully"?

Find out how one man 'flip the script on drinking' and continues to live every day one day at a time.

Recovery - Are You a Survivor or a Thriver?

2016-02-11T12:33:00.000-08:00

image/Jim Champion

by David Callahan
@HappyRecovery

When it comes to your recovery what is it that you focus on? Simply not drinking and drugging or is there more? Most people that are in recovery entered the process due to the pain that using drugs or alcohol attracted to their lives. But once the cork is put back into the jug what is it that keeps the pain away or the pleasure within?

Tony Robbins says we are all motivated by two forces. We are either running from pain or towards pleasure. Often folks in recovery change due to pain, in other words they get pushed into it. Either way once you settle in to a new life without alcohol or drugs it is necessary to stay focused on what you want.

The Law of Attraction is a spiritual law that says what ever it is we focus on we will attract to us. That law does not discriminate between alcoholic/addicts and non-users! It is a law for everyone. Whether you think it is true or not! Therefore it is absolutely essential to guard our thoughts. Of course trying to censor everything that goes into our head is impossible. However, some simple adjustments can make a world of difference in our happiness.

There are two ways to live a recovered life. As a Survivor or a Thriver. A Survivor lives life by taking what life dishes out. Survivors blame their situations on circumstances things that happen to them. Survivors focus on just getting by. They "try" to get well. They blame outside sources, people, and situations for their challenges.

Thrivers are focused on living life to the fullest. Thrivers do not believe in circumstances, they make their circumstances. They look for the opportunity in the challenge. They focus on "Gratitude". They have an "Attitude of Gratitude". Thrivers focus on the outcome and not the challenge. Thrivers focus on their strengths and get better at what they want and enjoy.

Here are some examples:

A Survivor says, "I do not want to drink or drug" a Thriver says, "I am living a happy, clean and sober life!" A Survivor says, "I don't want to be angry", a Thriver, says, "I am happy joyous and free!"

A Survivor says, "If I can just get through this", a Thriver asks, "Where does the opportunity loom in this cloud?"

It is simple to change your focus. Start with a 30-day test. For 30 days focus on the positive. Take some time to write out a gratitude list. Jot down a list of 15 people, places or things that you are grateful for. Every day add one more item to your list. Wear a rubber band on your wrist or pick up a nice clean stone from you travels for your pocket. Throughout the day when you put your hand in your pocket or notice your rubber band remind yourself that you are Happy, Joyous and Free!

At the end of 30-days if you like what you are becoming do it again. Rome was not built in a day. Yet being happy and positive is a choice. Start reading self-improvement books like "The Success Principles" by Jack Canfield. Listen to audio books or sets on self-improvement like "The Strangest Secret" by Earl Nightingale, "Awaken the Giant Within" by Tony Robbins. Watch self-improvement videos like "The Secret", "The Opus", and "You Can Heal Your Life" there are plenty to choose from.

Begin to change the way you think for the better. Stay away from dull, disillusioned crybabies. Anyone can complain and point out what is wrong with the world. There is enough of that going around. Stay away from the news. Limit your TV consumption at least for now. Focus on the positive and your life will become better than your wildest dreams!

drug and alcohol rehab

Dan Callahan, LMSW has an extensive human service background dating back to 1980. Dan has been involved in recovery based human service, alcoholism and substance abuse services, forensic services, case management with individuals recovering from mental health issues and recovery based program development. Dan is the co-author of a NYS training manual and program for mental health and correctional service professionals working with parolees with "serious and persistent mental illness".

Dan's experience encompasses Residence Manager of Bishop Ryan House, an adolescent home for homeless youth, the Program Director of Hands Across Long Island, Inc, Executive Director of the Bishop Gerald J. Ryan Resource Center and presently The Founder and Director of The Last Resort Panama.

Through the years Dan has been fortunate enough to be mentored professionally by some extremely gifted folks. He was offered flexibility and latitude to attempt methods of engagement and recovery services that were considered outside the box of traditional treatment. It has been through that flexibility and experiences that the Last Resort Panama has been created.
Dan has a unique method of assisting those in need to overcome their challenges with addictions. He has been successful with some of the most difficult of cases.

or . drug and alcohol rehab

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1788062

Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict [VIDEO]

2016-02-10T09:14:00.000-08:00

SEE ALSO:
Drug Addiction Explained - The Top 6 Drug Addiction Treatments
Effects of Drugs on the Mind

The Facts of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

2014-07-15T17:46:00.002-07:00

Explore more visuals like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

Drug Addiction Explained - The Top 6 Drug Addiction Treatments

2014-07-15T17:44:00.000-07:00

ADDICTION TREATMENT

By Corey Shader

Throughout the years, doctors and experts have been able to create all sorts of treatment for drug addiction. Doctors have created so many options, that choosing one drug addiction treatment approach can likely take awhile. Being addicted to anything should never be seen as a minor problem. Those who are addicted to drugs most importantly need a lot of attention and care, as it is a very fragile situation to be in. Fortunately, doctors have been able to create all sorts of treatments that make the process less daunting and scary for patients.

What Is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction seriously is a complex illness that is characterized by very intense and sometimes uncontrollable drug cravings. Some compulsive drug addicts tend to find the withdrawals and symptoms of quitting drug use can be so unbearable for them to handle. The path of addictions begin with the moderate acts of taking drugs, and over time the person's ability of becoming addicted are highly likely. In time, the addict will constantly seek and consume the drugs compulsively. This sad behavior then results to the effects of a long line of drug exposure to the brain function. Addiction is a serious brain disease that has shown to affect multiple brain circuits such as memory, learning, and inhibitory control on your behavior.

Since drug abuse has so many dimensions, it disrupts so many aspects in the addicts life. Treatment isn't simple, because in order for it to work, the addict must be willing to change. Effective treatment programs usually incorporate different components, each which are directed to particular aspects of this illness. Addiction treatments will help people to stop using drugs, maintain their drug-free lifestyle, and even achieve a more productive routine. Since addiction usually is a chronic disease, most people can't stop using drugs unless they have proper treatment. Most patients unfortunately require long-term and repeated episodes of treatment in order to achieve and sustain abstinence drugs.

Different Types Of Drug Addiction Treatments

- Behavioral Treatments

A behavioral treatment basically helps patients to engage in the entire treatment process. It modifies the patient's behaviors and attitudes related to their drug abuse to increase their chances of a healthier lifestyle. These treatments may even enhance the accuracy of medications that help people to stay on their treatment. Treatments for addiction can only be delivered through different settings with different behavioral approaches.

The outpatient behavioral treatments encompasses an array of programs for the patients who visit clinics in regular intervals. Most programs involve individual and even group drug counseling sessions. Some programs also offer other types of behavioral treatments including:

- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This therapy seeks to help different patients recognize, cope, and avoid the situations where they are more likely to not abuse drugs.

- Multidimensional Family Therapy

This therapy was developed for the adolescents whom are suffering from drug abuse problems, and where their families address a wide range of influences with the drug abuse patterns. It is also designed to improve your overall family functioning as well.

- Motivational Interviewing

This therapy capitalizes the readiness of each patient to change their unique behavior to finally enter treatment.

- Motivational Incentives

This therapy uses positive reinforcements to help encourage abstinence from consuming drugs.

- Residential Treatment

Residential treatment programs is also a highly effective treatment, especially for patients with severe issues. For instance, therapeutic communities are more highly structured programs where patients stay at their home. The patient usually stays at this at home therapy for 6 months to a year. Therapeutic communities differ from the treatment approaches principally through the community, staff, and recovery. This is the key agent to change and influence the attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions, of patients associated with drug abuse. Patients that go through TC therapy may even include those with long histories of drug abuse, seriously impaired social functions, and involvement with serious criminal activities. This therapy is now being designed to be accommodated by women who may be pregnant or have kids. The focus of this therapy is the resocialization of patients to a drug free and crime free lifestyle.

If you want to gain a normal life and overcome this addiction, find the right treatment that best suits your current situation. Allowing the treatment to help you is the only way to live a healthy drug free life.

Treatment Center Finder offers free drug addiction treatment referral services to the most comfortable and professional addiction treatment centers available nationwide. Give them a call today toll-free, 24/7 at 888-992-6288 and get your addiction and treatment questions answered by a caring and qualified counselor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corey_Shader

Detoxing from Alcohol - 5 Steps to Detox Your Body

2014-04-25T07:58:00.005-07:00

Detoxing from alcohol is a process that can sometimes need medical attention. If you are detoxing from alcohol on your own and you experience severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Detoxing from Alcohol Infographic

by rehabcenter. Explore more visuals like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

Effects of Methamphetamine

2014-04-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

The effects of methamphetamine can be far reaching.The longer the use, the more damaging the meth effects are to the body, some which are non-reversible. Know the effects of methamphetamine and educate others.

Effects of Methamphetamine Infographic

Via Lakeview Health
View More Drug Rehab Infographics

Long Term Drug Rehab - 7 Things You Need to Remember

2014-04-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

By Ara Rubyan

Long term drug rehab can seem hopeless. But if you are someone who has just been released from a drug rehab program, there are some things you need to do to make sure your recovery stays on track.

Here are some things you need to do to continue to be successful in long term drug rehab:

Your Counselor is Your Friend By engaging in outpatient counseling treatment, you increase your chances that your recovery will be permanent. Listen to your therapist or counselor: they are there to help you stay focused on long term drug rehab success.
Take Your Time Long term drug rehab means that your recovery doesn't happen overnight. You will have plenty of thoughts about alcohol and drugs. You simply must recognize and accept that you have to take each day -- each hour -- as it comes. There are no shortcuts. Think of long term drug rehab as a process that is time-consuming but rewarding.
Stay Busy Many former addicts find that it is all too easy to slip back into old habits. So fight that urge and stay physically active. Get yourself out of the old way of doing things. Find new activities and interests. Seek out new acquaintances who are positive and successful. Stay busy and avoid getting bored. Try not to be alone a lot of the time.
Progress is Measured One Step at a Time It's true that success is defined as steady progress toward a worthy goal. Long term drug rehab works the same way. You may find that if you can stay focused on recovery one day -- or half day -- at a time, you can be successful. Sometimes it might even be one-quarter of a day, or even one hour, at a time. Be aware of your frustration level and fight it one minute at a time if necessary. Staying sober is hard but you can make it one inch at a time if necessary.
Develop New Habits Long term drug rehab involves examining at all your behaviors, including the ones that make it easy to abuse drugs. What this means is that one set of habits reinforces another. When you remove one habit (drugs) you find that others are displaced as well (associating with certain friends, for example). What will you do now if you are no longer hanging with the same old crowd, doing drugs? If you can find new friends, new activities to engage in, you will find that your long term drug rehab will be more successful.
Build Yourself a Support System You might think that you cannot tell your family or close friends about your long term drug rehab challenges. But the opposite is true: you must rely on them to give you the emotional support you need to successfully recover.
Be Persistent You'll have plenty of temptation to give up and throw in the towel. But don't give in and don't give up. It really works when you are faced with long term drug rehab. Don't beat yourself up for making the mistake. Simply move on and keep going. No matter how frustrated you get, you don't want to ever give up or give in. The difference between winning and losing is sometimes simply being the last one standing.

Hopefully, these suggestions will help you get through long term drug rehab successfully. Surround yourself with positive role models and stay with it. You will find that you will be successful in the long run.

For more info on long term drug rehab [http://www.drugrehabchoices.com/2008/05/long-term-drug-rehab/], visit Ara Rubyan's Drug Rehab Choices [http://www.drugrehabchoices.com/] blog.

Ara Rubyan isn't a doctor or a counselor. Instead, he is like you: a consumer who has tried to educate himself on the full range of drug rehab choices available today. Now, he's put all his research (so far) in one convenient location and he's sharing it with you, no strings attached. Visit his website. You'll find:

Lots of articles on various drug rehab topics;
Videos;
Interactive polls;
Latest news on drug rehab resources;
Your questions, answers and suggestions.

As always, consult a qualified professional when looking for drug rehab. In the meantime, go on over to Drug Rehab Choices http://www.drugrehabchoices.com/ and have a look.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ara_Rubyan

Identifying the Signs of Addiction Associated with Drug and Alcohol Use

2014-04-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

By Steve Gifford

When identifying the signs of addiction, it is important to know that while drug and alcohol use and abuse each manifest themselves as different behavioral changes and inconsistencies, they share a number of commonalities. This is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of signs of drug and/or alcohol addiction, but is instead a list of the most common signs that someone is suffering from addiction.

Often, addicts and alcoholics are the last to know that they have a problem, because they cannot see the outward signs of addiction. They attempt to hide their use from loved ones, escaping to a "safe" space such as a bar after work, or a spot in the garage where they can be alone to drink or use. The addict believes that he or she is keeping the drug or alcohol use secret from everyone else, when in fact, the physical and behavioral signs of addiction are often immediately apparent.

Isolation
As noted, one of the behavioral changes associated with addiction is isolation. Addicts often cite drug or alcohol use as a way to deal with stress, or just "relax after a hard day", and will either emotionally withdraw but still partake in their substance abuse in the presence of family and friends, or solitarily by escaping to a quiet spot in the home to drink or use alone. Other signs of addiction are when addicts attempt to hide their use completely, and make lengthy trips outside of the home; for example, a five-minute trip to get a pack of cigarettes or milk from the grocery store will turn into a five hour disappearance, during which time the addicted person will have gone to a friend's house or a bar to engage in drug or alcohol use.

Akin to isolation, when a person is addicted, he or she often loses interests in hobbies and activities in which he or she used to participate. Someone who was previously interested in sports and socializing with friends in a social club or association might slowly or suddenly drop out entirely. Signs of addiction can include noticing that an addicted person stops exercising, limits seeing friends or family members, or reduces his or her participation in previously enjoyable activities - because he or she is spending so much time on drug or alcohol use.

Mood Swings
When an addicted person undergoes such a drastic change in lifestyle, mood swings are often associated signs of addiction. If drug or alcohol use has gotten to the point where someone is using all of the time, the symptoms of withdrawal can include depression, irritability, fatigue, sweating, and anxiety. When that person is using, signs of addiction can be drastic improvements in mood, or suddenly shifting from being cranky to becoming happy and upbeat. These wild mood swings are the result of the drastic changes that drug and alcohol use can have upon the body and mind, and are a highly noticeable sign of addiction.

Money Troubles
One sign of addiction that is more closely aligned with drug addiction (but can be found sometimes with alcohol addiction) is that money becomes an issue. People involved with opiates or other drugs are often scrambling to find money to support their habit. Drug use, especially on a regular basis, can become a very expensive habit to maintain and addicts will often drain a bank account, steal from family members or friends, deplete a Roth IRA or drain a 401(k) in order to support their use. Signs of addiction also include noticing that a friend or family member won't have money for staples like groceries, clothing, rent, or bills, but will often find a way to continue drug or alcohol use. A partner or roommate to someone with addiction might notice that the mutual monthly contribution to finances or utilities begins to come in late, or not at all. It may even take a few months to realize a pattern in that the addicted individual is not contributing their part of the money.

Finally, signs of addiction tend to be grouped under general deceitfulness and insincerity. Isolation, withdrawal, hiding drug and alcohol use, and stealing are all behaviors that are dishonest, and lying becomes a daily habit for individuals struggling with addiction. Rarely are people truthful about their addiction. Family members often know that something is going on, but even when they confront or approach the addicted individual about their problem, the person will deny having a problem - most often because he or she is in denial about even having a problem with drug or alcohol use and abuse.

As previously stated, this is not a complete list of signs of addiction, but rather a series of common habits and behavioral changes present in both drug and alcohol users. The degrees of addiction may vary, but the common signs of isolation, lying, and behavioral / mood changes are present in almost every single person with a substance abuse problem. If you think that you or your loved one may be struggling with drug or alcohol use and addiction, consider having a discussion about how outpatient or residential addiction treatment can help you achieve sobriety and reclaim your life.

Steven Gifford, LICDC, LPC, serves as Clinical Program Director at Northland, an outpatient drug rehab center in Ohio. He is a member of the Ohio Counseling Association and is a LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), LICDC (Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor), CTTS (Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist) and has a Masters Degree in Education in Community Counseling. Mr. Gifford's areas of competence include the following: individual counseling, assessments, group counseling, diagnosis and treatment, children and adolescents, marriage and family therapy, addictions and smoking cessation. Has worked in the Licking Memorial Hospital - Shepherd Hill treatment center located in Newark, Ohio, since 1998, and concurrently serves as the Clinical Program Director of Northland's inpatient organization, The Ridge.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Gifford

Effects of Drugs on the Mind

2014-04-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

What are the effects of drugs on the mind?

The effects of drugs change the way you think.

Alcohol Rehab Centers - How to Choose Alcohol Rehab Centers for a Loved One

2014-04-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

By Chris Knight Yiannakou

Alcoholism is a serious problem which is faced throughout the world by family and friends on a daily basis. Sadly this is an illness and the person who is abusing often will not or cannot see there is a problem.

Sometimes the person will come to a realization and speak to loved ones and try and get help and in other cases, it's up to the family to make them see there is a problem and that alcohol rehab centers are the best solution to overcome the problem and get on with their lives.

The decision to send a love one to one of the many alcohol rehab centers in the country is not an easy decision, but you need to remember that it is for their own good and once they get the assistance and treatment they need, they can start recovery.

One of the first things you will want to look for is the treatment programs available at each of the establishments you are considering. It's imperative that the establishments you are looking at offer the right treatments, ensuring your loved one gets the best out of the programs and can come home alcohol free.

Always ask about the care available at the establishment. Do they offer twenty four hour care? If there is a problem and your loved one needs help in the middle of the night, will there be someone there to give them a hand and help them get through the experience?

What therapy do they offer? Some alcohol rehab centers work with group therapy, others with individual therapy and some with both. There is no right or wrong when it comes to this, though an establishment that offers both can help your loved one benefit from the treatments available, hopefully recovering that bit faster if they have other people to talk to who are going through the same thing, while benefiting from the one on one session offered.

Find out if the alcohol rehab center offers outpatient services. Once your loved one has stayed in the establishment for the required period and comes home clean, they will need on-going support. What many people don't realist is that the desire for a drink will never go away and it's a fight they have to go through on a daily basis, probably for the rest of their lives.

Sending a loved one to alcohol rehab center is not an easy task and in some cases you may not see or hear from them for the time they spend in the establishment. If this is something that concerns you, find out if they allow family visits or even family participation. Family participation or visits may be an important element to the recovery process especially if you are in the process of admitting a teenager.
Always determine their staff to patient ratio. This is so important when choosing alcohol rehab centers. You want to know that your loved one is going to get the care and help they need while staying in the establishment and are not left for hours on their own or given the opportunity to get out for the night and head to the nearest bar for a drink.

It's imperative that the establishment has enough staff on duty at any given time to manage the number of patients they have staying with them at the time.

The final check is to see the accommodation offered. Ask if you can visit the establishment and have them walk you through, so you can see the living conditions offered and where you loved one will be sleeping for the next few weeks before you make any final decisions.

Serenity is an online resource helping people find the best rehab clinics without any delays. The site offers a host of top treatment programs and various clinic options throughout the UK and the world, helping people find the best programs and establishment to meet their immediate requirements. Serenity ensures that each patient gets the best match without a long waiting list. Their service is confidential and discreet and covers the entire of the UK. For instant addiction treatment admissions or to find out more visit their website at http://www.serenity.org.uk/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Knight_Yiannakou

The Freakonomics of Drug Dealing

2014-04-12T09:47:00.002-07:00

Infographic by Clarity Way Rehab

Qualities of a Top Drug Rehab Center

2014-04-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

By Corey Shader

Drug addicts who want to get treatment can visit a drug rehab center to get professional help. Although it may seem that these are designed for musicians, actors and other celebrities, the truth is anyone can walk in and out regardless of what they do. Choosing the center to check into can be quite intimidating because you need to choose the best that will suit your needs best. For this reason, below is some of the basic information that you should have at the back of your mind while looking for one.

Engagement
There are two main ways that the drug rehab center can engage its clients. This is where you can choose between outpatient and residential care. The residential care option is where the addict is supposed to move into the facility on a full time basis to work with their recovery programs to help get treatment for the addiction. Out patient on the other hand offers their services during the day and the patient goes home at night.

Counseling
There are two types of counseling that patients can benefit from while at the drug rehab center. This is individual counseling and group counseling. With the individual option, the addict gets to meet with the professional alone for a face to face meeting to discuss the problem at hand. This includes getting to know the triggers of the addiction and the techniques that can be used to forget about the problem once and for all. In the group sessions the addict meets with other patients to discuss the problems. Members here are encouraged to open up about their problems as well as how their recovery journey has been. These sessions are a great way for the addicts to get support from one another because they are able to know that they are not alone which might help a lot in the recovery process.

Treatment
You can find that one drug rehab center is well equipped to handle patients who are addicted to a variety of drugs meaning you will not have to look for one that treat your type of addiction. Some of the addictions that are treated here include: cocaine addiction, heroin addiction, crystal meth addiction, vicodin addiction, Oxycontin addition and marijuana addition among many others. The centers also help to treat an individual who is addicted to more than one type of drug.

Rules and regulations
There are very strict rules and regulations that govern a drug rehab center. Some of the rules include no substance abuse while a person is in the facilities, limited visitors, no physical relations with other members and required attendance to all the sessions. These rules vary from one facility to the other but are normally set in place to help the patients get the most out of the designed programs to ensure that everyone in the center is safe. This also helps to bring in organization for the center.

Long term
It is important to understand that visiting a drug rehab center is not a short term affair thus you should not go in expecting to get fast results and treatment within a few days. Most of the centers normally take at least 3o days to complete the programs that have been put in place. There are some serous addictions that might need at least six months or an year for the patients to get fully recovered.

Costs
The ability to get treatment from the centers does not really depend on a person's bank account because people from all walks of life are supposed to benefit from this. There are different types of treatment options that suit individual budget where you can choose the one that suits your financial situation best. There are some facilities that offer the services free of charge while you can also get one that goes for thousands of dollars every single week.

There are also numerous activities that recovering addicts get to engage in while at the drug rehab center to ensure that they enjoy the programs and not get bored which can get them thinking about drugs. This is where you can find that some centers offer alternative treatment methods that not only work on the drug addiction problem but also the well being of a person's spiritual, mental and physical being.

Treatment Center Finder is the leader in qualified, free addiction counseling. They work with the most comfortable and reputable drug rehab centers nationwide. Give them a call today toll-free, 24/7 at 888-992-6288 and get your addiction and treatment questions answered by a caring and qualified counselor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corey_Shader

How Long Does Alcohol Detox Take?

2014-04-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

By Edward Van Aken

This question, "how long does alcohol detox take", tends to linger on the minds of many people who want to try it out as a solution of their addiction to alcohol. What is the meaning of alcohol detox? Is it effective? What are the effects of alcohol detox? Among other questions are quite disturbing. At some point of drinking more, especially the last deteriorate stage of alcoholism, your body may be reacting drastically to alcohol sending a signal that you need to have a break with alcohol. This may be the case but still hard to comply to the signals because you do not know how to do it. Alcohol detox is considered as a perfect way to do it by simply abstaining from alcohol and observed under medication as the diet intake is altered. This process actually involves the support of family, friends and the individual patient to be effective.

It is true that many people do not realize the side effects of long-term consumption of alcohol to both their health and general way of life. Truth be said, excessive alcohol consumption may result to such complications as liver and kidney problems, addiction and weight gain. If you want to be a social drinker and never wish to get yourself to the advanced stages of alcoholism, then getting yourself to an alcohol detox program is important to allow the body to settle for some time to drain itself off all the alcohol substance from body tissues and blood stream. For the starting alcohol drinkers, the detox period can be as short as four weeks but the period can be greater depending with the stage of alcoholism of an individual.

Positive Effects Of Alcohol Detox

Decrease Health Risks

Excessive drinking over a long period of time often causes adverse health risks such as pancreatic damage, liver cirrhosis and cancer. Alcohol detox therefore enables one to wash out the accumulated alcohol in such tissues and blood stream preventing such health risks.

Improved Personal Life

There are a number of personal problems that are brought about by excessive drinking over time. Family issues topping the list due to violence and aggressiveness are greatly lowered through detox from alcohol. Quite often, alcoholism causes problems with friends and relations thus the need to eliminate it or lower the level of content in the body system. Financial problems are also a part of the personal problems that are brought about by alcoholism. Accumulation of debts and shortage of money to carry out essential family operations are soon wiped out by alcohol detox program.

Beat Addiction

Giving oneself some time off drinking allows one to regain the normal functioning of the body thus able to deal with addiction in a better way. This is a way that should be used by alcohol starters to prevent them from getting addicted in due time.

Alcohol detox is usually done in an alcohol rehab clinic to enable the patient focus on getting well as soon as possible. The patient gets time needed to drain off all the alcohol in the body, as they will have their time off from work and other daily activities that are stressful. Counseling given here is also very important for any alcoholic as it enables the patients to become responsible drinkers in case they need to drink.

Sudden stop on drinking is quite risky hence the need to consult a medical professional. Safe detoxification at home need to be carried out effectively as one fights to get rid of the alcohol contents in the blood stream and other body tissues. A simple answer to the question, "how long does alcohol detox take?" is simply "it depends with the stage of alcoholism"- more for the late stage alcoholism stage and less for the early stage.

More information on alcoholism and beating alcoholism is available on http://exclusivealcoholtreatments.com/ A great place to start working on the solution for your problem.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Van_Aken

Alcohol Abuse Facts - The Impact of Alcohol Consumption in America

2014-03-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

Sobering Up Blog

Drug Addiction Quotes

2014-03-27T09:42:00.002-07:00

"No one is immune from addiction; it afflicts people of all ages, races, classes and professions." - Patrick J. Kennedy

"Here is the solution to the American drug problem suggested a couple years back by the wife of our president: "Just say no." - Kurt Vonnegut

"Using excuses for the predicament you're in and minimizing your situation, whether it is drug or alcohol use, is a sure sign of an addict." - Alexandra Sobetsky

"We are addicted to our thoughts. We cannot change anything if we cannot change our thinking." - Santosh Kalwar

"When you can stop you don't want to, and when you want to stop, you can't." - Luke Davies

"Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self respect and everything that goes along with your self esteem." - Kurt Cobain

"The Internet is like alcohol in some sense. It accentuates what you do anyway. If you want to be a loner, you can be more alone. If you want to connect, it makes is easier to connect." - Esther Dyson

"If you're an approval addict, your behavior is as easy to control as that of any other junkie. All a manipulator need do is a simple two-step process: Give you what you crave, and then threaten to take it away. Every drug dealer in the world plays this game." - Harriet B. Braiker

"If I have a near-beer, I'm near beer. And if I'm near beer, I'm close to tequila. And if I'm close to tequila, I'm adjacent to cocaine." - Craig Ferguson

"Avoid using cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs as alternatives to being an interesting person." - Marylin Vos Savant

"I think if you were Satan and you were sitting around trying to think up something that would just bring the human race to it's knees what you would probably come up with is narcotics." - Cormac McCarthy, No Country for Old Men

"Alcoholism is a choice... not a life sentence." - David Norman

"I think that it is a great tragedy that a child can lose their mother, father, sister or brother, because you and I made a decision that getting loaded was more important than they are." - Pamela Barrett, Tales of a Titmouse

image/ilhumanities

How to Help Drug Addictions with Self-Hynosis

2014-03-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

By J Seymour

Drug addictions help is available through self-hypnosis. If you have a dependency on cocaine, marijuana or prescription medication, you can give yourself support through the subconscious mind. Alcohol abuse is a drug addiction, too and you can be your own guide in dealing with this problem as well.

Addictive Habits
We fall into addictive habit because they are comfortable. You become accustomed to doing things in a certain way and even when you pattern of behavior is destructive and damaging, it is simply too difficult to break. You are stuck in a pattern of behavior that you can't seem to change.
Habits occur automatically. They require no cognitive thought because they just happen as part of your routine. When you have an addictive condition in your life, you are apt to follow the pattern of behavior without thinking about the consequences.

Starting Tomorrow
There are the occasional fleeting moments in which you reconsider your actions but the pattern usually wins in the end. You may tell yourself that you will start life without your addictive habit tomorrow. That is, after you empty your stock before making the necessary changes.
Change is never comfortable but it is necessary if you need drug addictions help is on your horizon. The first step is to stop waiting for change. You can overcome your addiction with the help of self-hypnosis.

Addictive Thought Processes
If you try to use conventional methods to quit cold turkey you probably already know that you become obsessed with the addictive substance. This obsession takes over your thought processes. The idea of quitting is appealing but you feel compelled to continue the destructive cycle.
Your thoughts evoke feelings of anxiety and loss. The change is frightening and you grieve the loss of the addictive substance. In addition, your addictive thoughts focus on your withdrawals.

Withdrawals
When you quit addictive drugs suddenly, you can send your body into a tizzy. This is problematic when you are trying to overcome the problem. As you focus on the withdrawals in your mind, you begin to feel them worsen. This process is defeating and it often leads to reverting to the bad habit.

Drug Addictions Help with Self-Hypnosis
You can enter a path of change comfortably, breaking the cycle of destructive habits. Change in your thought processes is possible and you can survive withdrawals with less discomfort. The secret is to use self-hypnosis.

Self-hypnosis helps you retrain your mind to focus on other things rather than your substance abuse. You are calm and collected as you make the necessary changes to overcome your habit. This process also helps you work through the physical responses when you are in withdrawal.

There is no reason that you have to continue your substance abuse habit. You can overcome an addictive substance using the power of your own mind. Drug addictions help is available and you have the support you need.

J. Seymour is a writer with Self Help Recordings. 'Help For Drug Addictions' is an excellent recording by Duncan McColl, based on his decades of experience in powerful and classical clinical therapy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Seymour

Drug Rehab Centers - Understanding the Complexities of Drug Rehab Centers

2014-03-20T14:44:00.003-07:00

By Corey Shader

If you've considered entering a drug rehab center to deal with your addiction, you may be wondering if it's worth taking this step. The answer is a definite "yes!" Drug abuse affects multiple areas of life including the physical, psychological, and emotional. You're not going to be able to address all these areas on your own, and you can benefit from even a short term in a drug rehab facility.

Physical Benefits Of Drug Rehab Centers

If you are physically dependent on drugs, giving them up is going to cause withdrawal symptoms. One of the first areas to focus on during rehab is physically detoxing from these drugs. By choosing a certified medical rehab center instead of trying to quit on your own, you have a decreased chance of relapsing or overdosing. Also, you are protected in this environment against unforeseen complications. The medical professionals at these centers can help to ease the symptoms and make sure that you get to a healthier body as quickly as possible.

One of the main reasons to consider a rehab center is the success rates that result in where you decide to continue your treatment. Individuals who try to give up on their own have a very low success rate. Even with the help and support of friends and family, their physical addiction is too much for them to handle and they are not able to recover fully. While rehab centers do not have complete success in all cases, they have significantly improved results in people who complete their programs. The physical environment and medical expertise in drug recovery simply cannot be experienced anywhere else.

Psychological Benefits Of Drug Rehab Centers

As we know, addiction isn't just about the physical cravings, it also changes your state of mind. Inpatient rehab offers a wide range of psychological therapies that are designed to address your history of drug abuse as well as your present state of transitioning into abstinence and helping you to build a future of recovery. Each rehab will offer different therapy options because each person needs a different type of style of treatment. In some cases, you may be struggling with other psychological disorders like anxiety or depression as well, which can also be addressed in a rehab center.

What many people also don't realize about drugs is that they change the way that the mind works. When you're recovering from drugs, you may notice that you're not able to think as clearly or have difficulty in some areas of life. The psychological experts at rehab centers can help you work through these problems, recommend strategies, and help get you on the path to psychological wellness. The mind can heal and grow, especially with professional help, so even chronic drug users can find themselves improved mentally with treatment.

Emotional Benefits Of Drug Rehab Centers

While some people prefer to characterize this part of drug rehab as either mental or spiritual depending on the direction of the treatment, the emotional healing that can occur during treatment should not be overlooked. Though physical addiction is primarily important an psychological disorders are as well, the emotional safety and general peace of mind that you get in these centers is crucial to the continuing success of the overall treatment.

Remember that while you are enrolled in a rehab center, you get to take a step away from the normal stresses of life. You don't have to worry about bills, work, past events, children, or spouses during this period. For the time that you're enrolled in a treatment program, you have a buffer between yourself and the world, allowing you to give your full attention to your recovery. This is one of the main reasons why drug rehab is successful, when it covers all of these areas effectively.

If you're wondering how to get over your addiction and start building a healthier lifestyle, consider a treatment center for drug rehab. The trained staff at these centers are sympathetic and skilled in their areas and help thousands of people every year rebuild their lives. These drug rehab centers are designed with you in mind, so don't get lost in the system and instead take this opportunity to focus on your health.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corey_Shade

Alcohol Rehab - Curing Your Alcoholism

2014-03-20T14:43:00.005-07:00

By Corey Shader

What Alcohol Rehab Is All About

Alcohol Rehab is a gradual process whose main aim is to help alcoholics quit drinking and live their lives normally. A rehab center is the best place for patients who really want to quit using alcohol. There are mechanisms that have been put in place to help ensure that you stop relying on alcohol if you are heavily addicted. Many people think that if you are an alcoholic you can never quit. This is actually very false since some rehab centers will help you a lot in tackling your addiction. Going for rehab will be very helpful in fighting off your addiction.

Alcohol Rehab Approaches

There is no one uniform way in which you can treat all alcoholic patients. All people were created differently and this makes them all unique. Each individual has to be treated as a special case since no method will work on everybody. Alcohol Rehab approaches differ widely and may be in the form of medicines, natural therapies or they may take a holistic approach.
The method that is commonly used is the detoxification process and it is pretty great for almost anybody. It is aimed at helping your body get rid of any toxins and alcohol that your body may have. The methods used to achieve this include the use of medicines and taking the holistic approach. Alcoholics should undergo this so as to make sure their bodies are free of harmful substances.

This process is usually followed by many hours of counseling and talking where you get the patient to admit that they have a problem. The sessions are great and they will help the patient think about their situation. Introspection is the main technique that is used here and it works most of the time. Once the patient has admitted that they have a problem then the treatment can start.

The success of the Alcohol Rehab process will mostly depend on the willpower of the patient and how much they want to quit their addiction. If they do not have the desire to quit using alcohol then the rehab process may be futile in the long run. Treatment centers will however try and help you as much as they can in quitting alcohol. They will change the rehab techniques to meet your needs and wants. Each rehab method is not rigid and it will be modified to suit you so as to make the treatment more effective. The positive results will thus be visible early on.

Benefits Of Alcohol Rehab Treatment.

The main benefit of going to the rehab center is usually quitting alcohol. If you are able to quit taking alcohol after going to the rehab center then you can term your stint there as being very successful. Other than this there are many other benefits that you as a patient will get from going for the rehabilitation.

Having a stable environment has to be one of the major benefits. This is especially very crucial for people who are newly recovering addicts. Being in an environment where nobody is judging you and where you get the love and compassion that you require is great. It will make you stronger and they will be in a position to fight the addiction more easily. Going to rehab centers will be a very effective way of helping people with alcohol addiction problems recover.
The counselors are also a great addition in the recovery process. They have been with other people having this problem and they thus have the required experience. This experience is very important since it will make them talk to the patients in a very personal tone and they will get to them. They can also help the recovering addicts with the emotional problems underlying their alcohol addiction.

In most Alcohol Rehab centers there is a zero tolerance to drugs. Anybody caught in possession of drugs is usually asked to leave since they do not want people to temp the patients who are trying so hard to recover. This is highly commendable as patients are usually very vulnerable during their recovery process. Simple temptations such as those may jeopardize the whole recovery process and it is a good thing Alcohol Rehab centers enforce the no alcohol policy.

Treatment Center Finder is the leader in qualified, free addiction counseling. They work with the most comfortable and reputable alcohol rehab nationwide. Give them a call today toll-free, 24/7 at 888-992-6288 and get your addiction and treatment questions answered by a caring and qualified counselor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corey_Shader

Drug Rehab - The Benefits of Drug Rehab to an Addict

2014-03-20T14:43:00.003-07:00

By Corey Shader

I realize the thought of entering drug rehab is a daunting one. I know you are scared. I need you to trust me when I tell you it is the greatest gift you can give yourself and the people you love. I need you to trust me when I tell you it is the only option you have if you truly want to live a happy, healthy life, or simply want to live period. Whether your flavor of the day is cocaine, crack, alcohol or a combination of the three, the medical professionals in any of the hundreds of treatment centers across the country WILL help you defeat your addiction. I have my convictions and recommend these centers for drug treatment for many reasons, all of which I can sum up in two words: treatment approaches.

1. Drug Rehab Detoxification Process
The most grueling, and most important aspect on the road to recovery is the release of the demons from your body. If you were to attempt detoxifying on your own, I guarantee you would be reaching for the first needle or pipe you could find in less than 24 hours, blowing your chances of recovery out of the water. You experience emotional withdrawal symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mood swings and suicidal thoughts. Physically you vomit, suffer from chills, cramps, muscle aches and sleeplessness. When you have the courage to check into a treatment center, the medical staff monitors you 24 hours during this arduous time, easing these symptoms with medication until the process ends. I guarantee you won't regret this decision.

2. Personalized Treatment Plan
The story behind your addiction is as unique as your fingerprint. The staff your chosen treatment facility realizes this, assessing you and your situation before preparing a personalized treatment plan that suits your needs. Their goal is to see you succeed, not only during your stay with them, but once you leave the center as well. Although there are so many drug rehabs available to choose from, I love that no two are the same. I have yet to see a "Stepford Wives" type treatment facility.

3. Therapy In A Drug Rehab
Call it therapy, call it counseling, I am a strong advocate of both; a major reason I highly recommend you seek assistance for your addiction from a treatment center. Drug addiction plays games with your mind while destroying your life. It does not take long for it to distort your perception of reality. In the process, your reality begins to fall apart and you no longer know what to believe. Treatment centers offer many types of therapy to assist you with finding yourself and your reality again. Your counselor aids you in changing your negative ways of thinking, allowing you to see that yes, there are positives in your life. You begin setting goals and receive rewards when you reach these goals. What does this do for you? Increases your self-esteem, something you have not had, something you thought only the drugs could give you. So yes, I'm not only a proponent of counseling offered in drug rehab treatment centers, I know it is the only means you have of recovering from your addiction.

4. Restoring Your Family
Your stay in a treatment facility is not just for you, it is for your family, too. It is no secret that drug addiction tears families apart. Your stay in the facility is a way of restoring what is broken. At some point your family is invited to come in for counseling as well. Perhaps you they were in denial of your addiction, did not know how to cope or chose to believe that you could quit if you truly loved them. During counseling they will learn how to support you during your recovery process, and any underlying family issues that may have contributed to your drug use in the past are addressed to prevent relapse once you go home. This is a major benefit you would not have had if you did not enter the treatment center.

5. Drug Rehab Preparation Plan
You cannot stay at the rehab center forever, but alas, the staff you have come to consider as family will not leave you hanging. They bid you adieu with a treatment plan for you to follow once you arrive home, and locate a Narcotics Anonymous group for you in your area. They want you to succeed and remain drug free, therefore, they give you the tools you need for this.

I cannot stress enough the importance a drug rehab plays in the role of an addict's life. The support, knowledge and therapy you receive while under the compassionate care of the staff is the only chance you have to break the ties that bind you. The benefits outweigh the--oh wait, there are no drawbacks. Good luck during your stay, and I wish you a healthy and speedy recovery.

Treatment Center Finder is the leader in qualified, free addiction counseling. They work with the most comfortable and reputable drug rehab nationwide. Give them a call today toll-free, 24/7 at 888-992-6288 and get your addiction and treatment questions answered by a caring and qualified counselor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Corey_Shader

Rehab Center

2014-03-20T14:43:00.001-07:00

Some people will avoid rehab because they don't know what to expect when they check into a rehab center.

What is a rehab center like?

by rehabcenter.
Explore more visuals like this one on the web's largest information design community - Visually.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting

2008-09-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

Flickr/ChrisYarzab

Alcoholics Anonymous Links

How to Find Meetings - Official AA website guide to find meetings in your area.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting: by State
Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting: Europe
Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, New Zealand, UK