Addiction Treatment is Not Only for Addicts and Alcoholics

I used to joke that I was addicted to more. Society is full of temptations these days and so its hardly surprising that more and more folks are struggling with addictions of varying kinds. Many will think of addictions as being related to alcohol or narcotics whether thats hard drugs or pharmaceuticals, but addictions are a lot broader than that. In fact, folks can get addicted to just about anything and everything be it people, places, or things.

Being a recovered alcoholic and addict, I had no trouble qualifying as a therapist simply because of first hand experience and understanding of the addictive personality.

Usually, by the time an addict reaches my office they are pretty well broken by their addiction and so in most cases I suggest he or she takes time out to attend an addiction treatment facility.

One of the biggest problems with addicts is denial. The world and his brother knows the individual has a problem long before the addict himself will admit to it.

Once the addict owns his problem, he has usually gone pretty far down the track, and quite often leaves a destruction trail behind himself and others. One of my first jobs is to get the addict to understand that he is powerless over his problem and that his life has become unmanageable as a result of it.

If we cannot get him to admit this, then we cannot really move on.

If you are reading this and you know you are having problems coping with an addiction, then I would seriously urge you to consider getting addiction treatment at the earliest possible opportunity, like now! Theres an addiction treatment out there for everyone irrespective of their problem. RECOVERTim Sebastian is a proficient writer and webmaster for Treatments Galore dot com where he writes on such issues as the alcohol and drug treatment programs and finding the best treatment for adult acne.

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Alcoholism Facts - Facts of Alcoholism You Should Know

Alcoholism facts can help one better understand the extent of alcoholism and alcoholism warning signs. One of the alcoholism facts is -- alcoholism is a type of drug addiction that can be both physical and psychological.

Facts of alcoholism include the reality that alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, resulting in a decrease of activity, tension and inhibitions. And alcoholic women can cease having their menstrual periods.

Here are more alcoholism facts: Alcohol and caffeine are the two most widely abused substances in the world. The facts of alcoholism are that alcohol is the more serious addiction due to alcohol-related accidents and incidents The incidence of alcohol consumption and related problems is increasing. Researchers have found that about 15% of the population in the United States are problem drinkers, and about 5-10% of male drinkers and 3-5% of female drinkers can be diagnosed as alcohol dependent. These facts of alcoholism numbers do not include family, friends and others additionally affected by the actions of alcoholics Alcoholism can be divided into two categories - abuse and dependence. Alcohol dependence is the most severe alcohol disorder and is characterized by tolerance and withdrawal. Alcohol abusers are drinkers that may drink heavily at various times and have problems such as drinking and driving, violent episodes, or missing work or school Alcohol use is mainly influenced by attitudes developed during the childhood and teen years. In addition, parent's attitudes and behaviors toward drinking, influence from peers and family relationships can impact how one views and treats the consumption of alcohol About 20% of teens are considered 'problem drinkers' in the U.

S. What this means is that they get drunk, they may have accidents, or they have problems with the law, family members, friends, school or work due to alcohol consumption and related facts of alcoholism Alcohol effects appear within 10 minutes of drinking and are the maximum in approximately 40-60 minutes. Alcohol will stay in the bloodstream until the liver metabolizes the alcohol. If a person consumes alcohol at a rate faster than the liver is able to break it down, the blood alcohol content rises Each state defines alcohol intoxication which is measured by blood alcohol concentration. A blood alcohol level of 0.05 reduces inhibitions, 0.10 results in slurred speech and a blood alcohol level of 0.50 can result in coma.

The above information can be considered basic facts of alcoholism.

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Alcoholism Intervention - 7 Typical Alcohol Abuse Intervention Steps

Alcoholism intervention or alcohol abuse intervention is the process whereby persons who care about the health and well-being of an addicted person come together to share their concerns about the addicted person's behavior. Many people have spoken to their loved one about his or her addiction but without success.

An alcoholism intervention involving a knowledgable outside professional can be helpful when attempting to have your loved one recognize their addiction and obtain help in stopping it.
Here are typical alcoholism intervention steps that may be used to help move your family out of crisis mode and address the addiction of the person you care about:1. Contact the Alcoholism Intervention Facility - during this phase, you will have researched the possible alcohol abuse intervention facilities. The treatment facility staff will assess your specific needs and will determine if intervention is appropriate.2. Investigate Treatment Options - based on the specifics of your alcoholism intervention needs, the alcohol abuse intervention treatment options will be outlined for you. This can consist of inpatient or outpatient options, medical issues, insurance coverage, admission details and who from the treatment facility staff will be overseeing the alcoholism intervention process.3. Outline Action Plan - your interventionist specialist will guide you through the steps of setting up the structured, professionally supervised alcoholism intervention.4. Pre-Intervention Meeting - this meeting may take place at your home or workplace, depending on the situation, and will likely involve the other caring persons who will be part of the alcoholism intervention. During this pre-intervention meeting, the interventionist may discuss the disease of addiction and how it impacts the lives of family, friends, co-workers and others. How the alcohol abuse intervention will be conducted will be covered and the roles of loved ones during the intervention will be discussed. What the treatment will consist of as well as what the post-intervention process will involve will likely be outlined and questions will be answered.5. Intervention Meeting - the alcoholism intervention may take one or two hours and will be a structured process consisting of family members, close friends, co-workers and so on who are coming together for the purpose of sharing their concerns about the addicted person's behavior and getting them to accept help with their addiction.6. Treatment - if the addicted person accepts help for their addiction, he or she may go immediately for admission to the treatment facility if inpatient services are the plan. If outpatient services will be used, the addicted person will be taken immediately to the treatment facility so that the individual can be assessed and treatment begun.7. Post Intervention Consulting and Services - following treatment, the post intervention becomes the focus. This post intervention time is vital as the addicted person will be making the transition from treatment to becoming a person that's more independent, healthier and productive with a life of sobriety.

Alcoholism intervention may be the best way to make help available to those who are struggling with addiction.

With alcohol abuse intervention, treatment and support, many persons are able to remain sober and rebuild their lives.

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20 Questions to ask about Alcohol Addiction

The short quiz is commonly referred to as The 20 Questions and the original, developed by researchers in the addiction field, has been adjusted many times over the years to include all mood-altering substances and prescription medications.

As a quick provider in indicating areas of concern, it has proven a valuable tool keyed to behavior among substance abusers and those who may be drinking too much alcohol.

If you or someone you know feels they may have a problem with alcohol, drugs or prescription pills we recommend answering the following questions as honestly as you can! When I'm under pressure do I drink or do drugs more than usual? Has drinking and substance abuse made me more impulsive and less rational? Do I feel guilty about drinking and doing drugs? Have I lost time from work because of my dependencies on alcohol and prescription meds? Has my drinking and drug use caused abusive conduct at home with my spouse and children? Do I continue drinking when companions have stopped? Have I ever had an auto accident because of drinking or substance abuse? Do I forget things that happened when I drink or use drugs? Am I harder to get along with after drinking for a while? Do I still claim I can stop drinking and doing drugs whenever I want? Have I lost a job because of my drug use or drinking? Do chemical substances or alcohol help me build confidence?If you answered yes to several of these questions it may be time for you to take a closer look at your drinking or use of mood altering drugs.

One doesn't jump to conclusions but this test will point out the proper direction to take.

Many of us have wondered about social drinking and others have pondered the borders of substance abuse.

When does alcohol or some other mood-altering substance become a concern and how can we tell if we're headed for trouble? These doubts and recurring questions are more and more troubling as dependency grows and addiction to drugs and alcohol becomes a true fear.

The 20 Questions can help advance such a plan.

Excesses are actually symptomatic and recognized as markers where guilt begins and we ponder major changes in behavior with alcohol or prescription drug intake.
So how do we know if we've turned the corner on our drinking and it's become an addiction? In the early days of alcoholism and drug treatment therapists and counselors would say: If you think you have a problem with alcohol or drugs you almost certainly do! We can be sure we're headed for possible alcoholism and addiction if our consumption of any chemical substance has begun to adversely affect a major part of our life.

According to professionals in addiction and alcoholism treatment there is another way of saying it: An alcoholic or addict is a person who excessively and uncontrollably uses any substances to the point where it interferes with health, family or employment We recommend you take the 20 Questions honestly and follow up with action if the results you get indicate more problems ahead.

If you or someone you know is experiencing the consequences of alcohol abuse or feels a growing dependency on drugs, please contact The Beachcomber Family Treatment Center .

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The Symptoms of Addiction

Addictions are most commonly associated with drug and alcohol addiction. Additions you might not think are addictions are related to compulsive behaviors like gambling, shopping, food, the internet.

An addiction of any type is readily recognized by the fact that it is not a matter of choice Individuals who are addicts do not have the ability to decide to stop abusing, for example, alcohol or a certain drug, or even the behaviors of gambling or shopping. Addictions affect the user, their family and friends.

What is an addiction? When does the pattern of behavior become an addiction? Some individuals may be able to use a substance or engage in a behavior periodically over a period of years without becoming addicted Other individuals are not capable of stopping and do become addicted.

Are addictions only in certain social, educational or ethnic groups? Addiction is caused by the emotion the substance or behavior brings about in the user.

The body and mind become dependent on that feeling and seeks to maintain it.

There are addiction risk factors that make some people more likely than others to become addicts. however, they may become addicted to gambling or some other type of compulsive behavior as an adult.

Besides hereditary, individuals who grow up in families with abuse, neglect and who are impoverished are more likely to become addicts.

For most addicts, it can be extremely difficult to recognize that what they have associated as simply a habit is actually an addiction.

While every individual is different there are some symptoms that are prevalent among most addicts and addictions:Symptom # 1Unable to meet responsibilities at home, school or office.

Symptom # 2Continues to use substances or engage in behavior even when it is dangerous.

Symptom # 3The need increases to engage in behavior or use more of a substance to achieve the same effect or feeling.

Symptom # 4Has tried but failed to stop using the substance or end the behavior.

Symptom # 5Continues to engage in the behavior or use the substances even when they are aware of the dangers.

Answering yes to three or more of the above symptoms during a 12 month period may show that you or a loved one has an addiction.

The first step to treating an addiction is recognizing that it exists.

There is no cure for an addiction.

Treating an addiction can take years and requires ongoing support from friends, families and support groups.

A 12 step program can be particularly beneficial in treating an addiction.

One of the most well known 12 step programs is AA, also known as Alcoholics Anonymous.

There are similar programs for all types of addictions.

Living with an addiction requires a daily commitment and there is always the possibility of relapsing.

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Women Recovering From Drug And Alcohol Addiction Part 2

Woman in recovery are learning to do everything all over again, experiencing life from a new perspective.

Often times just acknowledging this simple fact helps make the transition into recovery a little more comfortable.

The early weeks of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can be some of the most important.

Not every woman entering into recovery from addiction is going to have supportive people surrounding her.

Sometimes the woman is the first to seek treatment and her husband, boyfriend or other family members may still be in the grip of addiction.

Having support from other sources is beneficial if that is the case.

Friends or outside family members can offer support but if the woman is still struggling, a network of people in recovery can often provide good advice as how to handle getting clean and sober, even if you are the only one choosing to do so.

Twelve step programs have been beneficial in lending support for all recovering people.

If on the other hand you are a woman who is receiving support from loved ones, dont be afraid to reach out and ask for help.

They are often happy to help once they see you are firm in your commitment to recovery.

The enemies of newly recovering people are; hungry, angry, lonely, and tired, otherwise know as H.

A.

L.

T.

By keeping a close eye on yourself as you move through the day to make sure none of these elements are getting out of hand you will make those early weeks and indeed your whole recovery a lot easier.

Addiction is often a secret that the addicted woman has been carrying around for a long, long time.

Talking about feelings as they come up with people who understand wipes out a lot of loneliness and helps diffuse anger.

In early recovery from addiction these two feelings are often magnified and can cause the newly recovering woman to want to use again, if only to gain some relief from the feelings of discomfort.

Woman in early recovery from addiction often try to make up for everything they think they have cheated their loved ones out of.

This can be a deadly mistake.

One of the best early recovery tools is balance, in all things.

A whole new way of life is being attempted and while it doesnt come easily it definitely does come to many women who doggedly pursue it.

It takes a lot of courage for a woman to attempt recovery from addiction.

Maureen has worked with people recovering from addiction for over six years.

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