drug and alcohol recovery

The 21st Century Solution – Holistic Drug Rehab

Where treatment for alcohol- and drug-dependence is concerned, there is no “one size fits all” template – at least no successful one. Every addict has a unique history and is party to a unique evolutionary process that has transformed him or her from someone living a relatively healthy life into a person prone to self-destructive behavior.

Consequently, effective treatment facilities craft unique programs that address the needs of each individual seeking help. As research reveals increasing evidence that “convention” does not always breed “success,”, drug treatment professionals are, not only thinking outside the box, they’re creating new boxes altogether. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: alcohol rehab, drug and alcohol recovery, holistic drug rehab, Holistic medicine, long-term sobriety, substance abuse treatment
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Important Characteristics of Sobriety: Surrender and Spirituality

By George Joseph

Third in a Series: Surrender and Spirituality

We often focus on the problem of addiction more than the results of a successful recovery. True, sobriety is a wonderful transformation that showcases the beauty of humanity. However, the challenge of achieving long-term sobriety can seem unattainable to those who suffer from addiction.

Addiction is a masterful enemy; one that is cunning, baffling, and all-powerful. One who seduces those affected by instilling in them denial of the problem or pessimism about overcoming it. Addiction wants to isolate and control its victims, leading them to push away those who love them, hide addictive behaviors, and, often, die trying to protect the addiction.

How many achieve victory over addiction? I don’t think anyone truly knows. Most of us know people who have either died as a result of addiction, those who are still suffering, and those who are working through a rigorous, wonderful recovery program. This blog series will focus on the third group.

The  first step to overcoming any problem is to acknowledge that there is a problem.

The Johari window, an exercise for understanding one’s mental state, separates our psychological makeup into four distinct areas: Open, Blind, Secret (or “Hidden”) and Subconscious (sometimes called “Unknown”). In addiction patients, the Blind and Secret areas are too large. The process of recovery must reduce those areas, allowing the “Open” area to grow and strengthen.

The process of becoming more open revolves around both surrendering and accepting help. It takes a willingness to move forward and overcome addiction to fuel surrender, as well as an emotional acceptance of spiritual beliefs. The disease of addiction wants its victim to stay silent rather than ask for help, wants that victim to balk at following the directions of others. Recovery requires conquering the disease and accepting help and direction from others.

One reason we need spiritual beliefs in order to recover is to maintain humility. If we put recovering addicts and alcoholics on pedestals to honor their achievements, they may fail because they lose their sense of humility. If you believe in a higher power or in God, you can develop an unconditional, faith-filled relationship through prayer and meditation that will help you lead a positive life. That life is unique to each individual.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: alcohol addiction, drug addiction, long-term sobriety, luxury drug rehab, luxury rehab center
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Beware of the Bubbly

Benjamin Button said, “You never know what’s comin’;” He was right. I never would have guessed that criminal minds would put to market new designer drugs cleverly disguised as bath salts. I was not that surprised that smokable potpourri laced with synthetic marijuana was sold in smoke shops across the country. Sad, yes but not shocked. On the other hand, the newest over the counter mind-altering substance known as MDPV is marketed mainly as bath salts but is also marketed as pH optimizer, pond scum remover and odorizer. MDPV is related to cathinone, a compound found in Khat, a plant in Africa.

MDPV is similar to both a stimulant and hallucinogen and is very potent. It is usually smoked or snorted. Because it is entirely synthetic and new, we have very limited knowledge on its mechanism of action, effects, and long-term consequences. What we have so far, however, is alarming. Users experience a psychotic break from reality with hallucinations and paranoia much of the time. Anxiety, panic and addiction are also common. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: bath salts, designer drugs, drug addiction, drug rehab
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The Origin of Addiction

The addiction to illicit substances such as drugs and alcohol can be a life-threatening disease. There is no cap to the age of people who abuse illegal substances as it can range from young adolescents to the elderly. With the number of drug and alcohol abusers continuing to rise among Americans, it becomes a curiosity as to why so many people are affected by this disease. So the question arises: where does addiction come from? According to a recent study, the addiction to these dangerous substances largely is determined by our genetic sequences. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: alcoholism, drug addiction, drug rehab
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A Love Affair With Addiction

A great deal of people think that the majority of drug and alcohol users are young adolescents and college students when in reality, a large number of 30s-50 year olds are experiencing addiction problems as well. Studies have shown that deaths from illicit drug over doses have risen 800% since 1980 and that is due in large part to the immense amount of prescription drug abuse that often fills the homes of suburban families. For the middle-aged, drug and alcohol abuse not only exists because of past experiences or genetics, but many use substance abuse as a mask to numb the pain from major life changes such as losing a job, getting a divorce, or experiencing some sort of trauma. These changes bring with them an intense load of stress, and often times the people who experience these situations cannot handle them and they turn to substance abuse to handle the depression they are feeling. So the question becomes: is there a connection between depression and substance abuse? Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: alcohol addiction, drug addiction, drug and alcohol recovery, prescription drugs, signs of alcoholic
Posted in addiction treatment, alcoholic signs, alcoholism disease, drug addiction, drug and alcohol recovery, drug overdose, substance abuse treatment | 1 Comment »