Apr202017
Lies addicts tell

Common Lies Addicts Tell Themselves and Others

Addiction can really take a toll on those who are addicts and also their family members and friends. The disease is one that can quickly spiral out of control and the addict is unfortunately left to make some tough decisions. It can be difficult for those on the outside to truly understand what the individual is going through because they are not in the situation.

Addiction recovery can help any drug or alcohol addict overcome the addiction that has been ruling their life. One of the most important things that outsiders must understand is that when an addict asks for help – you do not wait. When help is requested, they need it now and not later. Below, we will go over some of the most common lies that many addicts will tell themselves and others to prevent being entered into a drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility.

  1. It’s Just Stress

While it may be true that the addict is stressed, it is a common lie to say that the only reason they are addicted to or seem addicted to a substance is because of stress. There are many alternative stress relievers and excessive drinking or drug taking is the first sign of an addiction.

  1. I Can Quit Whenever I Want

Many of those people who are addicted to substances will say they can stop at any time, but they truly cannot. Once addiction has grasped onto you, you cannot quit no matter how hard you try sometimes. It takes more than just not purchasing pills or bottles of booze. Withdrawals are one of the top reasons why people relapse.

Details
Addiction
Sep272016

Choosing Gratitude

When I was first introduced to treatment and recovery in a 12-step group, I heard people laughing and talking about how grateful they were to be an alcoholic or drug addict in recovery.  These people talked about the years of happy sober living they had.  I simply could not believe that anyone could put together any length of time without using, OR, that they could be happy and face the challenges in life without mind-altering substances.

I was sure that I was the only person who had suffered from the abuses that lead me to drinking and drugging, and that if ‘they’ had gone through what ‘I’ had gone through, they couldn’t face a single day without using either. And, I was sure that these people were lying – no one can stay sober for that long!

I was a mess when I landed in treatment, and could not imagine ever being happy again.  I was victimized by physical and verbal abuse for so long that I believed everything my perpetrator said was true about me, even though I also knew what a liar this person was.  I had lost everything I’d worked for my entire adult life – including my kids – to this abusive person.  I was angry, vengeful and very broken.  I had been a victim for so long, it was my identity and I didn’t know how to not be a victim.

At some point early on in my recovery, my sponsor suggested that I start a gratitude list.  I scoffed.  After some discussion, I agreed to write down 2 things I was grateful for every day for the next week.

This was the beginning of my growth from being a victim to taking back my power, finding joy, and eventually finding sobriety and serenity.

Details
Addiction, Addiction Recovery
Mar92016
Ice Addiction

The Physical Effects of Ice Addiction

There are many consequences, both immediate and long term, that come with the regular use of Ice. Ice, Crystal, Tina, Meth, Krank, all are names for a certain neurotoxin;

The very powerful stimulant called methamphetamine. When taken, ice will give the user an instant elevation and heightened awareness, a sense of euphoria, or a blissful warmth. And these are just some of it’s main effects.

There are, however, many negative and life threatening side effects that arise due to how damagingly methamphetamine works in the body, and how heavily the user pursues this high. Understanding both the immediate and long term effects that ice has on the brain and on behavior will also help us understand how to best treat the addiction and begin to heal the body and the mind.

Short-Term Effects

When absorbed, methamphetamine or ice, will signal the body to release an elevated amount of dopamine to the brain. Dopamine serves a very important role in our central nervous system and works closely with the reward and motivation pathways of our brain as well as with some motor function. When we are feeling good inside after eating something sweet, or happily receive a compliment, or become excited to play a game, dopamine will be involved.

When using meth, it is the influx of dopamine that creates a flood of sensation and often a pleasurable feeling which comes immediately after smoking, snorting, or shooting the drug. However, some users will experience anxiety, aggression, discomfort, irritability, or paranoia.

Details
Ice Addiction, Methamphetamine
Jan42016
A Tool For Recovery

A Tool For Recovery

The transition away from a life of impulse and feeding unhealthy desires, into a lifestyle of self discipline and thoughtful action is not an impossible journey but it is a most difficult one. To make such a journey we need support and we need tools, tools that help raise our self awareness and give us confidence in times of weakness. There is an old acronym familiar to those in recovery which serves as a helpful reminder that, when we find ourselves vulnerable and battling temptations, we are often ignoring some very basic human needs.

H.A.L.T.

Each of these letters represents a very natural human condition and a high-risk situation which can lead to us inviting a harmful thing back into our lives.

Hungry: When we are hungry our bodies are trying to communicate a vital need that requires attention, “nourish me”, it says. Hunger is not be confused with feeling like having a snack, it is the deeper, more persistent, voice that craves good healthy foods and water. Our brains and body can only function using the nutrients found in the food and drink that we put in. For example, when we eat too much sugar and not enough proteins, vitamins, and minerals, our ability to focus and to think clearly soon suffers. Many drugs and alcohol are appetite suppressants and when we stop our hunger returns. Without enough hydration our energy level will sink and we can begin to resort to our quick fixes or pick me ups, in order to quiet the unsatisfied voice of hunger.

Details
Addiction Recovery
Dec82015

Am I Addicted?

This question can be asked by the CEO of a large corporation, an unemployed parent of five, or a freshman in high school. Addiction does not judge us by our age, race, or status and substance abuse does not spare those who give it room to work in their lives. If we are honest, and remain self-aware, we may address the issue early and make adjustments now that will only become more difficult if we wait. In reality many of us need to be approached multiple times by others and forced to reflect before asking ourselves: Am I an addict? How do I even know if I’m addicted?

The way to identifying if we are dependent is through a dialog of total honesty. We must honestly assess to what degree we choose our substance over everything else in our lives, particularly when our relationships, job, and health begin to suffer. One place to start is with this valid and easy self-test.

The CAGE Test for Alcohol Addiction

  1. Have you ever felt that you should Cut down on your drinking?
  2. Have you ever felt Annoyed when people have commented on your drinking?
  3. Have you ever felt Guilty about your drinking?
  4. Have you ever felt that you needed an Eye opener, a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

Though many self-test questionnaires were designed to evaluate alcohol addiction, they are easily adapted for other addictions.

Details
Addiction