Sobriety
30 Day Drug Treatment in Florida: The Road to Recovery
May 5th
Many people, who are suffering from problems of addiction, whether from drugs or alcohol, may not realize it, but there are several types of treatment available to fit into their particular lifestyles. For instance, a person who maintains a job that requires him to be in the working area doing regular hours, or those with families to take care of, may consider it impossible to enroll in treatment programs that last 90 days. This means that people who would potentially seek help may find themselves discouraged by the prospect and opt not to find treatment altogether. In the end, they may fall deeper and deeper into the addiction. Although it could be that addicts may generally think they do not need the help, the idea that treatment may prevent them from being with their families, working, or conducting their daily activities will discourage them even more from getting the treatment they so badly need.
Yet there is help available and there are several types of treatments for both drug and alcohol addiction. Though they may differ in certain aspects, such as the time involved in the treatment process, all of them maintain their focus on three major elements. One is being able to keep the person seeking for help totally involved in the treatment. Though some patients may have their minds set on recovering from the addiction and regaining their normal, healthy states, still others may feel that they are able to cope on their own. Good treatment programs aim to keep these patients focused on the goal and commit themselves to the process of getting better. Secondly, treatment programs aim to provide patients with certain skills to be able to manage on their own without the crutches of drugs and alcohol. They must be able to face problems and challenges head-on with no need to turn to artificial and dangerous substances to get them through. Lastly, effective drug treatments are able to make an individual understand the reasons why he fell into addiction to begin with. Realizing the root of the problem is a step at solving it ultimately.
In the state of Florida, finding the best drug treatment could be a trying experience, especially if one is not aware of the different types of treatment programs available. There are distinctions between inpatient treatments, partial treatment programs, and outpatient rehabilitations. The needs of each addict are different from the other, along with the level of treatment administered, though many individuals who suffer from addiction do not have an idea of the kind of treatment they require personally. This is the reason why it is necessary to educate oneself or a loved one looking for treatment in Florida to understand the type of treatment required and the process involved. 30-day drug treatment in Florida is one such type of treatment proven a vital first step taken in the recovery from addiction to drugs.
Residential drug rehabilitation is considered an integral part of drug addiction recovery. The good news is that there are thousands of treatment centers, which focus solely on the individual addict rather than grouping everyone together. The variations of treatments go from the amount of time that a patient needs to spend in the facility, different activities in the program, and the specific types of therapies employed in curing the addiction. 30-day drug treatment in Florida is normally used in residential drug rehabilitation facilities because of the many benefits inpatient treatment offers. Whatever type of residential drug treatment facility selected, the program will give the addict a chance to focus on his own recovery while in an environment that is both sober and supportive. Working within this structure are specialists and therapists who are experts in their field, and a patient is able to participate in group meetings, receive counseling, and participate in different methods of therapies in the treatment of his addiction. As soon as an addict agrees to seek out help in order to recover from the addiction, there are numerous paths to choose from, but ultimately, the wisest choice would be to enter into a residential drug treatment facility.
Since a 90-day program may be most effective, 30-day drug treatment in Florida may be considered to be short-term treatment in a residential drug treatment center. However, a 30-day treatment plan is typical and has proved beneficial for sobriety. This type of treatment may be suitable for patients who have not been suffering addiction for a very long time. It is also recommended for people who may already have had drug addiction treatments and relapsed, which means that they do have a treatment foundation but need more help before getting back into the business of normal living or continuing treatment as an outpatient. Without a good treatment program, sobriety after drug rehabilitation may only be short-term. But a life of sobriety could last depending on the facility, the patient and how prepared he is to face up to a new life, away from the destructive lifestyle that is a result of drug addiction.
30 Day Alcohol Treatment in Texas: A Chance to Make Your Life Better
May 5th
There are many types of diseases, but alcoholism is one that not only cripples its victims but changes their entire personalities. Absorption of alcohol in the stomach penetrates the bloodstream almost immediately. There are short-term effects from this, such as slurring one’s speech, talking excessively, insomnia, vomiting as well as others. Often times, violent dispositions or domestic abuse occur while consuming too much alcohol. Overall, no matter the amount of alcohol consumed, one’s sense of judgment is impaired. During this time, driving a vehicle is an example of something that can be incredibly dangerous.
When a person crosses the line from drinking recreationally to doing it most days, and especially to cover up problems or self-medicate for psychiatric illnesses, that is when alcoholism becomes real. This stage of the disease includes symptoms such as damage to the liver and brain as well as tremors, convulsions, extreme nervousness and hallucinations. Not only can an alcoholic cause physical harm to themselves but also to others in their lives. For example, a pregnant woman who is an alcoholic runs the risk of causing physical as well as mental impairment to her unborn child. Alcoholism can and does repeat itself through generations of families.
There are several very good reasons to enter 30-day alcohol treatment in Texas. In the case of serious alcohol abuse, a medical detoxification may last up to a week. During this time, the client will likely be unable to focus on his or her treatment program. He or she will need intensive treatment for several weeks in order to address underlying issues, and 3-4 weeks is a bare minimum amount of time for which treatment will be effective. In addition, the client will need time to break habits. It has been shown that simply abstaining from alcohol for a week or two is quite ineffective; the person will need more time to replace old behaviors with new actions and tools in order to live a healthy and sober life. Also important, the brain needs time to physically “reset” the very powerful system that has become ingrained in the person’s mind; the feeling of the “need” to obtain alcohol and use it to cope with daily life.
Additional reasons for seeking a 30-day treatment are listed below:
- If work is being affected by the addiction to alcohol and may ultimately be the cause of losing one’s job and treatment is the answer.
- When the urge to control consumption of alcohol is weakened, despite an individual’s resolve to stop.
- When one’s personality drastically changes, that could hurt not only the individual but those of the people around him or her
- When one indulges in emotional drinking wherein deep sadness and anger are the sources of wanting to drink, getting treatment for the abuse would be a wise decision.
- In cases where one’s memory plays tricks and remembrance of the night before is lost somewhere due to the consumption of alcohol, the best course to take would be an alcohol treatment facility.
- For situations where a woman is an alcohol abuser and is thinking about conceiving but has no control over her addiction and would require outside help.
Also, if the alcoholic as well as the doctors realize there are deeper issues, extending treatment is usually recommended. The main goal of alcohol treatment centers is helping alcoholics overcome their addiction and return to a healthier lifestyle. Doctors and counselors have one focus in mind when treating and that is the alcoholic. Therefore, whether the alcoholic or family members are seeking help, exploring a 30-day treatment is a good place to start, and many times treatment for 90 days or more may be considered.
Another reason to seek out a 30-day treatment deals with covering the cost of treatment. Rehabilitation treatment can be very costly and the longer the period, the more expense will be incurred. There are insurance policies, which cover a percentage, if not the full amount, of treatment cost. When seeking out help, contacting one’s insurance plan is important if money is an issue. There are other ways to cover the cost of treatment. There are some treatment centers that offer assistance in the form of scholarship or grants. Lack of funds should not be a reason to avoid seeking help for alcoholism.
The time to get treatment for alcohol abuse is when it becomes the driving force in one’s life. The purpose of the treatment is to help the person take a hold of their own life and take away the dependence on alcohol.
Many treatment programs begin long-term treatment with detoxification. Detoxification is a planned withdrawal from alcohol and could be incredibly hard physically for some people, especially those who are hardened alcoholics. Despite the hardship one endures, this is necessary to begin effective treatment without alcohol in one’s system. The process could take three to four days or more, which could weaken the patient, both physically and mentally.
A few treatment facilities also offer outpatient services after residential treatment. Usually, this is done for people who still manage to go to work and perform regular activities for the day. The flexible schedule allows a patient to attend treatment at a time that will not affect the working hours. Residential treatment is absolutely recommended over an outpatient program if it is going to be the first or sole form of treatment. However, outpatient alcohol rehabilitation has been shown to be a very effective way to “step down” back to a normal life.
Kids And Prescriptions
Jul 29th
The New Fix-Its
U.S. teens are abusing illegal drugs such as marijuana less, but abuse of legal prescription drugs is rising, according to a new study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. However, an increase in abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications has left anti-drug campaigners confused as to how to combat the problem of legal drugs. Nearly one in 10 high school seniors reported using the prescription painkiller Vicodin without a prescription, while roughly one in 20 said they had used Oxycontin without a prescription. Overdoses of prescription and over-the-counter drugs accounted for about one-quarter of the 1.3 million drug-related emergency room admissions in 2004. Some kids are self-medicating undiagnosed depression or anxiety, while others are using stimulants to try to get an edge on tests and studying. Sadly, prescription drugs are familiar mood-altering substances for a generation that grew up as prescriptions soared for Ritalin and other stimulants to treat maladies such as attention-deficit disorder. A staggering five million kids take prescription drugs every day for behavior disorders. Pharmaceutical companies’ production of two often-abused prescription drugs — hydrocodone and oxycodone, the active ingredients in drugs such as Vicodin and OxyContin — has risen dramatically as the drugs’ popularity for legitimate uses has increased. To try to reduce the supply of prescription drugs on the black market, authorities have shut down several “pill mills” — where doctors prescribe inordinate amounts of narcotics — as well as Internet pharmacies that ship drugs with little medical consultation, says Catherine Harnett, chief of demand reduction for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Essentially what is most important is not locking up the narcotics it is better parenting and more involvement.
More Drinking…Less Maleness.
Jul 20th
Too much drinking? Not performing?
Chronic heavy drinking is bad for you, we all know this, but if you’re a man, have you heard that heavy regular drinking might also make you less able to perform???!!! Studies have shown that when consumed in binge amounts, some men may react by showing a temporary surge in testosterone levels; a hormonal jump that may well in part explain drunken aggression. In general though, heavy, lengthy and regular use of alcohol has a diminishing effect on testosterone levels. Heavy regular alcohol use robs men of normal testosterone levels, which causes a number of negative health effects.
The Consequences of Lowered Testosterone Levels Include:
- Fatigue
- A decrease in sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Weight gain (fat gain, especially around the mid section)
- A loss of lean muscle
- Irritability
- Body hair loss
- A decrease in bone mass and a resultant increase in the risks of breaks and fractures
- Depression
- Male breasts
- Shrinking testes
- An increase in certain cardiovascular disease risks (men with very low testosterone levels are at a very high risk of heart attack)
Lab tests examining the impact of chronic drinking on testosterone levels have found that as little as 5 days of consecutive binge drinking will cause a lingering fall in testosterone in the body. So while social norms may seem to demand heavy drinking in certain male focused environments, heavy drinking actually reduces the maleness of those selfsame participants!
If, after a diagnosis of low testosterone levels, you find yourself still drinking alcohol at anything above a very minimal amount and infrequently, you may need to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol – after all, continuing to drink even knowing the harms that alcohol does to your body, is a hallmark sign of an alcohol problem.
Too Skinny….How Does It Happen?
Jul 9th
How does this happen?
Anorexia is a complex disease, with myriad causes that range from culture to environment to—as recent studies have shown—genetics. Having a predisposition for anorexia means that a simple decision to diet away those last five pounds triggers something (it’s unclear as to what) that could lead you down a slippery slope. The drive to become thinner is actually secondary to concerns about control and/or fears relating to one’s body. The individual continues the endless cycle of restrictive eating, often accompanied by other behaviors such as excessive exercising or the overuse of diet pills, diuretics, laxatives, and/or enemas in order to reduce body weight, often to a point close to starvation in order to feel a sense of control over his or her body. This cycle becomes an obsession and, in this way, is similar to any type of addiction. Studies suggest that a genetic (inherited) component may play a more significant role in determining a person’s susceptibility to anorexia than was previously thought. Researchers are currently attempting to identify the particular gene or genes that might affect a person’s tendency to develop this disorder, and preliminary studies suggest that a gene located at chromosome 1p seems to be involved in determining a person’ s susceptibility to anorexia nervosa. Anorexia could be caused by a genetic brain disorder shared by sufferers of autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Noticeably sufferers of anorexia share traits with people who have autism, such as an inability to change rules they have set themselves, perfectionism and a tendency to fixate on details. A few sources suggest that anorexics are addicted to fasting, apparently because of the chemical changes brought on by starvation. The opioids, enkephalins and endorphins are found to be at elevated levels in the spinal fluid of patients with anorexia.
Studies show that 20% of those affected by anorexia die directly from complications surrounding the disorder. It is lethal, however, there is help and there is a solution it takes a lifetime of change but the only way for those suffering from anorexia to gain the control they are looking for is to admit the powerlessness over their disorder and behaviors.