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5 Tips for Intestinal Health to Help Improve Brain Function
Can intestinal health help brain function in addiction recovery ? It is easy to see why holistic practitioners urge their patients to make dietary changes, because more information is coming to light that shows a direct connection ... Views: 3547
Why Childhood Trauma Can Lead to Codependency
Codependency isn’t often thought of as an addiction, but it is possible for a person to develop codependency which strongly impacts the types of relationships they develop in their life. It is common for a codependent person to form a relationship ... Views: 3210
My loved one has only been sober for 1 month. Why aren’t they answering their phone? Did he/she relapse again? Oh no…not again. You call. They don’t answer. You drive by their favorite restaurant; their favorite bar. They aren’t there. You call their friends. No answer.
There it ... Views: 4495
Addiction, Nutrition And . . . You?? Getting In Touch With Your Inner Addict
Addicts are known for their clichés like “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired” or “one is too many and 100 is not enough.” But how often do health professionals get to the bottom of the “feeling crappy ... Views: 4493
Experiencing a traumatic life event can often leave us feeling both mentally and spiritually debilitated. We are often unable to clearly see the road to recovery. Instead, we may find ourselves looking inside the hole of a deep abyss of bottomless pain. Somewhere along the way, we chose to ... Views: 5926
Since the 1930’s 12 step recovery programs have become the preferred method to treat alcoholism, drug abuse, co-dependence, or other addictive behaviors. 12 step recovery programs are deeply rooted within the belief that addicts are powerless over their addiction and the key to sobriety is ... Views: 5842
I'm not at all shy to admit I was a regular pot smoker for over 7 years of my life. I smoked almost everyday because I enjoyed it. It was something that eased my mind and gave me a sense of relaxation.
Over time however, I began to see that everything I thought I enjoyed about it was only an ... Views: 37297
Here are ten common situations that are very dangerous to a person in recovery. Recognizing these dangers will help you avoid a possible problem in the future.
1. Believing you are finally cured of your addiction. This is a dangerous form of denial. The lie is that you either are finally ... Views: 2855
10 Tips to Stay Sober
1. GET HELP!
How many times have you said " I'm done, I'm never using again, I mean it this time, No more, It's not worth it" etc.. etc.. and when you said it u REALLY meant it? Your not the only one! We all do it; including me! Even with the best intentions I ... Views: 2167
Research chemicals are synthetic or semi-synthetic molecules specifically designed to circumvent drug laws. They are designed to mimic the effects of banned substances. They can often be purchased online, often labeled "Not for human consumption," to minimize responsibility to the people who ... Views: 904
2012-Mission to Improve Self-esteem
To be of service to others, I do a lot of reading and research. Original thinking is fine but what I know and coach originated from others.
The biggest issues I help others to come to grips with are related to self-esteem. Today I share writing from ... Views: 2372
It is well-known that trauma and addiction are closely linked. Years of clinical research have demonstrated that many individuals who struggle with addiction report exposure to trauma during the course of their lives. It is not uncommon for those dealing with addictions to have experienced any ... Views: 1884
Figuring out the truth of your justifications for your drinking is crucial to eliminating your denial. These are often asked by my alcohol class students when they take my alcohol awareness classes.
Myth #1: I can cease drinking anytime I want to.
Maybe you can; unfortunately it's more ... Views: 2567
If you haven't heard of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12 Step Program, you are a rare individual. AA started the 12 Step Program in 1935. The 12 steps collectively make up the methodological approach developed for fighting alcoholism, as well as other addictive behavior patterns.
Dr. Bob ... Views: 1706
"My spouse went to recovery. Now they tell me that he needs to go on to additional counseling. What is that all about?"
"Recovery" and "treatment" are not the same thing. Inpatient treatment, detox, or outpatient treatment, in and of itself, is not "recovery". Recovery is generally a return ... Views: 2909
Family members are often stymied about how their alcoholic/addicted family member can continue to drink or use in the face of overwhelming evidence that the chemical is destroying their lives. “Why don’t they just quit?” is a question that could rightfully top the list of “FAQs by Family ... Views: 2020
One of the common experiences of the earliest efforts toward quitting drinking and becoming sober, is grief over the loss of the chemical. For many people with an alcohol or other drug problem, the chemical, (whether it is alcohol or oxycodone) has become the addict's best friend and constant ... Views: 4633
How can he be so selfish? He can clearly see how much pains he's causing - why doesn't he care? I can't take the stress any longer. He's destroying all of our dreams. Our lives have become Hell. Isn't he tired of living this way?
These are the typical thoughts that run through your mind when ... Views: 1873
One of the most important tasks of early recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction is learning to replace the chemical with health living skills. When you have taken the chemical out of your life, it leaves a big gaping hole, where something of substance was. Alcohol or other drugs have ... Views: 11104
Every so often another synthetic drug comes along that causes everyone to shake their heads in bewilderment. A few years ago Spice (Salvia) was all the rage, flying off the shelves of "head shops" across the country based on the fact that it produced a temporary, hallucinatory effect after ... Views: 1415
There is a solution to the madness of alcoholism and addiction; a solution that will restore sanity and health, repair relationships and rebuild finances. The solution will have different components for different people but the key to the solution is personal responsibility. If you can, for ... Views: 3291
If you are about to be admitted into alcohol addiction treatment, then it’s important to know how to get the most out of your stay in rehab.
This article will provide you with the best alcohol addiction treatment tips, which can help you make it a success.
Go Small, Not Big
Ever hear ... Views: 2332
What is great about being American? What do we have that people all over the world, including here in the good old USA cherish? In one word, the answer is freedom!
As a counselor for both in class and online alcohol awareness classes I often discuss this concept with my students. Of course, ... Views: 2106
One of the most famous phrases surrounding alcoholism is that “denial is the first sign.” Of course that is absolute hooey because there are millions of people who abstain completely from alcohol who would deny being an alcoholic. But the facts are the facts. First fact, life-long teetotalers ... Views: 2415
Often when potential students contact me looking for an alcohol awareness class, they aren’t sure the length of course they should enroll in. Our alcohol awareness classes, for example, come in 8 hour, 16 hour and 24 hour lengths. These are also called our Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 ... Views: 1885
For someone who has never had a problem with alcohol, it can be difficult to understand why someone cannot simply stop drinking. Doing battle with a true addiction is never going to be easy, which is why an alcohol rehab center can be so beneficial.
What to Expect from an Alcohol Rehab ... Views: 1436
Alcohol is a substance that should be avoided at all costs if you're consumed with generalized anxiety and experience panic attacks from time to time. Firstly, let's look at the reasons WHY I and many others may run to that fresh pint of beer from time to time:
1) Alcohol was a temporary ... Views: 2057
Alcoholism and drug addiction are two maladies that have severely afflicted scores of people across the globe. Now, whether these two should be categorized under diseases like cancer or heart disease is a debate that seems to rage on and create great controversy.
The medical community today ... Views: 2385
Check out this quick list of alcoholism facts.
I'm sure you'll be surprised at some of the items in this list.
Alcoholism cuts across gender, race, and nationality.
Learning about the disease and how to protect yourself from it is essential.
Here are the ten facts on alcoholism you ... Views: 1618
America’s New Drug Problem: Snorting ‘Bath Salts’
I saw this headline on Foxnews.com this morning (01/24/2011) and thought the same as many of you probably did: “What will they think of next?” As the article states: “….these are not your average bath salts that you pour into the bathtub to ... Views: 2151
The Codetalkers and R.E.M., jungle music pioneer Goldie and even Gwen Stefani and her band ‘No Doubt’ have all written and/or recorded music about it. As have other musical artists down through the ages. Lior Shamriz shot a full length feature movie with the same name in 2009 and Australian ... Views: 1802
Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults. These disorders fill people's lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear.
Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, ... Views: 2243
It’s the Holy Grail in the world of addiction to find drugs that will block the craving for alcohol. There are three medications on the market that have been studied and show some benefits.
Pros and Cons of Drug Used for Alcohol Dependency or to Block Craving
Campral, also known as ... Views: 9069
If you think that addiction only happens to teenagers, the unemployed or simply to people different from yourself, perhaps people that are less intelligent, less fortunate or less wealthy - think again.
What if I told you that addiction can and does happen to top business executives, doctors, ... Views: 2239
As a substance abuse counselor I have worked with many clients who were on the fence about their addiction. They would have some issues in their life that made then think they were addicted but they would also have some reasons why they couldn't be addicted. I have found it helpful to explore ... Views: 1843
New research shows that smoking bans spare many children with asthma from being hospitalized, a finding that suggests smoke-free laws have even greater health benefits than previously believed.
Other studies have charted the decline in adult heart attack rates after smoking bans were adopted. ... Views: 1314
AT THE END OF YOUR ARM
The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm. --Swedish proverb
Every now and again a quote comes to you that is just so obvious but true!
There are so many looking for help, looking to others to “fix” them and take responsibility for ... Views: 4427
As a counselor both in class and online alcohol awareness classes I always discuss how many alcoholic beverages and what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) each of my students had when they were arrested. It is important for people to realize how alcohol affects their mind and their body and to ... Views: 1913
That is the question. When you talk to some people they will tell you it is. Even if you only try it once or twice and don’t get addicted there are some dangers.
Did you know?
By 1995, less than 10% of Ecstasy that you could get your hands on was pure MDMA. When a user takes Ecstasy ... Views: 1531
Change Your Thinking!
When You Change Your Thinking...
You Change Your Beliefs.
When You Change Your Beliefs...
You Change Your Expectations.
When You Change Your Expectations...
You Change Your ... Views: 1364
Relapse prevention is an ongoing requirement to maintain recovery. Some will say that you will get to a place in recovery where you don’t need to “work at it” anymore—that it becomes automatic. I have known a few people who seemed to put down their drug or behavior of choice—what they were ... Views: 4219
Whether you plan to abstain from alcohol for a day, a week, a month, or a lifetime, the use cognitive behavioral strategies has been proven to greatly increase your chances of success. Dr. Jeffrey Brandsma's (1980) classic study showed that people who learned cognitive behavioral strategies were ... Views: 4427
Alcohol is one of the oldest substances to be abused by human beings. It pre-dates writing and the wheel (which we see by the fact that preliterate societies without the wheel had ways of brewing alcoholic beverages). The human fascination with alcohol is thousands of years old. It may not be ... Views: 1492
If you are considering alcohol treatment you have made a smart decision. This means you recognize you may have a problem with alcohol. Recognizing a problem may exist is the first major hurdle one must overcome when battling substance abuse issues.
As a counselor for both in-class and ... Views: 1591
Implied Consent Law
Each person who drives in the state of Pennsylvania is deemed to have given his/her consent to one or more chemical tests of their breath, blood, or urine upon a lawful request. A request is considered lawful where the police have reasonable grounds to believe the person ... Views: 1371
Do you need to WANT to get well for treatment to work?
We have all heard the line… “You can’t force someone into treatment, they have to want to get well for it to work”. I must say, I wholeheartedly disagree and I believe this fallacy has lead to devastating consequences for people who ... Views: 1606
Just as drug addiction has been on a steady rise throughout the United States, so has a steady growth in the number of drug abuse rehabilitation centers to help those struggle with drug addictions.
As long as people can get their hands on alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ... Views: 1357
By: Stan Popovich
Using drugs and alcohol are not the answers to your problems. They might make you feel better for a while but sooner or later you will have to face your fears and anxieties. In the meantime, here are some reasons why drugs and alcohol are not the answers to your ... Views: 1795
The word ‘Drugs’ has gained the status of a misnomer somehow. When anyone mentioned that word, the immediate response is resentment towards the person associated with it and implied shame. In the most common use cases, that word generates the references to the illegal variety like LSD, Ecstasy, ... Views: 1069
Suboxone Cost vs Addiction Cost
Let's face it, it takes a lot of money to pay for addiction treatments. But you really have to look at the true addiction cost: all the problems drug use causes, vs. the Suboxone ® cost. The financial cost of Suboxone ® is high. Frequently the financial burden ... Views: 1503