Narco Non Victims » Addiction and Abuse

Signs and Symptoms of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction

maureen — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 03:08:53 +0000

What are the real signs and symptoms of alcoholism and drug addiction? When do you cross the line between being a social drinker or drug user – or even an occasional substance abuser – to becoming a ‘full-blown’ addict or alcoholic?
The answer doesn’t lie in the ‘how much’ is consumed (even though that can often paint a fairly accurate picture), but rather in the after-effects or consequences of the drinking or using, which I’ll get to in a minute …
There also seems to be the mistaken perception that you have to be totally ‘down and out’ – just about living on the street – before you can be considered an addict. That just isn’t so. There are many people leading so-called ‘normal’ lives in steady jobs, with families etc. who are also drug addicts and alcoholics.
The thing about addiction – is that it crosses all cultural, social, ethnic and religious boundaries – and whatever other possible classification that you can possibly think of. It ranges from the full-blown junkie living on the street, to the high-powered businessman who uses alcohol or drugs to keep him going. It can happen to anyone.
So, whether you’re wondering about yourself – or someone you care about deeply – the following signs and symptoms should aid you in making an accurate diagnosis …
1.) Do you or someone you love experience excessive withdrawal symptoms, e.g. the shakes, mood swings, depression, anxiety?
2.) Have you or a loved one experienced an increase in tolerance levels and need to take/drink more to get the same effect?
3.) Have you or that person you care about experienced feelings of remorse around drinking/drugging – and promised to cut down or even stop, but failed repeatedly?
4.) Gotten into trouble – at work or, even with the law – as a result of drinking or using?
5.) Often drink or use alone – and are displaying increasingly anti-social type behavior?
Even answering yes to one of these questions could indicate a real problem. If you answered yes to two or more, help should be sought immediately.
It’s important that you take any kind of substance abuse seriously because the consequences can be devastating and potentially fatal if you don’t. There is nothing shameful in admitting to a problem with alcohol or drugs. Awareness is the first step on the road to recovery and help today is readily and easily available.
When seeking help it’s important that you understand the nature of addiction. Addiction is now widely medically accepted as a disease. I prefer to think of it as dis-ease, dis-ease of the spirit primarily.
So as far as I’m concerned, addiction is primarily a spiritual problem, something Andrew Weil, MD, sums up perfectly in his book ‘Natural Health, Natural Medicine,’pg. 135. ‘Addiction is NOT a psychological or pharmacological problem, and CANNOT be solved by the methods of psychology or pharmacology. It is, at root, a SPIRITUAL concern, because it represents a misdirected attempt to achieve wholeness, to experience inner completeness and satisfaction.’
That’s why I believe so many people get it wrong when treating addictions – because they inevitably end up treating the symptom rather than the cause.
By treating alcoholism, drug addiction – or any addiction for that matter – as primarily a spiritual problem, you’re getting to the root of the matter and treat addiction at the causal level where all healing ultimately begins and ends.
So finding a Spiritual Program to aid in recovery – whether NA/AA or your own preferred avenue – coupled with a daily meditation practice, on which I touched the importance of in a previous article, will go a long way in allowing you to create a new, fulfilling life – free from all addictions.

Family Issues That Impede Drug Addiction Treatment In Oklahoma

maureen — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:07:12 +0000

Unlikely as it might seem, there are certain family related issues that are proving to be an impediment in the drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma. The family is expected to be one of the strongest pillars in the addiction treatment program but, on the contrary, it is seen that the drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma is impeded by problems such as ignorance, codependency and family issues that might crop up as a byproduct of the addiction in the house. When that happens, it is definitely a sorry state because not only does the patient go deeper into the addiction, but the family also begins to require treatment. This is not just for addiction treatment involving young patients, but these family issues are also seen with older people who are into an addiction.
Let us take a look at some of the family problems that are rocking the scene of drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma and also check out how these problems are being circumvented.
1. Ignorance
Ignorance about drug addiction is rampant in Oklahoma. People do not still know what it is about and always think a substance abuse condition is something that cannot happen in their own house. This feeling of complacency is actually adding to the problem.
Most families do not know that there is someone with an addiction problem in their house until it is too late. The signs may be quite apparent, but families who are ignorant or complacent about addiction related issues will not be able to read them. This will lead the patient to remain with the addiction till it reaches a heightened condition. At this point, it becomes quite difficult for the families to suitably intervene in the addiction treatment program for the patient even if they wanted to.
Then there is another kind of ignorance that becomes a problem. This is the ignorance that exists with finding the way the addiction treatment program works. There are several options for drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma, but families may not know about them. Even the word “rehab” is quite a collective term, because there are various ways in which rehab treatment can be implemented. Families who are not aware that there are different treatment programs will not be able to find a program that is suitable to the condition of the patient.
2. Codependency Issues
Codependency happens when an external person or persons is instrumental in keeping an addict into the addicted state, i.e. away from a mode of treatment. This is seen in several families in Oklahoma that have an addicted person. A simple example is when families put the addiction of someone among them under wraps. They might do this for fear of social ridicule or to escape being named in an offense that the addicted person has committed. Though this might be out of love for the addicted person, in fact, it helps in giving a wrong signal to the addict and keeping him or her under the addiction for longer.
The issue of codependency is most rampant in families because they are the groups that will try to hide a person’s addiction. Families need to be counseled for coming out of this situation. Various counseling groups that exist in the state are quite active in this activity.
3. Emotional Issues
Families that are not adept at handling addiction and substance abuse situations are quite likely to go into emotional overdrive. There might be people in the family who take the person’s addiction in quite a wrong manner and develop emotional problems themselves. They might go under depression, have anxiety, develop phobias and might even develop some cardiovascular problems such as hypertension.
This is a big handicap in the program for drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma because it magnifies the problem instead of solving it. These families are not able to properly intervene for the patient’s treatment, which entails convincing and motivating them to accept treatment, and they will not be able to monitor the condition of the patient even when the patient is admitted into the treatment center. A very important role of the family is during the aftercare process when the family is coached to monitor the patient so that he or she does not have a relapse. However, a family that is prone to emotional instability will not be able to participate in any manner at this stage, making it quite difficult to prevent a re-addiction possibility in the patient.
Counseling is the only way these problems can be removed. The state program of drug addiction treatment in Oklahoma is spending a lot of effort and resources in making this happen.

Why Is Drug Addiction In Hawaii Regarded As A Mental Issue?

maureen — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 03:07:01 +0000

There was a time when drug addiction in Hawaii was considered nothing more than a habit that was difficult to shake off; it was no more than a habit that the revelers of Hawaii, both local and tourist, amused themselves with and then suddenly found that it is not quite so simple to shake themselves off that habit. That was that, though. No more than that was read into how a drug addiction worked and it wasn’t given much of a thought.
However, national and indeed global perspective on drug addiction has changed drastically in modern times. No longer is this an unshakable habit, but it is a condition of the mind that is as difficult to treat as any other psychiatric ailment that the person might have. Today, substance abuse and drug addiction in Hawaii are considered to be mental illnesses, of the same order as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, or on a lesser note, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, stress and depression. It is understood that merely making the person abstain from the substance is not enough to pull them out of the addiction. It takes much more grit and determination for an addiction to be weaned away, and that is what has made the drug addiction treatment program in Hawaii so elaborate in today’s times.
Why is Drug Addiction in Hawaii considered as a Mental Illness?
This mostly depends on the way that a drug addiction works. Let us consider the example of heroin addiction for our understanding. When a person consumes heroin, the substance will first attack a particular region of the brain that is responsible for the secretion of some pleasure producing chemicals. Dopamine is one of the substances released. When the brain releases dopamine, the person feels a surge of happiness. This is what is typically known as the high produced by consuming a substance.
However, the high does not last. But by this time, the person’s body and mind have begun liking the euphoric effect it just experienced and they want the body to duplicate that effect. This is when the person will have another shot of the substance. Note here that when the person consumes the substance for the first time, it could be a bodily thing; but the next time is because of the craving for the substance generated by the mind.
Turning back to the way heroin works on the body, as the person continues taking more and more of the substance, the brain becomes immunized to it. Now the brain no longer produces dopamine in the same level as it did earlier, albeit the quantum of heroin taken into the body is the same. This can cause frustration in the person and will most definitely lead to the person wanting to consume more of the substance. This is why the person will keep increasing the amount of substance that he or she takes into the body. This is where the occasional abuse begins moving towards a lifelong dependency.
The point to be noted is that drug addiction is a mental illness. Though to an outsider it might seem as a mere habit because they can physically “see” the patient consuming the substance, the inner mechanism of the user is triggered by his or her brain that is demanding more and more of the substance.
How has Drug Addiction in Hawaii being a Mental Illness affected the Treatment Patterns?
The treatment for drug addiction in Hawaii has undergone a drastic change in the last ten years because of the emergence of the idea that drug addiction is a mental illness. One of the major changes here is the inclusion of a very elaborate counseling program where the patient is trained in various meditation and relaxation techniques to come out of the addiction. The patient is taught how to cope with the condition. In most treatment centers, there is also a family counseling program where the patients and their families are coached on how to overcome their emotional issues that might have been caused due to the patient’s addiction. Families are also trained on how they can become substantial forces in the addiction treatment for the person.
But the best example is the popularity of the dual diagnosis treatment program. This program, meant to treat people from coexisting conditions, mostly relies on removing people from the mental issues that might have been caused due to their addiction, or could be underlying conditions also. These programs are being very seriously looked into in today’s times when people consider drug addiction treatment in Hawaii.

The Causes of Drug Addiction

maureen — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 03:07:11 +0000

Addiction is a disease that affects the lives of so many people, the numbers are staggering. Even more alarming is the fact that many addicts are in denial, which means that the number of people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction in our country could be far greater than we actually know.

The addict of drugs or alcohol is generally in a state of denial and believes that he or she can stop at any time. This is not true. Once an addict has begun the cycle of denial, they have entered the realm of addiction. Although they know it is wrong and they know the effects that drugs and alcohol can have on them both mentally and physically, they put these negative effects and consequences out of their mind and continue to use. This is the quagmire of addiction. How, then, does addiction work? Let’s take a brief look at what some of the determining factors are.

FROM A SCIENTIST’S POINT OF VIEW

Compulsion is the main aspect that propels an addict through their addiction. Addiction manifests itself in different ways, and can sprout up seemingly out of nowhere. Science has been studying addiction for many years now, attempting to locate the addiction centers to see exactly how they work. The trouble with this is that addiction is a very individualized behavior, slightly different with every individual it affects.

Psychological addiction is when an addict believes that he or she needs the substance they abuse to be able to function. Whether it is a drink to calm their nerves or a line of cocaine to give them a pick-me-up, the psychological addict honestly believes that they are fine, but that they require these substances to feel balanced. Although not as serious as a physical addiction, psychological addiction is very strong and debilitating for addicts nonetheless.

Physical addiction is when the addict’s body requires certain amounts of a drug to be able to function. This is quite common with users of crack cocaine, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and even alcohol. The addict has used these substances for so long and so frequently that there body is unable to function properly without certain levels of drugs and/or alcohol in their system. Without the drugs or alcohol, the body begins to experience withdrawal. Withdrawal is a painful process in which the body begins to shut down and violently crave the drugs that it needs in order to function.

GENETICALLY SPEAKING

According to some scientists, a person’s genes can determine whether or not they have a propensity for addiction. There are even some in the scientific community who have gone so far as to claim that certain ethnic backgrounds are more at-risk for addiction than others. Whether this is true or not, statistically speaking, familial traits do seem to play a role in the addictive behaviors of individuals. This could also be because those who have sought treatment in the past recognize it at earlier stages than those who have not had to deal with addiction in their families.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Environment has a lot to do with how individuals behave. Many addicts grew up around other addicts, whether in the immediate family or with those that they spent a lot of time with during their development. Neighborhoods where drugs are prevalent naturally have more addicts than “clean” neighborhoods, although no one is immune to the problem of addiction.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The fact of the matter is that addiction cannot be traced back to one factor. There are usually several precipitating factors that ultimately help to spawn an addict. A combination of genetic or family history, combined with an environment in which the potential addict is exposed frequently to drug and alcohol abuse compounds the likelihood of addiction in an individual. The important thing to remember is that addiction is a disease. No one chooses to become an addict; there are many factors involved. Seeking help and beginning a rehab program of recovery is the best way to fight back.

Drug Addiction Treatment In Maine – FAQs

maureen — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:08:53 +0000

There are a huge number of people who are unaware about the working methods of drug addiction treatment program in Maine. They have so many questions in their mind. Here the information related with drug addiction treatment in Maine is given in FAQ format along with their answers.
Q1. What are the places in Maine that have a rehab center of their own?
Very few people know that Maine has some of the best rehab treatment facilities available and it is also very easy to find as most of the addiction treatment centers have a rehab center of their own. If you are looking for a rehab center in Maine for you or for your family member then keep in mind that every major city and major town in Maine has a rehab center. Some of the rehab centers are also situated in rural areas in Maine.
Q2. How important it is to search for a treatment center that will be near the home of the addict?
Well many people who want to take treatment for their addiction like to look for a nearby treatment center. But there is no such need to do so, as most of the treatment centers provide inpatient treatment programs. Hence even if you look for a treatment center in some other city, you will be safe and comfortable.
The most important criteria for choosing a treatment center should be based upon the treatment facilities given by the center. Thus, if a treatment center far from your home offers a good treatment then you should consider it. But if you wish you can always ask your treatment center to shift you to a local treatment center for the aftercare program.
Q3. Do the insurance companies cover all the treatment programs in Maine? What conditions these insurance companies have?
The conditions set by the insurance companies for covering the drug addition treatment in Maine are different for different companies. But there is not even a single insurance company, which provides for all the kinds of treatment. You may get some benefits if the treatment center offers a qualified treatment program.
To check all the qualified treatment programs in the US, you can check out the websites of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Institute of Drug Abuse and National Clearinghouse. The qualified treatment programs are state approved programs and the treatment center will fund for it.
There are some insurance companies that may pay for the treatment program but not for the aftercare program. In short these companies will make partial payments for the treatment program you are undergoing. Some companies also have conditions like they will bear the expenses only for a single treatment program. That is if you want to undergo second treatment program, you cannot make any claims on the insurance company.
You should make sure what your insurance companies rules are and know in advance what all they are going to cover from your treatment program.
Q4. What is the duration of the detox treatment program in Maine?
The time required for the detox treatment will be different for different addicts. This will depend upon the nature of the addiction, nature of the withdrawal symptoms of the patient and the frequency of the abuse. For those addict who are not into major addiction and doing it from a short time, the detox program will be of maximum three days.
But for those who are into addiction since a long time the detox treatment program in Maine might go on till three weeks. For heroin addiction and methamphetamine addiction the detox program can go up to three weeks.
Q5. Is it possible for me to join an intervention program to help with the treatment of my family member?
Intervention programs are really helpful in all kinds of addiction treatments. You can very well become a part of the intervention program and help your loved one to come out of his or her addiction. Intervention programs are made in order to help the family and friends of the addict to convince their dear ones to come out of the denial phase and take proper treatment.
The intervention program will also be helpful to you, in order to decide which treatment center you must admit your loved one to. The intervention program in Maine will also be there with you and help you with all the formalities of the addiction treatment program. This will reduce your stress and you can concentrate on the well being of your patient. If your patient goes for an inpatient treatment program then the interventionist will keep you updated about their progress.

Help With Drug Addiction – How to Recover Without Rehab

maureen — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:07:38 +0000

Unfortunately, most counselors, specialists, psychologists, and recovery groups still believe that addiction is not only a disease, but it is also incurable! Well, as an addiction recovery coach, I have proven both of those hypothetical presumptions to be dead wrong!

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Disease is defined as an affliction that can be pathologically diagnosed. To date, there is no such pathology to diagnose addiction because it is plainly a behavior and not a disease. Therefore, addiction is not a disease but rather a choice! But, before I reveal the direct fundamental issue that drives that choice, letâs examine the current traditional rehabilitation treatment options.

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Outpatient Therapy

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Outpatient therapy is usually conducted by holding weekly meetings with a counselor substance abuse therapist. Typically, the therapist employs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and/or a 12-Step Program as the primary treatment modalities. However, in some cases a more intensive day treatment protocol is used, which more closely resembles residential treatment.

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Inpatient Therapy

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Inpatient therapy provides an intensive but brief residential treatment model based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and/or a 12-step program. This treatment model requires inpatient admission to a treatment center or hospital based facility for a specified period of time, which is usually 3 to 6 weeks. The inpatient treatment phase is generally followed by extended outpatient therapy and participation in a self-help group.

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Residential treatment programs

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Residential treatment provides care 24 hours per day, generally in a non-hospital setting. In many cases this type of treatment model utilizes the therapeutic community model but also may employ other protocols such as the cognitive behavioral therapy model. Therapeutic Communities are residential programs with planned lengths of stay of 6 to 12 months. The goal is to re-socialize the individual to a drug free lifestyle. Many of the programs offer some type of employment training service to assist the patient with their transition back in to society.

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In short, the majority of these programs employ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and/or the Alcohol Anonymous 12-Step program. These treatment modalities not only fail in excess of ninety percent of the time, but in my opinion, they are also counterproductive and dangerous!

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First, letâs examine the nuts and bolts of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT) is based on the assumption that most emotional and behavioral reactions are learned. Therefore, from a (CBT) perspective addiction is learned behavior that evolves into a disease. The goal of (CBT) therapy is to help clients unlearn their problematic behavior (addiction) by learning new patterns of more appropriate behavior. CBT employs stoicism or passive approach that attempts to teach the client patience in the face of adversity by disconnecting from their emotional issues. In my opinion, this is not only ineffective, but it is also dangerous since it can exacerbate depression. This model is an exact contradiction to the components required to overcome addiction and flies in the face of common sense. But, before I reveal the two components required for addiction recovery lets examine the 12-step philosophy.

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The 12-Step Program originated in the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. The principles of the program place a great deal of emphasis on spirituality, powerlessness, and the emergence of a personâs sense of soul. The goal of the program is a spiritual awakening although most find it difficult to accomplish because they feel victimized. Many of the steps are presented as being paradoxical, claiming that you are powerless, but like magic, you suddenly become more powerful by admitting that you possess shortcomings and defects of character. In my opinion, not only are many of the 12 steps counterproductive, but they have also contributed to the rise in antidepressant usage.

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In conclusion, the primary modalities of addiction treatment fail in excess of ninety percent of the time. I believe this to be directly attributed to their passive, stoic, self-incriminating, and powerlessness components. Addiction recovery requires liberation and empowerment. Therefore, (CBT) and the 12-step program is a blatant contrast to successful addiction recovery.

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Ok, now that you understand why traditional treatment fails in excess of ninety percent of the time, letâs talk about how to recover from addiction. First, let me say that depending on the severity of your drug addiction, you may or may not experience symptoms of withdrawal. If youâve attempted abstinence in the past, you may have a firm understanding of the degree of withdrawal symptoms you will face in this subsequent process. If you are questioning the severity of the symptoms, it would be wise to seek medical assistance with this withdrawal prior to embarking on the recovery path.

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To begin the recovery process you must first uncover the root cause of your addiction. I believe that there is a common denominator or root cause of every addiction. Plain and simple, the root cause of addiction is the emotional scars caused by family dysfunction.

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Take a moment to examine the source of your emotional pain! Were you physically, verbally, or sexual abused as a child? Did your parents control or manipulate you? Did your parents put forth a part time effort towards a job that required full time parenting? Did your parents abuse alcohol or drugs? How have these negative patterns crushed your

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self-esteem? Are you angry at your self for failing to face these issues? Do you blame yourself for your self-destructive behavior and for losing your self-respect? Like most, you may not realize how much these family dysfunctions have destroyed your self-esteem or why they are the root cause of your addiction.

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There are two components to successful addiction recovery liberation and empowerment. Liberation is used to describe the process of liberating yourself from the binding emotional constraints of family dysfunction. Empowerment is used to describe the restoration of ones self-esteem. In essence, addiction is a self-esteem issue. So, can you begin to understand why the traditional methods of (CBT) and 12-Step Programs fail? How can you liberate yourself from your emotional baggage by passively disconnecting from it and sweeping it under the rug? Furthermore, how can you restore your self-respect and self-esteem by admitting you have shortcomings, defects of character, and that youâre powerless? You canât! And, if you canât the traditional treatment methods are equivalent to putting on a band-aid when you need surgery!

If you would like more information on how to beat your addiction os stop drinking without rehab, subscribe to my free-e guide below.

Best wishes,

David Roppo

The Addiction Freedom Coach

overcoming addiction

overcome addiction

how to stop drinking

Drug Addiction As A Consequence Of Emotional Factors

maureen — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:07:10 +0000

Drug addiction finds its root in mental problems as those ailing from mental illness are more vulnerable to get addicted to drugs. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that depression has a major role to play in substance abuse. The study points to the fact that many people are entangled in the trap of addiction and mental illness.

Even though genetic factors are considered to lead the person towards addiction, it is difficult to understand the exact cause for the addiction. The substance abuse produces depression, disorientation, memory loss and delusion. Vice versa the emotional tendency makes the person inclined to drug abuse. Hence a difficult question arises that what has come in the beginning the addiction or the mental state? This question makes us to treat each case individually so that no loop holes are left in treatment of the addict.

If the drug addict is suffering from some illness they try to cope with the agony of symptoms of ailment by taking drugs. But they are ignorant of the fact that this relief is only momentary. There are other ways of tackling these issues by going for recreational works and hobbies like gardening, reading, art work and rearing of pets.

Many people try to escape from situations and agony of illness by using substances which clouds the mind. But what is used as a curative agent itself produces the same symptoms. For example the chronic intake of substance like alcohol produces depression.

The trauma experienced at an emotional plane is so unbearable that if they had a leaning shoulder the circumstances could have been changed. But in this busy world no one has time to look at the sufferings of others. Hence the isolated feeling makes them to rely more and more on drugs. The feeling of isolation, negligence pushes the person into the clutches of bad vices.

How to handle such emotional problems

-Qualitative time should be spent by relatives with the addict which reinforces emotional bonds and wean them away from the drug addiction.

-Learn to strengthen your mental faculty by engrossing in healthy and productive activity which gives immense satisfaction. This state of mind is difficult to achieve until and unless you try to take things in your stride.

-We should accept our short comings and try to confine our activities to the limits which we can deal with.

-Imageries and mind diverters go a long way and help you overcome from emotional issues. Exercising and meditation or joining a fun club in your locality, taking to some hobby will sure assist you in this.

The Right Way to look for Drug Addiction Treatment in Kentucky

maureen — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:08:00 +0000

Do not be under the impression that Kentucky has only a handful of addiction treatment programs. On the contrary, there are several options for drug addiction treatment in Kentucky and that is what makes the selection so very difficult. When you are trying to look for a program for yourself or for someone in your care, you have to keep several things in mind so that you may select the right kind of treatment program. The following steps will make the search easier for you.
First, you must try and familiarize yourself as much as possible with the way drug addiction treatment in Kentucky works. Make some research on the Internet, on some authentic websites. Read the material on national websites like National Clearinghouse, National Institute of Drug Abuse and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This is where you can know what kinds of programs are qualified for drug addiction treatment on a nationwide basis. Then read the state health website for Kentucky and you will know what kinds of programs are conducted here. It is always better to zero in on the programs that are approved by the state authorities.
Then, you have to locate a treatment center close to the place where you live. Again, the Internet can help you. You can make a general search on a search engine with the name of your city or town and you will find some possible options. When you find them, visit the website of each center and make some assessments. You have to first see what kind of program they are conducting; it must be suitable to the condition and requirements of the patient. Then you have to see whether they are licensed for drug addiction treatment in Kentucky or not. It is always good if they have accreditation from a national or a state authority, which makes their program much more credible. Another thing you must check is the qualification of the treatment providers present within the institution. Ideally, they must be qualified through a body such as the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
You also have to check the experience of the treatment center in dealing with the kind of addiction you want treatment for. For example, if you would like morphine treatment, you have to make sure the treatment center has experience in dealing with it. Similarly, the treatment providers there must also have had the experience.
This is your self-research, but since addiction treatment is always such a sensitive issue, it is always best to schedule an appointment with a counselor on drug addiction treatment in Kentucky. You can get a contact for such counselors from most healthcare centers in the state, or you can even locate them from the Internet. Once you make this appointment, you can explain the particular condition of the patient and they will come up with the right kind of treatment options. They will let you know what policies different treatment centers adopt and which would be the best for the condition of the patient. This would really help you in zeroing in on the right treatment program.
Here’s a tip: If you want to find only a qualified treatment program, i.e. a program that is sanctioned by the state governmental authorities for drug addiction treatment in Kentucky, then you would be better off searching for your program through the Facility Locater on the website of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This is where you can find the URL to the state health website and you can also find out a link and the contact information to all the treatment centers of Kentucky that are approved by the state government. Hence, this might be a good place for you to begin your search.
There is another option for you, which you can use if you are completely ignorant of the way addiction treatment works in the state. You can find contact of a specialist on intervention and use their services. This can be a really good idea because an intervention program will not only guide you in finding a treatment center in Kentucky, but they will also help in several other ways. They will help in convincing the patient for the treatment and they will actually be with you throughout the treatment program and even after that. So, they can really act as a moral support and assistant for you during the entire drug addiction treatment program in Kentucky.
There are various options if you want to find out your option for drug addiction treatment in Kentucky. Select the one that would help you the best and use it to improve your or someone else’s life.

Different Kinds Of Outpatient Programs For Drug Addiction Treatment In Iowa

maureen — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 03:07:59 +0000

You must know that the term “outpatient treatment program” is an umbrella term. In the state of Iowa, for example, you are going to find different kinds of programs that are all known as outpatient treatment programs. The basic pattern is the same; the patient continues living at home while attending the treatment center for some days to get the treatment for the addiction. However, there are different types based on how frequently the center calls in the patient for the treatment and what the program actually comprises.
Here we discuss three different kinds of outpatient treatment programs for drug addiction treatment in Iowa.
Outpatient Treatment Program
What is normally referred to as the outpatient treatment program for drug addiction treatment in Iowa is a program that is conducted for up to nine hours a week. The patient is called in at the treatment center for three to four sessions in the week each consisting of 2 to 3 hours duration. The total time for the week does not go beyond nine hours.
During this program, the patient is mostly counseled on methods to keep out of the addiction. They are trained on certain techniques and therapies that can help them lose their temptation for the substance. They are also trained on how to make their lives more socially meaningful so that they keep themselves occupied and do not find the pangs of the addiction anymore.
Detox is usually not a part of this program. This is the mildest form of addiction treatment program, which basically deals with the recovery of people in simple forms of drug abuse rather than addiction.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program
The intensive outpatient treatment program is basically an extended version of the previous program. Much of the same approaches are used in this program too, but they are conducted in a more rigid and intensive manner. The frequency of the meetings is more too and so is the duration; the program can go for up to twenty hours a week even.
Here, a part of the program is conducted in a group format. A group of people with similar kinds of addictions are called in together and they are educated on what the addiction is all about. They are provided a classroom kind of training where they can understand where their addiction will lead them. But the program is optimistic, because patients are told that there are methods that can bring them into treatment and what those methods are. It includes all the trainings and that are imparted in the previous program, but in a stricter and more intensive format.
Day Treatment Program
This is the most stringent kind of drug addiction treatment in Iowa that is provided on an outpatient basis. This program allows the patient to stay at home during the treatment, but the patient has to come to the center almost every day. This daily program provides treatment sessions to the patient for three to four hours each day. Hence, the program is quite intensive. It is an apt program for people who are in mild to moderate conditions of addiction.
The program consists of three vital elements. First, there is a detox program that is conducted on an outpatient basis. The patient is provided with a maintenance medication that can help them keep away from the substance. As long as the maintenance medication is taken, the patient will not feel any temptation for the substance. This allows the substance to be worked out from the system of the patient.
The second part of the program is the substance abuse education. Here the patient is taught in a classroom format what the substance addiction is all about, how it can affect the body, how it can affect personal, social and professional life and, most importantly, how it can be treated. The program teaches people that substance addiction is quite vicious, but it can certainly be treated.
The third part consists of counseling. This is done on an individual basis. The crux of this part of outpatient drug addiction treatment in Iowa is to understand the patient’s underlying emotional issues that are keeping them in the addiction and help them to come out of it. The patient is handled by psychiatrists in some cases who can counsel them on how to come out of their mental conditions and preoccupations that might be retaining the urge for the substance within them.
There are various kinds of outpatient treatment programs for drug addiction treatment in Iowa, but you have to first confirm whether such a treatment mode would be appropriate for the patient. A counselor on substance abuse treatment will be able to help you arrive at the right decision.

Drug Addiction Counselling – Treating Drug Addiction

maureen — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:09:14 +0000

Drug dependency has become a severe problem in most countries with millions addicted to substances such as heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol and others. In recent years, staggering information regarding the amount of drug use and abuse prevalent in society has raised much awareness about the problem; yet treating drug addiction has not received the same amount of press. Many people who know someone with a drug or alcohol problem believe that some time in a rehabilitation centre will make all their problems go away and that the person will be cured following treatment. This is not the case, as drug addiction is not caused by the drugs; the problem lies within the addict.For years, any type of substance abuse problem has been labelled a moral failing – that the addict is weak, lacks self-will and is a bad person. In the present day, a greater number of people are beginning to see addiction as a disease – that addiction is terminal and incurable, but can be arrested, treated and abstinence maintained. The disease is obsessive and compulsive in nature, leading to addicts obsessively and compulsively seeking drugs and other substances or experiences which will aid them in avoiding unwanted feelings.Why do addicts use drugs?Addicts are usually incapable of processing and expressing their feelings in a healthy way. Inner conflict and an inability to deal with life and the feelings which accompany it are the motivation for addicts to use substances. Getting high helps addicts to avoid their feelings; whether happy, sad, depressed or ecstatic, addiction thrives on an inability to cope with feelings, driving addicts to use.When an addict uses drugs and engages in obsessive and compulsive behaviour, they soon begin to lose all power over their actions. This is the point at which their using progresses to a level where nothing will stop them – losing family, their jobs, houses and self-respect mean nothing compared to the desperation of getting the next hit. Addicts usually recognise their using as a problem, yet are unable to stop using drugs, despite their best intentions. They are powerless over their disease and cannot stop using on their own, even though they have the desire to stop. It is at this point that many addicts seek help for their problem.How is drug addiction treated?Treating drug addiction has progressed from the way the problem was previously dealt with centuries ago. Exorcisms and imprisonment in state mental hospitals were the normal way of dealing with addicts before more was known about the disease. These days, drug addiction counselling is based on helping the addict deal with their underlying issues in a caring and supportive way and in a safe environment. Individual counselling as well as group therapy has proved to be the best method of treating drug addiction through the positive results yielded by the combination. For addicts that have the privilege of being able to attend a treatment programme in a rehabilitation centre and/or receive drug addiction counselling, the prognosis of maintaining sobriety is positive. However, an addict can only live a life of recovery if they are willing to help themselves. If an addict does not want to stop using, no amount of therapy or time spent in a treatment centre will help them, unless they are motivated to stop and to invest their time and energy in helping themselves. An important part of recovery from any addiction is a daily programme of recovery for the addict to follow. Addiction is incurable and if left untreated will prove to be fatal, yet with a recovery programme which the addict applies themselves to daily, an addict can stay clean and sober for the rest of their life, one day at a time. No matter how much therapy and counselling an addict may receive, life will still present problems and uncomfortable feelings. If an addict is unable to process these feelings in an appropriate manner, they will not be able to maintain abstinence. Because addiction is a disease, it will not simply “go away” – it can be arrested and managed, but this takes effort and willingness on behalf of the addict in question.A daily reprieve from drugsA daily programme of recovery that is very successful is a Twelve Step programme as used in Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. These programmes are based on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous which lead addicts through a process of admitting that they have a problem, establishing a belief in a power greater than themselves, dealing with life and feelings appropriately and helping other sufferers find recovery.The programme includes suggestions such as meeting attendance (in which the Twelve Steps and programme are discussed), working with a sponsor (a more experienced member of the fellowship), reading programme literature, written work (exploring the Twelve Steps) and service to the fellowship and society.Individuals suffering from the disease of addiction do not need to live a life of shame and self hatred anymore. Through counselling and adopting a programme to help maintain a healthy life, mentally and physically, an addict can live the rest of their lives clean from the use of drugs and alcohol. Recovery from drugs and alcohol takes effort and vigilance, but will allow addicts who have lost everything to begin to lead a normal and productive life again.