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Addiction is an unfortunate word — and one you ignore. Its meaning is too vulgar; its promise is too crude. Acknowledging such a thing is useless, you assume. Nothing can be gained from it.

And so… you refuse to admit any symptoms. Every sip you take is instead deemed essential; every drink is thought of as right. Trying to label your habits is a waste of time. You’d rather devote yourself to far better things — such as sampling wine and smiling.

Individuals from the ages of 21 to 40 consume almost 30 gallons of liquor (including beer, distilled spirits and more) each year on average. Of these individuals almost 40 percent are dependent upon what they drink — unable to function without some form of alcohol in their systems. This results in 15 million people harming themselves without fully being aware of it.

Such numbers startle: if only because they’re often ignored. Alcoholism is a familiar term but one that many refuse to accept for themselves. It’s estimated that over 80 percent of those who require help (either through counseling, medication or other forms of rehabilitation) never receive it. Some cite the costs of treatment. Many, however, simply deem their situations solvable. They assume they can master an addiction without support.

They can’t — and this contributes to the millions of death that occur each year due to alcohol.

Addiction is a disease and, like any disease, it requires help. Choosing to deny its existence will offer no rewards. Instead it will only perpetuate a vicious, needless cycle.

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There are many signs that show someone has a problem with alcoholism. If someone is considered a progressive alcoholic this means that their addiction is and will continue to worsen over time.

If you have someone that you love dealing with any of the following signs they need help.

1) A pattern of drinking, which puts them in dangerous situations.

2) Drinking to the point of passing out or sickness.

3) A change in behavior while drinking or after drinking.

4) Missing work because of drunkenness.

5) Leaving work early to go drink with their buddies.

6) Neglecting their responsibilities at home or in other places.

7) Neglecting family members and being irritable with them.

Living for the next drink.

9) Signs of depression and moodiness when they have not had a drink in a while.

10) The need for more and more alcohol to reach the same stage of numbness or high.

An alcoholic will rarely acknowledge that they have a problem, never mind that they need help. There are a few things that you can do to try to help:

1) Stage an intervention with friends and family.

2) Remind the alcoholic of the consequences of alcohol.

3) Be available for them if they need help, but do not support their drinking.

4) Join a group that offers support to family members of alcoholics. They will be able to encourage you and give direction.

Until the alcoholic comes to the place where they see a problem and seek help there will be very little that you can do.

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It happens to anyone, making no distinctions for gender or intelligence. ‘It’ is substance abuse, and one of the most prevalent kinds of abuse out there is the abuse of a legal substance, alcohol. It is because it’s legal that people fail to see its overuse as a problem. Waking up with a hangover, wondering where you’ve been the night before might be common, and legal, but it’s a signal to any substance abuse counselor. The easiest way to determine if you’ve got a problem with this legal substance is to honestly examine your usage of it. You’ve got to answer one question – does your usage lead to harm? If you wake up feeling sick, or with a splitting headache, or do things the night before that you regret the morning after, these are all signs that you’re doing yourself harm.

It can be hard to admit this, especially when your entire circle of friends is acting the same way. It’s just too easy to slip into the ‘everybody else is doing it, so I don’t have a problem’ mentality. But you’ve got to focus on yourself, because as much as you might wish your friends will provide the same focus, they really won’t. They’ll even give you a hard time if you tell them that you’ve been questioning your own alcohol consumption habits.

And after an honest session of thought on the subject, you may determine that a detox program is the right step to take. It’s never a bad thing to detox. That’s because as your body clears out the toxins left behind, your mind will start to clear up as well.

Other Dangers of Alcohol Addiction

People who drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol pose an additional threat to the health and well-being of their family members, and are a danger to themselves as well. Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated or high can be a death sentence for that person, and for others.

One sign of a licensed driver with an alcohol problem is the amount of times they have violated the blood alcohol content laws while driving. The first time this happens it should set off a warning sign that tells them they may have a drinking problem.

What You Can Do to Help Yourself

The first thing to do to help yourself overcome a drinking problem is to admit that you have one. This is the most basic, and the most important step you can take. If a police officer stops you while driving because he suspects you of being intoxicated, it will be easier for you to take that first step.

Getting Support from Others

Once you make the decision to do something about an alcohol problem you have, it is imperative that you receive support from family and friends. Talk to them about your problem. Let them know you are concerned, and ask them for their help and support.

The situation of an addict developing a new addiction while in treatment or seeking treatment for another disease or illness is very unlikely. There is no exact number to prove how infrequently this happens but it is infrequent. However, there are certain addicts who do develop an addiction to the psychotherapeutic drugs which is why all doctors and supporters of addicts need to make sure that the proper steps are taken to ensure an addiction does not occur.

Addictions to psychotherapeutic drugs can be prevented by making sure that the drug or alcohol addict is taking the medication as prescribed. Generally if the directions are followed it rarely leads to addictions. Addictions are also prevented by informing the doctor of any past substance abuse problems or family history of substance abuse that the person may have had. This will allow the doctor to monitor the intake of psychotherapeutic drugs and make sure no addiction is forming. A doctor might also prescribe a completely different medication that has less of a chance of leading to an addiction if there is a history of addictions to drugs or alcohol.

Relapses. Many people wrongly believe that treatment centers cure the addiction completely. However, relapses are a major part of the recovery process so they are bound to happen to any addict. The problem arises when people with the belief that the addiction is cured see that an addict has relapsed. They often wrongly believe that the treatment did not work and blame it on the treatment center. This blame causes many people to believe that treatment centers do not work.

Each Addict is Different. Every substance abuser is different. The reason they use drugs, what drugs they use and how long they have used the drugs will play a part in their treatment process. Due to the differences in addicts some addicts will respond better to treatment than others. This does not mean that treatment is ineffective just that the treatment was not right for them. Many people wrongly blame the treatment center for not curing the addiction or helping the addict when the addict was the one to be resistant to the treatment.

Almost everyone who starts out using drugs or alcohol believes that at some point in time they can stop using the substance on their own. While there are the occasional addicts who have success with this many people find that they quickly go back to using their substance of choice.

Even though they had no intention of going back to using drugs or drinking alcohol many addicts cannot help it. It is believed that long term use of drugs and alcohol can actually change the shape and structure of the brain. These changes can range from brief periods of memory loss to behavioral changes. Some of the most common changes that the brain undergoes over a long period of drug or alcohol use is the inability to have impulse control. This lack of impulse control leads many people to continue to use the substance of choice long after they have given up their addiction.

While the addict might have had good intentions of stopping their substance abuse the changes in the brain cause them to not be able to stop on their own. This is why it is important to see therapy or enter a rehab center. One of the most common forms of therapy that is recommended for addicts is behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can actually help the addict relearn impulse control so that they can eventually give up their addiction.

There are many ways that a person with an alcohol problem will be in denial. Here is a look at some of the ways that a person with an alcohol problem might create some excuses.

Understating the Number of Drinks. A person with an alcohol problem will typically understate the amount of drinks that they had. When asked how many drinks they had that evening they might answer two or three, when in reality it was seven or eight.

No Consequences of Drinking. Another way to deny the problem that alcohol is causing in a person’s life is to declare that there are no problems from the alcohol. This can be done by downplaying the legal trouble that a person is in or by ignoring any problems that might arise at work or school because of drinking. To the alcohol abuser as long as there are no consequences there is no problem with what they are doing.

Blaming Problems on Others. One of the most common ways to stay in denial about a drinking problem is through blaming any problems that come from drinking on someone else. An example of this is someone who is in trouble at work for showing up late because they were drinking will often blame it on the bad boss who is so strict, not because they were late to work. Since the problems are caused by everyone else and not the person who is drinking the person often convinces themselves that there is no reason to believe they have a problem with drinking.

If you are wondering if you or someone you know might have a problem with alcohol here is a look at some of the signs that there might be a problem with alcohol developing.

The Development of Tolerance. Tolerance is the first warning sign that there is a problem with alcohol. Many people will believe that they are just drinking one small drink but many times one drink can turn into two or three and quickly spiral out of control. While tolerance isn’t always a sign of alcohol problems it can be a warning sign that there could be problems.

The Withdrawal Signs. The second major warning sign that there could be a problem with alcohol is that there are withdrawal signs. These symptoms will include nausea and vomiting, insomnia, irritability, fatigued, loss of appetite, headache and shakiness. A huge warning sign that there could be a problem is if someone believes that they need to relieve the symptoms by drinking even more alcohol.

Giving Up Activities. Another warning sign that there could be a problem with alcohol is when a person starts to give up activities that they love because it does not involve alcohol. Sometimes it isn’t even the fact that the activity doesn’t involve alcohol it is because the alcohol has taken such an important role in the person’s life that they no longer have an interest in anything else. Many times this is a sign that the person is developing a reliance upon the alcohol and it could be a potential problem.

Sudden Changes. Many people will develop an alcohol or substance abuse problem in response to a stressful situation. These people were likely to drink small amounts of alcohol throughout the day but when the stressful situation or sudden change occurred they turned to alcohol to sooth the problem.

Tolerance. Many times substance abuse problems develop because the addict developed a tolerance to the substance of choice. They may have started out drinking only one or two beers but because nothing was affecting them they turned to drinking more and more until it became a problem. These types of situations usually creep up on the person and an alcohol problem seems to come out of nowhere.

Drinking Daily. There have been many studies and situations that shows those that drink daily or binge drink could develop an alcohol problem over time. This is because the body becomes so accustomed to the alcohol that when the person decides to stop it can cause problems. While the person does not realize that they are developing a problem, it quickly spirals out of control and they develop a substance abuse problem.

The vitamin B1 is known as thiamine and is essential to the brain. When a person drinks a high amount of alcohol the body has a tendency to become deprived of the vitamin B1. The body becomes deprived of this vitamin the brain will almost appear to become pickled or dried out. A brain in this state can cause a lot of problems from disorientation to loss of brain function and amnesia.

Many times the vitamin B1 can be replaced through supplements and injections. This allows the brain to receive the nutrients that it needs to work properly. The ability to give the brain back the nutrients that it needs is why many detox centers will start the IV of vitamin B1 right away.

One of the best benefits about the vitamin B1 is that it is water soluble. That means if the person who is receiving the vitamin doesn’t need the amount that is given to them the vitamin will absorb in the body and not cause the person any potential harm. This reason is why many detox centers will give it to a substance abuser regardless of what course of treatment they wish to undergo.

Alternative medicine is used to reduce the withdrawal symptoms and help the body detox. This allows anyone with a substance abuse problem to concentrate on themselves while they work on the issues that caused the substance abuse to arise.

The most popular forms of alternative medicine that help the body through detoxing and with any withdrawal symptoms include diet therapy, imagery therapy and acupuncture. However, there are other forms of alternative medicine treatments that can be used to help with substance abuse. Here is a look at some of the rarer forms of alternative medicine that have been used to help with substance addictions.

Homeopathy. Homeopathy is the use of different scents to create stimulations throughout the body. Homeopathy has several different scents that work for reducing cravings for drugs or alcohol and even help relax the substance abuser so that they are less likely to use the substance of choice.

Chiropractic. Chiropractic care often works in a similar way that acupuncture does. It is believed that there are a number of disturbances in the spinal alignment that can cause an individual to crave and want drugs or alcohol. Chiropractic care will fix the alignment and potentially cure any cravings or withdrawal symptoms.

Hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy works in the similar way that imagery and visualization does. It allows the substance abuser to put them into a slight trance so that their subconscious mind offers positive views of a drug or alcohol free life. Many substance abusers believe that hypnotherapy is essential to their sobriety or abstaining from their substance of choice.

Other alternative treatments include biofeedback training that works to rework the thinking of the substance abuser and meditation that works in the similar way that hypnotherapy and visualization does.

Guided imagery and creative visualization have proven successful in helping treat those with a substance abuse because it is an alternative form to relaxation therapy. One of the most commonly cited reasons for turning to drugs and alcohol is because of the need to ease the high amount of tension in a person’s life, improve self esteem or to even relax at the end of the day. Guided imagery and creative visualization work to eliminate known triggers to drug or alcohol use by allowing the person to engage in exercises that will relax the body and therefore cause the person to not turn to drugs or alcohol.

Popular forms of guided imagery and creative visualization include relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or breathing exercises. Muscle relaxation is also encouraged because it allows the substance abuser to learn how to properly relax the body and muscles through a natural, alternative way and not have to turn to drugs. It is believed that these types of relaxation and imagery techniques can work because it allows the substance abuser to picture themselves in a happy drug-free state of life and can work through positive reinforcement.

Guided imagery and creative visualization has been proven as a successful way to help treat those with a substance abuse problem. It has been so successful that many drug and alcohol treatment centers incorporate these practices into their therapy sessions. Some programs will start the day out with guided imagery and visualization as a way to help calm the addicts that are in the treatment center and help them get into the habit of engaging in these mental exercises.

Herbal medicine is the use of specific herbal supplements or teas to cure the body of the craving for the substance that is being abused or to help with the detox process. While herbal medicine and alternative medicine do not work to cure the addiction completely it allows the addict to have a rest from the withdrawal symptoms or cravings so that they can work on any underlying issues.

Here is a look at some of the most popular types of herbal supplements and teas that are used to help with the detox process or to cure cravings of the substance that is being abused.

Anti-Anxiety Herbs. Many herbal medicines and teas help to cure anxiety or depression. Many drug and alcohol addicts will suffer from extreme forms of anxiety or depression while they are detoxing. This makes any herbal medication that works to sooth these symptoms popular. Popular herbal supplements and teas that are used to cure anxiety or depression include catnip, peppermint, skullcap and chamomile. Sometimes St. John’s wort is used but not all the time.

Detoxing. Drug addicts and alcohol abusers need to detox their body of the harmful chemicals that were placed in the body. Popular herbal supplements that are used to detox the body include milk thistle, burdock root and echinacea. Many of these herbs are also known to help repair organs in the body that might be harmed from the drug or alcohol addiction.

1. Detoxification

This process of ridding the body of all traces of the drug or alcohol that has caused the addiction–is usually the first stage of rehabilitation. Depending on the rehab center, this may occur in the facility itself or it may be necessary for a person to undergo the “detox” stage in a hospital or other medical facility before he will be admitted to the rehab center.

2. Diagnosis and Treatment

In most rehab centers, the resident enters as an inpatient. For a specific period, he does not leave the facility. Once he has successfully completed the inpatient phase, he then transitions to outpatient status.

It is during the in-patient status time that the diagnosis of a co-occurring disorder may be made. A co-occurring disorder is one in which psychological or mental problems, such as depression, bi-polar disorder, or other conditions are found to exist along with the alcohol or drug addiction.

Those facilities that are designed to handle co-occurring disorders provide treatment for both psychological disorders and addiction problems. Treatment includes counseling with those counselors who handle psychological disorders and additional counseling with those trained to treat addiction problems.

If a co-occurring disorder exists, it is very important that a facility be chosen that does address both issues. Many do not; rather, they simply deal with the addiction. This can lead to multiple relapses, as the underlying psychological problems still remain.

MichaelsHouse.com is one facility that does handle co-occurring disorders sometimes referred to as “dual diagnosis.” This facility has been helping people with this specific problem for over 80 years.

Talk Openly with your Teen

You may not be sure of the extent of the problem, or if you are reading the signs right at all. Talking openly with your teen is the first important step to moving forward. Find a time to talk when you are both calm and have plenty of time. You want to be straightforward with your teen, but also supportive so you don’t scare him or her off. Ask questions and show your concern. Try to find out how long this has been going on and the extent of the problem. If your teen has only just begun experimenting with substances, you may be able to work through it together and put a stop to the behavior. If the abuse is more severe, you may have to take additional steps to help your teen through recovery.

Seek Professional Help

If you are uncomfortable talking with your child on your own, or if you suspect a bigger problem, you may want to seek professional assistance. Your child’s doctor may be a good choice to help you through this and evaluate what is going on. You can also seek out a psychologist to mediate conversation and talk one on one with your teen about the substance abuse. These people can help your teen to turn things around, help you to support them, and help you both get the assistance necessary for recovery.

Get a Job

Everyone feels better when they’re able to contribute to society and support themselves. By getting a job, you can help your finances while you help yourself! Having a regular routine and feeling needed is a great way to increase your self-esteem. By feeling better about yourself and the future, you’ll be even more motivated to resist temptation and continue your new life of sobriety. If you can’t find a job right away, don’t overlook volunteer opportunities. Helping out a cause you believe in can feel just as good as a paying job, and it can create great contacts for future job searches.

Go Back to School

If your addiction started early in life, you may not have reached your educational goals or you may have set some new ones during your recovery. It’s never too late to go back to school to improve yourself and your job skills. If you are also employed, there’s a wide variety of online university programs that can let you study at your own pace and on a schedule that’s convenient to you. The most important part of going back to school is that you’ll be using your brain. This is a very important part of both your recovery effort and your overall mental health!

Congratulations on your new life of sobriety! As part of your new life, continue to improve yourself and your skills.

Unfortunately, not every rehabilitation center really considers the fact that in order to treat the real problem, you have got to look beyond the addiction itself. Fortunately, as websites like TheCyn.com can tell you, the addiction is merely a mask that is worn by the underlying cause. This cause is only treated by places such as this, where they counsel you about what is really wrong underneath the surface. There is not an alcoholic or an addict out there who does not have an issue that goes far deeper than just using their stuff of choice.

A good rehabilitation center will seek to understand what your real problem is, and then work to equip you with the tools that you are going to need, in order to really overcome those issues. A good primer on that is the twelve step program that Alcoholics Anonymous uses, in which you make the slow journey from merely admitting to your problem, through working on the problems that underlie it, all the way through genuinely helping others to overcome their own problems. Whether you believe in the religious overtones or not, beating the real problem works.

Counseling

Many rehab centers offer counseling after your initial treatment. Make use of these resources and schedule periodic appointments to check up on progress and be sure everything is okay. These appointments are also a good time to let someone know if you have hit a rough patch or are experiencing signs of falling back into your addiction. Having a counselor on your calendar keeps you from having to make that call again, you’re already going to see someone at regular intervals.

Support Systems

Continuing to attend meetings can be one good way to stay accountable. You may also want to keep in touch with an accountability buddy in order to check up on each others’ progress and encourage one another to maintain your new lifestyle. Having a strong support system of family and friends can also be helpful moving forward. These people can help you through tougher times and provide an encouraging word or friendly ear when you are having a rough day.

After-Care at a Center

Many centers offer services to past patients and it is important to find out about all of the options available. Being able to pick up the phone at any hour of the day and talk to someone about what’s going on and get help from people who already know your history can be a big help to people after their initial time in rehab.

The physical craving for the drug are accompanied by body and muscle ache, diarrhea and vomiting. Sleeping becomes difficult and the user experiences cold flashes, which has given rise to the expression cold turkey referring to the chills and goose bumps that are a part of heroin withdrawal. Another distinctive symptom is the kicking of legs and feet, which gave birth to another expression, kicking the habit.

The symptoms can be so severe that addicts who were into high doses are warned not to stop suddenly or it could be fatal. The symptoms can start within a few hours after the last dose, but they hit most severely between 48 to 72 hours. The body’s physical symptoms can last for up to 7 days.

A heroin addict who wants to kick the habit needs to be physically detoxified of the drug. This can be an extremely painful process for the person and it requires a special environment for a safe and comfortable detox. Only after the body has been detoxed of all traces of the drug should a person enter a specialized heroin rehab program.

One of the most important aspects of heroin rehab is the understanding why the person became addicted to heroin in the first place. Once the triggers are identified, a customized plan is designed to help him deal with them.

To an outsider, it may appear as if the only person who is suffering when someone has an alcohol addiction is the person with the addiction, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. When a person suffers from an alcohol addiction he or she is not the only one to suffer from the addiction; loved ones such as family, friends and co-workers, also suffer with the addict.

While loved ones do not physically go through the alcohol addiction, they are often secondary parties to the addiction. They feel the anger, frustration and troubles that the addict is going through. It is as if the loved one has the addiction without the alcohol. The loved one of the addict is often times going through his or her own internal struggle regarding the addict, the addict’s behaviors and how to handle situations. The most recommended course of action when you or someone you know is in this type of situation is to get the addict into some type of alcohol treatment center. This will allow the addict to get the help that he or she needs both physically and psychologically. It will also help the loved ones around the addict as many treatment centers also offer family counseling.

However, the problem arises that not all alcoholics believe they have a problem and will refuse to go into treatment. If this is the case, the best thing to remember is that you cannot force an addict into treatment until they are ready. That does not mean that just because the addict is not getting treated for the addiction that you have to continue to suffer with emotional turmoil. There are various support groups and counseling facilities that will help those who have loved ones with an alcohol addiction and allow them to learn coping mechanisms and various resources that will help you handle the situation that you are in.

It is a sad time for any family, when it is realized that someone in the home needs alcohol treatment. Unfortunately, this happens way too often in the United States. It has become common for those dealing with stress and frustrations to turn to alcohol. Some of these people are able to partake of a drink and not have a problem. Many others, though, are unable to do this. In fact, alcoholism is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

For those in the situation of dealing with alcoholism, it can be hard to admit that it is time to look into alcohol treatment. It can also be difficult for those around the person dealing with the problem to admit it. This is because it is a very hard thing to deal with. Admitting that there is a problem, as we all know, is the first step. But that first step can feel like a never ending fall to some. Many people believe that if you have to seek treatment or help that you are weak or have some sort of personality flaw. This is most definitely not the case. In fact, admitting that there is a problem, and seeking help for that problem is one of the strongest things that a person can do.

Alcoholism should not be treated lightly. It is something that hurts not only those that are dealing with it themselves, but also those around them. Cases of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse rise significantly when alcohol and alcoholism are in play. This is something that can affect everyone around you. If you feel that you have a problem, and may need help, or if you have a loved one that is in this situation, finding help is crucial. There are treatment centers for alcoholism out there that are there to help.

Some of the more common types of substance abuse include:

• Alcohol. Many people enjoy an occasional beer or glass of wine and can function perfectly normal. Others come to depend on alcohol as a way to relieve stress or depression. As a result, the dependence negatively affects their relationships, their jobs, and their lives in general.
• Prescription drugs. The use of prescription drugs illegally has skyrocketed in recent years. More and more people are using painkillers, ADHD medication, sleeping pills, and many other drugs as a way to get high rather than treat an illness. More often than not, these drugs are not even prescribed to them.
• Over-the-counter medications. For many people, substance abuse comes from medications like cold and cough medicine that can be purchased by anyone at a local drug store.
• Illicit drugs. Substance abuse can also take the form of drugs like marijuana, crack, heroine, and LSD, to name a few of many. Possession of these illegal drugs can land a person in jail for years at a time and ruin lives and finances in the process.
• Household items. Sniffing glue, huffing aerosol cans, and using other household items to get high or alter moods is also a form of substance abuse.

As you can see, substance abuse is not just using illegal drugs. It can come in many forms, and more often than not, relatives, co-workers, and friends may not even know the person has a problem with substance abuse.

Sometimes, it is difficult to tell if someone has a problem with drugs or alcohol or is abusing some type of substance. If you think a loved one or friend has a problem, some of the most common warning signs include:

• Sudden decrease in performance in school or work. For example, a straight-A student begins failing classes or an otherwise dependable worker begins missing deadlines
• Sudden unexplained absences. Missing a lot of school or taking much more sick days than normal can indicate a problem.
• Acting secretly or suspiciously. This can include becoming nervous when someone enters their bedroom, excusing themselves to their car or the restroom frequently, or acting nervous for no apparent reason.
• Difference in personality. This can include severe mood swings, sudden outbursts of temper, or extreme emotions.
• Acting jittery, hyper, or overly talkative and jumpy.
• Becoming increasingly withdrawn or depressed. This is a common symptom in teens.
• Sudden need for money. If someone who was previously financially secure is suddenly asking for loans or seems to have money problems, it could indicate funds are being spent on drugs.
• Physical changes such as sudden weight loss or gain, acting impaired, or sudden changes in sleep habits, such as sleeping too much or frequent insomnia.

These are just a few symptoms. If your friend or loved one is experiencing multiple symptoms, it’s a good idea to encourage them to seek help.

Almost from the beginning of the history of man examples can be found of the consumption of substances that offer no nutritional value. Consuming a plant or something that produces a feeling of ease or comfort provided man with a feeling of power. The consumption of alcohol or plants caused feelings of euphoria in early man, enough so that many civilizations thought that drugs or alcohol allowed man to tap into the power of the gods.

Perhaps the feature that most distinguishes man from other animals has been the ability to adapt or alter environment to promote survival. This led to the experimentation of using plants to improve or change an individuals’ psychological health. The resulting experiences that were the most profound have continued on and often been integrated into secular and religious cultures.

Some of the earliest documented drug experimentation occurred in ancient Mesopotamia. The poppy was cultivated sometime between 4000 and 3000 B.C. The opium derived from the poppy was turned into gil, which means “happiness and joy”. Marijuana is another drug that shows up in the recorded history of early man. While these drugs have become taboo and even outlawed in modern society, alcohol has not only maintained its popularity since man first got plastered, it also has become a widely acceptable form of recreation.

Alcohol consumptions can be easily traced back to the earliest societies. Ancient Egyptian society often consumed beer, and the god Osiris supposedly taught the Egyptians about brewing. In Ancient Greece alcohol was a gift from Dionysius, the god of the grape.

Man’s experimentation with drugs and alcohol seems to be part of the human experience, which means that finding effect ways to combat addictions is difficult. Drugs and alcohol have always fascinated and enticed man. And with thousands of years of tradition and history on the side of experimentation the most effective form of treatment, prevention, faces difficult odds.

Addiction is a brain disorder that some people are more prone to develop than others due to genetic, psychological and environmental risk factors. But it is also due to a repetitive act of will that a person will get far enough down a road for the brain disorder of addiction to develop. While some might take this to mean that addicts only have themselves to blame, the problem of addiction is so complex and has so many unforeseen risks that blaming the addict does almost nothing to ease the problem.

The first step remains for the addict to realize that a problem exists and must be dealt with. The personal decision to seek treatment causes the moral model and the disease model to come together. Addiction might be a disease, but it is one that can be combated by willing parties.

Addiction might be best described as a disorder of will. When an addiction sets in a person’s will is over taken by the need to use. Perhaps not all will is lost but enough is that drinking or other destructive behavior occurs more often and in great quantity than expected. As a result priorities change. The need to drink or use drugs take precedent over all else. This leads to dishonest, self-centered and irresponsible behavior. When on the path the end result often becomes incarceration, brain damage or death. By taking even the smallest step toward recovery a person can take advantage of the research into fighting addiction. Treatments and therapies exist for those willing to take a small step forward. Alcoholic Anonymous describes this step with the slogan “Just for Today”.

Addiction is a brain disorder that cannot be separated from morality and personal responsibility. The reasons for the addiction matter less than taking responsibility to seek out treatment. And it seeking a way out of their addiction people can use resources from both schools of thought.

Addiction is an age old problem that dates nearly to the beginning of recorded history.

A passage from Proverbs 23:29-35 states “Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.”

While ancient societies might have lacked to the science to understand addiction the effects of alcohol dependence were well documented. Substance dependence affects every level and group in society. National Institutes of Health reports have estimated that one in four people in the United States have a parent, child or sibling who is addicted. Reports on the economic impact of addiction place the drain at more than $250 billion annually.

But the impact of addiction cannot be measured in dollar figures alone. Abusing drugs or alcohol disrupts personal development, injures relationships and corrupts a functioning society. Families affected by addiction understand the difficulty in reversing an addict’s behavior.

Although there are some differences between abusing alcohol and addiction to other drugs there are also many similarities. The basic nature of addiction is interchangeable, and many times people who cannot control themselves with one substance with develop a dependence on another. The ease at which people can obtain illegal drugs has made it more common than ever for people to be addicted to multiple substances. The basic nature of addiction also shares characteristics with compulsive disorders such as gambling or overeating.

The problem is in knowing when has a behavior become an addiction? At what point does social drinking develop into alcoholism? Is someone an addict just because he or she uses an illegal drug? The problem of addiction seems to be an ill that will forever be tied to the human experience. Studying the reasons behind addiction and applying scientific treatments have allowed some people to conquer their demons

There has been a joke told among the staff at alcohol treatment centers that was presented as a litmus test for determining whether or not someone was an alcoholic. Follow the person to a bar at happy hour and drop a dead fly on top of his or her beer. If the person is a social drinker the drink will be discarded. If the person is a problem drinker the fly will be flicked out of the beer when no one else is looking. And if the person is an alcoholic he or she will finish the beer and then wring the fly out to get the last drops.

While the joke illustrates the desperation of alcoholics a proper method for determining addiction is the CAGE questionnaire, which was published inthe Journal of the American Medical Association. Answering yes to anyone of the questions indicates that there might be a problem.

C: Have you considered consuming less alcohol?

A: Have peers bothered you by suggesting to reduce your drinking?

G: Have you had negative feelings due to your drinking habits?

E: Have you started the day with a drink?

This simple test of asking people if they have ever had any problems due to drinking identifies the majority of people with an addiction. The problem with the test is getting people to answer it honestly. Denial is the common mechanism used to deflect seeking treatment. People who are truly addicted can come up with endless reasons and justification for the bad consequences of the addiction. Many also look for ways to defect the label of addict.

For people asking themselves the questions the answer is probably already know. The act of admitting the problem and sharing it with friends and family can be an embarrassing hurdle to overcome. There is also the difficult balancing act of admitting the addiction and figure out how to life without substance dependence.

It seems that it should be easy to pinpoint when drinking or using a drug has become an addiction, but arriving at the point can be difficult. Confusion occurs because observing behaviors is not an exact science. Scientists are attempting to define a change in the way the brain functions as a result of exposure to an addicting substance. Researchers has try to illustrate this problem through the story of the three blind men and the elephant.

One man feels the elephant’s ears and concludes that the creature is broad and thin akin to a leaf. One man feels the elephant’s trunk and believes that he is touching a creature similar to a snake. The final man touches the elephant’s leg and believes that the animal is tall and sturdy like a tree. All three are correct and also wrong. The true nature of the elephant has been lost due to observing only one part of the whole.

Addiction is a condition that has biological, physiological, psychological and behavioral aspects. As a result compulsive use of an addicting substance is only on part of understanding the problem of addiction. In 1972 the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence released a definition of addiction that attempted to include every aspect. The two main components of their definition constitute perhaps the best working definition: loss of control over the use of the substance and continued use despite negative consequences.

Just using substances even to excess is not enough to define addiction. Behavioral clues have to be included for a true diagnosis. This is why it is difficult to diagnosis alcoholism in certain segments of the population. It might be easy to discover a drinking problem when a person has numerous DUI arrests. But for someone show does all their drinking at home and limits their interactions while drinking, a hidden addiction could occur.

“Detox” is short for “detoxification”, the stage in which the body is undergoing both physical and psychological withdrawal from the substance of abuse, and metabolizing the drug for removal from the body as well as starting to repair the damage that has been caused from abusing drugs or alcohol. It is necessary that a person undergo detox before continuing in a drug rehabilitation program, and, unfortunately, it is not a pleasant experience.

The withdrawal phase is part of the detox stage. This phase can start as early as thirty minutes to an hour after the last drink or alcohol or last drug “fix”. Early signs include stronger cravings, excessive sweating and nervousness.

As a person goes longer without drinking or taking a drug, the body continues to react to the absence of the drug. The cravings become more intense, and the body begins to react in other physical and psychological ways. Nausea and vomiting may occur, either preceded or accompanied by severe abdominal cramps.

Muscle tremors start to appear, and become more pronounced as more of the drug or alcohol is metabolized and the levels present in the body begin to fall. The person may begin to suffer hallucinations or the feeling that insects are crawling all over his body, when indeed none are present.

Eventually, the withdrawal symptoms do begin to abate, but the detox process continues as the body works to rid itself of all traces of the drug or alcohol. It can sometimes take as long as a week for full detoxification to occur.

Many drug rehabilitation programs will not allow admittance until the detoxification phase has completely passed. Some facilities, however, are equipped to handle the detox phase, and will go ahead and admit the person. Once the detox phase has passed, the patient immediately begins the rest of the drug rehabilitation program.

Just about any prescription drug can be abused with the possible exception of antibiotics; however, some prescription drugs are more abused than others. These include drugs that are prescribed for pain relief, as well as drugs to treat depression or anxiety disorders.

Of all the pain medications that are abused, oxycodone and hydrocodone are the two most often abused. You might recognize these drugs by their brand names Oxycontin and Percocet (oxycodone) and Vicodin, Lorcet or Lortab (hydrocodone). There are other brand names, but these are the most commonly recognized. Common anti-anxiety or anti-depression drugs that are abused are Valium, Xanax and even Ritalin.

Prescription drug abuse occurs when a person continues to take a drug after it is no longer needed or takes it in higher dosages than was prescribed. In the case of pain medications, many people continue to take the drug even though there is no more pain or the pain level has decreased to where it can be managed with non-narcotic pain relievers. They may continue to take the drug for the narcotic or sedative effect it has or because they have convinced themselves that nothing else will work as well. This latter is known as a psychological addiction, and may be as strong, if not stronger, than a physical addiction. The same thing can happen with anti-anxiety or anti-depressant drugs.

Prescription drug abuse can be prevented by healthcare professionals not prescribing any more than is necessary, and requiring a follow-up visit before authorizing refills. Family and loved ones can help prevent prescription drug abuse by being responsible with those medications that they take not taking more than they need, and keeping the medication secure so that it cannot be accessed by someone else–and making sure that others only take the amount needed.

If you suspect prescription drug abuse in a loved one, you should notify the healthcare professional who prescribed the medication. You should also encourage the person to seek help.

Some people, experts and laymen alike believe that some people may have a genetic predisposition to addiction. Others may vehemently oppose that opinion; instead believing that it is a moral or psychological weakness.

A person’s environment, socio-economic status and other outside influences have been presented as causes of drug addiction. Again, others take exception to this, saying that anyone who wants to or is strong enough can rise above any negative occurrences in their past or present.

So, what actually “sets a person on the path” to drug or alcohol addiction is unclear. It can be any of the things mentioned above, or there may be no clear reason as to why someone became addicted.

Instead of trying to figure out the circumstances that might have caused addiction to occur, it might be better to determine exactly how addiction, both physical and psychological for there are two kinds affects a person. What changes take place that cause physical reactions if alcohol or a drug is withdrawn? For that matter, what happens in the physical brain (not the mind) to make the brain send out signals that alcohol or a drug is needed? What actual psychological reactions take place when a person becomes addicted?

Addiction can occur when the receptors in the brain that receive and record feelings of pleasure are affected by drugs or alcohol. In an effort to retain those feelings, the receptors send out signals that urge the body to repeat the actions that caused the feelings in the first place. In the case of addiction, this means drinking more or taking more drugs. The receptors receiving and sending out signals can be linked to both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.

It is known that certain drugs, such as crack cocaine or methamphetamine, cause such an immediate, intense high the very first time they are used, that the receptors literally “work overtime” to stimulate the body into trying to imitate that exact same feeling once more. The result is literally an instant addiction, as opposed to one that happens over time.

“Meth” is short for methamphetamine. Originally derived from amphetamine, the drug that is so addictive and so often abused has been chemically produced to where it provides a stronger effect than any true amphetamine can.

Methamphetamine is made by taking substances that contain amphetamine, such as cold tablets and other medications and combining them with other chemicals, many of which were never intended to be introduced into the human body. This mixture is then “cooked” and allowed to cool. As it cools, it forms a solid mass, which is then either chipped up into individual pieces or ground into a powder.

When it is left in its solid form, the pieces are usually ignited, and the resulting fumes inhaled-the same as would be done with “crack” or solid cocaine. In its powder form, it is mixed with liquid (including alcohol), inhaled-in much the same way as powdered cocaine or heroin is-or mixed with water or another liquid and injected. The injection can be just under the skin, into a muscle, or directly into a vein.

No matter how the methamphetamine gets into the body, it is so addictive because of the way the brain reacts to it. Meth produces an instantaneous, intense “high” the very first time it is used. There is no having to wait for enough of the drug to build up in one’s system to start feeling the effects, as can often happen with other drugs. No matter what amount of meth is used, the high occurs as soon as the drug gets into the body, again the very first time it gets into the body.

The receptors in the brain that are stimulated by meth respond so strongly that they immediately send signals to the body to repeat the same procedure that caused the feelings of pleasure the first time again. This, of course, means using more meth. However, subsequent highs are never as intense as the first one was, and this causes the receptors to increase the number of times they send the signals, in an effort to recapture the original feelings.

Methamphetamine has both physical and psychological effects on the body. And, it is both of them combined that make it so highly addictive. To begin with, methamphetamine (more commonly referred to as “meth”) is probably the only drug besides crack cocaine that produces an immediate high that is extremely strong. This happens with the very first use.

A good way to describe how meth affects a person so quickly is to compare it with “crack” cocaine. “Crack” cocaine is powdered cocaine that has been mixed with liquid and “cooked” until it forms a solid mass. The intense heat caused by the cooking burns off all the impurities that may have been in the powder (added ingredients such as sugar, corn starch, or flour, or anything else it might have been mixed with.) What is left is pure cocaine.

Once it has been manufactured and cooled, meth is also in a “pure” form, and it is distributed and sold in that form. Unless a user dilutes it in some way, either by adding liquid or “cutting” the meth powder with another substance, he is going to get the “pure” stuff.

As anyone knows, the purer a substance, the more potent it can be. And, this is the case with “crack” cocaine and meth. The potency of these drugs is so high that it causes an instantaneous reaction in the brain.

Once the drug hits the brain, it triggers certain receptors. These receptors then interpret the effect as a pleasurable sensation, and direct this signal to the brain. The brain immediately decides that this is a sensation it wants to experience again, very soon. It, in turn, sends out its own signals to the receptors, instructing them to tell the body to do again whatever it was that was done the first time to cause the feelings.

Unfortunately, the very first “high” can never be achieved again. Because of this, the brain continues to send the signals to the receptors, which continue to prod the body to repeat the behavior, which causes, of course, the urge to do more meth.

Addiction is a complex subject that fails to sit in a single category. Often times it is portrayed in the simple terms of being either a disease or a moral problem.

Compulsory education teaches the value of self-control and sober judgment. Addiction is often portrayed as abnormal and something to be ashamed of. Drinking to excess represents a lack of character or a moral failure. Addicts are portrayed as untrustworthy, unreliable and selfish. Part of this belief systems stems from religious views of alcohol. Some religions teach that alcohol consumption is a violation of a moral code and admitting that a problem exists and repenting is the only way to be absolved of a weakness in character.

Treatment centers take a far less harsh view. Addicts and their families are taught that alcoholism is a complex physical and psychological disorder. Addicts and alcoholics are shown to be sick and in need of treatment and understanding. In the view of science, addiction is a chronic and potentially fatal disorder that can be treated if proper conditions are met. Professionals can use therapeutic techniques to deal with denial and certain medications can ease cravings.

The two position of morality versus disease are divergent and far to simplistic to properly sum up something as complex as addiction. In historical writings this type of analysis can be compared to the singular causation fallacy. Weak historical writing will often credit one single event to causing another. An example would be that the election of Abraham Lincoln as President caused the American Civil War. While this analysis might be true in some respects, the Civil War was the result of thousands of other events tied together. Understanding the causes of addiction require digging deeper than painting broad strokes to describe the epidemic, while understanding that each case of addiction probably has unique causes.

If you’ve struggled with drugs and alcohol and finally decided to get help, you’ll need to see about a drug rehab facility. The seriousness of your addiction and other factors will help determine whether you need to have an in-patient stay (and for how long) or whether you can be treated as an outpatient. Of course, you may think an outpatient setting is enough for you when others think an in-patient program would be a better choice. It may be very difficult, but listen to your friends and family members. They’re trying to help you, even if they aren’t always sure about the best way to do that.

When you see that you really do have a problem and you have to get help, check around at different treatment centers. Find out about the programs they offer, how long they last, what they cost, and what type of success rate they have with your particular drug of choice. You want to pick the best option for you, because you’re ultimately the one who has to do the work. Everyone else can give you help and support, but they can’t conquer the addiction for you. You have to do that, and you need the right help to do it.

In other words, don’t just choose the first treatment option out there, or the one that someone else recommended. It might not be right for you, and you want to choose something that fits your lifestyle and addiction patterns. If you choose something in that way, you’ll have a higher chance of sticking with the program and seeing yourself succeed. Even if you make mistakes along the way – and many people do – having the right program can make all the difference in your long term goals.

No one can tell anyone what is best for that person; that is an individual decision. However, sometimes knowing the differences between things, such as public and private rehabilitation facilities, can help a person determine exactly what is best. So, here are a few of the differences:

*Public rehabilitation facilities may provide services either free or at a much reduced cost. Many municipal, county, state, and/or federally-funded organizations often charge no fees, or may require only a minimal payment (which may be included in a court fine or other legal or civil remittance).

*Private rehabilitation facilities may also be free or have minimal fees. This can include those that are supported or operated by religious, fraternal, or community organizations. However, most private facilities do charge for their services, and depending on the facility, the location, and the operators, may require a substantial fee.

Does this mean the treatment is any better at a private facility? Not necessarily, although more money may mean more amenities for the patients, which may make them feel that the experience was a little more pleasurable.

Basically, however, all rehabilitation facilities offer pretty much the same services counseling, instructions in and assistance with lifestyle changes, and support, just to name a few. And, these all are (or should be) intended to accomplish the same goal that of addiction recovery.

*Public facilities may have a waiting list; private facilities may be able to offer admission right away. Not having to wait may give a person the incentive to go through with a recovery program, whereas having to wait may give him time to think up reasons not to go, or to even continue or relapse into addictive behavior.

*Public facilities may not be allowed to address one’s spiritual or religious wishes or needs; private facilities may actually be sponsored or run by those who hold the same beliefs as the person seeking help.

The 12-step program is an addiction support program that encourages participants to move through 12 individual steps. Emphasis is on making sure that each step is fulfilled completely before advancing to the next step. Further, participants are urged not to give up if they relapse into their addiction before completing all 12 steps, but rather starting over.

The original 12-step program was created by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. Those steps, as set out on the official Alcoholics Anonymous website, are explained below and summarized for better understanding.

12 Steps

1. Admitted that one is addicted and powerless over drugs or alcohol

2. Believes that a higher power can help restore their life to normalcy.

3. Made a decision to ask for help from higher power.

4. Evaluated one’s life in terms of morals and values.

5. Admitted to higher power, themselves and their family and friends of their mistakes regarding their drug or alcohol addiction.

6. Ready for change implemented by higher power in terms of character defects.

7. Asked for forgiveness from higher power.

8. Made a list of their mistakes and is willing to ask for forgiveness to family and friends they have wronged.

9. Follows through with asking for forgiveness from loved ones.

10. Continues to take personal inventory of their life and is focused on becoming a productive member of society.

11. Prays and meditates in order to improve one’s spiritual relationship with higher power.

12. Believes in sharing his or her story and helping other alcoholics or addicts heal their lives.

Participation in any 12-step program is always free. Participants use first names and last initials only, and protect each other’s privacy and anonymity. Each person either acts as or is provided with a support person who is available when needed to offer moral support or even help a person resist the temptation to relapse into addiction once again.

A simple definition of substance abuse would be using a substance, specifically alcohol or some type of drug, to an extent that would be considered excessive.

Some experts, however, believe that, like anything, “excessive” may be open to interpretation because what is considered excessive for one person may be the minimal amount needed by someone else for the substance to even have any effect. Likewise, even the word “drug” may be considered as having multiple interpretations, as one person, professional or layman either one, may not consider a particular substance as falling under the category of a “drug”.

So, rather than debate the meanings of specific words, perhaps some comparisons could help us in deciding if something falls under the category of substance abuse. Not all readers may agree with the ideas put forth here, and that is fine.

Comparison #1: One to two drinks a few times a week, with little, if any, signs of intoxication, drinking does not interfere with ability to work or function in society-social or moderate drinking. Frequent drinking during a 24-hour period, drinking interferes with ability to work or function in society-substance abuse.

Comparison #2: Use of a prescribed narcotic pain reliever as prescribed or intended-legitimate use. Continuing to take the narcotic pain reliever after pain has been sufficiently alleviated or the cause has been totally eliminated, using illegal or illicit methods to obtain more than has been prescribed-substance abuse.

If you are still not certain if your situation or that of a family member’s constitutes substance abuse, you have a number of options:

*Ask yourself the twelve questions that Alcoholics Anonymous gives as guidelines to determine if you have a drinking problem. You can substitute the words “taken drugs” for drinking and drink.
*Ask a trusted friend or clergyperson-someone who will be honest, but will not betray the confidence – if he or she thinks you have a problem.
*Ask your healthcare professional if you are showing symptoms of substance abuse.

Substance abuse can manifest itself in physical, emotional, and psychological ways. Let’s look at them separately; however, remember that there are other signs, so none of these lists should be considered all-inclusive.

Physical: While it is true that some of the symptoms listed mimic actual illnesses, taken with the emotional and psychological symptoms, they can be considered as caused by substance abuse:

*Excessive sniffling or a runny nose: This can be a sign of drug use where the drug being used is inhaled through the nose.

*Bloodshot eyes: Can be a sign of alcohol abuse, marijuana abuse, or sleeplessness caused by using any number of drugs.

*Excessive sweating: Can be a sign of withdrawal (in other words, the person is needing to take more drugs).

*Muscles tremors (“twitching”): Can occur with methamphetamine use or as a sign of the “DTs”—severe alcohol withdrawal.

*Extreme weight loss: Caused by not eating at all or not eating enough because the body is not sending hunger signals.

*Sores, scabs, or physical signs of injection on the body, especially in the crook of the elbow or other places where easy access to a vein is possible.

Emotional and Psychological: Since many of these symptoms can actually be both emotional and psychological, they are listed together:

*Inappropriate reactions to immediate situations, such as laughing at a serious moment, or unexplained crying when there is really no good reason.

*Little or no reaction to any situation, immediate or otherwise.

*Paranoia.

*Hallucinations. This is often common when a patient is suffering from alcohol withdrawal.

*Extreme mood swings, from happy to sad or extreme anger when it is unwarranted.
Inability to remember recent events. This can occur after excessive drinking; it is sometimes referred to as “blackout.”

There are actually two types of addiction: physical and psychological. In the physical type, the body is actually reacting to the absence or withdrawal of the drug because it has become used to having it; in psychological addiction, the urges and cravings, as well as the physical symptoms, are present.

Psychological addiction can occur after just one use, as can be the case with crack cocaine or methamphetamine. That is because the first high from these drugs is so intense that the parts of the brain that record pleasure are stimulated to try to mimic that feeling again and again.

The same thing can also occur with nicotine. Nicotine is metabolized through the body within three days after a last cigarette has been smoked. No nicotine is left in the bloodstream, but the craving for a cigarette is still present.

Physical addiction manifests itself in true withdrawal symptoms when it is time for another “fix” or drink. The body actually begins to react to the absence of drugs. Symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, excessive sweating, muscle tremors, and other physical signs.

It is perhaps the psychological addiction that is responsible for those who have stopped using alcohol or drugs to refer to themselves as “recovering” addicts; in other words, it is an ongoing process. Once a person has stopped drinking or using drugs, a conscious effort must be made not to “slip up” and have just one drink or just one more ” fix.”

The recovering addict must be on the alert for signs that a relapse-an episode where alcohol or drug use does occur-is imminent and take steps to remove himself from the situation. This may mean not attending social functions where alcohol is served, or physically and emotionally distancing himself from those people with whom he shared the addiction.

The only real difference between prescription drug abuse and other forms of drug abuse is the way in which the drug was most likely originally obtained. In order to obtain a prescription drug, one must present a prescription form, filled out by a licensed healthcare professional, to a registered pharmacist to have the prescription filled.

The vast majority of time, only the amount needed to alleviate the condition for which it the drug is being prescribed is noted on the prescription form. In addition, the amount of times the drug can be refilled before physician authorization is required is also noted.

When the drug being prescribed is considered a narcotic, the healthcare professional will prescribe the lowest dose possible to provide the needed relief from pain, excessive coughing, or another serious condition requiring a stronger medication that usual. If taken properly, and only for the amount of time needed, the possibility of prescription drug abuse or addiction is greatly reduced.

Prescription drug abuse occurs when a prescription is altered in order to receive a higher dosage or larger amount of the drug, or when the drug is taken for longer than necessary or at higher amounts that are needed. Prescription drug abuse is just as dangerous as abuse of any other type of drug, and the same measures-detoxification and rehabilitation-will have to be taken in order for a person to overcome the addiction.

Healthcare professionals should be alert to the possibilities of prescription drug abuse and take appropriate action. If it is believed that a patient is simply seeking drugs, and does not have a legitimate need, the prescription should not be written. If a healthcare professional determines that a prescription written by him has been altered in any way, he should take the necessary steps to prosecute the person who was responsible.

You have several options of places to go to for drug rehabilitation. These include public facilities and private facilities, of which any or both may be run by secular or faith-based programs. Some programs are free, others are offered on a “sliding scale” basis, where you pay a certain amount depending on your income, still others have a set fee.

In order to decide the best place to go for drug rehabilitation, ask yourself these questions:

What can I afford? If you cannot afford drug rehabilitation at all, certain municipal, County, or State organizations offer free drug rehabilitation. You may have to get on a waiting list, and the facilities may be utilitarian at best, but you can still receive competent, professional drug rehabilitation.
If you can afford to pay all or part of the fee, you have a little more leeway in choosing. You can opt for private drug rehabilitation, again at a facility that you can afford.

What type of treatment do I want to receive? Your main goal is drug rehabilitation, you want to become clean and sober. However, you can opt for treatment that allows the use of medications, such as methadone or other similar medications that help calm the urges and cravings while you are being treated, or you can decide to work through it yourself, receiving only palliative care throughout the initial detoxification stage, then nothing else once the actual recovery program begins.
What if the type of people with whom I am sharing the facilities is important? You can choose from faith-based facilities that are sponsored by the denomination, religion, or belief system that you espouse. You can choose male-only facilities, or female-only facilities, or you can choose coed facilities, where men and women come together for group therapy sessions and activities, but are segregated into different living areas if it is an in-patient facility.

Only you can answer that. You may need one that pulls no punches and is very rigid, or you may need one that approaches drug rehabilitation in a more relaxed way. There are so many out there, though, that you should have no trouble finding one that will help you. A few of them are listed below:

*Very organized, very structured: You get up at a certain time, you eat your meals at a certain time, and you attend counseling sessions for a certain amount of time, and then participate in group activities. You have very little, if any, control over anything that happens.

*More relaxed: Meals are served between certain times, say 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM for breakfast; 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM for lunch, supper between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Further, you are allowed to decide when you will attend counseling sessions and when or if you want to participate in group activities.

*A little of both: During one phase of the program-for instance, the in-patient part, your time is not your own. You may be required to follow this structure for a certain length of time, or you may be able to gradually earn a little flexibility.
Later, as you enter the out-patient phase, you are allowed to set appointments for individual and group therapy sessions, as long as you keep them, and fulfill the required number of sessions, and it is totally up to you if you want to participate in group activities or not.

In addition to the different scheduling options, you can also choose from faith-based programs, which are supported or operated by churches, synagogues or by those of a certain belief system, 12-step programs (such as AA and NA), and even those that are gender-specific. There are even programs for those people who live an alternative lifestyle, and wish to be with others who do also.

Addictions are catastrophically dangerous to people. No matter what it is, a person who engages in a destructive habit risks everything they have, including their money, safety, and health, and even their life. To overcome these disastrous consequences, an addict must first come to terms with the truth that they do have a problem. Next, they must be ready and willing to break their addictions.

Once these steps have been taken, the next part is putting together a strategy to overcome the addiction. There are dozens of good recovery groups for every type of addiction. The best way to overcome something like this is to combine types of recovery for the best solution. For example, a person addicted to alcohol could join both an Alcoholics Anonymous group and begin meeting with a personal counselor to overcome his addiction. A drug addict could meet with his religious leader for strength and support while also enrolling in a drug treatment center. Friends and family can be some of the strongest support as well, and play a crucial role in the addict’s recovery. Constant reminders that the person is loved and that they are a good person are crucial. With this love and support, the addict can fully recover.

The important thing to remember is that beating an addiction and breaking destructive habits is the paramount goal. It is not easy to overcome an addiction, but it can be done. Constant vigilance is required; personal responsibility and awareness of cravings and temptations. This personal commitment, mixed with supportive friends and family and professional aid, can bring a person out of the depths of pain and sadness and back into being a fully functioning, happy individual with much to contribute to the world. They can become a great strength to others as they go through their own recoveries, since they have very intimate, first-hand knowledge of the difficulties involved.Addictions are catastrophically dangerous to people. No matter what it is, a person who engages in a destructive habit risks everything they have, including their money, safety, and health, and even their life. To overcome these disastrous consequences, an addict must first come to terms with the truth that they do have a problem. Next, they must be ready and willing to break their addictions.

Once these steps have been taken, the next part is putting together a strategy to overcome the addiction. There are dozens of good recovery groups for every type of addiction. The best way to overcome something like this is to combine types of recovery for the best solution. For example, a person addicted to alcohol could join both an Alcoholics Anonymous group and begin meeting with a personal counselor to overcome his addiction. A drug addict could meet with his religious leader for strength and support while also enrolling in a drug treatment center. Friends and family can be some of the strongest support as well, and play a crucial role in the addict’s recovery. Constant reminders that the person is loved and that they are a good person are crucial. With this love and support, the addict can fully recover.

The important thing to remember is that beating an addiction and breaking destructive habits is the paramount goal. It is not easy to overcome an addiction, but it can be done. Constant vigilance is required; personal responsibility and awareness of cravings and temptations. This personal commitment, mixed with supportive friends and family and professional aid, can bring a person out of the depths of pain and sadness and back into being a fully functioning, happy individual with much to contribute to the world. They can become a great strength to others as they go through their own recoveries, since they have very intimate, first-hand knowledge of the difficulties involved.

Some rehabilitation facilities and programs utilize medications in drug rehabilitation. When combined with other rehabilitation methods, including therapy and support groups, these medications often help a person suffering from drug addiction to achieve more success in his rehabilitative efforts.

Some of the medications used in drug rehabilitation are listed below:

Suboxone®: This is the brand name for the drug buprenorphine. Suboxone is used to treat people who are addicted to substances with an opium base, such as the “street” drug heroin or the prescription drug oxycodone.

Suboxone works by easing the withdrawal symptoms that come from ceasing heroin, oxycodone, or any other drug that have an opium base and by helping calm the physical and psychological cravings and urges that come with opium addiction. A small amount of the drug naloxone, which is also used as a drug addiction medication, is added to Suboxone. Doing this makes it harder for a person to dissolve and inject Suboxone into a vein.

Some people do this either in the mistaken belief that the relief symptoms will take effect quicker, or that they might be able to achieve the “high” that the opium-based drug gave them. The only thing injecting Suboxone does is make a person go into the withdrawal stage more quickly, something that is not very pleasant at all.

Methadone: Methadone has been used for more than 30 years. It, too, treats opium-based addictions, such as addiction to heroin or codeine. Methadone works by replacing the receptor in the brain that is triggered from opioids being metabolized in the body due to heroin or codeine use with the synthetic medicine found in the Methadone. By “filling” this receptor, Methadone causes a stabilizing effect. This in turn allows users to be able to withdraw from heroin or codeine use without suffering withdrawal symptoms.

Antabuse®: Antabuse® is used to treat alcohol addiction. It works by causing actual physical reactions to the ingestion of alcohol, such as nausea, chest pains, breathing difficulties, headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms appear within ten minutes of ingesting alcohol and can last for an hour or more.

A person is considered as having a dual diagnosis when he or she suffers from drug or alcohol addiction, and has also been diagnosed with a mental or psychological impairment such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, or extreme depressive or anxiety disorders, just to name a few. Sometimes, the condition had been diagnosed and was being treated before the drug addiction occurred; other times, the addiction itself may have brought on the disease or exacerbated it to such an extent that diagnosis was possible.’

Efforts to determine whether or not the mental condition existed prior to the substance abuse and simply had not been diagnosed or was not being treated for some reason may be needed. This will help healthcare professionals and others involved in drug rehabilitation as well as treatment for the mental disorder to better formulate a treatment plan.

When a person has a drug addiction, if he was being treated for the mental or emotional impairment, the substance of abuse may have altered or completely cancelled out the effects of any drugs being used to treat the original condition. Or, the person may have neglected to take the drugs in the amount and manner in which they were prescribed, resulting in a worsening of the condition.

If the dual diagnosis is not made until treatment for substance abuse or addiction was sought, it may be hard to administer the medications needed to control the mental condition until the patient has at least been through the withdrawal stage of the drug addiction. Again, the delay may cause a worsening of the condition.

For these and other reasons, drug rehabilitation may need to be approached differently in a person with a dual diagnosis. As mentioned earlier, it may be necessary to affect complete withdrawal from the substance of abuse. After that, the proper medication can be administered and the dosage adjusted to bring optimum success in the treatment of the mental disorder.

What is a Wilderness Program?
A wilderness program, or outdoor therapy, or anything similar to that takes place in the outdoors, typically away from any large cities or major modern conveniences. They range anywhere from a few weeks to an entire summer or fall, depending on the program. They are frequently used in conjunction with another substance abuse treatment program, like in-patient or out-patient therapy.

How Does it Work?
During their time in the wilderness, teens are supervised and led by trained counselors with experience in dealing with teens as well as drug recovery. A variety of programs and projects are put in place that are designed to build self-confidence and self-esteem and respect for authority. Group therapy is also a big part of a program like this.

What are the Pros/Cons?
Benefits of a wilderness substance abuse program include:
• Controlled environment. The temptation of drugs and alcohol are not present, nor is the ability to acquire them.
• Increased self-confidence. Many teens fall into drugs because they feel they didn’t fit in, had low self esteem, or were depressed. These programs give them an increase in confidence.

Drawbacks include:
• Short-term success. These programs have a shorter success rate than others when used alone, which is why they should be used with other treatments.
• Return to “real world” can be hard. Once out of the program, teens have access to bad friends, drugs, alcohol, and other things that can cause a relapse.

A wilderness program can be a great way to build up a teen who suffers from a substance abuse problem when used alongside other forms of treatment.

Some of the things to ask yourself when choosing a treatment program include:

What is their philosophy on addiction?
Some treatment centers believe addiction is the result of a biological issue; others believe it is behavioral. Make sure their philosophy is in line with your own.

Are they accredited/licensed?
The facility or program as well as the staff should be licensed, accredited, and experienced in handling substance abuse rehabilitation.

What does the treatment plan include?
Knowing what the treatment plan includes, such as whether or not there is a detox or the type of therapy given, will help you not only know what to expect, but also whether or not it is something you can live with for the duration of the program.

Are they qualified to care for a dual diagnosis?
Many people with addictions also have other illnesses or problems in addition, such as depression, schizophrenia, or an eating disorder. If you fall into this category, the program you choose should be prepared to address and handle it.

Do they have an aftercare program?
A good facility should have an aftercare program or refer you to a support group or counselor that can help you transition back into daily life after your treatment and learn coping techniques to prevent a relapse.

Are they accommodating to my schedule?
Is the program inpatient or outpatient? If outpatient, look to see if they flexible with your obligations to work, family, school, and so forth.

In addition, it’s also a good idea to tour the facility or ask for references. The treatment you choose is an important decision, and you should put a lot of thought and research into it.

Some types of substance abuse treatment include:

Residential treatment centers. A residential treatment center provides intensive therapy that includes detoxification as well as counseling and group therapy. Because residents live at the facility and are closely monitored, they are not faced with the temptation of old friends or drugs and alcohol.

Outpatient treatment centers. This type of treatment occurs on an outpatient basis, where the patient has appointments to help with drug treatment. While this is a good idea if the patient has work, school, or family obligations, it’s difficult because the patient still has access to situations and substances that could cause a relapse.

Detox programs. This type of program occurs under the supervision of medical professionals and includes weaning the body off of the substance they are addicted to, which helps to alleviate the physical cravings for the drug. Many treatment programs require patients to go through detox before they begin therapy or treatment.

Counseling. Counseling works to get to the root problem of the addiction and helps patients find alternatives to coping with their addiction. Often, addiction can be the result of depression or other underlying problems. Counseling may help by providing treatment for these problems as well.

Support programs. Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, offer a group therapy setting to help recovering addicts deal with situations and provide support and treatment tips. They frequently include a sponsor, or someone who has successfully overcome an addiction, to provide more personalized support over the course of their recovery.

These are just a few of the different types of treatments and facilities for substance abuse.

Few people want to admit they have a problem. They may be in denial, or they may not think they are addicted. If you are unsure of whether or not you have a substance abuse problem, the following warning signs can help you determine whether or not you should seek help:

• Your drug use or drinking becomes a priority. This can include skipping school or work, procrastinating on projects, or choosing to drink or do drugs over spend time at home or with your family.
• You tell yourself you need to stop. Wanting to stop but feeling unable to do so is an indication of a substance abuse problem.
• You’re getting into legal trouble. DUIs, possession of drugs or paraphernalia, public intoxication, or other problems with the law are an indication of a substance abuse problem.
• You neglect other activities. Things you used to enjoy or make time for may no longer interest you, or you would rather drink or do drugs instead.
• Your relationships are strained. Increasing fights with parents, your spouse, or authority figures like bosses or supervisors could indicate a problem.
• Other people have pointed it out. If your friends or family members have suggested you cut back on the drinking or remark that you seem “different,” you may have a substance abuse problem.

These are just a few of many warning signs you may have a substance abuse problem and need help. Seeking help sooner rather than later can help you overcome your problem sooner and easier.