God Is Still Here For You During Addiction
Addiction is like a black hole. It pulls in everything good and only leaves feelings of hopelessness and loneliness. Like a void growing larger and larger, the struggle of overcoming a substance usedisorder can feel like an impossible task to achieve.
Its hard to say how your addiction grew to such proportions. It started as a recreational habit, helping you unwind after a hard day or loosen up in social circles. Over time, this seemingly harmless habit evolved into something more dark and sinister.
At this point, you may feel as if all hope is lost. The walls are closing in around you, leaving no options other than to perpetuate the vicious addictive cycle.
You might think that God has forsaken you, withdrawn all support and left you to fend for yourself. But this could not be further from the truth.
Psalm 50:15 reminds us that God asks us to call on Him in our times of trouble.
He promises to deliver us from the darkness of our sinful decisions and forgive our transgressions. All we need to do is ask and He will be there for us. Taking refuge in His loving embrace can be your greatest source of strength.
Best Way To Stop Addiction
While we would always advocate that professional treatment is the most successful form of overcoming addiction, some people do find recovery through other means.
12 step fellowships such as Alcoholic Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous have proven to be a very effective tool in many individuals recovery toolbox . Others find that a combination of both professional treatment and mutual aid groups work for them. The key element for both pathways of recovery is that the individual is no longer trying to beat addiction on their own.
Local drug and alcohol action teams can also prove to be a valuable source of free professional treatment on the NHS, as can your GP. We would recommend looking at what you have tried so far. For some, usually, those who suffer from physical dependence on drugs or alcohol, a more intensive and comprehensive form of rehabilitation is the only option left.
How To Overcome Food Addiction
The effects of certain foods on the brain make it hard for some people to avoid them.
Food addiction operates similarly to other addictions, which explains why some people cant control themselves around certain foods no matter how hard they try.
Despite not wanting to, they may repeatedly find themselves eating large amounts of unhealthy foods knowing that doing so may cause harm.
This article examines food addiction and provides tips to overcome it.
Food addiction is an addiction to junk food and comparable to drug addiction.
Its a relatively new and controversial term, and high quality statistics on its prevalence are lacking .
Food addiction is similar to several other disorders, including binge eating disorder, bulimia, compulsive overeating, and other feeding and eating disorders.
SUMMARY
Food addiction is a highly controversial concept, though most studies suggest it exists. It works similarly to drug addiction.
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Processed junk foods have a powerful effect on the reward centers of the brain. These effects are caused by brain neurotransmitters like dopamine .
The most problematic foods include typical junk foods like candy, sugary soda, and high fat fried foods.
Food addiction is not caused by a lack of willpower but believed to be caused by a dopamine signal that affects the biochemistry of the brain .
SUMMARY
Food addiction is thought to involve the same neurotransmitters and areas of the brain as drug addiction.
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The Difference Between Addiction And Dependence
Often the words addiction and dependence are misunderstood, or synonymously used. If there is some similarity, recognizing the vast gaps among the two is crucial. When anyone establishes a physical addiction for a drug, a dependency is established. When they avoid using the medication entirely, they will develop withdrawal symptoms.
On the side, an addiction arises after prolonged use of substances or alcohol has induced a shift in an individuals brain function. Addictions occur as uncontrollable cravings for drug consumption, including hurting oneself or others. The only way to surmount an illness is by medication.
The Financial Toll Of Addiction
If you’ve ever known someone who has suffered from addiction or have been that person yourself, you’ll know how much of an emotional toll it can have on you and your loved ones. It can put a strain on your relationships and affect both your personal …
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More About The Author
Learning how to fight addiction is something few people consider when they first start abusing drinking alcohol, using prescription medications, or experimenting with illicit drugs. But, with the help of family and a professional treatment program like a California rehab, the process is easier than you think.
Now, the difficulties people encounter when fighting addictions are well-publicized, but many people feel addiction is a myth, and that they can quit any time they choose.
If you go on to develop alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder, though, youll soon discover that quitting is more challenging than you might have imagined.
While some people will endure the negative consequences of addiction for years before committing to change and recovery, others will more rapidly tire of the chaos addiction brings into their lives.
Sooner or later, though, most people abusing substances will decide enough is enough. Having decided that you no longer wish to continue abusing substances is one thing, but youll first need to decide whether youre pursuing complete abstinence or simply looking to moderate your addictive behaviors.
If you are using any addictive substances to the point of dependence and addiction, complete abstinence is the most effective route to recovery. If this is not immediately practical, though, any reduction in substance use is better than continuing with abusive habits.
Ritalin Addiction Psychological Cravings
Cravings for Ritalin are one of the defining characteristics of Ritalin addiction. Those who are only physically dependent upon the drug dont need Ritalin rehab they only need a doctor who can help them slowly lower their dose until they are off the drug. Ritalin rehab provides an extensive psychological program that begins immediately after stabilization in Ritalin detox to address those cravings. It is these cravings that many patients will find more difficult to deal with than any . Learning how to recognize the feelings and situations that trigger those cravings is the best way to avoid relapse and one of the main objectives of a Ritalin rehab program.
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Maturity Growing Into Self
ADDICTION is a search for immature gratificationsit is an over-concentration on oneself resembling that of a dependent child. As a result, overcoming addiction requires growing up and assuming adult roles. In this process you learn to take responsibility not only for yourself and your own behavior but for other people in your life. One natural outgrowth of this mature outlook is that you may no longer see yourself as powerless or label yourself an addict. You may no longer feel any need for the addiction, so it ceases to have any presence in your life.
The addiction field has an evocative term for this phenomenonmaturing out. Many people once addicted to heroin or other so-called hard drugs often use this term. The typical reason former heroin habitues give for outgrowing their addiction is that they are tired of the lifestylebeing on the outside, being cut off from normal life, the constant hustling and evading the law, the absence of anything new or better stretching out before them.
Certainly, maturing out is not limited to heroin it happens with all addictions, including alcohol, sex, and gambling. As you mature, you become dissatisfied with your limitations. You develop more connections to life, through marriage, parenthood, or career accomplishments. While undergoing these external developments, you simultaneously experience critical internal emotional changes. At the same time, your self-image and identity change.
7.1. Gaining a Positive Identity
Train Healthcare Professionals In Addiction
People who struggle with addiction may act in unpredictable ways. If they end up in the emergency room because of an overdose, withdrawal symptoms, or a substance-related injury, they may need to be treated differently than others.
Healthcare professionals who arent prepared to deal with addiction may approach these people with judgment or fear. They may not provide the best care because they let their personal opinions get in the way.
Some emergency room personnel assume that addicted patients come in to get more drugs. Staff may be half-hearted in their attempts to help because they think the individual got themselves into the situation and should get themselves out.
Even addiction treatment providers may treat only the symptoms of addiction. This method overlooks underlying issues that cause substance abuse in the first place and places blame on the individual.
While healthcare professionals should understand that addiction is a disease, they arent all equipped to avoid stigmatizing people with drug- or alcohol-related issues.
Stigma should never prevent someone from saving a life.
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Write Your Quitting Commitment
Battling Mental Health Issues Along With Drug Addiction
There are many different kinds of addiction. Aside from being addicted to drugs, you can also get psychologically addicted to gambling, sex, shopping, food, alcohol, and nicotine . In order to conquer them, you need a hands-on, practical guide of overcoming any type of addiction. If youre suffering from physical addiction to substances instead, youll need medication-assisted therapy from affordable luxury rehab centres as your welcome reprieve when push comes to shove.
Dual diagnosis and individualised therapy are viable options for rehabilitation treatment. However, most public rehabs will not be able to and/or are not equip to conduct a dual diagnosis. When these conditions overlapped, clients were often denied treatment for a mental illness until they got clean and sober. Unfortunately, because substance abuse is often driven by an underlying psychiatric disorder, this meant that many people with a dual diagnosis of addiction and a mental disorder never got the help they needed.
Rehab can serve as your ultimate means to become free from drug addiction. Medication helps out in dealing with drug cravings. Psychoanalysis and group therapy allows you to use the experiences of others who are going through the same thing you are dealing with. Focus on getting sober then becoming a better individual when push comes to shove.
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What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline
SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.
Craving Symptoms And Treatments For Specific Drugs
If you need help managing your drug cravings or overcoming an addiction, contact a treatment program specialist today at
The specific characteristics of cravings and the treatment for them can vary based on the drug. Below youll find links to pages with more information about cravings for specific drugs.
Onset of Cravings
Onset and duration of cravings can vary depending on the substance abused. For example:
- Crystal meth cravings can begin anywhere from a few hours to a few days after the last dose but can then last for years due to alterations in brain structure and function believed to be caused by persistent, heavy use. 1, 2
- The onset of prescription opioid cravings will depend on whether the drug is short- or long-acting. Short-acting opioids can cause cravings as soon as 6-12 hours after the last dose. Cravings for long-acting opioids may not begin until about 2-4 days after the most recent dose. 1 Cravings for opioid painkillers can last for weeks to months. 1
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Follow Ritalin Rehab Program With Sober Living
facilities provide the same environmental support and abstinence philosophy that patients experienced during Ritalin rehab but with fewer restrictions. For example, in sober living, patients are allowed to come and go more freely so they can attend meetings in the community or begin to look for a job or attend school. There are still rules and schedule requirements -personal therapy, house meetings, chores, curfews, etc. -but these are far more lenient than those at a rehab center and give patients the opportunity to transition more slowly back to a life fraught with temptation to relapse.
Practicing Somatic Exercises Might Help
Overdependence on a partner or relationship can be a maladaptive, or unproductive, strategy for coping with difficult emotions.
Somatic therapy, which helps you tune in to your own physical and emotional responses to stress, could help you reestablish a sense of self and develop emotional regulation skills, according to 2018 research.
While somatic therapy often works best with the support of a trained therapist, you can try these four exercises at home.
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Do You Want A Life Without Addiction
We hope you have found this guide useful in your fight against addiction. The Life Process Program is a systematic, proven methodology for beating addiction. Whether you are battling an addiction to drugs, alcohol,food, porn, sex, or gambling, our program is a hands-on, practical guide to overcoming addiction of any kind. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction we can offer additional help and support through our online Life Process Program.
I originally developed the Life Process Program as a residential program involving intense experiential learning, including exercises and feedback from counselors whom I personally trained. The treatment program was licensed, welcomed by insurers, and awarded the highest commendation for addiction treatment programs. Most people obviously cannot afford the time and expense of participating in a residential treatment program. My online LPP provides the same learning experience as the residential LPP program, but in an affordable, convenient package you can access on a home computer, laptop or mobile device.
So, please, explore the Life Process Program here and embark on your personal path to recovery. I believe you will never regret doing so.
Dr. Stanton Peele, Ph.D
Withdrawing From Alcohol Safely
When you drink heavily and frequently, your body becomes physically dependent on alcohol and goes through withdrawal if you suddenly stop drinking. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal range from mild to severe, and include:
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms usually start within hours after you stop drinking, peak in a day or two, and improve within five days. But in some alcoholics, withdrawal is not just unpleasantit can be life threatening.
If youre a long-term, heavy drinker, you may need medically supervised detoxification. Detox can be done on an outpatient basis or in a hospital or alcohol treatment facility, where you may be prescribed medication to prevent medical complications and relieve withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor or an addiction specialist to learn more.
Seek emergency medical help if you experience any of the following withdrawal symptoms:
- severe vomiting
- extreme agitation
- seizures or convulsions
The symptoms listed above may be a sign of a severe form of alcohol withdrawal called delirium tremens, or DTs. This rare, emergency condition causes dangerous changes in the way your brain regulates your circulation and breathing, so its important to get to the hospital right away.
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Motivation: Activating Your Desire To Quit
The simplest answer to the question When do people change? is When they want to. No amount of science, therapy, and brain scans is ever going to change this truth.
3.1. The Role of Motivation in Change
AA considers willpower to be utterly ineffective. The idea that people have the commitment and power to be able to change on their own is anathema to the group. Yet what is it, if not willpower or motivation, that makes some people join, stay with, and succeed in AA?
Wanting, seeking, and believing that you can change do not necessarily translate into immediate success. The fact that Uncle Ozzie could do it in one shot does not mean that you will do it that way. It is much more common for people to make several attempts before successfully quitting their addictions. Indeed, this persistence is a sign that you really want to quit.
It is true that repeated failures are demoralizing and may signify that you need to try something new. It can also mean that you have simply not been in the right place in your life to change, and that you need to do more groundwork. The Life Process Program can help you begin to lay that groundwork.
3.2. Stages of Change
Stages of Change
Ways To Fight Alcohol Addiction
NSDUH data shows that of the 20 million people in the United States with substance use disorder, 71.1% have alcohol use disorder.
If youre one of the 14.5 million people addicted to alcohol, how do you find out in the first place that you have alcohol use disorder?
There are many online quizzes you can take to discover whether you may have alcoholism.
Where alcoholism is a non-clinical descriptor, alcohol use disorder is based on specific criteria laid down in DSM-5, the fifth edition of APAs Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders.
Based on your responses to the eleven questions set out in DSM-5, you can be diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe alcohol use disorder.
Once you have established the nature of the problem you have with alcohol abuse, youll be better placed to formulate a plan of attack so you can find the best way to fight addiction to alcohol.
Just like when trying to break any addictive behavior, whether drug addiction or a behavioral addiction like shopping or internet use, every situation is different. What works effectively to stop your friend from abusing alcohol may be no use for you.
Perhaps youre only a casual drinker, for instance. You might find it hard to resist peer pressure, especially if you look at others and question why you cant drink in moderation just as easily. Your friend may not need any self-help tools to drink in moderation, but that doesnt mean you can do the same.
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