Monday, March 18, 2024

How To Fight Drug Addiction

I Walked Through Recoverys Door: Margarets Story Of Fighting Drug Addiction After Prison

Examining efforts to fight drug addiction in Michigan

Feelings of loneliness and abandonment can overcome a person struggling with addiction in prison. Reconnecting people who live in prisons to their families, friends and communities can break barriers and save lives. Margaret shares her story of escaping from a cycle of drug addiction that led to repeated prison sentences, and reveals how writing poetry helped her to find a new, meaningful life.

Ways To Recover From Addiction To An Energy Vampire

If you are addicted to an energy vampire or narcissist, you are likely an empath and are highly capable, hard-working, intelligent, compassionate and able to make everything else in your life work expect your relationships. The good news is, there are steps you can take to get your life and your relationships back on track and extricate the energy vampires in your life for good.

  • Admit you have a problem. This may sound like a cliche, but when dealing with addiction you must admit you have a problem. The difference here is that you must admit that the problem you have is that you believe everyone is good. Once you admit that you are in a relationship with a predator who lacks empathy, character, and compassion, you are ready to do what you need to do to avoid being their narcissistic supply.
  • Disconnect from your vampire. As with any other addiction, abstinence is the best solution. In the case of an energy vampire, you must assume they will never change and you must give up on them. Once you disconnect it will take time, but you will develop total indifference. This state is necessary to achieve in order to regain your health and start plugging your energy leaks.
  • Read my book. My book, Dodging Energy Vampires: An Empaths Guide To Evading Relationships That Drain You and Recovering Your Health and Power, gives you all the latest research and information on vampire-empath relationships.
  • Young Brains Under Study

    Using cutting-edge imaging technology, scientists from the NIDAs Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study will look at how childhood experiences, including use of any drugs, interact with each other and with a childs changing biology to affect brain development and social, behavioral, academic, health, and other outcomes. As the only study of its kind, the ABCD study will yield critical insights into the foundational aspects of adolescence that shape a persons future.

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    Find Support For Your Addiction Recovery

    Dont try to go it alonereach out for support. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having positive influences and a solid support system is essential. The more people you can turn to for encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, the better your chances for recovery.

    Lean on close friends and family. Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If youre reluctant to turn to your loved ones because youve let them down before, consider going to relationship counseling or family therapy.

    Build a sober social network. If your previous social life revolved around drugs, you may need to make some new connections. Its important to have sober friends who will support your recovery. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community.

    Consider moving into a sober living home. Sober living homes provide a safe, supportive place to live while youre recovering from drug addiction. They are a good option if you dont have a stable home or a drug-free living environment.

    Make meetings a priority. Join a 12-step recovery support group, such as Narcotics Anonymous , and attend meetings regularly. Spending time with people who understand exactly what youre going through can be very healing. You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what others have done to stay sober.

    What Quitting Drugs Feels Like

    Guidance &  Counseling / Substance Abuse &  Prevention

    When you reduce or quit using drugs your body goes through a detoxification process or withdrawal.

    Symptoms vary between people, and between drugs, and range from mild to serious. They can last from a few days to a few weeks it’s different for every person but they are temporary. Cravings for the drug will sometimes be weak and at other times very strong. Learning how to manage them is important for staying drug-free.

    Find out what withdrawal symptoms are for specific drugs.

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    Lean On Friends And Family For Support

    Find the people in your life who will be willing to walk through recovery with you. Not every one of your friends and family members will be willing to tell you when you arent making good decisions.

    Having loving, supportive friends and family will help you through this journey. If you find that your friends and family arent as supportive and involved as youd like, dont give up. You can develop a supportive group of people who will help you get through your addiction, even if its not easy to find them.

    Quitting An Addictive Behavior

    Quitting is a different experience for everyone. Some find the process liberating and empowering, and feel they can achieve anything. Others find it painful, difficult, and frustrating, sometimes needing many failed attempts before achieving their goal. Still others discover new sides to themselves during the quitting process .

    There is no “right” way to feel while you are quitting. But if you are feeling depressed or find yourself constantly wanting to return to the addictive behavior, you should seek support and treatment.

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    Popular Substance Abuse Recovery Programs

    When a person with an addiction seeks treatment, odds are they will be directed to a 12-step recovery program such as Alcoholics Anonymous , Narcotics Anonymous or similar spiritual approach to recovery. The AA model was developed by Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson in 1935, and remains the traditional model for addiction recovery in the U.S. It works like this: You admit that you are powerless over the substance or situation, you recognize that a higher power can restore your sobriety, you examine past mistakes with the help of a sponsor and make amends, then you learn to live by a new code of behavior and agree to help others who suffer from the same addiction.

    There are other popular out-patient addiction recovery approaches as well. These include motivational techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy and SMART Recovery, a support group model that employs a 4-Point program of building and maintaining motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and living a balanced life. Unlike AA, SMART Recovery does not accept that individuals are powerless, but rather helps participants find their strengths and use them.

    When all else fails, there is jail! Of course, this usually is not a solution.

    What If The Person Doesnt Want Help For Drugs Or Alcohol

    Ride 4 Recovery to help fight drug addiction

    Ultimately, its the persons decision whether to seek professional help. Many people who misuse drugs or alcohol find it hard to ask for help at first, but may want to reach out later on. Be careful not to nag the person, since this might discourage them from opening up in the future.

    In the meantime, encourage them to use safely to minimise the risk of harming themselves for example, through needle and syringe programs or opioid replacement programs.

    To find a local needle and syringe program, use the healthdirect Service Finder. Select By name and type needle into the search bar.

    Clearly state any behaviours you expect, or wont tolerate, from the person. You might not accept drug use in your home, for example.

    Its important to know that you cant force the person to stop using drugs or alcohol. Only they can choose to change.

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    The First Step To Overcoming Drug Abuse And Addiction

    Developing an addiction to drugs isnt a character flaw or a sign of weakness, and it takes more than willpower to overcome the problem. Abusing illegal or certain prescription drugs can create changes in the brain, causing powerful cravings and a compulsion to use that makes sobriety seem like an impossible goal. But recovery is never out of reach, no matter how hopeless your situation seems or how many times youve tried and failed before. With the right treatment and support, change is always possible.

    For many people struggling with addiction, the toughest step toward recovery is the very first one: recognizing that you have a problem and deciding to make a change. Its normal to feel uncertain about whether youre ready to start recovery, or if you have what it takes to quit. If youre addicted to a prescription drug, you may be concerned about how youre going to find an alternate way to treat a medical condition. Its okay to feel torn. Committing to sobriety involves changing many things, including:

    • the way you deal with stress
    • who you allow in your life
    • what you do in your free time
    • how you think about yourself
    • the prescription and over-the-counter medications you take

    Its also normal to feel conflicted about giving up your drug of choice, even when you know its causing problems in your life. Recovery requires time, motivation, and support, but by making a commitment to change, you can overcome your addiction and regain control of your life.

    What Is Drug Use

    Drug use, or misuse, includes

    • Using illegal substances, such as
    • Misusing prescription medicines, including opioids. This means taking the medicines in a different way than the health care provider prescribed. This includes
      • Taking a medicine that was prescribed for someone else
      • Taking a larger dose than you are supposed to
      • Using the medicine in a different way than you are supposed to. For example, instead of swallowing your tablets, you might crush and then snort or inject them.
      • Using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high
    • Misusing over-the-counter medicines, including using them for another purpose and using them in a different way than you are supposed to

    Drug use is dangerous. It can harm your brain and body, sometimes permanently. It can hurt the people around you, including friends, families, kids, and unborn babies. Drug use can also lead to addiction.

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    How To Beat Addiction: Your Ultimate Guide To Living A Life Free Of Addiction

    Beating drug addiction is easier said than done. However, it is possible. Living a life free of addiction entails getting to the root of the problem. You might end up with addiction because youre using it as a way to fill in a void in your life, whether its past trauma or shattered dreams and aspirations. It can also be caused by a genetic chemical imbalance in the brain. To beat drug addiction, you need to figure out what made you addicted in the first place.

    How Are Medications And Devices Used In Drug Addiction Treatment

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    Medications and devices can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, and treat co-occurring conditions.

    Withdrawal. Medications and devices can help suppress withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. Detoxification is not in itself “treatment,” but only the first step in the process. Patients who do not receive any further treatment after detoxification usually resume their drug use. One study of treatment facilities found that medications were used in almost 80 percent of detoxifications . In November 2017, the Food and Drug Administration granted a new indication to an electronic stimulation device, NSS-2 Bridge, for use in helping reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms. This device is placed behind the ear and sends electrical pulses to stimulate certain brain nerves. Also, in May 2018, the FDA approved lofexidine, a non-opioid medicine designed to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.

    Relapse prevention. Patients can use medications to help re-establish normal brain function and decrease cravings. Medications are available for treatment of opioid , tobacco , and alcohol addiction. Scientists are developing other medications to treat stimulant and cannabis addiction. People who use more than one drug, which is very common, need treatment for all of the substances they use.

  • Co-occuring conditions: Other medications are available to treat possible mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, that may be contributing to the persons addiction.
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    Recognize And Identify The Addict

    Employees who suffer from drug abuse are less likely to perform well at work. Drug abuse causes the addicts to become short tempered and argumentative, which is why they are not only less likely to stick to a single job but also adopt strained work relationships with their coworkers and employers. Addiction also negatively impacts employees overall work performance, making them less likely to deliver on time and up to a certain mark. You might even find such workers sleeping at work and avoiding contact with anyone.

    Moreover, the telltale signs of an addict also include the smell of alcohol on them that you can recognize from afar as well as bloodshot eyes and slurring speech that is hard not to notice.

    Your workplace can only be successful if you improve the lifestyle of your employees which resonate with your company. And in order to do exactly that, you need to show them the care and appreciation they deserve, in their low as well as high times. If and when you find any employee fighting their battle against substance abuse, make sure to help them win by equipping them with the right tools and motivating them to become a better version of themselves.

    Educate Yourself About Addiction

    You see what you know. Until you have knowledge about addiction and the symptoms of drug abuse, its easy to miss the signs that are right in front of you.

    Addiction is complex, and its okay if you dont know everything right away. However, taking the time to understand your loved ones disease and how it affects them is incredibly beneficial to both you and your loved one. It also helps you be more aware of the signs that your loved one needs help.

    Read Also: Why Am I Addicted To Alcohol

    How To Help Your Employee Fight Drug Addiction

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    The drastic effects of the global drug addiction epidemic on workplaces belonging to various industries has called upon for immediate measures that need to be put in place in order to stop the phenomenon in its footsteps. Drug addiction is a disease that not only destroys the lives of those affected, but also impacts the businesses and workplaces.

    While it might sound easier to terminate the job of your drug addict employee, that would mean wasting a valuable team member who understands your company and its processes. Heres what you can do to help your employee fight drug addiction:

    Stuck In A Trauma Response

    Sobering Center Opening In San Francisco To Help People Fighting Drug Addiction

    Whether you spring into fight, flight, freeze, flop, or even fawn, your survival mechanism is to avoid the danger and return to a sense of control. The stress response can trigger instantaneously, but how soon your body comes back to normal varies from person to person. On average, it takes 20 to 30 minutes for your physiology to return to normal and for your breathing to slow down.

    However, some people can become stuck in a trauma response. When individuals do not work through past trauma through therapy, self-help groups, mediation, breathing practices, or other tools, they can often get stuck in a rut and revert to unhealthy coping strategies. Maladaptive coping behaviors, such as alcohol and drug abuse, are common in trauma survivors. Research shows that 70% of adolescents receiving treatment for substance abuse had a history of trauma.¹

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    Why Is Adolescence A Critical Time For Preventing Drug Addiction

    As noted previously, early use of drugs increases a person’s chances of becoming addicted. Remember, drugs change the brainand this can lead to addiction and other serious problems. So, preventing early use of drugs or alcohol may go a long way in reducing these risks.

    Risk of drug use increases greatly during times of transition. For an adult, a divorce or loss of a job may increase the risk of drug use. For a teenager, risky times include moving, family divorce, or changing schools.35 When children advance from elementary through middle school, they face new and challenging social, family, and academic situations. Often during this period, children are exposed to substances such as cigarettes and alcohol for the first time. When they enter high school, teens may encounter greater availability of drugs, drug use by older teens, and social activities where drugs are used. When individuals leave high school and live more independently, either in college or as an employed adult, they may find themselves exposed to drug use while separated from the protective structure provided by family and school.

    Because the brain is still developing, using drugs at this age has more potential to disrupt brain function in areas critical to motivation, memory, learning, judgment, and behavior control.12

    What Are My Addiction Treatment Options

    To understand which level of treatment is most appropriate for your needs, you should consult with a physician, a therapist, or other treatment professional, who can assess your situation and make treatment recommendations. Often, people begin their recovery efforts with a period of supervised medical detox and then, depending on their needs, progress through additional rehabilitation. Treatment is sometimes initiated at a relatively intensive level of care but, as recovery progress is made, becomes gradually less intensive as individuals move through their continuum of care. The broad levels of care as outlined by the American Society for Addiction Medicine include:17,18

    Learn more about the levels of care offered at American Addiction Centers nationwide treatment centers.

    Curious about whether your insurance will cover the entirety of your addiction care? Fill out the form below and an American Addiction Centers admissions navigator will inquire with your insurance company to discover your benefits.

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