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Alcohol Abuse Facts You May Not Know

alcohol abuse, substance abuse

There are many alcohol abuse facts that you may not know. For instance did you know that every individual is different when it comes to how much alcohol they can consume before they start to feel the effects? Individuals who have built up a tolerance for alcohol because of their substance abuse may be able to drink large amounts of alcohol without seeming to be impaired. This is regardless of size or weight. Another interesting fact is that there is a large percentage of people who know they have a problem with alcohol abuse yet they never seek treatment for this problem. Sometimes this is because they are ashamed, at other times the individual does not really want to stop drinking.

Treatment for alcohol abuse, unlike some types of substance abuse, may require medical detox. Over time as you drink your body actually develops a physical tolerance to this substance. If you drink a lot for a long time and then you just quit cold turkey you could end up with life threatening withdrawal symptoms. These can include seizures, DTs, and other problems. A treatment program that provides medical detox will have medical staff on site so that any dangerous withdrawal symptoms can be treated with the appropriate medications. If you have a problem with alcohol abuse you need help. If you have been through treatment before and you need further rounds this may indicate that the previous program was not effective. Many people only succeed when they find the right program and the best possible treatment methods.

Important Factors With Any Dual Diagnosis

dual diagnosis, mental illness, substance abuse

There are a number of important factors that have to be examined with any dual diagnosis. This type of diagnosis is used if you have some form of mental illness along with some type of substance abuse. This can be someone who is bipolar and who abuses alcohol to try and manage their mental illness. It is very common to find substance abuse and mental illness in the same patient, and these two conditions often go together. The first factor that needs to be looked at is what the specific symptoms are. This will help diagnose the mental illness component so that both issues can be effectively treated. If only half of the problem is resolved you will eventually end up right back where you started and suffer a relapse.

Once the proper dual diagnosis has been made, one that identifies both the substance abuse and the mental illness, then the next factor is the right treatment program for your specific treatment needs. There are great programs that specialize in dual diagnosis treatment, but there are also some which do not have the knowledge and resources available to treat these types of cases. Do you have health insurance? If so will it cover the program that you have chosen? If not can you afford to pay the cost? These are important questions to ask. Some of the most effective treatment programs can run tens of thousands of dollars a month. On the other hand just because a program costs this much that does not make it the most effective.

Mothers May Face Additional Obstacles to Recovery

obstacles to recovery, substance abuse help

There are many obstacles to recovery, and mothers who seek out substance abuse help face additional issues and problems that must be addressed as well. These women must work hard to overcome their substance abuse issues, but that is just the beginning. Mothers who have an addiction must also learn to face any past abuse and traumas in order to gain a permanent recovery. In some cases the state has become involved, and many mothers are also trying to fight to regain custody of children that they lost because of their substance abuse. Many people do not think about mothers using drugs or drinking excessively, and this subject is often seen as taboo even in a modern society where few subjects are off limits.

Mothers who seek substance abuse help may feel like they are facing an up hill climb on Mt. Everest. Sometimes it can take multiple attempts to get clean, and this shows the obstacles to recovery that addicted moms can face. In addition the women must work hard to reclaim families and rebuild lives that are often left shattered and in need of repair. Mothers who seek substance abuse help need understanding, compassion, and effective methods. Too often these women face stigma, and they can be socially ostracized for their past mistakes instead of being offered the support that they need. Addiction can cause anyone to stumble, and mothers are not the only ones who take this fall. Instead of being judgmental try offering compassion and support in order to help these women overcome their obstacles to recovery and succeed.

What Is Tramadol and Can it Lead to Addiction?

tramadol, addiction

Tramadol is a drug that is being prescribed more frequently today. It is a pain medication which is used for pain that ranges from moderate to severe, as well as being prescribed for certain other conditions. Tramadol is only available with a prescription from a physician. This drug is a central nervous system analgesic, and it does provide relief similar to narcotic pain medications. It is an opioid agonist and it has narcotic like effects. In fact according to medical experts and the drug literature Tramadol offers pain relief and other effects comparable to hydrocodone and morphine. The drug can be delivered orally, intravenously, rectally, and in other ways. Since this specific pain medication is not tightly regulated by the FDA many doctors are providing it instead of hydrocodone, codeine, or other opioid pain medications.

While many consider Tramadol to be a much better choice for treating pain it does have the potetial for addiction. Over time the effects of this prescription medication may start to lessen, and you may start taking more than the dose that your physician prescribed or taking the drug more often than intended. Tramadol is usually the most effective for the first 6 months, after this the drug starts to have less of an effect because a tolerance has developed. Since it is classified as a non narcotic many people believe than an addiction to Tramadol is not possible but this is not true. If you have been taking Tramadol and the prescribed frequency and dosage is no longer effective then this should be discussed with your physician.

Detecting Early Signs of Mental Illness

mental illness, early detection and diagnosis

When it comes to mental illness early detection and diagnosis is imperative for the best possible outcome. The truth is that around 54 million people in the United States alone suffer from some type of mental illness. Early detection and diagnosis can help prevent any symptoms experienced from becoming more severe. For many people having a loved one with a mental illness can be devastating. When these conditions are detected early the prognosis is usually much better. Some of the early signs of mental illness include:

  • Sudden changes in thoughts or behavior

  • Extreme mood fluctuations

  • Excessive anxiety or worry

  • Confused thinking

  • Withdrawing from social activities and friends

  • Delusional thoughts or ideas

  • Thoughts of suicide

  • Prolonged sadness

  • Extreme irritability

  • Hearing or seeing things which are not actually there

  • Substance abuse

  • Changes in usual activity patterns

  • Legal problems

  • Difficulty at work or in school

  • Excessive absences

  • Financial difficulties

Any one of the mental illness warning signs above is not necessarily a cause for alarm. Early detection and diagnosis is important so that treatment can begin. If you notice several of the signs listed above then a consultation with a mental health professional is advised. We all have bad days or times when we are frustrated or sad. If any unusual thoughts, behaviors, or patterns persist then even one or two may be a reason to seek professional help. Family members are often the first to notice small changes because they are most familiar with the individual.