Rehab Articles
Substance abuse rates for professionals are high when compared to the general population, but why is this? There are several reasons why professionals may turn to substance abuse. The long hours worked, the high levels of stress, and the need to be extremely competent and in control all contribute to the substance abuse rates for this group. Doctors, lawyers, pilots, and other professionals often spend long hours in the office or cockpit, and they are under a lot of pressure to be perfect and competent all the time. If a pilot makes a mistake lives can be lost, the same with doctors and nurses in the medical profession. If a lawyer errs then an individual could lose their freedom or their ability to recover a financial award from a court.
Substance abuse rates for professionals shows that this sector has a need for treatment opportunities, but the stigma attached to substance abuse is also an obstacle to substance abuse treatment. Professionals have spent many years receiving an education and training in their fields, and many fear that admitting they have a problem and seeking substance abuse treatment will make this effort a waste of time and money. The best substance abuse treatment facilities for professionals are those that offer complete confidentiality. Access to the outside world during treatment may also be necessary, so that a physician can still manage their medical office or a lawyer can stay on top of cases while getting the help that they need. Professionals need help with drug and alcohol use just as much as the general population, but this group is less likely to seek treatment for substance abuse due to the negative associations involved.
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1. Acknowledge Feelings of Depression During the Holidays
If you are trying to beat depression during the holidays then it is important that you acknowledge you feelings instead of trying to keep them tucked away. Sadness and grief are part of life, and if you are feeling depression during the holidays for a justified reason then remember time will help you heal.
2. Be Realistic in Your Expectations
A common reason for depression during the holidays is unrealistic expectations, because you may expect everything to be perfect. If your expectations are unrealistic then they may be impossible to meet, and you could end up being depressed as a result.
3. Set a Budget and Stick with It
Spending too much on presents and entertaining is a common problem, and overspending can lead to depression during the holidays when the bills arrive. Set a budget for presents and for entertaining and then stick with this amount no matter what.
4. Exercise and Keep Stress Levels Low to Minimize Depression During the Holidays
Make sure to get plenty of exercise to fight depression during the holidays. Exercise serves many purposes, it helps to lower your level of stress, keeps you healthy, and causes positive emotions and thoughts.
5. If Depression During the Holidays Becomes Severe Seek Professional Help
If you suffer from depression during the holiday that becomes severe then seek out professional help for this condition. Depression causes an increase in suicide attempts and substance abuse around this time of year but help and treatment are available.
6. Say No Without Guilt
Do not feel pressured to accept every holiday invitation that you receive. If you want to avoid depression during the holidays then avoid trying to do too much, make sure that you schedule time for yourself so that you can rest and recharge.
Do you suffer from depression during the holidays? If so what tips can you offer others to deal with it?
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How you cope with cravings during your recovery will determine whether you are successful in your recovery. There are a number of methods which may be used to cope with cravings, and these will work for alcohol and drug abuse or addiction when used properly. Knowing these secrets can help you stay strong during low points, and help you avoid a relapse or further rounds of treatment. Some of the most common methods for dealing with cravings includes distraction, activity, and relaxation. Others may use imagery or rational thoughts. Some people utilize coping flashcards when they encounter cravings. When you find out which of these methods works best for you then you are better prepared to resist your cravings and stay on track to a permanent recovery.
Distraction can help you cope with cravings by directing your mind to something else. Read a book, talk with a friend or support person, or even go for a drive and change your location and scenery. Some people find that using images in their head works well. Picture a STOP sign or imagine a scene where you are sober. Find out which images work best at controlling your cravings and then use these when you feel yourself start to weaken. Get active if you feel a craving coming on. Go for a walk around the block, hit the gym, or even jog in place if you need to. This will boost your mood and help lessen any cravings that you are experiencing. Coping flashcards can help reinforce your reasons to stop drinking and strengthen your resolve.
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1. Sobriety is the Only Gift That Family and Friends Want From You
There are many reasons to spend the holidays in a substance abuse treatment facility if you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, and one of the biggest is giving your friends and family members the gift of your sobriety and recovery. This can be a gift that is priceless, worth much more than material items.
2. Avoid Holiday Depression and Increased Substance Abuse
During the holidays depression often worsens, and this can lead to even more substance abuse. When you enter a residential substance abuse treatment facility during the holidays any depression can be managed without turning to drugs or alcohol to numb this condition.
3. Avoid Extended Gatherings During This Time of Year
Many who suffer from substance abuse dread the holidays when family from all over get together. While others are discussing their achievements the substance abuser may feel ashamed or guilty by their lack of progress in these areas.
4. Give Yourself the Gift of a Brighter Future
Spending the holidays in a substance abuse treatment facility allows you to give yourself the greatest gift of all, a real chance at a permanent recovery.
5. Payment to the Treatment Facility From Family and Friends can Offset Costs
If you decide to spend the holidays in a substance abuse treatment facility I may be possible to offset some of the costs with holiday gifts of financial assistance from friends and family members. This could mean the difference between a crowded and ineffective facility and a treatment program that actually gives you the desired results.
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1. Discuss the Needs of the Substance Abuser in Recovery With Them
Make sure that you discuss the needs that the individual in recovery has for the holidays. This should not be awkward, and ignore the fact that there is a substance abuse problem will not help. Be direct but kind and compassionate, and ask so that you know what you can do to help.
2. Provide Unconditional Support, Even if a Relapse Occurs
The substance abuser really needs support during the holidays, and this is one of the riskiest times of year for a relapse. Even if the individual does relapse support them and offer advice on moving forward instead of dwelling on the mistake.
3. Include the Substance Abuser in the Holiday Preparations
During the holidays substance abusers may be kept from holiday preparations for many reasons, including a fear of being irresponsible or getting drunk or high and ruining things. Isolation can make someone in recovery relapse though, so include the friend or family member in ways that minimize the risks involved.
4. Don’t Ignore Substance Abuse or Fail to Praise the Recovery
Many people ignore the problem a substance abuser has, being unsure what to say or do. Treat the substance abuse like an illness, showing love and compassion for the individual while detesting the habit and the abuse that occurs.
5. Provide Suitable Alternatives at Parties and Family Meals
If you are hosting a party or family meal make sure that you provide suitable alternatives that the substance abuser can take advantage of. Avoid using spirits in foods, even if the alcohol is burned off, because the taste alone can cause cravings to occur.
Rehab Articles
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Controlling Eating Disorders Means Never Skipping Meals- One of the best holiday eating disorder tips is to make sure that you eat on a regular basis and that you do not skip any meals. This will lead to increased hunger and could cause you to go off your treatment plan and relapse.
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Plan for Parties Ahead of Time and Know the Menu Being Served- If you have a plan ready for the event and you know the food choices then you are far more likely to succeed in your treatment goals.
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Keep Healthy Snacks on Hand- Carry a baggie of healthy snack choices with you at all times. If you feel tempted or get hungry then this allows you to control what you eat, regardless of the foods available or the menu being served at the party.
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Avoid High Calorie Alcoholic Drinks- Alcohol contains a large amount of empty calories, and these can be a big problem if you are trying to control eating disorders during the holidays. Try non alcoholic options which are lower in calories and that will not cause you to lose control of your eating.
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Create a Holiday Season Support System- During the holidays a support system can be critical for anyone who is battling eating disorders, and this is true with other problems like alcohol and drug abuse as well.
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Schedule Therapy Sessions More Frequently During the Holidays- This is not a sign of weakness but an indication of how tough the holidays can be for many people.
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Do Not Feel Guilty for Saying No- You should never feel guilty for turning something down, and no one should ever make you feel bad for doing this., If your host tries to pressure you then they do not have your best interests at heart and you can leave without remorse.
Rehab Articles
1. Choose Your Holiday Season Events Carefully
If you are trying to have a substance free holiday season then it is important to choose your holiday events very carefully. Some parties are all about family and friends sharing time together, but others may just be an excuse for guests to get drunk or indulge in other ways.
2. Minimize Your Stress and Take Time to Relax
A substance free holiday season starts with good stress management skills. The holiday season is stressful for everyone, with so much to do and so little time to get it done. Making sure that you take time to relax and relieve stress on a regular basis is crucial to a substance free holiday season and relapse prevention.
3. Avoid People and Places Associated With Bad Habits
For a true substance free holiday season avoid old habits, and the people and places that are associated with your substance abuse in the past. If you attend a holiday party where everyone you know is drinking or using drugs you are more likely to fall back into these habits and end up abusing again.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Turn Down Invitations
Many people are hesitant to turn down an invitation because they do not want to hurt someone’s feelings or make the host feel bad. Your recovery needs to be the top priority in order to achieve a substance free holiday season, even if this means saying no to people. True friends and family members will understand your reasons and will not be upset.
Rehab Articles
A new research study has shown that spirituality can be essential for teens who are receiving substance abuse treatment, and this factor can help the individual abstain from drugs or alcohol and reach a permanent recovery. The research study was conducted by The University of Akron, with Case Western Reserve University and Baylor University researchers involved as well. After studying the approaches used for teen substance abuse treatment at New Directions, an adolescent residential program for substance abuse treatment, the importance of spirituality in rehab can be shown. Two different adolescent studies which are ongoing were used in order to determine the daily spiritual experiences and substance abuse patterns of almost 200 adolescents, all between the ages of 14 and 18 years old.
What this research study showed was that when adolescents in substance abuse treatment programs have a spiritual experience this makes them more likely to abstain from substance abuse and it increased their positive social interactions and behaviors. Abstinence was determined by toxicology screens. The spiritual experiences that were used in the study were not related to any specific religion, and were based on the 12 step program used by New Directions. The results may be very helpful in tailoring substance abuse treatment programs for teens that have higher success rates and lower relapse risks. The most effective rehab programs are typically those which include a spiritual component and spiritual counseling, and this study shows that spirituality is important for all ages when the goal is a permanent recovery and an end to the substance abuse.
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Krokodil is a designer drug and heroin substitute that was first produced in Siberia, and this deadly compound has spread far and wide since first being created and has contributed to many cases of substance abuse. Is it a cause for alarm in the USA though? Until fairly recently the answer has been no, but that changed when the first cases of Krokodil abuse surfaced in Phoenix, Arizona. The horrible deformities and life threatening medical conditions that Krokodile can cause do not stop users from abusing the designer drug, and it can be made quickly at home with just a few common household chemicals and ingredients. The high that the user gets from this heroin substitute is short lived when compared to heroin, but it can be produced in just a few hours.
The designer drug and heroin substitute Krokodil may also go by the name Desomorphine, and the formula for the drug may include a range of harmful chemicals. Codeine is combined with iodine and also red phosphorous, and then additional substances are added. These can include paint thinner, turpentine, gasoline, hydrochloric acid, and other caustic chemicals that can eat or dissolve body fat and other tissue types. Krokodil users typically die within a few years of starting this designer drug, but abuse of the heroin substitute continues because it is so easy and inexpensive to make at home. With the first cases of Krokodil abuse being seen in America already this designer drug is a big reason for medical and law enforcement personnel in the USA to be very concerned.
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Substance abuse treatment and alcohol detox can be found in a number of ways. The 5 most common substance abuse treatment and alcohol detox options include:
1. Medical Based Programs- These substance abuse treatment or alcohol detox programs take place in a hospital or medical clinic setting, and usually medical supervision is included. Changes in the types of programs covered by insurance make these options less popular than they used to be because most insurance plans do not cover the entire cost for this type of alcohol detox or substance abuse treatment.
2. Day Treatment or Partial Hospitalization- When there is a strong family support system then day treatment may work for alcohol detox or substance abuse treatment. The individual will go to the clinic or hospital for part of the day, usually 4-8 hours, and then go home each afternoon.
3. Residential Rehab- When alcohol detox or substance abuse treatment takes place in a residential rehab then the individual receiving treatment will reside at the facility until the program is completed. There is an around the clock staff on the premises and medical supervision is often provided as well. Some residential rehabs offer alcohol detox and substance abuse treatment at the same facility so there is no need to transition between facilities for different treatment phases.
4. Intensive Outpatient Treatment- This method for substance abuse treatment or alcohol detox is outpatient, but it is very intensive. Participants must perform many hours of treatment each week, and these programs can last up to a year or even longer in some situations.
5. Outpatient Treatment- Outpatient treatment for alcohol or other types of substance abuse usually involves individual or group counseling sessions. The number of hours required may vary by specific program, and this method may not be as effective as others.
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Anabolic steroids are substances made by man that mimic or boost male sex hormones in the body. There are some diseases and medical conditions that require anabolic steroids for treatment, including delayed puberty, low testosterone levels, and some cases of muscle loss. Illegal anabolic steroid use is a big problem in many larger cities, and teens who engage in sports may use these drugs in order to gain muscle mass and improve their performance as an athlete. The risks involved when anabolic steroids are abused or used without a valid prescription are many, and there have been news stories in recent years about individuals who abuse anabolic steroids and who have turned violent.
There are many medical risks with anabolic steroids as well. High blood pressure is common, and the testicles may shrink because of the artificial male hormones received by the body. Liver disease can occur, and liver cancer is also more common in people who abuse anabolic steroids. Usually teen boys and men are the ones who take these types of drugs illegally but there have been cases of women abusing anabolic steroids as well. Women may develop a voice that becomes deeper and they may see excessive growth of facial and body hair as well. Acne is typical in both sexes when anabolic steroids are abused and aggressive behavior is very common as steroid abuse worsens. Addiction to anabolic steroids is a very real possibility, and the user may experience withdrawal symptoms that are extremely unpleasant. Treatment for steroid addiction is crucial if you have a problem with these drugs, and continued use of anabolic steroids could be fatal.
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1. Increase your sponsor contacts. It is possible to prevent holiday relapse with the right support, and your sponsor is an important part of your support system.
2. Leave any events or situations where your recovery may be jeopardized. If you feel a relapse trigger coming on then you have every right to leave. Politely say goodbye and go, without feeling guilty or letting anyone pressure you into staying.
3. Try to view alcohol and drugs as a deadly poison. If you think of poison every time you see alcohol or drugs then you are more likely to prevent holiday relapse and stay on the road to recovery.
4. Attend support meetings more frequently, daily if needed. In order to prevent holiday relapse you need to stay strong, and support meetings can help you do this. Find out where these are held in your area and go as often as you need to.
5. Remember to eat healthy meals and snacks. Good nutrition can help prevent holiday relapse triggers and allow you to stay sober. During the holidays the rush makes many forget to eat properly, and this can cause you to relapse.
6. Get plenty of exercise. When you exercise you relieve pent up stress and this will help prevent holiday relapse. Exercise also releases endorphins in the brain and provides a feeling of well being and contentment naturally.
7. Don’t forget to get your beauty rest each night. Plenty of sleep can be the best tool to prevent holiday relapse and keep you on the right path to a permanent recovery.
8. Make sure that any holiday gatherings will have non alcoholic drinks offered.
