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Mothers May Face Additional Obstacles to Recovery

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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?

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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

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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.

4 Common Alcoholism FAQs

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alcoholism, substance abuse

1. What is alcoholism? This is a type of substance abuse disorder that involves alcohol. It is a chronic condition that is progressive. Someone with this condition has a problem with controlling their intake, and they continue to drink even though it has devastating consequences on their life and loved ones.

2. How is there a problem when I can hold my liquor? This type of substance abuse does not mean that you drink and black out every day. Some individuals can consume a larger amount of alcohol without showing the effects because of a variety f factors including body weight and frequency of alcohol consumption.

3. Can I have alcoholism if I don't change after drinking? The truth is that alcohol affects different people in different ways. Some people become angry drunks, others may get giggly and happy, while still others may just feel tired and want to take a nap. The frequency and amount of alcohol that is consumed is an indication of whether you need treatment for alcoholism or not.

4. Does heavy drinking or regular drinking mean I have this condition? Not necessarily. Alcohol abuse is a form of substance abuse but this alone does not define alcoholism. In order to be diagnosed as an alcoholic you must have an addiction to alcohol. Some problem drinkers or those that abuse alcohol are not addicted in spite of this.

Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse are treatable and it is possible to achieve a full recovery when the right treatment program and methods are chosen.

Tips to Help You Handle a Crisis With Someone Who Has Schizophrenia

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schizophrenia, crisis management

Crisis management can be crucial if you or someone you care about suffers from schizophrenia. This form of mental illness can involve psychotic episodes and psychosis, and there have been cases where someone with this mental disorder has become aggressive and violent due to the voices and other symptoms that can occur. When someone with schizophrenia starts to slide downwards there is no immediate change that is drastic. It may be possible to deescalate things early in the episode so that a full blown crisis does not develop. One important tip is to speak softly and use simple sentences that are easy to understand. Yelling or being loud and aggressive will not help. In fact this will just make things worse by escalating the crisis and making the symptoms more severe.

Crisis management for a loved one with schizophrenia includes understanding what the early warning signs are. When these signs are recognized as soon as they occur it can be easier to prevent a full blown crisis with early intervention and treatment regimen adjustments. Signs of an impending crisis can include sleeplessness, suspicion that may be severe enough to be classified as paranoia, unpredictable behavior, sudden outbursts, and an increase in delusions or in auditory hallucinations such as voices to name a few. The goal of crisis management with schizophrenia is to help the individual regain control. This means not doing anything that agitates the individual or escalates the situation. Usually the individual is already fearful about the loss of control so it is very important to stay calm and to be as soothing as possible when a crisis is impending.

5 Coping Tips to Help A Loved One With A Mental Disorder

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mental disorder, coping tips

1.One of the most effective coping tips for helping a loved one who has a mental disorder is to remember that these conditions can not be cured. There are treatments that can help but there is no cure available for a mental disorder right now.

2. Take care of yourself. Those who have a loved one with mental illness can find themselves run ragged and worn out if they are not careful. You must take care of yourself before you can be a caretaker for someone with a mental disorder.

3. Reasoning with someone who is delusional is pointless. No matter how hard you try to reason a delusion is not going to respond in a rational manner and will not go away just because of reasoning. Don’t try to bring the person back to reality or attempt to ground them to the present situation because this will not work.

4. Separate your loved one from the disorder that they suffer. It is common to feel negative emotions due to the disorder and that is okay. Love the friend or family member even while you hate the disorder that they have and the symptoms that they exhibit.

5. Other coping tips for mental disorders include understanding that no one is to blame and that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately mental illness carries a stigma of shame, even though this is a medical condition no different from diabetes or a broken bone. There is nothing to be ashamed about and no one to blame when you have a loved one who has mental illness.