Rehab Articles
substance abuse, criminal behavior
Substance abuse and criminal behavior often go hand in hand, and not just because the drugs being used or the activities engaged in while drunk are illegal. Alcohol and drugs both impair good judgment and normal caution, causing people to lose their usual inhibitions and do things that they would never do sober. Does this mean that substance abuse excuses criminal behavior as long as the individual was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the crime was committed though? For most people the answer is a big no, because the individual chose to drink or do drugs so they made a conscious choice, and the criminal acts resulted from that conscious choice. There are others who argue that addiction is a disease though, and that the criminal justice system should show some leniency towards these individuals by offering treatment instead of a criminal record and possibly incarceration.
Criminal courts have long held that substance abuse does not excuse criminal behavior, and individuals are held responsible for acts that they commit while under the influence if they knowingly took the drugs or alcohol. If someone has been secretly drugged then the situation is different because the individual did not knowingly and voluntarily get intoxicated. If you or someone you know has been in legal trouble because of alcohol or drug abuse, or you have a problem with substance abuse that has not reached this low yet, there is help available. There are programs with high success rates and effective programs that actually work as expected.
Rehab Articles
substance abuse triggers, recovery
1. In order to manage your substance abuse triggers they all need to be identified. Each individual will have specific triggers, and these are not the same. You have to identify what triggers your cravings and negative emotions in order to avoid these until you can deal with them and work past them.
2. Expect to have some triggers during recovery, this is part of the process and one reason why so many people relapse. Understand going into recovery that you will have some bad times and moments when you feel torn and want to go back to the substance abuse. When you are aware of these facts you can prepare for them so that you do not relapse.
3. Put a plan in place so that you are better prepared when substance abuse triggers occur. Role playing, discussing possible scenarios, and even setting up an extensive network of support people and groups so that when a trigger happens you know just what to do and how to respond.
4. Take good care of yourself during your recovery. Negative emotional states, poor health, too much stress, and even a lack of sleep or a poor diet can cause triggers to happen. Take the time to pamper yourself once in a while, and make sure that you eat right an get plenty of sleep and exercise.
5. Avoid trying to cause substance abuse triggers in order to test your will to stay sober, this is not a good idea and will usually end badly with a relapse.
Rehab Articles
substance abuse, rehab
1. Price- The best rehab may have a higher price than one that is run by a community government or charitable organization, but the cost may be worth it due to more focus on proven methods and techniques which are more effective. Make sure that you compare all of the factors involved and not just the price.
2. Location- The location of a substance abuse treatment facility can be a critical component in your decision. You want a program that provides some distance between your old activities and the start of your new and sober future. This will make it harder for you to leave on a whim or give in to an impulse to check out early.
3. Relapse Rate- The relapse rate shows how many previous patients have required additional rounds of treatment. If a program has a high relapse rate then this shows the facility may not be as effective as other options, and it may not be the right choice for your rehab needs.
4. Treatment Methods Provided- Some methods used for substance abuse treatment are scientifically proven to be more effective than others. One method that is highly effective is individual counseling sessions several times per week.
5. Residential or Outpatient Facility- Before you choose the right rehab you need to determine whether you are looking for a residential program or if an outpatient facility may be a better choice instead. Residential treatment rehabs usually offer better results.
Rehab Articles
binge drinking, immune system impairment
A new study shows that binge drinking results in immune system impairment for young adults, and is just one more reason why this type of activity should be avoided at all costs. Binge drinking is drinking 4-5 shots or an equivalent amount of beer or wine in a two hour period. This level is enough to reach the legal limit of intoxication based on a blood alcohol level of .08. Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researcher Majid Afshar, M.D., M.S.C.R. Performed the study using volunteers. Participants drank between 4 and 5 shots of vodka, and their blood and immune system function was analyzed after 30 minutes, two hours, and five hours. After 20 minutes the immune system of the volunteers actually increased, but this was not true at the two and five hour marks. At these later points the young adults showed immune system impairment.
Many young adults engage in binge drinking 4 times a month on average, and this can cause considerable immune system impairment. This activity greatly increases the risk of many types of traumatic injuries including falls, vehicle accidents and automobile collisions, burns, and even gunshot wounds and stab wounds. One in three people who go to the emergency room have some level of alcohol in their system. The immune system impairment caused by binge drinking makes it harder for any injuries to heal, and binge drinkers have a higher risk for infection and pneumonia as well. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism helped to fund the study.
Rehab Articles
New Years Day, substance abuse treatment
1. Physical Health- Spending New Years Day in a treatment facility is the best way to start the year if you have a problem with alcohol, drugs, or even other conditions like eating disorders, compulsive shopping or gambling, and sex addiction. Addressing the problem head on and treating it will ensure that you recover and stay in the best physical health possible.
2. Mental Health- Without effective substance abuse treatment your mental health can decline in the next year. In order to stay mentally stable and prevent mental illness any drug or alcohol abuse must be stopped, and the underlying issues that cause the problems must be addressed and resolved.
3. Financial Stability- Spending New Years Day in a treatment program can help you regain your financial stability in the new year. Addiction can be an expensive habit to maintain, and over time you will usually start to accumulate debt as your habit becomes more expensive.
4. Family and Friends- When you recover from substance abuse you are giving your friends and family the best gift possible, the real you back and not the person that you become when you drink or do drugs. This is something priceless that money can not buy, and something that these individuals want more than anything else.
5. A Brighter Future- When you take advantage of the right substance abuse treatment program you are giving yourself an opportunity for a brighter future. You deserve a complete and permanent recovery but this will not happen if you delay getting the help that you need.
Rehab Articles
substance abuse treatment, available treatment programs for drug or alcohol abuse
In some areas of North America truly effective substance abuse treatment can be difficult to find, and the number of available treatment programs for drug or alcohol abuse that actually provide a permanent recovery can be very scarce. Many regions offer government and charitable programs designed to be a temporary fix but few actually provide individual counseling several times a week or other scientifically proven treatment methods that give long term results. The best rehabs may be too expensive, insurance policies may only cover certain facilities or programs due to limited budgets and financial resources, and other issues can complicate getting the help needed if you or a loved one has a problem with substance abuse. This can leave you scrambling and facing incredible frustration, because help is needed but can not be found in the local region.
The best substance abuse treatment is not always the closest facility or the cheapest program, in fact both of these factors will work against permanent recovery. The available treatment programs for drug or alcohol abuse will limit your choices if you want to stay close to home, but this can backfire. Usually experts recommend getting away from your home and going quite some distance, because you will be less likely to just decide to leave when things get tough. If you are right across town then leaving is an option, but if you travel hundreds of miles away you will have to think about this decision more carefully and be less likely to leave on the spur of the moment.
