Memories and Sharing at 12-Step Meetings

Alcoholic insanity is described in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous as the inability to bring to consciousness with sufficient force the adverse consequences of previous drinking experiences—consequences that would prompt a reasonable person to prefer abstinence. It follows, then, that sanity—for the alcoholic—could be defined as the ability to remember: to associate the idea of a first drink or drug with the inevitable disaster that usually follows.

This association is often first made, and is continually reinforced, in the context of a sharing session in a 12-step environment. The constant repetition of the basic theme—What I was like, what happened, and what I’m like now—serves to (hopefully) cement in place the connection between using a substance and the individual’s negative history of subsequent results.

This is not simply a matter of saying “Think it through,” although this is a popular saying at 12-step meetings. “Thinking it through” is exactly what alcoholics and addicts are incapable of doing: this is the essence of the First Step’s emphasis on the obsession of the mind. However, attending meetings and being immersed in an environment of admission to powerlessness tends to help us organize our memories in a healthy way, such that denial is brushed aside and the truth of our problem becomes apparent to us.

We cultivate this and it serves as a motivator to do the rest of the Steps, as recognizing the problem is not itself a complete or adequate solution. As a result of the Steps, we then have recovery to share, further reinforcing the new associations we have confirmed about substances and how damaging they have been to us. In a virtuous cycle, this “Keeping it green” helps to maintain our willingness to continue doing the work that recovery asks of us.

Turning the Negative into Positive

Many families struggle with the hurt and disappointment of drug addiction and alcoholism. The disease of addiction changes families, and many people continue to suffer mental and emotional pain, long after the addiction is gone. Some families suffer a permanent change, as they watch their loved one’s life end because of addiction.

At times when addiction so terribly impacts the lives of family and loved ones, many people are left wondering how to pick up the pieces and move one. They may spiral downward and be plagued with depression and darkness, and they may think they will never live a happy life again. Some people have found that by working to help other families that are going through the same thing, they can heal their own lives as well.

Supporting Others

Losing a loved one to addiction is a terrible thing. Families feel pain and resentment, and may feel guilty for not being able to do something to help stop the addiction. It may be difficult to come to grips with the fact that they can’t do anything to bring their loved one back, but for some people, knowing they can do something to help other families helps a little.

Many individuals today that work in the addiction treatment field have been through the pain of addiction in their own family. They know firsthand the feelings that families of addicts feel. They start to heal when they are able to help other families overcome addiction and get their loved one back, safe and sound. They begin to put their pain behind them when they are able to share their story with others, in the hopes that other families will not have to suffer what they went through.

Addiction changes families. Those that experience crisis and loss because of a loved one’s addiction may eventually find a way to heal as they work to help others heal from this terrible disease.

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The Dangers Of Binge Drinking

The dangers of alcohol binges are both serious and severe. Short and long term effects often have a negative and lasting impact on an individual’s life. Not only are there immediate physical reactions that may be experienced, there are often many personal and emotional issues that can result from excessive alcohol intake. For those engaging in frequent binge drinking, alcohol addiction treatment may be the answer.

Short Term Effects Of Binge Drinking

Many of the short term effects associated with binge drinking are physical ailments. An individual who has consumed an excessive amount of alcohol in a short time frame may experience a whole host of issues, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, blurred vision, slurred speech, dizziness, headaches, and more. Alcohol impairs judgment, so a person who has had too much to drink may put themselves at risk by entering dangerous or risky situations. Injuries can also occur as a result of poor judgment and accidents.

Some individuals may find that they become unconscious after drinking large quantities of alcohol in a short amount of time. Once the individual comes to, they realize that there is chunk of time that is unaccounted for when they were passed out. This is extremely risky behavior, because a person who is passed out is very vulnerable. Not knowing what occurred during such times can lead to emotional issues, which in turn can lead to more drinking. Binge drinking can become a vicious cycle that is extremely difficult to break without professional help.

Long Term Binge Drinking Effects

Consuming large quantities of alcohol will take a real toll on a person’s physical condition. The body can essentially become poisoned over time, and alcohol poisoning can also occur during a single incident of binging. Heart conditions, high blood pressure, weight gain, bloating, and liver damage are just some of the long term physical effects that are likely. Some health problems can be debilitating, and some of the damaging effects of alcohol abuse can be irreversible.

As alcohol abuse and addiction begin to take over a binge drinker’s life, their relationships are likely to suffer. From friendships to marriages to employment, all types of personal and professional relationships can be harmed for a person struggling with alcohol dependency. Not only is it stressful for an addict to go through their day to day life, it is also extremely difficult for their family members and friends. Alcohol addiction treatment offers the best chance for leading a healthier and happier life that is free of the chains of alcoholism and its detrimental effects.

Seeking Help For Alcohol Abuse

For those with a loved one that is struggling with binge drinking, alcohol addiction and abuse info is essential. Knowing the signs and symptoms of addiction can make a big difference. Binge drinking is often a symptom of a much larger issue. Alcohol addiction treatment programs offer help for those who need it to change their lives for the better.

Custom Addiction Treatment Programs

While addiction problems have similarities in every case, every case also has challenges and issues unique to each suffering individual. Recognizing the importance of treating each addict’s unique challenges is behind the approach to custom addiction treatment program therapy. Customizing the treatment so it makes an impacting difference in an addict’s life is crucial to long term recovery and can be the difference between getting sober and staying sober.

Alternative Inpatient Residential Therapies

No matter what addiction the patient is suffering with, a custom addiction treatment program can help uncover the underlying issues that contribute to the illness and find ways to adequately address them. The answer may be an inpatient residential treatment program that seeks to instill stability, routine and safety for the patient. Alternative therapies such as art therapy, equine therapy, group therapies and other therapeutic approaches may also be used to help addicts get and stay sober.

Short-Term And Group Treatment Programs

A smart way for addicted individuals to gain control over their addictions is through short term residential treatment programs. Customized treatment programs that are less than thirty days in length allow the individuals to make a change in their life without feeling like they are abandoning their jobs, friends and families. In these treatment programs, expert counselors, doctors and addiction specialists work intensively with people suffering with addictions to help them regroup and recover. Patients often get support through group meetings and gain friendships and relationships they can count on once they re-enter their regular lives. Having a support group they can call on if they feel weak, vulnerable or like relapsing can give people the strength and help they need to stay sober even when life gets difficult or overwhelming.

Long-Term Treatment Programs

Customized long term residential treatment programs are another option people struggling with addiction can explore. Many times, people weighed down by addiction need extensive time and therapy to work through their addiction to get to recovery. Lasting thirty days and longer, these long term programs are designed to teach patients new ways of viewing themselves, the world, their addictions and their abilities to overcome their struggles. Long term treatment programs can be beneficial in helping the patient create new habits and coping strategies during their extended stay that they can put into practice once they return home.

Addiction Recovery Help

Dealing with addiction and the problems and pain it causes is never easy. Admitting to yourself or loved ones that you need help can be one of the most humbling experiences of your life, but it can also be the point where your life takes a turn for the better. If you or someone you love needs help overcoming an addiction, look into our custom treatment programs to see how they can help you make a clean, fresh start to long-term sobriety!

Drug Abuse And Mental Illness

Mental illness among drug addicts is a common and escalating issue. When someone suffers from a mental illness alongside a drug or alcohol addiction, it is categorized as dual-diagnosis. Those struggling with mental illness are 2x as likely to abuse drugs and alcohol when compared to the general populous. A variety of scenarios can be included in the complex cause-and-effect relationship between these two areas.

Relationship Between Drug Abuse And Mental Illness

The possible relationships between drug abuse and mental illness as defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

  • A common origin may be apparent for both disorders
  • Drug and alcohol abuse may exacerbate or cause mental illness
  • Mental illness may lead to substance abuse when subjects self-medicate with drugs and alcohol in an effort to ease the side effects of medication or alleviate symptoms of the disorder at hand

Common Origins Of Mental Diagnosis And Substance Abuse

When a single cause is apparent for both disorders, it is often one of the following:

  • Areas of the brain have been linked to both drug abuse and mental illness
  • Some patients are more susceptible to drug abuse and mental illness as a result of environmental factors, including childhood stressors and family issues
  • A genetic predisposition to both substance abuse and mental illness disorders

Consequences Of Substance Abuse With Mental Illness

Mental illness and Co-morbid substance abuse can result in a variety of consequences, including failure to respond to treatment, medication noncompliance, damaged relationships with loved ones and episodes of psychosis.

Problems Of Addiction With The Mentally Ill

Addiction increases the risk of jail and homelessness while contributing to social stigmas regarding the mentally ill. Though individuals with psychiatric issues are generally non-violent, the few who are aggressive in nature are typically struggling with addiction while ignoring their medication.

Treatment For Dual Diagnosis

Diagnosis can prove difficult due to the time required to unravel the interactive effects of mental illness and addiction. This delay may also inhibit treatment. One may require mental illness treatment over substance abuse treatment, or vice versa. Ultimately, both issues must be addressed in order to achieve a state of optimum mental and physical health.

An integrated recovery approach must be sought when addiction and dual diagnosis is present. Treatment will include counseling, intensive case management, social support and motivational interventions. Recovery should be comprehensive, catering to each and every aspect of the patient’s life, including socialization, activities, housing and stress management.

The road to recovery is never an easy journey. If you or a loved one is struggling with dual diagnosis, Above it All Treatment Center is the place to turn. With a team of seasoned addiction, mental health and recovery specialists available to assess and address your individual needs and condition, you can count on Above it All to have you smiling and on the fast track to fabulous in no time. Call today!

Family Interventions:

If a loved one is struggling with addiction, waiting for him or her to hit rock bottom or decide to seek treatment is not the best approach to dealing with the situation. The issue of dependency on drugs or alcohol affects the entire family, not just the addict. And the longer the situation is allowed to continue, the more deeply entrenched the disease will become.

Ignoring the problem or making excuses for someone else’s behavior until he or she is “ready” to change is not going to bring the matter to a resolution. Family interventions are the best way to get someone you care for into an inpatient treatment program.

What Is An Intervention?

An intervention is a type of meeting where a group of concerned individuals (family and close friends) get together to present a united front to persuade a person to seek help or treatment for a problem. Ideally, it is held in a neutral location and the discussion somewhere private. This is not a family outing that you can hold in a restaurant or other public place.

Involving A Professional Interventionist

Many families work with a professional interventionist to guide them through this process. These are counselors who can explain how the intervention process works and answer any questions the family may have in advance. The counselor will want to meet with the family members in advance and spend some time getting to know them. Each family is different, and no two interventions are going to be exactly alike.

Everyone who will be present on the day of the intervention will be asked to write a letter that explains exactly how their loved one’s addiction has affected him or her. The goal is not to be angry or confrontational, but rather to share the impact the addiction has had on the entire family in a caring manner.

Consequences For Refusing To Go To A Drug Or Alcohol Treatment Program

Ideally, arrangements have been made in advance for the person to go directly into treatment if he or she agrees to get help. The decision always needs to rest with the individual; however, there needs to be clear consequences for refusing to get help. Family members need to be clear that they are no longer willing to support an addicted family member who continues to drink or use drugs.

Above It All Treatment Center can offer a number of treatment options for your loved one. Our custom drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs are based on each client’s individual needs. We offer short term, long term, and sober living options to help clients achieve and maintain long-term sobriety.

The first step to get on the road to a better life is to get your loved one to agree to seek help. Family interventions bring matters to a head and help you reach that goal.

More Tips On Confronting Addiction In A Loved One