How To Confront Teenage Drug Use

How-To-Confront-Teenage-Drug-UseAdolescence can be a difficult period for many. In addition to studies and hormones, teens must combat peer pressure, social trends and an enhanced curiosity – a recipe for trouble. In order to thwart negative exterior influence, it is important for parents to educate teens as to the dangers and consequences of their actions. If you suspect drug or alcohol use in your teen, it is vital that action be taken to address the issue in an effective and loving manner. Here’s how:

 

Confronting Teen Drug Use

1 – Know your battle by researching statistics and information pertaining to teenage drug use. The more informed you are on the topic, the better able you will be to get your point across. You may even call your local police precinct for additional help, as many keep brochures handy. Scare tactics may work on a minimal level – Care tactics are preferred.

2 – Designate a time to sit down and communicate with your teen in a calm and sober setting. Suggest a walk, drive, or sit down meal where you can enjoy some one-on-one time.

3 – Be respectful! Nobody likes to be talked down to. A parent who allows their emotions to dictate the conversation will enjoy little, to no success. Take deep breaths, speak calmly, and be direct.

4 – Tell your teen about your suspicions. Explain the signs you have noticed and request an explanation. If your teen is unable to offer reasoning for their behaviors or comes up with wild excuses, you can likely affirm these suspicions.

5 – Provide statistics and evidence to stress your point – Drugs are dangerous and unhealthy. Offer insight into the long-term effects of drug and alcohol abuse, including addiction, financial struggle, health issues and memory loss. Placing the issue into a real-world context may provide them with enough reason to stop. Dive into your teen’s personal goals and show how they will be affected if the drug/alcohol use persists.

6 – Share your own experiences with drugs and alcohol. Whether it’s having watched a friend deteriorate or your own dealings, it’s important that your teen know that they are not alone. A personal story will work to illustrate your point while offering a unique perspective on the topic.

7 – Listen! Preaching will get you nowhere if you are unable to communicate on an equal level. Ask why they choose to dabble with drugs. Is it peer pressure? Relaxation? Escape? Create a dialogue that is both safe and open. If you want your teen to be honest with you, they must feel comfortable to do so!

8 – Explain that you cannot approve of your teen’s drug use and that it must stop immediately. Outline consequences if they choose to continue but definitely offer assistance to help them quit.

Looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility? Contact Above it All drug & alcohol addiction treatment center today!

Read More About Teenage Drug Abuse and the Risks

New Affordable Care Act Offers Access To Long-term Drug Rehab Programs

It’s no secret that the need for long term drug rehab is great. Doctors have now concluded that this is a disease that needs treatment, but it still does not get the funding required to deal with the number of people requiring services to break from its hold over their life.

The problem of addiction is not confined to homeless people living on the street or to low income groups. It can, and does affect teens and young adults, middle-aged people and seniors. Clients who seek help at long term recovery programs come from many different backgrounds. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, only about 1 in 10 of the 23 million Americans who have drug or alcohol problems receives treatment. Part of the problem is that this disease still carries a sense of shame and stigma, but lack of coverage is another important issue.

Insurance Coverage For Low And Middle-Income Earners

The new Affordable Care Act will help to provide insurance for many lower and middle-income earners. People in this income group looking for services from long term drug treatment centers may find it difficult to get the help they need because they may not be covered under an employer benefit program or qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. If private coverage is not affordable, then the cost of paying for addiction treatment may not fit into their budget.

The new law will provide subsidies for people to buy private insurance coverage. This will make it easier for people who need addiction treatment to be able to take the time they need to get well. The disease of addiction did not develop overnight, and the appropriate time for treatment will take some time as well.

In-patient Treatment For Drug And Alcohol Addiction

When a client enters a long term care facility with a 12 step program to get help for a drug or alcohol problem, he or she may need to start by going through detoxification (detox) before starting treatment for the addiction itself. Each client’s needs are evaluated individually, and a treatment plan is made to address them.

With a long-term stay, clients can get counseling, participate in group activities, and go to 12-step program meetings. They can take the time to delve into the underlying reasons why they became addicted and learn new behaviors while they have the support of the staff at the treatment facility. This work is a necessary part of the process to achieve the goal of long-term sobriety, especially if the addiction has been a part of the client’s life for a number of years. Taking the time to address this illness carefully is time well spent, and it pays off in lower relapse rates and more serenity, joy, and peace for addicted individuals.

The Role of Spirituality In Addiction Recovery

Many in recovery from alcoholism or addiction often attribute a large portion of their success in abstinence to a spiritual focus within their holistic alcohol & drug treatment program. Though a number of factors ultimately play into a long-lasting recovery – including daily reflection, family, support networks, therapy and routine personal inventory, those who relapse typically blame a loss of spirituality on their setback. Unfortunately, many directly associate spirituality with religion and thus refuse to participate in this crucial recovery component. Knowing the difference between these two areas while placing a focus on spirituality may mean the difference between years of struggle and a perpetual freedom.

Simply put, religion and spirituality are very different concepts. Religion is defined by a very specific set of practices and beliefs that are followed by a particular group. Spirituality, on the other hand, is not organized and is practiced by millions of people at any given moment, without restriction or rules. Spirituality refers to the idea that there is a force greater than you – regardless of what it may be. Some people call this “god”; others find what they’re looking for in nature; for some, this recognition comes in the form of one’s own inner power. The decision is purely up to you, so long as you choose to decide.

The Relationship

The relationship between recovery and spirituality is often defined by the sense of chaos experienced in addiction. Spirituality can serve to restore this imbalance by incorporating a “higher power” into the addict’s life. This is due in part to the idea that while addiction is a progressive clinical disease, it is also recognized as a spiritual imbalance.

When it comes to alcoholism or addiction recovery, perhaps the most important function of spirituality is the camaraderie and support of like-minded individuals. Sharing similar beliefs and views – especially within a group of recovering peers – works to create a sold base from which to launch a lasting recovery.

Alcoholics and addicts are famous for their issues with denial. Though it may be easy to hide the truth from family and friends, it will be difficult to maintain these delusions while engaged in daily spiritual practices. Once the addict is forced to look at their situation in an open and honest manner, the weight of denial will begin to fade.

Looking for a holistic drug rehab in California? Contact Above It All treatment Center today! With a team of seasoned addiction and recovery specialists available to assess and address your individual needs you can count on Above It All to have you smiling, healthy and on the fast track to success in no time. Call today for more information!

Foods And Lifestyles To Avoid During Recovery

During recovery, there are a variety of foods best avoided to return the body to state of optimum health. Education regarding a healthy diet and food preparation may also provide addicts with an activity to keep their minds occupied on something other than using. In addition, a well-planned diet can also cater to specific health issues, commonly exacerbated by addiction.

Alcohol

Alcoholics generally receive ½ + of their daily calorie intake from drinking. Due to the fact that many alcoholics often find themselves with lacking judgment in situations filled with salty, greasy and fatty food items, many do not receive enough nutrition to maintain proper health. As such, one of the initial steps of recovery is the restoration of dietary balance. This means choosing healthy food items whilst removing alcohol and sugary beverages from the diet. For individuals lacking any serious health issues, following the basic guidelines outlined in the Food Pyramid is a wonderful place to start.

Obesity

Many recovering alcoholics lack in physical health by the time they finally seek help. Perhaps the most common health issue seen in newly recovering alcoholics is obesity, due to the steady intake of empty calories consumed when drinking. For those alcoholics struggling with obesity, sweets and junk foods should be avoided at all costs. In addition, recovering alcoholics should attempt to burn more calories than consumed on a daily basis to help shed excess pounds.

Obesity-Related Conditions

Conditions such as hypertension and high cholesterol often go hand-in-hand with obesity. Recovering alcoholics who are struggling with these conditions may also want to seek out foods with lowered sodium, fat, cholesterol and salt levels. The help

Malnutrition

After a period of consuming low-quality foods, many alcoholics find themselves lacking the nutrients necessary to maintain proper health. Over a long enough period, these individuals may become malnourished and starved of essential minerals and vitamins. Lacking these nutrients, alcoholics incur a heightened risk of conditions like anemia, osteoporosis or worse. As such, it is vital that recovering alcoholics seek out foods high in minerals and vitamins, including veggies, fruits and low-fat dairy items. Daily multivitamins may also help promote a proper nutritional balance during early recovery.

Peptic Ulcers

When an alcoholic continues to drink over an elongated period, the body may begin to develop peptic ulcers. Alcoholics with these ulcers must pay special mind to portion control, or eating too much in one sitting. Instead, recovering alcoholics are encouraged to enjoy a series of smaller nutritional meals throughout the day to help the body regain balance.

Looking for an addiction nutrition program? Contact Above it All today!

What is the Twelve-Step Program?

12-step programs are behind the recoveries of literally millions of addicts the world over. Bill Wilson and Bob Smith, who encouraged recovery from addiction through a process of steps, founded the first program – Alcoholics Anonymous or ‘AA’ – in 1935.

Since their inclusion in the Big Book, these 12 steps have been adapted to address recovery throughout an array of addictions. For example, Narcotics Anonymous utilizes a 12-step format that is almost identical to Alcoholics Anonymous. Additional recovery programs address addiction in the form of sex, gambling and nicotine.

Doing Steps In Order – Important

When working 12 step programs, participants must complete the steps in the order specified. The initial step for any new member is to admit that they have a problem and that they are powerless to control it. The next step requires that the addict believe in a power greater than themselves. In step three, the addict gives him/herself over to that power to promote stability and sanity throughout the recovery process.

It is important to note that “higher power” does not necessarily embrace religious ideals. The program is open to individuals of all belief types, including atheists and agnostics. The religiosity level of the “higher power” will generally differ from group to group. Some programs are centered in religious beliefs, while others skip them altogether. However, most every 12-step meeting will conclude in fellowship and hand-holding.

Step four is often considered the most difficult by recovering addicts. In order to complete this step, participants must recognize the patterns, faults and bad behaviors that contributed to the addiction. This step is typically completed with the help of a sponsor. In step five, addicts expand on this moral inventory; admitting to their faults and ultimately confessing them to their sponsor and higher power.

In step six, the addict tells their higher power that they are ready. Step seven sees the addict requesting the higher power remove their aforementioned faults. During steps eight and nine, the addict must seek forgiveness from individuals they have wronged as a result of their addictive behaviors and offer restitution. In steps ten and eleven the addict places focus on the connection with their higher power and moral inventory. The final step requires participants to offer assistance in the recovery of other addicts.

12-step programs are not a cure for addiction. Many addicts who are successful in the program end up working the steps for years; some attend daily, others participate minimally. Study groups are generally available to help addicts through the process. Books are also available to shed additional light on each step. Though the program can, at times, be rather intense, the lessons and rewards obtained can serve participants for a lifetime.

Your Sober Living Guide

After years of escapism through drug and alcohol abuse, the recovery process must be met with a fair amount of optimism. Many adhere to a belief that the root of their issues lies with the addiction: eliminate the addiction = enjoy health and happiness. However, many who have embarked on this journey prior can tell you that health and happiness are not necessarily guaranteed by rehabilitation alone. As with anything worth having, these desires take a fair amount of persistence, thought and planning, to enjoy.

Steps to Sober Living

1 – Discover the stresses, problems and hurts that initially triggered the addiction. Divorce, business failures, family illness, and low self-esteem are not issues that will disappear simply because you have stopped using. Learning to understand and recognize these issues will allow you to place a focus on working through them rather than drowning them in drugs and alcohol.

2 – Gain an appreciation for your sobriety and the strength it took you to get where you are today. Rehabilitation is something that many people lack the courage to attempt, let alone make it through. Take pride in your achievement and use that as a base to maintain your sobriety long-term.

3 – Accept and understand that, while you may have made your share of mistakes, you deserve to enjoy the good in life just as much as the next person. Beating yourself up over past indescrepencies will do little to encourage your well being. Immerse yourself in the full spectrum of emotion that comes with sobriety – the good, the bad and the ugly.

4 – Steer clear of negative situations and people from your addictive past and instead spend time growing new relationships and memories with those who support you. Seek out inspiration, hope and positivity in these areas while emphasizing your own self-worth.

5 – Determine a purpose – an activity that promotes determination and joy. This can be something small and personal like parenting, or larger than yourself like volunteer work. The activity itself does not matter, so long as it provides you with goals, ambition, happiness and life! If it’s worth fighting for, you’re onto something good.

6 – Invest in your spiritual being to find solace within yourself. Some drive down Eastern inspired roads towards inner peace; others seek out a true relationship with God. The real goal is to construct an environment within your life where you can accept yourself for being you… every last inch and flaw.

Find more sober recovery tips and tricks at AboveItAllTreatment.com!

Risks Factors For Teenage Drug Abuse

Unfortunately, teenage drug abuse is becoming more and more common throughout the United States. An array of factors play into the risks of teenage addiction – some of which can be controlled, and others which cannot. Major life changes, such as entering high school, moving to a new community or a graduation can all contribute to teenager’s tendency to experiment.

Home Environment and Family Lifestyle

Family dynamics can play a huge role on an adolescent’s behavior. Teens from households lacking proper boundaries and supervision are much more likely to dabble with drugs and alcohol than households with parental involvement. Adolescents left to their own devices for the majority of the day are afforded more time to partake in risky behaviors. A strong family bond is perhaps the best line of defense in teenage drug abuse prevention.

Personality Traits

Studies show that adolescents who are self-controlled and calm are less likely to dabble in drug and alcohol use than those with an aggressive personality. Teens who are afforded the ability to express their emotions and who feel that these emotions are heard are less likely to seek comfort through substance abuse. Adolescents showing a lack of interest in home and academics may also be at risk.

Environment and Community

Community plays a big role in drug abuse risk factors in teenagers. Kids who are raised in poor communities are more likely to dabble with alcohol and drug use. Research shows that close-knit communities actually work to decrease teenage substance abuse numbers – perhaps due to positive mentoring and bonding experiences throughout childhood. Mentors and role models offer support to teens facing stressful situations and transitions throughout adolescence.

Rules & School

School types are yet another risk factor in terms of teenage drug use. Educational facilities with a strict “no drug” policy see a decrease in student substance abuse numbers. Schools lacking proper regulation and supervision place teens at a much higher risk. These institutions are generally located in communities with fewer outreach programs and a lower socio-economic status.

Social & Peer Groups

Perhaps the highest risk factor for teenage substance abuse is the peer group that a teen associates with. Students who participate in school activities and sports are far less likely to engage in drug or alcohol use. Those who lack interest in school activities may belong to social groups that partake in drug use or other illicit behaviors. When an adolescent associates with a group that is known for trouble, the teen will likely begin exhibiting the same types of behaviors. Students with a focus on academics are also much less likely to experiment with substance abuse than those without.

Need Help?

Is your teen struggling with a substance abuse issue? Contact Above It All drug & alcohol addiction treatment center! With a team of seasoned addiction specialists available to address each patient’s individual needs, you can count on Above It All to have your teen on the fast track to recovery in no time. Call today for more information!

Understanding Addiction & Bipolar Disorder

Characterized by severe mood swings, bipolar disorder can oftentimes require specialized medication and care for treatment. Unfortunately, some patients believe that the medications are not suited to their needs or simply choose not to take them. These individuals sometimes rely on self-medication through drug and alcohol use, which can result in addiction. Understanding the reasoning behind substance abuse, the moods and the treatments offered can provide insight into both the addiction and disorder as a whole.

Depression and Mania

In order to understand the correlation between bipolar and addiction, we must first educate ourselves in regard to the moods. Depression is the mood where patients show an extreme disinterest in life, a discontinuation of typically exciting and fun activities and a heightened interested in suicide. In some cases the depression can be triggered once a patient is informed of their actions during a manic episode. The same patients can also suffer from mania, which includes heightened energy levels alongside the desire to participate in high-energy activities – exercise, frivolous spending and hyper-sexuality to name a few. Manic individuals will also immerse themselves within a variety of projects with the intent of completing each one, despite a lack of dedication and unrealistic deadlines.

Substance Abuse

When a bipolar patient dabbles in substance abuse, it is considered dual diagnosis. Substance abuse in bipolar individuals may occur during both the depression and manic phases. Some suffering from the disorder refuse to take prescription medication due to a fear of side effects and instead choose to self-medicate through alcohol or drug use. Others cater to the belief that the medications simply aren’t doing enough to alter their state of mind. For depressed patients, stimulants are often the drug of choice due to the energy and positive emotional effects. Patients in a manic state often resort to alcohol due to its depressive qualities. Unfortunately, self-medication will ultimately lead to addiction, providing patients with yet another condition to combat.

Help

Addiction treatment is the first step in addressing dual diagnosis. Many patients often require a mood stabilizer in order to keep the depression and mania at bay. However, most of the mood stabilizers used in mental health recovery do not interact well with illicit drugs or alcohol. Once the addiction can be managed through detox and counseling, doctors can begin administering treatment for bipolar disorder.

Researching dual diagnosis treatment centers? Contact Above It All Treatment Center today! With a team of seasoned addiction and mental health experts available to address each patient’s individual needs, you can count on Above It All for the personalized care and attention you’ve been searching for. Call today for more information and find out what Above It All can do for you!

Important Diet Recommendations For The Recovering Alcoholic

Important-Diet-Recommendations-For-The-Recovering-AlcoholicAlcoholism is the only known disease to affect each and every system and cell within the body. From the cardiovascular and digestive systems to a variety of organs including the liver and brain, no area is left untouched. Because alcohol does not expel toxins while robbing cells of nutrition, alcoholics are often malnourished. Proper diet is essential to the recovery process by way of repairing the damage done to the body through excess abuse. When combined with routine exercise, healthy eating habits can do wonders to ensure a safe, comfortable and happy transition into sobriety.

Conditions

  • Choose foods high in healthy carbohydrates and proteins to help reduce those pesky cravings.
  • Include daily multivitamin supplements that include folic acid and B-vitamins, while avoiding food and beverage items that include sugar and caffeine during the initial recovery period.
  • Seek out foods that contain tyrosine, tryptophan and amino acids. These items will work to aid a positive emotional state and promote alertness. Good examples include tofu, seafood, poultry, meat, milk, bananas, sunflower seeds and turkey.

Pyramid

Remember the old food pyramid from grade school? It still applies!

Base your meal choices around these six pyramid groups for adequate nutrition:

1 – Fruits – Apples, grapes, berries, pears, melons, oranges, grapefruit and avocados.

2 – Vegetables – Broccoli, bell peppers, squash, tomatoes, asparagus, carrots, beans, spinach, lettuce.

3 – Oils and fats – Corn, safflower, canola and olive oil. Olives, peanuts and almonds are also wonderful options. Opt for a margarine or mayonnaise without trans fat.

4 – Healthy whole grains – Bulgur, tortillas, brown rice, cereals, whole grain breads and oatmeal.

5 – Meat, poultry and fish – Add fish such as albacore tuna, mackerel, herring and salmon to your diet whenever possible. Eat chicken and turkey without the skin.

6 – Dairy products – Switch to low fat or skim milk, nonfat cottage cheese, and fat free yogurt. Swap your cheddar and Swiss cheeses for mozzarella.

Snacks

When the cravings hit, it’s best to be prepared. Stock up on air popped popcorn without the butter, pretzels, fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt. Chop up a few raw vegetables and dip them in a low-fat dressing or salsa. The better you eat, the better you’ll feel. When it comes to recovery, you need all the help you can get!

Learn More

If you’re struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, Above it All is the place to call! Pick up the phone today and let our team of addiction and recovery specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy and productive lifestyle you’ve been missing.