Get Help to Break Free from Drug and Alcohol Abuse

With the right help, it is possible to recover from addiction. A person who has been abusing drugs or alcohol can’t get well on his or her own, though. They need to get the right help to get well. This is a disease that requires professional treatment from experienced professionals.

  • Are you concerned about a loved one who has become dependent on drugs or alcohol?
  • Are you tired or listening to the excuses about why he or she can’t or won’t go for treatment yet?
  • Does the person you care for deny that there is a problem?
  • Is it time for the addict in your life to accept responsibility for his or her behavior?

Inpatient Treatment Program Can Help

Your loved one needs to go to a place where he or she can focus on getting well. The counselors at 30-90 day rehab facilities can provide the help and support necessary to identify the triggers that make a person want to turn to drugs or alcohol to anesthetize him or herself against painful emotions. Getting away from familiar surroundings is part of making a fresh start and getting a new lease on life.

No matter how long a person has been addicted, there is life after drug and alcohol abuse. No one wakes up one day and decides that they are going to become an addict. This disease is one that comes on the heels of some kind of pain, either emotional or physical. In some instances, it grows out of physical pain when people are prescribed painkillers after surgery or they have become injured. Over time, they become dependent on the medication and the problem grows into a prescription drug addiction.

Get Treatment for Addiction Today

All addictions are created equally, and no substance is better or worse than the other. Anyone with a problem can benefit from the programs offered by an addiction treatment program. The most important step is to admit that there is a problem and ask for help. The counselors at the treatment center can suggest an appropriate course of treatment for each client, which may include the following:

  • Narcotics Anonymous Meetings/Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
  • Educational Group
  • Process Group Meeting
  • One-on-One Sessions with a Therapist
  • Individual Meetings with an Addictions Counselor
  • Group Therapy Sessions

Clients who go to the inpatient treatment program gain insights into what made them turn to the addictive substances originally and develop strategies for resisting triggers that will tempt them to use once they leave the facility. They have the option to move into a sober living house or to move directly independent living after completing their treatment program.

Get help for someone you care about today by contacting the Above It All Treatment Center to learn more about treatment programs. A recovery specialist is available to take your call right now.

Drunkorexia – Another Failed Diet Plan

A new study conducted from early 2012 – present by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention shows nearly 1 in 6 adults engaging in binge drinking at least 4x per month. Of this statistic, the largest group of drinkers appears to be between 18 and 34 years of age. Though not specifically to blame, a new form of binge drinking, coined “Drunkorexia” is steadily gaining popularity among this demographic.

CDC studies from 2006 indicate the cost per average binge drinker to be $746, including various expenses, such as health care, auto accidents, STDs, and violence.

To sum it up, “Drunkorexia” refers to a form of binge drinking where young men and women consciously limit their food intake as a way of reserving calories for alcohol consumption; a practice that has been found to enhance the risks of unprotected sex and overdose.

A recent study, involving 227 York University students – ages 17 – 21 – showcased the three main types of eating disorders, including emotional eating, dieting, and eating as a direct response to external stimuli as opposed to hunger. Of these three types, dieting was found to show the highest risk for alcohol abuse.

This alcohol dieting practice is even more concerning, provided the fact that alcohol and weight loss are mortal enemies. Though the occasional drink can certainly have its share of health benefits, those choosing to consume massive amounts of alcohol in lieu of healthy calories actually stand to gain weight.

Alcohol is metabolized in a very different way than other beverages and food items. Under typical conditions, the human body is able to obtain its energy from the calories found in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, which are processed and absorbed by the gastrointestinal system. When alcohol is present, this process is altered. Because the body views alcohol as a toxin, the fluids will receive immediate attention from the digestive system.

When alcohol is consumed on an empty stomach, the molecules within the alcohol diffuse through the walls of the stomach, reaching the liver and brain in a matter of minutes. The process is much slower when the stomach is full, but as soon as food has entered the small intestine, alcohol is given first priority, and quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.

To boot, alcohol makes it difficult for the body to properly absorb fat and carbohydrates. As such, the calories that would typically be processed for energy are ultimately converted into body fat and stored away within the body. As such, those seeking to maintain or shrink their waist line through drinking, will actually gain weight over time.

If you or someone you know is dealing with alcohol addiction, our Above It All addiction specialists are available to help. Give us a call 24/7, and find out how you can get on track towards the healthy, fit, and happy lifestyle you’ve been chasing.

Successful Long Term Drug Rehabilitation – Finding the Right Fit

Long term drug rehabilitation is not simple. Aside from treating the intense and often uncontrollable cravings which have led the addict to devastating personal consequences, the effects of prolonged drug exposure on brain functioning affect multiple circuits in the physical body – including those involved in motivation, learning and memory. These complicated issues make treatment a complicated matter as well.

Because of this, an effective addiction program can often incorporate many components, to each target a particular aspect of the illness and its consequences. Addiction treatment must first and foremost, help the individual stop using  – but it should also give him or her the tools to maintain a drug-free lifestyle, and function again in work, home and in society at large.

Research has proven that treatment can help patients addicted to drugs stop using, help them to avoid relapse, and regain control over their lives.

Those seeking drug and drug rehab help should consider the following:

–Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical.

–Counseling can help treat underlying issues which contributed to the abuse

–No treatment program is “one size fits all.”  Each person’s treatment plan must be continually reassessed and fine-tuned as treatment progresses.

–Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.

Counseling and therapy are both important elements of a process that often begins with drug addiction detox, followed by treatment and finally, relapse prevention. A balanced spectrum of care should include a customized treatment program which addresses all aspects of the addict’s life, and should include medical and mental health services. Each of these components, in it’s own way, is crucial to a person’s success in creating and maintaining a drug–free lifestyle.

Addiction is a very complex disease that affects brain function and behavior, but it is treatable. No single treatment will suit every person but tailored, personalized treatment is readily available in our quality program.