Category: LGBTQ

Overcoming Grief in Recovery

Overcoming Grief In Recovery – Part One

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

This is part-one in a three-part series about overcoming grief in recovery.

Death Is A Part Of Life – Though We Would Rather Not Think Or Talk About It 

Loss is an unfortunate part of the human experience. Though we wish it weren’t so, everyone we love and care about will one day die and depart from this earthly realm. This includes our parents, friends, relatives, spouses, romantic partners, and even our beloved pets. We too will cease to exist one day, leaving behind the people who love us most to grieve our loss.

Yes, death is a part of life – and it’s something most of us would prefer not to think or talk about.

However; facing the reality of death and the subsequent grief it brings (and talking about it) is important for those who are in recovery. Losing a loved one can be an especially devastating experience for someone who is recovering from drug, alcohol, or sex addiction. Even losing a pet can be earth-shaking.

If you are currently going through a period of grief, we want to help make the process a little easier. If you aren’t presently dealing with some kind of loss, we believe the suggestions offered in this blog post will prepare you for such an event.

Please keep in mind that if you are experiencing grief and you are also struggling with an addiction, DARA Thailand can help. Just contact us and we will tell you how our specialized programs can get you on the right track.

Losing A Loved One Can Be A Trigger To Return To Active Addiction

Loss can become a very strong trigger for someone to use drugs or alcohol or act out sexually. Indeed, the loss of a loved one forces recovering people to navigate some very painful feelings and many feel ill-equipped for such a brutal undertaking.

If you have spent much of your life turning to drugs, alcohol, or sex to numb your feelings and cope with the stressors of daily living, it can be almost instinctual to return to your addiction during a grieving period. The compulsion to engage in self-destructive behaviors can be all-consuming during extreme emotional events. This is because when you are vulnerable, you can easily buy into the illusion that sex, drugs, or alcohol are a solution to your current state of being. The thing is, addiction always makes grief worse. It never helps the situation.

You simply cannot work through grief and manage an addiction at the same time. The addiction will inevitably take over, which will prolong the grieving process. If you choose to turn to drugs, alcohol, or sex to once again cope with painful feelings after you lose a loved one, you will quickly find yourself drowning in a sea of sorrow from which there is no escape.

No Matter How Badly You Are Hurting, Recovery Has To Come First

If you are currently grieving, we hope you have been able to maintain your recovery throughout this difficult time. If you have not been able to continue to stay abstinent, we encourage you to seek help right away and recommit to your recovery process. Remember, our team of experts at DARA Thailand can assist you with overcoming your addiction and dealing with grief.

We understand that grieving the loss of a loved one can be a soul-crushing experience. It may even feel like you can’t continue to live life without some kind of crutch to carry you through the day. However; we want you to know that you can make it through this – without engaging in your addiction to cope.

If you aren’t presently experiencing grief, make the commitment to yourself now that no matter what comes, you will continue to walk the road of recovery and live life on life’s terms. That way, when you do lose a loved one, you will remain steadfast to your commitment and walk through the grief without relapsing. 

Please read Overcoming Grief In Recovery – Part Two to learn about the stages of grief. 

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

heroin withdrawal

Heroin Withdrawal

Articles, Australia, Celebrity Rehab, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom

The fact that prescription painkillers are becoming harder to obtain may sound like a positive and for the most part but what it means for some is that heroin has become a cheaper alternative to achieve the same relief from real or imagined pain. The problem with heroin withdrawal is it begins almost immediately as the drug starts to leave the system. The good news is that it only lasts about a week for most people. However, the problems associated with heroin use may last for years to come if the body has been damaged or related issues have occurred. The symptoms of withdrawal are shared below as are some of the possible long term effects someone should watch out for after entering recovery.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms include nausea, abdominal pain, sweating, shaking, and nervousness. Think of the worst stomach virus you have ever experienced, only worse. Additionally, agitation, depression, muscle spasms, and cravings may occur. The cravings are typically very strong, especially with prolonged use and can lead to immediate relapse even days into withdrawal. If withdrawal occurs in a medical detox program some medications and therapy can be provided to help alleviate symptoms. These may boost the chance of fully detoxing and entering recovery.

Unfortunately heroin use has more than doubled in recent years with the number of fatalities being nearly four times as high. As heroin is highly addictive and has powerful withdrawal symptoms, medical detox is typically the best route to use when trying to kick the habit. Withdrawal symptoms will depend on the duration and amount the drug was used. Also in the method in which it was taken. Additionally, someone with a mental illness or addiction previous to heroin use is more likely to become dependent on the drug faster. Heroin can change the chemistry of the brain, making withdrawal and dependence even stronger.

While mild withdrawal symptoms have been shared above. Moderate symptoms of heroin withdrawal may also include vomiting, diarrhea, trouble concentrating, goose bumps, and tremors. Those who get severe withdrawal symptoms may have insomnia, hypertension, racing heart, impaired breathing, difficulty feeling pleasure, and stronger cravings. Though the actual withdrawal is not typically life threatening. Some of the medical symptoms or even psychological issues that arise can be.

Those in severe withdrawal may even become depressed or suicidal and cause self-harm. Heroin withdrawal symptoms will begin within 6 to 12 hours of the last dose. These will peak in 2 to 3 days and can last 5 to 10 days total. This is for the worst of the symptoms, but depression, anxiety, and even cravings can last longer. Many who are heroin addicts work through a Suboxone to make withdrawal a little easier. This will require a clinic and counseling as part of the program.  

If you or someone you know is trying to get off of heroin or is going through withdrawal and need help then it is available. Find a rehab that will help with both medical and psychological issues for the best long term results. Don’t give up. You are stronger than your addiction and can get into long term recovery if you are willing to do the hard work involved. Your life will be better for it.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Heroin Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Heroin Abuse

Heroin Abuse

Articles, Australia, Celebrity Rehab, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Heroin Abuse

Heroin is an opioid drug that is created from morphine. Opioids are natural substances taken from the seed pod of a variety of opium poppy plants that are grown in various areas. However, just because heroin originates from an organic source does not mean it is safe. Heroin is known by many names but some of the common ones are big H, hell dust, horse, and smack. Heroin is injected, sniffed, snorted, or smoked. Some people even mix heroin and cocaine in a practice known as speedballing.

Heroin Effects On The Body

Heroin has many effects on the body, but the most obvious is that it binds to opioid receptors at the cellular level that are located in many areas. These include many that are involved in feelings of pain and pleasure. These also control heart rate, breathing, and sleeping. This means that heroin use is very dangerous and can easily be deadly.

Even with the possibility of death at every use, many addicts partake in heroin use as often as possible. The short term effects of heroin use include a rush of pleasurable or euphoric feelings. But also include dry mouth, warm flushing of the skin, and a heavy feeling in the arms and legs. Many also experience itching, nausea, vomiting, mental cloudiness, and nodding that appears as someone falling in and out of consciousness. These effects may vary some between and among users, but the majority will experience them at some point. Additionally, long term effects of heroin use include insomnia, damaged tissue, infection of the heart lining, abscesses, mental disorders, sexual dysfunction. And so much more.

Heroin Dangers

Heroin goes beyond the problems mentioned as it often contains additives like sugar, powdered milk, and starch that can clog blood vessels that lead to liver, lung,  brain, and kidney problems that are long lasting. This means heroin is dangerous well beyond the actual drug as the body of the user is damaged by other ingredients. Many heroin users also share needles or other equipment that can help spread diseases. Diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), and several other blood or fluid borne diseases that can create problems for years to come.

Heroin Overdose

Heroin abuse also comes with a chance of overdose from the very first use. As heroin causes breathing to slow the amount of oxygen to the brain is decreased. This is known as hypoxia and can cause brain damage or death. Brain damage could lead to coma, being paralyzed, or other long time or permanent complications.  A treatment for heroin overdose is available in the form of Naloxone which is available as both an inject-able or a nasal spray. While Naloxone is typically available to paramedics and at hospitals. It must be used quickly to bring someone back from overdose. More and more states are making Naloxone available without a prescription, but this is not in all areas.

Heroin Addiction

If you or someone you love has a heroin addiction then now is the time to seek help. Help can come in the form of in-patient rehab or out patient counseling, but help needs to be sought as soon as possible. Getting away from a heroin addiction is difficult, but possible. Stay strong and get the help that is needed.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Cocaine withdrawal

Cocaine Withdrawal

Articles, Australia, Celebrity Rehab, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Cocaine is a dangerous drug that had its purpose in the medical community for a time, but is now predominantly used to get high. There are short and long term effects of cocaine and neither are positive. In fact, cocaine is a drug that requires more and more to maintain the same high for an individual. Cocaine can be deadly from the first use as it is often mixed with other drugs or substances to bulk up the actual drug. This makes coke a seriously harmful drug to both use and withdraw from for the addict. Even if you have only used once you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you are trying not to use again. Read on to learn more about the cocaine withdrawal symptoms and other long term effects that come with extended use.

If you are reading to find out what withdrawal from cocaine is going to be like for yourself or someone you care about then know that everyone’s experience is different and it will be tough. But in the long run it is worth it to get back to a healthy life that can be truly enjoyed. Cocaine withdrawal occurs when someone who has used a great deal of cocaine decides to cut down or stop completely. Withdrawal symptoms can begin before all of the drug is out of the body. The amount of cocaine that is considered ‘a great deal’ may vary from person to person.

Cocaine produces a false sense of euphoria by causing the brain to release dopamine. When the binge or use lessens or stops the crash follows almost immediately. A strong craving will start during this initial crash and other symptoms can include lack of feeling any pleasure, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, sleepiness, and extreme agitation.

Cocaine can produce physical symptoms such as nausea or shaking but it is not as common as with withdrawal from other drugs. Specific to withdrawal a person may become depressed and even suicidal for months following the last use of cocaine. They may also have increased appetite and a slowing of activity. Someone may be generally uncomfortable and have vivid and scary dreams. The powerful, intense cravings may lead to further use. But with more use the high becomes less pleasant and more likely to bring about fear and suspicion.

Symptoms of withdrawal will disappear over time, but severe symptoms may require in-patient treatment to be safe and in a medical environment as a precaution. This allows for counseling and medication if needed through the withdrawal period. After withdrawal the person may need some monitoring through blood tests, chest x-rays, ECG’s, and toxicology for screening purposes. Additionally, support groups are good resources.

Cocaine addiction is very difficult to treat and relapse is highly likely. However, treatment should start with the least restrictive option and increase if relapse does occur. Some medications may help deal with the depression and paranoia, but no medication currently exists to help with the actual withdrawal symptoms. If you or someone you know is seeking help then do not wait any longer. Cocaine use can be deadly, the next hit could be your last. You can get over your addiction if you are willing to try.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

cocaine use

What is Cocaine

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Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that is made from the leaves of the coca plant that is native to South America. It is an illegal drug though at one time it was used for valid medical purposes. As a common street drug cocaine is a fine, crystal, white powder. Dealers often mix it with things like talcum powder, cornstarch, or even flour to bulk up the drug and turn more of a profit. Additionally, cocaine is sometimes mixed with other drugs like amphetamines.

Cocaine is known by many names. A few of the most common are crack, rock, snow, coke, and blow. Cocaine is typically snorted as powder through the nose or rubbed on the gums. However, some people dissolve it into water and inject it or shoot up. This gets the coke into the bloodstream and a high is almost immediate. The mixing of cocaine and heroin to inject is known as a Speedball. Another method of using cocaine is to smoke it. Cocaine that has been processed to make rock crystal is heated and the vapors inhaled. The crackling sound of the heated rocks is why this is known as crack. Cocaine is the type of drug that is often taken in binges with increasing doses needed to maintain the same or a better high. The binges can easily lead to overdose, especially when the cocaine is mixed with another drug.

Cocaine is often a drug of choice because it effects the chemistry of the brain by increasing dopamine which makes the body believe it is experiencing pleasure and movement. Typically, dopamine is released when the body senses a potential reward, like good food or someone you love. The dopamine is released then recycled to shut off the signal. With cocaine use the recycling is stopped and the flood of dopamine creates a high.

There are health effects from cocaine use that include extreme happiness, energy, mental alertness, irritability, paranoia, and hypersensitivity. This means that some people may experience extreme focus to a task, while others may have completely unpredictable behavior. The same person may react differently with each use. Additional signs of cocaine use are constricted blood vessels, nausea, dilated pupils, raised blood pressure and body temperature, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and restlessness. When using cocaine the high is almost immediate and lasts from a few minutes to an hour with a single use. Method of use does effect the high as injecting coke will cause a faster high that is shorter lived, but snorting may last longer and take longer to kick in with each use.

Long term or continual use of cocaine can vary based on how the cocaine is used. Snorting can lead to a loss of sense of smell, runny nose, problems with swallowing and nosebleeds. Shooting up puts the user at higher risk for HIV and Hep C due to shared needles, though all users are at risk of sexually transmitted disease as cocaine use impairs judgment in selecting partners. Consuming cocaine by mouth can cause bowel decay and decrease blood flow. Since cocaine decreases appetite, users may become malnourished and create movement disorders such as Parkinson’s. No matter how cocaine is used it can create a number of problems. If you or someone you know is using, seek help immediately.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.