Category: Malaysia

crystal meth fergie

Fergie, Former Crystal Meth Addict

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

Fergie, former Crystal Meth Addict and world famous female singer of the band Black Eyed Peas, recently stated during an interview with i News:

 “At my lowest point, I was suffering from chemically induced psychosis and dementia. I was hallucinating on a daily basis. I’d just be sitting there, seeing a random bee or bunny.”

Chronic methamphetamine abuse has a devastating effect on the central nervous system and the most effective way to treat the problems associated with chronic methamphetamine abuse is total abstinence. Whether snorted, smoked or injected, methamphetamine quickly crosses the blood/brain barrier where it can exert powerful effects on several neurochemical systems.

Crystal Meth also puts a strain on relationships and breaks down family systems, through the chronic and compulsive desire of the addict to use the drug regularly. Potentially making them hide this secretive self from those they love, so they can continue with the behaviour which is breaking down the very thing which they hold dear.

Whilst abusing drugs a person does not stop to think about the consequences of their actions and the affect their behaviour and mental state is having on those important to them.

“It took a year after getting off that drug for the chemicals in my brain to settle so that I stopped seeing things.”Fergie

 Having an extended half-life, crystal meth allows addicts a longer and more sustained high. The complex physiological responses involve excessive stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. With repeated use, it depletes the brains dopamine stores and damages dopamine and serotonin nerve terminals. The User may then have a reduced ability to experience pleasure which can cause them to slip into a deep depression.

‘It has been estimated that 40% of methamphetamine users have abnormalities on neuropsychiatric tests.’ NCBI

 There can be long term effects from meth use which can last for several years.

As well as hallucinations it can also bring on persecutory delusions – which can be one of the lasting consequences of using the drug. It also affects the addict’s ability to determine consequences and skews rational thinking.

Other Potential Symptoms of Crystal Meth Abuse:

Auditory hallucinations

Strange or unusual beliefs

Thought reading

Visual hallucinations

Delusion of reference

Thought insertion

Negative psychotic symptoms

Disorganized speech

Disorganized or catatonic behaviour

Do you recognise any of these symptoms in those you love or within yourself?

Part of the program which DARA offers, focuses on how to reorganise thoughts through re-structuring the cognitive function, whilst participating within the program as an inpatient.

The goal of CBT is to enable people to replace unhelpful and self-defeating thoughts with more realistic and helpful ones.

DARA uses CBT techniques to address clients’ harmful thought patterns and help clients, recognize and practice alternative ways of thinking and regulating distressing emotions and harmful behaviour.

The qualified and experienced Clinical Staff will build a trusting, therapeutic relationship with each of the clients they work with and will also be around for quick check-ins and informal chats, during the day within the facility and each client will be supported and encouraged in various ways. Through the psycho-educational program, during one to one counselling sessions and then they will have the opportunity to put their new skills in place, within the community with the other clients, during their stay.

It’s helpful whilst developing and integrating a new way of thinking to be somewhere where what you are doing and trying to achieve, is understood and those around you – both clients and staff are there to not judge but offer support and assistance in the process. YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR RECOVERY.

Five of the many ingredients that fuel Meth mayhem:

Acetone: This is used in paint thinner and nail polish remover and is extremely flammable.

Acids: Think Hydrochloric and Sulfuric

Lithium: Used in the production of batteries. If lithium comes into contact with the skin serious burns are guaranteed.

Pseudoephedrine: A very common ingredient. It is a decongestant found in medicines for colds and flu.

Toluene: An essential component of brake fluid. DARA Rehab

Within the supportive environment of DARA Rehab, a Methamphetamine User can make the commitment and develop the resolve to remove the use of this invasive and devastating drug from their lives.

What DARA will offer Clients on an Inpatient Basis:

  • A personalised and tailored treatment plan created with the insight and professionalism of one of the highly trained Counsellors
  • Non 12 Step Rehab Program
  • Psycho – Educational Topic Groups
  • Group Therapy Sessions
  • Wellness and Wellbeing behavioral activation, advice and skills to take away
  • A Sense of Community

Call our 24 hour hotline now for a confidential assessment:
Thailand direct number: +66 600 035 158

LGBTQ People Are More Likely to Use

Why LGBTQ People Are More Likely to Use?

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

LGBTQ People Are More Likely to Use – Realizing that you are LGBTQ can be traumatic, stressful, and freeing. Learning about who you are should be an experience that brings about growth, but learning you are part of a smaller, often stigmatized population can lead to a host of problems if not faced directly. Stress triggers are common in the LGBTQ community. Some of these stress triggers include fear of persecution, isolation, emotional trauma, internalized homophobia, religious intolerance, social discrimination, frustration, and loneliness. Each of these will be reviewed, explained, and related to substance abuse below.

Fear of persecution is a big factor in many hiding their LGBTQ status. Though it is more acceptable to be LGBTQ at this time in history than ever before, the stigma is still attached. Many people fear this stigma and end up leading a double life. The life presented to others as a happy person in a typical heterosexual lifestyle and a life in which sexuality in other manners is acceptable. The hidden lifestyle means secrets and lying. The stress of having two very distinct lifestyles can lead to drug use. The drug use seemingly makes it easier to lie about one part of life and handle the stigma attached to the other. This is one reason why LGBTQ people are more likely to use. Unfortunately drugs tend to confound the issues more than help.

Isolation that arises from public ridicule and rejection. For those that do choose to make their sexuality public, isolation and ridicule may ensue. This rejection can come from those close to the individual or the public at large. This ridicule creates a great deal of stress and those wanting to escape the distress may turn to drugs and alcohol. These substances will simply numb the stress, not remove it, but for many they are an option that can ultimately lead to more stress and disturbing behavior.

Emotional trauma and internalized homophobia are also concerns. When some individuals make their feelings known it can lead to an abusive situation. This can be for those of any age. Family members and friends may make the LGBTQ individual feel bad for how they feel or make them believe homosexuality is a horrible plague on those who take part in the lifestyle. This can lead to internalized homophobia. This internalization can make the person feel terrible in their own body, leaving drugs as a seemingly viable option for escape. The intolerance may also be religious based as some in the LGBTQ community may be members of religious groups or brought up in faith. These people may feel that they are terrible for their feelings and need to find a way to numb those feelings.

Finally, social discrimination can lead to difficulty finding jobs and love interests. This creates loneliness and isolation that can be difficult to overcome. All of this fear and isolation can lead to the need to escape reality, even for a moment. Drugs and alcohol can temporarily offer this escape, but can create problems on their own. Once the user has reached a low point and decided to take a chance on recovery, the real work begins. If you are ready for this step than treatment is right for you. Just remember that the outcome is totally up to the person in treatment and the work put into recovery will make a difference on the outcome.

LGBTQ People Are More Likely to Use – CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

detox symptoms

Detox Symptoms

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

Many people entering treatment will find that their addiction is severe enough that they will go through some for a detox symptoms. Many of these symptoms are dangerous and require medical assistance. Alcohol addiction, for example, can be extremely difficult to completely let go of without medical help. The most common symptoms of detox are shakes, night sweats, anxiety, and sleeplessness. These symptoms generally abate within 3-10 days but tremors and anxiety can persist longer in some people. More severe detox symptoms will include seizures and hallucinations. Detox symptoms of this order require medical attention. The consequences for some people can be fatal. If you are going through an alcohol detox make sure to see a physician to make sure you can be properly monitored as you move into treatment. Many treatment programs include a medical detox, but not all.

For drug addictions such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine the detox may be difficult but is not generally considered dangerous. Flu-like symptoms, lethargy, anxiety and nausea are common. Here again, a medical detox will assist with these symptoms. The more far-reaching problem for addicted people is the severity of these detox symptoms can make it impossible for them to stop using. This is why a medical detox is often necessary. Once you make it through these detox issues which usually only last a few days, you are well on your way to sobriety.

It is important to remember that detox symptoms are temporary. They will pass. Make sure to work with either a support group or with a qualified addiction treatment professional. Support groups such as AA and NA know exactly how these symptoms unfold and members of these groups have been through the same ordeal. They know exactly how it feels and how to get you through the tough times. Obviously, a trained addiction treatment professional, with the help of a physician, can prescribe medications which will alleviate the severity of the symptoms.

Some general rules regarding withdrawal and detox:

Alcohol withdrawal can be severe and potentially fatal. One should work with a medical detox facility.

Heroin detox is most often a matter of feeling extremely ill. It is not considered life threatening.

Methamphetamine can require medical assistance due to the extreme mood swing which may attend detox.

Benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium withdrawal can be fatal. Consult a physician before you stop using these drugs.

Cocaine withdrawal and detox may require assistance with the extreme mood swings.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that all of these detox symptoms can be managed and alleviated. As stated above, many treatment facilities include a full medical detox as part of their treatment program. Keep in mind that the illness you are battling is far worse than the brief period of detox. Nearly all of these detox symptoms last no more than about a week. If you have any doubt whether or not you will encounter these detox symptoms, consult your doctor or make sure to go through a medical detox facility. The key thing to remember is that once you pass through the phase you are the road to health.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Entering Recovery

Emotional First Aid and Self Care

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

Entering Recovery – When someone says you should take care of yourself many people feel like that would be a selfish move, but it is not selfish in any way. Taking care of yourself is a necessary part of life. This goes beyond basic care to physical health and mental well being. We tend to show favoritism of the body over the mind and while physical health is important, it is not the only aspect of ourselves that needs care. We spend thousands of dollars a year on health care products, good food, and the occasional treat, but little time is spent taking care of our mental needs. Maintaining our mental health is just as important as caring for our physical health.

Failure and rejection are mental injuries, but we tend to ignore them and they can get worse. When entering recovery we are often fraught with concerns of failure and rejection. This could be one of multiple attempts at recovery or simply a big step into the journey of recovery, but the concerns are often the same. These issues should be cared for just as you would a cold or the flu as they can cause damage as well. Another psychological concern is loneliness as it can cause further psychological damage if left unchecked. Now that you understand why emotional first aid and self care is important, let’s move on to how to take care of your psychological needs.

Keeping the mind healthy starts with paying attention to emotional pain and treating it before it becomes overwhelming. Redirecting gut reactions when you fail is a good start. Everyone fails or makes mistakes from time to time, but focusing on these failures can damage the psyche and create emotional turmoil. If you fail, try to correct the mistake and take another approach. If this approach also fails then change directions again until you get it right. Disrupting negative thoughts is another good move to improve mental health. As negative thoughts occur, take them captive and change your line of thinking. Many times if you can distract yourself from the negative thought you will avoid ruminating on things that can bring you down. If negative thoughts are left unchecked they can get out of control and lead to depression and possible relapse. Another idea to improve mental health is to not let excessive guilt and anger build. If something has you feeling guilty, admit it and apologize when possible. If nothing can be done to correct the action then it is simply a waste of time to obsess on the thought. This is also true of anger. If someone has hurt you or you are angry then calmly express that anger and hurt and try to find a solution. If no solution can be found then it is time to move on and let the anger go.

Entering Recovery – Since every individual is different it is important to learn what treatments work best for your emotional wounds. Some may benefit from talk therapy while others can learn to take care of themselves with practice. The thing to remember is that emotional first aid will keep the mind healthy just as first aid keeps the body healthy and both are equally important.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

purpose in recovery

Finding and Knowing Your Purpose

Articles, Australia, International, Malaysia, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Purpose In Recovery – Addiction is a thief, but one we often invite into our lives and cannot seem to get rid of in a timely manner. Addiction steals purpose, truth, and many other things, feelings, and emotions. These things are not truly missed until recovery begins and then it may be slightly overwhelming for some. The good news is that even in this desperate time you can find a purpose that will lead to a better life.

Many people are not happy in their lives, this includes addicts. Those who are happy tend to know their purpose and enjoy sharing it with others. The way to find your purpose is to answer a few questions about yourself. Five basic questions can aid you in discovering and moving toward your life purpose in recovery. The first two questions are about you: Who are you and what do you do? The last three questions are about those who will be affected by your purpose. Who do you do it for, what do these people want and need, and how have others changed as a result of what you do? If you do not have a purpose yet then you may have to answer the last few as what you hope to have happen.

Before you answer these questions know that those with a purpose tend to be focused on those they are helping or changing, not on themselves. Your purpose is to make a difference for others. When you find your purpose it will help others even if that is not your initial intention. Those with purpose want to share it and this in turn affects others. When in active addiction a purpose is usually singular, to gain access to your drug of choice. This also effects those around you, but in a negative way. Now that you understand what needs to be answered about a purpose here are some tips on how to find your personal purpose.

Life purpose in recovery is not an in your face thing, it is elusive, but can be found by putting one foot in front of the other until you simply know what your life’s purpose happens to be. Purpose tends to evolve over time. Your purpose may begin small, but can grow exponentially with time and effort. Your purpose tends to emerge from experience. Use what you know to help others in your purpose, but be willing to adjust as needed. Your purpose will become clear at the exact right time for you as you are eminently qualified to your purpose in life. As you search for this purpose enjoy the adventure. You may have bumps along the way, but once your purpose is found you can do great things.

Though purpose in recovery is important do not get too stressed about finding yours, it will become clear in time. Simply be present in the moment and delight in watching it unfold. This is important whether you are in recovery or just trying to find more meaning in your life.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.