Codependency

Understanding Codependency

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For Family Members Of Addicts And Alcoholics – Understanding Codependency: Part One

This is part-one of a two-part series about codependency and how it affects families of addicts and alcoholics.

The Complex Condition Of Codependency Explained

Codependency is very common among family members who have a loved one with an addiction problem. The dictionary definition of co-dependency is, “excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner. Typically a partner who requires support due to an illness or addiction.” However; this simplistic definition does not do an adequate job of explaining the complex nature of this emotional and behavioral condition.

If you have someone in your life who has a substance abuse problem. It’s very easy to fall into a co-dependent cycle and become enmeshed with that person. Enmeshment is what happens when boundary lines get blurred. It becomes difficult to determine where you start and the other person stops.

When you take on the role of constant caretaker at the expense of your own health and well-being, you are engaging in co-dependent behavior. Codependency is characterized by an extreme need to make sacrifices to satisfy the other person’s needs. It is also identified when your emotions are so entangled with the addicted person, you become reliant upon them to define how you are feeling.

Family Members Of Addicts And Alcoholics Often Develops Among People Who Have An Addicted Person In The Family

Here’s how co-dependent relationships develop among people who love an alcoholic or an addict:

  • A chemically dependent person inevitably creates messes he or she cannot clean up without help. This means people who care about this person feel a sense of obligation to run around and clean up those messes.
  • Someone with an addiction problem can easily become financially dependent because they spend on their money on drugs or alcohol. Someone with codependency issues will take responsibility for making sure their bills get paid.
  • Addiction takes center stage in family dynamics. It runs the show. Family members and people who care about an addict or alcoholic often tip-toe around the addiction. This allows the addiction to dominate day-to-day living.
  • People with a drug or alcohol problem can become emotionally, verbally, or physically abusive. A co-dependent person will internalize this abuse and take it on. They will tell themselves it is their fault and begin to change themselves in every way possible to make the abuse stop. They will fail to realize they are not the problem, but that the abusive/addicted person is.
  • Those who have a substance abuse problem will often demonstrate embarrassing behavior that brings shame to the family. Someone with co-dependency issues will take it upon themselves to apologize for their family member’s conduct and make excuses for their outbursts and outlandish antics.
  • When a person has co-dependency issues and they have an addict or alcoholic in they family, they will tell lies to cover for them. A good example is the wife who calls her husband’s job to report that he is sick when he is actually hungover. Another example is the concerned mother who lies to other family members to cover up the fact that her son is using meth.

Be sure to read For Family Members Of Addicts And Alcoholics – Understanding Codependency: Part Two.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Residential Treatment

Residential Treatment at DARA

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People are usually willing to admit that addiction is bad, but few will tell you how nasty addiction can be for an individual. Though everyone experiences addiction differently, if left unchecked addiction will ultimately ruin or take your life. Addiction is often sugar coated by simply stating that it can make you lose your friends and alienate family members, but there is so much more. Addiction robs the user of their free will. The addiction takes over and fun, freedom, happiness, money, and others become second to whatever substance or substances have taken hold. For many addiction creeps into life without warning. A daily drink with dinner may turn into daily drinks and then into needing a drink to function. A single hit of nearly any illegal drug can create a craving that makes all other aspects of life irrelevant. This is the scary side of addiction that no one truly wants to acknowledge or discuss. If you find yourself or a loved one in the grips of this type of addiction, do not lose hope.

There is help. One place that can offer the help necessary to get back to a real and enjoyable life is that of DARA Thailand residential treatment center.

Recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction is possible at DARA. Each DARA facility offers quality services with a range of specialized professionals to meet the needs of each individual client. The goal of DARA residential treatment centers is to offer each client what they need in order to be successfully addiction free and move forward to a healthier lifestyle. The staff at DARA works full time to provide behavioral, drug, and alcohol related counseling and services. The wealth of expertise contained within the staff will be able to offer something for each client. Additionally, the staff are highly qualified to experience the issues that tend to arise when recovering from drugs and alcohol as well as any dual diagnosis that may be discovered while in treatment. It is not unusual for an addict to have related mental health issues that need addressed as well.

A residential addiction rehabilitation program means a person will be living at the center for a short amount of time. This allows a person to focus totally on recovery without the concerns of day to day life in the beginning of recovery. Allowing oneself to be away from triggers and the normal environment of addiction means that healing can begin and strength can be gained to move back into the real world. Recovery must go beyond simply not using of having cravings and into finding joy and peace. DARA residential treatment offers this in the form of fresh air, increased physical wellness, nutritious meals, and emotional well being. This all takes place in a former resort that has been converted to meet the needs of a rehab facility. The beautiful, healing setting could be just what is needed to bring about the clarity that recovery can bring.

So if you or a loved one is ready to take that first step, consider DARA residential treatment as an option to begin your healing journey.

Want to find our more about Dara Residential Treatment? CLICK HERE for more information.

Coping with Anxiety

Coping with Anxiety

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The medical definition of anxiety is a ‘state of or consisting of psychological and physical symptoms that are brought about by a sense of apprehension at a perceived threat’. The key to that definition is a perceived threat. Anxiety producing happenings or things are not always a true threat, but our minds perceive them as one.  The actual symptoms of anxiety vary from person to person and may vary each time you are feeling anxious. The good news is there are ways to deal with anxiety when it does occur.

Everyone will experience mild anxiety at times, this is completely normal. When anxiety becomes prevalent in your life or overwhelming then you must learn to control it and continue moving forward. Though it is often tempting to simply avoid anxiety causing situations, this is not always possible or feasible. Sometimes we must stay and face or fears in order to live a productive life. One way to cope with these problematic situations is to make a list. Though lists are not for everyone, they are helpful in many situations. Create a problem list and break down the issues into manageable steps. These can then be overcome one at a time. With each victory over anxiety treat yourself. You have made a huge accomplishment.

Practice relaxation techniques. Guided imagery is a great way to take your mind of an ongoing situation. Many scenarios are available online. Additionally, deep breathing exercises in which you focus only on the slow deep breaths you are taking in can calm the body and mind quickly.

Make sure to practice good self care by resting enough and eating well. Caring for yourself will help you to face situations realistically. In fact, being over tired or hungry can be a trigger for an attack. The same can be said for being angry or lonely. Focus on keeping yourself in a good place regardless of circumstances.

Finally, talk therapy can be a good solution to working through every day problems that cause anxiety. A good counselor can also teach techniques to deal with sudden onset anxiety. Being afraid will not kill you, but it can take away many good things in your life. Be willing to work through the anxiety for a better future. If talk therapy is still not enough a host of anti anxiety medications are available. Though these are not a cure all, they can be beneficial in some cases.

Anxiety and panic attacks can be traumatic. It may seem as if your world is ending, but the attack will pass and you will survive. When anxiety arises try to calm yourself and focus on something good or exactly what is happening. Stay grounded and focus on something static like a table or lamp or even someone you know in the room. Know that you will and probably are safe. The ability to calm ourselves is within each of us if we allow it to come forth. Humans are amazing creatures that feel strongly. Use the strength to overcome whatever comes your way.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

alcoholic

The Bright Light Of Recovery – Let It Shine!

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Addiction Thrives In The Dark. It Lives In The Night. It Keeps You Covered In The Shade. 

In your addiction, you did everything under the cover of the darkness. The nighttime became your friend. It’s where you felt the most comfortable.

When the sun came up, it mocked you. It exposed you for what you were. You were an alcoholic or a drug addict who, just the night before, had sworn to yourself that you were only going to have a few drinks. Or take one hit. Or do one bag. But, despite your most sincere efforts – once again – you had pulled an all-nighter. The sun knew it and you couldn’t hide from it.  

Not only did you take advantage of the nighttime hours to conduct the business of being an addict or an alcoholic (which is not to say that you didn’t drink or drug during the day too), you relied on the proverbial darkness to keep your secrets.

Chances are, you engaged in some weird and unusual behaviors. Your addiction or alcoholism forced you to do things you’re not proud of now that you’re clean and sober. You had to hide who you were. You lived in the shadows. You needed the shade to survive.

Today, things are different.  

In Recovery, You Have To Befriend The Light

Now that you’re in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, you have to turn away from the darkness and allow your Higher Power to shine the Light on your spirit.

You have to be willing to reveal your secrets to your sponsor and the people in your support system or your secrets will keep you sick. You must practice a program of rigorous honesty and let people in. You simply must allow people to get to know who you are as a human being. It’s the only way to recover.

Where you once perceived the Light as your enemy, you must now embrace it as your friend. Of course, this is easier said than done. Being honest and open after closing yourself off from the rest of the world for so long can make you feel vulnerable and afraid.

At First The Light Is Blinding, But Then It’s Warm And Welcoming

It’s like when you sit in a dark room for an extended period of time and suddenly the lights get turned on. The experience is disorienting. You are momentarily blinded, and you can’t see. The light hurts, and it feels uncomfortable. You immediately want to turn those lights off and return to the darkness where it’s comfortable and safe.

But, after just a short time, you adjust to your new environment, which is warm and welcoming. Your vision is restored. You come to appreciate the light because it affords you the blessed opportunity to see things as they truly are. Although you didn’t like it at first, you become grateful for the light and all that it has to offer you.

If You’re Still Living In The Darkness, Let The Light In

If you’re still hiding in the darkness in your recovery, let the Light in. Start reaching out to other people and invite them to get to know who you truly are. Be honest about where you are at. Talk about what you are feeling and what’s really going on in your mind. Start sharing your true, authentic self. You will find freedom from the bondage of self that can only be found when you shine the Light on your dark places.

If you’re hiding in the darkness, you’re reserving a place for a relapse. That’s where addiction lives. Recovery only lives in the Light of Truth.   

Are you and alcoholic or drug addict that needs help? 

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Benzodiazepine Addiction

Understanding Benzodiazepine Addiction

Articles, Australia, Education, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States
What Are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepine Addiction – Millions of people around the world struggle with an addiction to benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos.” These are powerful, fast-acting tranquilizers used primarily to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia. People are often given benzos before a surgical procedure to calm or sedate them.

Although you are only supposed to take benzos if you have legal prescription for them from the doctor, many people obtain them illegally on the street. This is known as prescription drug abuse.

The Different Types Of Benzos

Here is a list of different benzodiazepines:

  • Riazolam (Halcion)
  • Midazolam (Versed)
  • Clorazepate (Tranxene)
  • Alprazolam (Xanax, the most commonly prescribed benzo)
  • Lorazepam (Ativan)
  • Temazepam (Restoril)
  • Oxazepam (Serax)
  • Estazolam (ProSom)
  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
  • Flurazepam (Dalmane)
  • Quazepam (Doral)
  • Clonazepam (Rivotril, Klonopin)
Benzodiazepines Side Effects

Like every medication, benzodiazepines come with known side effects. Here are a few of the most common side effects associated with benzos:

  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Physical Dependence
  • Cravings For More Benzos
  • Drowsiness
  • Mental Confusion
  • Tremors
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of Coordination
Developing a Tolerance To Benzos Ultimately Leads to Addiction

When you take benzodiazepines, you quickly develop a tolerance to them. This means that your body becomes used to them and the dosage you used to take is rendered ineffective. In other words, when tolerance takes hold, you will use more and more benzos to get the same effect you used to get when you took less. Before long, tolerance can become so great that the benzos can quit working altogether. Needless to say, this can be very frustrating.

When you take more benzodiazepines than you are supposed to, you develop a physical dependence on the stuff. Your body needs the drug in order to function. When you are addicted to benzodiazepines, and you stop taking them, you will be forced to go through withdrawal.

Symptoms Of Withdrawal From Benzodiazepine Addiction  

Withdrawal, also known as detox, is the process of removing an addictive substance from your body once your body has become dependent upon it. Withdrawal is a very unpleasant, very painful experience. Someone who attempts to quit using benzos without professional help will usually find that detox is so difficult, they will return to the drug to relieve the symptoms.

Here is what you can expect if you go detox from benzos:

  • Anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Tremors
  • Migraine headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Disruption to sleep
  • Nightmares
  • Depression
  • Loss of motivation
  • Lack of focus
  • Body aches
  • In extreme cases; seizures, coma, and death
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Is Not Something You Should Attempt On Your Own

Make no mistake about it – you can experience seizures, coma, and a premature death when you detox from benzos. Withdrawing from benzos is not something you should do alone. You should never attempt to quit benzodiazepines cold turkey. First of all, the experience is extremely painful and profoundly uncomfortable. Secondly, it is life-threatening.

If you have been struggling with Benzodiazepine addiction, you need professional help. You need to undergo a professional medical detoxification where you can be monitored and evaluated around-the-clock. This way, you can safely and comfortably withdrawal from benzodiazepines.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.