Category: Malaysia

LGBTQ Community

LGBTQ Community and Addiction

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

It is estimated that 30 percent of the LGBTQ community abuse substance of one type or another. This compares to about nine percent of the general population. Substance abuse and substance addiction is a particularly troublesome issue for the LGBTQ community. The reasons for which which I will discuss below. That rate of substance abuse, that is more than three times that of the general average, should raise some eyebrows.

For many people who identify as LGBTQ, there are stressors and triggers which precipitate substance abuse which the straight community never has to deal with. For example, LGBTQ people often live with a general fear of persecution from the straight community. The fear of being judged as abnormal in a straight-dominant world can lead people to feelings of oppression and persecution. These people live with a constant fear of rejection in the work-place, in their own families, and in society in general. Manny LGBTQ people feel compelled to live a double life in response to this fear. Presenting themselves to the public or to their own families in a way which denies themselves who they really while trying to live their lives in a way that is consistent with their own self-identities.

This combination of fear and living a double life creates enormous stress; many people who live this way will attempt self-medication with drugs and alcohol to relieve this stress.

Another factor that leads to the high rate of substance abuse among LGBTQ people is the emotional trauma many of these people live with as a result of abuse for who and what they are. Many of these people have been victims of homophobia and other forms of abusive discrimination. Many are victims of violence from society and even from family members who reject who they are. The trauma, often unresolved or even properly treated, that persists from this type of abuse can lead to excessive drinking and drug abuse. It is well known that victims of trauma frequently seek relief in drugs and alcohol. The temporary numbing that comes for booze and drugs may be the only outlet some of these people have to deal with trauma.

These two things combined, fear of persecution and trauma, often lead to profound isolation. Isolation alone is a serious trigger of drug and alcohol abuse. Anyone who feels isolated from society is prone to substance abuse. Isolation, fear, and trauma are a deadly combination. This issue becomes even more complex for members of the LGBTQ community who may find companionship in people who are living with the same issues. Thus they not only succumb to substance abuse but find a community of people who are also caught up in the cycle of substance abuse.

Members of the LGBTQ community can find help. They can find communities of their own who are in recovery and have lived with the same or similar struggles. They find understanding listeners and communities of people who know about the struggles they have endures. There are treatment programs especially for the LGBTQ community also. Even as the statistics can be alarming, there are also signs of hope and recovery.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

First Ninety Days Of Recovery

What To Expect In Your First Ninety Days Of Recovery From Substance Abuse: Part Two

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

This is part-two of a two-part series about the first ninety days of recovery from substance abuse.

In Early Sobriety, You Will Suffer From Acute Withdrawal

The first part of sobriety is known as the acute withdrawal phase. This usually lasts for the first two to four weeks of abstinence from mood and mind-altering chemicals, depending on how much alcohol or drugs you have been consuming. This is the most uncomfortable part of the withdrawal process.

Acute withdrawal can be dangerous and even deadly. During post-acute withdrawal from just about every drug except marijuana – and especially alcohol – you can experience seizures, coma, and even death when you are removing addictive substances from your system.

This is why most people choose to go through post-acute withdrawal in the safety and comfort of our inpatient treatment program here at DARA Thailand. We provide round-the-clock care to monitor and evaluate our patients to make sure they progress through the acute withdrawal phase successfully.

After The First Month, You Move Into The Post-Acute Withdrawal Phase

During the post-acute withdrawal phase, symptoms subside and the pain and discomfort lessen tremendously. Usually, post-acute withdrawal lasts from four to eight weeks. During this time, you will still experience the symptoms of acute withdrawal, but they will be manageable. You will feel as though you are getting your sanity back and begin to feel as though you can tolerate being in your own body.

What You Should Expect During The Two Phases Of Withdrawal

As we mentioned, there are different withdrawal symptoms for different drugs. However; there are some common themes you should expect among the acute and post-acute withdrawal phases of any addiction.

Here are a few:

You will feel weird. There’s no other way to explain it. Your body will feel different. You will feel uncomfortable in your own skin.

You will feel like you are going insane. But you’re not. It just feels like you are.

You will have cravings for alcohol or your drug of choice. This is guaranteed. Because your body is so used to using drugs or alcohol, it will scream for more once you stop putting the chemicals into your body. You have to be strong and remind yourself that the cravings will pass.

You will feel tired – even downright exhausted. This is because drugs and alcohol take a toll on the body and they drain you of your energy.

Your sleep will be disrupted. You may have insomnia and be unable to sleep, no matter how tired you are. Or, if you are lucky enough to get sleep, you will probably wake up several times during the night. You will also have nightmares. 

You will have a change in appetite. You may eat more or less than you usually do.

You will have a difficulty concentrating. Working may be especially difficult because your mind doesn’t function the way you wish it would.

You will feel depressed. Depression can last for months after you quit using drugs or alcohol.

Don’t Give Up Five Minutes Before The Miracle

We hope you appreciate this honest assessment of the first ninety days of recovery. But, keep in mind, withdrawal does pass, the cravings go away, and things get better.

The miracles and gifts that come with the recovery process usually don’t start to show up until after the first three months. You just have to hang on to get to the other side. If you are within the first ninety days of your sobriety, just keep moving forward one day at a time. You will find that by the time you cross the three-month mark, you will feel much more content, easy-going, and lighter on the inside. And – you’ll be grateful that you are clean and sober.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Recovery From Substance Abuse

What To Expect In Your First Ninety Days Of Recovery From Substance Abuse: Part One

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

This is part-one of a two-part series about the first ninety days of recovery from substance abuse.

The First Ninety Days Of Sobriety Are The Most Difficult

If you have been struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, and you’ve made the decision to get clean and sober, good for you. We celebrate your awesome choice! You are on the right path and you can rest assured that good things are coming your way.

However; it is important to understand that the first ninety days of recovery from substance abuse are difficult. We won’t sugarcoat it. Breaking an addiction to mood and mind-altering chemicals is uncomfortable and challenging – to say the least.

Many People Relapse During The First Three Months

Statistically speaking, most people do not make it through their very first ninety days of sobriety without returning to drugs or alcohol. But, you don’t have to be a statistic. You can make the decision right now that you are going endure the first few difficult months of sobriety and make it. Just because sobriety is uncomfortable at first doesn’t mean you can’t deal with the discomfort and get through it.

However; if you do relapse, don’t give up hope and return to active addiction. After a couple of attempts at continued sobriety, most people find that they can get through it. It just takes some practice. The first three months are painful, so don’t beat yourself up if your first try at sobriety doesn’t work out. Just get back up and try again.

You Must Be Mentally Prepared For Those First Ninety Days

In the meantime, we want you to be prepared for the road that lies ahead. Knowing what to expect in your first three months of sobriety will help you get ready for the rollercoaster you are facing – and trust us when we tell you, it is a rollercoaster. If you are mentally prepared, tackling the daunting task of staying sober through those first grueling ninety days will be much easier.

You should expect the next couple of months to be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. Quitting drugs and alcohol takes a toll on even the strongest person. If you understand this going in, you won’t be surprised when you feel out of whack. You will think, “Ah, yes, this is hard. It’s uncomfortable and I don’t like it. I was warned about this. I can do this. It will pass and things will get better.”

What To Expect In Your First Ninety Days – The Pain Of Withdrawal

When you stop abusing mood and mind-altering chemicals, your body and mind have to go through an adjustment period. It is important to understand that drugs and alcohol take their toll on the brain and the body. When you stop drinking and drugging, your system has to get re acclimated to operating without chemicals.

This is known as withdrawal. There are two phases to withdrawal – acute withdrawal and post-acute withdrawal. We will talk more about these two phases in part two of this blog.

Be sure to check out What To Expect In Your First Ninety Days Of Recovery From Substance Abuse: Part Two.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

DARA Rehab Thailand

Dara Rehab Thailand

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

Facing an addiction and making the decision to seek treatment is not easy for anyone. The tendency is to deny there is even a problem for as long as possible which is why so many people reach a state of near total devastation before they enter treatment. But once someone makes that critical decision that they have a substance abuse problem and they need treatment, the next step can be almost as terrifying. At Dara Rehab Thailand, the decision is made easy.

First of all, Dara is a not a 12 step recovery program. We recognize that the 12 step program is not for everyone and that is why we have built our recovery program on scientifically proven methods for addiction recovery. What is more, Dara offers a comprehensive program of recovery. One that does not rely on any single method for treating addiction.

Since addiction is a complex issue, one that is physiological and psychological. We offer a range of treatments which address all of these aspects of addiction treatment and recovery. Dara Thailand utilizes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Person-centered Therapy, and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy depending on the individual needs of each patient. We recognize that no one comes to treatment with exactly the same set of problems. Patients are wrestling with addiction to different substances, for one thing, and the treatment program for one substance addiction will not necessarily be adequate for another substance addiction. Each of these therapies addresses different aspects of the emotional and psychological distress of addiction. There are a host of other psychological therapy options depending on the individual needs of the addicted person. All of these therapies are aligned with mindfulness and meditation in order to facilitate the psychological and emotional needs of people struggling with addiction.

Dara Rehab Thailand also offers a full physical evaluation. We determine the individual medical needs of patients as the enter treatment. The range of physical rehabilitation includes Thai massage and a physical activity program which takes account of the abilities and needs of each patient.

Treatment at Dara also includes psycho-educational programs which are geared toward addressing other physical and emotional needs patients may contend with such as chronic pain, diabetes, and other physical issues. Some of which may have contributed to the addiction problem in the first place. These are coupled with individual counseling and one-on-one therapy programs so that patients are able to work in group counseling. As well as deal with some problems and issues in a private consultation with health care professionals.

Finally, Dara includes family counseling as an integral part of the overall treatment program. Addiction impacts all aspects of a person’s life and often the family has suffered the most during the course of a person’s substance abuse problems. Family counseling at Dara works with the other psychological counseling programs so that the damage to the family can begin to be repaired. Addiction treatment is a long-term program and it includes much more than just the addicted person.

Needless to say, the tropical island environment of Dara Rehab Thailand in itself offers an ideal place to find the peace and calm necessary for addiction recovery.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Marijuana

Marijuana Addiction and Teens

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

Marijuana, weed, Mary Jane, grass, pot, dope, herb, joint, blunt, and stinkweed are just a few of the terms used to discuss marijuana and the use of it. Marijuana is probably one of the most commonly tried and used drugs in the world. Some places have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes if someone is of age or has a prescription. Many people do not consider pot to be addictive. But for those who start using in their teens, a quarter to a half become addicted and continue to use on the daily basis. In fact those who use long term often have withdrawal symptoms when they do try to stop. These specific symptoms will be described in a bit.

Marijuana is a commonly abused drug, but it is most prevalent in the teenage population. Pot has the ability to disrupt lives and families in ways that are often unexpected. Teens often struggle with motivation, memory, schoolwork, and beginning careers due to overuse of weed. In addition, physical symptoms such as heart and lung damage can occur. Teens who are smoking weed have a higher rate of depression and anxiety which is often why pot was tried in the first place. Smoking often can also trigger psychotic episodes. As marijuana impairs learning, judgment, and memory, teens are especially vulnerable as their brains are still developing. Pot use disrupts normal development of white matter that brain cells need to communicate and make it difficult for the user to use reasoning skills. New research also suggests that marijuana use can change the working memory part of the brain and make it difficult to recall basic information such as phone numbers or addressed. While most teens are likely to try pot at least once in their adolescent years if it becomes habit than help will be needed.

If you suspect someone is addicted to marijuana then look for the signs. The most obvious, if pot is smoked is the distinctive smell that will be present. Ask whether the person’s motivation, memory, or ability to concentrate has lowered. Try to determine whether they have lost interest in hobbies or other activities they used to enjoy or had a noticeable change in behavior. Ask the person if they feel their quality of life has changed for the worse. Once someone has admitted an addiction then treatment can become effective.

Some people may be able to quit using with outpatient counseling. This will involve looking at the reasons that pot was being used and finding ways to change that behavior for the better. Life skills on how to appropriately cope with problems, cravings, and new ways of thinking may also be taught. Some people will require inpatient treatment in order to take the enticement of using away for a time. This can be a beneficial change of environment until the user is ready to face ‘real life’ without the use of pot. If you or someone you know is addicted to marijuana, know you are not alone and help is available. Do not be afraid to ask for that help.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.