Category: Australia

Most People Are Addicts

To Varying Degrees, Most People are Addicts

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

I can just hear hundreds of people yelling, “I’m no addict,” but you are you know.

Loosely defined, you are addicted to anything that is pleasurable to you. Which you have had or done for a long enough time that you would go to great lengths to continue. Not only can many people not start their mornings without their coffee, but they even have it sitting on their desks while they work.

Then there are people who roll out of bed, and half asleep begin their jogging in all kinds of weather for several miles. Why?  The payoff is a rush of endorphin , which make you feel good. If you missed a morning of jogging you would definitely miss that harvest of morning endorphins all day long. You would not likely receive any negative feedback for this, as most people are not aware that done consistently to the extent that you need the results to get you through the day is actually an addiction. You would receive kudos instead. However, as with many activities that society does not even recognize as an addiction, a lot of exercise has been connected with feeding and eating disorders.

Most of us love sweet things; and the more sugar we put on our cereal and raspberries, the more we love it; and will be on the lookout for more before we even clear off the table. Again, this is not good for your health, but not viewed negatively by society.

Then there are the many sex addicts; mostly men, but also women.

Then there are the addictions to various types of prescriptions. Sometimes doctors prescribe too many; and the patients do not notice it because either they don’t know better, or because the more they take the better they feel, since they cause an increase in dopamine, a neurological  chemical that stimulates pleasure. Regardless of who may be to blame, each year there are a goodly number of prescription overdose deaths.

The downhill skiers are already lining up in the summer for their season downhill skiing pass, which most will use to their fullest extent. The hue and cry that occurs when a couple of warm days come along; and some ski runs are closed is heartbreaking, because the faithful skiers really miss their daily dopamine injection.

To top it all off, there are numerous health care professionals who believe that addiction is an illness just like cancer, for instance. Consequently, according to the particular problems, their treatment methods vary somewhat from those health care providers who do not agree that addiction is a disease. One thing that this type of thinking does, is to let addicts hold their heads up a little higher. Because their part in becoming addicted, whether to alcohol or drugs, is minimized because surely they cannot be more responsible for that than they would be if they got cancer.

Finally, a couple of the addictions that I mentioned earlier should not be difficult to cure by the individuals themselves. Such as foregoing unnecessarily infusing food with sugar. But sex addiction, well that’s another story!

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Spirituality in recovery

Spirituality in Recovery

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

Spirituality is a touchy topic in life and even more so in recovery. However, it would be unforgivable to not include at least one article on spirituality as part of recovery. To understand the importance of this topic in relation to staying clean and sober, one must first understand what spirituality is in life. Spirituality is defined as the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. Addiction makes us very self-centered and singularly focused on the next fix. Once we choose to enter recovery then that focus must shift and often that shift is toward spirituality. The idea of using spirituality or spiritual practices as a way to stay away from drugs and alcohol is not a new one. Many programs have a focus on spirituality, but the choice is truly up to each individual. Recovery may be the first time in years or maybe in the addicts entire life that they have thought of someone or something outside themselves. Read on to delve a little further into the concept of spirituality.

Spirituality can be understood as an inner path enabling a person to discover his or her well being. Spiritual practices could be described as those things or the religion that helps an individual discover who they are in life. This can help create a more personal journey. The benefits of spirituality in recovery are numerous. Some of these include being better able to cope with trials and tribulations. Offering a boost each day as time is spent in reflection or with a higher power. Clarity, increased happiness and contentment. As a mood lifter. And as a guide to being a better person, mother, father, and child.

Spirituality in recovery can offer support when others are not available and as it is practiced over time can lead to a more peaceful life overall. As those that choose to practice spirituality grow and gain deeper understanding of their spiritual choice. Then it is likely they will be more relaxed, happier, and less depressed. All of these things will benefit overall health and make reaching long term recovery more likely.

Spirituality is a decision that is unique to each individual. Some may believe in karma, some in God, some in many gods, and some in nature. The possibilities are endless. It is something that is worth finding and practicing in recovery. The one thing each person needs to remember is that you are free to try one or many forms of spirituality or glean from as many as you can to decide on your life philosophy. Just knowing that there is something more to life than yourself and what that knowledge can do for you is life changing.

So now you are faced with a decision. Will you look into the concept of spirituality? Will you learn and grow in the form of spirituality that you already know or practice? Are you willing to think of something and someone outside yourself? The choice is yours, but if you at least explore the possibilities then you will know you have tried. Stay strong, you can stay in recovery long term.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Early Sobriety - Testimonial - What I Wish I Had Known

Early Sobriety – What I Wish I had known

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

Looking back on my early days and weeks in sobriety, I often think of things I had known at the time. Early sobriety is an extremely confusing time. There are just a few facts which would have helped me sort through some of that confusion. We come into treatment dizzied and beaten, knowing just a few things would definitely help get through the first days. 

Upon finding myself in drug and alcohol rehab I was completely shocked to find that so many people I had counted as friends had disappeared as soon as I went into treatment. I thought surely some, if not all, of the people I had called friends would be there for me now that I had decided to get well. That was not to be the case. There were actually quite a few people for whom I had simply disappeared from the earth. I was shocked and hurt. I felt abandoned. The reality that I came to know was that not everyone in your drinking and drugging life is worth keeping around. This plunge into treatment had turned into a process of separating the wheat form the chafe and I am now grateful for it. Those people who saw me as nothing more than a party buddy are gone. The people I do have left in my life are precious to me.

One of the attitudes I took with me into the earliest days of sobriety was the firm belief that things can and will get worse. I think this is common for people who find themselves in need of drug and alcohol treatment. This attitude is really a hold-over from using. Drug and alcohol fuels the downward slide into the negative, and we become so accustomed to this that we mistake it for a reality. What I found is that life always gets better in recovery—always! I may hit stumbling blocks, and life still throws me difficulties. But life as a sober person is always a steady rise toward the positive. The days begin to seem normal, boring even, but over periods of weeks we all see noticeable and marked improvement in the quality of our lives.

This last piece of information leads to another fact that I was blind to in early sobriety. You will never regret being sober. It seems obvious now. But in early recovery I thought I would surely miss out on great times that centered on drinking. I would necessarily regret missing those times while I got with the business of being sober. This is just not true. What is true is that a life of being addled by alcohol always gave me regret. There has never been the slightest moment of life that I regret spending sober. The blunt truth is that could have done many things intoxicated that I did sober. But there was nothing about being sober that in any way diminished dong those things. This comes down to a simple wager. I will not lose anything by betting on being sober.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Assessment.

Alcohol and Women in Australia

Alcohol and Women in Australia

Articles, Australia, Education, Understanding Addiction

It is currently estimated that one third of women in Australia are problem drinkers. This is to say that their alcohol consumption poses a risk to their health. Also, they are at risk for serious dependency issues. One study showed that women are catching up with men in Australia in alcohol consumption, and in some case they are exceeding them. All of this begs the questions, why are women in Australia particularly at risk for alcohol abuse and dependency.

One of the reasons women are increasingly becoming at risk for alcohol abuse is because recent years have opened the way for women to drink in ways which were historically accessible only to men. In short, it has become more acceptable for women to openly drink to excess than it has been in the past. As a result, more women are indulging in risky drinking behaviors.

There are other reasons for the increase in problem drinking for Australian women. These include the fact that women experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress at rates much higher than men. They turn to alcohol as a way of self-medicating for these problems. The fact that there are so many women who feel the need to self-medicate leads to another source of the increase in problem drinking among Australian women.

There is a perception among women in Australia that there is not as much access to help for things such as depression and anxiety. Women feel the stigma attached to these issues more than men and are looked down upon for seeking help. Thus women feel more isolated as they face these problems. Women are more likely to turn to alcohol (and other substances) for help in managing their lives.

Another reason for the isolation that many women feel is due to the patterns of their drinking habits. Many women begin in their 20’s (or earlier in some cases). They engage in high-risk behaviors such as binge drinking. Though dangerous, this in itself is not all that unusual. But as they transition into adulthood and begin families, many of these women believe their drinking will just naturally slow down. This turns out not to be the case in many instances. It is true that most women stop going to parties and clubs after they start families. But the indulgences of wine and cocktails persist. Due to the feelings of shame attached to these behaviors, they often hide their drinking. The isolation becomes worse and the drinking becomes worse.

There are bright spots in all of this. The news is not all bleak. Since these reports have come to light, there is an increase in awareness of the particular needs of women and substance abuse. More women are finding that there is a world of help available for them. There is a host of treatment options. Dara Rehab in Thailand is a relatively short distance away and offers a full range of treatment programs for women. There are many reasons to be hopeful, especially as more people become aware of the specific challenges women face in getting help for problem drinking.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Alcohol Rehabilitation Assessment.

Heroin Addiction in Melbourne

Heroin Addiction in Melbourne

Articles, Australia, Education, LGBTQ, Understanding Addiction
Heroin Addiction Is A Major Problem in Melbourne, Australia

Heroin addiction continues to ravage the people of Melbourne, Australia. Unless you lived in this beautiful locality, you would have no idea that in many places, dirty syringes and empty heroin baggies line the streets. Especially in places like Victoria St and North Richmond.

Heroin 101 – Information About This Deadly Drug

Heroin comes from the opium poppy plant, which is grown in tropical climates around the world. It can be smoked, snorted, or injected intravenously with a needle. Heroin creates a tranquilizing euphoric effect and is available in Melbourne for as cheap as $17 a hit. This is less expensive than a six-pack of beer or a pack of cigarettes. Heroin is wildly available in Melbourne, which is why so many new users are becoming addicted to the stuff and chronic users are able to stay high.

Medically Supervised Injection Rooms Have Been Recommended For Melbourne

Sadly, many people in Melbourne die openly on the streets shooting heroin. This has caused residents to ask government officials to create medically supervised injecting rooms that will allow heroin addicts to use their drugs safely.

These types of rooms are available in Sydney where heroin addicts can go to a medical facility and safely use heroin. There, they are monitored by hospital staff to avoid overdose or prevent heroin-related medical issues that could be dangerous.

Needle Programs Give Out Free Needles to Heroin Users In Melbourne

Heroin is illegal in Melbourne, but that doesn’t stop thousands of addicts from abusing this powerful opiate. This is largely because the city has a compassionate approach to heroin and use and does not promote incarceration of heroin addicts.

There are even needle programs in Melbourne that give out free needles to prevent users from using dirty needles and spreading diseases like HIV. One free needle program in Melbourne reports giving out 70,000 needles a month.

What Heroin Addiction Means For The People Of Melbourne

Because heroin addiction is so severe in Melbourne, the city is suffering. Here are a number of negative consequences that have resulted from heroin addiction in Melbourne: 

Quite frequently, innocent bystanders are seeing heroin addicts overdose on the streets. Forcing them to render medical assistance until emergency responder’s show up.

There are a lot of dirty syringes and bloody towels in the streets of Melbourne, left behind by people who are using heroin on the streets.

Believe it or not, it is not uncommon for the dead bodies of people who have overdosed to be left on the streets for hours until law enforcement officials can process the scene.

There has been increased crime in Melbourne because addicts are stealing to support their habits.

Families are being ripped apart because of heroin addiction.

Productivity is down because many people are using heroin and then going to work.

DARA Thailand Offers a Solution For Heroin Addiction in Melbourne

At DARA Thailand, we are equipped and ready to assist Aussies with a heroin addiction. If you are ready to stop using can get your life together, talk to one of our addiction experts.

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