International Archives - Page 69 of 111

Jul242017Jul242017

Maintaining Progress During Recovery

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Remaining sober while going through rehab is the beginning of a healing process that all addicts must face.

Once this initial treatment has been successfully completed a person should be ready for onward progress.

Maintaining this progress will require determination, desire and a positive approach to daily challenges, but it is most certainly achievable.

When times are tough a few self-reminders need to be recalled. Here are some important pointers.

Recovery is not an overnight event:

Let’s face it, your substance of choice took a good while to get the better of you. In all likelihood, it will have been the unwanted duo of increasing use and self-denial that finally led to rehab.

Similarly, recovery will not happen overnight. The need for patience, perseverance and that ever-strengthening desire to regain control of your life will take time.

While an addict will understand this, many friends and family will not. A fair percentage will think that because you have successfully completed initial rehab that all is well; if only!

Marking time:

There will be frustrating periods to face during recovery. Goals and targets are taking longer to achieve than expected and you appear to be marking time in terms of positive progress.

Don’t let these dips during recovery get you down. They will test your resolve and try your patience, but by resisting negative thoughts and pressing on in a positive manner you will become a stronger person.

Positivity is key to continuing the momentum of your personal recovery journey.

Beware of recovery burnout:

At times, challenges to maintaining sobriety will push you to the limit. This is natural because of the immeasurable effects addiction brings, but don’t let recovery burnout get the better of you.

It is imperative that any negative feelings and thoughts are expressed. Speak with your counsellor, a sponsor if you have one, and anyone who is close enough to open your heart too. These frank and open discussions will help tremendously and help you see things from a different perspective.

Focus is important if a recovering addict is to avoid recovery burnout. Here are ways in which that focus can be maintained:

Prioritise your goals:

It is natural to want everything to fall in place quickly, but it is important not to rush things. Address issues in order of priority, overcome one and move on to the next. If this takes longer than expected do not be disheartened.

Listen to your counsellor:

The agreed recovery plan has been specifically tailored for your needs. Many of the basic building blocks of this plan are being utilized because they have proved successful over time.

Never be afraid to question the steps that are being taken, but don’t place extra pressure on yourself by ignoring them and trying to establish your own rehab program.

Don’t underestimate prior progress:

As you progress through healing some stages will appear to be far more challenging than others. Rather than being disheartened spend time thinking about previous successful stages and how you achieved them.

This thought-process will bring positivity and allow you to face and overcome the next healing hurdle.

Recovery takes as long as it takes!

Bear this fact in mind, but don’t become complacent. Keep active, change routines, look at new activities and above all remain positive.

Whenever self-encouragement is needed just consider the progress made to date. Such progress is something you should rightly be proud of.

Jul202017Jul202017

Functioning Alcoholics – It’s NO Way To Function

Articles, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction

Those men and women who believe they are functioning alcoholics really need to take a step back and analyse exactly what physical and mental harm their excessive drinking is causing.

3 stages of ‘functioning’ alcoholism:

Here are 3 progressive stages leading to deeper dependence. It goes without saying that the earlier a person acknowledges alcohol currently has the better of them, the easier it is to make necessary changes.

Early stage alcoholism: This is when someone is drinking too much, but they have not suffered too many consequences. Addressing the amount of alcohol being consumed at this stage is when it is easiest to make necessary changes.
Middle stage alcoholism: Many class this as ‘the classic functioning alcoholic’ stage. The person is still holding down a job and their close relationships are still in place. The problem is that their life is starting to suffer. If action is taken now to curb drinking then there is every chance of getting life back on track. It must be reiterated that while this is seen as the classic case of a functioning alcoholic there is still hope of bringing them back from the brink of:
Late stage alcoholism: The job has gone, relationships are in tatters and the need for alcohol to get a person through the day is ever-present. It urges them to drink day-in and day-out. They cannot stop after the first drink and will continue until falling into bed for a troubled nights rest. It must be stated that this stage is not as common as many believe. They think this is the stereotypical alcoholic when indeed middle-stage alcoholism is far more prevalent.

Don’t fall foul of progressive alcoholism:

As can be seen through the above stages, alcoholism is progressive. Consequences gradually increase in line with the amount and regularity of alcohol consumed.

No one should tell a person who is at this heavy drinking stage that it is easy to quit, it is not, but if a person has already started to see the negative side of excessive alcohol intake then quit they must.

Denial is disaster:

As with all addictions a functioning alcoholic will be in denial:

Self-denial: They will be aware that they are drinking to excess but convince themselves that it is not as serious as it really is. They assume it is having little noticeable effect on their lives and relationships. Some high-functioning alcoholics with a responsible or senior position at work also take the view that they deserve a drink for the amount of hard work and success their efforts achieve. If this denial is maintained much needed professional assistance will not be sought. It can take traumatic incidents such as being apprehended for drink driving or going through a divorce to make them understand just how serious their situation now is.

Professional rehab can help:

Modern life is full of stress and challenges. It is easy to reach for the bottle as a form of comfort blanket, but the reality is that reaching for it too often will give little comfort.

Whatever stage you are at in terms of excessive drinking please seek professional rehab assistance as soon as possible.

Jul172017Jul172017

Don’t Overlook Overseas Rehab

Articles, Australia, International, Treatment, United Kingdom, United States

Huge numbers of men and women currently dependent on prescription or illegal drugs, and those with alcoholic problems are desperate for solutions to kick their habit.

Professional rehab services:

Professional rehabilitation services are quite rightly seen as a major step in the right direction. Top of the list in this category is an initial stay as an inpatient at a respected rehabilitation establishment.

Unfortunately, acquiring such a stay in your own country presents hurdles that prevent many from taking advantage of this highly effective first healing step.

In-country hurdles preventing this treatment:

Two major hurdles stand out in terms of securing a stay as an inpatient in the western world. Individually they are sufficient to prevent a person from getting much needed addiction treatment.

Waiting lists:

It takes courage and determination for someone whose life is dominated by substance abuse to stand up, end denial and seek professional help.

Having taken such a brave step, near-immediate attention is required. For an addict to be told by an inpatient rehab establishment that “yes, they do treat the substance in question”, but “no, admission cannot be provided now. However, there is a waiting list which we can place you on” is akin to a kick in the teeth for an addict.

It sends out a message that is literally saying “Sorry, you will have to wait your turn, please mark time and we will be in touch with you in xx months”.

This disappointment will generally mean one thing to an addict. They will continue abusing their substance of choice and slide deeper into dependence.

Cost:

In the vast majority of cases the cost of an inpatient stay at a residential establishment in your own country is prohibitive for many. It must be understood that dependent on the depth of treatment required stays generally range from 28 to 90 days.

If there is no personal health insurance policy with a clause covering such treatment then a person with an addiction will often struggle to meet such expenses.

Overseas rehabilitation establishments:

The 2 hurdles stated above are far easier to overcome if an addict looks at overseas rehabilitation establishments.

South-east Asia is a point in case with Thailand being a shining example. Here are just some of the reason why:

Location: Whether a remote mountain setting or idyllic beach location is your preference both are available with differing locations in between.
Accommodation: Extremely comfortable accommodation with luxurious facilities are available.
Fully qualified staff: The staff at such establishments are fully qualified with internationally approved and recognized certification.
Treatment: Treatment methods all comply to international standards. This means the treatment you will receive is certainly on par with that of your home country.
Waiting lists: In general, there will be no waiting lists. The pressures of attendance are far less than in your own country.
Costs: This has surely got to be the icing on the cake. Not only are major health insurance policies accepted, the actual cost of such a stay can be up to 2/3rds lower than the same stay in your own country.

A consideration not to be ignored:

There are a whole host of other reasons as to why overseas rehab is a most valid option for treatment. If the details above have whetted your appetite, further investigation will be most worthwhile.

Jul132017Jul122017

Inpatient Rehab – What And Why?

Articles, Education, International, Treatment, United Kingdom, United States

The vast majority of those currently dependent upon drugs or alcohol will eventually come to the point where they want to quit. If you or someone close to you is now in that position, inpatient rehabilitation must be a consideration.

We will look at why shortly, but first let’s understand one thing:

Quitting without help is a tall order indeed:

The thought of quitting drugs on your own is an admirable one. Sadly, it rarely works. This is not because a person is weak, it is because the need for their substance(s) of choice is far stronger.

A person will start with the strongest intentions to stop use, but it needs to be clearly understood that the substance you are dependent upon has changed how the brain works and reacts. The over-riding messages received will be a pressing need for the substance and that it is needed NOW!

To reinforce the message, it will be hammered home by extremely uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that accompany longer periods than normal without the substance. As these feelings develop and worsen there will be an overwhelming urge to ‘get back on it’.

Once this happens then dependence will continue unabated and an addict will be very reluctant to try such an approach again.

Inpatient addiction rehabilitation:

A stand-out characteristic of inpatient rehab is that the person concerned leaves their current environment and resides in a facility which is exclusively centered around recovery.

Most of this residential treatment will last for between 28 and 90 days. The length of time spent as an inpatient depends on the specific needs and priorities of each individual.

Accommodation will be comfortable and private, there will be grounds to roam and reflect in, healthy food served at set meal times and fitness facilities to take full advantage of.

Individuality is key:

This point must not be overlooked. A well-respected inpatient rehab establishment bases their treatment and healing programs around each and every individual.

Everyone is different and thus has different needs. Such individualism will be searched for and found during the early stages of a stay. This will happen through discussions with a fully qualified and committed counsellor.

Once the root causes of dependence, a person’s current situation, their physical and mental strength and any specific needs are understood a tailormade recovery program will be formed, discussed and agreed.

From here the real healing will begin.

Routine is key:

Many addicts have lost sight of a normal day-to-day routine. Their lives are centered around scoring and taking drugs or where their next drink will come from.

A stay at an inpatient rehab will give routine a renewed meaning. There will be 3 set meal times a day, activities and facilities to use and appreciate and crucial counselling sessions. These will be on a one-to-one basis as well as group sessions.

This routine will be interspersed with fun group activities, socialising time, periods of self-reflection and something all look forward to; weekly outdoor excursions.

A positive springboard:

We have not delved too deeply on what this type of treatment offers, but hopefully the above gives very positive feelings about a very positive way to overcome dependence and continue the healing process.

Jul122017Jul122017

The Company You Keep Affects Recovery

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

The Company You Keep Affects Recovery

If you have been dependent on an illegal substance or alcohol it is probably safe to say that the company you were keeping, and those you met along the way helped to fuel the fire of addiction.

Those who have taken the brave step of rehabilitation and are now ready to continue their life in an alcohol or drug-free manner need to make changes in the company they keep.

Company kept:

It is human-nature to be sociable, some are far more sociable than others. The company we keep is an important identifier to who a person feels they are and where they belong.

Close relationships, friendships and acquaintances all have a place in our lives, as do people we either do not get along with or dislike.

Company kept while dependence deepens:

As a person’s dependence upon drugs or alcohol deepens they will find that their normal social friendships shrink, but time spent with those who share the same substance interests deepen.

These deepening ‘friendships’ are a large factor for many in their continuing slide into addiction. It must be realised that if a person in recovery is to avoid relapse and a rapid return to their old way’s this company must be avoided.

Future relationships:

There are 3 strands to future relationships for a person in recovery. We will leave the one closest to home for last.

Voluntary recovery groups:

Organisations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can be a vital recovery resource.

They help a person understand such problems are not theirs alone, encouragement to regain self-respect is majored on and new friendships are formed. These factors and more help the recovering addict feel far less stigmatized.

Another important asset that should be taken full advantage of is the ‘Sponsor’ allocated to help during recovery.

These men and women have experience, they have been in those dark places you may very well find yourself in. Advice and direction will be offered along with constant comment and encouragement. They can be particularly important during early-stage recovery.

New relationships:

Bonding with others who are in recovery is important, but it will also benefit a person to establish new relationships. This can be achieved by joining a variety of groups in the local area that share interests, pastimes or hobbies you have enjoyed or feel you would enjoy.

Meeting new people in new surroundings can be refreshing and extremely encouraging in terms of keeping relapse at bay. After all, they do not need to know your history, and you do not need to reveal this until you are good and ready, if at all.

Friends you have distanced from:

Those friends who were close before dependence got the better of you may be open in terms of renewing relationships. It is important to understand that amends could well be in order and that such actions are not simply an apology.

Time needs to be taken over how you will approach each individual, and how thoughts and feelings are conveyed relating to your actions towards them during your addiction-fuelled days.

If some refuse this offer of renewed friendship do not let it cloud your judgement or have any serious effects on your recovery. Respect everyone’s personal feelings and hopefully the majority will respect yours.