Category: Australia

Addiction tears away at just about every aspect of a person’s life. The physical health of an addicted person deteriorates rapidly. Psychological problems which may have led to an addiction are complicated by drugs and alcohol, and alcoholics and drug addicts develop psychological problems from their substance abuse. Families are strained to the breaking point. But certainly one of the most delicate relationships to suffer from addiction and alcoholism is a romantic relationship. Couples of all sorts are damaged and destroyed by addiction.

The first course of action for couples is to get the addicted person into treatment. Nothing can be done until the drug and alcohol use is stopped for good. A temporary remission from substance abuse may seem appealing but an addicted person needs to learn to stop for good. If not, the stresses and strains on the relationship come back with a fury and the damage is compounded. Only a complete addiction recovery program can offer any hope of repairing the damage done to a relationship from drug addiction and alcoholism.

What is more, as the addicted person undergoes therapies to manage their addiction, emotions, and coping skills so as to learn to live a life free of drugs and alcohol. The spouse or partner must also undergo counseling and education in order to properly understand all that has happened. The partner of an addicted person often feels neglected or abused as a result of the destructive behaviors brought on by drugs and alcohol. Many partners have been physically abused and this requires a specific type of counseling. But with the proper treatment and counseling, both partners can be educated to understand the addiction. And what will be necessary to live their new life together after recovery.

Recovery and Relationships Analysis

In the final analysis, the addicted person may well make a full recovery from drug and alcohol treatment. The couple after will need special attention which can only come from each other. In many ways much of this is up to the person who has suffered from the addiction. There are such an array of destructive behaviors that come from alcoholism and addiction and the person who had undergone treatment must find ways to address these things. A comprehensive treatment program will teach a patient coping skills and skills for dealing with intimate relationships. But the person who has gone through treatment must put these into practice.

The couple should go through couple counseling and many recovery programs offer this. The same methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that teach coping skills and skills to manage emotions can be put to use in these couple counseling sessions.

Though the damage to intimate relationships as a result of drug addiction and alcoholism can be devastating. With the aid of a thorough treatment program, couples can do recover together. In many ways, this joint experience of recovery can bring a couple together in ways they never knew before. The experience of having endured such a struggle, learning new ways of living, and coming back together can strengthen a relationship.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

We sat in silence. Client and Therapist.

The feeling in the counselling room subdued. Emotion heavy.

I sat there. He sat there. We were together.

No words uttered between us.

Professionally, I knew the importance of this experience. The client wasn’t running away from his difficulties.

It was beautiful.

Like invisible bricks being laid, onto an invisible wall.

I recognised emotional resilience developing during the counselling hour – we were experiencing it together.

Our eyes connected.

I smiled. He sighed.

The foundation stone of emotional resilience was constructed. Supporting him for the rest of his life.

As a Certified Wellness Coach, as well as a qualified Therapist, I understand the importance of building emotional resilience. It enables a person to gain emotional stability, rather than an internal sensation of chaos.

To do so you must takes baby steps and a willingness to consistently repeat those steps. It’s in the willingness to be consistent, even when having experienced a lapse or relapse, which helps build resilience throughout addiction recovery.

The Program at DARA is created, to assist in building practical, emotional and intellectual steps within a healthy framework. Enabling individuals to raise emotional resilience levels.

The stimulation delivered and the process created, then helps a client to continue with and maintain sobriety, whilst reintegrating daily living.

How Does Emotional Resilience Help Life?

• By becoming responsive and thoughtful, impulse control is developed
• Creates authenticity in relationships
• Dulls the anxiety which reduces sound judgment
• Works alongside motivation to help achieve goals
• Builds empathy
• Enables you to feel good about yourself
• Develops an internal locus of control

Stress is a powerful trigger

If not looked at, understood or explored properly. It can lead to poor coping strategies being put in place.

Addiction is one of these.

Using drugs or alcohol to dampen down the feeling of stress. Without developing awareness about what is impacting on a person’s life to create it. Stops healthy coping strategies being identified and the development of emotional resilience.

If the desire is to find a constructive way to feel relaxed and develop positive feelings, then in the long-term, drug use and alcohol abuse will create exactly the opposite.

Remember, it’s about small steps being put in place.

These can happen in both a negative or positive way. Become conscious about those choices made and decide to continue creating the ones which enhance rather than inhibit life.

Mindfulness for Resilience Building

• Reduce rumination by developing good communication skills
• Remain focussed on the task at hand or the conversation in place
• Bring your mind back, every time it wanders. This is brain training in practice
• Connect and listen to the internal rhythm in the body
• Get Physical
• Take a moment and consciously breathe

The Author Elizabeth Gilbert experienced herself as a seduction addict. One of the ways in which she became mindful in her own life, was to design and fil her own happiness jar.

This is a really constructive way in which you can become mindful of those moments ‘in between.’ A place which will help you build and recognise your own emotional resilience. It doesn’t have to be a jar. It can be the Voice Memo on your phone, or a journal by the side of your bed.

“Over the years, my Happiness Jar has taught me much. What continually amazes me is what ends up on the slip of paper every day. Not awesome events, not huge achievements — usually just a small and tiny thing, a moment of awareness…that moment when you step outside and between the house and the car you get hit on the top of the head with a beam of sunlight, and suddenly feel awash with gratitude simply for being alive, and you think, “Yes. This is it.”

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Most addictions are easy to recognize. Some substance is put into the body and physical effects can be felt. This substance becomes necessary to function in some manner. However, some addictions are not about substances, but about behaviors. These can include, but are not limited to gambling, sex, technology, and even food. The difference in some behavioral addictions and drug or alcohol addictions is you cannot always fully avoid a behavioral addiction, it can be hard to abstain completely from certain behaviors. Some of the more common behavioral addictions will be described below with options for treatments.

Gambling Addiction

Gambling is a common behavioral addiction. Those addicted to gambling become consumed with gambling, winning, and trying to recoup losses. A single win can fuel the addiction for a long time. Even as those who lose much more than winning will continue to gamble for the thrill. Many people with a gambling addiction will lose massive amounts of money, jobs, and even homes trying to become a winner again. They may distance themselves from friends and family to have more time to gamble. The addiction is strong and can truly take everything in life. Gambling is one of those behaviors that can be avoided with help, but if addicted a treatment plan does need to be created.

Sex Addiction

Sexual addiction is another form of behavioral addiction. Sex is a normal part of life for consenting adults, but as with anything it can become an addiction. When sex becomes all consuming and creates a life full of risky behaviors simply to have sex, than it has become problematic. Sex is not typically a behavior that can be avoided for a lifetime, but keeping the amount of partners or sexual exploits to a reasonable amount is possible, even for those who are addicted. Sex addicts often seek sex outside of their marriage, in dangerous places, or in risky situations. The need, as with gambling becomes all consuming. Sex is no longer to show love or caring, it is for the act itself and the feeling of the act.

Technology Addiction

A third form of behavioral addiction is that of technology. In a world filled with the Internet, phones, and digital everything in life, technology can become an obsession. Whether the habit is for the newest and best in technology or much of your day is spent staring at a screen, you may have an addiction. If you find it hard to unplug and be part of the physical, as opposed to virtual world, then you may have a technology addiction. This could mean checking Facebook every few minutes, spending more time online than with family and friends, or being permanently attached to your phone. It may be impossible to void technology altogether in this life, but a balance can be found.

Food Addiction

The final form of behavioral addiction that will be discussed is that of food. This is often called sugar addiction, but any food type or all food can become an addiction. Obviously food cannot be totally avoided, it is a necessity in life. However, making healthy food choices and choosing reasonable portions can be a behavior that is adopted. Food addiction comes about when food consumes most of your thoughts. Worrying about what or when the next food meal is coming or how it is prepared could be a sign of addiction. There is help available.

Behavioral Addictions and DARA

DARA offers specialized treatment for each of these behavioral addictions and much more. With the help of supportive staff, behavioral counseling, and wellness focus, addictions can be overcome. Prior to discharge a plan specific to your needs will even be created to offer the best hope for being addiction free. If you or someone you know needs help consider DARA in-patient facility as an affordable treatment option.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

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.