Recovering from addiction

In Recovery, You Have to Change Your Playmates, Playgrounds, And Playthings

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

When you get into recovery, you must make some big changes. Of course, there is the first obvious change – you have to stop engaging in your addictive behavior. Whether you are recovering from a drug problem, alcoholism, or a sexual addiction; the first step towards recovery is to stop using drugs or stop acting out sexually. Abstinence is the key to sobriety.

This by itself is hard work! However, this is only the first step to real, lasting change. It’s one thing to get into recovery. It’s another thing altogether to stay in recovery.

In order to stay in recovery, you also have to change your playmates, playgrounds, and playthings. What does this mean? It means you must change the people you hang out with, the places you go for enjoyment, and find new things that bring you pleasure. The playmates, playgrounds, and playthings you associate with your addiction have to go. They are triggers that will eventually lead you back to your old ways.

Getting New Playmates

Although addiction is very isolating, there are always at least few people addicts associate with when they are in their addiction. Whether it’s a drinking buddy, a drug dealer, or a sexual partner, there are familiar people from your past that can trigger you to want to relapse. 

When you get into recovery, you have to find new, sober playmates. You can no longer hang out with the people you used to get high or with or have addictive sex with. Although you might consider some of these people to be your friends, you simply must get some new friends.

Keeping company with people you associated within your addiction is a sure-fire way to wind up back in the addictive pattern you are working so hard to overcome.    

Finding New Playgrounds

When you were in your addiction, there were certain places you would go to act out. For addicts, it might be a certain house where you know you can use drugs. For alcoholics, it’s the bar. For sex addicts, it might be a sex shop to buy pornographic videos or a massage parlor where you know you can get sex. When you make the decision to get into recovery, you have to stop going to these places. 

Think about it. Why would you go to a bar if you aren’t going to drink? If you know you aren’t going to get high, why would you go to a dope house? And, if you aren’t going to act out in a sexual addiction, you have no business in a sex shop or massage parlor. However; because these places are comfortable, many people in recovery want to return to their old playgrounds and flirt with danger.

If you’ve made the decision to get sober, you have to identify which places you used to go to in your addiction and stay far, far away.

Discovering New Playthings

When you were in your addiction, you associated pleasure and enjoyment with sex, drugs, or alcohol. A large of recovering is learning how to find new things that get you excited. Now that you have committed yourself to walking the road of recovery, you must let go of the idea that drinking, drugging, or sexing is fun. You have to find new playthings. You might take up a hobby making crafts, start gardening, or join a book club. Whatever it is, your new playthings should involve sober people having good, clean fun.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Road To Recovery

The Black And White Of Recovery

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

Recovery – Many people who are in recovery from drug or alcoholism have a tendency to think in all or nothing terms. This is known as black and white thinking. When it comes to recovery, this is a good thing.

In order to recover from addiction or alcoholism, there is no gray area. Recovery requires someone to remain abstinent from all drugs and alcohol one day at a time. If you smoke a joint or drink a bottle of beer, you have relapsed. If you stay sober and do not drink alcohol or use any type of mood or mind-altering substance, you are in recovery. It’s black and white – no gray.

But that’s where it stops. Thinking in black and white in other areas of life is unhealthy. It is important to keep in mind that while the world is vibrant with color, life is about learning how to live in the gray.

Some Examples Of Black And White Thinking

Understanding black and white thinking is the first step to recognizing it when it happens. Thinking in terms of black and white is a set up to feeling bad about yourself, having unrealistic expectations of others, and being generally disappointed.

Here are some examples of black and white thinking:

You make a mistake at work. It was a careless mistake that you made because you weren’t paying attention and you had other things on your mind. Your boss notices your blunder and talks to you about it. Rather than recognizing that you are a fallible human being who makes mistakes, you beat yourself up relentlessly. You tell yourself that you are a total failure who can’t do anything right. You are so embarrassed, you think about quitting your job.

Your partner has a bad day at work. He or she comes home in a bad mood and yell at you because you didn’t unload the dishwasher. You become angry and lash out, screaming that you always unload the dishwasher and you don’t appreciate being accused of being lazy. You decide your partner is totally unfair and unreasonable. Instead of being understanding that your partner is just having a bad day, you consider breaking off the relationship.

You are driving down the freeway and someone cuts you off in traffic. You think that all people are selfish, inconsiderate jerks and you decide you are sick of other people. Rather than acknowledging the person made a poor decision and blowing it off, you stay angry the rest of the day.

How To Learn To Live In The Gray

It’s important to remember that few things in life are all or nothing. There is almost always an in between. Furthermore, there is almost never a situation that doesn’t have a deeper explanation that would allow you to be forgiving and understanding if you knew the extent of it.

When you find yourself using words like always, never, completely, totally, everyone, or no one, you are usually guilty of black and white thinking. If you approach the world with an attitude of tolerance, patience, and understanding, you are more likely to operate in the gray. This will make you a much more content human being who has realistic expectations of yourself, others, and the world around you.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

drug problem

Six Telltale Signs That You Have A Drug Problem

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

Do You Have An Addiction To Drugs?

When you have an addiction to drugs, it can be easy to minimize your situation. Denial is a powerful component of the addiction process. It’s the part of yourself telling you that you don’t have a problem, or that you can get it under control any time you want to, or that things really aren’t that bad. Denial can keep you stuck in a repetitive cycle that can blind you to the reality of your situation.

Are you confused about whether you have an addiction to drugs? Here are six telltale signs you have a drug problem:

  1. You spend a lot of time wondering if you have a drug problem. People who aren’t addicted to drugs do not sit around wondering if they are addicted. If you have asked yourself time and time again if you might have a problem with drugs, you probably do.
  1. You use drugs on a regular basis. Some people are able to use drugs socially. They can smoke marijuana or use cocaine at a party and then go on with their lives with no real consequences. If you are using drugs every week or several times a week, it is safe to say that your use of mood or mind-altering substances is out of control.
  1. Your family and friends have expressed concern about your drug use. Although it might feel like people are nagging you and getting on your nerves about your drug use, they are only talking to you about your drug problem because they care. If you didn’t have a problem with drugs, no one would need to tell you they are scared for your well-being when it comes to the drugs you are using.
  1. You spend a lot of money on drugs. If you are spending your hard-earned money on your drug habit, it’s safe to say you might have an addiction. You may not even be sure how much money you have been spending. Denial is tricky like that. Ready to face the truth? Look at your bank statement to see how many times you withdrew cash in a month to buy drugs. This might sober you up quick.
  1. You are obsessed with using drugs. If you think about drugs a lot and are constantly thinking about the next time you can get high, you are probably hooked. For example, you may be at work obsessively looking at the clock to see how long it will be until you get off, so you can go home and get high. Or, you might avoid time with family so you can use your drug of choice.
  1. You get sick if you don’t get high. If you need drugs to function as a human being, you are in trouble. Certain drugs create withdrawal symptoms when you don’t use them and cause you to feel physically ill without them. If you have to use your drug of choice first thing in the morning, you are addicted.

If you are struggling with a drug addiction, we can help. Talk to one of our addiction specialists at DARA to find out what your treatment options are.

DARA Treatment for Heroin Addiction

DARA Treatment for Heroin Addiction

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

DARA Treatment for Heroin Addiction – If you have an addiction or know someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol then know that help is available. Some people have the ability to simply walk away from an addiction, but this is a rarity. Most people need a bit of extra help and that help is available in many forms. One of the best ways to get help is to remove yourself from the environment in which the addiction happens for a time until your body has detoxed and you have had time to create a future plan for long term recovery. One place that such treatment is available is DARA of Thailand. DARA offers treatment for a variety of addictions, but for the purposes of this article heroin will be discussed.

Heroin is Highly Addictive

Heroin is a highly addictive drug that is manufactured from the opium of poppy plants. Unfortunately heroin is highly abused due to the euphoric feeling it can produce. There are different forms of heroin and it can be snorted, smoked, or injected. The drug itself is potent and the effects hit quickly. Heroin is a choice drug for many because of the immediate pleasurable feelings that hit in a surge called the ‘rush’. The feeling is warm and calming and creates a heavy slowed feeling in the legs and arms. The outcome is a sense of well-being and confidence that does not naturally occur. If this seems like something a loved one may be addicted to or you simply want to know the signs than you have come to the right place.

Heroin Use

Heroin users often have spoons, bent to use for smoking, lighters, and syringes. Some heroin can have a distinct odor, much like vinegar, but in the purest form heroin has no odor. The symptoms of heroin use can vary depending on amount and how long the person has been using. Some negative symptoms such as itching, dry mouth, and nausea are common and are usually immediate. However, delayed symptoms like feeling drowsy for hours, slowed breathing, and a foggy mental state may be delayed. Frequent heroin users may also display ‘nodding’. This is where the user goes back and forth between being awake and asleep often while sitting up or standing. Long term users may also have signs such as needle marks and bruising, heart, live, or kidney problems, and collapsed veins. Skin sores and infections are also common. Unfortunately heroin use only has three likely outcomes, addiction, tolerance, and dependence. All can quickly lead to overdose that can cause brain damage, coma, and death. None of these options are healthy and all will require help to end the use of the drug. Help is available.

DARA Treatment for Heroin Addiction

At DARA Rehab heroin addiction can be treated effectively. The first steps are detox and a highly trained staff will help the user to successfully treat this part of the addiction and then help toward further recovery. DARA accomplishes this with individualized treatment plans and an overall wellness approach to mind, body, and spirit. DARA Thailand offers the added bonuses of being in a tropical setting at a redesigned resort that is still highly affordable. Anyone can seek treatment at DARA and should if heroin is a problem. This change in setting can make the actual recovery process much easier. When the first parts of recovery have passed DARA will help each person design a recovery and discharge plan to continue moving forward on their journey. If you or someone you love needs help, waste no more time and check out DARA Thailand today.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential DARA Treatment for Heroin Addiction Assessment.

addictions

Addictions – People, Places, Things

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

Addictions do not discriminate. Addiction does not care if you are black, white, fat, thin, rich, poor, male, or female. Addiction will touch every family in the world in some way, whether through the community or a friend or family member. Someone who is an addict may have a very difficult time coming to the realization that they are addicted and that this has a negative effect on their lives (or your life). When you or your loved one is ready to admit a problem exists a large breakthrough has been made in the recovery process. Now the next step is seeking treatment. Some with addictions may choose inpatient treatment and others may function well with out patient counseling. Regardless of what one chooses there are a few things that either choice have in common.

Help For Addictions

When choosing which type of help one wants to get into and stay in recovery long term there are many things that must be considered. The person must truly assess their addiction to determine whether in-patient or out patient would work best. Out patient counseling is typically beneficial in behavioral addictions and in some cases where doses of medication need to be tapered down. However, all types of addiction can be treated in-patient. It sometimes takes days or weeks to get into an in-patient program and during this time it can be tempting to use again so some basic steps should be taken to limit this temptation.

People

These basic steps are focused on being aware of oneself and the surroundings. In fact the awareness falls into three categories: people, places, and things. The first, people is very important. As you are just beginning the road to recovery there will be people in your life who are angry that you have stopped using. These could be dealers or just friends who have gotten used to sharing your addiction. These people may be rude or pushy trying to convince you to use again. Stay strong in your resolve and avoid these people as often a possible.

Places

The second area of concern is places. Just as people, there are certain places that will entice an addict to use. This may be a favorite place to drink, a certain house in which using is acceptable. Or even a street where you typically bought drugs are places that should be avoided. This may mean taking a different route to places or avoiding some areas altogether for a time.

Things

The final area of concern are things. This may seem like an odd addition, but for addicts this will make sense. Remove any drug related items from your home and anywhere you spend a significant amount of time. This includes things like needles and tubing, but should also include any item that was always or often present while using. Perhaps you turned the radio up in the bathroom when shooting up, remove the radio immediately. Maybe you enjoyed listening to a particular selection when getting high, remove these songs from your playlist. It may seem odd at first but simple things can become triggers, especially in early recovery.

If you can avoid your triggers and the people, places, and things that can cause you to fail in your early attempts until you can get professional help then you are more likely to be successful. Stay strong in these early days of fighting your addiction and get the help that is needed and desired. Your life will be much better for the work you are putting into your future.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.