Category: Australia

Coping with Anxiety

Coping with Anxiety

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

The medical definition of anxiety is a ‘state of or consisting of psychological and physical symptoms that are brought about by a sense of apprehension at a perceived threat’. The key to that definition is a perceived threat. Anxiety producing happenings or things are not always a true threat, but our minds perceive them as one.  The actual symptoms of anxiety vary from person to person and may vary each time you are feeling anxious. The good news is there are ways to deal with anxiety when it does occur.

Everyone will experience mild anxiety at times, this is completely normal. When anxiety becomes prevalent in your life or overwhelming then you must learn to control it and continue moving forward. Though it is often tempting to simply avoid anxiety causing situations, this is not always possible or feasible. Sometimes we must stay and face or fears in order to live a productive life. One way to cope with these problematic situations is to make a list. Though lists are not for everyone, they are helpful in many situations. Create a problem list and break down the issues into manageable steps. These can then be overcome one at a time. With each victory over anxiety treat yourself. You have made a huge accomplishment.

Practice relaxation techniques. Guided imagery is a great way to take your mind of an ongoing situation. Many scenarios are available online. Additionally, deep breathing exercises in which you focus only on the slow deep breaths you are taking in can calm the body and mind quickly.

Make sure to practice good self care by resting enough and eating well. Caring for yourself will help you to face situations realistically. In fact, being over tired or hungry can be a trigger for an attack. The same can be said for being angry or lonely. Focus on keeping yourself in a good place regardless of circumstances.

Finally, talk therapy can be a good solution to working through every day problems that cause anxiety. A good counselor can also teach techniques to deal with sudden onset anxiety. Being afraid will not kill you, but it can take away many good things in your life. Be willing to work through the anxiety for a better future. If talk therapy is still not enough a host of anti anxiety medications are available. Though these are not a cure all, they can be beneficial in some cases.

Anxiety and panic attacks can be traumatic. It may seem as if your world is ending, but the attack will pass and you will survive. When anxiety arises try to calm yourself and focus on something good or exactly what is happening. Stay grounded and focus on something static like a table or lamp or even someone you know in the room. Know that you will and probably are safe. The ability to calm ourselves is within each of us if we allow it to come forth. Humans are amazing creatures that feel strongly. Use the strength to overcome whatever comes your way.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Insanity Of Addiction

The Restoration To Sanity From The Insanity Of Addiction

Articles, Australia, International, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States
A Breakdown Of The Steps To Recovery

Insanity Of Addiction – “We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” There are several pieces to examine in this statement.

The first part is “We.” The “we” in this statement represents the people who recover together in organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. We don’t recover alone – we have to do it together with other recovering addicts or alcoholics. Alone, we use drugs, or we drink alcohol. Together, we find the freedom of recovery.

The second part of this statement is “came to believe.” This indicates a process of coming to believe, which takes time. The definition of the word believe is “to accept something as true.” Your recovery is real.

The third part of the statement is “that a power greater than ourselves.” This part of the step shows us that some power bigger than us is involved. Whether you believe in higher powers or not, there is always help you can reach out to.

The final part of the statement says, “could restore us to sanity.” Restoration is the process of getting back what was lost. What was lost? Our sanity. Sanity is the ability to think and behave in a rational manner and experience sound mental health. 

So, to expound on this statement, you could say that it means this: “Together, with the help of other recovering people. I will undergo the process of accepting the truth that other people can help me recover what was lost. Which is my ability to think and behave in a rational manner and experience sound mental health.”

Makes sense, right?

The Restoration from The Insanity Of Addiction Is a Process

No doubt, when you were in your addiction, you were driven by insane behavior. You were obsessed with drugs or alcohol and you were driven by compulsive behavior that took you back to the pipe, the bottle, or the needle; in spite of the fact that it was destroying your life. You executed some irrational choices to maintain your habit. You hurt the people you loved, but most of all, you hurt yourself.

When you first get sober, you stop drinking or using drugs. You get a few weeks of recovery under your belt and the outward signs of your insanity stop running your life. You believe this means you have been restored to sanity.

However; it is important to recognize that the behavior that accompanied your addiction or alcoholism was only a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to the level of insanity you experienced. Sure, abstinence from mood and mind-altering chemicals is the first step toward the restoration of sanity. But, the real insanity lies in your thinking. The ability to think and behave in a rational manner and experience sound mental health takes a whole lot more than just quitting drugs and alcohol.

Trust The Restoration Process

Insanity Of Addiction – When you first get clean and sober, you feel insane. You are on an emotional rollercoaster ride. One minute you’re up and you feel like you are on top of the world. The next minute you feel depressed and hopeless. This is what the second step is all about – coming to believe that a power greater than you can restore you to sanity. Trust the process.

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alcoholic

The Bright Light Of Recovery – Let It Shine!

Articles, Australia, International, Malaysia, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States
Addiction Thrives In The Dark. It Lives In The Night. It Keeps You Covered In The Shade. 

In your addiction, you did everything under the cover of the darkness. The nighttime became your friend. It’s where you felt the most comfortable.

When the sun came up, it mocked you. It exposed you for what you were. You were an alcoholic or a drug addict who, just the night before, had sworn to yourself that you were only going to have a few drinks. Or take one hit. Or do one bag. But, despite your most sincere efforts – once again – you had pulled an all-nighter. The sun knew it and you couldn’t hide from it.  

Not only did you take advantage of the nighttime hours to conduct the business of being an addict or an alcoholic (which is not to say that you didn’t drink or drug during the day too), you relied on the proverbial darkness to keep your secrets.

Chances are, you engaged in some weird and unusual behaviors. Your addiction or alcoholism forced you to do things you’re not proud of now that you’re clean and sober. You had to hide who you were. You lived in the shadows. You needed the shade to survive.

Today, things are different.  

In Recovery, You Have To Befriend The Light

Now that you’re in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, you have to turn away from the darkness and allow your Higher Power to shine the Light on your spirit.

You have to be willing to reveal your secrets to your sponsor and the people in your support system or your secrets will keep you sick. You must practice a program of rigorous honesty and let people in. You simply must allow people to get to know who you are as a human being. It’s the only way to recover.

Where you once perceived the Light as your enemy, you must now embrace it as your friend. Of course, this is easier said than done. Being honest and open after closing yourself off from the rest of the world for so long can make you feel vulnerable and afraid.

At First The Light Is Blinding, But Then It’s Warm And Welcoming

It’s like when you sit in a dark room for an extended period of time and suddenly the lights get turned on. The experience is disorienting. You are momentarily blinded, and you can’t see. The light hurts, and it feels uncomfortable. You immediately want to turn those lights off and return to the darkness where it’s comfortable and safe.

But, after just a short time, you adjust to your new environment, which is warm and welcoming. Your vision is restored. You come to appreciate the light because it affords you the blessed opportunity to see things as they truly are. Although you didn’t like it at first, you become grateful for the light and all that it has to offer you.

If You’re Still Living In The Darkness, Let The Light In

If you’re still hiding in the darkness in your recovery, let the Light in. Start reaching out to other people and invite them to get to know who you truly are. Be honest about where you are at. Talk about what you are feeling and what’s really going on in your mind. Start sharing your true, authentic self. You will find freedom from the bondage of self that can only be found when you shine the Light on your dark places.

If you’re hiding in the darkness, you’re reserving a place for a relapse. That’s where addiction lives. Recovery only lives in the Light of Truth.   

Are you and alcoholic or drug addict that needs help? 

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Benzodiazepine Addiction

Understanding Benzodiazepine Addiction

Articles, Australia, Education, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States
What Are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepine Addiction – Millions of people around the world struggle with an addiction to benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos.” These are powerful, fast-acting tranquilizers used primarily to treat anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia. People are often given benzos before a surgical procedure to calm or sedate them.

Although you are only supposed to take benzos if you have legal prescription for them from the doctor, many people obtain them illegally on the street. This is known as prescription drug abuse.

The Different Types Of Benzos

Here is a list of different benzodiazepines:

  • Riazolam (Halcion)
  • Midazolam (Versed)
  • Clorazepate (Tranxene)
  • Alprazolam (Xanax, the most commonly prescribed benzo)
  • Lorazepam (Ativan)
  • Temazepam (Restoril)
  • Oxazepam (Serax)
  • Estazolam (ProSom)
  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
  • Flurazepam (Dalmane)
  • Quazepam (Doral)
  • Clonazepam (Rivotril, Klonopin)
Benzodiazepines Side Effects

Like every medication, benzodiazepines come with known side effects. Here are a few of the most common side effects associated with benzos:

  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Physical Dependence
  • Cravings For More Benzos
  • Drowsiness
  • Mental Confusion
  • Tremors
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of Coordination
Developing a Tolerance To Benzos Ultimately Leads to Addiction

When you take benzodiazepines, you quickly develop a tolerance to them. This means that your body becomes used to them and the dosage you used to take is rendered ineffective. In other words, when tolerance takes hold, you will use more and more benzos to get the same effect you used to get when you took less. Before long, tolerance can become so great that the benzos can quit working altogether. Needless to say, this can be very frustrating.

When you take more benzodiazepines than you are supposed to, you develop a physical dependence on the stuff. Your body needs the drug in order to function. When you are addicted to benzodiazepines, and you stop taking them, you will be forced to go through withdrawal.

Symptoms Of Withdrawal From Benzodiazepine Addiction  

Withdrawal, also known as detox, is the process of removing an addictive substance from your body once your body has become dependent upon it. Withdrawal is a very unpleasant, very painful experience. Someone who attempts to quit using benzos without professional help will usually find that detox is so difficult, they will return to the drug to relieve the symptoms.

Here is what you can expect if you go detox from benzos:

  • Anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Tremors
  • Migraine headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Disruption to sleep
  • Nightmares
  • Depression
  • Loss of motivation
  • Lack of focus
  • Body aches
  • In extreme cases; seizures, coma, and death
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Is Not Something You Should Attempt On Your Own

Make no mistake about it – you can experience seizures, coma, and a premature death when you detox from benzos. Withdrawing from benzos is not something you should do alone. You should never attempt to quit benzodiazepines cold turkey. First of all, the experience is extremely painful and profoundly uncomfortable. Secondly, it is life-threatening.

If you have been struggling with Benzodiazepine addiction, you need professional help. You need to undergo a professional medical detoxification where you can be monitored and evaluated around-the-clock. This way, you can safely and comfortably withdrawal from benzodiazepines.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Opioid Addiction

A Quick Breakdown Of Opioid Addiction

Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States
What Are Opioids?

Opioid Addiction – Opioids are powerful, painkilling narcotic drugs that are supposed to be prescribed by a doctor for severe pain. However; many people illegally purchase opioids on the street from drug dealers and use them to catch a buzz.

Opioids are highly addictive substances that wreak havoc on the individual, their families, and society at large. Opioids are a multi-billion-dollar business for pharmaceutical companies and drug cartels internationally. Millions of people around the world are addicted to opioids.

Opiates VS. Opioids? What’s The Difference?

For years, people only used the term “opiates.” Now, people are using the term “opioids.” What’s the difference?

To be clear, opiates are natural substances derived solely from the opium plant, which is grown in tropical climates around the world. Heroin, Codeine, and Morphine are all considered opiates because they are natural derivatives of the opium plant.

Opioids are synthetic substances, which means they are partially derived from opium and partially chemically manufactured. Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and Percocet are all examples of synthetic opioids because they have to made in laboratories.

In the past, people commonly used the word “opiates” to refer to heroin and other all-natural substances that came from opium. In recent times, people around the world have started referring to opiates as opioids. Now, everything that comes from the opium poppy plant is considered an opioid. It may seem confusing, but we hold that clears things up a bit.  

Types of Opioids

Here is a list of the most popular opioids:

  • Hydrocodone (Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Vicodin)
  • Fentanyl
  • Codeine
  • Oxycontin (Oxycodone)
  • Methadone
  • Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
  • Percocet
How Opioid Addiction Works  

Opioids create a euphoric and intoxicating effect that causes the user to want more of the stuff. They work by binding to opioid receptor sites in the brain. To put it simply, the brain loves opioids.

When someone takes opioids for an extended period of time, they quickly build up a tolerance. Tolerance is what happens when your body becomes accustomed to processing a certain chemical. When tolerance takes hold, more of the drug is required to get the same effect. Before long, someone who takes opioids will develop a physical dependence.

If someone tries to quit taking opioids, they will go through the process of withdrawal. Withdrawal takes place when your body is used to processing a chemical and you remove that chemical from your body. Opioid addiction is an incredibly difficult addiction to kick because of this excruciating and painful process, which is also known as detox.

Here are the symptoms of opioid withdrawal:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Head-to-toe body aches
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of appetite
  • Tremors
  • Seizure, Coma, Death (In extreme cases)

Opioid withdrawal is so uncomfortable, users will continue using opioids to avoid the pain of detox.

Medical Detoxification Is Highly Recommended To Anyone Who Wants To Quit Opioids

If you are addicted to opioids, you should not stop using the stuff on your own – and you don’t want to. Opioid withdrawal is extremely unpleasant. People who have quit opioids cold turkey compare the experience to hell on earth.

More importantly, you can have seizures, go into a coma, or die if you attempt to stop using opioids on without medical assistance. Medical detoxification is recommended for anyone who has an addiction to opioids. This involves the use of medication to safely and comfortably remove the opioids from your system. This takes place in the safety and comfort of in-patient rehabilitation center, detox, or medical facility.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.