Category: Articles

Travel broadens the mind. It takes just one visit to a drastically different country to understand the power behind these words. And when I mean a different country I mean a country with a fresh culture, different points of view, preferably a place with different type of weather and definitely a place that does not speak your language. Millions of people find their way to various tropical countries like India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam in search of extreme adventures, which is great, but in my opinion, lazy tropical beach life better lends itself to yoga, meditation as well as healing both body and mind. Excellent destination for anyone with demons to battle or wounds to lick.

Environment

For most western people cultures of warmer and more tropical countries always seem so relaxed, carefree and friendly. True, while a large cornerstone of their economy is tourism and in extension being friendly to attract said tourists, there is still something peaceful and calming about most people I ever had the pleasure of meeting while traveling these countries.

The fact that food grows in the trees wherever you go and there is little need to plan where to source firewood for the winter, it all boils down to pretty carefree approach to life.

This kind of environment is perfect for rehabilitation. It allows to focus purely on the issue at hand, namely addiction and allows the addict to tackle it at his own pace. The environment where you lead your daily life is one of the factors that led you to addiction. It may be a smaller or bigger contributor, it drastically differs from case to case, but it is a factor nevertheless. Inpatient courses provided by rehabilitation centers allow you to put the din and clutter of your life behind you for a while, providing the time, resources and support you need to tend your inner insecurities, emotional hangups, and bodily imbalance.

Equilibrium

The very cornerstone of sober and healthy human being is balance and equilibrium. While years of drug abuse and denial of any problems drives you deeper and deeper into a proverbial dead end, a rehab course supported by professionals, in a place where you can put it all behind you, is the perfect equalizer.

Self-doubt is tackled by continuous emotional and physiological support. Experienced and open councilors will hear you out and team up with you to plan, the best course on your road to sobriety, right after an expert of medical staff and nurses guide you through a rigorous and cleansing detoxification course.

Rehabilitation will remind you how to love your body and how to keep it efficient and functional. Professional exercise regiment, yoga and various other types of physical activities will get your heart racing while carefully planned diet and nutrient intake will help you on your way to kick your dependence on dangerous substances.

Energy

By far the most beneficial aspect of any rehab is its ability to rally people and lift their spirits. Going through tough times alone is extremely taxing and exhausting. No one should attempt kicking addiction alone because there will be a time when giving up seems like an excellent option. Giving up and laying down to die is impossible to do when you are surrounded with like-minded individuals who provide support or some brutal honesty when needed. The camaraderie that an addict develops with his group is tangible, many people who have become sober still do regular meetings with their group members just to remind each other what was all that battle for. A single link in a chain does not amount to much, but all together it can achieve amazing things.

Getting clean and kicking an addiction is not an easy thing to do. Anyone who says otherwise is either a liar or has no clue about rehabilitation process. Becoming sober after someone says “just don’t use anymore, it’s easy” is just like getting out of depression just because someone says “cheer up” – it doesn’t work. Getting your life back will require a lot of sweat, anger management, exercise and nutritious diet on top of the hordes of inner demons you will fight to get on top of your addiction and begin your way to managing it instead of it controlling you. Stack the odds in your favor by tackling this battle in an environment that is relaxing, pleasant and comfortable – consider a rehab abroad.

Many non-drug users are unfamiliar with the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction. They see the two as being hand-in-hand and if truth be known they are not so far off the mark.

To explain the very fine line between the two we will consider a huge misjudgment many users make, what drugs do to a person’s brain and the steady progression that causes increased use, escalating abuse and the stark reality of addiction.

Users should not kid themselves:

Those who see their drug habit escalating often kid themselves they are in control of the amount and regularity of use rather than the other way around.

If your drug use is currently escalating, please put the brakes on immediately. If you have tried but are finding this tough to achieve then do not hesitate to seek professional help.

What do drugs do to your brain?

It is common knowledge that different drugs cause different feelings and physical effects, but they all have one thing in common; repeated use of any drug can change the way the brain functions.

Addiction is an extremely complex disorder, but what is clearly understood is that its characteristics lie in the compulsive use of drugs.

The very fine line between abuse and addiction:

There is such a fine line between abusing drugs and addiction that many heavy users only realise this line has been crossed when they are over it.

Here are some key factors that turn occasional drug use into drug abuse and onward into addiction.

• Social integration – It is fairly common knowledge that most people experience initial drug use with others. It is often good friends who have had an earlier introduction to drugs and then encourage the first-timer to try. Others strike up new acquaintances with people who appear well versed and confident about drug taking. Curiosity is a natural instinct and even those who may be reluctant at first often give way to a ‘go with the flow’ attitude. Thankfully this is as far as many will go, and if they do use drugs again it will be on a very occasional basis.
• A backstop increases in importance – Those that persevere with drugs then reach a stage that should set the bells of concern ringing. Initial use of sharing a weekend spliff with mates, necking an ‘E’ at an all-night rave because those you are with have a stash, or even being offered and accepting a couple of lines of Coke at a party where everyone seems to be going for it should, but does not stop there. These enjoyable experiences encourage a person to dabble a few times a week.
• Daily acceptance – Gradually, unspoken, self-created excuses make every-day use an acceptable habit. Along with increased use comes a growing importance on how and where a regular supply can be secured. Alternative dealers are sought “just in case”. These actions clearly show that the importance of drugs is rapidly rising in a person’s list of priorities.
• Self-made excuses are in plentiful supply – Let’s face it, you do not have to try too hard to convince yourself of something if it is what you really want. The problem here is an active mind can conjure up easy to believe reasons in order to justify escalating drug use.
• Try to stop, unable to do so, all-consuming – It is a very sad fact that far too many drug users do not realise how deeply entrenched their drug use is. Things have gone from recreational and social, to a little more than is good for them, to a stage where even though they want to quit they simply cannot. The urge, need, desire and intense feelings are often overwhelming. The physical and psychological need overrides everything else in life. This is to the extent that even though an addict is fully aware of the hurt, harm and damage they are creating, they are powerless to stop use on their own.

A long road to recovery, but very achievable:

Thankfully professional help is available. Countless men and women over many decades have taken advantage of it.

Rehabilitation comes in a variety of guises. Many addiction specialists see well-respected inpatient rehab establishments as being particularly effective. They offer a sound base that can steadily be built on. Such empowerment and encouragement allows a clear sight of a drug free future.

Drinking alone and hiding the fact from others is fast-tracking a person to a very worrying and damaging dependence upon alcohol.

What causes people to drink in secret?

Everyone has their own reason for choosing to drink in secret, but whatever that reason is it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Here are 4 of the most commonly cited problems that lead a person to drink secretly:

Relationship difficulties:

If one partner is deeply unhappy with their lot, but feels incapable of changing their situation for a variety of reasons they begin drinking. The reasoning behind this decision is in the belief it will help them forget their unhappiness, or at the very least it will improve things.

Pressure or stress at work:

In many industries and job roles pressure to get ‘the job done’ has never been greater. Fewer employees are being tasked with greater responsibilities. Two examples are; those in production are being asked for increased output and higher quality while those in sales are constantly having targets raised.

In all job roles, there is a growing ‘more for less’ meaning tightening budgets and staff reductions. These trends can leave employees feeling vulnerable. Such worries and demands combine to create unwarranted personal pressure and unwanted increases in stress levels.

Many in this situation feel the answer lies in a stiff drink. While an occasional glass or two of a favourite tipple can be a good way to wind down there are others that bottle things up and seek solace in drinking heavily and in secret.

Loneliness: This can be a crushing feeling for many. They may be on the sensitive or shy side. This makes meeting people and making new friends a daunting task in itself, others may have relocated and are struggling to adjust.

A quick way to escape these challenges is to search more and more regularly for the bottom of their glass. After all, alcohol doesn’t answer back in the conventional sense, it needs no small talk and for many seems to mask their loneliness.

Deep Sadness:

The grief of losing someone very close to you can devastate, gnawing thoughts of ‘why’, an inability to cope with such a loss, and an all-encompassing sense of despair can have a person reaching for the bottle when they are alone. While this may be understandable to many, it is not a route to closure. Of all the groups who are secretly drinking those who cannot stop grieving must get professional help for their problem.

Why is it such a worrying problem?

We will leave aside the psychological effects that vary in severity dependent upon the secret drinker’s mental well-being, but suffice to say, anyone struggling with deteriorating mental health problems needs urgent professional help and care.

It is important to understand that drinking in isolation has very few limitations.  A person can start drinking whenever they feel the coast is clear and if it is not clear they will often have secret stashes. These caches will be scattered around the house or it’s grounds. This is to ensure a secret shot is available when required.

Here are just 2 reasons that secret drinking is your fast track to alcohol dependence:

• ‘Healthy’ measures: The most generous bartenders you will find are those who pour their own drinks. No measures, no doubles at extortionate costs; simply pour, judge by eye and then put another quick ‘splash’ in for good measure. Over time this regular, unmeasured habit will increase a person’s tolerance for alcohol. This means they need to drink more to achieve the effects previously experienced.
• Secret stash: We have just touched on this, but it is such a common trait of secret drinkers it deserves more detail. Guilt about the amount being consumed is a major issue. Secret drinkers have no intention of advertising the fact by leaving a trail of empties about the house. Hence a simple solution awaits! They will think long and hard about where and how to stash drink. Bottles in medicine cabinets, a cluttered garage or garden shed, a loft or cellar and who would consider checking old, rusting household appliances? While these hiding places may seem ‘clever’ it masks the fact that a secret drinker can very easily lose count of exactly how much they are actually drinking.

Do not let secret drinking become part of your fabric:

There are far too many men and women who reach for the bottle in desperation, frustration or anger. If this becomes a regular occurrence while on your own it is a mistaken choice. The reality is that existing problems will deepen and additional issues are likely to come as part of a very unwanted package.

No shame:

A majority of secret drinkers feel shame in their unspoken activity. This may be understandable, but it should not be a barrier for seeking professional help. Indeed, there is no shame whatsoever in admitting that alcohol currently has the better of you.

Alcohol councillors are there for a reason. They understand the issues involved and can be of great assistance. Harness this with your determination and a strong desire to quit drinking and very positive steps to sobriety can be made.