Drug Abuse Treatment

When Someone You Love Uses Drugs

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Rehabilitation on March 7th, 2010

Discovering that one of our loved ones — parents, siblings, partners, children — is using drugs can be a very dramatic experience for those involved. It changes not only the life of the user, but also of the family member and close friends. Although it can be a very trying experience, it is important that we learn about the many indications of drug abuse and how to deal with them accordingly. Here are some reminders on what to do when a loved one is using drugs:

help drug abusersDo not forget about yourself. Finding out that a loved one is using drugs can tend to be a very stressful experience. Sometimes, it comes to a point where you forget your own needs. It is important that you also take care of yourself. Make sure to get the necessary support from people you trust.

Do not blame yourself. In all likelihood, drug abuse is never an indication of something you did wrong. Do not convince yourself that it is a consequence of negligence on your part. You are in a position where you can help, so don’t get caught up with blame and be a part of the solution.

Do not keep quiet. Don’t be afraid to voice out your concerns and to offer help. It is absolutely imperative that you act as soon as possible. The sooner you can get your loved one professional help, the smoother his recovery process would be. Sometimes, all that a user needs is somebody to dialogue with.

Do not pretend as if everything is okay. Drug addiction is a serious case and should not be taken lightly. It is important that you recognize the seriousness of the situation without having to panic or make rash decisions.

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Handling Drug-Related Stress

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation on March 6th, 2010

Stress and drug abuse have been closely interrelated with each another. For one, stress is among the major contributors or initiating factors to the use of alcohol or drugs, as well as one of the main reasons why recovering patients have relapses. Stress is also one major reason why smokers find it so hard to quit, or why they always find a reason to start smoking again.

stressStress in Withdrawal

Patients in withdrawal, especially from alcohol and nicotine, often undergo severe amounts of stress. What was once an outlet or a remedy for stress (smoking, drinking, etc.) has now becomes a severe source of it. Patients in withdrawal often undergo phases of depreciation and anxiety, which is interrelated with the body’s stress in withdrawal.

Child Stress

Children who undergo severe stress, like traumatic experiences or hostile homes, have more chances of being open to drug use. Studies have shown that there is a strong relationship between early life psychosocial stressors and an increase in anxiety, impulsiveness, drug use and depression in their adulthood.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

A severely stressful event in one’s life often contributes to the abuse of drugs. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that is a result of a person’s exposure or participation in a very terrifying and stressful event. Most PTSD patients often result to using drugs because of they cannot deal with the dramatic event in a healthy manner.

Stress Management

Recovered users who used drugs, alcohol or nicotine to help manage their stress will most likely need a re-evaluation in how they handle their stress. It takes a lot of time and patience for a person to be truly free from the psychological effects of addiction.

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4 Common Myths on Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation on March 4th, 2010

There’s a lot that most people don’t understand about the struggles of drug addiction. In fact, there are numerous misconceptions that most people have with drug use and treatment. Here are some of them:

drug addictionMyth 1: There should be no drug relapses after completing a drug rehabilitation program.

Drug addiction is a persistent disease and getting out of rehab is only the first step to recovery. There are many factors that contribute to a relapse for a recovering addict. The best that thing that can be done is to not to give up because recovery usually takes a long time to achieve. Sometimes it even requires multiple treatment measures before absolute sobriety is attained.

Myth 2: One can quit drugs on his own if he truly wants it.

Withdrawal is a dangerous process that often leaves the patient extremely vulnerable. Some people think that they do not need to be treated and that they can stop using when they really want to. The truth is it is extremely unlikely for a person to be able to successfully detoxify by sheer willpower alone. Research has shown us that long-term drug abuse alters a person’s brain to a level that makes it almost impossible for him to abstain from the drugs.

Myth 3: Illegal drugs are more dangerous than those that can be bought in pharmacies.

Not all dangerous and addictive drugs are illegal. There are some over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs which are used by some to get high, like cough syrup, painkillers, weight loss pills, etc. The fact is this — it does not matter if they are obtained over-the-counter or bought under the table; if drugs are abused, then they are dangerous.

Myth 4: One should be at “rock bottom” to need drug rehabilitation.

People tend to think that addicts need to hit rock bottom first before they can start absolute recovery. This is a dangerous way of thought. Drug users are better off if they start fighting the addiction during the early stages.

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Living with — and Loving — a Drug Addict

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation on December 29th, 2009

It’s never easy living with a person who has a growing and dangerous dependence for drugs. Our natural first inclination when dealing with this kind of situation is to a) turn a blind eye on it, b) be extremely annoyed or disappointed, or c) plan a rehabilitation program so he or she can kick the habit off. Whatever our choice is, the fact will remain that living with a drug addict can be difficult and even dangerous.

help-drug-addictionUnfortunately, you can’t force anyone to just kick the habit off. Doing this would only cause conflict, arguments and pain on both your parts. Perhaps the best you can do in is to first understand why he or she is doing it, and you can be surprised at the reasons and motivations behind the act itself. While there are those who do it for the sheer joy that they perceive it brings, there are others who do it because of the overwhelming desire to escape reality.

Understanding the reasons and motivations for doing drugs does not mean that you have to be tolerant of the act. As someone living with a drug addict, you must do your best to discourage him or her in seeking drugs as a primary means of escape. Seek new ways of having fun in order to create a sort of distraction from drug use.

If the addiction is at its critical stages, it will be harder for you to do this alone, as his or her body would have already developed an insatiable craving for the substance. The best you can do in this situation is to help him or her find the initiative to get treatment – a most difficult task, but one that would definitely be worth it all.

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Drug Addiction and Man’s Raw Desire for Acceptance

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation on December 28th, 2009

A drug problem is something that people will not easily admit. After all, it is something that can effectively make one a social outcast.

drug abuse acceptanceWhen you start to take drugs, it may be for fun, or even just to forget your problems if only for a while. Whatever your reason, the social aspect of drug use is still there – some use it to be accepted in a certain clique, while others use it just to get away from society in general.

And there lies the main reason for not admitting the problem: the desire for acceptance. Think about it. What if your friend suddenly burst out that he has a drug problem? Would you ever look at him the same way again? Perhaps a desire to help him might grow out from you, but the initial shock on your face is enough to discourage your friend from admitting. No one wants to be looked at with pity, disgust, or contempt.

If you want to encourage your friend to admit the drug problem, try to be understanding about his plight. Remember that fighting drug addiction is never easy especially during the later stages, since their craving for the substance can be both uncontrollable and near insatiable.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to tolerate his addiction. Advise your friend to get help, and remind him of the things that he would lose if he stays addicted to drugs. Be compassionate and understanding, but also remember to be firm with him about recovering from drug addiction.

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The Spiritual Approach to Drug Addiction Treatment

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Rehabilitation on December 23rd, 2009

Being a drug addict is something that most would not be able to admit easily, much less accept. This reality is haunting – and we probably won’t be able to swallow that we’ve fallen so dependent on something that bears little significance to our lives. How can we, after all, become slaves to something so small, so unnecessary?

faithIt is during this time that a drug abuser’s spirit would feel devoid – believing that nothing in the world can take them away from their condition, and that nothing can save them from their fate. They give in to despair, completely giving up on life and bringing pain to their friends and family. Their loved ones would stay as long as they can to help, but their efforts would be in vain if the abuser will not help himself.

One effective approach to treatment is through faith. While there is a personal dimension to faith, belief in a higher power can help them see that their situation is not as helpless as they think it is. The important thing in this method is to allow them to realize that in each of them lies an innate strength granted to them by a Higher Being.

In this case, Scripture readings have a powerful effect on the drug addict. Parables of repentance and of salvation are the things that those in recovery yearn for the most. Not only are these reassuring, but the readings can give them a sense of hope that they too can be healed and saved from their plight.

Faith is a powerful tool to utilize during drug addiction treatment, and it is seen by many as one of the most effective methods. The spiritual approach to treatment can give them something to look forward to in their lives, as well as hope that they can be delivered from their situation.

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