addiction Archives - Page 18 of 27 - Enlightened Solutions

What You Get From Attending a Support Group

Written by enlightened solutions on January 25, 2018. Posted in 12 Step Program, Addiction Recovery. Leave a Comment

After a person goes through detox for a drug or alcohol addiction, he or she can enter a treatment program and start the recovery process. Recovery is a life-long journey and it takes a lot of hard work and determination for an individual to stay substance-free. Adjusting to a new lifestyle is very challenging, especially for the first several months of recovery.

When your loved one has a drug or alcohol addiction, he or she goes through many physical and mental changes. While they are using, his or her body becomes physically dependent on the substances. They can experience a variety of emotions like depression and anxiety. When the drug or alcohol use stops, withdrawals can make staying sober extremely painful and difficult.

Family and friends are affected by a loved one’s addiction. Trust is broken and relationships become damaged. During and after treatment, your loved one should go to support groups to cope with a substance-free lifestyle. Support groups are very important for you and your loved one. When you go to support groups, you show your loved one how much you care about him or her. Also, you are able to share your experience with others in similar situations and listen to other people share their struggles with their loved one’s addiction.

Support groups are a great resource and let you know that you are not alone. Many people in support groups can help you through difficult times. The recovery process is hard for the person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol as well as family and friends. Everyone affected by drug or alcohol addiction needs time to heal and relationships to mend.

A support group will allow you to find other people with problems similar to yours. They might offer practical advice to help you cope. When you attend regularly, you will gain a sense of empowerment and control and develop a clear understanding of what to expect. Attending a support group will help to reduce distress, depression, and fatigue. In addition, you will be able to talk honestly and openly about your feelings without judgment or feeling isolated.

Support groups are beneficial to everyone affected by drug or alcohol addiction. Attending a support group is essential to the recovery process for you and your loved one.

Treatment is the beginning of a beautiful journey of healing, transformation, discovery, and more. Enlightened Recovery Solutions offers partial care programs for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, bringing together a harmonious balance of clinical, holistic, and 12-step philosophy. Call 833-801-5483 today for information.

The Difference in Snorting, Injecting, Inhaling or Swallowing a Drug

Written by enlightened solutions on January 24, 2018. Posted in Addiction, Drugs & Alcohol. Leave a Comment

Drugs can have different effects on each person who abuses them. The type of drug, the duration of use, and amount are factors in each person’s experience. Some drugs are snorted, injected, inhaled, or swallowed. The method of how the drug is administered affects the way it is absorbed into a person’s body. Some ways of using the drug will go to a person’s brain faster and the euphoric effects will last longer. Any method that is used can lead to physical health problems, overdose, or early death.

How fast a drug reaches the brain influences a person’s addiction. The amount of the drug used is another factor in addiction. Inhaling a drug takes seconds to reach the person’s brain. Marijuana is one of the drugs that can be inhaled or ingested. When a person smokes marijuana, the effects of dopamine in the brain are felt within seconds. Cannabis can be baked into brownies or cookies. By using this method, the drug takes a while to reach the brain, but the high lasts longer. Marijuana can be addictive and can lead to lung infections. A person will experience mild withdrawal symptoms when he or she stops using the drug.

Cocaine is a drug that can be snorted, smoked, or injected and is very addictive. While cocaine is usually snorted, injecting and smoking are the ways to reach an intense high faster. A cheaper form of cocaine called crack is often smoked. People in New Jersey who abuse cocaine or crack are at risk of overdose, health issues, and death.

Heroin is an opioid that is snorted or injected. When heroin is snorted, the effects of the drug take up to 15 minutes for a person to feel the high. Snorting heroin can result in nasal problems and damages. When heroin is injected intravenously, the effects are felt immediately. People who use heroin quickly build a tolerance to the drug and need to take more of it, more frequently. People who use heroin are at high risk of overdose or death.

Drugs are harmful and can lead to brain damage, overdose, or death. There is no better way to use a drug than to not use at all.

Should People Share Painkiller Medication?

Written by enlightened solutions on January 19, 2018. Posted in Addiction, Drugs & Alcohol. Leave a Comment

Painkillers are highly addictive opioids and are prescribed by a physician to an individual for pain management. Prescription medication should never be shared with other people including family or friends. Sharing your pain medication with other people is illegal. Giving someone else your medication can be fatal, and you would be responsible. When a physician prescribes painkillers to a person, the medication needs to be taken as directed.

Opioid abuse has dramatically increased and resulted in a national opioid crisis. Opioid abuse is causing many overdoses and deaths nationwide. The use of painkillers is greater than ever and causes people to develop a dependency or addiction when misused. Many people with addictions to potent opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, or morphine started their dependency by abusing painkiller medications.

Heroin, fentanyl, and morphine are powerful opioids that can be cheaper, more intense, and more available on the street than painkiller medications, which need a prescription from a physician. People will go to the extent of stealing painkillers for their own use or sell them. A person with an opioid addiction can go through intense withdrawal symptoms when he or she discontinues using the drug. This discomfort and pain influences him or her to relieve the withdrawals and get their fix.

A person should never share his or her painkiller medication. The alarming rise in opioid-related overdoses and deaths is fueled by painkiller abuse. People sharing painkiller medication are unintentionally contributing to the national opioid crisis. People who do not have a prescription for the opioid medication can easily become dependent on the drug for their own use or sell the drug to get more intense drugs.

If you give a person your painkillers, repeated use can lead to his or her death and other health complications. When a person takes your painkillers, the medication could interact negatively with his or her physical or mental condition. Also, if he or she is taking other medications, the use of painkillers can react in a harmful way. The pain medication is prescribed specifically for your condition. Giving someone else the medication can have adverse effects on their health or be the wrong dose for them.

Someone else who takes your painkillers may be getting more from other people. He or she can accidentally overdose, increase harmful health conditions, or die. A medical professional should always monitor pain medication. With the rise in opioid addiction, you can save someone’s life by not sharing your painkiller medication.

Recovery begins with you. You have to make the decision, now, to call and ask for help, get to treatment, and start a transformational, life-changing journey. The power to heal is yours. Let Enlightened Recovery Solutions show you the path of holistic treatment, bringing together the best practices of evidence-based clinical care, proven alternative healing practices, and trusted 12-step philosophy. Call 833-801-5483 today for information on our partial care programs.

Eating Disorder Addiction

Written by enlightened solutions on January 11, 2018. Posted in Addiction, Healthy Living. Leave a Comment

Food is a basic need for our survival and our bodies depend on the nutrients in food to stay healthy. For some people, food consumes their life. Sometimes people turn to food for comfort due to stress, depression, or anxiety. Eating disorders come in many forms such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. In any form, an eating disorder can cause physical disfiguration, impairment, obesity, and death.

A person who has an eating disorder develops an addictive relationship with self-destructive eating patterns. An individual with anorexia will starve his or herself because of their distorted perception of how they look. A person with anorexia literally starves to death. The lack of food causes extreme weight loss, hair loss, and impairs the body’s organs. Eventually, anorexia leads to an early death.

An individual with bulimia eats normally or binge-eats, then immediately and intentionally vomits the food. He or she might like the taste of the food but throws up to avoid gaining weight. Bulimia can cause tooth decay from the stomach’s acid that comes up with the food. A person who has bulimia is at risk of developing severe physical impairments and death.

An individual who has an eating disorder shows similar characteristics of a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. These addictive behaviors are self-destructive, harmful, and deadly. When a person has an eating disorder, he or she loses control and the ability to stop.

Eating disorders are related to some of the psychological effects of starvation, which appear to be similar to symptoms of addiction. A person with an eating disorder is preoccupied with food and experiences the urge to binge, is irritable, depressed, and overeats as a response to stress. The effects of starvation can make a person feel they are addicted to food. This can cause the person to avoid food. The avoidance of food reinforces the person to feel addicted.

The causes for developing an eating disorder or drug addiction are very similar. Social pressure, impulsivity, stress, and emotional trauma are reasons a person turns to addictive behavior. Eating disorders and substance addiction develop from stressful situations as a way to cope with emotional distress.

A person with an eating disorder or addiction could be self-medicating for mental health complications such as depression or anxiety. Eating disorders and drug or alcohol addiction are chronic diseases with high relapse rates. All require treatment for recovery.

Recovery needs to take place in mind, body, and spirit. That is why Enlightened Recovery Solutions offers a holistic approach to treatment, providing a multi-faceted partial care program rooted in evidence-based therapies, proven healing methods, and 12-step inspired recovery. Call us today for information on our programs for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, including eating disorders: 833-801-5483.

Dual Diagnosis: Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Written by enlightened solutions on January 9, 2018. Posted in Co-Occurring Disorders, Mental Health. Leave a Comment

Many people with a drug or alcohol addiction also have a mental health condition. People who have depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other psychiatric disorders often turn to drugs or alcohol to escape reality. The psychiatric disorder and substance addiction are referred to as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis.

A person with a mental illness uses drugs or alcohol for the euphoric effects caused by the release of dopamine. These effects are temporary and drugs or alcohol can make the person’s mental illness symptoms worse. Drugs can cause paranoia, increase depression, disrupt sleep patterns, and heighten anxiety.

Drugs also affect a person’s mood and can cause aggressive behavior such as rage, violence, or anger. The intensity of the drug, duration of use, and amount used determine the effects each person experiences. Some drugs can cause lethargy, sleepiness, or delayed responses and reactions.

PTSD is a debilitating mental disorder marked by depression, intense anxiety, and intrusive memories or flashbacks that interfere with daily life. People develop PTSD from military combat, natural disasters, sexual assault, or childhood abuse. First responders are also at high risk of PTSD due to on-scene tragedies, accidents, or crimes.

People with mental disorders often turn to drugs or alcohol to suppress his or her pain. A person abuses drugs or alcohol as a way to seek temporary relief from the reality of daily life. He or she uses more and more to escape painful memories and flashbacks, which increases the risk of drug or alcohol addiction.

People living with PTSD often relive the traumatic event, have nightmares, and can become socially withdrawn. A person with PTSD can feel ashamed or guilty from the trauma and be reluctant to seek help. When a person with PTSD and substance abuse goes to treatment, he or she needs intense support and encouragement from family and friends. A dual diagnosis can be difficult to treat, but recovery is possible.

A person with a mental illness and substance addiction is living with a dual diagnosis and needs to get treatment immediately for his or her mental health and addiction. A medical professional or medical team can monitor and manage the combined treatment and medication if needed. Many drugs can worsen symptoms of a mental illness and cause physical impairment, overdose, or death.

Recovery needs to take place in mind, body, and spirit in order for full rehabilitation to take place with a dual diagnosis. That is why Enlightened Recovery Solutions offers a holistic approach to treatment, providing a multi-faceted partial care program rooted in evidence-based therapies, proven healing methods, and 12-step inspired recovery. Call us today for information on our programs for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders: 833-801-5483.

Coping With Emotions in Early Recovery

Written by enlightened solutions on January 8, 2018. Posted in Mental Health, Recovery. Leave a Comment

The effects of drugs and alcohol cover up a person’s feelings when they are using. People who have a drug or alcohol addiction often start using to cope with emotions and feelings such as stress, anxiety, or depression. After using drugs or alcohol for a long time, the brain becomes dependent on the substance to function.

When a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol goes to treatment, he or she needs to adjust to a new substance-free lifestyle. Ending drug or alcohol use takes a lot of hard work and determination from the person who uses the substances. After treatment ends, the individual will begin to feel the emotions that were once subdued by the effects of drugs or alcohol. This can put the person at high risk of relapse due to the intensity of emotions he or she feels.

In early recovery, feelings and emotions will re-surface. The person can experience joy, sadness, and empathy in ways that can be overwhelming. The feelings that have mental associations with drugs or alcohol may trigger the urge to use. The individual should learn how to cope with triggers and not turn to familiar habits of using drugs or alcohol.

After years of responding to feelings or emotions by using, it will take time to break the association. Learning what feelings and emotions trigger the urge can help. Keeping a journal of the feelings and emotions will help the person become more aware of patterns and track progress.

The person in early recovery should find positive coping skills such as going for a walk, listening to music, reading, or playing with a pet helps to get through emotional triggers. Talking to sober, supportive friends can help a person cope with their emotions. The individual in recovery should get to know people in group meetings who can help during difficult times. When a person in early recovery is feeling triggered, he or she should call someone who can offer encouragement through challenging moments. The person in recovery should avoid triggers and have a plan for coping with the strong emotions that come with a new, sober lifestyle.

Emotions won’t kill you. Sustained drug and alcohol addiction can. When you choose to recover, you need to recover fully. Recovery needs to take place in mind, body, and spirit. That is why Enlightened Recovery Solutions offers a holistic approach to treatment, providing a multi-faceted partial care program rooted in evidence-based therapies, proven healing methods, and 12-step inspired recovery. Call us today for information on our programs for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders: 833-801-5483.

4 Ways to Stay Clean and Sober

Written by enlightened solutions on January 3, 2018. Posted in Recovery, Sober Living. Leave a Comment

After treatment, you need to make a lot of adjustments and lifestyle changes for recovery. There will be many challenges that put you at high risk for relapse. Plan a strategy in advance to avoid difficult situations that may tempt you to use.

Here are 4 ways to stay clean and sober:

Join support groups. Keep going to group therapy and support groups during recovery. Many people in these groups are going through the same thing as you. Develop friendships with clean and sober friends who you can call when you feel like you might relapse.

Avoid triggers.

To remain clean and sober you need to identify your triggers and avoid them. This includes any old friends who are associated with your using drugs or abusing alcohol. There might be certain places that remind you of your times using. Stay away from those places. Things can remind you of using such as commercials or programs linked to using or drinking. When you cannot avoid triggers, call on a clean, sober friend who can talk to you to keep your mind from thinking about using.

Exercise.

A great way to stay clean and sober is to put exercise into your daily routine. Exercising will take care of you physically and mentally and is a great healthy activity to participate in.

Keep a journal.

By writing down your feelings, you can reflect on your success and see how your lifestyle has changed. Writing keeps the mind active and you will have less time to think about using drugs or alcohol.

Stay active with interests and hobbies.

Find new activities that interest you such as walking, joining a gym, participating in a book club, playing sports, or you might be creative and join an art class.

Discover activities to keep you busy. Make sure the time you once spent abusing substances is filled with fun, healthy hobbies. This will help you stay clean and sober. Talk to new friends in support groups when you are feeling tempted to use. Rebuild damaged relationships with family and friends. The lifestyle changes will take a lot of time, but you will be able to stay clean and sober and have fun!

If your substance abuse has become a problem, don’t let the problem worsen. The best move to make for recovery from drug abuse is the quickest move by calling and asking for help immediately. Recovery is possible and healing will take place in mind, body, and spirit. Enlightened Recovery Solutions offers a holistic based, 12-step inspired, clinically proven program for alcoholism and co-occurring disorders. Call 833-801-5483 today for information on our partial care programs.

5 Ways to Rebuild a Relationship During Recovery

Written by enlightened solutions on January 2, 2018. Posted in Recovery, Relationships. Leave a Comment

Rebuilding a relationship after treatment for drug or alcohol addiction will take time. While you are in recovery, your family will also need time to heal from your addictive behavior. When trust is broken, it can be hard to mend your relationship. Respect your loved one’s boundaries. Showing that you respect their expectations and boundaries is a great start to mending a broken relationship with family and friends.

Drug and alcohol abuse affects family relationships and friendships. Loved ones struggle to understand and cope with your addictive behavior. Some people are affected differently by their loved one’s addiction.

Some behaviors of a person with an addiction:

Lie, steal, and cheat
Become aggressive or violent and break the law
Say hurtful things and become reckless and selfish

These behaviors damage a relationship and make it difficult to trust again. Family members and friends can mistakenly enable their loved one. Family and friends go through an exhausting emotional odyssey with their loved one’s addiction. They need therapy for issues related to their loved one’s drug and alcohol abuse. Going to family or group therapy can help the healing process for everyone affected.

Here are 5 helpful ways to rebuild a relationship during your recovery:

Journaling. Start journaling on a regular basis to keep a record of your progress. Writing allows you to express your feelings, keep your mind active, and reflect on your journey through tough times and accomplishments.
Communicate. Listen to your loved one’s conversation and remain calm, respectful, and responsive. Engage in positive and effective communication.
Avoid relapse. Identify the people, places, or things that could lead to relapse. Develop a plan to avoid situations that put you at high risk to abuse drugs and alcohol again. Find sober people to be around and meet new friends at group meetings. Stay away from establishments that remind you of your drug or alcohol use.
Nurture interest in your loved one’s lives. Go on walks with your spouse, go to a baseball game with your child, attend your sister’s scrapbooking get together, or spend some quality time with your parents. Find interest in their lives and show them you care.
Take care of yourself. Continue to make improvements and reinforce your commitment to sobriety. Family and friends will see your progress, which will help to regain trust.

Recovery is a lifelong process and takes a lot of effort and dedication to stay sober. Rebuilding relationships with loved ones will help with your recovery as you establish support and encouragement from your family and friends.

Relationships are strained in active addiction but healed in active recovery. The best move to make for recovery is the quickest move by calling and asking for help immediately. Recovery is possible and healing will take place in mind, body, and spirit. Enlightened Recovery Solutions offers a holistic based, 12-step inspired, clinically proven program for alcoholism and co-occurring disorders. Call 833-801-5483 today for information on our partial care programs.

5 Ways to Avoid an Addiction to Painkillers

Written by enlightened solutions on January 1, 2018. Posted in Addiction, Addiction Recovery. Leave a Comment

Doctors prescribe painkillers to patients as a way to manage pain from an injury, surgery, or trauma. Painkillers are highly addictive opioids. The opioids are Oxycontin, Vicodin, Dilaudid, and Demerol. These opioids are for short-term use; however, opioids are also used for long-term illnesses such as cancer. The opioid epidemic has been declared a national health emergency due to the staggering rise in opioid use, overdoses, and deaths.

When you are prescribed a painkiller, it is crucial to follow the dose exactly as written by your doctor or other medical professional. Painkillers cause a sense of intense euphoria from the release of dopamine in your brain. As more medication is taken, more tolerance builds up to achieve the euphoric effects. If you take the painkiller for a long time, you can develop a physical dependence on the drug. The physical dependency puts you at high risk of developing an opioid addiction.

Many people who use heroin begin their addiction with painkillers. Long-term use of painkillers leads to tolerance, dependence, and overdose or death. Here are 5 ways to prevent an addiction to painkillers:

Follow the doctor’s orders.

If you are taking medication for pain, take the medication as directed by your doctor. When you take more painkillers, more often than prescribed, you put yourself at risk of developing a dependency or addiction. Take the painkillers exactly as your doctor tells you.

Seek alternatives.

Talk to your doctor about alternatives to opioids. Less addictive medications can alleviate pain. Check with your doctor for other options that can minimize discomfort.

Ask yourself if you still need painkillers.

If your pain is more manageable and you are experiencing less pain, ask yourself if you need to continue using painkillers. If you continue to use them, but no longer need them, you could be at risk of addiction.

Limit the opioid use.

Do not take more painkillers than needed or increase the duration of use. If you feel better, talk to your physician about discontinuing the medication and withdrawal management.

Think about other risks.

Discuss other factors with your physician that may contribute to your risk of developing an addiction. Talk about your experiences with addiction to drugs or alcohol, or mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

People are unnecessarily dying due to opioid addiction. The number of opioid-related overdoses and deaths are staggering. The increase in opioid abuse has been declared a national opioid crisis. Opioid addiction can be prevented if you know the risk factors, act responsibly, and maintain communication with your physician.

If your prescription painkiller abuse has become a problem, don’t let the problem worsen. The best move to make for recovery from drug abuse is the quickest move by calling and asking for help immediately. Recovery is possible and healing will take place in mind, body, and spirit. Enlightened Recovery Solutions offers a holistic based, 12-step inspired, clinically proven program for alcoholism and co-occurring disorders. Call 833-801-5483 today for information on our partial care programs.

New Year’s Resolutions

Written by enlightened solutions on January 1, 2018. Posted in Healthy Living, Sober Living. Leave a Comment

It’s the beginning of the year and it’s time for new year’s resolutions. Just like packed gyms with ambitious people looking to better themselves, AA meetings can be the same way. Individuals with addictive personalities can find new goals or resolutions with extreme expectations. Having expectations is a way of trying to control something or someone and that is not suggested. However, if the goal is to take a new lifestyle one day at a time, it’s easier to stay on track. There are a few things to keep in mind while attempting to achieve personal goals.

Be realistic:

Do not attempt to do anything that can be overwhelming. People who have alcoholism, should not say they will never drink again. This can be the manifested but there’s something to be said by starting small. One day at a time.

One thing at a time:

Often times there can be a “pink cloud” or a period of time where there is an intense amount of confidence in early sobriety. This is a wonderful thing, but there should be cautious around doing too many things at once. Getting sober is a huge deal and should be treated so. It’s not recommended to also quit smoking, go back to school, lost 20 lbs, and so on.

Be open:

With sobriety, it’s important to let others know what you are doing. This will help with staying accountable. If family and friends are aware of your goals and resolutions, they will be there to support you at weak moments. If someone is trying to get sober or healthier in any way it should not be kept a secret. Own your new way of life!

Be nice to yourself:

If there are bumps in the road it is important not to dwell on the negative. For example, if someone had begun to live a vegan lifestyle and they had a steak. It’s more helpful to think about what had gone right, rather than slipping. Focus on the positive and let more positive things come. Focus on the negative and more negative

If you are looking to find a new path to recovery for the body, mind, and spirit, help is available. Enlightened Solutions offers a clinical, holistic, and 12-step approach to help patients heal and transform. Begin to make the shift into a hopeful future with us here in New Jersey. Call for more information: 833-801-5483.

Tag: addiction