Overcoming Drug and Alcohol Addiction With Neurofeedback

To most people struggling to free themselves from a drug or alcohol addiction, using additional chemicals such as prescription medications seems to defeat the purpose of overcoming the addiction. Nevertheless, prolonged substance abuse can have serious repercussions, so getting immediate help is vital. Perhaps this is why a growing number of people are choosing alternative therapies to overcome addictions. Neurofeedback therapy is one of the most promising of these new options. With both types of addiction, the individual loses control over choices, and ultimately, life situations. One of the challenges of using the more traditional type of treatment for these addictions is that the body may not being provided with proper support once it has gone through withdrawal. Neurofeedback, in addition to helping the person end their addiction to drugs and alcohol, may also help keep the person sober. Neurofeedback, or 'biofeedback for the brain', can be used in conjunction with other therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The attending doctor or clinician may also recommend getting involved with a good support group. Although numerous therapies support the recovery and maintenance of the person addicted to drugs and alcohol, the following treatments seem to be the most effective, whether as individual therapies, or in combination with other forms of treatment. - Neurofeedback - With this, the individual has the unique opportunity to retrain the brain so that the stressful situations, which would previously cause the person to turn to an addictive substance for relief, may no longer have that effect. Often, biofeedback and/or neurofeedback would be used along with various techniques of relaxation to help during withdrawal, and then to curb cravings. - Homeopathy for Addiction - A number of treatment options are available using homeopathy - and often this would be coupled with neurofeedback for the best results. - Meditation - Another excellent method for helping addicts get through the withdrawal phase and maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle is with various meditation therapies. Yoga, visualization, and imagery all work well as individual therapies, but when coupled with neurofeedback, the results can be astounding. - Hypnotherapy - Some holistic doctors also recommend hypnotherapy as a means to end drug and/or alcohol addiction. Again, this can be highly beneficial for its purpose but when used along with neurofeedback, the results may be better, recovery quicker, and cravings dramatically reduced to help the person stay clean. - Nutritional Therapy - It is common for doctors to have the addict go through nutritional therapy when using neurofeedback for drug and alcohol addiction, since dealing with some degree of malnutrition is quite possible for those in recovery. After all, both drugs and alcohol wreak havoc on the body, so the goal is to let neurofeedback help with the mind and nutritional therapy help with the body. Anyone trying to overcome an addiction with drugs or alcohol needs to know that they have viable solutions that are 100% natural and safe. After making the decision to 'come clean', knowing that there are methods for getting through the withdrawal phase and then living a healthy life without depending on drugs eliminates a tremendous amount of stress. It is never too late to begin anew, and neurofeedback, with or without other forms of therapies could be the perfect answer.

Drug and Alcohol Denial and Intervention

Denial and Intervention Denial and family intervention is often an essential part of the recovery process. Denial plays a common role with drug addiction and what's called tough love can be very persuasive. because an individual's life has become unmanageable as a result of drug addiction and/or alcoholism, no matter what the drug being abused, along with the abuse comes a lack of willingness and/or ability to confront the true nature of one's own problem with drugs and alcohol and to take any kind of action to better their lives. This is called denial, and it comes in many forms - blaming, playing the victim, anger, fear etc. Along with denial, an addict must deal with pride and ego, two of the worst enemies of addiction, as they will in no doubt keep an addict or alcoholic using until one of three inevitable ends - jails, institutions, or death. This is where a type of addiction professional called an interventionist becomes important. Interventionists play an essential role in the treatment process. A family Intervention or Interventionist's job is to break down denial. Denial is a very strong defense mechanism used by addicts that enables them to justify continuing their destructive behavior. Often they blame their usage on family members, jobs, and stress, anything that allows them not to accept responsibility for their addictive actions and continue the substance abuse. Breaking through these barriers and gaining commitment to receive care is essential to begin the healing process. The purpose of an interventionist is to coordinate with the family and/or other professionals in selecting a proper detoxification and treatment facility to suit the need. Advanced arrangements must be made as the expectation is immediate admittance upon the completion of the intervention. Experienced interventionists will counsel the family with understanding an answer any questions they may have and to resolve any bad feelings to ease the situation keeping in mind the goal of getting the addict to drug or alcohol detox treatment program immediately. The intention is clear, the tone is hopeful and the resolve is unwavering. This process is born out of love and concern interventions and interventionists are successful in 90%-95%+ of all cases. In the event that the drug addict or alcoholic chooses not to agree to treatment, the family, friends, and employers must be prepared for the next step. This involves of all enabling behaviors by the parties involved needs to cease. Typically the only reason this process may not be effective is that in the past, consequences of the drug addicts have been so minimal that the addict doesn't think that anything will change. The family must be prepared to set strong boundaries and not waver at the time of intervention. The addict is once again told he/she is loved and that the family and interventionist are willing to get them effective drug or alcohol treatment. It must be made clear, however, that the family (with the guidance of the interventionist as a mediator) will no longer accept this behavior and watch the addict slowly kill themselves. The drug addict or alcoholic is expected to accept the gift that is being offered and get help at a drug or alcohol detox and treatment program. Intervention can be a very painful process, because it is a time during which a family often gets to see the true strength of the addictive minds. Intervention is a serious undertaking and it is imperative that it be done effectively, safely and with confidentiality. No intervention should be done without at least being researched and discussed with a knowledgeable counselor or interventionist.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction - Spirituality in Sobriety

Part of our task in early recovery is to rediscover the sacred in ourselves and in life. Spirituality delivers what drugs and alcohol promised. Drugs and alcohol promised to always be there for us, not to put demands on us, not to sabotage us; but experience shows this is not true. Through drug and alcohol addiction we have been held hostage to a disease process that is incurable and progressive. The spiritual life is a complete life -- it is not an addition to life. Hundreds of thousands of atheists and agnostics have successfully recovered because recovery and sobriety are not about religion, but about spirituality. Beyond the 12 Step Program itself, many people share a belief in nature or the universe as one of their higher powers. Each one of us has the responsibility for deciding what the phrase "god of our own understanding" means. Within the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) we rediscover hope. We learn to design our lives from the inside out, relying on spiritual principles such as surrender, acceptance and humility. We learn to use spiritual practices to achieve self care and self soothing without the use of drugs and alcohol. For the person who told themselves they drank or used drugs to relax, the knowledge that meditation achieves that without harmful side effects is a hope-filled revelation. Through the spiritual aspect of humility and the desire to be of service to others we learn to value what we previously overlooked. Humility is defined as not thinking less of yourself, but thinking less of yourself. The path of drug and alcohol addiction recovery has been made beautiful by the footsteps of those who went before us. Their teachings and their examples help us learn to design a life based on spiritual values such as honesty, openness and willingness. Many of our spiritual practices find eloquent expression in the serenity prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Combating Drugs and Alcohol in the Food Industry

Statistics from the United States Department of Labor show illicit drug use at 17.4% for the food industry, compared to the national average of 8.2%. Heavy alcohol use is shown at 12.1%, compared to the national average of 8.8%. Much work remains to be done to bring down these figures for all restaurant owners. Having an effective drug and alcohol policy is one tool in the arsenal in the battle of drugs and alcohol. Effective drug and alcohol policies and procedures saves your restaurant untold amounts of money in workers' compensation, training dollars, general productivity, morale and theft. Assisting an employee who has a drug and alcohol problem is much more cost effective than hiring a new employee. The hiring and firing process, along with the training, is expensive. You have invested a lot of training dollars in your employees. There is no guarantee that the new employee does not have the same problems. Sixty percent of all employees can be successfully rehabilitated if they seek treatment. Train your management and supervisors with basic information about their role in your policies and their implementation. Through the school of hard knocks, I have had to develop my own employee drug and alcohol policy with my attorneys. I am not an attorney, so I recommend that you seek the advice of counsel. The document prepared for me protects me, my co-workers and employees, as well as the general public. This document states my intent to operate in an environment free of drugs and alcohol. "We believe that the use of drugs or alcohol or being under the influence jeopardizes the welfare and safety of our employees and visitors, as well as our productivity and efficiency. Compliance with the following provisions of the workplace drug and alcohol policy is a condition of employment." I outline my proposal for pre-employment screening. I define the use, sale or possession of drugs or alcohol which includes legal and illegal drugs. I give specific instructions on how to proceed if an employee has knowledge that another is using drugs. I give further specific guidelines about not covering up for a co-worker. I have provisions for searches and for testing for drugs or alcohol for all employees or individual testing, when necessary. I provide specific information on what disciplinary action will be taken and then provide a course of action for employee assistance programs. It is very important to have an employee assistance program. We maintain a referral service to help employees who suffer from alcohol or drug abuse. It is the responsibility of the employee to seek this out before an alcohol or drug problem leads to disciplinary action. Once a violation occurs, subsequent use of the assistance program may have no bearing on the determination of the discipline. The employee's decision to seek prior assistance will not be used as the basis of discipline; however, seeking help will not be a defense to imposition of discipline. In the event of an industrial accident, the employee acknowledges they will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol screening. This may sound like legal mumbo-jumbo, but it is important to protect yourself from lawsuits. I've had different instances where I thought that I was doing right. I knew one guy I hired was an alcoholic and had a problem drinking. About a month or a month and a half later, he didn't show up for work one day. I saw his picture on the front page of the paper that day and the story that he was picked up in a parole sweep. He was drunk and they put him back in prison. He failed to mention on his application that he was a parolee too. However, while he was in prison in Southern California, he filed for unemployment assistance. I contested the claim, offering my proof that he was arrested and even on the front page of the newspaper. Even though this was many years ago, I'm sure you can understand my surprise when I received notice that this employee was entitled to receive unemployment benefits. The reasoning behind the decision was that I knew he was an alcoholic when I hired him and that under the American Disabilities Act he had been proven an alcoholic in the past and was doing what alcoholics do. They actually ruled in his favor. A more recent experience was about a year ago. I had a waitress who was, without a doubt, loaded on narcotics. She came back from a break and she was obviously under the influence. I was at one of my other restaurants when my wife called me. We immediately took this server off the floor. We questioned her and wanted to send her for a drug test, but the server ended up leaving the restaurant and going home. I ended up terminating her. At the time of our unemployment hearing, the Administrative Law Judge was very intent on determining why my staff did not call an ambulance if we were so concerned about her being under the influence and a danger to herself and others. As an alternative, the Administrative Law Judge voiced her concern about how this employee was allowed to drive home. As things turned out, my restaurant lost this decision because we did not have this plan in effect. These are some of the things that you, as an employer, must weigh. You have to consider the time invested in any employee, how long they have been with you, do they generally want to try, are they a good employee, are they salvageable or do they want help? You see, there is a difference between treatment and recovery. Anyone can go to treatment, but once in treatment and physically removed from the alcohol or the drugs, your employee must be willing to seek help for their problem. The well known 12 Step programs talk about the surrender and admitting process required in accepting a problem and the follow-through program of action to stay off the drugs and alcohol. To be physically withdrawn from the drugs and alcohol is the first step. Once that happens, then recovery begins. There are different 12 Step programs available from Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, outpatient programs and even church. Recovery depends on what the addiction is and how far your employee is willing to go. My own experience has shown that some of my absolute best employees are the ones that I took the time and made the investment in to assist with their drug and alcohol problems. Several of these employees have now been with me for 20 years because they have come from the depths of despair and frustration and been able to reassemble their families and become productive members of society again. They show up to work and give an honest day of work for an honest day of pay. As an employer, it is fabulous to watch and know that you can actually affect and help other people's lives.

How Drugs and Alcohol Can Affect the Workplace

As well as having a negative affect on our society, drugs and alcohol also affect the workplace. There are employees who turn up to work affected by either drugs or alcohol, and sometimes even both. As an employer there are ways to deal with these problems, and getting the advice from Safety Management Consulting is a good start. Absences An employee who is having problems with either alcohol or drugs will often be absent from work. This is a problem for both them and the company. Through missing many days of work they will use up any sick leave benefits, so when they need to take leave for genuinely being unwell they won't be paid, and eventually an employer will be forced to let them go. For the company an employee being absent too often has a negative impact because they have to pay sick leave or other benefits for days where work is not done, and the level of productivity decreases, therefore effecting profits. Accidents Those that suffer from substance abuse have an increased risk of workplace accidents. Not only are they a risk to themselves but also to other staff. Somebody who is affected by drugs or alcohol is not in a fit condition to use machinery of any kind, and many workplaces involve the use of hazardous equipment that should only be used when a person is fully aware. Reduced productivity Someone who is affected by drugs or alcohol is not going to be able to work at their full capacity and if this continues there will be a reduction in overall productivity leading to a reduction in company profits. An inefficient staff member can have a flow on effect throughout the whole company. If any staff members are waiting on the completion of part of a task which an affected person can not perform, it can slow down the whole job, which may in fact not get completed on time or at all. Erratic behaviour A person who is affected by drugs or alcohol may be experiencing erratic or even violent behaviour towards other staff members or managers. In this instance it may become dangerous to have them at work and management is given no option other than to send them home or even fire them. An affected person will be unpredictable, unreliable, will often be late or absent and in this state will not be of any benefit to the company. Staff feeling unsafe Other staff members may feel unsafe or uncomfortable around an intoxicated person, and it is certainly not fair on staff to have to work in these sort of conditions where they feel threatened or uneasy. Staff may feel that they have to pick up the slack for this person and this can lead to job dissatisfaction and dysfunction within the workplace. Management has a responsibility to their staff and cannot have employees feeling unsafe. Identifying and dealing with staff with substance abuse is something that cannot be ignored.

Health Insurance Plans That Covers Drug and Alcohol Abuse Or Related Addictions

The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines drug abuse and dependencies as the usage of a legal or an illegal medication that causes physical, mental, emotional, or social harm. Examples of commonly abused drugs include opioids, stimulants, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety agents, and hallucinogens. Drug abuse is a major public health problem in society today and can cause an applicant applying for health insurance to unknowingly have their application declined prematurely by most major medical carriers. Why its hard to get insurance to cover this. The reasons why most insurers are hesitant about insuring a proposed applicant are mainly due to the financial hardships or complications in which the administrator of a plan will ensue including cardiac arrest, intracranial hemorrhage, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, tetanus, subacute bacterial endocarditis, hepatitis, vasculitis, septicemia, thrombophlebitis, pulmonary emboli, gangrene, malaria, as well as increased risk of suicide and psychosis. There are some that do cover the condition but they are hard to find. However there are a select but few carriers that will cover the recovery of addiction through availability of specialty coverage. Discussing the situation with a licensed insurance agent to direct and guide toward a reputable company with a managed care program to cover detoxification is paramount. Detoxification, is the controlled and gradual withdrawal of an abused drug and is achieved through substitution of a medication with similar action. A properly administrated detoxification health insurance program will cover substitute medications as well as prescriptions to ease the withdrawal reducing a patients discomfort and associated risk. A good program will provide coverage for the following. Depending on which drug that patient has abused, detoxification may be managed on an inpatient or outpatient basis and will have to cover a possible regime of expensive drugs including Diazepam, Topamax, Campral, Atabuse, ReVia, Vivotrol, Buprenorphine, and Methodone to name a few. Withdrawal symptoms which are left untreated can produce hazardous effects such as generalized tonic-clonic seizures, epilepsy, or hypotension. Opioid withdrawal causes severe physical discomfort and can even be life threatening. To minimize these effects, chronic opioid abusers are commonly detoxified with prescription Methadone. To ease withdrawal from opioids, depressants, and other drugs, useful nonchemical measures may include psychotherapy, exercise, relaxation techniques, and nutritional support. Sedatives and tranquilizers may be administered temporarily to help the patient cope with insomnia, anxiety, and depression. After withdrawal, rehabilitation is needed to prevent recurrence of abuse. Rehab programs are also available for inpatient or outpatient basis and usually are covered for several months. During and after rehabilitation, participation in a drug-oriented self help group may be helpful. Drug or alcohol abuse and related addictions can circumvent obtaining most major health insurance, however it should not stop you from fighting the disease. There are some carriers out there that have programs like this on a limited basis and can help you or someone you know put an end to the struggle.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Drug and alcohol addiction is a widespread problem; many people who feel they have their drinking or drug taking under control are actually in the grip of an addiction that they can't or won't even recognise. Luckily for those who are willing to ask for help, there is no shortage of organisations that can provide emotional support, advice and even practical assistance to those addicted to drugs or alcohol. Rehab clinics, short for rehabilitation, may seem to be the domain of celebrity addicts whose careers have been derailed by too much partying, but ordinary people can be admitted to these institutions too. As with any other methods of dealing with addiction, the addict should want to be helped and has to admit that they have a problem. In some cases, courts have sent people to rehab to try and force them to clean up their act, but this is only a short-term solution. If the addict doesn't want to be helped they will soon find themselves drinking or taking drugs once released from the clinic. In most addiction cases rehab isn't necessary. After all, it is quite a serious and potentially expensive step to take, sealing the addict away from family and friends for weeks or even months until the cause of their addiction has been dealt with. Most addicts, once they have admitted their problem can be helped in the community, through counselling, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and with the support and help of their loved ones along with medical professionals. Bizarrely, it can actually be dangerous for people who are used to drinking a large amount of alcohol to suddenly stop drinking altogether and the advice of a doctor or nurse used to dealing with addicts should be consulted throughout the process. You will have heard people refer to themselves as "recovering alcoholics" or "recovering addicts". The truth is that once addicted you never stop being an addict. Once you have taken the decision to give up alcohol or drugs, it becomes a lifelong struggle to stay away from your particular demon. There is no such thing as an alcoholic who can enjoy a couple of sociable drinks at parties. Either you quit altogether or you're only fooling yourself that your addiction has been dealt with effectively. Giving up drugs and alcohol isn't an easy process and it will stay hard for the rest of your life, but it is something that is worth doing as living life with an addiction is no life at all.

Myths About Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Making the decision to go to drug and/or alcohol rehab can be indefinitely life-changing. Although, what are some of the rumors and/or myths traveling around, about rehabilitation centers? The general public has an overall belief of what rehabilitation for drugs and alcohol entails. This is mainly due to gossip literature highlighting the experiences of celebrity rehab goers. But what truly are the myths of drug and alcohol rehabilitation? Myth #1 - Drug and/or Alcohol Rehabilitation Is 'One Size Fits All': Although a rehabilitation program may have a set of standardized rules and regulations, as well as a treatment outline for progress, each rehab center is unique. Also, once your counselors, medical assistants, doctors and other professionals meet you, they will then begin to tailor a program within their standard program, that will fit you. All individuals are motivated differently, and handle situations and learning in a different manner. Individuals also have different experiences with drugs and alcohol that triggered ongoing use due to their own issues, past experiences and present experiences. For this reason, each one person cannot be treated the same with respects to rehab from drugs and alcohol. Myth #2 - All Individuals Have The Capability To Quit An Addiction Without Help: An addiction is an illness, that is run by a portion of the brain referred to as the mesolimbic dopamine system. This system within the brain is not operated by the conscious portion of the brain. With this, it is quite difficult for an addict to connect logic of unhealthy and negative behavior to their addiction. For this reason, the assistance of God, a completely different environment, professional skill work, etc. can all contribute to treating an individual's addiction. An addiction is not just continued because of lack of willpower. There are several other factors within the brain and body that contribute to ongoing drug and/or alcohol abuse. Myth #3 - An Addict Will Not Enter Into Rehab Until They Have Hit 'Rock Bottom': It is true that a vast majority of individuals will hit 'rock bottom', and then enter into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Although there is also a large group of individuals that don't need to go that far before seeking help. All individuals are motivated differently, and for that reason, some individuals may be motivated to stop their addiction earlier than others. Motivators may include but are not limited to family needs, illness or finances. Others may choose to wait until there isn't any other option, but this group does not include ALL rehab goers. If you, or someone you love is suffering from a harmful addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, it is best to seek help as soon as possible. In contacting a rehab center, you can get immediate answers to any questions you may have. It is never a poor decision to research your options.

Myths About Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Making the decision to go to drug and/or alcohol rehab can be indefinitely life-changing. Although, what are some of the rumors and/or myths traveling around, about rehabilitation centers? The general public has an overall belief of what rehabilitation for drugs and alcohol entails. This is mainly due to gossip literature highlighting the experiences of celebrity rehab goers. But what truly are the myths of drug and alcohol rehabilitation? Myth #1 - Drug and/or Alcohol Rehabilitation Is 'One Size Fits All': Although a rehabilitation program may have a set of standardized rules and regulations, as well as a treatment outline for progress, each rehab center is unique. Also, once your counselors, medical assistants, doctors and other professionals meet you, they will then begin to tailor a program within their standard program, that will fit you. All individuals are motivated differently, and handle situations and learning in a different manner. Individuals also have different experiences with drugs and alcohol that triggered ongoing use due to their own issues, past experiences and present experiences. For this reason, each one person cannot be treated the same with respects to rehab from drugs and alcohol. Myth #2 - All Individuals Have The Capability To Quit An Addiction Without Help: An addiction is an illness, that is run by a portion of the brain referred to as the mesolimbic dopamine system. This system within the brain is not operated by the conscious portion of the brain. With this, it is quite difficult for an addict to connect logic of unhealthy and negative behavior to their addiction. For this reason, the assistance of God, a completely different environment, professional skill work, etc. can all contribute to treating an individual's addiction. An addiction is not just continued because of lack of willpower. There are several other factors within the brain and body that contribute to ongoing drug and/or alcohol abuse. Myth #3 - An Addict Will Not Enter Into Rehab Until They Have Hit 'Rock Bottom': It is true that a vast majority of individuals will hit 'rock bottom', and then enter into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Although there is also a large group of individuals that don't need to go that far before seeking help. All individuals are motivated differently, and for that reason, some individuals may be motivated to stop their addiction earlier than others. Motivators may include but are not limited to family needs, illness or finances. Others may choose to wait until there isn't any other option, but this group does not include ALL rehab goers. If you, or someone you love is suffering from a harmful addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, it is best to seek help as soon as possible. In contacting a rehab center, you can get immediate answers to any questions you may have. It is never a poor decision to research your options.

Drug and Alcohol Policies in the Workplace

Drug and alcohol abuse can affect a workplace by causing a range of different problems. An employee suffering from substance abuse has a higher risk of causing injury to themselves or others, are more likely to claim workers compensation, are more likely to be absent frequently and can cause a decrease in productivity. Drug and alcohol abuse can directly affect a workplace and cost the company a lot of money. It can also be difficult identifying someone who is suffering from substance abuse, and although drug testing kits could prove whether or not an employee has a problem, policies must be put into place within a workplace before an employee can be approached and something done to help them. Duty of Care Employers have a duty of care to their employees, just as employees need to take reasonable care of the health and safety of others. Employees duty of care includes that the use of drugs or alcohol are not involved within the workplace or places them in a state where their safety, or the safety of others, is jeopardised. This duty of care for employers extends to putting into place a policy that has a method of approach for staff members that are suspected of substance abuse, and outlines the necessary steps to helping that employee. By having a drug and alcohol policy within your company you are taking positive steps towards dealing with the problem of substance abuse constructively. Workplace Drug and Alcohol Policy The policy should be a written policy which applies to all workers. It should be formulated together by management, employees or their representatives, such as the union. The Occupational Health and Safety committee within the company need to make sure the policy is implemented and updated as needed. Policy Aim The aim of a drug and alcohol policy within your workplace should be to firstly prevent substance abuse within the ranks of your staff, and also provide education, counselling and rehabilitation if needed. The policy should be a part of your companies general occupational health and safety strategy and look to eliminating the risks of drug and alcohol use within your workplace. Training Training and education is important, and it is a positive step for any workplace, to provide the right information to staff. This training should cover things like what is harmful substance use, what the effects of alcohol and drug use does to safety and performance within the workplace and what the consequences may be for employees who fail to follow the rules set out by the policy. Employees also need to know how to deal with harmful drug and alcohol use and how to recognise possible substance abuse in other employees. They need to know who to approach if they think someone is under the effects of drugs or alcohol and also what services are available to them if they need help. Occupational Health and Safety representatives or managers need the skills to identify an employee with an addiction and how to manage the issue.

The Physical and Emotional Affects of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

At some point in each person's life he or she is given a talk about drugs and alcohol and the effects that both can have. Most of us were taught in school health classes that the effects of drugs and alcohol can be emotional as well as physical and can have a big impact on the people who surround us as well as on our individual bodies. While this is certainly true, what most people don't understand-until they are in the throes of addiction-is just how devastating the physical and emotional affects of drug and alcohol addiction can be. In drug and alcohol rehab, drug and alcohol addicts will work individually, together and with trained drug and alcohol addiction experts to understand both the physical and emotional demands of overcoming an addiction. The experts in drug rehab programs have helped many clients get sober and they know how to help people cope as they go through withdrawal and face the emotional truths that contributed to their drug and alcohol addictions. Physical Effects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction As a person falls deeper and deeper into the throes of alcohol addiction and drug addiction, their friends and family will start to notice that the addict is physically changing. Internally your body will be dealing with intense cravings for the addict's drug of choice (or any drug at all, depending on the addiction). Outwardly, a drug addict can display any (or all) of the following symptoms: - Bloody noses - Coughing for no reason - Lack of coordination or unexplainable drowsiness - Irregular pupil size - Eyes moving back and forth rapidly and unable to focus on anything - Bloodshot or red eyes - Smokey smell or other drug smells on clothing - Physical marks on the skin (track marks, rashes, etc) - Inability to sit still - Incessant scratching or rubbing - Infection on the skin - Drug paraphernalia in pockets or usually within close proximity to the person - Hair loss - Excessive carefulness of one's appearance and behavior when the person usually isn't quite so meticulous (could be a sign of a cover up) Emotional Effects of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Emotional effects of drug and alcohol addiction aren't always as obvious as the physical effects can be. The truth is that drug and alcohol addictions are usually closely related to an emotional issue that has existed for quite a while. While it is true that an addiction can be physical-the triggers for that addiction are usually emotional. Here are some of the emotional effects a drug addiction can have, both on the addict and the people in an addict's life: - Increased feelings of loneliness and ostracism - Increased irritability - Increased fatigue - Unexplainable anxiety - Inability to concentrate - Feelings of abandonment (for both the addict and the people in the addict's life) - Stress from strained relationships - Fear that the addiction is out of control - Fear of rejection if addiction is discovered - Fear that even if the addict gets sober, they will no longer be accepted by their social circle - Anger at people who "don't get it" In a drug and alcohol rehab, both the person with the addiction and the people surrounding the addict will go through counseling sessions to help face and deal with the emotional ramifications of alcohol or drug addiction. Experts agree that these sessions are imperative for the addict's continued sobriety once his or her time in drug rehab has finished and he (or she) has to stay sober in the "regular world." The experts and therapists can also help an addict cope with the physical addiction to drugs and alcohol and the withdrawal process the addict will deal with after being admitted to the center. The truth is that drug addiction is neither all physical nor entirely emotional. The staff in most drug rehabilitation centers understand and work with you to deal with all aspects of overcoming addiction and living a sober life.

Curbing Addiction Through Drugs and Alcohol Rehabilitation

What should you do prior to availing rehabilitation services? There is a great necessity for you to admit that you have addiction problem before you go for a treatment. Performing addiction treatment without the proper knowledge of your addiction can be dangerous, even fatal. The type of drug, your quantity of intake, signs of withdrawal, etc. are the things the rehab professionals need to know so that they can provide you appropriate treatments. It is therefore necessary for you to admit to your addiction problems before you take up alcohol and drug rehabilitation. The most important factor to your successful recovery from addiction is your willingness to recover and undergo the treatment. Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation The most effective way of curbing addiction is through rehabilitation. In rehabilitation services, you will be introduced to numerous treatments which are directed to relieve you from your addiction to drugs and alcohol. You will receive the care and supervision you will never get at home or any treatment settings. Treatment in a rehab consists of detoxification and behavior centered treatment programs. In a drug or alcohol abuse treatment center, the first treatment will be detoxification. Detoxification is the process of eliminating the toxins accumulated in your body through detoxifying drugs. This treatment will be followed by many other behavioral treatments which is centered on developing your overall approach to life. You will be assisted in your decision to quitting drug and alcohol without the least chance of withdrawal. You will also be taught new ways to perform household tasks and professional duties without ever depending on alcohol drugs again. Even after a successful recovery, you are subjected to come back to your addiction through your associations. To avoid this, rehab centers provide aftercare treatments which focus on helping you abstain from drugs and alcohol. Therefore, for a long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol, drug and alcohol abuse treatment in a rehab is the right choice. Treatments however will differ from individual to individual depending upon factors like intensity of addiction, types of drugs, age of addict, etc. Different rehab centers have different rehabilitation servicesbut their goals are the same. In short, properly curbing your addiction to drug and alcohol involves your willingness to recover and an effective rehab treatment. If you think you or someone you care for is alcoholic or addicted to drugs, you should refrain from thinking that recovering from addiction is impossible but should take the help from rehab professionals and get appropriate treatments. Kelly Smith is one of the best author. Some of Kelly Smith story in the field of health such as Drug Rehabilitation [http://www.rehabilitationinc.com/] and art are among the most famous literary works of the world.

Drug and Alcohol Problem Help for Teens

When parents are concerned about their teens using drugs and alcohol, they want to get them help. There are several different types of programs available, but many of them are designed for adults and do not assist teens at an individual level. They often refer parents and their children to a program that welcomes teens and can help them through this difficult time. When parents consider the options, they will find that some are designed as residential programs, while others are home-based or offer online classes. Philosophy If teenagers or young adults have problems with drugs and alcohol, they may be told that they are addicted or have an illness that will be with them for the rest of their lives. While some addiction treatment centers subscribe to this theory, not all programs agree with this philosophy. Some programs teach that people can change their behavior without a 12-step program and without attending meetings forever. This philosophy is much more effective with teens as it provides the truth and genuine hope for their future rather than promising a lifetime of struggle and relapse. Options There are a variety of options available, from the alcohol rehab facilities of 28 days, to the social education retreats that last four weeks, or home-based online classes with live telephone and videoconferencing support. Although teenagers may have their problems, they are still young and have different lifestyle demands and goals than adults. Successful programs provide a family consultant who can help parents decide which avenue is the best for their child, and should also offer information for the family to help educate them on how to help their loved one upon their return. Access When considering a program that addresses drug or alcohol problems, parents should make sure that they have unlimited access to their children while they are in a residential center. Although it may be a personal decision whether they should contact each other frequently, the parents should be sure that they have the ability to take their child out if they have concerns. They should also be able to give or deny permission on program methods, including any medical treatment which may be suggested by these drug and alcohol treatment centers. Regardless of the program chosen, the teenager will want some input as to what type of facility will work best for them. They should enter into it willingly, without being forced against their will. This will help in their ability to embrace the changes they must make to overcome the problems they are experiencing with drugs and alcohol.