Addiction

Fundamental Information about Alcohol addiction Therapy

It is among the leading cause of death, violence as well as injuries around the world which explains why the field of medicine gives this problem the utmost consideration for health-related interventions. Alcoholism results in a massive bad effect in the society. In contrast to a lot of thinking that an alcoholic can do fine with no health care professional, alcohol addiction is actually, another kind of substance misuse. In addition, the alcoholic isn’t the only one suffering when fast treatment is unavailable. All relevant parties will likely be affected as well. This is the reason why correct counseling would involve rehabilitating the alcoholic’s members of the family as well as significant others too.

The medical method of drinking therapy would certainly need several medicines to help reduce the manifestations of alcohol drawback especially at it’s most significant period where physiological manifestations will probably occur. These would certainly contain anti convulsants, relaxants, sedatives as well as anti – psychotics. Medicines for instance benzodiazepines are only best for temporary use as these drug treatments can cause another type of dependency. This medicine, on the other hand could not heal the main dependency with regard to alcoholic beverages as these medications are merely given to deal with anxiousness, restlessness as well as seizures.

Disulfuram or antabuse is yet another type of medication that may help treat alcoholism. This prescription medication has the capability to change the particular body’s capability to remove acetaldehyde which in turn activates a hangover. This permits the body to experience all of the discomforts every time a drinker decides to consume alcohol while ingesting antabuse. This will then deter the drinker from using alcohol. This medicine is fairly effective and it may aid an alcoholic refrain from alcoholic beverages close to 50 percent. On the other hand, unexpected consumption of alcohol of all sorts such as the use of mouthwashes, colognes and makeup products could lead to exactly the same results and could even result in debilitating conditions such as seizures.

Besides professional medical prescribed drugs there are more types of alcohol dependency therapy such as cleansing. Detoxification, as commonly recognized, is generally combined with a medication which replaces the alcoholic’s dependence on drinking. Benzodiazepine is a type of medication subscribed with cleansing.

Treatment would certainly also call the requirement of psychiatric therapy. This is done via mutual support that is made by many alcoholic support groups and also rehab centers. Alanon or Alcoholics Anonymous along with other treatment groups consider the essential actions to be able to restore alcoholics by means of non expert counseling and discussions that will allow alcoholics to be provided with psychological aid as well as support. For therapy to work, both health as well as psychiatric interventions should be taken and have to be performed correctly.

Alcohol Addiction Support To Help Give Up Drinking

Alcohol has been the bane of many a life. From a lighthearted and fun thing to do, alcohol addiction can metamorphose into this immensely self damaging exercise, that makes life a living nightmare for the person consuming the alcohol and also to a large extent the people around them like family and friends.

How does one turn away from alcohol addiction? They say to each, his own. Everyone can devise and customize their strategy to give up alcohol consumption. Of course if you are way past the stage where you can deal with the situation yourself, it is best to seek medical assistance. You could for example draw up a sort of a balance sheet of what you would stand to gain and lose if you quit drinking alcohol. You will notice that the benefits outnumber the negatives. Your health would improve, you would perform better at your job, and probably earn more, your friends will no longer ignore you, you will confidently drive around the town and most importantly you will be happy. What do you lose in the bargain – your hangover, foul temper, risky driving and bad health. Now if you are thinking sort of a person, which side of the fence would you rather be?

One of the reasons why a lot of people turn to alcohol is that it aids one in socializing as it makes one less inhibited and more talkative. That may largely be true, but if one were to recognize that the true measure of one’s abilities and this is something which can be more fun, is to achieve the same results staying sober.

Another piece of sincere advice would be to not frequent those eateries which entice you to have a drink to wash down your food with. There is almost a conspiracy hatched jointly by the food and liquor industry to suck you into this whole lifestyle and culture thing. Do steer away from this. Do not be dictated to by someone else.

Surely you have far better things to do with your time than to spend hours every day drinking yourself silly. Reclaim your life. Play tennis or golf or do network. Grow your business. What will drinking alcohol ever get you? Think of the money you will save by not drinking. Maybe you could give yourself a holiday in the hills instead.

Remember it is in your hands to give up drinking. But you have to be committed to it. Half measures and a wavering attitude will not do. You should be able to deal with social situations or even temptation with equanimity. If you are clear in your head about what you want this will not be a problem. Learn from the example of George Bush, the onetime alcoholic who went on to become two time president of the United States.

Posted to: Alcoholism, Family Comments Off

Why I Write About Second Hand Addiction

Today I am pondering ‘what do you need to know that will make a difference for you?’ In other words, what is the sense of making a blog about my experiences with a loved one’s addiction if it doesn’t make a difference for you, the reader. As I do so I am thinking of what someone said to me yesterday… He said ‘your blog is very personal.’ He’s right. It is very personal.

It’s interesting to note that I have gone into the rooms of Alanon, which is a program for friends and family of alcoholics, and I have heard personal stories of people who live with this sickness. I have gone into the rooms of Codependents Anonymous, for people who may or may not love some one with an addiction- but who act and live as if they do- and I have heard personal stories. I have gone into the rooms of open AA meetings and I have heard personal stories. I have gone to Overeater’s Anonymous where people grapple with their own food addictions, and heard personal stories. In any twelve step group you will hear personal stories. The good, the bad and the very ugly. And those stories make a difference. They let you ‘see it quicker and change it sooner.’- whether the ‘it’ be something you are doing that does not work- or whether the ‘it’ be something that makes you see that the person you love does indeed have a problem, and that you- living in the insanity- need help too. And make no mistake, those personal stories, and the people who are brave enough to tell them, make a big difference for the people who are listening.

But those stories cannot be told to the outside world. The stories, listeners, and speakers are bound by a golden rule, repeated clearly and succinctly at the end of each and every meeting. “Who you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.’ This is the heart and soul of anonymity. This is the rule that has allowed millions of people to share their hearts and their lives in a safe space- knowing that what they share will never come back to harm them. This rule of anonymity is truly what makes it possible for people to seek sanctuary in recovery groups around the world.

And anonymity is a good thing…

Except when it is not.

Anonymity is good for the people who are addicted- who would certainly face shame, disdain, exclusion, and even downright discrimination if the outside world knew of their plight. And anonymity is good for the loved ones, who would face judgments, and a level of derision from smug onlookers and people who have never walked the path of loving someone with an addiction. They would hear judgmental things like “Why doesn’t she just leave him?” Or “I would never put up with that.” Or “Doesn’t he have any backbone at all?”

On the other side the person who loves an addicted person might be told “What kind of a mother are you, to let your son do that?’ Or ‘Perhaps if you were a better wife, he wouldn’t drink.’ Any of these remarks, and all derivatives in between, might be said with the best of intentions. But they would completely undermine the process of living through a loved one’s addiction. Such remarks and such an attitude would only come from complete ignorance. So anonymity protects bothe addicts and their loved ones from the hurtful ignorance of others.

But there is one person who is not helped by all of this anonymity…

And it is you, the average, unknowing, normal person- who has no knowledge about addiction.

You see, if you are a person who is living a ‘normal’ life, and you have not gone to school to learn about addiction, nor sat in a 12 step program, then what you don’t know could hurt you. What you don’t know could even kill you. You see, I lived with an alcoholic for 10 years, not knowing he was sick, and it nearly did kill me. If I had only known what I later learned in the 12 step recovery rooms (Such as Alanon for families and friends of alcoholics) life could have been very different for both of us, and for our children.

And that’s why I want you to read my blog. That’s why I write it- so it can be different for you. So that you don’t walk around blind- believing that you are seeing. I write so that you can know what to say to a person that you love who is walking straight into addiction with his own blinders on. I write so that you can know what it looks like to love someone with an addiction. I write so that you can say the word addiction, without feeling shame, derision, and thinking how nasty it is.

I envision a world where the shame and derision disappear. I envision a world where people do not have to be anonymous in order to live their lives and heal their sicknesses. I envision a world of togetherness, where no-one walks in the shadows of addiction, alone and afraid.

I see such a world. And if you can see it too, then visit my blog, and send your friends. And let us begin to see together.

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The Background and Basics of Benzodiazepine Addiction

The Background and Basics of Benzodiazepine Addiction

Originally developed for medicinal use as a tranquilizer, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant, benzodiazepine soon became infamous for its addictive properties and problems associated with withdrawal. Benzodiazepine addiction is now internationally rampant, and benzodiazepines are classified as Schedule IV controlled drugs. They are commonly prescribed for treatment of insomnia and anxiety. However, their classification under the least restrictive schedule makes them more appealing to some addicts, and increases their potential as gateway drugs to other, more dangerous substances.

Additionally, poly-drug users that also abuse benzodiazepines have a higher mortality rate. Their combination with legal drugs and substances such as antibiotics, contraceptives and anti-fungal agents can lead to excessive drug accumulation.

Withdrawal symptoms can appear in as little as three weeks of continuous use. Symptoms of withdrawal commonly associated with this type of drug include insomnia, tremors, muscle spasms, fearfulness, and more. In some cases, it leads to depression and suicidal behavior.

Benzodiazepine addiction has many other side effects such as violence, impulsivity, irritability as well as memory loss that can induce complete anterograde amnesia, which is the loss of the ability to create new memories. Long-term effects include the loss of sex drive, agoraphobia, anxiety and depression.

The main problems with this type of drug are the developments of tolerance and dependence. However, tolerance only builds against the beneficial effects of drugs as tranquilizers, anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants. Tolerance does not build against memory loss and the paradoxical effects.

Dependence can present itself as a psychological or physical condition. Around 23% of users become addicted to benzodiazepines after just three months of use. Those that take even just the prescribed doses and don’t increase their usage, make up the largest category of people addicted to benzodiazepines.

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The Importance Of Family Support In Prevention Of Addiction Relapse

Alcohol and Drug addiction has a devastating effect not only on the individual addict but on the entire family as well. It has been proven time and again that successfully overcoming addiction to alcohol and drugs requires the collaborative effort of the whole family and all those who are directly affected.

Residential rehab programs offer addicts various programs that are especially designed to alleviate the pain of withdrawal symptoms and to provide constructive outlets for their various addictive urges. One of the biggest set backs to long term relapse prevention is the temptation to resort to old habits once the recovered addict leaves the structured environment of the rehab program and re-enters his old surroundings. Family and spousal support is paramount during this phase of relapse prevention. In the absence of a solid support system, the former addict will most likely slip back into addiction.

Addiction is a Family Ailment

Alcoholism is considered as a family disease in medical circles and in the community as large. The families of alcohol addicts are directly affected by the alcoholism either due to abuse, neglect or sheer embarrassment of the alcoholic’s behavior. They are constantly trying to gauge the alcoholic’s mood and try their best to alter their behaviors in an effort to control the amount of alcohol that the addict may imbibe.

If a family party acts as an incentive to encourage drinking, they would rather forego the party and cancel all plans rather than run the risk of initiating another alcoholic binge. While many wives try their best to be supportive and non-critical of their partner’s addiction, even a supposed slight is enough for the addict to relapse into alcoholism.

Role of Family in Relapse Prevention

Living with a recovering alcohol addict is tough on their families who constantly feel like they are walking on eggshells. They have to measure everything they do, think about where they go and censor what they eat at family meal times.

Studies show there are 17 common triggers that can compromise an alcohol addict’s journey to recovery. Observing these few rules will help pre-empt these triggers and increase the odds of the addict staying clean for a longer time:

If the occasion calls for alcohol to be served, inform the recovering alcoholic in advance of the various non-alcoholic beverages that he can choose from.

Avoid serving any dishes that contain alcohol.

Steer clear of pubs and former favorite hanging-out venues.

Do not keep any alcohol or alcoholic products within easy reach; preferably do not keep any in the house at all.

Do not be obsessive or continuously nag your spouse about the use of alcohol.

Be supportive of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and make sure your spouse attends all the meetings.

Make it a point to keep all doctor’s appointments and do not give up on the therapy, no matter how frustrating and tiring it may be.

Try and keep to your former routines as much as possible, they provide the recovering addict with much-needed stability.

Do not harbor resentment or ill feelings for damage done or hurt caused during the addictive phase. Letting it go and learning to forgive and forget hastens the healing process.

Recovering from addiction is a complex process. Expect set-backs along the way and try not to hold it against the person who is also facing an uphill battle in his struggle against addiction.

Make sure that one addiction is not replaced by another.

Watch for changes in behavioral patterns. Signs of unexplained depression, anger or anxiety could be silent signals that the recovering addict may relapse into addiction.

Do not let the recovering addict stop medications without the doctor’s advice.

Remember that addiction is nobody’s fault. It is an ailment much like other medical conditions and the addict should not be blamed or personally faulted. Unnecessary blame and criticism can only provoke the victim into relapse and does nothing to help recovery.

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I Am Not The Problem

Who is really to blame for this codependent/alcoholic relationship anyway? Of course it is the alcoholic – right? Really, if it wasn’t for the substance abuse, life would be great! Would it really? Or would you find a way to sabotage the relationship because you just aren’t ready to deal with your own emotions?

Codependents have a fear – it may be a subconscious fear, of the alcoholics recovery. Their lives are defined by the alcoholic and his behavior. If that changes – what else will change? So, unknowingly they may continue to enable the alcoholic to prevent recovery and change.

Most people who have a significant other who is in the claws of addiction or alcoholism will tell you that they will do anything to have the person find sobriety. But they are lying, even though they don’t realize it. They just don’t know how to deal with anything else but addiction. It defines the codependent as much as it does the alcoholic.

That is why it is so important for codependent people to seek out their own healing and solve their own problems. Just like the Twelve Steps can help alcoholics, they can help us overcome our codependent beliefs. Look inside yourself. What is preventing you from being more assertive, holding your ground, standing up for what you want? Is it fear of rejection, change, abandonment?

Fear itself can be a good motivator. We all have a fear of the unknown, but as we learn about it we can conquer it. Books on codependency, support groups, and counseling can help you identify the areas you need to work on to break free from codependency.

There is the hope that as you recover, your alcoholic will recover as well. It has happened, I have seen it. But I have also seen many more that have not. An alcoholic needs to make the choice to change – it cannot be made for them. Alcoholics rarely consider change until it is the only option.

You can choose to continue to enable the alcoholic in your life, or you can love them enough to let go. Allow them to experience every part of their addiction. Allow them to see the chaos they have created around them.

But for now, you can heal. You can begin a new life – free of codependency.

Posted to: Codependency, Codependent Support Comments Off

Al-Anon: A Place of Comfort

Living with an alcoholic is frustrating. You can feel very alone and abandoned. Where can you turn? You need somewhere to go where you will be understood – where others have felt your pain. Al-Anon is that place.

Members of Al-Anon have or are currently living the life you are. They understand the fear, shame, and anxiety you feel. They have been through all the stages – the fear, guilt, anger, etc. They too have felt like a victim.

But Al-Anon offers comfort to those who come to the meetings. By working the 12 steps you will learn to look within yourself to find healing. Learn to overcome your codependent beliefs and learn to love yourself.

Just like in Alcoholics Anonymous, you will get a sponsor. Someone you can call anytime you find yourself needing someone to talk to. Al-Anon is people helping people at it’s finest. Once you learn to overcome using the 12 steps, you want to help others. You are obligated to help others – that is one of the steps, to help others along the way.

Al-Anon is about learning about yourself and how to change the way you react to what is going on in your life. It is not a place to complain about the alcoholic/addict in your life – it is a place to rediscover you. In a alcoholic relationship, healing begins with you.

Through Al-Anon you will realize that you are powerless over alcohol (and the alcoholic). You cannot make their choices for them, but you can choose how you react. You will learn the tools you need to handle situations and you will become stronger. Your life will take on new meaning and you will see the beauty around you once again.

For many people, going to Al-Anon is the first step to recovery of the alcoholic/addict in their life. I will not promise that they will recover, but seeing you in a better place can have a positive effect. Let Al-Anon become your place of comfort.

Posted to: Al-Anon, Codependent Support Comments Off

Alcoholic Families – Part 1

Alcoholism has been called the ‘Family Disease’ because it affects everyone in the family to some extent. In many families, all the members have become enablers. By refusing to admit there is a problem in their family, they are all allowing the destructive behavior to continue.

Families of alcoholics are always on guard because they never know what the drinkers behavior will be from one moment to the next. Children do not invite friends over, spouses make excuses for not attending social functions, etc.

Perhaps a scenario like this has played out in your home:

It is one of the kids birthdays and you are having a family dinner. You are on edge because family functions are a trigger for alcohol abuse and none of your guests are aware of the problem. Your kids are are acting silly – partly because of the excitement of the party, and partly to release anxiety about other people seeing dad drunk. About 5 minutes before the guests arrive, one of the kids says something innocent that upsets your spouse. You try to calm them down, but in doing so you tell your spouse that the comment wasn’t worth getting upset about. Wrong thing to say, now your spouse accuses you of not supporting him and always siding with the kids. He threatens to leave and not attend the party unless you take your words back.

What would you do? On one hand – you really should stand your ground. After all, it was a silly thing to get upset about. But on the other hand, if he leaves how will you explain his absence to your guests. What will people think, what rumors will start if he isn’t there?

A codependent family would rally around to make it better and give the alcoholic what he wants – just to keep the peace. The party would go on as planned, but there is an underlying tension that no one can quite figure out.

A family who has overcome codependent behaviors would have let the alcoholic leave. This is how he chose to react and who is he really hurting? Himself – he is missing out on a family experience because he chose to be selfish. You do not have to make excuses for him to your guests. Let it go.

Life is to important to get worked up about addiction drama – find happiness with your family with or without the alcoholic.