Anyone struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, or that knows of a loved one’s struggles, should be aware of all the treatment options available. Most people have heard of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and their 12 step recovery program. Did you know that there were non 12 step alcohol rehab and non 12 step drug rehab as well?

The 12 step model works for some, but many addicts are left still struggling with their addictions after completing the 12 steps. One reason may be that the acknowledgment of a higher power, one of the 12 steps, does not go over well with atheists. Once you start pretending on one step, why not pretend through the rest as well? (more…)

While drug addiction can destroy lives very quickly, drug recovery takes a long time, a lot of work, and ongoing support.

There are many types of support available for drug recovery. Although the choices can be overwhelming, it is important to only make the right choices. (It was the bad choices that got you there in the first place.)

There are faith based recovery programs, medical rehab centers, inpatient recovery programs, and outpatient counseling treatment. There are so many choices that an addict may feel frustrated. Choosing the right drug recovery program requires something very important: help! (more…)

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. (more…)

Addiction to a drug or to alcohol is an all-consuming compulsion, one which demands attention, almost to the exclusion of all else. It can be a full-time job for the addict. Getting drugs or alcohol and consuming them, then being stoned or drunk occupies a large portion of their time.

In the case of drugs such as heroin or cocaine, using is definitely a morning to night occupation. The addict will wake up and look to see how much drug there is for that day’s consumption. If the supply is low, the planning of how to get more of the drug takes up the morning’s activities. Faked prescriptions, phone calls to borrow money, scams, and other methods of getting the price of drugs together is always first on the to-do list. (more…)

There is a big difference between getting and staying sober. And while many people suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction think that all they need to do is stop drinking or using and they will be OK, this idea couldn’t be further from the truth. Statistics show that more than 90% of all people who stop drinking or using drugs relapse quickly when they do not create and follow an aftercare recover plan.

Think of it like this; if you broke your leg and there were serious complications that kept you from walking for a very long time, your doctor would prescribe a therapy program to help you regain strength in your leg and help you walk again, and you would defiantly undertake and follow this therapy program, but for the chronic alcoholic and drug addict, one of the ugly effects of this deadly disease makes the alcoholic think he is OK, and doesn’t need help, and even after quitting drinking without aftercare this hideous disease will soon take over and he or she will again drink. (more…)

By Rev. Ned Wicker,

Drug-Addiction-Support.org

Admitting that drug addiction is a disease seems trite on the surface, but people look at drug addiction differently than they view heart disease, or cancer, or the common cold. There is always blame attached to drug addiction. There is always an accusatory finger to be pointed at the one who suffers from drug addiction disease.

Many in society assert that the addict is entirely to blame. There is not the same kind of sympathy for drug addicts that there is for smokers with cancer, or people with diabetes and heart disease. They are not viewed as people suffering from a disease.

The reasoning for society not being sympathetic to the addict is simple. People get hooked because they chose to take the drug in the first place. John Q. Public sees it that way and he can take the moral high ground because he didn’t take drugs and somebody else did. Maybe John Q. took the drugs but didn’t get hooked. People seeking a thrill might try a street drug like crack cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin because of the “rush,” the “high” they produce and chronic users are those who have developed a need far beyond merely wanting a thrill. (more…)

A drug addiction is a compulsive disorder. Addiction can be of varied kinds, namely drugs, alcohol, gambling, spending, smoking, sex, eating or any other behavior. A person hit by this is often unsatisfied and restless. Drug addiction in layman’s terms would be dependence on chemicals or on unwanted plants for the sake of getting high. This disorder requires very high consumption of drugs in order to fulfill drug seeking behavior, and is very vulnerable to relapse.

The following are some of the most common drugs that are physically and mentally addictive.

1) Marijuana

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used drugs. The drug is excessively popular amongst teenagers. Commonly known as pot, weed, grass, herb, Maryjane, and the devil’s cabbage. The effects can last for around 1-3 hours. It can cause a lot of harm to the lungs and a person loses his or her concentration power. It causes severe smoking habits that are difficult to quit, and prolonged consumption can also lead to cancer. There are few addiction treatments available for marijuana abusers, because it is not considered physically addictive. (more…)

Drug addiction perhaps is the worst thing a person could do to his life. It does not only ruin his physical appearance, his psychological, emotional, financial and social well being. And the sad part here is that drug abuse and addiction does not classify, it affects men, women and children of all ages, races, cultures and socio-economic strata.

The trail to drug addiction begins with that first act of taking drugs the next thing you know your addicted to it! Over time, a person may need more of the drug to get the same effect. Drug seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the effects of prolonged drug use on brain functioning and, thus, on behaviour. Drug addiction makes drug use a compelling need, not a casual choice.

For the past years drug addicts were labelled as flawed people with weak moral characters who withdraw from life’s difficulties and pressures by getting high and disappearing into their own psychedelic worlds as an author said. But I would have to disapprove that drug addicts should be regarded as like that…I knew a lot of drug addicted people out there. Discrimination is not what they needed …help is what they really need in situations like that. (more…)

Drug addiction is an uncontrollable compulsion to repeat a behavior that is regardless of its negative consequences. A person who gets addicted to drug is called an addict. There are three types of drug addiction:

§ Physical dependence – physical dependency addiction refers to appearance of a special withdrawal symptom that occurs when the drug is suddenly discontinued. Drugs like benzodiazepines; opioids, barbiturates, alcohol, anti-depressants, cortisones and beta-blockers are examples for causing physical dependency.

§ Psychological addictions – show dependency of mind and social dysfunctions that lead to psychological withdrawal symptoms.

§ Eating disorders – sometimes these are also considered to be psychological disorders and are treated as elements of addictive behavior. It happens with items like chocolate, caffeine, and sugar and makes the sufferers experience elements of addictive behavior. (more…)

Drug addiction is a complicated disorder which may involve practically every aspect of an individual’s life in the family, at work, and amongst friends. It is actually a brain disease as the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and the functioning of the individual’s brain. Drug addiction costs taxpayers millions of dollars each year and is a major public health concern for all of us, as it is a chronic relapsing disorder, which means that it lasts a long time and individuals who are trying to quit are apt to start using drugs again.

Addiction

Drug abuse causes changes in the brain, which then leads to certain behaviour, like taking the drug compulsively, but drug addicts can learn to change their behaviour. This addiction is influenced by a range of factors which involve one’s genes, environment, and the age of the person when drugs were first used. Addiction to drugs and alcohol is a vicious cycle that can destroy lives, families, friendships, and anything else it comes into contact with, and the individual can become addicted to many drugs, not just so called street drugs like heroin. It should be understood as a chronic recurring illness. (more…)