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Recognizing the Signs of Cocaine Addiction

June 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Certain behaviors can suggest that someone you know has started abusing cocaine. Although your friend might have started using cocaine recreationally on the weekend, it is a highly addictive drug that can lead to increased, even daily, use. Soon, your friend might start using the drug throughout the day just to stay focused on the tasks he needs to accomplish. Luckily, you can learn the signs that suggest cocaine abuse.

A woman smoking crack from a glass pipe.

Image via Wikipedia

  • Has frequent mood swings

Cocaine can cause dramatic mood swings. One second a person can feel on top of the word. The next second, though, he might feel paranoid and worthless. He might even become violent depending on how he responds to the drug.

  • Endless energy

Very few of us have the energy to go, go, go! all the time. A handful of people have that energy naturally. Others get that energy from drugs like cocaine. If someone has endless energy, then look for other symptoms of cocaine addiction.

  • Sniffs Constantly

Frequent cocaine use can cause nasal problems that resemble severe allergies. Habitual users sniff a lot. If someone is sniffing constantly while acting weird, then you can bet that he has taken cocaine or a similar drug.

  • Weight loss

Prolonged cocaine abuse can lead to weight loss, usually because of all the energy that the addict expends rushing from one project to the other. Cocaine can also suppress appetite.

A single symptom isn’t usually cause for alarm. When you see several of these systems displayed by the same person, though, it becomes your responsibility to find out what’s really going on with your friend so that he can get help.

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Drug Rehabilitation

March 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Rehabilitation center or rehab is often referred to as a place when a person seeks major changes or help from something he cannot get free from by his efforts or his loved ones. An institution of rehabilitation is the location of rehabilitee.

Drug rehabilitation is one of the commonest seeking purposes for help and aid. The sufferers are given medical or psycho therapeutic treatments to rid their aptitude from psycho active drugs and entities. Some of the psycho active substances are alcohol and medicinal prescribed drugs and the street drugs being heroin, cocaine, and more. The people generally get addicted to such substances after repeated usages and thus become difficult for them to get away from these. The general consequences affect all the phases of life being social, economical, behavioral, personal, financial and legal to great extents. People generally get affected by these when they do the drug abuse to the levels of addiction. The path is then turned towards rehab where the addicted person gets treatments and is told the ways of getting free of the acquired drug addiction.

The treatment options are varied for the drug rehabilitation. Residential treatment and outpatient treatment, local support groups and extended care centers being the famous ones.  The effective therapies consider the patients overall needs along with the consideration of freeing him from the addiction as they understand that the mental status and thinking of social behavior are most of the times the major factors behind opting for a mind nullifying sources such as drugs.  In addition to the therapies, counseling plays an important role in overcoming the mental distress suffered by the patients. The basic methodology is to curb the emotional regulation of a person to go for addictions i.e. opt for substances which stimulate behavioral instincts.

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Rehab: What is it?

March 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Rehab is located in serenity with peaceful climates and placid environment away from the city traffic and is a silence zone in most scenarios. Rehabilitation is looked for when a person has somehow lost his normal behavior or the element of life has been missing due to reasons defined or undefined. Rehabs are places meant to bring that missing element back to life either by rejuvenation or by cultivating it inside the person. Apart from the general notion of rehabs being a place for the freeing the addiction of kinds, it is also dedicated for people who have suffered from disorders and diseases (whether physical or mental) and accidents of any scale. The cases of trauma and stress along with the ones suffering from distress and depression are common now a day with the youth occupying the major proportion. The treatment methodologies are not the same for all, but are differed with the cases the person is subjected with as the demands vary from individual to individual for example even amongst the two drug addicts the needs vary a lot. The treatments are subjected to personal attention and care for each patient and a routine monitoring is a key mark of the remedies at a rehab. There are three major markers of rehabilitation treatments, being the therapies, the counseling and the medication to aid the patients come back to their normal life as it was before the distress.

The rehabilitation can be in-house where a patient is admitted in the center for the period of and dedicate his entire time for the treatment. The other option is the out-house treatment whereby the patients attend the counseling and therapies in the specific timings of the day as per suitable t his day to day activities and continues with other responsibilities as well.

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How Successful are Alcohol Treatment Programs?

February 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many people scoff at the idea that alcoholism is a disease. The truth is, alcohol can take such control of a person’s life that a conscious effort must be made to overcome it. Some people turn to therapists for help in identifying the source of their addiction. Rehab centers remain the most popular and effective way to battle this problem.

The overall success of any alcohol treatment program cannot be judged based on any one individual. Each person has their own reasons for returning to their dependence on alcohol. It has even been suggested that there may be a genetic factor which causes some to be more susceptible to this and other types of addiction. As such, there are many reasons why an addiction program may yield results for one person and does not for another.

Assessing Alcoholism Treatment

The data on this subject only serves to confound the issue more. Focusing too much on statistics may cause recovering alcoholics to feel that they are doomed to fail. Some studies have suggested that roughly 90 percent of alcoholics have at least one relapse, even after treatment that was considered successful. As worrying as this figure is, it does not give a full sense of what to expect.

Firstly addiction of any kind is tough to beat at one go. A lot will depend on the individual identifying his or personal triggers and earning to avoid them. There must also be a strong support system available to any one recovering from any type of addiction. Some treatment centers have better records than others. This is aided in large part by follow-up sessions and the desire of the recovering addict to remain committed to the program.

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Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help People Overcome Addiction?

February 24, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Cognitive behavioral therapy sometimes attracts controversy, possibly due to the fact that it is not grounded in basic medicine. It involves using our thought processes to change negative behaviors. Thoughts and ideas have to be vocalized to fully realize its benefits. It can be used to deal with a wide range of issues, most notably addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is not on the fringe of psychology, rather it is a sound approach. For some people struggling with addiction it offers the best hope for altering their way of thinking and hope of recovery. This is despite the fact that it is more popular as a treatment for depression and other mood related conditions.

How the Therapy Works

Due to the focus on exploring thoughts and feelings, this therapy helps addicts to understand what drives their addiction. They will also be able to identify situations, both personal and professional, that prompts their cravings. Some people will drink or use drugs because of pressure they experience in social situations. Others abuse drugs and alcohol to black out painful memories and as a coping mechanism.

Oddly enough, many addicts will admit to being addicted without realizing the root cause. There is ample evidence that the therapy can be successfully used as it leads to addicts them acting differently. They can be in the same situations yet respond differently to the same influences after exposure to cognitive behavioral therapy.

One of the best things about this therapy in dealing with addiction is that it can be modified for each patient. Cognitive behavioral therapy takes into consideration the fact that every individual’s experience is different. Each case is handled on its own merit, and behavioral adjustments are made accordingly.

The process is handled in stages with the first being the analysis aspect. This is where problems and sources are identified. The next stage involves developing the skills to overcome these issues. Due to its tailor-made nature, the time involved and level of success varies greatly from person to person.

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The Very Real Challenges of Rehab

February 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Before any addict even considers entering rehab they must first face the fact that they have a problem. Forcing someone with addiction issues into a rehab facility is unlikely to produce successful results otherwise. What they will encounter while undergoing treatment will vary depending on the facility and their treatment program.

Regardless of facility is chosen, there are conditions that are constant like abiding by rules outlined by administrators. These may cover visiting hours, and there are often restrictions on who can visit. Patients are required to take part in all activities unless they are excused from doing so. In most centers relationships between patients are actively discouraged.

Battling addiction to drugs or alcohol sometimes requires therapy sessions, which can be emotionally taxing. This often forces individuals to confront personal issues that may have played a contributory role in their addiction. For this reason there is a confidentiality agreement between the facility and each patient.

Family Contact

This can be a big challenge, as while visits are usually allowed, contact with family members is generally limited to visiting hours. Most facilities do not allow the use of cell phones, which may lead to a feeling of isolation. This is a necessary aspect of the treatment, however, as all attempt is made to minimize external negative influences.

The Possibility of Relapse

This is a very real concern for anyone who has ever battled addiction, whether it is to alcohol or drugs. Some drug rehab centers offer follow-up programs for just this reason, but this is not always possible. For some addicts, beating the problem will be only the beginning. It is easy to fall back into old habits or behaviors leading t lead to drinking or drug use.

Some centers have whole programs devoted to dealing with the issue of relapse. This usually focuses on identifying the triggers which may lead to drug or alcohol use. Once former patients are educated on the risks of relapse, and follow provided guidelines, they can successfully avoid reverting to their destructive habits.

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Grandma’s an Addict!

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Is your Grandma an addict? Before you say “of course not”, you should know that one of the fastest growing addicted age groups is over fifty-five. Most Grandparents are not lurking in an alley looking for a drug dealer. They go to their doctor and buy their drugs at the pharmacy.

Addiction to prescription drugs by seniors has several causes. Pain management may be the most significant cause. Arthritis pain, pain from illness and surgery can lead to an addiction to medications like Vicodin and Oxycontin. Wiley patients can shop for specialists who will provide for pain medications and sleep medications on request. Emotional pain is another cause of senior addiction. The loss of family and friends to death, the loss of your health, physical mobility, and the meaning that your career gave you is often difficult to manage. Drugs and alcohol can deaden the pain of growing older.

Some elders become addicted by accident. Individuals who have memory problems or undiagnosed dementia can accidentally take too many pills and become physically addicted. As we age, we are more likely to develop neurological diseases like dementia, neuropathy, and Parkinson’s disease. The medications used to treat these diseases can have very bad interactions with other commonly prescribed drugs. Senior addicts present special problems for rehabilitation facilities. Very often, they are reluctant to admit they have a problem. Moreover, underlying health problems can make drug withdrawal dangerous. Close monitoring during withdrawal requires special staff and equipment not available at every rehabilitation facility.

Families and friends can be instrumental in a senior’s rehabilitation. What are the signs of addiction for seniors? Some signs are obvious – failing to bathe or a loss of interest in their appearance, unexplained bruising from falls, changes in sleep habits, avoiding friends and family, and a general loss of interest in life can signal an addiction.

Experts predict that the number of addicted seniors will increase dramatically as the baby boomers age. Medicine and rehabilitation facilities will have to play catch-up.

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The Importance of Aftercare

February 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In some ways, the stay at the rehabilitation facility is the easy part. Maintaining sobriety while you are out there alone, surrounded by temptations is more complicated. That’s where aftercare comes in.

Aftercare is part of the rehabilitation process – continuing to reinforce the lessons learned while in residential treatment. It can include attending twelve step meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, seeing a therapist, group therapy, or outpatient care.

An aftercare plan is usually developed in the final days or weeks of residential treatment, and must involve the patient’s family or other support network. The plans are written for the individual – some people do well attending twelve step meetings and regular therapy sessions. Others may need a halfway house where they can work during the day, but return to a controlled environment at night. The most intensive aftercare may mean staying at the residential facility for the first dangerous months. Patients who do not have family or a network of sober friends can benefit by maintaining a strict routine while learning to function in the real world.

Aftercare is not program just for the weak willed. It is an important part of every recovering addict’s care when they return home and must deal with the pressures of relationships, work, and home with easy access to drugs and alcohol. Individuals who feel alone and vulnerable can fall into familiar, destructive behaviors.

Families sometimes want to declare an addict cured when they leave rehab. Sometimes they desperately want to get on with life and consider their loved one’s addiction just a bump in the road. Sometimes they indulge in “magical thinking”- not discussing an addiction means it didn’t happen.

Over half the patients who complete rehabilitation relapse within their first year of sobriety. Returning to their old surroundings and old friends can lead to falling back on old habits. A thoughtful aftercare plan can help reinforce new habits of sobriety and healthful living.

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The Betty Ford Center

February 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

It took a very brave woman to introduce drug rehabilitation to mainstream America. But Former First Lady Betty Ford has never been anything but honest about her struggles with breast cancer and substance abuse. In 1982, when Mrs.. Ford and Ambassador Leonard Firestone established the Betty Ford Center at Rancho Mirage, California, drug rehabilitation was spoken of only in whispers. By talking about her own recovery, Mrs. Ford single-highhandedly brought rehab out of the shadows and into the light.

The Betty Ford Center is a non-profit, residential hospital for inpatient, day, and outpatient rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. The Center has seven different treatment programs ranging from 90-day inpatient treatment to follow-up care. There is also an outpatient program that allows the patient to live at home and attend the program from 5-9 pm daily. This program is primarily an aftercare program or for patients who have completed an inpatient stay, but need a “refresher” course for ongoing recovery.

No addiction happens just to the addict. The Center also has education and prevention programs for children and families who are not addicts, but live within addicted families.

Mrs. Ford was convinced that men and women react differently to addiction, so treatment is gender specific. Each patient is assigned a comprehensive team of specialists who remain constant throughout your treatment. An individual care is plan is developed for you and counselors, case manager, dietitian, fitness expert, psychologist, and physician follow you through the treatment period.

An important part of rehabilitation is aftercare – the way you maintain sobriety in the real world. The Betty Ford Center has an active alumni group that holds regular meetings throughout the United States and Canada to encourage a lifetime of healthy living.

The Betty Ford Center was the one first rehabilitation hospitals surrounded by luxury and exclusivity. The Center quickly became the rehabilitation site of choice for movie stars and rock musicians, and rehab became socially acceptable.

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Using Alternative Treatments for Drug Rehabilitation

February 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Drug addiction is an ongoing issue. Over the years various methods of rehabilitation have been tried to help addicts overcome this problem. It is therefore not surprising that with the growing interest in alternative medicine, this is increasingly being used in drug rehabilitation efforts.

Some alternative methods being used to help people overcome addiction include nutrition, acupuncture, meditation, cognitive and motivational therapies. These methods may be combined depending on the response of addicts. Some treatment centers also go with a combination of alternative and standard medicinal programs.

Nutrition is now being used as a means of detoxification. In fact, ensuring a certain level of nutrition serves more than one purpose. It helps to improve the overall health of the addicted person since they are normally malnourished. Plus, certain minerals and vitamins are known to have properties that aid in removing toxins from the body.

Antioxidant rich foods that are high in nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin c, selenium and zinc are excellent at helping to fight free radicals. Malnourished people, especially those who abuse drugs and alcohol tend to have high levels of free-radicals. Increasing antioxidant intake improves the health of tissues.

Acupuncture is also being used to help people beat addiction. The area of focus is the ear. Acupuncture needles are placed in specific areas of the ear to control withdrawal cravings. Based on the pressure points stimulated, endorphins are released which help to improve the mood of drug addicted people. This helps to control the urge and discomfort generally associated with withdrawal from drugs or alcohol.

Whatever methods are used to help people overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol, it will always be challenging. Some persons will be successful the first time they try to beat their addiction. Unfortunately, this is not true for everyone as they will need to try different methods to help them overcome this problem for life.

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