Category: Testimonials

Managing Your Triggers

Managing Your Triggers in Recovery

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Malaysia, Testimonials, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Managing Your Triggers in Recovery – Recovery can be a challenge. Whether in the beginning stages or years into your long term recovery you are likely to have certain triggers. Triggers are the people, places, and tings that can tempt you into using again. As recovery is a life long process that takes commitment these triggers can pop up at any time and must be dealt with as they come. If you are aware that this will occur then you can also be prepared to handle a trigger when it does arise.  Listed and explained are a few tips to help you when those triggers do crop up in life.

Though everyone is different in what becomes a trigger, these triggers still need to be identified in order to know what people, places, and things could be potential problems. This is not meant to be a source of fear for the individual, but a way to put a plan in place before a triggering event occurs.  Once the triggers are identified and documented if needed than a real plan can be created. When the plan to avoid or handle a given situation is in place than it should be practiced. Do not wait until faced with a trigger before practicing the plan. Practice with a friend, therapist, or even in a mirror to be fully prepared.

Now that you know what you are working with do not get over confident. You are not an exception to the rule. Triggers will occur and recovery is tough. Everyone has triggers and cravings that must be addressed in some manner. This is where planning and practice come into play. Do not test your strength or try to be a ‘hero’ by trying to prove you can handle a trigger. This simply means that you should not purposely come into contact with a trigger just to test your plan.

Finally, take care of yourself. Physical and mental health go hand in hand. Both aspects are highly important to recovery. If your mind and body are not healthy then recovery has a higher chance of failure or relapse. If a relapse does occur do not give up, simply start over and try again. However, while you are in recovery make sure to eat well and get plenty of rest so you are prepared for the challenges of daily life. Taking care of yourself has to become a priority for success.

In time you will be more confident in your own judgment in both dealing with triggers and in other areas of your life, but it will take time. Until you are further into recovery, with years under your belt, you can only be prepared and well practiced in your responses to the challenge that is recovery from addiction.

Managing Your Triggers in Recovery – If you have chosen recovery or are considering it you must be prepared. Do not let the hard work that is part of recovery be a deterrent to making the choice to battle your addiction. The road may be tough and filled with bumps, but the outcome will be well worth it in the long run. You have already made the first step by learning more, do not give up now.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Recovery Journal

Recovery Journal

Alternative Treatment, Articles, Australia, Education, International, Testimonials, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Your Recovery Journal.

During treatment and recovery we are asked to process a tremendous amount of information. The science of addiction, the 12 steps, emotional management therapies of a various kinds—all of this can be difficult to sort through and manage. In addiction, the flood of feelings and ideas that come with our first steps in recovery are often overwhelming.

Just consider that we have been numbing ourselves with drugs and/or alcohol for however long we had been using. For some people this may have been decades of shutting off their ability to properly feel their feelings and to properly understand the world around them. One of the best methods for dealing with all of this is a recovery journal.

For many, the idea of sitting with an open and blank notebook and writing down their own thoughts and feelings is an utterly foreign practice. People will often balk at the idea by claiming they have nothing to say. The fact is, it is impossible to have nothing to say. What hangs up the newcomer to journaling is the belief that they do not have the “correct” things to say. Keeping a recovery journal means writing down your own thoughts for yourself and no one else. There are no rules. No one will grade your grammar or spelling. And no one will ever see it, therefore no one will ever judge you by what you write.

Enter Your Thoughts.

Getting your thoughts on paper allows you to see for yourself what is going through your mind. Recovery nearly always consists of a flood of conflicting emotions and thoughts. It is a natural tendency to try to work these thoughts and feelings out into a coherent whole before saying them or writing them. This is exactly what a journal does for you. With a journal, we can write down the thoughts as they occur to us without trying to make sense of them. We can confess to the journal those feelings which we find difficult to admit even to ourselves. Once these thoughts and ideas are in front of us we can begin to sort through them.

We can look at our own ideas in front of us and begin to see that some of them are a function of fears which are irrational, for example. We can begin to see on the page evidence of the things that matter most to us. For example, one may believe that their career goals were always first on their list of priorities. But up entry into recovery and experiencing a clearer sober version of themselves, the writings in a personal journal may show that family attachments are much more important. They can then begin the process of working with a sponsor and with a treatment counselor with this revelation in mind.   

Conclusion.

Without getting into a digression on research, it has been shown that journaling is a tremendously effective tool for recovery and for other forms of personal growth. The main thing to keep in mind is that the personal journal is for you. It is private, just like every other aspect of treatment and recovery, and the only person who ever has to see it is you. I cannot emphasize enough how valuable a personal journal can be in the recovery process.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

drug withdrawal

Drug Withdrawal Symptoms

Articles, Australia, Education, International, Testimonials, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

For all individuals who are addicted to any kind of drugs and opiates, managing drug withdrawal symptoms is quite a test. If you fail to manage these uncomfortable symptoms successfully, it could ultimately lead to a relapse.

The ability to avoid cravings and cultivating healthy habits to circumnavigate from your drug addiction requires a strong will to change. People who once tried to quit but failed to finish their rehabilitation experienced a slew of different emotional and psychological disorders.

Alcoholics.

Alcoholics exhibit one of the most dangerous symptoms of drug withdrawals. These symptoms may range from mild to severe depending on the level of addiction. This is why alcoholics are more likely to abandon their rehab and relapse since they have a hard time coping with withdrawal symptoms.

All these symptoms have alarming effects on an individual’s psychological and physical health. These emotions affect how an addict feels or reacts to different life situations.

Drug Addicts.

Drugs such as cocaine and heroin also lead to major physical dependencies. Withdrawal can be worse if the addiction is prolonged over an extended period of time.

In any given situation, it is very challenging to manage withdrawal symptoms no matter the type and severity of a drug addiction.

There are many drugs and substances that people become easily addicted to. These include meth, heroin, cocaine, alcohol and benzodiazepines.

Drug Withdrawal Symptoms.

The frequency, severity and intensity of withdrawal symptoms may vary. However, it is important to administer a completely safe rehab and drug withdrawal in a professional or medically supervised environment.
Since these symptoms often lead to suicidal thoughts or life-threatening incidents; monitoring the withdrawal progress and medical intervention is required at all times.

Here some of the most common drug withdrawal symptoms that patients experience:

  • Insomnia
  • Dysphoria
  • Anxiety
  • Abdominal pain
  • Cravings
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Irritability
  • Diarrhea
  • Sweating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Seizures
  • Heart palpitations
  • Chills

When you learn about how to manage withdrawal symptoms, recovery becomes less complicated. It is a tough battle against an addiction to start your road to recovery. You must be mentally fit to handle all withdrawal symptoms to increase your chance of finishing the rehab without succumbing to your cravings.

Since, managing these symptoms is serious business, no addict is recommended to embark on a rehab journey on his own; particularly if he has quit before. Quitting and failing to overcome an addiction can lead to feelings of guilt and fear, which cause people to undergo many psychological disorders.

Drug addiction and its effects are not just limited to our physical health. The symptoms and cravings can leave detrimental effects on our psychological health. It is important to know that no recovery is achieved overnight. Managing drug withdrawal symptoms to overcome your addiction needs patience, time and commitment.

Final Thoughts.

There are many rehab facilities that focus on detoxing a patient’s body as well as prepare him to stand tough against his cravings. Coping up with uncomfortable symptoms is also easier since these programs are designed by trained professionals.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Addiction Rehabilitation Assessment.

Alcohol Withdrawal

The Cause And Timeline Of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alternative Treatment, Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Testimonials, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms may well be unwanted but not as unwanted as the problems that alcoholism and a life of dependence upon drink offers.

Anyone who feels they cannot get through the day without a drink, or those who begin a session and do not know when to stop need to face up to the fact that professional rehabilitation treatment is needed. It is the only way to come to terms with a problem that will gradually deepen and could very well lead to an unwanted early grave.

The cause of alcohol withdrawal:

When alcohol is consumed it enters the liver and is broken down by an enzyme. This is the process that keeps you healthy by getting rid of alcohol from your system through urine. Any of the alcohol which is not metabolised gets absorbed by other parts of your body such as the brain.

The feelings of happiness and relaxation alcohol create are due to its impact on the brain. This is all well and good if alcohol is consumed in moderation, but excessive amounts of alcohol around the brain are what causes symptoms of drunkenness. Those who are regularly get drunk or drink chronically find that they build a tolerance to alcohol. This means the more you have, the more you need to produce the required feelings.

Suddenly ceasing alcohol means that the brain neurotransmitters which have been suppressed during constant drinking are no longer inhibited by alcohol. The resultant reaction is known as hyperexcitability and is the reason withdrawal symptoms are felt.

Withdrawal symptoms are manageable:

It is important to understand that withdrawal from alcohol gives side effects that vary from person to person. The thoughts of painful withdrawal symptoms make many hesitant to stop drinking, but if this is the case then speak with a specialist on alcohol addiction treatment as they can provide prescription medications that will help relieve any pain.

While withdrawal symptoms can occur as quickly as 2 hours from last drink they usually begin 6+ hours after that last drink and they will peak between 24-48 hours. This is the period when the most uncomfortable symptoms will be felt. They include:

  • Hot and cold flushes
  • Profuse sweating
  • Insomnia
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Tremors
  • Feverish feelings

Timeline for common alcohol withdrawal symptoms:

A typical withdrawal process will complete itself as follows. All timings are from the last alcoholic drink taken.

6-12 Hours:

  • Increasing agitation
  • Increasing anxiety
  • Varying degrees of headache
  • Body shaking
  • Nauseous feelings and physical vomiting

12-24 Hours:

  • Feelings of disorientation
  • Noticeable hand tremors
  • Seizures in different parts of the body

48 Hours:

  • Seizures continue
  • Insomnia or troubled, short spells of sleep
  • Rising blood pressure
  • Hallucinations that can be a mixture of tactile, auditory or visual experiences
  • A high fever and profuse sweating

From this point withdrawal symptoms will gradually reduce.

Alcohol Withdrawal must be followed by treatment:

It is not enough to think that simply withdrawing from alcohol will solve your drinking problems. To achieve long-term sobriety, it is a must that after withdrawal a person opts for either outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation treatment.

Overcoming alcohol withdrawal symptoms during the withdrawal process should be seen as the first step to healing. Couple this with qualified treatment and you have the ideal springboard to a life of continued sobriety.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Rehabilitation Assessment.

Crack cocaine

Crack – A Cracking High But A Wicked Addiction

Alternative Treatment, Articles, Australia, Education, International, LGBTQ, Malaysia, Testimonials, Treatment, Understanding Addiction, United Kingdom, United States

Crack cocaine gives a high that many users want to experience again and again. The problem is that this drug is also wickedly addicting and regular use will have a person dependent in a relatively short time.

What is Crack Cocaine?

Crack is the crystallized form of cocaine and is the purest form of the drug available. This purity means strength, and the lure of crack keeps users coming back time and again. Its name is derived from the fact that when heated for smoking it makes a popping or cracking sound.

What’s the high?

The most effective way of taking crack cocaine is to smoke it. This gives the biggest rush because the vapours reach the brain almost immediately. The highly stimulating effects received are due to the drug energizing the entire central nervous system and releasing hormones in the brain that are associated with pleasure and reward. The end result is that the user feels immensely euphoric, fully alert, self-confident and has energy to burn.

Nice but short-lived:

While the ‘high’ is one that many crave for it does not hang around long. Most seasoned users find that it peaks between 15-30 minutes and then slowly starts to diminish.

The obvious answer is to get back on the pipe. While this will give you a high it will not be as intense as the first hit and subsequent hits will be slightly less each time, but because it is so ‘moreish’ users find that they cannot resist going back for more.

Where is the problem?

Because of its intense, but relatively brief high users want more of the same on a regular basis. The way to achieve this is to purchase another bag and put just that little bit more in. If this cycle continues a person will very quickly find they cannot do without the drug.

It is common for crack users to go on benders that last 3 days and beyond with a shortage of money for more or pure exhaustion being two major reasons for ending a crack binge.

Very quick to addict:

While all illegal drugs are addictive, crack wastes no time in drawing a user into regular and increasing use. Cravings for the drug are immensely intense and the desire for more becomes that little bit stronger after each use. Once crack has you it will not let go easily.

Seek help sooner rather than later:

Those who are into regular crack cocaine use should not fool themselves that they can quit whenever they like. The unwanted withdrawal symptoms a person receives when trying to stop are usually more than enough to convince them that another hit is required, and quickly!

If you have tried to stop and failed please don’t just leave it at that and continue use. Doing so will lead to deeper addiction and the very unwanted physical and psychological problems that this brings with it.

What needs to be done is to seek professional rehabilitation assistance and the sooner this is accepted the better.

CLICK HERE to get a Free Confidential Crack Cocaine Rehabilitation Assessment.