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Cocaine Addiction

The Harmful Effects Of Cocaine

As a young college student, Jessica (not her real name) started to sell small quantities of cocaine here and there to help pay her bills. She didn’t see the harm: she was not using herself, and the tiny amounts she was selling were not exactly keeping the drug industry alive. She was not even a drop in the cocaine supply pool.

It didn’t take long for her occasional selling to become a very lucrative business for her. She was able to finance her college tuition, plus cover her rent and living expenses – and still have plenty of money left. But then, when she became involved with one of her customers, it all came crashing down. 

For the first time, she started to use the drugs she was selling: within a year, she had abandoned her studies, her friends, and all of her interests. Her supplier, fed up with not being paid, dragged money out of her and then cut her off. She was evicted for not paying rent, and after a brief stint living with an abusive boyfriend, she ended up alone on the streets, relying on prostitution for survival.

Jessica’s story may be unique – all stories about drug addiction are – but what many of these stories have in common is how quickly the lives of the addicts fall apart.

It is sometimes said that in order for a cocaine addict to get help, they have to reach rock bottom. But this is a dangerous stance because, for many people, rock bottom means death. The sooner we can reach an addict and help them get into a program of cocaine addiction treatment, the better. Because the longer it is left, the more damage can be done.

Harm #1: Cocaine Is Extremely Addictive

Cocaine Is Extremely Addictive
What makes cocaine appealing to its users is that it generates a rush of energy and euphoria within moments of consumption. All of a sudden, fatigued people have the energy to get through a busy day, and those with social anxiety have the confidence to not only endure but actually enjoy a party.

The problem is that these effects are short-lived, and users are driven to consume more cocaine in order to recreate those feelings. But in order to achieve the same levels of euphoria and high energy, higher doses of the drug have to be taken, with less time between doses.

Harm #2: Cocaine Damages Physical And Mental Health

Even short-term use of cocaine can cause a lot of damage. It raises the body temperature and constricts the blood vessels, causing the heart rate to shoot up. If a large dose is taken, the user may start to act erratically. Uncharacteristic violent behaviour is sometimes attributed to the feelings of panic and paranoia that often come with cocaine use.

Those who use cocaine regularly over an extended period of time are at risk of several damaging effects, including the following:

  • A tendency to neglect nutrition, resulting in rapid weight loss, increased propensity for illness, and organ failure
  • Damage specific to the method of ingestion: damage to nasal tissues (snorting); lung damage and an increased risk of respiratory complaints (smoking); track lines, collapsed veins and risk of infection from shared needles (intravenous use)
  • Cardiac risks: elevated heart rate; high blood pressure; ruptured blood vessels; stroke; cardiac arrest
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures
  • Depression
  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Paranoia
  • Reduced sense of judgment, resulting in potentially risky behaviour without regard for danger
  • Risks during pregnancy: Premature delivery; delivery of babies with low birth weight; delivery of babies born addicted to drugs
  • Cocaine carries a high risk of fatal overdose

Related article: Cocaine Withdrawal: What To Expect

Harm #3: Cocaine Is Not Always Just Cocaine

Because cocaine is an illegal street drug, there is no cocaine available that is legally produced. It is made in laboratories that do not follow any health and safety standards. Furthermore, unscrupulous manufacturers often combine or “cut” the cocaine with other products in order to increase their profits. Some of these additional ingredients – examples include chalk, baking soda and detergent. Not only does this pose additional risks to the user, but it can also be difficult for first responders to treat cases of accidental overdose.

Harm #4: Cocaine Can Ruin All Aspects Of Your Life

Cocaine Can Ruin All Aspects Of Your Life

One thing that cocaine addicts quickly discover is that cocaine use is very expensive to maintain. As we saw in Jessica’s story, cocaine addiction can very quickly lead people down a path of financial devastation. The precise outcomes of this vary from person to person. 

Some addicts are abandoned by loved ones who can no longer tolerate them lying and stealing to support their addiction. Others end up in jail for illegal activity. Divorce, job loss, bankruptcy, and loss of children to the child welfare system are all common outcomes of cocaine addiction.

Harm #5: Cocaine Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous

It is very difficult to stop using cocaine, because the withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable at best, and downright dangerous at worst. Many addicts who try to quit on their own suffer relapses fairly quickly because they just cannot handle the cravings and sensations that happen when the body is suddenly deprived of a substance it has come to rely on.

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Intense cravings that may lead to anxious, agitated behaviour
  • A tendency to be exhausted even after mild physical activity
  • Muscle aches, nerve pain, chills and tremors
  • Depression and anxiety, that may be accompanied by suicidal thoughts and actions

Cocaine Addiction Treatment

The sooner an individual gets help, the less damage their cocaine abuse symptoms will ultimately do, and the more likely they will be to repair their relationships and reclaim a life that is positive and productive.

Cocaine addiction treatment starts with medical detox, a process whereby the addict is medically supervised during withdrawal. This keeps them safe and comfortable as the last of the drugs leave the system. 

Detox is followed by a program of cocaine addiction treatment and rehab, during which the addict is guided through the process of exploring areas of their life that may have contributed to the addiction. Addiction treatment varies from person to person and often involves a combination of group, individual and family therapy, along with exercise programs, nutrition coaching, life coaching, creative therapies and other modalities.

What Happened To Jessica?

Jessica’s story has a happy ending. After coming face to face with the frightening probability of her own death, she pulled together the courage to talk to her family. With their help – and after several relapses – she was finally able to achieve lasting sobriety. She is an example of the fact that it is never too late to get help.

Call 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How to Quit Cocaine Addiction

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Marijuana Addiction

Common Myths About Marijuana Abuse

Addiction in general is difficult to combat, largely because it often takes a long time for the addicted person to understand and acknowledge that they need help. In many cases, even the loved ones may not realize that there is a problem because the addict hides it so well. In the case of marijuana addiction, these challenges are compounded by some common misconceptions about marijuana, such as the belief that using it is beneficial.

The same can be said for many substances. Prescription opioids can help in the management of chronic pain, and sedatives can help you sleep. But when either of those substances is used improperly or to excess, the consequences can be devastating. The same goes for marijuana. In this blog, we address five marijuana addiction myths. That way, you have the information you need to make important decisions concerning marijuana addiction treatment.

Myth #1: Marijuana Is Good For You

This myth has come about largely because of its increasing use for medical purposes. Although cannabis did not become fully legal in Canada until 2018, government-run medical marijuana programs were implemented as far back as 2001. In the United States, 33 states have legalized medical marijuana, and 57 countries globally allow some form of medical marijuana use. This list is growing all the time.

There is an increasing body of evidence pointing to the efficacy of cannabis in the management of certain medical conditions and symptoms, but it needs to be regarded in the same way as any other medicine: as something to be used as prescribed by a doctor, for a specific medical purpose. 

The fact that some strains of marijuana are used medically does not mean that marijuana as a whole is healthy for consumption.

Myth #2: Marijuana Is Not As Bad As Cigarettes

Marijuana Is Not As Bad As Cigarettes

The dangers of cigarette smoking are well-established, and many people forego cigarettes in favour of marijuana, under the belief that the latter is not as bad.

This is a myth. Marijuana and cigarette smoke contain many of the same carcinogens. Both are associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, as well as some respiratory ailments. Furthermore, as new strains of marijuana are developed with ever-increasing levels of THC, we may see an increase in long-term mental health concerns resulting from the use of these products.

Related article: Top Reasons Young People Use Marijuana

Myth #3: Marijuana Is Not Addictive

One of the main active ingredients of marijuana is THC; it is this substance that produces the psychoactive effects that users experience when they smoke a joint, pipe or bong. And it is this substance to which users become psychologically dependent. With some modern marijuana strains containing up to 200 times more THC than the weed that was smoked during the “hippie” era, this dependence can develop very quickly.

As with most drugs, abrupt withdrawal from marijuana can lead to withdrawal symptoms. The good news is that marijuana withdrawal is generally benign from a medical perspective: there has never been a recorded case of someone dying from marijuana withdrawal. But the symptoms are still very real, and they can be both uncomfortable and frightening. Marijuana withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, nausea and vomiting, cramps, irritation, agitation, and sweating.

Myth #4: Marijuana Is Harmless

There is an entire generation of people now entering their senior years, who claim to have used marijuana frequently during their youth without suffering any ill effects. This, of course, suggests to young people of today that marijuana is harmless. However, this is not true, rather it’s a myth. 

There is a rapidly growing body of research suggesting that regular long-term use of marijuana may, in fact, have some far-reaching implications with regard to cognitive function and mental health. Regular marijuana users are more likely to show a cognitive decline that does not always reverse even after marijuana use stops.

In addition, over a dozen studies have found a strong correlation between regular marijuana use and symptoms of psychosis and/or schizophrenia.

Myth #5: Marijuana Is Not A Gateway Drug

Marijuana Is Not A Gateway Drug

The idea of marijuana being a gateway drug has been widely debated for decades. While not everyone who uses marijuana will go on to use other substances, the risk is definitely higher. People who start using marijuana during their adolescent years are more likely to later abuse other substances than those who do not. 

There is some debate as to why this is. Some speculation exists that marijuana itself causes some changes in the brain that make addiction to other substances more likely, but no studies have verified this. Many people believe that marijuana itself is harmless and that the connection lies in the personalities of the users. In other words, if you are likely to use marijuana, you are equally likely to use other substances.

However, research involving twins shows that this may not be the case. Two separate twin studies showed that a twin who uses marijuana during adolescence is significantly more likely to become addicted to at least one other substance later in life than the twin who does not.

Final Words

It is important to remember that addiction to marijuana often has its roots in stress, depression or anxiety, or trauma. Physical considerations such as chronic pain can also lead to someone becoming addicted.

No matter what leads to the addiction, or how long the addiction has been going on, there is help available. The dangers of marijuana should not be ignored just because it is legal in some places, including Canada. After all, many legally obtainable substances can have devastating impacts. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

 

Related article: Addiction Treatment for Marijuana: Why You Need to Stop Smoking

Categories
Cocaine Addiction

Common Signs of Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine is a very addictive substance. As a result, the signs of addiction are easy to spot. However, for people mired in the quagmire that is cocaine addiction, spotting the signs may be difficult. Most of the time, what starts off as a harmless act can quickly spiral into a life-threatening issue with vast consequences in terms of work, relationship and physical health. 

As a controlled substance, cocaine can be classified as a stimulant for the central nervous system. It boosts energy levels while also increasing blood and heart rate levels. In addition, it also floods the system with dopamine, increasing feelings of pleasure. In fact, this attribute is why the signs of cocaine addiction are easy to ignore for an addict. Typically, the focus is always on the pleasure that dopamine brings with the negatives sidelined.

Mostly, the signs that you need cocaine addiction treatment are there regardless of the mode of consumption. Some people snort cocaine. Others choose to smoke crack cocaine or place it in certain orifices. Regardless of which method is used, cocaine addiction comes with severe symptoms.

cocaine addiction

Thankfully, with cocaine addiction treatment, it is possible to get your life back on track. However, you have to be able to recognize the signs of cocaine abuse. This way, you can make a decision on whether to get professional help.

The Signs of Cocaine Abuse To Look For

The symptoms below may be an indicator that you or a loved one is abusing cocaine:

  • Dilated pupils 
  • Constant loss of appetite 
  • Extreme overconfidence 
  • Extreme paranoia 
  • Legal issues due to cocaine use 
  • Issues at work due to indulgence in cocaine 
  • Unpredictable mood swings 
  • Frequently sniffles and a runny nose 
  • Financial problems caused by cocaine-related expenses 
  • Irritability 
  • Depression 

 

The signs above are easy indicators that it’s time to get cocaine addiction treatment. However, there’s more to it. Another common sign that cocaine usage is getting too much is chest pain. Constant cocaine usage constricts blood vessels. Consequently, this stresses the heart as well as the cardiovascular system. It’s a symptom of cocaine addiction that you need to know. In fact, the risk of getting a heart attack doubles as much as 12 times after you use cocaine.

Cocaine comedown

Another of the recognizable signs of cocaine addiction, a comedown, occurs when you suddenly stop indulging. A comedown is a type of withdrawal. However, since it’s unintentional, getting a quick fix may seem like a simple solution.

Nevertheless, a comedown is often an indication of a bigger problem. Usually, it may mean an increased dependence on cocaine. Some of the common symptoms of a cocaine comedown include feelings of depression, irritability, anxiety and extreme tiredness. Additionally, it comes with really strong cravings. 

Cocaine psychosis

One of the signs that you need cocaine addiction treatment comes in the form of psychotic feelings. Some symptoms of cocaine psychosis include paranoid delusions as well as seeing things that aren’t there. As a frequent user, if you or a loved one notices that you’re hearing things that are not there, it may be time to find where to get cocaine addiction treatment.

Cocaine psychosis is very real. Studies show that as many as 68% of cocaine abusers experience this condition. Usually, it is associated with severe dependence as well as taking higher doses of the substance.

Symptoms of cocaine abuse by snorting

The most common method of using cocaine, snorting the substance comes with its own set of telltale signs. Therefore, if you’re worried that you or a friend may be doing cocaine, here are symptoms to look out for.

  • Nosebleeds 
  • A runny nose 
  • Loss of the ability to smell (temporarily)
  • Difficulties swallowing
  • Frequent cold-like symptoms

Mostly, these symptoms are caused by chemicals added to the substance by dealers. In the same vein, it constricts nasal blood vessels, cutting off vital oxygen supply. 

Related article: The Harmful Effects Of Cocaine

What are the Long-Term Effects of Cocaine Addiction?

If you are wondering whether to get expert cocaine addiction treatment near you, perhaps knowledge about the long-term effects can serve as a pointer. Some of them include:

  • Weight loss
  • Severe malnourished look 
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Movement issues that resemble Parkinson’s disease 
  • Damage to vital organs 
  • Reproductive problems

A good number of the long-term effects of cocaine addiction are internal. As a result, they are not a great pointer to the signs of cocaine abuse. However, the threat is very real. In addition to the above, cocaine can cause a serious increase in blood pressure. Furthermore, it may thicken vital muscles thereby increasing the possibility of heart failure.

What are the Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal?

Symptoms of Cocaine Withdrawal

When people that are addicted to cocaine run out of the drug for one reason or the other, they experience what is known as withdrawal. Cocaine withdrawal is caused because the body is craving the euphoric feelings of a high. Majorly, it comes with irritability, mood swings and depression.

Other symptoms of cocaine withdrawal include the following: 

  • Fatigue 
  • Tremors 
  • Hunger 
  • Intense cravings 
  • Sleeping issues 
  • Issues focusing on tasks 
  • Thinking delays 

Severe withdrawal symptoms are a part of the signs of cocaine abuse. In addition, they can lead to dangerous health issues and problems. Therefore, it is critical not to go it alone. The best option is to seek expert assistance from addiction treatment professionals near you.

How To Get Expert Help For Cocaine Addiction

As mentioned earlier, the best way to get rid of cocaine addiction is to seek expert help. Addiction experts can use a wide variety of treatment techniques to combat the issue. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How to Quit Cocaine Addiction

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Marijuana Addiction

Addiction Treatment for Marijuana: Why You Need to Stop Smoking

Most people who are in support of marijuana consumption have a number of arguments to “back up” this stance. However, there are facts that point to why you need to stop smoking marijuana. Granted, weed is found in nature. Also, it may have some relaxing properties. However, weed also contains many natural products that are toxic to the body.

The smoke that is produced with marijuana consumption is dangerous to the body. Furthermore, the addictive properties of marijuana can interfere with your social, personal and work life. Over the course of this blog, we discuss the importance of marijuana addiction treatment. Essentially, we explore why you need to stop smoking marijuana, sooner, rather than later.

The Reasons Why You Need Marijuana Addiction Treatment

In this section, we define each of the side effects of smoking marijuana. Furthermore, we break them down in a bid to show you why you should stop smoking.

Marijuana smoke contains carcinogens

Marijuana smoke contains carcinogens

A high percentage of marijuana enthusiasts consume the product by smoking. It’s not the only way you can consume marijuana, however, it’s the most common. The clincher is whether you’re using bongs, joints or blunts to consume weed, the number of carcinogens released does not change. 

Carcinogens are chemical substances that have been linked to cancer. With cancer, prevention is far better than cure. Therefore, to ensure your health, get marijuana addiction treatment ASAP.

Marijuana can lead to lung damage

One of the effects of smoking marijuana is lung damage — plain and simple. Regular weed smokers are at a higher risk of getting lung damage compared to non-smokers. This has been proven by a scientific study.

Also, a New Zealand study has shown that lung damage due to cannabis is equal to the damage caused by five cigarettes. The risk to your health is not worth it, at all. 

It is possible to develop a dependency

Granted, marijuana is not as addictive as drugs like cocaine, heroin and methadone. However, it is still possible to get addicted to marijuana. In fact, one from every six smokers ends up addicted to marijuana. Over time, this addiction may blossom into a dependence which is just as worse. 

If you are dependent on weed, you’ll need it for everyday functions. In fact, most addicts do not even know when they start getting dependent on marijuana. It starts with only a few drags in the evening. Then, you start to do it before work. Furthermore, when you get back, it’s your go-to for unwinding after a stressful day. In a few months, you’ll find it impossible to go a day without smoking weed. That’s why you need to stop smoking weed as soon as possible. 

With weed dependence comes a high level of tolerance. You’ll find yourself having to smoke more weed to achieve the same effects. In doing so, you inhale more carcinogens, doing more damage to your lungs and other body systems. 

Weed can make you lose focus on your goals

For a productive existence, marijuana addiction treatment may be necessary, especially if you smoke on a daily basis. When you consume cannabis, it leaves you with a feeling that most people call “baked”. Furthermore, getting baked is a relaxant, rather than a stimulant.

Therefore, if you smoke weed daily, you’ll end up feeling relaxed for too long. Consequently, there won’t be any time left for more productive pursuits. If you’re a student, this usually transmits to a slump in grades. If you have to go to work, you may start to experience reduced performance levels at work.

Related article: How to Stop Smoking Weed

It depletes nutrients in your body

Your body needs magnesium to stay relaxed. With plenty of dietary mineral magnesium in your body, you’ll feel less on the edge and more relaxed. However, smoking marijuana can counteract this feeling. 

Cannabis has the effect of depleting the body’s natural marijuana reserves. As a result, when the high fades, you are going to start to feel less relaxed and anxious. This can be a double-edged sword. It may mean that you have to turn back to marijuana to feel relaxed again, a scenario that can lead to dependence.  

Marijuana is expensive

If you are wondering why you should stop smoking, your bank balance can give you the answers. According to a United Nations report, marijuana costs about $300 per ounce. Depending on the quality and how much you smoke, you may end up spending three times that figure on a monthly basis. 

In addition to the immediate cost implications, the effects of poor job performance due to weed can also affect your bank balance. You may miss a promotion or worse, get fired. Over one year, these factors can add up to thousands of dollars.

It can affect mental development

People who consume marijuana heavily, especially during their teenage years reach adulthood with lower IQ levels compared to non-smokers. This has to do with the fact that the brain doesn’t stop maturing until the mid-20s. As a result, the use of a mind-altering substance can affect the growth and development of your brain.  

Cannabis can affect your personality

Cannabis can affect your personality

As we discussed earlier, the consumption of weed can deplete your body’s store of nutrients designed to help you feel relaxed. That alone is enough reason why you should stop smoking marijuana. 

However, there’s more to it. Depleted body nutrients can lead to increased anxiety and paranoia. Some of it is justified due to the criminal standing of weed in most states across the country. However, physiologically, the effects of marijuana can start to affect the brain. Combine this with the fuzzy feelings and lack of stimulation to do anything. Then, you have a recipe that can alter your personality — and not for the better.

The Long Term Effects of Weed

Compared to the short-term effects, the long term impact of weed can be more severe. It’s why you should stop smoking as soon as possible. Some of the long-term effects of smoking marijuana include the following:

  • Abnormalities in the brain 
  • Chronic medical depression 
  • The possibility of testicular cancer 
  • High blood pressure 
  • Heart attacks and possible strokes 

How To Stop Smoking Weed: Get Expert Help 

Trying to stop smoking marijuana without expert help can be extremely difficult. The addiction, possible dependence and withdrawal symptoms may make the process an effort in futility.

Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

 

Related article: The Amazing Benefits of Quitting Marijuana

 

Categories
Addiction Treatment Tips

How To Motivate Your Loved Ones To Get Addiction Treatment

Addiction is an illness that does not only affect the addicted. Watching a loved one’s body and mind get ripped apart by substance abuse is an extremely painful thing to endure. While your love for your friend or family member motivates you to want to help them get addiction treatment, your relationship with that person might be falling apart. Their addiction may be making them combative, they might be stealing from you in order to support their addiction, and they may be acting in ways that are physically, verbally or mentally abusive toward you.

If someone close to you is going through an addiction, they do need some form of help as soon as possible. But at the same time, you need to protect yourself, whether that means preventing yourself from emotionally burning out, or literally protecting yourself from acts of abuse.

 

Although it may seem impossible to help your addicted loved one while also helping yourself, there are ways to do both. But in order to know how to help someone with an addiction, you first need to understand what it means to enable them, because the line between “helping” and “enabling” can become very blurred.

What Does It Mean To Enable Someone With An Addiction?

Enable Someone With An Addiction

As humans, we are instinctively driven to support those we care about, and we tend to judge our success in this area by whether or not the people around us are happy. If they are happy, we deduce that our presence in their life is positive and helpful. If they are unhappy – particularly if they are unhappy as a direct result of something we have said or done – our natural reaction is to do something that will make them happy.

This leads us to unintentionally behave in ways that make it easier for an addicted loved one to remain addicted. We think we are helping them. We think we are doing the right thing. But what’s actually happening is that we are supporting the addictive behaviour.

Enabling can take many forms. Here are some examples:

  • You allow an addict to use drugs in your home because it is safer than them being on the street
  • You purchase food for an addicted loved one who used their wages to finance their addiction, and you reason that “at least you’re not giving them money to buy drugs”
  • You forgive repeated acts of abuse because “it’s not them, it’s the drugs”
  • You lie to others to protect an addict, for example, by calling their employer saying they’re sick
  • You pay their bills or do their housework “for the sake of their children”

If you have fallen into the trap of enabling, you cannot blame yourself. People with drug and alcohol addictions become manipulative not because it’s in their nature, but because it’s a survival mechanism for them. And the only way to break out of that cycle of addiction is by recognizing when your actions are enabling your loved one, and to do something different.

Related article: How To Help A Loved One In Recovery

How To Get Addiction Treatment For A Loved One Without Enabling Them

Knowing what enablement looks like is the first step. The next step is to know what you can do to motivate your loved one to get addiction treatment help.

Make sure you have the support you need

You cannot drink from an empty well: if you try to help your addicted loved one without putting in place adequate support for yourself, you could easily burn out. 

There are support groups for families of people with addictions, such as Al-Anon, that will connect you with other people who are in a similar situation. Some of the support group meetings may actually teach you something new about addiction and recovery, and you may come away from others simply feeling less alone.

Another route to explore is therapy. One-on-one sessions with a professional may help you cope with the ways in which the addiction has impacted you and your relationship with your loved one. You can also gain some valuable insights into how your words and actions might be enabling the addict.

Get fellow loved ones on board

In a way, addicts are like children: if different people give them different messages, they will get confused. So, talk to the addict’s family members and friends and share whatever resources you have that will educate them on addiction. 

Make sure everyone who is close to the addict shares a common goal of figuring out how to get addiction treatment for them that they will agree to.

Start thinking about treatment options

As much as addicts and their families believe that they can battle this demon alone, statistics are repeatedly telling us that addicts who enter a drug addiction treatment program are far less likely to suffer a relapse. 

Approaching the addict about treatment is something that should be done at the right time, in the right way. But you can start by researching different facilities, finding out what they have to offer, and what the features of a good rehab program are.

Stop financing the addict

Stop financing the addict

This starts with the obvious: don’t buy any drugs or alcohol for your loved one. If the addicted person’s substance of choice is cocaine, don’t buy them a beer as a reward for not using cocaine. If they are an alcoholic, don’t buy them cigarettes. You need to send a clear message that you will not support the use of substances in any form.

In addition to that, don’t give in to the temptation to buy their groceries or pay their bills. Many people do this, reasoning that at least they’re not giving an addict money that they will just spend on drugs. If you take over any of the addict’s financial obligations, you are essentially paying the addict to be one. Therefore, it takes away their incentive to have to fend for themselves.

Don’t excuse bad behaviour

Anyone who has been close to an addict knows that addiction can make a person act in ways that go against who they are as a person. Someone who used to be mild-mannered can become aggressive; someone with a strong code of ethics can start stealing. 

In our quest to not take things personally, we tend to excuse the bad behaviour of those around us. We absolve addicts of their responsibility to behave in civilized, respectful ways. What actually needs to happen is that addicts – like everyone else – need to be held accountable for their words and actions.

Don’t provide a “Get out of jail free” card

It is an unfortunate reality that addiction is often associated with illegal activity. Your addicted loved one has a statistically good chance of having a run-in with the police after stealing money or goods to support their addiction, or by driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

No one wants to see someone they love go to prison, but if you act too quickly and bail your loved one out of jail, you are sending a clear message that the person can act in whatever way they please without consequence.

Be Prepared To Participate In Treatment

Once your loved one has accepted treatment, your part in their recovery journey is not over. Many addiction treatment programs involve family members and close friends in the treatment plan. This usually takes the form of family therapy sessions, during which the addict explores their relationships with loved ones. Everyone can benefit from this process: the addict and loved ones can learn how to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts, and face up to challenges together. In this way, not only will you be a part of the recovery; you will be there to watch the person you love escape the chains of their addiction and reach their full potential.

To Sum It Up

The process of motivating a loved one to get addiction treatment is a multi-pronged process that will require a lot of attention and effort on your part. However, the results of getting your loved one to get professional addiction treatment  is well worth it. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How Intervention Helps Your Loved One Overcome Addiction

Categories
Addiction Relapse

How To Prevent Addiction Relapse

So you have spent a few weeks at an inpatient addiction rehab facility, and you have dealt with some difficult issues. You understand why your addiction happened, and you have learned better ways to cope with stress. Also, you have been taught ways to avoid addiction relapse. Your relationships are on the mend, you have been taking care of your physical health, and you have never felt better.

You feel ready to leave rehab and rejoin the rest of the world. But you quickly discover that it is not as easy as you thought it would be. You are no longer in the cocoon of safety that rehab provided you with. All of a sudden, you have to worry about your daily routines, paying the bills, and being constantly around the relationships that you were gently and slowly working on rebuilding.

And before you know it, you find yourself fighting the kind of craving you thought you had left behind forever. Why is it so difficult to transition from rehab to real life? Why do addiction relapses happen? And most importantly, what can you do to protect yourself? Keep reading to find out all the answers that you need.

Why Does Relapse Happen?

Why Does Relapse Happen
One of the first things you should know before you even enter an addiction treatment program is that recovery does not end when rehab is over. For many people, it is a lifelong process that involves support groups, therapy, fitness regimens and a lot of determination.

But if the whole point of rehab is to help you overcome an addiction, shouldn’t it be easier to fight relapse? A lot of the answer comes down to how you manage the transition from your inpatient rehab program back to the real world.

Take a moment to think about the rehab environment: you have food and shelter, you have a schedule that is decided for you, you have round-the-clock support any time you need it, and you don’t have access to drugs or alcohol. Even if you have a craving, there’s no way for you do anything about it. The only thing that craving can do is go away.

When you’re back home, all of this changes. You no longer have a schedule that tells you where you have to be at what time. If you’re not employed, you suddenly have great stretches of time that you have to find ways to fill. 

A lot of people are fine until they run up against a stressful event. This could take a number of forms, such as:

  • Your first post-rehab argument with your spouse
  • Being turned down for a job
  • Carefully laid out plans for the day being disrupted
  • Receiving a phone call from someone who used to use drugs with you

The scary part is that, unlike when you were in rehab, you now have access to the substances you are craving. The good news is that you can set your life up in a way that makes it easier for you to avoid relapse.

Related article: Preventing Addiction Relapse: What You Need To Do

Lifestyle Tips To Prevent Drug Addiction Relapse

To make sure that you avoid drug addiction relapse, follow these helpful tips:

Support Groups

The first thing you should do when you leave rehab is get connected with a 12-step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Many recovering addicts actually start this process during their inpatient treatment phase, and when you leave, it’s simply a case of continuing the same routine, but with a group that is convenient to where you live. 

12-step programs are very effective at helping people prevent relapse, for several reasons:

  • You can connect with people who understand what you are going through
  • The 12-step program gives you specific tasks, which can give you a sense of purpose – and a sense of accomplishment when you complete them
  • You can form lasting friendships that will make it easier for you to stay away from the people you used to use drugs or alcohol with
  • It provides you with a support system that you can turn to in times of crisis
  • Most communities have many 12-step programs to choose from, so you will be able to find one that is the right fit for you

Online Support

The 12-step community has done a lot to make their system inclusive and easy to find, but there will always be those who are not able to participate in the meetings. There can be several reasons for this:

  • You live in a small community where it’s difficult to find a group that you feel comfortable in
  • You suffer from social anxiety that makes attendance at group meetings difficult and stressful
  • You have a physical disability and there are no accessible groups near you
  • You simply feel more comfortable interacting with people online

The advent and evolution of the internet has made it increasingly easy to find online recovery communities, not only for those who cannot or will not attend meetings, but for those who need additional support between meetings.

Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram provide recovering addicts with a way to ask for advice, give and receive support, and celebrate their sobriety milestones. There is also an abundance of educational material posted online, such as videos, podcasts, sobriety tracking tools, and educational programs.

Physical Activity

Being physically active has multiple benefits. Not only does it improve your physical and mental health, it provides a natural release of dopamine – the feel-good hormone that spikes after drug use. Many recovering addicts cope with cravings by engaging in rigorous exercise like running and weightlifting. By the time they are done, the craving is gone, because that elevation in dopamine has been accomplished in a healthy, natural way.

You don’t have to run a marathon to raise your dopamine, levels, though. Just going for a 20-minute walk can reduce your stress levels and make it easier for you to cope.

Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Addiction relapse usually results from the recovering addict being unable to cope with certain triggers and temptations. A highly effective way of managing this is through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is designed to help you achieve a specific goal. 

In this case, the goal is to successfully show you how to avoid addiction relapse. CBT can help you identify your triggers, along with healthier ways of dealing with them. So when you experience a craving, you will have the tools and techniques to overcome them.

Do Something Fun

When you emerge from inpatient addiction treatment and immerse yourself in the world of 12-step programs and therapy, you may find that your life more or less revolves around your quest to stay sober. While this is important, it can be overwhelming, and it can be helpful to find an interest or activity that has nothing to do with addiction. 

Everyone needs balance and the opportunity to have some fun, and there are many ways of doing this without needing drugs or alcohol. Examples include sporting activities, dance classes and book clubs. Volunteering is also a great way to do something that makes you feel good, that also helps other people.

What To Do If You Are In Immediate Danger Of Relapse

Putting together lifestyle changes that set you up for success is a critical element in preventing addiction relapse. But these things can take time to implement: it may take a couple of weeks for you to find a 12-step program that works for you, and support systems don’t just spring up overnight.

So what happens if you are experiencing a craving that seems overpowering? How then do you avoid an addiction relapse? There are some things that you can do in the moment that can get you over the danger.

  • First and foremost, call someone, whether it is a family member, a sponsor, or the support line at you rehab facility
  • Drink some water and have a snack, because your body may be interpreting thirst or hunger as a craving
  • Do some physical activity, like running or weightlifting, to give yourself a natural dopamine boost
  • Ensure that you distance yourself from the object of the craving: if you are anywhere near drugs or alcohol, leave and go to a safe place

In Conclusion

The first month after leaving rehab is when your risk is at its peak. If you get through that first month, your chances of relapsing drop sharply. It is difficult in the beginning, but it does get easier. 

And if you do suffer a relapse, whether it is after a day, a month, or several years, just try again. It is important that you regard relapse as a setback, and not a disaster. If you don’t get it right the first time, don’t be too hard on yourself: use it as a learning experience that will help you as you move forward in your new life.

Call 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: Don’t Relapse: The Comprehensive Guide to Coping With Addiction Cravings and Relapse

Categories
Addiction Treatment

How to Choose the Right Addiction Treatment Service

The need for addiction treatment is a situation that can put a lot of strain on families. However, there is a small ray of sunshine in the clouds. It’s the fact that there are thousands of addiction treatment services that you can access for expert help. These treatment services offer a wide range of options for patients all across Canada to choose from. Due to the diversity, the knowledge of how to choose an addiction rehab is important.

The addiction treatment service that works for you will not work for another person. Additionally, treatment techniques differ from facility to facility. Furthermore, the eventual choice you make can determine your sobriety. In fact, it will determine the quality of life you enjoy after your time in rehab. Therefore, how to choose an addiction treatment service near you is a question that every recovering addict should answer.

With the right addiction treatment services, the possibility of a successful program increases drastically. Here at 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre, we want everybody wondering how to choose the best addiction treatment service to make great decisions. In this blog, we will discuss finding an addiction treatment centre near you, the questions that need to be asked before making a decision and more.

Choosing an Addiction Treatment Service: Decide On Your Goals for Rehab

Decide On Your Goals for Rehab

The simple truth is that different addiction treatment centres offer varying specialties. Furthermore, treatment centres offering the same specialities use different techniques to get the best results. As a result, defining what you want from an addiction treatment centre will help you know what to look out for in one.

How do you know your addiction treatment goals? These steps provide a perfect guide:

  • Know the substance or addictive behaviours you want to stop
  • Via a visit to the doctor, find out if your addiction comes with any underlying medical conditions.
  • Decide on the parameters for success. Do you want a 6-month sobriety stretch or you’re thinking long term?

The combination of the answers to these questions will help you refine the search for an addiction treatment facility. 

Related article: Why Drug Rehab Treatment Should Always Address Mental Health

Speak To An Addiction Treatment Professional

Now that you know what your addiction treatment goals are, you can move forward with your search (with a renewed purpose). With a simple Google search, it is possible to find an addiction treatment centre near you. 

There’s no need to visit the facilities. Instead, start the process of elimination by calling and asking questions. In turn, the addiction treatment service rep will be able to provide recommendations and answers for you. For example, here at Addictions CA, when you contact us, a friendly professional is always on hand to answer a lot of queries.

There are a lot of addiction treatment centres in Toronto. Not to worry though, there are questions that you can ask to determine if an addiction service is the best fit for you. Some of these questions include:

  • What is the end goal of the treatment program? 
  • Do you have any licensing or certification?
  • Is there a waiting list for your services?
  • Do you offer out-patient or in-patient treatment?
  • Can I contact family and friends during the addiction treatment program?
  • What is the cost of available addiction treatment services? Is insurance acceptable?
  • Are medical services available for detoxification and possible withdrawal symptoms?
  • Are there any extra activities that I have to take part in e.g group therapy and 12-step sessions?
  • Is there a discharge plan? How do you prepare recovering addicts for the world out there?

Choosing An Addiction Treatment Service: Are There any Factors to Consider?

The answer to how to choose an addiction treatment centre lies in how these factors interact with each other. 

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient rehab is a form of rehab where the recovering addict stays at specially prepared facilities for the duration of the treatment. On the other hand, with outpatient treatment, the recovering addict comes for treatment from home.

There are advantages as well as disadvantages to both treatment forms. Mostly, due to the increased control, inpatient treatment comes with a higher success rate. However, it’s expensive and can cause a disruption to the daily lifestyle of the patient.  On the other hand, as an addiction treatment service, outpatient therapy costs less. Also, it’s great for those who don’t want to disrupt their daily lives e.g busy professionals. 

The specialty of the treatment facility

Getting treated for an amphetamine addiction at a facility that specializes in meth addiction treatment may be counterproductive. Therefore, it is vital that the exact specialities of the addiction treatment center you choose align with your needs.

Treatment models

Due to the support and positive results that come with peer group influence, some addiction treatment services in Toronto choose to work using group therapy models. However, if you are not comfortable speaking about certain topics in a group setting, your treatment may not be effective. 

Therefore, make sure to contact and ask about the peculiarities of getting treatment at a particular facility. That’s how to choose the best addiction treatment centre for you!

The amenities available

This is one of the major factors to look out for when choosing an addiction treatment centre near you. If you are going for an in-patient treatment, this factor becomes doubly important.

We are not saying you should be on the hunt for rehabs that provide five-star service. Although if that’s how you’ll feel comfortable, there are services that offer this convenience. However, your main point of concern should be comfort and functionality. Before you choose an addiction treatment service, be sure they offer amenities and facilities you’ll be comfortable in.

Location

As far as how to choose an addiction treatment centre goes, it’s all up to you. This logic also applies to the location factor. If you have family and friends that you need to be in contact with, the best choice may be to find an addiction treatment centre near you. This way, you can easily see and talk to the ones you love. 

However, sometimes, the best course of action may be to go as far away from home as possible. With the distance, it’s easier to break the connections to toxic relationship and lifestyle patterns. In essence, when wondering how to choose an addiction treatment service, factor in the location!

Program length 

Most programs stay in progress for up to 30, 60 and 90 days. However, sometimes, 30 days may not be enough to break an intense addiction. Conversely, longer program lengths may not be adaptable for people with job, family or financial commitments. It all depends on your unique needs. 

Choose the Best Rehab For You 

It may look like choosing an addiction treatment centre near you is a tough job. However, it is far easier than it looks. Additionally, the tips provided above will help ensure that there are selection issues.

For an easier route, Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

 

Related article: Helpful Addiction Treatment Tips for the Pandemic

Categories
Smoking Weed

How to Quit Weed: These Unbelievable Addiction Treatment Tips Will Help

The continuous use of weed can lead to the development of problem use, which is called a marijuana use disorder. Statistics show that about 30% who smoke weed or ingest it in various forms have developed some degree of dependency. Out of these percentage, many are trying to stop using the substance. This begs the question of how to quit weed. Like every other controlled drug, leaving cannabis can be tough. However, learning how to stop smoking marijuana the right way can help you kick your habit.

In recent times, weed-smoking has become so widespread. This is primarily because of the benefits that marijuana offers its users. Cannabis has been found to help with several conditions, from improving insomnia to calming anxiety to reducing depression. But, this is not to say that there are no adverse effects of the substance. People who smoke weed regularly often end up with a dependence problem. If you fall into this category, it’s time you learned how to quit weed.

Although the percentage of people that get addicted to marijuana is relatively small compared to other drugs, it is still unsettling. Today, several facilities offer addiction treatment for weed. If you are struggling with your use of marijuana and you want to stop, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will give you some proven steps to help you stop smoking. But first, let us look at the addiction levels of cannabis and how it occurs.

Why Cannabis Is So Addictive

In times past, marijuana was probably not as addictive as it is now. In the early 1990s, the average Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in cannabis samples was less than 4%. Today, this number has increased in various multiples, and it is quite unsettling. It is no wonder many people are struggling with how to quit weed. Due to the newly engineered strains of weed, most samples of marijuana deliver levels of THC of around 40%. Some specimens even exceed 80%!

Over time, smoking weed with these high levels of THC will critically influence the neural functioning of the brain’s endocannabinoid system. In other words, the brain begins to rely more on marijuana and becomes less sensitive to its endocannabinoid neurotransmitters. In essence, one begins to believe that it is impossible to carry out normal activities without weed. This is the reason many people experience withdrawal symptoms when marijuana is no longer in their system.

At this stage, dependence, which is the onset of addiction, has begun. Marijuana use disorder becomes an addiction when a person cannot stop smoking or ingesting weed, even though it is adversely affecting them. According to studies, about 9% of those who use marijuana will become dependent on it. Here are some common signs of cannabis dependence.

  • If you need to take increasing amounts of weed to achieve the same effect, you may be becoming dependent.
  • If you continue to take marijuana for longer than you intended or than you need to, dependence is already a danger.
  • Trying unsuccessfully to quit weed is a sign of addiction.
  • If you have chosen weed instead of attending important social, occupation or recreational activities, you may be dependent.
  • Finally, if you keep using marijuana despite incessant physical or psychological problems caused by persistent use.

If you have noticed any of the above signs in yourself, it is high time you learned how to quit weed. Read further to find out a few easy tips for quitting weed.

How to Quit Weed: Proven Tips to Help You

Marijuana may be less addictive and harmful than other substances, but dependence is still a real danger. Addiction treatment for weed can take different forms depending on the extent of dependency. However, the results stay the same – you stop smoking or using cannabis. In the next few paragraphs, we will give you some insight into how to quit weed.  Here are some proven steps to stop smoking weed.

Related article: How to Stop Smoking Weed

Figure out why you want to stop

We are glad you have decided to get help for your cannabis-using habits. However, you must be able to identify the reason or reasons you want to quit. Your ‘why’ is a crucial piece of information that will anchor you. Quitting weed may not come easily. 

But, your reason for stopping can be a source of inspiration and motivation for you when the going gets tough.  This clarity on why you want to break your habits can help increase your chances of success.

Decide your method of approach

There are different ways you can approach addiction treatment for weed. Depending on your needs, your level of motivation and several other factors, you can then make a decision. 

Remember, as long as you meet your goals, there is no perfect way to quit weed. However, learning the pros and cons of the different methods can help you make your decision. These are the different methods.

  • The ‘Cold Turkey’

This is when you just up and quit weed at once. That is, you pack up all your marijuana and other paraphernalia, you toss them, and you never look back. However, this method usually results in the highest levels of withdrawal symptoms. On the plus side, it also means that you will stop smoking faster.

  • Medical Aid

If you are worried about the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, then this may be the way to go. Note that there is no magical pill that will cure your weed dependence. However, there are some drugs that will help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. We recommend speaking to a doctor about this.

Medical Aid

  • Rehab

This approach to addiction treatment for weed is advisable for people who have been smoking joints for a very long time. If you are a long-time or heavy smoker, then you may need rehab to get the best results. However, you will need to invest a lot of time and money to get better in rehab.

Get rid of your smoking ‘gear.’

Next on how to stop smoking marijuana, get rid of your cannabis equipment. Regardless of your approach to stop smoking weed, you must get rid of every object that reminds you of marijuana.

Your cannabis stash, vapes, rolling papers, everything must go. You may either trash them or give them out, but you need to ensure that they are not within reach. This will help you prevent slip-ups during the withdrawal phase.

Change your routine

Depending on the time you used to engage in smoking weed primarily, you may need to switch up your routine. Changing your behaviours in the slightest can go a long way in helping you quit weed. For instance, if you have a habit of smoking when you wake in the morning, try going for a jog or a walk at that time.

Get a new hobby

Get a new hobby

Our next tip on how to quit weed is for you to pick a healthier habit. Often, the fastest way to get rid of a habit is to replace it with something else. This is especially vital if you use marijuana when you are bored. In the long run, hobbies will help you stay off weed. Also, you may consider revisiting old hobbies or taking up new ones. Regardless, the trick is to find something new that you genuinely enjoy.

Enlist support from loved ones

 

Finally, your friends and family can be an essential source of support in helping you quit weed. They can help provide distractions or even join you in engaging in healthier habits. More importantly, they can encourage you when withdrawals or cravings get tough.

In Conclusion

While some people can use cannabis without any issue, several people struggle with dependency and addiction. However, tips on how to stop smoking marijuana can only help you so much. In addition to learning how to quit weed, you need to commit to the process. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: Addiction Treatment for Marijuana: Why You Need to Stop Smoking

Categories
Sobriety

Addiction Treatment: Here’s Why You Should Celebrate Sobriety

One of the things that makes us human is our desire to celebrate milestones. Whether it’s a birthday or a wedding anniversary, years of service with an employer or the anniversary of a significant accomplishment, it is important to recognize the good things about ourselves, the positive impacts that we have on the people around us, and the things we have achieved.

The same applies to addiction treatment and recovery. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of celebrating sobriety milestones. More importantly, we will explore how this can be great for your addiction treatment.

Why Celebrate A Sobriety Milestone?

Why Celebrate A Sobriety Milestone

As accomplishments go, sobriety is a big one. Overcoming an addiction takes a great deal of courage, strength, determination, and hard work. One of the biggest reasons why you should celebrate sobriety is to remind yourself of the courage it took to make the decision to embark on addiction recovery.

There are other benefits to celebrating addiction treatment milestones. It provides an opportunity for you to stop and reflect on how far you have come since you started addiction recovery. Where you may once have been on the brink of financial disaster and surrounded by broken relationships, you might now be established in a regular job, and you may have at least one or two positive relationships to enrich your life. 

Sobriety birthdays are also a time to reflect on how you got to where you are now. It is likely that you got some help along the way. Some recovering addicts use their sobriety birthdays to thank their sponsors and the loved ones who supported them. For others, it is an opportunity to provide support to those who are in the early stages of their own journeys.

Perhaps most importantly, you should celebrate your sobriety birthday because you deserve it. You have worked hard on your addiction recovery to get to this point. Therefore, you should reward yourself, bask in the accomplishment, and let this good feeling you have carry you to your next sobriety milestone.

Related article: Tips For Maintaining Sobriety During Social Distancing

Ways To Celebrate Sobriety Milestones During Recovery

In a society that associates celebrations with alcohol, it can be difficult for recovering addicts to find ways to give their sobriety milestones the attention they deserve. But with some creative thinking, it is possible to come up with some good ways to celebrate these occasions.

Here are a few ideas.

Do something to help your community

For some recovering addicts, sobriety birthdays are a time for self-reflection. They celebrate by helping people – or animals – who need it. This could take many forms: volunteering at a food bank, walking dogs at an animal shelter, or picking up litter at a local park. Those who are musically inclined could give a performance at a senior care facility. 

Not only does this form of celebration make the world around you a better place, it increases your own happiness. Several studies show a link between initiating acts of kindness and being happy.

Arrange a picnic with close friends and family members

If the weather is nice, you and the loved ones who have supported you in your journey could head out to a scenic spot for a picnic. Unless you are planning to include a lot of people, you don’t have to plan anything in advance. Just pack up a picnic lunch and go for a drive, enjoying the scenery along the way. You could combine the picnic with activities like hiking, fishing (if you have a permit) or some friendly sports activities.

What makes this a great way of celebrating sobriety is that you can include people of all ages, from babies to great grandparents. It provides a way of connecting with the people you love in a natural setting.

Host a dinner party

If it’s a more lavish celebration you’re after, invite some loved ones over for dinner. If cooking appeals to you, you could serve up your best dishes, but ordering in is also an option. Having dinner at someone’s home – either yours or someone else’s – removes the risk of being tempted to order alcohol at a restaurant. 

At the same time, you can still generate a sense of occasion by asking guests to dress up, and by laying out some decorations. For beverages, you could serve sparkling grape juice or come up with your own custom mocktail. 

Make a weekend of it

Make a weekend of it

Apart from why you should celebrate sobriety, perhaps you don’t want to celebrate your sobriety milestone with a group of people. Maybe you would rather have a private weekend getaway with a spouse or partner. This is the perfect occasion to dust off your bucket list and start checking off items. Is there some place in the country you’ve always wanted to go to?

If you do go away, choose your destination carefully. Avoid known “party spots”, and instead opt for a location that is quiet and scenic. To make your stay more relaxing, remember to ask the hotel to clear out the minibar before you arrive.

Attend a sports game

While some people relish the idea of celebrating their sobriety milestones, other people find it difficult. These anniversaries can serve as a painful reminder of their days of addiction, especially if they lost something important to them, like a relationship that could not be saved. If you are one of these people, the answer might be some good old-fashioned distraction.

Round up a friend or two – or several – and go to a football or baseball game. For a few hours at least, you can get caught up in the action instead of focusing on unhappy memories. To avoid the temptation of alcohol, attend college games. The athletes display a high level of skill, and many college venues do not allow alcohol.

How To Avoid Relapse During A Sobriety Milestone

Sobriety birthdays are a time for you to feel good about what you have accomplished, but for those who are still hurting, the risk of relapse can be higher. Even though you now know why you should celebrate sobriety milestones, you should remain careful.

There are a few things you can do to make it easier to enjoy your day without thinking about drugs or alcohol:

  • Pretend it’s your birthday. Blow out candles on a cake while loved ones sing to you.
  • Don’t celebrate alone, especially if this milestone is difficult for you.
  • Even if you have no intention on consuming alcohol, avoid venues that focus on alcohol consumption.
  • Attend your regular support group meeting and offer words of encouragement to someone who is newer to the recovery process.

Once you have celebrated your first sobriety milestone, don’t stop. Make every anniversary a special occasion. You have earned it, and you should feel proud of what you have accomplished.

Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: Don’t Relapse: The Comprehensive Guide to Coping With Addiction Cravings and Relapse

Categories
Addiction Recovery

8 Exercises That Can Help With Addiction Recovery

Addiction treatment is a multifaceted process that includes therapy and counselling, education, treatment for physical and mental conditions arising from the addiction, and specific exercises for addiction recovery.

If you are in doubt, exercise can actually help with your addiction treatment process. There are many addiction treatment benefits you can enjoy from exercising regularly. In this blog, we will show you why you should exercise during addiction recovery. More importantly, we will highlight the best addiction treatment exercises for your addiction recovery process. 

How Can Exercise Help With Addiction?

While exercise on its own is unlikely to be enough, its presence or absence can mean the difference between a recovery attempt failing or succeeding. Exercise has many proven benefits for the general population: for those with addictions, these benefits are amplified.

They include the following:

Physical health

Addiction can have some far-reaching impact on the body, and an important component of addiction recovery is the rebuilding of physical health. As the body regains some of its strength, the addict is able to focus more on the therapeutic elements of rehab.

addiction recovery

Mental health

Most forms of exercise release endorphins, which produce a sense of euphoria either during or after the workout. Physical activity is increasingly becoming an integral part of treatment plans for stress, depression and anxiety.

Distraction

One of the most challenging prospects faced by a recovering addict is learning how to handle cravings. For someone who is not accustomed to being sober, this can seem daunting. Exercise can provide the perfect distraction until the craving passes.

Increased energy

Although many people regard exercise as tiring, it actually serves as an energy boost. This is amplified by the fact that people who exercise regularly sleep better.

What Are The Best Exercises For Addiction Treatment?

In order for a recovering addict to be able to exercise regularly, they have to find a form of exercise that they enjoy. Trying to force a workout regimen that feels more like torture can be counterproductive. It is not sustainable, and when the person is not successful in that form of exercise, their self-esteem can suffer and they can be at risk of a relapse. 

In this section, we list eight exercises for addiction recovery. There is bound to be something on this list for everybody!

Go For A Run

Go For A Run

Running is a universal activity that almost everyone can do. All you need is a decent pair of shoes and a safe place to run. Running is great at generating that endorphin rush – a feeling that runners fondly refer to as “the runner’s high”. 

This is a great choice for those who are highly goal-oriented because there are many road racing events to work towards. By choosing a race that has a set date, you can then put together a training program that leads you to that race. Not only do you get the exercise and all of the health benefits that come from it, but you can also build structure into your life.

Take A Walk

 

If you are not accustomed to exercising, it is important to build up slowly in order to avoid injury and demotivation. Walking for as little as ten minutes a day can make stress levels start to drop, and as your physical fitness improves, those walks will get longer. 

A fantastic variation of walking is hiking. The great thing about this activity is that there are options for every skill level. If you have never gone hiking before, start with some easy trails, take it slow, and stop often to admire the scenery around you. All you need is hiking shoes and a bottle of water, and if the sun is out, some sunscreen. 

Go Swimming

 

Swimming is one of the few exercises that work every part of the body, but it does so in a way that is easy on the joints. If you are older, or if you have a medical condition or injury impacting your bones or muscles, swimming can be a great option.

Not only does swimming do good things for the body, being in the water is soothing for the mind. It can be like a balm that eases the mental anguish and stress that are often part of the addiction recovery process.

Take A Spin Class

 

If you prefer a fast-paced, high-intensity workout, spinning might be just the thing for you. Spinning is like aerobics on a bike and is usually done in a class format at a fitness centre. If group exercise is not your thing, you can spin on your own using a stationary bike at the gym or in your home. There are some great spinning apps that will guide you through the workout.

Spinning does not need a lot of skill, but it does require some degree of physical fitness. If you are new to spinning, there are some beginner workouts that will get you started. Many people find that the high-intensity nature of this exercise is a good way to release a build-up of stress, frustration or anger.

Learn To Dance

 

Dancing performs a dual purpose — it exercises the body, and it provides a creative means of self-expression. Since the beginning of time, cultures around the world have used dance to tell stories and impart messages. Many addiction rehab facilities incorporate dance in their treatment programs because it enables people to communicate their inner pain without having to talk.

Dancing is one of the few activities that can be suitable for anyone, regardless of age, creative taste and level of fitness. There are countless options for everyone from beginner to advanced, for those who want to dance by themselves, or in pairs or groups.

Do Some Yoga

You don’t have to work up a sweat in order to get exercise. Yoga provides you with a way to connect your body and mind while stretching and moving your body. There are many kinds of yoga, each with their own sets of benefits. This is an easy activity to take up, as options for all skill levels are increasingly easy to find.

Yoga is incorporated in many addiction treatment programs, often in conjunction with meditation. These are activities that can make you feel connected to yourself and to the world around you. Also, there are many benefits to physical and mental health, such as reduced stress and anxiety.

Join A Sports Team

Addiction can be very isolating, and recovery can be a lonely process. Sports teams provide a way to get exercise and be part of a group of people who are working towards a common goal. Even activities that are usually done alone can be done as part of a group: if soccer or basketball is not for you, look for a local running or hiking club.

Joining a sports team can be an important part of the post-rehab phase of addiction recovery. At a time when your life seems to revolve around avoiding relapse triggers and attending support group meetings, a sports team can give you a break. An opportunity to just enjoy participating in an activity.

Lift Some Weights

 

When done safely, weightlifting can provide numerous benefits to your physical health while burning away stress and negative emotions. You can do this activity in a fitness centre, or you can invest in some weights of your own, and do it at home. There are some apps and websites that can guide you through your workouts.

While weightlifting is one of the best exercises for addiction treatment and recovery, it is important to learn the proper techniques for lifting, to gain maximum benefit and avoid injury.

Final Words

Exercise is universally beneficial. No matter who you are and what your fitness level is, regular exercise has numerous benefits to the body and mind. Physical activity should not be regarded as something you do in addition to addiction rehab: it should be an integral part of your addiction treatment program. And when your rehab phase is over, the same exercises for addiction recovery can become a permanent part of your life. This will vastly improve your chances of lasting sobriety and positive, productive living.

Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: Best Winter Home Exercises To Maintain Your Addiction Treatment