Month: November 2020

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Addiction Treatment

How Long Does Addiction Treatment Take?

How Long Does Addiction Treatment Take?

Seeking treatment when you are suffering from addiction can be hard. You probably have thought of what your friends and family will say. More importantly, for most people, the question of how long does addiction treatment take is a big issue. 

Addiction and the path to recovery is a broad issue. There are so many influencing factors to consider. The variation in these factors means there is no single formula for addiction treatment. Your path to recovery from addiction will be most likely different from another person’s.

The timeline for addiction treatment varies from one facility or expert to another. Approaches are different, and your personality differs. This makes it difficult to estimate how long you should stay in rehab. However, there are ways around it. With the information in this blog, you’ll be able to estimate how long you will stay in rehab. 

This guide explores how long addiction treatment should take. Basically, we will start from the fundamentals of the problem, to what treatment is like and why you should opt for addiction treatment despite the obvious difficulties. To cap it off, we will also explore how long drug rehab takes as well as the influencing factors for this timeline. 

Everything You Need to Know About Addiction

You’ll probably find it strange that there are more cases of addiction than there are of diabetes. In fact, about 10% of the population in Canada is addicted to one substance or the other. While addiction is not a condition to desire, there’s no point to hate yourself over it. Teachers, plumbers, CEOs, and just about anybody can suffer from it.

Scientists classify addiction as a disease of the brain; just like asthma is to the lungs. This takes away the status quo of it being a moral failing. The presence of addiction in a person most times is beyond the control of the individual in question. Just like every other condition, it will need some continuous care and management till it wanes out.

What is Addiction?

Addiction Treatment

Addiction is complex. It’s a situation in which the brain is subject to compulsive usage of a particular substance despite its detrimental effects. Addiction, in a broader sense, refers to more than drugs. It refers to habits and activities you are not incredibly happy to do but you can’t seem to stop them. 

Addiction is something to worry about, as the brain is conditioned to indulge even though you know the damage it does. Addiction is a common scenario concerning drugs. The use of these substances forces the release of dopamine in the brain. The continuous use of the substance and the subsequent release of dopamine raised your tolerance level to dopamine.

Dopamine is a naturally produced substance responsible for feelings of excitement and pleasure. With the continuous use of the substance, your body gets used to dopamine. Hence, the average level of dopamine that causes you to get into high spirits becomes insufficient with time. Essentially, you start needing more and more of it. As a result, you start to depend on the substance that triggers the further release of dopamine.

There are several substances you can become addicted to. These include:

  • Alcohol
  • Marijuana
  • Opioid
  • Tobacco
  • Cocaine
  • Party drugs 
  • Prescription drugs.

Addiction to these substances can result in a distortion of your thinking. It can also alter bodily functions. The dopamine offers an intense craving for the substance. This is why it’s so difficult to stop.

Several factors may result in addiction. The specific causes vary from person to person. This is why for every individual, there is a difference in how long it will take to finish drug rehab in Canada. Most of the causes of addiction fall into any one of these categories.

Genetics

According to a study, about 40% to 50% of the addiction cases result from genetics. The study goes further to claim that there is a higher chance for the offspring of an addict to become one. 

The role of genetics here is not directly reflected in any addiction gene. It’s a result of environmental factors in the guise of exposure. Also, growing up with a view that the substance is normal can result in the offspring being addicted.

Classed under genetics is also gender. According to research, it’s more likely for men to become addicted to substances faster than women. Relapse is also at a higher rate in women than in men.

Stress

Stress

Stress is a common cause of addiction in both men and women. This stress can result from work or personal life issues like a bad marriage. This is one reason drug rehab recovery is difficult and best in a location away from home. 

Staying with your regular life and trying to recover from drug addiction may be impossible. Everyday life exposes you to stressors that may trigger addiction cravings. 

Experience and support

Experience is another major cause of addiction in people. Combining what you experience and the type of support you get can determine if you will continue with drugs or give up totally. 

When you lack a support system, it’s possible to slip into depression, leading to continuous addiction. When recovering, having a proper and functional support system is critical. Without it, you man fall right back into the cycle.

Symptoms of Addiction

More often than not, addicts disagree that they suffer from an addiction to a particular substance.  However, several symptoms come with addiction to substances. These symptoms can be psychological, social, and physical.

Psychological symptoms

These are the most common symptoms of addiction. When you notice any of these, you should know you are dependent on the substance or activity.

Inability to stop indulging

Whenever you are dependent on a substance or activity, you can’t seem to stop. Giving up becomes unsuccessful. Your will is most likely not enough here. For instance, heroin addiction can be very difficult to stop. This is because the substance is chemically addictive. Withdrawal may also be fatal.

Dependence on the substance despite health issues

When you notice that you can’t stop using the substance despite the health complications that follow, you are addicted. You should seek help.

Dealing with issues

If the substance is your go-to means to deal with issues, you may be addicted.

Social Symptoms

Addiction can also influence your social life, impacting how you relate with others and the other way around.

Sacrificing other activities

When suffering from addiction, you are most likely to give up other activities that once made you happy. This is because those other activities don’t release as much dopamine as you’ll want.

Secrecy and solitude

When you indulge in a substance or activity that you are addicted to, you tend to be more secretive and in solitude.

Denial

Most people with addictions tend to deny having such an addiction. They seem not to be aware of the dependence. Hence, they don’t seek treatment, as they think they can quit whenever they want to.

Physical Symptoms

Some of the physical symptoms of addictions include:

Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms

Whenever you don’t take enough of the substance, you may have some physical reactions. This drop-in level is known as withdrawal. These symptoms include:

  • Cravings
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Sweat
  • Trembles, etc.

Change in appetite

Some substances distort your appetite levels. For instance, abuse of marijuana increases your appetite, while the use of cocaine reduces your appetite.

Change in appearance

Abuse of substances takes a massive toll on your physical health. You may start to look dishevelled, haggard, and tired. 

How Long Will Drug Addiction Treatment Take?

There are different drug rehabilitation centers in Canada, each one running different programs. Also, how long a drug addiction program is, depends on your choice and budget. Generally, there are four main types of programs concerning duration. You can either go for the;

  • 30-day program
  • 60-day program
  • 90-day program
  • Extended program

The primary determining factor to use here is ‘long-term success.’ You should focus on a program that will be best for you. Your therapist will be in the best position to advise you. There is no fixed program. Over the next few paragraphs, we will highlight the factors that affect how long drug addiction treatment will take.

The withdrawal stage

For most substances, addiction doesn’t happen suddenly. There is a process that unfolds where you think you have control of your usage. From the first use to regular use, to risky use, dependence, and finally to addiction. A blurry line only separates the various stages. Hence, it’s challenging to know when to stop. Addiction creeps in, and it becomes very difficult to stop.

However, intense your addiction is, it can always come to an end. The process where you stop the use of the substance is called withdrawal. It’s a very difficult phase, but it precedes any drug rehabilitation process you want to take. You need to stop the use of the substance first. More importantly, it comes with withdrawal symptoms. 

The more intense your addiction is, the more intense these symptoms will be. Consequently, the longer it will take to get you into the right shape for drug addiction counselling and other addiction treatment options.

There is no cure for addiction

Some people may need 90-day drug addiction treatment programs. In the same vein, others may need a more extended addiction treatment program. The reason for this is there is no cure for addiction. This can affect how long addiction treatment will take.

There is simply no drug or vaccine you’ll take to stop addiction to a substance. As established earlier, addiction is a disease. You can only tackle it through a series of rehabilitation processes. You can either have a short or long term addiction rehab in Canada. It depends solely on factors and circumstances unique to your condition. 

Getting sober is different from staying sober

The possibility of a relapse is part of why the timeline for addiction treatment can get extended. Relapse is commonplace with addicts. 

You see, addiction recovery is a lifetime journey. Getting sober – withdrawal – is the first step towards complete recovery. After that, you have a lot to do to remain sober. Technically, you need to make lifestyle changes to be off the hook. Depending on how long it takes you to develop the tools you need to stay sober, the timeline for addiction treatment may increase. 

Related article: Top Sober Activities For The Weekend

There is no stone-set process to recovery

Each addict is unique, with unique circumstances. This is why committing your recovery to a specialist is best. From in-person consultations and discussions, the specialist will tailor a suitable process for your recovery.

However, the custom process for your addiction treatment may require more time for addiction treatment. As a result, perhaps the best place to get a response on the timeline for addiction treatment is from your therapist. Depending on the results of your initial consultation session, they will be able to give an estimate of how long addiction treatment will take.

You will need time for emotional healing

Withdrawal can be tough. Technically, with withdrawal, you are losing something that your brain finds so valuable. Hence, you need to be prepared to mentally and emotionally grieve the loss. Despite being a wise decision to give up the substance, your system will throw many tantrums, which you must prepare to weather.

There are several other facts to note. But they all point to the fact that it won’t be a comfortable ride back to normalcy. Part of how long drug addiction treatment will take is a function of your emotional healing process. Through, one-on-one sessions with your therapist, you’ll develop the tools necessary to heal emotionally. However, this process takes time.

Timeline for Addiction Treatment: Stages of Drug Addiction Treatment

There is no fixed timeline for addiction treatment. However, it is important to know that addiction treatment happens in stages. These stages combine to decide how long addiction treatment will take.

Break the addiction 

The very first stage of recovering from an addiction is accepting you are addicted to the substance. Once you realize this, the substance or addictive activity begins to make you sad. For instance, someone hung up on cocaine will get depressed and sad once they take the substance. 

The remorse is proof that you want to stop. Rather than experiencing this somberness, it’s best to see your treatment through. The time it takes you to come to this decision is a part of your addiction treatment.

You understand addiction better

By subjecting yourself to a professional provider of addiction treatment in Canada, you start to understand it better. This is a part of the reason for addiction counselling and group therapy sessions.

With a better understanding of addiction comes an increased ability and tendency to beat it. Addiction is a disease and by learning it, you will understand why you feel, react, or experience what you do. Furthermore, you will understand your triggers better and the efforts it takes to deliberately manage them.

You build new and better habits

The hallmark of addiction treatment is that you come back better. The community, the professionals, and your resolve all help you pick up better and healthier habits. Addiction recovery treatments can cause a total overhaul of your lifestyle.

Depending on how long it takes you to develop these new habits, the timeline for addiction treatment may increase. However, it’s worth it. Thanks to the treatment, you’ll be able to set better long and short term goals. You set goals for your relationship, your health, your job, and your personal life. All these culminate into helping you become a better person.

Your health gets better

Addiction to substances may create a temporary sense of ecstasy and relief. However, the damage to your health can be massive — in the long run. The accumulative effects can lead to irreversible conditions. Hence, the discovery and treatment of these issues are critical. 

The treatment of these health issues also adds to the timeline for addiction treatment. There is no limit to how long addiction treatment should take. In a sense, the journey to long-term sobriety is a daily one. To avoid a relapse, there’s a need to keep at it.

Building relationships

Building relationships

Addictions can cause you to withdraw from friends and family. This is due to the subconscious need to be alone. You want to be alone because you don’t want others to judge you. 

This veer away from friends and family, to prevent shame, can affect every area of your life. And since the substance has a firm grip on you, it becomes so hard to go back. Getting professional help eliminates this with time.

No matter how long it takes to finish drug rehab, the relationships you build during and after are worth it. When you are in therapy, you may be placed in a support group. You can also have a support group composed of your family members. In this case, you will get closer and intimate with them. The bond with the family can be wholesome and satisfying. You’ll be grateful for this in the long run.

If you are in a support group with other addicts, you get to make new friends. You’ll be surprised to know that the addict next to you may be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. With everyone vulnerable and growing out of the abyss together, you can quickly build credible friendships.

You get confident and love yourself more

The whole recovery process involves taking deliberate steps towards bettering your life. At the end of it all, you get used to consciously taking care of yourself. Hence, you come out looking healthier and at your best. In a way, sort of getting a new life, one that you’ll consciously treat with care. You become more confident with work, your finances, etc. You’ll most likely be known for the positive energy you’ll exude per time. 

Addiction and Therapy

The question of how long addiction treatment should take stems from the fact that therapy is a big part of addiction treatment. There are no prescriptions to follow. There are no drugs to purchase. Therapy is the primary way out of addiction. Therapy starts with your consultation with a specialist. The process is long, and you need the specialist to guide you through.

As said earlier, an attempt at withdrawal and recovery will take a toll on your physical and mental health. With the help of a professional, you can better manage the drugs and yourself. Therapy helps you identify your triggers, as well as build the skills necessary to manage them.

Some of the common addiction triggers include; stress, environment, social network, etc. Since everyone has a unique situation, you can’t rely on the recovery measures of another person. Your personalized therapy helps you identify what causes your problem and also proffer solutions. With proper counselling, it becomes easier to escape your cravings.

Therapy comes in two forms; individual and group therapy. With most rehabs in Canada, you’ll probably go through the two forms. You may start with individual therapy and advance to group therapy. In some cases, you can jump right into group therapy.

Final Take

There is no standard for how long addiction treatment should take. It all depends on what you can afford and your willingness to follow through with the treatment. This is why this article explains all you need to know about the timeline for addiction treatment. Call 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How Long Does Alcohol Withdrawal Take?

Categories
Holistic Addiction

Holistic Addiction Treatment: Is it Effective?

Holistic Addiction Treatment

Holistic addiction treatment is one of the advanced treatment options available in Canada. Recently, these holistic therapies have become increasingly more prevalent in promoting lasting sobriety and recovery. Contrary to some opinions that addiction recovery is a journey of uncertainty, several treatment options prove otherwise. A good example is holistic addiction treatment.

Generally, the holistic therapy notion presumes that a person’s consciousness is not limited to a particular area. Instead, it’s a sum total of the whole person. This includes your emotions or feelings, mind, and physical body. 

Naturally, the mind serves as the brain agent, with emotions or feelings as a connecting agent between the physical body and the central nervous system (the brain). Also, the process includes the spirit, which serves as the higher part of oneself. 

Holistic therapy aims to help you understand these connections between the spirit, body, and mind. Typically, this is attainable through several techniques. However, the main goal is to help you develop a powerful understanding of yourself at all levels. In some cases, this can help boost the individual’s self-esteem and awareness.

Generally, holistic therapy offers several benefits, and the services are efficient in aiding addiction treatment. Some of these include becoming fit physically, mentally, and emotionally while alleviating the influence of drugs or alcohol from your life.

At 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab centre, we are fully focused on helping residents in Canada and the USA get first-class addiction treatment. As a result, we have put together this comprehensive guide on holistic addiction treatment. In it, we discuss the benefits of holistic addiction treatment, why you should choose holistic addiction treatment, and what to expect from holistic addiction treatment.

What is Holistic Treatment?

Holistic addiction treatment is a form of therapy that targets addiction recovery in a comprehensive manner. This holistic approach to healing explores the compound nature of conditions like anxiety, depression, and addiction, etc. In essence, it ss a process that incorporates different techniques that focus primarily on the body and mind.

Additionally, this treatment responds to what most individuals see as more of a reactionary approach to health and well-being. Usually, most people treat addiction signs only, rather than finding, aiming, and treating the problem source. Or addressing the confluence of different contributing factors. Holistic addiction treatment works to correct this gap.

Most individuals who feel conventional medicine is a failure now believe in holistic addiction treatment. Holistic therapy offers hope because holistic therapists can understand the complex nature of their illness, dig deeper into the sources of the issue, and focus their treatment on the whole person, not just the apparent symptoms.

For instance, someone with chronic pain might come to a holistic therapist to explore possible psychological sources of their suffering. Stress and anxiety can contribute to chronic pain, and if an emotional issue or past trauma is the source of that stress, dealing with it can alleviate chronic pain to a certain extent.

It’s essential to remember that holistic therapy doesn’t necessarily leave out Western medicine. Instead, it can mean the inclusion of complementary techniques. While medication may indeed be part of a person’s treatment, a holistic approach may include other cognitive-behavioural therapy treatments to address unresolved issues and triggers, relaxation techniques, massage, and more.

Addiction is a complex disease. Aside from being psychological, it’s also physical and can even get worse. However, this depends on factors like an individual’s emotional state, mental health, environment, etc. So, it’s essential to find the best approach and treatment method for substance abuse treatment. This will help an individual suffering from drug abuse or alcoholism.

Substance abuse and addiction are serious problems that affect millions of Canadaian adults every year. It can be challenging to know the right plan of action to take when seeking treatment. Everyone is different and handles recovery in a somewhat different manner, leaving some to battle relapse.

Typically, no treatment program is one size fits all. Addiction manifests in several ways for different individuals. Generally, every individual needs a personalized approach to attain and maintain a sober life. With that, what works for one person may not work for another. 

This is why Addictions CA offers personalized holistic addiction treatment for our patients. Essentially, we find out what works and create a special holistic addiction treatment plan for each individual.

Related article: Addiction Treatment: Here’s Why You Should Celebrate Sobriety

Types of Holistic Treatment Schemes For Treating Addiction

Holistic addiction treatment comes in different forms. Some of the most common types of therapies and treatments a holistic recovery center may offer includes:

Yoga Exercise

Yoga Exercise

Yoga is a system of meditation routines that help to orchestrate human mindfulness with the divine consciousness. Also, Yoga is an art as well as science. It is a science because it offers practical techniques for controlling the body and mind, thereby making extensive meditation possible. It is an art, for unless it is practiced spontaneously and delicately, it will yield only partial results.

Although it may seem as if Yoga is just about putting yourself in a particular position and keeping it that way for a few minutes, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Yoga is effective in controlling your mind and connecting your body and soul. Yoga does not only help with addiction but also helps in maintaining your state of mind. 

Generally, people engage in Yoga to help lift their spirit and state of mind. This is one of the significant reasons why Yoga is a good fit for holistic addiction treatment. The breathing modulations and posture practiced during Yoga will help enhance your physical strength, relaxation, and spirituality. Practicing Yoga will not only help you but keep you mentally stable during addiction recovery. It’ll go a long way in your addiction recovery journey.

Yoga has been helpful to people recovering from their alcohol dependence and even to those who have a problem with drug dependence. Meditation and Yoga are useful for those who are determined to quit smoking cigarettes as well.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Currently, mindfulness’s holistic routine is referred to as being aware of your body and the ability to be fully present. In essence, mindfulness is simply dependent on meditation. There are walking, seating, moving, or even standing methods and patterns of practicing mindfulness.

In general, meditation aims at working on the wellbeing of your mind. This pattern of treatment is one of natural curiosity without judgment. It’s also hugely effective. Meditation helps with reducing stress and enhancing your ability to manage reactive behaviours.

So, when mindfulness and meditation practices work with traditional addiction treatment — these independent care approaches often last up to eight weeks. During this procedure, your therapist will aim at helping you with certain experiences such as cravings. 

Through this distinct process, individuals who participate will learn how to consciously recognize their subconscious state of mind. They will also be able to identify healthy ways to suppress these feelings instead of reacting with anxiety, stress, or depression.

The Acupuncture Therapy

The Acupuncture Therapy

This holistic and ancient practice of treating all types of addiction is continuously growing in recent years. With proven and effective treatment procedures, acupuncture therapy merges well with holistic treatment and offers more efficiency to the cause.

Naturally, acupuncture involves the use of very tiny needles that are placed strategically in your skin at pressure points in the body. This is designed to balance the flow of energy or life force through your body’s meridian points. Western approaches also claim that acupuncture can stimulate your nerves, connective tissue, and muscles to improve health and connection between the mind and body.

In general, acupuncture is a seemingly popular method of treating physical pain. Typically, it is a good recommendable sports treatment plan alongside massage. Once you complete some specific physical examination screening, the acupuncturist will recommend a treatment plan for you.

Exercise and Fitness

Creating a healthier body helps stabilize brain chemistry and reduce the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. This includes muscle weakness, weight gain, etc. Exercising three times a week for five or six months is effective in improving an individual’s overall wellbeing. In essence, most individuals who engage in such fitness schemes often record a decrease in substance abuse or total abstinence.

Also, while exercising, your body releases a chemical substance (endorphins) into your brain. This then creates natural happy feelings within you and thus relieves any sadness that can lead to cravings. Besides, you’ll feel more powerful and healthier as you work out. 

At our facility, we engage our patients in different exercise routines to build their minds and attain calmness. So, if you’re looking for an addiction treatment center in Canada, we offer comprehensive holistic addiction treatment at affordable pricing.

Biochemical Restoration

Struggling with drugs or alcohol can cause drastic imbalances in brain chemistry. However, it can also cause an imbalance in other physiological systems, such as:

  • Blood sugar
  • Hormones
  • Nutrition
  • Amino acids
  • Adrenaline, etc

Heavy metals and other toxic substances can build up in the body too. These require time and effort to flush out while keeping glands, the digestive system, and the circulatory system healthy. Some holistic drug detox and alcohol rehab programs offer laboratory tests to determine if those in recovery treatment need nutritional support. This includes additional vitamin and mineral supplements to reverse these imbalances. 

When the body has fewer nutritional deficiencies and fewer hormonal or blood sugar imbalances, cravings may become less frequent and intense. This can help you remain in recovery and avoid relapse.

Things to Know Before Holistic Addiction Treatment

Just like other addiction treatment techniques, holistic addiction treatment comes with its own peculiarities. Here, we’ve analyzed a few things you should expect during holistic addiction recovery:

Everyone has different characteristics.

Your recovery improvements cannot be the same as everyone else who’s in recovery. Similarly, someone else’s addiction recovery process may not work for you. This is because everyone you see has different traits and handles circumstances differently. The way your treatment improved according to a custom structured program mainly may be different from that of others.

However, your recovery pace will be pretty much reliant on how much work you put into it. Also, it depends on your physical condition, your psychological and emotional state of mind, your support network’s strength, whether or not you’re gainfully employed, your living conditions, and other factors.

You may meet someone recovering from a little stint of alcohol abuse and occasional smoking with no extreme issues. Whereas another may be a constant, long-term alcoholic who suffers from liver problems or other problems relating to alcoholism.

Indeed, you’re likely to come across individuals who have been going through the recovery process after treatment for similar mental health disorders and substance abuse. The bottom line is each person’s recovery will be unique.

Depression is common

Several people experience depression or the feelings of it during addiction treatment. Generally, this is considered to occur during the early stages of recovery. If allowed to get worse, it will interfere with your recovery process and your ability to partake in the treatment. 

Be Patient, Avoid Being Complacent

During recovery, complacency can be dangerous. It’s no news that addiction recovery is a long-term journey. So, it’s normal for addiction patients to become complacent over a long period. Especially when you’re going through the same routine daily, and it seems like there’s no improvement.

Know that holistic addiction treatment is not just useful but powerful. It takes consistency and time to heal up every damage you’ve caused to your body through addiction. Therefore, it’s better to be motivated and committed to your treatment plan to see the result manifest.

Benefits of Holistic Addiction Treatment: Is It Effective?

Holistic addiction treatment is hugely effective. Holistic therapies such as music, wilderness therapies, and art can offer several benefits for addiction recovery. This is even more effective when it flows alongside conventional substance abuse treatments. 

At Addiction Rehab centre, we provide a practical, integrated approach to substance abuse treatment that includes holistic and traditional treatment modalities. Here’s how holistic treatment is effective:

Holistic Treatment Offers a Complete-Body Approach

Holistic rehab programs follow the belief that treating the mind, body, and spirit is essential. This is the fundamental aspect of the therapy, and it can help you attain lasting recovery from addiction.

This type of treatment method allows you to explore the different ways substance abuse has affected your body. It starts from the physical strain on your body and its effect on yourself and the world around you. Holistic treatment will challenge you to look within yourself for, motivation, and the will necessary for long-term sobriety.

Holistic Treatment is Helpful for Stress Relief

Holistic treatments are beneficial in offering an effective yet natural way to relieve stress. Typically, this is useful in preventing addiction relapse and its side effects. Ultimately, stress is a regular trigger for people suffering from substance abuse. This is why finding an effective way to relieve stress is essential to preventing relapse and maintaining sobriety.

It Helps Introduce Individuals to Low-Cost Coping Activities and Skills

For people with substance abuse problems, one of the most common difficulties in therapy is the cost of addiction treatment in Canada. Although addiction treatment centers can become costly without insurance, several holistic treatments can help attain sobriety with less cost. 

With holistic addiction treatment, you tend to spend less as time goes on. This is because the more you commit yourself to the routine, the more it becomes part of you. As such, you can easily cut out outdoor exercise or fitness costs and practice your fitness routine indoors daily. This includes activities and skills like Yoga, using mindfulness skills, and engaging in healthy eating habits and holistic health exercises.

Makes You Become More Aware of Your Immediate Needs

Another benefit of holistic addiction treatment is that it helps you become aware of your own needs and feelings and the need to express them. For instance, here at 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre, our therapy sessions regularly allow members to discern how they feel during each session and talk about it.

Although many people find it difficult to know how they feel while interacting, they get better with time. Usually, it can be challenging to be self-connected when connecting with others. Nevertheless, continuous communication will help boost your connection with people and your environment.

It Helps You Become More Stimulated to Change.

Many people have been to therapy sessions ready to make a change with no approach or method. Sometimes, they find it challenging to figure out exactly how to get themselves to quit for good. 

In a holistic therapy setting, this isn’t something to worry about. You’ll be able to connect to your inner mind, soul, and spirit and understand how to control your reactions. Engaging in this therapy will help you overcome your fears and worries while becoming a new person. That way, you’ll become more motivated as you passionately work toward your goals.

Reduces The Risk of Relapse And Offers Long-Term Benefits

Reduces The Risk of Relapse And Offers Long-Term Benefits

Holistic therapies such as meditation and mindfulness practice have proven to provide a lasting benefit. This works for several problems common with people struggling with substance use disorders.

Other long-term advantages of typical holistic addiction treatments include:

  • It promotes healthy eating habits
  • It improves your ability to sleep
  • It helps establish a healthy fitness plan.
  • It is an outlet for stress relief.
  • It lessens substance cravings.

Conclusion

Ultimately, holistic addiction treatment is a beneficial technique for recovering from addiction. You can trust this treatment during the early phases of drug addiction treatment with a view to attaining sobriety in the long run. Also, engaging in continuous treatment while working with a professional therapist can help you move towards sobriety and boost your recovery chances.

We hope this article was able to explain in depth the benefits of holistic addiction therapy and why you should choose the treatment.  However, if you still have questions like, is holistic addiction treatment service effective? What are the benefits of holistic therapy, and how does it work? You can reach out to us for addiction treatment services in Canada. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: Top Sober Activities For The Weekend

Categories
Heroin Addiction

Heroin Addiction: The Obvious Signs to Look Out For

Heroin Addiction: The Obvious Signs to Look Out For

People find it hard to talk about their heroin addiction. However, there are obvious signs of heroin addiction that can tell you someone is battling with drug use. Most times, these people may not be sincere about their heroin use. They tend to believe they are not addicted to the drug. 

The more they believe they are not addicted, the more they get stuck to heroin. Most times, this leads to worsening symptoms and potentially deadly outcomes. Hence, it is very important to take note of heroin addiction symptoms. Early detection of these symptoms can save your life or that of a loved one. 

In this article, you will learn about how to recognize heroin addiction in yourself or another person. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, you will find out how to get effective treatment. There is so much to learn here. Let’s get going!

What is Heroin? 

Heroin is an opioid drug. It is made from morphine, a natural substance found in the seed pods of opium poppy plants. You can find these plants in the southeastern and southwestern parts of Asia, Colombia, and Mexico. Heroin is usually found as a white or brown powder. It can also be in the form of a black sticky substance called black tar heroin. 

On the streets of Canada, heroin is also called H, smack, hell dust, horse, junk, black tar, dope, or snow. Heroin addicts usually take the drug by injecting it into their bloodstream. They also sniff, snort, or smoke it. Some people mix heroin with cocaine. This mixture is also known as speedballs. 

Heroin addiction

What is Heroin Addiction? 

Before going into the signs of heroin addiction, it is important to understand what it is. Heroin is a very addictive drug. When you take it, it binds to opioid receptors on your cells, especially those controlling feelings of pain, pleasure, heart rate, sleeping, and breathing. 

Besides relieving pain, heroin causes your brain to release endorphins. This will cause you to experience happiness, euphoria, and highness. Addicts find it hard to let go of these feelings and keep going back to the drug to experience it. 

When you use heroin often, your body’s tolerance for the drug increases. This increased tolerance level means you usually have to take heroin frequently or take higher doses to feel the desired effects. 

With continued heroin use, you will develop a substance use disorder. You will find it difficult to do without the drug and believe you are incomplete without it. Typically, you will begin to experience health and societal problems. Most of the time, most heroin addicts find it hard to meet their obligations and responsibilities. In fact, this is one of the signs of heroin addiction.

The problem with heroin addiction is that you may not even know you are addicted. However, if you notice changes in your lifestyle habits or physical characteristics, it may be a sign you are hooked on the drug. In the next section, we will highlight the signs to look out for.

How to Recognize Heroin Addiction

It is easy to sense signs of heroin addiction in another person. Some of the early symptoms of heroin addiction come with behavioural changes. They may have mood swings, lose interest in things, or withdraw themselves from others.

Being able to recognize these behavioural signs of heroin abuse early is important in dealing with it. Generally, the symptoms of heroin abuse can be behavioural or physical. 

Behavioural Symptoms of Heroin Addiction

You are prone to experience changes in your behaviour once you become addicted to heroin. This is because the drug will alter your normal lifestyle. 

Therefore, if you notice these lifestyle changes in yourself or a loved one, it is a sign of heroin addiction. Some of the behavioural changes you may experience due to heroin use include:

Inability to Meet Your Obligations

Heroin addicts find themselves so hooked on the drug that they forget about their obligations. All they worry about is how to satisfy their cravings. Most times, addicts spend their time using the drug and getting over withdrawal symptoms. Hence, there is no time for anything else. 

Loss of Interest

One of the signs of heroin addiction is a sense of apathy and disinterest in activities. You become uninterested or motivated to do things that used to make you come alive. You also struggle to make decisions or remember things you set out to do. 

A Drop in Performance

Heroin addicts, like most drug users, struggle to keep up with their academic or job performance levels. You may find yourself sleeping in class or at work and unable to carry out assignments. This usually leads to low grades or unemployment. 

Relationship or Marital Problems

One of the signs of heroin addiction is the development of relationship issues between the addict and their partner. Different levels of conflict will arise in the relationship, causing fights, separation, or divorce. Addicts also struggle to relate well with their friends at work or school.

Financial Problems

Heroin addicts spend all their money on buying the drug. They continue to buy more quantities to satisfy their cravings. Some addicts will end up borrowing money to acquire the drug and run into debt. 

Withdrawal from Society

A heroin addict enjoys spending time alone and away from society. Sometimes, they prefer to be alone to hide away their addiction. 

Mood Swings

Mood Swings

Heroin may cause you to have unusual mood swings. One moment you are happy. The very next moment, you are sad and depressed. These mood changes likely occur when you are battling with withdrawal symptoms of the drug. 

Engaging in Risky Acts or Behaviours

One of the signs you’re using heroin comes with the feeling of euphoria and invincibility you get. These feelings can sometimes drive addicts to engage in risky behaviours they would typically avoid. Some of these behaviours include DUI, unprotected sex, thuggery, stealing, etc. 

Poor Personal Hygiene

Heroin addicts struggle to keep up with their hygiene. They hardly take their bath or brush their teeth. They spend most of their time locked indoors, dealing with withdrawal symptoms and barely able to care about their wellbeing. 

If you notice any of the behavioural changes described above, it’s time to get help. Here at Canada MedLaser, we offer professional heroin addiction treatment that will get you clean. More importantly, we will help you develop much-needed tools for long-term sobriety.

Related article: The Long Term Effects of Heroin Abuse

Physical Signs of Heroin Addiction

Physical Signs of Heroin Addiction

Besides affecting your behaviour, heroin also affects your physical wellbeing. Hence, if you believe you or a loved one is addicted to heroin, you may have to go beyond looking for behavioural changes. For one, the person may find it easy to hide the changes in their behaviour. However, the physical changes will be visible for all to see. 

The physical changes you may suffer from heroin use usually occur quickly. After injecting it into your bloodstream, the drug-induced euphoria occurs rapidly. However, if you take the drug through other means, you don’t get that feeling immediately. Instead, it comes with physical symptoms that include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Small Pupils
  • Watery eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Drowsiness
  • Itching Skin
  • Lack of Self-control or coordination
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Memory loss
  • Feeling Heavy
  • Slurred Speech
  • Irregular or slow breathing

If you are observant, you may also find needle marks on the hands of heroin users. However, most people wear long-sleeved dresses to cover them up. 

Effects of Heroin Use

When you use heroin, you may experience the following short-term side effects:

  • An initial feeling of euphoria
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Flushed or itching skin
  • Slowed heart rate
  • Feeling drowsy for long hours.
  • Heavy limbs
  • Clouded thinking

You may also experience some atypical symptoms of heroin addiction. These atypical symptoms usually occur when you take adulterated heroin. These symptoms can last for a day and may last even longer. They include:

  • Anxiety
  • Palpitations
  • Tremors
  • Chest pain
  • Headache

What If I Overdose on Heroin? 

Sometimes, heroin addicts may take a high dose of the drug. They do this because they wish to enjoy the highest form of euphoria or highness that heroin gives. This behaviour is dangerous and can lead to death. Some of the symptoms associated with heroin overdose include: 

  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Yawning
  • Depression
  • Heightened drug cravings
  • Aches in the legs, back, and other parts of the body
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Runny nose
  • Nausea and vomiting
  •  Diarrhea
  • Heart attack

Medical Effects of Heroin Addiction

If you are addicted to heroin or know someone showing signs of heroin addiction, it is important to seek help immediately. For one, you run the risk of contracting infectious and viral diseases like HIV, Hepatitis, etc. This happens when you share needles or use unsterilized needles to inject yourself with the drug. 

Persons using heroin over an extended period may harm their organs. You see the ong-term use of heroin can damage the liver, kidney, and heart. It also leads to a depletion of the immune system, making addicts prone to infections. 

When you use heroin in conjunction with other drugs or additives, there are medical risks involved. It can cause your blood vessels to coagulate and clog. When this happens, it results in heart attacks, permanent organ damage, and strokes. It can also lead to death. 

Pregnant mothers who take heroin can experience miscarriages. Mothers who abuse heroin are likely to give birth to underweight babies. A mother who abuses heroin may give birth to a baby who is physically addicted to the drug. The baby will likely suffer neonatal abstinence syndrome. Hence, the baby will undergo detoxification and withdrawal after delivery.

With all these signs of heroin addiction in mind, it is important to find treatment for your addiction. Before we go into detail with treatment, let’s discuss the withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction.

What are Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms?

When you become physically dependent on heroin, or after taking a large dose of the drug, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms usually begin 6-12 hours after you use the drug. The symptoms reach their peak after a day or two days. They eventually clear out after about 5-7 days. 

There is no given timeline for withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes it can last even longer, especially for long-term addicts. Some of the common withdrawal symptoms related to heroin use include: 

  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Yawning
  • Dysphoria or bad mood
  • Diarrhea
  • Irritability
  • High sweating
  • Blurry vision
  • Dilated pupils
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • High blood pressure
  • Runny nose
  • Restlessness
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Body Aches
  • Cravings for drugs. 

Now, that you are conversant with how to recognize heroin addiction, let us learn how to get treatment. There are several treatment options available in Canada.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

How Can I Treat My Heroin Addiction? 

The first step towards getting treatment for heroin addiction is realizing you need help. If you don’t accept you need assistance, nothing can change your situation. It begins with you. Once you accept you need help, you can enrol for addiction treatment. 

You don’t have to wait until it is too late before getting treatment. Once you notice signs of heroin addiction, seek professional help to deal with it. There are many centers available where you can treat your addiction. The best centers have treatment types tailor-made to satisfy your needs. 

There are various types of addiction treatments. Some of them may involve taking medications. These medications will help you deal better with the withdrawal symptoms. Some other treatments involve behavioural therapy. Here, you will learn how to control the negative thoughts or behaviours leading to your heroin addiction. 

Other treatments may inculcate wellness and well-being programs. Some others will need you to join support groups to ensure you limit the risks of having a relapse after recovery. Let us take a look at the various types of addiction treatments available. 

Medication

Some medicines can help you to deal with the withdrawal signs of heroin addiction. The drug lofexidine, which does not contain any opioids, helps to reduce symptoms of withdrawal. There are also drugs like buprenorphine and methadone. 

They reduce withdrawal symptoms and your heroin cravings. Naltrexone is a medication that blocks opioid receptors in the brain. This way, it stops opioids like heroin from affecting you.

Outpatient Treatment

This type of heroin addiction treatment involves you visiting a treatment facility and going home after treatment. With this heroin recovery program, you can carry out your daily activities while receiving treatment. 

The intensity level of outpatient treatments varies depending on the patient. However, they will include the following: 

  • A period of detoxification, which is the removal of heroin from your body. 
  • Medication, if necessary and appropriate, to help you deal with withdrawal symptoms. 
  • Group therapy. 
  • Individual therapy.
  • Relapse prevention therapy and education. 
  • Continued support after treatment and recovery. 

Inpatient Treatment

This is also called residential treatment or rehab. In this type of treatment, you will have to live in a residential facility for the duration of treatment. People who tend to struggle with relapse prefer this treatment. It helps them avoid distractions and focus solely on recovery. 

During their time in inpatient rehab treatment centers, patients receive close medical supervision from professionals. They also come in contact with other patients passing through similar circumstances. Hence, they always have the support they need from medical staff and patients. Patients get to share their experiences and learn from each other while they recover from their addictions. 

Some of the features you will find in inpatient treatment centers include: 

  • A safe and secure recovery environment.
  • Supervised detoxification from symptoms of heroin addiction. 
  • Support from other patients and medical staff throughout recovery. 
  • Supervised medical treatment. 
  • Individual therapy.
  • Group therapy. 
  • Therapeutic activities like meditation, exercise, yoga, dancing, sports, etc. 
  • Family therapy and outings. 
  • Family weekends. 

These activities vary depending on the rehab facility you register with. Good treatment centers will always provide you with the necessary care you need to get over your addiction and live a normal life. 

There are luxury residential treatment centers where patients get extra therapies and activities. These luxury rehabs operate similarly to standard inpatient centers. However, patients also get access to special activities like spa treatments, horse riding, swimming, yoga, art therapy, etc.

Behavioural Therapies

Outpatient and inpatient treatment centers inculcate behavioural therapies as part of heroin addiction treatment. These behavioural therapies include contingency management and cognitive behavioural therapy. 

With contingency management, you will earn points for testing negative for heroin. Your negative test shows you stayed away from the drug and are staying sober. You can exchange the points you earn for items. These items will encourage you to continue with a healthy lifestyle as you recover from your addiction. 

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a treatment designed to help modify an addict’s expectations and behaviours in relation to heroin use. The therapy checks to find the root cause of your addiction. It also trains you to cope with things that stress you. Therefore, you manage these stress factors adequately without letting them cause a relapse. 

Support Groups

Support Groups

During and after your heroin addiction treatment, it is good to join support groups. These support groups are not substitutes for treatment. Instead, they act as a great source of encouragement and support to addicts during and after treatment. Most members of these groups share similar experiences, channelling them to help one another. 

Some examples of support groups include: 

  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • Narcotics Anonymous
  • Cocaine Anonymous, etc. 

These are the most common support groups. They function based on self-help groups like the 12-step programs. Most treatment centers advise their patients to join these groups. With these groups, you, as a recovery patient, will get the communal support and encouragement you need to remain sober. 

Besides these groups, it is also essential to have close friends and family members encouraging you to go on with treatment. It is easier said than done to go through heroin addiction treatment, but you can scale through with the right support system. You also need support to remain sober after your recovery to avoid a relapse. 

In the worst-case scenario, remember that a relapse is not the end of the world. You need to get back on your feet, analyze why you relapsed and take measures to avoid a repeat occurrence. If you need to go back to a treatment center, do so. If somethings are causing you to relapse, cut them off. 

The journey to sobriety is long and filled with ups and downs. Hence, it’s vital for you to have a clear mindset of what you wish to achieve. That alone should be your focus. 

Now That You Know The Signs of Heroin Addiction

Having reached this point, you should be able to tell the signs of heroin addiction. You are now able to recognize addictive behaviours and symptoms better. You also understand the terrible effects heroin has on your body. Hence, you know you need to seek help if you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms. 

Finding help with your heroin addiction treatment starts with you. If you accept you need help and are ready to treat your addiction. It is a step in the right direction. The next step to take is finding a treatment service that suits you.

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

Related article: Cocaine Withdrawal: What To Expect

Categories
Marijuana Addiction

How to Recognize Marijuana Addiction

How to Recognize Marijuana Addiction

Are you wondering how to recognize marijuana addiction? Are you or a close friend or relative showing symptoms of marijuana addiction? Well, you may never be too sure unless you can recognize the symptoms of addiction. 

Not everyone understands the adverse health effects of abusing marijuana. This is because there are no active studies or education about the side effects of cannabis consumption. However, the one thing we can be sure of is that cannabis usage is widespread.

According to a survey on marijuana and cannabis consumption among adults in the past three months in Canada, 24 percent of Canadians between the ages of 15 to 24 consume cannabis. While Canadians aged 25 to 34 who abuse marijuana amount to a total of 25.6 percent. From this, it’s evident that cannabis usage is prevalent among young adults compared to older adults.

Typically, marijuana possesses a stunning reputation for being somewhat harmless. However, marijuana, like any other drug, can lead to addiction. Medical professionals refer to this addiction as — marijuana use disorder. 

Although, marijuana is medicinal and also useful for recreational purposes. However, continuous usage or consumption of cannabis may lead to addiction. But knowing the symptoms of marijuana abuse is the first step in finding out your addiction status.

Furthermore, the first step towards any addiction recovery is accepting you have a problem with alcohol or drugs. Generally, it’s tough to be fair when judging your personal drug use or someone you love dearly. 

Typically, your close friend or family may exhibit the symptoms of marijuana addiction or abuse. Also, symptoms of weed abuse often relate to behavioural changes, physical and behavioural changes.

In a nutshell, marijuana addiction combines a whole lot of social, physical, behavioural, and psychological symptoms. Aside from being exclusive to every individual, these signs can also vary accordingly. For instance, it can vary based on the frequency at which you consume marijuana. It can as well vary by your consumption method or the strength of the marijuana. 

Ultimately, long-term or consistent use of marijuana can lead to dependence and addiction. Also, it can affect your mental and physical health negatively. Due to this, we at 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab centre have put together tips on how to recognize marijuana addiction and the treatment for marijuana addiction. Before we proceed, let’s take a look at what marijuana addiction is.

What is Marijuana Addiction?

Marijuana Addiction

Typically, marijuana is a psychoactive substance capable of altering your perception. It contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary chemical compound that stimulates its effects. Furthermore, the effects of marijuana may vary from person to person, depending on the mode of consumption.

A medical professional can easily diagnose marijuana addiction in an individual. However, it’s noteworthy to know that its addiction possesses a significant adverse risk on the individual’s life. People can cultivate a mental dependence on cannabis in the same way they do with other addictions.

When a person uses marijuana, cannabinoid receptors present in the brain become active via the neurotransmitter known as Anandamide. Tetrahydrocannabinol then blocks and mimics the actions of natural neurotransmitters like Anandamide. This extends to the point where your body no longer generates enough Anandamide on its own. 

Ultimately, it reprograms your brain to require marijuana to feel normal. When you finally decide to stop giving your body more THC, withdrawal symptoms then kick in. This is a result of a lack of Anandamide in your body. Typically, wanting to quit marijuana usage but not being able to quit is one of the top indicators of marijuana addiction.

Generally, Sativa and Indica are the two (most prevalent types of cannabis plants around. However, the differences between Sativa and Indica cannabis strains vary and are many. Compared to Indica, Sativa strains have different kinds of effects on the mind and body. However, both possess distinct medicinal advantages.

Differences Between Sativa and Indica

Sativa and Indica

Generally, the usual perception is that Cannabis Indica makes the body high, while Cannabis Sativa often causes the brain high and hyperactive. However, the actual difference between Sativa and Indica is in terms of classification. Ultimately, the two are subspecies of the genus cannabis.

No matter what type of high you desire, both strains are capable of being medically beneficial to you. Indeed, marijuana is a complex plant. However, its ability to create feelings of relaxation, sedation, and calm and boost your energy level is why people choose weed.

Furthermore, sativa is endemic to hotter climates and closer to the tropics in places like Eastern Asia. On the other hand, Indica is more endemic to areas with much colder temperatures. Notably, these climatic differences give the strains their apparent appearance

Related article: Clearing the Smoke on Marijuana: Is It Harmless After All?

How To Recognize Marijuana Addiction

Now that you know the different strains of marijuana, the next step is how to recognize marijuana addiction. This addiction is an insatiable desire to use cannabis no matter the negative outcome. This may mean spending unnecessary funds on affordable drugs or getting high at work. In general, most individuals battling marijuana addiction don’t feel normal unless they are high.

Here’s how to know if a loved one is abusing marijuana: 

Consuming Excessive Cannabis

Generally, for every individual who uses cannabis for recreational or medicinal purposes, there’s a preset dosage. Failure to adhere either by wanting to take more or not getting to your satisfactory level shows you’re getting closer to addiction. 

Smoking the whole joint when you intend to take a few hits is a sign of addiction. Contrary to most people’s belief that such an act is a sign of prowess. In fact, in the world of treatment for marijuana addiction in Canada, it means a whole different thing. Cannabis addiction is like a portal that leads to other seemingly dangerous addiction problems.

If you’ve been taking more hits than necessary or than you’d like, then it’s better to seek professional help. At Addiction Rehab centre, we offer professional marijuana addiction treatment in Canada at an affordable price.

Inability to Slow Down or Stop Using Marijuana

Maybe you’re working on a new job or school project. Or perhaps your health status demands cutting down on marijuana usage. Either way, there are several reasons why you may need to cut down on cannabis usage. 

This is normal. Nevertheless, the problem arises when it’s nearly impossible to cut down your cannabis usage. If it’s evident that you can’t do without taking a daily dosage of marijuana, you have an addiction. Also, your situation may require getting an expert addiction treatment in Toronto or its environment.

How do you rate your conduct at work? Poor, Average, or Good? Do you feel your marijuana use is affecting your work life? For instance, maybe you already have a sack-warning because you keep showing up at work super high again  If, in such a situation, you still can’t find a way to cut down your marijuana use. If you continue to consume marijuana against all odds, you’re developing self-sabotage behaviour. Accordingly, this is one of the signs of marijuana addiction.

Spending Too Much Time High

One of the top ways to recognize marijuana addiction is how much time you spend being super high. Typically, how you spend or manage your time is a significant indicator of your marijuana addiction status. If you can stay without weed for days, you may have less to worry about. 

Nevertheless, if you spend most of your time getting high, this is a significant danger alert. Cannabis is not a substance you should depend on, nor is it a substance you can dedicate excess time to. Seek professional support ASAP!

Less Physical Activity

Less Physical Activity

Generally, lack of physical activity is one of the typical ways to recognize marijuana addiction. Therefore, to decide whether or not you’re suffering from addiction, evaluate your daily activity. 

Normally, individuals suffering from addiction to marijuana often replace their recreational and physical activities with getting high. Most times, they tend to stay high all day long, thus having zero room for physical activities like exercise, etc.

Do you feel your daily routine is slowly moving away from all recreational and physical activities to getting high all day? Well, if that’s the case, it means you’re addicted to cannabis.

Facing Relationship and Lifestyle Problems

Another sure way to recognize marijuana addiction is your conduct. Facing issues caused by your mode of conduct is a significant sign of marijuana addiction. If you tend to get high on weed every time, you may lose control of yourself while being with a friend or partner. 

As such, you may begin to lose close friends and family and even your partner with your increased temperament. So, if your obligations and conduct are being altered by weed, then it’s time to quit. 

For example, getting high every single time can make you raise your voice on your sweet loving partner. It’s better to put a stop to everything to avoid sabotaging your relationship. However, if you find it challenging to do so, then it is a sign of a broader problem.

Using Weed as a Coping Technique

Using cannabis as a personal coping mechanism is a complete dangerous step to take. There is no world in which marijuana is ideal as a coping technique. Additionally, the solution to relationships and work issues is never to get high. There are other healthy ways to resolve lifestyles and relationship issues.

Evaluate your behavioural pattern. Some times, a sign of marijuana addiction is craving for a hit or a joint when facing real-life problems. Most individuals often feel the only way of dealing with academic, work, or relationship issues is getting high. If that’s the case with you, then you may be suffering from cannabis addiction.

Dependence on Weed for Creativity and Relaxation

Typically, there is no specific study that convincingly proves that marijuana can trigger creativity in you. In the same vein, weed as your only source of relaxation isn’t ideal even though it possesses medicinal properties that help relaxation. 

One of the symptoms of weed addiction is the inability to relax or sleep without smoking. Furthermore, if marijuana is a significant part of your creativity period, you may have an addiction without knowing. Also, be aware that marijuana doesn’t contribute in anyways to soothing demeanour.

Using Marijuana as a Determining Factor on Your Outings

Generally, casual or recreational smokers can decide to attend events without thinking of getting high. However, the reverse is the case for individuals battling marijuana addiction. 

Most addiction treatment professionals in Toronto agree that addicts often choose events based on whether there’s a chance of getting high or not. If you feel the same way while deciding about your outing, you may be addicted to weed.

Ignoring Your Daily Activities

We all have that one important task we must complete daily, no matter what. However, an addiction to weed may lead you to neglect these crucial responsibilities to get high. In some cases, you may be suffering from a motivational problem. In other cases, you may have an addiction to cannabis without knowing.

So, if you’ve crucial responsibilities daily but unable to see them through like before, you may need to see an addiction expert. Most times, people who experience such issues always have their minds fixed on getting high regardless. However, this issue often occurs when someone experiences psychological addiction to THC or motivation problems.

Marijuana Withdrawal and Tolerance

Marijuana Withdrawal and Tolerance

Typically, the continuous use of cannabis often leads to tolerance, just like any other drug. This means your system requires more and more as much as you keep taking the same drug. Therefore, if you’re already feeling unsatisfied with your current level of marijuana use, it means your system is building tolerance to it. 

As such, if you start experiencing tolerance or withdrawal symptoms, you may have a marijuana addiction. Typically, some common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, irritability, loss of appetite, etc.

How Long Does Marijuana Remain in the System?

When you consume or introduce weed to your system, there are factors determining how long the weed will remain in the system. An example is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical in marijuana that makes people feel “high.” Although THC’s effects wear off within a few hours of ingesting cannabis, traces of the chemical can remain in the body for weeks.

Smoking weed sparks an exhilarating interaction that leaves a lasting impression in both a literal and figurative sense. Even after consuming marijuana, Cannabinoids and their byproducts remain detectable in the body and often stay well after the sensation wears off.

Although drugs such as alcohol may disappear entirely from the body a few hours after consumption; however, weed lingers much longer. Drug tests can detect Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, urine, blood, and hair for up to 90 days after use. Nevertheless, saliva tests can only detect THC for a few hours. This is because of the way the body metabolizes THC.

When you smoke weed, THC enters your bloodstream through the lungs. It then moves through the bloodstream directly to the heart and thus circulates throughout the body. Hence, it binds with the CB1 receptors located in the brain, specific organs, and central nervous system. It also binds well with the CB2 receptors in the spleen and immune system. This way, THC gets circulated throughout the body system.

What are the Side Effects of Marijuana Addiction?

Just like any other medicinal product or even drugs, side effects are almost inevitable. This is common with perhaps everything. Below are some of the side effects of marijuana;

  • Mood swings
  • Slower reaction time
  • Fatigue
  • Couchlock
  • Anxiety
  • Lack of coordination
  • Cottonmouth
  • Slurred speech
  • Reddish eyes
  • Dizziness
  • Increase in appetite
  • Lack of coordination, etc.

What are the Possible Treatment Options for Marijuana Addiction?

Knowing how to recognize marijuana addiction is the first step to seeking redemption. As marijuana use is growing by the day, either for recreational or medicinal use, the addiction rate in Canada is growing as well. 

On average, adults seeking treatment for cannabis addiction may have used weed for nearly 8 to 10 years. Furthermore, most of them have also tried to quit smoking or consumption of weed more than six (6) times already.

Below are a few treatment options for marijuana addiction:

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

This is a form of psychotherapy session where you learn different behavioural strategies. Most importantly, you’ll learn techniques to recognize and correct your questionable behaviours. This will help boost your self-control, quit drug use, and address several other issues that often co-occur with them.

Contingency Management

This is a therapeutic management pattern based on regular monitoring of a particular trait or behaviour. It also includes the removal (or provision) of concrete, positive rewards when the trait occurs — or does not.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy

This is a systematic approach to addiction treatment intervention. This approach is specifically designed to create swift, internal changes. In most cases, the therapy doesn’t attempt to treat the individual. Instead, it mobilizes internal resources for growth and obligation in treatment.

Generally, the sooner you start your rehab and therapy counselling for marijuana addiction, the better. Getting ahead of your addiction can significantly alleviate the overall treatment and counselling required. Also, it reduces the likelihood of other substance exposure, drug issues, or risky behaviours. This will decrease the adverse effects substance abuse will have on your lifestyle.

What To Do If You Recognize Marijuana Addiction

With this guide, you can now identify different indicators of marijuana addiction. At 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab centre, we have experts with years of knowledge and experience understanding marijuana addiction and its behaviours. If you or your close friends or family is battling with addiction, check out our marijuana addiction treatment services in Canada. 

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

Categories
Prescription Drugs Addiction

Tips to Help You Prevent a Prescription Drug Addiction

Tips to Help You Prevent a Prescription Drug Addiction

Are you a patient suffering from prescription drug addiction? Or you have someone showing symptoms of severe prescription drug addiction? Well, several tips can help prevent prescription drug addiction, and we’re ready to help you discover all of them.

In general, prescription drug addiction can happen to anybody, from teenagers to older adults. Furthermore, it comes with a number of negative side effects. In some cases, your psychological well being, career, relationships, and finances may hit rock-bottom.

There are many reasons that can cause prescription drug addiction. Some individuals misuse prescription drugs to cover up emotional issues. As such, the major health conclusion is that you aren’t aware of how to deal with your psychological and emotional issues. Thus, you tend to keep living with these drugs.

As a patient under medication for any diseases, illness or infection, getting a drug prescription is normal. However, several stories show that patients can experience addiction to these drugs. For instance, a patient undergoing body pain treatment can experience addiction to painkillers.

Naturally, humans tend to believe what works for illness A may work for illness B that is somewhat similar. However, the reverse is the case, as this may lead to prescription drug addiction. 

Prescription drug addiction is a ravaging issue in nearly every race, socio-economic demographic, and community in Canada. Notably, its effect comes with no limitations whatsoever, and it’s hitting every corner of Canada.

At Addictions CA, we believe no addiction is incurable, and as such, we’re ready to support you in this journey. The first step is to understand what is prescription drug addiction and how to prevent prescription drug addiction. This will equip you with the proper knowledge of prescription drug abuse, its symptoms, side effects and treatments.

As such, this article will discuss the tips on how to prevent prescription drug addiction, signs, and effects of prescription drug addiction. Before that, let’s take a look at what prescription drug addiction is.

Prescription Drug Addiction: What is it?

Prescription Drug Addiction

Generally, prescription drug abuse refers to the improper usage of medications in an unintended manner. Prescription medication abuse or problematic use incorporates everything from the abuse of drug prescriptions to habitual usage. Right from injecting or snorting ground-up pills to treating a backache with your friends or using your partner’s prescription painkiller, it all falls under an addiction.

Regardless of the adverse effects, drug abuse can still become compulsive and ongoing. A ravaging problem about prescription drug addiction is that it can affect all ages, including teens. In general, stimulants, sedatives, anti-anxiety medications or opioid painkillers are some of the most abused prescription drugs.

Fortunately, early recognition of abuse symptoms and swift intervention can help prevent prescription drug addiction. Typically, this type of addiction involves people developing a total dependence on prescription drugs. 

Often, individuals tend to misuse drugs once the drug proves useful. Most people misuse it by taking higher doses than recommended to achieve a more significant result. Usually, this is contrary to the doctor’s prescription. Increasing dosages or continuously taking the same medication over a long period usually cause tolerance. Also, it neutralizes the substance’s presence in your system.

Additionally, tolerance usually reduces the effects of the drug. It also minimizes the delirious feeling from a lower dose. As a result, you’ll end up needing a larger quantity to attain the same high. In several cases, misusing prescription drugs usually happens due to a spontaneous pursuit of the delirious feeling some medications provide to people.

The moment your body builds a tolerance, resisting the urge to take the drug will become more difficult. Furthermore, drug dependence often happens when your central nervous system becomes accustomed to the drug. Increasing the drug dosage as well can influence drug dependency over time.

Related article: Why do People Get Addicted to Prescription Drugs

Prescription Drug Addiction: What are the Common Types?

At our facility, we can treat different types of prescription drug addictions. However, it’s essential to fully understand that the types often determine the symptoms you may exhibit. As such, each type can also affect individuals in distinct ways.

Generally, it is possible to misuse any prescription drug. However, the effects and properties of certain medications increase the possibility of misusing it. 

Here are the three most common types of prescription drug addiction:

The Stimulants

Stimulant drugs are generic medications that influence an individual’s energy and alertness. Basically, these drugs are often useful in treating fatigue, ADHD, tiredness, and depression. These types of medications include Ritalin, Dexedrine, Concerta, and Adderall.

Typically most prescription drugs within this category can result in euphoria, thus causing you to increase the dosage. Ultimately, stimulants often raise your heart rate and blood pressure upon consumption. As such, you are consuming excessive amounts of stimulants that can lead to heart failure or irregular heartbeat. 

Also, these prescription drugs come with several side effects during withdrawal. Examples of such adverse effects include depression, irregular sleep patterns, inability to sleep, fatigue, etc.

The CNS Depressants

CNS depressants usually slow down the brain’s functionality. It can also affect individuals by producing a drowsy or calm feeling. CNS depressants are commonly known as tranquillizers or sedatives. 

Generally, these depressants are usually applicable in treating panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and other related issues. The major components include benzodiazepines and barbiturates like Xanax, Librium, and Valium. 

Furthermore, unnecessary or excessive use of this type of prescription drugs can result in addiction or total dependency. If an individual uses less medication or stops abruptly to justify benzodiazepine withdrawal, it may result in seizures. In worse case scenarios, this type of seizure can result in death.

The Opioids

The Opioids

Generally, opioids are a specific class of prescription drugs known by several other names. Examples are Codeine, Morphine, OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Vicodin, and morphine. In general, these drugs are prescriptions to help boost psychological management during treatment by removing the brain’s sense of pain.

This is typical because the drugs possess pain relief capabilities. Also, these drugs boost the body’s natural release of dopamine. Thanks to these euphoric feelings, it is easy for most people to develop an addiction to this prescription drug.

Typically, these medications are safe as it is in their prescription. However, they can become disastrous when used in excess or in high doses. Also, consuming a large quantity of these drugs can result in death or respiratory failure. To cap it off, the danger these opioids pose become even more significant when used with alcohol or other substances.

Tips to Prevent Prescription Drug Addiction

There are several tips to prevent prescription drug addiction. However, below are the most effective ones to incorporate into your daily routine:

If You Can, Get an Alternative

Several health conditions have prescription drug options with a somewhat lower risk for addiction development. For instance, there are non-stimulant alternatives for the treatment of ADHD. Generally, ADHD-specific non-stimulants, like Kapvay (clonidine ER), Strattera (atomoxetine), and others, are particularly formulated to treat disorders.

Seemingly, certain blood pressure medications can also help some people control ADHD. This is because many of these have the same active ingredient as the aforementioned ADHD-specific non-stimulants. Some antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline (Aventyl), and desipramine (Norpramin), are effective in managing ADHD by helping to alter the balance of chemicals in the brain. They’re also helpful for people who have ADHD and comorbid depression, anxiety or another mood disorder.

Are you looking for CNS (central nervous system) drug alternatives, such as sleep or anxiety disorders? Try out chamomile tea. You can aim for one to three grams of Omega-3s every day.

Basically, the first step to preventing addiction to prescription drugs is to try non-addictive alternatives. Only use addictive drugs as a last resort. 

How About Massage for Muscle Pain?

Most patients live with pain, hoping to get a day or two off to visit the doctor for a painkiller prescription. However, if you are looking to prevent prescription drug addiction, you can turn to a massage today. In 2008, the American Massage Therapy Association made it clear that about 21% of adults in the US got at least one massage in the previous year. 

Whereas approximately 25% now relied on massage therapy sessions to relieve physical and internal pain symptoms at least once in a lifetime.  As one of the world’s oldest pain relief practices, a massage helps promote serotonin productions. This serotonin serves as one of the system’s anti-pain hormones, thus alleviating pain from your body. 

Also, massaging can improve the amount of deep restorative sleep you attain. This can help you decrease pain immensely. These benefits may be enough to reduce your need for prescription opioids.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

So far, the behavioural approach is one of the best tips for preventing prescription drug addiction. These therapies have been very effective in helping patients of different drugs and conditions respond to withdrawal. Naturally, patients may find it very hard to comply with the treatment processes. However, support from family and friends will help you scale through without difficulties.

As a part of prescription drug addiction treatment, the idea behind behavioural therapy is to help you manage your body’s feelings and thoughts. If you can successfully learn this, you can easily control how your body responds to external forces or pain. Overall, one significant aspect of a successful cognitive behavioural therapy scheme is to provide pain relief for individuals.

Other aspects of a successful CBT scheme includes:

  • Encouraging active behaviour towards solving problems
  • Applying CBT skills outside treatment sessions to ensure the perfection of the skills.
  • Nurturing life skills, such as coping or survival mechanisms.
  • It provides you with the right confidence booster to keep up with work stress and social life.

Try Acupuncture

Try Acupuncture

In general, acupuncture is a seemingly popular method of treating physical pain. Typically, it is a recommendable sports treatment plan alongside massage. Once you complete some specific physical examination screening for starters, the acupuncturist will recommend a treatment for you.

After that, you will lie on a table while the acupuncturist places some precise needles gently on the affected spots. The needles will remain there for about 20 to 30 minutes for accurate results.

Naturally, individuals react to treatment differently. So, some people may describe the process as relaxing while others may feel it’s not. 

Ultimately, acupuncture has proven to be effective in alleviating several conditions, such as:

  • Acute bacilliary,
  • Allergic rhinitis,
  • Leukopenia,
  • Hypotension and hypertension,
  • Morning sickness,
  • Fetus malposition correction, etc.

However, acupuncture is not for every individual. For some specific patients, the process may be too risky. This includes patients with pacemakers or those with a high risk of developing skin infections, or pregnant women.

Replace Painkillers with Yoga

Yoga is a system of meditation routines that help to orchestrate human mindfulness with the divine consciousness. Also, Yoga is an art as well as science. It is a science because it offers practical techniques for controlling the body and mind, thereby making extensive meditation possible. It is an art, for unless it is practised spontaneously and delicately, it will yield only partial results.

To many, it may seem as if Yoga is just about putting yourself in a particular position. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye.  Yoga is effective in controlling your mind and connecting your body and soul. Yoga does not only help with addiction but also helps in maintaining your state of mind.

Consider Whether or Not You Need Medications

Generally, it’s better to heal naturally sometimes rather than having to use drugs every time. To avoid resistance to a particular medication, be sure you do need the drug before taking it. 

Always take your medication according to your prescription. It’s essential you ask yourself some questions before pushing for a refill:

  • Are my symptoms getting worse to disturb my functioning?
  • When and how do my symptoms happen?
  • Do these symptoms have any traceable triggers?
  • Is there a way I can alleviate these symptoms by changing my routine lifestyles?

Ultimately, some prescription drug classes are not ideal for long-term usage. This is because of their possible addictive potentials. 

For instance, your doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine such as Valium (diazepam) or Xanax (alprazolam). However, these drugs contain strong sedative properties that are often meant for short-term usage. These are some of the reasons why you should be sure before refilling your medications.

How to Recognize Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug addiction is simply the use of prescribed medications in a way that doesn’t follow the doctor’s prescription. In several cases, this type of substance misuse becomes static and compulsive. This can prolong for a long time despite the negative effect on your psychological and physical wellbeing. 

Naturally, the symptoms of prescription drug abuse vary by the kind of prescription drug in question. For an individual who abuses pain relievers (prescription opioids), they will have no feelings for pain on an average level. Such people may complain of nausea or even look for constipation remedies.

However, breathing may become slow unnaturally if an abuser nods off from prescription drug usage. Also, someone who uses pain relievers regularly even when nothing seems wrong may experience a nasty fall out during withdrawal. Examples are chills for days, vomiting, diarrhea, bone and muscle pain, etc.

Besides, an individual abusing benzodiazepine is typically using sleeplessness and anxiety treatment drugs. Alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam (Ativan), Triazolam (Halcyon), and Diazepam (Valium) all fall into this category. These drugs are very addictive and pose a considerable threat to withdraw from without medical support.

Here are some of the common symptoms of prescription drug abuse:

The Psychological Deterioration

In general, some substances provoke stronger psychological reactions than others. Examples are cocaine, somewhat affecting the production of dopamine in the brain during withdrawal and usage. 

With prescription drug abuse, one symptom is to look out for is the decline of your mental health. Additionally, this may manifest as you becoming seemingly unconcerned or despondent. Furthermore, you may appear to be aggressive or irritated with everything.

The Legal Problems

Addiction frequently takes over in an individual’s life, slowly moving up their priority list despite its negative impact. An individual suffering from addiction to hostile prescription drugs may resort to crime and illegal activities. An example is someone who purchases Xanax illegally, thus leading to police and law enforcement issues.

The Physical Deterioration 

Naturally, it’s normal to see individuals suffering from addiction increase their neglect of themselves steadily. Notably, this often happens once the significance of taking substantial prescription medication increases. As such, the abuse of drugs like prescription opioids may result in sudden and significant loss of weight.

Treatment for Prescription Drug Abuse

Generally, it’s essential that you avoid entirely prescription drug usage or abuse once you begin your treatment. This is because going through the process half-heartedly may result in partial or total relapse. 

Firstly, we will want to understand your addiction fully. This includes your life outside the drug, when and why you take the prescription drugs, and other relevant information. We will then assess your drug history and evaluate your physical and psychological well-being. This way, we will be able to know if there are other underlying issues that need attention.

Below are a few options for prescription drug addiction treatment in Canada: 

  • Going through therapy,
  • Going through medication to help with 
  • Attending self-help groups,
  • Developing prescription medication alternatives such as Yoga, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, etc.

Conclusion

Generally, there are several tips to prevent prescription drug addiction. Sometimes, even with these tips, it may be difficult to prevent the abuse of prescription drugs. 

Prescription drug addiction can be challenging to experience, just like any other addiction. You may find it difficult to admit that you have a problem. You see, most people who abuse prescription drugs never complain of an addiction. 

However, once you recognize the signs of prescription drug addiction, it’s better to seek help immediately. Defeating the embarrassment or shame that you feel because of addiction is a significant step towards recovery. 

Also, a therapy session, being with loved ones, one-on-one counselling, or a self-help group, can help you overcome addiction. Be aware that failure to treat prescription drug addiction may result in further life-threatening problems.

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

Related article: What Are The Signs Of Prescription Drug Addiction?

Categories
Amphetamine Addiction

Amphetamine Addiction: What Are The Causes?

Amphetamine Addiction: What Are The Causes

If you are wondering what the causes of Amphetamine addiction are, you have come to the right place. Perhaps you are beginning to feel a strong dependence on Amphetamines. This is not a strange thing, as many people get addicted to Amphetamines.

Substances such as Amphetamines are important drugs. However, using them against the doctor’s prescription can lead to abuse. Abuse sets in once you start using it without a prescription. Also, if you find it difficult to stop amphetamine abuse, it is likely that you already have an addiction.

Although addiction is a serious issue, it is not without treatment. Understanding the causes of Amphetamine addiction will give you a grasp of the treatment you need. It will also help you to know the different addiction stages and what to do at each stage.

This article discusses how you can recognize Amphetamine addiction. We take a look at the factors that encourage amphetamine addiction. It also considers the treatment options and every other thing you need to know about amphetamine addiction.

What is Amphetamine Addiction?

Amphetamine Addiction

Amphetamines are drugs for stimulating the central nervous system. If you are hyperactive or you have a sleeping disorder, Amphetamines are the go-to drugs. As a stimulant, it causes the user to experience some excitement and a sense of alertness.

There are two common components of Amphetamines you should know about. They are methamphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Of the two, methamphetamine is commonly abused. You will sometimes find people selling them illegally. In fact, Canada ranks among the top 10 countries that use Amphetamine stimulants the most.

Since it’s a stimulant, those in the mood to party often abuse the drug. They take the substance so they can dance and party for hours without feeling fatigued. It gets you high, and you have lots of energy to spend.

However, after the “highs” come the “low.” Abuse of Amphetamines can get you high only for so long. When the effects fade, it will erupt a feeling of dejection and sadness. This may lead you to take the same drug to avoid the sad phase.

If you are not careful, constant use will lead to addiction. Amphetamine dependence happens when you cannot function without taking the drug. The clincher is that painful withdrawal symptoms will come if you stop using the substance. Often, when people experience withdrawal symptoms, they end up going back to the substance.

Types of Amphetamine

Various medications contain Amphetamines. Some may contain one of the components, while some others may contain the two. The following are common types of amphetamine which people commonly abuse.

  •    Dexedrine
  •   Adderall
  • · Vyvanse

Dexedrine

You can also treat ADHD with Dexedrine. It is a stimulant medication that contains dextroamphetamine, one of the components of amphetamine. Using Dexedrine enhances focus and provides the user with more energy. Dexedrine may be stronger than Adderall because it contains dextroamphetamine. 

Since it’s a strong stimulant, young adults and teenagers often abuse it. Some students take it under the assumption that it helps them focus on their studies. Situations like this can lead to regular use of the drug, which slowly slips into addiction.

Adderall

Adderall medication

Adderall is a medication that is essentially used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.  This medication increases the alertness of people with this condition, thereby addressing the problem. It causes the release of certain chemicals in the brain, which improves your concentration.

As a result of this, Adderall can be easily addictive. Little wonder it falls under the category of prescription drugs that are being used for illegal purposes. Other drugs that fall in this category include opium and cocaine. Evidence asserts that the number of Adderall users has drastically increased since 2000 by almost 3000%.

Abusers of Adderall use it in different forms. Some grind it and snort. Others crush it, mix with water, and use syringes to inject it in themselves.

Vyvanse

This is also a prescription drug. It is a stimulant that helps to deal with hyperactivity disorder. Vyvanse specifically addresses the problem in children above the age of 6 who suffer attention deficit. The fact that it’s for children, however, doesn’t mean people have not abused it.

The drug has a likelihood of causing addiction. As such, if you use it improperly, you can begin to form a strong connection with it. Some side effects of its abuse include nausea, weight loss, vomiting, and increased heart speed.

Related article: What Is Methamphetamine Addiction?

When Am I Abusing Amphetamine?

Amphetamine is a stimulant that often comes in the form of prescribed drugs. You begin to abuse it when you start to take it against the advice of your doctor. Some people use these drugs as they desire without paying attention to its side effects.

Once you start to abuse the drug, there are some behaviour patterns you will begin to exhibit. The good news about amphetamines is that you can easily identify the symptoms. Spotting these symptoms indicate that you are already abusing the drug. The common symptoms include talking excessively, loss of sleep, and poor appetite.

You can also begin to experience some physical symptoms as a result of the abuse. This includes dilating pupils, increased body temperature and blood pressure. Unchecked abuse will slowly lead you into addiction, after which complete dependence begins.

You can also begin to get aggressive and agitated. You suddenly become restless and feel like doing something. If you are using amphetamines and you experience these, abuse has probably set in. At that point, it will help if you enroll at an amphetamine addiction treatment centre near you.

You should know these drugs readily have the potential to cause addiction. As a result of the “high” effect which they produce, dependence is a possible result. This is why they remain prescribed drugs administered by qualified personnel with adequate experience. Using these drugs because they make you feel good will do more harm than good.

If you are a young adult, you likely fall within the category of potential users of amphetamines. Studies show that young adults are under the perception that the drug helps with their creativity and focus. This accounts for one of the causes of amphetamine addiction. People pass on this unguided belief and consequently encourage the use of amphetamines.

Worldwide, amphetamines have become the second most abused drug by young persons and adults. If you take medications containing amphetamines, you have to do so according to a prescription. This is the only effective way to check whether or not you are abusing the substance. A disregard for a prescription is an invitation to abuse and, consequently, addiction.

Causes of Amphetamine Addiction: The Risk

Various factors can cause amphetamine addiction. These factors indicate that there are certain conditions when you can be at the risk of amphetamine addiction. Sometimes, your environment makes you susceptible to abusing substances. These factors include:

  • Stressful lifestyle
  • Suffering any form of anxiety disorder, bipolar, depression, or schizophrenia
  •  Can easily access amphetamines

Stressful Lifestyle

If you have a stressful lifestyle, there is a high chance you may resort to amphetamines to improve your focus. You can start using it so it can stimulate you. However, this may slowly become a regular thing, especially if you use it without the doctor’s prescription.

As such, you have to pay attention to what substance you use. Know the components of the drug you take and always make informed choices. If, after using a medication, it strengthens you and improves your alertness, you need to be more careful. Operating a stressful lifestyle can make it convenient for you to be addicted to amphetamines.

If You Have A Condition

If you suffer a disorder such as bipolar, schizophrenia or depression, you likely will want to feel better. You won’t want to experience your “down” in a sober state. As a result, you may resort to using amphetamines to stay energetic and erase worries. This may work temporarily, but it will gradually lead to abuse.

The period when you are dealing with a condition is when you need to keep a close relationship with your doctor. Using substances to feel good can only serve you for a short period. When it becomes an addiction, you may find it difficult to drop the habit.

Easy Access to Amphetamines

One of the causes of amphetamine addiction is having easy access to it. When you can conveniently get the drug, you stand a high risk of using it at will. Today, several young adults can purchase amphetamines illegally. This increases the possibility of abuse and addiction.

These three conditions increase your dependency risk. Therefore, the best way to prevent abuse is to ensure you prevent an unchecked use of amphetamines.

What are The Effects of Amphetamine Abuse On Your Health?

Dependence is the result of the arbitrary use of amphetamine. Once you are dependent, you can no longer do without the substance. But dependence is not the only result of amphetamine abuse. There are health risks you should know of.

Heart Problems

Heart Problems

Amphetamines serve as stimulants and, as such, increase the speed of the heart. When you use it, your heart beats at a faster rate and pumps blood just as fast. This may be a normal thing for a healthy person. However, if you have a heart condition, amphetamines can be of serious concern to your health.

As a stimulant, amphetamines may lead to a blockage of your arteries. This increases your risk of getting heart disease. The blockage of the arteries limits the blood flow that goes to the heart. This may cause heart tissue to die. This kind of heart problem is not one that goes when the “high” comes down. A damaged heart tissue will remain damaged even when you become sober.

Amphetamines are also notorious for cerebrovascular complications. That is, the substance increases the rate at which you can have a stroke. If a person, however, already has a stroke, using amphetamine increases the chances of death.

Amphetamines may even cause more complications when combined with alcohol or other substances. You may want to experience an extreme level of being “high.” If this leads you to mix amphetamine with something else, the health risk associated becomes even bigger.

Short-term effects

Regular use of amphetamines creates a pattern. You begin to increase your doses and also mix with other substances. Maybe this helps you party hard and stay energetic. But what happens when the party’s over?

Amphetamines also lead to other short-term negative health effects. If you use amphetamines to adjust your mood, it will soon start to have negative effects. Such effects include being restless and irritable. Your hands may also begin to shake, and you may cry in severe cases.

You may start having panic attacks. Loud sounds scare you and you begin to lose yourself. This may go one for a short while before you get a hold of yourself. These are some of the short-term effects Amphetamine abuse has on your health.

Amphetamines May Affect Your Mental Health

Some people try to use amphetamines to fight their disorders. This remains one of the most common causes of amphetamine abuse and dependence. However, this often leads to more problems. When addiction sets in, it affects your mental health and puts you in bad shape.

If an amphetamine user readily has a mental condition, amphetamines will only complicate the condition. Common problems include hallucinations, depression, psychosis, violence, and suicidal behaviour.

Effects on Cognitive Abilities

Using higher doses of amphetamines can affect your cognitive orientation. The levels of dopamine in the brain can rise abruptly leaving behind adverse effects. Overuse can lead to a reduction in your cognitive ability, and you may start to act sluggish. It can also cause a breakdown of your muscles.

May Cause Fatalities

The above health risks are enough to establish that an amphetamine addiction can be dangerous. Regardless, it is important to consider whether amphetamine leads to fatality. 

In worst-case scenarios, death may result from cerebral hemorrhage or high blood pressure crisis. Similarly, Amphetamine abuse can complicate pre-existing conditions.

There are different causes of amphetamine addiction. However, you are duty-bound to exercise care when taking drugs. It is always advisable to follow prescriptions, so you don’t develop an addiction.

Is There Treatment for Amphetamine Addiction!

Amphetamine can lead to several addiction problems for users. Once you become dependent, you may have to see an expert become free again. It is quite common for those at withdrawal stages to feel the urge to go back. 

Although amphetamine addiction can be severe, it is not without treatment. Through treatment programs and therapy, you can begin to live free from substance use. The following are the essential steps you need to take towards getting professional Amphetamine addiction treatment.

Acknowledging the Need For Treatment

The first step to treatment is accepting there is a problem. Once you acknowledge you have an addiction problem, it becomes easy to submit yourself to the addiction treatment program.

Addiction Assessment

After acknowledgment, you can visit an addiction rehab centre. This is the place where you will discuss the addiction problem. 

Here, an expert will attempt to understand the causes of your amphetamine addiction. Whether it’s your environment or other factors. At this stage, you will have to discuss the reasons you started using the substance with your therapist.

Discussion is necessary for treatment. Because for treatment to be comprehensive, the expert must have the accurate details of your addiction. So, do not feel shy to talk. An addiction treatment centre is a safe space where you can discuss your addiction challenges.

Remember, a comprehensive treatment model must help you to learn coping mechanisms. These mechanisms will sustain you and prevent you from going back even when you feel an intense urge.

Drug Counselling

Counselling understands the need for a step-by-step process in treating addiction. The eventual goal is to help you completely become free from amphetamines. However, counselling starts by helping you develop strategies to manage difficult situations in-between.

A counsellor seeks to understand the causes of your amphetamine addiction. After that, the counsellor then begins to help you build your self-esteem, so you don’t see drugs as a “messiah.” During addiction counselling, you will challenge unhelpful behaviours that lead you to substance abuse.

Under this process, you will go through a series of psychotherapy and group sessions. The focus of these sessions will be both on your recovery and your self-esteem.

Drug Counselling

Medical Assistance for Withdrawal

Causes of amphetamine addiction can vary. As such, the intensity of the addiction can be different based on the causes. It is possible that you may require medical assistance and support during your withdrawal stage. This is necessary if you find it extremely difficult to stay away from the substance, even for short periods.

Effective medical support will provide you with a safe environment. You will enroll in a detoxification program which will help you to remove all the substance in your body. The program will also provide support to reduce any symptoms that can take place during withdrawal.

Detox programs can last for different periods. The length of time is based on your level of amphetamine addiction. If it lasts long, you will continue to enjoy a 24/7 support service.

After a successful detox program, you will proceed to therapy sessions. The therapy session will further strengthen your understanding of the causes of amphetamine addiction. It will also help you learn ways you can prevent relapses.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation comes after detoxing. Detoxing helps you to remove all traces of the substance from your system. On the other hand, rehabilitation helps you to understand the cause of your amphetamine addiction.

To achieve the desired result, rehabilitation is tailored to serve your needs. No two rehabilitation programs are the same. Here at 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre, we consider every patient with their peculiarities. The goal of doing this is to give you a personalized experience.

One of the major aims of rehabilitation is behavioural therapy. An effective rehabilitation process includes group therapy, in-person counselling, and motivational interviews.

A rehabilitation program will help you build life skills that you can leverage to live a great life. It will also help you learn activities you can pursue post-rehabilitation. Some rehabilitation programs may also include family programs. The family programs help you to reconnect with loved ones and rebuild damaged relationships.

Overall, rehabilitation programs will help put you back in a good state of mind. The aim is to make you better than you came. After you are done with rehabilitation, you should become completely free from Amphetamine abuse.

To Sum it Up

It is difficult to identify specific causes of amphetamine addiction. However, some factors make you more susceptible to the use of amphetamines. These factors may be your environment or the nature of your lifestyle. Whichever is the case, the use of amphetamine can lead to addiction and accompanying side effects.

This article helps you to understand how to recognize amphetamine addiction. It also discusses the causes of amphetamine addiction and the right approach to treatment. 

If you are experiencing Amphetamine abuse and dependence, don’t fret. No doubt, addiction can be a severe issue. However, with the right attitude to treatment, you can regain your life once more. 

We have a team of experts who are not only understanding but also qualified to treat Amphetamine. More importantly, you have access to world-class facilities that will boost your treatment. Reach out to us to gain back your freedom.

Related article: Signs Of Amphetamine Addiction

Categories
Knowledge and Insights

How Intervention Helps Your Loved One Overcome Addiction

How Intervention Helps Your Loved One Overcome Addiction

Living and watching a loved one rot away in addiction is hellish. Help is needed – everyone knows that but the person with substance abuse disorder. These individuals are usually in denial of their problem and refuse to seek treatment. They also often do not see or understand the adverse effects on their health and behavior and how it affects the rest of the family. In many cases, the only hope rests on successfully staging an intervention to stop the addictive habits.

Addiction is a growing concern. In 2012, the Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey showed 21.6% of the population (roughly 8 million people) meets the substance abuse criteria. By far, the most abused substance is alcohol, followed by cannabis, hallucinogens, and stimulants.

Talking to a person struggling with addiction is necessary – and can be impossibly challenging. In this case, you need a more focused approach in intervention, which may involve professional help.

What Is An Intervention?

Intervention

A person struggling with addiction – as alluded to, is not likely to seek help. You can work around that denial by engaging the services of a licensed drug or alcohol counselor. Under the guidance of an intervention specialist, a plan could be carefully formed to help the loved one understand the consequences of substance abuse in a non-threatening, positive way.

During an intervention, you and the interventionist explain the negative impact of destructive behaviors on family and friends in a manner that is not degrading. A viable detox and comprehensive rehabilitation program are presented, including the processes or steps involved and goals. The plan also includes actions to take in case the offer to help is rejected.

An intervention is not limited to family members. It may also include other people, such as friends, who care for the person suffering from addiction. Every person involved should make a conscious effort to stay on topic. Spontaneity should be avoided, as this may result in blaming and accusations. Hurtful words, for example, can lead to refusal of treatment when blurted out.

When Should You Intervene for a Loved One?

Counseling a loved one addicted to drugs or alcohol is not an easy thing to do. One reason for that is you may not know what to say. It also does not help when the addicted person denies or refuses to acknowledge the problem. Without help, the dependency can only get worse. Once you see these signs, then you know it is time for an intervention.

Psychological Symptoms

Unable to stop. Drug and alcohol dependency eliminates any form of self-control and discipline. The cravings are irresistible, resulting in the continued use of the addictive substance.

Ignoring health. Repeated use despite health problems. A smoker, for example, will keep smoking even after developing lung disease.

Handling problems. For many people struggling with an addicting substance, it becomes a means to cope with stress and problems. Instead of facing an issue head-on, it becomes a refuge – a safe place.

Obsessed with securing a stash. Instead of spending time with family and friends or staying productive, an addicted individual spends more time and energy trying to find ways to obtain more drugs or alcohol.

Taking risks. The craving for addicting substances may be too intense, leading to risky and reckless behavior that includes criminal activities to obtain money to buy more drugs or alcohol.

Physical Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms. When the substance level drops due to not being able to drink or use, addicted people can experience constipation, diarrhea, sweating, seizure, or trembling. The cravings can also lead to uncharacteristic behaviors, with some resorting to violence.

Eating habits. Changes in appetite might occur. For example, cannabis use can cause munchies (eating more). On the other hand, drugs like cocaine reduce the desire to eat.

Contracting a disease. Frequent smokers may develop respiratory problems or lung cancer. Excessive alcohol drinking damages the liver, while injecting drugs could damage the veins and arteries.

Disrupted sleep patterns. Insomnia, for example, can be caused by withdrawal. Drugs such as speed and ecstasy can make a person go sleepless for several nights.

 

Deteriorating physical appearance. An addicted person may neglect personal hygiene, appearing disheveled, tired, and haggard.

Increasing tolerance. Once the body develops a tolerance to a substance, consuming more to attain the desired effects might result in an overdose.

Related article: Addiction Is a Lot Like Heart Disease, So Why Are We Not Approaching It The Same Way?

Social Symptoms

Sacrificing activities. Giving up on activities they used to love is indicative of a dependency problem. Refraining from going out with friends, for example, if there are no drugs or alcohol.

Secrecy. Addicted people are more likely to consume drugs in solitude. They appear to be withdrawn and may stop meeting friends or joining social activities.

Denial. Even though some addicted people may admit to using drugs or drinking alcohol, they do not see themselves as having an addiction problem. Usually, they think – with conviction – they can stop anytime.

Excessive consumption. Some substances – opiates and alcohol – might be consumed in excess. Even if they experienced the severe effects of overdosing, that would not stop them from future substance abuse.

Hidden stashes. Addicted people are likely to hide their choice of substance and drug paraphernalia in different parts of the house, where they could not be discovered.

Financial issues. Because of the need to ensure a steady supply, some addicted people may divert funds, sacrificing household necessities. It is a costly habit that could lead to financial difficulties.

Legal issues. Aside from committing a crime – steal money to buy alcohol or drugs – some people who are too intoxicated and suffering from impaired judgment may cause a scandal or resort to violence.

How Does Intervention Work?

The processes involved in an intervention begins with getting guidance, planning, and conversing with the addicted loved one in need of help. Generally, these steps are:

1. Get Help and Organize the Intervention Team

There is no shame in seeking help. A social worker or doctor might be able to provide guidance. As an option, you can also contact detox and rehab facilities as they have the expertise and experience to help people suffering from addiction recover. While your loved one needs help, you also need the support of professionals, other family members, and close friends. Together, you form the core of the intervention team.

2. Make a Plan

An intervention is a highly emotional situation. The highly-charged atmosphere is a powder keg waiting to explode. Because of the potential for betrayal, resentment, and anger, you and the rest of the intervention team should set aside time to make a comprehensive plan of action.

Your strategy should include when and where to talk to your loved one, how it will work, and every person’s role. For example, friends can be tasked to keep the discussion focused on the problem rather than emotional responses. In other words, they should diffuse tense situations, letting you and other family members continue to provide assurances of your love and support throughout the recovery process.

In the case of a successful intervention, each person should be willing to provide support in one way or the other. During detox, rehabilitation, recovery, therapy, and support group meetings, everyone could offer or take turns accompanying.

3. Gather Information

You and the rest of the team members should try to find out the extent of the problem. Find out what treatment options there are and make an initial arrangement for enrollment. Dig deeper too to make sure that the detox and rehabilitation program is suitable for your loved one’s personality. Once you find a treatment facility, they can provide you with more information.

4. Make Impact Statements or Notes

Every person in the intervention team has a personal relationship with the person suffering from addiction and has experienced negative impacts. And that means everyone has something to say, and this should be written down.

An impact statement is personal and details how a particular behavior has caused harm or hurt. Putting these in writing helps your loved one understand that personal struggles also affects other people. These statements should be emotionally honest and full of love and assurances – no blaming or personal attacks.

5. Set a Boundary or Decide on a Consequence for Refusal

One of the most challenging things you and every team member has to do is decide on the consequence of refusal to accept treatment. Are you going to be an enabler, which causes far more harm? Everyone has to be on board and be clear with your addicted loved one that there is a consequence for refusing help.

6. Rehearse

Emotions run high during an intervention. Hence, before sitting your loved one down, try to think through the whole process and rehearse. You can talk about possible scenarios with the rest of the team and have an appropriate response. Practicing beforehand lets each person know when to speak and what to say for a smoother discussion flow.

7. Manage Expectations

Manage Expectations

If you have watched some of Dr. Phil’s shows, they could not prepare you for what is to come – emotionally and mentally. An ideal scenario is when the intervention led to your loved one accepting treatment. However, that may not happen. All you can do is to be prepared and understand that the discussion could quickly deteriorate into arguments. Hurtful words could be exchanged and the treatment plan rejected. If indeed it comes down to that, then you and everyone else would have no choice but to follow through on the consequences.

8. Stage the Intervention

Up until this point, you should not let the person struggling with addiction know about your plans. Have your loved one be on the intervention site without knowing why you have all gathered together.

Each person takes turns to express their concerns and feelings. You (or the intervention specialist) can then present the treatment plan. Each of you will also have to be clear on specific changes if the program is not accepted – the consequence of refusal. Remember, whatever each one decided has to be followed through.

9. Follow Up and Follow Through

If your loved one refuses to accept help, each member of the intervention team needs to follow through on the consequence. At a later time, it might force admittance to addiction and finally getting help.

On the other hand, if the intervention’s intent was successful, then everyone has to be supportive, as promised. Recovering from an addiction is incredibly difficult, and relapse could happen at any given time. You and the others will want to be around to stop your loved one from succumbing to temptations.

What Should You Not Do During an Intervention?

Your goal to intervene and get your loved one the much-needed help is noble and because of love. If it works, then give yourself a pat on the head for a job well done. However, when it is poorly executed, it may lead to feelings of resentment. A person who already struggles with substance abuse may feel attacked, go into isolation, and more unlikely to get sober and clean.

These are the things that should never happen:

1. Intervention When Your Loved One Is Not Sober

Any person who is drunk or high would have impaired judgment and cannot think clearly. There is no point in having a discussion if that is the case.

2. Involving Too Many People

IInvolving Too Many People

Too many cooks spoil the broth, so having too many people in the intervention team may be counterproductive. A good number to have is between 3 to 6 people, preferably with a qualified intervention expert.

3. Be Careful with Labels

For many people, the most beautiful sound is their name. You might as well call your loved one by name instead of using labels. Using words such as “addict” or “alcoholic” is derogatory and insulting. An otherwise good conversation could quickly descend into arguments.

4. Stage an Intervention When You Are Calm

The worst time to stage an intervention is when you are feeling emotional and upset. It should be planned and executed at the right time, as agreed upon with the rest of the team members. And if you find yourself losing patience during the intervention, try to pause and regain your composure.

How Do You Increase the Chances of a Successful Intervention?

There are plenty of things you can do to ensure success. Go through these tips so that you can be guided accordingly.

Patience. Resist the urge to stage an intervention prematurely. In some cases, it might take several weeks to prepare and plan.

Timing. You cannot talk sense with a person who is too intoxicated or high. Hence, you will have to schedule the intervention at a date and time when your loved one is least likely to be heavily under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Learn. Take the time to know the substance and its effects on behavior and health.

Liaison. Appointing one of the team members to facilitate getting the team together or keeping everyone updated helps your cause.

Updates. Keep every team member in the loop. You should make sure that everyone is on the same page. Hold meetings or call to keep each other to stay updated.

Rehearsal. Rehearsing is the best way to decide on the sitting arrangement details, who speaks about what and when. At the very least, you should do it once so that everything goes on smoothly when intervening.

Anticipate objections. Anyone suffering from addiction will have plenty of reasons why treatment is not necessary. Avoid pushing too hard. Instead, keep calm and offer rational responses to eliminate those reasons one at a time.

Avoid arguments. All conversations should be centered on love, respect, concern, assurance, and support. There is no room for name-calling, blaming, angry, and accusing words or personal attacks.

Stay on track. At any given time, the topic may steer away from the purpose of intervention due to tension and emotional responses. Remember to stay calm and control the conversation.

Immediate response. If your loved one asks for time to think about the treatment plan, that only gives more time to keep denying an addiction problem, go on a dangerous bind, or hide. Ideally, you want an immediate answer and get started with the recovery process as soon as possible.

Why Do You Need to Consult with an Addiction Professional?

An intervention is never coercive or based on shame. There is no room for angry or hurtful words. It should be a meaningful conversation, not an argument or fighting. As if that is not enough to ask for, there is also the matter of enlisting family and friends’ help and formulating a sound plan.

Not knowing how to handle such a situation, though, may lead to mistakes – and drive your loved one further away. It is why you seek the help of people who specializes in these things. They include licensed alcohol and drug counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or interventionists. Instead of treading into unfamiliar territory, you might as well rely on their experience and expertise.

If you think your loved one may react self-destructively or violently during an intervention, do consult with an intervention professional. You would want help if you are dealing with someone who has the following conditions:

  • History of mental illness
  • History of violence
  • Has talked about suicide or showed suicidal tendencies
  • Suspected of using more than one mood-altering substances

For some families, an intervention occurs without help from an outside party. You can, of course, choose to go that way. Suppose you are unsure of what to do, then engaging an addiction professional’s services is the better option.

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

Related article: How To Motivate Your Loved Ones To Get Addiction Treatment

Categories
Addiction

How Intervention Helps Your Loved One Overcome Addiction

How Intervention Helps Your Loved One Overcome Addiction

Living and watching a loved one rot away in addiction is hellish. Help is needed – everyone knows that but the person with substance abuse disorder. These individuals are usually in denial of their problem and refuse to seek treatment. They also often do not see or understand the adverse effects on their health and behavior and how it affects the rest of the family. In many cases, the only hope rests on successfully staging an intervention to stop the addictive habits.

Addiction is a growing concern. In 2012, the Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey showed 21.6% of the population (roughly 8 million people) meets the substance abuse criteria. By far, the most abused substance is alcohol, followed by cannabis, hallucinogens, and stimulants.

Talking to a person struggling with addiction is necessary – and can be impossibly challenging. In this case, you need a more focused approach in intervention, which may involve professional help.

What Is An Intervention?

A person struggling with addiction – as alluded to, is not likely to seek help. You can work around that denial by engaging the services of a licensed drug or alcohol counselor. Under the guidance of an intervention specialist, a plan could be carefully formed to help the loved one understand the consequences of substance abuse in a non-threatening, positive way.

During an intervention, you and the interventionist explain the negative impact of destructive behaviors on family and friends in a manner that is not degrading. A viable detox and comprehensive rehabilitation program are presented, including the processes or steps involved and goals. The plan also includes actions to take in case the offer to help is rejected.

An intervention is not limited to family members. It may also include other people, such as friends, who care for the person suffering from addiction. Every person involved should make a conscious effort to stay on topic. Spontaneity should be avoided, as this may result in blaming and accusations. Hurtful words, for example, can lead to refusal of treatment when blurted out.

Intervention for loved one

When Should You Intervene for a Loved One?

Counseling a loved one addicted to drugs or alcohol is not an easy thing to do. One reason for that is you may not know what to say. It also does not help when the addicted person denies or refuses to acknowledge the problem. Without help, the dependency can only get worse. Once you see these signs, then you know it is time for an intervention.

Psychological Symptoms

Unable to stop. Drug and alcohol dependency eliminates any form of self-control and discipline. The cravings are irresistible, resulting in the continued use of the addictive substance.

Ignoring health. Repeated use despite health problems. A smoker, for example, will keep smoking even after developing lung disease.

Handling problems. For many people struggling with an addicting substance, it becomes a means to cope with stress and problems. Instead of facing an issue head-on, it becomes a refuge – a safe place.

Obsessed with securing a stash. Instead of spending time with family and friends or staying productive, an addicted individual spends more time and energy trying to find ways to obtain more drugs or alcohol.

Taking risks. The craving for addicting substances may be too intense, leading to risky and reckless behavior that includes criminal activities to obtain money to buy more drugs or alcohol.

Physical Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms. When the substance level drops due to not being able to drink or use, addicted people can experience constipation, diarrhea, sweating, seizure, or trembling. The cravings can also lead to uncharacteristic behaviors, with some resorting to violence.

Eating habits. Changes in appetite might occur. For example, cannabis use can cause munchies (eating more). On the other hand, drugs like cocaine reduce the desire to eat.

Contracting a disease. Frequent smokers may develop respiratory problems or lung cancer. Excessive alcohol drinking damages the liver, while injecting drugs could damage the veins and arteries.

Disrupted sleep patterns. Insomnia, for example, can be caused by withdrawal. Drugs such as speed and ecstasy can make a person go sleepless for several nights.

Deteriorating physical appearance. An addicted person may neglect personal hygiene, appearing disheveled, tired, and haggard.

Increasing tolerance. Once the body develops a tolerance to a substance, consuming more to attain the desired effects might result in an overdose.

Social Symptoms

Sacrificing activities. Giving up on activities they used to love is indicative of a dependency problem. Refraining from going out with friends, for example, if there are no drugs or alcohol.

Secrecy. Addicted people are more likely to consume drugs in solitude. They appear to be withdrawn and may stop meeting friends or joining social activities.

Denial. Even though some addicted people may admit to using drugs or drinking alcohol, they do not see themselves as having an addiction problem. Usually, they think – with conviction – they can stop anytime.

Excessive consumption. Some substances – opiates and alcohol – might be consumed in excess. Even if they experienced the severe effects of overdosing, that would not stop them from future substance abuse.

Hidden stashes. Addicted people are likely to hide their choice of substance and drug paraphernalia in different parts of the house, where they could not be discovered.

Financial issues. Because of the need to ensure a steady supply, some addicted people may divert funds, sacrificing household necessities. It is a costly habit that could lead to financial difficulties.

Legal issues. Aside from committing a crime – steal money to buy alcohol or drugs – some people who are too intoxicated and suffering from impaired judgment may cause a scandal or resort to violence.

How Does Intervention Work?

The processes involved in an intervention begins with getting guidance, planning, and conversing with the addicted loved one in need of help. Generally, these steps are:

1. Get Help and Organize the Intervention Team

There is no shame in seeking help. A social worker or doctor might be able to provide guidance. As an option, you can also contact detox and rehab facilities as they have the expertise and experience to help people suffering from addiction recover. While your loved one needs help, you also need the support of professionals, other family members, and close friends. Together, you form the core of the intervention team.

2. Make a Plan

An intervention is a highly emotional situation. The highly-charged atmosphere is a powder keg waiting to explode. Because of the potential for betrayal, resentment, and anger, you and the rest of the intervention team should set aside time to make a comprehensive plan of action.

Your strategy should include when and where to talk to your loved one, how it will work, and every person’s role. For example, friends can be tasked to keep the discussion focused on the problem rather than emotional responses. In other words, they should diffuse tense situations, letting you and other family members continue to provide assurances of your love and support throughout the recovery process.

In the case of a successful intervention, each person should be willing to provide support in one way or the other. During detox, rehabilitation, recovery, therapy, and support group meetings, everyone could offer or take turns accompanying.

3. Gather Information

You and the rest of the team members should try to find out the extent of the problem. Find out what treatment options there are and make an initial arrangement for enrollment. Dig deeper too to make sure that the detox and rehabilitation program is suitable for your loved one’s personality. Once you find a treatment facility, they can provide you with more information.

4. Make Impact Statements or Notes

Every person in the intervention team has a personal relationship with the person suffering from addiction and has experienced negative impacts. And that means everyone has something to say, and this should be written down.

An impact statement is personal and details how a particular behavior has caused harm or hurt. Putting these in writing helps your loved one understand that personal struggles also affects other people. These statements should be emotionally honest and full of love and assurances – no blaming or personal attacks.

5. Set a Boundary or Decide on a Consequence for Refusal

One of the most challenging things you and every team member has to do is decide on the consequence of refusal to accept treatment. Are you going to be an enabler, which causes far more harm? Everyone has to be on board and be clear with your addicted loved one that there is a consequence for refusing help.

6. Rehearse

Emotions run high during an intervention. Hence, before sitting your loved one down, try to think through the whole process and rehearse. You can talk about possible scenarios with the rest of the team and have an appropriate response. Practicing beforehand lets each person know when to speak and what to say for a smoother discussion flow.

7. Manage Expectations

If you have watched some of Dr. Phil’s shows, they could not prepare you for what is to come – emotionally and mentally. An ideal scenario is when the intervention led to your loved one accepting treatment. However, that may not happen. All you can do is to be prepared and understand that the discussion could quickly deteriorate into arguments. Hurtful words could be exchanged and the treatment plan rejected. If indeed it comes down to that, then you and everyone else would have no choice but to follow through on the consequences.

8. Stage the Intervention

Up until this point, you should not let the person struggling with addiction know about your plans. Have your loved one be on the intervention site without knowing why you have all gathered together.

Each person take turns to express their concerns and feelings. You (or the intervention specialist) can then present the treatment plan. Each of you will also have to be clear on specific changes if the program is not accepted – the consequence of refusal. Remember, whatever each one decided has to be followed through.

9. Follow Up and Follow Through

If your loved one refuses to accept help, each member of the intervention team needs to follow through on the consequence. At a later time, it might force admittance to addiction and finally getting help.

On the other hand, if the intervention’s intent was successful, then everyone has to be supportive, as promised. Recovering from an addiction is incredibly difficult, and relapse could happen at any given time. You and the others will want to be around to stop your loved one from succumbing to temptations.

Related article: How To Motivate Your Loved Ones To Get Addiction Treatment

What Should You Not Do During an Intervention?

Your goal to intervene and get your loved one the much-needed help is noble and because of love. If it works, then give yourself a pat on the head for a job well done. However, when it is poorly executed, it may lead to feelings of resentment. A person who already struggles with substance abuse may feel attacked, go into isolation, and more unlikely to get sober and clean.

These are the things that should never happen:

1. Intervention When Your Loved One Is Not Sober

Any person who is drunk or high would have impaired judgment and cannot think clearly. There is no point in having a discussion if that is the case.

2. Involving Too Many People

Too many cooks spoil the broth, so having too many people in the intervention team may be counterproductive. A good number to have is between 3 to 6 people, preferably with a qualified intervention expert.

3. Be Careful with Labels

For many people, the most beautiful sound is their name. You might as well call your loved one by name instead of using labels. Using words such as “addict” or “alcoholic” is derogatory and insulting. An otherwise good conversation could quickly descend into arguments.

4. Stage an Intervention When You Are Calm

The worst time to stage an intervention is when you are feeling emotional and upset. It should be planned and executed at the right time, as agreed upon with the rest of the team members. And if you find yourself losing patience during the intervention, try to pause and regain your composure.

How Do You Increase the Chances of a Successful Intervention?

There are plenty of things you can do to ensure success. Go through these tips so that you can be guided accordingly.

Patience. Resist the urge to stage an intervention prematurely. In some cases, it might take several weeks to prepare and plan.

Timing. You cannot talk sense with a person who is too intoxicated or high. Hence, you will have to schedule the intervention at a date and time when your loved one is least likely to be heavily under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Learn. Take the time to know the substance and its effects on behavior and health.

Liaison. Appointing one of the team members to facilitate getting the team together or keeping everyone updated helps your cause.

Updates. Keep every team member in the loop. You should make sure that everyone is on the same page. Hold meetings or call to keep each other to stay updated.

Rehearsal. Rehearsing is the best way to decide on the sitting arrangement details, who speaks about what and when. At the very least, you should do it once so that everything goes on smoothly when intervening.

Anticipate objections. Anyone suffering from addiction will have plenty of reasons why treatment is not necessary. Avoid pushing too hard. Instead, keep calm and offer rational responses to eliminate those reasons one at a time.

Avoid arguments. All conversations should be centered on love, respect, concern, assurance, and support. There is no room for name-calling, blaming, angry, and accusing words or personal attacks.

Stay on track. At any given time, the topic may steer away from the purpose of intervention due to tension and emotional responses. Remember to stay calm and control the conversation.

Immediate response. If your loved one asks for time to think about the treatment plan, that only gives more time to keep denying an addiction problem, go on a dangerous bind, or hide. Ideally, you want an immediate answer and get started with the recovery process as soon as possible.

Why Do You Need to Consult with an Addiction Professional?

An intervention is never coercive or based on shame. There is no room for angry or hurtful words. It should be a meaningful conversation, not an argument or fighting. As if that is not enough to ask for, there is also the matter of enlisting family and friends’ help and formulating a sound plan.

Not knowing how to handle such a situation, though, may lead to mistakes – and drive your loved one further away. It is why you seek the help of people who specializes in these things. They include licensed alcohol and drug counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or interventionists. Instead of treading into unfamiliar territory, you might as well rely on their experience and expertise.

If you think your loved one may react self-destructively or violently during an intervention, do consult with an intervention professional. You would want help if you are dealing with someone who has the following conditions:

  • History of mental illness
  • History of violence
  • Has talked about suicide or showed suicidal tendencies
  • Suspected of using more than one mood-altering substances

For some families, an intervention occurs without help from an outside party. You can, of course, choose to go that way. Suppose you are unsure of what to do, then engaging an addiction professional’s services is the better option. No more guesswork as these pros can help you organize and suggest the best way to move forward. More importantly, they can determine the best course of treatment for your loved one.

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

Related article: How To Help A Loved One In Recovery

Categories
Addiction Treatment

What Is The Cost Of Addiction Treatment In Canada?

What Is The Cost Of Addiction Treatment In Canada?

While some services are available for people with limited income, a lot of drug and alcohol addicts and their families worry that the cost of addiction treatment in Canada puts the chances of lasting sobriety out of reach.

Recognizing that you have an addiction problem, and making the decision to seek help, are the important first steps to a new life. But sadly, for many people, the process ends there because of real or imagined financial barriers. 

This is especially the case for inpatient addiction treatment and rehab services. Not only will you have to pay for a service that includes full board, all meals, and a wide range of therapies, addiction rehab costs are often due upon admission. 

To make the burden even heavier, the addict’s absence from work for the purposes of attending rehab may result in a significant reduction in the family’s income. While inpatient rehab is going on, mortgages and bills at home still have to be paid.

For many families, the cost of drug rehab can seem to lead to overwhelming hardship. In some cases, financial limitation is very real. For others, families may be unaware of the resources that are available to them. And so, instead of seeking professional, they try to manage the problem by themselves.

How Much Does Addiction Treatment Cost?

As with many things in life, there is no absolute answer to the question of addiction treatment pricing. How much you will spend out of pocket depends on several factors. 

It should be noted from the outset that while some addiction treatments carry a higher out-of-pocket cost than others, there are options for all Canadians, regardless of income and ability to pay.

Public Detox And Addiction Rehab Services

Detox And Addiction Rehab Services

In Canada, access to healthcare is a right of citizenship and permanent residence. The cost of drug rehab is covered by your provincial health care plan if you select a public facility. While this does provide hope to families who are not able to secure funds for private rehab services, there are some drawbacks to be aware of:

  • Although provincial health care systems try their best to keep up with the growing demand for addiction rehab services, waitlists are inevitable. 
  • Addicts who have strong family support may be able to figure out ways to endure the wait for a spot, but this is not a viable solution for everyone.
  • It is generally accepted among addiction experts that rehab is most effective when the program is personalized. In public rehab facilities, the therapists and doctors have a high volume of patients at any one time. They work hard for all patients under their care, but addicts do not get that personalized experience that vastly improves the chances of lasting sobriety.
  • Perhaps most critically, when addiction rehab costs are funded by the government, patients are at risk of being released prematurely from programs, which in turn leads to a high risk of relapse.
  • Medical detox services are available to all Canadians through your hospital emergency room or your doctor. Since withdrawal is, in many cases, considered to be a medical emergency, in general, you do not have to wait for this service. While medically supervised detox is an important step in the rehab process, it is just one step, and it should be followed – as soon as possible – by an addiction treatment and rehab program.

Related article: How to Stop Cocaine Addiction

Private Outpatient Addiction Rehab Costs

Private Outpatient Addiction Rehab Costs

If you have strong family support and your addiction is not complicated by factors like comorbidity or polysubstance abuse, you may be able to undergo successful addiction treatment on an outpatient basis. 

While the cost of addiction treatment in Canada varies widely from one location and treatment program to the next, outpatient programs are a lot less expensive, because they do not include costs like board and meals.

Outpatient addiction treatment takes the form of therapy sessions that you attend on scheduled days. You live at home and retain the ability to participate in your regular daily life. In most cases, you are even able to continue working, as long as you are able to take the requisite time off to go to your treatment sessions. 

The range of available services include individual, group and family therapy, as well as services specifically geared to loved ones. The cost of addiction treatment for outpatient programs varies from $100 to $500 per session, depending on the treatment modality, the provider, and the length of the session. 

Some outpatient treatment facilities will quote you a monthly fee that includes a specified number of sessions for that month. Although outpatient addiction rehab costs are lower, there are some factors for you to consider when choosing this form of treatment:

  • If you have a history of substance abuse or high risk of relapse, this might not be the right choice for you
  • Outpatient addiction treatment works best for those who have a strong network of support
  • You have a higher chance of success if you can avoid people and places that have been associated with your drug or alcohol use
  • It is essential that you commit to attending all of your appointments

Private Inpatient Addiction Rehab Costs

Inpatient addiction rehab facilities vary widely in terms of the services they provide, the amenities, recreational facilities, and the duration of stay. The costs are highly variable as well, but if you are budgeting for a potential stay, a good estimate to aim for is $300 per day.

This may seem steep, but inpatient addiction treatment pricing takes the following into account:

  • The development of a personalized addiction treatment program
  • All therapy sessions, including family counselling sessions that include loved ones
  • All of your meals
  • Accommodation
  • Recreational facilities and amenities
  • Round-the-clock care and support

In some facilities, the cost also includes educational sessions and support for loved ones, and comprehensive aftercare support services.

Inpatient addiction rehab costs depend on several factors, such as:

  • The length of stay. It can range from one to six months. Generally, the cost per day decreases as the length of stay increases.
  • The nature of the accommodation: Some facilities reduce costs by offering semi-private or dorm-style accommodations.
  • The amenities available: Some facilities have full-scale gyms with personal trainers and a range of organized recreational activities. Others have an indoor or outdoor walking track and some hiking trails.
  • The meals provided: The more expensive facilities offer chef-prepared meals to order. Lower-cost facilities provide nutritious meals served canteen-style.
  • Inpatient rehab facilities that cater to individuals with a high expectation of privacy, such as celebrities or politicians, are likely to cost more because of the increased cost of security and property surveillance.

Is The Cost Of Addiction Treatment Worth It?

The cost of addiction treatment in Canada may seem high, especially for people whose personal finances have already taken a hit as a result of the addiction. There are several factors you should consider when you are making a decision about whether to sign up for rehab.

What Does The Cost Include?

As described above, addiction treatment pricing is highly dependent on what you’re actually getting. Inpatient addiction treatment programs can cost upwards of $300 per day, with some facilities charging more than double that, but this includes everything you need for both survival and treatment.

What Are The Probabilities Of Success?

While it can be argued that some rehab is better than no rehab, there is an increasing body of evidence supporting the notion that inpatient rehab is a highly effective means of treatment, especially when paired with a good aftercare program. 

If you go through several rounds of less expensive rehab, your cost of addiction services may end up being higher than it would if you went through one inpatient rehab stay.

Have You Explored All Possible Funding Sources?

If you are in the throes of addiction and desperate for help, you may only be looking as far as your own bank account for the means to cover addiction rehab costs. But there may be options that you are unaware of, such as:

  • Your medical insurance
  • Employee assistance programs offered by your place of work
  • Social assistance programs offered by businesses in your community
  • Financing options offered by the rehab facilities you are considering
  • Assistance from family members and close friends

The reality is that not everyone is able to secure the funds for private inpatient rehab. It is important to remember the public and outpatient services that are available.

Here’s Why You Need Accountability for Addiction Treatment

In the fight against addiction, there is always that little voice that tells you to keep it all to yourself. It’ll make you question why you need accountability for addiction treatment and ask you to cut everyone else off. After all, why should anyone be getting involved in your business?

At the moment, this logic might check out. However, it’s not very sound. Why? Well, there are many reasons why you need accountability during addiction treatment. Unfortunately, the chances are that, right now, the little voice is telling you we’re way off base. Not to worry, though, we came prepared.

In this article, we’ll be looking into the reasons why you need accountability for addiction treatment. And, just because we care, we’ll also throw in a few tips to help you remain accountable too.

Why You Need Accountability for Addiction Treatment

Accountability has always been somewhat of a requirement if you are trying to commit to something. But why is it necessary for addiction treatment? To answer that, here are five different reasons you should remain accountable during your addiction treatment process:

Helps you remain focused on the goal

Is The Cost Of Addiction Treatment Worth It

In the process of getting addiction rehab services, there is always that temptation to forget about the goal and go slightly or completely off track. What makes it worse is that this problem doesn’t hit you all at once. In the beginning, you might be incredibly self-motivated and fired up. 

For what it’s worth, that level of self-motivation is pretty cool. However, you can only go so far when you’re running on hype. 

By being accountable to something or someone, you’ll be much less likely to go off course. They’ll always be there to remind you why you started in the first place. Depending on your relationship with the person, they might even use a little tough love on you. 

Nevertheless, their entire purpose is to help you remain focused on getting over your addiction. Without them, the chances of you falling back into your old habits are significantly higher.

A viable source of motivation

Like we mentioned earlier, self-motivation is great. But you can only go so far with it. This fact is especially true when you’re forced to deal with the insane amount of urges that come along with addictions. 

You might not want to admit it, but you need other sources of motivation. This is where remaining responsible through accountability comes into play.

It is particularly great if you have someone who has had to deal with an addiction. If this is the case, they can become that beacon of light at the end of the tunnel for you. 

That way, you’ll know that you can do it too because they could conquer their addictions. Even if they haven’t had to go through addiction treatment before, they can still provide proper encouragement every now and then. 

A way to celebrate your small or big achievements

It’s safe to say that not everyone really enjoys broadcasting news about their addiction rehab journey to the whole world. You might share a different view, but some other people might feel vulnerable doing that. 

However, not being able to celebrate or acknowledge your victories can be a bit discouraging too. This, dear friend, is one of the reasons why you need accountability for your addiction treatment.

With an accountability partner, you have the luxury of someone you can easily share your victories with. The celebration could even be for something as simple as remaining clean for your first ten to fifteen days. 

Regardless, having someone to raise a toast with you, even if it’s just fruit juice, is still pretty encouraging. In the long run, these celebrations can push you to keep on working towards an addiction-free life.

It helps you to see where you’re lacking

This is a major point that answers why you need accountability for addiction treatment. More often than not, while trying to conquer an addiction, there will be slight lapses in your efforts. You might think that you’re on top of your game, but it isn’t always the case. 

This is because several things could be weaknesses in your addiction treatment journey. For some people, they might fall back in when they encounter something that makes them really sad. Other people might not be able to resist the alcohol bottle or the blunt wrap when they’re stressed out.

If you belong to one of those classes, or a variation of them, being accountable will help you find out. If you’re accountable to a human, they can easily trace your steps and find out what triggered the backslide. 

If you’re accountable to tech, you can take a look at where and when you went back to the alcohol bottle. This, in itself, will go a long way in keeping you on track to defeating your addiction.

Encourages honesty with yourself

Encourages honesty with yourself

This is our final reason why you must practice accountability for addiction treatment. Accountability helps you to stay true to yourself. You might not realize it, but when you’re trying to get over an addiction, there are certain things you’ll be blind to. 

You may even start to think all those tips for addiction treatment are working, and you’re in full control. However, this might not exactly be true.

By remaining accountable to someone or something, you’ll be able to hold your character up to a mirror. It might just be a random question you’ve been avoiding, but when they ask you, you’ll realize that you’ve not been doing so great. That way, you can tell yourself the truth and work towards getting better, not seeming better.

How To Stay Accountable During Addiction Treatment

While we’ve explained why you need accountability, we really cannot stop there. You still need to know how you can remain accountable to avoid sliding back into addiction. So, here are three major ways you can accomplish that:

Talk to someone you trust

It is entirely up to you to let someone in on your journey. So, talk to a trusted friend or family member and let them know what is going on. Explain to them how you’ll be needing their help. Remember not to go for someone who will judge you every chance they get.

Maintain honesty at all times

This might be difficult, especially if you relapse. But it is important. When you finally find someone, always be honest with them. 

Even if it’s just some sort of accountability software, make sure that you only input the truth. That way, you’ll eliminate self-deceit.

Do not isolate yourself

During the entire process, the worst thing you can do to yourself is isolation, whether from your accountability partner, or the rest of the world. 

Spending too much time alone is definitely going to make you go back to your old habits. So, always stay connected.

What Is The Cost Of Not Getting Help?

What Is The Cost Of Not Getting Help

There is a concept in economics called “opportunity cost”. This refers to the fact that every time we spend our money, time or energy on something, we are taking that money, time or energy away from something else. 

For example, if you buy a car, you may not be able to travel. If you go for a run, you may not have the energy to go swimming. Opportunity cost also applies to the cost of addiction treatment in Canada.

The opportunity cost of drug addiction is immense. Every dollar that you spend on drugs or alcohol is money taken away from paying bills or feeding your family. Devotion to using drugs means less devotion to the people you love. And ultimately, your addiction could cost you your family, your job, your home – even your life. This is far more than any cost of drug rehab.

Ultimately, you have to decide which is more important to you: your substance abuse or all of the elements that make up a happy, productive life. Once you make that determination, you will be able to seek out an addiction treatment program that will meet your budget – even if you have to make some financial sacrifices along the way.

At 1000 Islands Addictions Treatment Centre, we provide high quality personalized addiction treatment. Give us a call at 855-601-0555 and we will go over addiction treatment pricing and your available options.

Related article: How to Quit Cocaine Addiction

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Alcohol Addiction

What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse, Dependence And Addiction?

What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse, Dependence And Addiction?

What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse, Dependence And Addiction?

The use of alcohol is not only socially acceptable but expected. If you have a hard day at work, you wind down by going home or to a bar and having a beer. Birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated with champagne, and expensive wine is considered to be a staple at fancy dinner parties. People who drink a little too much are thought of as “fun”, and we mock those who refuse to drink at all.

Alcohol Abuse, Dependence And AddictionWe have normalized alcohol consumption to the point that alcohol abuse is difficult to recognize in ourselves or in others. So while we may think that we’re just always up for having a good time, we may actually be developing alcohol abuse and dependence issues. When we become so used to seeing our neighbour with a beer that we don’t even notice it, they might already be an alcoholic without even realizing it.

What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse?

So if it’s that difficult to even know when you or someone else has a problem, what are you supposed to do? How and when does it eventually become obvious that your alcohol consumption has gone beyond the realm of what is “normal”?

There are some signs of alcohol abuse that you can look out for. Fortunately, some of these can be caught early.

You often drink more than you intended to

If you find yourself frequently uttering the words, “One more can’t hurt”, you may need to take stock of how much alcohol you are consuming. Most people are able to attend a social gathering and limit themselves to one or two drinks. Even those who would usually have a glass of wine at a dinner party find it easy to abstain if they are the designated driver. You may be starting to toe the line of alcohol abuse if you want to say no to that extra beer but find that you just cannot resist, or if hasty arrangements have to be made for an alternate driver.

You drink to recover from a stressful day

There is nothing wrong with kicking back with a glass of wine after a long day, but if this becomes your primary means of dealing with stress, you may be treading in dangerous territory. Not only are you increasing your reliance on alcohol, but the underlying source of your stress is also going unresolved. If you recognize that you are in this situation, you can take immediate action by seeking healthier ways to handle stress, possibly with the help of a therapist.

You end up in dangerous situations when you’ve been drinking

The problem with being drunk is that you are often in denial about being drunk. So you may engage in risky behaviour, either believing that it is safe or not care that it isn’t. A lot of impaired driving incidents happen as a result of someone insisting that they are “fine to drive”. If your job requires you to operate dangerous machinery, you may persist in this after you’ve had a few drinks over lunch. Also, another sign of alcohol abuse is if Friday and Saturday nights are rife with fistfights and unsafe drunk sexual encounters.

You intentionally seek out activities that involve alcohol

Some people are able to maintain their interests if they can find a way to combine these interests with drinking. For example, you may develop a sudden interest in the 19th hole at the golf course, or you may start serving wine at the book club meetings you host. Other people will simply abandon their previous interests. Instead of going walking on the beach, they will stay home so they can drink. They will gradually fade away from the team sport they participated in; their kids may start to have more sleepovers at Grandma’s house. It’s the little things that point to alcohol abuse.

Your health is starting to decline

This happens for two reasons. First, as people increase their consumption of alcohol, they tend to neglect aspects of health and wellness, like nutrition and exercise. And second, the alcohol itself can cause damage to the liver and increase the heart rate and blood pressure. If you drink alcohol regularly, and you have a general sense of feeling run-down, you may need to put a pause on your alcohol consumption.

You tell yourself that you need to stop drinking

Even if you don’t fully recognize that you have a problem, something may make you aware of the extent of your consumption. You may look at the empty bottles in your kitchen and get a shock. Or you may be going over your bank accounts and see a lot of transactions at the liquor outlet. If you are saying to yourself, “Maybe I should cut down on the drinking”, you may need to stop and think about whether that is actually true.

Related article: Be in the Know: Canada’s Latest Alcohol Addiction and Recovery Facts

What Are Alcohol Dependence And Alcohol Addiction?

If you are abusing alcohol regularly over a prolonged period of time, you can become dependent on alcohol. This means that you no longer merely enjoy a drink: you actually need it in order to function. If you deprive yourself of it, you start to experience withdrawal symptoms that can be uncomfortable. Once you become addicted, alcohol is no longer just a part of your life. It is your whole life. Once you reach this point, withdrawal can be almost impossible; in some cases, it can be life-threatening.

Common signs of alcohol dependence

Alcohol dependence manifests differently for everyone, but some of the more common signs include the following:

signs of alcohol dependence

  • You need to have a drink as soon as you wake up
  • You routinely deal with hangovers by having another drink
  • You frequently call in sick to work or school
  • You cancel plans with friends at the last minute
  • You experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking

Common Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction affects everyone differently depending on factors like age, state of health, and whether alcohol is consumed with other substances. Common signs of addiction include the following:

  • You regularly consume alcohol while at work, or while you are driving
  • You disguise your alcohol – for example, by pouring it into a commuter coffee mug
  • You use money intended for bills and living expenses to purchase alcohol
  • You hide your alcohol consumption from friends and family members
  • You continue to use alcohol in spite of deteriorating relationships
  • You continue to use alcohol in spite of deteriorating physical or mental health
  • You buy alcohol from multiple locations in order to avoid suspicion
  • You use alcohol, even when you know it could result in you being in an unsafe situation

Symptoms Of Alcohol Withdrawal

Alcohol addiction is one of the most difficult substance use disorders to combat. Mostly, this is because the use of alcohol is not only socially acceptable, but in some cases, socially expected. We live in a world where celebrations revolve around glasses of sparkling wine and people fill up their refrigerators with beer before “watching the game on TV”. Those who refuse alcohol at parties are greeted with reactions ranging from mild surprise to mockery and insults. For some, a standard response to alcohol withdrawal symptoms – which may feel like a bad hangover – is to simply drink more alcohol.

All of this contributes to alcohol being the most widely abused substance in the world, and for alcoholism being the addiction that people are least likely to seek help for. Loved ones may not be in a position to help, simply because it can take a long time for them to realize that there is a problem.

Our lax social attitude toward alcohol use is accompanied by the belief held by many that overcoming alcohol addiction is simply a case of not having another drink. There are two major pitfalls to this plan: first, people who try to quit any substance without help are far more likely to give in to cravings and start using the substance again, and second, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be extremely dangerous – in some cases, fatal.

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is the name given to the collection of symptoms that can occur when the body is deprived of alcohol — to which it has become accustomed. AWS typically starts several hours after the last drink and can go on for about a week. Symptoms include physical effects such as headaches and nausea, and mental effects like anxiety.

What Causes Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

Alcohol addiction starts with tolerance. If someone who has never consumed alcohol has a glass of wine, it can have a tremendous impact on them. They might feel sick or get sleepy; a shy person may become outgoing; someone who is cautious might take risks. 

If that person has a glass of wine each day, in time they will get used to it. And in order to achieve the same effects, they have to drink more. The body becomes tolerant to increasing amounts of alcohol, to the point where the tolerance becomes a dependence. 

What this means is that the body does not merely tolerate the alcohol, it relies on it. And if it is suddenly deprived, it cannot cope, and withdrawal symptoms set in. The person will start to feel ill, and anxiety will set in if alcohol is not available.

Common Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

The first few hours

Six to twelve hours after the person has their last drink, the initial impacts of withdrawal will be felt. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms during this phase include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • A mild feeling of the jitters
  • Agitation and anxiety that may be amplified if no alcohol is available

The first day

The headaches, nausea and vomiting generally pass without incident, but the other symptoms can become worse. The individual may experience the following:

  • A sense of confusion and disorientation
  • Uncontrollable hand tremors that interfere with the ability to perform tasks like eating and operating basic household items
  • Jitters that escalate into seizures

Day 2-3

Around the second or third day, the withdrawal symptoms escalate. They may include:

  • Continuing seizures that are worsening in frequency and intensity
  • High blood pressure and elevated body temperature
  • Insomnia
  • In severe cases, the person will experience delirium tremens

What Is Delirium Tremens?

Delirium tremens, colloquially referred to as “the DTs”, is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This condition can be fatal if not managed properly: an out-of-control body temperature, complications from seizures, and wild fluctuations in the heart rhythms can result in death. Anyone experiencing the following symptoms of delirium tremens should be provided with immediate medical care:

  • Agitation, irritability and rapid mood swings
  • A deep sleep that goes on for an unusual length of time
  • Hallucinations
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Delirium
  • Increased or irregular heart rate
  • Elevated body temperature
  • High sensitivity to light, sound and touch
  • Grand mal seizures

Does delirium tremens happen to everyone?

It is estimated that around half of all people who quit drinking experience withdrawal symptoms in any form. Of those, 3-5% experience delirium tremens.

You may be at high risk of delirium tremens if:

  • You have been addicted to alcohol for more than ten years
  • Your average daily consumption is equivalent to 2-3 bottles of wine, 7-8 pints of beer, or a pint of hard liquor
  • You are more than 40 years of age
  • You have suffered a head injury
  • You have an illness at the time of withdrawal
  • You have a history of seizures
  • You have experienced delirium tremens in the past

How To Safely Withdraw From Alcohol

If you are addicted to alcohol – and especially if you are in a high-risk group for delirium tremens listed above – you should first talk to a medical professional before stopping your use of alcohol. Your doctor or addiction counselor may recommend that you undergo medical detox. 

Withdraw From Alcohol

This is a process whereby you are under the supervision of a doctor, who will monitor your vital signs and treat your withdrawal symptoms as they arise. 

If you choose to withdraw from alcohol without medical help, it is important that you do not do so alone. Ensure that you are in the company of a support person who will be able to identify the signs of delirium tremens and immediately ensure medical help if needed. 

Important Facts About Alcohol Addiction

When taken in excess, the adverse effects from the use of alcohol are most often irreversible. These alcohol addiction facts will surely be a starting point to correcting your mindset about drinking.

You are drinking more than you think you are

This seems untrue, but it is, and it is one of the many reasons you don’t feel compelled to know how to stop drinking. It is one of the essential facts about alcohol abuse that you should always think about. With every bottle you take, there is an average of 14 grams of concentrated alcohol. 

Also, when you take a regular beer, there are about 12 ounces of alcohol in there. There is 5 ounce of it in wine and about 8 or 9 in liquor. And on many occasions, especially when out with friends, it is more likely that you’ll mix two or more of these substances.

The truth is, you will most likely not feel like an alcohol addict. You are most likely not a drunkard. But, when you notice that you are taking beyond 4 bottles of your favourite alcohol drink per day, it calls for concern.

Alcohol alters your brain

Whenever your brain notices that you are trying to make a habit, it changes physically, to create a condition that helps you perform that task better. Hence, whenever your brain notices that you are frequently taking in alcohol, it interprets that you are trying to get better.

It changes and creates a condition that makes it easy to continue drinking seamlessly. Once this change occurs, there is no going back, and it may be problematic for a lifetime, even if you do change later on. It’s best to seek professional help from an addiction treatment expert near you now!

The effect of alcohol is different for each gender 

Another interesting alcohol addiction fact is that the bodies of men process alcohol differently from that of women. This difference is caused by factors including stomach enzymes, the concentration of water in the body, the muscle to fat ratio, and the presence or absence of some hormones. 

For women, when alcohol is absorbed, it is broken down more slowly, and they can suffer more damage from alcohol addiction. However, for men, drinking excessively is common because the body breaks it down fast, which will inevitably lead to the symptoms stated above. Either way, alcohol addiction is detrimental.

Alcoholism is partially generic

Genetics also has a role to play in alcoholism. Though environment and exposure play a significant role in alcoholism, parental genes also play a part. Though this risk is not definite, as scientists state, it is only a 50-50 chance that the parent’s genes will bring about addiction in a person. However, it is only right to note this, no matter how minute the occurrence is.

Alcohol can cause death

According to reports, about 88,000 persons die as a result of alcohol yearly, because several people drunk-drive. On the grimy side, this makes it one of the leading causes of death that can be prevented. By staying sober, over 80,000 deaths can be prevented.

Binge drinking is dangerous

Binge drinking refers to the condition of drinking too much within a short period. This is a widespread occurrence in people that are between the ages of 18 and 22 years. Taking this much within a short time can lead to dangerous alcohol body levels — a situation that comes with severe health consequences.

Alcohol withdrawal comes with severe side effects

It’s best to fight alcohol addiction ASAP. This is because with extended dependence on addiction if you stop drinking totally, and suddenly, the agitation of some nerve cells occurs. This can lead to a condition known as delirium tremens that comes with severe side effects including vomiting, unconsciousness, strong cravings, cold skin etc 

Tips for Getting Rid of Alcohol Addiction

Beyond the alcohol addiction facts, there are several ways with which you can work on yourself to get rid of this menace.

  • Therapy: This is the best way to stop drinking, as you rely on the professionalism and expertise of a therapist to lead you through the side effects that come with alcohol withdrawal
  • Support group: This is a typical recommendation in therapy, especially for those that suffer addiction to one disorder or another. Your support group can be a group of friends and family that will help at every stage of the addiction recovery process.

Recovery Does Not End With Alcohol Withdrawal

Safe alcohol withdrawal is an important first step in the journey to sobriety, but it is not the only step. Addictions almost always have a root cause, and a comprehensive rehab program will help you explore those causes, and either resolve them or learn more positive ways of dealing with them. 

With the right approach and plenty of support, you can overcome your alcohol addiction and lead a positive, productive life. In terms of support, it doesn’t get better than addiction treatment experts. 

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

It is never too soon or too late to get help for alcohol addiction. This can look different for different people: some may need to make some significant lifestyle changes, and perhaps find a local 12-steps program that works for them; others would do better in an inpatient addiction rehab program.

For alcohol addiction treatment to work, it should be customized to the individual, and the goal should be to resolve the issues that lie beneath the addiction. While detox is an important first step – and one that should be done under medical supervision – it is by no means the only step on the path to recovery. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How To Avoid Alcohol After Recovery