Helping An Addict: Are You Enabling Them?

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 20, 2020
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It’s easy to blur the line between enabling and helping an addict. When someone we love is going through an addiction, we are instinctively driven to help them. We do so by offering support in a variety of ways: we ensure that the addict has access to necessities of life like food and shelter, we are there to listen to them when they need to talk, we do what we can to protect them from the ugliness of the world.

But sometimes we have to face up to the harsh reality that we may be doing more harm than good. Because the things that we think are helping could be pushing our loved one further into their addiction. In this blog, we explore the signs that you may be enabling an addict.

What Does it Mean To Enable Someone?

Enabling someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol can mean two things: our actions make it easy for them to stay addicted, or our actions make it difficult for them to stop.

Enabling is rarely intentional. When we set out to help anyone with a problem, we tend to measure our success by whether or not that person is happy. This is especially true in the case of addiction, where the individual is often unhappy or going through a difficult time in their life. If something we say or so directly results in the person being happier, we are driven to repeat that behaviour, often without realizing that we are unintentionally feeding the addiction.

The line between helping and enabling can be blurred. We may give food to a hungry relative because, obviously, food is a necessity of life, but if the need arose because the relative spent their paycheque on alcohol, have we really helped them? Or did we in fact make it easier for our relative to spend their next pay on alcohol?

Here we discuss some ways in which you may be unintentionally enabling a loved one who is addicted to drugs or alcohol.

You commit to keeping the addict’s substance use a secret

People with addictions are often reluctant to tell anyone about their substance use. Even when someone is not acknowledging that they have a problem, on some level they may be aware that their behaviour goes beyond the bounds of what others would consider acceptable. If you are in an addict’s inner circle and they know you are aware of their drug or alcohol use, they may try to extract from you a promise that you will not tell anyone.

This creates at least two problems. First, you have sole knowledge of something that you may not be emotionally equipped to handle. And second, when the time comes to try and get help for your addicted loved one, other people close to the addict may not be on board, because they don’t know the extent of the problem.

You financially support the addict in any way

Most people are unlikely to financially support the addiction directly. If you know that a loved one is addicted to cocaine, you are not going to give them money if you know they are going to use it for cocaine. But you may be inclined to pay their rent or stock up their refrigerator with groceries. While it may seem that you are simply preventing the addict from starving or ending up on the street, these actions are a sign that you’re enabling the addiction to continue.

If you are meeting any of the addicted person’s financial obligations, they have no incentive to pay those expenses themselves. In essence, you are teaching them that they can use their money for drugs, knowing that they have a safety net to fall back on. As painful as it may be for you to have to turn down someone who is asking for food, it really is the kindest thing you can do for that person.

You bail the addict out of jail

It is a sad fact of life that people with addictions often find themselves in trouble with the police. This can take several forms: the addict commits a break-and-enter as they look for money or valuables they can sell. Or they may commit an act of violence while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Finally, they may be pulled over for impaired driving.

Seeing a loved one go through the rigours of jail time and a criminal trial can be painful. But bailing an addict out of jail and helping them fight criminal charges can send them the message that they can abuse drugs without consequence. If you’re doing this, then, it’s a clear sign that you’re enabling an addiction.

You let the addict get away with behaving badly

When substance abuse makes someone behave in ways that are not usual for them, we are quick to separate the addict from their behaviour. If the addict yells at us, for instance, we’ll tell ourselves that “it’s the drugs talking.” We excuse aggression, rudeness, theft of money or belongings, and abuse by reasoning that the addict “cannot help themselves”. However, there’s a clear line between being a softie and enabling an addict.

Most people excuse this behaviour to protect themselves. For one, we need the reassurance that we are not responsible for somebody else’s bad behaviour, and so we’ll tell ourselves anything in order to not take it personally. The reality is that you are never responsible for the way in which someone else behaves, and there is nothing wrong with calling the addict out on the things they do that hurt us.

Everybody – whether they are addicted to drugs or alcohol or not – should be held accountable for their own words and actions.

You cover for the addict’s lateness or absenteeism

The deeper someone falls into the pit of drug or alcohol addiction, the more likely it is that their attendance and performance at work will start to suffer. Early in their addiction, they may be late from time to time. They might miss the occasional deadline or deliver work that is below their usual standard.

After a while, the addict may start to sleep late. They will miss their alarm, and you will be unable to wake them up. If you help them cover up in situations like this, it’s a clear sign that you’re enabling the addiction.

You may respond by calling their employer or coworker and saying that your loved one is sick. Plans to attend important events may be derailed, and you may be tempted to make an excuse of illness or a flat tire. As part of being held accountable, the addict needs to face up to the times they are late and absent.

You allow the addict to use substances in your home

There is no denying that drug abuse can be part of a dangerous lifestyle. Many substances lead to an over-inflated sense of confidence, leading the addict to engage in potentially dangerous activities without regard for the danger.

It is easy to tell yourself that if the addicted person is going to use drugs, they may as well do so in a safe place, where they will be protected from doing anything rash. It may seem like you have a reason for it, but it’s a clear sign that you’re enabling an addict.

This has three potentially serious impacts. First, it gives the addict an easy place to use drugs, which reduces their ability and incentive to quit. Second, in some jurisdictions, knowingly allowing the use of illicit substances can get you into trouble. And third, you could be putting yourself at risk of harm at the hands of the addict.

Related article: Top Reasons Young People Use Marijuana

You take on housework and childcare responsibilities

Addiction does not only affect the addict. It affects everyone around them as well, and where the waters really get muddied is when the addict’s household includes vulnerable people, such as children, seniors, and people with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.

You may find yourself increasingly doing things for the addict and the people who live with them. In addition to paying bills, you may go over to the addict’s home to do their laundry, vacuum or cook a meal. You do this “for the sake of the children”, and the result is that it becomes even more convenient for the addict to use drugs or alcohol.

If there are vulnerable people living with the addict and their safety is at risk, arrangements should be made to remove them from the home. These arrangements should be made with the sole intention of protecting the vulnerable, and not as a way to make life easier for the addict.

How To Help An Addicted Loved One Without Enabling Them

It is never too late to help someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. More importantly, you can provide help without enabling them. There are several steps that you can take.

Don’t blame yourself

The first step is to understand that this is not your fault. It is very easy to fall into the habit of enabling an addicted loved one. You have been trying to help, and this kind of problem does not come with an instruction manual. It is not easy to know what to do. So don’t be hard on yourself. Remind yourself that you are a good person who wants the best for your loved one.

Take care of yourself

A lot of people who are helping someone through a crisis forget to take care of themselves. If you are going to be at your one’s side through the addiction and rehab journey, you need to make sure you have the physical and emotional reserves to sustain yourself.

Make sure you are eating nutritious meals and getting some exercise. Follow pursuits that you enjoy; spend time with friends who can take your mind away from what is happening. See your doctor if you start to feel run-down, and explore the possibility of therapy for yourself if you are having trouble coping.

Research options for intervention and treatment

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. In the same way, you can explore options for addiction treatment, but you can’t force the addict to accept help. However, there are things you can do to increase the chances of them signing up for addiction treatment.

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

Tags Helping An Addict

Drug Addiction

Drug Abuse and Addictions: Warning Signs To Look Out For

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 20, 2020
No Comments on Drug Abuse and Addictions: Warning Signs To Look Out For

Alcohol and drug addiction come in many forms. Consequently, it means that the signs of drug abuse and addiction differ from person to person. It is the lonely teenager smoking marijuana in order to cope with the anguish of being bullied. It is the survivor of sexual assault who uses drugs to escape into a world without pain. It is the high-level executive whose cocaine provides the energy rush needed to meet a crushing deadline. It is the war veteran who uses opioids for chronic pain, the student using “uppers” to get through exams, the bereaved parent who seeks comfort in bottles of wine.

Although we have pictures in our minds of what we think the signs and symptoms addiction looks like, there is no way to tell. The spectre of addiction could even be hiding within your own family – possibly even within you – and you may not realize it. And without recognizing the signs and symptoms of addiction, people with addictions are unable to seek or accept help.

The Difference Between Drug Abuse And Drug Addiction

If drug abuse and addiction can lurk so secretively in our lives, how is it possible to tell whether or not it is there?

The first step is to understand that although many people use the terms “drug abuse” and “drug addiction” interchangeably, there is a difference.

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is either the use of an illicit substance such as heroin, or the misuse of a legal substance such as alcohol. Examples of drug abuse include the following:

Drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol (generally, eight units per week for adult biological females, and fifteen units per week for adult biological males)
Using any illegal street drug, such as cocaine or heroin
Using a prescription medication intended for someone else
Taking more than the prescribed dose of a prescription medication
Using prescription medication for a purpose other than that for which it was intended
Ingesting a household substance not meant for human consumption

Drug abuse can happen over any period of time. Furthermore, the signs of drug abuse are far easier to spot. A single instance of substance use can be classified as drug abuse. For some people, drug abuse is a pattern of substance use over time.

Drug Addiction

For most addicts, addiction is the step that follows drug abuse. What happens is that the individual develops a tolerance for the substance, meaning that they have to use higher doses in order to achieve the same effects.

Ultimately, the body and mind become dependent on the substance. Hence, it means they cannot function without it, and in some cases, withdrawal from the drug can have life-threatening consequences. This is without a doubt one of the common signs of drug addiction.

Knowing When Your Substance Use Is A Problem

Knowing when your use of substances is too much is not an exact science. Although the signs of addiction may be an indicator, there are varying factors.

Everyone is different, and the amount of anything that you ingest, whether it is food or alcohol, depends on your age, how much you weigh, whether or not you have any medical conditions, and other factors.

Bearing in mind these individual factors, there are some general signs that can be an indicator of whether you or a loved one are entering the territory of drug abuse:

You are using an illegal substance in any quantity
You are using alcohol in any quantity and you are underage – the legal age of alcohol use may vary depending on where you are
You are not using prescription medication in accordance with your doctor’s instructions, or you are using someone else’s medication
You have developed an illness or disability as a result of prolonged drug use
You drug use results in you engaging in potentially risky behaviour without regard for the dangers
Your close friends and family members have approached you about your use of drugs or alcohol
You have dipped into money intended for bills or living expenses in order to buy drugs or alcohol
Your substance use has led to you losing interest in pursuits that were previously important to you
You have tried unsuccessfully to stop using the drugs or alcohol

Physical Signs Of Drug Abuse

Physical health is often the first thing to be affected, and yet it can be the last thing to be noticed. Many of the physical signs of addiction can also be caused by other conditions.

However, certain combinations of signs and symptoms can be red flags that there is a substance abuse problem going on:

Bloodshot eyes, or pupils that are unusually large or small
Rapid weight gain or weight loss that cannot be attributed to another cause
Abrupt change to sleeping patterns reflected as insomnia, excessive sleep, or frequent waking
Impaired coordination
Crusted or flaking skin around the nose and mouth
Skin redness or track marks that could result from needles
Excessive coughing in the absence of illness or allergies
Frequent nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
A general feeling or look of being “run down”
Unusual body odours

Mental/Cognitive Signs Of Drug Abuse

While some substances are used primarily for their physical effects, such as painkillers, people generally use drugs and alcohol because of how it makes them feel. For example, cocaine creates a boost of energy and confidence, while opioids generate a rush of euphoria and relaxation.

Any substance used in excess can have a significant impact on mental health and cognitive functioning. The effects, which vary depending on individual factors, may include the following:

Increased intensity of depression and anxiety symptoms
Agitation, irritability and mood swings
Impaired memory
Inability to concentrate
Paranoia

Behavioural/Social Signs Of Drug Abuse

It is no surprise that even mild drug use can lead to behavioural changes. How many times have you seen someone have a single glass of wine and suddenly become uncharacteristically talkative or aggressive? Most people consume alcohol in a way that their behaviour is only altered while they are impaired.

The morning after a good party, most of us might have a headache, but our behaviour is back to normal. Someone who requires substance addiction treatment may show some behavioural and social signs and symptoms that persist even when they are not actively using the drug.

Examples of these signs include the following:

An obsessive need for privacy and a tendency to spend a lot of time alone
Aggressive behaviour that wasn’t there before
Loss of interest in activities that used to be important
Destruction of property
Lack of concern for close friends and family members
A sudden tendency to change or cancel plans
Secrecy with regard to finances
A tendency to be argumentative and to say hurtful things
Absenteeism from work or school
Failure to take care of family obligations
Involvement in criminal activity
Disregard for personal hygiene and grooming

The Dangers Of Drug Abuse And Addiction

The more we learn about drug addiction, the more dangerous it seems to become. This is because the drugs themselves are constantly evolving: new powerful strains of marijuana are being created every day. Producers of illegal drugs are finding ways to make substances stronger, and in some cases, more lethal. Drug dealers are combining their substances with products that are toxic to humans, like bath salts and chalk.

This results in a landscape of drugs that can have unpredictable effects. This can pose a problem not only to the user, who may not be aware of exactly how their drug is made up but to first responders, who may not have all of the information they need to effectively treat an overdose. What this means is that the risk of death from accidental and intentional overdoses is a lot higher than it used to be.

Adding to the complication is the fact that a lot of people use more than one substance. Someone who takes benzodiazepines may also be addicted to alcohol. Someone who is addicted to prescription opioids may supplement their drugs with heroin. Any two drugs used in combination can result in the effects of each drug being compounded, which again, can lead to medical complications.

If the signs and symptoms of drug addiction are not caught quickly, the situation may spiral into intense physical complications. Some of the dangers of extended drug use include the following:

Physical and psychological dependence, which can result in potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Increased risk of stroke or heart attack
Collapsed veins from intravenous drug use
Breathing that is too fast or too slow
Accidental injury resulting from decreased regard for danger
Increased risk of HIV and hepatitis from shared needles
Suicidal thoughts and actions
Changes to brain chemistry, resulting in permanent cognitive declines
Seizures
Violent behaviour, leading to the breakup of relationships and the removal of children from the home
Job loss

Drug Abuse And Addiction Treatment

Many people say that in order for someone with an addiction to get the help they need, they have to first hit rock bottom. The problem is that for many people, “rock bottom” means death or permanent disability. The truth is that anyone with a substance abuse problem can and should get help – the sooner the better.

Addiction can have a catastrophic effect on your life and the lives of those around you. By getting the help you need, you can stop the damage and start the process of healing yourself and mending your relationships with the people you love. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Tags Drug Abuse, Drug Addiction

Addiction Recovery

How To Help A Loved One In Recovery

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 20, 2020
No Comments on How To Help A Loved One In Recovery

People with addictions are often afraid to approach their loved ones for help. They fear that they will be looked down on, vilified for making poor choices, and rejected. They are afraid that their family members will be ashamed of them, and that they will not love them anymore.

This frequently prevents addicts from seeking help, which is a shame, because those who do approach family members are so often overwhelmed by the love and support they receive. Many people with addictions have told stories about loved ones surrounding them with love, protecting them from the outside world, and getting them the help they need.

Why Are Loved Ones Important In The Recovery Process?

It has been said that no man is an island, and that is certainly true of addicts in recovery. Addiction does not only affect the addict: it also affects those who surround the addict, particularly close friends and family members.

Exactly what those impacts are depends on the family, but they may include the following:

PTSD resulting from incidents of abuse
Fear for the safety of self or children
Financial worries resulting from money being used to fuel the addiction
A sense of loss following the breakdown of the relationship

And so, when the addict goes into recovery, it’s really the addict and their inner circle who have to heal. In most cases, an inpatient rehab setting is ideal for this: the addict is in a safe place where they can focus on the work they have to do as an individual, and family members and close friends have the time and space to dedicate to themselves. Best of all, loved ones can actively participate in the rehab process by attending family therapy sessions.

What Happens During Family Therapy?

One of the big losses that come from an addiction is a loss of trust. Loved ones who have been burned are likely to resist overtures by the addict to “fix things”.

But with the help of a trained family therapist who has the benefit of being impartial, the addict and their loved ones can start to move closer to healing their relationship.

Some skills and tools that the addict and family can learn include the following:

Communication skills
Conflict resolution skills
Stress management
Confronting challenges as a unified team

Some family therapy sessions include the addict and the entire group of loved ones. Others may involve one or two people, and some may even be one-on-one sessions conducted for the purpose of delving into specific issues.

What Else Can Loved Ones Do To Support The Recovering Addict?

Taking the addict to rehab and showing up for your scheduled family therapy sessions are two important steps, but support for your addicted loved one does not end there. There are some other things you can do – not only for the addict but for yourself.

Education

There is truth is the expression, “Knowledge is power.” The more we understand something, the less afraid of it we are. One of the key things you can do is learn as much as you can about addiction, and specifically, about your loved one’s unique path to and through addiction.

This education can take several forms:

Education sessions and workshops run by the rehab centre
Online and in-person support groups for loved ones of addicts
Various online resources that educate about the effects of drugs
Mental health resources that can help you understand the link between mental illness and addiction

Therapy

While family therapy is a critical part of rehab for most addicts and their loved ones, it may serve you well to seek out individual therapy for yourself.

Under the guidance of a professional therapist, you can learn to understand and process how the addict’s behaviour has impacted you, and how you can move forward from that in a positive way. You can also learn how you may have inadvertently enabled the addict’s behaviour, so you can avoid that in the future.

Support groups

One of the hardest things about having a loved one with an addiction problem is the sense of being alone. Support groups like Al-Anon are there so you can listen to the stories of other families and draw strength from them.

And as you move further along in your own journey, you will be able to provide support to those whose journeys are just starting. Through this community, you will learn new ways to cope and to support your addicted loved one.

Self-care

No one can drink from an empty well. If you are feeling depleted as a result of the addiction, you may not be in any position to take care of anyone. You need to focus on yourself and your own healing, to take the time to replenish your physical and mental reserves.

You can do this in several ways:

Go away for a few days by yourself. Be beholden to nobody. Go wherever you want, and spend the time doing whatever you want and not worrying about anyone or anything else.
Rediscover pursuits that you used to enjoy that may have gone by the wayside. This could mean more time with friends, going back to art or dance classes, or resurrecting a love of reading.
If you have been under stress, your physical health may have suffered. Get your strength back by following a nutritious eating plan and getting regular exercise. This can help your mental health as well: few things can lift the soul like a gentle walk in a scenic location.
Allow yourself to cry, and to feel the sadness and despair that you may be feeling. By acknowledging how you feel, you will be better able to process those emotions.
Consider trying meditation or mindfulness practices. These are tools for calming your mind and reducing stress.

How To Start The Recovery Process

In many cases, it is not the addict who makes the first call for help, it is a family member or close friend. If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction, and you don’t know how to approach them about getting help, you can make use of the professional intervention services offered by addiction rehab facilities.

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

Tags Addiction Recovery

Cocaine Addiction

How to Quit Cocaine Addiction

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 15, 2020
No Comments on How to Quit Cocaine Addiction

If you’re reading this, the odds are high that you have finally realized the negative toll that cocaine use is having on your life, and you want to quit. This realization is very vital as it is what will push you to go through cocaine addiction treatment. Finding out how to quit cocaine abuse is the first and essential step to living a life free from an addiction to the substance. In light of this, we are happy to tell you that you are on the right path!

Cocaine is easily one of the most dangerous and addictive substances out there. Although it is illegal in many countries, including Canada, many people still practice recreational cocaine use. Sadly, most of these people become addicted to the substance.

If you or your loved ones fall into this category, the good news is that you can get help for cocaine addiction. In this article, we will provide you with helpful tips on how to quit cocaine abuse.

Kicking your addiction to cocaine may be tasking as the withdrawal symptoms can be quite intense. So, we recommend seeking professional help to ensure that your cocaine addiction treatment and recovery goes as smoothly as possible.

In light of this, we will also give you some insight into the best treatment options for cocaine addiction. Read further to find out the best ways to stop cocaine abuse.

Why is Quitting Cocaine So Hard?

Many people struggling with how to quit cocaine abuse usually have a lot of questions. Why can I recreationally use cocaine for a short while and then become unable to control myself? What causes the change between my occasional thrilling use and my now compulsive use? How can it be so hard not to use cocaine? Can I get rid of cocaine addiction?

These are all very valid questions that countless others before you have asked. The process of quitting cocaine has the potential to be difficult, painful and mostly uncomfortable.

This is because of the effects that long-term cocaine use has on the brain. To help you understand the process of cocaine addiction treatment, we will show you how it affects your brain.

Cocaine explicitly targets the limbic system in the brain. This is the part of the brain that controls the feelings of reward and is highly effective in making you happy. Due to this, with continued use of cocaine, you will continually seek these feelings of pleasure. This makes it extremely difficult to kick your habits of using cocaine.

Furthermore, the continuous use of cocaine will cause your body to develop a physical dependence on the substance. This means that your body forms a compulsive need for cocaine to sustain normal functions.

At this point, if you try to stop, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can vary from simple to intense, depending on how long you’ve been using.

The mental and physical impressions of cocaine on you are what make its addiction hard to treat. Also, these factors increase the risk of a relapse. However, despite all these, cocaine addiction treatment is, IN FACT, possible. In the next few paragraphs, you will discover proven tips on how to quit cocaine addiction.

Tips on How to Quit Cocaine

Cocaine addiction treatment is never comfortable. This is why you need all the help you can get to kick to your cocaine addiction. We have compiled some vital information on the best ways to stop cocaine abuse. Bear in mind, we are not saying it will be smooth sailing all through.

By following the following strategies, you may just be giving yourself the best chances of dropping cocaine for good. At the very least, these tips will point you in the right direction. Here’s how to quit cocaine abuse.

Figure out why you want to quit

Undoubtedly, numerous health risks come with using cocaine that should be enough to make anyone stop. However, these reasons may not be enough for you. You need to figure out your reasons for wanting to know how to quit cocaine abuse.

Many people want to get clean to get back with their family, while others want to become better versions of themselves. Whatever your reason may be, you must identify it. This reason will become the fuel that pushes you through your cocaine addiction treatment when it gets tough, as it likely will.

Create a plan for yourself

The next important step you need to take in your journey to freedom from cocaine addiction is to create a plan. A well-tailored plan will go a long way in keeping you on track. In the timeline you create, you must address your short-term goal of successful withdrawal.

Furthermore, you must also plan for your long term goal, which is recovery. Here are a couple of things you should keep in mind when creating your cocaine addiction treatment timeline.

Prepare for the symptoms of withdrawal
Decide how to deal with stress
Create a plan for avoiding things or people who can lead you to use again

Related article: Common Signs of Cocaine Abuse

Build a support system

One of the best ways to stop cocaine addiction is to create a support system of people who can encourage you to achieve your goal. A reliable support system can make the difference between a successful cocaine addiction treatment and a relapse.

Most people choose to surround themselves with their loved ones – close friends and family. It goes without saying that you have to alert these people that you are trying to quit cocaine.

Your support system is critical to ensuring that you have adequate care and motivation during your addiction treatment. So, if you do not want to tell your loved ones, you may invest in anonymous support such as Narcotics Anonymous or Cocaine Anonymous.

Get busy

Our next tip on how to quit cocaine abuse is this – fill up your days. If you are going to drop a habit, you should find a more healthy replacement for it. Otherwise, the void that it leaves can cause idleness, which can lead you right back where you started. The same thing applies to cocaine addiction and its treatment.

Idleness can give you time to reflect on your memories, which can then cause more cravings. To prevent this, we recommend that you rearrange your schedule.

Moreover, cocaine cravings are short-lived. They typically last between two and three hours. So, if you can find a way to pass the time, or exhaust yourself until you nod off, you will likely wake up without cravings.

Fill your day up with activities that you like, such as exercise and safe socialization. You may even pick up a new hobby or complete an unfinished home project.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

The lifestyle that you lead goes a long way to influence your journey through quitting cocaine for good. As such, you must ensure that you do your best to live as healthily as possible. This includes adequate rest, regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Exercise facilitates the release of natural ‘pleasure’ chemicals in your brain, thereby helping you reduce cravings. Also, a regular schedule for sleeping and waking will help your body recover faster from cocaine use. Besides, a healthy diet promotes brain function and helps your body regenerate. It all works together to help you quit cocaine abuse.

Identify your triggers

Knowing how to quit cocaine addiction is all about understanding what triggers your use in the first place. Once you can identify your triggers, you are well on your way to living a cocaine-free life.

Make a list of these triggers and then plan how to avoid them. This way, even if you are unable to prevent them, you’ll be prepared to deal with them. Your triggers may include objects, people, places or situations. So, think deep, identify them and, most importantly, avoid them!

Enroll in a treatment centre

For our final tip on how to quit cocaine abuse, admit to a professional cocaine addiction treatment facility. While it is possible to discontinue cocaine use on your own, it is usually a painful, not to mention dangerous, process.

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be intense and life-threatening. This is why we recommend going through your detox at a professional facility.

At an addiction treatment centre, you’d have access to a team of medical experts and psychologists to help you through your withdrawal. Also, they can provide medication to help reduce the intensity of your symptoms if need be. Or help you ensure that your mind is in the right state to pull through.

The option of Professional Cocaine Addiction Treatment

At our cocaine addiction treatment facility, we have a variety of treatment options available for you.

Inpatient treatment program – You live in our treatment centre while going through recovery.
Outpatient treatment program – You enjoy inpatient services, but you do not have to live in the facility,
Individual therapy program – One-on-one with our addiction treatment professionals
Group therapy – You enjoy the benefits of therapy but with a group of people with similar goals.
Twelve-step support groups

Take-Home

Cocaine addiction is deadly and a real pain to kick. However, drug-free life is achievable and within your grasp. With a combination of professional help, the right support system and tips on how to quit cocaine addiction, you can indeed kick your habits. Call 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: The Harmful Effects Of Cocaine

Tags How to Quit Cocaine Addiction

Heroin Addiction

The Long Term Effects of Heroin Abuse

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 15, 2020
No Comments on The Long Term Effects of Heroin Abuse

If you have been trying to quit heroin, perhaps considering the long-term effects of heroin abuse can serve as a motivation. With the repeated use of this substance, there is a significant change in the brain’s structure, both physically and physiologically. Also, heroin abuse is detrimental to the body and can result in several health conditions that most people don’t know about.

According to metrics, about 35,000 persons have hepatitis every year and about 70% of these results from addicts that use needles to inject the substance. The lifestyle of an addict is very damaging. Apart from the risk of contracting infectious diseases, there’s also the risk of damaging your liver.

It may seem like an uphill task to face the horror that comes with total withdrawal. However, it is better than continuously subjecting yourself to the long-term effects of heroin abuse. You see, the consequences of heroin abuse factor in every aspect of life.

Addicts suffer from a messed up life. From broken family and personal relationships to issues in the workplace, heroin abuse has dangerous implications. Additionally, there’s the mental side of heroin abuse. Depression, anxiety and other mental disorders are just a few of the possible effects of heroin abuse

In this guide, we will explore the symptoms of heroin addiction, its long-term effects, and what you can do to get yourself out of the loop.

What You Should Know About Heroin Abuse

Heroin is an opioid substance produced from morphine. Furthermore, there are several ways the substance can be used. It can be sniffed; it can be snorted, injected, and is most commonly smoked. While users feel they are in control, most fall into dependence on the substance, which leads to an uncontrolled level of addiction.

Heroin is a very addictive substance. For starters, it adheres to the receptors situated in the brain and causes the release of a chemical known as dopamine. The release of this substance is the start of what later becomes an addiction.

Dopamine’s effect on the brain is only temporary, and since it comes with a ‘good feeling,’ the brain wants more of that. This leads the individual back to smoking heroin. Furthermore, this continuous cycle leads to dependence on the substance, as it “makes you feel good whenever you use it”.

With continuous exposure to this substance, your body will not be able to attain the level of feeling good naturally. As a result, you have to use more of the substance to trigger the release of the same levels of dopamine.

You should know that opioid use disorder can result from the use of painkillers. The activity of these drugs is similar to that of opioids, making it essential that you stay wary of heroin, which can worsen this condition.

To avoid the side effects of heroin abuse, it is important to know the signs of addiction. These symptoms mark the start of dependence on the substance. If the symptoms are quickly spotted, with heroin addiction treatment, it is possible to manage the situation effectively.

There is a whole repository of symptoms you need to look out for, ranging from behavioural to physical and psychological effects.

The behavioural effect of heroin abuse include the following:

You get absent from work or school, frequently
A drop in your performance.
Wearing dresses that cover your bruises and injuries from heroin injection
Total disinterest in personal grooming
Secrecy and lying become second nature.
To afford the substance, you start to steal.
You start to lose interest in the things that were once important to you.
You can’t stop using the substance, despite its effects.
You distance yourself from family and friends.
You only pursue relationships with people that are addicted to the substance too.
You are no longer financially stable.
You may end up losing your job due to inadequacies brought on by heroin addiction
Crime and legal issues

Physically, the signs of heroin abuse include the following:

You notice a drastic weight loss
You start to look malnourished
You suffer from exhaustion and lethargy
Your eyes become watery, coupled with a running nose.
You have symptoms that come off as flu.
You are prone to experience difficulty in breathing.
You get constant chest infections.
Suffering from constipation
Bruises and injuries on the skin
Uncontrolled itching.
Constriction of the pupils
Your vein may collapse
Clotting of the blood
As a woman, a disruption in the menstrual cycle may occur
Frequent shortness of breath

The psychological signs of heroin abuse include:

Depression starts, coupled with anxiety
You feel ashamed and guilty
You get knocked down by severe low self-esteem
You suffer from drastic swings in mood
Hopelessness and despair
You start making the wrong judgments
Disorientation and confusion
You can’t stop thinking of how to get another dose of heroin into your system
You start feeling as though you no longer control your life, but the heroin does.
It becomes increasingly difficult to find your focus at work or in school.

These signs are proof that you are dependent on the substance, and the next thing is to seek help.

You see, the long-term effects of heroin abuse result from the continuous use of the substance. Therefore, the earlier you deal with addiction to the substance, the better.

The Effects of Heroin Abuse: All You Need To Know

The effects of heroin abuse are both long-term and short-term. Here are some of the short-term effects you may suffer from, with the continued abuse of heroin.

You experience dry mouth
Your skin looks pale and flushed
Your legs and arms begin to feel heavy, making it difficult to engage in the activities you would typically love to engage in.
The continuous use of heroin can result in an upsetting of your stomach, coupled with intense vomiting.
You feel itchy all over your body.
Your brain gets fuzzy, and it becomes more difficult to think straight.
You get drowsy very quickly.

On the other hand, the long-term effects of abusing heroin are:

Collapsed veins
You suffer from immense mental disorders, which may be augmented with infections of the heart and its valves. You also start to exhibit several liver and kidney diseases.
If you share needles with someone, you are prone to contracting HIV/AIDS. You also stand the risk of contracting hepatitis B or C.
In most cases, lung diseases result from heroin abuse — for instance, pneumonia and tuberculosis.

As stated earlier in this article, addiction to heroin can be very intense, and in most cases, will result in one or more accompanying health disorders.

Furthermore, the continuous use of the substance, just like any other, results in the body developing tolerance. Once you get to this stage, it becomes doubly harder to turn back, even when the negative health effects are crystal clear.

It would almost feel like your body needs it to function correctly. In cases like this, the best solution is to undergo heroin withdrawal with the help of addiction treatment experts. Below are some of the physical manifestations you can expect during heroin withdrawal:

Jitters and chills
Vomiting and diarrhea
You feel pain in your bones and muscles.
You find it very difficult to sleep, as you haven’t taken heroin.
Cold flashes.
Uncontrolled leg movement.

How to Beat Heroin Addiction

It is nearly impossible to overcome heroin abuse all by yourself. Instead, you need a support system. When you reach out to a professional, your problems, symptoms, and conditions will be noted. As a result, they can develop a personalized treatment plan for you.

The most common approach to treating heroin abuse is therapy, and in most cases combining this with medication. Through medication, the craving for heroin can be reduced. The drugs operate similarly to heroin, in that they have a long-lasting dopamine production than heroin. This nullifies the effect of heroin on your brain and reduces the pleasure you derive from taking it.

With therapy, the things you do, think of, as well as behaviours that support addiction will be modified and controlled. This way, you cope better with the stress and other triggers that lead to heroin abuse. This is known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Depending on your unique condition, there is also contingency management therapy that offers rewards for staying free from the drug.

Final Take

From the above, it is easy to see that the long-term effects of heroin abuse can take a serious physical toll on the body. As a result, it is best to seek expert heroin addiction treatment as soon as possible. Call 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Tags Effects of Heroin Abuse, Heroin Abuse

Alcohol Addiction

Drinking Too Much? Here’s How To Know

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 15, 2020
No Comments on Drinking Too Much? Here’s How To Know

Most of us are well aware of the dangers of excessive drinking and alcohol addiction. Consuming too much alcohol over a period of time can lead to a variety of physical health concerns, including liver disease, stroke, cardiac arrest, high blood pressure, digestive problems, and several cancers.

Physical health is not the only thing that is affected by the need for alcohol addiction treatment. There is also the fact that alcohol can make people engage in high-risk behaviour, for instance, while driving a car. This can lead to anything ranging from a minor fender bender on your way home from a party to the loss of innocent lives.

People who are drunk may also become violent, especially if they already had a predisposition to anger. In addition to impaired driving offences and the charges that can stem from that, alcohol consumption can trigger incidents of domestic violence, assault, breaking and entering, and many other forms of criminal activity.

But How Much Is Too Much?

Most people who consume alcohol do so with the intention of being moderate. We don’t see the harm in getting home from work and having one or two beers to relax. From time to time, we’ll go to a wedding or a dinner party and drink more than we normally would, but as long as we don’t drive afterwards, and as long as excessive drinking does not become a regular habit, we tell ourselves that we are nowhere near that zone of “drinking too much”.

Some researchers, however, estimate that as many as one-third of adults drink excessively, many of them without realizing it.

How do they arrive at this number?

The first thing to clarify is what constitutes a unit of alcohol. In general, “a drink” consists of 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1 ½ ounce of hard liquor, like whisky or vodka.

How much you can drink without it being considered excessive depends on several factors, such as your biological sex, your weight, the presence of any medical conditions, and medications that you are taking.

If you wanted to know exactly what your specific alcohol consumption limits are, you would need to talk to your doctor. This way, you can accurately determine whether there is a need for addiction treatment.

But based on adult population averages, it is generally thought that for biological females, eight drinks or more per week is excessive. For biological males, that number is fifteen drinks or more per week.

Many people would agree that this is not a lot. An adult female who has a small glass of wine every evening plus an extra glass on Saturday nights is technically drinking to excess.

It would appear, though, that most people who drink a single glass of wine with their dinner do not necessarily consume more than that when they are out. Most excessive drinking takes the form of bingeing, where the individual consumes four drinks or more per occasion.

The Distinction Between Excess Drinking And Alcohol Addiction

It is important to note that the vast majority of people who drink to excess are not addicted to alcohol. They do not experience withdrawal symptoms when they do not drink, and they do not show signs of developing an increased tolerance for alcohol.

Nor do they experience cravings when they do not have access to alcohol. They may simply have difficulty saying no to more when they have already had one or two drinks.

Even where alcohol consumption results in the commission of a crime, it should not be assumed that the individual is an alcoholic. It should not even be assumed that they have consumed more than what is considered “moderate”.

All it takes for an incident to happen is for the person to drink more than their body can handle and then do something risky without realizing that they are endangering themselves or someone else.

Alcohol Addiction is Not All About The Numbers

The legal system places a lot of stock in numbers – in other words, the blood alcohol content. And that is reasonable: with alcohol affecting people in such different ways, there has to be some way of quantifying how much is “too much” from a legal standpoint.

But we need to remember that it’s not only about the numbers. We can also measure excess drinking by how we respond when we consume alcohol, and perhaps more tellingly, how we respond when we don’t have alcohol.

How Do I Know That I’m Drinking Too Much?

If you are concerned about your alcohol consumption, that alone might give you pause to look at reducing your alcohol intake.

But there are several questions you can ask yourself to get an idea of whether there’s a need for alcohol addiction treatment. These questions, which apply to the previous twelve months, are as follows:

Have I had times when I had more drinks than I intended, or drank for longer than I planned to?
Have I tried unsuccessfully to either cut back on my alcohol use or to quit entirely?
Have I felt strong cravings to drink alcohol?
Has it ever taken a long time for me to recover from the effects of alcohol?
Has alcohol consumption interfered with my ability to go to work or school, or to meet family obligations?
Have I consumed alcohol in spite of it affecting my relationships with loved ones?
Have I stopped participating in activities that are important to me so I could drink instead?
Have I engaged in potentially risky behaviour after drinking, such as driving or operating machinery?
Have I continued to drink in spite of feeling sad, anxious or sick?
Have I needed to drink more to gain the same effects?
Have I experienced withdrawal symptoms as a result of not having access to alcohol?

What Should I Do If I Am Drinking Excessively?

There are people who would say that you should simply stop drinking, but this is not easy for everyone. In fact, if you are a very heavy user of alcohol, quitting without medical supervision is not recommended.

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

Related article: How To Avoid Alcohol After Recovery

Tags Alcohol Addiction, drinking, Signs Of Alcohol Abuse

Substance Abuse

The Connection Between Substance Abuse And Mental Health

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 15, 2020
No Comments on The Connection Between Substance Abuse And Mental Health

A common misconception surrounding addiction is that it is nothing more than a string of bad choices resulting from a simple desire to “get high”. But when we start to delve into the lives of people suffering from addiction and learn about their backstories, a pattern starts to emerge.

The pattern does not depict the mental picture we have of bums on street corners clutching their bottles of whisky. The pattern shows human beings who are in pain – either physical or mental – and whose pain either results in or results from addiction.

Addiction almost never exists in isolation. It is rooted in context; it can have a complex array of underlying causes and comorbidities. Many people tend to look at addiction as a problem when in many cases, addiction is a symptom.

Lessons From Rat Park

This concept of addiction being a symptom was brought into stark relief during the Rat Park experiments that were run by Canadian psychologist Bruce Alexander from 1978 to 1981.

A group of rats that were isolated in cages were offered two choices of beverage: ordinary tap water, and a sweetened solution containing morphine. Without exception, the rats chose the morphine. Predictably, they became addicted. Some of them died.

The key point is that the rats were isolated in small spaces with nothing to do and no other rats for company, and they were fed a basic diet.

Another group of rats were introduced to Rat Park: a construction that was much larger than a standard cage. Rat Park was equipped with balls, wheels and other toys, a variety of foods, and – this is the crucial part – other rats. The rats in Rat Park were given the same choices of beverage as the caged rats: water and morphine.

The rats in Rat Park – the ones that had good living conditions, activities to engage them mentally and physically, and opportunities to build social connections – overwhelmingly rejected the morphine. A few tried it, but they always reverted to the water.

If we apply these findings to humans, we can deduce that addiction is far less likely to occur in individuals whose lives are conducive to a better state of mental wellbeing. Furthermore, the best way to treat addiction is to focus on the underlying causes – interestingly, when addicted rats were moved from their isolated cages to Rat Park, they did not want the morphine.

Being Isolated In A Crowd

Critics of the Rat Park experiments argue that humans rarely live in isolation. On the contrary, it can be difficult to get any time alone. But society is set up in such a way that it is possible to be isolated in spite of being surrounded by people.

Consider the teenage victim of bullying, who is told by parents or teachers that he has to “learn to stand up for himself”, or the new mother who is suffering from postpartum depression and is constantly told that she should feel happy because she has a baby.

People are wired to gravitate to those who are similar in their experiences, values, and likes and dislikes. Someone who has a mental illness, or who has experienced trauma, is regarded as “different”. The resulting lack of understanding – whether real or perceived – can be enough to push someone into the arena of substance abuse and addiction.

The reverse can also happen: addiction isolates a person from their loved ones. Relationships crumble, finances fall apart, and the addict loses interest in things that were previously important to them. What results is a sense of desolation – or desperation – that drives the addict to use drugs again.

What Do the Numbers Tell Us?

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), people who suffer from mental illnesses are twice as likely as the general population to develop a substance use disorder.

Similarly, people who struggle with addiction are three times more likely than other people to have a mental illness. These individuals are more likely to die prematurely: it is thought that mental illness can take up to twenty years away from a person’s life expectancy.

What Does This Mean For Addiction Treatment?

Over the last few decades, we have been learning a lot about addiction and its connection to mental health, and addiction treatment has evolved accordingly. There was a time when “rehab” consisted of little more than a period of detox followed by a few sessions with a psychotherapist.

Many addiction treatment and rehab programs now follow a holistic approach that treats the entire individual rather than just the addiction. A variety of treatment methods are used to cater for variations in individual circumstances.

Treatment methods still centre around individual and group therapy, but the programs also include creative therapies, mindfulness training, life skills coaching, fitness and nutrition, and elements of self-care in the form of relaxation and recreation.

A Human Version of Rat Park?

At the start of the 21st century, Portugal had one of the worst drug problems in the world. They responded by doing two things: they became the first country worldwide to decriminalize all drugs, and they diverted funds from the punishment of addicts to social services.

In addition to inpatient addiction treatment programs, job creation drives were put in place, and loans were made available to addicts who wanted to start small businesses. The goal was, quite simply, to give addicts a reason to not use drugs, to give them a reason to want to be present in their own lives.

Final Thoughts

One of the biggest takeaways from the Rat Park experiments is that, while physical and psychological dependence on substances is real and should not be underestimated, taking care of mental health and wellbeing is critical not just in the treatment of addiction, but in its prevention.

If we give that teenage victim of bullying some meaningful connections that he can trust, and if we acknowledge the anguish of the mom with postpartum depression, maybe we can stop addictions before they start.

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

Tags Mental Health, Substance Abuse

Inpatient

The Benefits Of Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 13, 2020
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In-patient addiction treatment comes with many advantages. Making the decision to stop using drugs and alcohol is rarely one that is made lightly. The addict may grapple with a lot of things before getting to that point, such as disintegrating relationships, job loss, financial crisis, and failing physical and mental health. They may have had trouble accepting that they have a problem or they might be in fear of the stigma that is often associated with addiction.

And so making this choice is, in most cases, very brave and not at all easy. And while it is the crucial first step without which nothing else can happen, giving up drugs is not simply a matter of no longer using it. For many addicts, the use of the substance has become necessary to their survival. No matter how determined you are, if you have been addicted to alcohol for a long period of time, your life can be in danger if you suddenly deprive your body of it.

This is why most addicts cannot and should not attempt to stop using drugs without some kind of support – and for many, this involves trying to figure out if inpatient addiction treatment and rehab is the right avenue.

What Is Inpatient Addiction Treatment?

An inpatient addiction treatment program is one in which you stay at the facility, day and night, for the duration of your treatment. While some feel that the cost of in-patient addiction treatment is hefty, it is important to bear in mind that this includes sleeping and living facilities, meals, physical and mental health care plus addiction therapies and treatments. Often, it can also include the provision of a variety of recreational facilities.

One of the big benefits to an inpatient rehab program is that with all of your necessities of life taken care of, you can focus on your recovery.

What Is It Like To Live At A Rehab Centre?

Inpatient addiction treatment facilities range from the very basic to the highly luxurious. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you can opt for a facility that has shared sleeping accommodations and canteen-style meals similar to those you get in a university dorm. If your pockets are deeper, or if you are able to find additional funding from another source, you can go for a very upscale in-patient addiction facility with a luxury private room and chef-prepared meals.

Regardless of the level of luxury, almost all inpatient addiction treatment centres provide exercise facilities of some kind along with some recreational activities, ranging from basic movie-and-popcorn nights to luxury golf days. Rehab is not intended to feel institutional. Residents are supposed to feel that they are in a residential facility and not in a hospital. This is one of the many benefits of in-patient addiction treatment facilities.

Do Inpatient Rehab Facilities Have Strict Rules?

Again, the rules depend largely on the facility, but yes – there are rules that are strictly enforced. These rules exist for the sole purpose of protecting all of the facility’s residents.

Some typical rules include the following:

While personal items like photographs and books are encouraged, residents are usually prohibited from bringing mobile phones, any material glorifying substance abuse, items that can be used as weapons or tools for suicide, and clothing with offensive logos or pictures.
Essential prescription medication is allowed as long as its use does not conflict with addiction recovery efforts. Most facilities store the medication in a safe place and dispense it as required.
By law, residents with service animals have to be accommodated, but it is your responsibility to provide the documentation that is required in your state or province.
Residents are generally not allowed to leave the facility unless there is a specific reason for them to do so, such as a dentist appointment or an organized trip.

What Does A Typical Inpatient Rehab Program Look Like?

Increasingly, as we recognize that everyone’s needs and circumstances are unique, there is a drive to provide custom addiction treatment services. That way, instead of trying to shoehorn everybody into treatment methods that may not work for them, all residents are provided with the treatment they need. By following this approach, post-rehab relapse rates are much lower, and residents have a better chance of going on to achieve lifelong sobriety.

Some therapies and treatments that you can expect during inpatient addiction treatment programs include:

Group, individual and family therapy
Yoga, meditation and mindfulness coaching
Life coaching and life skills training
Creative therapies that use art, music and dance
Nutrition counselling and fitness training

What Are The Benefits Of Inpatient Addiction Treatment?

Inpatient addiction treatment programs can benefit almost everyone who has an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Time and time again, they have been proven to produce the highest success rates when it comes to addiction treatment.

Some of the benefits include the following:

The medical detox phase keeps you safe and comfortable while the substance works its way out of your system, a process that for some individuals and some substances, can be life-threatening without proper medical supervision.
Without access to drugs and alcohol, you will not be able to give in to cravings – instead, you will learn positive ways of dealing with them.
Rehab gives you time away from loved ones, who may need to take this time to work through their own emotional upheavals.
You have support at all times of the day and night.
Having a schedule to stick to, and people who will hold you accountable can help you create responsible habits that you can take with you for the rest of your life.
You are among people who have an understanding of what it is like to be in your shoes, and who genuinely want you to succeed.
Conversely, when you have been there for a while, you are in a position to provide much-needed support for people who are coming in after you.
You don’t have to worry about the stresses of daily life, so you can throw all of your focus into your recovery.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

The primary factor that pushes many people away from the idea of inpatient rehab is the cost. Although the price does include everything you will need to receive treatment and survive, there is no denying that it is out of reach for some.

In addition, committing to inpatient rehab means stepping away from your life for a while. If you are employed, you have to take time off work; you have to ensure that the bills at home can be paid while you are gone. Also, you may have to explain a lengthy upcoming absence to people who do not know you are struggling with an addiction.

And of course, you have to consider what will happen when rehab ends. You are at your highest risk of relapse for the first-month post-rehab, and you need to ensure that you have the right support in place to help you when you get back into the real world.

Making The Most Of Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Addiction is a devastating condition that does not only affect the addict. It also affects family members, friends, work colleagues and neighbours. By going into an inpatient addiction treatment program, you are not only healing yourself – you are helping those around you recover from your period of addiction.

You are building up your own physical and mental strength, and dealing with issues that may have been holding you back for years. At the same time, you are proving to yourself just how resilient and resourceful you are.

You have a world of opportunity just waiting for you: better relationships, more solid job or education prospects, financial security, and above all, a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. All you have to do is take that first step and call for help. Call 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Tags Inpatient Addiction Treatment, Inpatient rehab

Marijuana Addiction

Treatment for Marijuana Addiction: Why You Need to Stop Smoking

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 10, 2020
No Comments on Treatment for Marijuana Addiction: Why You Need to Stop Smoking

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

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

The Reasons Why You Need Marijuana Addiction Treatment

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

Marijuana smoke contains carcinogens

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

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

Marijuana can lead to lung damage

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

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

It is possible to develop a dependency

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

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

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

Weed can make you lose focus on your goals

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

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

It depletes nutrients in your body

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

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

Marijuana is expensive

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

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

It can affect mental development

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

Cannabis can affect your personality

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

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

The Long Term Effects of Weed

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

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

How To Stop Smoking Weed: Get Expert Help

Trying to stop smoking marijuana without expert help can be extremely difficult. The addiction, possible dependence and withdrawal symptoms may make the process an effort in futility. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How to Stop Smoking Weed

Tags Marijuana Addiction Treatment

Sobriety

How to Stay Sober After Addiction Treatment

Post author By Addictions Learning Centre
Post date July 8, 2020
No Comments on How to Stay Sober After Addiction Treatment

Going through addiction treatment is only the first part of living a life free from substance abuse. Staying sober is a lifelong process to which you will have to commit. Sadly, it is usually not a very easy process for most people, especially in the beginning. This is generally due to cravings and other temptations associated with addiction recovery. However, learning how to stay sober after addiction treatment can make your recovery smoother.

The singular greatest fear of most people recovering from addiction is a relapse. After all the effort and time that you put into going through addiction treatment, you should not have to endure a relapse. Thankfully, there are several tips for maintaining sobriety that can help you on your journey to a substance-free life. By learning and implementing the tips on how to stay sober after addiction treatment, you will reduce your risk of a relapse.

In this article, you will find invaluable insight into how to stay sober after your rehab. Furthermore, we will give you strategies that can help you maintain sobriety and avoid relapse after your addiction treatment.

But, before we dive into it, you must know that cravings do not make you weak. Instead, it is a part of your addiction recovery process that you must experience and conquer. With the right tips for maintaining sobriety and some effort on your part, you can win the battle against addiction relapse.

Tips to Help You Stay Sober After Addiction Treatment

Transitioning from addiction treatment to real life and recovery can be quite challenging. In fact, many people suffer relapses during this stage. However, an addiction relapse is avoidable. To help you, we have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to stay sober after addiction treatment. Keep reading to discover tips to help you maintain long-term sobriety.

Get a support system

A support system is vital for any recovery addict who intends to maintain a lifetime of sobriety. Your support system is a person or a group of people that can help and encourage you when the going gets tough. Cravings and urges to use are a normal part of addiction recovery. However, your support system plays a vital role in ensuring you do not succumb to these temptations.

Your support system may be a person from the addiction recovery group meetings that you attend. Or it may even be your trusted friends and family who are sober and want the best for you. Whichever the case is, you must have someone you can reach out to when you need help.

Make the right changes to your environment

The thought of coming back home after addiction treatment can be exhilarating. However, if you don’t make some critical changes to your home, you may quickly find yourself back in rehab.

One of the most crucial tips on how to stay sober after addiction treatment is to modify your environment. If possible, before returning home from addiction treatment, ask a loved one to remove any paraphernalia from your home.

Paraphernalia is a thing that is related to your past habits of substance abuse and may constitute temptations. Otherwise, as soon as you get home, throw these things out, or give them away. You may also need to avoid places that can spark urges to use or drink again. This way, you are at fewer risks of suffering an addiction relapse.

Set goals

One of the essential tips to maintain sobriety is to create a list of goals that you want to achieve. These goals can be a source of motivation to keep you going through your addiction recovery. When you create plans and timelines for your future, you will find it easier to resist temptations that arise.

Furthermore, your goals will be a continuous reminder of all that you stand to gain from long term addiction recovery. Having something to strive for will make the struggle to stay sober a smoother experience.

Create new healthy habits

Previous substance abuse habits may likely create a void in your daily routine after addiction treatment. If left unfilled, this lull in your day may lead to boredom, which ignites thoughts of substance use. Therefore, one of the crucial tips for avoiding relapse is to create new and healthy habits to replace the old ones. You may pick up a new hobby, take a class, get a gym membership, or whatever other healthy habit catches your fancy.

Studies show that it takes around two months before a habit becomes automatic. Therefore, take your time to find something that you genuinely enjoy and then stick with it. This way, you will have less time to reflect on your past and subsequently get tempted.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle – Diet, Rest and Exercise

Learning how to stay sober after addiction treatment will help you focus on your life’s essentials. Some of these include your diet, rest periods, and exercise routines. Regular exercise is particularly useful for dealing with cravings.

This is because, during exercise, your brain releases endorphins, which can help you relieve stress and boost mood. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy diet can help control your mood and suppress urges. Not to mention, it can fortify your immune system and help your body develop.

However, it is not just about what you eat but also the amount you eat. You must ensure you strike a balance between the quality of your food and the quantity. Also, ensure that you always have adequate time to rest during the day and sleep at night. Irregular sleeping schedules can lead to stress, thereby making your addiction recovery harder than it should be.

Volunteer

Often, we can get so overwhelmed by our problems that we forget that there are those around us who also need help. Volunteering to serve others is excellent for taking your mind off your troubles, yet doing some good in the world. There are several ways you can serve others in your community.

You may volunteer at a local youth centre or the library or maybe even at a shelter. It all depends on your interests. Also, many people in recovery choose to sponsor others in recovery to help others along the path they’ve walked. These are some of the ways you can get out of your head and see the bigger picture.

Identify your triggers

Our final tip on how to stay sober after addiction treatment is to identify the things that can push you back to substance abuse. No matter the changes you’ve made or your level of progress, relapse is always a lurking danger.

However, the best thing to do is remain alert and watchful for the signs of a relapse. This means identifying your triggers. Identifying your triggers will help you know when you are at risk of a relapse. This way, you can quickly seek professional after-care help if you need to.

Final Take

Staying sober is a decision that you will have to make continually throughout your life. However, every journey starts with a step in the right direction. We hope that our tips on how to stay sober after addiction treatment will help you on your journey to lifelong recovery. Remember, relapse is an ever-constant danger. This is why you must establish habits that can help you deal with triggers if they do occur.

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

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