Finding the Way Out

We found our way here (wherever 'here' is) because of some logical decisions of choice, and we've little to blame but ourselves. Harsh, it's nevertheless true. But that's history - what's been already is; what's to become is a different matter.

Time at the plate happens in the now, and that, for us, is all we have. It's also all we need. We can reflect and learn if we want. We can consider options. But, ultimately, we can't sit on the fence.

Even still, it appears we do as we look back over our vacillating choices for 'this and that' and 'to and fro' - at the same time. We can have both things, but we'll also have mediocrity.

This is okay if that's what we want. Odds are, though, this is not what we, by our sensible minds, have signed up for.

ESCAPING THE TRAP

We all feel trapped from time to time. The trap pins us a certain, recurrent away. An ultimate escape may not always be practicable, like getting free of an addiction is - as we find the miraculous power, finally, sponsoring such a project.

For some traps we must develop the skill of repetitive escape. I think of it as an operant resilience. We sit in the tension of life. Diet's the classic example. Do we ever master our cravings and appetites? Perhaps not. But we can have our health if we achieve a sensible balance, by knowing how to release ourselves from the trap, continually, habitually; powerfully.

Traps are personally vindictive. What traps us won't necessarily trap the next person, and their issue is likely not to bother us. As traps are personal, so are the solutions.

SWITCHING FOCUS FOR RELEASE

Life may be characterised by traps, or equally by the methods and techniques of release. It's up to us what we focus on in an area where no right or wrong answer exists. It can only be right or wrong for us, personally. Hence, there's freedom.

And perhaps the method and technique of release resembles freedom more than combating the trap is.

We build our vision. We take the image produced by our imaginations and we sow into it the wish and desire for change. We make time for it to evolve. It exists floating within the bounded resolve: we can do this thing. Then we make room for it in our focus, each day, one day at a time.

***

For every trap there's a way out. Planning furnishes the vision with rubber for the road of trepidation. By faith we can do this. For every trap there's release. It's up to us.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Steve Wickham is a Registered Safety Practitioner (BSc, FSIA, RSP[Australia]) and a qualified, unordained Christian minister (GradDipBib&Min). His blogs are at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com/ and http://inspiringbetterlife.blogspot.com/


Original article

What Is Drug Addiction Treatment?

For many people drug addiction treatment is the last thing standing between them and a slow, miserable death. This is because the disease of addiction is without question a progressive and fatal one. But like other serious and potentially fatal diseases, addiction can be successfully treated via detoxification, Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome treatment, relapse prevention and denial management. This is accomplished through proven traditional therapies such as individual and group counseling, as well as experiential therapies. Understanding the process of drug addiction treatment can be extremely helpful if you or someone you love is suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism.

Detox is the first step toward recovery. This refers to the natural process that the body undergoes to restore a normal balance by eradicating the substance from the system and regaining more natural central nervous system functions. This unavoidable physiological process can cause some uncomfortable symptoms and side effects, some of which can be dangerous while detoxing from substances like opiates and alcohol. As a result, a person should always detox in a fully equipped medical setting where symptoms can be managed under the expert care of a detox and addictions specialist.

Once a person has fully detoxed from a substance, more substantial treatment can begin. This is most often in the form of residential inpatient treatment or an outpatient treatment program. The former generally consists of an intensive 30 day program where clients live and receive treatment while under 24 hour supervision, while the latter is less intense and is typically utilized for a more transitional approach to drug addiction treatment.

Both residential inpatient treatment centers and outpatient treatment programs should focus on two primary treatment objectives in order to be successful:

1.) Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome Management
This series of symptoms begin immediately after a person has detoxed from a substance, persisting anywhere from 3-24 months. PAWS symptoms may cause drug or alcohol cravings, inability to focus on tasks, inability to organize thoughts, depression, and other problems that can lead a person to relapse in an effort to seek relief. PAWS is the most significant threat to any person's recovery and is therefore a lifelong concern that must be treated appropriately.

2.) Denial Management
Denial is a major part of addiction and alcoholism, and this doesn't change just because a person seeks out help. Just like people deny the severity or existence of their drug problem prior to treatment, they might deny any number of things during and after treatment, including doubts that can lead to relapse, denial of impending relapse warning signs, denial of the effects of stress, and even denial about a person's own ability to stay clean and sober.

PAWS and Denial Management are the foundation of Relapse Prevention and form the backbone of any successful drug addiction treatment plan. Regardless of whether these treatment modalities are utilized in an inpatient or outpatient setting, they should be taught as lifelong parts of an overall recovery plan that will continue long after a person has completed active treatment at a rehab. If you need help for addiction or alcoholism, use the links below now for a free consultation. We'll be glad to confidentially discuss how our inpatient treatment or outpatient treatment programs can help you take back your life and help you feel whole once again. Drug addiction treatment is not easy, but it works. Begin your new life right now.

Click here to speak to an expert from our Florida drug treatment center. We can help you no matter what time it is or where you are.

Click here to see images of our inpatient drug rehab.


Original article

Shame and Blame: Why Rehab Doesn't Work

There is a growing rumbling about the failure of the addiction field to adequately address the needs of its clients. Every one can probably think of a favorite celebrity who has been in and out of rehab more than a dozen times with no apparent success. Panicked parents will send a teen who is experimenting with pot into horrendous boot camps or shuttle them off to alateen meetings only to see things get worse, much worse. Self help support groups routinely mandated by the courts as a treatment for drug/alcohol abuse despite a great deal of evidence that their efficacy rate in maintaining long term sobriety is negligible. No wonder there is grumbling; why do we keep banging our heads against the proverbial wall?

Addiction counseling is plagued by several factors that limit its success, not the lest of which is the glamorization of the addiction counselor as some sort of all knowing TV deity issuing judgmental proclamations about people he or she has has never personally met. There are several of these individuals out there; their "treatment" protocol is apparently based on the dubious tenets of shame, guilt and ridicule. While it makes for entertaining, self-righteous sermonizing that would make an old timey backwoods Baptist preacher blush in embarrassment, it does nothing to encourage an addicted person to seek out treatment. There is already enough shame and blame to go around as is.

The blame and shame attitude is at the core of an addict's "denial." The natural human tendency when aggressively confronted with one's misdeeds is to be defensive. We see this with our children, our spouses, parents, friends, colleagues and total strangers. Yet, when it comes to addiction, common sense communication skills aimed at avoiding defensiveness transform into finger wagging dramas about ruined lives, death and other mayhem. It is psychological preservation for any normal human to defend against this type of verbal onslaught so it is no wonder interventions are so ineffective.

This is not to say that some individuals do not have very destructive addictions: frequently they have and these should be addressed. However, shuttling someone off to rehab or continuing to enable them is not the answer. Nor is mandating self-help groups or berating them. These are forced solutions don't resolve the issue for them or anyone else and may actually be more harmful than not in the long run.

Education is key; an addict won't change until he or she is ready to do so. If the person does change, he or she will change in the manner that is more personally suited to that individual and this will almost never match the expectations of anyone else. It is the old rule of thirds: some will never change and will eventually need palliative care, some will struggle on and off with it their whole lives and others will "age" out of it. Moreover, some were never more than dabblers to begin with and over reacting frequently pushes this type of person past experimentation levels.

It takes careful discernment to understand where an addict is any stage of the addiction process. A thirteen year old caught smoking pot with other thirteen years olds requires a much different approach than a 38 year old who has been on the streets for a number of years. One joint doesn't equate to a life time of addiction just as one drunken binge does not an alcoholic make. Eliminating the hysteria and handling the situation calmly is of vital importance in actually resolving any issues.

A quiet word about what your feelings and refusal to cover up or bail the addict out of trouble and backing it up may be far more effective than all other treatment methods combined when dealing with a functional addict. We all do well to remember that, no matter how much we may love an addict, we can't control what they do or make them change. We can be compassionate, protect our own boundaries and set firm limits on their behaviors around us. If some day they are ready to change, they will. When and if this happens, support them in this change in as positive manner as you can, but always understand it is their process. Remember, shaming and blaming are about our feelings, not theirs.

Illuminosity life is a professional coaching practice dedicated to the high achiever who wants to move to the next level. This practice has been in existence since 2006 and has helped many clients create the type of changes they want to see in their personal and professional lives. Pat uses a variety of techniques to assist individuals in attaining their most cherished goals.

Pat has a master's in addiction counseling and is currently working on a professional counseling masters. She has extensive experience in behavioral health and working with special needs adolescents.


Original article

Time Travel? What Is Time Travel?

The reason that friends, clients, family members - or even you - relapse back into active addiction after various periods of sobriety can pose a good many personal and professional challenges. Traditional recovery wisdom suggests that "all addicts relapse for exactly the same reason - to change the way that they feel." When attempting to build strategies for interrupting a relapse process however, of fundamental importance is to understand the dynamics associated with "Time Travel".

Time Travel refers to an emotional stressor that can occur on the road to relapse into active addiction in which uncomfortable emotions are intensified by previous life experiences. When time travel occurs it will diminish one's ability to cope with the challenges of present day situations or relationships.

The notion that feelings never know what time it is, is more than a light-hearted reference to the tendency for us to feel bombarded by the emotional memories of prior life experiences. Feeling-memories of the past can flood our current reality and generate or reinforce our perception that a trusted friend or loved one is trying to hurt us in some way.

A Time Travel experience is an emotional flashback. When you are Time Traveling, you are emotionally reacting to a present life situation or event as if it contains the same elements of an earlier time in your life. This emotional flashback that occurs during Time Travel can cause you to view the behavior of others in their current experience as being more than just "similar" to the actions of someone from the past. During Time Travel, you react to a person in present time as if the person was the individual that you had actually struggled with in past.

A Time Traveler will imagine that a spouse is their mother or that a friend is an enemy from the past. Additionally, feelings from one's past seem to influence the physical reaction they are having to a present day stressor. In the midst of a quiet disagreement with someone, we can begin to feel physically threatened and develop a sense of danger, which is actually rooted in some past memory having nothing to do with the person we are frightened of. The memories of physical threat that we feel can cause us to view someone as dangerous when in fact they do not pose any real threat to us in the moment.

Feeling-memories are more readily accessible to us than the factual details of the events that are related to the flashback recall we are experiencing. The visual memories or pictures of the events in question can be the most difficult to retrieve. This phenomenon is particularly disheartening for many of us because we tend to mistrust our feeling-memories and require picture proof of the authenticity of the feelings we are having or a living witness to the event to testify to the validity of our feelings. When the barrage of feeling-memories is positive, like the anticipation of returning to a favorite vacation spot, the round-trip journey from present to past is a pleasurable one. It is unlikely that others will be hurt or feel rejected by our euphoric recall related to an enjoyable vacation experience even when packing and commuting hassles were lost in the recall processes.

When the journey from past to present is unpleasant; it generates what I like to call "dysphoric recall". Dysphoria is when we might feel particularly hopeless, uncomfortable, or unhappy. "Dysphoric recall" can precipitate or exacerbate a sense of being in danger or unsafe. It is important that each of us learns to detect when Time Travel is negatively influencing our perception of reality.

Shawn Leadem is an LCSW and CSAT therapist at Leadem Counseling and Consulting Services located in Toms, River, New Jersey. He is also the Co-Author of "Ounce of Prevention: A course in relapse prevention" that will soon be released by Leadem Counseling.

The preceding excerpt is a partial description of the one of the seven phases of relapse described in "Ounce of Prevention". The task-orientated course in relapse prevention is well suited for use with individual clients and small group workshops or intensives. For information about advance order discounts please contact us by email: lccs@leademcounseling.com or phone by calling 732-797-1444.


Original article

What's The Best Treatment For Addiction?

Searching for the best addiction treatment for you or someone you know can be challenging with so many different kinds of treatments available around the world today. How do you figure out what's the best treatment or the best rehab for you?

Although the symptoms of addiction are generally predictable (e.g. the increase in risk-taking behaviours if addiction is not treated), it does not mean that there is one formula for treating addiction. There are programmes that have been proven to be effective for treating addiction but such programmes must also allow for some level of individualisation.

The best programme is one that looks at the various imbalances you present rather than prescribe a one-size-fits-all programme based on sweeping generalisations about how an addict must behave. For instance, it considers whether you tend to overthink or be too vague in your thinking (both extremes requiring a different approach in therapy). It should also consider the ways in which you learn, and which level of expression you over or under use that might have had an impact on how your addiction has progressed.

First of all, decide whether therapy in a group or exclusive, one-on-one rehab is more appealing to you. Be aware though that the most comfortable way may not be the best way for you since part of treatment is to stretch you so that you can move into new ways of behaving, relating and being. You should also decide how much time you want to dedicate to being in rehab - take as long as you can possibly afford to take. It takes time to pull apart your old ways and connect to new resources.

Once you have decided on the broad structure, research different programmes, the therapists, and the environment or setting.

A rehab is only as good as its therapists. A good therapist is one who really listens and knows how to strike a fine balance between picking up what's different about your story and helping you put your experience into the framework of addiction. Empathy, professionalism and a non-judgement attitude are some of the key traits to look for in a therapist. He or she should have a good knowledge of addiction and the complex behaviours associated with addiction. Preferably, your therapist will be someone with a high level of self-awareness and who nurtures his or her own personal growth. You may not be able to find out as much as you want about the therapists who will be working with you before you check in to the rehab, but it helps to keep this in mind.

A good programme is one that guides you to resolve deeper emotional issues while offering practical ways out of your addiction. It should include plenty of self-reflective time to promote insights and to allow healing to occur. It should also be balanced with creative activities to help you tap the hidden corners of your psyche to access more options and resources. It should preferably be tried and tested.

The environment and setting is also an important consideration. Does it provide a safe space, with strong boundaries? A rehab is an opportunity to be away from your structure so that you can focus on looking at yourself without being distracted by your usual environmental pressures. This helps you to stay true to what's real for you. A luxurious surrounding is less important and can sometimes distract you from the real work, but an environment that promotes peace and tranquility can support you in your healing. A professionally-run rehab, comprising ground and support staff who have an understanding of addiction (or at least about working in a therapeutic environment), can make a whole world of difference in your treatment.

This article was written by Amyra Mah from Breathing Space Thailand. For more information on Amyra and Breathing Space's Holistic Healing Center for drugs and alcohol. Do not hesitate to visit our site " Breathing Space Thailand.

Copyright - All Rights Reserved. Quoting from and linking to this article is granted by giving credit to: "Breathing Space Thailand's Holistic Healing Center ".


Original article

My Addictions - Man Recovered and Comes Clean After 43 Years in Bondage

After being influenced and addicted to drugs of all kinds, I am finally FREE from the bondage and the chains that kept me wrapped up for nearly 43 years.What an amazing roller coaster ride I've been on to say the least!

In trying to come to terms with "this disease" I can't help but look back at everything that happened in my life, and how I used circumstances sway my mind in such a negative way.

The battlefield was definitely in my mind and it is the only place where I went to feed the dark impulsive behavior that I cherished to reside in. It was "my" pitty-party and I didn't want anyone included who really cared about me. I liked being alone. I was a thinker, a problem solver, a person who could save the world, so I thought.

Let me take you back to some of the excuses I used to try and justify the hellish lifestyle I led.

(1) Father was too busy and didn't pay any attention to me
(2) Step mother had her own kids and didn't really like me
(3) Was always picked on and nobody gave me any attention
(4) Was overweight as a kid and had weighty issues. (pardon the pun)
(5) Dad was police chief. Called "narc" and had to fight for self-image.
(6) Sent to military school for boys at 14 years old
(7) Accused by dad and step mother of doing drugs when I wasn't
(8) Wasn't punished or disciplined because no one was there.
(9) No structure.

You see, although these things are true, if you'll notice one common denominator, it's the word "I" or "Me". I didn't even think of forgiveness and how that might affect my future. I wasn't concerned about helping others. In a word, I was selfish, in two words, I was exceedingly selfish.

 More about that in another article.

The main purpose of this article is to try and help you understand my psyche, the internal workings of my mind at the time. I was a bright kid, full of life and hope, loaded with energy and potential. I was athletically inclined. I played the guitar and still do, was gifted and had my physical health. I had all the reasons to be thankful and to be an over-achiever.

So what happened?

I didn't "Just Say No" to that first toke, or that first hit, or that first poke. I wanted to experience more. I felt physically and spiritually invulnerable. I had no fear, and although I always felt like a stranger to the planet earth, I wanted to experience life on earth to the fullest.

Let me try to explain this "stranger to earth" statement. I had always felt this void deep within my being. It was a lost feeling, a feeling, and remember, being the by-product of the Baby Boomer Generation, feeling was all we went by. Little did I realize that feeling was gonna get me in a whole bunch of trouble later down the path of "if it feels good do it".

Going back to the time when I was about 14 years old, I became withdrawn and my mind began to lie to me. I believed the lies for so long. You see, until we realize we have a problem, there is no problem, so I was too busy noticing others problems instead of my own.

I was easily influenced, gullible I guess you'd say, so when that first opportunity came to escape this reality and enter another, I ran toward.

My first encounter with any mind altering substance was sniffing glue. I was really enjoying just sitting back, listening to music and huffing a paper bag laced with Weldwood contact cement. The active ingredient in Weldwood was Toluol, a strong, fast acting solvent for specific oil based paints, lacquers and adhesives. It was extremely potent and highly hallucinogenic.

That persisted for about 6 months or so and then I took my first hit of marijuana. I thought weed was the perfect drug for me because it seemed to inspire and expand my mind. This went on for quite some time until I found that I couldn't afford it so I learned how to grow it.

Next issue: My Addictions - Continuing the Lie

Larry Christenson is a publisher and website owner.
Marketing Business Manager

Affiliate Internet Marketer intermittently for the past 18 years.
You can more of Larry's articles at his website:
http://a2zinternetsolutions.com/


Original article

April Is Alcohol Abuse Awareness Month

Fortunately, modern times associated with modern technology, have given us the opportunity for extra awareness of socio-economic statuses and situations. Drug addiction, obesity and violence are only some of the few conditions that need to be fought intensively. As April has arrived along with its alcohol awareness title, getting the appropriate information on the topic and ways to treat it is crucial. If you or your loved ones are lacking in knowledge on the topic or are fighting alcohol addiction, taking an online class can make the difference. April is alcohol awareness month, take a class online.

Alcohol is often overlooked for its devastating health effects on the body. The modern era has associated alcohol in almost every social event, extending its negative effects. Taking an online drug class would gradually educate the attendees on all of the negative body effects alcohol has. Some of these include the following:

-Dehydration: That 'Hangover' feeling we have the next morning is due to the dehydration of body fluids, caused by alcohol. This is associated with headaches, nausea and dizziness.

-Liver effects: Constant liver drinking over a long period of time will cause irreversible liver damage. The alcohol will damage the liver tissue, causing it to expand and lose function. This is commonly indicated by liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer.

-Weight gain: Alcohol, to the surprise of many, also causes weight gain. Alcoholic drinks contain sugars that may result in fat tissue if done often.

-Psychological effects: Alcohol is well known for its psychological effects. Long term alcohol drinking has been linked to several psychological conditions such as schizophrenia, paranoia and mood disorders to name a few. These conditions often require intense psychological or psychiatric therapy.

Aside from the adverse effects of alcohol on the human body, these online classes can also educate on other fields, such as alcohol ingredients.

The online alcohol drug classes have the main goal of therapy, giving appropriate help to alcohol addicts. These classes, managed by professionals and administered by relevant medical professionals, will guide and stand side by side with every patient, step by step through the online class, until he or she reaches the final step of being alcohol-free.

How is this therapy done? Mainly by understanding the person involved and adapting the appropriate therapy. Understanding the individual is key, as each alcohol addict has a different personality, associated with different motives for drinking. Therefore, understanding the individual person allows for a better duration of therapy and successful results.

These online drug classes will help you get all of the information needed without having to leave the house or office. This allows for a much more convenient approach, rather than having to drive all the way to classes in the city. This also gives the classes a much cheaper price than non-online classes, coming in handy for anybody looking to save some cash, especially in these economic times.

At the end of the day, online drug classes give a real opportunity for many seekers. With professional, cheap and useful online alcohol drug classes, why would anyone looks somewhere else? You can take Arizona alcohol and drug classes or anywhere else in the country anytime!

Dr. Ari Novick is the President of AlcoholDrugClass.com. A website dedicated to educating people about alcohol awareness. Click here for more information on Alcohol Awareness Classes

Dr. Ari Novick also provides world class online Minor in Possession Classes


Original article

Prescription Addiction Can Be a Problem for Troubled Teens

Xanax addiction is a subject that's near and dear to my heart. Alprazolam, which is the chemical name for Xanax (which is the brand name of the drug produced by Pfizer), is a prescription I've had off-and-on for years. It's a sedative from the benzodiazapene class of drugs, that is often prescribed to treat panic attacks.

And I've suffered some panic attacks in my day. Ironically, it's because I've abused alcohol regularly, and alcohol depletes your body's stores of vitamin B. Vitamin B is, of course, a mood stabilizer. Remove it from your body, and suddenly the walls start closing in and everything is going wrong. And that's where the xanax addiction comes in.

You see, xanax cures what's ailing you. Take half a milligram (a relatively low dose) and suddenly you won't be paralyzed with fear or depression. You might not be singing and dancing, but you'll be in control of yourself enough to put your anxieties aside and get on with your work.

Take a full milligram and you'll be completely chillface. Take more than that, and you'll either be asleep or you'll have yourself a full blown xanax addiction.

You see, sedatives work by calming you. They make it so that you'll be able to completely relax and face whatever is troubling you. A xanax addiction means that you can't do that without the help of the drug. You don't want to get to that point, but unfortunately, many people are already there.

My current prescription, for example, is to take a two milligram "bar" (called "zany bars" among the cool kids) three times a day. Which is absolutely ridiculous. No one could take that much xanax in a day and not become a complete zombie. Plus, I don't think anyone could take that much xanax or other benzodiazapene drugs (valium and klonopin being two that come to mind) without developing a xanax addiction.

Instead, I'll take a bar and break it into quarters. If I'm feeling wired before bedtime, I'll take half a milligram to help me relax when my head hits the pillow. If I'm feeling something beyond wired - depressed, anxious, whatever - I'll take a whole milligram. Only when I'm feeling a full-blown panic attack will I take a full two milligrams, and most nights I'll take nothing at all.

So beware of a xanax addiction. It's a wonderful drug, but just like everything else, it needs to be used in moderation.


Original article

Do Parents Need to Take Alcohol Awareness Classes Online?

The act of any parent taking alcohol in a family can lead to constant arguments. After taking alcohol, parents tend to abuse each other physically, harbor mistrust and anger in their life, abuse each other verbally in front of their children, blame each other in case something goes wrong and manipulate decision making among other vices. If you are in such a situation, you may not be sure if alcohol classes are necessary and where to find them. You may therefore be in a situation where you ask yourself the question, are alcohol awareness classes needed for parents? The answer is yes since enrolling in classes of the kind comes with a number of benefits.

In order to benefit from alcohol awareness classes, you need to find the best classes offered online by considering a number of things. Start by looking up reviews of high conflict parenting classes. You will find the reviews listed in a long-list. After doing this it is advisable to settle on a class that has a combination of high level of reviews and a high percentage of those reviews should be positive. Another thing to consider is whether you will receive a certificate after completion. This is very essential because the certificate will act as a proof to any one willing to know if you have taken alcohol awareness classes. The price range is another thing to put into consideration. Ensure that you are comfortable with the price you will pay for the classes. With these considerations, compare the different sites available and settle on one that suits you best.

With the right alcohol awareness classes, you will receive various benefits from instructors who have extensive experience with alcohol. The first one is that you gain knowledge in divorce cases. Having this knowledge is of great benefit because you will get rid of all actions and talks that can cause your marriage to break. Apart from that, if you had been fond of discussing about your spouse with your children, you will learn how to keep your kids from listening to any conflict that might arise between the two of you. This will result to healthy growth of your children, whereby they will be able to trust both of you. With these classes you are able to get closer to your partner.

If you are a parent who takes alcohol and you are a driver by profession, you may be asking, are alcohol awareness classes needed for parents? They are important because they can help you avoid getting jailed. Taking alcohol in such a case is tantamount to neglecting your obligations of looking after your children who will miss parental care. However, you can get rid of this if you choose to enroll in a standard 10 hour alcohol awareness classes. In this case, the classes will equip you with knowledge about the risks associated with overindulgence in alcohol. They will also teach you about the dangers of taking alcohol such as damaging the liver and other organs. You will therefore be able to lead a healthier lifestyle and eliminate the risk of losing your license or ending up in jail.

Dr. Ari Novick is the President of AlcoholDrugClass.com. A website dedicated to educating people about alcohol awareness. Click here for more information on Alcohol Awareness Classes

Dr. Ari Novick also provides world class online Minor in Possession Classes


Original article

Do You Have An Internet Addiction?

You may have heard about alcohol addiction, those who seem to have problems with gambling, and even nicotine addiction. However, do you know there is a growing population that seems to have an Internet addiction? Some may scoff at calling it a true addiction, but I guess it would be a matter of perspective. If you are living with someone who seems to be addicted to being on the Internet, you may think it is indeed an addiction and that it could really cause problems for some households.

The problem with an Internet addiction is that it can tear families apart. It might seem like a silly thing to someone who may get on their computer once a day to check their email, but it is a very real problem for some people. There are various reasons why they may get an Internet addiction. Some play online games, some like to chat with people all of the time, and some are even carrying on online affairs. The list of things that can contribute to an addiction to the Internet is limitless.

Those who are prone to any type of addiction are more likely to develop an Internet addiction, but it can happen to anyone at any time. No one is quite sure why this has developed, but it is becoming more and more common. There is a difference between enjoying all that the Internet has to offer, and ruining your life because you can't seem to log off. Some have this so bad that they get fired for surfing while at work, and some end up divorced because of their Internet addiction. It's relatively new, but it is very real, even if you don't agree with the term 'addiction.'

If you aren't sure if you or someone you know has an Internet addiction, you can think of it in simple enough terms. If being on the Internet is causing someone to neglect their family, miss events, and if they can't seem to go a day without being online, they may have a problem with Internet addiction. Some people can overcome this on their own once they realize it is becoming a problem, but others may need some assistance from a therapist. There is usually a reason for any type of addiction, and if that reason can be found, addiction to the Internet can be overcome. Once you come out into the sunlight, you will think it was well worth it.

Are you suffering from Internet Addiction and if so can you beat it or will you let it beat you.


Original article

What Is Adrenaline Addiction?

Adrenaline addiction just as the name suggests is primarily caused by what can only be referred to as an overuse of the adrenaline hormone. Adrenaline addiction experts concurs that excitement, and the adrenaline that brings it, is arguably the most misused "drug" today. What these experts are alluding to when they say that we misuse excitement is that we are always surrounded by things that appear to bring excess excitement such that the "excitement doses" that seems to satisfy our excitement levels are ever increasing, which according to them is quiet dangerous.

For instance, look at the case of the 26 years old Chinese man who was found dead in his house apparently after engaging in week-long online-gaming-marathon which unfortunately he passed out never to regain consciousness.

Majority of people do not realize that the effects of adrenaline are not found in doing an activity, but before doing it, which is when the adrenaline begins building up. It is this actual performance of an activity that the chemical is dissipated, and hence the nerve disappear immediately a person steps onstage or starts a performance. In the event that a rush of adrenaline is regular enough, i.e, daily, weekly, then your body can memorize the resultant feeling with its "clock", and even memorize the surroundings and any other reference courtesy of the five senses. This can be released a lot earlier than would be expected. For instance, a normally build up might occur within fifteen minutes before the actual occurrence of an activity. This might be uncontrollable initially, however with time of frequency the sign will become obvious.

Ultimately, one reaches a point where he or she can trigger this process by just thinking of the activity in whatever situation. It is at this point when the addiction becomes risky because at time it might be hard to estimate the risk that might follow a trigger of an adrenaline rush. Another dangers in overexpose one in intense exciting activities excessively is because too much of adrenaline, which is what such activities puts in our blood vessels, in the blood stream exposes such persons to increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and even heart attack in extreme cases.

To understand exactly what an adrenaline addict is, you first need to know the symptoms of adrenaline addiction. There are a number of things that can help you identify the kind of adrenaline addiction that you are suffering from. For instance, if you feel guilty every time you are idle then you need to realize that you might be a victim of workaholism which is one of the several way in which adrenaline addiction manifests itself. Workaholic can also be manifested in an obsession to always ensure that one is doing something.

Other signs of this disorder include; post-adrenaline depression, obsession over things that have been left undone, and restlessness, nervous habit, and pacing. Though adrenaline addiction just like any other addiction lead to craving, its withdrawal symptoms are less obvious which differentiates it from other addiction of natural substances.

Looking around there is no doubt that we are surrounded by gadget and activities that are meant to literary burn-out the pleasure centers in our brain. Otherwise what can be said of the video games and most remarkably the internet's; social sites, internet gaming, pornography, YouTube, email, and internet gambling. Other manifestation of adrenaline addiction can be found in cybersex, workaholic, thrill-seeking behaviors, and other later day obsessions.


Original article

Why Non-12 Step Rehabs Are Becoming More Popular

In the last decade there have been more drug treatment facilities that offer alternative approaches not based on the traditional 12 step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. While the simple reason for this could be that people like having more choices, there may actually be several contributing factors for this emergence.

One of the biggest reasons is that people might have a disagreement with one or more aspects of the 12 step philosophy. For some it might be a religious factor or that they do not believe they are powerless to their addiction. Other people may not like the idea that they are diseased for life or that they are told relapse is a part of recovery.

A large number of people looking for non-12 step rehabs do so because they have tried unsuccessfully one or possibly numerous attempts at treatments using the traditional method and are seeking something that is new.

There are also more types of alternative facilities than ever before. Some of them are heavily medicalized and still use lots of prescription drugs, while on the opposite end of the spectrum you can find those that are much more dedicated to natural health. A number of rehabs rely primarily on their physical treatments of the brain and body, yet others are more educational in nature. Of course there are plenty that fall somewhere in between with a mixture of some or all of these methods available.

Despite the growing number of non-12 step treatments, they are still scarce in comparison to traditional facilities and are not available in every state, which often means that someone seeking a specialized facility has to travel in order to attend the type of program they choose. This may not be a bad thing, though, since being in a distraction-free environment to focus on recovery can be extremely beneficial to the process.

After initial treatment is completed, some people still want a recovery support group despite not wanting to attend AA or NA meetings. There are support groups and aftercare programs available that are also not based on the 12 steps, such as SMART Recovery, Rational Recovery, Secular Organizations for Sobriety, and many more. A quick search will turn up several options.

If you are seeking non-12 step rehab options, it is a good idea to consider what makes the most sense to you and of ask for some references of other people who have been successful with that facility or program. You may want to compare several types before making your decision, or seek an independent consultant who can honestly cover the benefits of each type of treatment.

Lucas Catton is the CEO of Addiction Recovery Consultants and the producer of the award-nominated documentary film "Curing Addiction." He has been working in the drug education, intervention and treatment field for more than a decade and his primary focus is supporting what works for each individual.


Original article

What A Bad Alcoholism

It's possible to have a problem with alcohol, but not display all the characteristics of alcoholism. This is known as "alcohol abuse," which means you engage in excessive drinking that causes health or social problems, but you aren't dependent on alcohol and haven't fully lost control over the use of alcohol.

Although many people assume otherwise, alcoholism is a treatable disease. Medications, counseling and self-help groups are among the therapies that can provide ongoing support to help you recover from alcoholism.

Symptoms

Before treatment or recovery, most people with alcoholism deny that they have a drinking problem. Other signs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse include:

* Drinking alone or in secret

* Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink

* Not remembering conversations or commitments, sometimes referred to as "blacking out"

* Making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned

* Losing interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure

* Feeling a need or compulsion to drink

* Irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available

* Keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car

* Gulping drinks, ordering doubles, becoming intoxicated intentionally to feel good or drinking to feel "normal"

* Having legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances

* Building a tolerance to alcohol so that you need an increasing number of drinks to feel alcohol's effects

* Experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms - such as nausea, sweating and shaking - if you don't drink

People who abuse alcohol may experience many of the same signs and symptoms as people who are dependent on alcohol. However, alcohol abusers don't feel the same compulsion to drink and usually don't experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they don't drink. A dependence on alcohol also creates a tolerance to alcohol and the inability to control your drinking.

If you've ever wondered if your own alcohol consumption crosses the line of abuse or dependence, ask yourself these questions:

* Do you need a drink as soon as you get up?

* Do you feel guilty about your drinking?

* Do you think you need to cut back on your alcohol consumption?

* Are you annoyed when other people comment on or criticize your drinking habits?

If you answered yes to two or more questions, it's likely that you have a problem with alcohol. Even one yes answer may indicate a problem

Causes

Alcohol addiction - physical dependence on alcohol - occurs gradually. Over time, drinking alcohol alters the balance of some chemicals in your brain, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits impulsiveness, and glutamate, which excites the nervous system. Alcohol also raises the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is associated with the pleasurable aspects of drinking alcohol. Excessive, long-term drinking can deplete or increase the levels of some of these chemicals, causing your body to crave alcohol to restore good feelings or to avoid negative feelings.

Other factors can lead to excessive drinking that contributes to the addiction process. These include:

* Genetics. Certain genetic factors may cause a person to be vulnerable to alcoholism or other addictions.

* Emotional state. High levels of stress, anxiety or emotional pain can lead some people to drink alcohol to block out the turmoil. Certain stress hormones may be associated with alcoholism.

* Psychological factors. Having low self-esteem or depression may make you more likely to abuse alcohol. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly - but who may not abuse alcohol - could promote excessive drinking on your part. It may be difficult for you to distance yourself from these "enablers" or at least from their drinking habits.

* Social and cultural factors. The glamorous way that drinking alcohol is portrayed in advertising and in the media may send the message that it's OK to drink excessively.


Original article

Is There Such A Thing As Video Game Addiction?

You may have considered the questions "Is there such thing as a video game addiction?" for either yourself or someone you love. They have been playing for many hours and seem more interested in the game than in what is going on in real life or their school studies.

The quick response is to such a question is "yes a person can become addicted to video games". Although that is a quick answer, it does not explain many of the issues underlying the concerns of video game addiction. Some researchers are already labeling such behavior it as "Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD)". Although some researchers have a name for the phenomena, they do not have definitive data supporting the 'Internet Addiction Disorder' as a diagnosis. The research community is still debating the issue. The psychology field often views the behavior as connected with depressive or anxiety disorders, while downplaying the addiction aspect. Addiction experts look at the addictive behavior pattern and recognize what they see. The body of research that does exist that relates to video gaming has evolved using the criteria for gambling addictions. The two behaviors often share much in common.

Addiction experts know that a person can become addicted to many behaviors. Some behaviors have a higher addictive potential than others. Any behavior that can rapidly change our mood and mental state has a potential for addiction. Since playing video games often includes repetitive behavior routines to the degree that other areas of a persons life are suffering, it shares much in common with other addictions.

One of the factors that makes video games addictive is the action. Many video games have fast action. When action occurs quickly, it functions to reward the person playing the game. Much like gambling addictions the person is stimulated by the action occurring and wants more. Despite all the activity occurring on the screen, the real action is in their head. The person playing devises more ways to create more action. Despite all the activity observed at the control pad, the action going on in their head is even faster and more intensive. There is large scale planning and problem solving going on in their head. Those wanting the action are actually seeking stimulation of those parts of their brain involved in their game play. Each time the brain is stimulated, new brain cell connections are established. Those new connections are actually rewiring their brain and how it processes information. The more action and play, the more new neural connections are made. The person playing the video games is literally rewiring their brain.

If you could hook up a PET scan of a person's brain while they are playing video games, it would become very apparent what parts of the brain are being stimulated. The PET scan would also show the extent of that stimulation. The amount of brain chemicals being released is staggering. The addictionology experts who view 'video game addiction' from this perspective often see little difference in the brain activity of heavy video game users with those of gambling addicts.

Since the neurotransmitters are more powerful than street drugs, the mood change can be very dramatic. In many cases, the problem for the video gamer is more often associated with depressed moods or anxiety, rather than the game play itself. It is suspected that the video gamers are using their play to 'self-medicate' or avoid unpleasant emotional mood states. If you watch a video game addict, you will see the mood altering aspects of video games. The release of the neurotransmitters creates a visible mood change, and change in their thinking. Much like a person can become addiction to a street drug, they do so with their own self-produced chemicals. You will also see the drug/addiction seeking behaviors as well. Instead of "jonesing" for street drugs, they actively seek out video games for their fix. It is not by accident that people refer to World of Warcraft as "World of War Crack".

Unlike street drugs, drug screen will not provide indications of whether or not someone is addicted to video games. The addition of all the lights, sounds and vibrations add to the level of stimulation. With the improvements in 3-D technology, the level of stimulation provided by games has increased. Many gamers seek a total sensory experience. The more potential sources of stimulation the better. This desire for total sensory experience is part of what motivates vibrating controllers, three-dimensional effects and stereophonic sound. They want to 'feel' the experience in as many ways as they can. Rather than the lack of stimulation as found in sensory deprivation tanks, they are seeking stimulation at the opposite end of the sensory spectrum.

The problems arise when the amount of play becomes destructive. When the person neglects hygiene, daily activities, sleep, eating and other self-care, they are well on their way to addiction. Since video games are more acceptable stimulation than gambling or drugs, many addictive personalities often resort to this activity to hide or mask their addictions. Instead of overcoming their previous addiction, they have transferred it to another object. If you watch serious video game players you will see the many mood altering experiences they go through when playing their games.

Does this mean that anyone who plays video games is addicted? The answer to that is "no". What it does mean is that when their activities of daily living are significantly impacted, they are playing too much. Before you assume that someone you know is addicted to video games, you will need to consider the big picture of their functioning. The real problem may be family related, loneliness, depressed mood or anxiety. The gaming is their way of dealing with it. When video gaming is identified as the problem, the underlying issues are often not addressed. It is often easier to blame 'War Craft" or "Grand Theft Auto" as the problem rather than address what makes such games so attractive to the gamer, or what problems they are experiencing.

Jeff Murrah, LPC, LMFT, LCDC is a counselor with experience in dealing with many types of disorders including addictions. He can be contacted through his website at http://www.restorethefamily.com/


Original article

Developing Personal Power in Recovery

When active in addiction(s) we were on an unrelenting self-destructive path. Life in general seemed overwhelming and there was a tendency to blame other people, places and things for our problems. No matter how hard we tried, will-power seemed to be of no use. We continued to spiral downward and the grief, guilt, depression and loneliness dominated existence.

We hung onto childhood ideas and brought them into our adult experience. We may have been arrogant, believing we had all the answers and everyone else was wrong. We were defiant, resisting the suggestions made by others, and self-indulgent hoping that outside pleasures would fill the gaping hole on the inside. Over time, our personal power whittled away.

When we sought help and began our journey into recovery, we became elated by the sense of a new beginning. We began to repair the destruction created by our behavior. Our relationships improved as our loved ones, employers and associates began to trust us again. They saw we were earnest in changing our lifestyle.

Those who sought formal treatment may have been taught that you were powerless. This may be true to some degree but it is also confusing. We became powerless over the substance of what we were abusing but that was just a symptom of what was really going on.

Agnes Whistling Elk said, "Power is strength and the ability to see yourself through your own eyes and not through the eyes of another."

As recovering addicts we actually need personal power to help raise our self-esteem by identifying with our true values, setting boundaries in our relationships, aligning our outward actions with our internal beliefs and making a stance for who we truly are. This allows us to feel comfortable in our own skin. As we progress, we no longer have peaks and valleys in our emotions because we have the power to believe in ourselves. We stop fighting everything and everyone because we allow them to be who they are and we feel confident about ourselves. We learn to lead from our hearts rather than analyzing from just our brain. Personal power comes when we tune in and listen to that inner guiding voice. We also gain strength by asking others for help and listening to their suggestions. We become open and honest with ourselves and others while knowing we have no claim on anyone else to make us happy.

Further along in our process we have taken action toward restoration of our lives and may have started the process of forgiving ourselves and others. We start to live for today and planning for our brighter future. Our life energy is redirected from being in crisis to having a positive outlook. Personal power is beginning to be restored.

Below are 10 things we can do each day that will help in developing a healthier lifestyle and forge a pathway to strengthening your personal power.

1. First thing in the morning identify with the people and/or experiences for which you are most grateful. A grateful heart is powerful.

2. Let go of grudges. Releasing this negative energy from your heart frees you from the power of others.

3. Start your day with a positive affirmation. A positive affirmation helps to align your thinking and opens your heart path.

4. Create periods of quiet time throughout the day. This is an opportunity to listen to that subtle, guiding inner voice.

5. Allow time in your day for exercise. Moving our bodies releases energy that promotes a positive outlook.

6. Eat healthy whole foods. Whole foods help to balance our bodily systems.

7. Look for ways to expand your community, such as volunteering, joining a club or experimenting with a new hobby.

8. Call a friend and ask them how they are doing without a need to talk about you.

9. Know your values and live in accordance with them. Living in alignment with who you truly are is the most powerful way to live.

10. Make restful sleep a priority. When rested, we can think more clearly about the challenges we may face.

Practicing the above healthy habits strengthens our foundation and creates personal power. When we take responsibility for who we are and maintain a healthy perspective we will likely be able to deal with unexpected life challenges for the days to come.

Author: Steve Clair
Steve is a Life Coach who dedicates a portion of his practice to working with individuals in recovery from addictions. His guided process is life changing and was developed to help build a firm personal foundation to grow from. Coaching is not a replacement for treatment or therapy and is best suited for individuals ready to take their recovery to new heights for today and the future.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of Recovery Coaching, contact Steve at sclair@oz.net for a complimentary coaching session. http://www.covisionwellness.com/


Original article

Do You Want To Know How to Quit Smoking Weed?

How to quit smoking weed? This question is really hard to answer, especially for those who suffer from heavy addiction to weed. Trying to stop smoking this kind of drug by yourself, without the guidance of an expert or a physician, is really hard. It can even become painful not only physically, but also psychically.

The biggest and hardest step to break the addiction to weed is admitting the situation. In fact, many people can't stop it just because they do not recognize they are really addicts. They think they can give up smoking weed whenever they want; but this is not true! The obsession with weed is primarily psychological. Unlike alcohol and nicotine, the pot doesn't contain any addicting substance; it's the feeling of pounding heart and silliness mixed together that makes addicts what they are.

Now, let's answer the question: How to quit smoking weed?

As you know that this substance has no chemical addictive effect, you know that your body won't suffer if you deprive it from it. You can stop swallowing weed smoke right now, and you body won't feel any change. It's a good new, isn't it?

Now, you should care more about your spirit to quit weed and have a new life. Those who consume drugs exceedingly are usually people with several problems in life. They are feeling depression, stress or not living the life they are looking for. To escape from all this, they turn to weed as it provides them with a temporary feeling of relax and distress.

Now if you're serious about quitting weed, you should find an alternative to deal with your problems. Either you forget about them and fill your time with useful activities such sports, blogging, reading, playing video games, etc...or you try to face them directly and find consistent solutions.

Think of your new life once you quit smoking weed!

Once you give up smoking that poison, you will be offered a real new life. You will have no more pain, no more sorrows and no more regrets. You will love living your day and you will enjoy every task you take, because you will feel what you're doing.

Think of the new life you will have if you quit smoking, and you will have the will and courage to do it. Once you know what is waiting for you, you will sacrify what you have to get what you want. Good luck!

Weed, or Marijuana is becoming more and more spread among teens. The addiction to such drug is not fatal, but it can ruin one's life. Nessy chimo can help you quit smoking weed as she knows a lot about the topic. Keep reading to learn more!


Original article

Clean and Sober in Baja California

Based on Baja's old image one would not think it to be a place to get clean and sober. However, Baja has addressed one issue in a set of complex issues and has created a government supported organization called CRREAD; a very long Spanish name meaning clean and sober. Its program helps men through the withdrawal and detox stage of their addiction. It focuses on every detail needed to be successful, and therefore it has a 6 month commitment to the rehabilitation process. It has been seen that 28 day programs do not have the time to address all the real issues once a person gains sobriety, and it takes time to anchor health in a person's mind, body, and spirit.

CRREAD's foundation is based on the 12-steps of Alcoholic Anonymous. And in one of the newer facilities just south of Rosarito Beach in Northern Baja, the 3 story structure was built on donated land near the Pacific Ocean. It grew to its three-story height one brick at a time; the work done by the recovering men. For as the men become clean and sober their natural skills return. Under one roof one will find all the skills needed in construction, including plumbers, electricians, wood workers and artisans.

In 2012 the facility is housing 200 men under one roof! Any ideas that comes to mind about how this might look and sound like would be wrong. On occasion, I take visitors through the quiet and immaculate structure. Floors are polished mosaic tile designed by the sober artisans. Everything is in perfect order from the pantry that holds large bags of rice and beans, to the kitchen that feeds the men three meals a day. What is clear is a shared goal for sobriety and everything that includes. A doctor comes in to care for the men going through the DTs or withdraws from heroin, as it can be a life-threatening process. A sterile environment in the infirmary provides the visiting doctor a place to check on the patients' physical well-being. Even a barber shop staffed by one of the men. The 12-step meetings go on all day and into the night. When the men are not in a meeting they have work details inside the grounds, which are silently guarded by "brothers" with more sobriety.

When a drunk starts to sober up, they will often discover that sobriety means much more than just not drinking. Their families have been harmed in many ways because of the addictions, and now for the first time those relationship can begin to be heal. It takes everyone's effort to heal the family system. Families need the support as much as the addict, and 12-step can also help with the Al-Anon program. While the men are in the program, they can not leave the building, but are allowed to have family visits on the weekend.

After a certain level of sobriety they can work in the community, bringing "home" the wages earned which goes to support the co-op that supports them. They never go out alone. They always "buddy" up so there is no temptation to "fall off the wagon." Each phase of sobriety takes as long as it takes, each man is different, but the safe environment, the steps back to sobriety in all areas of life, will lead naturally to serving others. CRREAD each year invites the children in the local community to an Easter egg hunt and a Christmas event with a real Santa Claus. Some of the men are "lifers" and stay on to be part of the program to help others. While others may move into administrative positions. They all attest to the fact that CRREAD gave them the time they needed to develop the skills to reenter society, and that the 12-Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous saved their lives. The only time I ever heard 200 men raise their voices was at the end of a meeting, "It works if you work it!" was their affirming roar.

Martina Dobesh has lived in northern Baja for 12 years. She is a journalist and editor of her online publication about Baja and the people who live there. In her early college days she earned a degree in Alcoholism Counseling. She is an avid supporter of those working towards sobriety, and holds the CRREAD program in the highest regard. She is always looking for stories about Baja that will show the positive choices that people make and how those choices contribute to the entire community. Often the positive things happening in Baja are rarely reported. Her commitment is to report stories that inspire, and will give the readers experience, strength and hope.
http://www.thebajasun.com/


Original article

Is Solitaire Addiction Possible?

There are many addictive behaviors with serious consequences. Smoking, alcohol, gambling and drug addictions are all dangerous to our health and can cause big trouble in family life, not to mention the law. However, there are addictive behaviors that seem benign, in that we are not damaging our bodies or wrecking our lives. Nonetheless, such benign addictions can rob us of precious time and the simple joys of life. for example, solitaire is a simple card game. It does pose the danger of solitaire addiction.

Some people, just needing a break from the task at hand, play a game or two and get back to what they were doing. On the other hand, many people may start playing this game as a simple diversion and then quickly progress to a point where they can't stop. "Just one more game. Then I'll fix dinner." Such people feel that it's not like gambling at the casino, where you can lose your shirt and empty your pocketbook all in one shot.

What they don't recognize is all the time they're wasting. Solitaire addiction, nonetheless, does soon lead to dereliction of duty. Whether it's making the family wait for dinner, failing to help the kids with homework or leaving your bathroom dirty, your solitaire addiction is decreasing your quality of life.

Others with solitaire addiction are people who live alone. Single people who are lonely or who have few responsibilities to others are easy prey to this addiction. Older people may acquire solitaire addiction purely out of boredom.

The point is, people who start playing solitaire compulsively are, without question, simply wasting a lot of time. In the case of lonely people, solitaire addiction ultimately increases the feelings of loneliness and ironically, discourages them from taking steps to interact socially.

So what can be done to get out of this trap? The first step is to recognize that a heck of a lot of time is being wasted. Try keeping a log in which you record the time you spend each day at this entertaining but unproductive game. You may be shocked at the end of a week to see how many hours of your life have gone to this occupation.

If you feel you're a solitaire addict, start each day with a strict limit on the number of games you'll allow yourself. A couple of games is enough. When you're done, you're done. Schedule your game time for an hour when you'd normally take a break anyway. Take the next day off. Substitute sitting down with a book or taking a short walk. Call a friend you haven't talked to lately. Clean the bird's cage. You get the idea.

Solitaire addiction is a subtle thief. There's nothing wrong with a game now and then. Finding new, more productive ways to occupy your time. You'll soon feel like a new person.


Original article

3 Tips for Trying to Get Through to an Alcoholic

How do you get through to an alcoholic? This question is no doubt one of the most common questions to ask if you are family or friend to an alcoholic. Here are three tips to help you with the get through.

Take advantage of remorse

When an alcoholic is in the middle of a good drunk there is no real reason to try to hold a conversation. One of two things will happen. S/he will not be able to use good judgment about what you discuss or s/he will not remember it the next day. Either way the result is the same. You don't get through.

The most effective time to discuss anything of importance with an alcoholic is when they begin to sober up. It is common for remorse to set in. Sometimes remorse is obvious because it's made with statements like, "It's vodka, it always does that to me".

The experience of withdrawal is uncomfortable, it's one of the greatest motivators. The result often is remorse. Even when the alcoholic in your life does not act like they have any feelings about withdrawal you can bet they think it.

The simple rule is this, small talk when drinking or drunk, meaningful talk when sobering or sober. This is the best way to get through to an alcoholic.

Refuse to fix it

There are so many things an alcoholic needs to have fixed. The excuses cover just about everything from work, social, emotional and more.

When the alcoholic is into the booze it's not uncommon for children to be given an excuse to try and fix the 'non-existent' relationship.

Work is given an excuse to cover for why the alcoholic is going to be absent another Monday morning. S/he's sick or some other unlikely lie just to cover and fix it.

What would happen if you trying to fix it? When you allow the alcoholic in your life to bear the responsibility for their own behavior good things happen.

It requires him/her to have consequences. The result is a tangible event in their life that requires a response.

When this becomes the default response you take the alcoholic is given opportunity to 'hit bottom'. This is where they need to reach. It's the point where drinking is not worth the pain. Recovery is not far away.

Tough love approach

Not everyone who is alcoholic needs to have tough love applied to their situation. On the other hand there are many who will respond to nothing less.

Tough love is where a very clear consequence is established. It's clearly communicated to the alcoholic and it must be kept by family and friends.

It may look like, as long as you drink you will be responsible for your own food, transportation and a place to live. This means the alcoholic won't be made meals, be driven to work or anywhere else and they are not to spend the night even if it's on the couch.

You may think this is too hard to do. That's why it's called tough love. It's not only difficult to do but it's even more difficult to keep when you hear the pleas from your alcoholic to 'just this time'.

The key with tough love is to be clear with what the limits are and follow through without waver. If you do eventually you'll get through to your alcoholic.

These tips are just a few ideas to help you get through when the time is right. You may need to try them many times before you get the desired result. They make a big difference as you practice them.

If you or someone you know is looking for addiction support for families and friends of addicts visit http://www.freemyaddict.com/ to find out how to help an alcoholic.


Original article

Online Drug and Alcohol Classes Offer a Unique Solution for Court Requirements

When a person is arrested and convicted of an alcohol or drug related charge, and then the court has the option to require the offender to take drug or alcohol education classes. Many times, the completion of those classes will negate any fine or sentence that is received. If a class is in your immediate future, then you should know that online drug classes offer perfect court ordered solutions for the class you need.

Many people think that the web is only good for getting on social networking and dating websites. In reality, your legal obligations can be fulfilled online without ever leaving the safety of your own home. Online drug classes are popular for first time offenders that have a minor charge in possession. Utilizing the online option can save the offender time and money in multiple different ways.

Online classes can be done at anytime after the enrollment payment is made. Start the class immediately after payment, or wait, when taking the online option it's all up to you. The only time restriction on completing the class will be set by the court. As long as the classes are completed by the courts assigned date, then the offender can take as long as they like up until that time. Classes can be completed in as many or as few sessions as the student pleases, again, the only restriction is the courts timeline for completion.

When taking online classes, the costs and time involved with commuting to a community class will be completely eliminated, saving any unnecessary costs other than the enrollment fee. When new offenders take a traditional live class, there can be a huge amount of anxiety and embarrassment involved in just showing up, especially concerning the unfamiliar environment. The student of an online drug class will learn more and be more comfortable in their own home than any other type of classroom.

Online drug classes will eliminate all the embarrassment needing to take these classes, allowing the student to relax their mind. That will allow him or her to absorb as much of the information as possible, giving the student the best chance of benefiting from the experience.

Online classes also allow the courts to see and track the student's progress on a daily basis, if necessary. That gives the court and the student a piece of mind. The courts can be satisfied until the student completes the required classes, and the offender can feel safe from further legal action.

The classes themselves, for first time offenders needing a basic class, are only 8-hours long and can be broken up into small segments at the student's discretion. When taking online classes, the options for attendance are only restricted by the student's schedule. The cost for an 8-hour class is only $175.00 and can be the best way to cut a jail sentence or a much steeper fine. More advanced alcohol drug classes can range in the $300 area. Those classes are for repeat offenders, and usually also includes completion while in jail.

Dr. Ari Novick is the President of AlcoholDrugClass.com. A website dedicated to educating people about alcohol awareness. Click here for more information on Alcohol Awareness Classes

Dr. Ari Novick also provides world class online Minor in Possession Classes


Original article

Codependency And Addiction Issues

Someone may have said to you that you are codependent, or you have may have heard the term somewhere or read about it. Codependency is a clinical term which describes an unhealthy relationship between two people. Many times it's in the context relationships where one person uses alcohol and drugs.

It is a relationship where one person puts the needs of the other person in the relationship above their own. While it is healthy to put the needs of your loved ones first, it is not healthy to do so to the point where you ignore your own needs completely. It is when a person fears being alone, and is terrified at the possibility of not being needed. One person is called the enabler.

The codependent person is likely to have low self-esteem, even though they are often the one taking care of many things. A person who experiences codependency gets their self-worth from sources other than themselves. They train themselves to know the behaviors and triggers of the other person in their relationship. These people do all that they can to keep the other person in their relationship happy, to keep them from getting upset. Instead of seeking a partner in a relationship who is more suitable for them, a codependent person will instead change themselves to fit into the dysfunctions in the current relationship. There is a vicarious quality of living through another person and always feeling neglected.

People who experience codependency do not have high self esteem, and this is likely to be a contributing factor. These people in all likelihood do not feel like they deserve any better than what they have, and they feel like they are lucky to have anything at all in the first place. These people are said to be in constant denial, suppressing their true feelings about the relationship that they are in.

There is an odd relation of passivity and being controlling. Often there is such a pre-occupation with the other person's drinking or addiction and a project to reform or change them. Often an enabler comes from a difficult background. These people will focus on their partner not being reach their potential. These behaviors or personality traits are deeply rooted, and take time and significant effort to change. Therapy is very helpful at breaking through these areas. Attending meetings such as Al-Anon can be very helpful to learn about the reason for taking a caretaker role.

Read Addiction Recovery Interviews and learn more about breaking through old patterns.


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Luckily, There Are Treatments for Sexual Addiction

There are many things that people find themselves addicted to, but not all of them are things that you may think of. Smoking, drinking, and gambling are all common, but there are some other addictions that may seem to be a bit fuzzy. If you have never met with someone who has a sexual addiction, you may think that this is just something that is made up. What you should know is that it is a real sickness, and it is not just someone who wants to have sex all of the time. There is more to it than that.

Sexual addiction is more than just being in the mood all of the time. Everyone has a different sex drive, and that can change from week to week. Addiction is more about being completely unable to control those urges, and doing things that can hurt others and that are illegal and immoral just to satisfy those feelings. That is when the trouble comes in and when sexual addiction can hurt many people, and mess up the lives of those who love the person with the addiction.

Anyone can have a sexual addiction, but some hide it better than others. This could be the married man that says he is working late each night, but then going out to pick up a prostitute three, four, or more times a week. This may also be the person that hurts children because they can not control themselves. Most with a sexual addiction have no idea that this is a problem for them until they have crossed a line and get caught doing it. Some know, but they have no way to control it. Some won't and can not be stopped until they are behind bars for doing something illegal or because they have hurt someone.

Luckily, there are treatments for sexual addiction. The main problem is realizing that there is a problem with this. Most don't believe such a problem is really an addiction, and those that have it can hide it, in many cases, much easier than someone who has a drinking problem, or that has a gambling addiction. If you or someone you know has issues with a sexual addiction, find more resources that can help you know what to do next, where to go for help, and what recovery can do to change an out of control life into one that is happy and fulfilling.

If you or someone you know has issues with a sexual addiction, find more resources that can help you know what to do next, where to go for help, and what recovery can do to change an out of control life into one that is happy and fulfilling.


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Opiate Addiction: A Human Problem for 6,000 Years

Opiate addiction is thought by many to be a modern problem caused by disintegration of traditional cultural values. However, this type of thinking is not grounded in reality. Addiction to opium has probably plagued mankind for around 6,000 years, but some evidence has been found that strongly indicates Neolithic man was cultivating and using the poppy plant as many as 30,000 years ago. If this is true it would imply that opiate addiction is a problem that has quite literally evolved with man.

More than 6,000 years ago ancient Sumerians wrote of the poppy plant and its cultivation. And while we don't know to what extent this culture used the plant for its euphoric effects, (although their name for the poppy translates to "joy plant") we do know for certain that by the time of the ancient Greeks, addiction to opium was widespread. However, use of opium for its medicinal properties was also rampant. In ancient times as much as today, opium was used to treat pain, headaches, diarrhea, coughing and other ailments. In fact, the use of this drug was so widespread that ancient physicians were divided about whether or not the drug had any "magical" or "supernatural" powers and regularly argued about this in public settings.

Recreational use of opium in ancient times was just a common part of everyday life. Ancient societies in India, Africa, China and eventually Europe were being overrun by the opium trade, which spread to all corners of the known world. Use of the drug grew with the human population, and by the time the nineteenth century arrived, opium addiction had saturated every corner of the globe-including the newly formed United States of America.

During this time, Britain had a stranglehold on most of the trade routes- especially into and out of China - one of the biggest consumers of opium. When the Chinese opium addiction problem became overwhelming, the government fought back, seizing tens of thousands of pounds of opium and refusing to admit further shipments. This led to the infamous First Opium War, where China was resolutely defeated by Britain and forced to allow the trade to continue and expand. But in 1856 China rebelled once more and was yet again put down by the British Empire. As a result, more than one quarter of the adult male population of China was addicted to opium by the turn of the century.

While the Opium wars were being waged in the East, the United States was growing massive quantities of poppy plants in the West, utilizing the opium for medicine, products and recreation. Thomas Jefferson was a prolific grower of the poppy, and some of the most highly esteemed intellectuals of the time were regular opium users. But when the Civil War broke out, morphine had only recently been isolated from opium and was made readily available to soldiers on both sides, leading to the development of thousands of severe morphine addictions - especially with the advent of the hypodermic needle.

In an effort to control the opium and morphine addiction leftover after the Civil War, scientists and pharmacists set out to create a new substance to treat the effects of addiction to these drugs. The resulting drug was developed by Bayer and became the world's best-selling brand of all time: Heroin. And while it wasn't easy to see during the time, we now know from unfortunate experience that Heroin is one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs out there.

So if you're suffering from addiction to morphine, heroin, oxycodone or any other substance, you should know that you're not alone: this problem has been afflicting humans for millennia. But it doesn't have to affect you any more- all you need to do is use the links below to get help to regain control over your life. Why wait any longer?

Click here for a free consultation from our drug addiction treatment center.

Click here to check your insurance right now: http://www.recoveryfirst.org/


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Internet Addiction - Signs, Symptoms, Dependency, Treatment and Recovery

Internet addiction is a worldwide problem and growing every day. With the growth of the internet and effortless access, this addiction is "viral" in its own right. Many internet addicts are teenagers or young adults. In China as many as 15% of youngsters are addicted to this activity. Hong Kong posts disturbing numbers. It is estimated that 40% of the youth population there is addicted! For the U. S., estimates indicate that we have 20 million internet addicts, with the rate going up 25% yearly. According to a University of Maryland study released last year, many college students are addicted to the internet (1).

Internet usage is a strong visual stimulus to the brain. CT Scans of internet gamblers have detected dopamine release similar to that seen in crack addicts. It is reasonable to assume that this condition is mediated through the pleasure center of the brain. Dopamine is the major neurotransmitter involved with the pleasure center. The internet provides not only visual stimulation but tactile and auditory as well. This complex problem undoubtedly involves multiple neurotransmitters and other parts of the brain besides the "pleasure center."

Current estimates state that being online over 20 hours a week may be considered addiction. This would exclude someone who uses the internet in their work.

Detox, withdrawal and cravings with these persons are a real phenomenon. They believe that the only way they can be "connected" socially or intellectually is when they are online. Depression, anxiety, a feeling of isolation and frustration are common symptoms when addicts cannot access the internet.

The harmful side effects of this problem can be disastrous. Many school-age children neglect their studies, playing internet games or socializing online, undoubtedly contributing to high dropout rates and poor grades. Internet addiction is linked to ADHD and depression in teens (2). Reading comprehension and writing abilities all suffer due to internet abuse/addiction. This problem can damage relationships and families. When one considers online gambling or online pornography, you are looking at a real nightmare. These addictions can result in financial ruin or imprisonment.

Current treatment for this horrible addiction is in the infancy stages and involves behavioral and cognitive approaches. It is believed that the medical community must realize that this serious disorder causes chemical and electrical changes in the brain. There have been studies which have shown that repeated visual images in children can change the anatomy of the brain. Countless hours on the internet undoubtedly change the brain qualitatively and quantitatively.

Counseling is common for this problem and there are support groups available. The medical community has been slow to identify this as an addiction and medical treatment is not typically used for this quandary. Naturally, insurance companies are hesitant to offer any type of coverage to treat this or any other addictive disease.

Alternative medical treatment for internet addiction is a logical approach to this wide-spread problem. There are naturally occurring herbs and supplements that can help to normalize the chemical and electrical changes that take place during ongoing addiction. These natural herbs and supplements are non-addictive and can be taken in the privacy of one's home, maintaining confidentiality.

This type of treatment should probably continue for at least two years. The majority of individuals with internet addiction were exposed at an early age. The changes this caused in their brain would take a considerable period of time to reverse. The recovering individual would have to be careful with any internet activity during the recovery period.

Any recovery plan should probably include some type of 12-Step Program. The 12-Step Program is a classic venue for behavioral therapy. These programs have been around since 1935 and they work. All of the 12-Step Programs resemble the AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) model. These groups provide needed support and put the recovering person in contact with individuals who have similar problems.

References:

1. Tyger Latham, Psy.D. July 26, 2011. Can You Really Become Addicted to the Internet? 8/5/11. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/therapy-matters/201107/can-you-really-become-addicted-the-internet

2. Amanda MacMillian. Oct. 05, 2009. Internet Addiction Linked to ADHD, Depression in Teens. CNN Health. 9/4/11. http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/05/depression.adhd.internet.addiction/

Tom E. Jarvis is the creator of the all-natural and non-addictive Addiction Buster™ formulas and an expert in the field of addiction. He was a chemist prior to attending medical school, where he graduated with honors. He has spent over 20 years treating over 20,000 patients addicted to alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviors. Tom E. Jarvis is also a recovering alcoholic & drug addict.

Visit our site http://www.addictionbuster.org/ to get our FREE 4 Step Addiction Recovery Plan for Alcohol, Drugs & Addictive Behaviors.


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