Friday, July 13, 2012

Alcohol and Drug Rehabs - The Portal to a New Life

There are many different forms of addiction like surfing the net, sex, food and many others. Out of all, alcohol and drug addiction are the most dangerous one that can even take the life of an individual. People of any age group can be a victim of this life-taking addiction. To help all those people, who have become a patient of the addition of any health hazardous substances, plenty alcohol and drug rehab centers are established all across the globe. Many people take alcohol and drugs in excess to come over with their daily problems, some big tragedy of their lives, depression and loneliness. On their way of becoming an alcoholic and addicts, a person usually forgets that consuming such harmful substance is not a solution to the problems. Rather, it adds to the problems of the person as well as his family members.

Alcoholic and addicts choose such way of living because they feel comfortable and satisfied for a time being completely lost in their own lives. Generally, young aggressive people who have an ideology of trying forbidden things become addicts. They end up listing their name among the addicted persons. Thank God, we have an alcohol and drug rehab located throughout the world to offer the treatment to alcoholism and drug addicts. These rehab centers are hold specialization in their work and help individuals in coming out of their addiction soon.

Every individual patient has different treatment need depending on their case condition. Accordingly, various rehab centers are engaged in offering treatment programs designed by experienced health experts. They focus on helping drug addicts and alcoholics to set free from their bad habits and given them many groups or individual counseling session along with the treatment.

Victims of drug and alcohol addiction can recover quickly only if they agree the fact that they are certainly under the influence of drugs and alcohol and need to undergo some recovery treatment. The chances of quick recovery of such people are much more in comparison to the others, who refuse recovery medication because they believe that their body do not require any treatment. It is a myth, they are living with that need to be broken soon by their family and friends. Such people should be soon taken to alcohol and drug rehab centers so that continuous medication, check up and follow-up can be provided in time.

Treatment for the recovery of any kind of addiction cannot work alone work alone. Support, care and attention of family is also important for the recovery of drug users and alcoholics. At times, it is found that relapses may take place because of the missing support of the family. Such relapses do not mean that the patient is not responding well to the treatment, it is just that he is in need of extra care and attention from his family that can give them a chance to live a new life.

Important Facts About Drug Addiction Therapy

It is a proven fact that humans can be very impatient especially when they want to get a problem in their lives fixed. More often than not, they try the easiest and fastest way and wait for it to fail before they would even consider doing it the long way even if it has higher success rates. The exact same thing can be said when it come to dealing with a drug dependency problem. Often times, drug users will admit that they need help but refuse to go into rehab on the pretext that they are above their drug use therefore, they can control it. Only those who have the strongest of minds can overcome drug addiction on their own. The best method of treatment is drug addiction therapy conducted by certified substance abuse rehabilitation counselors, therapists, and medical professionals.

There are two types of therapies being used to rehabilitate drug addicts; medicinal and psychological therapy. When an addict signs up for a resident rehabilitation program in a substance abuse treatment facility, both types of therapies will be used. Medications will be administered to the patient during the first stage of their treatment. This is to make sure that the patient's withdrawal symptoms don't escalate to severe complications and also to make them comfortable while they are experiencing the effects of detoxification. Alleviating the withdrawal symptoms eliminates the risk that the patient will quit the program just because the symptoms are too hard to bear.

When the patient passes the detoxification process, psychological therapy will begin. Here, the patient will undergo in depth counseling and psychiatric therapy to get to the root of substance abuse problem. The aim of psychological therapy is to touch base with the patient's behavioral aspect so that the craving for drugs will be eliminated completely. They will be taught how to deal with their problems in such a way that they won't be pushed to relapse. Topics that will be tackled during this stage of the patient's substance abuse recovery plan include healthy outlets for their stress and frustration. They will be asked to take up a new hobby or perhaps discuss the possibility of eliminating the factors that pushed them to drug abuse. At the end of the program, the patient will feel brand new and will be ready to rebuild their lives.

Mild drug users can take advantage of outpatient addiction therapy plans. These types of programs involve counseling and psychiatric therapy as well; however, it is not as in depth as those who are in resident programs. Most of the counseling sessions will take place within a core group where they would be able to discuss their issues and guide each other towards completely eliminating the option of drug use when they are stressed or frustrated. The most important thing that you should remember when you sign up for substance abuse therapy is that no amount of intervention will work if you are not willing to change. Your determination and commitment to become sober is the main ingredient to ensuring the success of drug rehabilitation.



This news article is brought to you by FAX MACHINE - where latest news are our top priority.

The Revolution in Alcoholism Treatment

Many years ago, two alcoholic men - Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith - met and changed the world.

Until that point, alcoholism was considered largely an untreatable disease with only three known outcomes... jails, institutions or death. But after these two men met and talked with each other about their common illness, the processes by which people came to understand alcoholism and address it changed radically. No longer would alcoholics be seen as merely weak-willed men and women. No longer would alcoholics be relegated to the insane asylums or jails simply because they could not be treated. And, no longer would people with the disease of alcoholism or other addictions be without hope to arrest the disease. When Bill W. and Dr. Bob sat and talked about their experiences, strengths, and hopes for the future, they gave hope to now millions of people.

What made the difference in the lives of these men, and the millions who followed them, was that they had restored principles and values to their lives through the practice of a simple daily program of recovery. They reasoned that when they drank they ended up giving away not only money to get the alcohol that would ruin their lives, but they also gave up their morals, values, and principles that governed their lives. The bartender or liquor store owner ended up owning them and their lives as these men indentured themselves to the alcohol: They became slaves to the alcohol and would do whatever the people who had alcohol told them to do. But, in recovery, this servitude ended. They were able to not drink when they were abstinent and they maintained their abstinence by practicing a few simple principles in their daily lives.

As Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) came to say later, people in recovery from addiction need to "practice these principles in all their affairs." What were these principles that the men had given up when drinking and were restored to them when they were sober? The first 100 men and women who stopped drinking through AA in those early years set down in writing the steps that they took to get and stay sober. They became known as the famous "12 Steps" of recovery. They reasoned that if they became enslaved to alcohol by gradually giving away all their values, morals, and principles, then they would need to recover those same values, morals, and principles in their lives in order to remain sober. So they listed out the principles they knew they needed to live by. They arrayed them in terms of the step-by-step process they went through to get them back into their lives, and wrote the language for the steps it took in a clear and direct way.

Here are the principles that they built back into their lives, one-by-one over time, and the steps they took to get them:

Honesty - 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and that our lives were unmanageable.

Hope - 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Faith - 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Courage - 4. Made a searching and fearless more inventory of ourselves.

Integrity - 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Willingness - 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

Humility - 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

Love - 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed ands became willing to make amends to them all.

Justice - 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Discipline - 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Spirituality - 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Service - 12. Having has a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry the message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Armed with 12 spiritual principles they had once lost but regained through the 12 Steps, the original founders of the AA program resumed their lives as recovering alcoholics. They passed down a rich tradition to other alcoholics, drug addicts, and others addicted to behaviors that works as an effective way to arrest the effects of addiction and relapse to this day.



This news article is brought to you by FASHION - where latest news are our top priority.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

How to Prevent Teen Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Communication is key when it comes to helping teens with their problems. If you are a parent, teacher or community leader who work close with teens you must always remember it's all about delivery.

There's a saying that goes like this, "It's not what you say but how you say it". It's important to note that the way we communicate has a lot to do with how teens respond to your message.

When talking to their children about drugs, a lot of parents simply say that they are the parents and their children must listen to everything they have to say. This approach puts up a wall where there isn't two-way communication so teens would rather not talk to their parents.

Why doesn't this approach work?

Research shows that teens that actively talk to their parents about their issues are happier and less likely to get involved with illegal activity such as drugs or other actions that can land them in jail.

Is Drug Education Important

Drug Education is extremely important for two reasons.

  1. Students are made aware of different drugs and the affects they have on the body.
  2. Teens with drug information make better decisions.

The best way to prevent teens from using drugs and alcohol is to talk openly about it. Believe it or not, students want to know how harmful drugs are to our bodies. As adults, we have a responsibility to make sure that teens have the resources and the knowledge to make wise decisions when confronted with drugs.

What Is the Greatest Technique to Deal With Addiction?

It can be very challenging when one is looking for the most effective drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility. This is even more evident when given the myriad of available treatment options available around the world and on the internet today. How can one determine what's the most cost-effective and beneficial treatment therapy for one's personal requirements, and where can this treatment be found?

Although the standard signs of addiction are usually easily predicted, (e.g. a rise in high-risk conduct if dependency is not handled properly), it doesn't always imply that there's only one expected method for dependency treatment. You will find many therapeutic treatments that seem promising for the short-term; nevertheless sadly most individuals after leaving their rehab facility quickly back slide into relapse.

The very best programs are tailored to individuals and focus on all of the various individual variations presented by each person rather than prescribe "a one size suits all" program based on oversimplified formulae for addiction treatment.

Preconceived doctrines for techniques that treat individuals exactly the same in a standardized manner are not often successful in helping the addict find a new life free of addiction. A truly great rehabilitation program offers various comprehensive as well as interactive evaluations dealing with many facets including how the individual addict, on a personal level, experiences life. For instance, one type of helpful individual evaluation sets in its sights on whether one has a tendency to over contemplate and analyse or take a lackadaisical approach to life. Each of these extremes requires a distinctly different strategy in treatment. A rehabilitation plan must also think about the methods one uses to learn, as well as which method of learning one has a propensity to overuse or under utilize. Insight into this will help one to learn how one's personal addiction has progressed.

To start with, decide which of group therapy or exclusive private rehabilitation is most attractive. Bear in mind though, the preferred way might not be the easiest way since a large part of treatment methods are designed to push one to the point of making sure that it's possible to learn a new pattern of behaviour, one without drugs and alcohol. You ought to also decide the length of time one really wants to commit to in rehabilitation. Take as lengthy a period as possible. It will take a long time to dissect one's old ways as well as learn new patterns. Discussing encounters in a group session with the rehab team is a well-established healing approach that helps allow anyone to understand their underlying problems. However, an excessive amount of concentration on team dialogue enables some people to hide areas of their personal underlying problems that they may want to avoid confronting.

When a decision has been formed around the whole structure of rehab methods available, time needs to be invested studying different programs, the individual councillors, and also the atmosphere or environment each facility offers.

The rehab facility cannot be any better than its professionals. A good therapist is one who really listens and knows how to strike a fine balance between picking up what's different about one's story and helping one put their experiences into the framework of addiction. Reliability, empathy, and professionalism together with a non judgmental stance are the crucial characteristics to search for in a counsellor. A good counsellor should have a very good understanding of substance dependency as well as the complex actions associated with habit. Ideally, one's counsellor will probably be somebody who possesses a sophisticated personal awareness who also focuses on their own individual growth. A great therapist should not speak technical medical lingo with you, and you ought to come away from any conversations having the feeling that you've been paid attention to and listened to. It is unlikely that most patients will have the ability to find out specifics in regards to the councillors with whom they will be working before actually joining a program, however it helps if one to bears this in mind.

An excellent plan is really one which instructs anyone how to solve the deeper emotional problems and provides practical ways through addictive behaviour. It will include plenty of time for personal reflection as well as time for promotion of healing. A good rehab program needs to be well balanced with innovative activities to help reach the concealed corners of one's mind and develop the necessary tools needed for a life free of dependency. CBT treatment methods coupled with other treatments fulfil most people's requirements. The AA approach may be the conventional approach to coping with substance dependency, and it has chapters around the globe. However, AA presumes that substance dependency is a disease. It also presumes that you'll always require help from the organisation in order to be able to cope. This can make one need to regularly go to meetings and also have a good AA support group. Some addicts don't like that much and feel that this constrains their social lives with folks that use of alcohol or even drugs, but are not yet dependent, as well as otherwise have normal lives.

The atmosphere and setting of a rehabilitation facility can also be an important factor to consider. Will the environment provide a safe-house, along with strict boundaries? A rehab is surely a chance to escape from familiar surroundings to ensure that one can concentrate on searching inside oneself without having to be stressed through the typical atmosphere found at home. This might help someone to staying in rehab to remain true to oneself. A lavish five-star surrounding is much less important and may sometimes draw attention away from the actual function of rehab. However any environment that encourages peace and facilitates the process of recovery is beneficial. A properly run rehabilitation centre, with staff composed of support employees that comprehend addiction and substance abuse (or at least have significant experience working in a therapeutic environment), can produce an entirely positive difference for treatment.

It is unnecessary that a rehab facility be like a 5 star resort. However, at a minimum it is very important to make a stay in rehabilitation treatment as comfortable and relaxing as possible. This should be accomplished through the combination of professional therapeutic treatments, delicious food, strenuous endorphin releasing exercise, massage therapy, several different types of meditation, pleasant clean surroundings and a relaxed chilled and friendly atmosphere. The experience a patient has and the emotional reactions to this type of rehabilitation scenario should be discussed in detail with one's therapist in order to identify any potential danger points and vulnerabilities one could experience when returning home. A concrete and well rehearsed plan to deal with these weak points should be developed and practiced before leaving rehab.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Understanding the Illness of Addiction

One of the most supportive things families can do is learn about the addiction and what their loved one is experiencing. Knowing different treatment models will be critical in getting your loved one the help they need. One way of understanding the illness of addiction is using the first step from the 12-step recovery model: we admitted we were powerless over our addiction; that our lives had become unmanageable. The idea is to admit powerlessness two different ways: one being with the body, physically powerless and the other with the mind, mentally powerless. The unmanageable piece is the spirit or otherwise known as internal discomfort.

An important aspect of understanding and treating suffering addicts and alcoholics is the ideas in the first step in the 12-step process and how it relates to the illness. The concept of powerlessness is one of the keys as well as the unmanageability. Being powerless is by definition being without power, choice, or control. If an individual had the ability to control or choose to stop using, how could they be powerless? The will power of an individual also would not work, because it implies that one has some sort of power. Any dictionary will give any number of standard definitions; all explaining that being powerless is having no influence, ability, or control. "I am powerless over the weather." I have no ability to choose, control, or do anything else to the weather. The weather does not ask my opinion when it wants to snow, rain, or become windy. I also have no choice over the sun setting, in fact some days I wish there were more hours in the day, and I could postpone sunset, but no one ever asks me what I think.

The word choice means something along the lines of selecting or making a decision. If I were presented with the opportunity to go kite surfing or hiking, I would choose to go kite surfing. If you asked me whether I wanted a cheeseburger or bacon pepperoni pizza, my choice would be the pizza. The interesting thing is that most professionals, family members, and addicts themselves believe they have a choice in the matter of the illness. Some common phrases used in the treatment world by the three previously mentioned parties, all of which imply the sufferer has the ability to choose, are listed below.

"I'm powerless and today I have a choice."
"Why don't you just choose to stop?"
"When he wants it bad enough, he will quit."
"Remember how bad it was next time you want to pick up."
"Think it through."
"If you loved me, you would stop."
"I will quit when I want."

Along with choice the other keyword used is willpower. Most addicts/alcoholics who have been trying to get clean and sober for over a month will openly admit that their willpower is not going to help them. Treatment professionals will also openly admit this. Willpower is just not good enough in the treatment of this illness. The word will means thinking. A few years ago I saw a definition that said the mental powers. It is ultimately another word for choice. If one had willpower, it would still be power which would give them the ability to control the illness. So the question I always ask professionals and addicts is, "how can these guys/girls have no willpower but have a choice?" Like I mentioned above, being powerless means not having any choice, power, or control, therefore, anyone who really suffers from this illness has no choice or willpower, or they are not powerless.

Cancer patients have no power, choice, or control. They are powerless over the cancer. Someone with cancer does not tell the cancer what to do or how to specifically affect the body. The cancer does what ever it feels like, creating a wake of devastation behind it. This is the exact way this illness works. The individual with the illness is powerless mentally and physically, and there is the underlying unmanageability following them, sometimes subtly, the whole way.

My understanding of this illness, like I mentioned before, is body, mind and spirit. The illness is different from substance abuse/dependence disorders explored in the DSM-IV-TR. In the beginning of this article I stated the illness was 3 parts of body, mind and spirit and that it was comprised of a physical powerlessness, a mental powerlessness and a spiritual unmanageability. Having a well-informed understanding of the illness is paramount in helping people recover and move forward in their life.

Using this understanding, families may come to the realization that their loved one does not have a choice to NOT drink. They are powerless. It becomes the families' responsibility to learn how to affectively guide them into addiction treatment. If the addict or alcoholic is powerless, it is not probable that they are going to choose to go to treatment. This is where the family comes in. Be the source of strength the addict needs, learn how to guide them and move them into treatment.



This news article is brought to you by PET-FRIENDLY-RENTALS - where latest news are our top priority.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Shocking Trends of Bath Salt Use

Every so often a synthetic drug comes along that causes everyone to shake their heads in bewilderment. A few years ago Salvia was all the rage, flying off the shelves of "smoke shops" across the country based on the fact that it produced a temporary, hallucinatory effect after smoking it. Not to mention, it was also legal. Authorities have since stepped in and put an end to its growing abundance, but now "Bath Salts" seems to have taken its place and is now the cause of a growing number of overdose related emergency room visits. In fact over one year's time from 2010 to 2011, the number of calls to poison control centers across the country based on Bath Salts consumption went from 303 in 2010 to 3,470 in 2011 according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

The elevating use of Bath Salts, or as it is chemically know methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), has been stirring up quite a media storm as of late where story after story has been reporting on its harmful and unusual effects. MDPV reacts in the body as a psychoactive stimulant having individuals experiencing similar effects to that cocaine or amphetamines. Despite causing such desirable effects as euphoria and sexual stimulation, use of bath salts also can come with health scares such as a rapid heart rate, insomnia, and possibly even suicidal thoughts. Unfortunately like most street drugs that are being toted as "pure," Bath Salts is typically not MDPV alone but instead contains other toxic chemicals causing additional side effects not originally considered.

So how does a substance like Bath Salts go undetected for so long without a government agency attempting to regulate it? To start, it may have to do with its name. The perceived conception one may have when they hear the term Bath Salts could be that of the household scented epsom salts added to enhance bathing. Using names like "Ivory Wave" and "Vanilla Sky," vendors selling Bath Salts managed to fly under the radar and avoid suspicion until only recently when government agencies stepped in.

National media grabbed hold of the Bath Salts story when it was revealed that a man was witnessed eating the face of another man in what appeared to be a drug induced state. Some sources immediately pointed at this new, mysterious drug to be the cause. It was later revealed not to be, but it did set off some alarms for people, especially the authorities. Today, lawmakers look to put an end to this growing epidemic by sealing up loopholes that make the drug legal due to its chemical makeup. Also marking the labels on packaging "Not for human consumption" has allowed them to be sold in stores up until this point.

Bath Salts are just the latest thing for a person to get hooked on. If you would like to learn more about substance abuse or rehab treatment, please visit the provided resources.



This article is sponsored by medical case study.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Understanding Withdrawal Symptoms Associated With Alcohol Addiction Recovery

Once you make the decision to overcome your alcohol addiction, you will be faced with one of the most difficult times in your life. The alcohol addiction recovery will be filled with withdrawal symptoms as your body gets used to living without the alcohol you have been supplying it with. These withdrawal symptoms are often what make people give up and turn back to alcohol, continuing the cycle. However, if you know what to expect, you may have a greater chance of making it through.

Some of the more severe withdrawal symptoms typically only occur when a person is addicted to a great amount of alcohol and has been for a long time. These patients may end up with convulsions and high fevers. This is why it can be so important to find an inpatient facility so you have medical personnel who can watch you for these symptoms and help you if they do occur. These symptoms can be dangerous if left untreated.

Those who have a lesser addiction or have been addicted for a shorter period of time will go through fewer symptoms that are still uncomfortable. As your body detoxes from alcohol through alcohol addiction recovery, you may experience anxiety and feelings of restlessness. You will simply not feel like yourself. This is why so many people turn back to alcohol. Alcohol has become their new normal, and their bodies desperately want to get back to that normal. Other people may simply become depressed, which may actually require medication.

No two people are alike. The staff members at facilities that offer these services are fully trained on all the withdrawal symptoms patients are likely to experience. They are also trained on how to help patients get through these rough patches. In some cases, medication may be required to take the edge off some of these symptoms. In other cases, you may simply have to suffer through them. They will only last as long as your detoxification lasts.

Understanding the withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol addiction recovery and how the staff at a facility will help you handle them can help you make the decision to enter a recovery program. From convulsions and high fevers in some severe cases to anxiety, restlessness and depression in others, the staff at your facility will help you get through this difficult time so you can continue on the road to recovery. Once you get past these withdrawal symptoms, you will be grateful you stuck it out.



This news article is brought to you by FASHION - where latest news are our top priority.

An Acknowledgement to Family Therapy

Drug addiction is one of the gravest issues dealt today by the most developed countries in the world. Despite a variety of measures implemented, there's hardly any respite experienced till date. The effects of drug addiction are physically noticeable however psychological and emotional wounds caused by addiction are often neglected.

According to several studies carried out by the scientists, a drug addiction recovery program should be adjudged in psychological ways. The impact of abuse first causes severe cerebral issues leading to improper functioning of brain which results in uncontrolled desire for abused substances and other severe issues. Over a period of time, it starts reflecting on body. It's an indication of internal body rampage of drug addicts. Most drug rehab centers worldwide have now formally introduced therapies to help a patient recover significantly from psychological procedures.

Family therapy is a unique way introduced to help patients recover from root issues inside. The term "family therapy" is taken into various acknowledgements by people worldwide. Many addicts believe that their drug addiction never had any impact on their family which is wrong and quite the opposite of what is perceived.

With the help of this therapy, all aspects of a family are worked upon under the guidance of experienced family therapists who acknowledge the requirements of every mindset present in the room. The foundation of family therapy is to educate family members. The focus is brought to the situation underwent by drug addicts in front of family. After few sessions, family members start acknowledging the purpose of life and situations underwent which might help with a motivation to help the person in need.

The therapy doesn't only work on relationships and trusts of family, it on the other hand helps identify with underlying signs and symptoms originated during the course of the addiction by the patients. In fact, it is found that stress, trauma, and a variety of abuses experienced by a person of the family can easily motivate him/her to opt for highly dangerous alternatives like drug abuse. All these aspects are openly discussed in an intelligent and professional way during family therapies which help patients and family members recover mutually from inside. Family therapy also results in an improved communication, compassion, conflict resolution if any among the patients and the family members.

The families and people seeking resolutions to drug abuse for their loved ones must acknowledge effective features before lending credence to a particular drug rehab center. You should directly interact with rehab authority staff and gather information on family therapy. A family therapy run by a drug rehab center must include addiction education, individual, and group counseling. More importantly, these family therapy sessions should be conducted by skilled therapists.



This news article is brought to you by MOVIE CRITIC NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Alternative Approaches to the Twelve-Step Program

The Twelve-Step Program is a widely recognized, successful technique that aids in the recovery from alcoholism. The program involves a set of twelve guiding principles that outline a trajectory for rehabilitation. The principles, as encouraged by Alcoholics Anonymous, were published in 1939 in the book Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Recovered From Alcoholism. Though the program is highly regarded and has helped innumerable individuals reroute their lives, the specialized course is not for everyone. For one, the program attracts more theists than non-religious individuals. Six of the twelve guiding principles encourage God's assistance in the recovery process, including:

11. "Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out."
12. "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."

Making a decision to turn one's will to God can be a powerful motivator to regain self-control. However, if individuals feel as if success that lies partially in a pious belief will elude them, there are alternative strategies that reside independently from any religious affiliation.

A form of rehabilitation that is not associated with the Twelve-Step-Program, but inspires similar results, is the practice of holistic medicine. Holistic health combines various aspects of a patient's needs including the physical, psychological, and spiritual. Holistic routines include - but are not limited to - counseling, exercise, meditation, and diet remedies. A holistic practitioner views a patient as, not an example of a disease, but as an individual with a particular set of needs. In fact, the role of a holistic doctor could be viewed similarly to a mentor - guiding the patient to implement his/her own self-promoting choices. This form of therapy promotes a healthy lifestyle as well as serving to remedy diseases like addiction.

Recent studies have revealed that a constructive way to devise a treatment for alcoholism includes identifying chemical imbalances and assembling a personalized therapy based on the psychological needs of each individual patient. This can be done though therapy and/or brain scans that are indicative of psychological pressure points. Integrating technology into other forms of therapy has proven by numerous sources to be highly effective. An examination of both the psychological and neurological aspects of addiction provides a more thorough understanding as to how to map out a path for recovery.

Alcoholism, for example, is a condition that can be triggered by a chemical imbalance in the brain thus making it helpful to perform brain scans and brain mapping in order to accurately diagnose. Once the source of the addiction is identified, the psychological side may be addressed through therapies that integrate both the psychiatric and emotional aspects. Approaching rehabilitation from an angle that encompasses advanced science and holistic medicine is sure to renew all areas of one's life.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Another Look at Forgiveness

When my kids were younger they would often fight so I would naturally intercede and break things up. If one was wronged I would "make" the other apologize. I would often hear the most insincere apologies you would ever hear. It would bring a chuckle when they were not looking. Today I would like to take another look at forgiveness and how important it is for recovery.

When one hears the word "forgive" in drug and alcohol treatment, it is not uncommon to dig in one's heels and get resistant. After all, too many of us have experienced hardships and trauma in life and forgiving is the last thing we want to talk about. So how do we approach forgiveness in a way that makes it possible for us to move past the pain and into recovery?

To start with, let's consider the spiritual need for our own forgiveness. Addiction allows us to hold on to a lot of guilt and shame. After all, it does help to keep the addiction alive does it not? Our own guilt becomes a heavy burden to carry but our fifth step enables us to find that forgiveness. The peace we feel enables us to forgive ourselves.

It helps us to heal from the inside out. We trust in the absolution from God and relish in the freedom. Steps eight and nine help us to garner forgiveness from others as we make our amends. That's okay because that is how the steps are designed to work.

But there is a deeper aspect to forgiveness we need to examine. The former idea seeks forgiveness but the more challenging aspect is when we give forgiveness. Admittedly this one is the most difficult but just as vital as the former. Let me be honest though, sometimes we are wronged by people through no fault of our own, but the need to forgive still stands. Consider it this way - when we don't forgive a wrong, we are choosing to hold onto that resentment. When we choose that, we are setting up our next relapse.

Sometimes people hold on because it gives them the sense that someone else is wrong in a world of their own wrongs. The guilt we have will be alleviated temporarily if we can point to others wrongs instead of our own. It's a classic bait and switch.

Don't get me wrong however, I am a realist. I know there are some who are not ready to forgive but maybe realize they need to. To them I would suggest asking God for help in this area. A prayer asking God to forgive them for you may help. Using the God box or taking the Big Book challenge to pray for them can help also.

Remember forgiveness is not so much about absolution of the other, as much as it is about getting the monkey off your back. It's about removing the burdens from you and giving them to God. It's about taking power away from those who hurt you. It's about taking back your life from your past, so your future recovery can have a chance.

Some may think forgiveness means you have to interact with the offender as if nothing happened, but that is not always true. It may happen but that's up to you. If not, it's an opportunity to establish some healthy boundaries so it does not happen again. Forgiveness does not make you a door mat. Forgiveness, dear reader, is not a weakness but one of the most powerful things you can do. When you get to that place you are making the choice for recovery. It is in your arsenal and can be used to fight your addiction. Take it out and dust it off today. Start small, pray for God's grace and see what happens to your spiritual life and recovery.



This news article is brought to you by INTERNET - MARKETING - where latest news are our top priority.