Archive for the ‘alcohol abuse’ Category

Food addiction recovery is a long but necessary process.  It may not be very simple.  But once you have overcome your addiction to food, it can be a rewarding experience.  Food addiction recovery can also save you from the perils brought by overeating such as obesity and other diseases.

What is food addiction?

Food addiction is a compulsive craving for food.  It is characterized by an uncontrolled intake of food, which may often be harmful to one’s health.

Food addicts usually overeat in private but eats normally in public.  Binge eating is often followed by an episode of shame and guilt.  Food addicts may find themselves subjecting to extreme dieting but will often fail and relapse to another episode of binge eating.  Some may resort to purging as in the case of bulimics, but this is not necessarily the case.

Most food addicts turn to food when they are experiencing some emotional turmoil.  While this may be often times normal, food addicts often consume a large amount of food, which can make them uncomfortably full.

It is a common misconception that only obese people suffer from food addiction.  Anyone, regardless of race, age, gender and even weight can suffer from food addiction.

Food Addiction:  the risks

Food addicts often experience rapid increase and decrease in their weight.  They are also often lethargic and sedentary and have difficulty in moving around a lot.

If a food addiction is not dealt with right away, it could lead to other health complications such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and even stroke.  It also increases the chances of getting diabetes and high cholesterol.

Obesity is also a result of binge eating.  Apart from that, food addicts can become depressed or suffer from sleeping disorders.

Admission is the first step towards food addiction recovery

Admitting that you have a problem is the first step towards food addiction recovery.  Knowing the consequences of your destructive behavior to yourself and to the people around you can be a driving force to your desire to overcome food addiction.  However, it must not stop there.

You also need to know what drives you to overeat.  Do you tend to turn to binge eating when you’re stressed or undergoing some emotional problems?  Most people turn to food to cover up some deeper emotional issues.  But what they don’t know is that food only provides a temporary high.  Once the high starts to fade, the emotional burden is still there.

Knowing what kind of food you are drawn to could also help you in identifying what triggers you to overeat.  This may also help you avoid the food, which you must avoid during your recovery process.

You do not have to go through this alone

Food addiction recovery requires the help of your family and friends.  That is why it is necessary for you to confide with your loved ones regarding your addiction to food.  Not only will they be able to help you avoid the food, which triggers your addiction, they will also serve as an inspiration for you to quit your destructive habit.

Remember that your family is your very first support system in times like these.  Letting them know that you are going through a very rough phase can help you take the first leap into recovery.

Seek professional help

Food addiction recovery may be hard to overcome alone, especially if it is already severe.  You may need the help of a physician or a psychiatrist to overcome your addiction.  They may be able to uncover those underlying emotional problems, which could trigger binge eating.

There are rehabilitation centers, which offer a holistic approach towards eradicating addiction.  One very good example is the Hawaii  Island Recovery’s Big Island Treatment Center.  This rehabilitation center offers a community-based treatment, which is aimed not only towards curbing a self-destructive habit but also towards a self-transformation.

Set in the beautiful landscapes of the Big Island of Hawaii, the addiction treatment center offers one-to-one treatment which are dedicated to self-rebuilding as well as self-reflection.  In this way, underlying emotional baggage will be released, which can help toward the path to recovery.

Recovery:  A continuous process

Food addiction recovery does not end when you step out of the rehabilitation center.  You will also undergo a post-treatment process called the sober recovery phase where you will once again face life while trying not to succumb to food addiction relapse.

Sober recovery is the hardest part of the food addiction recovery process.  Being sucked back into reality after years of addiction and a month of daunting treatment and detoxification can be a very taxing experience.  This is true especially during the first few weeks or months of the process.  Depression and lack of concentration can set in and this could hamper your chances of fully recovering.

However, rehabilitation centers like Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Treatment Center also offer after-care programs.  The good staff of the Big Island Treatment Center would be happy to assist you in settling in back to your old life again, without the triggering food.  Apart from that, there are 12-step meetings as well as online forums, which you could, sign-up to so you can seek comfort and guidance from those who have successfully trudged the crooked path towards food addiction recovery.

Call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-9611. Life doesn’t have to be this way.

Knowing that you’re not alone in your struggles to recover from addiction can be very comforting.  That is why soberrecovery forums were created to provide a venue for clients to share their experiences and insights to others who are going through the same phase.

The long and winding road to addiction recovery

Your way to addiction recovery doesn’t stop when you step out of the addiction rehabilitation center.  After the therapies in the addiction rehabilitation facility, you will be undergoing another transitional phase, which could determine your chances of living life without the addiction.

Sober recovery is no walk in the park.  It is, as a matter of fact, the most difficult process in rehabilitating from addiction.  Clients are now expected to make decisions by themselves and will have to go through life without the medications or counselors provided by the addiction rehabilitation centers.  Apart from that, their addictions are accessible, making it hard to them to return to their normal life without succumbing to their previous lifestyle.

Depression and lack of concentration are commonplace with sober recovery.  With the long-term withdrawal symptoms and the feeling of anguish in realization that they have lost their loved ones because of their addictive behavior, clients will often have a hard time coping with post-treatment addiction recovery.

Changing your lifestyle and schedule can also be very overwhelming, especially in the first few months of the post-treatment recovery process.  There’s also the 12-step principle and the support group meetings to go to, which could be very difficult fit in with the schedule at times.  But not everyone is lucky to go to these meetings physically.  That is why there are soberrecovery forums available online for those who cannot attend these meetings personally.

There are places like Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Treatment Program which offer aftercare programs for those who have undergone treatment and therapies and want to live by the philosophies they learned while in the addiction rehabilitation center.  The staff of Hawaii Island Recovery will help you through the recovery process and can be made available anytime, anywhere.

If you would like to know more about the Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Addiction Programs, visit their website at www.hawaiiislandrecovery.com .

Soberrecovery Forums:  how they are crucial to recovery

Soberrecovery forums are online forums set up to help clients who are beginning their arduous journey towards self-recovery from substance abuse and other forms of addiction.  There are different forums available online, each catering to specific groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).  They also have a forum available for the loved ones who are also coping with their son, daughter, parents or spouses’ addiction and recovery.

The best thing about soberrecovery forums is that they bring together people from different locations who are facing the same struggles in overcoming the debilitating aftermath of an addiction.  These also provide them a chance to express their insights and experience in anonymity.  These online groups understand the need of some to protect their reputations, as some of them may be holding a high position in the company and this could hurt their chances of going back to their job or finding a new one again.

Apart from that, not everyone has the luxury of walking into these AA, NA and 12-step meetings personally as these may not be available regularly in their area.  Soberrecovery forums make it convenient for these people to keep in touch with others who are in the same phase as they are, and share their experiences and insights.

Other benefits of Soberrecovery Forums

Apart from insights and experiences, members of soberrecovery forums can also share tips as well as other treatment options for those who seek them.  Addiction treatment centers and programs such as the Big Island Recovery facilities may even be featured in these forums.  Members may even give testimonials and experiences in these facilities.

Another good thing about soberrecovery forums is that it is a good place to meet new friends.  These people may want to break away from their old circle of friends who may remind them of their carefree lifestyle before their rehabilitation.  This could be your chance to create a new circle of friends to hang out with.

Soberrecovery forums also allow members to form groups depending on their religious beliefs and interests, which makes it easier for the members to relate to each other.  As there are different ways to dealing with post-treatment addiction recovery, one may take a different method than the other.  These separate forums allow the members to share their experience with a particular method of post-treatment addiction recovery without much confusion.

Some of these forums do not exclusively deal with addiction alone.  Some may cater to eating disorders, while others might have discussions on anxiety disorders. But there is one that fits what you suffer from and how you want the program to be. Some people in recovery would like information and just listen, while others like the sharing part because it gets them to voice their fears and anxieties.

If you join soberrecovery forums and find that it’s not your cup of tea, then go to another one and another one. Do not give up. A lot of people who are now active members of NA or AA will tell you that they’ve probably been to at least two or three soberrecovery forums before they found the right one. Also, online help is always an option when looking at soberrecovery forums to join.

The bottom line is this: you do not have to be alone. There are people who share your story, your struggles and your fears. They are out there waiting and willing to help you. Humility means accepting that you may need help and also being grateful for the people who extend a helping hand!

For more information about addiction forms or if you are an addict and want more information about the recovery program offered at Hawaii Island Recovery please call 866-906-6911.

One way to help you in your recovery process is through reading addiction recovery quotes.  These inspirational pennies for thoughts can be added to your journals and can inspire self-reflection as well as a good contemplation for meetings and forums.

Whether it’s from a quote book or from the lyrics of your favorite song, addiction recovery quotes can help maintain your sobriety as well as give you a better perspective in life and living in general.  It also breaks walls that impede you from reaching your goal.

Addiction Recovery Quotes Sources

The Internet offers a plethora of addiction recovery quotes.  Just type in “addiction recovery quotes” in the search engine text field and it will lead you to websites which offer inspiration quotes about admitting addiction problems, conquering addiction and even living a sober life.

There are books which offer some inspirational quotes as well.  These books may also contain inspirational stories as well as excerpts from novels which contain a positive message geared towards looking forward and thinking positive despite the roadblocks one encounters when aiming for something.  You can look for books with quotes taken from the Bible or you can look for books with quotes taken from famous personalities who have overcome substance abuse or any other kinds of addiction.  AA’s Big Book, Living sober and 12&12 are great places to start.

Songs, too can be good source of addiction recovery quotes.  Some songs carry a positive message of inspiration and hope and never giving up.  There are also songs that carry messages of lettgo and let God take care of the rest.  Just search for songs with very meaningful lyrics.  If you already have a song which you absolutely like and carries a very powerful message akin to overcoming addiction, you may take a few lines from lyrics or get the entire song yourself.

You can also create your own addiction recovery quotes for you to live by or share with others who may need some pick-me-up during the most difficult times of their recovery phase.  These quotes can come from your life experiences or from the words of wisdom handed down from your parents. What makes the addiction recovery quotes you made yourself more special is that they are personal and more meaningful.

Start inspiring yourself with addiction recovery quotes

Compile your favorite addiction recovery quotes into a scrapbook.  You can also include inspirational pictures as well as poems, short stories or essays that you may find uplifting.  Every time you feel down, you can always go back to your scrapbook for some uplifting.

You can also start your journal entries with inspirational addiction Recovery Quotes for a more creative way to record your progress in your recovery process.

Start inspiring others as well

Know someone who might need some inspiration during the difficult times in addiction recovery?  Why not create a scrapbook or a compilation of inspirational addiction recovery quotes and send it as a gift?  Letting him or her know that he or she is not alone in this endeavor can be very in their journey towards self-recovery.  It’s also a perfect gift for someone who is celebrating his or her first year in sober recovery.

Another way to share these quotes to someone who is undergoing such a difficult phase in recovery is by having these quotes printed in mugs, posters, personalized calendars or other everyday household or office items.

You can also share addiction recovery quotes in forums or during AA, NA, 12-step or other meetings.  Just keep a handful of these quotes available and you can share to your fellow meeting members to give them some encouragement as well as a topic to discuss during these sessions.

Some inspiring quotes to live by

For starters, here are some great quotes about taking the leap, overcoming addiction and living a sober life.

“Raise yourself up after a fall.”

-St. Francis de Sales

“When journeying down the long dark road, we must continue on and never give up faith we’ll one day reach our destination – no matter how ugly that road appears before the naked eye.”

-Reed Murphy

“Every form of addiction is bad, no matter whether the narcotic be alcohol or morphine or idealism.”

-Carl Gustav Jung

“You can’t take flight without looking up and letting go.”

- She Who Weaves the Web

“Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Addiction Recovery:  A long and winding road

Recovering from an addiction can be a very hard feat.  But it’s never impossible.  Stepping up to admit that you have a problem is a big leap towards recovery.  Seeking help is another giant leap towards emancipation from addiction.

Addiction Treatment Centers like the Hawaii Island Recovery ‘s Big Island Treatment Program can help in your journey towards recovery and self awareness.  The addiction rehab offers one-to-one therapy programs which are aimed in self-reflection and self-building.  It is also set in far away from the hustle and bustle of city life, making it a more conducive location for addiction recovery.

For information about addiction recovery, contact Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-911 or visit the website at www.hawaiiislandrecovery.com.

Most people think that over the counter drugs is not a subject of being abused since there’s no prescription required. Unfortunately, most teenagers and young adults are engaging in over the counter drug abuse, as some of the OTC drugs can take them to get high.  It is becoming a big issue at present. It’s even been in the headlines nowadays that people go to drug stores to get medications that can get them an altered sense of reality.

Why people seek out altered reality from over the counter medications?

Many people, especially teenagers and young adults, engage in over the counter drug abuse. For some of them, this is a new experience that they should try, while others are influenced by issues like peer pressure, boredom, interpersonal relationship issues, college worries, family problems and among other issues. In order to prevent this from happening, high school and college students can confide to their university counselors and they will be guided accordingly. Good thing there are rehabilitation facilities at present that help people addicted to over the counter drugs, like Hawaii Island Recovery that offers a Big Island Treatment Program for over the counter drug abuse.

What is the incidence rate of over the counter drug abuse?

Approximately three million youth and young adults’ ages thirteen to twenty-five years old have experimented with the over-the-counter medications in the United States alone. In addition, there are high cases recorded in different countries across the globe. The younger population is fond of abusing cold pills and cough syrups in high doses to experience hallucinations, altered senses and a “high” feeling. With this, the parents should take a precautionary notice on what they are keeping on their medicine cabinets, and what measures should they take to prevent their teenagers from over the counter drug abuse. Also, young adults should be aware of the effects of over the counter drugs, such as impairment of their physical and mental functioning.

What are the common over the counter medications that are abused by people?

The common over the counter drugs that tend to abuse by teenagers and young adults are NyQuil, Coricidin and Robitussin. These cold and cough medications contain dextromethorphan, or commonly known as DXM. This ingredient is prevalent in over 140 cold medications and cough suppressants available without prescription. Although DXM is considered safe when used in recommended doses, too much of it may result to hallucination and out-of-body sensations.

What are the signs and symptoms of over the counter drug abuse?

Over the counter medications are drugs that can be taken in the pharmacies without any prescription. For over the years, these drugs have become a source of drug abuse among teenagers and young adults. Common symptoms of drug abuse include dizziness, poor memory, nightmares, anxiety, constant mood changes, inability to think clearly, poor coordination, nausea, lack of interest in normal activities, blurry vision, hostility, numbness, confusion, poor performance at school and work, sense of calm, sleep disturbances and hallucinations. These symptoms can be quite overwhelming. However, more severe complications may arise as a result of OTC abuse, such as uncontrollable spasms, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, delirium and even death. In order to prevent such complications, one should enroll in a drug treatment program at rehabilitation centers today. One certain rehabilitation center that offers an addiction treatment program to combat over the counter drugs is Hawaii Island Recovery. People experiencing over the
counter drug abuse are treated at this community based residential treatment center for 30, 60 or 90 days. The drug treatment provided by Hawaii Island Recovery’s big Island Recovery  Program can help these individuals recover from drug abuse and addiction.

How can people recover from over the counter drug abuse?

People who are engaging in OTC medication abuse can go to rehabilitation centers and work on their issues. One of the best rehab centers is the Hawaii Island Recovery. This reputable institution is situated three thousand miles away from everybody and everything. Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Treatment  Program can help their clients work with their OTC medication abuse issues with no distraction. Hawaii Island recovery is featuring an innovative approach to their clients in healing done in a community-based treatment program. With its breathtaking sceneries and settings, their clients can able to renew themselves and cope up with issues they faced with over the counter drug abuse. The treatment program can help clients transform their lives, enabling change within them and follow the path towards recovery process. This is just something that younger population with OTC medication issues need in order for them to go back to their health and wellbeing state.

If you are suffering from addiction please call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-9611.

A healthy family relationship necessitates a good grasp on reality. If illusions take the place of reality, relationships may suffer and the  balance in the family will start to disintegrate. When one member of the family enters into this drug-induced illusion, it might be possible for the family to sustain the balance in a healthy and lively way.

drug abuse effects on families is an attempt to escape from the so-called unsound reality, and some individuals who are getting into it believe that the escape is the only solution where in fact it is just a part of the illusion. The drug abuse effects on family and relationships can be direct or indirect. And whatever for it takes, it can be disruptive and devastating.

One of the common qualities of individuals who are under the influence, or are in a drug abuse state is denial about having a problem. This has been very true in early stages, wherein a person denies that he is becoming addicted to drugs and wants to believe that they have full control of what they are doing. Drug abuse effects mean hindering family relationships because it inhibits  honest communication.

Once the trust begins to disappear, the family connection starts to deteriorate. The drug abuse effects on communication begin when a person with addiction begins to lie— either intentionally or not— to be able to get what he needs. Once a person is caught lying, the trust and the bond disappear. This circumstance is very evident in most of the clients who are in recovery.

With the drug abuse effects, the family of the person under drug abuse will know that they had a life before the addiction came in. However, the problem is that addiction can sometimes change the personality of the person. For example, some individuals get furious and combative when they drink, while other individuals get reclusive and withdraw from the world. Although the family will certainly still love the person with drug abuse issues, they may experience a hard time dealing with this new personality. The issue of drug abuse effects may lead to confusion on the family’s part, as they are still trying to be compassionate to their loved one.

For parents, knowing that their child is engaging in drug abuse may give them hard time dealing with it. They are known to be constantly looking out for their son’s and daughters’ welfare, and the first thing that a parent will feel when he discovers that his child is using drugs is an overpowering sense of guilt and anger.

The drug abuse effects done by their children on the parents are unbearably painful. The guilt that the parent experiences come from their feeling that they should have known this was happening and should have acted more aggressively. When parents are interviewed by counselors about drug abuse effects, they oftentimes blame themselves for not stopping the behavior. This is evident when their child has misbehaved in the past and was only given a light scolding or that the parents absolved him of all responsibilities. Counselors often have two clients, the addict himself, and his family.

Nevertheless, the most basic drug abuse effects on families and relationships are the level of communication and trust among family members. These elements tend to slowly fade away as there is an increasing amount of dishonesty and confusion as the problem progresses. For the addict, concealment becomes second nature. For the parents and those in the household, suspicion becomes the norm. And this is really the kind of drug abuse effects that has ripple effects on relationships all around.

Fortunately, there are several methods that can help people deal with their drug abuse issues. In order to regain the healthy relationship that they had before their crisis, they should reflect on the things that they had done in the past – and there are plenty of addiction rehabilitation centers that will help people address their addiction issues and the drug abuse effects on their families and relationships. One of the well known addiction rehab is Hawaii Island Recovery. Hawaii Island Recovery offers a Big Island Addiction Program that is situated in a peaceful setting that allows for temporary withdrawal of the client to find solitude and peace. It is far away from the frenetic pace of big cities. It is a reflection center where programs are custom tailored to clients needs.

Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island addiction treatment center believes that the path to one’s recovery should be unique, and this is the very reason why upon intake, all the information gathered gets analyzed and reviewed. A personal approach to recovery starts the minute the client sets foot in the center. Working on the addiction recovery together and following the set goal, clients can able to see the results that will enable them to reintegrate with their families and begin to repair relations damaged by the many drug abuse effects on family and relationships.

Hawaii Island Recovery has designed various treatment models that target clients in all their stages, from the intervention to post recovery. In short, the institution is dedicated to the client’s need to achieve their goals they set, especially those who are dealing with family relationships.

Hawaii Island Recovery and its Big Island addiction recovery treatment is designed for the client who wants to break the cycle, who recognizes the damage done, and who is willing to make amends and start repairing drug abuse effects on his relationships. In the end, the addiction program is designed by the client and their therapists. It’s teamwork and its success depends on integrity, hard work and discipline from the client.

Please call 866-906-6911 to receive more information about Hawaii Island Recovery.

When you define substance abuse medically, it encompasses drugs, alcohol and tobacco.   Although there is no universally accepted definition, it is most often referred to as a disorder, which, according to the American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, “leads to clinically significant impairment or distress.”

If certain recurring patterns of worrisome behavior are exhibited by an individual within a 12-month period, there may be real cause of concern for substance abuse. And perhaps considering, a Rehab Program on the Big Island of Hawaii in a place like Hawaii Island Recovery is in order.

To define substance abuse, one must first look for tell-tale signs that include poor performance in work, school or the home; involvement in physically hazardous situations or legally-related problems; and constant problems on the interpersonal and social levels. Then these must be tied with inordinate use or dependence on substances that may include legal or illegal drugs and tobacco, as well as excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.

When all these elements are present, it is time to take appropriate and immediate action to address the problem of substance abuse. One option is to seek help through an addiction recovery program such as that offered by the Hawaii Island Recovery.

Family and friends are normally the first to recognize that something is wrong with an individual. However, they may not be able to define substance abuse as the culprit behind such changes. Slacking at work, failing in school, constantly exhibiting irritable or damaging behavior or being in a depressed state, losing money and valuables and avoiding friendships and family relationships are among the symptoms of substance abuse.

Do not ignore these instances. If you are not aware or cannot define substance abuse as the reason for these disturbing patterns of behavior, seek help. The earlier the intervention in these cases, the greater the chances of healing and reformation.

Alcohol is a legal substance. And tobacco, despite warnings of its hazardous effects on the human body, is not banned. Why are they lumped with cocaine, marijuana, heroin, metamphetamines, opiates and hallucinogens that are always included to define substance abuse?

Because all of them contain chemicals that work insidiously, first affecting the body’s central communication center — the brain — and then attacking the rest of the system often causing irreparable damage especially if the disorder is not immediately treated. Substance abuse can lead to cancers, cardiovascular diseases, liver cirrhosis, dementia and even death. Knowing all these facts that define substance abuse, the urgency to treat an individual suffering from this condition cannot be overemphasized.

However, recovery is not as simple as wanting to stop the habit. Even the Big Island Recovery Program at Hawaii Island Recovery, as customized and as focused as it is, will not guarantee immediate results unless the individual is fully committed to healing.

A next step to recovery is medical guidance and supervision. Often, when we define substance abuse it does not take into consideration that one factor which caused the disorder in the first place is some mental or behavioral imbalance. This must also be corrected, either through medication or other intervention methods for effective and complete recovery.

No matter how successful the Big Island Rehab Program at the Hawaii Island Recovery is, unless a relapse is prevented, the substance abuse problem will persist. Mental disorders not properly diagnosed and treated will always mean increased risk to turn to substance abuse.

Prevention is still the best way to cut the incidence of substance abuse. And this should start as early as childhood to build resistance skills even at an early age. It must be a joint effort between home and school and the more open the communication between adults and children, the stronger you can foster these skills to keep them away from conditions that will push them to turn to drugs, alcohol or tobacco.

A Big Island Recovery Program offered by places like the Hawaii Island Recovery is merely a tool for intervention. Even they would advocate early prevention as crucial to eliminate the problem of substance abuse.

The medical world will continue to clearly define substance abuse in its quest to seek other solutions to this growing menace. Genetics, environmental factors, social pressures, and even the individual make-up all play a part that may lead to substance abuse. Coping skills have to be developed far earlier than originally thought of. In fact, it is the absence of good coping skills that leads an individual into the use of substances that act as panacea to all that ails him.

When we define substance abuse, we must also look at the importance of  support groups.   The need to talk, the need to vent, the need to be heard are what individuals who are hurting want to do. And when there’s no one to listen, to offer support, to help, that’s when any substance becomes the friend.

We live in a culture that values success and looks down on failures. This has to change if we are to help those that falter and fall behind. When we define substance abuse, we must look at our society and culture. At our own beliefs and our own moral convictions. The challenge nowadays to find ways to reverse a culture that has become susceptible to this problem that has untold consequences. For when one of us is hooked on drugs or any substance for that matter, we all suffer.

For more information or if you are suffering from addiction please call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911.

First, we define drug abuse as a complex disorder characterized by an intense and compulsive craving, taking and

seeking for drugs, which eventually lead to significant problems. The complexity of the disease roots from the effect of drug intake which when exposed to the brain for a prolonged time, the addiction itself becomes the disease and this affects multiple brain circuits including those involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and inhibitory control over behavior.

Before knowing the effects of drugs, it would be more appropriate to be familiar first with the common drugs used for abuse.  When we define drug abuse, there are actually two drugs involved in this definition – the illegal drugs and the prescription drugs. In addition to the two, even if they are not in the form of drugs, certain substances are also included since they still give the user the euphoric or high feeling if used. A common example of this is the household cleaner.

What are the common drugs used for abuse?

One of the commonly used and abused substances is nicotine which can be found in cigarettes. This is one of the most heavily used addictive drugs and is the leading preventable cause of disease, disability and death.

Another group of illegal drugs is the cannabinoids and this includes marijuana wherein this drug is the most commonly used illegal drug in the US. The Opiates which includes heroine and codeine are called narcotics and they are known to decrease the functioning of the nervous system.

Another known illegal drug is cocaine and they can be taken through snorting or can also be injected directly in the body if in liquid form. Drugs usually used in clubs are MDMA or more commonly known as ecstasy. Other names of this drug are XTC or the love drug.

Aside from illegal drugs, drug abuse can involve prescription medication. These kinds of prescription medications give the user a high feeling. There are depressants like barbiturates and benzodiazepines to reduce the pain and anxiety felt by the user.

In contrary to depressants, stimulants like amphetamine are used to give the person an increased mental alertness. The amphetamine drug group comes in many forms and may actually be either prescription drugs like Ritalin and Adderall or can actually be in form of illegal ones too like meth. Anabolic steroid, which is usually used by athletes, doesn’t create intoxication effects but is still dangerous to use because of terrible psychological effects like aggression and paranoia.

To fully define drug abuse, now that we know the substances used for drug abuse, its effects on the person physiologically and psychologically shall be discussed. When a person gets involved in drugs, the body part mostly affected is the brain. No matter what drug is used by the person, the substance affects the executive functioning areas of the brain. Because of this, the person’s ability to plan, organize, act out something and the ability to prevent one’s self to do something becomes impaired and this impairment is usually the culprit in making the user aggressive and be involved in crimes.

Since the physiological effect of the drug attacks the brain, it also has a significant psychological effect on the user as well. Regardless of the drug used, a substance abused could result to something devastating. It can either give the person a euphoria feeling or make the person severely depressed or suicidal. This just shows that drug abuse encompasses a whole lot more drugs than what’s commonly known.

Aside from the personal effects experienced by the user, drug abuse also creates a big impact in a larger scale like in the country’s economy, society and laws. If an economist would define drug abuse, the economist would probably tell you how much money is spent by the government because of this issue. According to NIDA, $67 billion per year is spent on the drug abuse problem and this includes the cost of law enforcement, incarceration, treatment, traffic injuries etc.

As mentioned earlier, it is not enough to define drug abuse or to know its effects. Once this information about drug abuse and effects are known, steps must also be made to treat the patient or the substance abuser. Contrary to popular myth, overcoming addiction is not simply a matter of willpower. Since this affects the brain, treating addiction involves a series of steps and it really takes time for the patient to be healed and restored.

There is a Hawaii Addiction Treatment Center called Hawaii Island Recovery which aims to help clients transform their lives back to who they were before drug abuse took over. Hawaii Island Recovery is a Big Island Drug rehab which provides a beautiful therapeutic living facility . With the help of the highly trained and experienced professional staff, the beautiful scenery and treatment therapy that works, clients have a higher rate of recovery. Hawaii Island Recovery is the ideal Big Island Recovery facility to help clients gain back their lives stolen by substance and drug abuse.

Drug abuse may also be summed up in one word: death. It is a progressive disease. The addict may not be physically dead but because of the drugs’ effects, the life of the addict is slowly taken away by being a slave to these harmful substances. Families are affected by drug abuse and so does society. Drug abuse has tentacles and is very insidious. Addiction treatment and the road to recovery is not easy, but with commitment and lots of family and therapeutic support, it can be done. Habits can be unlearned. There are many successes that prove this.

If you or a family member is suffering from addiction please call Hawaii Island Recovery at 808-217-8868.

The process of undergoing addiction diagnosis to someone who is addicted to a substance, whether drug or alcohol, is an intimidating experience, but it is the initial step that can spell positive changes in someone’s life.

The addiction diagnosis is often initiated by a family member by seeking professional advice from a family doctor regarding a family member’s behavior that hinge on addiction. The family doctor may ask the person concerned the frequency of substance use, or whether they feel that there might be a problem, or whether their drug use is very conspicuous to other members of the family. A referral to a specialized addiction treatment program or a professional who specializes in addictions will be done to get a full assessment and an addiction diagnosis to be carried out if appropriate.

Who will conduct the addiction diagnosis?

There are many health care professionals who are specially trained to addiction diagnosis such as addiction counselors, psychologists, nurses, social workers, specialized doctors, and therapists. When these health care professionals conduct addiction diagnosis they are often called clinicians.

Addiction diagnosis is often done by a concerted effort of more than one health care professional. There may be instances that an addict will be interviewed by a counselor followed by a doctor. People seeking professional help should view this as an advantage since they will have two opinions instead of just one from professionals who are capable of helping in their recovery.

It is worth mentioning too that health care professionals dealing with addiction diagnosis are trained to treat their clients with courtesy, respect, and can be trusted to keep all information shared with them with confidentiality.

What are the methods used in addiction diagnosis?

Clinicians usually employ a combination of objective criteria and clinical judgment as basis for the addiction diagnosis. The objective criteria are based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorder (DSM) released by the American Psychiatric Association.

The diagnostic information may be gathered by using several of the following:

•    Standardized assessment tools and other questionnaires that the client will be asked to fill out.

•    Face-to-face interview between the clinician and the client using open-ended questions, which runs like a casual conversation aimed at taking historical data of the client.

•    Face-to-face interview between the clinician and client using structured questions which resemble like completing a questionnaire.

•    The objective criteria based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual or Mental Disorders

•    Three or more of the following criteria must be met by the client occurring in a period of twelve months in order to be diagnosed with substance addiction or dependence:

•    Developing tolerance for the substance, whether drug or alcohol, has less and less effect and the person addicted to it needs more to be satisfied.

•    Experiencing physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms or the person is taking the substance to avoid the withdrawal symptoms.

•    Taking larger amounts of the substance over a longer period of time than it was intended.

•    Trying to cut down or quit using the substance.

•    Spending a good deal of time to get the substance, use the substance, or recover from the effects of the substance.

•    Giving up or cutting back on important social, occupational or recreational activities because of the use of the substance.

•    Using of the substance despite the physical or psychological problems inflicted on the user.

The addiction diagnosis will also gather information if the client is suffering from another condition such as depression, anxiety disorder or personality disorder. The co-existing conditions can and should be treated at the same time with the addictive condition.

How to get an accurate addiction diagnosis?

Having done the first step of admitting the problem, the client should follow these advises to be able to get an accurate diagnosis:

Be truthful and don’t withhold information from the clinician

Express your concerns and let the clinician know of any concerns you may have regarding the diagnostic process

Request assistance should you have difficulties in filling out questionnaires don’t hesitate to ask for help

Accept your own feelings and let the clinician know if you feel upset as you relate your emotions during the interview

Cooperate with the staff and be willing to go through with the process by showing patience and cooperation

The information gathered and the addiction diagnosis will form the basis in getting the treatment plan suited to any client.

The Big Island Recovery Program at the Hawaii Island Recovery will do just that and make a recovery treatment plan that will cater to every client’s needs.

Providing the support for recovery for you or for your loved ones is the ultimate goal of Hawaii Island Recovery in conceptualizing their community based treatment program.

Just call 866-906-6911 to learn more of our amazing recovery plan that will definitely give you a start for positive changes in you life.

There are different forms of problem drinking and the two most common are alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse. Alcohol dependence, often referred to as alcoholism, is the most severe form of problem drinking and defined in Wikipedia as the addiction to or dependency upon drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol abuse, also known as binge drinking, on the other hand is described as any harmful consumption of alcohol, that is, when drinking leads to problem but not necessarily physical addiction.

According to professional and research studies, there is indeed a difference between alcohol abuse and dependence although some people use the terms interchangeably. Alcohol dependence follows a progressive pattern ñ from an individual’s consumption of alcohol as form social drinking or simply to feel good or casual drinking and leading to greater tolerance of alcohol intake. Excessive intake of alcohol will manifest physical addiction that leads to harmful consequence in several aspects of a person’s life such as physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.

Alcohol abuse is committed by an individual who drink despite repeated undesirable effects that affect social, interpersonal relationships and more often leads to legal problems. The aftermaths on physical or mental damage are result of harmful use of alcohol.

Who are at risk?

Those at risk of developing alcohol dependence include:

•    Men who have at least 15 alcohol intake in a week

•    Women who have at least 12 alcohol intake in a week

•    Anyone who has at least 5 alcohol intake per occasion at least once a week

A single alcoholic intake is defined as 12-ounce bottle of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1 ounce shot of hard drink or liquor.

Those at risk to most likely abuse alcohol include:

•    Young adults under peer pressure

•    Persons suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia

•    Those with easy access to alcoholic beverages

•    Individuals with low self-esteem

•    Those having problems with relationships

•    Those living in an environment where alcohol intake is more common and accepted

It was also noted that individuals tend increase the chance to suffer from alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse if they have parents who are with such problems. Studies about predisposition to drinking based on genetic makeup, have yielded results that are helping a lot of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors understand their clients better.

What are the symptoms?

Clinicians can identify alcohol dependence if an individual shows at least three of the following two physiological factors and five behavioral patterns over a twelve-month period.

•    Physiological behaviors are:

•    Alcohol Tolerance ñ having to drink more to achieve intoxication

•    Withdrawal Symptoms and experiencing mental or physical symptoms after stopping alcohol intake even for a short while

Behavioral Patterns are:

•    Being unable to stop drinking alcoholic beverages once using starts

•    Exceeding the self-imposed limits of alcohol intake

•    Cutting dedicated time for other activities just to be able to drink

•    Spending excessive time drinking

•    Taking alcohol despite experiencing health problems or deterioration

Clinicians can identify drug abuse if an individual gets involved in any one or more of the following four situations over a period of twelve months:

•    Missing work or school or other important obligations

•    Being arrested for reckless activities such as driving while intoxicated

•    Getting arrested by law enforcers or encountering legal troubles

•    Continuing to drink alcohol despite personal problems or relationship problems

What are the effects of alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse?

The Physical Effects

Long term alcohol use, the main cause of alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse, can lead to several physical symptoms such as cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, epilepsy, polyneuropathy, alcoholic dementia, heart disease, nutritional deficiencies, and sexual dysfunction and eventually can be fatal. People who suffer from drinking problems also increase their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, alcoholic liver disease and cancer. Prolonged alcohol consumption can damage the central nervous system as well as the peripheral nervous system.

The Psychiatric Effects

Alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse can lead to many mental health problems such as dementia, anxiety and depression. Other psychiatric symptoms that may be worsened with misuse of alcohol include psychosis, confusion, organic brain syndrome, and panic disorder.

The Social Effects

Drinking problems put a great pressure on the sufferers as well as to those people around them. Alcohol abuse is linked with an increased risk of committing child abuse, domestic violence, rape, burglary and assault. Alcohol dependence is a sure way to unemployment and eventually financial problems leading to living in poverty. Often times, people with drinking problems are doomed to isolation that separate them from their family and proof to this is the high incidence of divorce involving them.

Is there hope for people suffering from alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse?

Understanding the difference between alcohol abuse and dependence is a big step in acknowledging the problem. An individual who admits having a drinking problem has taken the first step for help. The second step is reaching out for support. This is the support can be found at Hawaiian Island Recovery ‘s Big Island Treatment Center. The Hawaii addiction treatment center is to anyone who is struggling with alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse. There is no better place to start than at Hawaiian Island Recovery, which offers a comprehensive and ideal environment for seeking a recovery experience.

If you need help for yourself or for people whom you love, Hawaii Island Recovery is always here to support you. Give us a call at 866-906-6911.

Sober recovery is the last and often, most difficult part of the rehabilitation process.  This may make or break your chances of living your life free of addiction without the help of the counselors inside the addiction rehabilitation facility.  Sober recovery can be very excruciating as you will now have to make the decisions on your own.  Apart from that, you will be facing the real world again and there will always be temptations of relapsing back to your old habits.

Sober recovery in a nutshell

The Sober recovery process begins once you step out of the addiction rehabilitation facility.  Once a client has undergone the detoxification, counseling and treatment from the facility, they must now have to face the real world again and make decisions for themselves.

The second step to Sober recovery is letting go of the lifestyle you have been used to before you went to treatment.  This would mean saying goodbye to what counselors refer to as people, places and things which translate to peers, hangouts and habits which have sucked you into the sick cycle of substance abuse.

Meeting new friends in gyms and cafes instead of going to bars and night clubs can steer you away from temptation.  While this may be easier said than done, a little discipline and the awareness of what relapsing back to your old habits can do to you can help you on your way to recovery.

The post-treatment addiction recovery experience

The first few months of the recovery process can be disorienting to most, if not all clients.  The change in lifestyle and schedule could be something most would have to get used to.  Added to that, there is the 12-step meeting they need to undergo in order to aid them in their recovery process.  Fitting all of these to his or her old life and responsibilities can be little too much and this would need the involvement and participation of your loved ones.

There is also the problem with depression and lack of concentration.  Clients may feel the void left by their old habits and lifestyles, hence the temptation to relapse could be stronger than before.  There’s also the dilemma of coming to terms with friends and family members who have forsaken them due to their addiction.  And at times, some of the underlying issues that have brought them spiraling down to addiction may have not been addressed, making them very unstable and helpless.   But by accepting that these feelings are part of the recovery process and by exerting effort in channeling these negative vibes to active participation during group therapy, they may be able to progress in their recovery process.

But remember, the experience of post-treatment recovery will vary from client to client.  While some have the luxury of having a support group composed of their loved ones, others will have to deal with the pain of staying sober by themselves.  Apart from that, other clients will have different reasons why they have plunged into addiction.  While some were able to address the issues, which led them to their life prior to the treatment, others may have not come into terms with their issues.  That is why the level of difficulty in dealing with the Sober recovery process may be different every client.

But you do not have to go through this alone

Your family and friends can help you with the recovery process.  Apart from that, a sponsor can help you during your transition to addiction recovery.  A sponsor is a former addict who have successfully conquered his addiction and his now willing to help others go through the difficult phase of recovery.  This person can be your guide, mentor and your buddy who can help you go through the changes you are undergoing in your life.

Also, the 12-step meetings, group and individual therapies are available regularly so you can have extra support from the people who are undergoing the same process as you are.  If you cannot attend these meetings physically, you don’t have to worry as these are available online as well.  You may search the net for Web sessions.

How Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Addiction Treatment Center can help you with Sober recovery?

Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Treatment offers one-of-a-kind programs which could aid in the detoxification of clients who have experienced different kinds of addiction, from substance abuse to gambling.  This community-based treatment is aimed at discovering inner peace and awareness as well as the chance of re-building themselves after the tragic aftermath of addiction.

Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Treatment is also customized to fit to a client’s specific needs.  No two treatments are the same.  Apart from that, the beautiful backdrop of the majestic Hawaiian landscapes is conducive to allow self-recreation and discovering the inner self to help in the recovery process.

Hawaii Island Recovery’s  Big Island Treatment doesn’t stop there.  After care programs and therapies are available to aid clients in their ongoing recovery, once they are ready to face the real world again.  The professional staff of Hawaiian Big Island Recovery are also available to aid clients in their recovery after the treatment.

Saying hello to new habits and letting go of old ones takes a lot of discipline and hard work. At Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Recovery Programs, counselors and staff know these hurdles.  The programs are geared towards giving every client the tools for Sober recovery. Each client at Hawaii Island Recovery has a big chance of success because of the treatments and the programs. The bottom line is, everybody is invested in your Sober recovery.

Call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911.