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.

Sober Forum

Here are some common queries regarding joining a sober forum:

1.  Is joining a sober forum free?

Yes, joining most sober forums is absolutely free.  You only need to go to their website and register.  You do not have to include your personal information.  You can even sign up with a pseudonym to maintain your anonymity.

2. Where can I find a sober forum?

You can find a sober forum online by searching it in Google or other search engines.  One of the most recommended online sober forums is soberrecovery.com.  This website is a web-based community with information on the best treatment centers and programs such as the Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Rehabilitation Facilities.

It also holds chat sessions and online meetings for those who cannot attend the regular 12-step, AA or NA meetings in their area.

3. Once I have registered, what do I do next?

For new comers, there are threads that offer FAQs as well as information on starting with your new journey towards recovery.  These newcomer threads contain all the rules and regulations in observing proper posting etiquettes and the like.

4. Do they have forums for religious or non-religious members?

Yes, there are forums available for secular and non-secular members.  As a matter of fact, there are forums available according to preferences and interests, such as for men, women, bikers, LGBT, etc.

Contrary to popular belief, some of these forums also cater to non-substance abuse members such as food addicts, gambling and porn addicts who are on their way to recovery.

Apart from that, these forums also have threads for those who are suffering from mental and emotional issues such as eating disorders, anxiety and grief.

5. What else can I find in a sober forum?

There are also forums which cater to the family members of those afflicted with any kinds of addictions.  As you know, addictions can also affect the loved ones of those who are afflicted with this destructive behavior.

In these forums, families can share their experiences as well as insights with the families of other members.  In this way, they can offer support to each other during this difficult phase.

There are threads that also provide inspirational quotes as well as greetings to those who have reached an important milestone in their recovery, i.e. celebrating their first year free from any addictions.

There are also special-interest groups for those who would like to discuss non-sober recovery topics.  You can choose from an array of special-interest forums, which cover specific topics such as fitness and health, relationships, literature and the like.

6. What else can I benefit from joining a sober forum?

Sober forums are also a perfect venue for you to meet new friends and expand your sober network.  You can even create a support group with other members where you could watch out for each other and maybe meet up for other fun-filled activities.

Also, sober forums feature treatment facilities and programs which could further help you in your recovery.  Facilities like the Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Addiction Treatment Center which offer s 30, 60 and 90 day treatment as well as helpful after-care programs. The Sober Forum may also include helpful testimonials from those who have gone through their programs.

Sober forums can also protect you with anonymity.  As some of their members may hold a very influential position in a company, in the government, or are teens are undergoing a difficult phase, going to meetings can be very embarrassing.  Joining a sober forum could provide them with the support and encouragement from those who have successfully trudged the difficult path towards recovery as well as to those who are still on their way.

7.  Is a sober forum better than going to the regular meetings?

Joining a sober forum can be beneficial but this should not replace the regular meetings you need to attend, especially during the initial phases of your sober recovery process.

If these meetings are not available in your area or on your free time, you can always find a website online which may guide you to a 12-step, AA or NA meetings as well as sober forums.

Sober forum is also a good reality check. It will tell you how well you’re doing but also will let you know the common pitfalls in recovery. Recovery is a process that requires self-discipline and vigilance. It is so easy to fall off the wagon, but with the help of a sober forum you will teach you self how not to fall off in the first place or at least have a better fighting chance.

A sober forum is also a good place to ask for the schedules of these meetings within your area, if they are available. Sober forum participants are a good source of information on what the best meetings are and where they’re located. It is sometimes necessary to have two or three meeting places on your list each day. Everyone is different. Begin with those closest to home and place of work . This way, if you need help during a stressful time, you already know where to go.

If you are suffering from addiction call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911. Life doesn’t have to be this way.

If there is one thing that confuses people very much it is the difference between alcohol abuse and dependence. That is because they are correlated with each other too easily. In truth, these two are the most different in forms of alcoholism.  Our experts at Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Treatment Program would explain to you, a dependence on alcohol would not be about the person running from their problems with drinking. As well as that, they would also tell you abuse is not in the dependence of the person. Rather, it’s their constant use of alcohol because of various elements in their lives.

So what is the difference between them? Well, here, we’ll discuss the very different issues pertaining to both.

Alcohol abuse

If you find that one of your loved ones falls upon alcohol, then there might be an issue with abuse. You see, abuse is mainly just the extensive and “harmful” use of alcohol. People who abuse alcohol are usually the ones that find solace from their problems by drinking extensively. When there are social run-ins that don’t go well, or if they have hang-ups with their family, they usually turn to a drink at the bar after. While they do drink for a reason, they don’t do it religiously. Instead, whenever they find themselves in binds, they’ll be sure to be drinking instead. Another thing about abuse is that it can be a slope to fall into dependence. It when they start showing up at the bar regardless of problems. So, what is dependence?

Alcohol dependence

Another serious effect of alcohol abuse is that it’s a gateway to more serious problems. Dependence is the next step in a more serious plethora in an alcoholic’ issues, but it’s a much more deep need for alcohol. Now when an alcoholic becomes dependant, it sort of means that they can no longer function for long without alcohol. There are some heavy signs when it comes to dependence, and they all form a very big pattern you can watch out for. This means you can seek out help from places like Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Treatment Program. The following are all the signs you need to watch out for. This will also teach you about the importance of the difference between alcohol abuse and dependence.

They start to develop a tolerance to alcohol, regardless of what they may try out. Instead of just the usual one drink after work, it becomes ten everyday. That’s the moment where they can no longer function as well as they could before. This segues to…

They start to seek out that drink at any time of the day. And by that, you start to skip out on functions without drinks. Whether its weddings, parties, or even funerals, you’ll find that they won’t show up if functions don’t have booze. And what is worse here is that they learn to function less and less with no alcohol. When it hits this point, then the last sign is…

They start to drink with to relieve their withdrawal symptoms. Each drink helps them stave off physical and most of all, the mental symptoms of withdrawal. That is the point where you should fear for them, or even yourself. It is a point where waking up everyday warrants a drink.

Once you see that they are more dependant than anything, then its high time you get them help from places like Hawaii Island Recovery’s Addiction treatment center. It would be the right time to get help from outside sources if you deal with these many problems.

So why should you consider Hawaii Island Recovery’s treatment center’ on the Big Island? Well, for a fact, they’re very extensive in their alcohol addiction treatment program. If you have a loved one that is trapped in the throes of self destruction, be it alcoholism or drug use, then they can make sure to take care of it. The professionals at Hawaii Island Recovery’s addiction treatment center help in every way they can, and every type of abuse they take. From heavy opiods to depressants, they know exactly what treatment will work for those in trouble.

Hawaii Island Recovery’s Big Island Treatment Center is sure to cater to every issue you might find when it comes to an alcoholic. Everything we mentioned above tells you what you need to know about change. Most of the time, you might find that a person who’s fallen into these issues won’t come to the same conclusion themselves. If you want them to make and effort, then reading more about the signs is your step.

The rest is up to them. Besides just trying to push the alcoholic into Hawaii Island Recovery’s addiction treatment program, there is still a huge amount of will that goes into this. An addict’s mindset will always tell them to deny everything. For all your efforts of hinting and pushing, nothing will ever amount more than to their own self realization. Once they have that, then the next step is to tell them about options. The affordable private Hawaii rehab treatment center on the Big Island offers everything an alcoholic requires to successfully manage their addiction. To learn more about the difference between alcohol abuse and dependence call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911

If you are suffering from addiction please call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911.

What are drinking problems? How serious is alcohol abuse among young people? What is the trend in drunk driving? What help is available for alcoholism?
To some college students, heavy drinking that leads to vomiting is not alcohol abuse but simply having a good time and being “one of the gang.”
To many whose religion requires abstinence, simply tasting an alcohol beverage is not only alcohol abuse but a sin.
To many activists, a married couple quietly enjoying a drink with their dinner is guilty of abusing alcohol if they happen to be twenty years of age.
To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an accident is alcohol related (and implicitly caused by alcohol abuse) if a driver who has consumed a drink is sitting at a red light and rear-ended by an inattentive teetotaler.
In American Society
Our historical background and multi cultural population have created wide and strong disagreements in American society over what constitutes alcohol abuse.
Our Colonial tradition taught us that alcohol is the “good gift of God” to be used and enjoyed by all, including small children.
Our temperance and Prohibition experiences taught us that alcohol is “demon rum,” the cause of almost all poverty, crime, violence, and other problems. So convinced were they that alcohol was the cause of virtually all crime that, on the eve of Prohibition, some towns went so far as to sell their jails. Temperance systematically promoted both fear and hostility toward alcohol beverages, much of which continues to this day.
Repeal of Prohibition left us with a society in which the majority of people enjoy alcohol beverage in moderation, but a large minority (today about 1/3) of the population abstains. And a substantial proportion of American abstainers favor imposing prohibition again on the entire population . The prohibition impulse has never died and has re-emerged in a different form today.
Alcohol policy actually results not from science, logic, or evidence, but from a continuing struggle between those who wish to use alcohol beverages and those who don’t want them to. Repeatedly throughout our national life, movements have emerged to promote abstinence by persuasion, but failing to succeed, they have then resorted to coercion. The current neo-prohibition movement attempts to reduce consumption in general and to prevent it entirely among targeted groups, such as those under the age of 21.

And Young People
Prohibition for those under the age of 21 currently enjoys wide support in the United States and is imposed by force of law. Often it is enforced with a vengeance. “Carter Loar, a senior at Park View High School in Loudoun County, Virginia was suspended for ten days in February for violating the school’s alcohol policy.” Carter’s violation was using mouthwash at school. School officials confiscated the contraband and “He was charged with violating the school’s alcohol policy which prohibits the possession or use of alcohol on school property. As part of his ten day suspension, Carter was required to attend a three day Substance Abuse Program sponsored by Loudoun County.”
Mr. Loar was a victim of “zero tolerance,” which is now all the rage. But what does such a zealous level of intolerance accomplish and what messages does it send our young people? It probably achieves about as much as the scare tactics characteristic of the temperance movement and is almost certainly counter-productive.
One apparent message is that those who promote such intolerance have lost touch with youth, another is that they are unrealistic and impractical, and another is that their alcohol education messages are not credible.
Youthful Drinking
While a continuing barrage of newspaper articles, TV shows, and special interest group reports claim that drinking among young people is a growing epidemic, the fact is quite the contrary. Drinking among young people, like drinking among the larger population, is actually on the decline. For example, look at the statistics on drinking among high school students.
The proportion of high school seniors who have ever consumed alcohol is down.
The proportion of high school seniors who have consumed alcohol within previous year is down.
The proportion of high school seniors who have consumed alcohol within previous 30 days is down.
The proportion of high school seniors who have recently consumed alcohol daily is down.
The proportion of high school seniors who have consumed 5 or more drinks on an occasion within previous two weeks is down.
Drinking among young people continues to drop. For example, the proportion of young people aged 12 through 17 who have consumed any alcohol during the previous month has plummeted from 50% in 1979 to 16% in 2006, according to the federal government’s annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Thus, while one in two were drinkers in 1979, significantly fewer than one in five were in 2006, the most recent year for which statistics are available. College student drinking attracts much attention in the press. But the proportion of college freshmen who drink continues to decrease. Freshmen entering college in 2006 reported the lowest rates of drinking in the 41-year history of the national college Freshman Survey. The proportion reporting occasional or frequent beer drinking dropped to an historic low, down 43% since 1982.
Drunk Driving Fatalities
While we must do even more to reduce drunk driving, we have already accomplished a great deal. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities have dropped steadily.
The U.S. has a low traffic fatality rate (drunk, as well as sober) and is a very safe nation in which to drive. And it’s been getting safer for decades. There are now fewer than one and a half deaths (including the deaths of bicyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, auto drivers, and auto passengers) per one hundred million vehicle miles traveled. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities have dropped from 60% of all traffic deaths in 1982 down to 39% in 2005 (the most recent year for which such statistics are available).
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities per vehicle miles driven has also dropped dramatically — from 1.64 deaths per 100 million miles traveled in 1982 down to 0.56 in 2005 (the latest year for which such statistics are available).
The proportion of alcohol-related crash fatalities has fallen 35% since 1982, but the proportion of traffic deaths NOT associated with alcohol have jumped 53% during the same time. We’re winning the battle against alcohol-related traffic fatalities, but losing the fight against traffic deaths that are not alcohol-related.
The declining proportion of accidents involving intoxication is good news. However, we can do even more to reduce drunk driving deaths. Through our individual actions we can do much right now to protect ourselves and others.
Health Problems
While the moderate consumption of alcohol is associated with better health and longer life than is abstinence, the heavy consumption of alcohol, especially over a period of many years, can lead to serious health problems and even death.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is an irreversible condition associated with excessive consumption of alcohol by pregnant women and is, therefore, completely preventable. Each and every case of FAS is a needless tragedy. Victims suffer serious physical deformities and often mental deficiencies. And, they suffer these problems for their entire lives. While most cases occur among alcoholics who consume alcohol heavily throughout their pregnancies (usually in combination with smoking and often illegal drug use), no one knows for certain what level of alcohol consumption is safe for a pregnant woman.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recently conducted a study including 400,000 American women, all of whom had consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Not a single case of FAS occurred and no adverse effects on children were found when consumption was under 8.5 drinks per week. While it would appear that moderate consumption is safe, the safer choice would be to abstain.
Of course, tobacco and illegal drugs are clearly to be avoided, and a pregnant woman should maintain good nutrition and see her physician on a regular basis throughout her pregnancy.
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is probably the most widely recognized medical complication of chronic alcoholism. It is a grave and irreversible condition characterized by a progressive replacement of healthy liver tissue with scars, which can lead to liver failure and death. Fortunately, the abuse of alcohol is down and so is cirrhosis.
Death rate for cirrhosis fell dramatically between 1970 and 1992, the most recent year for which information is available. During that period, death from cirrhosis:
dropped 29.8% among black men
dropped 15.3% among white men
dropped 47.9% among black women
dropped 33.3% among white women
Help is Available
Numerous other health problems are associated with heavy alcohol consumption, which should be avoided. Many people find organized programs very useful in helping them reduce their consumption to moderate levels. For those who either choose or need to quit drinking entirely call Today Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-515-5032 or visit our website at www.hawaiiislandrecovery.com

If you are suffering from addiction please call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911.

If you are suffering from addiction please call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911.

If you are suffering from addiction please call Hawaii Island Recovery at 866-906-6911.