It’s not easy to watch someone you love struggle with addiction, and it is even harder when the drug takes a visible toll on their physical and emotional self. Meth addiction is one of the most troubling addictions to watch, as it turns a once level headed person into someone who can become almost animalistic. Meth addiction is well known to be not only one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs but also to be one of the most mentally taxing and deteriorating addictions to struggle with as well. Meth use became a problem first in the late ’70s, with amphetamines and other stimulants making headlines as weight loss pills and drugs used by bikers. Since then, it has risen to the top of the DEA’s classified drugs list and has become a household name due to many home meth lab explosions in the news and the show Breaking Bad. What does meth addiction actually look like, for those who are concerned for their loved one and curious what to look out for? The Early Signs Primarily, most people don’t begin their drug addiction with meth. Usually, people experiment with other drugs first, and after developing an addiction and a tolerance to these other drugs, find they need something cheaper and much more powerful. So, the first warning sign for meth addiction is: If the person has struggled with other drugs in the past. Enter, meth. It is incredibly cheap to buy, and extremely powerful, however short-lived. This short-lived lifespan of the high pushes users into needing more of the drug more often, in order to continue the high...
There is a common phrase among the rooms of twelve step meetings used to describe people who just can’t seem to stay sober, despite their best efforts. Chronic Relapser” is what you will hear people call themselves, when, time after time, they are baffled by how they fall victim to relapse despite experiencing horrible consequences and repercussions of their drinking and using. If there was one finite group of people in which long-term drug treatment would MOST benefit, it would be the chronic relapsers. That is not to say that long-term drug treatment is ONLY good for chronic relapsers. On the contrary, it can widely benefit people from all sorts of backgrounds and situations. For example, folks who struggle with dual diagnosis disorders and people who have experienced extreme trauma will also find solace in a long-term drug treatment program. Here is why. What Is The Difference Between Long and Short Term Treatment? Apart from the difference in the number of days, there has been a lot of research into the benefits of a long-term drug treatment program in comparison to the typical 30-day stay. Yeah, it can be a real bummer being separated from life for that long, however, when you really think about it, can you admit that the life you are putting on pause was probably filled with a lot more bad than good? Now that we are thinking about the positives of long-term drug treatment, let’s keep the ball rolling! Here are some more examples as to how a long term stay can benefit you: You have more time to get comfortable and adjusted. You get...
It is pretty amazing to think about the developments that have been made for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts and alcoholics over the last 100 years. Even throughout the first few decades of the 1900s, many alcoholics were simply locked away in a straight jacket, deemed hopeless. Today, we have the opportunity to experience a massive, ever-evolving, and genuinely effective world of drug treatment, and we have even have the ability to take advantage of gender-specific drug treatment centers! What is the benefit of gender-specific drug treatment centers you may ask? Well, coming from someone who has both attended co-ed treatment and worked in gender-specific treatment, I’m here to tell you, if there is one thing that will always interfere with the stability and level-headedness that is already lacking from early sobriety, it is sex. After that, gender-specific treatment is beneficial for two other main reasons, the way people process trauma, and the vulnerability that can take place without the ego. Sexual Relations Everyone who is new to recovery or who has, at any point in time been new to recovery will be able to attest to the fact that sex, romance, lust, relationships, etc., will always be a struggle in early sobriety. Just about every person thinks they will be the exception to the rule that early sobriety relationships usually end in a sh*t storm or a relapse. Sadly, most people eventually find that it happens to them too. Here is why. Folks in early sobriety (my previous self included, no judgment) are still extremely wrapped up in ego, selfishness, and the need for validation. Call it...
There is no easy or right way to deal with an addict. It is difficult when it is a friend or coworker, but especially traumatic if this addict is a close loved one. Many people don’t even know their loved one is struggling with addiction usually until it is too late, and up until that point, many parents, siblings, and spouses will participate in enabling behaviors to try and help this person through their tough times. Enabling can seem like the easy way out, and can often create the illusion that the person is actually helping their loved one, when in fact, enabling can often do far more damage than good when it comes to the recovery of an addicted person. Here is why. The Value of Rock Bottom As difficult as it may be to watch or be a witness to, addicts and alcoholics will be unable to make the “to their core” decision to stop using drugs or alcohol until they have hit a hard and life-shaking bottom. It might not make any sense to people who do not struggle with addiction, but it rings true for just about each sober and active addict. The desire to fight will not be there until there is literally NO OTHER OPTION. This is just the way it is with addiction. After a time, the addictive patterns of thinking and behaving begin to completely overthrow the person's real thought processes, making it seem impossible to stop using because they begin to be completely reliant upon it. The troubling truth is, the only thing that brings addicts comfort is the same thing...
One of the scariest things about dabbling with drugs is how quickly dependence and addiction can occur. This is especially true for Cocaine, largely considered one of the most addictive drugs on the market. If you are concerned that you or your loved one may be struggling with a cocaine addiction, there are often warning signs to be aware of. How Cocaine Got Started Many people are aware that coca leaves have been used for thousands of years by the natives of South America. Chewing on the coca leaves would provide a quick boost of energy and focus. In the 18 and early 1900’s, Cocaine was often used as a medical agent, to help ease constipation, ease allergy side effects, and decrease menstrual cramps and toothaches. However, during the late ’70s and early ’80s, the cocaine industry took a dark and dangerous turn when cartels and the U.S government went to war over the drug. Since then, America and the rest of the world have been battling cocaine and crack addictions that can often turn the most well-mannered people into Mr. Hydes. Why Cocaine Addiction Happens Many people who use cocaine will often start as recreational users, often only using on special occasions or some weekends. Both for the “weekend warriors” and those with a daily addiction, the side effects of cocaine use will often be the same, consisting of: Euphoria Increased energy Decreased appetite Dry mouth Jaw grinding Rapid eye movement Heightened sensation in the body Talkativeness Cocaine can be snorted, smoked, and injected. One reason why many people use cocaine is that it allows them to drink more...
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