What Are Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs?

The Outpatient Treatment Programs (OTP) is a common drug addiction and alcohol addiction program. It is often used after a longer-term rehabilitation program, or, most commonly, to allow for treatment while still maintaining presence at work or school. Offered for those who are stabilized in their addiction, this program seeks to bring effective treatment at a moderate level of care. Ambrosia Treatment Centers, as well as thousands of other treatment facilities around the United States, is certified and accredited to provide outpatient treatment programs.

Outpatient treatment is offered as group therapy several times a week, day and/or night, and as individual therapy outside of those sessions. This allows for a person to attend school, work, or their family life, and still receive treatment because of the flexibility. The duration of the program depends on the individual's personal needs, but can range up to 90+ days.

These addiction treatments are an excellent choice for those who wish to get help for their drug and alcohol abuse as well as uphold their commitments in their home life. Outpatient treatment allows the individual to interact with the real world and get help from a peer-oriented, therapeutically structured program. Drug abuse is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly. That's why there are programs that focus on getting you the help you need, and allowing for your interaction with your outside life. If you feel that you want this interaction, but are not strong enough to go right back home where your spouse or friends are using, sober living homes are commonly recommended. Part of the outpatient addiction treatment programs is to provide the option of safe, supportive, sober living. This is often provided, but not required.

Common programs provided through the outpatient treatment programs include an evaluation or assessment, legal system advocacy, educational groups, counseling (group and individual), individualized treatment planning, family educational groups, discharge planning, relapse prevention, 12-step recovery and self-help group contacts, and referral to various other needed services. After outpatient rehabilitation programs, aftercare programs will be touched upon and provided as needed. There are thousands of different addiction support groups all over the United States, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). In these groups, you will be encouraged to share your personal experience and how you're doing now. Aftercare programs are very helpful ways to release all of the pent up emotions that are commonly stored. There are others out there, many others, who are experiencing similar situations and frustrations that you are. Going to support groups and therapy sessions, you can connect with these people. You can help others, and by doing so, help yourself!

Don't hesitate to get treatment. Many people think that they have no time to get help because it would take them away from their family or there job – the place they need to be. But working through an outpatient treatment program, you are not only able to stay at your job and home life, you are also able to focus more of your energy and concentration on these more important things.

What is Alcoholism?

As defined by the American Medical Association, alcoholism is a "primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations." Before sufficient medical research was performed, alcoholism was not considered to be a disease, but rather a lack of will power on behalf of the alcoholic. There came to be a social stigma associated with alcohol abuse and people with alcohol addictions were deemed to lack good moral fiber. However, medical researchers have now determined that alcoholism is indeed a disease just like cancer or diabetes, and it should be treated as such. There are many different alcohol treatment options available today, and recovery is possible when people commit to and work through the programs.

There are many different factors that influence one's likelihood to become an alcoholic at some point in their life. There are both physical and mental characteristics that should be taken into account, and certain people have a higher chance of having alcoholism abuse problems in their life than others. According to the World Health Organization, there are roughly 140 million alcoholics worldwide, and about 10 percent of the American population suffers from the disease of alcoholism.

Circumstances such as social environment, stress, mental health, family history, age, ethnicity and gender all play a part in how likely someone is to become an alcoholic. Those who are constantly surrounded by alcohol or people that are always drinking will have a higher chance of having alcohol problems themselves. Studies have also shown that people with high-stress jobs also drink more alcohol. Genetics has a lot to do with alcoholism. If your family has a history of heavy drinking, unfortunately you are predisposed to have these problems as well. Not to say that everyone who has alcoholic parents or grandparents will turn into an alcoholic themselves, but the chances are higher. Certain ethnicities also have higher rates of alcoholism, and research has shown that more men are alcoholics than women.

But what makes an alcoholic? And what is the difference between someone who simply drinks a lot and a full-blown alcoholic? This is somewhat of a blurred line, kind of like the one that someone who has had too much to drink might see. Even if someone only drinks on the weekends but still consumes massive amounts of alcohol, they might still be an alcoholic. Some of the telltale signs of alcoholism include an extended period of frequent and heavy alcohol consumption, the inability to stop drinking once you have started, withdrawal symptoms when coming down from alcohol, the need to drink more and more (building up a tolerance) to achieved the desired effect of alcohol, and social, legal and family or relationship problems resulting from alcohol abuse. If you or someone you know exhibits one or more of these symptoms, visiting a drug and alcohol therapist or counselor may be a good idea in order to regain control.

Having alcohol withdrawal syndrome when you do not have alcohol in your system is one of the major indicators of alcoholism. Symptoms of withdrawal are much more than the normal hangover sensations such as headache, nausea and fatigue. Withdrawal includes symptoms such as shaking, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, and sweating. Severe withdrawal can be deadly due to cardiac arrest or stroke. Anyone experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms such as confusion, hallucinations, or convulsion should immediately seek medical attention. Alcoholism is a deadly disease, and it kills millions of people every year. Knowledge is the best way to prevent people from falling into the trap of alcoholism, and educating the youth about the dangers of alcohol abuse will hopefully keep them from getting involved into this vicious cycle. 

Reese Witherspoon and Husband James Toth Arrested in Atlanta on DUI & Resisting Arrest Charges

Early Friday morning on April 26^th, 2013, actress Reese Witherspoon and husband James Toth were both arrested in Atlanta, GA after Toth was pulled over by police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. According to police reports, Toth was driving in the wrong lane on Peachtree St. in Atlanta, and upon pulling him over he appeared disheveled and smelled of alcohol. Police ordered him out of the vehicle and escorted him into the nearby Walgreen's parking lot to administer a sobriety test, which he agreed to.

At this point, Witherspoon began hanging out of the car window, arguing with officers and being verbally abusive. According to the police report obtained by Variety magazine, she said she did not believe that the cop was a "real police officer," and asked him "Do you know my name?"

She then stepped out of the car and continued to be uncooperative when the officer ordered her to remain inside the vehicle. After repeated attempts by Atlanta law enforcement to get her to calm down and get back inside the car, they then arrested her, which she resisted. Toth claimed that he had only one drink that evening but ended up blowing a 0.139 on the Breathalyzer test. The couple was arrested and briefly jailed until being released around 3:30am.

Toth and Witherspoon were in Atlanta shooting scenes for the upcoming indie drama film "The Good Lie." They have been married since 2011 and have one son together. Witherspoon is an acclaimed actress for many different roles over the years, most notably her performances in the films "Sweet Home Alabama," "Legally Blonde," and "Walk the Line," for which she won an Academy Award in 2005. Toth is an agent for the Creative Artists Agency, Hollywood's leading talent agency. Following her arrest, Witherspoon went on ABC's "Good Morning America" to issue a public statement apologizing for her behavior. She claimed she had "one drink too many" and that she exercised "poor judgment."

Witherspoon and Toth are not the first celebrities to be arrested for charges involving driving under the influence, and they will surely not be the last. Drinking and driving is a persistent problem in the United States and all over the world that affects millions of people every day. It is estimated that roughly 900,000 people in the US are arrested each year for DUI/DWI, one-third of which are repeat offenders. Not only does this cause serious legal trouble for those that are charged, it can also result in fatal situations. Roughly 12,000 people die every year from DUI-related accidents.

Drinking and driving is simply not worth it. Not only do you risk putting yourself and other people at danger by getting behind the wheel after drinking too much, you also create a mountain of problems if convicted. First-time DWI offenders face time in jail, thousands of dollars in court fees and legal fines, community service, drug and alcohol education classes, and suspension of driver's license. Second-time offenders face even harsher charges - more fines, more jail time, having an Interlock system installed in their car, and possibly an ankle bracelet to monitor their alcohol intake. Third-time offenders face prison time, and fourth-time offenders can lose their driver's license for life.

The best form of prevention for not getting a DUI or DWI is to simply not drink. In addition to legal trouble, alcohol abuse and alcoholism present a multitude of problems. But if you are going to drink, just don't drive. Call a cab. Get a ride from a friend. Walk home. Whatever you have to do, just don't get behind the wheel. 

Inhalants Your Brain on Drugs (Volatile Solvents, Gases, Aerosol Sprays, Nitrites)

When most people think about drug abuse and drug addiction, inhalants are not usually the first substances that come to mind. But statistics show that more than 23 million Americans have experimented with inhalants at some point in their life. By age 13, one in five children has used them. Inhalants such as aerosols, gases and solvents are some of the most common drugs tried by children. After tobacco, alcohol and marijuana, they are the most abused substance in the nation.

Volatile Solvents, Gases, Aerosol Sprays & Nitrites

There are four main types of inhalants, and most of them are commonly found in many households. Although the intended use of most of these inhalants is for cleaning, painting or other household purposes, when they are used to get high they can be deadly. Aerosol sprays are some of the most common inhalants found in households, and they can include spray paints, deodorants, and dust cleaning sprays. They are easily obtainable and accessible by children of all ages, and most parents do not realize how dangerous they can be.

Gases can be either medical substances such as ether or nitrous oxide, or commercial products such as butane lighters or refrigerants. Volatile solvents are liquids that turn into gas at room temperature, such as paint thinners, gasoline, glue and the chemicals from felt-tip markers. Nitrites, which are commonly called "poppers" or "snappers" can be found in room deodorizers and other products. When opened, they release a vapor that is inhaled by the user.

The Effects of Inhalants

Whether inhalants are sniffed, snorted, sprayed directly into one's nose, or inhaled through a rag, paper bag, or balloon, they can all have very dangerous effects on the brain and the body. Inhalants can be deadly, even at their first time of use. When the vapors are inhaled, they are absorbed into certain parts of the brain, and most of them slow down the user's body function. The effects of the drug abuse of inhalants are similar to that experienced by people who have an alcohol addiction or alcohol abuse problem. Their speech becomes slurred, and they can become tired, dizzy and have impaired motor skills.

Other side effects of inhalants include increased heart rate, unconsciousness and vomiting. People can die from using inhalants a number of different ways, including cardiac arrest, asphyxiation, choking on their own vomit, suffocation, and fatal injury. Inhalants are also extremely addictive, and long-term effects of drug addiction to inhalants include brain damage, depression, weakness, frequent headaches and nosebleeds.  Since the high experienced from using inhalants only lasts a few minutes, users often inhale the chemicals over and over again to keep their buzz going. This makes them even more dangerous, as more of these toxic chemicals are entering the user's body.

Inhalants are as dangerous as many drugs that are bought illegally. What's scary about these substances is that they are found in most households and most of them can be purchased from any grocery store or supermarket. In order to help prevent the abuse of inhalants, it's important for parents to educate their children about the dangers associated with their use and to try and keep them out of reach. Treatment programs for inhalant abuse and addiction are similar to those in drug rehab and alcohol rehab. Although inhalant addiction is not commonly thought of as a serious drug addiction, it is a common problem especially among young adults and children. Inhalants are dangerous, addictive, and they can be deadly. 

New Study Shows Dropouts More Likely to Drink & Use Drugs

Growing up, parents and teachers always say, "Stay in school. Don't do drugs." Some kids listen to this advice, and some choose to go down a different path. There is wisdom and knowledge in these words, and young students should pay attention to this age-old saying. A new report conducted by the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration actually shows that high school students that drop out before graduating are more likely drink, smoke and do drugs than those who stay in school.

Dropouts & Drug Abuse

According to this report, 31 percent of high school dropouts use drugs, compared to 18 percent - just a little over half - of students who stay in school and graduate. Of those who leave school before graduating, 27 percent smoke marijuana, and 10 percent abuse prescription drugs. Only 15 percent of students who graduate smoke marijuana, and roughly 5 percent abuse prescription drugs.

By dropping out, students put themselves at a higher risk for substance abuse and drug addiction problems, as well as a host of other problems. Without a high school diploma, young adults will not be able to get as good of a job as they would if they had stayed in school. This puts them at a higher risk for being in poverty and not having health insurance. Combine that with a drug problem, and it's a pretty dark road to travel down.

Dropouts & Smoking, Alcohol Abuse

In addition to having a higher rate of becoming drug addicts, high school dropouts are also more likely to smoke tobacco and drink alcohol. Both of these habits can put them at risk for a large number of health problems, including heart disease, lung cancer, liver cirrhosis, and ultimately an early death. Studies have shown that high school dropouts are twice as likely to smoke tobacco than students that graduate. Smoking tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the nation.

In addition, 42 percent of high school dropouts drink alcohol, and 33 percent of them binge drink. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks within a two-hour period, and most people who binge drink usually drink much more than that. Out of the students that graduate, 35 percent of them drink alcohol, and one quarter of them binge drink. These numbers are still quite high, although significantly lower than the dropout population.

The US government released these figures in hopes that communities across the nation will develop better programs and strategies to keep kids in school. Roughly one in seven Americans drop out of high school, putting them at a higher risk for drug addiction, alcoholism, and a large number of other problems. Ultimately, students who drop out affect the entire public health. By staying in school, they will have a much better chance of leading happier, healthier and more productive lives.

Many students develop alcohol and drug problems before dropping out of high school, which may contribute to their leaving. By incorporating drug and alcohol awareness programs into the schools at an early age, the entire US population can have a better chance of keeping kids in school and hopefully far away from becoming drug addicts and alcoholics. For troubled youths and for anyone out there with substance abuse issues, there is help. There are thousands of drug treatment centers and support programs around the country, and it's never too early to get involved. 

Alcohol Now 3rd Worldwide Leading Cause of Injury & Death

It is nothing new that alcoholism is an addiction that has the ability to destroy lives. People can become so enveloped in their alcohol addictions that they lose sight of the important things in life - family, work, school, and other responsibilities, and become wholly preoccupied with alcohol. In the United States, alcohol surpasses all other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription painkillers as the number one drug problem in the nation. According to a recent study conducted by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), alcohol is now the third leading cause of disease and injury worldwide.

Alcohol, Disease & Injury
Based on research gathered mainly from the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study, alcohol has been found to cause more than 200 diseases and injuries. When people think of alcohol and disease, liver problems are usually the first that come to mind. It is widely known that alcohol can cause serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. But what many people do not realize is that alcohol affects nearly every single organ in the body. It can cause heart disease, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal problems, and several types of cancer. Researchers recently found that alcohol consumption by women can make them much more susceptible to breast cancer.

When people consume alcohol, their behavior changes. This is not true only of alcoholics, alcohol affects everyone that consumes it in different ways. Their judgment becomes impaired, and they may do certain things that they would otherwise not do if they were sober. Traffic accidents due to alcohol abuse are among the major problems of alcohol-related injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety, roughly 40 percent of all traffic deaths are due to driving under the influence. In addition to traffic-related injuries, violence and domestic abuse while people are intoxicated are also a major problem. Alcohol affects not only the person drinking it, but those around them as well.

Global Alcohol Abuse
It is estimated that around 2.5 million deaths per year are due to the harmful use of alcohol. In the age group of 15 to 29, roughly 320,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes, which makes up about 9 percent of all deaths in that range. The global burden of alcohol is large, and it continues to grow. After high blood pressure and tobacco, it places third for disease and injury. The amount of alcohol consumed varies from region to region. Some nations drink more than others, and some engage in more reckless drinking behaviors. On average, drinkers in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa consume the most alcohol worldwide. They drink the most, and they also engage in some of the most dangerous drinking behaviors, such as drinking in large quantities, drinking to get drunk, and binge-drinking for extended periods of time.

The figures recorded by the CAMH may even be an underestimate, considering that 30 percent of alcohol consumed around the world is unrecorded. This includes alcohol that is brewed at home and produced illegally, including moonshine operations. When alcohol is so readily accessible and socially acceptable, it is hard to not drink irresponsibly for many people. Even though only half of the world drinks alcohol, the half that does causes a large amount of disease and injury. Alcoholism is a serious disease and it causes a lot of damage. If you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol abuse, there are many different options for alcohol treatment. From support groups like AA to inpatient rehab treatment, there are programs out there to help everyone who is struggling with alcohol addiction.

Binge Drinking on the Rise with Women

Binge drinking among college students is nothing new. For decades, the act of routinely drinking way too much has been glamorized among both college and high school students. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in one sitting. However, this amount is at the lower end of the actual number of drinks that college students are consuming when they go out partying. Some students admit to regularly drinking twenty or more alcoholic beverages in a night, putting them at risk for alcohol poisoning and injury, among a host of other problems that are associated with binge drinking.

Recent studies have shown that not only is this trend of heavy drinking not likely to taper off any time soon, women have begun to drink as excessively as their male counterparts. No longer is extreme alcohol abuse something only frat boys participate in, women are also participating in excessive alcohol consumption. This is dangerous for a number of different reasons. Not only do women typically weigh less and not metabolize alcohol as fast as men, they are putting themselves at risk to increased chances of heart disease, breast cancer, sexually-transmitted diseases, sexual assault and unplanned pregnancies by trying to keep up with the boys.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, roughly 1,500 student deaths, 500,000 injuries and 70,000 cases of sexual assault occur every year at the college level because of excessive alcohol consumption. It is estimated that nearly 50 percent of college students binge drink, participating in pregaming before going out to parties, drinking games, and the need to fit in with the rest of the crowd by drinking way too much. About 1 in 5 girls in high school and college binge drink, and it leads to nearly 23,000 deaths in women age 18 to 34 every year.

In addition to being a particularly dangerous activity to engage in at any age, binge drinking is also often the first step towards developing alcoholism for both men and women. What most young people fail to realize is that drinking excessively increases their tolerance and can lead to developing dependence on alcohol later on down the road. When men and women are dependent on alcohol, they find it hard to function in life without regular drinking. Having a few drinks every now and then is one thing, but drinking everyday and routinely consuming enough to put yourself in the hospital can lead to a long list of mental and physical complications.

Alcoholism is a deadly disease, and recovery is not an easy road. Many alcoholics never get professional treatment for their condition, and many even end up relapsing numerous times after attending rehab. Relapse is not the end, and people that struggle with alcohol addiction should not give up even if they do return to drinking after an extended period of sobriety. But the best prevention against alcoholism and other drug addictions is through educating the youths of America about the dangers of binge drinking, alcohol poisoning and alcohol addiction.

What Is Rehabilitation?

Many a person find themselves at a crossroads with addiction. There is lucid window of opportunity that, if taken, a person will find themselves in a place that allows for complete recovery and understanding of their addiction. This place is referred to as rehabilitation.

Addiction is very common today, whether it be an addiction to shoe shopping, video games, junk food, or media. These examples can get expensive and interfere with a person's life and relationships. Well, it is similar with drug addiction. The difference is that drug addiction actually changes the addict's reward system in the brain, whereas with addictions such as shoe shopping, it is more of a personal choice to keep doing it (although it is definitely a hard habit to break!). Many people, even those who have a drug or alcohol addiction, do not realize that they are fighting something that is no longer really even their choice. A person can choose to buy or not to buy pair after pair of leopard printed heels, but a person cannot choose to continue or discontinue drug use after an addiction has set in. 

The way an addictive drug attaches itself to a person's chemical transmitters creates a disruption in a person's natural dopamine distribution. Because of this disturbance, the individual may begin to feel that drug or alcohol abuse is the only way to feel good and happy. However, this is not the case. When a person starts attending drug rehab, they may find that the educational part of rehab is one of the most beneficial things. Through education about one's addiction, a person can begin to understand why they are experiencing such a huge loss of control and feeling so down. 

Although education about a person's drug addiction is beyond helpful, some addicts may find that therapy works the best for them. Through therapy, an addict's drug addiction is addressed in a way that allows for a personal approach. When addiction is addressed in this way, it encourages an addict to open up about the underlying causes of their addiction and why they started abusing drugs in the first place. In a group therapy session, an addict is able to contribute and listen to stories and other insights toward the reasons for drug addiction, how to avoid triggers, and how to successfully live a sober life. In these therapy sessions, one of the most important things that is happening for an addict (and they sometimes don't even realize it) is the creation of a support network. By engaging in discussion and conversation about other people's addictions and how they are dealing with sobriety is very important. It is essential that an addict know that they are not at all alone in their addiction – there are others going through very similar situations.

If you are looking for information about rehabilitation and treatment, don't stop until you find a treatment center that fits you. Drug addiction is hard, and you do not have to face it alone. Explore your options and find the one that treats your entire person, not just your addiction. Don't wait to get the help you need, get treatment today.

Addiction Abuse

Addiction and abuse are commonly confused and therefore discussed in the same way. Although they are both very dangerous and similar in that way, there are also many things that differentiate the two. Addiction is a state of physical or psychological dependence on a potentially harmful drug. A person who has an addiction will continue to use the addictive substance despite the adverse consequences that it is causing in their lives. Sometimes these detrimental effects can take place in the workplace, at home, or seemingly everywhere in a person's life. This is where abuse differs from addiction. Drug abuse is generally considered to be excessive and/or illegal drug use. When this drug use begins to severely affect an individual's personal and/or professional relationships, it is very important that they seek help for the drug abuse that has become an addiction.

Often used in excess, alcohol is a drug that best demonstrates drug addiction abuse. Alcohol abuse is very common, especially among the young population (ages 18-30). But, when this abuse and source of new found freedom gets out of hand, addiction may creep in – perhaps unknowingly at first. Alcohol abuse can quickly lead to alcohol addiction abuse. Some people are more receptive to this change, whereas others have more control over their drinking habits. This does not mean that they are better or worse as individuals, it just means that some people are more susceptible to drug addiction and abuse because of the way their brains are built and function. This is not limited to alcohol addiction – it is applicable for all drug abuse situations.

Abuse and addiction tend to go hand in hand. Addiction abuse is basically the relationship that drug use has with a person's brain. Some people have addictive personalities, where they feel that once they start doing something that they like, they have to keep doing it, no matter what. Obsessive and compulsive are words that usually accompany people with addictive personalities. However, a person does not need to be naturally inclined toward addictive tendencies, nor does this mean that they will end up addicted to drugs if they are so naturally inclined. Anyone can become addicted to drugs if they begin to abuse them. Some drugs are more addictive than others, and each person reacts differently to specific drug use.

There are many different factors that affect the outcome of drug use and abuse. Some people and some drugs are more likely to produce addicts. If you or a loved one feel that your drug use has surpassed normalcy and become abuse or addiction, do not hesitate to get help. It is not your fault, but it is up to you to change your life. Finding a treatment center that speaks to who you are, and acknowledges how each addiction is unique, will help you fight your addiction. Through a treatment center like Ambrosia Treatment Center, you will become acquainted with your drug addiction in a way that allows you to work past the cravings and the triggers. You will become strong enough to maintain your sobriety – but, it all has to start somewhere. Call today.