What Can Trigger A Relapse?

After drug and alcohol treatment, addicts still feel strong urges to continue their substance abuse. These urges are based purely on desire and sometimes can overrule all logical reasoning. This is referred to as a trigger. There are many triggers out in the world. Some are specific to each individual, and some are a uniform way of functioning. Completing drug treatment is a huge step toward living a healthy and productive life without drug abuse. The trick is maintaining this sobriety. One way to avoid a drug or alcohol relapse is to identify the different things that can trigger it.

There are some very common causes of drug relapse. These negative feelings (also found in other aspects of everyday life) such as anger, sadness, loneliness, guilt, fear, and anxiety can cause an addict to feel like they need to run and hide from them, and the only way they know how to do that is through drug use. Even positive feelings can trigger a relapse because they make the addict want to celebrate. 

Other ways that relapses can be triggered is through the physical body. Being in the presence of drugs and/or alcohol, around users of drugs or alcohol, or in places where you used or bought can be overwhelming and cause a lot of internal conflict. If you purposefully place yourself in situations just to show that you can do it, you may be placing yourself in unnecessary danger. Also, many people think that they will be fine after treatment, and that they don't need to worry about a relapse. This is a problem because they may fall back into their old patterns, and eventually fall back into drug use. If you allow yourself to become completely exhausted, you are not following the healthy patterns you have established, like rest, nutrition, and exercise. If you begin to pity yourself or expect pity from others, you are not being independent, and are therefore not taking care of your needs.

Dishonesty is another common problem for recovering drug addicts. Usually, it begins with small, unnecessary lies being told to those who are close to you. Then you begin to widen the spectrum and are soon making excuses for not attending meetings or for hanging out with old friends that still use drugs or alcohol. Someone might do this because they feel that they are the only people who have changed. Well, you can only expect to control yourself. Just remember to be honest and patient with yourself and others.

Drug relapse is never your fault, just as drug addiction is not your fault, but it can be avoided. Through drug treatment, you can find yourself. Through real life experience you can test your strength. It is important to know your limits and to respect your mind, body, and soul through sobriety. Don't wait until you relapse to express how you're feeling after you finish rehab. Counseling is provided to allow this transition to be more comfortable and understood.

Why Are Women Less Likely to Seek Treatment?

When it comes to substance abuse issues, there are certain differences between men and women. In recent decades, more research has been done on the subject, and new information has come to light concerning gender-specific alcohol addiction and drug addiction matters. Studies have shown that men are more likely to develop drug and alcohol problems than women, due to a variety of reasons. Another aspect of gender-related substance abuse differences is that women are less likely than men to seek drug treatment or alcohol treatment for their addictions.

Women and the Social Stigma of Substance Abuse

One of the main reasons why women are less apt to seek rehab treatment for substance abuse than men is because there exists a social stigma for women that have drug or alcohol problems. It is more socially acceptable for men to take drugs or drink alcohol in excess than women. Because of the differences between body mass and other physical traits, women typically drink less than men when they do drink, and overall they drink less frequently.

Aside from the fact that overall, women drink less than men, there are certain mental, emotional and interpersonal issues that men may not face. Family responsibilities and economic issues have a lot to do with why women are less likely to go to rehab treatment. Being a mother, earning less money overall than men, and the shame or embarrassment they may feel from being in drug rehab or alcohol rehab all factor into the equation.

Overall, women are judged more harshly when they develop drug or alcohol problems. Going to drug treatment or alcohol treatment admits to the rest of the world that they do indeed have a substance abuse problem, and many women are afraid of facing the criticism associated with them going to rehab. What is interesting however, is that even though women are less likely to have substance abuse problems, once they begin to drink or take drugs their problems progress more quickly than men.

The Benefits of Rehab

Although many women may fear the harsh judgment they might face from going to rehab treatment, what is most important is that drug rehab is a positive thing. Even if people will criticize a woman for going to rehab more than a man, this should be the least of one's worries if they have a drug addiction or alcohol addiction. Rehab treatment saves lives, but unfortunately many people do not receive the treatment they need. It is estimated that nearly 25 million Americans have problems with substance abuse, yet only 3 to 4 million ever go to drug rehab or alcohol rehab.

As more research is being conducted, and because of the fact that drug addiction and alcohol addiction are now considered to be diseases, going to drug rehab or alcohol rehab is becoming much more common. Having to drop everything and be committed to a facility for months at a time can be difficult, but there are also many other options that do not involve inpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment that allows patients to return home after they participate in rehab programs and support groups such as AA and NA have proven to be extremely successful and effective alternatives to residential drug treatment.

Inpatient Treatment

Drug abuse and alcohol addiction are chronic diseases of the mind that affect millions of lives every day. There is help available for anyone that suffers from addiction, and one viable option is inpatient treatment. Addiction rehab at inpatient drug treatment centers is often the best choice for individuals that have serious addiction problems. Residential rehab centers can provide support and care that are sometimes not as readily available with care received from an outpatient center or support group. Although outpatient treatment centers do provide a valuable service for individuals with drug and alcohol addictions, they lack the medical support of treatment professionals that can be necessary in certain cases.

When patients check into inpatient drug treatment, they are initially assessed, and treatment professionals devise a program for them based on the interview process. During this primary interview, patients will typically answer questions pertaining to their drug and alcohol use and personal history. Taking this information, rehab professionals will then devise a treatment program that will best serve their needs. Every patient in addiction rehab has their own issues, and no one's situation is exactly the same. Rehab caters to a wide variety of addiction problems - from alcoholism to heroin addiction, and everything in between. Someone who suffers from crystal meth addiction may have a very different program than someone who checks into inpatient treatment for an addiction to prescription painkillers.

In addition, drug treatment centers also help patients deal with emotional or mental issues that may be contributing to their addiction. There can be many different factors that affect one's predisposition for drug abuse or alcohol addiction. It can run in the family, and individuals that have relatives with addictions are more likely to develop a drug or alcohol problem. Emotional trauma and mental disorders also often go hand in hand with addiction. By dealing with these issues in drug treatment with psychiatrists and therapists, patients can learn how to deal with their issues in a healthy fashion, without resorting to using drugs or alcohol.

The length of an inpatient treatment program depends upon the facility and also on the needs of the patient being treated. Typically, most drug abuse treatment centers have programs that last anywhere from thirty to ninety days. During this period, patients are expected to live at the residential facility full-time and participate in daily programs, support groups and activities. Participation in these classes and programs is essential for any addict that truly wants to get better. Groups such as

Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are stressed for their importance in the healing process from alcoholism and drug addiction. Although there is no definite cure for addiction, by working through the programs people can recover from their drug and alcohol problems and go on to lead healthy and sober lives.

Addiction is a destructive disease, and it can ruin lives and tear apart families. Inpatient treatment offers individual a chance to break free from this vicious cycle. Unfortunately, many individuals that go to addiction rehab will end up relapsing. Recovery takes commitment, and there are many temptations in the outside world once people leave inpatient treatment. Being in a support group or sober living environment is very important and helpful in maintaining sobriety once patients finish their drug treatment program. 

Should My Family Be Involved in My Drug Treatment

Going to substance abuse treatment for a drug addiction can be a hard decision to make, and attending drug treatment can be a long and painful process. But in the end, it can save lives and give people another chance to turn things around and live free from the binds of drug addiction. In addition to deciding to go to treatment, there is also the question of whether or not you should involve your family. This can be as hard as making the decision to go to treatment. You may feel ashamed or embarrassed of your drug abuse problem, and you may not want to burden your family. But your family can offer much-needed support throughout the process of recovery which will benefit you greatly during drug treatment and after.

How Addiction Affects the Family

You may think that you drug addiction affects only you, but this is not true. It affects every one that is close to you in a variety of different ways. You may not realize the extent to which your substance abuse affects your family members. Addiction is not only a disease for the person that uses drugs, it is a family disease. Involving your family members in your treatment process will not only give you more support, it will also help them to understand exactly what you are going through. People that do not have substance abuse problems may not comprehend the severity of the situation, and how it is actually a disease and not just a habit.

Most drug treatment centers offer family therapy. During this process, family members can come in to the facility, meet with treatment professionals, and learn not only the severity of the addiction but how it affects them as well. Drug abuse is a destructive cycle that can tear families apart. By participating in the recovery process, families can be brought closer together, helping them to offer more support to the individual going through the recovery process. Family involvement is often strongly encouraged since it can be beneficial for everyone.

Enabling & Codependency

Two of the most destructive aspects of addiction that affect family members are enabling and codependency. Enabling occurs when a family member of an addict does certain things that they believe are helping the situation, when in fact they are just worsening the problem. This may include giving the addicted individual money, a place to live, making excuses for their actions, cleaning up their mess, and hiding their substance abuse problem. In doing these things, family members might think that they are protecting the drug addict, but they are really just making it okay for them to continue using drugs. This cycle can go on for years, getting worse and worse with time.

Codependency is when a family member becomes so involved in the addictive behavior of the one they love that they are dependent upon their needs and control. They put their own needs on the backburner and focus on what they can do to help the addict. This situation also worsens with time, as the family member may start to organize their whole life around caring for the drug addict. Both enabling and codependency rationalize and vindicate the destructive behavior of the addict, allowing them to continue to use. These issues are addressed in drug addiction treatment, and by involving your family in the recovery process, they can learn how to avoid falling back into this cycle and how to offer healthy support instead. 

New Studies Show Long-Lasting Effects of Meth Addiction

Drug addictions can have long-lasting effects on a person's mind and body. Even years after a person has become sober, they may still experience the temptations of drug use, and their brain may function differently because of it. Quitting drugs and becoming sober is a process, and it is difficult. A drug addict cannot simply wake up one day, decided to abstain from drugs, and go on to lead a normal life. Recovery can take years, and even after becoming sober, the effects of prior drug use can come to haunt recovering drug addicts.

Long-Term Effects of Meth Addiction

Recent studies conducted by the University of Florida have revealed that even long after people that are addicted to meth quit using the drug, their brain may still function differently. From research done on lab mice using the crystal meth drug, researchers found that mice that had been given the drug had impaired brain activity and problems remembering things two weeks after stopping use. Two weeks in the life of a mouse is equal to about a year in the lifespan of a human, indicating that even one year after stopping the use of meth, recovering addicts may still suffer from impaired brain activity.

In addition, researchers attributed this impaired brain activity to withdrawal. Even one year after quitting people with drug addictions to crystal meth can still suffer from withdrawal symptoms. This can be disconcerting to hear for meth users that are trying to become clean and sober. Withdrawal can be dangerous and painful, especially from a drug as harsh as crystal meth. In recent years, meth use has become a nationwide epidemic. It is cheap and relatively easy to manufacture, and it is highly addictive. Withdrawal from the drug can include symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, depression, nausea, and insomnia. Depending upon how long a person has been using the drug and how much they have been taking influences how serious their withdrawal symptoms can be.

Drug Addiction & The Brain

When people develop substance abuse problems, their brain chemistries change. The patterns in which their brains function are altered due to the increased levels of serotonin and dopamine that are released upon drug use. As discovered by the researchers at the University of Florida, this can have long-term effects on a person's brain activity. They stated that the way that a meth addict's brain functions during recovery and long after becoming sober is similar to that of a person with Parkinson's disease.

These findings further strengthen the argument and idea that drug addiction is a chronic disease, and recovery can be a lifelong process. Even years after a person with meth addiction has gone to rehab treatment and participated in the standard drug rehab programs, they may still suffer from the consequences of their drug use. The best way to avoid this is to simply not use drugs in the first place. Drug prevention programs, especially at a young age, are essential in teaching young people the dangers of drug addiction. Not only can meth addiction and other drug problems ruin lives, they can also have serious effects on recovering drug addicts long after they have ceased use. 

New Studies Show Long-Lasting Effects of Meth Addiction

Drug addictions can have long-lasting effects on a person's mind and body. Even years after a person has become sober, they may still experience the temptations of drug use, and their brain may function differently because of it. Quitting drugs and becoming sober is a process, and it is difficult. A drug addict cannot simply wake up one day, decided to abstain from drugs, and go on to lead a normal life. Recovery can take years, and even after becoming sober, the effects of prior drug use can come to haunt recovering drug addicts.

Long-Term Effects of Meth Addiction

Recent studies conducted by the University of Florida have revealed that even long after people that are addicted to meth quit using the drug, their brain may still function differently. From research done on lab mice using the crystal meth drug, researchers found that mice that had been given the drug had impaired brain activity and problems remembering things two weeks after stopping use. Two weeks in the life of a mouse is equal to about a year in the lifespan of a human, indicating that even one year after stopping the use of meth, recovering addicts may still suffer from impaired brain activity.

In addition, researchers attributed this impaired brain activity to withdrawal. Even one year after quitting people with drug addictions to crystal meth can still suffer from withdrawal symptoms. This can be disconcerting to hear for meth users that are trying to become clean and sober. Withdrawal can be dangerous and painful, especially from a drug as harsh as crystal meth. In recent years, meth use has become a nationwide epidemic. It is cheap and relatively easy to manufacture, and it is highly addictive. Withdrawal from the drug can include symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, depression, nausea, and insomnia. Depending upon how long a person has been using the drug and how much they have been taking influences how serious their withdrawal symptoms can be.

Drug Addiction & The Brain

When people develop substance abuse problems, their brain chemistries change. The patterns in which their brains function are altered due to the increased levels of serotonin and dopamine that are released upon drug use. As discovered by the researchers at the University of Florida, this can have long-term effects on a person's brain activity. They stated that the way that a meth addict's brain functions during recovery and long after becoming sober is similar to that of a person with Parkinson's disease.

These findings further strengthen the argument and idea that drug addiction is a chronic disease, and recovery can be a lifelong process. Even years after a person with meth addiction has gone to rehab treatment and participated in the standard drug rehab programs, they may still suffer from the consequences of their drug use. The best way to avoid this is to simply not use drugs in the first place. Drug prevention programs, especially at a young age, are essential in teaching young people the dangers of drug addiction. Not only can meth addiction and other drug problems ruin lives, they can also have serious effects on recovering drug addicts long after they have ceased use. 

Why Should I Go To Drug Rehab?

Drug addiction can be a confusing affliction, and it is something that has affected millions of Americans over the years. Drug rehab is a very important step for understanding what drug addiction is and how it affects you and those around you. Today, drug abuse is seen as a disease, and rightly so. Because excessive drug use targets the brain in ways that encourage compulsive use, a person may find that becoming sober is impossible to do on their own. Also, many people who suffer from a chemical dependence or physical drug addiction are suffering from a psychological addiction as well. In addition to their compulsive drug use, many addicts discover that they are also afflicted with another co-occuring diagnosis. This is generally referred to as dual diagnosis.

In order to understand drug addiction, one must accept that it is a disease and not a personal choice. It is a common misconception that those who are addicted to drugs are addicted because that is their lifestyle. Although it is often true that the initial taking of a drug is a person's choice, the end result is never a way someone would choose to live. So, why would a person be living that way, doing the things they are doing, if it is not by choice? Because chemical dependence begins to form. Addictive drugs interact with a person's brain in such a way as to encourage the constant and continual use. The drug attaches to or mimics the natural receptors in a brain cell, causing it to change in an unnatural way. With this change is an overwhelmingly pleasurable feeling (the high that accompanies addictive substances), which signals to your brain that doing drugs is a good thing when, in fact, it is quite the opposite. Going to a rehab center will help you learn about this process, and help you to find healthy ways to deal with the drug cravings that will ensue because of these mixed brain signals.

Often times, drug addiction is co-occuring with another disease such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Dual diagnosis is very commonly overlooked when dealing with a drug addiction on one's own. This is because you may not realize that you have an additional and different problem. Drugs tend to mask the symptoms of another disorder, or vice versa. For example, you may be afflicted with both anxiety and an addiction. Because of the anxiety, you are always on edge, and with alcohol in your system, you can feel courageous and bold. However, this is process of self-medicating is very unhealthy. By using drugs to self-medicate for another disease, you are merely worsening your overall situation. In a specialized treatment center, this problem can be completely assessed, and you can be treated in your entirety – not just for your substance abuse issue.

You may be thinking, “Well, what is drug rehab and what can it honestly do for me that I haven't already tried?” Rehabilitation is extremely important in drug treatment of any kind. You will be astonished at the quality of the help and the expertise of the physicians and therapists who you will work with. Drug abuse is one of the most difficult problems to face, especially alone. At a drug treatment center, you don't have to go it alone. Not only is the staff there to help you, but your peers are there to provide support as well. They are all going through similar situations like yours. Don't wait to get the help you need – get your life back on track!

FDA Panel Votes Against Pure Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is one of the most widely abused painkillers on the market. It is prescribed to patients with moderate to severe chronic pain. In addition to its pain-killing properties, it also gives users feelings of euphoria. Hydrocodone is an opioid derived from the poppy plant, and is sold by prescription as OxyContin, Vicodin, and other brand names. Prescription painkillers can be extremely habit-forming, and millions of people have painkiller addictions to drugs such as OxyContin. Although hydrocodone can be effective in treating patients who have undergone surgery or suffer from some other physical trauma, many people develop drug addictions to these potent painkillers and abuse them on a regular basis.

In December of 2012, an FDA panel of government health experts voted against the approval of a stronger version of hydrocodone. They determined that even though the more potent form of the painkiller could effectively reduce pain in patients that were prescribed the drug, it could also worsen the nationwide epidemic of painkiller addiction. It is estimated that roughly 10% of the US population is addicted to painkillers such as hydrocodone. In 2008, more than 15,000 Americans died from opioid overdose. Drug addicts that use painkillers often mix them with alcohol or other drugs as well, which can be a deadly combination of substances.

The FDA panel voted almost unanimously against Zohydro, the newer and stronger form of hydrocodone manufactured by Zogenix, Inc. Drug addiction and drug abuse were among the main reasons in the decision against the painkiller, based on studies and research conducted by medical professionals. It is estimated that 25% of individuals that are placed on opioid medication will eventually develop an addiction. Even when patients are prescribed painkillers such as Vicodin, Codeine or OxyContin legally, they can easily become addicted to the painkillers. Once their prescription runs out, they may be forced to buy the drugs illicitly in order to support their habit.

Prescription painkiller addiction has been referred to as a national epidemic, and it often stems from legal use with a prescription from a doctor. When drug users cannot get a proper prescription, they will buy drugs illegally on the street, forge prescriptions or even resort to theft in order to procure the drugs. Prescription painkiller abuse often leads to heroin addiction, since it can be easier to buy heroin illegally than obtain a prescription and buy painkillers legally through a doctor.

The science of prescription medications is always advancing, and new drugs are constantly flooding the market. It is important to have panels of health experts vote on the validity of such drugs in order to protect the overall well-being of the general population. OxyContin is basically synthetic heroin, and to develop a drug even more potent could be dangerous. Medical companies are already working on creating a timed released form of hydrocodone in order to curb the rampant abuse of the drug. Currently, drug addicts can simply crush up pills and snort, smoke or inject them in order to get a big high all at once. With a time-release mechanism, this could be prevented and keep the drugs as their intended use of medication for pain.

Drug treatment and drug rehab are very effective for individuals that suffer from addiction, and going to a treatment center can sometimes make the difference between life and death for some addicts. Recovery and sober living are attainable for anyone out there with real intentions to turn their lives around and get clean. Painkiller addiction affects millions of lives, and with drug treatment there is a way to get past it and lead a healthy life. 

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Facility

Dual diagnosis refers to someone who has both a drug/alcohol addiction and a mental illness. In recent years, many studies have been done in attempt to further the knowledge and reasoning towards co-occurring diseases. Because of the way the two diseases – drug addiction and a psychological disorder – interact with each other, it can be challenging to determine which symptoms are caused by which disease. Drug use may mask the symptoms of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, or mental illness can cause drug use symptoms to become less intense or altered in some way. These studies have shown that 37% of alcohol abusers and 53% of drug abusers in America have at least one other co-occurring serious mental illness. Also, of all Americas diagnosed as mentally ill, 29% abuse drugs and/or alcohol. These numbers are astounding. Because dual diagnosis is so common, medical professionals are making a huge effort to learn about and help those in need.

Dual diagnosis treatment can be more complex than basic drug rehab because of the way both the substance and the mental illness are affecting one's body. These are two extremes, and sometimes two extremes can exacerbate each other, making it extremely difficult to differentiate between the two. Drug relapse is very common when working with dual diagnosis. Merely detoxifying one's body and attending therapy just will not suffice for many people who suffer from mental illness along side their drug addiction. If they receive just the traditional drug treatment and alcohol treatment, they are not going to treat their coexisting condition. This condition may be the root of the cause of drug and alcohol abuse. By not treating a mental illness, you may be setting yourself up for a relapse, whereas by not treating the drug addiction, you may be allowing the psychiatric condition(s) to become more pronounced. With these two difficulties being so intertwined, it is important to treat both of them completely.

Because dual diagnosis is a complete bond of two very different medical conditions, a person suffering from both cannot expect to admit themselves to a mental health facility and also receive treatment for their drug addiction. Adversely, one cannot admit themselves to a traditional drug treatment center and expect their psychiatric issues to be treated as well. A dual diagnosis patient needs to receive specialized care focused toward treating both a drug addiction and a serious mental condition. Fortunately, dual diagnosis drug rehab centers are known for being very detailed and organized in order to help patients receive proper assessments of their individual condition. This will not only help a person to decipher which symptoms are cause by what, but it will also allow for a better and faster treatment.

It is not that dual diagnosis treatment is harder to handle than regular drug and alcohol addiction treatment, it is just more mentally complex. Dual diagnosis facilities have a strong focus on excelling in areas where a traditional drug treatment facility might fail for specific individuals. Where some people suffering from dual diagnosis might have trouble staying on the path to recovery, dual diagnosis facilities are there to provide new light.

Drug Rehab Facilities in Florida

When it comes to living a life that is clean and free of drug and alcohol abuse, often times the hardest part is getting started. Drug addiction and substance abuse unfortunately claim thousands of lives before their time every year. Drug treatment centers are extremely effective in handling these situations and helping people to become free from the binds of substance abuse.

Drug rehab facilities in Florida serve a meaningful purpose for the estimated 19,000,000 people that call the Sunshine State home. Even if a person is not an alcoholic or drug addict, the destruction that comes with the disease of substance abuse affects many other people, including friends and family members. There are many different options for drug treatment in Florida, including inpatient residential drug and alcohol rehab, and outpatient programs.

The thought of going to rehab can be frightening, but what people do not often realize is that drug and alcohol addictions are diseases and they must be treated as such. Although they are not curable, they can be treated with the proper programs and medications administered by drug treatment professionals. Going into detox and abstaining from drug or alcohol abuse, depending upon the substance that is being abused can even be fatal at times, and unless under the supervision of experienced and skilled medical professionals, the results can be adverse.

Drug addiction treatment can be necessary in certain situations to treat the disease. There are numerous drug rehab facilities throughout the state of Florida and sometimes admitting defeat is the most important step on the way to living a clean and sober life. Drug rehab and detox are not easy. In fact going to a drug treatment center is considered to be the hardest thing in the lives of many addicts. But attempting to do so on your own will prove to be the hardest and submitting yourself to a drug treatment program can save your life in the long run.

In the United States, approximately 18 million people – one in twelve adults over the age of eighteen – are alcohol or drugs dependent. Drugs and alcohol abuse often go hand in hand and at times people make the mistake of treating one or the other, but not addressing the entire issue at hand. Drugs and alcohol abuse usually have underlying issues that must be addressed to be successful in recovery. Attending drug treatment with these issues and gets to the root of the problem as to why drugs and alcohol are being abused.

Drug and alcohol addiction are vicious cycles of abuse, and dealing with them in the proper manner by going to a drug treatment facility is the best way to handle these issues. There are numerous reasons that drug treatment can be considered necessary. It is important to not wait until is too late to surrender to these problems and attend a drug treatment facility in Florida. Drug and alcohol abuse take too many lives every year, and the easiest thing that you can do if yourself or someone close to you is affected by addiction is contact a drug treatment facility and get help today.

Drug Rehab Facilities in Florida