February 5, 2012

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Battling Food Addiction

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Getting Help for Food Addiction

When most people hear the word “addiction” they automatically think of drugs or alcohol. While those are very serious addictions, another common, less talked about addiction is food addiction. Food addiction can have very serious consequences and cause problems not only for the addict but for their loved ones as well. Here are some tips for battling food addictions.

Recognize the Problem

The first step to getting help for food addiction is to recognize the problem. Some food addicts will blame their food addiction on something else such as “stress”. While stress can certainly be a contributing factor to overeating, food addiction is more serious than that. Once the problem is recognized then the addict can move on to the next step.

Talk to a Doctor

Talking to a doctor and admitting a problem is an important step in getting help. Doctors can help patients find help in various ways such as recommending a good counselor or psychologist to talk to get to the root of the problem or even recommend group meetings that are in the area for patients to attend.

Get Support

Support is very important in battling any addiction especially food addiction. Unfortunately for many food addicts, some well-meaning loved ones can actually made battling a food addiction worse. Spend time with those that are supportive and are willing to help give a positive atmosphere and environment. Avoid tempting situations such as celebrating by going out to eat or even stressful situations that may trigger overeating.

Filed Under: General Rehab & Addiction Tagged With: ,

Common Medical Errors Caused by Drug Abuse

It is common knowledge that substance abuse is a serious problem in modern society. What isn’t commonly known is that countless medical professionals, including physicians and nurses, suffer from drug abuse problems while on the job. This has led to some major medical errors and malpractice claims.

Historically, doctors have always had a high rate of substance abuse. It’s generally been viewed as an occupational hazard because physicians are constantly exposed to prescription medication and have constant access to a prescription pad. This can easily lead to addictions. Some doctors have been known to write their own prescriptions for pain killers or other narcotics and have used these substances on the job, despite the side effects that can occur and affect the treatment of patients. Nurses and other medical professionals have been caught abusing prescription drugs at work. Many end up stealing medication from patients or hospital pharmacies.

If you suspect medical drug abuse, contact medical malpractice Southern California attorneys for legal advice. You may be able to file a claim against the medical professional or institution.

In the cases where medications are being taken from patients, the medical error is that the patients are not getting the prescribed amount of drugs. If a nurse is taking a patient’s pills instead of giving them to the patient, that patient may face harm or even death for not being properly treated.

For doctors, treating patients while under the influence has resulted in cloudy thinking and lack of judgment. Doctors abusing drugs can miss a diagnosis, misdiagnose, or make a wrong decision that results in the harm of a patient

 

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How to prevent a rehabilitee from getting back to old ways

Various prescription and street drugs may caus...

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A rehabilitee has strong chances of getting back to old ways. When an abuse victim gets discharged from a rehabilitation center, all is not over yet. There could be a relapse. During rehabilitation, the drug abuse victim might have been quarantined in controlled environments. But what happens when this person comes home and sees a bottle of whisky on the shelf? Would it not again trigger a creation of crave in the brain?

When a rehabilitee is in the house, make sure that you do not have any things present in the house that could trigger a crave. Do not even have a picture of something that could get the rehabilitee feel like getting back to old ways. You need to shut out all images of triggers completely. Often images or crave-stimulants could get the rehabilitee to get back to old ways.

Do not let the rehabilitee get out of the house often. By doing this, you are potentially stopping the rehabilitee to meet up with old friends, and be exposed to old environments, from where the substance abuse could have started.

You need to carefully monitor how the rehabilitee is keeping up after rehabilitation. You could continue the cognitive therapy exercises prescribed by the rehabilitation center or the doctor. Always keep the rehabilitee on a tight leash. Inculcate discipline and wisdom. All these efforts are only fruitful if the rehabilitee has the attitude to change. Otherwise the whole exercise becomes a damp squid.

Encourage, and motivate the rehabilitee. Offer words of appreciation. Often rehabilitees have low self esteem levels. You could prop their self esteem up for them. They will feel better about themselves.

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Prescription Medications Most Commonly Abused

Vicodin tablets 

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Addictions come in many forms and include many substances, yet addictions to prescription drugs are steadily on the rise. Whether it begins with young people finding and taking prescriptions drugs from their parents medicine cabinets, or the accidental addiction that may occur after being prescribed pain medications after a legitimate injury, addictions to prescription pain medications are increasing by leaps and bounds.

Two commonly prescribed pain medications tend to be the most commonly abused. One is called Oxycontin. Oxycontin is quite strong and is commonly prescribed for individuals that have had to take multiple pain medications for an injury, ailment or disease. By using Oxycontin, the patient can take one pill instead of several. When used as prescribed, this medication can be quite useful in controlling many different types of pain. Unfortunately, those with addictive personalities may use the medication in ways other then for its intended purpose. It can be crushed and inhaled, or crushed and added to a liquid which can be injected in the same manner as Heroin.  Because Oxycontin in its original form is a slow release medication, those misusing it by snorting or injecting it, have a higher chance of overdose, because the medication enters the blood stream too quickly.
Another prescription pain medication that is commonly abused is called Vicodin. The generic name for this medication is Hydrocodone. It is a very potent pain medication that is normally prescribed for short-term use after surgery or an injury. The effects of Vicodin can mimic those of heroin. Persons taking Vicodin may need to gradually stop taking it to avoid unpleasant side effects or withdrawal symptoms.

 

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Helping Your Loved one get Better

Addictions are a terrible thing, and you need to use some discretion when someone you love is suffering from one. After all, when a person suffers from an addiction, they are just sick. Far too often society puts blame on these people and thinks of them as intrinsically bad people. It is unfortunate that so many feel this way, because it just isn’t true. The good news is, almost every addicted individual can be helped towards a full recovery in time, and there are plenty of places which can help with this recovery process, too.

For instance, there are places such as Aventa, where a student can take classes to keep up with their peers while they recover from the terrible early stages of their addiction. There are also places such as the Aurora Center, which provides all kinds of different specialized counseling, including treatment for animal abusers. In addition to those types of rehabilitation centers, there is also A Home Away Retreat, which sits in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and allows an addicted person to heal in an idyllic, low stress environment.

You can search for these kinds of places through a service such as Canada 411, and find one in your area which meets you and your loved one’s needs. When you find the right place for your loved one to recover from their addiction, you will know it by how the process becomes slightly easier, even though it is never truly easy. After all, the treatment option you choose will do a lot to advance the journey of your loved one coming home feeling better.

Filed Under: Support Tagged With: , ,

Effective Substance Abuse Treatments

There are many different approaches to successfully help a person that is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Each substance abuse treatment center will have its own philosophy and methods of treatment. Because each center is different, it is important that you research your options to find the best place for you or your loved one. Ever person will react differently to a treatment program so it is very important to find the right program for the individual

Behavioral Treatment

During behavioral treatment, patients will learn to modify their behaviors and attitudes toward drug use and will learn healthy life skills. Typically, this type of treatment is enhanced with the use of medications, which will help the person remain in the program until the professionals agree that they have completed their entire treatment regimen. The most common types of behavioral treatment include family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and motivational incentives.

Medication

When an addict is suffering from sever withdrawal symptoms, medication can help suppress those symptoms while the patient is in detoxification. Medication is also used to help reestablish the normal functions of the brain and can also help diminish cravings and prevent relapse.

Outpatient Treatments

In an outpatient treatment program, the addict will visit a clinic on a regular basis. Typically, the addict will come every day for various types of therapy sessions, and then go home at night.

Residential Treatments

Residential treatments are the most successful forms of treatment for those with long-term substance abuse problems. The addict will live in the treatment center for as long as a year and receive round-the-clock support, therapy, and treatment. Here, many forms of treatments are used together, including medical and behavioral treatments.

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Effective Drug Abuse Treatment Principles

There are all different kinds of people that are addicted to drugs and all different kinds of treatments that can help them become healthy. The trick is to find the right form of treatment for the individual addict. Studies have shown that getting help from a treatment facility greatly enhances the addict’s success of recovering and avoiding relapse. Since the mid-1970s, there have been numerous scientific studies and research to determine the best principles of the most effective treatment programs.

Treat the Individual

It is very important to treat the individual, and not just the drug problem. Not every treatment will work for every person. The patient’s treatment plan must be assessed often and may need to be modified several times to make sure the patient continues to progress well. And, it is very important that the addict remain in treatment for the entire length of time that is required to become healthy.

Offer Multiple Forms of Help

The best treatment facilities will use a combination of treatments. The most successful forms of treatment include medications, counseling, group therapy, individual therapy, detoxification, and behavioral therapy. The various combinations of therapies will change over the time spent in the treatment facility. For those drug addicts that also have other mental disorders, which there are many, these disorders must also be addressed during successful treatment.

Other Important Information

It is very important to remember that a successful treatment plan doesn’t have to be a voluntary plan. Many people that are forced into rehab actually end up doing great and kick their bad habits. It is also good to know that many centers will test patients for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, and other disease.

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How to Support Substance Abuse Treatments

Substance abuse treatment facilities have saved the lives of millions of people. Through caring, understanding, and sometimes the firm push that is needed to help people overcome their illness, substance abuse treatment centers require a lot of money to make a difference in people’s lives. If you have been in a treatment center, or one of your loved ones have, you understand how important it is to have the money to run a successful program. Many of these programs are non-profit and rely on donations and volunteers. If you are looking for a way to give back and help support substance abuse treatment centers, you have several options.

Fundraising
There are many ways you can help support substance abuse treatment programs by fundraising. The next time a program in your area is having a walk or run to raise money, take part. You can be a walker or runner to raise donations or you can be a donator and give to a walker or runner. Some centers may have other fundraising methods, like bake sales, craft fairs, silent auctions, bike races, musical performances, and other similar types of events. If you are really great at project management, offer to plan an event for your local facility.

Direct Donations
Many facilities welcome donations of all kinds, at any time. You can donate money by sending a check to the center, or dropping it off in person. Get a receipt as your donation may be tax deductible. Sometimes, centers will also welcome donations of non-perishable goods, such as canned food, bedding, and toiletries. Or, inquire about volunteering at the center and donate your time.

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Intervention Information

When a loved one has a serious substance abuse problem it might be time for an intervention. An addict whose life has been ruined by drugs or alcohol will need something severe to get them to understand that they need help. There are a couple different approaches to having an intervention for your family member or friend.

Depending on the level of help your loved one needs, and the comfort level of those involved in the intervention, you might be able to have one without a professional. But, it is really recommended that you hire a professional that is trained in how to handle an intervention because it can get messy.

The intervention should be held in a place that person is familiar with, but will not be inclined to exit quickly, like a hotel or workplace. It is best if the addict does not know about the intentions of the meeting because he probably will not show up if he does know it’s an intervention.

Everyone involved in the intervention, except the addict, will meet at least once. The professional will go over what will happen and what to expect during the process. You may be asked to write a letter to read to the addict, or bring pictures of a happier time with the addict when she was much healthier and ultimately from a time when there was no substance abuse.

One of the most important things that you can do for your loved one is to be strong and firm. It will be hard, but sometimes love is hard. Remember, it is in the best interest of the drug addict to get help, even if you have to push him to it.

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What Happens When We Drink Alcohol?

Alcohol is a depressant that includes liquor, beer and wine. When an individual consumes alcohol, it goes down the throat and is absorbed by the stomach. Then, the alcohol enters the bloodstream where it goes to all the tissues in the body, including the brain. The actual effects of alcohol will vary by the person’s weight, size, age, and even gender. The effects of alcohol are also dependant on how much is consumed and if the person has recently eaten any food. The more alcohol that is drank, and the less food in the stomach, will provide greater effects on the body.

Typical side effects of drinking alcohol include a disinhibiting effect, which is why many people drink at social events. Alcohol also causes talkativeness and dizziness, disturbed sleep, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, impaired judgment, and lack of coordination. Sometimes, people drinking alcohol will exhibit increased acts of aggressiveness that can lead to violence and abuse. Of course, the there is the dreaded hangover the day after large amounts of alcohol has been consumed, which usually consists of headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and thirst.

When people drink a lot of alcohol often, and for a long period of time, it can lead to addiction, or alcoholism. If an alcoholic suddenly stops drinking after a long time of alcohol consumption, they will most likely experience withdrawal symptoms. Withrawal is characterized by tremors, severe anxiety, convulsions, and hallucinations.

Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to many health problems, especially liver damage and brain damage. Pregnant women who drink put their child at great risk of having fetal alcohol syndrome, which includes mental illnesses and physical abnormalities that can not be reversed. Research shows that a child of an alcoholic parent has a high risk of becoming an alcoholic too.

Filed Under: Substance Abuse & The Body Tagged With: , ,
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