If you choose to use a professional interventionist drug and/or alcohol interventions start around $1,800 and cost upwards of $10,000. However, in certain situations sliding fee or financing options may exist. While it might be tempting to consider a lower-priced option, this service could save your loved one’s life.

If you have a loved one suffering from a substance use disorder, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard of an intervention. Despite this, you may not know exactly what this entails. You likely have many questions, not least of which is—how much does it cost?

What Is A Drug Or Alcohol Intervention?

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) tells us that “The goal of intervention is to present the alcohol or drug user with a structured opportunity to accept help and to make changes before things get even worse.” During an intervention, a group of people gather together to outline the negative consequences of addiction. These individuals most often are friends, family, and even co-workers or the individual’s religious leader.

Who Leads A Drug Or Alcohol Intervention?

Contrary to what some individuals may think, it is not always best for an intervention to be independently planned or led by the substance abuser’s loved ones. In fact, most groups who specialize in addiction medicine, including NCADD, recommend this responsibility be left to a professional. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence tells us that the following professionals may lead an intervention

• An alcohol and addictions counselor
• Interventionist
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Social Worker

In addition, certain doctors or clergy may take on these responsibilities. While these individuals may offer intervention services, an individual who is trained as a professional interventionist has greater training and knowledge to do so.

What Does An Interventionist Do?

In order to understand the price of these services, it is important to fully grasp what these individuals do. For an addicted individual, it can be difficult to reason or make sound judgements due to the way the substance abuse affects a person’s brain. A professional keenly understands this and is specifically trained in the best ways to communicate important information to your loved one. You’re not just paying for their credentials, you’re paying for their expertise, and the way in which they execute the intervention.

The benefit of an interventionist goes two ways. Should tensions arise, the interventionist works to smooth out these feelings while effectively communicating the goals of the intervention. Their arsenal of interpersonal skills will help you too. The interventionist becomes a bridge between you and your loved one. This aids you in more effectively communicating your worries and the hope for a better future which you hold for your loved one. As the end goal of an intervention is treatment, an interventionist should also possess a keen understanding of effective treatment options to help you develop a plan.

What Determines The Price Of An Intervention?

The price of an intervention is variable and based on several factors, including:

• The intensity of drug abuse (i.e. is it intermittent abuse or full-fledged addiction)
• Who performs it (their profession, credentials, etc.)
• How long this individual spends planning and preparing for it
• The type of intervention
• How long the actual intervention takes
• Any other associated costs
• If you want them to take your loved on to the treatment facility

Prior to beginning services, an interventionist should thoroughly assess your situation so that they can give you an estimate of the cost ahead of time.

How Much Does A Brief Intervention Cost?

Just as treatment is based on a person’s particular needs, so is an intervention. Perhaps your loved one isn’t yet addicted to drugs or alcohol; however, they are starting to exhibit some behaviors which worry you. Preventative measures are one of the most powerful tools for protecting your loved one from addiction. In these cases, a brief intervention may be sufficient for your needs.

This evidence-based tactic “is not intended to treat people with serious substance dependence, but rather to treat problematic or risky substance use, according to SAMHSA who continues to say that “In primary care settings, brief interventions last from 5 minutes of brief advice to 15-30 minutes of brief counseling.” In these cases, if charged only for office hours, a brief intervention is on the lower end of the cost spectrum.

How Much Does An Intervention Cost?

If you think your loved one’s needs go beyond the needs of a brief intervention, such as in the case of addiction, we strongly suggest a professional interventionist. While it is true that this is the most expensive option, it is the option which most typically offers you the highest chance at optimal results.

Not every city offers professional intervention services. In certain cases, the interventionist may have to travel to you and stay the night. While some services include these associated costs, others charge extra for transportation and lodging, so make sure you inquire beforehand. This is especially true if the individual has to fly and purchase airfare.

In order for an intervention to be successful, it needs to be thorough both in the preparation and execution. To do this, many interventions occur over two days—the first being a family consultation and the second the actual intervention. In some cases, the interventionist may need to stay several days, so additional lodging fees may be required.

Before the process begins, a non-refundable deposit is usually required. This typically takes the form of a certified check, credit card, or money order. While some basic interventions cost $1,800-$2,000 (before airfare and lodging), many intervention services charge between $3,500 and $10,000. Don’t forget—these costs do not include treatment and insurance does not usually cover these fees. But some services do offer sliding fee or financing options, so make sure to look into these before you make your final decision. Additionally, if you can’t afford it, perhaps a close loved one can help you. Other options include personal loans.

Lastly, should you wish, many interventionists will actually accompany your loved one to treatment. Again, transportation costs may apply (including, if applicable, a plane ticket for your loved one), as well as an additional fee for this service. We found this fee to be around $400. Each service is different, so you should always double check prices against the services offered before you commit to anything.

Are There Cheaper Interventions?

Again, other professionals may offer intervention services; however, you must consider your loved one’s situation and the desired outcome. In limited instances, such as those involving clergy-led interventions, the intervention may be free. However, in this case free is relative—if the intervention doesn’t work and the individual returns to substance abuse, the cost could in fact be great. In these cases, these individuals may have little to no training in the critical components of an effective intervention.

Some of the other aforementioned individuals may be cheaper, charging only their regular office hour fees with or without additional charges. However, the quality of care may not be as extensive as your situation demands. Not all of these individuals are adept at offering in-depth services. Because of this, the intervention may not be as effective. Getting a person into treatment as soon as possible is essential.

Putting The Cost In Perspective

A substance use disorder becomes costly with prolonged use. This financial burden extends past the amount of the substance itself, and for many, over time, this lifestyle carries a hefty price tag. As time passes, if left untreated, a substance use disorder can amass not just financial hardships, but physical, mental, and emotional ones. If your loved one has an addiction you’ve likely witnessed this within not only their life, but yours. While an intervention may seem costly now, over time, the combined costs of continued substance abuse may be many times greater.

While these costs may seem overwhelming, consider the fact it is an investment in your loved one’s future, sobriety, and better health.

We Can Support You In Getting Your Loved One The Help They Need

It can be very intimidating to consider all your options when you’re looking to get a loved one help, especially when you’re considering your finances. DrugRehab.org understands this and wants to work with you to develop a plan that best fits your financial needs, while ensuring your loved one gets exceptional care. We can help you find an inpatient drug rehab program which will provide the best measure of individualized treatment for your loved one. Contact us now.

For More Information Related to “How Much Does a Drug and/or Alcohol Intervention Cost?” Be Sure To Check Out These Additional Resources From DrugRehab.org:

• How To Stage An Intervention
• Common Street Names For Illegal Drugs
• How Do I Get My Loved One Into Rehab?
• Environmental Risk Factors for Developing an Addiction
• Breaking the Cycle of Addiction through Family Intervention

Sources

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence — Intervention – Tips And Guidelines
SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions — SBIRT: Brief Intervention

Today more Americans are embracing a new social scene: the sober night out.

Happy hour can be just as spirited for nondrinkers, with plenty of options besides club soda and Shirley Temples. And with the growing popularity of “dry” bars and sober events, you can revel into the wee hours without regret.

Hosting a party? Try crafting a “mocktail” that mimics the kick of a mojito or the sweet and sour notes of a perfect highball. Whatever your pleasure, you don’t have to lose the flavor when you skip the liquor.

Here’s a roundup of our favorite, easy-to-follow recipes that deliver a fresh take on cocktails – without the booze. Cheers!

15 Classic Bar Drinks with an Alcohol-Free Twist:

Harlem’s acclaimed restaurant, The Cecil, makes a “mind-blowing” alternative to gin and tonic, according to Food & Wine Magazine. The secret ingredient is Ditakh juice, a tart drink that hails from the West African Ditakh fruit. You can buy Ditakh juice (also known as ditax) at African markets and some large chain grocery stores such as H-E-B based in Texas.

Get the recipe from Food & Wine here.

Other zero-proof options for gin and tonic lovers include this enticing grapefruit-and-juniper berry infused drink from Eat Drink Paleo: get the recipe here. Or turn up the heat with the Turmeric-Ginger Tonic With Chia Seeds from Bon Appétit. Get the recipe here.

Skip the hangover and satisfy your craving for a Bloody Mary with a savory, alcohol-free version of the quintessential cocktail. V8 Juice offers up the super easy “Bloody Mary Mocktail.” Just stir together vegetable juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce and hot chili sauce, then pour over ice and garnish with lemon.

Get the recipe from V8 Juice here.

If your palate is thirsty for a fresher, more complex taste, try the Virgin Marys from Food Network goddess Ina Garten.

Get the recipe from Food Network here.

Or make a “Tricky Mary” from Heads Up, a responsible drinking research project at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles. Get all the LMU mocktail recipes here.

The smoky, caramel taste of bourbon is captured in this booze-free take on the classic Old-Fashioned, from professional photographer James Freeman.

For his “Bold-Fashioned,” Freeman roasts and chills barley tea, then muddles an orange slice and two cherries in the bottom of a bourbon glass, adding a splash of aromatic bitters.

“A great Old Fashioned is won and lost in the muddling. Yes, muddling,” Freeman says. “I’ve drank many an Old Fashioned where the ingredients were just slapped together like a fast-food burger. Respect the beverage man!”

To finish the Bold-Fashioned, add chilled barley tea and bourbon caramel syrup to the glass – then top with a splash of club soda, orange peel and bitters.
Get Freeman’s recipe, which appears on tattooedmartha.com, here.

The iconic drink sported by James Bond and Don Draper is hard to clone without the liquor. But there are plenty of delicious, fruitful alternatives to the martini. Try, for example, the festive Cran-Raspberry Martini that swaps the olive and a twist for a skewered raspberry garnish.

Get the recipe from delish.com here.

The sparkling Virgin Apple Martini is a breeze to make. Just blend a bit of Granny Smith apple with four common ingredients and pour into a martini glass. Get the recipe from S. Martinelli & Company here.

Another retro cocktail, the Manhattan inspires several bittersweet imitations.

“I’ll Fake Manhattan” is a simple mocktail made with orange bitters, juices and grenadine; get the recipe from CookLime here.

The Cherry Manhattan owes its complex, smoky flavors to strong black tea mixed with pure cherry juice and a triple dash of Angostura bitters. Get the recipe from Real Simple here.

For another tangy alternative with no cloying sweetness, try this Upper Manhattan mocktail from Not The Settling Kind.

Jimmy Buffett would approve of these tasty virgin Margaritas. The popular cocktail comes in endless combinations that are quick to adapt without alcohol.

Macayo’s Mexican Table, a historic restaurant chain in Arizona and Nevada, gives a primer on how to craft a Margarita mocktail (with recipes).

Get helpful tips from Macayo’s here.

Or make the sexy Virgin Mango Margarita, garnished with blackberries, from Latin Times Magazine. Get the recipe here.

Short on time? Try this frothy mock Margarita from Kraft, which uses prepared strawberry-kiwi drink mix. Get the recipe from Kraft here.

A sweet union of peach nectar and sparkling Italian wine makes the bellini a classic brunch cocktail. Nondrinkers can enjoy this balmy, faux version created with fresh strawberries and sparkling apple cider:

Get the recipe for the Virgin Strawberry Bellini (created by Del Posto in Manhattan) on delish.com here.

Bellini buffs can also raise a glass to the “Baby Bellini Mocktail” from Viva La Vegan; you can even use canned peaches as a shortcut.

Get the recipe, and other mocktail formulas from Viva La Vegan here.

Fresh citrus fruits and premium, natural juices are the base for a refreshing non-alcoholic sangria from The Intoxicologist. Get the recipe for Sangria Faux You here.

As The Intoxicologist advises, “Don’t skimp on presentation. Serve non-alcoholic cocktails in beautiful stemware with proper garnishes just as you would any other cocktail.” You’ll also want to go easy on the sugar when you make a mocktail, lest you end up with a syrupy kiddie drink.

The simple Virgin White Sangria is one of four “can’t miss mocktails” from sheknows.com. Get the recipe here.

And for a restorative, nutrient-rich Mock Sangria, try this recipe from Cook For Your Life: get it here.

Toast any occasion with these enticing mock champagne and mimosa drinks.

Just three ingredients and – voilà! – these fizzy faux champagnes are ready to serve. Get the recipes from allrecipes.com here.

• Introduce a frothy Orange Cream Mimosa Mocktail to your next holiday brunch. Get the recipe from A Sprinkle of This and That here.
• For a lighter alternative, try this Skinny Mimosa Mocktail, simply made with orange juice and lemon Dasani Sparkling Water: get the recipe from The Pinning Mama here.

This Hurricane Mocktail packs a punch, thanks to its tart fruit juices and amaretto syrup. Serve it Big Easy-style in a curved glass, like they do at Pat Obrien’s in New Orleans, birthplace of the Hurricane. Get the recipe from Mix That Drink here.

An aromatic mix of coffee and cocoa powder give this Mock White Russian its bold taste. Get the recipe from livingsober.org here.

You won’t miss the rum with these cool stand-ins for the Mojito, a Cuban highball. Don’t crush the mint leaves, or you’ll end up with a grassy-tasting mocktail. You can check out this primer on how to properly muddle mint and other herbs, from Serious Eats.

Torani, the syrup maker, concocts a Virgin Coco Mojito; get the recipe here.

Or try the “Nojito,” which adds a bit of brown sugar to replace the sweetness of the rum. Get the recipe from Mix That Drink here.

The lush summertime concoction loved by Ernest Hemingway (with its original simplicity of rum, lime and sugar) is easy to adapt for nondrinkers.

Fresh passionfruit, added to a shaker with lime and sparkling water, is the secret to the LaCroix Passionfruit Faux Daiquiri; get the recipe here.

Food Network combines pineapple, strawberry and lime for a fruity Virgin Daiquiri; get the recipe here.

And this simple, Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri “will make your tastebuds sing,” according to the site lovetoknow.com. Find the recipe here.

Get the party started with a mock Cosmopolitan, or cosmo, the contemporary drink popularized on Sex and the City. Williams-Sonoma replaces the vodka with fresh tangerine juice in its Virgin Cosmopolitan. Get the recipe here. Or try this Faux Cosmo that gets its kick from Red Bull: find the recipe at The Intoxicologist here.

Spiced apple cider and ginger syrup add some heat to this non-alcoholic “Morning Mai Tai.” Get the recipe from Food and Wine here. Tiki King uses exotic syrups, grenadine and bitters for its bracing Virgin Mai Tai; get the recipe from Tiki King here.

Cheers!

Opioid addiction has claimed the lives of millions of people over centuries of use. In the past, treatment options were extremely limited, but science has finally caught up and offered a variety of useful medical treatments. Two of the most popular, methadone and suboxone, have been prescribed to people all across the nation to decrease the severity of their withdrawal symptoms.

As you might expect, these two substances create different reactions in the body and the mind. Both have their advantages and disadvantages and understanding these can help make it easier for you to choose the best one for your needs. The following information will help educate you on how each substance helps treat addiction, their pros and cons, and which may be right for you.

The Differences Between These Two Substances

Before delving into the pros and cons of these medications, it’s worth looking into the way they differ from one another. Understanding the ways in which they work to treat your addiction can help streamline your decision-making process and help you choose the best possible treatment for your needs. We’ll start by taking a look at the most well-known of the two: methadone.

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since the 1960s. It is a synthetic substance that falls under the heading of opiate agonist. This means that it stimulates the areas of the brain affected by opiate addiction. It is generally taken once every 24 to 36 hours and helps eliminate physical withdrawal symptoms while also helping to stop cravings for unsafe opiates, such as heroin and morphine.

This substance, when carefully monitored, has been shown to be an effective way to slowly eliminate the need for opioids. However, other substances have been created to help people who either don’t react well with it or need a different approach. That’s where suboxone comes into play.

Suboxone is a relatively new treatment that works on two different levels. It is actually a combination of opioid agonists, usually Buprenorphine, and antagonists, like Naloxone. By combining these substances, it will help alleviate your withdrawal symptoms (the job of the agonist) and cause repulsive reactions should you use opiates (the antagonist reaction).

The Pros And Cons Of Methadone

One of the major pros of methadone is its well-studied nature. It has been used for more than 30 years and has been studied and tested multiple times during that duration. This means scientists understand the way it affects the body more thoroughly than they do suboxone. As a result, it’s easier for them to find a healthy and safe dose quickly and without much experimentation.

That well-known nature has also made methadone a more widely accepted treatment option. As a result, the cost of it has been driven down and more insurances are likely to cover it over other treatments or medications. Even if you don’t have insurance, many clinics offer it on a sliding scale based on your personal income.

Methadone treatment is also highly structured and long-lasting. Each patient receives one dose on a carefully monitored schedule. This helps give people recovering from addiction a focus that is easy to follow and immediately understandable. It may also give them the motivation they need to succeed.

However, methadone, like any treatment method, is not perfect and it has flaws that you need to consider before choosing it as your treatment option. One of the major problems with methadone is that it’s possible to continue using other opioids while using it. Unfortunately, this makes it harder for people with severe addictions to recover successfully.

While methadone may cause a series of non-serious physical side effects, such as constipation, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction, it is generally a safe, effective, and manageable way to treat opioid addiction. Its cons are easily manageable with determination and focus, while its pros are enough to make it worth considering.

The Pros And Cons Of Suboxone

People struggling with opioid addiction have noted that the two-pronged approach of suboxone is a great way to detoxify the body. The partial agonist ensures that they don’t feel the kind of physical and emotional distress that makes withdrawal and recovery so difficult. The antagonist, on the other hand, makes it more difficult or impossible to use other opioids at the same time, making relapse less likely.

Being unable to use opiates is a major blessing for anyone struggling with addiction. Knowing that that these substances can’t be used often forces many people to accept a recovery they may have been fighting against. As a result, their mind will be a little more clear than it would have been otherwise, making it easier to understand the necessity of their rehabilitation.

Suboxone also works on a quicker time scale than methadone. It can take several weeks or even months to wean off of opiates using methadone, but suboxone can help you overcome your physical withdrawal in less than a week. This increased speed means that you spend more of your rehab time focusing on treating the problems that influence your addiction, rather than the physical side.

Unfortunately, people who use suboxone have reported a wide range of clinical side effects, including:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Depression
• Decreased sex drive

Suboxone has also been shown to generate a reaction when used concurrently with alcohol, sedatives, and other tranquilizers. In fact, using high levels of opioids while on suboxone may also trigger similar symptoms, including confusion and extreme drowsiness. Thankfully, these reactions are easily avoided as long as you stay away from these substances, but they should be noted.

Another problem is the fact that suboxone is nowhere near as widely known or as tested and studied as methadone. Its relatively new nature means it’s also more expensive than methadone, even when it is covered by health insurance. While some clinics will utilize a sliding scale for suboxone, not all of them can easily afford that option.

On a positive note, suboxone is most commonly used outside of a daily-attended clinic. Those prescribed are usually able to take their prescription home with them, after seeing an authorized doctor, and continue a normal schedule with work, school, and regular activities as they continue on suboxone until they’re able to manage their life in recovery without it. Methadone, on the flip side, is still usually used and highly monitored in a clinical setting, where those prescribed are to visit a clinic daily to get their dose. This can interfere with many responsibilities in life and could make returning to regular activity, such as work, much more difficult.

Both Can Be An Effective Way To Quit Opiates Forever

Whichever method you choose, you can be rest assured that both can help you wean off of opiates in a safe and productive manner. However, it’s difficult to manage these methods on your own, which makes attending a rehab center so important. Please contact us at DrugRehab.org if you or someone you love needs help recovering from opiate addiction. It’ll be the best decision you’ve ever made.

One of the least discussed problems that often plagues drug addiction is the creation of codependent relationships. If you’re in a relationship with someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, you need to understand if your relationship falls under this banner.

It’s also important that you understand how to break the codependency cycle and get your loved one into a recovery environment. This process is not only important for your loved one, but for you as well, as it can create a more stable relationship environment and help you live a happier and more fulfilling life.

What Are Codependent Relationships?

Relationships that are codependent are highly dysfunctional and emotionally manipulative. Basically, they are relationships in which both people rely heavily on one another for emotional stability. You might think that all relationships require a balance of emotional attachment, but codependent relationships go a step further.

A typical codependent relationship consists of one person who uses the other to achieve their own personal needs. For example, in a relationship with drug addiction, the person addicted might manipulate their partner to get drugs or provide a place in which to live. It goes beyond merely getting help, though, and becomes a way to justify and enable negative behaviors, such as continued drug use.

The second person in this relationship is the “giver” and they do everything that the other person asks. Usually, they have problems with self-esteem and want to help people in any way they can in order to feel loved. As a result, they enable their loved one’s continued bad behavior in exchange for still having them as a partner.

If this sounds like you, you aren’t alone. Millions of people across the nation are currently in codependent relationships, including relationships that involve drug abuse and addiction. Not only is there a way out, but there are ways to break free from codependency while maintaining a relationship. First, it’s important to identify whether or not your relationship truly counts as codependent.

Behaviors Typical Of Codependent Relationships

People who enable drug abuse in a codependent relationship often follow a series of personality traits and behaviors, including:

• Heavy guilt
• Drive to please or “fix” others
• Difficulty setting boundaries
• Ridiculous and excessive emotional reactions
• Problems with rejection
• Control-freak personality traits

Basically, enablers are willing to put the needs of others before their own and are desperate to stay in the relationship. As a result, they will bend over backward to help a loved one continue their drug use and even ignore the negative consequences of their actions.

Conversely, the “users” in a codependent relationship have their own set of traits and personality behaviors, including:

• Childishness
• Emotional neediness
• Constant need to know where their partner’s whereabouts
• Jealousy and anger control
• Manipulative and controlling personality traits

“But,” you say, “my loved one never had those traits before they started using drugs.” That doesn’t matter. If your addicted loved one is using right now, it may be changing his or her behavior. Remember that people who are addicted to drugs are often desperate to continue their use and can become entirely different people as a result.

How Drug Use Can Fuel Codependent Relationships

Drug use and addiction can cause a variety of situations that can lead to codependency, including the following problems and how you solve them:

• Loss of job (creates a need for funds for drugs)
• Home loss (makes your home an important place to stay)
• Driver’s license suspension (need for a driver)
• Isolation from other friends and family members (no one else to whom they can turn)

Basically, drug use forces your loved one to become reliant on you in an almost child-like way. You need to buy them food (and drugs), give them a place to live, drive them where they need to go, and provide constant companionship. They will want to know where you’re at at all times and are likely to demand difficult things from you in order to make you “prove your love.”

Your role in this relationship is just as complex and difficult. Likely, you want to help your loved one get out of the rut of drug addiction and back on their feet. So you’re willing to do anything you can to help. However, you may also have been embarrassed by their addiction and work hard to try to cover it up. Rather than alienating you from your loved one, it will make you feel like a parent and a caregiver.

As a result, you’ll start enabling them to do anything they want as they become something like a spoiled brat. Part of you feels satisfaction at helping them, but also frustration at their helplessness, fear from their addiction, and depression in regard to them not getting any better. As their addiction increases in severity, they may become abusive and treat you in an awful manner as a result of these codependency issues.

Unfortunately, abuse like this often makes people feel worthless and keeps them stuck to the abuser for a long time. And that’s the major truth about codependency. Codependency is a form of two-way abuse that hurts both members equally. While you’re being taken advantage of by your loved one, your behaviors are only enabling them to stay addicted. That’s why you need to break the cycle.

Breaking The Codependency Cycle

Codependency is a bad cycle that can seem impossible to break. If you’re in a codependent relationship, you know the kind of emotional and even physical bonds they impose. Breaking through a codependent cycle is the first step in getting your loved one help and the initial phase in that process is identifying the causes of codependency. Codependency has a wide variety of causes, including:

• Self-esteem problems
• Anxiety in social situation
• Abuse (verbal, emotional, or even sexual)
• Emotional attachment to a person or situation
• Actual physical need for a person (such as need of a home or food)
• Feeling like you need to take care of a person

These influences can be present in one or both parties, but codependency requires both partners actively supporting it. For example, you may feel that your loved one would die of a drug overdose without you there to monitor their use or buy them safe and clean substances. On this same note, perhaps your loved one relies on your money to buy their drugs or alcohol.

So how can you break the cycle of codependency? You need to have the personal strength to stand up to your loved one and tell them you’re no longer going to support their drug habit. Tell them they have to either quit using and get back on their feet or you will walk out the door. You are creating a sense of consequences for their actions and you have to go through with them.

This isn’t going to be easy! They are going to cry, wheedle, beg, and try to manipulate you into not going through with it. They will be desperate to both keep you and their drug and will make a lot of promises and excuses. You need to hold them accountable for it and go through with your consequences if they fail.

What you’ll find is that your loved one will immediately commit themselves to recovering from addiction. This is a major first step for both of you. Not only have you finally said “no” and broken the cycle of codependency, but they are willing to break their own cycle by getting help. Now the next step requires actually getting that help.

Helping Your Loved One Get Help

Once you’ve got your loved one ready to accept help for their addiction, you need to do what you can to help keep them out of the rut of addiction. This is also crucial for your personal needs as you have to identify the traits that allowed you to fall into this type of relationship and how you can avoid it in the future.

The process of treating a dual diagnosis may be necessary for this situation. Dual diagnosis applications of treatment apply to both mental health disorders and addiction at the same time by assessing both in one patient and utilizing powerful treatment methods, such as psychological counseling, withdrawal treatment, and behavioral adjustment techniques.

Due to the unique relationship dynamic, you will be heavily involved in your loved one’s recovery. It can help teach both of you how to avoid falling victim to codependency in the future. It might even be able to save your relationship. However, neither of you can fall back into the groove of codependency or all that help will be for nothing.

Turn To Us For Help

Breaking codependency can help you get the self-confidence you need to say “no” and can get your loved one into the treatment they need to life a healthy and drug-free life. To learn more about the process of dual diagnosis and anything else involved with rehab, please contact us at DrugRehab.org today. We can get you the help you need to fuel recovery.

Understand The Five Stages Of Grief And How To Get Through Them

When your loved one passes away, you may go through five distinct phases of grief. The fact that drug addiction caused the death is going to make many of these stages more troublesome to pass through, but with help, you can cope with and manage the difficulty of each step.

Here are the stages you can expect, as well as ways in which you can recover:

• Denial and isolation – Here, you are going to isolate yourself from grief by denying the reality of the situation. This stage is potent in drug deaths because they are often so sudden. You might ask somebody if they are “kidding” or even joke about the death in an off-hand way. This phase will likely pass quickly into the next.
• Anger – In a drug death, you are often going to blame everybody you can. Their dealer, their friends, yourself, people who used with them, people who didn’t, society, the drug: everyone will be to blame but your loved one. Get through this phase by accepting that your loved one’s behavior can be blamed on no one but themselves. A harsh truth, but one that must be understood.
• Bargaining – After you’ve gotten control of your anger, you may want to control the situation by “bargaining” with it. For example, you might say something like “if only we had talked to them about their addiction sooner” or “if we had only sent them to rehab.” Understand that the situation is out of your control and that there is nothing you can do to change what has happened.
• Depression – Losing control of the situation will plunge you into depression. This phase is often the lengthiest and is caused by the sense of loss and, in drug deaths, it is also caused by a feeling of senselessness and pointlessness. It is wise to talk to a psychologist or friends offering support during this phase.
• Acceptance – This is the hardest stage to reach for anyone who has lost a loved one and it is especially difficult in drug deaths. How do you accept the loss of a loved one when you think it could have been prevented? How can you not be angry at someone who used with them? There’s no set path for you to take in order to reach acceptance, but understanding that your loved one is in a better place and there was nothing you could have done to change the situation will help.

Acceptance isn’t giving up on your loved one or somehow ignoring them. It is simply moving past the death and letting the reality of it no longer actively affect you. Yes, you will remember your loved one forever, but you can move on and live your life again. You might have a hard time with this, due to the nature of their passing, but it is possible in all circumstances.

Reach Out To Others Who Are Affected

When someone you love passes away, it is easy to feel like you are alone in your grief and that their death has only affected you. This is especially true with drug addiction deaths as they can seem so fruitless and pointless. However, there are others who are just as affected as you and who need just as much comfort.

If you’re able, reach out to the following people in your loved one’s life to make a personal connection and to ensure that their death has a meaning:

• Other family members of the loved one
• Friends who did not use drugs
• Friends who did use drugs and perhaps feel guilty
• A spouse or partner
• Children of the loved one

It’s easy to feel anger at people who have used drugs with your loved one. You may blame them or think they somehow contributed. And people who feel no guilt or remorse are probably worth avoiding. However, those who feel guilt and want to change should be embraced. You may be able to help them beat their addiction and keep another person from drug-related death.

Helping another person like this can help you better understand the nature of addiction (it IS a sickness) and give you a rush of positive emotions, however, you should also avoid investing too much of your emotion in someone who is struggling with addiction.

Often, helping another person suffering from a drug addiction may fill a void that was created by your deceased loved one. But, if this person struggles to get sober while you are involved or even passes away due to addiction, you are going to feel even more devastated. So the best advice is to approach them caringly, but maintain an emotional distance until they are clean.

Create A Support Group

After you’ve reached out to other people who you know have been affected by the death of your loved one, bring them all together in a support group. Here, you can talk about your grief and find ways to move on from it together. Sharing stories, remembering positive moments, and engaging each other in constructive ways can help all of you move beyond your grief.

Utilize social media resources, such as Facebook and Twitter, to create a group where you can share memories and strength. Everyone will need someone they can trust and who has gone through the same experience. Banding together creates a circle of positive emotion that can bring happiness back into your life in a gradual, yet constructive manner.

You can even expand the nature of your group by volunteering for anti-drug groups that focus on education and prevention. Share your story with youths and others who could be affected by drugs early in life;help them understand how dangerous it is and why they need to abstain from use and avoid others who use.

This kind of activity can make you feel like an active and vital member of society, one who is fighting against the epidemic of drugs in this country. Though it may be hard to believe, your story and your actions may help inspire others to either avoid drugs or quit before addiction becomes a problem. Anyone can make a difference, even if it starts small and subtly.

Books That May Help

If you enjoy reading and have recovered from grief in the past through literature, there are many fine books available that can help you get comfort during this difficult time. Each of these books focuses on healing through the death of a loved one due to addiction, many of them written by people who lost a child or a loved one due to this illness:

• Losing Jonathan, Robert and Linda Waxler
• One-Way Ticket: Our Son’s Addiction To Heroin, Rita Lowenthal
• When a Child Dies From Drugs; Practical Help for Parents in Bereavement, by Pat and Russ Wittberger
• Sunny’s Story, Ginger Katz
• Living When a Loved One Has Died, Earl A. Grossman
• I Am Your Disease: The Many Faces of Addiction, Sheryl Letzgus McGinnis

While these books feature many heart wrenching stories and difficult sequences, each ends with the writer recovering their hope and moving on from grief. They are poignant and gorgeously written books filled with many inspirational quotes that may help your heart experience the relief that it needs after losing your loved one.

Don’t Let Grief Take Over Your Life

Drug and alcohol addiction takes the lives of too many of our beautiful children and it can be difficult to move on. Grief can take a debilitating toll on the heart, one that demands your attention without mercy. But you can survive this loss and move on to regain your life.

If you need someone to talk to or have a loved one you want to save from addiction, please contact us right away at DrugRehab.org to learn more.

A relapse prevention plan is a system of ideas for avoiding relapse. Utilizing coping skills is often challenging, especially in early recovery. When you’ve grown accustom to using a substance to deal with stress, you’re forced to choose alternatives on your path to sobriety.

That’s when a relapse prevention plan is so crucial. It provides strategies and techniques for coping with stress and makes each event a little less difficult. Sticking to a strict plan is important in maintaining sobriety, as it offers options when those in recovery experience confusion or difficulty coping.

Identifying Relapse Triggers

A relapse trigger is an event or emotion that stimulates the urge to start using again. In order to utilize a relapse prevention plan, you must identify your personal triggers. If you’ve relapsed before, it may help to take note of your surroundings before the incident. This can help you develop a plan and see yourself through future triggers. While listing triggers, consider:

• People and places that could influence your decision to relapse.
• Emotions, such as anxiety and depression.
• Potential breakups, deaths, and work trouble.
• Financial distress.
• Hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness (HALT).
• Accessibility of substances.
• Arguments or physical altercations.

Identifying your common relapse triggers is tricky because are predictable while others can take you by surprise. Regardless of the nature of the trigger, sobriety should be your number one concern. While it’s not fun to think of the possible adversity you’ll face, utilizing this information can make a big difference in the success of a relapse prevention plan.

Developing A Plan Of Action

Once you’ve identified your relapse triggers, it is time to develop a plan of action. In order to do this, you must think of the best ways to combat potential situations before they happen. If you are having trouble in your relationship, for instance, you may need to identify this as a potential trigger. Having a system can assist you in maintaining sobriety when times are most difficult. To develop a plan of action:

• List potential triggers and a possible exit strategy for each. Consider simple solutions at first so you are better able to process your situation.
• Have contact information readily available for your sober living coach, sponsor, a trusted friend, and/or a family member. This will give you resources for guidance and help keep you grounded while working through the cravings.
• Write potential rationalizations for use and the reasons they are wrong. While you’re committed to being sober, your mind is much clearer than it will be when a trigger strikes. It helps to have a sober reminder of your commitment to recovery.
• List the reasons for your sobriety and the implications of relapse.
• Consider the possibility of relapse and develop a course of action to deal with it. While it is not ideal, the actions following a slip up can make all of the difference in the outcome.
• Attend AA meetings or therapy sessions.

Many programs will implement a relapse prevention plan as part of addiction treatment. Informing your therapist, sober living coach, sponsor, close friends, and family of your plan can help carry out the strategy if there is trouble. Each time you resist the urge to relapse you’re developing coping skills and further increasing the chances that sobriety will stick.

A Plan For Sobriety

When facing hurdles in recovery, a relapse prevention plan offers a lifeline to many people. These plans help those in recovery remain sober. Sometimes, your plan will need updating to stay relevant. Maintaining your plan will aid in lasting sobriety, even after you’re confident in your power.

Becoming aware of triggers and utilizing your tools can make all of the difference. By developing a plan, you are furthering your commitment to recovery, and providing yourself the tools to succeed.

We Can Help

Sobriety is made much easier when a relapse prevention plan is in place. If you or a loved one needs help developing or utilizing a plan, the caring staff at DrugRehab.org is here for you. We can help you through any concerns you may have regarding your new journey. Contact us today.

Urges to drink are fairly common for most people recovering from alcoholism. A stressful situation may bring on alcohol cravings, leaving those in recovery feeling vulnerable. Thankfully, alcohol cravings are temporary, manageable, and easy to predict. Through distraction, self-inventory, and medical intervention, you may find an effective way to stop alcohol cravings at the source.

Distraction

When alcohol cravings strike, you are likely to fixate on drinking. Whether the situation transpired from a stressful event or seemingly out of nowhere, it is important to find a way to deflect the urge to drink. Finding a distraction can greatly increase the chance that a craving does not escalate into relapse. A few ways to distract yourself from cravings include:

• Taking a walk. This will provide much-needed time to think about something else. In addition, you’ll have sensory stimulation from fresh air, scenery, and exercise. Focus on the outdoors and give yourself a break from your current surroundings.
• Playing puzzle games. This will give you something to do, and something else to think about. Focusing your energy on solving a problem will aid in distracting yourself from cravings.
• Reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to music. Distracting yourself with something enjoyable can ease stress and help you cope when urges strike.

In recovery, it is completely normal to face frequent cravings. Distraction is the most commonly used method of stopping these urges, as psychological and impulse control issues are very prominent in alcoholism. When finding a distraction is not enough, there are methods of working through the cravings with mindful techniques.

Take An Inventory

Sometimes, it’s necessary to really face your alcohol cravings. While this experience may be uncomfortable at best, this could result in a stronger resistance next time around. By reaching out, documenting, and facing the situation, you’re using the urge as a chance to grow. Some of the techniques for taking inventory and facing cravings head-on include:

• Journaling your experience. Identify your surroundings and make note of how you are feeling. Scale each experience based on severity and how you intend to handle the situation. Make a list of the reasons you quit, and what is at stake. Refer to previous entries when needed.
• Contacting your sober living coach or a loved one. Talk about your desire to drink and the reasons you can’t. If necessary, ask for assistance in removing yourself from the situation.
• Accepting your craving, but refusing to cave.
• Reward yourself once cravings have subsided. Allow yourself to communicate this accomplishment at your next meeting, or when speaking with people who are invested in your sobriety.

Remember that each craving is a stepping stone toward stronger will. These moments are difficult to manage in early recovery, but tend to become easier as time goes on. If you are unable to combat cravings on your own, you may want to try a more medicinal approach.

Medicinal Methods For Combating Cravings

There is no right way to fight the urge to drink, except for the one that works for you. The relapse rate for alcoholism is a staggering 90 percent in the first four years of sobriety. This may be discouraging, but understandable considering the trial-and-error nature of recovery. The chances of success in early recovery (when cravings are most prominent) can be greatly increased by the use of medications. Two of the most widely used medications to curb cravings are:

• Antabuse has been in existence to treat alcoholism for over 50 years. Antabuse works by preventing the body from absorbing and using alcohol. When alcohol is consumed, the body reacts adversely, resulting in flushing, nausea, and palpitations. This could aid in craving management, as you are less likely to drink without reward.
• Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that works against alcohol. Naltrexone blocks pleasure receptors that make alcohol seem enjoyable. This blocks the “pleasure loop,” and prevents over consumption in the event of relapse.

Antabuse and Naltrexone are proven methods of preventative care in people struggling with sobriety. While no drug can be guaranteed to prevent relapse, these medications can aid in combating cravings before they happen.

Stopping Alcohol Cravings

Recovery is a long process with many ups and downs. Sometimes, relapse can feel inevitable. Learning to cope with stressful situations and having a contingency plan can greatly improve the outcome of the ever-present craving. Identifying your own triggers can aid in preventative measures and allow you to decline the urge to relapse. With help, many people struggling to stay sober can work through their cravings and maintain sobriety indefinitely.

We Can Help

If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol cravings, you may need some help finding a solution that is right for you. The caring staff at DrugRehab.org is here to provide guidance, resources, and techniques to help you stay sober. Contact us today; we’re here to help.

The relationship between a parent and child is one unlike any other. Parents often carry a role of leadership, prioritizing the health and safety of their children above all else. Even once great parents are susceptible to addiction. When you are faced with the task of finding help for a parent addicted to drugs or alcohol, you are taking action as a caregiver. This role reversal can be challenging at times, but it’s a necessary step to help your parent regain control of their life.

Support Your Parent, Not The Addiction

Offering love and support may be difficult when you’re feeling conflicted, but it’s important to remember that the parent you know is still in there, and can be recovered with help. Some ways to support a parent without enabling addictive behavior include:

• Refusing to retrieve addictive substances, such as prescription pills or alcoholic beverages.
• If your parent is intoxicated, it’s important to find a non-combative method to prevent him or her from getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Offer to drive, or call a cab.
• Do not join in on substance abuse with your parent.
• Offer a judge-free ear to listen, but never promise to keep addiction a secret.
• Keep the lines of communication open.
• Keep an eye out for signs of hopelessness, self-injury, or overdose.

Confronting your mom or dad outright, and demanding rehabilitation may cause some unneeded conflict. This route could hinder a thought-out intervention. If you or your parent have supportive friends or family members who could provide some insight, it could be beneficial to reach out for help with research and approach.

How To Intervene Effectively

When addicted to drugs or alcohol, it may be next to impossible to fully recover without the help of a rehab. Unfortunately, not many people will make the choice to go on their own. The thought of confronting your parent with mutual loved ones can feel like a huge undertaking, but it is very necessary if your parent is reluctant to get help. Key elements of an intervention include:

• In this case, your parent.
• Close friends and family members.
• A mediator – This person is well-versed in intervention processes, and is usually employed by the rehab facility. This person keeps everyone on the same page, and helps to answer questions about the recovery process on-site.
• A suitable rehab to offer as a solution.
• A letter to the person for whom the intervention is held, usually describing how addiction is affecting you. The letter may also cover ultimatums, which will be incentive to get help.

Research is the most important factor in an effective intervention. Offering a solution in a vulnerable situation can be the push needed to get your parent on the road to recovery. Choosing valuable people to provide a supportive network can help your loved one find the strength needed to change.

Support After Treatment

Once treatment through rehab is finished, your parent will require a lot of follow-up to ensure that his or her recovery is on the right track. This could include meetings, therapy, outpatient rehab, a sober living home, and physician-aided treatment. There are many ways to assist your mom or dad with these tasks. Some ideas to help aid your parent in lasting sobriety include:

• Encouragement for accomplishments. Little steps toward a healthier lifestyle are all reasons to celebrate.
• Offer to tag along for a meeting.
• Make yourself present. Check in often, even if it’s a quick call to say hello.
• Become a contact in case a situation raises temptation for relapse. Remember that relapse is not an inevitability, but a possibility. Develop a course of action for possible relapse with your parent.
• Stay positive. Refrain from pointing fingers and unnecessary conflict.
• Show gratitude for efforts.

Taking on a supporting role for a loved one can be very rewarding. Strengthening bonds can do a great deal of good for families dealing with addiction. These bonds are especially important between parents and their children.

Addiction Relief

A parent’s addiction to drugs or alcohol can be especially troubling. You may feel an obligation to protect your parent, while still feeling resentment for their actions. If you have a parent who is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, you may wonder if there is something you can do to help. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help your family move forward, and find relief from drug or alcohol addiction.

We Can Help

Addiction negatively impacts the lives of millions of people every day. If you need help finding relief for a parent addicted to drugs or alcohol, the caring staff at DrugRehab.org is here to help. We can connect you with rehab centers, provide conversation guidance, and offer more ways to help your parent regain control of his or her addiction. Contact us today.

Vacations are a fantastic way to take a break from everyday life. Whether you’re spending a few weeks on an island or a few nights at a bed and breakfast, a vacation can do wonders for mental health. Unfortunately, if you’ve struggled with addiction you know all too well how often vacation can serve as an impetus for “cutting loose” with drugs or alcohol. When planning a vacation in recovery, it is vital to work hard to remain sober and prevent relapse.

Managing Travel Stress

While a vacation is intended to relieve stress, getting to your destination may be a difficult event. Between paperwork, deadlines, and managing children you may find yourself in need of relief. If you’ve been accustomed to managing stress with substances, the anxiety of travel may require more attention than before.

Coping with these stressors can be better managed with some pre-planning:

• Take the time to organize paperwork. Make sure you have IDs, boarding pass/ticket, passport (if traveling to another country), and print-outs of confirmation emails.
• Call your airline and hotel to confirm departure and lodging times and dates prior to travel.
• Pack snacks, water, and quiet games for kids to keep them occupied.
• Take a “time out” if stress becomes too great. Close your eyes, count to ten, and breathe.
• Bring a good book for waiting areas and a special mixed CD for the car. If you’re anxious about traveling, healthy distractions like these can help.
• Attend a meeting or therapy prior to travel. Discuss your travel plans and express any concerns.
• Get plenty of rest the night before your trip.
• Remember to stay hydrated and have snacks throughout the day. Stress can hit much harder if you’re hungry, tired, or thirsty.
• Leave early. It is much easier to wait than it is to rush.

Travel stress may be a trigger for relapse. An unfamiliar atmosphere, coupled with managing the details of the day, can create a great deal of strain. Preparing for stressful events in advance can make a huge difference in keeping you sober while on vacation.

Maintaining Sobriety While Celebrating

When you’ve made it to your destination, you may feel a sense of relief. The stress of travel is over and it’s finally time to cut loose and have some fun. But in rehab, you will most likely be advised to avoid alcohol on vacation regardless of whether or not you have an alcohol addiction.

When under the influence of any mind-altering substance, a relapse is more likely as you have less control over decisions. However, it’s still possible to have a blast while sober on vacation. Some ideas for celebrating without the use of substances include:

• Ordering a virgin specialty drink. Many tropical destinations use local produce in their cocktails and offer a delicious variety of blends. These ingredients “make” the drink and can be enjoyed without alcohol.
• Ask around about the “bests” in town. If you’re visiting a new place ask locals about their favorite pizza, grilled cheese, pancakes, or hot cocoa. Go sample some of the great things that your vacation destination has to offer. “I had the best crepes in New Orleans!” is a great memory to take home.
• If you get the urge to drink, having your sponsor on speed dial can be useful.
• Remove yourself from any situation that is uncomfortable.
• Decline any pressure and be confident in your decision to stay sober.

Resisting temptation on vacation can be a difficult endeavor and the stress of travel can pose a relapse risk to those in recovery. Avoid this danger by lowering stress, properly planning, and broadening your horizons for adventure to find new ways to have fun while being clean as a whistle.

Sober Vacationing

Staying sober on vacation may feel like a restriction to your fun, but a sober vacation can be very rewarding. You can take better memories home as you will be “there” (not impeded by drug use) for the entire trip. In addition, you’re taking on a challenge and practicing restraint while finding new ways to celebrate. This can open many doors for new experiences for you and your travel companions.

It can also help you experience more than just the bars or hotel rooms of your vacation spots and give you open access to exciting locations, such as a museum. Most of these places have strict substance use rules and will exclude you if they think you’ll be a risk to their clientele.

We Can Help

If you find yourself concerned with maintaining sobriety while on vacation or need a little more help and guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. The caring staff here at DrugRehab.org can provide guidance throughout your travels and assist in developing a plan for a sober vacation.

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental condition characterized by phases of elevated energy levels (mania), and severe depression. These phases can last weeks or even months. These debilitating symptoms drastically interfere with the function of those living with bipolar disorder, often leading sufferers to self-medicate with illegal drugs. Unfortunately, this can hinder treatment and further complicate this agonizing condition.

Mania And Depression

A person with bipolar disorder often swings between two extreme states of mind and body: mania and depression. In mania, they are full of excessive energy and feel powerful and full of life. Depending on the person, this state may be positive or negative. Often, people feel an overwhelming impulsiveness that pushes them to do dangerous things, such as use drugs.

By contrast, a person with bipolar will feel depression. In this state, they lack energy and feel exhausted with life. They often long to regain the excitement they feel during their “manic” phases. As a result, they may self-medicate with illegal substances.

Substance Abuse With Bipolar Treatment

In conjunction with specialized therapy, symptoms of bipolar disorder can be alleviated with medication. While there is no known cure for bipolar disorder, sufferers may find relief in physician-aided treatment. When treatment is met with mind-altering substances, it is difficult to properly treat the condition.

Many substances cause bipolar-like symptoms, such as: mania, anxiety, irrationality, or depression, Additional substances can also cause adverse effects if taken with bipolar medication, making the condition more difficult to manage.

Addiction Takes A Toll On Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder varies in symptoms and severity. Some people with bipolar disorder function fairly well with treatment and medication, but others struggle in spite of diligent effort. Many are predisposed to impulse control and addictive behavior. These symptoms can amplify any desire to find relief through illegal substances. Some effects of substance abuse with bipolar disorder include:

• Amplified highs (mania), sometimes resulting in psychosis.
• Uncharacteristically deep depression, and heightened risk of suicide.
• Intensified withdrawal symptoms – agitation, headaches, etc.
• Prescribed medication and therapeutic treatment interference.
• Disengagement from friends, family, and community.
• Financial duress.

Bipolar comes with its own set of adversities. Many people suffering with bipolar disorder experience feelings of isolation and displacement as a result of the illness. Addiction alone can have the same effect. The hardships often become completely unmanageable when the two afflictions are combined.

How To Help

When a loved one is suffering from bipolar disorder, treatment is a positive step towards recovery. If you suspect a loved one is struggling with addiction, there are ways you can help them get back on track:

• Observe your loved one. Listen for sudden changes in mood and behavior, as uncharacteristic behavior could be a sign of trouble.
• Create an open line of communication. Allow your loved one to open up about any problems that could be causing these changes.
• If a loved one opens up about drug use, do not guilt, scold, or lecture. Instead, try a proactive approach. Ask questions, and offer to help find resources. Support change, but never be sworn to secrecy.
• Ask help from trusted family and friends, mentors, clergy, or clinicians. If intervention is necessary, consider the stability of your loved one and never try to fix this problem alone. Offer well-researched options for a solution.

The best way to regain control of the situation is to find a solution, and follow through with treatment. When someone with bipolar disorder is struggling with addiction, the support of loved ones can make all of the difference in rehabilitation.

We Can Help

Addiction does not have to be a “way of life” for anyone. If you or someone you know is struggling, many options exist to help regain control. The caring staff at DrugRehab.org is here to listen, answer questions, and offer solutions to get you on the path to recovery. Contact us today.

Our understanding of the correlation between mental health and substance abuse has greatly improved over the years. In the event that drug use is accompanied by suicidal thoughts, specialized treatment is essential. Understanding the relationship between drug use and suicide can help decipher the necessary level of care and intervention.

Altered Perception

Addiction creates many biological changes in the chemistry of the brain and can can cause altered perceptions. This distortion of reality can both amplify depressed feelings and convince someone that suicide will fix the problem.

Additionally, the “highs” experienced during drug use can create an altered perception of happiness. If the body needs an unnatural boost in serotonin to stay happy, the lack of this boost (once the drug has worn off) will feel unnaturally low. Initial withdrawal from any given substance also cause severe side effects, altering their overall mental health.

Interpersonal Struggle

Relationships and interests often struggle as a result of addiction, intensifying the “lows” experienced in drug use. Things that were once important become significantly less fulfilling and behavior toward others can cause significant guilt. When this guilt is too much to handle, drug use is often intensified. This cycle may lead to suicidal tendencies.

Identifying Risk

Drug use can trigger many mental health issues, such as mania, anxiety, depression, or psychosis. The best way to determine if a loved one is at risk of suicide is to observe and listen for signs, such as:

• Threats of suicide
• Focus on death and dying
• Giving items away
• Preexisting mental health disorders
• Past attempts at suicide
• Hopelessness
• Increased substance use
• Impulsive, promiscuous, or dangerous behavior
• Loss of job or home
• Emotional vacancy
• Increased use of drugs or alcohol

If you suspect that a loved one is at risk for suicide, it is important to find help as soon as possible. Substance abuse can cause unpredictable behavior, increasing the risk of suicide.

How To Help

When a loved one is living with addiction, they may experience intense feelings of desperation and hopelessness. Opening up may be very difficult, but it’s very helpful if openly approached. If suicide is a concern, there are ways to help:

• Take any indication or threat seriously
• Refrain from guilt, blame, lecture, or judgment
• Encourage communication
• Offer reassurance
• Acknowledge the realness of suicidal thoughts

Never hesitate to share your concern about your loved one with someone who will help (e.g. therapist, mentor, clergy, etc.). Remember that the impulsive effects of drug use can increase suicide risk. So even if your interpretation is wrong, it is better to be safe than sorry.

We Can Help

Suicide and substance abuse are commonly connected. This unfortunate reality may leave loved ones struggling for answers. Thankfully, our caring staff at DrugRehab.org is ready to offer you guidance during this difficult time. Contact us today.

If you are struggling from an opiate addiction, you are not alone. In 2013, 2.4 million people abused or were dependent on opioids such as painkillers and heroin. Many people have turned Suboxone to recover from addiction. This medicine helps safely simulate the sensation provided by opiates and can help you slowly and safely withdraw. However, the side effects of suboxone mean that you can’t use it forever.

Side Effects

Although Suboxone is a useful medication for those suffering from opiate addiction, some find the side effects associated with the drug unpleasant. Some common side effects are: sleep disturbance, dizziness, confusion, nausea, headaches, and stomach pain. While these side effects are rare and usually tolerable, it’s important to keep track of their severity. Discuss it with your doctor to help create a timetable for lowering your doses.

Finding The Right Dose

Before quitting suboxone, the first thing that is recommended is talking with your doctor about your dose. The goal of Suboxone therapy is not to keep you on the lowest dose, but the correct dose. Talk to your doctor about what the proper dosage should be for you, and if you are talking a lower dose, see if you can increase your dose. Have a doctor monitor your progress with an increased dose and see if it helps with your overall well-being.

But how do you know if you are taking the right dose? Doctors mention that the way to tell if you are taking the right dose is that you feel the same both before and after taking the medication. If you feel any difference in your dose, then it’s not the proper dosage and should be adjusted accordingly. An average dose of Suboxone (buprenorphine) is about 16mg each day and some patients need 24mg per day.

Tapering Off

Doctors will generally start lowering your dose of dose of Suboxone once you start feeling normal and balanced. Generally, you can stay on Suboxone for lengthy periods of time without suffering from too many negative side effects. However, you should start tapering off your dosage if you fit the following criteria:

• You are over 30
• Your confidence is higher
• Employment has become stable and consistent
• A support system has been put into place for you emotionally
• Cravings have become almost absent

As Suboxone treatment and addiction is so individualized, there’s no general timetable for quitting. Some people may only need it a few months, while others may require it for a year or more. It’s important to play the situation by ear.

How Can I Get Off Suboxone?

Once you and your doctor have decided to wean you off Suboxone, you need to take the situation slowly. Your doctor will need to monitor your progress: in fact, you may need to be monitored anywhere between four to six weeks or five to six months as your doctor lowers your dose.

During this time, your doctor should meet with you weekly to monitor your progress. And after you are completely off Suboxone, your doctor should check in with you two months after your last dose to make sure everything is going well.

Attend an inpatient or outpatient treatment facility is often a good idea for many people getting off Suboxone. There you can receive more counseling and psychosocial treatment for your addiction. At some clinics, you can taper your dose down to 2mg within 8-10 days. While at an inpatient facility, they may give you a monthly Suboxone injection to prevent relapse.

Contact Us

Struggling from an opiate addiction or with a Suboxone treatment can feel frustrating. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns regarding your Suboxone treatment. Or contact us at DrugRehab.org. We can also help you find alternative treatments to help you recover from your opiate addiction.

Naloxone (also referred to as Narcan) is a synthetic drug that is similar to morphine and is used to treat opioid overdosing in emergency situations. This has been the drug of choice to treat overdoses in ambulances and hospitals for many decades.

Currently, there is an opioid epidemic nationwide. In 2013, 100 Americans died each day due to overdoses. Over 44,000 Americans die each year due to accidental drug overdosing and most of these deaths are attributed to opioids. Naloxone, however, has fortunately saved many lives. But can this life saving drug be bought without a prescription?

Know The Facts

When a person uses an opioid, the drug binds to certain receptors in the central nervous system. Once taken, the drug has a pain relieving effect, which can result in an addictive high. Some examples of opioids include prescription drugs such as oxycodone or hydrocodone and even illicit drugs such as heroin. Opioid addiction is described federally as a progressive yet treatable brain disease.

Drug addiction is a mental health issue because drugs change the way our brain functions and this is why reaching out for professional help is absolutely necessary. Addiction needs to be treated the same way other brain disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, or PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) also need to be treated professionally.

Here are some fast facts you need to know about drug addiction and opioid addiction in America:

• 24.6 million people 12 or older (which accounts for 9.4 percent of the population) struggle with any form of substance dependence or abuse
• 1.9 million Americans have prescription opioid abuse or dependence
• 517,000 Americans have a heroin addiction
• Opioid addiction can happen to anyone. Opioid addiction occurs in every U.S. state, socio-economic status, county, and ethnic group
• 46 Americans die each day due to prescription opioid overdoses which accounts for 17,000 deaths per year

How Does Naloxone Work?

When an opioid attaches to receptors in the brain, it blocks brain signals that control breathing. After Naloxone is administered to an overdosed individual, the drug kicks the opioids out of the receptors and allows the patient to start breathing again within minutes. Naloxone also reverses the effects of a patient’s loss of consciousness, slowed breathing, or even extreme drowsiness.

Do I Need A Prescription For Naloxone?

Can you buy Naloxone without a prescription? The answer is either yes or no depending on which state you live in currently. While Naloxone can be obtained by a prescription, CVS Pharmacy just announced in September 2015 that they are expanding access of the opioid antidote and will be offering it over-the-counter in more states.

It used to be that only residents in Rhode Island and Massachusetts were able to buy Naloxone over-the-counter. However, CVS believes that by expanding the number of states that offer Naloxone over-the-counter, they can help save lives. Naloxone can be administered through a nasal spray and also in an injectable form. Prices of the injectable form and nasal spray vary between states.

In addition to Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the new states added to the antidote expansion that are currently permitted to buy Naloxone over-the-counter (without a prescription) include the following:

• Arkansas
• California
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• New Jersey
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Wisconsin

What If My State Is Not On The List?

If you currently live in a state that does not offer Naloxone over-the-counter, you will still need to obtain it by a prescription for the time being. However, CVS Pharmacy stores are looking to expand their over-the-counter program to even more states.

And some smaller and independent chains such as Walgreens are also selling Naloxone without a prescription. Ask your local pharmacist if you have any questions if Naloxone can be obtained by a prescription or over-the-counter in your area. The list of states and areas that offer Naloxone over-the-counter will continue to expand and be updated accordingly.

Contact Us

Struggling from an opioid addiction is a journey you don’t need to walk alone. Reach out to us today and we’ll help you find the best treatment that is right for you. While Naloxone can be used in emergency overdosing situations, it should not be the only form of addiction treatment.

Treatment needs to include professional help to end addiction and start a sober lifestyle. Treatment should encompass healing of a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and maybe even spiritual aspects of their lives as well.

Don’t wait for an emergency situation. Seek help today. Contact us now at DrugRehab.org.

When you are suffering from a debilitating addiction, it’s easy to feel alone, isolated, and frightened during recovery. However, with the emergence of social media has helped connect the world in ways never before imagined. And you can tap into these brand new resources to fuel your recovery and regain a life of sobriety.

The Widespread Nature Of Social Media

The impact social media has had on our society is staggering. A study from 2013 found that nearly two billion people around the world use social media. To put that into perspective, that’s over one-quarter of the planetary population. Social media has spread from being a youth-oriented concept to one that even the elderly have accepted.

While the rampant spread of social media has caused new concerns, such as cyber-bullying and social media addiction, it’s positive benefits have been incalculable. For example, people who briefly met in college can now have lifelong relationships. And even people on different sides of the world can meet and fall in love.

How This Can Help You

When you’re suffering from drug addiction, you need support and guidance to help you through recovery. The friends and family of your social media network can give you the helping hand you need, whether you’re trying to recover at home or attending an outpatient or an inpatient program.

For example, if you’re having a hard time dealing with withdrawal symptoms, you can contact a friend and have them come over. Or you can simply talk to them online for guidance and support. And if you’re in an inpatient rehab center, social media can also keep you connected with a virtual group of cheerleaders who always have your back.

But what if the most important people in your life have either turned their back on you? Social media can help you reconnect with new people, ones who are going through the same process as you. Various online rehabilitation groups are available for people who need help. These chat rooms and forums can create a new network of support or back up an active support group.

Guidelines On Social Media Use In Recovery

Whether recovering at home or in a rehab center, social media may be a distraction if used improperly. Thankfully, it’s easy to avoid these distractions and turn social media into a positive recovery force. The following guidelines should be followed whenever you try to use social media during recovery:

• Follow your rehab center’s rules – if they say no social media, stick to it
• Avoid negativity or name calling – only talk to people who you support and who support you
• Try to limit yourself – spending more than 2-3 hours on social media per day has been shown to cause depression
• Limit connection to or block people who use drugs – while they may be friends or family members, there’s a good chance they may fuel a relapse
• Stay in touch with rehab friends online – create a group on your preferred social media site and add people and counselors you met in rehab
• Don’t flood social media with content – too many posts can make it harder for your support group to break through the ones that really matter

These simple guidelines help streamline your use of social media and help you create a more positive and inspiring atmosphere for your recovery. It can also help isolate people who might want to contribute to a relapse, such as former dealers or people whom you’ve used with in the past.

Finding Medical Guidance Online

Another way that you can utilize social media to boost your recovery from drugs and alcohol is by tapping into the health realm. According to a study of doctors with Facebook profiles, almost 90% maintained an active and supporting presence. These doctors posted tips and suggestions, participated in discussions with patients, and even hosted forums designed to discuss important medical matters.

This network can help you quickly contact a doctor, should you suffer from any complications during your recovery. For example, if you are suffering from paranoia or confusion during an intense craving, you can simply message an addiction specialist to get the help you need.

And if you join an addiction forum, you’re likely to have access to a wide range of addiction specialists. They can give you free advice, suggestions, tips, and exercises that will challenge your addictive behaviors and give you a helping hand in a successful recovery.

Learning How To Master Social Media Recovery

With patience and persistence, you can use social media alongside tested recovery techniques to fully beat your addiction. If you have any more questions regarding social media and addiction recovery, please contact us at DrugRehab.org to learn more. Our counselors will help you find a rehab center and a social media resource that can fuel your recovery success.

Being a college student can be tough: it’s easy to get overwhelmed balancing school work, home life, extracurricular activities, and a job. That stress can easily contribute to a drug addiction. Addictions can make you feel hopeless, confused, or angry. Thankfully, there are many drug recovery programs that are aimed to help college students with their drug addictions.

College Life And Addiction

There are 13.4 million full-time college students in America, 20% of whom have used an illegal drug within the past month. College can present unique challenges in the lives of young adults. Some students feel pressured to fit in at parties or social gatherings and may experiment with drugs. Other students feel the pressures to receive good grades and have turned to drug abuse, such as the misuse of prescription drugs.

One popular prescription medication that is highly abused in college is Adderall. Adderall is a “study drug” that is originally given to people with ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder, but is taken by students without ADD to increase their concentration. Drug use like this puts full-time college students at an increased risk for drug addiction.

Studies have found that college students are approximately two times more likely to abuse drugs than those who don’t attend college. For those in a Greek life fraternity or sorority, the risk is even higher. Beyond prescription drug abuse, marijuana and ecstasy are the most commonly abused drugs. If any drug has taken control of your life, you need to find help.

I Need Help

College may be the first time that you are away from home and you are experiencing your first tinges of personal freedom and responsibility. In fact, you may feel that taking a few Adderall to help you study is a responsible way to maintain your GPA. You may also feel that cutting loose on the weekends and taking drugs is okay, as long as you maintain high grades.

It’s understandable that you would feel this way: college is a time of great personal experimentation and growth for many people. And everyone around you is having a good time with alcohol and drugs. However, drug addiction can happen to anyone and what may have started out as just an experiment or study aide, can quickly turn into an addiction.

If you are starting to question if you have an addiction, the first step is to admit you have a problem. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed about it: it can happen to anyone. The next thing you need to do is find a recovery program designed for college students. There are multiple centers around the nation designed to help treat college students like you.

Recovery Programs For College Students

When deciding on a treatment program, keep in mind that inpatient rehabs have been proven to be the most successful. While inpatient rehabs require you to stay at a facility for 30-90 days, you will benefit from a more focused approach.

Inpatient facilities offer group and individual therapy, detoxification services, and will teach you better coping skills. Many in their late-teens or early twenties struggle with societal and emotional pressures and counselors will discuss any problems that may have led to your addiction. Inpatient programs often offer cognitive behavioral treatment, which aims to remove negative or unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that influence addiction.

If you aren’t sure if you can commit to a 30-90 days’ stay at an inpatient facility, consider outpatient treatment. Outpatient programs meet a few days a week for a few hours a day. Many patients are able to attend the program and then return home after each visit. You may also benefit from programs like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) after you have successfully gained sobriety. Outpatient programs and community support groups aim to keep you on track and accountable.

Contact Us Now

College can be a stressful and confusing time. Don’t let a drug addiction ruin your future. Turn your life around today and remember: the choice to end addiction is a brave one. Seek help and contact us now. We will find the right rehab for you.