Are you suffering in silence with addiction

June 8, 2015

Are you suffering in silence with addiction: Areas of great concern in substance abuse?

Are you suffering in silence with addiction? The problem of denial is negatively affecting the success in the treatment of drug addiction therefore helping addicts accept their addiction Problem is for a worthy course

If there is anything that kills people’s self-esteem, it is social stigma. Many people have not appreciated that drug addiction is a health condition like any other that they will rush with to the hospital for medication. Doctor Akoury acknowledges that stigma is a serious problem in the treatment process and can even cause the patient to abscond the treatment program all together. When people that you should lean on for support are the ones piling pressure and blaming you for the situation you are in, overcoming addiction becomes such a burden. It is no wonder that many are concern and are asking openly that are you suffering in silence with addiction? When you are asked this question, you should feel free to respond to it honestly without any element of fear. You never know your honesty on this may be the beginning of your journey to recovery from addiction says doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. Substance abuse can be a thorn in the flesh if not dealt with in good time, our theme question “are you suffering in silence with addiction” should give you the eye opener to seek for help if you are suffering in silence. Doctor Akoury will be of great help for you irrespective of any stigma that may be attached.

As you consider scheduling for an appointment with the experts on that, it is important to note that addiction is a struggle to survive and overcoming it is a journey and not a destination. In this process, physical and mental pressure drives you to use and discourages every effort to free yourself from the scourge. And like we have said, the biggest obstacle is the stigma which the society has placed on addiction. The common view of addiction seems to cast it as a weakness, a lack of willpower or moral fiber as if substance abuse were a choice and not a compulsion. “You could stop at any time if you really wanted to.” This misconception is so common that even most addicts believe it about themselves and no wonder there is too much denial in addiction.

The terror of being banished that results from this stigma is the biggest impediment for many addicts when it comes to seeking for help. This makes recovery more difficult or just plain impossible. Therefore many addicts have believed that if they admit their addiction to anyone or worse still if someone else discovers it they will lose everything. That their family members will disown them, their friends will abandon them, their career will nosedive and that they will fear that they will become a pariah of their communities. There are very many reasons that may bring in fear and it is not just fear for your own reputation that motivates secrecy, the other reasons could be that you might be worried that exposing your addiction will bring shame and hardship to your family as well. Those are some of the reasons that make you even to refuse admitting that you have a problem that needs to be fixed and the vicious circle of denial continues at the expense of treatment.

Are you suffering in silence with addiction: Obstacle of exposing the addiction problem?

From the narratives above it is important to note that in all these you are not the only one hurting by your addiction. This is because even when family members are well informed of their loved one’s substance abuse, they too may want to be protective by keeping quiet about it for the same reasons expressed above. Your family might be unwilling to acknowledge the problem even when it harms you or them directly. They may even accuse themselves for the problems you are going through by apportioning blame to themselves that there is something they did not do right thereby causing them to be defective or deficient as a family. As a result of this the stress and anxiety of living with an addict becomes a part of their daily lives. To cope with these difficulties, they may develop defense mechanisms that allow them to keep functioning. They may choose to avoid bringing the problem into the light. And finally denial and secret keeping will eventually encroach on other aspects of family life as well, where each family member feels isolated and even unable to trust each other. These obstacles can be dealt with professionally at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center if only you could make an appointment with the experts who are a available round the clock to help you get a better life free from all elements of addiction.

While appreciating all these obstacles and that it is necessary to protect your image and that of the family, avoiding or running away from the problem will only causes more pain for everyone involved. Doctor Akoury says that addiction is not something you can hide from forever. It will not just go away by evading the real issue. Professionally she continues honesty is the best policy when it comes to recovering from addiction. Therefore in response to the question “are you suffering in silence with addiction?” doctor Akoury says that recovery starts at the door of being honest with yourself and admitting that there is a problem. This should then be extended to the other members of the family and very close friends so that the issue of addiction can be discussed openly with primarily to repair the damage that has been caused by denial in the past.

Are you suffering in silence with addiction: Keeping the secrets of addiction?

Over the past two decades, doctor Akoury has helped many addicts recover from their addiction and in the process of administering treatment, she has dealt with the bigger problem of denial. She says that for effective recovery process, the habit of keeping secrets must be broken in order to make a successful and long-lasting recovery. Both the patient and the family members must be open about the problem of substance abuse, when this is done, you will most likely find out that the ridicule and judgment you feared is not as common as you may think. Instead, you will open yourself up to a wide and inclusive community of people in recovery and a vast range of resources to help get you back on your feet and stay there.

Finally dear reader if you are struggling with an addiction to a substance, or even a behavior that you find difficult to avoid, AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center can help. We have more than two decades of experience in the addiction recovery field. On your appointment we will help you break the addiction cycle effectively and immediately and further provide you with the tools you need to prevent relapse in the future.

Are you suffering in silence with addiction: Areas of great concern in substance abuse?

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse

June 6, 2015

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Solutions for cocaine addiction

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse including illegality of its administration is killing the moral, social and economic fabric of our societies

The body is very much vulnerable to the use of all these addictive drugs. Like for instance, using cocaine does not only harm the body, but also the mind. These drugs impacts negatively to human health and often cause mental, emotional and psychological damage that can be very difficult to overcome. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, the parts of the brain that cocaine directly affects are the areas that reward us, such as the areas associated with good behavior, sex, food or other healthy activities. This is why using cocaine feels so good to most people, and why it is a highly addictive drug that causes intense cravings, tolerance, dependence and ultimately addiction. That is why it is not going to be business as usual until we deal with the psychological and other effects of cocaine abuse expeditiously. Doctor Akoury says that getting into drugs is not very difficult but once in, getting out or quitting becomes very difficult. From experience doctor Akoury recommends that addicts making effort of quitting should do so with the help of an addiction medical professional instruction, and not on their own. This is so because when quitting, it comes with certain complications. The process of withdrawal can be very demanding psychologically and this may cause many people to abandon their efforts of stopping the usage of the drug altogether.

Getting someone into treatment for cocaine addiction can be a life-saving decision. In cocaine rehab, the addict can recognize their addiction for what it is: a chronic disease that requires professional treatment. The goodness of cocaine rehabs centers is that they are most effective in their undertakings especially in their residential setting. While the physical withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction are not life threatening and typically pass in a week or less, it is important to note that the psychological drug cravings are intense and may lead many people to relapse. Nonetheless in cocaine rehab, addicts typically have access to the following services, among others:

Medical monitoring and medication, as needed
Individual, group and family therapy
Twelve-Step meetings such as Cocaine Anonymous
Sober recreational activities
Education about cocaine addiction
Relapse prevention planning

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Pharmacological treatment

While there is no medication to treat cocaine addiction directly, during the detoxification process in treatment, antidepressants are typically used to help manage the symptoms of withdrawal that usually come in the early periods of abstinence from cocaine. Therefore doctor Akoury recommends that when searching for a treatment program for yourself or a loved one, it is important that you go for the treatment programs which will address the physical, emotional, and social effects of drug use on the patient and their families. Remember that getting clean requires more than a stay in cocaine rehab it requires an ongoing commitment to protecting one’s sobriety. Along with the skills learned in treatment, finding interests outside of abusing cocaine and a supportive peer group can help addicts stay on the road to lifelong recovery.

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Medication for Cocaine Addiction

While there are currently not any mainstream drugs designed specifically to treat people who are addicted to cocaine, research is routinely being performed in an effort to create medications that will help people with this problem. There are some experimental drugs that are being used to treat cocaine addiction, but these come with a certain amount of risk. The majority of them are classified as schedule 4 drugs, which means that they carry a significant risk of addiction. Common medications that are used to treat cocaine addiction include:

Baclofen – a muscle relaxant that curbs cocaine cravings and has been shown to reduce the use of the drug in abusers

Disulfiram – an anti-alcoholic agent that makes using cocaine (or alcohol) very unpleasant

Gabapentin – an anticonvulsant that makes cocaine cravings easier to deal with; it also helps to lessen the severity of relapses

Modafinil – effective in reducing cravings for cocaine, as well as reducing the cocaine high

NAC (or N-Acetylcysteine) – an animo acid that has proven to be effective in reducing the cravings for cocaine; it has also shown promising results in repairing some of the damage done to the brain in animal studies

Since there is no single medication that is designed to specifically and safely treat cocaine users, behavioral treatments are often the favored option. Often, a combination of medication and behavioral therapy is used to treat patients. Fortunately, there are a number of options available for addicted individuals, including outpatient and residential addiction treatment programs.

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Addiction is a Family Disease

When a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, they become the focus of attention of everyone around them. Parents want to protect their child from harm, sister or brother wants to show the addict the error of their ways, and friends and relatives go to great lengths to convince the addict that they need drug rehab treatment. With all the attention focused squarely on the addict’s needs and issues, what happens to the family? What about their needs? How can they help their loved one while also protecting themselves?

Addicts aren’t the only ones who experience the pain of addiction. It’s all of us the siblings, parents, family, and friends we all feel it. In fact families face a number of obstacles in dealing with a loved one’s addiction. Despite having the best of intentions, it is easy for family members to blame themselves, stay silent and try to fix the problem, get angry or give up. Once people adjust to living in dysfunction, it can be difficult to re-connect in a healthy way.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, 10% of the population is addicted, one in four children under the age of 18 live with an addicted parent, and for every addict four others are directly affected. Clearly, there are a lot of people out there dealing with addiction and in desperate need of support and help. But families can learn from each other. And that’s why Dr. Akoury made a decision to create a medical center whose main objective is to transform each individual’s life through increasing awareness about health and wellness and by empowering individuals to find their own inner healing power. Dr. Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. It is therefore very important that when under such difficult situations, you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury for the commencement of treatment professionally.

Psychological and other Effects of Cocaine Abuse: Solutions for cocaine addiction

How does heroin abuse affect pregnant women

June 5, 2015

How does heroin abuse affect pregnant women: Various health complications of Heroin abuse?

How does heroin abuse affect pregnant women is a worthy concern for all mothers and the family as a whole. Both the life of the mother and the unborn child will be at risk if treatment of heroin addiction is not done in good time

Heroin abuse can cause serious complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage and premature delivery. Children born to addicted mothers are at greater risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), as well. Pregnant women should not be detoxified from opiates because of the increased risk of spontaneous abortion or premature delivery; rather, treatment with methadone is strongly advised. Although infants born to mothers taking prescribed methadone may show signs of physical dependence, they can be treated easily and safely in the nursery. Research has demonstrated also that the effects of in utero exposure to methadone are relatively benign.

How does heroin abuse affect pregnant women: Pregnant & Using Heroin?

When we are struggling with drug addiction as adults we often find it to be very difficult to deal with. We first refuse to acknowledge that we have a problem with drugs and in the process our health deteriorates rapidly. Is there anything that can be done to remedy the situation? Certainly yes says doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. The concern of many is the health complications that are associated with substance abuse. The problem is further complicated if the victim is a pregnant woman. When we are talking about pregnant women the whole situation changes because the effect is now not just on the adult but also to the unborn baby begging the question “how does heroin abuse affect pregnant women?” this is what we want to unlock in this even as we progress into this discussion.

There is no doubt that if you are pregnant and using heroin it is fundamentally crucial that you need to be under a doctor’s care. If you are already seeing a doctor for prenatal treatment, it is not just enough to see him but it is important that you be honest and informs your doctor that you are using heroin quantity doesn’t matter the doctor needs to know if he is to help you and your unborn child get better. Remember that your case needs special medical attention and holding any information may not serve you well in this case. You may be in denial but the truth of the matter is that if you’re using heroin during pregnancy, you baby is also using the same. This is because your baby depends on you for everything food, breathing and any other needs of life while in the womb.

How does heroin abuse affect pregnant women: Effects of heroin on the unborn child?

Heroin slows the growth of your child both during and after pregnancy. As painful as it may be if you do not get medical care in good time, it is four times more likely that your baby will die during your pregnancy or shortly after being born. This is because the baby will be too small to survive thanks to heroin abuse. Doctor Akoury explains that babies born of heroin addicts weigh about one-fourth less than average infants resulting in premature delivery in many cases. It is equally important to note that even a year after birth, most babies of mothers who used heroin while pregnant will still be much smaller than average, and have smaller heads. The complications are further worsened if you fail to get treatment for your addiction. What will happen is that, there’s a good chance that your baby will experience heroin withdrawal, which can cause them to suffer pains for months. Therefore if you are pregnant and using heroin, you need to get help now. This is not something that you can take care of on your own. Talk to the experts AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and get the professionalism in this life threatening situation.

In an effort of trying to get solution, careful attention should be taken so that you do not add more problems than you already have. Like for instance if you try to go “cold turkey” and quit drugs too quickly, you can cause the death of your baby abruptly. Experts believe that this occurs because the baby suddenly becomes hyperactive, then oxygen deprived. For this reason, doctors usually withdraw mothers from heroin after the baby is born or very gradually during pregnancy and on very close supervision, and sometimes this is done by using a replacement drug like methadone. Besides the effects it has on the baby your heroin use puts you too at risk for some serious health conditions. For example, you have a 50 percent chance of developing heart disease, anemia, diabetes, pneumonia, and hepatitis during your pregnancy. These are much higher odds than the average mother faces.

How does heroin abuse affect pregnant women: How does Heroin Abuse affect Pregnant Women?

As is the case with every person who uses heroin, pregnant women who expose themselves and their children to this drug run the risk of developing a wide range of health complications with the greatest one being death. Accidental overdose can cause the death of the mother and can also result in spontaneous abortion of the fetus, and can lead to infant death shortly after birth but even if no fatalities occur, the results of heroin use during pregnancy can still be devastating:

Like everything a pregnant woman ingests, heroin can cross the placenta meaning that their babies can develop a dependence on the drug before they are even born. According to the American Pregnancy Association, heroin use during pregnancy can lead to the following conditions in the baby:

Premature birth or low birth weight
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Bleeding in the brain
Impaired ability to breathe

Compared with a host of other risks, “low birth weight” may sound like a relatively innocuous effect but being born at less than 5 lbs., 8 oz., has been associated with myriad health problems, including heart failure, intestinal damage, and blindness. Various studies have linked low birth weight with an increased likelihood of developing certain health problems including hypertension, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes in adulthood. Women who use heroin while pregnant are also more likely than sober women to experience poor nutrition and inadequate prenatal care both of which put mother and child at a decided disadvantage. Effects including impaired immune function, delayed cognitive development, behavior disorders, and stillbirth have all been associated with substandard nutrition, while neglecting proper prenatal care can allow relatively manageable conditions to progress into more substantial threats to both mother and child. Finally experts are working round the clock to develop safer and more effective means of treating heroin addiction in pregnant women and you can get more information about the best treatment options available for you by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today.

How does heroin abuse affect pregnant women: Various health complications of Heroin abuse?

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem

June 3, 2015

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: What is self-Esteem?

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem. Young people who are suffering from rejection often seek for comfort and acceptance in the wrong company of alcoholics and drug addicts.

Self-esteem is a psychological term used to describe how humans evaluate themselves overall in relation to self-worth. Psychologically this can be described as the self-confidence and satisfaction that people have in their own life. On the other hand the terms self-esteem and self-worth tend to be used interchangeably even though feelings of self-esteem tend to be more fluid than self-worth. Ideally the issues surrounding self-esteem can be very complicated depending on the intensity or the nature of the effects. What is it that causes the individual to have a low self-esteem? Experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center have reported that the way people view themselves will have a great impact on how they experience or passive their own lives. Those who have low self-esteem will struggle to find success and happiness, mostly because they do not feel within themselves worthy of enjoying such things. Their lack of self-worth will affect every area of their life, and more so, their relationships with other people. It is regrettable that many of those who are struggling with low self-esteem often turn to substance abuse because it offers a temporary solution to their problems. While the truth is that using alcohol and drugs to escape with their feelings of low self-worth will only leads to further misery and addiction. That is why this article is going to be interrogating our understanding of addiction and low self-esteem so that we can put this to perspective.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: The Causes of Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem can be very traumatizing and if combined with substance abuse life can be very unbearable. It is therefore very important that we are not starved with the information about the causes of low self-esteem which may include the following:

Under normal circumstances when one in his or her childhood suffered some form of child abuse, the scar will remain with them for life even if treatment were done. This constant reminder of the yester year’s events can severely affect the way they view themselves. Children lack the knowledge and insight to understand the situation, and because of this they will keep blaming themselves for the abuse. This feeling of somehow being wrong stays with them into adulthood. And remember that physical, mental, or sexual abuse can all have lasting consequences on a child’s sense of self-worth due to the permanent scars that come with them.
In the event that parents fail to give all the necessary support to make their children feel valued and important, then this can later lead to poor self-esteem. It is important for parents to note that when it comes to children the value is in what the parent fails to say or do and not what they have done or said. Children are highly sensitive to their environment; therefore they need to be nurtured all the way. If young people feel that they have failed to live up to their parent’s standards, this may translate negatively on then to the point that they may find it difficult to value themselves.
Too much criticism when growing up is a very bad indicator and this when not corrected can leave behind mental scars. People who are always being told that they are a failure or stupid are likely to believe the negative impression implied on them.
The way people are treated by their peers is also important for self-esteem. One of the most compelling functions of a peer group is feedback on behavior. Consistent negative feedback can have a profound effect on a person.
Being the victim of racism or prejudice will usually change the way people view themselves and that is a key factor in understanding of addiction and low self-esteem.
Those individuals who have issues around their physical appearance can easily develop feelings of low self-worth. In the modern world, there is too much emphasis placed on physical beauty. The media is largely responsible for this obsession. Feelings of being unattractive will lead to low self-esteem.
When people feel that they do not really fit in anywhere it will change the way they view themselves. This lack of connectedness with other people is common among people who are dealing with esteem issues.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: The Effects of Low Self-Esteem

Those who are dealing with low self-esteem may experience many of the following problems:

Failure to value one-self leads to a failure to take care of oneself. The person may not see the point of putting much effort into their bodies and minds. This means that they will be far more likely to suffer from poor physical and mental health. Low self-esteem can lead to premature death as well.
Not believing in oneself will limit one’s potential. A person may not be willing to put in the necessary effort to achieve their dreams, because they not believe it will bring results. Such people may be convinced that mediocrity is all they deserve.
Individuals with low self-esteem are far more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs as a means of escaping their problems.
People with low self-esteem often end up in abusive relationships. This is because they can inwardly feel like such relationships are all they deserve.
When people do not value themselves highly they are more likely to bow to peer pressure. Many individuals who end up in dangerous cults suffer from low self-esteem.
It can be hard for such individuals to trust other people. They may believe that anyone who is trying to help them has a hidden agenda. They can also go to the other extreme where they trust unworthy individuals too much.
These individuals will be highly insecure in relationships. If they do not value themselves, then they will find it hard to believe that other people can value them.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: Addiction and Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is one of the characteristics of the addictive personality. When people first begin using alcohol or drugs it will increase their self-confidence. They become less concerned with what other people think of them. The individual begins to rely on these substances in order to cope with life. Addiction means that the person’s life begins to all apart as their self-esteem hits an all-time low. In AA, they describe the situation as, alcohol gave me wings but then it took away the sky. Lack of self-worth can then keep people trapped in addiction.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: Underage Substance Abuse and Low Self-Esteem

Finally it has been established from various studies that children with low self-esteem are more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs as they grow up. Because of this they will not want to be left out more so when they are associating with mates who are already into drugs and alcohol. The peer pressure and sense of belonging will certainly carry them away all in the name of experimenting. And because of the temporary relief when under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the idea of escaping reality will be more appealing even if it is only for a little time. Doctor Dalal Akoury warns that unless something is done timely, those individuals who use alcohol or drugs at a younger age will have a greater risk of developing an addiction in the future. It is therefore very important that you start early by scheduling for an appointment with doctor Akoury for a more professional treatment approach.

Understanding of Addiction and Low Self Esteem: What is self-Esteem?

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem

June 3, 2015

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: Eliminating the spirit of denial

The problem of denial is negatively affecting the success in the treatment of drug addiction therefore helping addicts accept their addiction Problem is for a worthy course

The spirit of denial is one big problem that we must deal with expeditiously if we have to make any meaningful progress in the fight of drug addiction and alcohol abuse. Dealing with all stumbling blocks in addiction recovery begins and ends with denial. It is very difficult to effectively take a patient who is in denial through the treatment programs because acknowledgement of the problem is one big step in the healing process. In fact it is the first step to be overcome in the process of addiction recovery. Therefore by all means we all have a duty in helping addicts accept their addiction problem for commencement of a meaningful treatment. Nonetheless it is important to note that dealing with addiction problem is not to be left for the medical experts alone. Family members of the addicts has a role in the healing process, it therefore means that this is a collective responsibility for the experts, loved ones and the victims themselves. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, friends and relatives of the victims can do a lot more in helping their loved ones get better. However when faced with such challenges of addiction, many are lost and do not know what to do. Doctor Akoury who is also the founder of this facility is going to help us understand some of the concerns people do have when helping their loved ones recover from drug and alcohol abuse.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: How Do I Help Someone Understand That He or She Has a Problem?

This question is often very common especially with the rampant denial by the victims. While we are appreciating that this is a genuine concern, it is very crucial that you step in up on noticing signs of substance abuse in your friend. Remember that charity begins at home and therefore friends and family members must brace themselves for the task and we are not promising that it is going to be easy. It is possible that friends and family members may feel that they constantly express concerns about a loved one’s substance use but never see any changes. When evaluating the efforts you have made in trying to bring some changes it may occur to you that you may have reached this point after weeks or months of giving lectures, making threats, ignoring behaviors, accepting promises of change, giving second chances or imposing consequences. But in these entire nothing seems to be working and so discouragement sets in, doctor Akoury says that it is very normal to feel that way but one thing that you must not do is giving up. Remember that this is a journey and not a destination keep the spirit and soldier on the break through is coming and you are almost getting there no matter the circumstances.

In an effort of helping loved ones keep to the task, experts have recommended developing and repeating a consistent, positive message: like for instance the message could read “we care about you and we want you to get help.” Define substance use as a problem for you and others who care about the person. And in doing all these, ensure that you avoid blaming, arguing and reproaching. And at the back of your mind create room to accommodate their denial, distortion, avoidance, rationalization and intellectualization of the problem. This is very important because unless you understand them beyond their habit you may not achieve much. Besides that when talking to the victims, it is very important that you understand the dos and don’ts as follows:

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: DOs and DON’Ts

Doctor Akoury recommends that as you continue to talk to the person in need of help, the following important details are worth taking into consideration:

Don’t try to talk when either one of you is under the influence of any drug.
Do protect yourself and others around you from physical harm.
Do call police if there is violence.
Do set limits that will protect your home, finances and relationships, and stick to those limits.
And if you are at your wits’ end, you might consider a formal intervention.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: How do i help someone who may need treatment?

Mention the word “treatment” in relation to substance use and many people think of long-term residential facilities or detox. In fact, treatment includes both of these options and a variety of others.

Treatment addresses the individual’s physical, psychological, emotional and social conditions. Sustained reduction in alcohol or other drug use and sustained increases in personal health and social function are the primary goals.

The type of treatment is based on the severity of the problem. For risky users, treatment can be as simple as a screening and a brief intervention. For people exhibiting signs of dependence or addiction, a screening will probably lead to a referral for more intense level of care.

All treatment starts with a screening, which is a series of questions about the amount and frequency of alcohol or other drug use and the consequences it may be causing. Screening can be done by many types of professionals, including a physician in a hospital or an office, a nurse, a clinical social worker, or a licensed substance abuse counselor.

After a screening, some people may need a brief intervention, usually done by a health professional. During a brief intervention, people receive feedback on their substance use based on the screening results. Frequently, people are asked to cut back or stop their use. If they are ready to cut down, the health care professional will work with them to set a goal based on lower consumption. They may also be encouraged to reflect on why they use and how their lives will change by lowering their use. People who want to stop substance use will most likely be referred for additional evaluation or treatment.

To help someone you know who you think may have a substance use problem you first need to get them screened. Your best bet is to talk to your own physician or employee assistance professional about referring you to someone who can help, such as a licensed substance abuse counselor or family therapist.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: How do i help someone who needs treatment?

Formal treatment takes many forms, and no one type of treatment is best for everyone. There are many roads to recovery. Like for instance you may think that you need to choose just the right program for your family member and if you don’t, treatment will fail. But experts believe that any of a number of programs can lead to success if the person is willing to accept help from others and invest energy in working on recovery. A physician or another health care professional can also help you choose where someone should go for treatment.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: Eliminating the spirit of denial

Tag Archives: Addiction