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

Why it is necessary to help drug addicts

June 2, 2015

Why it is necessary to help drug addicts: The benefits of helping out

Why it is necessary to help drug addicts. This is very necessary not just for the victims but also to the whole societies

I once told us in one of the articles that our health is the most valuable assets we can ever have. In fact in that article I did mentioned that it is one asset that we cannot quantify its value into monetary by all standards. Even though various insurance firms are trying to quantify health in some instances, the compensations they give will only remain to be very insignificant compensations in relation to good health and life. This treasure is currently under threat and it is being attacked from all directions by different obstacles including substance abuse. It is because of these threats that we are now trying to understand in this article why it is necessary to help drug addicts recover from this epidemics of addiction. There are several benefits of helping victims get well some of which we discussed previously and we also want to further the discussion in that same direction even as we come to terms with the real challenges of substance abuse.

Why it is necessary to help drug addicts: Benefits of Early Identification and Action

Like in all other health complications, early detection of substance abuse is very vital for proper healing. Therefore because our children are the major targets of bad influence it is important for all of us to ensure that no trace of addiction is left unresolved. Any untreated problems if left to continue, it is possible that family members will develop their own issues out of the unresolved problems thereby creating further emotional complications. Common symptoms include headaches, backaches, digestive problems and depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Children of substance users can experience school behavior problems and poor academic performance and are more likely to become substance users themselves.

It is not easy to live with someone who is using mind-altering substances. Taking steps to begin treatment and recovery can be a painful process, but it is the only path that holds promise for something better. As long as family members deny that there is a problem, the problem will progress and so will be the suffering. Doctor Akoury suggests that your starting point in situations like this should be by seeking for help all for yourself. You can begin by restoring your own emotional stability by bringing in new direction and meaning to your life. You will be better equipped to deflect crises and arguments, and shift interactions with your impaired friend or family member. Getting help for yourself may seem counter-intuitive, but it is crucial for you so that you can cope better with the myriad problems that emerge and effectively overcome the obstacles to wellness and recovery.

Some people find when they seek help for themselves that the person with the substance use problem gets angry, perhaps because the efforts represent a loss of control. Also, getting help signals that you are serious about changing the situation. Some people threaten those seeking help to stop their efforts. Nonetheless these are normal set bucks and it is important that you remain firm in your resolve to go forward, and be aware of your personal safety. Remember that it is never too soon or too late for you or for the substance user to seek help, the best time is always now. This journey will not be a smooth one, there will be obstacles and challenges all the way but seeking for help from the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury will be very ideal in ensuring that this problem is defeated and eliminated completely out of your life.

Why it is necessary to help drug addicts: The Ideal professional impact

The desire to help and make a difference made doctor Akoury to establish a health facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource 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. Over the years doctor Dalal Akoury has been helping people across the globe find lasting solutions to their individual addiction related problems. Therefore if you or any one you know is struggling with any form of substance abuse, then you can be the best link between them and the source of lasting solutions.

In the meantime doctor Dalal Akoury is also reaching out for other professionals in various forums in an effort to improve their expertise in dealing with matters relating to addiction. Through AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, one of the leading pioneers in natural and holistic addiction treatment, doctor Akoury will be conducting the first ever Educational, Functional and Integrative Addiction conference for doctors, counselors, nurses and addiction therapists. The conference is schedule for August 23-25 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This will be conducted by the most influential group of leading visionaries specializing in the latest advances in natural and integrative addiction medicine, under the theme “The Future of Integrative Addiction”. Opportunities like this are not easy to come by and therefore if you are a professional in your own right and you would want to meet and share your experiences with the other colleagues then this is the place to be.

This conference “Integrative Addiction Conference 2015” mission is to provide prevention education, awareness, options and support to patients and physicians dealing with addiction. Empowering physicians to be involved in determining their personal “best answer for addiction” and promoting physician/patient awareness of a natural, yet profoundly effective, addiction treatment options that result in you “thriving while surviving” during treatment and recovery. Integrative Addiction Conference 2015 will cover topics such as addiction as a holistic body ecosystem derangement, the interaction between stress, survivorship, pain and addiction, the role of hormonal imbalance in the disease of addiction, the genetic and epigenetic influences on the disease of addiction, psycho neuroendocrine immune restoration essential to reverse addiction as well as new and future therapies in the horizon for addiction treatment including stem therapy for psycho neuroendocrine immune restoration. This conference is all you need to move your career to the next levels and for more information you can log on www.integrativeaddiction2015.com or email sharon@integrativeaddiction2015.com.

Why it is necessary to help drug addicts: The benefits of helping out

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health

May 30, 2015

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health: Treatment for substance abuse and mental health problems

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health are equally very important in the treatment process. Addiction can be very depressive and all treatment mechanisms must be explored.

In our previous discussions we have dealt with several means and ways of administering treatment for substance abuse and mental health problems. However, when dealing with matters of this magnitude every possibility of nailing the problem must be embraced because our objective is to eliminate the problem in it’s entirely. That is why we want to take time and discuss other treatment for drug abuse and mental health problems in this article.

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health: Group support for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders

It is always said that a problem shared is half solved. That is the principle applicable here with groupings. And just like with other addictions, groups are very helpful, not only in maintaining sobriety, but also as a safe place to get support and discuss challenges and experiences. Sometimes treatment programs for co-occurring disorders provide groups that continue to meet on an aftercare basis. Your doctor or treatment provider may also be able to refer you to a group for people with co-occurring disorders.

It is important to note that while it’s often best to join a group that addresses both substance abuse and your mental health disorder the twelve-step groups for substance abuse can also be helpful besides today such services are well spread globally making accessibility much easier. These free programs, facilitated by peers, use group support and a set of guided principles like the twelve steps to obtain and maintain sobriety. Doctor Akoury advices that even as you opt for these groups you must make sure that the group is embracing the idea of co-occurring disorders and psychiatric medication. This is very important for you because at this time all you need is a place where you will feel safe and not where you will feel pressured in any way.

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health: Self-help for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders

Getting sober is only the beginning. Your continued recovery depends on continuing mental health treatment, learning healthier coping strategies, and making better decisions when dealing with life’s challenges. And this you can achieve by adopting the following:

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health: Recognize and manage overwhelming stress and emotions

Stress management – Even though stress is inevitable in this generation, it’s very important to have healthy coping skills so that you can deal with stress without turning to alcohol or drugs. Stress management skills go a long way towards preventing relapse and keeping your symptoms at bay.

Identify your triggers and have an action plan – If you’re coping with a mental disorder as well, it’s especially important to know signs that your illness is flaring up. Common causes include stressful events, big life changes, or unhealthy sleeping or eating. At these times, having a plan in place is essential to preventing drug relapse. Who will you talk to? What do you need to do?

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health: Stay connected

Get therapy or stay involved in a support group – Your chances of staying sober improve if you are participating in a social support group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous or if you are getting therapy.

Follow doctor’s orders – Once you are sober and you feel better, you might think you no longer need medication or treatment. But arbitrarily stopping medication or treatment is a common reason for relapse in people with co-occurring disorders. Always talk with your doctor before making any changes to your medication or treatment routine.

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health: Make healthy lifestyle changes

Practice relaxation techniques – When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing can reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being.

Healthy eating habits – Start the day right with breakfast, and continue with frequent small meals throughout the day. Going too long without eating leads to low blood sugar, which can make you feel more stressed or anxious.

Exercise regularly – Exercise is a natural way to bust stress, relieve anxiety, and improve your mood and outlook. To achieve the maximum benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days.

Get enough sleep – People often ignore sleeping because of the pressures of work and economic hardship however lack of sleep can exacerbate stress, anxiety, and depression it is therefore prudent that you sleep for 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep a night.

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health: Helping a loved one with a substance abuse and mental health problem

Helping a loved one with both a substance abuse and a mental health problem can be a roller coaster. Resistance to treatment is common and the road to recovery can be long. The best way to help someone is to accept what you can and cannot do. You cannot force someone to remain sober, nor can you make someone take their medication or keep appointments. What you can do is make positive choices for yourself, encourage your loved one to get help, and offer your support while making sure you doesn’t lose yourself in the process. You could take either of the following in helping your loved ones:

Seek support – Dealing with a loved one’s dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance abuse can be painful and isolating. Make sure you’re getting the emotional support you need to cope. Talk to someone you trust about what you’re going through. It can also help to get your own therapy or join a support group yourself.

Set boundaries – Be realistic about the amount of care you’re able to provide without feeling overwhelmed and resentful. Set limits on disruptive behaviors, and stick to them. Letting the co-occurring disorders take over your life isn’t healthy for you or your loved one.

Educate yourself – Learn all you can about your loved one’s mental health problem, as well as substance abuse treatment and recovery. The more you understand what your loved one is going through, the better able you’ll be to support recovery.

Be patient – This is very important because recovering from a dual diagnosis doesn’t happen overnight. It is an ongoing process that can take some times may be months or years, and relapse is common. Ongoing support for both you and your loved one is crucial as you work toward recovery. All these are just some guidelines to help you offer better support to your loved ones. And even as follow these guidelines it is still very important that you seek for the services of the experts in this discipline. You can reach doctor Akoury on phone today to schedule for an appointment with her and she will be of great help to you and your loved ones as well.

Other treatment for Drug abuse and mental health: Treatment for substance abuse and mental health problems

Addiction Recovery Steps Pose Comprehensive Challenges

May 20, 2015

Addiction Recovery Steps Pose Comprehensive Challenges : Why we must defeat Relapse

Comprehending the challenges involved in Addiction Recovery steps:is the starting point if meaningful treatment is to take place

When dealing with drug addiction by all means there will be numerous challenge along the way. How you go about those challenges will determine how determine you are with the treatment program. Ideally it will not be a walk along the park and occasionally you may stumble, that is very normal however the way you will behave when you stumble matters a lot to your recovery steps process. Many have relapse and stood up to pick the pieces and have succeeded while others have relapsed and deteriorated further into addiction of the substance they were taking and even more. This article is going to help us comprehend the challenges involved in addiction recovery and how best we can overcome them. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center tells us that comprehending the challenges involved in addiction recovery steps are not very easy due to the fact that most addicts are in denial and do not want to acknowledge that they have a problem.

In our last article we mentioned that a healthy mind and clear goals are very crucial when dealing with challenges involved in the treatment process. When the mind is not healthy, goals cannot be realized. That is why many are in great denial because their minds have been corrupted with the substances they are abusing. However it is not only a clear conscience that will help in this challenge, there are very many factors which when addressed properly, the issue of will be settled and that is what we want to further on this discussion.

Addiction Recovery Steps Pose Comprehensive Challenges Healthy Relationships

You may get the best professionals like doctor Dalal Akoury taking you through the recovery process but if the people around you are not supportive in your course, then the treatment efforts will be greatly affected. Remember that these drugs are very addictive and life threatening. Therefore maintaining your sobriety goes hand in hand with caring for the relationships in your life. There is no two ways about it; the relationship must be healthy and supportive by all means. And for the avoidance of doubt a healthy relationships will offer you support in your addiction recovery steps program best. This support is very essential in drug relapse prevention. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, a healthy family environment contributes in many ways including the following:

Providing support in sobriety
Creating a stress-free environment
Providing happiness and overall well-being
Offering a healthy outlet to talk about your feelings openly

How then do you bond with your family? Because these people will be there for you, it is very important that you strengthen your relationships with your family by attending family therapy with a mental health counselor. You and your loved ones will work on your communication skills with one another and strengthen the bond that you share through the therapy. You will learn to work through potential conflicts in healthy ways and establish a healthy family atmosphere says doctor Akoury.

Addiction Recovery Steps Pose Comprehensive Challenges: Reaching Out to Others

Oh yes, education or reaching out with addiction recovery steps programs is very important not just to the recovering addicts but also their counterparts who are yet to register into the program. If you have made the first step of acknowledging the problem treatment becomes easy and even drug relapse prevention becomes attainable. At this level you can become a very good tutor tor the other addicts. Therefore creating awareness to other drug users and surrounding yourself with drug prevention materials encourages you to stay sober and serves as a reminder of how far you’ve progressed. Drug relapse prevention is strengthened by holding yourself responsible for spreading encouragement and education to others.

An opportunity to reach out is to speak to members of our youth such as students at a high school. According to the 2010 NSDUH report, 10.1 percent of youths ages 12 to 17 use illicit drugs. Speaking to youths about your addiction promotes drug-free habits in young people, and working with them is very rewarding for some addicts. Educating others about drugs helps you feel empowered and reinforces what you know about drugs and the effects of addiction. This will lessen your risk of relapse as you will continue to feel good about what you’re doing. You will begin to feel responsible for your work as a drug educator and feel a sense of accomplishment. This feeling of accomplishment will help you in drug relapse prevention.

Educating young adults is especially helpful in alcohol relapse prevention. Over 15.6 percent of college-aged persons are heavy drinkers, and 42.2 percent are binge drinkers according to the 2010 NSDUH report. These rates are extremely alarming, and a recovering alcoholic may find solace in educating students about alcoholism and sobriety.

The best addiction recovery steps begin with attending group meetings for addicts, this is very beneficial for recovering addicts as well. Meeting with other addicts provides peer support for recovering addicts. Other addicts understand what you are going through and provide encouraging words to help in recovery. Seeing people who have maintained sobriety for an ongoing period is uplifting and helps in drug relapse prevention.

Addiction Recovery Steps Pose Comprehensive Challenges: Mistakes Do Happen

As hard as recovering addicts try, some may slip up and relapse. If you suffer a relapse, do not fear that your path to recovery is blocked, because you are not the only one who may go through ups and downs on the road to recovery. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 40 to 60 percent of substance abusers relapse at some point in recovery. Drug relapse prevention is an ongoing process that may need to be adjusted after treatment.

Should a relapse happen, it is important to immediately seek treatment for yourself or a loved one? Starting the addiction treatment process over again is most beneficial as you or your loved one will relearn the essentials of sobriety and detox in a safe environment that is free of temptations. It is also important that the addict remains in treatment for as long as needed. According to NIDA, the most effective treatments for substance abuse addiction last longer than three months.

Addiction Recovery Steps Pose Comprehensive Challenges: The Best Drug Relapse Prevention

As with treatment, the best form of drug relapse prevention varies by the addict. Different addicts need different kinds of treatment to continue addiction recovery steps . The most effective method of drug relapse prevention is one that not only treats the substance addiction but also any underlying physical or mental conditions that may exist. And that is what we will give you at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. Get to that phone and call us right now and we will be there for you all the way to your total recovery process.

Addiction Recovery Steps Pose Comprehensive Challenges: Why we must defeat Relapse

Containing the challenges involved in Addiction Recovery

May 19, 2015

Containing the challenges involved in Addiction Recovery: Relapse Prevention

Containing the challenges involved in Addiction Recovery is very paramount in treatment of drug addiction

The consequences of substance abuse are real and life threatening. We cannot pretend that it is business as usual when the prevalence of drug addiction is ravaging and killing the economic fabric that we all work hard to improve every day. Have you ever imagine the economic and social losses that come with drug addiction? Each government today is formulating new legislations that bring even tougher penalties for the law offenders. It is a pity that these laws are only being made because of our failures to curb the situation. Is there anything you can do to help? There is actually a lot that you can do, and in fact if you are reading this article right now, you are already doing something. The information registered in this article is very rich with facts about containing the challenges involved in drug addiction recovery process. Therefore I want to encourage you to continue reading and not just reading but also invite your friends to the site of health information that delivers to greater heights. Doctor Dalal Akoury has been working round the clock to offer her contribution in the fight of this catastrophic problem in this point of time.

You may be wondering how she does this and how you can get to meeting her for a one on one discussion about some of those drug related problems that you may consider confidential. Well doctor Akoury is a medical doctor who has been in this line for over two decades helping people overcome their greatest fears of drug addictions. And while observing the great suffering of the societies, she made a very wise decision to establish a health facility where people from all walks of life can walk in for treatment about their various addiction conditions. The objective of this facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) is to transform the lives of the suffering members of the societies by first creating an increased awareness about health and wellness. This she does by empowering everyone into finding their own inner healing power which everyone has is only that many have not known how to tap it for their own benefits.

The increase in awareness is all about health and wellness which when adopted will empower each individual to finding their own inner healing power. You remember when we started I stated that everyone can do something in helping solve the problem of addiction. That is not a fiction because when you discover your inner healing power, nothing will stand your way. This is what doctor Akoury desires you. Besides that it is also very important to note that doctor Akoury’s practice focuses on personalized medicine through healthy lifestyle choices that deal with primary prevention and underlying causes instead of patching up symptoms. This can only communicate total professionalism and high level of experience and working with such professionals is all that people who are looking for real solutions to their addiction problem can consult with. Therefore you can schedule for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for any concern you may be having in relation to drug addiction. In the meantime let us get back to the discussion of containing the challenges involved in addiction recovery.

Containing the challenges involved in Addiction Recovery: The after math of Addiction treatment

After successful treatment for substance abuse, addicts are faced with new challenges when reintroduced to the world as sober individuals. All addicts face temptations in recovery, and some may feel lost in the quest for sobriety. Drug relapse prevention is crucial in maintaining a sober lifestyle. There are many roads you can take to prevent relapse in recovery. Doctor Akoury says that getting sober and staying sober is the hardest part of recovery for most patients. Nonetheless staying sober can be made easier by taking certain measures which we are going to discuss shortly in this article. We mention earlier something about relapse prevention and actually drug rehabilitation is the foundation is the foundation of drug relapse prevention in addicts and very vital in the recovery process. As a recovering addict, you need to feel encouraged for the step you have made of acknowledging that you have a problem and that you want to seek for ways of fixing it. Many people are suffering from addiction and all the complications that come with it yet they are unable to take that step.

Containing the challenges involved in Addiction Recovery: A Healthy Mind and Clear Goals

Now that you know of the challenges involved in the recovery process, your actions towards addiction will and treatment will be very vital. Remember that the biggest challenge would be that of relapsing. The solution to this would be constant consultation with the experts like an addiction treatment counselor or other mental health professional to discuss your progress in sobriety. These meetings are a key part of your addiction relapse prevention regimen. Ongoing meetings with a professional strengthen an addict’s sobriety by reinforcing the skills learned while in rehabilitation.

Addiction counselors use a variety of methods to help addicts remain sober. When you or your loved one meets with a counselor, different types of therapies will be used, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. In this type of therapy, an addict will learn to cope with and avoid situations where drug use is likely to occur. An addiction treatment counselor may also use motivational incentives that encourage you or your loved one to remain sober. However, if drug relapse prevention measures are to be effective, they need to give addicts the strength to avoid drugs, not just the motivation to do so.

Besides that some addicts may require medications to remain sober. These medications suppress cravings that an addict may experience and help regulate brain functioning in patients who may experience imbalances. Such medications may include methadone, a synthetic narcotic used to suppress cravings in opiate addicts. Alongside medications meeting with a psychiatrist is also recommended as this will help you or your loved one manage recovery with medications if needed.

Subsequently, it’s very important to take care of your mind. An integral part of drug relapse prevention is keeping the mind healthy and focused. An engaged, healthy mind is less likely to be constantly thinking about using drugs. Staying occupied with positive things such as career, educational and personal goals are great ways to maintain sobriety. As you achieve these goals, you will gain a sense of pride and improve your self-esteem. As these things occur, you will be less tempted to use drugs.

Finally maintaining your stress levels also helps in drug relapse prevention. According to a study by the Social Ecology Laboratory it was established that that addicts who faced multiple negative life experiences after treatment had worse results than those who did not. Therefore it is important in times of negativity to remain positive. During such times, you may require more visits to counselors to help maintain your sobriety. This is normal and a very healthy decision to make. Do not stress over handling recovery alone because we are here to help you all the way says doctor Dalal Akoury MD and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center.

Containing the challenges involved in Addiction Recovery: Relapse Prevention

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