Initiating the discussion about substance abuse with the victim

June 2, 2015

Initiating the discussion about substance abuse with the victim: Why it is necessary to help drug addicts

Initiating the discussion about substance abuse with the victim may appear very difficult but it must be done for the safety of all victims

Knowing that majority of addicts will always be in denial and may take offence when this topic is introduced to them; it can be quite a challenge to initiate the discussion. It is because of these challenges that we often meet clients who visit this facility (AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center) specifically to get the best approach applicable. I remember one client asking “how can i bring up the subject with the substance user? Will the discussion make the situation worse?” from this concern you realize that the approach is a big problem and that is what doctor Akoury wants to addressed in this section. People often worry that initiating the discussion about substance abuse with the victim may cause them to pull a grudge with them and that this will lead him or her (the addict) to take drastic steps. They might make a scene in front of other family members, move out of the house, and drop out of school, secretly drink or use other drugs even more and hide it from everyone or retaliate against them or other family members.

These are actually very genuine concerns however, even though these concerns may be genuine, you will not know unless you try and for your information, you might find out that the reception may not be as bad as you thought. It may turn out that the conversation will be a wonderfully productive experience. It is perhaps possible that the person may have not noticed behavior changes, or doesn’t realize that his or her substance use was a problem or was causing problems to other members of the family. It is therefore necessary that you make effort and try because you will not know the outcome unless you try. Remember that when solutions are not realized, the problems may become so severe that the same drastic outcomes could result.

Initiating the discussion about substance abuse with the victim: Guidelines for a healthy approach

The following guidelines could be helpful for you in the initiation of the discussion:

Don’t bring up the subject when the person is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. When people are high, they are less able to understand logic and are more likely to be impatient, dismissive, angry and blaming. Some people have poor impulse control and may act irrationally or violently if the subject is brought up while he or she is under the influence.
Don’t be under the influence of substances yourself when initiating the talk.
Ensure that you chose the best time to talk preferably when the two of you can have more than a few minutes alone. Remember that your objective is to have a dialogue and a healthy two-way conversation in which you can state your concerns and understand the person’s perception of the situation. Ask if you can set a time to speak in the next few days to discuss something on your mind. If the person responds by saying, “Now is fine,” tell them you’d prefer to set time aside and not be interrupted.
When you meet, tell your family member that you care for him or her. Emphasize that it’s this concern for their well-being that has led you to have this conversation.
List the behaviors you’ve observed, state that you are worried about the effect drinking or drug use is having and express concern about continued use.
Create a two-way dialogue so the person doesn’t feel lectured or badgered. Use open-ended questions.
If the person states that there is definitely not a problem, ask to talk again at some point in the future. Your goal is not to convince the person that there is a problem, but to let them know that you believe there is one and that your belief is based on observable behaviors.
Don’t try to speculate, explore motives or judge. It can sidetrack you from the main point.
Don’t expect a dramatic shift in thinking or behavior right away; this conversation may be the first time the person has thought about this problem.
Keep in mind that there is no quick fix and prepare yourself for the long haul and you will appreciate that initiating the discussion about substance abuse with the victim was well worth it.
If the problem has only occurred over a short period of time, or has not reached a severe stage, it is possible that the victim you care about could successfully cut back on the use of alcohol or other drugs. If the person has not tried cutting back, you could suggest this strategy as a first step. Some people in the risky or abuse stages of substance use, or even in the early stage of addiction, are able to cut back and consistently use only minimal amounts in the future.

Initiating the discussion about substance abuse with the victim: Defeating the powers of denial

You may find, though as many do that people who can cut back are the exception, not the rule. Many people try to cut down and discover that they can’t. Or, they can only cut back for a few days or a few weeks before resuming heavy or excessive use. Trying to cut down and failing may help the person realize that the problem is more extensive than once thought. In the process of helping, you may also find that the person is able to stop completely. But many addicts have tried this strategy and couldn’t stop or remain abstinent for any significant amount of time. Ideally, the person should be assessed by a professional who can determine the best course of action depending on the severity of the problem and the person’s medical, psychological and social history. If you sense the person is willing to consider that there is a problem, suggest that an evaluation or a consultation with a trusted medical or mental health professional. (This suggestion may be too threatening for some people during a first conversation of this kind.)

Although you probably want the substance use to stop as soon as possible, immediate abstinence from certain drugs has risks, including withdrawal symptoms with serious medical consequences. Many people need to be admitted to a detoxification center to help them physically withdraw.

It is important to note that even if detoxification is not necessary, a formal, structured treatment program is vital for sustained abstinence. This is where a health care professional or substance use counselor would be very essential to help you and the person in need assess your options.

Initiating the discussion about substance abuse with the victim: Why it is necessary to help drug addicts

Improving public health by quitting alcoholism

May 30, 2015

Improving public health by quitting alcoholism: Tackling alcohol misuse

Improving public health by quitting alcoholism is very important. By seeking for professional help the addictiveness of alcohol will not be a problem any more

I have a question for you as we begin this discussion and the question is “do you drink alcohol? How do you categorize your drinking, is it moderate, binge or heavy drinking? As you soul search in response to that I want to introduce to us a topic of discussion torching on the improving public health by quitting alcoholism. You and I form the public meaning that what we do will impact to the public (us) either negatively or positively. While appreciating that we are liberalized and that we enjoy lots of freedom including freedom to choose, an epidemic is looming if something is not done in good time to address the problems emerging as a result of alcohol use. I know that alcohol is not an illegal substance and its consumption is very much supported by different laws of the land of course with some measures to control its usage, but depending on your response to the questions raised above are the measures put in place working for you?

We are going to make general comments on this introductory article about the effects of alcoholism in our societies and subsequently in the coming article we will be dealing with specifics of what misuse of alcohol is doing to people’s lives. We will be talking to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center to help us bring clarity in many issues as possible. Therefore I want to request you to stay on the link and if you know of any of your friend or loved ones that is struggling with alcoholism, then you can be of help to them as well. As we progress into the discussion, I will urge you to make health appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury the M.D and also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center and she will be of great help to you on all your concerns.

Improving public health by quitting alcoholism: Misuse of alcohol a burden to the economy

The trend with which alcohol is being misuses is not a secrete anymore and no one can bury his head under the sun and still hope for things to improve on their own. As a matter of fact this has brought with it extremely serious problems to the public health in most states across the globe. The burden of caring for alcoholics and the cost of rehabilitating them is not just hurting to the individual families, but also to the whole societies globally. It must be understood that alcohol is one of the most bused drug and it is also directly linked to a series of health complications including high blood pressure, mental ill-health, accidental injury, violence, liver disease and sexually transmitted infection. Despite the information available to the public about the dangers of misuse of alcohol the public and even the authorities will still support this killer drug. You may be wondering why I am saying all, but the magnitude of the problem is very big. Like for instance I recently visited one of the towns in one of the nations and I was surprised that the number of bars and liquor shops were more than all schools, hospitals, churches and mosques put together. What does that one communicates to you? It simply means that our children are getting into this mess at very tender age.

Improving public health by quitting alcoholism: The impact of alcoholism to the societies

If we allow our daughters and wives to be highly intoxicated with alcohol what products do you think we will get on conception? Children are literally being introduced into the world of alcohol taking at that very initial stage of their lives. It is all about freedom of choice and right to social around. Does it mean that in the process of exercising your right of choice you now have a permit to violate the right of that unborn child who has not chosen to be feed on alcoholic substances through the mother? This is the most disturbing thing and one that is very difficult for me to understand. But since am not able to understand why such things are allowed to happen to the un born children, I will advise that if this article is describing any of your habits and you have just realized that something is not right and some fixing needs to be done, all is not lost for you. And it is never too late for anyone to make a decision of changing with an aim of quitting the bondage of alcoholism. All you need to do is to ensure that you consult well before settling on the health provider. You must only go for the best with good truck result oriented records. One in which professionalism is the virtue and the experience is above board.

I know that getting the right rehabilitation facility may be very difficult for some of you and why we recommend that you talk to your physician to help you in the identification of the right institution. Remember that no mistakes should be done either in the beginning, middle or at the end. It has to be right all through says doctor Akoury. In the meantime it will interest you to note that because of the magnitude and the great suffering of people both young and old with very little help being given to them, doctor Dalal Akoury made a decision to create a medical center (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. Now that you know a bit of what alcohol addiction does to your health and with the sound foundation that doctor Dalal Akoury will deliver to you up on scheduling for an appointment with her, I want to encourage you to take to first step of calling her today so that no time is wasted. Your quick recovery is our priority and we will deliver that to with a lot of dedication, commitment and professionalism while treating all issues with great confidentiality.

Improving public health by quitting alcoholism: Tackling alcohol misuse

No Withdrawal Addiction Recovery, Without Withdrawal Seriously

February 23, 2014

you can seek specialist opinion on addiction and from that you may start the recovery journey

Addiction recovery without withdrawal

Addiction recovery without withdrawal-The Chance to Change Your Life

Your addiction has given you the opportunity to change your life. Changing your life is what makes recovery both difficult and rewarding. Recovery is difficult because you have to change your life, and all change is difficult, even good change. Recovery without Withdrawal is rewarding because you get the chance to change your life. Most people sleepwalk through life. They don’t think about who they are or what they want to be, and then one day they wake up and wonder why they aren’t happy.

If you use this opportunity for change, you’ll look back and think of your addiction as one of the best things that ever happened to you. People in recovery often describe themselves as grateful addicts. Why would someone be grateful to have an addiction? Because their addiction helped them find an inner peace and tranquility that most people crave. Recovery can help you change your life. You may need to adopt the following:

Addiction recovery without withdrawal-The first rule of recovery

One does not recover from an addiction by stopping using the substance or drug. You recover without withdrawal by creating a new life where it is easier to not use. If you don’t create a new life, then all the factors that brought you to your addiction will eventually catch up with you again.

You don’t have to change everything in your life. But there are a few things and behaviors that have been getting you into trouble, and they will continue to get you into trouble until you let them go. The more you try to hold onto your old life in recovery, the less well you will do.

Here are the three most common things that people need to change in order to achieve recovery.

Addiction recovery without withdrawal-Avoid High-Risk Situations

Some common high-risk situations are described by the acronym, HALT:

Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired

How do you feel at the end of the day? You’re probably hungry because you haven’t eaten well. You’re probably angry because you’ve had a tough day at work or a tough commute home. You may feel lonely because you’re isolated. You don’t have to be physically alone to feel lonely. And you’re tired. That’s why your strongest cravings usually occur at the end of the day. Here’s another way of looking at high-risk situations:

People. (People who you use with or who are related to your use. People who you have conflicts with, and who make you want to use. People who you celebrate with by using. People who encourage you to use either directly or indirectly.)
Places. (Places where you use or where you get your drugs or alcohol.)
Things. (Things that remind you of your using.)

How can you avoid high-risk situations? Of course, you can’t always avoid these situations. But if you’re aware of them, they won’t catch you off guard, and you can prevent little craving from turning into major urges.

Take better care of yourself. Eat a healthier lunch so you’re not as hungry at the end of the day. Join a 12 step group so that you don’t feel isolated. Learn how to relax so that you can let go of your anger and resentments. Develop better sleep habits so that you’re less tired.

Avoid your drinking friends, your favorite bar, and having alcohol in the house. Avoid people who you used cocaine with, driving by your dealer’s neighborhood, and cocaine paraphernalia.

Recovery without Withdrawal isn’t about one big change. It’s about lots of little changes. Avoiding those high-risk situations helps you create a new life where it’s easier to not use.

Make a list of your high-risk situations. Addiction is sneaky. Sometimes you won’t see your high-risk situations until you’re right in the middle of one. That’s why it’s important that you learn to look for them. Make a list of your high-risk situations and to keep it with you. Go over the list with someone in recovery so that can spot any situations that you might have missed. Make the list and keep it with you. Some day that list may save your life.

Addiction recovery without withdrawal–Learn to Relax

There are only a few reasons why people use drugs and alcohol. They use to escape, relax, and reward themselves. In other words, people use drugs and alcohol to relieve tension.

The first rule of recovery without withdrawal is that you must change your life. What do you need to change? If you understood the previous paragraph, then you need to change the way you relieve tension. Everyone needs to escape, relax, and reward themselves. Those are essential coping skills for a happy life. But addicts don’t know how to do those things without using.

If you manage to stop using for a while, but don’t learn how to relax, your tension will build until you’ll have to relapse just to escape again. Tension and the inability to relax are the most common causes of relapse.

I know relaxation will help. I have treated thousands of patients. Many of them have told me that relaxation has changed their life. There is only one reason why people don’t relax – because they think they’re too busy to relax. It goes something like this, “I know it makes sense, but I’ve got so many other things I have to do.”

Ask yourself how much time you spend on your addiction. If you add up all the time it takes to get your drug, use it, deal with its consequences, and plan your next relapse, you’ll realize that relaxing for twenty to forty minutes a day is a bargain.

Relaxation is not an optional part of recovery. It’s essential to recovery. There are many ways to relax. They range from simple techniques like going for a walk, to more structured techniques like meditation. Meditation is an important part of that mix because the simple techniques don’t always work. If you’re under a lot of stress, you may need something more reliable like meditation. Use any of these techniques, or any combination. But do something every day to relax, escape, reward yourself, and turn off the chatter in your mind.

Numerous studies have proven that relaxation reduces the use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana and help the recovery without Withdrawal.

Addiction recovery without withdrawal-Be Honest

An addiction requires lying. You have to lie about getting your drug, using it, hiding its consequences, and planning your next relapse. An addiction is full of lying. By the time you’ve developed an addiction, lying comes easily to you. After a while you get so good at lying that you end up lying to yourself. That’s why addicts don’t know who they are or what they believe in.

The other problem with lying is that you can’t like yourself when you lie. You can’t look yourself in the mirror. Lying traps you in your addiction. The more you lie, the less you like yourself, which makes you want to escape, which leads to more using and more lying. Recovery without Withdrawal is a reality, you can do it!

Nothing changes, if nothing changes. Ask yourself this: will more lying, more isolating, and more of the same make you feel better? The expression in AA is – nothing changes if nothing changes. If you don’t change your life, then why would this time be any different? You need to create a new life where it’s easier to not use.

Recovery without Withdrawal requires complete honesty. You must be one-hundred percent completely honest with the people who are your supports: your family, your doctor, your therapist, the people in your 12 step group, and your sponsor. If you can’t be completely honest with them, you won’t do well in recovery.

When you’re completely honest you don’t give your addiction room to hide. When you lie you leave the door open to relapse.

One mistake people make in the early stages of recovery is they think that honesty means being honest about other people. They think they should share what’s “wrong” with other people. But recovery isn’t about fixing other people. It’s about fixing yourself. Stick with your own recovery. Focusing on what you don’t like about others is easy because it deflects attention from yourself.

Honesty won’t come naturally in the beginning. You’ve spent so much time learning how to lie that telling the truth, no matter how good it is for you, won’t feel natural. You’ll have to practice telling the truth a few hundred times before it comes a little easier. In the beginning, you’ll have to stop yourself as you’re telling a story, and say, “now that I think about it, it was more like this…”

Show common sense. Not everybody is your best friend. And not everybody will be glad to know that you have an addiction or that you’re doing something about it. There may be some people who you don’t want to tell about your recovery. But don’t be reluctant to tell the people close to you about your recovery. You should never feel ashamed that you’re doing something about your addiction specially when Recovery without withdrawal is an option.

Addiction recovery without withdrawal

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