Questions from our readers: What are the statistics for overcoming Heroin addiction?

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Well there are many variable factors that must be taken into account when looking at someone's ability to overcome any addiction. There is a significant risk of relapse for addicts of Heroin and other substances if the following situations are in place:

1. Returning to the same lifestyle
   In almost every recovery process an addict has to make huge changes in their lifestyle. In some cases an addict has to make radical changes which may include disconnecting from old friends, changing jobs, and avoiding or cutting off ties with family members that regularly use drugs, and alcohol. Some addicts choose to move from their homes and/or their state in order to assure their continuing sobriety.
   
   
2. Maintaining friendships with users and dealers
   
   Addicts usually can not maintain friendships with anyone associated with their former life that were directly a part of their descent into addiction. This means friends, partners, dealers, family etc. Continuing connections with these individuals almost always results in a relapse with an addict.
   
   
3. Financial dependance on former enablers
   
   Enablers do almost as much damage as a drug dealer does to the addicts ability to stay clean. Enablers should stick to offering emotional support and encouragement only and can not get back into the enabling role where they support the addict financially. It is too easy for both addict and enabler to slip back into the old habits. Enablers often need counseling themselves to help them come to grips with their very specific reasons that they choose to continue helping an addict in their illness. Many times enablers lack the proper tools and understanding to be able to suddenly quit helping an addict. Enablers are often caught in some sort of addiction themselves to the addict and their lifestyle and cutting off from that addiction for the enabler is often very difficult as well. This is why addiction is referred to as a “family disease.”
   
   
4. Failing to continue with counseling and recovery programs
   
   Once an addict is released from treatment they return to life and leave the safety of a controlled setting. This is where the real challenge begins in their success story. Many addicts will not maintain their sobriety when they stop attending counseling and recovery programs. Add this to a lack of familial support, goals and lifestyle change and you have all the necessary components to assure relapse.
   
   
5. Exposure to old triggers
   The first six months in an addicts life are the most precarious. Returning to old haunts, passing by familiar stomping grounds, seeing the same friends they got high or drunk with are all known triggers for relapse. Triggers must be avoided at all costs especially early in the recovery. There may be circumstances that force an addict to still encounter certain triggers beyond their control. In these cases it is imperative that the addict have a strong support system and maintain contact and attend meetings and aftercare programs regularly to help them with this problem. 
    
   
6. Lack of strong support with family and friends
   
   It can't be said enough, recovering addicts need a strong support system for their success. This may mean a certain amount of sacrifice on everyone's part. Sacrifices may mean avoiding drinking or certain activities yourself that may affect an addicts ability to stay clean and sober. Family gatherings generally have to be alcohol-free, even if your addict has never been an alcoholic, many that relapse simply switch to a new substance to become addicted to.

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Suboxone treatment for addiction to opiates

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There is a drug being administered for the treatment of many addictive pain killers that has some promise. This drug is Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone). Traditionally in the past many drugs used to treat addiction to opiates were harsh themselves such as methodone, and ultimately result in a new addiction that must be dealt with. Those living in South Carolina currently addicted to opiates should know there are a wide variety of treatment centers available, see the *links at the bottom of this article for more information.

Suboxone appears to be different in this regard because it has what is referred to as a built in “ceiling effect” which simply means that even if the drugs dosage is increased, it will not improve the effects which make it very difficult if not impossible to become addicted to. Overdoses that are typically seen that are associated with this treatment are due to the patients use of multiple drug intoxication.

Suboxone competes with heroin or opiate painkillers for the same receptors in the brain, alleviating the withdrawal symptoms without producing a “high.” Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that buprenorphine is effective as an antidepressant. Suboxone comes in both pill and film form and is available by prescription only. Some side effects of the drug are drowsiness, vomitting and respiratory depression. For more information on this treatment, see: Suboxone.
*South Carolina Rehab Information

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Handling the holidays with an addicted family member

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Most family members of addicts and alcoholics go through a great deal of stress during the holidays. Whether or not to include an addicted family member to holiday functions, controlling unpredictable behaviors,worrying over missing money and valuables can all be stressful for the family. Some important planning can take place to help make these family occasions less stressful.

Set rules- Make sure if you are hosting any holiday event that includes the presence of your alcoholic or addicted family member that they are well aware of your expectations and respect your rules. Let them know ahead of time what you will and will  not tolerate and what will happen should they disrespect your boundaries and rules.

Enlist help- If you have to have addicted/alcoholic members included in family holiday gatherings, enlist the help of other family members to help you. Family can be your eyes and ears to make sure the addict is adhering to your rules and respecting your boundaries. Have a ride home for them lined up with a sober family member if they don't respect the family.

Warn family members- Some friends and family members may not realize what is going on within the family and need to be clued in beforehand. Let them know that there could be some behavior and/or problems at the event and let them know what they can do to prepare should anything go awry.

Mean what you say- Be prepared to follow through on your consequences. Do not let your holidays be ruined by a family member struggling with alcoholism or addiction. If you have to call the authorities do so, and make sure your family members support you. If they can not support your consequences, do not allow them to be a part of the event. Having enablers sabotage your holidays is just unfair to everyone. 

Be alcohol free- Do yourself a favor, you're just asking for trouble by having mixed drinks, beer or alcohol present during the holidays when an addict or alcoholic is around. Don't think for one minute a drug user won't drink, especially if they don't have access to their substance of choice.

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Addiction during the holidays

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It is hard for families that have loved ones that are addicted to find much to celebrate about. Between the sleepless nights of worry, the tears and the hopelessness finding joy and happiness during the holidays is difficult. However, it is imperative that families get together during holidays and try to enjoy them regardless. It is also important that addicted family members are dealt with in a way that does not turn out to be another bad memory for all. If you live in South Carolina there is help for your addicted loved one. Please view the link and toll free number for treatment in South Carolina at the bottom of this article. Here are a few tips for the holidays of families dealing with addiction:

Keep things simple- Stress for any family members makes the holidays are hard on everyone, including an addict or recovering addict. Do not plan meals that are elaborate, but keep them simple, have everyone bring a signature dish and contribute. Remind your guests there will be no alcoholic beverages so if they wish, they can bring a non alcoholic punch etc.

No alcohol – Some family members resent that they have to give up a glass of wine during the holidays but an addict is an addict, and any form of addictive substances at a family gathering is a bad idea. Whether the addicted loved one is battling addiction currently or a recovering addict, regardless of the substance of choice, avoid having them at the event.

Plan an intervention- Lets face it, no time is an ideal time for an intervention in the addicts eyes. However holidays provide a unique set of circumstances that have many loved ones around for support and this may be an ideal time to get your addict into treatment. Give it some thought, it may be the only time you can harness in many family members at one time to help.

Find time to express love- Use the holidays as an opportunity to show your love. Many addicts are addicts out of deep seated unhappiness. Rather than to allow an addict the opportunity to delve into any unhappy feelings, reinforce your love for them, and each other. Thanksgiving is a good time to go around the table and have each member say one thing that they love about each family member. Make it a tradition and let those who are struggling know that your love for them never changes. Replacing negative feelings with positive feelings at a family gathering can offset the negativity that often engulfs a family dealing with addiction.

Leave your money and valuables at home- This is unfortunately, a reality in the lives of families with addicts. If you are planning a big family gathering for the holidays and your addicted loved one will be there, you will have to warn others coming to leave money, and anything of value at home. Addicts sometimes slip away from a crowd and will rifle through family members coats and purses looking for money and valuables for drugs and alcohol. If you can't leave such things at home, consider keeping these items on your person at all times. Preferably in a front pocket of your garment.

South Carolina and Rehab Addiction Treatment

Call 1-800-559-9503 for Addiction Treatment Centers in South Carolina

For more information and support for families of addicts and alcoholics, see

The Addicted Family

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Amy Winehouse's death due to alcohol poisoning

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While this latest news may not be a surprise to anyone in particular, it does drive home the very real threat of alcoholism and death. Amy Winehouse is the public face that we can give this deadly disease today, however there have certainly been many famous celebrities that have come before her, see: Janie Lane's sister suspects alcohol played a part in singer's death. If you live in South Carolina and are battling alcoholism like Winehouse was, seek help today by contacting: South Carolina Depart of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services.

The coroner investigating Winehouse's death, Suzanne Greenaway gave an official ruling of “death by misadventure.” The singer died after the resumption of drinking alcohol following a brief period of sobriety. Death by misadventure may be the terminology used, but to many it would be better received and have greater impact to call it more definitively, “death by alcohol poisoning.” Why? Well simply put, words can easily usher those who drink heavily into that perpetual denial they exist in.

It is as easy for an alcoholic to dismiss a term like “misadventure” as it is for a chronic smoker to say, “oh this cough is because there is too much dust in the air.” Those caught in the grasp of addiction, in fact grasp onto many things that help them avoid confronting their illness, even words. Amy Winehouse is not the first to relapse, and she certainly will not be the last, however the key thing to remember is that the disease of alcoholism is a very real, very deadly disease and should be regarded as such. If you or a loved one is in the very real danger of dying from this disease seek information and treatment resources here: The Addicted Family.

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Morphine Abuse and Treatment

Morphine is an opiate drug used to treat severe pain. It is generally not prescribed to patients outside of a hospital setting because of the fact that, morphine is highly addictive, even in small doses. Morphine is used for the relief of both short-term and long-term pain, in a medical setting, morphine is used to treat:

• Extreme pain relief
• Pre-surgery anesthesia
• Severe cough relief
• Chronic diarrhea
• Shortness of breath

Morphine exists as white silky crystals, cubical masses of crystals or white crystalline powder. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. As with any addiction, if an addict wants morphine, there are a number of ways to get to it, most of them are illegal. Warning signs of that you or someone you care for may be abusing morphine are:

• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Involuntary eye movement
• Slurred speech, fainting or uncoordinated muscle movements
• Tremors or seizures
• Memory loss
• Hallucinations, abnormal thinking or exaggerated sense of well being
• Extreme agitation

Although it may be difficult to think about what it would be like to confront a family member about addiction, it is even more difficult to bury that loved one: morphine addiction can kill any addict from the health risks involved. Morphine makes you a different person, and that person is not warm, funny or safe. While morphine can initially make you feel more pleasant, the effects quickly wear off. Besides the dangerous effects morphine has on your body, withdrawals or even high doses can make you anxious, irritable, angry, violent or even psychotic. Identifying morphine abuse is just the first step, the next step is getting treatment and to a safe place.

Questions to Ask a Morphine Rehabilitation Center

Most people who call with questions initially focus the services and therapy strategies offered by the morphine rehab center. The following are some questions on this topic to help get you started:

• Before I come to your center, do you conduct a preliminary assessment or evaluation to get a better understanding of my needs?
• Do you provide detox services, and are they medically supervised?
• Do you offer medication as part of treatment, if appropriate?
• Do you have a primary philosophy that you work with, such as 12-step or faith-based?
• What types of therapies do you offer, such motivational counseling and cognitive or behavioral therapies?
• How is the treatment plan developed?
• What does an average therapy day/week look like?
• Do you allocate time in the treatment plan for group and individual therapy, education sessions, opportunities for reflection and support groups?
• Do you provide services related to addiction, such as treatment for co-occurring mental illness or social, vocational or legal services?
• How often do you assess an individual’s treatment plan to ensure it meets changing needs?
• What are some of the ways that you encourage people to stay in treatment long enough to increase their chance for success?

These questions serve as a good start for your investigation of a morphine rehabilitation center. Learn more about morphine abuse at Morphine Addiction Help.

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What is a functioning alcoholic?

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In simple terms, a functioning alcoholic is the one that typically flies under everyone's radar for a long time. They fly under radars because many of them are still holding down jobs, even careers and never seem overly intoxicated. They usually stick to a pattern or set specific times and to drink. Because they seem so in control and can maintain a lifestyle that mimics successful living, many people look the other way or may not even know that they are dealing with an alcoholic at all. If you live in South Carolina, and believe someone in your family may be an alcoholic, time is of the essence, see: South Carolina Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors.

Realistically, most drunk-on-the-floor alcoholics were once "functioning" within their disease. This for some is a fleeting stage of the addiction, but for many it can mean "functioning" for years. They give the "appearance" of having control over their drinking which is far from the truth. Over time, the "functioning alcoholic" will cease to be "functioning". Where once they may have seemed the fun loving person that nursed a few at a party, to the one that has to be dragged out and taken to jail to sober up for the night. Rest assured, all of them were once "functioning" and all of them will succumb to the drink eventually.

Functioning alcoholics use a wide range of excuses and reasons for their drinking, and because they appear to be holding everything together and only do it at certain times, their loved ones have a hard time finding fault with their reasoning. The "I only drink on the weekends to unwind because I work so hard..." is a typical reply once their drinking comes into question. In their eyes they are just rewarding themselves for their hard work. The problem is, anything that a person "has" to do, on a "regular" basis that is a known cause of "addiction" is a problem. What starts out as "only after work" or "only on the weekends" will progress to "sometimes during work" and weekends will suddenly start on "Thursday."

A functioning alcoholic can only fly under your radar as long as you chose to overlook or ignore it. Do not fall for their rationale and do not ignore the problem. It will get worse. Take steps to seek treatment before they become "non-functioning". Once they enter this phase in their addiction-and they ALL do,

it is extremely difficult to reason with them or get them into treatment. It is only a matter of time before the disease has their talons set deep into your loved one and nothing short of a miracle will save them from it. Tackling it early can only be a good thing, for you, your loved one, family, friends and the innocent person on the road when that "functioning" alcoholic decides to take a drive.

For additional information and support on all kinds of addiction, see: The Addicted Family.

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Crystal Meth Addiction

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This article is to provide information for those using or considering using the drug Crystal Meth. Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. The drug works directly on the brain and spinal cord by interfering with normal neuro transmission. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances naturally produced within nerve cells used to communicate with each other and send messages to influence and regulate our thinking and all other systems throughout the body.

Problems that arise from the use of Crystal Meth include:

1. Paranoia
2. Anxiety
3. Confusion
4. Hallucinations
5. Insomnia & Violent behavior.
   
   Psychotic symptoms may last for months, or possibly years, after someone has stopped using the drug! Overuse of the drug can bring on short term memory loss, wild rages and drastic mood swings, as well as the obvious damage to the immune system.
   
   Users who inject the drug potentially expose themselves to HIV, hepatitis B and C and other viruses that pass through the blood from an infected needle.

Other issues that can arise from repeated injections of crystal meth include:

1. Infections of the heart lining and valves
2. Scarred or collapsed veins
3. Abscesses
4. Pneumonia
5. Tuberculosis
6. Liver disease
7. Kidney disease
8. Death

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How to Identify The Alcoholic In Your Family

Image by mutsmuts via FlickrAlcoholism is an addiction just like any other drug..
When I was growing up, my only concept of an alcoholic was a homeless wino on the street sipping out of a paper bag. Little did I know at the time, how wrong I was. This is my experience with an alcoholic loved one. Usually there is a parent or a relative in the family that is an alcoholic too..


A Family Affair

Most alcoholics come from a long genetic background of alcoholic forefathers. I don't know if I would call it a physical disease or a disease of inheritance. That is for the experts to figure out. I do know that more often than not, you don't have to look far in a family tree to find the link. My alcoholic loved one had a parent that was an alcoholic, and like most suffering from this, a dysfunctional family to boot. If you have an alcoholic with this kind of a background, you will literally feel outnumbered by the past influences, and you are.

A Pattern In the Chaos
In my own opinion the most difficult alcoholic to deal with is what they call the "functioning" alcoholic. These are the ones that continue to remain gainfully employed, continue to conduct their affairs, pay their bills etc. The reason they are so difficult is because they fly under the family radar for years. They usually don't drink every day, but have designated drink time that usually starts on the weekend. It takes a long time before you may feel this is a problem with this individual, and by then, you are well into the pits of hell. Look for the repeated habit of drinking. If they let very little interfere with their drinking ritual this is a red flag. If you notice a big reluctance on their part to "not drink" on these designated days, you will know you are dealing with an alcoholic. You will hear them downplay their addiction with "I only drink on the weekends", and " I just drink to relax after a long hard week", or "I'm not hurting anyone". Early on, they may agree to drink less, but believe me, this is a ploy to get you off of their back. When the weekend arrives, if they have to, they will hide it. Look for this pattern in their behavior.

Pick Your Battles
If you are lucky enough to have sober time with your alcoholic loved one, this may be the only time you have to talk to them on any rational level. Surely you have figured out by now that any argument you have with them over the drinking whilst they are "under the influence" is a waste of time. Not only will they not "hear" you, you also risk verbal assaults, physical assaults and the alcoholic will use the "fight" as an excuse to drink more. Despite seeming to be oblivious to their immediate surroundings, the alcoholic has complete control, over YOU. They know how to manipulate, downplay, wield guilt, and work on your sympathy. Keep in mind, trying to reach them when they are sober is better, but chances are, they will shut you down and out. Functioning "alkies" can always use the fact that they work and take care of their responsibilities as justification and validation that there is nothing wrong with them.

Keeping It in the Closet
You will find that you spend a good deal of time either lying for this person, or making excuses for them. Because you love them you may try your best to protect them from outsiders, and other family members. You suffer silently in this secret world your loved one has imprisoned you in. You find yourself using the same excuses to others that your loved one uses on you. "He's not a drunk, he just likes to relax on the weekends"..You become your alcoholic loved one's enabler and ally. The question is, ultimately are you protecting them? Or are you hiding from reality, because you aren't prepared for what may mean an end? Through the countless arguments you have probably ascertained that this "loved" one will probably not give up drinking for you. Your love, or the loss of your love is no longer a threat to them. They can let go of you, are you prepared to possibly let go of them? Most of the time it's our own inability to let go of the alcoholic that compels us to keep hiding their dirty little secret.

One is the Loneliest Number
Alcoholics, even weekend drinkers, and functional "alkies", will eventually find themselves isolated from their family. They drink alone, and spend hours doing it. They don't seem to mind the withdrawal. They never seem to know the hurt they cause. There is a huge invisible wall between you and them. They chose one side, you have chosen the other. Look for isolation and withdrawal from everyone. Do not be pulled into their world by drinking with them and do not allow them to tell you that "you are pulling away from them". They have pulled away, only its right in front of you. When you are able to get them to come to family functions, you will notice they disappear a lot, are usually seen walking around with some unknown beverage. You will at some point notice they are acting differently. You find yourself whisking them away before they make a scene. Now, you are isolated from everyone too.

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When your love isn't enough, how to deal with an addict

If you or a loved one is caught in the grips of addiction, your battle is a tough one. If you live in Orangeburg, or other areas of South Carolina, please see:

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

803-534-4682

590 Louis Street

Orangeburg, SC 29115

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

803-254-6262

Columbia, SC 29201

Why won't love work?

Loving an addict is a painful journey for anyone to take. Not only do you see the physical damages ravaging them daily, but you watch that spark of life, that glimmer of love and recognition die in their eyes. They no longer see you, or feel your love, you are a vessel or an obstacle. It is a challenge every day to remember the person your loved one used to be, but at the same time it is that very memory that keeps you holding on, hoping and loving an addict. Love isn't enough to bring about sobriety because addiction blocks the transmission of the feelings. Addiction intercepts and alters reality for the addict and as such does not allow for the addict to feel and express love. Do not worry that your addict will feel unloved if you don't fulfill their needs with regards to their addiction. They are not capable of knowing what a true act of love is. Once in treatment and fully clean from the grips of their substance abuse, an addict will once again "feel" real genuine feelings. Learning to cope with the bad feelings, and embrace the good feelings will be a part of their journey.

Understanding your new role in an addicts life

One realization one must make and understand is that your love for the addict can not be enough to get them to change. It is not that your love is failing you, or failing them, but your love and their love for you is being held hostage by a chemical masquerading as a cure. You may need to adjust the definition of your love when dealing with an addict. Is your love for the addict allowing the addiction to flourish? Are you the convenient ally in an addicts quest for death? Has your love for the addict allowed you to enable their addiction? Finding help to learn how to effectively love an addict without sacrificing your happiness is key. Do not let your new role in the addicts life be one of co-dependency, and an enabler. Your new role has to be I will help get you treatment, I will not let my love for you help you die through addiction.

Knowing your enemy

Drug addiction is a state of periodic or chronic intoxication produced by the repeated consumption of a drug (natural or synthetic). It's characteristics include: an overpowering desire or need (compulsion) to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means; a tendency to increase the dose; a psychic (psychological) and generally a physical dependence on the effects of the drug; and detrimental effects on the individual and on society. Addiction replaces bad feelings with a false sense of happiness, and blocks genuine love and happiness from reaching the addict. Addiction is made when the connection between human and chemical bond through abuse. 

For more information and support on addiction, see: The Addicted Family

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What makes some people become an addict?

Image by nicolas - نيكولس via Flickr

Addiction doesn't encroach on every life of every person, however, most people

know of at least one person either socially or in their own family that struggle with addiction of some kind. If you live in Orangeburg, SC and need help with addiction, see : William J. McCord Center for further help.

Common factors for addiction are listed here:

Genes: Genetics play a significant role: having parents with alcoholism, for instance, makes you four times more likely than other children to become alcoholics. More than 60 percent of alcoholics have family histories of alcoholism. There is a debate however, that genes may not play as big of a role as formerly believed. It has been argued that while most addicts do report having family members that were addicts, it is the environmental conditioning that had the key role in the future addiction of the child of an addict. A child that has been exposed to addiction repeatedly may be more accepting of the behavior and thus partake themselves. This same argument has been presented for obesity in children, citing that the child's continuous exposure to bad eating habits and unhealthy foods resulted in a lifetime of obesity. Whenever children are exposed to any repeated behavior they are very likely to continue it in their own adulthood. This goes for children that grow up to become smokers as well. This would also explain why children that grow up in a home filled with violence, ie: father abuses mother, will sometimes grow up and mimic the behavior in their own lives.
Mental illness: Many addicted people also suffer from mental health disorders, especially anxiety, depression or mood illnesses.
Early use of drugs: The earlier a person begins to use drugs the more likely they are to progress to more serious abuse.
Social environment: People who live, work or go to school in an environment in which the use of alcohol and other drugs is common - such as a workplace in which people see heavy drinking as an important way to bond with coworkers - are more likely to abuse drugs.
Childhood trauma: Scientists know that abuse or neglect of children, persistent conflict in the family, sexual abuse and other traumatic childhood experiences can shape a child's brain chemistry and subsequent vulnerability to addiction. There is a small percentage of addicts that do not fit into any of these molds, this addict may have just had a momentary lapse in judgement and decided to partake in a highly addictive drug. Drugs that are highly addictive have been known to cause addiction after just one use. These types of drugs are often considered the most damaging, lethal and hardest to overcome. For more information on addiction, see: The Addicted Family

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Valium Addiction

Image via WikipediaWhat is Valium?
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that help people decrease anxiety, nervousness and sleeplessness. Benzodiazepines help people recovering from alcoholism because it seems to lessons withdrawal symptoms as well. Valium is a therapeutic drug that also has extremely addictive qualities.
It is used to manage short-term anxiety disorders as well as to reduce the negative effects of sudden alcohol withdrawal. It is also used as a muscle relaxant and anti-convulsant.

Valium addiction can be the result when the drug is used for longer or in greater quantities than was prescribed by a doctor for anxiety or pain. The addict may find that they need more and more just to achieve the desired effect. Approximately 50 percent of people who are on this medication for six months or more show Valium addiction signs.

The first step in confronting Valium addiction is often having the addict physically detoxify from the drug. This has to be done carefully because often stopping the drug can have the very effects that the drug was originally intended to help with: panic and anxiety.


Signs of Addiction to Valium
Lack of coordination
Fatigue or drowsiness
Decrease in memory
Blunt emotions
Confusion
Depression
Anxiety
Irritability
Difficulty in focusing
Aches, pains and other physical ailments

Valium withdrawal
Withdrawal from Valium can be serious and if not monitored properly could lead to death. It is important if you or your loved one is thinking about stopping the drug that it be closely monitored by a medical professional. If you or loved one has tried to stop before without success, there are substance abuse treatment centers available for this type of drug abuse.

Valium withdrawal symptoms:
Psychosis
Insomnia
Diaphoresis (sweating)
High blood pressure
Tremors
Hyper-anxiety
Vomiting
Cramps
Irritability
Depression
Seizures
Diarrhea
Increase in heart rate
Tingling in extremities
Loss of appetite and weight
Stomach problems
Vision problems

Why do addicts refuse help?

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There are a number of reasons an addict refuses to get help, or accept help from others. Unfortunately, the most prevalent reason help is not sought out or accepted is due to the fact the addict is being enabled in their addiction.  This means they are not shouldering the burden of their addiction alone, but distributing it amongst many friends and family. As long as their "problem" isn't entirely their "problem" they have a successful enabling system to help their life work addicted. This is why it is so important that interventions take place. Family and friends often need additional support and tools to learn how to stop the enabling process and give the addict the choice to quit with a list of consequences if they don't. It's finding a way to hand the problem back to the addict. It may involve extreme changes in everyone's thinking, and lifestyle but the sooner an addict realizes his safety net is gone, the chances of him getting the help he needs increases.
Additional reasons may be the addict is self medicating with the use of drugs and alcohol to mask an underlying problem. These problems can be deep seated emotional issues, current physical problems and in some cases mental illness can be the cause. Addicts become addicts because they are very good at being in denial. When the human mind is caught in emotionally traumatic situations, it will try to find defense mechanisms to cope with the trauma. It is different with everyone, but for addicts the coping mechanism initially is denial. Once that mechanism is in place, there is usually a mental breakdown, as the mind can only remain in states of denial for so long before it needs help from an outside source. In walks alcohol, and drugs. Now add to this  guilt, and pain, and you have a perfect recipe for addiction. Most alcoholics and addicts were exposed in their lifetime to alcoholism and addiction, and in some cases they suffered abuse by family members under the influence. This is why the condition breeds out of control. Addiction casts a long shadow over many lives. Lastly, fear could be a major factor in why an addict will not seek or accept help. Remember an addict has forsaken the ability to think and feel rationally and fear of quiting something that has been used to modify feelings, emotions and personal responsibility is a scary thing. Its like giving up a medicine that you are sure is helping you...an addict will think there is much that is sacrificed to "feel" better, but they are certain it is worth it. Many also believe they can quit if they "need" to. Unfortunately they don't have the rationale to realize that "need". There are, with all addicts,  many layers that must be dealt with to really understand and get them on the road to recovery. Friends and family will have to assume the role of doing the thinking for the addict, get them into treatment asap, with or without their cooperation. It may mean getting them arrested, refusing to assist with any more financial support or anything else that has been done to assist them in their life. One thing is for certain, addicts can not stay addicted with out help. They also wont live long with out help. Its what kind of "help" you are going to give them that will make the difference.

Treatment and Interventions do work!

Image via WikipediaYou may hear a lot of addicts and even addict friends and family say that treatments and interventions don’t work. Bull. It does work, just because the addict failed, doesn’t mean the treatment was a failure. No matter what type of issue we may have in this world, whether its drugs, food, or some other problem we must overcome, the day we say the help didn’t work is the day we gave ourselves the crutch. Treatment and interventions are tools to get you where you need to go, addicts entering treatment that leave early, relapse or even avoid

going  to an intervention  must face their failure to take advantage of a tool that is intended to help them, help themselves.  Here’s an example, if you were dying of an illness and all you had to do was change your  lifestyle and do the suggestions your doctor said to do and you will live, and you fail to do them, who’s fault is it if you die?  If all it took was taking a pill everyday for the rest of your life to stay alive and you refused to do it, is it the pill that stopped working? No. The pill can only work if you take it. Interventions and  in patient treatment centers are exactly the same way. They can help, if the addict takes them to task, and uses what they have to offer.

All addicts will say that treatment doesn’t work, or that interventions won’t do any good. Of course they will say this.  They may go to great lengths to prove it to you as well.  Many will refuse treatment or avoid going to an intervention.  What they want you to believe is that those ideas won’t work, so you will let them continue on their path of self destruction.

So what does the family and friends to when interventions were avoided  and their addict refused treatment, or their addicted loved one relapses? Get them back into treatment, each and every time, that is until you come to a realization that you have done all you can do. Once you reach this conclusion, then the addict  may have to find their own way with or with out you. Find your own help, and attend meetings yourself. Learning how to break free from co-dependency and how to cope with your life so that you can be happy is important whether the addict fails at treatment or not. An addicts failure doesn’t have to be yours. Get healthy, stay happy, and  always, walk in the truth.

The addict beside you

Image via WikipediaWhen we think of addicts, we tend to visualize some wino on the corner of a street with a brown paper bag in hand, muttering possibly to themselves. Maybe we see in our minds eye a homeless person desperately getting a fix in a back alley somewhere.

What about the addict that is sitting in your living room, watching television? The addict that you have known and loved for years? It is a different picture, but nonetheless, just as accurate as any other image your may have conjured up  in your mind.

Addicts in the family, are often in disguise and under the cloak of your own loving eyes. We tend not to recognize the problem until it is in full swing. We may notice odd things like weight loss, unusual breathing and snoring at night, or unexplained nervous behavior. We as family members or friends, we never make the assumption initially that this person is an addict. Could they be ill? Dying of some horrible disease like cancer? Why do they look so bad? Months may go by, as your concern grows. At some point you may even ask, "are you on drugs?". You are met with a look of disbelief, and a strong "no".

Knowing those ever so subtle symptoms early on is extremely crucial. Of course you could be wrong, however, better to err on the side of caution, then let too much time pass, and allow what may have been a mild problem flourish into a full blown addiction. Depending on the drug, this can happen quickly so time is always of the essence.

Look for these not so well known symptoms: Restlessness, and restless sleeping with disturbed breathing, glassy eyes and large pupils, sweating for no apparent reason, nervousness or paranoia, sleeping often, personality changes, inability to stay in any one area for any length of time, irritability, unreasonable, argumentative, disinterest in things they used to enjoy or care about,lack or concern for personal hygiene, and open sores on the skin or bad complexion, suddenly consuming alcohol on a regular basis, hiding or withdrawing from family,missing money, missed work.

If you know someone that is showing these signs or symptoms of substance abuse seek help immediately. Consult with your family doctor to discuss possible causes, strategies and treatment. Many family doctors know of additional resources and support that you may not have considered. You have to ask for the help first. Arm yourself for the battle if addiction is present. You are in the fight of your life. Gather all available information and get help today, tomorrow may never come. Please see:  Drug Treatment Addressed During National Drug Fact Week .

Held hostage by addiction

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When a friend or family member is battling addiction, the whole family becomes engulfed in the problem and in essence is held hostage. Trapped in the addicts world, you either succumb to their addiction by becoming an enabler, or you abandon the addict and withdraw waiting for that one phone call that says it is over.
Family members often become overwhelmed with feelings of guilt, shame, depression and a type of grief is experienced very similar to losing a loved one entirely. The addicts family often defines their happiness by the type of day the addict is having. This is a classic form of co-dependency.

Co-dependency as defined by Merriam Webster’s Dictionary is "a psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition (as an addiction to alcohol or heroin); broadly : dependence on the needs of or control by another".

Breaking the hold that the addict has over the family is a difficult task. The addict is driven by the urges taking place bio chemically in his body and uses many forms of manipulation to continue to gain support for his lifestyle. It is not beyond an addict to use psychological abuse, guilt, blame and threats to get their family and friends to succumb to their wishes. This is why so often the family is unsuccessful at "curing" or helping an addict on their own.

Finding help for an addict requires doing the one thing that probably many families have tried to avoid. Admitting to someone outside the family that there is a problem. Many families hide and protect the addict and their addiction and go to great lengths to keep it a closely guarded secret. There are many ways to discreetly find help and one resource is online. There are many support groups, and information on the particular addiction you are dealing with. For great resources and help, please visit: Guide for Living.

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Addicts have tools of the trade

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If you live with or are exposed to an addict then you no doubt know that they have a huge arsenal of tools at their disposal that help them deal with you. Guilt may be up in the top five, if not number one on their list. Understand, an addict can rarely accept responsibility for their addiction, so blame and guilt are used twofold, to alleviate their personal responsibility, and to acquire help from you. There are some addicts  that have deep seated pain, guilt and often times unresolved issues that they have tried to numb with the drugs they use. Many, many times, there is abuse during early childhood involved. Family members need to understand that just because they have no recollection of any problems in an addicts past, doesn’t mean they didn’t happen.  Children can keep secrets for years.
Part of understanding what went wrong with an addicted friend or loved one is finding the core issue that is hidden. This can be difficult  as so many have buried the past so deeply within. Sometimes the addict has no known reason. Getting to the root cause is harder for these individuals, because you don’t have their pain to work from necessarily. Some become addicted simply out of a bad decision to “try” a drug. If they are alcoholics, or addicted to other things, ie: food, sex, etc.  Their addictive personalities can be all that was needed to turn the “curiosity” into addiction. Addictive personalities to not have the ability to “refuse” addictive substances.
Now that you have an idea of what tools an addict has to deal with you, it is time for you to figure out what tools you need to deal with the addict. First on the list is understanding there more than likely is a cause from the past that has generated into this addiction, and secondly is to become educated on the particular addiction you are dealing with. Third, waste no time getting help. Immediately.
The focus on treatment needs to take center stage. The time of letting the manipulation of guilt, blame and shame is over. These tools have kept the addict addicted, and possibly you addicted to their problems.  Ironing out fault, blame and problems will come, but you have to deal with a clean mind to make it happen. Do not allow the addict to use their pain to hurt your efforts any more. Acknowledge their pain, but do not allow yourself to dwell on it, if you see that they are using this as a tool of their trade to keep addicted. Healing will come when they are again sober, and you can work on the core issues. Time is of the essence. Time is running out.

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