Recovering addicts and depression during the holidays

Image via Wikipedia

You would think that recovering addicts would have so much to be thankful for during the holidays that they'd never get depression. We know now that many addicts suffer from depression aside from their addiction, and, in fact a good deal of their addiction stems from self medicating via pain killers. It is really imperative that recovering addicts find strength and help through their sponsors and to also separately have their depression treated. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, or depression and live in South Carolina, see the *link at the end of this article.

Holidays seem to pose a lot of risks for depression with recovering addicts. Trying to stay clean and sober when the whole world seems to be celebrating can often affect the addict's ability to be able to withstand the temptations. Loneliness, even coming down off the former high, can bring about powerful feelings of depression. Things that a recovering addict, or their loved one need to pay attention to are the signs and symptoms of depression.

The symptoms are as follows:

1. Lack of interest in any activities formerly enjoyed. Work, sex, hobbies, etc.
2. Difficulty focusing on tasks and completing tasks especially those that were easy to complete before. Indecisiveness and confusion.
3. Excessive tiredness, low energy.
4. Insomnia or sleeping too much.
5. Feelings of hopelessness, guilt and unreasonable fears
6. Committing suicide, or hurting someone.
7. Loss of weight or gaining weight from either under eating or over eating.

You should be concerned if you are experiencing at least four of these symptoms and if you are experiencing more than four, it is time to seek additional help and support. Depression can be easily treated, and if caught early can be contained in its severity for a recovering addict.

*South Carolina Treatment Centers

For those living elsewhere, see:

Recovery Connection

For those seeking additional information, and support for various types of drug abuse and addiction, see: The Addicted Family.

Related articles by this author:

• Recovering addicts: Avoiding triggers during the holidays
• Celebrities that paid the price of addiction in 2011
• Tips for recovering alcoholics during the holidays

Addiction to inhalants

Image via Wikipedia

Addiction to inhalants

All too often addiction to inhalants becomes overshadowed by other drugs like meth and crack cocaine. However, inhalants are just as deadly and even scarier, because they are easier to obtain due to the fact many are sold in many retail stores for other purposes. If you live in South Carolina and are suffering from inhalant abuse, or have a loved one suffering see: State Rehab Information - South Carolina

What are inhalants?

Inhalants are a broad range of drugs whose volatile vapors are taken in via the nose and trachea. Most inhalant drugs that are used non-medically are ingredients in household or industrial chemical products that are not intended to be concentrated and inhaled. A small number of recreational inhalant drugs are pharmaceutical products that are used illicitly.

Categories of inhalants - volatile solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites

Side effects of using inhalants

Short term adverse side effects of abusing inhalants include dilated pupils, palpitations, breathing difficulties, disorientation, headaches, nausea and a chemical smell on the breath. In extreme cases they can include death from suffocation or heart failure, as well as vivid hallucinations and a tingling sensation in the extremities.

Long term side effects of using inhalants

• Bone marrow injury

• Heart damage

• Lung damage

• Liver damage and/or cirrhosis

• Kidney damage

• nerve cell damage

• Brain shrinkage
   
  
• Addiction and tolerance
  
  
• Withdrawal
   
• severe weight loss
   
• Muscle weakness
   
• confusion
  
  
• lack of concentration
   
• Poor coordination
   
• Irregular or rapid heart palpitations
  
  
• Irritability
   
• Depression
   
• Reduced ability to make rational decisions 
   
• Dementia
  
  
• Lost sense of touch
   
• Deafness
   
• Blindness
   
• Reproductive complications

Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome:

Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome is the result of someone (usually a youth) sniffing inhalants. While it can occur with any variety of Inhalants, it has been reported largely due to the abuse of air conditioning coolant, butane, propane, and the chemicals in some aerosol products as well. Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome can and does result in sudden cardiac arrest. The Inhalant causes the heart to beat rapidly and erratically, thus causing cardiac arrest in the user.

Related articles

• Will Steven Adler be the next celebrity to succumb to drugs?
• Addiction to Ambien
• Morphine Abuse and Treatment

Will Steven Adler be the next celebrity to succumb to drugs?

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

If you have ever watched Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on television than you are familiar with Steven Adler's ongoing struggle with addiction. Steven Adler's claim to fame began most notably in the 1980's as the drummer of the band Guns and Roses. Adler was fired from the band for his drug abuse and established a few bands of his own that were not successful. Most recently he has been in the band Adler's Appetite.

Steven Adler has been on the show Celebrity Rehab twice to conquer his addictions and has also been on the show Celebrity Rehab Presents:Sober House, a follow up care facility for recovering addicts. Dr. Drew, the physician caring for the addicts on Celebrity Rehab has had his hands full with Adler, publicly referring to the rock star as “the problem child” of the group in rehab. With so many celebrities succumbing to the disease of addiction, will Steven Adler be next? It would certainly be no surprise if Adler were to make headlines similar to others that have passed away before their time. It would however, be a life of value lost forever, and that is something society will grieve.

The power of addiction is so strong that even with suffering serious health issues the drummer still has yet to overcome his addictions. Adler has suffered from a heart attack,been in a coma, and had a stroke in 1996, which rendered his face partially paralyzed. One important message one suffering from addiction can gleam from Adler is the Adler's ongoing effort. Relapse is a part of addiction, and it may take many times to fully gain control and command over the disease. The real message that the rocker is sending is to keep on trying. It is important that the fight continues and in cases of addiction, when you give up you die.

We can only wish Steven Adler the best of luck, and hope that he makes it to the other side of life, sobriety. Rock on.

Related articles by this author:

• Amy Winehouse death, a sobering reminder
• Dysfunctional families and addiction
• Montel Williams supports legalization of medicinal marijuana
• Resources and help for alcoholism
• What is a functioning alcoholic

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler no big fan of Celebrity Rehab

Image via Wikipedia

Front man for the band Aerosmith is no stranger to addiction and the excesses that come with fame. Steven Tyler however has been very public in his distaste of the show Celebrity Rehab. In his new book, "Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?," Tyler rips both the VH1 show and its host, addiction-medicine specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky, who formerly worked at one of the hospitals where he sought treatment.

Image via WikipediaTyler wrote that his friend, Steven Adler from Gun's and Roses was told to fake a drug induced stupor for the cameras while on the show. States Tyler, " They wanted him to act out his own messed-up state when he entered rehab. It was ghoulish and unreal. They gave him 30 grand for the episode, he snorted it all, crashed his car, and he ended up in jail detox," Tyler wrote. One rather poignant remark made by the super star gives a compassionate description of what it is to be a recovering addict, “You're not a bad person getting better, you're a sick person getting well.” Well put Steven.