The American Medical Association as well as the American Psychiatric Association has classified alcoholism and drug addiction as treatable diseases, so where do the insurance companies stand? Apparently a comfortable distance from the people suffering as the overwhelming majority of those who failed to receive treatment did so due to either a lack of heath insurance coverage or due to a lack of insurance coverage that provided for treatment. In fact only 25%of addicts and 42% of alcoholics were aided by private insurance despite the well-established characterization of the condition. With the costs associated with treatment being what they are it is necessary for these companies to provide coverage that gives access to treatment options that are tailored the needs of the individual.

As insurance companies are disinclined to provide the services required by those insured or enroll past substance abusers, the situation seems pretty bleak to the majority of those attempting to get help. While there is no overnight solution, there are a few things that can be done to nudge the industry and society in general in a more rational direction. The most pressing issue is the encouragement of congress to mandate that private insurers cover the detoxification and treatment of those with policies struggling with addiction. This is being hotly debated in Congress as the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act. This bill seeks to ensure that the insurance companies behave responsibly in seeing that the insured are provided access to the treatment that they pay for and deserve. You can obtain information about what you can do to help pass this legislation at www.nmha.org or at www.wellstone.org . Congress is extremely close to passing the bill and it is vital that you act as soon as possible as their August recess is approaching and they will likely adjourn in September.

An optimistic outcome of the passing of this legislation is that it might prompt the insurance industry to launch long-term studies into treatment options alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous. While for the past 73 years it has been the backbone of mainstream recovery there has not been a single study that has proven it more effective than no treatment at all. This is not to say that it doesn’t work for anyone, but there are a sizable percentage of patients who find its theory of powerlessness incompatible with their view of addiction. Most people are often unaware that other options exist. There are a variety of centers that approach the problem of addiction with practical, down-to-earth solutions and it would be to the mutual benefit to the insurance companies and the substance abusers to investigate these alternative avenues.

For many coping with addiction the issue isn’t inadequate coverage, it’s a complete lack of it. With the cost of substance abuse treatment rivaling that of treating cancer this is a seemingly impossible obstacle to overcome. The solution to this seems to be the adoption by Congress of Universal Coverage. In this system currently being debated in the presidential campaign every American would have access to affordable health insurance. This would broaden the base of those paying into the insurance system drastically lowering the rates, which have risen close to 5 times the rate of wages over the last decade. The result is that affordable insurance is no longer the privilege of those working for large corporations and the government. The State of Massachusetts has already done exactly that. Every citizen of that state is covered and pays on a sliding scale in accordance with their wages. This shows that it can and does work. Again, the only way to see programs such as this enacted nationally is to get involved. The only thing standing between you and coverage for you and your family is apathy so call your congressmen, speak with your friends, and judge the candidates on their commitment to your future.

While few will be able to reasonably expect that a television show will swoop in and save the day, we can hope for a sort of intervention. This will be the collective intervention of those who recognize and act on the deeply flawed nature of insurance payments for the treatment of addiction. We ask the insurance companies to INSURE so that hopefully, soon, the choice to get treatment will be as simple as deciding to go.

Before you confront your loved one about their substance abuse, realize that you cannot change their behavior. The goal of talking to your loved one is for you to be able to express your feelings, your concerns, and to clearly state what is acceptable for the future of the relationship you share. Recognizing that any changes made in their behavior, including the desire to seek treatment and pursue recovery, must be made by their own choice. If a person feels forced into treatment and recovery, it will not only become a source of conflict and resentment for the addict, but the recovery will not last.

As you speak with your loved one, be specific in explaining how their addiction is affecting you. Do they become violent when they are drunk or high? Is their substance abuse ruining your financial stability? Are you concerned about the effect the addiction has on your children? Are you consumed with worry for the addict, or experiencing depression and anxiety because of their addiction? Be as specific as possible when explaining the impact your loved one’s substance abuse is having on your life.

When you talk about the relationship you have with the person struggling with substance abuse, be clear on what you will and will not accept in the future. Keep in mind that if you cannot follow through on what you are asking for, then there is no point in asking for it. Establish clear boundaries, with clear outcomes for crossing them. For example, “If you continue to drink, then I will (leave you/divorce you, not spend time with you when you are drunk, get separate bank accounts).”

Avoid placing or taking blame for the addiction. Do not criticize or call the person names, as this will be unproductive and cause undue conflict. Be mindful of using “I” instead of “you” statements, such as, “I feel really upset when you drink as much as you do,” rather than, “You are making me upset with your drinking.” Own your feelings and behavior, as much as you want them to own theirs

Plan the confrontation for a time when they will be most coherent, and do not confront them if they are under the influence. As you plan the confrontation, think about how they may react. While they may have an awareness of their problem with substance abuse, they may not be ready to admit it. They may become angry, engage in self-harm, have a breakdown, or blame you for their problems. Carefully think through how they may react, and be prepared to handle it. However, if there is any chance of violence, do not confront them alone. In any situation, approach them non-judgmentally, with love, caring, and the intent to offer help and not blame.

It is very possible that your loved one may not admit their addiction as you confront them on your own. When one person who is not a substance abuser decides to confront someone who is, it often becomes a situation of the addict vs. the sober person. Often, a group intervention becomes necessary, and should be compiled of friends and family who see and are ready to confront the person about their substance abuse, and explain how it affects each of their lives. A group intervention is often successful, because the person can see that it is not just the opinion of one person, but that of several people. They can see that their addiction is something that impacts a life beyond their own.

After you have talked with your loved one about their addiction, be prepared to offer a few treatment options to them, and to be supportive if they choose to go forward in getting treatment. It is a good idea to be aware of what insurance coverage is available to them in order to help pay for the treatment.

Once you have drawn the line in the sand, do not do anything to support the addiction. Do not “call in sick”for them if they have a hangover. If they are broke because they have spent their money on drugs and alcohol, do not pay their bills for them. Do not make excuses for them anymore. If there are no consequences for their behavior, there is no motivation to change.

This assessment tool could serve as an eye-opener for the individual and force them to admit that they may have a problem with drugs.

Ask them to answer the following questions as honestly as possible, or leave the questionnaire in a place where he or she will most likely find it. Answers are yes or no.

• Have you had problems at work or school due to your drug use?
• Is your drug use making your home life unhappy?
• Do you use drugs in order to help you feel more comfortable around people?
• Have you spent money on drugs that were supposed to be spent on other things, like children’s clothes? Rent? Money owed to others?
• Have you been spending time with people that you don’t really care about because of your drug use?
• Has your drug use led you to take dangerous risks?
• Do you get cravings for drugs?
• Has your drug use led you to do things you are ashamed of?
• Have you ever used drugs in the morning?
• Have you ever been involved in a serious physical or verbal fight when using drugs?
• Do you ever use drugs to escape worries?
• Is it hard for you to imagine living without drugs?
• Have you ever thought you should cut back on your drug use?
• Has anyone ever criticized your drug use?
• Have you ever been arrested for a drug-related incident?
• Have you ever had trouble remembering what happened as a result of your drug use?
• Have you ever had a health problem because of your drug use?
• Have you ever lied about your drug use?
• Have you ever lost interest in things or activities that you used to find enjoyable?
• Do you feel like your life simply isn’t working out?

If the individual answers yes to three or more of these questions, then they probably have a drug problem that will only get worse without the proper help. Encourage them to seek the professional help that they need. Provide them with literature and contact sources. Give them a list of web sites that they can visit for more information. If all else fails, schedule an intervention to confront the individual with a drug problem.

For more information about intervention methods and techniques, there are a variety of resources available on the Internet and via local, community organizations.

Drug and substance abuse among children, especially teens, is substantial. According to the most recent statistics available, 1.1 million of our youth age 12 to 17 meet the diagnostic criteria for dependence on drugs and approximately 1 million of our American youth are being treated for alcohol dependency. Although these statistics may be startling, there are many things that parents can/should know about the prevention of drug addiction including how to recognize the signs/symptoms of drug/alcohol addiction and what they can do to help their child once a problem has been recognized.

Studies have shown that parents are often the first line of defense in the prevention of drug addiction. Numerous public service commercial announcements advertise parents as “the anti-drug.” Parents need to understand that ignorance is not bliss. Parents need to be well armed with the facts on prevention and treatment.

Parents need to spend quality time with their children and be open to discussions on drugs and alcohol. Parents need to know who their child’s friends are, where they are going, what they are doing, etc. Parents need to make their expectations very clear and establish that they will not tolerate drug use of any kind. If all of these factors are utilized, children will be less likely to use drugs.

It is also important that parents educate themselves about the types of drugs currently available. Although some of the standard drugs (drugs that may have been popular while the parent was a youth) are still around (marijuana, LSD, etc) there are also a number of new drugs that are very popular with today’s youth such as the inhalants (huffing). Conduct research on the Internet or attend a local community meeting regarding substance abuse.

There are three categories of substance abuse:

• Use (the occasional use of drugs without developing tolerance of withdrawal symptoms when not in use).
• Abuse (the continued used of drugs even while knowing that the continued use is creating problems socially, physically or psychologically).
• Dependence in which three of the following factors must be present: the substance is taken in large amounts over longer periods of time; their child has a persistent desire for the substance and has been unable to control their use; child may suffer from repeated periods of intoxication or detoxification; child continues to use even though the substance is causing problems; and the child takes more of the substance in order to relieve any withdrawal symptoms they may be experiencing.

Symptoms of substance abuse include the following:

• Personality changes
• Unusual outbreaks of temper
• Withdrawal from responsibility
• Changes in overall attitude
• Loss of interest in favorite hobbies and pursuits
• Changes in friends
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Increased secretiveness
• Sudden jitteriness, nervousness or aggression
• Deterioration of physical appearance/grooming
• Unusual borrowing from friends, co-workers or parents
• Stealing

It is important for parents to note that different substances lend themselves to different groups of drug addiction symptoms. In all cases however, the most glaring symptom is a radical change in behavior.

If you suspect that your child is abusing drugs, consult with your personal physician or pediatrician. You may also want to discuss the matter with your clergy or spiritual leader, an educational consultant, a therapist or a counselor. These professionals will help you assess the situation and seek the proper addiction treatment for your child.

Once your child has been diagnosed as having a drug addiction, there are a number of treatment options/programs available including:

• Outpatient treatment
• Day Treatment services
• Residential programs

Residential drug rehab and treatment programs may include Therapeutic Residential Boarding Schools or Therapeutic Wilderness Programs. Therapeutic Residential Boarding Schools stress holistic education whereas Therapeutic Wilderness Programs use outdoor therapy to work on issues. Residential Treatment Schools are highly structured environments whose emphasis is on treatment and learning coping skills and independent living techniques. Chemical education and treatment are also provided. To determine which method will be most beneficial to your child, research and discuss your options with a professional.

The following is an up close a personal look at what one young women experienced while entering into an addiction treatment program.

When I was seventeen I was given an ultimatum. I could ether willingly admit myself to an addiction rehabilitation program or I could go to jail. I did not think that this was much of a choice at the time, and was convinced that neither would be of benefit, so I chose the lesser of the two evils. My parents, possessed of little or no financial means could only afford to send me to a short term facility which consisted of an interment of thirty days. This was considerably less time than the alternative. I decided to go to addiction rehab. Despite my refusal to admit to my addiction, I was curious.

The first thing that I experienced in addiction drug rehab was the removal of my “street clothes”, to be replaced by a set of hospital scrubs. I was expected to wear these for a week so I could come to understand, physically and emotionally, that what I was suffering from was a disease. I found this to be rather absurd. I was seventeen; young, and still in the early stages of my addiction. Most of my experiences with drugs were limited and I did not believe they could be the cause of my problems or behavior. Later in my life, it began to make more sense to me. They were trying to install the idea, that although I had made bad choices, I was not totally at fault. I suffered from an affliction of the body and the mind, that as of yet I had no control over, and without treatment would progress and possibly become fatal.

There were about twenty of us in the program. It was a coed adolescent facility, so we consisted of both male and female and were all in our late teens. We ranged from a variety of backgrounds, environments, and levels of abuse. There were a few individuals suffering from a melange of psychological problems and drastic cases of withdrawal that had to be frequently medicated. In my opinion these teenagers received little or no help from this particular rehab, and was not surprised to discover they would shortly be removed to attend long term residential facilities.

A typical day consisted of three meals with snacks in between, sessions of both individual and group addiction counseling, an hour long period of recreational exercise, and a classroom session where we were expected to do the home work assigned from our individual high schools. The food was all right, but considering the amount of exercise we were receiving it was excessive and not adequately balanced. In thirty days I gained thirty pounds. The recreational period was very like an elementary recess, where we were basically left to our own devices. Considering how reluctant we were to do anything we were not forced to; none of us got any exercise.

Despite these circumstances, I learned a lot at that rehabilitation center. The sessions of both individual and group counseling were very therapeutic in teaching me positive thinking and ways of dealing with my personal and mental disabilities. I became educated on addictive substances and learned the range of medical facts and potential damage that they could cause. Through family counseling, my parents and I were able to work out some of our issues, that might have otherwise taken years. It gave me a start; a new beginning, which I never would have achieved on my own.

Since the drug addiction consumes your life, it is hard to imagine life without it. Addiction recovery involves change and not many people embrace change with open arms, especially when they know that the change is going to be difficult to come by. Some people don’t admit to having an addiction until something traumatic occurs such as the loss of a job or the loss of a loved one. Others may never admit to their addiction and will continue to live their lives in denial. However, the sooner you can admit to your addiction, the sooner the healing can begin. Once you can admit that you have a problem, there are a number of resources available to assist you on your road to recovery.

Once you have admitted to your addiction, the next step in the recovery process is to cleanse your body, mind and soul of the damaging effects of the addictive substance. This process of detoxification can take place in a hospital or other medically related treatment facility. Once your body is cleared of the negative addictive substance, work can begin on the mind and the soul. This process may involve individual counseling where the addict is educated about their addiction and provided with a number of new methods for dealing with this addiction. Problem solving skills may be introduced, as well as methods and techniques, which will aid in the event that a relapse occurs. Core issues leading to the addiction will also most likely be explored. Group counseling and family counseling are other options that may be helpful in the recovery process. In addition, addicts going through detoxification will be educated on a variety of helpful healthy topics, including nutrition and exercise, which will aid in the recovery process by boosting the individual’s self-awareness and self-esteem.

Family support throughout the recovery process is essential. While the addict is in recovery, the family members and loved ones of the addict must also deal with their own issues involving the addiction. This may be achieved by family and individual addiction counseling sessions as well as by attending support groups specifically geared towards family members of addicts. Through this educational process the family members should also be providing the addict with their love, support and encouragement. Nothing is more encouraging to the addict than knowing that their family members and loved ones are also working on their own issues.

Finally, once detoxification is complete and the addict returns to society, they need to continue to receive support from their family and loved ones. They may also choose to continue to attend support groups and counseling sessions to help to prevent relapses.

The road to recovery, is a major life-altering journey. The work will be hard but the reward, living a clean, drug & alcohol free life, will be worth it in the end.

Cycles can be a positive thing such as the annual review and raise that you might receive at work, the sleep cycle so that our bodies can regenerate and heal, the merri-go-round of love and, yes, even the dreaded menstrual cycle if there is concern regarding an unplanned pregnancy can be a positive experience.

When is a cycle a negative or dangerous pursuit? When is threatens to destroy a quality life. If the Earth does not have snow and rain in the winter season it dehydrates and is parched in the summer. It starves and so do we. If the wheels on the bike stop moving, the bike and rider fall over. The cycle of drug addiction is never a positive outcome and all efforts should be made to achieve a healthy, productive and long term recovery from this dark and sinister downward spiral.

To recreate a new pattern of living from a tattered and deeply worn path will be the greatest and most empowering inner expedition an addict will ever encounter. The first step is to truly want it so sincerely that you can think of little else other than getting clean. It may be for you, your loved ones or better yet a combination of both. Unfortunately, the reality of the drug and alcohol addiction cycle and breaking free from its grip is not that uncomplicated. It can be a very difficult process with occasional periods of personal let down, but this fact cannot in any way be allowed to discourage those seeking freedom from addictions.

Your body, in almost every aspect of its being, is addicted when you are a mild to chronic user and abuser. Your peripheral nervous system, your brain, your muscle tissue are all living in anticipation of the next high. So, for the addict, it is crucial that the cycle of behavior, like that circular bare pathway that the tethered dog creates running and running trying to get beyond its chain and stake, is broken. The addict needs to yank up the anchor that keeps them from moving forward and progressing outside of their chemical bondage and this means changing environments, patterns and even sometimes friends and social associates. Sometimes it is necessary to invoke an intervention or enter the addict in a drug rehab program in order to change the behavours.

Once an addict has made the personal commitment to change old habitual cycles, the next step is to establish new, safe and positive influences in their life. These can be found in quality support groups, hospital substance abuse centers and rehabilitation clinics. No matter what the setting, it is important to be around strangers. Being in proximity to familiar places and people may promote the tendency to fall back into old thoughts and behaviors. Of the before mentioned options, private drug rehabilitation, addiction treatment programs, and retreats seem to be gaining popularity, in part, due to the impressive success rate they boast.

To break the drug addiction cycle, one merely needs to stop walking the ring. Make the conscious decision to either step out of the beaten trench or stand still, just stand in one place long enough to gain a new perspective that will inspire you to desire an unpolluted field that your footprints leave only one impression in as you walk toward new, always fresh pathways too not follow, but create.

When a person who has a drug addiction is married or in a relationship, it is important that you realize that the person who has a drug addiction is acting upon their partner in a very negative way.

They might be unresponsive, and they might fail in the things that they have always done in the relationships. It might be that a person who has a drug addiction is harsh with the people that they love, and it might be that they don’t know how to relate with the person they are in a relationship with because the person that they are in a relationship with is not part of the drug or alcohol addiction and is therefore not as important.

It is true that when a person is addicted to a certain drug, they are going to be very selfish and they are going to have many things that they don’t take care of because they are busy dealing with their own drug addiction. A person will forget about everything in order to get the drug that they are addicted to, and sometimes, most times, this takes a toll on the people that they are closest to.

Often times, when a person has an addiction, their other family members are going to suffer as well. If the person who has an addiction is a child, their parents are going to feel as though they could have done something differently, or that t hey failed in some way by not stopping their child from getting addicted to a certain drug, alcohol, or substance.

They are going to feel like they have lost their child, and that they have not raised the child in the way they would have wished. If the person who has a drug addiction has children, those children are going to have lots of problems. Often they are abused and neglected because of their parent’s search for the drugs that they are addicted to.

In many cases, the children end up feeling like they have done something wrong because they weren’t able to be as important to their parents as the drug that their parents are addicted to. In many of these cases, it takes children a long time to heal after their parents have gotten help for their drug addiction.

Even when a person does not have a spouse, parent or child to be concerned with, there is still going to be a negative impact on that person’s friends. They will feel left out, and they will feel that their friend has been pushing them aside in favor of the drugs. They will also feel that the person with a drug addiction has become a different person and they will often not be aware of who that person really is.

Friends, family and others aside, drug addiction also takes a toll on society as a whole. A person with a drug addiction is going to stop showing up for work, which is going to hurt the place that they work and the other people that work there. They are going to be more likely to need government assistance, which is going to hurt taxpayers and government officials. Also, they are going to be a detriment to society as a whole because they are just not functioning members of the place in which they live. Anyone who is not a functioning member of society hurts society. Drug addiction hurts everyone.

Alcohol addiction treatment coordinators typically subscribe to two different beliefs – either that alcoholism is a disease or that alcoholism is a choice. The first step of alcohol addiction treatment is admitting that the drinking has gotten out of hand, it is a problem, it’s time to stop now and help is required in order to successfully do so. Alcohol addiction treatment facilities typically require detoxification of some variety. This involves an immediately effective abstinence from all alcohol, with help from counselors and group support meetings. During the detox phase, some alcohol addiction treatment centers administer drugs that mimic the effect of alcohol to help the addict wean off the substance with as few side effects as possible. Other alcohol addiction treatment centers may prefer all-natural approaches to detox, with saunas and massages.

Essentially, the end goal of alcohol addiction treatment is to help the person heal their whole person – mind, soul, body and emotions. Most alcohol addictions have an underlying cause and this will be examined during the treatment process. If the alcohol addiction treatment is successful, the recovering addict will emerge with renewed self-confidence, optimism, purpose and a whole group of supportive friends who are going through the exact same life experience. By no means does recovery conclude when a patient exits the alcohol addiction treatment center’s doors. It is instead a lifelong process of exerting willpower to overcome alcohol’s temptation, but alcohol addiction treatment gives a person the tools, confidence and support needed to embark on that journey.

When most people think of addiction they think in terms of substance abuse, but it relates to any number of circumstances that fill a desire that the addict can not deal with properly.

Some of the more well known subjects of addiction include, substance abuse, alcoholism, eating and gambling disorders, compulsive working, shopping, cleaning, exercising and other objects of obsession. Despite the many differences, all of these subjects contain elements of the same behavior. Whether it is to escape, to feel good, to forget or to maintain, the addict is not in control and lacks the components to make healthy decisions.

One of the major obstacles of addiction is the social acceptance or even encouragement of the negative behavior. Addiction is not a case of black and white; good or bad.

Some addictions are illegal, while others can evolve from participating in condoned activities. Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine are examples of substances that are not only legal but available on almost every street corner. Sometimes it seems that our entire economy revolves around the marketability of these substances.

These perspective industries are a huge part of our society and spend a lot of money in advertising. Between commercials, billboards, movies, and magazines, they portray the idea that it is not only a good thing to partake in, but will some how change the individual for the better. It does not help that these substances are highly addictive and dangerous as well. The negative influence of society on helping to create and maintain drug addictions, can also include the aspects of gambling and eating disorders.

We live in a country based on the idea of the availability of opportunity. It is the country where anyone can quickly become rich with hardly any application or involvement. Gambling addictions affect a variety of individuals and can be equally as harmful as substance abuse. Eating disorders are also very harmful and aggravated by society. Anorexia and bolemia are two types of abuse that are brought on by the individual’s idea of being overweight.

This perception is not helped by the fashion industries absurd portrayal of the “desired woman”, who is six feet tall and weighs no more than a hundred and twenty pounds. Young women all over the world are starving themselves to death in imitation of something that is not only unrealistic but unhealthy and abnormal.

Eating disorders also include behaviors in the opposite extreme, where the individual is addicted to food and chronically over eats. The situation is quite ironic. While we typecast our ideal versions of the “perfect” people, we are also the country of the overly obese. We are the inventors of the fast food chain.

Whatever the degree or type of the addiction, no matter what the substance or behavior is, it is not a healthy way to live and one should get some addiction treatment from a drug rehab as soon as possible.

Addiction treatment and addiction recovery are two distinct processes. The treatment process revolves around investigating the history of the addict and identifying the critical issued that lead the initial addiction. Once those have been identified the process of defining the circumstances that have allowed the addiction to continue or escalate can occur. For many addicts these processes can be traumatic, causing them to reflect on issues that they may not be ready to confront. Critical to the success of these processes is the willingness for the addict to face the issues and require closure. If this level of commitment cannot be achieved, the likelihood of achieving any long-term success is effectively nil. There may be some reduction in the frequency of abuse or there may even appear to be complete success, but sitting underneath the façade will be an addiction waiting to resurface with a vengeance.

In order for an addict to survive the drug rehab treatment process there will need to be a period where the cold hard facts of the situation are discussed and the benefits and pitfalls of the treatment options outlined. The addicts will be setting themselves up for failure if they commence treatment without being fully aware and committed to the entire treatment process. In reality any treatment process will not be completed if this is the case and relapse is likely to occur.

Additionally in the addiction treatment process the addict will require ongoing support and encouragement. This will be required from family, professional staff and potentially peers or others suffering the same or similar addictions. There will be no quick fix and the addict will need to set and achieve short-term goals. Depending on the nature of the addiction this may be in terms of hourly, daily or weekly goals. It is important for the addicts’ sense of self worth that they are able to look themselves in the mirror and believe that they are worth the time and effort required to make the change.

The addiction recovery process has a focus on maintaining the long-term success of the treatment undertaken. The addict will need to understand that there is no timeframe that can be placed on recovery as an ongoing process. To survive in recovery the addict will need to identify the situations that could potentially bring about a relapse and identify alternatives to those situations. The previous life that the addict led will not be appropriate and significant changes must occur in relation to lifestyle and acquaintances.

It is important that the addict focus on the positive aspects of their recovery. Too much attention directed on what the addict will not do is in fact likely to cause the addict exhibit the behavior that they are trying to avoid. There are many opportunities in the treatment and recovery processes for celebrating milestones, and while this is important for the overall success of the program and esteem of the addict, it is also important that they don’t become the focus of a recovery program. Celebrating with individuals who are undergoing a similar process can encourage addicts to maintain their focus. Critical to any recovery process is having the knowledge that others have suffered the same ordeals and survived.

I have spent most of my life suffering from addiction, although even I was unaware of this until a few years ago. Like most teenagers I experimented in high school with various drugs, but it was not until my early twenties that I found that alcohol was my drug of choice. I believe that addicts think differently than other people. Besides having a more physically “addictive personality”, or genetic predisposition, I believe we are more sensitive and aware than the common populace. This sensitivity leads to a variety of mental illnesses that the addiction embraces as a means for the escape. Suffering from anxiety, introversion, and depression, I have in the past self medicated myself with alcohol, which only led to my total dependence upon the drug to enable me to deal with my every day life.

One of the strangest traits about addiction, are the individuals stubborn refusal to admit that anything is wrong, even when their close ones have come to the conclusion long ago that there is a serious problem. It is an example of how powerful and perverse addiction is. It strips us of our self esteem, our desire to live, our belief in anything good and kind, our will to change, and our self worth. I have met hundreds of individuals that have lost everything that is dear to them; not just occupations and material possessions, but families, loved ones and their own self respect. I have seen these people crying out in self disgust, promising God through prayers that they will change, vowing to abstain, only to pick up the bottle the next day. Strange behavior, but not unfamiliar to me. How many mistakes can a person make before they begin to realize that there needs to be a change? How far to the bottom must a person fall before they ask for help or enter drug rehab? Unfortunately for some the answer is; pretty far.

Like any other disease, for the health of the individual the addiction needs to be treated. I have seen a few cases where people were able to quit their perspective drugs on their own, but only to relapse shortly after. Without a drug rehab and support groups their mental state will not have changed and nothing will be resolved. It is only a matter of time before they use again. People like to ask addicts why. Why do they continue to use when everything they have contact with turns into a nightmare? Some can answer honestly; others do not have a clue. It requires the ability to admit the problem to find the answer to the problem. The main thing people need to know about addiction is that it effects perfectly normal people and is quite common. We are not monsters…it is not contagious…and we did not choose to be this way. It is the way the cards have fallen and just another reality that needs to be dealt with; compassionately and honestly.

In the midst of all this suffering, how can there be a way out? Is there any hope of defeating the monster and living a drug-free life again? A life before pills, bottles, needles, and powders? A life where you had a family who loved you, a job that you liked, and friends that weren’t shoving needles in their veins? A life where there was no monster?

Yes, there is! As hopeless as it sounds, you can have your life back. No matter how tightly your addiction holds you, you are stronger. You can break that hold forever. Recovery won’t be handed to you; you will have to work for it. Your addiction had a beginning; recovery also has a beginning. It starts with a choice – your choice to take back what belongs to you; your life, your health, and your spirit. Things that you thought were gone forever can be restored if you make that choice and mean it.

There is no “right” or “wrong” way to recover from addiction; there is only your way. On your journey to recovery, you will meet friends along the way who can help you when you falter, speak to you about hope when you’re feeling hopeless, and lend you strength when yours is weak. When was the last time you slept through the night without drugs, enjoyed a meal, or played a game? As you recover, small things that you once took for granted will play a vital part in your life; health, nutrition, fitness, spirituality, restful sleep, affection, fun, and laughter!

Drug addiction is a cycle. You started with recreational use, believing that you can fully control your drug use. It become more frequent, and then even more frequent until your mind and your body were owned by addiction, the monster you created. However, recovery is not about self-blame. It is about personal responsibility and a total lack of denial about your addiction. Only then can the cycle of recovery begin.

Then it started to become no fun anymore. Those two DUIs cost you a lot of money – and your freedom. A jail cell – there’s nothing fun down that road. Your job’s gone, and so are your spouse and kids. Who’s going to wait around for you when you’re facing criminal charges for possession of an illegal substance? Those bar fights that, as far as you can recall, you kept losing. Your broken nose just had to heal itself; no money for medical care, and no insurance to pay the bill. Your driver’s license has been revoked. Worst of all, if you don’t keep drinking and using every day, you go through really awful withdrawal symptoms that could be fatal due to grand mal seizures. You drink and use not to have fun anymore, but to keep those horrible withdrawal symptoms at bay. You’ve lost everything that is important to you. The next thing you lose could be your life.

When you’ve reached this point, you may feel utterly hopeless and powerless over your drug(s) of choice. You’ve messed up your body and spirit so badly that hell wouldn’t have it. You’re on the road to nowhere. Once you understand this, you have started addiction recovery. That’s the first step – admitting that you are an addict. In fact, addiction recovery cannot begin unless you stop denying that you have a substance dependence problem. It may seem difficult to believe, but when you stop the denial, you can firmly set your foot on the road to addiction recovery.

The second crucial step in addiction recovery is seeking help. This is a problem that you can’t cope with alone. But in drug rehabilitation you are never alone. Trusted friends – other addicts and addiction therapists – will be at your side during your recovery from addiction. A good place to decide what type of drug rehabilitation service is best for you is by discussing your addiction with your physician. After carefully taking your physical history and your alcohol and drug abuse history, your physician will talk with you about the many options open to you for addiction recovery. You will probably need to be medically detoxified to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal and prevent possible life-threatening conditions, depending upon the drugs you’ve been using. Never abruptly stop using alcohol, tranquilizers like Valium and Xanax, or barbiturate drugs like Seconal and Nembutal; the withdrawal from these drugs can have fatal consequences.

Addiction recovery is not only physical, but emotional as well. Depression, anxiety, even thoughts of suicide can happen during the early stage of recovery. For this reason, and many others, you will need a comprehensive addiction recovery program that addresses your physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. This type of program is most often found in drug rehabilitation centers. Addiction recovery is no mystery to the majority of the staff members because they too are in long-term, stable recovery. They will show you by example that you can, if you choose, find your way out of this nightmare. Sobriety is possible, and your addiction recovery counselors are living proof that this is true.

You start addiction recovery the very moment you acknowledge that you are an addict, and that you will live a life – if you call it a life – dominated by jail or prison cells, emergency rooms, dangerous withdrawal symptoms, drug pushers, bill collectors and you may find yourself homeless, living on the mean streets with other addicts, alcoholics and junkies. No job, no money, and no purpose in life. An anonymous alcoholic and narcotics addict once said,” I’m tired of living, but scared of dying.” Rather than being stuck in this in-between state, through addiction recovery you can get your life back.

Start your recovery from addiction today. You’ll never be alone and hopeless again.

It is vital that you admit you have a problem with substance abuse. This is often the first step in really getting a cure. It is impossible to get a cure to substance abuse problems if you refuse to admit the problem exists in the first place. In order to cure your problem, and to really be healed, you need to figure out that you have one, and take steps to correct your problem, like seeking the help of a drug rehab.

There are many ways to end substance abuse, and there are many resources for someone who wishes to end their own substance abuse. It is very important for someone who wishes to end their substance abuse problems to seek help – from a drug rehab or wherever they can find it. There are many resources that one can find, in churches, schools or communities. Many hospitals and health service providers will be able to point a person in the right direction when it comes to treatment options.

The first step in ending substance abuse is to figure out the root of the problem. A person needs to be aware of what kind of substance they have problems with, and when that substance became a problem.

There is often a trigger to substance abuse problems, and it might be something as small as a group of people that you hang out with. You need to identify your trigger, and you need to take steps to not allow it to give you problems. If it is a certain group of people or an activity, you may need to take steps to remove these triggers from your life. It is very important that you recognize the things about your life that led to your substance abuse problems, and it is just as important that you take steps to rid yourself of those problems.

The next step is to seek help somewhere. All too often, people think that they can solve their substance abuse problems on their own, and that is simply not the truth. In order to fully cure yourself of a substance abuse problem, you need to seek help somewhere, and find someone to talk to. Some substances are harder to rid yourself of than others, and so some might require more help than others to stop. No matter what substance you have a problem with, you need to find a person to talk to that can help you make it no longer a problem.

No matter what your substance abuse problem is, it is always worth it to get help. Nothing bad will come of you seeking help, and your life will only be enriched by the people and processes that you get involved with in order to help yourself with your substance abuse problem. It is going to be worth it in the end, even if you have to give up certain people or activities that are not good for you. It is important that you realize that there is help, and if you can manage to ask for it, you can be on the path to recovering from your substance abuse problem. You are not alone, and it is important for you to realize that you will never be alone. Seeking help for a substance abuse problem is probably the biggest step you can take towards a successful recovery and a drug-free lifestyle.

Of course not. In both situations, you would need the assistance of a skilled medical expert. In comparison, if you seek help for addiction treatment, you need high-quality addiction counseling. You can’t counsel yourself. Physicians don’t treat themselves for an illness or injury, nor do mental health professionals counsel themselves if a crisis occurs in their lives. Addiction treatment and recovery depends highly upon addiction counseling because of the intense denial and underlying emotional distress often experienced by addicts. Again, medical treatment for a sexually transmitted disease is only half-complete unless you receive counseling about how to avoid this problem in the future.

Once you enter addiction treatment, your goal will be to live your life drug and/or alcohol-free. Treatment is difficult, something you only want to do once. To achieve this goal, addiction counseling gives you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to determine how your substance abuse began, and why it continued to the point of severely impacting your life and your health. You counselor does not have these answers, but you do. Addiction counseling helps you find these answers within yourself, where they have always been but were distorted because of your addiction. Drug rehab centers and programs depend heavily on addiction counseling to help you get sober and stay sober. Medical research by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) clearly indicates that becoming substance-free is only half of the battle; achieving life-long abstinence is very difficult without the help and support of an addiction counselor. In fact, many addicts in recovery choose to continue Aftercare counseling to avoid relapsing.

Addiction treatment is not about constantly re-hashing all the things you regret doing or saying when you were using. It’s not about heaping blame and guilt upon yourself over your past mistakes. Addiction counseling uses your past experiences as merely lessons that you can learn from, rather than repeat in the future. Many addicts find themselves doing the same thing repeatedly, and expecting a different outcome. Your addiction counselor can help you learn that when you use drugs and/or alcohol, the same thing will always happen: something negative will be the consequences of your actions. No one plays for free.

Addiction counseling is an essential component in your recovery and rehabilitation. Without counseling, it is difficult, if not impossible, to learn to understand how you arrived at this point, and how to walk this difficult path only once.

Drugs can take over your life, and for some people, it can happen with little or no warning. Drug addiction might begin as something fun to do with a friend, or experimenting with a group of people. It might not appear to have any negative effects on you at first, which is why it is something that can get out of control very easily.

It can ruin lives, destroy relationships, and turn a person into something they never wanted to be. Certainly, drug addiction is a terrible thing, but there is such a thing as recovery. There are bad things inside of a person that can be conquered, and drug addiction is one of them.

You can identify drug addiction in someone when they use drugs often and cannot seem to function properly without them. Their body might be physically addicted to the drugs, and their lifestyle might mean that they are addicted to drugs in order to completely live their lives. It is very often that someone with a drug addiction is not able to cope without their drugs, and there are several reasons that this happens.

This might usually occur when a person has been doing something for long enough for it to become habit. Drinking among friends might be socially acceptable, and having a few drinks is not considered drug addiction. It happens though, that sometimes a person begins to rely on certain substances for their happiness, and when a person begins to become addicted to any of these substances this is when drug addiction becomes a real problem.

The hardest part of recovery is going to be admitting that you need help and checking into a drug rehab, and once you have done this, recovery can come much easier. In order to recover completely from drug addiction, a person must admit to not only themselves, but also to other people around them that they cannot control their substance use.

Even though drug addiction is something that can destroy lives you don’t need to let it destroy yours. For everyone, there is always a chance at recovery, and it is important for you to know that there are always things that you can do. Even talking to a friend that has been having a problem with drug addiction is a good way of finding out what is really going on, and might lead towards getting better

It is important or remember that drug addiction has a potential to lead even further if it is left alone and that it is very rare that it is going to get any better. If someone you know has a serious drug addiction problem, chances are good that it is only going to get worse. And many times, it is not going to be something that a person can take care of on their own. Drug addiction requires help, and it is vital for people to understand this fact. It is never too late to get help, and getting help is not going to have a negative affect on drug addiction. It will only make your life better. Please get help! By getting help, you are enriching your own life and making the people you are close to live better lives.

Drug addiction will ruin lives, turn relationships into something that does not work, and make someone into something they never wanted to be. It is a terrible thing, but there is such a thing as recovery. When you make bad choices, with a little hard work and determination, you can reverse the things that have happened due to the choices you have made.

When someone is involved with drugs, and has developed a drug addiction, their body might be physically addicted to the drugs, and the drug use might have become such an engrained part of their life that they simply cannot imagine life without their drugs. It might be that they need the drugs in order to completely live. It is very often that someone with a drug addiction is not able to cope without their drugs, and there are several reasons that this happens. No matter the reason, however, it can be tricky to deal with without the help of a drug rehab.

A physical and mental addiction usually occurs when a person has been doing something for long enough for it to become habit. For instances, having a few drinks among friends might be socially acceptable, and having a few drinks would not be considered drug addiction. It happens though, that sometimes a person begins to rely on certain substances for their happiness, such as alcohol or other drugs, and when a person relies on these substances, the addiction has begun, and here is where the real problems lie.

It will be hard for a person who has a drug addiction to admit that they need help, first and foremost. It is always going to be hard, and if you are dealing with someone who has a drug addiction and they will not admit that they have a problem, it is going to be very hard to get them help. Keep in mind that a person cannot get better unless they really want to.

It is important or remember that drug addiction will get worse if it is left alone and that it is very rare that it is going to get any better without any help. If someone you know has a serious drug addiction problem, it is not a good idea to ignore the problem and hope that it will go away. Also, most of the time, a drug addiction is not going to be something that a person can take care of on their own. Drug addiction requires help, and it is vital for people to understand this fact. It is never too late to get help, and getting help is not going to have a negative effect on drug addiction. It will only make your life better. Please get help! By getting help, you are not only enriching your own life but you are helping the people you are close to live better lives.

In the midst of all this suffering, how can there be a way out? Is there any hope of defeating the monster and living a drug-free life again? A life before pills, bottles, needles, and powders? A life where you had a family who loved you, a job that you liked, and friends that weren’t shoving needles in their veins? A life where there was no monster?

Yes, there is! As hopeless as it sounds, you can have your life back. No matter how tightly your addiction holds you, you are stronger. You can break that hold forever. Recovery won’t be handed to you; you will have to work for it. Your addiction had a beginning; recovery also has a beginning. It starts with a choice – your choice to take back what belongs to you; your life, your health, and your spirit. Things that you thought were gone forever can be restored if you make that choice and mean it.

There is no “right” or “wrong” way to recover from addiction; there is only your way. On your journey to recovery, you will meet friends along the way who can help you when you falter, speak to you about hope when you’re feeling hopeless, and lend you strength when yours is weak. When was the last time you slept through the night without drugs, enjoyed a meal, or played a game? As you recover, small things that you once took for granted will play a vital part in your life; health, nutrition, fitness, spirituality, restful sleep, affection, fun, and laughter!

Drug addiction is a cycle. You started with recreational use, believing that you can fully control your drug use. It become more frequent, and then even more frequent until your mind and your body were owned by addiction, the monster you created. However, recovery is not about self-blame. It is about personal responsibility and a total lack of denial about your addiction. Only then can the cycle of recovery begin.

If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, turn some pages and let your new, drug-free life begin!

It’s been six weeks since the former drinker has had anything alcoholic to drink. Yeah, he’s keeping track. Seems that during this six weeks, he has been giving a lot of thought to the subject of alcoholism and alcohol addiction treatment and related stuff. So, the question came up as to whether he considered himself an alcoholic and, therefore, now a recovering alcoholic.

He said no, he didn’t consider himself an alcoholic before, and does not consider himself to be one now, nor does he think of himself as being “in recovery” or “recovering” or “having recovered” for that matter. He says he quit drinking, and isn’t going to start again, and that’s basically it in a nutshell.

He did admit that it took a LOT of willpower not to kid himself into thinking that “one little beer won’t hurt”, or “one little mixed drink isn’t going to push me over the edge”. He realizes that no drinking means no drinking.

He says that while he personally didn’t think he needed to go to AA or anything like that, he does know that the fact that increasing his church attendance is what helped HIM. So, he can understand how some people might need the help that an organized alcohol addiction treatment program can offer.

It’s for sure that such a program does have the means to “hold one accountable”, and that sometimes some people find it necessary to hold themselves accountable to another person. And, that’s fine, he said. What’s important is that a person stops drinking, no matter how it is accomplished.

His wife said, “AMEN, BROTHER!”