Drug Detox Treatment Strategies
When you are faced with the reality of an addiction, you need to consider your options. It might sound crazy, but you do have the option of staying where you are, of staying addicted. As I’ve gone deeper into Byron Katie’s teachings, I realize that we have to embrace reality what ever its form. So if you are not ready to break your addiction cycle, well then you are not ready. That’s the reality of the situation. If you do feel ready and you’re doing this for you and not for someone else, then here are some options.
First depending on the drugs involved, of course, you might be able to handle this as a private home matter. Alcohol drug detox is nothing to fool around with, so if were talking about alcohol addiction, please seek professional guidance. Otherwise, with some planning and the help of friends and family, you may be able to detox at home. Drug detox is nothing to fool around with so if you think that you might balk, seek professional help and do a clinic detox instead. As with many things, it would be better to spend the money and do it once instead of have a half-baked experience.
Gather the OTC meds that you’ll need for the detox. You’ll need things like Malox and Advil and fluids like Gatorade and plenty of Pepto Bismol. Tell people what you are doing. Having emotional and physical support is going to make all the difference. I have a friend who did it on his own, but it was scary and I wish I had known so I could have helped. Your loved ones would want to know and help because they want you to be free of the addiction as well.
If you end up at a drug rehab detox, that’s a great option too. The medical professionals will guide you through the first part — the detox — and then seamlessly shift into the real work of learning new ways of living in the world. Group therapy, art therapy, and the like. Just taking it slow and going one day at a time is the only way to free yourself from the drugs.
Being able to stay in one place for both the initial drug addiction detox and the therapy afterward appeals to many people. Even if you are worried about insurance, don’t let that stop you. Talk with the in-take people about your fears. I bet that they can make you feel better about the money part. What matters is getting you clean.
Many churches sponsor drug detox treatment, so if you are a member of a church group, check with the leadership about that. These days most churches realize that addiction comes in all varieties and that you don’t have to be a bar brawling biker to be an addict.
If you want help in your drug detox, ask for it. Ask your friends, family, teachers and coworkers. Truly seeking help is the way to receive help. Just open yourself up to the possibilities. Getting sober is a journey and you will never be alone on that journey.
Drug Addiction Detox
There are a lot of websites out there who will tell you how to detox off drugs quickly. There are websites to show you how to beat a drug test. There are even sites devoted to home detoxing. This site is none of those things. For me it is all about recovery. It’s about sobriety — living a clean, healthy, meaningful life. You can’t do that if you are high, strung out or in between. You have to get clean, stay clean and learn to love it. When you crave sobriety in the same way you used to crave alcohol or heroin, then you are living recovery.
The first step to living that sort of life style is getting detoxed. You have to flush the drugs from your system before you can see your way to learning to live clean and sober, right? Don’t think of it as “detox”, think of it as drug addiction detox. You are detoxing from the addiction. Choosing to do a drug rehab detox is smart. You want trained professionals there to help you through this journey. 
Doing the drug detox away from home, out in the world where it is visible is an important part of the recovery. You have to be open and honest about your addiction. You cannot hide the recovery like you hid your using. That makes sense right? Part of addiction help is owning it. It’s not like you need to put up a billboard or anything, but the people in your life need to know what’s happening because it is happening to them, too.
Once the drugs are out of your system, once the physical detoxification is done, the real work can begin. This is where you learn to live life in a different way. You will spend time in rehab and with family counselors learning coping skills and communication techniques. As you know a lot of addictions begin as coping issues. Another part of the detox is shedding old routines and, sadly, old friends. The people you knew when you were using can’t be in your life anymore. This is one of the harder things about recovery — replacing the social network of your old life with a new set of friends and activities. It depends on how deep down you were before, but for some people their whole lives revolved around getting and using. If that’s not there anymore, what is going to replace it?
Loving What Is
I just finished reading Byron Katie’s book Loving What Is and it had a profound effect on me. As I was reading, I kept on thinking about addiction. We think that we’re powerless over these chemicals; I have come to believe that addiction help is just a thought away.
If you are not familiar with Byron Katie and her work, here is the basic premise: if you believe your thoughts you suffer. When people come to her for help, she asks them:”Who would you be without your story?” She calls her process “The Work” and it has four questions. You think a thought. You think: “I can’t stay sober.” That’s a thought you thought. And your Work is to question that thought.
The first question you ask is “Is it true?” Is it true that I can’t stay sober? You might immediately say Yes! It is true because past experience has shown that you’ve not been able to stay sober. The second question is “Can you absolutely know that it is true?” Can you absolutely know that you can’t stay sober? No. You know lots of people who have stayed sober for years! So it is not physically impossible. It’s not like you are asking if you can walk to the moon.
The third question is “How do you react when you believe the thought? ‘I can’t stay sober’? This question, and its answer, allow you to examine all the ways that that one little thought has motivated you to take all sorts of actions. Destructive actions, like binge drinking, self loathing, violence and anger.
The last question is this: “Who would you be without that thought?” Just this question is radical. You may think it’s silly or a psychology student trick, but it is amazing. Think it through: who would you be if you didn’t think you could never stay sober? If you stopped believing that sobriety was unattainable, who would you be? Probably, you’d be sober. And you’d stay sober easily because you have replaced that negative belief with a positive belief.
That’s “The Work” and I can see it having this huge impact on my life. I don’t know if it could cure something like Bipolar Syndrome, but I know for addiction, so much of it is mental. Getting past what we believe are our limitations is most of the battle. Most people, and I’m as guilty as anyone, have this river of negative thoughts running through their minds all day, every day. If you can catch even one of those negative thoughts and put it through the four questions, you can begin to shift your life.
Are You Addicted to Marijuana?
Do you ever wonder if your desire to smoke marijuana and get high regularly could be considered something of an addiction?
The entire topic of marijuana addiction is shrouded in smoke (no pun intended). Studies show that the addictive properties of other drugs – well known hard drugs such as cocaine, meth, speed along with popular legal drugs such as caffeine and alcohol – are far more addictive than marijuana.
But does addiction work the same way?
I think not.
I find that marijuana can be very addictive – and here’s the kicker where everyone rolls their eyes, get ready for it! But weed can be addictive not necessarily physically but psychologically. 
Now I almost hate to put it in those words because there’s this weird bias where if something is psychologically addictive, people react like it’s no big deal. “Oh, well yea- of course it could be addictive in a psychological way, as if that doesn’t mean it’s not still an addiction. What the heck?
Having an addiction, whether mental or physical, is still an addiction, and it still bears the same problems that come about when there’s an addiction in someone’s life.
If you think you are addicted, one good litmus test is trying to stop smoking weed. Are you able to? What happens when you try to quit smoking marijuana? Do you kinda of freak out mentally? Or is it no big deal?
I think if the thought of quitting makes someone secretly a little bit panicked, then they should try it and see what happens. I know for me that quitting after smoking about every day for a year led to insomnia for about a week. That was it. But others who have smoked for years or decades report for worse marijuana withdrawal experiences, akin to a “real” physical drug addiction like the kind most people think of when they imagine someone going through detox. If you think you may be addicted, it may be worth it to try kicking the habit once and for all.
Gay-Friendly Drug Rehab Centers
Are you gay and addicted to drugs? Do you find that no one understands you, there is no one to talk to and nowhere to go? Are you desperate? 
There is a rehab center that services gays and straights. In fact there is more then one.
Drug rehabilitation centers offer different paths to healing. Some offer detox services, family recovery week, holistic services, experiential therapy, recreational therapy, art therapy, relapse prevention, individual therapy, specialty groups, dual diagnosis treatment and aftercare services.
Some gay-friendly addiction rehabilitation centers accept reimbursement from major insurance providers.
Treatment centers that specialize in helping the gay, transgender, bisexual and lesbian communities may also serve the straight community. However, they provide a gay-friendly atmosphere and such services as gay-only support groups where members can share their feelings about discrimination, homophobia, prejudice and judgment which may be difficult for them to express in other settings. Staff at these facilities are adept and empathic at providing for the needs of the GLBTQ population. They’ll make sure the pictures they show are cool images and not discriminatory.
Staff at treatment centers do not necessarily need to be certified. It is highly recommended that you choose a center where the doctors are board-certified and the other staff is certified by an accredited college or university. If you are going to through the process of getting clean, you want to make sure there are staff who are educated in this area who can help you through the process because you don’t want to have to go through the process again!
Some rehabilitation centers are inpatient at a residential community. In fact, it is recommended that clients who have an addiction to drugs go to a center away from where they live and away from the things that might be influencing their habit.
If you have a mental illness, many centers can help you work both on your psychiatric disorder and your addition at the same time.
If you are gay and need help with your drug addiction, please seek help.
‘Tis The Season
This time of year, lots of people over indulge in alcohol. As the saying goes, “‘Tis the season!” My answer is Yes, and no. It is certainly culturally acceptable to indulge and over indulge in alcohol at the Christmas and New’s Year’s holidays. Perfectly up standing and sober people suddenly let loose and get falling-down-drunk. I remember my parents’ new Year’s Eve parties and seeing my parents and my friends’ parents get silly and weird (as it seemed to my eyes.) I’m actually really lucky — my parents were of the let loose once a year sort of drinkers, so I did not grow up in a house filled with alcohol abuse. I had to learn that on my own.
I don’t want to come off as a kill-joy. I do think that many people (maybe even most people) can enjoy alcohol without becoming addicted. It’s such an easy drug to obtain and it can open the door to other drugs. So it is worth taking a look inside and asking yourself why you’re having a drink. Is it because you’re out with friends and a beer tastes great after a long day? Or is it because you feel awkward in social situations and the beer (or three) will help you lighten up? it’s not an easy question to ask, much less answer. But I am here to tell you that asking the question now, before you set a pattern of drinking, will save you years of wasted days and nights.
Alcohol is one of the more insidious drugs, at least in my opinion, because it is so easy to obtain and so acceptable to use — and, yes, abuse. It can take years for friends and family to realize that you’ve got a drinking problem. That’s years of you abusing and them not seeing/ignoring/enabling. It’s not their job to keep you from drinking; that’s your job. But if they don’t get what they are seeing, what’s happening in front of their very noses, that just makes the problem persist longer than it should.
So, before you decide to indulge in some holiday cheer, really ask yourself: Why am I drinking? What do I want to achieve from this glass? If you have the will to ask it, the answer might surprise you.
Peace.
About Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Experts in the field of drug and alcohol addiction generally agree that if a person is addicted to one mood altering chemical, he or she is addicted to them all.
When used over a period of time, alcohol and other drugs alter brain chemicals. The budding alcoholic or addict becomes dependent on the chemical and begins to experience increased tolerance– the need for more of the drug to achieve the same or desired effect. A person starts out with one or two drinks and over time tolerance may reach a quart or even a gallon of liquor per day. The time this takes and the amount tolerated depends on various factors. The concept is true regardless of the drug. Thus, people can easily become trapped in a cycle of addiction.
Chemical dependency is diagnosed when a person experiences tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal occurs when the drug is decreased or withdrawn. Some typical withdrawal symptoms include cravings, concentration problems, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, seizures and paranoia. The discomfort of these symptoms makes quitting the drug an unattractive alternative and most people at this point choose to continue using until the scale tips and makes recovery the only viable option. Denial makes it possible for the addict to continue- to convince himself that the problem really isn’t that bad, he can handle it himself, or that he can switch drugs and be OK.
Switching drugs is a common behavior of people who are chemically dependent. They may decide that smoking marijuana is a better alternative to alcohol; or that getting a prescription for a sedative or pain pill can sidestep problems with the law associated with the use of street drugs. Research is clear, however, that switching drugs for an addict doesn’t work. In most cases the person will either become addicted to the new drug or return to the original drug of choice.
At some point tolerance no longer increases. As the drug begins to take it’s toll on the body, tolerance begins to decrease until one drink results in intoxication and painful physical and emotional consequences. At that point the person is in the late stages of chemical dependency and is experiencing permanent damage to the brain and other organs. Recovery will be very difficult as the person’s denial system is in control. If somehow he does get help it will take at least three to seven days without the chemical to detoxify and recover some physical functioning and perhaps up to two years to see improvement in the social, emotional and spiritual areas of life that accompany addiction.
Detoxify Your Body With Acai Berry Drink
Toxins are poisons. Having poison present in the human body is not a good thing. An Acai Berry Drink is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals which is the first step in detoxifying the body. Any body that has too many toxins is deficient in vitamins and minerals.
Fiber is a product that the body needs to eliminate waste. It is a component in the detoxifying function of the Acai Berry Drink. Most people do not have sufficient fiber in their diet and retain waste, which is toxic by nature. The waste in our bodies are dangerous and keeping them within the body will contribute to the formation of cancer. The toxins must be eliminated. Acai aids in the digestion of food which helps cut down the possibility of retaining toxic waste. A faster digestion leads to a leaner body.
Inside our bodies are free radicals, dangerous molecules that contribute to the formation of cancerous cells. The antioxidants, or good molecules, within Aacai will combat these free radicals. Exercise is a vital part of keeping healthy. In order to engage in exercise, energy levels need to be sufficient. Acai will boost your energy level sufficiently to conduct a regular exercise regimen. Exercise is another tool in helping digestion and eliminating toxins from the body. It is amazing how Acai is involved in so many processes that make and keep us healthy.
It is time to get back into shape with a daily dose of the Acai Berry. It will aid in the digestion and elimination of waste and you will feel great and look younger. An added benefit is that you will be able to sleep better. With more rest you are better able to involve yourself in healthy activities and have a better diet. Try Acai and see what it can do for you.
Is a Body Cleanse Right for You?
If you are considering a body cleanse but don’t know if it is right for you, you will want to read this article. Specifically, we will be discussing the most common questions that people have about body cleanses. When you are done reading, you should have a better understanding of why you would want to do a body cleanse and if it is the right choice for you.
What is a Body Cleanse? Doesn’t my body have the ability to get rid of toxins on it’s own?
Body cleanses are used to rid your bodies of unwanted toxins that build up over time. Unfortunately, our world has become so toxic that our bodies have difficulty removing all of the toxins. As a result, they stay in our body There are different cleanses that target different parts of your body. The most common one are a liver cleanse, colon cleanse and candida cleanse.
What is the most common type of body cleanse that people start with?
Most experts agree that the best body cleanse to start with is a colon cleanse. The reason being that this sets the stage for the best absorption of the herbs used in other cleanses.
In addition to this, a colon cleanse is good for your overall health. It has been said that “death begins in the colon”. This is because many people have 10 pounds of impacted fecal matter sitting in their intestinal tracks, making them quite toxic.
A colon cleanse can help rid your body of this old fecal matter, reducing the toxic burden on your body.
What should I do after a colon cleanse?
Most people agree that a candida cleanse is best done after a colon cleanse. If you have ever been on an antibiotic, your body is probably overrun with candida yeast. This is believed to cause food cravings, headaches, depression and fatigue. A candida cleanse consists of supplementing with an anti-fungal. It is a good idea to follow it with a probiotic to repopulate the good flora in your body.
These are just a few facts about cleansing. If you’ve enjoyed this post, you might be ready to try a body cleanse. Why not help your body help itself?
Addiction Help is on the Way
One of the hardest things about addiction is recognizing it for what it is. Whether it’s your own struggle or a loved one’s struggle, it hard to know that you’re really truly seeing addiction and not something milder. Who wants to face addiction? So much better to chalk it up to a stressful time or a “small habit” that you can quit at anytime.
Here are some symptoms of addiction. Please note that these symptoms could be attributed to something else, something not as severe as drug addiction. Only you are going to know the right answer. Some parts of the list are targeted particularly to friends and family members as ways to help you figure out if someone in your life is struggling with addiction.
Restlessness, combined with insomnia.
Slow speech or reaction time (associated with downers.)
Sudden weight loss.
Excessive sleep cycled with manic periods.
Continuous sinus troubles and/or nosebleeds.
Severe dental issues (associated with meth use.)
Changes in clothing, usually wearing long sleeves to hide needle marks.
Persistent cough that worsens instead of improving with time.
Apathy about life.
Increased irritability and an increased tendency to violence.
Paranoia.
Addiction is a tragedy and there are lots of reasons for why it happens. First and foremost: if there is a history of addiction in your family, the odds are higher that you will become addicted. Genetics plays its part in this equation as does the fact that many people use drugs to self-medicate. So if you have mental illness in your family tree, that might have been the trigger for the drug use and abuse for other family members as well as yourself. One final addiction factor that has to be mentioned is physical pain. Especially these days, you read about people being addicted to pain killers, opiates or opiate-derivatives like Oxycontin.
Once you think you’ve identified that there is truly addiction, there are several treatment possibilities. We’re very lucky to be living in such an enlightened age — addiction is seen for what it is: a medical problem.
First, there is Residential Treatment. This means that you (if you are the addict) or your loved one lives at a treatment facility. It’s intensive treatment so it only lasts from 30-90 days.
Second we have Medical Detoxification. Any addiction help is probably going to involve some level of drug detox because the drug needs to be out of your system as soon as possible. Many people begin their recovery journey in this way because of an overdose or time spent in the emergency room. A medical professional, during assessment, recognizes that detox is required.
Third, Partial Hospitalization. This is often used as relapse prevention. You go to the hospital 4 or 5 times a week for about 6 hours a visit. Think of it as outpatient addiction treatment.
Fourth, an Intensive Outpatient Program. With this type of treatment, you usually meet 3 days a week, for 2-4 hours. What’s nice is that a program like this can be scheduled around work or school so there are no conflicts and, more importantly, no excuses.
Next, Counseling. This works best when paired with another kind of treatment or as a support structure. Being able to talk with a trained professional, about your life and struggles, about the choices you’ve made that have lead you to this here and now, it’s invaluable as a way to stay clean.
Last, Sober Living Program. These facilities are particularly good if your home life could be a trigger for relapse. You live in a house with other recovering addicts, getting support, some counseling and most importantly, an alcohol and drug free environment.