Addiction

Drug or Alcohol addiction is defined as the repeated use or abuse of a substance with no regard for physical or mental effects.The addictive nature of a substance varies from substance to substance. There is allot of debate on where or what causes addiction, it is generally agreed upon that addiction is a combination of physical and physiological factors.

How to Identify Drug Addiction

There are warning signs and symptoms that are good indicators of drug addiction. Many individuals who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, attempt to hide the addictive behavior.

What is so Addictive About Alcohol?

A strong theme in alcohol addiction is a strong and overpowering urge or desire to consume alcohol. I can also be categorized by the inability to stop drinking once alcohol has been consumed.

What Causes Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is something that can affect anyone at any time, it is not unique to one particular type, group, race, social standing, educational level, or sex. It is a universal problem that has been around since the beginning of time.

How Does Substance Abuse Affect the Body?

A common myth is that substance abuse has no effect on the body. Many times people, usually young people but very often older people, will claim that they can take as many drugs as they want, and are in no danger of affecting their body in any way. This is simply untrue...

Can You Prevent Drug Addiction?

Yes, you can! You might not believe it, but drug addition is something that can be prevented. The key to avoiding drug addiction is awareness of the addictive qualities of substances, the addictive potential in some prescription drugs, and education.

Can You Use Drugs Without Abusing Drugs?

No matter the reason, sometimes drug use escalates into drug abuse, and sometimes it does not. It is possible to use drugs without abusing them. As a matter of fact, many people use drugs in their daily lives with out abusing drugs.

What should you look for in addiction counseling?

Close your eyes and conjure up an image of the great and high counsels that gathered in ancient Greece and Rome. What do the faces look like? Imagine how their voices sound? How do they interact with one another? Where would they discuss high minded ideals and intellectual philosophies? What would the buildings and rooms look like? The atmosphere and décor are important too. How does this interplay with your vision. Each of us would create our own version of what an ancient counsel member would be like, but there would also be similarities that we all desire when it comes to people and places that offer wisdom, trust and guidance.  This is the same in addiction counseling, each individual will find different approaches more appealing.

Let’s first look at the environment of a quality addiction counseling center.  A place of peace and balance is a common theme where harmony resides and focus can be obtained. The facility should be clean, of course, but also consider the furnishings and design. In order to create a conducive atmosphere that will motivate and allow the addict to create a focal point toward recovery, it makes sense that you need a space that is liberated of unnecessary clutter, confusing patterns and harshly loud both in color and noise. Preferably one that offers soothing and tranquil effects, such as the sound of moving water, music that inspires and does not jangle the emotions, scenery that promotes a feeling of oneness with the self and nature, simple and comfortable clothing that allows movement without restriction. An environment that will make the individual attending addiction counseling feel as though being free from the past is not only possible, but openly and totally available. Many drug rehab and drug detox programs offer addiction counseling programs and types as part of the addiction treatment process.

What about those faces? What did you picture? Someone with a worn tired look, glasses slumped on the end of their nose, worried if your HMO will cover the bill? I highly doubt it. I am guessing that you envisioned individuals who were dedicated to you and your recovery. Faces that reflected kindness and sincerity. Faces that perhaps mirrored what you would like to be. People that love what they do and are not afraid to smile and issue forth hope. Faces that believe in you and are nonjudgmental. Faces where the mouths open and speak truth and the ears open to earnestly listen. Addiction counselors take many forms, and although credentials are important, seek out drug rehab centers that hire their staff based on their ability to exhibit compassionate ethics and high standards not for their own personal achievements, but for yours, the addict wishing to be cleansed.

Do your research as well. What are the success rates of recovery for the counseling center? Will you be allowed back if the initial treatment was not enough to keep you from chronic relapse? Do the addiction counselors offer a variety of treatment options such as tradition and nontraditional recovery methods? What is available to you aside from the hour or so you may be spending with the actual counselor? Do they offer nutritional counseling? Support groups? Are there detoxification protocols that include non-chemical applications like massage and saunas? Is the center looking at you as a whole (mind, body, spirit) or is the focus solely on just the “bad” behavior.  

The Hippocratic Oath states clearly that the primary moral code for healthcare providers is to “Do no harm.” There are still addiction counselors and drug rehab treatment providers who believe and hold themselves to this standard. That is what you should look for in your quest for addiction counseling and recovery. In today’s crazy profit hungry world, you can still find this ancient and wisely profound concept.

Envision the environment you need to surround yourself with in order to find yourself again. It is a guarantee that your vision is shared by many right now, this very day. You have only to seek it.