<h3><strong>Recovery Isn’t Easy – It Takes Practice </strong></h3>
As the saying goes, “Old habits die hard.” Making significant changes to the way you think and behave takes time and a lot of work. It is not uncommon for people to make the decision to get sober and then return to using drugs or drinking alcohol again. In fact, this is more uncommon than you might think. Many people who get some continuous time in recovery end up relapsing.

We know that you have a genuine desire to stay sober. The best way to protect yourself against a relapse is to be aware of the signs that you might be headed for a drug or alcohol binge. When you raise your awareness level and become conscious that you may be in relapse mode, you can protect yourself against a slip.

Here are four signs you are headed for a relapse:
<h4><strong># 1 You Begin Thinking About Getting High Or Drunk&nbsp; </strong></h4>
You start entertaining ideas about pursuing your drug of choice. You romanticize about what you remember as the good ole days. The longer you allow yourself to think about how good it would feel to use drugs or drink alcohol, the easier it will be for those thoughts to turn into desire. Soon your desire will turn into an obsession and then your obsession will become a compulsion. The next thing you know, you will relapse. If you find yourself thinking a lot about using drugs or alcohol, beware.
<h4><strong># 2 You Forget All The Reasons Why Doing Drugs or Drinking Alcohol Is A Bad Idea</strong></h4>
Your brain is tricky. It will convince you that getting high or drunk is okay and cause you to forget all the reasons why you shouldn’t do it. When you start believing the lies, you are in big trouble. You have to remember that when you use drugs or alcohol, bad things happen. Your life becomes unmanageable, you experience negative consequences, and you feel bad about yourself. Never forget why you got sober in the first place. Drugs and alcohol will always bring you pain and regret.
<h4><strong># 3 You Start To Believe That This Time Will Be Different </strong></h4>
If you once had an addiction to drugs or alcohol – and you made the decision to stop drinking or drugging – chances are, you quit because you accepted the fact that you couldn’t control your drug or alcohol use. You attempted time and time again to drink responsibly or use drugs moderately. The problem was, you simply could not. You would go on binges and drink until you passed out or use drugs until you depleted all of your resources.

If you start thinking this time will be different, you may be headed for a relapse. This time won’t be different. You will drink or use just as much as you always did, and you won’t be able to control it.
<h4><strong># 4 You Start Hanging Around With People You Used To Get High Or Drunk With </strong></h4>
Associating with people you used to use drugs or alcohol with is not a good idea. At first, you will convince yourself that you are strong enough to hang out with them – and you will honestly believe that you can stay sober even if they are drinking or drugging. But, the truth is you are setting yourself up for a relapse. It is NEVER smart to be in the company of people who get high or drunk when you are working a recovery program.
<h3><strong>When You Find Yourself in Relapse Mode, Reach Out For Help </strong></h3>
Relapse doesn’t have to be a part of your story. If you find yourself slipping into any of the thought or behavior patterns we’ve mentioned, be sure to talk about it with people in your support circle. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. People will not think less of you because you are having a moment of “weakness.” They will respect your recovery and offer you support until you transition from relapse mode back to recovery mode.

<strong><a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/contact/">CLICK HERE</a></strong> to get a Free Confidential Addiction Treatment Assessment.

Four Signs You’re Headed For a Drug Or Alcohol Relapse

The first days and weeks of sobriety and recovery come with many struggles and difficulties. Just getting through the physical fight for some of us is a real battle. If we have gone through a detox, the illnesses and emotional strains can wear us out. But as we emerge from these first steps and begin to feel healthy, we face other difficulties that we need to learn to negotiate. These are some of the major struggles we face in early sobriety.
<h4>Being Around Others Who Still Use</h4>
Once we return to our homes, workplaces, and communities, it is inevitable that we will run into people who are still using drugs and alcohol. In some cases this may be our own family members. Having these temptations before us can seem impossible. But the fact is, we need to learn to manage these situations. It is a part of <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/drug-treatment-center/addiction-aftercare/"><strong>recovery</strong></a>. People will still drink and we may find ourselves around them. If you have friends who insist on offering you alcohol or drugs, you will need to get away from them. You need to ask if those are real friends in the first place. This issue is really a great thing to bring to a sober support group. Having phone numbers of people who can support you in moments like these can be just the thing to get you through it.
<h4>Anger, Sadness, and Irritability</h4>
These are clichés in some recovery circles, but they are real issues to watch out for. Especially in early recovery we need to be vigilant about not letting these sets of emotions take us over. Again, a sober support group can help with these things. If you have access to a counselor, these are emotional issues to bring up. That we will feel these things from time to time is a given. They are parts of being human. The key is to stop them from taking over.
<h4>Joy and Happiness</h4>
<a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Early-Sobriety.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-11474 size-full" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Early-Sobriety.jpg" alt="Early Sobriety" width="650" height="400" /></a>
This may seem unlikely, but it is good to remember that one of the reasons many of us drank and used drugs was to celebrate. Moments of real joy and happiness can operate as triggers. Be careful about these things. You should celebrate happy times, but you should bring any and all lessons learned in emotional management with you to these celebrations.
<h4>Guilt and Shame</h4>
When we were drinking and using, we all did things we are not proud of. One of the things that moves many of us to treatment is the desire to stop doing things that we are ashamed of. But now that we are recovering it is crucial to not get bogged down in shame. It is a wasteful set of emotions and all it does is drive more shame. As sober and recovering people, we now have the opportunity to address things that we may have done wrong, that would produce shame and guilt In progressing through a program of recovery, you will have the chance to right many wrongs. Avoid shame and guilt. Remind yourself (frequently!) that you are doing everything necessary to not only address past transgressions, but also to ensure that you will not do these things anymore.

<strong><a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/contact/">CLICK HERE</a></strong> to get a Free Confidential Addiction Treatment Assessment.

Reasons We Struggle in Early Sobriety

It seems that in the course of modern life, we constantly face pressures, expectations, isolation and bouts of depression at every turn. It’s no wonder that mental health issues like anxiety are rampant in our society. Or that people would turn to drugs as an easy solution to take the edge off and numb down its effects. It comes as no surprise, then, that the use of Xanax and other benzos (anti-anxiety medications) is so widespread. But what most people don’t realize is how easily this can lead to dependency and, ultimately, a dangerous benzo addiction.

Benzodiazepines (commonly referred to as ‘benzos’) like Xanax are powerful prescription medications often used to treat mental health disorders including anxiety, panic attacks and phobias. On the surface, Xanax may seem like an ally to those in need of relief from mental health concerns. But it comes with a potentially serious side-effect: addiction.

People turn to benzos for totally understandable reasons. Many of those who misuse anti-anxiety medications often do so out of a desire to reduce stress associated with work, family or relationships. Or to block out the emotional pain associated with a current situation or past trauma. But it should be noted that anxiety meds are a slippery slope that often leads to in physical dependency, withdrawal and addiction. The real solution to anxiety lies in working through underlying issues and creating a daily practice to properly process your stress.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways Xanax and other benzodiazepines can affect you:
<h3><strong>The Short-Term Effects of Regular Xanax Use</strong></h3>
As psychoactive drugs, benzodiazepines are most commonly used by physicians as a treatment for people who are severely anxious or panicked, or as a sleep medication. They do this by affecting a messenger chemical in our brains known as a neurotransmitter. By increasing the production of this particular chemical, drugs like Xanax create a relaxing and sedative effect that works quickly to relieve stress and anxiety.

While often prescribed to patients with acute anxiety and panic disorders for short-term use, there are some relatively severe side effects associated with using Xanax even for a short period of time. Here are just a few of the negative effects that can be experienced as a result of using benzodiazepines:
<ul>
 	<li>Fatigue</li>
 	<li>Dizziness</li>
 	<li>Slurred speech</li>
 	<li>Headaches</li>
 	<li>Drowsiness</li>
 	<li>Depression</li>
 	<li>Memory issues</li>
 	<li>Mood swings</li>
</ul>
Self-medicating with Xanax typically involves the use of drugs outside of your doctor’s supervision or without a medical prescription. This often includes ‘doctor shopping’ – visiting multiple doctors to attain additional prescriptions. Or obtaining illicit versions of the drug on the street. Because Xanax is so highly habit-forming, it is very important to take it only under the careful supervision of your physician.
<h3><strong>Signs of Xanax Overdose</strong><strong> </strong></h3>
Xanax is a powerful, fast-acting drug that works by depressing your central nervous system. Taking too much Xanax can be very dangerous, and can even lead to overdose in more severe cases. Signs of this include:
<ul>
 	<li>Confusion</li>
 	<li>Difficulty breathing</li>
 	<li>Impaired speech</li>
 	<li>Loss of muscle control</li>
 	<li>Hallucination</li>
 	<li>Seizures</li>
 	<li>Drowsiness or inability to stay awake (‘nodding off’)</li>
 	<li>Unconsciousness or coma</li>
</ul>
Xanax overdose is commonly associated with polydrug use – that is, it’s more likely to occur when mixing Xanax with alcohol or other drugs.
<h3><strong>The Dangers of Benzo Dependency</strong></h3>
<a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Benzos2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-10674 size-full" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Benzos2.jpg" alt="benzo addiction" width="650" height="400" /></a>
Because of their pronounced ability to significantly alter your mood and address the symptoms of larger physical and mental health concerns, drugs like Xanax can be very addictive.

In fact, misuse and addiction are so common with benzodiazepines that their administration is strictly controlled. These drugs are typically only prescribed on an as-needed, short-term basis. Using drugs like Xanax over a longer period can create a tolerance resulting in a dangerous form of physical dependency. These habit-forming behaviors can occur whether or not the drug has been prescribed to you medically.

This is particularly concerning, as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7841856">benzodiazepine withdrawal can be highly dangerous</a>. Symptoms range from severe anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, vomiting and muscle pain on the mild end, to seizures and psychotic episodes on the more severe end. Because the symptoms are so uncomfortable, many people who want to quit continue taking benzos to avoid withdrawals. This is why it’s of utmost importance that quitting Xanax and other benzos is done under the guidance of a professional addiction treatment center. A center with experience in benzo detox and therapy.
<h3><strong>Struggling With Xanax Addiction? The Time to Get Help is <em>Now</em>.</strong></h3>
If you or someone you love has been experimenting with Xanax or other benzos. Or you’re afraid you’ve become physically dependent on them even after prescribed use, help is here for you.

We believe in every patient's ability to truly break free from the grip of addiction. Our patients are at the center of our care philosophy, which includes providing effective, holistic therapy in the most comfortable resort-like setting. We also understand that every person and their journey is unique. And that the most effective treatment options are tailored to meet your specific needs.

The Dangers of Self-Medicating with Xanax and Other Anti-Anxiety Drugs

The conventional thinking on <a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/drug-addiction/treatment/"><strong>addiction</strong></a> states that people begin using a highly addictive substance until it takes over their will to choose. Addiction is dependent on the substance, whether it be alcohol or some other drug or even an activity like sex or gambling. This seems to just stand to reason. That some people seem to be more susceptible to addiction than others is often attributed to genetics. We are born with a predisposition to addiction, or the so called addictive personality.

However, there is some recent research which would contradict this conventional way of thinking. In a study reported in <em><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-is-he-thinking/201510/the-science-addiction-and-recovery">Psychology Today</a></em>, the real precursors to addiction are emotional trauma and social isolation.
<h3>Emotional Trauma</h3>
Emotional trauma comes in many forms. Growing up with parents who have little understanding (or interest) in the emotional needs of a child can have life-long negative effects. The feelings of worthlessness and self-hatred become internalized early on and are lodged in the psyche as integral features of a person’s sense of self. With this comes the need to numb those feelings.
Many people who live with addiction problems will immediately recognize this problem. This will not come as news to them. The problem of low self-worth and even self-hatred is one of the major engines of substance abuse and addiction. Since these underlying issues are often not addressed in some traditional forms of addiction treatment, the drive to use remains untreated. We treat the symptom not the cause.
<h3>Social Isolation</h3>
<a href="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/social-isolation.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-12336" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/social-isolation-300x185.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="185"></a>
Social isolation is directly related to emotional trauma. With these feelings of low self-worth comes the need to cut oneself off from other people. Often it is the case the people are treated with indifference and shunned due to other aspects of their personality which are deemed unacceptable. Those is the LGBTQ community can identify with this problem. Thus emotional trauma and the social isolation which too often comes with it lead to a complex of psychological problems that fuel drug and alcohol use.

The findings in this study show what nearly everyone one in the recovery community already knew. That profound damage from emotional trauma and social isolation are the underlying causes of addiction. Those who have lived with these emotional injuries know that substance abuse is not the result of a self-indulgent need to “party.” It is driven by the need to numb and escape.

The light in these findings is something else those in the recovery world already know. The non-judgmental support of other people who live with substance abuse problems is one of the best tools in recovery. We find a bridge from social isolation in the support we find in other addicts and alcoholics. The internal condemnations are also alleviated by listening to the stories of others who have lived with the same feelings.
<h3>Predisposition to Addiction</h3>
Some form of counseling and a program of recovery which includes treatment for psychological issues and emotional trauma is necessary. People do not erase a life-time of deeply rooted emotional difficulties in group support alone. But it remains the case the recovery support groups are some of the best resources for addiction recovery.

<strong><a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/contact/">CLICK HERE</a></strong> to get a Free Confidential Addiction Treatment Assessment.

Predisposition to Addiction

This is part one of a two-part series about how obsession and compulsion drive addiction.
<h3><strong>Addiction Leaves You Feeling Powerless </strong></h3>
When you are <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/addiction-treatments/"><strong>addicted to substances or behaviors</strong></a>, you are often completely baffled by the choices you make in pursuit of your addiction. Strangely enough – they don’t feel like choices. When you are hooked on drugs or alcohol, it doesn’t feel like a choice to get high or drunk. If you are addicted to gambling, it feels like a power greater than you takes control over you and drives you to gamble – even when you don’t want to. This also true of addictions like sex, binge-eating, shopping, and watching pornography.

How can this be? How can it seem like you are NOT making choices where addiction is concerned when you are a human being with free will who has the power to make your own choices? This is a very profound and perplexing question.

Most people say they feel a sense of powerlessness when it comes to their addiction – as if they have absolutely no control of it. Others say they feel as if they are a slave to their habit, like are being forced to engage in the addictive cycle against their own will. Can you relate to these experiences? If so, it would probably help if you had an explanation to help you better understand your behavior.
<h3><strong>Obsession And Compulsion Drive Addiction </strong></h3>
<a href="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Obsession-and-Compulsion.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-12339" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Obsession-and-Compulsion-300x185.jpg" alt="Obsession and Compulsion" width="300" height="185" /></a>
If you are looking for answers about what motivates your addictive behaviors. It is important for you to understand that obsessive-compulsive cycle drive addiction. While there is a lot of complexity involved in the brain science behind addiction – with psychology being an important factor – we want to break down addiction in the simplest terms. That way, you don’t have to be bogged down with a lot of medical data and scientific explanation.

Let’s talk a little bit about obsession and compulsion.
<h3><strong>Understanding Obsession – How Your Thoughts Motivate Addiction </strong></h3>
Obsession is defined as “an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind.”

Addiction has a special way of preoccupying your thoughts and intruding on your mind. You can be at work, for example, and suddenly a thought about drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc. can intrude on your thoughts. It seems to come out of nowhere. Before long, it begins to preoccupy your mind. Suddenly, it’s all you can think about.

When you continually think about your addictive behavior, you are in the throes of the cycle of obsession. This means that your mind gets on a kind of loop where it thinks about it over and over constantly. During this time, you will forget all the reasons why you are trying to stay away from your “drug of choice” and begin manufacturing reasons why it would be a good idea to “get high.” Addictive obsessions cause you to lose your ability to think rationally.

There is a reason why you obsess about your addictive behavior. It is because your brain likes the way it feels. It produces powerful feel good chemicals that make you feel euphoric, which your brain wants more of. So, in order to motivate you to drink some alcohol or go on a shopping binge, it starts sending signals to you that it wants to engage in your addiction of choice.

Be sure to read Obsession And Compulsion – The Driving Forces Behind Addiction: <a href="/alcoholism/effects/how-obsession-and-compulsion-drive-addiction-part-two/"><strong>Part Two</strong></a>

<strong><a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/contact/">CLICK HERE</a></strong> to get a Free Confidential Addiction Treatment Assessment.

Obsession and Compulsion – The Driving Forces Behind Addiction

This is part two of a <a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/alcoholism/effects/how-obsession-and-compulsion-drive-addiction-part-one/"><strong>two-part series</strong></a> about obsession and compulsion. In part one of this series, we told you that obsession and compulsion drive addiction. We also talked about obsession. Now, let’s talk about compulsion.
<h3><strong>Obsessive Thoughts Eventually Lead To Compulsive Action </strong></h3>
Compulsion is defined as “an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one's conscious wishes”. It seems strange, doesn’t it? How is it possible to have an urge to behave in a way that goes against your own wishes? You may have a truly genuine and sincere desire to stay sober or stay away from gambling or not watch pornography. Yet you find yourself doing the very thing you don’t want to do. Addiction is confusing that way.

When you feel an overwhelming urge to give in to your obsessive thoughts about your addiction. And you give into those thoughts. You have just acted on a compulsion. Another definition of compulsion is “the action or state of being forced to do something”. Surely you can relate to the idea that you have felt forced to do something that you didn’t want to do when it comes to your addiction.

The thing is, a compulsion is not rational. It makes no sense whatsoever. It will override all logic and drive you to give into your obsessive thoughts. Even though you may have experienced extremely negative consequences because of your addiction, your brain doesn’t care. It wants those feel good feelings that your addiction temporarily gives you, consequences be damned.
<h3><strong>The More You Give Into Obsession and Compulsion, The More You Will Experience It </strong></h3>
<a href="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/How-Obsession-and-Compulsion-Drive-Addiction-2.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-12344 size-medium" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/How-Obsession-and-Compulsion-Drive-Addiction-2-300x185.jpg" alt="How Obsession and Compulsion Drive Addiction" width="300" height="185" /></a>The tricky part about <strong>addiction</strong> is that it seems to take on a life of its own. The more you engage in your addictive behavior, the more you will want to. You could go the rest of your life continually giving in to your obsessive and compulsive inclinations and you would never be satisfied. The brain will just continue to keep you trapped in an endless cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions so you will give in and take a drink or binge eat.

Unless you learn tools that will allow you to override your brain and change your obsessive thought patterns and compulsive behaviors, you will never find freedom. Once addiction takes over, you lose the ability to think and behave in a rational manner. This is why so many people feel like a slave to their addiction.
<h3><strong>How Can You Gain Control Over Your Obsessive Thinking And Compulsive Actions?</strong></h3>
While most addiction treatment centers present the 12-Step model, which teaches addicted people to rely on a power greater than themselves, we do not promote that philosophy. We recognize that many people are simply not comfortable with a lifestyle that involves religion or spirituality. As such, everything we teach offers a practical solution to the problem of addiction.

Do you feel trapped in the obsessive-compulsive cycle of addiction? Whether you are struggling with a substance abuse problem or a behavioral addiction, we can help. <a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/contact/"><strong>Contact us</strong></a> today so we can conduct a free, confidential assessment over the phone and tell you what your treatment.

How Obsession and Compulsion Drive Addiction: Part Two

Addiction can happen to anyone, of any age, and at any point or station in life. Some addicts are openly discussed, those that tear apart families from the first use like meth or heroin. Other addictions such as gambling or alcohol have numerous, specific programs that target the intense effect these substances can have over time, but addiction can happen out of nowhere. Addiction can begin with a single prescription that is needed and necessary and lead to years of issues that re related to an addiction to that drug. One of the most common <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/addiction-treatments/"><strong>prescription addictions</strong></a> is that of opioids.
<h3>Prescription Opioid Addiction</h3>
<a href="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Painkiller-Addiction.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-12350 size-medium" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Painkiller-Addiction-300x185.jpg" alt="Painkiller Addiction" width="300" height="185"></a>Opioids are defined as an opium like compound that binds to one or more of the three opioid receptors in the body. These are most commonly prescribed for pain. Some of the most common are Oxycodone, OxyContin, Percocet, Codeine, Fentanyl, and Demerol. Each of these medications has a place and purpose, but are also highly addictive for many. When taking opioids a euphoric effect is produced. When used correctly these can limit pain from an injury, illness, or surgical procedure, but when abused or misused, other effects may occur. These can include euphoria, lethargy, confusion, dizziness, headache, seizures, stomach issues, and even difficulty breathing. For some, even changes in vision can even occur.
<h3>Oxycodone</h3>
Oxycodone, OxyContin, and Percocet are all heroin like in their effects. These medications change how the central nervous system responds to pain. Doctors tend to give these medications for severe injuries or long term pain. Unfortunately, they are all highly addictive. Even with extreme monitoring, these medications are commonly abused.
<h3>Codeine</h3>
Codeine is also a prescription medication that is used to treat mild or moderate pain. Many times this is given as an ingredient in other medications, like cough syrup for cold or flu like symptoms. However, when it is taken in excess it has a sedative effect that can cause unconsciousness or altered consciousness for a time. Some people mix codeine with candy, soda, or other substances for a quick fix. This is a monitored medication, but is often given as a form of treatment.
<h3><a href="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/fentanyl.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-12348 size-medium" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/fentanyl-300x185.jpg" alt="fentanyl" width="300" height="185"></a>Fentanyl</h3>
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is given for acute or chronic pain, typically for cancer patients. This comes in various forms but can be worn as a patch. Fentanyl is also able to be manufactured illegally which makes it easy to get even without a prescription. This is a medication that is often sought after the doctor stops prescribing because an addiction has been established, even though that was not the intent. When misused, Fentanyl can cause hallucinations and nightmares.
<h3>Demerol</h3>
A final commonly prescribed and abuse opioid is Demerol, though once given for labor pains it is now not as common and is only prescribed for moderate or severe pain. It is not as common or popular but can have lasting negative effects.

If addicted to opioids then help is needed to deal with both the addiction and initial withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms include intense cravings, agitation, trouble sleeping, excessive sweating, and digestive issues. The effects can be dangerous and harmful both physically and mentally. If you do have an addiction to opioids it is best to seek medical help. Be honest with your provider as it could save your life.

<strong><a href="https://alcoholrehab.com/contact/">CLICK HERE</a></strong> to get a Free Confidential Addiction Treatment Assessment.

Prescription Opioid Addiction

Drug addiction and drug abuse are not limited to illegal substances. Many people become inadvertently addicted to prescription medications. While some steal these medications, many start out as legitimate prescriptions for a variety of issues. Statistics show that in the United States more than 115 people die from overdosing on opioids each day. While some of these opioids are made illegally, many are prescriptions. This is both dangerous and costly. Though when many of the now addictive drugs were introduced into society they were considered completely safe, it is now known that the medications are in fact addictive. Prescription Mediation Abuse, even when prescribed by a physician, can easily occur.
<h3>Prescription Medication Abuse</h3>
To further back this up, statistics for the United States show that between 20 and 30 percent of patients who are legally prescribed <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/addiction-treatments/opioid-addiction-rehabilitation/"><strong>opioids</strong></a> for chronic pain, abuse them or misuse them in some manner. Of these individuals an average of ten percent develops an opioid disorder. This abuse often leads to more serious heroin abuse for those individuals. This creates a public health crisis that can have devastating consequences for not just the users but families, health care professionals, and law enforcement. The effects of drug abuse, even that of legal medications, are far reaching.

<a href="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Opioid-Addiction.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-12363" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Opioid-Addiction-300x185.jpg" alt="Opioid Addiction" width="300" height="185"></a>

The response to this crisis is varied, but there are several major areas that are being focused on to battle the ever growing epidemic. These include improved access to treatment and recovery services, promoting the use of overdose reversing medications by paramedics and other medical staff, strengthening the understanding of the epidemic, providing alternative to pain management prescriptions, and supporting research for pain management and addiction. While each of these areas is important, the abuse of prescription medications is still a huge issue.
<h3>Pain Medication Addiction</h3>
If you are addicted to pain medication or have concerns that you may be addicted then seek help. If your loved one is having issues then try to talk to them respectfully about your concerns. Regardless it is always worth looking into alternatives for possibly addictive medications. There are always non-medication alternatives to pain treatment and while they may not completely take away the pain they may help the person to wean off of medication over time.

Prescription Medication Abuse

It is quite interesting to find out how alcohol intake affects cognitive ability. While the effects of alcohol on cognition is dependent on a host of factors which includes, but is not limited to. Nutrition, family history and diet. The effect alcohol exerts on cognition is worthy of note.
<h3>Effects Of Alcohol On Cognition</h3>
Recent studies have established that heavy alcohol intake either in chronic or episodic manner, affects the cognitive ability of the user in a neuro psychological manner. That is, the brain and a great proportion of the nerves (the body’s electrical wires) associated with ‘law and order’ in the body are set at variance to each other. With the function of a sizable portion of the brain and the nerves forced to function sub-optimally. This, therefore leaves the user with: short attention span, confusion and pitiable forgetfulness. Chief among the negative effects of alcohol on the brain is the possibility of heavy drinkers to exhibit symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. A condition in which an alcoholic is unable to remember new information for more than a few seconds. Usually not more than 3 seconds.

<a href="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Effects-Of-Alcohol-On-Cognition-2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-12371" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Effects-Of-Alcohol-On-Cognition-2-300x185.jpg" alt="Effects Of Alcohol On Cognition" width="300" height="185"></a>
<h3>Intellectual Capacity</h3>
Furthermore, mild to moderate decline in intellectual capacity is experienced by most <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/addiction-treatments/alcohol-addiction-rehabilitation/"><strong>alcoholics</strong></a>. Alongside diminished brain size and reduced brain infra cellular activity. The age group exposed to this particular negative effect are the adolescents. It is particularly ill advised for adolescents to enter into a drinking spree. It cuts back on their ability to reason and solve problems. Alcohol, in this age group must be used with caution. Since a greater part of academic burden is carried within this age group. However, chronic or episodic and heavy alcohol use by people within this age group leads to a significant drop in the ability to reason. To solve problems and to use information provided to carry out a specific task successfully.
<h3>Moderate Alcohol Use</h3>
Mild &nbsp;to moderate alcohol use in older people, about 55 to 60 years of age, has been found to act as a protective. It has been found that, alcohol use followed a U-shaped pattern, when compared with cognition. Therefore, it is believed that, mild alcohol use (less than a bottle a week), could wade off an onset of dementia associated with the elderly age group stated. Also, the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease is reduced significantly. Also, depression could be combated in such age group by mild to moderate alcohol use. This is however, not advisable for teenagers or adolescents, because, peer pressure could turn such a good use of mild to moderate alcohol intake into an addiction that could ruin a purposeful lifetime.

Effects Of Alcohol On Cognition

<h3><strong>Dreams Have Peaked Human Interest Since the Dawn Of Time </strong></h3>
Dreams have been a source of wonderment, fascination, and even frustration for human beings since the dawn of time. The average person typically ponders their significance and tries to analyze them, seeking a deeper meaning. Dreams (and nightmares) evoke mystery, powerful emotions, and even inspiration. While some say they don’t remember their dreams, others have a very active and vivid dream life.

Many look for answers in dream dictionaries or seek the guidance of mystics to try and interpret a dream’s symbolism. Psychologists say that dreams are a way for the subconscious mind to work out real-life problems and difficulties. Others think their dreams have no meaning whatsoever. They tend to believe dreams are just nonsense manufactured by the mind to keep it entertained during slumber.
<h3><strong>Many Former Drug Users Have Using Dreams </strong></h3>
While the average person is at least somewhat intrigued by their dreams, perhaps only those in recovery have a true grasp on how powerful (and disturbing) they can be.

People who get into recovery from an addiction to drugs like <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/addiction-treatments/cocaine-addiction-rehabilitation/"><strong>cocaine</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/addiction-treatments/heroin-addiction-rehabilitation/"><strong>heroin</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/addiction-treatments/opioid-addiction-rehabilitation/"><strong>prescription opioids</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/addiction-treatments/amphetamine-addiction-rehabilitation/"><strong>methamphetamines</strong></a>, or <a href="https://www.dararehab.com/addiction-treatments/marijuana-addiction-rehabilitation/"><strong>marijuana</strong></a> often experience what are called “using dreams” after they achieve a certain amount of clean time or sobriety. This is very common. Ask any recovering drug addict if they have ever dreamed about using their drug of choice and they will most likely say yes.
<h3><strong>A Using Dream Can Be Very Upsetting To Someone In Recovery </strong></h3>
A using dream focuses on drug use. Powerful images of drugs, paraphernalia, old neighborhoods, drug dealers, using buddies, and dealing drugs are typical. Many people dream they have relapsed and wake up completely confused as to whether or not they have actually taken drugs.

<a href="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/using-drugs-in-a-dream.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-12375" src="https://admin.alcoholrehab.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/using-drugs-in-a-dream-300x185.jpg" alt="using drugs in a dream" width="300" height="185"></a>

People in recovery can find the images in using dreams to be very disturbing. These kinds of dreams usually take on a nightmarish connotation. This can be very upsetting to the recovering person who is working hard to stay sober. They may feel confused as to why they have had such a dream when they have been abstinent from drugs for months or even years.

Others dream that they use drugs and wake up disappointed to find out it was only a dream. Their using dream may have glorified drugs and romanticized the way they could make them feel. When they wake from slumber, the might wish they could go back to the dream.
<h3><strong>Studies Show That Using Dreams Can Be A Good Thing </strong></h3>
Research has shown that a recovering person’s reaction to a using dream tells a lot about where someone is at in their recovery. If they wake up relieved that it was only a dream, they are probably working hard to continue to stay sober and learning to live a new lifestyle. This is a good sign. If someone wishes they could go back to the dream, this might be an indication that they are in trouble with their recovery. This might be a warning sign.

The next time you have a using dream, analyze how it made you feel. Were you happy to wake up? Or were you angry it was only a dream? This will likely tell you whether you are moving in the right direction with your recovery or if you need to reevaluate what you are doing to stay sober.

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