Recovering from drug addiction is a lifelong process and the journey back to sobriety doesn’t end after completing a drug addiction intervention program. Expect the challenges of the real world to a drug rehabilitated patient to lead to a relapse. This is why an aftercare treatment program is a must. Below are helpful tips to help families of a patient select the right aftercare program. Tip #1 – The proposed aftercare plan is customizable Among the greatest concerns of families with loved ones recovering from drugs or substance abused is the possibility of becoming victims again of these bad vices. It’s vital that an aftercare treatment program is readily available to support the needs of the patient when he or she is out of the drug rehab program. Ask the drug rehab center where your loved one was admitted if they can come up with a customizable aftercare plan. A customized aftercare treatment package should address the daily needs of a recovered drug addict and help him or her fight the cravings for drugs. Tip #2 – Group counseling should be inclusive If you want to make sure the aftercare treatment program is extensive, inquire if the group counseling is inclusive. Most reputable drug rehab centers have group counseling in their aftercare programs like regular meetings for patients who just completed drug rehabilitation programs. These meetings are designed to help patients share their personal experiences with other drug dependents and learn various approaches to fight the temptations of drugs. Tip #3 – Involvement of family is a must The success of an aftercare treatment program depends on family support. Check if the proposed aftercare program has the involvement of family. Why? Including the family members is essential in any aftercare treatment program because the family could be the source of strength of the recovered drug addict on his or her journey to complete sobriety. Tip #4 – Presence of adequate counseling The treatment for a rehabilitated person doesn’t stop after completing the drug rehabilitation services. Adequate counseling must be carried as part of the aftercare treatment program to educate the patient of what to expect when he or she is back in the community. Tip #5 – Availability of a residential drug rehab Sometimes, the complete recovery of the patient is dependent on his or her family environment. If the patient’s negative home ambiance is the cause of his or her drug dependency, the suggestion of entering a residential drug rehab as aftercare treatment is a possibility for the recovery of the patient. Under this kind of set-up, the patient will have to live with other patients undergoing sobriety program and are given relevant aftercare services like regular counseling to fast track their recovery. Full recovery from drug addiction depends on the commitment of a patient to succumb to various aftercare treatment programs. If you want to make sure your loved one is given the chance to live a reformed life after undergoing drug treatment programs, find an aftercare treatment program designed to deal with the daily struggles in fighting drug addiction.
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“I love alcohol but that doesn’t make me an alcoholic” That’s what you and millions of other Americans who abuse alcohol and a daily basis may think. The truth is, the reality could be the complete opposite. 17.6 million people in the United States abuse alcohol and that’s excluding the millions of other who indulge in heavy episodic drinking putting themselves at risk of an alcohol-use disorder. That’s one incurable hangover, if you ask us. American Has a Major Drinking Problem Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the US. According to National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency, one in every 12 American residents suffer from alcohol abuse. It’s no wonder we’re being labelled as one of the drunkest nation along with the Soju-happy South Koreans and the beer drinking Germans. In some states, 20 percent of its residents drink excessively and many others are binge drinkers. One such state is California. California Is One of America’s Booziest States (Sort of) California is famous for its classic beach bars and “turnt up” nightlife, there are plenty of excuses alcoholism. According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, excessive alcohol use cost the state about $35 billion (not million, billions) yearly. Yes, this may not seem like a lot considering the amount of money that is spent on drugs and pizza slices, but it’s certainly alarming figure. As an Orange County, CA resident or someone residing in a neighbouring city, it’s not impossible for you to adapt to California’s excessive drinking culture. It’s easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of The Golden State. Sipping cocktails during the day on the beach then finishing the evening at a club, bar or pub stock with vodka, rum, whiskey and the list goes on. Nearly one in every five residents enjoy drinking excessively, or as California natives love to say, “hangin’ with Lindsay Lohan.” That’s why every once in awhile, it’s important for you to ask yourself: “have I gone too far?” Knowing if your drinking patterns are unsafe can help you to prevent any life threatening issues later down the line. One of the easiest ways to find out if you have a problem is by taking an alcoholic self test online . For example, The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, provides a short quiz of 26 questions on their website that you can take in only a few minutes. “Am I An Alcoholic?” If some aspects of your life is greatly affected by your drinking habits but you're still unable to stop, the answer to your question maybe yes. For Instance, if you find yourself slacking at your job because of continuous hangovers, you may be further into the throes of alcoholism than you may have thought. Taking medications with alcohol and driving moments after binge drinking, putting your life and the lives of other motorist at risk, is also a common indicator of alcoholism. More importantly if you find yourself counting down the minutes to your next drink and experience nervousness, depression, feelings of fatigue, mood swings, nightmares or shakiness when you’ve gone without a drink, you may have an alcohol problem. These are common withdrawal symptoms that may surface over a day or two and worsen in the days following. In severe cases, you may begin to hallucinate, and may experience a high fever or a seizure. For this reason, it’s important that you seek professional help if you have an alcohol addiction. Dealing with withdrawal at home can be dangerous but there are many Orange County alcohol treatment centers with trained staff capable of guiding you through withdraw and on the path to sobriety. Take Control Of Your Life Finding out that you aren’t just a social drinker but an alcoholic can affect each individual differently. That is why at BLVD Treatment Centers we tailor of alcohol addiction treatment program to meet the individual needs of each patient. With each patient that comes to us, our goal is to provide the best quality treatment that will help them to get back on track with life and kick addiction to the curb. Learn more about how our alcohol treatment programs works here. And when you are ready, give us a call at (888) 537-9625. We’re here for you!
Recently, there has been an alarming increase in the number of young adults being rush into emergency rooms in San Diego, CA for misuse of ADHD. According to a recent study by Johns Hopkins University, the non-prescribed use of Adderall by young adults have increased by a shocking 67 percent in the last few years. It seems that in order to stay on top of their seemingly endless exams and assignments, many college students have resorted to taking Adderall. Adderall which is common prescription drug for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can stimulate the brain to improve performance and cognitive awareness. It works by increasing activities in the brain that helps to keep you alert and motivated. The drug which comes in a tablet form is mainly ingested but can also be crushed for snorting or combined with water and injected, raising the issue of infectious disease among people who share needles. Study Drugs Have Become a Big Part of the College Experience Adderall and other study drugs are more popular on San Diego, CA, college campuses than you might be aware of. The issue is, many college students do see it as a dangerous drug, but as a necessary means to get through their college years. Since the drug has to be prescribed for use, most students settle with slipping a pill or two from a friend who may have been prescribed the drug. In response to the increased usage, many San Diego, CA, colleges have taken precautions to stop what could potential lead to another prescription drug epidemic by issuing warnings of the risks involved in taking the drug. They are also urging students who have been prescribed the drug to refrain from selling it to others students or giving it to friends. Taking the drug is seen as a quick solution to their problems during college. Since the drug can to enhance one's focus, many use it in an attempt to achieve higher grades and heightened their concentration during classes. The truth is, while Adderall can help to improve one’s concentration, excessive usage can lead to dependency and then eventually an addiction like most drugs do. Even though Adderall abuse among young adults is still not at the stage of prescription opiates, the reported usage is still of concern seeing that it has surpassed cocaine in the college-age demographics. You’ll hear a lot of San Diego, CA, college students casually talk about taking “Addy” to study for their finals. Adderall, commonly called “Addy,” among the college community is a must have during final exams for many students. Because the drug can cause sleeplessness, many students take it to stay awake long enough to cram for their final exams. But is it worth the risk… Adderall Abuse Can Also Be HarmfulTaking the drug may create more problems in the long-term than what many students could planned for. First and foremost, they are putting themselves at risk of addiction. Due to the feeling of relaxation and concentration the drug creates, a user may continuously desire to revisit these feelings, leading to dependency and eventually addiction. Another major concern of students who abuse Adderall over a long period is the fact that they are putting themselves at risk of life threatening cardiovascular conditions. This is because the drug may increase the heart rate, blood pressure and body temperatures to harmful levels when taken incorrectly and this may inturn lead to cardiac arrest or a stroke. Studies have also proven that abusers may become suicidal due to depression and other mental conditions associated with excessive use of the drug. Students Taking Adderall Are Putting Themselves at Odds with the Law What many are unaware of or simply willing to take the risk on, are the legal consequences of using these drugs. Due to its popularity on campuses across the city, many students seem to overlook the fact that taking Adderall in excess without a prescription is illegal, and in some cases can lead to a felony charge in San Diego, CA. Students who try to make an earning from selling the drug are especially at risk of dealing with severe legal consequences that could hinder their carrier in the long haul. Treatment for Adderall Addiction If your daughter or son has adapted the San Diego college lifestyle of taking Adderall to study, they may need help. Once someone has been exposed to the stimulant for a long period, their brain will begin to experience a strong desire for more dopamine and when this happens, it’s hard for them to stop taking the drug on their own.
Professional inpatient or outpatients drug treatment programs in San Diego, CA may be necessary to reverse the addiction. At BLVD Treatment Centers in San Diego we provide detoxification services that can help your child to overcome their addiction to Adderall and get back on track with their future. Our treatment options vary according to the level of abuse but you can rest assured that we’ll come up with the best solution for you. Our outpatient and inpatient program involves a combination of therapeutic sessions to help lessen cravings for the drug as well as treat any underlying mental issues caused by the drug. Give us a call at 8885376671 for more information. Once only common among street addicts, meth has now taken hold in San Diego high schools, offering teenagers a hardcore high for a small fee of $10 – if not for free. It was just April of this year that meth-laced pills disguised as “Smarties” candies were confiscated from a middle school 8th-grader at Ione Junior High, just a couple hours from San Diego. Many, for the most part, believe this to be an isolated incident, but it is a well needed wake–up call for parents to start paying close attention to their children, as many are unintentionally being exposed to illicit substances. Parents often instil in their kids, “don’t take candy from strangers”, but in this case it may be coming from the person sitting next to them in class…a friend. Many parents tend to underestimate how easy it is for children in San Diego to be exposed to illicit substances. Naturally, they may end up overlooking signs of a drug addiction, mistaking them to be a normal part of puberty. As parents, it’s important to notice any changes in your children’s behaviour. Giving them too much space or trying to be their friend rather than a parent may result in you enabling their addiction. Here’s how you can avoid enabling your teenager: Don’t Be Afraid To Act If You Notice Behavioral Changes If your prescription opioids suddenly go missing from the medicine cabinet in your bathroom or your teenaged son starts stumbling home at odd hours of the night, do not ignore it. Merely overlooking this change in behaviour means that you’ve given them permission to continue. It’s unlikely that your child will stop if they realize that there are no consequences for their actions. Worst case scenario, you may be enabling an addiction. Establish Boundaries For Your Teenager Every child wants to have boundaries and limits whether they’re aware of it or not, especially in a big city like San Diego. In fact, many kids have resorted to drugs and alcohol as a cry for help or attention from their parents. While it’s important for children to learn on their own, sometimes this is not what’s best for them, or what they want. By establishing boundaries and limits for them to follow, you’re creating a safe place for them to grow as they transition into adulthood. Set Consequences That Work Establishing rules and consequences is essential to effective parenting and may save your child from ending up in San Diego, CA, addiction Rehab center. When your teenager ignores the rules you have established, there should be consequences for their actions. For example, if you set a curfew and your teenager ignores it or appears to have been out smoking, he or she should be striped of some sort of privilege or grounded. While this does not guarantee that he or she will start obeying the rules, as a parent you would have done your part to influence their future decisions positively.
Being a good parent isn’t about being the perfect parent. It’s about the willingness to support your teenager while guiding them on the right path to adulthood. Like you were with your parents, there are times when your kids will resent you. The worst thing that could happen is that you end up enabling their erratic behaviour in fear of this resentment that will likely pass as they grow. When it comes to parenting a teen, tough love is the best kind of love. Need more help? If so, BLVD Treatment Centers offer drug and alcohol intervention in addition to our other San Diego, CA drug addiction treatment services. We now have a location in San Diego in the popular neighborhood of Hillcrest. Don’t hesitate to call us! |
AuthorLooking for an addiction treatment center? Find information about programs and services from BLVD Treatment Centers, a Los Angeles addiction center. Explore drug and alcohol treatment resources and connect with others in recovery. Start your new life in recovery today. Archives
January 2017
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