TOPICS - Addiction, Codependency, Change, Morals....

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 When drug or alcohol abuse consumes a person’s life, one of the first things to go is the person’s ability to make rational, moral choices. He (or she) can no longer make the kind of simple judgments that the unaddicted can make easily. The addict will feel that getting and using drugs is more important than caring for his or her children, holding a job or being a responsible citizen. That is the kind of domination that addictive drug cravings have over the addict. It’s like the addict is in prison with no possibility of escape. morals responsibility

Alcohol is a drug.
It is classed as a depressant, meaning that it slows down vital functions—resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions and an inability to react quickly.

As for how it affects the mind, it is best understood as a drug that reduces a person’s ability to think rationally and distorts his or her judgment.

Although classified as a depressant, the amount of alcohol consumed determines the type of effect. Most people drink for the stimulant effect, such as a beer or glass of wine taken to “loosen up.” But if a person consumes more than the body can handle, they then experience alcohol’s depressant effect. They start to feel “stupid” or lose coordination and control. morals responsibility

“Everything that is done in the world is done by hope” – Martin Luther

The Importance of Hope in Recovery
Hope is more than mere wishful thinking; it is the bedrock upon which you build your recovery. Without hope, or a desire to recover, there would be no motivation to get better. With no motivation, there would be very little meaningful action. Finally, with proper action comes improvement through a series of steps leading to a plan for recovery, and working the plan for years to come. I cannot stress harder the significance of hope in recovery. morals responsibility

KING BABY SYNDROME

The King (or Queen) Baby Syndrome is explained as a condition that relates to emotional development delays usually stemming from abuse, trauma or early drug use. Fear of loss of control is the hallmark of this condition. This syndrome is common with addicts and alcoholics and can create attitudes and actions that can become ingrained patterns over time. morals responsibility

If you’ve ever known someone who has suffered from addiction or have been that person yourself, you’ll know how much of an emotional toll it can have on you and your loved ones.

It can put a strain on your relationships and affect both your personal and professional life. Having an addiction also comes with serious health concerns. Abusing drugs can seriously harm your body and you may even have to deal with these issues for the rest of your life.

While the health issues and strain on relationships are usually the first things we all think about when it comes to drug addiction, don’t forget about the financial costs of substance abuse. morals responsibility

 Anyone that is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol will benefit by going to rehab. Those who have suffered from addiction know how hard it can be to overcome it alone, and the healing environment of rehabilitation offers the support needed to make a successful recovery. Rehab includes individualized treatment plans to help patients identify and overcome the underlying issues that started their addiction. While the main priority of a rehab facility is to help patients overcome addiction, there is an abundance of other benefits of rehab as well. In addition to conquering one’s addiction, those attending addiction treatment will also learn the necessary tools for building a productive, healthy, and happy life. 

 Family dynamics are the patterns of relating, or interactions, between family members. Each family system and its dynamics are unique, although there are some common patterns.
 

All families have some helpful and some unhelpful dynamics.
 

Even where there is little or no present contact with family, a young person will have been influenced by dynamics in earlier years. Family dynamics often have a strong influence on the way young people see themselves, others and the world, and influence their relationships, behaviours and their wellbeing.
 

An understanding of the impact of family dynamics on a young person's self-perception may help workers pinpoint and respond to the driving forces behind a young person's current needs. 

 Relapse Triggers can be broken into a few groups: emotional, mental, environmental, and those that are easily overlooked. Here we have listed the 10 most common relapse triggers and what to do to avoid them 

The acronym HALT is used to describe high-risk situations for those in recovery. When you are aware of this you can be vigilant in preventing yourself from entering those states.

If recovery is your priority, then making sure you avoid becoming too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired will also need to become a priority. This may mean planning meals, sticking to a strict sleep schedule, and attending support groups.

Perceived negative emotions often lead people to use drugs or alcohol in the first place and can easily lead a person back to their drug of choice.

It is, however, impossible to avoid feeling sad, angry, guilty, or lonely all the time. Experiencing these emotions is normal and an important aspect of recovery (and life) – but they are uncomfortable! Learning how to cope with your emotions as they arise without the use of drugs and alcohol will be essential in early recovery.

Stress could possibly be the number-one addiction relapse trigger because of its broad range of effects on the mind and body. HALT can lead to stress, as can a thousand other circumstances that will differ for each individual. Losing a job or loved one, increased responsibility at home or work, and health problems can all create increased stress. The key here is being proactive about stress prevention and being mindful (and honest) about what causes stress for you.

Becoming over-confident in recovery puts you at risk for relapse. Having self-confidence is necessary, but becoming over-confident to the point of complacency crosses a line from healthy confidence to over-confidence and relapse risk.

After some time in recovery, as life starts to even out, you may begin to feel like you no longer need to follow your relapse prevention plan. You might think you are strong in your recovery and put yourself in increasingly risky situations – while also no longer working a recovery program. This is a definite recipe for disaster.

Stay humble by giving back to others if you can, and always remind yourself that addiction is a chronic disease; no matter how strong you feel you will never be able to have “just one.”

Depression, anxiety, and other underlying mental illnesses can trigger drug or alcohol relapse. Physical illness and pain can also put you at risk for relapsing, as your body is stressed.

Prescription drugs for mental and physical illnesses can be mind-altering and trigger addiction and addiction relapse. Sharing that you are in recovery with your doctor and being insistent about providing non-addictive prescription drug alternatives is important.

Get treatment for any underlying mental illness and monitor your thinking and feelings with a journal to help notice when you are slipping into old patterns.

Reluctance to reach out to others, or form a sober support system through AA or another recovery group, can lead to social isolation and loneliness. The more you become socially isolated, the easier it is to rationalise drug or alcohol use to yourself.

Social anxiety can also be a struggle for many recovering addicts, which is why having a counselor or sponsor can help you avoid social isolation. Make forming a sober support network a priority in your recovery.

A common, but often ignored suggestion is to avoid dating in recovery for the first year. There are many reasons for this, one being that new romantic relationships can put you at risk for relapse. A break up with your new partner could lead you back to using due to emotional stress. A potential cross over from your initial addiction to a sex or love addiction; or using relationships to fill the void left by sobriety also create increased risk for relapse.

Remind yourself why it is important to avoid relationships in early recovery, and if you have more than a year of sobriety under your belt follow these tips for dating in recovery to help make sure your transition to the dating world does not sabotage your sobriety.

Positive life events are often overlooked as relapse triggers. Getting a promotion or new job can lead to an urge to celebrate. You may fall into the false idea that is celebrating with a drink or drug ‘just this once’ will be ok. Increased income can also trigger thoughts of being able to afford your drug of choice.

While a promotion or other positive event is exciting and can boost your confidence, it may also come with added responsibility, pressure, and stress. That’s why it is important to make a plan for how you will celebrate without drugs or alcohol in advance of actually being in this situation.

Relapse is a process. If you find yourself reminiscing about times when you used to drink or use in a way that overlooks the pain and suffering your addiction caused, this is a major red flag.

Reminiscing can lead to your addictive brain taking over once again. Talking about past use can lead to thinking about future use, and quickly turn into action.

If you find yourself in this pattern of reminiscing, do not ignore it! Talk to a sponsor, counselor, or supportive friend about it — they will help remind you why you chose a life in recovery.

Another one of the most common relapse triggers is putting yourself in situations where drugs and alcohol are available. It is not always so straightforward though — simply driving through an old neighborhood or catching the smell of a pub as you walk by can be enough to trigger intense urges to use.