Thursday, July 19, 2007

Addiction Not Just Antisocial Behavior



Not long ago, most people thought that Alcoholism and Addiction was just quirky, Antisocial behavior that the addict just refused to address and control. It was thought that the addict brought on all his or her own worst consequences.

Today we have better information and can realize that addiction is much more complicated than just someone not dealing with their behaviors. It involves sickness of emotions, impaired psychological make up, spiritual unsteadiness and also physical/chemical imbalances in the body.

Though an addict, at some point has to come to terms and start owning the behaviors of addiction and admit that they are causing many of the harmful and unpleasant consequences in life, there are certain things that an addict doesn't have complete control over.

An addict can start to even up factors in a life that is out of control by by HALTING substance intake and immediately starting to deal with the other imbalances that are out of control. Though some of an addict's behaviors might appear (and are) antisocial, there are a number of things that the addict will have to work on in order to gain control of their life again. These won't be strictly 'behavioral' details. Patterns of thinking and old, erroneous attitudes have to change as well.

Dealing with so many variables is often overwhelming for newly recovering addicts or freshly 'clean' persons. Just because the addict puts the drugs down doesn't ensure that life will return to normal right away. It takes time to make changes and often, 'patience' is hard to come by, but perserverence and the development of patience is very important in recovery.

The immediate surrounding friends and family of an addict who has finally stopped 'using,' will often expect (as does the addict) that life will be magically better because the booze and drugs have been taken away, removed from the addict. This 'instant better life' rarely happens. Instead, it's important to realize that the friends and family who support the addict's decision to 'clean up' will most likely need some support from somewhere, themselves. They'll have to relearn how to communicate with the recovering person, just as the recovering addict will have to learn how to communicate without being under the influence of drugs. Perhaps nobody has spoken to the addict for a very long time without the addict under the influence of drugs.

Groups like Al-Anon and AlaTeen can help when there is confusion in the family. These groups also offer an alternative source of help for when families are reactive toward each other. There are Al-Anon and AlaTeen members who understand the discomforts and stresses of going through the rebuilding process that occurs when an addict effects the lives of family members. If brothers, sisters, friends, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, granparents, and children would like to go elsewhere with their difficulties and spare some burden on their family members, Al-Anon and AlaTeen are good alternative choices for support.

Often families do feel like they're placing a burden atop another family members' shoulders. Rebuilding lives is hard work and not without glitches along the way. Often, families who are in the rebuilding stage don't understand why they still have conflicts after the booze and drugs have left the home. They may wonder, "Why am I not happy - why is everything still such a struggle?" They may think, "This is what I wanted (the substances out of the home) but I still do not feel better or like life is normal!" In worrying about these thoughts, attitudes and feelings, family members might feel like something is wrong with them because they don't feel like life is improving any. They shouldn't worry - THIS IS QUITE NORMAL and a way to alleviate more worrying - or more worrying about how other family members are doing with all the new changes - is to gain support outside of the family group.

Here's an Al-Anon/AlaTeen link that has more information:

Al-Anon/Alateen









Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Club Drugs Not For Safe Recreational Use




Club Drugs are never safe. Club Drugs are not for 'safe recreational drug use.' I think that, for the most part, the phrase 'safe recreational drug use' has been quite overused by addicts who are in denial of their own problematic substance abuse issues. Every mind-altering and mood-altering substance has the potential to cause harm - even COFFEE! Sugar can have very potent effects upon people and affect their mood, too, so it's plainly DANGEROUS to assume that any actual 'drug' should be called safe or 'for recreational use.'

Club Drugs have an added "X" factor of sorts. What's in Club Drugs? Oh, something we usually can't identify, let's call it variable "X" or factor "X" for now. It's simply an unidentified substance, mixed in with the 'good stuff.' The truth of the matter is that 'X' can be anything - a 'filler' a 'binding' ingredient, another substance that will actually give 'a buzz' on top of the other parts of the drug mixture that many Club Hoppers are trying to get high from. It can be a toxin or poison or anything.

Some slang handles for a few 'Club' or 'Street' drugs:

ECSTACY: 'E,' 'X,' or 'XTC.'
GHB (gammahydroxybutyrate, or gammahydroxy-butyric acid) - popular with 'Ravers.' Slang names for GHB: Liquid X, Liquid Ecstacy, Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home Boy or sometimes just Home or Homeboy.
Ketamine: 'K,' 'Ket,' 'Special K,' 'Kit Kat,' or 'Vitamin K.'
Rohypnol: 'R-2,' 'Roofies.'

Each of these types of drugs above are connected with 'club drug' use, however, each of these can have different effects on substance users. Side effects can range from sweating to shaking, hallucinations to loss of motor control, paranoia to seizures and, of course, none are safe drugs in any way so they can all cause death.

GHB is mainly a depressant but it can cause drug users to stop breathing with little warning.
Rohypnol is the 'Date Rape Drug,' and extremely powerful and dangerous sedative.

Often producted in home-made or make-shift 'labs,' Club Drugs dont have carefully standardized dosages or ingredients, so ANY amount can be fatal. One never knows how potent the drug will be or how many toxins are in the drug and they're just altogether unsafe in any dosage.

On top of all that is not known about the ingredients and potency of Club Drugs, users of Club Drugs often mix these with alcohol. Because so much is questionable about the Club Drugs, it is also a fact that nobody truly knows what will happen when someone adds alcohol to their body after they've already ingested Club Drugs.


If you'd like some more information about this topic or would like to know how to tell if a friend is using drugs - or how you might help if you're SURE a friend is in need of help to deal with addiction problems, you can call:


National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information -
800-729-6686


Alcohol Industry Information

The Alcohol Industry is a multi-million dollar industry and many people rely on income and support through the Alcohol Industry, despite the fact that alcohol abuse can be so dangerous. Not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic, and in their own ways, many Alcohol producers and distributors try to do what they can to educate people about dangers of alcohol products.

By the same token, producers, supporters and distributors of alcohol products will also market alcohol in ways that are harmful to the public.

Here's a site that gives information about both the pros and cons of the Alcohol Industry. It's the Marin Institute site:

The Marin Institute - Alcohol Industry Information



Alcohol Studies

The Centre For Alcohol Studies is a North American institute dedicated to studying all about alcohol abuse, drug abuse, interaction of the mind and psychoactive substance use and more.

The Centre For Alcohol Studies (CAS) uses a multidisciplinary approach to study addictions and mind-altering substances. This includes biochemical sciences (neurophamacology and biochemistry), sociology, and psychology (clinical as well as experimental).

You can access their website at:

Alcoholic Studies at CAS - Centre For Alcohol Studies

You can visit the site and check out what CAS is doing in the way of research about substance abuse problems.


Monday, July 16, 2007

Have a Safe and Sober Summer!

Alive & Free has a great article about summertime safety and sobriety that has some shocking details! According to the article, almost HALF of the drowning deaths recorded involve consumption of alcohol! (Assuming that the article is talking about in North America, as Alive & Free is located in the U.S.A.).

From my own experiences, I have to say that I think the 'ACTUAL' number of accidents related to or caused by consumption of substances is much greater, because the article deals with 'known' and 'reported' accidents. I happen to know that a great number of accidents (related to boats or other vehicles in general) are not reported and a huge number of accidents that addicts manage to climb out of by the skin of their teeth, so-to-speak, is much higher. I've seen friends to this in the past, and I've done it myself during my 'active addict' days.

Often, someone who has been enjoying summer activities, driving an auto or recreational vehicle (motorbike, boat, quad, scooter, pedalboats etc) while drinking or otherwise consuming addictive substances, will get in an accident, crash the apparatus or recreational vehicle, then RUN AWAY! Afraid of being caught and charged with an offense of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a lot of addicts manage to avoid the authorities and fail to report accidents.

I realize I've added non-water vehicles in my comments above, and the following article deals with mainly water activities and vehicles, but when people are driving drunk/stoned throughout the summer months, they are also driving all manner of vehicles.

That said, here's the Alive & Free article:

==================================================
Keeping Summertime Water Activities Safe and Sober
==================================================

Summertime water activities--boating, fishing, and swimming--can quickly become fatal when alcohol is added to the mix.

Alcohol is involved in about 49 percent of drowning deaths. In fact, about one-half of all accidents and fatalities occurring on the water result from alcohol use, says Dr. Michael Mello, spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Boating accidents are a big part of the problem. Each year they kill an average of 714 people. These deaths are due to two major safety failures: uneducated boaters and lack of a required life jacket.

"Drinking while on the water also heightens the risk of dehydration, and especially when combined with the stresses of sun exposure, boat vibrations, engine noise, and constant motion," Mello says. "Alcohol impairs a boater's balance, vision, reaction time, and decision-making skills."

These factors make collisions the most common form of boating accident. However, capsizing and falls overboard account for the most boating fatalities.

Anyone who wants to drive an automobile must demonstrate knowledge of traffic laws and ability to operate a car. But not so with boats. Owners of recreational boats are not always required to pass safety tests or take a boating safety course.

And while boating under the influence of alcohol (BUI) is outlawed in all 50 states, there is no "open container" law for boats.

"It's not illegal to have a beer by your side and operate a boat," says Tim Smalley, boating safety specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. "It's just when you get to that point of impairment that the magic dial clicks over to risky."

Impairment for boaters occurs at about .035 BAC, or slightly less than two drinks within one hour for most people. All states have boating-under-the-influence laws, with legal limit blood alcohol concentration levels ranging from .01 to .10. Sixteen states have a zero tolerance level for minors.

"People think they're safe when they're on a boat--when they're anchored fishing or putting along with a little trolling motor," Smalley says. "Actually, that's the time when fatal boating accidents happen, and alcohol can be the cause."

Taking a cue from the literature on driving safety, some people appoint a "designated boater"--a non-drinker--to operate the watercraft. But even passengers who drink increase their risk of drowning. Intoxication makes it more likely that they'll capsize a rowboat or fall over the side of a motorboat.

This is a moment of danger. "Alcohol can reset your body's thermostat so that water seems colder," Smalley adds. "And, the torso reflex--an involuntary gasp--occurs when you hit cold water. When this happens, you can aspirate water into your lungs and drown. The torso reflex is more likely to happen when you've been drinking."

Water activities are safest when you're sober. Use the following strategies:

Learn to swim. Check with your local office of the American Red Cross for swimming courses. In addition, always swim with a buddy. Avoid solo outings.
Wear a life jacket. Boat operators and all passengers should wear personal flotation devices approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. This applies to swimmers and non-swimmers alike.
Stay free of alcohol and other drugs. There is no "safe" amount of alcohol to consume before swimming, fishing or boating. In fact, you can become impaired more quickly than usual due to heat and fatigue.
Take a boating safety course. These are offered by several organizations. The U.S. Coast Guard has information online.
Create and share your "float plan." Before going out on the water, find someone on shore to act as an emergency contact. Tell this person where you'll be and how long you'll be gone.
Serve alcohol after your time on the water. Responsible alcohol use can still be part of your recreation plans. Just wait until you're off the water for the day. Plan to party on-shore at your cabin, boating club, or back yard. Offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks as well.
--Published May 14, 2007




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alive & Free is a health column that provides information to help prevent substance abuse problems and address such problems. It is created by Hazelden, a nonprofit agency based in Center City, Minn., that offers a wide range of information and services on addiction. For more resources, email or call Hazelden at 800-257-7810 (outside the US 651-213-4200).
=============================================
"Copyright © 2003 Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved."
=============================================



You can access more Articles like this at Hazelden.org

Thank you, Hazelden and Alive&Free for allowing me to use your articles.

T Lewis~~


The Serenity Prayer

(Properly Titled, "Serenity Prayer Gets To The Heart Of Recovery")

In the concentration camp, Viktor Frankl was prisoner No. 119,104. He spent most of his time in forced labor, laying tracks for Nazi railway lines. At one point, his job was to dig a tunnel for an underground water main. He worked alone. His reward was a coupon worth 12 cigarettes. Instead, he exchanged the token for 12 bowls of soup so he could avoid starving.

Many people assume that the only response to this situation would be misery or insanity. Yet, even in the concentration camp, Frankl felt free. In Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy (Beacon Press, ed. 4), Frankl concluded that everything can be taken from us except one thing: the last of human freedoms -- to choose one's own attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.

Another name for this freedom is acceptance. And acceptance is the key to the Serenity Prayer, commonly recited at meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve Step groups:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

If we can understand what this prayer means, then we can better understand what recovery from addiction is about.

As human beings, we have two basic strategies for handling any situation that disturbs us. One is to change the situation. For example, if were chronically short on money, we can trim our expenses or seek a higher-paying job. If were lonely, we can call a friend.

This is how we usually cope with distress: We try to alter the world outside us. And in many cases, this is powerful and appropriate.

However, circumstances are sometimes beyond our power to change. A sudden, unpredicted expense may undercut our plans to save money. We can call a friend to quell our loneliness, but that person may not be at home. Hoping we can control every event that comes our way is like hoping we can control the weather.

In such moments, we often forget we have a second option: We can change our response to the situation. This second option is the one Frankl discovered. While he was in the concentration camp, escape was not feasible. He was powerless over his situation. So he responded by dwelling on thoughts that empowered him.

More specifically, Frankl stayed alive to the beauty of nature. Even the Nazis could not take away sunsets. He imagined amusing incidents that could take place in the future, allowing himself to laugh. And he remembered the people he loved. I understood, he wrote, how a man who has nothing left in this world may still know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the contemplation of his beloved.

It's possible to discover how these two options work in our own lives. Complete this sentence: I could be happy only if . . . Typical answers usually include the right job, the right relationship, more money, a new car, a child, a house. All of these have to do with the first option -- having the right circumstances. All are attempts to change the world outside our heads.

But addiction is one of those situations that were powerless over, and recovery from addiction means looking for serenity elsewhere -- in the world inside our heads. It's learning how to dwell on beliefs, attitudes and thoughts that remain true no matter what happens to us.

Veronica Ray, in her book Choosing Happiness: The Art of Living Unconditionally (Hazelden), makes the same point: The most important thing to learn about happiness, I believe, is that it is a choice. We always have it available to us; it's within each of us. What we need to remember is that there's always another way of looking at anything.

As the Serenity Prayer reminds us, this means changing what we can, accepting what we can't, and knowing the difference. For people in recovery -- for all of us -- such knowledge is the heart of serenity.

--Published November 20, 2000




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alive & Free is a health column that provides information to help prevent substance abuse problems and address such problems. It is created by Hazelden, a nonprofit agency based in Center City, Minn., that offers a wide range of information and services on addiction. For more resources, email or call Hazelden at 800-257-7810 (outside the US 651-213-4200).
=============================================
"Copyright © 2003 Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved."
=============================================
You can access more Articles like this at Hazelden.org

Thank you, Hazelden and Alive&Free for allowing me to use your articles.

T Lewis~~