Drug Abuse: 5 Tips to Help Loosen the Grip of Addiction

 

Addictions have such powerful holds on people because they attack them from various angles. Addictions cause people to have emotional, physical and psychological strongholds. First, an addicted party has to deal with painful withdrawal symptoms that occur inside the body. Next, the individual has to suffer with a psychological dependence. Drug addiction can cause a person to commit crimes and get involved with drug offenses, as well. Lastly, an addicted person may deal with emotional problems such as anxiety, depression and irritability. The good news is that an addicted person can overcome even the most difficult problem. The following are five tips for helping to loosen the grip of addiction:

 

Admit That a Problem Exists

The first step to overcoming addiction is recognizing that an addiction does exist. Signs of addiction include fluctuating moods, a decline in work performance, altered personal relationships, physical withdrawal symptoms and strange sleep patterns. Once a person admits that at problem exists, he or she can try to combat it.

 

Find Support Through Loved Ones

Friends and family members can provide assistance for an addicted person. They can give that person a loving and non-judgmental ear when that person needs someone to talk to. Family members can help to support the person through cravings, as well.

 

Secure Rehabilitation Services

Securing reliable rehabilitation services is an excellent way to break the cycle of addiction. Local rehab centers can offer services such as detoxification, counseling, individualized therapy and alternative therapies.

 

Use Mind Over Matter

The mind over matter concept is one that works. A person can find strength if he or she focuses the mind on something bigger and more important than a drug high. Filling the mind with positive and healthy thoughts is an excellent way to remove recurring thoughts of seeking drugs and experiencing the mind’s “reward” system.

 

Change Your Lifestyle

Finally, changing one’s lifestyle can remove that person from the cycle of addiction. An environmental change to a non-depressing area can lower the person’s tendency to gravitate toward depression activities. Changing one’s friends will prevent the addicted person from getting involved with drugs repeatedly. Picking up some hobbies such as artwork, pottery, writing or playing a musical instrument can help to divert one’s attention to positive activities. Theorists suggest that it takes approximately 21 days to create a new routine. Therefore, an addicted person can start to create a new life within three weeks.

 

Starting the recovery process with the previously mentioned tips can help a person to grow out of addiction.

 

Categories: addicted person, addiction, addiction nbsp, addictiona, drug buse, family members, nbsp, person, problem exists, rehabilitation services, Tips, withdrawal symptoms

Keeping Your Family Healthy-Five Quick Tips For Getting It Done

Staying healthy in today’s world is anything but easy. The good news is that there are several things that you can do to increase you and your family members’ chances of staying well. Below are five quick tips that will keep you and your family healthy:

 

Encourage Breakfast Eating

You have probably heard that old saying that starting your day without eating breakfast is like trying to drive your car without any gas. Breakfast gives your body the fuel that you need to get through the day. If you skip breakfast, then you are very likely to experience fatigue throughout the day. Studies have also shown that people who skip breakfast are more likely to become obese. That is why you should always eat breakfast and encourage your family members to do the same.
Drink Plenty Of Water

Water should be the beverage that one consumes more than anything else. Water has no calories, sugar or fat. It also helps boost metabolism and suppress appetite. Lemons and oranges can be added to the water in order to enhance the flavor.
Regular Trips To The Dentist

Experts recommend seeing a dentist once every six months. Regular dental examinations will detect gum disease, cavities and other dental problems before they get out of hand. Dental checkups can also improve your overall health. Gum disease can increase your chances of developing heart disease and diabetes. Family Dentistry in Longmont, Colorado is a great place for your family to start their healthy dental habits.
Hand Washing

This very simple habit can decrease you and your family’s chances of developing the cold, flu, bacterial infections and even diarrhea. Many illnesses are spread through direct contact. Everyone will need to wash their hands for at least 15 to 20 seconds with warm water. It is important for you to get the back of your hands and wrists also.
Cook More Meals At Home

A busy schedule may make it difficult for everyone to eat at the same time. However, you should try to have as many meals at home with your family as possible. Eating at home is a lot healthier than eating at a restaurant. Furthermore, eating meals together allows you to bond with your family.

Staying healthy should be one of everyone’s top priorities. You can keep everyone in your household healthy by encouraging them to eat breakfast, drink plenty of water and wash their hands. Regular trips to the dentist are also very important. Furthermore, everyone should try to eat meals together at home as much as possible.

Categories: drink plenty, eat breakfast, Family, family healthy, family members, Gum Disease, Healthy, regular trips, skip breakfast, staying healthy, Tips

How to Use The Support of Others to Kick an Addiction

It is sometimes said that the only person who can get you to kick an addiction is yourself. While that is certainly true in a narrow sense, the fact is that no one quits a bad habit in a social vacuum. You need the help and support of those around you. There are always other people involved in any major undertaking in life, with addiction recovery being no exception. Knowing how other people can effectively support your efforts to kick an addiction can make the difference between success and failure.

 

Professional Support

The techniques and programs for overcoming addicting vary widely, and it is not the intention here to identifying specifically who or what kind of professional people you will encounter. But whatever the program of recovery, it will be certain to include at least some people who are serving in a professional capacity and that are there to help you. These are people who are either medical experts or who have had extensive experience in overcoming your area of addiction.

 

How helpful such professionals may be to you in your journey of recovery may vary widely, but all of them will have at least a little insight to offer. Don’t be afraid to listen and learn from each of them. Going into any meeting with an open mind can be one of the hardest things but if it is done this attitude can help further your recovery immensely

 

Support From Friends

The role of friends can be a tricky one in kicking an addiction. Certainly friends who are still addicted can play a negative role by either directly or indirectly encouraging a return to the addictive lifestyle. Yet, other friends, perhaps ones you fell out of touch with in your most addictive phase, may now be ready to re-enter your life in a positive way.

 

Sometimes it may require making new friends outside the circle of acquaintances you had when addicted. But whether old friends or new, it is important to have people you can socialize with who will not place you in danger of relapse. Friends like these can be found in programs like those at Women’s Recovery Center as you can certainly relate with other people in the program. Don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone when attempting to make new friends. Not only can friends offer you encouragement to stay addiction free, but they also provide a crucial distraction from dwelling too much on addiction issues.

 

Family Support

Regardless of how you feel about your family they most certainly only want what is best for you and most family members are willing to go to any lengths to help a loved one kick an addiction. Communicating with family members often can lead to a unknown strength you didn’t know you had. This interaction will keep your mind on what is really important and can provide support when you desperately want to relapse.

 

Support is Essential

While the decision to overcome an addiction is often a very personal one, the process of becoming addiction free is in many ways a group effort. Building a new life free of addiction requires having others who can advise you, provide you with new opportunities and give you better alternatives to former, unhealthy relationships. Therefore, try to cultivate both professional and informal support networks that can both guide you onto a new path in life and help you stick to it.

Categories: addiction, addiction free, family members, Friends, kick, nbsp, nbsp support, people, Support, vary widely

When Alcohol Works: Health Benefits of Moderate Drinking

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but can the same be said for a glass of wine or a beer? Perhaps a legend exists in your family that relatives have told you about your great-grandfather having a glass of beer with dinner every night and living to be 98 years old. Is there any truth in that? Can consuming alcohol in moderation really be beneficial to your health? Read on to find out.

 

Drinking in Moderation

According to research, drinking in moderation can be defined as consuming one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Moderate drinking does not mean abstaining all week then getting drunk on the weekends. Drinking in excess not only puts your health at risk, but potentially your life as well. 

When you overdo it with alcohol, you increase your chances of driving under the influence (DUI). As Jack Diamond, a DUI lawyer in Massachusetts addresses on his website, being arrested for a DUI can lead to a multitude of problems in your life, including your health, legal and financial situations. It goes without saying that if you are not of legal drinking age, you should not consume any alcohol until you are.

 

Good for Your Heart

Studies have shown that a moderate amount of alcohol actually raises the levels of “good cholesterol,” or HDLs in your bloodstream. Higher levels of HDLs are beneficial in preventing several types of heart disease that result from cardiovascular disease. So, a drink a day may reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack or even a stroke.

 

Live Longer

Apparently, there is some truth to why your great-grandpa lived so long when he had a glass of beer every night with dinner. Consuming alcohol with meals may reduce your risk of dying by up to 18 percent. Just take a look at people who follow the Mediterranean diet for proof of this one. Wine is a staple at Greek, Italian and Spanish lunch and dinner tables, and these cultures tend to suffer from lower instances of diseases and health issues in general, thus, living longer than the rest of us.

 

Prevent Symptoms of the Common Cold

Who knew that a cold could be prevented with a glass of red wine? Researchers discovered that non-smoking individuals who consumed eight to 14 glasses of red wine each week were 60 percent less likely to develop a cold! Sixty percent! That is rather significant when so many Americans miss work each year because of the annoying symptoms of an incurable cold. It seems that the antioxidant properties of red wine are an excellent dose of preventative medicine (and wine tastes better than medicine, too).

 

If you are worried that your usual glass of wine or beer with dinner, or your afternoon martini might cause health issues later in life, worry no more. Instead, enjoy the fact that you are able to reap the benefits of drinking alcohol in moderation. As long as you maintain that moderate intake, you could very well become the next legend in your family.

Writer Melanie Fleury has watched family members get DUI’s, but she also has seen many friends and family members who know not to drive after enjoying a glass of wine with dinner. Jack Diamond, of Jack Diamond Law, knows that a DUI can seem like the end of the world, but assures clients that it is not. 

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/klauspost/92783024/

Categories: Alcohol, Benefits, consuming alcohol, Drinking, family members, health, health issues, jack diamond, moderate, moderate drinking, Red Wine, Wine

Alcohol And Mental Illness: There Is A Connection

Sadly, one of the most popular ways for someone coping with a mental health issue to ease their mental and emotional pain is by numbing these emotions with alcohol. These individuals who could benefit from other types of therapy find solace in a bottle. What is even more tragic is the knowledge that they may not even realize there is a problem until they have been arrested or injured from driving under the influence.

 

The problem with alcohol abuse is that it can also lead to additional forms of behaviors that will induce mental health issues. Many actions committed by someone under the influence leads the person to feel shame when they are sober. That shame then brings on a depression or becomes too hard to handle, so the person resorts to alcohol to cover the pain. It is a vicious circle that must be broken.

 

Driving Under the Influence

Any of these individuals suffering from a mental illness and treating with alcohol continue to drive. They believe that they do not have an alcohol problem, and therefore justify driving. Often referred to as functioning alcoholics, these drunk drivers are some of the most dangerous on the road. According to one DUI attorney San Bernardino based, a DUI often leads to license suspension, fines and even community service.

 

What makes them so dangerous? Their confidence level when they are driving drunk. In a recent study, it was discovered that confident intoxicated drivers caused more accidents, and had more deadly results than first time DUI offenders. Their “confidence” in their skill to drive, because they do not believe they have a drinking problem, allows them to justify irrational decisions behind the wheel without question.

 

Programs to Help

in San Bernardino, a state program is in place for individuals who have been caught driving under the influence. The program requires a series of courses that have to be taken before driving priviledges are reinstated.

 

The San Bernardino DUI program has been very successful in helping those who have a substance abuse problem and have been arrested for driving under the influence. However, it would probably be more useful to address these mental health and alcohol problem issues before a DUI arrest or conviction occurs. Family members and friends must be observant about their loved ones and make sure that they are not suffering quietly from mental health issues. If you notice that alcohol or drugs are being used to help them cope with problems, you need to act to find them the appropriate help.

 

You can make a difference in someone’s life by stepping up and addressing this issue in a calm and compassionate way These people know deep down there is a problem, and many times they are just waiting for someone to offer them help.

 

 

Writer Melanie Fleury has several family members who suffer from mental illness. She has noticed that they also seem to drink more than other people in the family. She learned through the blog of a DUI attorney San Bernardino based, that driving under the influence has consequences beyond legal ones.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamescridland/1391010417/

Categories: Alcohol, alcohol problem, attorney san, bernardino based, dui attorney, family members, health issues, illness, mental, Mental Health, mental illness, san bernardino

DUI and Mental Illness: New Studies Show Possible Link

Statistics have proven that at least 33 percent of the people who are arrested for a DUI will eventually become a repeat offender. This statistic is astounding to many people, especially when you consider the fact that just one DUI conviction is extremely expensive and can make it difficult to obtain future employment. Due to this, researchers decided to take a look at the potential link between mental illness and DUIs. The results could lead to a change in the way that repeat offenders are handled by the law.

 

What is the Link between DUIs and Mental Illness?

Researchers at the PIRE Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest conducted a 10 year study that took a close look at DUI offenders who had been arrested for the same crime at least twice. Almost 60 percent of the participants in this study had received treatment for bipolar disorder, major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder at some point during their life. Additionally, many of them were dealing with alcoholism or drug abuse.

In other words, the majority of repeat DUI offenders were battling substance abuse and mental illness, and this definitely makes it easier to explain their actions. 

How Can This Information Be Used to Reduce DUI’s?

Although it is likely that most states will not have the necessary funding to mandate a mental health evaluation for each DUI offender, it is important for lawmakers throughout the nation carefully consider making this an option. This could be especially beneficial for individuals who receive their second DUI. After all, if it can be conclusively determines that a repeat offender has an untreated mental health or substance abuse issue, they can be given the opportunity to receive treatment instead of being penalized with jail time.

This could help dramatically improve the quality of the offender’s life, and it will reduce the possibility that they will be arrested for a DUI again. Additionally, taking this approach can help keep nonviolent offenders out of prison. 

What Are Some of the Factors That Cause Repeat Offenses?

Researchers have indicated for a long time that one of the major factors that can lead to a second or third DUI offense is the emotional and financial trauma that is caused by the first one. Although it can be difficult for many people to understand why someone would drown their sorrows about a DUI by getting drunk, it actually makes a lot more sense when you realize that so many of these individuals are already dealing with substance abuse or mental health issues.

For example, if an individual who has major depression is arrested for a DUI, they might experience severe feelings of hopelessness that cause them to drink again. It is also important to note that an inebriated individual has a vastly diminished capacity to make good judgment calls, and this is one of the leading causes of DUIs.If you or a loved one is experiencing issues with mental health or substance abuse, it is imperative to seek treatment. Sadly, many people end up being arrested for a DUI before they recognize the fact there is problem. Keep in mind that a skilled DUI attorney can give you a much better chance of receiving an acquittal, and this will make it easier for you to afford the appropriate treatment that can help you avoid a second DUI arrest.

Writer Melanie Fleury has witnessed family members attempt to mask a deeper issue with alcohol. These studies confirm what she has always suspected. With these family members living in Orlando, she searched  http://www.thetixteam.com/ to learn more about what can be done legally when someone receives a DUI.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hey__paul/8106468654/

Categories: DUI, dui offenders, family members, health, illness, major depression, mental, Mental Health, mental illness, repeat offender, substance abuse

Pesticides: Running a Safe and Healthy Home

Even the cleanest and most organized of family homes sometimes experience pest infestations. People who spray pests inside their homes may scramble to find effective ways to combat the roaches, spiders, mice, and other critters that have invaded their homes. Because chemical pesticides are known to be highly effective, many people choose to spray or bomb their houses with these pesticides.

 

When they decide to use these poisons in their houses, however, parents may be advised to take certain precautions to keep their children and pets safe from the toxic aerosol and residue of these products.

 

Empty the House

The most obvious safeguard to keeping children and pets safe from exposure to pesticides is to get these family members out of the house before using these chemicals. When the kids and pets are out of the home, people can then apply the pesticides without the worry of making these vulnerable family members sick.

 

 

After the residue and aerosol subsides, the children and family pets can return to the home. Many parents prefer to treat their houses on days when the kids are in school and the pets have appointments at the groomer’s or veterinarian’s office.

 

 

Use Organic Pesticides

Rather than rely on commercial sprays and powders found in the grocery store, people may instead rely on organic pesticides found at retailers that specialize in natural home products. These organic products may contain ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, and other natural ingredients that are not toxic to kids and pets who come into contact with them. Many people also find that these organic solutions are just as effective as commercial grocery store pesticides.

 

 

Give Ample Ventilation

One of the primary keys to making sure pets and kids are safe while the house is being treated for pests includes keeping the home ventilated and aired out during the process. When the windows and vent systems are closed, the toxic aerosol lingers in the home and has nowhere else to go.

 

 

These vulnerable family members can choke on the fumes, as well as suffer from itchy eyes and burning throats because of the air being shut off in their home. While the house is being treated, it is important for people to keep the ventilation system open.

 

 

Rely on a Professional

When people are unsure of how to treat their homes in the most effective and safest manner, they are encouraged to rely on professional exterminators or landscapers. These professionals usually require all technicians to maintain a current pesticide certification, such as www.arbor-nomics.com. does. These contractors are trained to treat houses for the most common pests found in houses today. They also can carry out the treatment in a manner that is the safest and fastest for children and pets.

 

 

Most exterminators request that people inside the home leave for an hour or so while the professional products are being applied. However, when people return, they will not have to fear choking on toxic fumes or dealing with poisonous residue. These contractors know how to help clients with their pest control problems without jeopardizing their safety.

 

 

Many homes today experience pest infestations. Rather than use toxic products that could harm children and pets, people can fare better to follow these suggestions, including hiring a professional exterminator to eliminate the pests.

 

With a family of 6, Lisa Coleman shares the importance of proper and safe ways to use pesticides. Hiring professionals, like those of www.arbor-nomics.com, for pesticide treatments can promote a healthier home and family.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greencolander/515413906/

Categories: children's health, experience pest, family members, grocery store, nbsp nbsp, organic pesticides, pest infestations, Pesticides, pesticides nbsp, pets health, pets safe

Ways to Care for a Loved One with Dementia

Importance of Dementia Care

Individuals with dementia require specialized care as their condition progresses. The condition of dementia affects various cognitive abilities of the brain. The usual cause of dementia is ageing. However, diseases and injuries can also lead to progressive or static loss of cognitive functions in younger individuals. Each individual diagnosed with this condition has a different set and progression of symptoms. A person with dementia may eventually require full-time care at home or in a specialized facility.

Creating a Care Plan

Caregivers with health care training must develop a unique plan for each patient with dementia. Most individuals diagnosed with loss of cognitive abilities due to ageing are over the age of 65. As the world’s population is ageing, more individuals will be diagnosed with a dementia condition. In addition to dementia, an elderly individual may have physical health conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and others. While caring for a senior with dementia, the additional conditions also require specialized medications and treatments.

Difficulties Caused by Dementia

An individual with this condition can have difficulties with solving problems, loss of language, attention span or memory. The condition progresses differently with each patient requiring careful monitoring of symptoms. Any care decisions must be discussed with the loved one first to maintain their dignity. While making lifestyle changes an individual should be seeking medical attention. New medications and treatments are useful for various types of dementia and can delay loss of mental functioning. Many dementia patients also develop anxiety or depression that requires treatment.

Help From Family

In the early stages of the dementia condition, an elderly person is often able to continue normal activities with assistance from caregivers. Family members can share in the task of caring for an individual with this condition while they remain in the home. Setting up a schedule with phone calls and home visits by family members is helpful in making sure the loved one is safe. In addition, many religious institutions provide volunteers who are eager to help the elderly in their communities. Various private and government agencies have also developed programs to assist with caring for the ageing population.

Home Care for Dementia Patients

Remaining in familiar surroundings is essential for individuals with dementia during the early stages of the condition. Stress from moving to new locations can actually cause an increase in loss of mental functions. A senior’s home is safer with a few simple changes to the physical characteristics of the home. Installing safety devices in the bathrooms such as grab bars, electrical outlet covers and slip proof flooring can prevent falling injuries. Increased lighting inside and outside the house also helps a senior to walk safely from location to location.

Home Health Assistance

The individual with dementia should begin making plans for their future care before losing the mental capacity to make decisions. Hiring a home health worker to visit every day or live in your loved one’s house can be a great plan. A trained professional caregiver can assist with tasks such as bathing, household chores and preparing nutritious meals. Alternatively, an individual could spend time each day in a specialized day care facility designed for dementia patients. As the dementia condition progresses, a loved one may move to an assisted living home full-time.

 

Nisha has been writing about elderly and dementia care for the last few years now. She enjoys reading health articles from http://mha.org.uk and other dementia and care home resources.

Categories: cognitive abilities, condition progresses, Dementia, dementia condition, dementia patients, Early Stages, emotional, family members, home health, Mental Health, require specialized