Aloha and thank you for taking the time to read this post. As the Clinical Director and Managing Partner of Hawaii Island Recovery, I want to take this opportunity to share this information with all who may be seeking relief for themselves or a loved one. I strongly believe that those seeking recovery from a painful life situation will find great value in the approach offered at HIR. We began this program to fully utilize all tools currently available to ensure that a person’s time and effort at this facility will achieve maximum personal growth and recovery. With that in mind, we have established a vertically integrated approach to recovery and a clean and sober lifestyle, including all the best of both traditional and alternative methods of treatment.

It is our philosophy that people can and should be allowed to recover with dignity and respect. We are not the traditional whitewall clinical setting. We chose the magnificent Island of Hawaii to provide our clients with a serenely safe place away from the pressures and congestions of their lives at home. We provide only the finest amenities at our luxurious residence, situated to take full advantage of the healing sounds of the Pacific waves, magnificent sunrises over the mountains and expansive tropical sunsets, all of which contribute to an atmosphere conducive to self-reflection and healing. We also make a point of taking your recovery to the next level by conducting many of our treatments in the community outside of the residence. This ensures that the skills learned here are practiced in “real world” settings. This is a great help to our clients upon their return home. The practical experience with sober living skills HIR gives them in public environments help eliminate the shock of reentry experienced by others when leaving the completely insulated environment generally offered in traditional recovery settings.

During our clients’ stay, varied treatment modalities are provided. These include medically supervised detoxification, nutritional support and counseling, individual psychiatric and psychological treatment, EFT training, group therapy and education sessions. Taking advantage of our location in the heart of paradise, we also offer 12-step community-based meetings and support by the ocean side, once-in-a-lifetime hiking opportunities, and recreational activities that take advantage of Hawaii Island’s spectacular beaches and the surrounding ocean. We also have a full service gym that provide a personal trainer once a week and offer holistic healing approaches such as massage, acupuncture, hypnosis, Reiki, yoga, and meditation.

Our commitment to leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of recovery for all includes a comprehensive approach from our initial contact until well after our clients have returned home. We remain dedicated to the long-term sobriety and emotional stability of our clients all throughout the entire process of their rehabilitation – from the pre-treatment, the actual treatment program (which is available in 30, 60, 90 and more days of tenure depending on the individual client’s needs), all the way to our unique aftercare program which supports clients as they reenter their home environment.

All in all, we have the best of the best AND we will back it up with a guarantee. If you or a loved one come through the 90-day program and graduate from the 30 day aftercare program, we guarantee the results. If relapse occurs within the first year, we will offer a one-week refresher program.

I sincerely hope that you or your loved one will take advantage of the life-altering gift offered here at Hawaii Island Recovery. Life can and should be an experience filled with hope and joy. No matter where a person is now, it is possible to recover and go on living a life of passion and fulfillment.

Sincerely,

John Hibscher, PhD
Director of Clinical Services
Hawaii Island Recovery

Welcome to Hawaii Island Recovery is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery

Drug and alcohol dependency are among the many types of addiction that affect millions of people all over the world every year. The financial and emotional costs of addiction can devastate individuals and families. Drug and alcohol addiction can be very costly. But the emotional costs generated by addiction are far more costly than the financial costs. The emotional costs do not only affect the addicts but their families as well. Living and interacting with a drug addict can be difficult especially when he exhibits mood swings and other kinds of behavior that are otherwise not normal.

Drug and alcohol addictions can lead to dependency, where an addict can no longer function properly or do his chores without having first a dose of the drug or alcohol. Being an addict entails significant psychological symptoms that should not be ignored. Addiction evaluation includes asking questions about these symptoms so that the best course of treatment can be formulated. People who continue with their addiction do not think if they are hurting other people along the way. They contemplate and think of their addiction but are powerless to do anything about it.

Drug and alcohol addiction and other types of addiction are curable. The addict must be willing and cooperative for the treatment to be effective. Assessment and evaluation of the addiction must be done both by the addict himself and by a professional. To make the addict realize the damage the addiction has done to him and his loved ones, he must evaluate his situation and the consequences of continuing his addiction. It is not hard to do an addiction evaluation. Here are some common questions that must be asked in an addiction evaluation by the addict himself.

1.    Has anyone – a friend, family member, doctor or colleague – been concerned about your use of substance or behavior?
•    This question in the addiction evaluation wants to know if anyone has voiced his opinion or concerns regarding the addict’s alcohol dependency or drug addiction. Feedbacks from the addict’s closest circle are just normal. They try to help the addict to get rid of his addiction.
2.    Have you been hurt or have you hurt anyone else physically as a result of using drugs or alcohol?
•    Physical injuries to addict himself or to other people cannot be avoided during episodes of use. The brain is muddled with negative thoughts and the body’s functions are impaired as a negative impact of substance abuse.
3.    How many times have you forgotten the events of the previous night because of your drinking and drug use?
•    Excessive intake of illegal drugs and alcohol muddle the mind, so it is common place to hear an addict tell someone that he doesn’t remember what happened the previous night.
4.    How many times do you feel any guilt, remorse, shame or embarrassment because of your drug and alcohol abuse?
•    An addict usually feels these feelings after he has taken drugs and the high or euphoria has worn off. It is usual for drug addicts and alcoholics to feel guilty about their substance abuse but do not do anything to get rid of their addiction.
5.    How many times do you need to take drugs or drink alcohol in the morning when you wake up to feel energized for the day?
•    There are instances when an addict has to take drugs or drink alcohol first thing in the morning so that they can go on with the day feeling energized or pumped up.
6.    How many times have you disappointed family members, colleagues, friends and bosses have because you were not able to do what was expected from you?
•    Substance abuse occupies the mind and activities of an addict. It is normal for an addict to not do the things that he is supposed to do either because he is too preoccupied with his behavior or he forgets his chores.
7.    How many times have you realized that you cannot live a day without taking the substance?
•    When a person gets hooked to a certain substance, he channels all his energy towards obtaining it. And when he is unable to do so, his behavior changes.
8.    How many times have you taken the substance in one single occasion?
•    An addict sometimes has to take the substance several times a day to satisfy his cravings.
9.    How many times in a given period do you take the substance?
•    This addiction evaluation question is somewhat related to the previous one. An addict has to take the substance several times a day or week to be able to sustain his addiction.
10.     Do you have to have a stash of the substance at the ready?
•    To make sure that he does not run out of the drugs or alcohol, an addict has to have a backup supply in his home or office so that anytime he happens to crave for some, he does not have to go out and buy.

These drug and alcohol evaluation or drug and alcohol assessment questions in the addiction evaluation are very important towards addiction recovery. Treatment programs for drug and alcohol addiction are readily available. The recovery of an addict is not an easy road to take. He will have to suffer sacrifices and setbacks, sometimes relapses, to fully recover. Addiction evaluation by the addict himself and by an addiction expert is the first step towards recovery. Cooperation and willingness of the addict are what’s needed in order for him to get well.

There are many causes of drug and alcohol addiction, and each of them must be determined so that the best course of treatment can be offered to the addict. Each case is different – from the causes of the addiction, behavior of the addict to the treatment that is suitable. But addiction evaluation is the one constant thing that must be done in order to determine the addict’s behavior and also to prescribe the best way to treat the addiction.

Addiction treatment can be done in a residential treatment facility. Alcohol evaluation and addiction evaluation are totally confidential. A treatment facility releases its diagnoses and recommendations after an addiction evaluation. These initial diagnoses and the succeeding diagnoses after that are essential for the evaluation and treatment of the addict. Early intervention of the families of addicts is crucial for the prevention of the addiction.

Addiction Evaluation: A Way to Get Rid of Addiction is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery

Sober recovery is a very important part of any kind of substance abuse treatment most especially with alcohol addiction mainly because this is a stage wherein it can make or break your life. This basically means that sober recovery is something that you must never take for granted. Sober recovery is a phase that can make sure that all your hard work, training, and enduring difficulties during your drugs or alcohol addiction treatment will finally become an actual application to your life. You see, you have to understand that it is not the actual substance abuse treatment that can successfully cure you from your addictions. It is after you have finished your rehabilitation period will make all the difference in the world because this is where sober recovery comes in.

You must also know that sober recovery is the most difficult part of your treatment. Sober recovery will never be over. It is a constant struggle and discipline that you need to endure for the rest of your life. Sober recovery will make sure that you will always have control on yourself at all times. Sober recovery is something that must be taken seriously or else, all the things that you have learned from your treatment will go to waste. You would not want this to happen especially if you do not want to waste your time, money, and effort.

This is the main reason why sober recovery is extremely crucial in all people who have gone through with addiction treatment. However, there are certain things that you can do to make everything easier for you as soon as you go out again, continue living the real life, and start your sober recovery process. You have to expect that as soon as you get out of the rehabilitation doors, you will immediately feel scared and lost. You have been so used to living and following the ways of the treatment institution and it frightens you to think that you are finally on your own now, with no one to tell you what to do. You will then start to think that you might not be able to do it and you will think of a lot of reasons not to go out in the open and become susceptible with the substance again.

If you have experienced or have been experiencing or feeling all these things, it is alright. There is really nothing to worry about because this stage is completely normal and is part of your sober recovery. The key to all this is you need to maintain sober for the rest of your life so you need to stand up to yourself and start believing that you can start living cleanly. This is why sober recovery is very difficult. It needs great self control in everything that you do and you must think all the time before you do or say something. Unlike in rehabilitation centers, there are no therapists that will assist you in what you need to do. You need to do it because you chose to do it, not because somebody told you to. This is what sober recovery is all about.

There are many ways that you can do to ensure that your sober recovery will be successful. You have to understand that you must be fully prepared before you start your sober recovery period, this is your only chance to survive in the harsh bitter reality of life. Always expect for the worse and you have to learn to go around them. There will always be a lot of temptation that will lure you into drinking or taking drugs and it is all up to your will power to refuse everything that will come your way. Sober recovery must immediately be commenced by first, avoid all your friends that you used to hang out with during your drug or alcohol addiction days. Chances are, they still are addicted to these substances so might as well stop hanging out with them so you can prevent temptations. You will also avoiding a deep sense of longing.

If you start to crave for another drink or smoke, then always remember your sober recovery program and get back to shape. You may also be depressed at some point in your life mainly because everything is changing. You will start to miss the happy fun times during your alcoholic days. If you begin feeling this way, start with your sober recovery again by also remembering the drastic and awful effects after the fun. Sober recovery will assist you in focusing on all the negative things that the addiction brought into your life and if you truly want to live longer, then you must treat your sober recovery with the utmost respect. You can do this by making sure that you always give your one hundred percent commitment during your sober recovery. You must also make sure that you are always patient with everything that you do.

Sober recovery can be easier if you avoid all the things that can cause you temptation. This means, you have to prevent yourself from going to any kind of places and venues that serves liquor and the like such as bars and restaurants. It is highly advisable that you hang out in coffee shops instead. Not only you will get that pure coffee buzz that can be considered as a high, your thoughts will become more focused as well making it easier for you to continue and maintain your sober recovery.

Sober recovery may be difficult but as soon as you get the hang of things, sober recovery will eventually grow on to you. It is truly one of the best things that life can actually give you because sober recovery can give you an opportunity to become better with everything that you do. Sober recovery will give you a chance to change and to really love and treat yourself the right way while making sure that you live cleanly. Good luck and you can do it!

Understanding the Importance of Sober Recovery is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery

Family roles and addiction are closely related to each other. How is this so? Drug and alcohol addiction are just two forms of addiction that afflicts the society, including the family. It is said that the family is the smallest unit of society. Although drug addiction and alcohol addiction do not necessarily start within the family, each member plays a certain role. Family roles are assumed for the members of the family to be able to cope with the problems that the family is facing, and this includes addiction. Codependency happens when the family members make decisions regarding what other members of the family need, and not only their own needs.

Alcoholics usually develop their alcoholic behaviors from people around them. In alcoholic families, there is usually an alcoholic parent, or both. An alcoholic’s behavior is governed by alcohol. People get addicted to alcohol because of the short-term pleasure it gives. People who live in a solitary world or live quiet lives usually turn to alcohol and drugs to feel emotionally numb.

Drugs have chemical components that are to blame for an addict to become chemically dependent. A drug addict develops a dependency to the drug and drug addiction recovery is needed to treat the addict. Help is available in different forms, and families must be involved in the successful recovery.

Addiction is the most common reason why family roles are assumed by members. Here is a list of the most common roles that each family member assumes in the midst of a family situation, specifically an addiction among a member or members of the family. These roles lead to codependency.

•    Addict. This is the member of the family who has the problem, either a drug addiction or alcohol addiction. He uses lying and other negative behavior to cover up his addiction. He makes it appear as if other members of the family, and not him, have the problem. His emotional behavior shows no problems at all. He has no connection to family and often does not know of the negative consequences of his addiction. He becomes dependent on the substance. The addict covers his emotions and lets them take control over his life to cover up for his addiction. He may be asked to be treated with his addiction and may have refused to do so, agreed but was not able to cope in rehab or just denied that he has a problem.

•    Enabler. This role can be in the form of a parent, a spouse, a sibling, or even a friend who tries to help the addict. The enabler constantly makes excuses and denies that the addict has a problem with his addiction. He ends up helping the addict obtain more drugs or alcohol, or both, without realizing that what he does makes the addiction worse. Even in himself, the enabler denies that his loved one is stricken with an addiction that is hard to overcome. An enabling behavior exhibits efforts to keep the family in balance, making sure that everyone is alright, even if it means blocking out the real issue of addiction in the family. Enabling behaviors are those that try to control the situation by doing some things that the addict approves of. These enabling behaviors try to appease or satisfy the addict.

•    Scapegoat. The scapegoat is one of the components of family roles and addiction wherein the member of the family who is considered the scapegoat is the one who makes troubles, grabs the attention to the family just so they will not divert the attention to the other member who is the addict. Most of the time the scapegoat does things which are not good for the addict, like diverting the attention of the parents from seeking medical help and intervention for the addiction recovery. The family members distract from the addiction by putting all the blame to the scapegoat. He is considered to be the black sheep of the family because of the troubles that he causes, often misleading other members that the real problem-maker is the addict.

•    Hero. The hero is the exact opposite of the scapegoat. He is the one who achieves, does good things, and generally takes away the issue of addiction by being an achiever. The hero is usually the eldest child. He does his best by doing good deeds but does not get the recognition or attention that he desires. In fact, heroes in the family resent what they do. The hero refuses to acknowledge that there is an underlying addiction problem within the family. He frequently has feelings of fear, shame and guilt because of what he does to cover for everyone in the family.

•    Mascot. This role often brings light and humor to the whole family. The mascot uses humor and fun to mask the real situation that is going on in the home. He does this to cover up feelings of guilt, shame and embarrassment. He generally keeps the whole family sane, and makes them forget of the problem they are facing. Sometimes the mascot goes overboard with his funny behavior but the family lets him be so that the real problem of addiction is masked.

•    Lost Child. The lost child is just that: lost. He is the member of the family who becomes invisible in all the happenings. He is seldom considered for opinions in the family. He goes with the flow, never making any trouble and not diverting attention towards him. This role may have serious implications in the long run. When the lost child keeps up with this role for a long time, he may find it hard to detach himself from being the lost child of the family. He may find it difficult to become his own person when the time comes to get rid of the role because he has become so used to being invisible and not being recognized.

Family roles and addiction can both be overcome. When the addiction to drugs, alcohol or other addictive substances is addressed and treated properly, the roles mentioned above can be eliminated as well. When there is no more problem of addiction in the family, there will be no more need for these roles to cover up for the issue of addiction. Family roles and addiction go hand in hand. Each will not be gotten rid of without first getting rid of the other. For family roles and addiction to be avoided altogether, it is important for everyone in the family to be open to each other, including opening up regarding their problems, especially if they are as serious as an addiction.

When family roles and addiction are overcome, other underlying situations like codependency are overcome as well. When there is no more addiction in the family, codependency to other members are no longer needed. Each member can already decide things on his own will. To keep family roles and addiction away from the family, constant communication and moral support are paramount.

Family Roles and Addiction: How They Are Connected is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery

One of the biggest problems in the United States is the high percentage of drugs that are being circulated. Mostly everywhere you look, there is sure to be an area where a percentage of drugs are the problem and there are addicts with substance abuse problems. Over the past two decades, there has been an increase in the distribution of drug paraphernalia as well as illicit narcotics in North America. While some are manufactured in the country, a percentage of drugs are brought in from other countries. Compared with the percentage of drugs and usage over thirty years ago, today’s present drug trade and dependency has seen an alarming rise.

In 2007 alone, there was an estimate that illicit drug use cost the United States over $193 billion. A percentage of drugs were divided among cocaine use, crystal meth, heroin and the illegal distribution of opiates such as morphine. This drug abuse data is very bad for the economy and combined with the percentage of drugs used by addicts, the statistics make for a very bad problem. So how are drugs distributed in the United States? As mentioned, some types of substances are manufactured in illegal laboratories. Drugs such as heroin and crystal meth are created in meth labs by drug syndicates and criminals. Another percentage of drugs are brought in from other countries such as Mexico and certain countries in Asia.

The reason why so there are so many narcotics brought in from other countries despite the risk is because of the high demand and consumption among addicted individuals in the United States. The drug problem cannot be blamed on a single cartel alone and the percentage of drugs which are abused can also be blamed on the addicts who buy the narcotics with utmost frequency.  So why are a percentage of drugs more abused than others? The answers can be explained on the effects they give and how easy it is to get them. A drug such as meth can be easily obtained by any addicted individual who knows some dealers. It may come as a surprise to you, but drug dealers are everywhere and they are enablers that can be found even right down your street. Meth is an illicit drug that has mind-altering effects and gives the feeling of euphoria to an addict, as well as eliminating certain needs such as food and sleep. Other than that, the drug is also quite affordable which makes it even more enticing to most addicts. A growing problem with the percentage of drugs that are manufactured in illegal labs is when the possibility of the person creating it can contaminate the drug with other harmful substances. When addicts use tainted narcotics combined with the effects itself, the harm done is significantly increased.

Another percentage of drugs commonly abused are heroin, which is considered to be among the top abused drugs in the country. Like meth, the drug is also highly addictive and can be easily acquired by an addict who has the means. With a conducted survey, adolescents and teenagers in the United States have been exposed to drugs in one form or another. An astounding report that almost a quarter of all children aged 12-17 have been offered drugs or used them are also a large part in the percentage of drugs problem in the country.  The frightening fact is that the percentage of drugs that were offered or sold occurred within school property. There is an estimate than among all the percentage of drugs users, death is one of the common denominators with the disease. Death can come in the form of violence, accidents and even complications as well as health consequences from prolonged drug use.

On the other hand, a percentage of drugs users also seek treatment for drug abuse. By their own admission, the drugs have ruined their lives and seek positive changes. However, an estimate of the number of addicts who seek improvement is overshadowed by the alarming increase of new addicts themselves. A percentage of drugs facts include that a majority of the inmates in prison estimates that the crimes they perpetrated had something to do with drugs or its influence on the criminals. Though it is quite disheartening to see how the conduct of an individual changes when he is addicted to drugs, it is what it is. The use of a dangerous percentage of drugs will lead to unspeakable acts that often land one in the hospital, in jail and even the mortuary.

The fact is a percentage of drugs result in the death of thousands of addicts per year. Those who use needles for drugs such as morphine and heroin are often exposed to diseases such as Hepatitis C or HIV. Of course, this comes from the use of dirty needles and contaminated narcotics. Other drug-related deaths have been through overdosing on a percentage of drugs or the accidental excessive use of a certain narcotic. Then, you have suicides which are also related to drugs. Most prolonged drug users often fall into a deep depression spell which leads to suicidal tendencies. Finally, the most unspeakable causes of death that is related to drugs are through violence. The war on drugs is not with government against the trade, but also with gangs pitted against each other. Often, it is the innocent bystander who gets harmed when a percentage of drugs gangs fight for a turf or get violent when deals go sour. It may be the kind of thing that you only see in movies, but it is a reality for many Americans across the country.

There are also a percentage of drugs that is also a huge problem and that is the abuse of prescription drugs. While the act is not as obvious to that of using needles and pipes, prescription pills and its abuse is also a cause for concern. Approximately six million people since 2004 have abused prescription medication at home. While the act itself may not be as atrocious, it is still a problem that persists and needs work on.

The Percentage of Drugs That Are Abused in the United States is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery

There are many types of addiction that are currently known today and all of them are extremely detrimental to your physical and mental health. This is where dual diagnosis treatment comes in. You have to understand that too much of everything can not only kill you, but it can make you do things that you would never dream of doing when you are on your right mind as well. You see, long term substance abuse can result to various kinds of mental disorders mainly because it can effectively affect the brains without you even being aware of it. If this is what is going on with you, your loved one, or friend, then you might want to consider dual diagnosis treatment. A dual diagnosis treatment is a kind of intensive care therapy that greatly involves curing a person’s abuse from drugs or alcohol and at the same time, treating their mental problems that have been going on for quite some time now.

This is the main reason why it is called dual diagnosis treatment, the doctor is basically treating you for two problems– one is for your addiction and the other one is for your mental illness. Having dual diagnosis treatment means that you are undergoing some serious stuff that is extremely hard to difficult mainly because it can totally ruin your life and eventually kill you but before all of these horrifying things happen, you will also make the life of your loved ones and friends a living hell. Surely, that would be the last thing that you would really want to do. The good news is, dual diagnosis treatment can help you through with it so never lose hope because you can actually make things better with dual diagnosis treatment.

Although most people become crazy and insane with too much substance such as alcohol or drug abuse, there are other people who seek drugs and alcohol so that they can stay sane which of course, not true at all. It is their way to avoid what they do not want to face in their life. It could be a problem that seriously traumatized them or it could be something that they do not want to accept at all, maybe because they are never ready to talk about it. Dual diagnosis treatment will ensure that you will not only be treated with your addiction but dual diagnosis treatment will also help you realize and face all the things that you do not want to admit to yourself. This will make acceptance so much easier because you will start to reassess yourself and really see your fears and worries that have been plaguing you all your life with dual diagnosis treatment.

Dual diagnosis treatment is a therapy that is never easy but as soon as you feel and see the results, then you will realize that dual diagnosis treatment is truly worth your time and effort in all the right senses. Dual diagnosis treatment will ensure that your problems with addiction will not worsen. You have to understand that the more you get addicted to drugs or alcohol, your mental illness will get worse and it is something that can affect everybody’s lives especially those that surrounds you. Dual diagnosis treatment will certainly help and assist you in every way possible. The only way that dual diagnosis treatment could be effective is by making sure that you, yourself truly want to get better. This is the only way for you to overcome your mental and abusive problems.

There are many ways that you can do to ensure that your dual diagnosis treatment will go well. The first one that you need to have before you do the actual dual diagnosis treatment is the right attitude about all these things. You see, dual diagnosis treatment needs a lot of courage, a hundred percent of your commitment, and a healthy dose of patience in all levels. You need to have the right frame of mind in order for you to achieve all these emotional elements and this can be rather difficult at first with dual diagnosis treatment. The first thing that you need to think about before you undergo dual diagnosis treatment is that there is always hope. You must never lose hope.

Even when you have been addicted to drugs and alcohol for more than ten years and that you know that there is something wrong with your brain too, there is always a chance for you to get better as long as you allow yourself to get better. This is the first rule that you must remember and accept before you start your dual diagnosis treatment. Now that you have put hope into your number one list in getting better, you can now start dual diagnosis treatment. However, it is extremely important that your dual diagnosis treatment is done properly. It must be applied to the patient at the same time to maximize the favorable results or outcome. This basically means that your dual diagnosis treatment must involve treatment for your mental health disorder and at the same time, curing your drug or alcohol addiction as well. These are the things that you must happen during your dual diagnosis treatment.

Failure to do this kind of dual diagnosis treatment may not be as effective and that is not the thing that you would want to happen mainly because you would not want to waste your time, energy, and money. You must also be aware that you will experience an episode of relapse here and there during your dual diagnosis treatment. Do not worry, these things are normal so do not get discouraged if you suddenly had a relapse. It is a part of the recovery process while you do your dual diagnosis treatment and it is only normal for you to experience. You would also want to seek the emotional support of your loved ones and friends during your dual diagnosis treatment. It is crucial that they all know what is going on with you so they can help you in every way possible. Good luck!

Understanding Dual Diagnosis Treatment is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery

Professionals are relying on addiction questions to determine whether a person is truly addicted to smoking, drugs, alcohol, or gambling. These addiction questions must be honestly answered by the patient. If he doesn’t want to, then these addiction questions must be answered at least by a concerned individual who is close to the patient. A family member, spouse, or close friend can all accurately answer the addiction questions. That is why the addiction questions should not only be limited to the patient himself but also to the concerned individuals.

Frequent Addiction Questions for the Patient

Addiction questions #1. Are you abusing substances? This is one of the addiction questions that can be easily answered if you know what substance abuse is. One can be chemically dependent without being addicted to it. You are abusing substances if you are:
•    Using illegal drugs like cocaine.
•    Smoking.
•    Has a fetal alcohol use or drinking until drunk.
•    Using legal drugs for their non-intended purpose.
•    Using legal drugs too excessively.

Addiction questions #2. Are you addicted to the substance? It’s difficult to determine the difference between the addiction questions about abuse and addiction. To put it simply, here are the signs of substance abuse according to medical experts:
•    Uncontrollable dependence or urge to smoke, take drugs, gamble, or drink alcohol.
•    Thinking about the substance every hour or every minute, literally.
•    Continue smoking, taking drugs, drinking too much alcohol, and gambling despite knowledge of negative consequences.
•    Do everything just to smoke, take drugs, gamble or drink alcohol even if it is illegal or might hurt loved ones.

The answer to all of the addiction questions is actually dependent on many factors like genetic makeup, peer pressure, and personality. Some people are most likely to become addicts while others can easily remove the habit by themselves.

Addiction questions #3. Is my substance use a problem? Okay, so maybe you are not really addicted but only on alcohol and drug use. But how will you objectively know that continuing your use is already a problem? Here are the signs:
•    You tried to cut down drinking, using drugs, gambling, or smoking but with no positive result.
•    You feel angry or annoyed whenever someone comments about your use.
•    You feel guilty about your drug use, gambling, alcohol use, or smoking.
•    You have used the substance first thing in the morning.

Addiction questions #4. Do you need addiction treatment? You should seek help if the use, abuse, or addiction is causing you or other people alcohol related or drug related problems.

The fact that you are reading these addiction questions is a clear indication that you want to help yourself be treated or at least be not trapped into addiction. Reading these addiction questions is actually a victory to increase your chances to recover.

Congratulate yourself for taking this first step. And don’t stop here. Continue on reading more addiction questions and then seek help from professionals, those offering treatments like alcoholism intervention, free assessment, addiction evaluation, AA meeting, outpatient treatment, gambling treatment, and narcotics anonymous.

Frequent Addiction Questions by the Partner or Parent

Most of the time, it is not the patient who is  seeking to find answers to common addiction questions but the closest family member like the partner or parent. As the closest person to the pathological gamblers and drug or alcohol addicts, you have the accountability to help them. Otherwise, you will also suffer the consequences of alcohol-related problems, drug-related problems, and other addiction problems. This issue can destroy families or cause a moral problem.  Reading the following addiction questions is a great way to start:

Addiction Questions #1. How can I talk with them? The truth is, there is no sense in talking with the addicts unless you are a professional interventionist. Arguing with them, telling them what’s right and wrong, and asking them addiction questions will only lead to stress and depression. For the addicts, they are always right no matter how grave their alcohol problems or chemical dependency is.

Addiction Questions #2. What should I do? Talking with them is useless. So what should you do, instead? Most parents or partners just let their loved ones go on to their addiction like smoking more, drinking more, taking more drugs, of gambling more just to keep everything at peace. This is not helping but encouraging the person to be trapped in his addiction.

The best thing you can do is to seek help from professionals like a drug addiction intervention and undergoing alcoholics anonymous or alcoholic intervention. The addicts cannot do that. So better do that for them. And make sure that you will follow any instructions that the professional will ask from you, even if it’s going to be tough.

Addiction Questions #3. How will I know if the person is addicted? It is often that the person addicted is the last person to know that he has a problem. So as a concerned person, you should answer these addiction questions accurately:
•    Do they feel like they need a steady supply of cigarettes, alcohol or drug?
•    Do they use the substance regularly and if not, do they feel intense side effects?
•    Did they ever had the want to stop their addition but just can’t?
•    Do they need the drugs, cigarette, alcohol, or gambling to function and live normally?
•    Do they inflict themselves when under substance control?

Answering “yes” to any of these addiction questions is already a sign that they are addicted. Here are more signs and symptoms:
•    Change appearance
•    Do not eat properly
•    Lost weight or gained weight
•    Slowing down
•    Shaking
•    Sweaty and cold
•    Smells different
•    Changed color
•    Puffy face
•     Missed school or work
•    Changed sleeping habits
•    Changed behavior

The Department of Health says that 95% of untreated addicts die of their addiction. The 5% die of addiction-related diseases. But 90% of those who have undergone a treatment or program of recovery have stayed clean and sober.

See? There is hope even with the intense withdrawal symptoms and anxiety symptoms. And by answering these addiction questions, you are giving yourself or your loved one a big chance to change.

Addiction Questions for Everyone is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery

With the rise of population in the world today, there is also an alarming increase in the number of drug and alcohol use.  It is quite an alarming figure to see that addiction rates are on the rise when everything else seems to be headed downhill. On the other hand, the continuous decline in the economy, turmoil, matched with personal problems can lead a person down the road of alcohol and drug addiction.

Beginning with how people get started with addiction, alcoholism and drug abuse can be explained through looking at addiction rates. Drug abuse begins when an individual is exposed to illegal drugs at one point in time by a friend or a relative. Addiction soon ensues once the person has taken a liking to the effects of drugs. The effects of mind-altering narcotics include the feeling of euphoria, hypersensitivity and increased strength. There are various reasons why addicts turn to addictive substances other than for the sheer thrill of it. Studies have shown that people who suffer from chronic diseases can succumb to drug dependence, those who have problems at home as well as having an unsatisfactory socioeconomic status. Why people would want to spend what few they have on drugs may be a mystery for a majority of the public, but for addicts, drugs tend to be an escape from reality.

As young as the age of 12, children can be exposed to drugs from school or from home. In some cases, this is where the true addiction begins. A child drug user will be curious as to the effects of the narcotics, as well as pressure from his peers. Once he has become a young adult, his mind and body will have become so used to the drugs that stopping is simply not an option. Addiction rates in this country show that a substantial portion of drug users are minors, in which they experiment and experience dangerous drugs. With drug use, addiction rates also show that an addict using illegal drugs will most likely commit drug related offenses as well as loss of control. While there are many types of drugs that addicts have come accustomed with, it is with heroin and meth where enforcement agencies have seen the most problems according to addiction rates. To make matters worse, law enforcement officials report that a majority (estimate) of crimes that are committed have something to do with drug and alcohol addiction.

In some prisons across the US, addiction rates have shown that a lot of inmates are incarcerated due to crimes related to drugs or committing atrocious acts while under the influence. Law enforcement agencies also report that the rates of addiction are more likely to occur in a specific demographic or ethnicity. Alcohol dependence on the other hand, stems from another physiological and psychological nature of addiction. Similar to the disease of being addicted to drugs, addiction rates show that both young adults and older people can develop symptomatic drinking as well as excessive alcohol consumption given the right factors to start it. Alcoholism and drug use have the same side effects in the long run. Addiction rates show that abusers often have similar experiences with prolonged exposure such as physical addiction and psychological addiction to alcohol and drugs. According to addiction rates, symptoms of alcohol dependence include being addicted to liquor, drinking in the morning and drinking alone. Local jails are always filled with alcoholics who have a physical dependence to alcohol. Younger people, according to addiction rates always end up in juvenile court with alcoholism and drug related acts.

Explaining and preventing alcoholism and substance abuse treatment services to various age groups have been one of the primary concerns of law enforcement agencies as well as the local governments. The rising rate of users as well as the dependence symptoms shown by addicts has been a cause for alarm, according to addiction rates. What drug treatment providers as well as the different branches of local government and enforcement want to teach is that the war on addictive substances and alcoholism can be conquered by getting therapies and other services for people who are addicted. The meaning of addiction can be redefined as a sudden downturn in health that can be cured with behavioral therapy. Though the numbers are staggering among recuperating people that are taking drug and alcohol services, addiction rates show there has been significant success with people who taken treatment programs for their addiction.

Addiction rates show that certain methods have failed in the criminal justice system and enforcement agencies when they try to enforce drug laws and prevent excessive drinking. Now, addiction rates show that the government is using limitations of control-of-supply to prevent alcoholism. The limitations of control-of-supply models show that alcoholism and drug use, according to addiction rates, stem from excessive use. Once the supply is controlled, it is believed that addiction will be lessened and the dependence on drug treatment providers will be significantly smaller. However, the problem still persists with the growing demand of drugs and alcohol in a cultural sense. When an addict is deprived of his needs, physiological symptoms will take over and the person will find other ways to satiate his need. Addiction rates will also show that those who did not have proper addiction treatment often have a criminal history and are most likely in federal correctional facilities or juvenile hall.

According to addiction rates, the statistic shows that there is no barrier in cross-cultural applicability and lifestyle when it comes to addiction. Anybody at any given time can be susceptible to drugs and alcoholism. Looking at correctional facilities, treatment facilities, behaviors among military and law enforcement, nobody is safe from it. However debilitating drugs and alcohol can be Americans can always find help through drug addiction treatment and preventing alcoholism through therapy. According to addiction rates, substance abuse treatment facilities find ways in their drug treatment programs to help improve the behavior and well-being of their patients. For instance, dopamine/serotonin releasers: potential treatment has helped with differential addiction rates. There are always ways to conquer drug and alcohol addiction as long as the addict is willing to get some help. However, addiction rates show that the staggering figure of those who seek help and know the meaning of addiction is overshadowed by those who persist on being users.

Addiction Rates, Treatment and the Rising Problem of Drug and Alcohol Addiction in America is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery

Addiction to different kinds of substances has been one of the permanent problems of the society for many decades now. Cigarettes, alcohol and drugs are the most common substances being abused by millions of people all over the world. Addiction does not discriminate. Men and women of all ages get addicted to these substances. The cycle of addiction can be observed in an addict. The substance abuse goes around in a cycle from the start of the substance use until an addict gets hooked to a certain substance or substances. The cycle of addiction does not only affect the addict. Even the people around him get involved in the cycle of addiction. To understand the cycle of addiction better, here is a comprehensive explanation.

•    Emotional Trigger. This is the first step in the cycle of addiction. An addiction to a certain type of substance usually begins with an experience that a person goes through and that experience may traumatize and hurt him, and may trigger thoughts that he is not good enough. These emotional triggers can be cause for a person to be addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex or cigarettes. Usually the addiction that develops in a person is related to his past experiences, like when he grew up among people who use drugs, he is more likely to develop a drug addiction. Same with other substances. Sometimes influence of peers and the people around the person can also trigger an addiction.

•    Craving. In this step in the cycle of addiction, when a person has tried to use a small dose of drugs and he likes the effect it gives on him, he starts to crave for the drug. When the addict uses the drug frequently, he develops a tolerance and dependence to the dose that he takes. That is when he ups the dose when the dose that he usually takes no longer gives him the high. This step in the cycle of addiction determines the addict’s tolerance to the drug.

•    Ritual. This step in the cycle of addiction is how addiction is obtained. The usual things that a person does are where he gets or obtains his addiction. Substance abuse may be introduced by someone whom he is with all the time, and that is where he gets the ritual.

•    Using. This step in the cycle of addiction tells how frequent the addict abuses the substance. Frequency of use depends on how addicted a person is. Sometimes when the high wears, he has to take more to maintain the feeling of euphoria. The using of the drug in the cycle of addiction must be maintained by an addict; else it would make him feel grumpy and angry when he cannot take his usual dose of drug. The frequency of using the drug sometimes reaches up to a few times a day, depending on how long the effects of the drug stay. Sometimes everyday chores are interrupted because the addict has to take drugs. His work is then affected because of this cycle of addiction.

•    Guilt. This is the last step in the cycle of addiction. When an addict used drugs, he feels guilt and remorse at what he does but he is powerless to stop what he is doing because he has become so hooked and has become dependent to the drugs. He feels guilty that he hurts his family and the people around him by using drugs. But in this step in the cycle of addiction, guilt only lasts for a certain period of time.

When the cycle of addiction has completed one turn, it begins again with emotional trigger and the cycle of addiction goes on and on until the addict can no longer function without taking his usual dose of drugs. Sometimes the cycle of addiction no longer needs an emotional trigger for it to begin again. It skips to the craving for the drugs.

Physiological dependency is one very dangerous side effect of drug addiction. The components of a drug penetrate the body and rewire them, making it hard to function properly without using the drug. The functions of the brain are also altered, that is why some drug addicts develop mental illnesses like schizophrenia and hallucinations because of excessive drug use.

The cycle of addiction can be broken no matter how addicted to a substance a person is. The cycle of addiction, if the addict is willing to recover, can be eliminated fully. There is a host of drug addiction treatments readily available. Some forms of treatment include rehabilitation, where access to the drugs is cut off from the addict. But weaning the addict from the drug at once sometimes has serious withdrawal complications. What experts do is they cut off the drug gradually, until the addict no longer craves for it. Withdrawal symptoms can cause very serious health complications, including death. Detoxification is another treatment option. The toxins brought by the drugs are eliminated from the system. Therapy sessions with addicts or with a therapist’s help addicts to overcome their addiction and break the cycle of addiction.

The cycle of addiction, whether it has taken over the life of the addict or is just starting to control one’s life, can be gotten rid of if the person is willing and cooperative to do so. Drug addiction is one disease of the society that has affected millions of people of all ages. The cycle of addiction starts with a trigger or influence. If there is no trigger or influence to start with, addiction to drugs or any other substances will not occur. Guidance and support of people around a person who gets addicted is very important for the addict to be willing to get well and break his cycle of addiction.
The cycle of addiction of an illegal drug use hurts not only the addict but his family as well. His work and other activities are likewise affected and the way he deals with other people is altered. Other illnesses can sprout from drug addiction and the addict can suffer health complications, or worse, death.

Cycle of Addiction: How Addiction Goes Around is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery

You might be wondering what exactly is an addiction expert and what does it entail. After all, there are so many people out there who claim that they are actually professional therapists and consultants for addicts who truly need help. Where an addiction expert does comes in? What is the difference from all the other, all too willing individuals who want to help people who have been intoxicated with drugs and alcohol for too long? Before you start trying to look for answers to these questions about an addiction expert, it is extremely important that you first understand everything that has to do with addiction, its causes, treatment, and recovery procedures.

After all, this state of being is definitely not an easy thing to overcome so it is crucial that you ask or consult an addiction expert before anything else. You see, there are several things in life that you might want to know about and be aware of. One of these things is called addiction. There are many types of addiction but before we go further, we must define what the true meaning of the word addiction is so we can fully determine the role of an addiction expert. Read on to learn more about addiction and addiction expert.

You see, addiction basically means it is an unhealthy and abnormal dependency to any kind of addictive substances that can intoxicate and can be extremely harmful to your body such as drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol. That is the three, most common types of addiction mainly because the substances that they are currently dependent with are actually famous in making them feel good about themselves for a period of time. These people are victims of trauma and problems that they are having a hard time dealing with so they try to forget and drown their sorrows away through intoxicating drugs and alcohol, while relieve their stress with smokes.

That is why an addiction expert is really needed in order for the person who is hooked can be properly and rightfully treated. You see, you have to understand that an addiction expert is also a certified psychiatrist. An addiction expert studies these things so they can further comprehend people who lead quite an abusive life. You must have wondered what the main difference is between addiction experts from all other consultants. You just got your answer now. An addiction expert actually have license to read and study other people’s minds mainly because they need to be a bona fide, certified psychiatrist first. This is something that you need to take up in college. It is not some kind of a two-week training. It takes years to become an addiction expert that is why they cost so much more compare to the regular consultants.

The good news about all this is that there are a lot of addiction experts who are willing to give a bunch of free assessments to the concerned patient. On this special evaluation, the addiction expert will start asking a series of mundane questions. An addiction expert will never ask the patient about his addiction problems right away. An addiction expert will try to make things smooth by being friendly so that the addiction expert can gain the patient’s trust. An addiction expert will call this gaining the person’s sympathy and making rapport at the same time.

It is rather a very effective method mainly because this technique will save an addiction expert a lot of his time and effort in trying to understand what is going on in the patient’s head. This procedure will make everything easier for the person who has been abusing himself to the death. A good addiction expert will be able to accomplish this within a week and he will then make notable methods for an effective recovery. This is the main reason why addiction experts are highly recommended by many people who have undergone this kind of ordeal that can truly be difficult to overcome.

You have to admit that there are a lot of techniques that can help anyone to recover from their addiction but you have to understand that not all of these methods are actually effective. An addiction expert must first know the underlying cause of such addiction because this is the only way that they can properly treat the patient. More often than not, these are damaged people that need to be guided so that they can fully face the problem, accept it, and want to get better. Only an addiction expert can help them move on. The best part is, as soon as they start to truly listen to an addiction expert, the recovery process would be faster and easier especially when they have the emotional support of their loved ones and friends.

It can pretty tough to be in that situation but an addiction expert really understands what you are going through. An addiction expert will then tell you that you must have courage, an enduring commitment, patience, and a lot of strength for you to be able to go through with this endeavor that can make or break your life. If you feel weak, an addiction expert will tell you to seek the strength of your family and close friends. If you feel like giving up, an addiction expert will push yourself to the limit and never lets you go until you have realized that you have actually come a long way and it is just not worth it to let it all go. These are the things that you must know about an addiction expert.

This may sound too good to be true at first but if you can just make a little of your time to research about an addiction expert, you will soon understand that everything that you have been reading is true and crucial for recovery. Remember, it may be hard at first but it will soon be worth it. You may not realize it yet but it will come to you in no time. Good luck!

Looking for an Addiction Expert is a post from: Hawaii Island Recovery