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Substance Abuse Develops Quicker For Women

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It’s no secret men and women are different—they think differently, learn differently, feel differently, react differently, etc. This difference is extremely prominent when a man or a woman is struggling with substance abuse. 

Did you know that women are the fastest growing segment of substance abusers in the United States? As a matter of fact, there are currently an estimated 2.7 million women struggling with substance abuse in America.

The fact that more women are struggling with drug addictions paves way for more evidence that women are impacted by alcohol and drug addiction much differently than men.

Actually, the psychological and physiological effects caused by abusing drugs or alcohol are often times more severe for women. It has been discovered that:

• The percentage of women who have mental health problems such as depression combined with alcohol and drug addiction, or show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder is significantly higher than it is for men
• The mortality rate for women suffering from substance abuse is 50 to 100 percent higher for women than men
• Because of their size and hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, women generally become more intoxicated more quickly than men and become clinically addicted much more quickly
• Women move through the progression more quickly having a more rapid development of dependence
• Women become addicted to narcotics faster than men and are more likely to be hospitalized due to non-medical use of prescription and over the counter medications.

Over the course of history, society has also played a pivotal role in gender and addiction. For more than 100 years, women and girls were actually encouraged to self-medicate for emotional and physical symptoms of the hormonal cycle. Still unaware of the dangerous side effects, physicians regularly prescribed women opiates for moodiness, pain, and fatigue; and according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, doctors currently prescribe twice as many psychotropic medications for women as they do for men.

However, regardless of gender, one fact remains universal. Substance abuse can and will lead to many extremely dangerous side effects such as risky sexual behavior, driving under the influence, long and short-term health problems, and ultimately death. What people may think is a quick simple fix for their fatigue or stress, actually has the potential to destroy their life.

I hear people say Ecstasy is a harmless, happy drug. There's nothing happy about the way that "harmless" drug chipped away at my life. Ecstasy took my strength, my motivation, my dreams, my friends, my apartment, my money and most of all, my sanity.

- Lynn

So many men and women get trapped in an alcohol and drug addiction feeling invincible—as though death is not in their future. But even prior to the physical death is the emotional death, the relational deaths, the spiritual deaths... Alcohol and drug addiction will strip you of every aspect in your life.

If you or a loved one – man or woman – is struggling with this paralyzing disease, take the steps to recovery before addiction continues to prove that no one is invincible.

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Mothers Struggling with Drug Addiction

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A mother of three unintentionally became addicted to narcotics prescribed to her for a back injury. Although she had sworn to herself that she would never forsake her children because of the drugs, it was the fate they eventually suffered. She was no longer the attentive, loving and responsible mother she once was and in its place had become someone she hated.

I had no energy to involve myself with their lives, and soon found myself losing touch with what they were interested in or what their lives outside were like. I became very selfish, irritable and emotional. I stopped trying to even appear interested in them or what they had to say.

I made errors, lost things, forgot to cook dinners, left them home unattended for extended periods of time, or spent excessive periods of time sleeping off the effects of the drugs while they were home, leaving them there to amuse themselves.

- L.V.

It took many years of this vicious cycle before she finally made the decision to enter addiction rehab and begin her path to recovery.

This story supplements many studies proving that it takes more time for women struggling with drug addiction to enter addiction rehab than it does for men.

According to the Federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, there are nearly 2.7 million women in the United States that are struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. Yet, only about 25 percent of patients in addiction rehab programs are women. So why are women, especially mothers, waiting so long to get help? Some of the contributing factors are:

• No childcare
• Fear of losing custody of their children
• Lack of finances
• No transportation
• Belief that the drug addiction is caused by depression or anxiety and try to work on that first
• Embarrassment
• Denial

Simply put, women have become the fastest-growing population suffering from alcohol and drug addiction in the country. They not only wait longer to enter addiction rehab compared to men, but also reach full-blown alcohol and drug addiction quicker than males.

The idea that women both get addicted quicker, but also take longer to ask for help is incredibly dangerous for mothers who stay at home. Mother’s tend to have more privacy, which is conducive to hiding their struggle with alcohol and drug addiction.

Furthermore, pregnant mothers who are struggling with alcohol and drug addiction greatly increase the risk of their child being born with developmental effects surrounding the brain, heart, spinal cord, and or kidneys; as well as other birth defects such as:

• Behavioral disorders
• Gross malformations
• Mental retardation
• Premature birth

Addicted mothers are significantly more likely to create a toxic and dangerous environment for their children as well as everyone else surrounding them. While waiting to enter addiction rehab may seem like the easy way out now, in fact it can be the exact opposite. The fact that women become addicted quicker than men do coupled with also waiting longer to enter addiction rehab than men greatly endangers the likelihood of full recovery for women.

Don’t wait a minute longer, call our addiction specialists today and start taking care of yourself and your family. (888) 827 1751

The Often Ignored Reality Behind Addiction—Trauma

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Megan was just 12-years-old when a close relative first sexually abused her. Left feeling alone and helpless, she felt that overcoming this trauma was an impossible task and needed to find a way to cope. In her mind, life was simply becoming too much. She was offered help to begin a healing process, but she refused. She needed an escape from her life’s traumas and resorted to drugs.

What began as smoking marijuana on occasion to get high and forget her problems, quickly spiraled out of control. Megan needed more and more drugs in order to reach that same high and started inhaling anything she could get her hands on. It got to the point where her whole life unraveled. Megan didn’t care about her family, friends… she stopped caring about her own life.

I, Megan - you know, the girl next door - had many problems. Although a lot of teens probably feel as though they have problems, mine were rooted in something that wasn't my fault: sexual abuse.

It wasn’t until Megan made the courageous decision to enter treatment that she finally learned the skills she needed to communicate her feelings instead of hiding from them through drugs.

What Megan suffered as a child was a form of emotional trauma, something that is often overlooked despite the fact that it lies at the heart of many types of addiction. A study published last week further confirmed what treatment professionals have understood for years; that a history of childhood neglect or sexual, physical or emotional abuse is common among people undergoing treatment for alcoholism (and drug addiction) and may be a factor in the development of alcohol use disorders. The study further illustrated the fact that:

• While the general population has physical abuse rates of 8.4%, the rate for alcoholics has been reported at 24% for men and 33% for women
• While the rate of sexual abuse in the general population is around 6%, the rate for alcoholics has been reported at 12% for men and a staggering 49% for women
• The rates of childhood emotional abuse and neglect are likely as prevalent among alcoholics as physical and sexual abuse and have similar long-term consequences, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, suicide and behavioral problems later in life.

Now what exactly is trauma? According to Larke Huang, director of the Office of Behavioral Healthcare Equity at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, trauma is “a stress that causes physical or emotional harm from which you cannot remove yourself.” It can be unique to each individual; in that what may be a traumatic event for you may not be one for someone else and vice versa. It can stem from:

• Abuse (Physical, mental or emotional)
• Neglect
• Car accidents
• Bullying
• School killings
• Sudden life change
• Near death experience
• Etc.

Traumatic events can be either experienced first hand or witnessed.

According to the researchers, one of the most destructive forms of trauma that can lead someone down the dark path of substance abuse is “chronic recurrent humiliation”—Bullying.

Recently, the news has been dominated by the controversy surrounding a new documentary called Bully that tackles the issue of bullying head on. The documentary is a first hand look at how bullying can affect a vulnerable child. When occurred during childhood, trauma can become extremely dangerous. Left with no frame of reference to contextualize their traumatic experiences, children are increasingly more likely to look for an escape in unhealthy ways such as self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. This escapism often leads to a full-blown alcohol and drug addiction.

Before you know it, what can start as suffering from a traumatic event, can quickly manifest into a second serious problem—substance abuse. Many are not aware that they are turning to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with a past traumatic event. Taking the courageous steps to enter a drug rehab treatment center for your struggle can tech you the skills necessary to cope with trauma in healthier ways.

Are you or a loved one struggling with alcohol and drug addiction because of a traumatic event? Our Trauma Recovery Program exercises treatment for both the traumatic experience and the addiction for full recovery. Call us toll-free at (888) 827 1751.

Spring Cleaning Marks a New Beginning

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I recently read a story about a man named Jeff; who after a long struggle with alcohol addiction, finally made the decision to enter alcohol and drug rehab and has now been sober for ten months.

While he was no longer drinking, Jeff had yet to update his kitchen setup to reflect the fact that alcohol is no longer in his life. Meaning, he still had his wine glasses, shot glasses, etc. in the cabinets and remnants of old bottles of alcohol in his liquor cabinet. It wasn’t until last spring, that Jeff realized he should start his spring cleaning and get rid of anything that might subconsciously trigger a desire for alcohol.

We are on the cusp of another spring season—a time where many will start to take inventory of their lives and homes, cleaning out all the unnecessary clutter; a time commonly referred to as spring cleaning.

Alcohol and drug rehab is similar to spring cleaning as it marks a new beginning…a chance to start again. It’s a time to get rid of anything in your life that may be weighing you down. Now is the time to:

• Clean out your closet of all the clothes you may never wear
• Get rid of toxic relationships
• Cut out any bad habits you don’t want sticking around
• Start that “do-it-yourself” project you've always wanted to try
• Clean out those gutters you've been neglecting
• Create your own rituals for goals you want to achieve
• Most importantly, make the decision to enter alcohol and drug rehab and get help with your addiction 

The same core factors that encompass the annual tradition of spring cleaning can also be applied to entering alcohol and drug rehab for one’s struggle with addiction. Taking that courageous first step to seek help is a mark of a new beginning, a fresh start. Entering alcohol and drug rehab will not cause you to “lose your life” in the shuffle, but rather will allow you to re-evaluate it and start the path to recovery.

We hear too often about the tragic passing of lives such as Whitney Houston’s, cut short by the evil grip of addiction; when everything has just become “too much” and the struggle with drugs and alcohol leads to fatal consequences…The idea of waiting until it’s too late can relate to spring cleaning as well. What happens when you stop cleaning your house for a while? The dust settles and things begin to pile back up and create a mess—a mess that if left alone for too long can simply become too much to handle. 

Recovery is like your household. It takes an ongoing process of cleaning up bad habits or “messes” in your life. Many of you may be familiar with actress Demi Lovato and her own struggles with addiction (bulimia and self-cutting). As she puts it, “People think that you’re like a car in the body shop. You go in, they fix you, and you’re out like brand-new. It doesn't work like that. It takes constant fixing.” When in recovery, it’s important to remember that:

• According to research statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, patients in a drug rehab program will reach a milestone in their recovery after 3 months, however, that doesn't mean that everyone’s recovery is done after only three months or that additional treatment will not be helpful
• When people leave treatment early their chances for a full recovery drop significantly
• Addiction is a disease which requires constant monitoring, and through a combination of individualized treatment and a dedicated work ethic, long lasting recovery is definitely possible

There are days where you’re going to struggle. I cannot tell you that I have not thrown up since treatment. I cannot tell you I've not cut since treatment. I’m not perfect. This is a daily battle that I will face for the rest of my life.

- Demi Lovato

Spring cleaning is a time for the “out with the old, in with the new,” mentality so what better time to begin your new road to recovery? Why not make this spring the year you change your life and move past drug and alcohol addiction? Are you or a loved one suffering from drug or alcohol abuse? Don’t hesitate to call us today (888) 827 1751.

High Functioning Alcoholics—Suffering From the Same Disease!

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In July of 2009, Diane Schuler steered her Ford Windstar the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway. A few minutes later, her vehicle slammed into an SUV head-on, killing her, four of the five children she was transporting, and the three men in the SUV. Schuler’s 5-year-old son was the lone survivor of the crash.

According to investigators, at the time of the crash, Diane’s blood alcohol content was .19; more than double the legal limit, and was also “impaired by marijuana.”

In the aftermath of the horrific accident, Diane Schuler’s family, especially her husband Daniel, were subjected to a significant amount of criticism for allowing someone with such a high blood alcohol content and apparent alcohol abuse problem to get behind the wheel of a car.

However, according to her family, Diane never abused alcohol or other drugs; as her husband stated, “I never saw her drunk since the day I met her, she is not an alcoholic.”

This tragic event gives light to an often misunderstood aspect of alcoholism: hidden or high functioning alcoholism.

Gone is the notion that an alcoholic must be a bumbling, disheveled mess that can’t hold down a job and in its place are lawyers, friends, doctors, mailmen, or even the soccer mom next door. They are apparently normal individuals who look like they have everything together yet, secretly; they are alcoholics who are able to maintain their outside life by continuing to:

• Hold a steady job
• Pay bills
• Maintain relationships
• Have a family

Many high functioning alcoholics are not viewed by society as being alcoholic simply because they have succeeded and overachieved throughout their lifetimes.

While they may be able to hide their symptoms of alcohol abuse, there are a few noticeable habits that these individuals may convey to those around them, such as:

• Starting to abuse work time and stepping out for a drink
• Missing engagements and meetings
• Losing their focus
• Taking sick days more frequently
• Becoming less productive at work

Although “high functioning alcoholics” seem to have it “all together,” their excessive drinking is putting their health and safety at risk as well as other’s safety. Even if it’s not outwardly apparent, they are still engaging in risky behaviors such as drinking and driving, having risky sexual encounters, and blacking out.

Not only does society overlook their excessive drinking, but high functioning alcoholics remain in denial because they don’t think they are the stereotypical drunk.

Alcoholism doesn't discriminate based on gender, class, religion or wealth. It’s a destructive disease that can spark from many factors. Take the steps to a “healthy functioning life” today!

If you or a loved one have fallen victim to either form of alcoholism, don't hesitate to call us today, toll-free at (888) 827 1751

Learn more about our alcohol rehabilitation programs:

10 Signs Your Loved One Is Struggling With Addiction

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It’s no secret that addiction is a multifaceted disease, and depending on the substance and frequency of abuse, among other factors, addiction treats every individual and family differently; therefore, for effective addiction treatment, the individual struggling with the disease must be kept at the center of the program to ensure his or her unique battle is treated.

While symptoms and treatment of the disease vary from person to person, what remains similar are the signs that a loved one may be struggling with addiction. Not every individual suffering from alcohol and drug addiction will show all of the following signs, but be aware if your loved one is to show one or a combination of them.

1. Being secretive or evasive. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right? Well, addicts will go to great lengths to hide their addiction. This can include avoiding clear answers to your questions, keeping secrets, or acting in unusual manners.

2. Lying frequently. Going along with the first sign in keeping secrets or avoiding questions, individuals struggling with addiction will flat out lie to you to protect themselves from admitting their addiction.

3. Mood swings. Noticeable fluctuations in mood can be a result of a psychiatric disorder often affiliated with addiction or based on the substance abused. Some illicit drugs and alcohol trigger different emotions and the amount of the substance abused and frequency of abuse can trigger major mood swings.

4. Major changes in sleep of energy levels. Very similar to mood swings, alcohol and drug addiction can play a major role in an addict’s energy levels. The substance abused can play a pertinent role on whether an individual expresses intense amounts of energy, like through the abuse of cocaine or methamphetamine, or expresses a type of melancholy depression paired with drowsiness or excessive sleep patterns through the abuse of depressants like benzodiazepines or prescription sedatives.

5. Fluctuations in weight. Many substances have a direct correlation to metabolism and appetite; therefore, an individual struggling from alcohol and drug addiction may suffer from sever weight gain or loss. Eating disorders are also a form of a psychiatric disorder that can happen in tandem to an alcohol and drug addiction—a dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis can also be an explanation for individual’s fluctuations in weight.

6. Attitude and appearance changes. Much like fluctuations in weight, when an individual is struggling with addiction they often change their way of living, including the way in which they dress, carry themselves and treat others. Substance abuse can trigger an abundance of moods and actions such as, aggression, apprehension, shortness with others, etc. This can be explained through the psychological impact of illicit drugs and alcohol on the human body or through changes in the people they hang out with and activities they start to take part in. Alcohol and drug abuse generally makes an individual think about life differently, therefore sparking a different way of living it.

7. Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy. Alcohol and drug addiction consumes a large part of an individual’s life, which in turn gives them little time to continue the hobbies they used to enjoy. If you notice a loved one no longer wants to spend time with their family and friends or stops participating in activities they normally would have, alcohol and drug addiction may be the case.

8. Failing to meet obligations. When an individual is entrapped by addiction it overtakes their rational thinking; including, meeting deadlines, going to work, finishing tasks, etc. A major sign of alcohol and drug addiction is when an individual who you would normally see as responsible and driven starts to fail in meeting commitments because they seem to no longer care.

9. Loss of memory. If you and your loved ones are reminiscing of good times and one member doesn't participate in the conversation due to lack of memory, or like sign number eight, your loved one forgets to meet obligations, an alcohol and drug addiction may be causing a loss in memory. Substance abuse often causes blackouts from heavy usage in a small window of time. The more blackouts an individual undergoes, the more longtime memory loss that individual may suffer. Most illicit drugs also have direct impacts on the working of the human brain, which can cause memory loss among many other damaging effects.

10. Stealing. If you start to notice things of value or money disappearing around the house, a common explanation is an individual in your family is struggling with addiction. Addicts will do anything to feed their next high, and that includes stealing from the ones they love just to buy drugs or alcohol.

If you recognize one or a combination of these signs in one of your loved ones, the next step may be to confront the addiction with an intervention. An addict may not realize that they have a problem with alcohol and drug abuse, or the addiction has entrapped their rational thinking to where they no longer want to stop using.

Addictive drugs also take hold of brain chemistry and some bodily functions that create a need for continued use and the addict is no longer able to stop using on their own free will. By holding an intervention you and your loved ones can bring light to the dangerous situation you are all in and move towards seeking professional help. 

The word 'rehab' always held a bad connotation to me, and although a part of me knew I needed to go, I still struggled with the realization that I was indeed an addict, and this was a necessary part of my recovery.

- Darrin

Don’t hesitate to call our trained addiction specialists today to find out more about conducting an intervention and getting your loved one into the proper alcohol and drug rehab center. Rid you and your family from this devastating disease. (888) 827 1751

Innocent Victims of Alcohol and Drug Addiction

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Like many addicts’ homes, 2-year-old Sasha Robertson’s house was profoundly unkempt—a garbage refuge… just another aspect of Sasha’s life that was sorely neglected. Along with trash, mounds of dirty dishes, and animal feces, drug paraphernalia was littered throughout the house, well within reach of the children that lived there; a place investigating officers described as deplorable.

Sasha and her two siblings, Veronica, an 18-month-old, and Charlie, a 6-month-old, had been found left unsupervised by their 25 year old mother Rebecca, while a pot sat burning on the stove for almost 24 hours. When officers arrived, Sasha and Veronica were reportedly found covered in soot from head to toe—lucky to be alive. 

However, Charlie was not so lucky. He was found dead in his crib, having suffocated while his mother slept off her drug induced stupor...

A common myth regarding addiction is that it only affects the person suffering, no one else. However, addiction not only affects the addict themselves but everyone surrounding them. Currently, throughout the United States, there are twenty million children experiencing physical, verbal, and emotional abuse at the hands of parents who are struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.

Within such environments, children of addicts have an extremely high risk of suffering from numerous physical and health traumas such as:

• Children of addicted families are eight times more likely to become addicts themselves or to marry an alcoholic or drug addict
• Prenatal drug exposure has been associated with developmental disorders, infant death, miscarriage, premature birth, learning disabilities, etc.
• Children in families containing an addicted family member were at an increased risk for physical abuse
• Children of cocaine addicts were at an increased risk for sexual abuse
• An estimated 480,000 children are mistreated each year by a caretaker with alcohol and drug addiction
• Children of addicts are more likely to suffer more injuries and poisonings than children in the general population

It doesn't just stop there. Living in homes clouded by addiction, children experience a daily environment of inconsistency, chaos, fear, abandonment, denial, etc. Survival becomes a full time job.

In addition to physical dangers children living in homes ravaged by alcohol and drug addiction are subjected to many emotional struggles, such as:

• Guessing at what is normal
• Difficultly having fun
• Judging themselves mercilessly
• Difficulty with emotional relationships
• Feeling “different” from other people
• Tendency to be impulsive 
• Becoming either extremely responsible or extremely irresponsible
• Desperately seeking approval and affirmation
• Suffering from chronic anxiety
• Lacking self-discipline
• Compulsive liars
• Suffering from a critical deficiency of self-respect
• Fear and mistrust for authority figures

Addiction is a family disease. In a class of its own, the combination of addiction’s physical and mental repercussions can become extremely destructive for not only the addict, but also everyone surrounding the addict. The negative side effects of parental alcohol and drug addiction can continue even as the child enters adulthood; with 10 to 40 percent of adults who were abused when they were young becoming more likely to abuse their own children.

You can help put a stop to this cycle of destruction—addiction in the family. Are you or a loved one suffering from drug or alcohol addiction? Call us at (888) 740-3845. We are here to help!

Putting Addiction Myths to Rest

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In 2007, Jen lost everything she owned in a massive cockroach infestation. She had just moved into a new apartment in Los Angeles, and not long after moving in, noticed a few roaches here and there but just knocked it up to city living and an old building. However, a month later after a visit from her mom, Jen realized that her bug problem was a lot bigger than she thought and arranged to have her apartment sprayed. She had to remove all living things, empty out the cupboards and put everything she owned in the middle off the living room.

Fast-forward 24 hours later. Jen came back to the apartment expecting to see a lot of dead roaches, but didn’t see that many. However, when she pulled up the tarp that was covering all her belongings she found thousands of roaches. Needless to say her apartment had to be condemned and Jen wasn’t able to remove a single thing, therefore losing everything she owned. The roaches had literally infested her entire life…

Alcohol and drug addiction is like this roach infestation. You may not see its devastating effects at first glance, but when you “pull up the tarp” your entire life is infested with the disease…

One of the myths surrounding addiction is that the individual struggling with addiction is simply choosing to take that next drink, choosing to get that next high—the myth that addiction is not a disease.

Many look at drug and alcohol addiction differently than they view heart disease, or diabetes. However, alcohol and drug addiction is neither a choice nor a sign of weakness, but rather a chronic brain disease.

• The American Society of Addiction Medicine, ASAM, the nation’s largest professional society of physicians dedicated to treating and preventing alcohol and drug addiction, have defined addiction as a chronic brain disease similar to that of heart disease and diabetes.
• Under this new definition, people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction don’t have to see themselves as “flawed” or “weak.”
• Addiction is a complex disease, and like the bugs hiding under the tarp out of view, it can have many underlying factors affecting the individual, such as depression, trauma, etc. 

Another common myth regarding alcohol and drug addiction is that the only negative side effect that occurs is to one’s health and nothing more. However, like the roaches in the story above, addiction infests and reaches it claws into each and every aspect of your life including relationships, finances and reputations.

Furthermore, excessive alcohol or drug abuse can increase the risk of more harmful health conditions than most people consider, such as:

• Unintentional injuries, including traffic injuries, falls, drowning, burns, and unintentional firearm injuries.
• Violence, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment.
• Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, and increased risk of sexual assault. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
• Miscarriage and stillbirth among pregnant women, and a combination of physical and mental birth defects among children that last throughout life.
• Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels that suppress the central nervous system and can cause loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and body temperature, coma, respiratory depression, or death.

When it comes to alcohol and drug addiction one cannot simply take it at face value; as the old saying goes, “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Addiction affects each individual differently and can be the result of a variety of things—it’s time to lay those myths to rest. While you may be stuck in a situation like Jen - when it feels like you have lost everything - never lose hope, you can find the strength to begin again. Call us today, toll free at (888) 718-4693 for a free evaluation to see if addiction is infesting your life.  

Warnings and Resolutions for the New Year

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New Year’s has always been a time for looking back to the past, but more importantly, looking forward to the coming year. It’s a time for resolutions—a time during which people make the effort to rid their lives of unwanted indulgences, such as bad habits or something more life-altering, like an alcohol or drug addiction.

New Year’s Eve, however, is a night of temptation, where individuals who don’t normally drink – especially young adults – feel compelled to have a few drinks in celebration. Or others struggling with an alcohol addiction can hide their problem in the midst of everyone’s drinking.

Alcohol abuse – even if for only one night – brings with it an increased likelihood of risky behaviors, such as:

• Violence or increased aggression
• Promiscuity or risky sexual behaviors like unprotected sex, or sex with a stranger
• Long-term behavioral changes like not going to the doctor or poor eating habits
• Reckless driving decisions, like driving under the influence, not wearing a seat belt and speeding

Furthermore, New Year’s Eve is one of the most accountable days for alcohol related car crashes and deaths for young drivers.

• According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in the years 2000-2009, accidents occurring from midnight on New Year’s Eve through the following day were 150% higher than an average day’s accidents
• More people stand a chance of dying in an alcohol related crash on New Year’s Eve than any other mid-week evening in the winter
• While people believe that New Year’s Eve is the most dangerous time of the year to drive, it is also the holiday or event when they most frequently drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

This New Year’s Eve, be aware of the dangers involved for you and your loved ones and don’t forget to make a resolution and stick with it! Is there anything you should change? Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction and want to seek addiction recovery in the New Year? Call us toll free at (888) 839-9894 today to begin your journey. Change is a process and there’s no better time to begin than the present. We are here to help.

Online Suicide and Addiction Prevention—There is Always Hope

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“Jumping off the gw bridge sorry.” – Tyler Clementi

In September of 2010, Rutgers University Freshman Tyler Clementi jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge after his roommate allegedly used a webcam to spy on his intimate encounter with another man.

Tyler Clementi’s story is just one example in which the deceased posted their suicide note on the popular social networking site, Facebook.

Continuing their efforts to improve safety on their site, Facebook launched a new suicide prevention tool that will give its 800 million users a direct link to an online chat with counselors who can help. Meaning, if someone is posting unsettling photos or writing status updates about killing himself or herself, friends can click on a “report suicidal content” link.

This new measure is geared to help combat some of the troubling statistics regarding suicide, such as:

• Nearly 100 Americans die by suicide every day, and 36,035 a year
• In the past year, more than 8 million Americans 18 or older had thought seriously about suicide
• Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States

We are on board with Facebook and feel that it is extremely important to offer people alternative avenues to seek help for private and sensitive issues such as suicidal thoughts and struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. Addiction is an extremely complex and progressive disease that has the ability to consume an individual’s life-mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. When it comes to addiction:

• Only 15% of the estimated 23 million Americans struggling with addiction actually seek drug rehab treatment for their addictions
• As many as 60% of adults in Federal prisons are there for drug-related crimes
• Approximately 50 to 80 percent of all child abuse and neglect cases substantiated by child protective services involve some degree of alcohol and drug abuse by the child’s parents

While seeking help for yourself or a loved one, not everyone may be comfortable talking to someone face to face. We understand that opening up about your struggle with alcohol and drug addiction is difficult so we want to provide different outlets to help you start the journey to recovery such as:

• Calling our addiction specialists toll-free at (888) 827 1751
• Live chat with one of our trained addiction specialists. (100% secure and confidential)
• Have us contact you with an email consultation
• Following us on Facebook and Twitter
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel
• Visit our alumni website for support throughout recovery

If you or your loved one is suffering from alcohol and drug addiction we are here to help you find the information you need to get help. Addiction can be scary and overwhelming. Don’t take it on alone! Contact us today in the place you feel most comfortable and let us help guide you to a life of long lasting recovery.

Good Students Flirting with Addiction

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It’s time for college finals, meaning frequent trips to the library or local coffee shops, review sessions and study groups. With the pressure building to complete projects and papers and study for exams, many students are feeling the need to stay awake longer than usual. While some students will rely on coffee, Red Bull, and other caffeine-loaded drinks to stay awake, some students will reach for “the study drug”—Adderall.

While Adderall, an amphetamine-based psychostimulant, is legally prescribed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (along with Ritalin and Concerta), it is now becoming increasingly popular across college campuses.  

I’m taking five classes this semester and all of my finals are within three days of each other. I don’t know any other way to stay awake and alert enough to cram for all five of them in such a short amount of time…besides Adderall.

–David

A staggering number of students are instead using Adderall as a study aide as it allows students to enhance their study stamina so they are able to hit the books more intensely and for longer periods of time. Yet with such prevalence around college campuses, it has led to many students becoming nonchalant about the drug, it’s so common, they say, that they don’t have any reservations about taking it. However, just like alcohol and other illicit drugs, Adderall and other prescription stimulants can have some extremely dangerous side effects such as:  

• If misused, prescription stimulants can cause a variety of health problems such as an irregular heartbeat and panic attacks.
• Some of the short-term effects of Adderall are addiction, anxiety, insomnia, depression, high blood pressure, visual hallucinations, elevated pulse, elevated enzymes in blood signaling liver failure, and loss of appetite.
• Contrary to college students misconception of the benefits in using Adderall to study, students who use the drug for non-medical purposes generally have lower grade point averages, are more likely to be heavy drinkers and use other illicit drugs, and are more likely to be dependent on alcohol and marijuana, miss class more frequently, and study less.  

I started to notice my own addictive behaviors. It seemed to work and the more I used it, the more I wanted to use more of it, even when I wasn’t studying

–Allie

This finals week, take the time to formulate some safe study habits instead of resulting to prescription drug abuse, such as:  

• Start studying and writing your papers a head of time instead of waiting till the night before and set time goals for yourself to help you stay on track.
• Find a study buddy that can keep you motivated.
• Remember to take short breaks while studying in order to allow your brain to process and retain the information.  

Like many drugs

, abusing Adderall can come back to bite you years down the line. Whether it is problems with blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, or a gateway to more powerful drugs such as speed or cocaine, Adderall and prescription stimulants can be tremendously hazardous and have the ability to affect you for the rest of your life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction to prescription stimulants such as Adderall, don’t hesitate to get them help they need before they fall down that slippery slope.

Call us toll free at (888) 827 1751, we’re here to help!   

The Most Wonderful Time of Year… Sometimes

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Seventeen years old, about to start his last semester of high school and embark on the rest of his life, John spent a December evening studying with friends. Lost in the books, it had gotten incredibly late when he packed his things and started walking home. Not even a block down the road a drunk driver took an incredibly wide U-turn through the cul-de-sac striking John at over 40 miles per hour—he wouldn’t live to see the ambulance arrive…

During the holiday season, our roadways become more crowded and dangerous than ever as nearly 40 million people travel over 50 miles to and from holiday parties, joining friends and family in celebration. While the holiday season can be the most wonderful time of year, it is also a time when alcohol abuse is more socially acceptable at these family gatherings marking the darker side of the holidays as a time of premature death from drinking and driving and an increase in addiction.

The death toll from accidents involving alcohol abuse is arguably at its highest point between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Drunk driving also accounts for the following shocking statistics:

• An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first arrest

• This year 10,839 people will die in drunk-driving crashes—one every 50 minutes

• 50 - 75% of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license

• Every minute, one person is injured from an alcohol-related crash 

Also, the holidays are a time of year that can be more stressful than usual and it may seem like a few drinks are a good way to take the edge off; yet, it can easily become a slippery slope leading to alcohol addiction. The holiday season has since seen a rise in relapse rates and depression, marking this “joyful” time a threat to sparking and/or continuing alcohol and drug addiction. Here are a few more tips to having a safe and joyful holiday season:

• Be aware of the dangers affiliated with the holiday season. It will keep the intended joy at the forefront of your time with family and friends

• Make sure your loved ones don’t drink and drive and remain precautious while traveling to holiday get-togethers

• The holidays give high school and college kids a break from their studies and are more likely to irresponsibly party—address the dangers while they are home

• Seek treatment for alcohol and drug addiction before the holidays are underway. What better gift than addiction recovery?

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and are ready to seek the alcohol and drug rehab treatment you need during this holiday season, don’t hesitate to call our trained addiction specialists toll free at (888) 827 1751.

Happy Holidays,

The Recovery Place Family

Child Abuse, Unprotected Sex, Violence – Is Addiction to Blame?

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Story one: A home video depicting Texas judge William Adams, viciously beating his then 16 year old daughter with a belt for upwards of seven minutes has been released. According to the judge’s ex-wife, the regular attacks were a result of the judge’s struggle with addiction, a secret that she had been hiding for years…

Story two: In Michigan, a father of a 9-year-old girl is now facing charges of felony child abuse after he had the 9 year old drive him to the store because he was too intoxicated to drive; endangering himself, his daughter and everyone on the road…

What do these two stories have in common?

They are both clear examples of the dangers and negative consequences (beyond the extensive list of health problems) that can stem from alcohol and drug addiction!

What are some of these negative consequences?

• Becoming uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, angry, or depressed
• Alcohol puts you at greater risk of losing your temper and becoming aggressive
• 70% of college students admit to engaging in unplanned sexual activity primarily as a result of drinking, or to having sex they wouldn't have had if they had been sober

“When I was in college I got drunk and had sex with three different men in one night. After I sobered up I was incredibly ashamed of myself…”

• Heavy drinking can lead to a blackout in which an individual can remain conscious and be able to hold conversations, complete tasks, etc. yet will be unable to remember what they did during that time
• Alcohol and drug abuse also make individuals more likely to participate in high risk activities such as unprotected sex, driving under the influence, vandalism, etc.

Alcohol and drug addiction have touched more than 85 million Americans, gravely affecting both those struggling with addiction and their loved ones. The problem is, not enough of the 85 million Americans see the signs of their addiction and seek proper alcohol and drug rehab treatment. It is important to recognize the dangers it is causing you and your family.

Call us today at (888) 827 1751! We are here to help.

The Recovery Place Joins the Elements Behavioral Health Family

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Elements Behavioral Health is a leading addiction and mental health treatment program provider with premier treatment facilities in California, Tennessee and now Fort Lauderdale, Florida with the acquisition of The Recovery Place.

We are very excited to join this growing family geared towards helping individuals struggling with addiction and invite you to read more about this new endeavor.

Thank you for your lasting support,

The Recovery Place family

Alcohol Poisoning—How Much is Too Much?

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This past July we lost a musical icon to what could be assumed a severe alcohol and drug addiction. The 27 year old singer spent the greater part of her career in and out of drug rehab facilities battling this vicious disease.

News has finally broke about the cause of Amy Winehouse’s death…Alcohol poisoning. According to the coroner’s report, Amy Winehouse died as the result of consuming entirely too much alcohol; with her blood alcohol content reaching over 5 times the legal limit. Her death raises an important question: How much alcohol is too much?

To best explain that question we must identify what alcohol does to the body:

• Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream. Within minutes of drinking it, alcohol travels from the stomach to the brain, where it quickly produces its effects, slowing the action of nerve cells
• Overdosing on alcohol can cause severe depressant effects such as the inability to feel pain, toxicity, where the body vomits the poison out, and finally unconsciousness
• When the amount of alcohol in the blood exceeds a certain level it causes the respiratory (breathing) system to significantly slowdown, which can cause a person to slip into a coma or even to death

While Amy had stayed sober for most of July, she had begun to binge drink again in the days leading up to her death. Medical professionals point to binge drinking as a major factor that can lead to acute alcohol poisoning. It is something that carries with it major negative consequences such as:

• When an individual consumes too much alcohol too quickly, their blood alcohol level increases dramatically which can inhibit the area in the brain that controls breathing; and when that is inhibited people can’t breathe which results in death
• Too much alcohol in the body can also result in severe dehydration, hypothermia, seizures, breathing problems, and heart attacks among other difficulties
• Alcohol is carried by the bloodstream to the liver to be metabolized, and since the liver can only metabolize a certain amount at a time, the excess is left circulating throughout the body. Meaning, when one binge drinks the effects on the body will be more intense, correlated with the amount consumed

“This past year I have gone to work drunk, blacked out in clubs and bars and can’t remember getting home. Ashamedly I slept with someone and couldn't even remember the person coming home with me until we bumped into each other the next day. I've destroyed two relationships because I hurt them so much through my drinking, but I put drinking first. My family is so hurt that their daughter is killing herself for apparently no reason. -Jamie”

Winehouse’s devastating story helps bring to light the dangers associated with alcohol abuse and binge drinking and the potentially fatal consequences that can happen if one doesn't get help. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at (888) 827 1751.