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1stthingsfirst · 8 months

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This is the Ray side of my previous post about the portrayal of his recovery, in part prompted by @quaintrelle17's comment about Thai rehabs (Thank you! I didn't ignore you, I just took forever to respond).

Note: I use "sobriety" as shorthand. Not everyone who abuses alcohol needs to go sober. Some can drink in moderation. Some need to abstain for their whole lives.

I originally only briefly addressed Ray drinking in rehab. So, the two general ways to stop drinking/go sober are:

Cold turkey -- You go from your current alcohol intake to zero, no steps in between.

Tapering off (aka weaning off) -- You decrease your daily alcohol intake over time until you reach zero/a desired amount.

From this tweet and Jojo's comments, I believe Thai outpatient rehab programs follow a harm-reduction model using tapering and deemphasizing abstinence unless deemed necessary.

Tapering off aims to both decrease the severity of and prevent withdrawal symptoms. Chronic alcohol abuse alters your brain chemistry. Tapering off helps your brain adjust to functioning with less and less alcohol and decreases the likelihood of severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures and delirium tremens, which can cause disability and death.

Issue #1: Lack of Clarity

Ray is a good candidate for tapering. He carries a flask to drink on the go and his hands shake when he doesn't drink, a withdrawal symptom. It makes sense for Ray to drink while he's in rehab.

However, tapering is a systematic process. You don't just slowly drink less. A professional may determine a tapering schedule specific to you, but the general recommendation is to decrease by 2 drinks per day. When tapering, you should track what drink you're on and even measure to ensure you stick to one standard drink each time.

I would not expect to see this level of detail in the show. However, as is, we see Ray enter rehab at the end of episode 10, and then in episode 11, we see no visible change in behavior. He still goes to bars and drinks beers in the bath and has whiskey in the pool in a tense almost-threesome. We're supposed to intuit that he's changing simply because he says he is.

The show could have made it clearer without dedicating much time to it. It's as simple as a lingering shot of a handout from the rehab center or Ray saying, "last drink of the day" in the tub. Responses to Only Friends have highlighted how little the general public knows about addiction. It's unreasonable to expect us to know that people may drink as part of rehab.

This is a "show, don't tell" error. We have been told that Ray is in rehab, but we have not seen behavior indicating that he's in rehab.

Issue #2: Tone and Narrative

I'd be surprised if Ray's support team encouraged him to casually drink with his partner while trying to go sober. I could be wrong; they could be fine with it. A person could maybe healthily drink a beer in the tub with their partner if it aligned with their tapering schedule, but it doesn't feel appropriate tonally or narratively.

We have seen how destructive alcohol has been in Ray's life: his mom's alcoholism ruined his childhood; he blames himself for her alcoholism-related suicide; he nearly lost all his friends and his boyfriend multiple times; he drove drunk, crashed his car, and had to be hospitalized for his injuries; he was charged with a DUI and has to complete social service (legal consequences); and so on.

Tonally, it does not make sense to show Ray drinking casually at this point. It could make sense to show him drinking, but not in the settings shown in episode 11. Drinking should be portrayed as weightier by now, if not for Ray, at least for Sand when he's with Ray (see my original post). Sand has said multiple times that he worries about Ray's drinking, so it feels odd to see them to chat in the bath over beers while Ray is in rehab. Ray may be allowed to drink then and he may be able to drink for pleasure in the future, but week one of rehab is not the time for drinking for pleasure.

Additionally, from a storytelling perspective, it doesn't make sense to include Ray accepting that he needs to go to rehab with two episodes left unless you then show him either improved or struggling. By showing Ray drinking after entering rehab, it suggests to the viewer that Ray's drinking will continue to be a major plot point.

But I don't know if it is because we have one episode left, two other couples' stories to wrap up, Ray's already in rehab, and they just introduced Boeing to Sand and Ray's dynamic. By introducing Boeing this late in the show, with this little time left, it's pretty clear Boeing is Ray and Sand's final conflict, not Ray's recovery.

I'm normally all about nuance, but filmmakers only have so many opportunities to convey information to their audience. Unless they do want to keep Ray's recovery a main conflict, it is more logical, for both tone and storytelling, to simply not show Ray drinking at this point. Is it less realistic? Yes. But is it clearer? Yes.

TL;DR

There are scientific reasons why Ray would drink during rehab; however, most people don't know that and it was never explained in the series itself, so the scenes of him drinking in ep 11 landed poorly for many viewers. This is a problem with how the show told the story of Ray's alcoholism and recovery. The show would have benefited from prioritizing clarity over realism, unless they plan to take the time to explore Ray's recovery in detail.

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k12academics · 2 months

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The Longwood Recovers Collegiate Recovery Program is a peer and strengthen-based driven community supporting our Longwood University community in/or pursuing Recovery from alcohol & other(s) drug(s) misuse, disordered eating, self-harm, and any other(s) difficulties you identify as addictive behavior. All recovery pathways are welcome, including (but not limited to) harm reduction, abstinence, spiritual or science-based approaches, self-help, moderation, and cutting down. The program seeks to support and protect members' long-term recovery through programming focused on peer support, recovery coaching, academic guidance, health and wellness activities, peer connections, leadership, and service opportunities.

#Virginia Public School #Collegiate Recovery Program #Central Virginia

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queertransrecoverysf · 7 months

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I've done AA, Dharma, therapy, support groups, etc. I've also tried to get sober alone by abstaining or moderating. All I can speak from is my owned lived experienced so if there's one thing I'll share it's this: recovery is not a one stop solution. There are so many different ways to seek support if you are struggling with alcohol and AA is only one, abstinence based program. Explore other options! Many of these groups have affinity meetings for various identities, including queer and trans folks. Maybe check these out? Just know you don't have to navigate this alone.

Links to other recovery groups besides AA below:

Dharma Recovery uses Using Buddhist Practices and Principles to Recover from Addiction.

Link here: https://recoverydharma.org/

SMART (Self Management & Recovery Training) is an evidence based approach to recovery.

Link here: https://smartrecovery.org/ HAMS stands for Harm reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation Support. HAMS is a peer-led and free-of-charge support and informational group for anyone who wants to change their drinking habits for the better. Link here: https://hams.cc/ Alcoholics Anonymous is a 12-step peer supported, faith based program for those seeking to quit drinking. Link here: https://www.aa.org/

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howtocaremyself1 · 2 years

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Inebriate Asylums to Narcotic Farms: Addiction Treatment's Cruel Roots

Inebriate Asylums to Narcotic Farms: Addiction Treatment’s Cruel Roots

Kenneth Anderson founded HAMS (Harm Reduction, Abstinence and Moderation Support) in 2007 as a free online support group for people trying to change their drinking through harm reduction. He was frustrated that other organizations failed to support all of people’s goals. HAMS quickly grew, and now has a worldwide membership of 10,000. I came to know Anderson through HAMS, which I joined in 2016.…

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owens-valley-nudist · 5 years

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Benefits Of Social Nudity: General Health & Stress Reduction

Benefits Of Social Nudity: General Health & Stress Reduction By Naturist Philosopher Printer Friendly Version

This is an edited version of a blog posted on 12th March 2015. Part of a series of blogs published on The Naked Philosopher’s website, and the original version of Benefits of Social Nudity: Stress Reduction and General Health can be read in full here.

Introduction Most naturists believe that social nudity has significant health benefits, but there doesn’t seem to be much clarity about exactly how. In the early days of naturism (up to 1940s, say), there was a strong emphasis on healthful living. In Germany, nudity was considered a part of healthy living, sometimes referred to as Lebensreform (‘life reform’ in English) that included several principles, like abstinence from alcohol, tobacco (and other addictive drugs), exercise, a healthy diet (in particular vegetarianism) and living in “harmony” with nature with exposure to fresh air and sunshine. For most of these principles there was no logical reason for nudity, except that it was regarded as the “natural” state of humans.

Today, other than nudity itself, these general principles are widely accepted by the public – at least as much as within naturism itself – so it is difficult to regard them as beneficial aspects of contemporary naturism specifically.

It is true, however, that exposure to sunlight (specifically the ultraviolet end of the spectrum) enables our skin to synthesize vitamin D, required avoid certain diseases (e.g. rickets in children). Research also suggests we derived other benefits vitamin D but these claims have not been properly investigated nor is the required dosage known. For instance, long before antibiotics existed, those diagnosed with tuberculosis would be sent to sanatoriums for the ‘sunshine cure’.

The effects of excessive exposure to sunlight are not trivial and well documented: dried, prematurely aged skin, sunburn, and an increased risk of melanoma. Nor is it necessary to be naked. We can synthesize enough Vitamin D through from moderate sunbathing, even in northern Europe, or through our diet.

Apart from claims that social nudity has benefits for our physical health, it is also alleged it has positive effects on our mental health too. Although these claims are generally vague, they do have a “common sense” feel to them, now that we have a better understanding of how psychology can affect our physical health. It has been discovered that psychological stress, especially chronic stress, can be a major factor in several physical diseases, like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. There may be different reasons why you are suffering from psychological stress, some physical, others non-physical. We are going to concentrate on the latter, with many nudists saying that stress reduction is one of the main benefits of social nudity.

What is stress? Suppose you are out for a hike in the hills. You go around a bend in the trail, and just 10 feet ahead of you on the trial is a large rattlesnake. Your heart starts to pound, you forget about the trail mix you’ve just been nibbling on, you stop daydreaming about the new car you’d like to buy, and you look quickly around for the nearest large rock or stick. There is a fair size stone nearby, but it’s a pretty large snake, so you decide to make a strategic retreat instead. That’s stress.

Stress is not inherently a bad thing. Our experience of physical stress is what makes possible our dealing with physical threats, e.g. dangerous snakes, effectively in a response known as “fight or flight”. It sends adrenalin to our heart, making it pump harder to send sugar-laden blood to our muscles in preparation for one or the other. It is what sportsmen and women feel as they play, or when we lesser mortals run for the bus.

In early man, whatever dangerous situation was, it was quickly resolved and the body would quickly return to normal. Today, there are a host of sources for stress: the fear of losing your job, actual unemployment, overwork, high bills and low pay are just a few. Occasional stress in dangerous situations is a small problem when compared to the emergency itself. But when we are constantly under stress, it becomes chronic and that can lead to physical illness.

How is psychological stress harmful to health? The most obvious bad thing to happen to your body constantly in ‘fight or flight’ mode is excessive wear and tear on the cardiovascular system. The heart works harder than necessary, blood pressure is higher than needed, putting extra strain on the heart, which turn can lead to either a heart attack or stroke. Not only can chronic stress lead to heart disease but to numerous other health problems besides, with high hormone levels leading to higher infections, slow healing wounds, progression of cancer and stomach ulcers, to name just a few that medical scientists now suspect physiological stress is a contributory factor.

How does social nudity help reduce stress? There are various ways to reduce stress. You could take prescription tranquilizer drugs, such as anxiolytics, but they can be addictive and have other undesirable side effects. Alcohol works too, but certainly has its own problems, as do recreational drugs – apart from being illegal. None of these solutions deal with the cause of your stress. The real solution might be to quit a job that is just too unpleasant to bear, get out of a bad relationship, or move to a place with lower living costs. But such things are more easily said than done, and suppose you’re stressed by something you just have little, or no, control over, like losing a job you? What can you do then?

Social nudity helps because it brings a number of inherently stress-reducing practices, opportunities, and features together. While most of the features are available separately and without the social nudity, by being a naturist you’ll find are available as part of the package.

A Friendly Social Support System: One of the commonest sources of stress is loneliness and social isolation. [It should be pointed out here that there is a vast difference between being a lone and loneliness, and not be confused. Ed.] By definition, social nudity can take care of that. It may require considerable effort to begin with, but once managed you have a ready-made network of like-minded people to provide plenty of friendships and socializing opportunities.

Increased Self-confidence: For reasons covered above, chronic fear and anxiety are big stressors. Fear of failure in some endeavour is a very common. See post dated 19th February 2015, Benefits of Social Nudity: Building Self-confidence for a further explanation.

Body Acceptance: For many people, unhappiness about the appearance of their body is a big source of stress, and perhaps an obstacle to a happy social life. See post dated 1st February 2015, Benefits of Social Nudity: Body Acceptance for more detail.

Emphasis on the Positives: Normal, everyday life is a mixture of positives and negatives. Stress results when the latter significantly exceeds the former. The world of social nudity isn’t a perfect utopia – far from it, but it does distract attention away from life’s negatives, and so promotes a more positive outlook on life. There’s less emphasis on things like physical appearance, social status, and conformance to unreasonable social norms. People involved in social nudity want to share the pleasure of being naked, because an individual’s happiness is enhanced when others are also enjoying life. Happiness is contagious.

Practice Nude Yoga and Meditation: Yoga and meditation are practices, which emphasize emptying your mind of mundane concerns, “turning off the noise upstairs”. Although the details vary among different types of yoga and meditation, you learn to sharply narrow your mental focus (or unfocussed it entirely), away from stressful thoughts. Although you can do yoga and meditation alone and/or without being naked, doing them naked, as part of a group, can reinforce your motivation to continue and advance your level of mastery. Both yoga and meditation are proven to reduce high blood pressure (caused by stress), at least while engaged in the practice, so they may be beneficial after particularly stressful experiences.

Exercise Nude: As was pointed out at the start, physical exercise was an integral part of German Lebensreform and early nudism. And like the other components of those movements, the health benefits were emphasized. You can still get plenty of exercise without being naked or part of a group. But as with yoga and meditation, this is something that’s often more satisfying as part of a group of naked people. And some types of exercise are simply not possible alone – volleyball, basketball, tennis, etc. What’s the connection with stress? Again, it’s the focus on the present, the here-and-now. And if exercise improves your physical fitness and general health, you may be able to lose weight and reduce psychological stress associated with obesity. If you join a landed nudist club, you also gain access to exercise facilities (swimming pools, tennis courts, gym equipment, etc.) as part of the deal.

Nude Soaking, Sauna: The indigenous people of the Americas used Sweat lodges long before Europeans arrived. Nobody knows when saunas were first used in Nordic countries, because it was before most of their recorded history. And many humans, who had access to them, undoubtedly used natural hot springs. Such things have been popular because they are physically relaxing and stress reducing. This is probably because of endorphins that reduce stressful physical pain and tension. Even if you don’t own a sauna or spa yourself, if you participate in social nudity, there are probably others in the group (or club/resort) who do. [Perhaps it should be noted here that while all this is undoubtedly true, the Nordic tradition of a Sauna has an equally long history, and with stated benefits. The Romans had similar bathing arrangements while in Ancient Greece the history of public bathing goes back as far as the 6th Century BC. Ed.]

Nude Massage: There are many different types of massage, but most have been shown to reduce high blood pressure (caused by stress) and pain (which is a source of stress). While commercial massage providers do not encourage nudity, in spite of how any clothing interferes with a full-body massage. Many nudist clubs and resorts do offer fully nude professional massage, and many club members have learned to perform massage themselves. Physical touch, of course, an integral part of any massage is stress-reducing by itself.

That’s it. As you can see, there are a lot of ways available in social nudity that can significantly counteract psychological stress – and therefore promote physical health and quality of life.

However, as bad as stress is for health, it degrades quality of life in other ways too. As the journalist Jean-Louis Servan-Schreiber wrote in The Art of Time,

What I fear most about stress is not that it kills, but that it prevents one from savouring life.

So the ways that social nudity helps control stress make this benefit even more valuable. Life is better savoured without clothes.

References The popular science magazine Science News just published a very informative feature article on stress and health in its March 7, 2015 edition: Chronic stress can wreak havoc on the body. Highly recommended.

Here’s a more technical review of the biology of how stress due to social causes leads to inflammation and other immune system problems: Stress Fractures – from the January 2015 issue of The Scientist.

The definitive book on psychological stress for the general reader is Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, by Robert Sapolsky. Although it’s long (over 400 pages, with 100 additional pages of notes), and full of technical detail, it’s well worth the effort.

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cognitivedissonance · 5 years

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My moms an addict im not sure really what could help her. But does that mean aa/na/ substance abusr groups wouldn't really help her

I’m sorry your mom is struggling with substance use/misuse. It doesn’t mean they won’t help her. What it means is that it’s not a silver bullet, and depending on what she’s using and how, medication assisted treatment, inpatient care, intensive outpatient, or a mix of those could be more beneficial.

A word of caution: If she is not ready to get help, doesn’t want help, has co-occurring mental health needs, or is struggling with polysubstance use, it decreases the likelihood of treatment success from the get-go. HOWEVER, and this is important, reconceptualize what success means in her case. Is it harm reduction? Is it eliminating the use of one substance and moderating the use of others? Or is it total abstinence? The AA/NA models advocate for total abstinence. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s where I find a lot of fault with AA/NA being pushed upon people via the criminal justice system.

If you live in the United States and she has insurance, substance use disorder treatment is covered under quite a few plans and almost universally by Medicaid.

I hope this answers your question. We do recover. Also, if your mom is using opioids, please please please get Narcan. Write me back with your city and state, and I’ll let you know how to get it. Or ask a local pharmacist.

My thoughts are with you. Be well. Remember, your mom’s substance use is her own. It’s not your fault. It’s not yours to fix. You can only love and support her to the best of your ability while maintaining healthy boundaries yourself.

Hugs,

Meghan

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personalcoachingcenter · 5 years

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We Need to Change Our Thinking About Addiction

New Post has been published on https://personalcoachingcenter.com/we-need-to-change-our-thinking-about-addiction/

We Need to Change Our Thinking About Addiction

We Need To Do the Opposite of What We’ve Been Doing to Solve Our Addiction Crisis

Why have we been doing such a terrible job of helping people who struggle with drugs?

Most addiction treatment in this country is not appealing to or effective for the vast majority of people with problematic drug use.

As a psychotherapist working on the front lines of addiction treatment for over 35 years, I am happy to report that we are in the midst of a scientific revolution in our understanding of drug use and addiction. And it is paving the way for widespread acceptance of a new and effective approach to treatment—harm reduction.

Addiction is one of America’s most urgent humanitarian crises. Today, 100 million Americans struggle with problematic drug and alcohol use. 72,000 Americans died from accidental drug overdoses in 2017, and 2018 is likely to have been worse. We spend $500 million annually on our drug problem, but only 2 cents on the dollar goes to prevention and treatment. Most people who need treatment don’t get it and treatment in this country is failing on nearly every level.

Our Thinking About Addiction Is Wrong

Thinking of addiction as a disease is largely responsible for our failure to effectively treat it. This narrative and social responses based on it have arguably been more harmful than drugs themselves.

The disease model presumes that addiction is primarily a biomedical phenomenon, a permanent condition that is arrested only by complete and total abstinence from all mood-altering substances. Much data contradicts this view. Studies show that many of the brain changes associated with chronic drug use are reversible. And many formerly addicted people are able to moderate drug use.

The disease model sees addiction as a problem isolated within the person’s biology separated from their personal psychology, relationships, and social context. This model closes down the exploration and discovery of the meaning and complexity that is contained and expressed in substance use.

Disease model addiction treatment, the dominant approach, is oriented around the requirement of abstinence. Abstinence becomes the only measure of success, and clients who continue to use drugs are considered failures. In fact, the majority of problematic drug users, like the majority of people who engage in many other risky behaviors, are not ready to change their drug use—for complex reasons that often must be addressed before the behavior can be addressed directly.

Shifting the Addiction Paradigm

If addiction is not a disease, what is it? My experience in treating thousands of people with substance use problems has taught me that addiction is a natural and meaningful response to the conditions of people’s lives and their emotional and physical impact. The physical effects of drugs are pleasurable and rewarding in relation to how we feel emotionally and physically in the context of our relationships and social lives. This view re-humanizes addiction as a psycho-biosocial (PBS) process that reflects a dynamic interplay of psychological, biological, and social factors (PBS) that are unique for each person.

In his book The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease, developmental neuropsychologist Marc Lewis says that the repetition of effective coping behaviors does change the brain—the same way that all learning does. From his point of view, addictions are previously helpful coping strategies that have become “really bad habits” embedded in neural networks that are difficult to change. However, in contrast to the disease model, this model explains how they can be changed: The brain has a built-in capacity to continue to learn new and more effective behavior throughout one’s lifetime.

The more extreme forms of addiction are on a continuum with experiences that are universally human. Who hasn’t felt all of the hallmarks of addiction: craving, compulsion, out of control and being unable or unwilling to give something up in spite of its negative consequences? A lover, sugar, binge-TV watching, coffee, cigarettes, surfing the web? We all engage in attempts at self-care and self-soothing, which, at times, can feel deeply compelling to us even when the activity is in conflict with our values.

It is possible to change behaviors that are no longer useful or that have become harmful and develop more effective ways of coping and caring for ourselves. Disease suggests permanence and powerlessness, but this is an empowerment model that inspires hope and motivation to do the work of pursuing positive change.

Often, a user needs to understand the purpose drug use serves for him or her in order to stop use and develop more effective solutions to life’s problems. It is unreasonable to expect people to give up chemical coping strategies until they have found better alternatives.

Toward a Culture of Compassionate Pragmatism

This new view of addiction supports a transformation from a culture of stigma and punishment into one of compassionate pragmatism in which treatment is guided by a desire to reduce the suffering of people who struggle with drugs in ways that actually work.

Harm Reduction Psychotherapy

The psycho-biosocial model suggests that effective treatment for problematic drug use must bring together therapeutic strategies that facilitate the exploration of the personal and relational meanings of addictive behavior with active strategies that support positive behavior change. The essence of harm reduction is to reduce the harms of drug use and other risky behavior without requiring that people first stop the behavior. This makes treatment accessible, relevant and appealing to the entire spectrum of problematic drug users at whatever point they are ready to begin their journey toward positive change—whether desiring safer use, reduced use, moderation or stopping altogether.

Harm reduction “meets people where they are” with empathy, acceptance, and compassion in a non-presumptive, collaborative spirit. This facilitates the development of positive therapeutic relationships and enhances motivation to change. Many “unmotivated” addicted people become highly motivated when they hear that this harm reduction alternative is available.

Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy (IHRP) is a treatment I developed. It is documented in a number of professional papers and described in my book Harm Reduction Psychotherapy: A New Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Problems. IHRP brings together relational, dynamic, cognitive, behavioral and mindfulness strategies in a harm reduction frame. IHRP’s core tasks can be applied to therapy or self-guided change. Each of its tasks involves specific skills and strategies that will be discussed in future posts:

Create a compassionate relationship with yourself or the person you are helping as the prerequisite for making positive change

Strengthen emotion-management skills for sitting with uncomfortable feelings and interrupting the addictive process

Discover the meaning and function of addictive behavior

Embrace ambivalence about change and dialogue with the part that wants to change and the part that is invested in the addictive behavior to increase motivation to change

Develop new solutions to this dilemma: healthier, coping strategies for what’s being addressed by the addictive behavior that will support positive changes in addictive behavior

Create a personalized positive change plan for achieving one’s goals

Advancing New Treatment Methods

The new way of responding to addiction is being increasingly accepted by a growing global movement across the planet at a grassroots level with increasing support. The Center for Optimal Living in NYC advances this new approach to healing addiction. Established eight years ago, it offers therapy to individuals and families and training to therapists and has trained people in 17 countries.

I invite you to join the movement and be part of the solution.

Go To Source

#coaching #coaching business #coaching group #coaching life #coaching life style #coaching on line #coaching performance #Coaching Tips #Coaching from around the web

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providencereiki · 7 years

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Women & Booze: Is Everything We Know About Alcoholism Wrong? - mindbodygreen.com

Women & Booze: Is Everything We Know About Alcoholism Wrong? – mindbodygreen.com

This is an interesting article on Women & Booze. The main thesis is that men and women interact with alcohol differently, therefore, Alcoholic Anonymous is not the best option for women, since many are not alcoholic according to the author. There are several important points she raises about women & booze such as the lack of ability of A.A, to adapt and update program elements that may not…

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#Abstinence #Addiction #Addiction Counseling #Alcoholic Counseling #Alcoholics #Alcoholics Anonymous #and Moderation Support #Dr. Mark Willenbring #Gabrielle Glaser #Gender Issues #Harm reduction #Moderation Management #Providence Recovery #Recovery #Recovery counseling #Recovery Treatment #Ruth Graham #women

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blockheadbrands · 4 years

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Cannabis and Mental Health: Substance Use Disorder

Andrew Ward of High Times Reports:

Substance use disorder is a serious issue. Can cannabis help heal those who suffer?

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant global issue. In 2017, 19.7 million Americans ranging from age 12 and up suffered from SUD. Of them, 74% struggled with alcohol use disorder, while 38% of addictions related to illicit drugs. In the same period, one in eight were addicted to both substances.

SUD affects both your mind and body, impacting daily life until you are unable to perform everyday functions. A person suffering from substance use disorder often cannot control their consumption, leading to ingesting excessive levels. Depending on the substance, such activity can lead to a person overdosing, resulting in thousands of deaths each year.

Since 2000, the U.S. has seen its overdose death rates increase to alarming numbers. Prescription opioid addiction caused just over 17,000 deaths in 2017. Heroin deaths exceeded 15,000 during the same period. Cocaine killed nearly 14,000, while antidepressants resulted in the loss of roughly 5,200 lives.

A person can become addicted to a variety of substances, including hard drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. One’s environment and genetics can lead to the development of SUD. Risk factors include a family’s history of addiction or a lack of involvement in a person’s life. Peer pressure is a common cause, especially when coupled with starting at an early age.

In other cases, the person with substance use disorder is introduced to drugs through medical treatment. Often, this form of addiction begins when a person is prescribed opioid medication after an injury or surgery. Once the prescription ends, their addiction lives on and manifests over time. In turn, numerous lives have succumbed to SUD just for seeking treatment to common pains.

Mental health disorders can also affect the likelihood of an addiction developing. Those with ADHD, depression, and PTSD may face a higher risk as substances are often used by patients to cope with painful thoughts and feelings. There exists a high comorbidity, or the presence of two diseases in a patient, between substance use disorder and other mental illnesses. That said, one cannot be considered the cause for the other. At this point, it is still uncertain to what degree of influence each has on the other’s development.

A cannabis dependence is a reality for some consumers. Those suffering from cannabis use disorder may experience irritability, sleep issues, and physical discomfort, among minor-to-moderate other effects.

A 2015 study cited by the National Institute for Drug Abuse found that 30% of cannabis consumers may have some degree of cannabis use disorder (CUD).

Can You Treat Substance Use Disorder With Cannabis?

While cannabis dependence is a concern for some, the topic of marijuana as a possible aid in treating substance abuse has circulated for years. However, it needs to be made clear that cannabis is not seen as a cure for any form of substance abuse. Instead, some believe that cannabis can serve as a means of harm reduction, or any type of policy, program, or practice aimed at reducing the effects of substance abuse.

“Here we need to make a clear distinction: harm reduction does not equate with recovery,” stated DeAnna Jordan Crosby, AMFT, LAADC, Psy.D. Student, and clinical director of New Method Wellness in California.

The past decade has begun to answer if cannabis fits as a harm reduction tool. A 2010 exploratory study found that marijuana appeared consistent with other drug treatment forms. Researchers noted its possible efficacy, stating that “[cannabis] may not adversely affect positive treatment outcomes,” while calling for extensive sampling in future research.

Substituting cannabis for alcohol had been studied in recent years. A 2014 review of literature found that “no clear pattern of outcomes” could be determined. While not writing off the practice, researchers stated, “Most importantly, the recommendation to prescribe alcohol-dependent individuals cannabis to help reduce drinking is premature.”

Analysis conducted in the earlier part of the decade appeared to suggest, in large part, that using cannabis as harm reduction proved uncertain and inconsistent. However, select results in recent years may have provided further insight.

A 2016 review from the University of British Columbia acknowledged the potential of cannabis in harm reduction. “In reviewing the limited evidence on medical cannabis, it appears that patients and others who have advocated for cannabis as a tool for harm reduction and mental health have some valid points,” wrote associate professor of psychology Zach Walsh.

Noting the lack of clear guidance for mental health professionals, Walsh suggested that abstinence doesn’t seem feasible in today’s world. “Knowing how to consider cannabis in the treatment equation will become a necessity,” Walsh wrote of future guidance in the field.

More recently, a 2018 study did not confirm marijuana’s role in aiding those with SUD but did note the compelling nature of its findings and the “relative safety profile” of cannabis in justifying additional research.

Matthew Ratz, M.Ed., CPRS, RPS Matthew Ratz, M.Ed., CPRS, RPS is the executive director of On Our Own, a wellness and recovery center in Maryland. Ratz, who uses medical cannabis to ease his own anxiety and inflammation, is torn on cannabis as a harm reduction tool.

The Peer Support Specialist said that he supports the multiple routes to recovery approach. “The multiple pathways paradigm states that anything that helps should be used to help. So, if pot can be used safely, great,” Ratz explained. However, he cautioned that people with addictive tendencies must exercise additional caution when around psychoactive substances.

New Method Wellness’ Crosby, a recovering addict herself, voiced concerns about cross-addiction and how marijuana can exacerbate a person’s condition. “I have personally seen many people come into treatment for a substance use disorder and have the idea that they can compartmentalize the use of cannabis, and very few succeed in doing so for any length of time,” relayed Crosby.

Crosby believes that abstinence-based recovery programs are the way to go. She thinks that harm reduction does not solve the core problem, calling it “a bandage on a bullet hole.”

While some promise appears to exist, the evidence is far from conclusive. Each case is different, and no guarantees can be made from anecdotal or lab reports at this time. Those considering cannabis as a method of harm reduction are strongly advised to consult with a medical professional and/or addiction specialist before doing so.

TO READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE ON HIGH TIMES, CLICK HERE.

https://hightimes.com/health/cannabis-mental-health-substance-use-disorder/

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alexdmorgan30 · 5 years

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Four Advocates on How Harm Reduction Can Change the Trajectory of the Opioid Crisis

Harm reduction has been a contentious topic for a while: staunch 12-step proponents who insist that abstinence is the only way to achieve recovery are met with resistance from a growing number of harm reduction activists who consider the reality of drug use more holistically while advocating for individual choice and safety. Many of us have deep-seated beliefs and strong feelings about recovery, but now more than ever we need to analyze and hopefully remove our biases, accept the overwhelming data in favor of harm reduction, and face the failed policies that have led to a national crisis. Every day 130 people die from opioid overdose in the U.S., and misuse of prescription opioids costs us an estimated 78.5 billion dollars each year.Abstinence alone isn’t working. If it were, we wouldn’t have an epidemic on our hands. Perhaps this realization is why we are seeing an increase in harm reduction measures—increased naloxone access, fentanyl testing strips, Good Samaritan laws, and needle exchange programs. And they work: many individuals enter recovery through various harm reduction programs. But regardless of whether people get treatment or not, harm reduction measures prevent disease and save lives.What Is Harm Reduction?Harm reduction is frequently misunderstood. Often people think it means the use of medication-assisted treatments (pharmacology), or moderating drug use instead of eliminating it entirely. But these are narrow definitions. Harm reduction is not a particular pathway of recovery; it is a means of reducing the harm associated with drug use.According to the Harm Reduction Coalition, “Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.”The philosophy of harm reduction accepts that drug use is complex and multifaceted, and that it involves a range of behaviors from frequent use to total abstinence. It acknowledges that some ways of using drugs are clearly safer than others. Harm reduction includes strategies such as safer use, managed use, needle exchanges, supervised injection sites, treatment instead of jail, and abstinence. It advocates for meeting the individual where they are and addressing their reasons for using and the conditions surrounding their drug use. Successful implementation of harm reduction should lead to well-being for individuals and communities, but not necessarily cessation of all drug use.Tracey Helton Mitchell, Devin Reaves, Brooke Feldman, and Chad Sabora advocate for the acceptance and practice of harm reduction. We asked what motivated them to pursue their activism and how we can all be more mindful of harm reduction principles.Tracey Helton MitchellTracey Helton Mitchell came into the public eye when she was featured in HBO’s documentary Black Tar Heroin, which documented her life on the streets on San Francisco. After she found recovery, she rebuilt her life and went back to school for a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in public administration. She has dedicated her life to advocating for the individual needs of people with addiction. She documents her journey in her book The Big Fix: Hope After Heroin.In 2016 Tracey told NPR that "We need to have a variety of different kinds of treatment interventions that address people's needs.” In response to the argument that harm reduction measures such as needle exchange enable drug use, she said: “We're not encouraging people to do anything, we're taking a look at their public health behaviors and then addressing what the particular needs are, so look at the cost of one syringe versus the cost of someone getting hepatitis C and having to take care of them for a lifetime.”What motivated you to work in harm reduction? I started in harm reduction in response to the overdose crisis that was happening in San Francisco and the Pacific Northwest in the late 90s. I knew many people who had died, including Jennifer H., a person I loved very much. How can we include more of the principles of harm reduction when dealing with people in recovery, and those actively taking drugs? Harm reduction is seen by many in the recovery community as a crutch when it should be seen as a lifeline. Harm reduction should be included as part of a continuum of care with a wide variety of options based around what is best for the person. Too much focus has been made on “abstinence only” as the standard for recovery. We need to broaden our scope. See also: Naloxone and the High Price of Doing NothingDevin ReavesDevin Reaves, MSW, is a community organizer and grassroots advocacy leader who is in long-term recovery. He is also the co-founder and executive director of the Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Coalition (PAHRC), serves on the Camden County Addiction Awareness Task Force, and sits on the board of directors for the Association of Recovery High Schools. He has worked on the expansion of access to naloxone, the implementation of Good Samaritan policies, and the development of youth-oriented systems, and he is leading conversations to bring about public health policy changes in the area of substance use disorders.PAHRC’s mission is to promote the health, dignity, and human rights of individuals who use drugs and the communities affected by drug use.What motivated you to work in harm reduction? As someone in recovery who lost a lot of friends to substance use disorder, when I learned about Narcan, I wanted it to be more available because I was sick of my friends dying. Seeing that harm reduction wasn’t utilized made me want to fight to see more of it: syringe services programs or more innovative programs.How can we include more of the principles of harm reduction when dealing with people in recovery, and those actively taking drugs? We can provide Fentanyl testing strips, Narcan, and sterile needles to use. For those seeking recovery, we should also provide Narcan because they are still at risk. What people don’t know about harm reduction is that individuals in programs of harm reduction are five times more likely to enter treatment—it is a pathway of recovery. Brooke FeldmanBrooke Feldman, MSW, is a social justice activist who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a person in long-term recovery from substance use disorder. She has spent the past decade advocating for wellness and long-term recovery being accessible to all.What motivated you to work in harm reduction? Well, I think I was pretty primed to embrace harm reduction principles over 10 years ago when I was taught what are called “recovery-oriented” care principles. Back in 2008, and only a few years into my own recovery journey, I was working for an organization called PRO-ACT at Philly’s first Recovery Community Center. We had a sign on the wall that greeted people with, “How can I help you with YOUR recovery?” and we were educated and trained in practices such as meeting people where they’re at, supporting people in working toward their own goals rather than our goals for them, recognizing that abstinence is not the goal for everybody, and embracing diversity in recovery experiences and mosaics of pathways. My experience with what we call recovery-oriented practice over the past decade set the stage for harm reduction principles and practices to fit perfectly. Unfortunately, while I have found my own professional experience, education, and training in recovery-oriented care to fit neatly with harm reduction, I still see many gaps between the harm reduction and recovery movements. A large motivator for me currently is the strong desire to bridge those gaps, to highlight shared goals and values, and to be part of unifying the two movements wherever possible. I believe people die in the cracks of the divide, and I hope to serve as part of the glue that seals the cracks.How can we include more of the principles of harm reduction when dealing with people in recovery, and those actively taking drugs? I think that if we center the human rights of choice, self-determination and autonomy when it comes to directing the course of one’s own life, we become more inclusive of harm reduction principles across the board. One concrete area for centering these principles is that of the use—or declined use—of medications to treat opioid use disorders. People have a right to utilize evidence-based medications to aid in their recovery, and people also have a right to decline the use of medication as part of their recovery. Nobody should face discrimination or refusal of resources, supports, and services based on this choice of what to put in their bodies. Also, one of the things I love about the harm reduction movement is the social justice focus. In my experience, the harm reduction movement centers the roles that oppression and marginalization play when it comes to how our systems, and society at large, respond differently to drug use depending on the skin color or socioeconomic status of the drug user. I think that centering social justice would put us all in the right position when it comes to both people currently using drugs and people in recovery, however that recovery is self-defined.Chad SaboraChad Sabora is the co-founder and executive director of the Missouri Network for Opiate Reform and Recovery (Mo Network), an organization that offers services to those struggling with substance use disorder and their loved ones. He has been the focus of several episodes of the show Drug Wars on Fusion and was part of an Emmy award-winning episode of NBC News with Brian Williams. Sabora has been an expert correspondent on CNN and MSNBC. He is also president and co-founder of the nonprofit Rebel Recovery Florida, and he is on the board of directors of the Discovery Institute for Addictive Disorders in Marlboro, New Jersey. Sabora is also known for filming himself while touching fentanyl, thus debunking the myth that you can overdose through skin contact with the illicit substance.Uniquely experienced as a former prosecutor and a person in long-term recovery, Sabora left legal practice in favor of pursuing drug policy reform and advocacy. He founded Mo Network in 2013, where he heads their work on legislative policy reform. Sabora and Mo Network focus on expanding services based on evidence-based solutions, and they lobby for more effective drug policy locally in Missouri and also at the federal level.He has helped write, advocate for, and pass several pieces of legislation in Missouri, namely first responder access to Narcan, third-party and over-the-counter access to Narcan, 911 Good Samaritan immunity, and access to medication-assisted treatment in various environments such as addiction treatment, mental health facilities, family court, and for certain frequently-overlooked populations such as veterans.What motivated you to work in harm reduction? The overwhelming data, basic common sense, failed policies of the past, and unconditional love was the motivation.How can we include more of the principles of harm reduction when dealing with people in recovery, and those actively taking drugs? Inclusion will come in time, as long as we stay vigilant. Changing moral compasses and inherent biases could take a generation before we see the full impact.Read Chad's rules for staying alive while using drugs (including how to use naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose) A Call to Action: We Need Harm Reduction NowThe evidence is clear: If we provide the education and resources for people to use drugs safely, we reduce disease and save lives. Frequently we open the door to recovery. Isn’t it time for us all to start advocating for (or at least accepting) harm reduction wherever and whenever we can?

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8241841 https://ift.tt/2ufvzvg

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pitz182 · 5 years

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Four Advocates on How Harm Reduction Can Change the Trajectory of the Opioid Crisis

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emlydunstan · 5 years

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Four Advocates on How Harm Reduction Can Change the Trajectory of the Opioid Crisis

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8241841 https://www.thefix.com/four-advocates-how-harm-reduction-can-change-trajectory-opioid-crisis

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thegloober · 6 years

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Giving up alcohol? What really happens when you go teetotal for a month

Thinking of joining the High Sobriety trend by giving up alcohol for a month? Content Editor Sharon Walker talks to the experts about what’s the point

If you signed up for Sober October, the month-long break from booze, well done. If you’re still on the wagon now a big high five, you’re more than half way through.

Not that any of this is likely to affect you if you’re one of the new Gen Z soberistas as a new survey in the journal BMC Public Health shows that a full third of young people aged 16-24 say they don’t drink at all. The study all also suggested that fewer young people are drinking harmful amounts.

Last year, 75,000 people signed up for Go Sober for October, raising £5m for Macmillan Cancer Support.

But for the rest of us, giving up alcohol completely, even for a month, can be a challenge. Alcohol is so much part of British culture it’s hard to avoid it, but there’s no doubt about it the excuse of Sober October provides a handy get out; it’s so much easier not to cave in to pressure with a good cause in your corner, especially if your mates are doing it with you.

Last year, 75,000 people signed up for Go Sober for October, raising £5m for Macmillan Cancer Support. With one in five adults drinking over the recommended upper limit of 14 units aweek, according to a YouGov poll this year, this should surely be good news, but only if – and this is the reason these month-long ‘detoxes’ are sometimes criticised – we don’t fall into the trap of rebound drinking, making up for lost time with double shots and Jagermeister chasers all round.

The short-term benefits of giving up booze

Recent research at University College London published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) earlier this year studied the effects of giving up alcohol for a month in 94 moderate – heavy drinkers who routinely consumed more than the government guidelines (average intake of 28 units a week).

Not only did the abstainers lose weight (just under 2kg/4.4lbs on average) their insulin resistance – a marker for type 2 diabetes – improved by around 25%, while blood tests for inflammation and liver function showed a small improvement. They also saw a small drop in blood pressure and a reduction in cancer-related growth factors.

So what does this mean? These results underline the fact that our alcohol intake does indeed influence all these risk factors. Though there’s no suggestion that a month off booze could reverse any serious damage. What’s more important is the amount of alcohol you drink in a lifetime, say the experts.

‘We found striking benefits from a month of abstinence, in these otherwise healthy volunteers,’ says the study’s lead researcher Dr Gautam Mehta. ‘The change in insulin resistance in particular was large, around 25%, and the cancer-related growth factors decreased in almost every participant.

‘What we don’t know is how durable these benefits are once people re-start drinking. However, our participants also felt a lot better, in terms of sleep and concentration. It allowed them to re-set their relationship with alcohol. Six months later, the proportion drinking at harmful levels had decreased by over 50%.’

What about ‘rebound’ drinking?

Is there any evidence to show that we go a bit crazy after a month of abstinence? In a word no. In fact, results from two further recent studies, would seem to suggest the opposite. After a month off alcohol most people re calibrate their relationship with alcohol and drink less after the detox.

Last July the BBC’s Trust Me I’m a Doctor team paired up with scientists from University College Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, led by liver specialist Prof Rajiv Jalan, for a programme to coincide with the start of Sober October, on October 3rd.

most of the people who entered the challenge were still drinking significantly less six months later

The study looked at the effects of giving up alcohol for a month in a group of 26 people and found the benefits were most pronounced in heavier drinkers, who regularly drank over the Government’s recommended limit of 14 units a week. While the light drinkers quickly bounced back to their pre-detox levels, three weeks after the dry period ended the heavy drinkers were still drinking 70 % less.

An earlier study published in the Journal of Health Psychology, in 2016, found that far from ‘rebound’ drinking following dry January, most of the people who entered the challenge were still drinking significantly less six months later and that this benefit was even seen amongst those who didn’t complete the dry month.

So if you didn’t sign up this October it’s certainly worth throwing your hat in the ring for a Dry January detox.

Weight-loss, better skin, better sleep AND more money – the long-term effects

Giving up booze short term certainly has its immediate benefits, but as the experts confirm the major benefits come not from the short-term taking a month off but by knock-on effects after the ‘detox’, whether that’s in October, or any other time of year.

‘People who do Dry January report sleeping better, losing weight and saving money. They say their skin improves, their eyes look brighter, and they can concentrate better. They tell us that they just feel better,’ confirms Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Concern.

‘But really it isn’t about the benefits you experience during January. By doing Dry January, we reset our relationship with alcohol – learning when and why we drink, the situations in which we find it hard to refuse, and the techniques we need to take control of our drinking.

‘Over 70% of people who try a Dry January have lower AUDIT scores (a World Health Organisation measure of risky drinking) than they did before the month six months later.

That means that last year over 3.6 million people cut down – and it’s these long-term, healthier choices that are the biggest benefit of Dry January. When we drink less we reduce our chances of developing liver disease, six types of cancer and several mental health.

4 ways to support your body as you come off alcohol

Whether you’re mid ‘detox’ or generally looking to cut down, there’s plenty you can do to support the process especially if you’re someone who reaches a for a glass of wine when you’re stressed.

Take B vitamins Research shows that supplementing with B vitamins can help if you’re feeling the strain at work, moreover since alcohol can also deplete your B vitamins a supplement could help redress the balance. ‘Giving up alcohol is not an easy thing, so supporting your body with the right nutrients can really make the process smoother,’ says leading nutritionist Marta Anhelush.

‘Alcohol can deplete a lot of your nutrients, especially B vitamins, which are crucial for our nervous system and the production of key mood neurotransmitters such as dopamine or serotonin. Taking a good quality multinutrient, like BioCare’s Methyl Multinutrient, which contains a good dose of B vitamins, in the most bioavailable forms, alongside minerals such as magnesium, chromium and manganese, can not only help with mood, but also stabilise your blood sugar levels to avoid dips in energy or cravings.’

Find a way to unwind that doesn’t involve wine o’clock If you’re one of the people who drinks to relax or help you to fall asleep, you might want to try unwinding in a healthier way with meditation, exercise or a yoga class to replace wine o’clock – that way you’re adding something lovely to your routine instead of only taking away…

Try some calming herbs ‘Certain herbs and nutrients can be very soothing, including theanine and lemon balm, as well as magnesium taurate,’ says Anhelush. You can these nutrients in BioCare’s NT Complex.

Increase your antioxidants If you’ve been regularly exceeding the recommended limits it’s a good idea to boost your antioxidants with a more plant-based diet (antioxidant rich foods include dark green leafy vegetables, purple and red berries and dark chocolate that is at least 70 per cent cocoa) or an antioxidant supplement as research shows this could help prevent damage to your liver.

‘Many plant chemicals can have very powerful antioxidant and protective properties, especially those that are rich in sulphur; from broccoli (e.g. indole-3-carbinol), pomegranate extract or L-theanine, ’ says Anhelush.

For an antioxidant boost Anhelush recommends BioCare’s Cysteine Complex with pomegranate and broccoli extracts, which have been shown to help with the efficient removal of alcohol from the body, as well as protecting from free radicals, which are created when alcohol is processed.

5 ways to drink less – from someone who knows

When journalist Helen Foster gave up drinking and wrote about it in her brilliant book Quit Alcohol (for a month), she discovered lots of science-backed ways to cut back on drinking without really noticing. Here are her top tips for going sober for October, or indeed any time.

Drink from a wine glass ‘The tip that helps me most is to drink everything in a wine glass – water, tonic, non-alcoholic beer – it just makes you feel like you have a drink in your hand,’ says Foster.

Our favourite non-alcoholic tipples for grown ups right now include, Thomas & Evans, The London Essence Co., and Monte Rosso.

Put your glass down on a table when pouring a drink as you put less in it – 12% according to one study. ‘Old fashioned 1970s wine glasses will also immediately cut you’re drinking in half – they are made for a 125ml measure – not the 250ml plus today’s wine glasses hold.’

Know your triggers ‘If you drink in the same place, same time, every night you’ve developed a habit and you need to break it,’ says Foster. ‘Breaking a habit can mean changing one of three things – the trigger that sets you on the habit path.

So, for example, if you always have a glass of wine while cooking dinner, can you do a massive batch cooking session on a Sunday morning when you won’t want a drink and then just warm things up for a week or two to get you out of the habit of drinking.

‘You can change the action – if you don’t have any wine in the house you can’t drink when cooking, end of story!’

Or just change the reward – what does that wine give you while you’re cooking? Can you find that in another way? Maybe you hate cooking and it’s your treat for doing it – what else could you use to make you feel good – playing your favourite music really loud while you cook for example?

Get your excuse ready If you feel under pressure to join the ‘party’? Come up with a line as to why you aren’t drinking. ‘Antibiotics never fails but you can’t use it that often,’ says Foster. ‘Training for a half-marathon is a good one as no-one wants to hear running stories.

It does need to be believable though – if you’ve never run a step in your life and you suddenly announce you’re running the London marathon to avoid a pint don’t be surprised if people query it or ask for a link to your Just Giving page.

More Healthista Content:

How to cook healthy with alcohol – the chef’s guide

10 ways to relax after work without alcohol or food

Does quitting alcohol mean giving up going out? Healthista’s Charlotte Dormon says ‘No’

Are you a functioning alcoholic?

Source: https://bloghyped.com/giving-up-alcohol-what-really-happens-when-you-go-teetotal-for-a-month/

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darrellafrytx · 6 years

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7 Ways to Encourage Your Child in Recovery

Is your child in early recovery?

Are you relieved yet also continue to worry?

When your child decides to make changes in their life, it can be a huge relief.

You can be a great source of encouragement for your child. It is helpful to learn about things you can do to be supportive.

Your child has taken the time and made the effort to change. It is important that you as a parent have also made some changes so that you are both moving forward in a positive direction.

Here are seven ways that you can encourage your child to stay on their positive track.

1. Notice when your child is doing something positive

Think back to a time that you have made difficult changes in your life. What was the most helpful for you? Was it being around someone who noticed all the positive things that you were doing? For most people that would be a “Yes.”

Whenever you are making a change, acknowledgment of what you are doing well can motivate you to continue on. This holds true for your child who is trying to live a healthier lifestyle. There may have been negative behavior in the past. You may still be harboring some resentments about the past.

To help your child succeed, notice what he is doing well.

Look for something positive each day if you live close by. If you live further away, listen carefully when you have phone conversations. Try to pick up on what your child is doing that is positive. Let him know you appreciate his efforts.

Our kids don’t feel great about themselves when their lives are in disarray. It helps to have others remind them of their good qualities.

2. Support your child by staying sober when you are with them

Not everyone will agree to this, but I found it helpful when my daughter was in early recovery to not drink. Some parents stop drinking completely when their kids have substance use issues.

Other parents are so uncomfortable with their child being sober, they offer them a drink, thinking one or two doesn’t hurt anything. This is not helpful when your child is trying to make a change and can lead them back down the road to addiction.

Some choose harm reduction, so not everyone is in full sobriety. Yet, if your child is staying sober, it is helpful during family gatherings to limit drinking. A few volunteers may want to choose to stay sober as well. It doesn’t hurt anyone to take a break from drinking on occasion.

Standing up to the temptations of our society which pushes alcohol use every chance it gets is not easy. Your child will need his inner strength to stay sober. The more you can support your child by not having alcohol be the center of every family function, the better.

3. Don’t monitor your child’s recovery program

While you may worry that your child will relapse, it is not helpful to express that worry by monitoring your child’s progress.

If your child is living at home it can be tempting to follow up to see if your child is attending meetings, seeing their counselors, or attending other support programs. This may be a condition of living with you, in which case you could draw up a contract that you both agree to and that seems achievable.

If your child is living further away or in a sober living home, this won’t be as much of an issue. You will also have less of an opportunity to know what is going on. Use your gut instincts or allow the sober living personnel to be your child’s support person. In either case, nagging, and repeating the same information over and over is not helpful. When your child is trying to change, no matter what stage they are in, positive reinforcement for what they have done well is more helpful.

The most successful situations seem to be when parents allow their children to own their situation. They are there for them in a support role to help them make decisions. When invited to step up, you may be pleasantly surprised at the change.

4. Remind your child that there are many avenues to recovery

In the last few years, more recovery options have opened up. Some people may decide to stop or lessen their use on their own. Others may want some kind of help. Seeing an addiction counselor or therapist is an option. Others may enlist the help of a recovery coach.

There are various types of meetings your child could attend for support. Here are five options:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem. Meetings are held throughout the country and are based on the twelve steps.

SMART Recovery® is a well-known, self-empowering, scientifically based addiction recovery support group. Participants learn tools for addiction recovery based on the latest scientific research and participate in a world-wide community which includes free, self-empowering, science-based mutual help groups.

The SMART Recovery 4-Point Program offers tools and techniques for each program point:

Building and Maintaining Motivation

Coping with Urges

Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors

Living a Balanced Life

Refuge Recovery is a mindfulness-based addiction recovery community that practices and utilizes Buddhist philosophy as the foundation of the recovery process. Drawing inspiration from the core teachings of the Four Noble Truths, an emphasis is placed on both knowledge and empathy as a means for overcoming addiction and its causes. Those struggling with any form of addiction greatly benefit when they are able to understand the suffering that addiction has created while developing compassion for the pain they have experienced. Refuge Recovery offers meetings, meditations, and a podcast.

Life Ring is a network of positive support groups for living free of alcohol and other “drugs.”

“Imagine that inside of each person who is struggling with drug and/or alcohol issues, there is a conflict between a voice that wants to keep drinking/using, and another voice that wants to be free of the drug and lead a better life. We abbreviate these voices as the “A” (the addict self) and the “S” (the sober self).

After each meeting, the “S” in each person is stronger than before. At some point, the person experiences a transformation. The “S” grows stronger than the “A” and rises to the top.

Moderation Management (MM) is a behavioral change program and national support group network for people concerned about their drinking and who desire to make positive lifestyle changes. MM empowers individuals to accept personal responsibility for choosing and maintaining their own path, whether moderation or abstinence. The organization promotes early self-recognition of risky drinking behavior when moderate drinking is a more easily achievable goal.

It offers a supportive mutual-help environment that encourages people who are concerned about their drinking to take action to cut back or quit drinking early before drinking problems become severe.

5. See if your child is a good fit for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

There are a number of FDA approved, evidence-based Medication Assisted Treatments (e.g., buprenorphine, naltrexone/Vivitrol, methadone) for opioid use disorders, which are treatments that support long-term recovery and significantly reduce overdose rates.

Medication Assisted Treatment or MAT is a treatment option for those who are struggling with substance use disorder because of their opioid use. Medications such as naltrexone (Vivitrol), buprenorphine (Suboxone), and Methadone are prescribed to help reduce the cravings that often derail a person’s recovery. Researchers now know that these medications are saving lives.

According to Dr. Ken Saffier, MD, who works with substance use disorder patients in northern California, the benefits of opioid “maintenance” are:

Increased treatment retention

80% decreases in drug use, and crime

70% decrease in death rate

A decrease in Hep C, and HIV transmission

Successful alternative to80-90% relapse rate to drug use without MAT

These medications need to be prescribed by a doctor. MAT is not for everyone, yet, the traditional drug and alcohol treatment industry has been slow to support their use. It is an option that could help your child rebuild their life and reduce concerns about relapse.

6. Have patience

You may have expectations that once in recovery, your child will be experiencing euphoria. Your child most likely does feel better about himself. He has made the choice to live a better life which is always good.

Yet, with your child’s drug use, there was a rush of dopamine. Now that your child is trying to change, his brain may crave that rush of dopamine he had when he was using substances. Your child’s brain is telling him that something is wrong or missing. That is why your child may turn back to drug use.

Many do manage their cravings and successfully move through this stage. Yet, you may feel confused because your child doesn’t seem to be in a great mood. He may feel worse before he feels better. Patience and understanding are helpful during this time. The longer your child stays on his path of change, the easier it will get. Over time, his brain will start to produce the needed dopamine naturally.

7. Take care of yourself

Knowing that your child is in recovery can be a huge relief. Yet, once about 48 hours pass you may find yourself worrying once again. This time it could be worrying about relapse.

With addiction, the possibility of relapse is real. Yet the more you can stay optimistic and calm, the better it will be for you and your child. The road to changing one’s life can have starts and stops.

Stress has been shown to be a factor in relapse. If you are worried and anxious, that can cause stress for everyone around you. Do what you can to stay calm, optimistic, and hopeful. When your cup is full, you will feel more resilient. You will be a better support for your child.

You will have a better chance that your child will keep moving forward and not look back.

When you find that your child is ready to change their life, it can feel like a burden has been lifted. Your fears will begin to subside. The more you can support your child, have patience and understanding, the easier the process will be.

Keep hope alive no matter where you are on your recovery journey.

There are millions in long-term recovery. Your child can be there too!

If you find yourself worried and stressed because your child is in the midst of their use or in early recovery, reach out for a Parent Breakthrough Session. It will help you make better decisions and help you feel better.

from Drug Rehab Treatment Near Me https://cathytaughinbaugh.com/7-ways-to-encourage-your-child-in-recovery/ from Addiction Treatment News https://addictiontreatmentnews.tumblr.com/post/176371633832

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addictiontreatmentnews · 6 years

Text

7 Ways to Encourage Your Child in Recovery

Is your child in early recovery?

Are you relieved yet also continue to worry?

When your child decides to make changes in their life, it can be a huge relief.

You can be a great source of encouragement for your child. It is helpful to learn about things you can do to be supportive.

Your child has taken the time and made the effort to change. It is important that you as a parent have also made some changes so that you are both moving forward in a positive direction.

Here are seven ways that you can encourage your child to stay on their positive track.

1. Notice when your child is doing something positive

To help your child succeed, notice what he is doing well.

Our kids don’t feel great about themselves when their lives are in disarray. It helps to have others remind them of their good qualities.

2. Support your child by staying sober when you are with them

Not everyone will agree to this, but I found it helpful when my daughter was in early recovery to not drink. Some parents stop drinking completely when their kids have substance use issues.

3. Don’t monitor your child’s recovery program

While you may worry that your child will relapse, it is not helpful to express that worry by monitoring your child’s progress.

4. Remind your child that there are many avenues to recovery

There are various types of meetings your child could attend for support. Here are five options:

The SMART Recovery 4-Point Program offers tools and techniques for each program point:

Building and Maintaining Motivation

Coping with Urges

Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors

Living a Balanced Life

Life Ring is a network of positive support groups for living free of alcohol and other “drugs.”

After each meeting, the “S” in each person is stronger than before. At some point, the person experiences a transformation. The “S” grows stronger than the “A” and rises to the top.

It offers a supportive mutual-help environment that encourages people who are concerned about their drinking to take action to cut back or quit drinking early before drinking problems become severe.

5. See if your child is a good fit for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

According to Dr. Ken Saffier, MD, who works with substance use disorder patients in northern California, the benefits of opioid “maintenance” are:

Increased treatment retention

80% decreases in drug use, and crime

70% decrease in death rate

A decrease in Hep C, and HIV transmission

Successful alternative to80-90% relapse rate to drug use without MAT

6. Have patience

7. Take care of yourself

Knowing that your child is in recovery can be a huge relief. Yet, once about 48 hours pass you may find yourself worrying once again. This time it could be worrying about relapse.

You will have a better chance that your child will keep moving forward and not look back.

Keep hope alive no matter where you are on your recovery journey.

There are millions in long-term recovery. Your child can be there too!

from Drug Rehab Treatment Near Me https://cathytaughinbaugh.com/7-ways-to-encourage-your-child-in-recovery/

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jakehglover · 6 years

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Here's How Alcohol Can Increase Your Risk for Alzheimer's

By Dr. Mercola

Drinking alcohol has been found to have both a protective and damaging effect on the brain, depending on which study you read and how much alcohol is consumed. The jury is still out on whether light or moderate consumption may be good for your brain, but it's becoming increasingly clear that heavy drinking is not. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago even revealed how alcohol may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, by disrupting the way amyloid beta is cleared.

Amyloid beta is a protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease that can clump together in the brain, building up into groups of clumps or a sticky plaque that may disrupt cell-to-cell signaling.1 The study, published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation,2 reveals that binge drinking or heavy alcohol consumption may make it more likely that the brain will accumulate these damaging proteins, contributing to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Alcohol May Disrupt Your Brain's Ability to Clear Harmful Amyloid Beta

The study focused on rat microglial cells, which are immune system cells in the brain and spinal cord that actively work to clear amyloid beta in a process known as phagocytosis. Researchers exposed the microglial cells to alcohol (in a level comparable to that found in people who drink heavily or binge drink), inflammatory cytokines or a combination of alcohol and cytokines for 24 hours.

The expression of over 300 genes was altered following exposure to alcohol, while exposure to cytokines resulted in changes in more than 3,000 genes and the combined alcohol and cytokines exposure caused changes in over 3,500 genes. Many of the altered genes were involved in phagocytosis and inflammation.3 Notably, microglial phagocytosis was also affected by alcohol, decreasing by about 15 percent after one hour of exposure.

Although the tests were performed in isolated rat cells, which means real-life alcohol consumption in humans may lead to a different result, they suggest that alcohol may hinder the microglia's ability to clear amyloid beta, thereby increasing the risk of Alzheimer's. Speaking with Newsweek, the study's lead author, Douglas Feinstein, professor of anesthesiology in the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, suggested people at risk of developing Alzheimer's may want to be especially careful with alcohol consumption:4

"There is a large literature supporting the idea that low amounts of alcohol can be beneficial; not only peripherally but in the brain. However, it might be prudent that if someone is at risk to develop AD [Alzheimer's disease], they should consider to reduce their alcohol intake; and certainly avoid binge or heavy drinking."

Alcohol Linked to Dementia, Including Alcoholic Dementia

Drinking heavily is known to harm your brain and can lead to alcohol-related brain damage known as alcoholic dementia. The white matter in your brain is considered the "wiring" of your brain's communication system and is known to decline in quality with age and heavy alcohol consumption. While not a true dementia like Alzheimer's disease, the symptoms, such as problems with decision-making, slower reasoning and changes in behavior, can be similar.

However, unlike Alzheimer's, if you stop drinking alcohol it's possible to recover, fully or partially, from alcoholic dementia. That being said, heavy drinking or engaging in binge drinking is also linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, according to two reviews conducted by Alzheimer's Disease International and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).5

The Alzheimer's Society explained, "People who drink heavily over a long period of time are more likely to have a reduced volume of the brain's white matter, which helps to transmit signals between different brain regions.

This can lead to issues with the way the brain functions. Long-term heavy alcohol consumption can also result in a lack of vitamin thiamine B1 and Korsakoff's Syndrome, a memory disorder affecting short-term memory."6 It's also been suggested that alcohol may add to the cognitive burden seen in dementia via neuroinflammation.7

NAD and Niacin (Vitamin B3) Are Important if You Have Alcoholism, May Help With Alzheimer's

People with chronic alcoholism are at risk for niacin deficiency, both due to a reduction in dietary intake of niacin and interfering with the conversion of tryptophan to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) (the dietary precursor of which is niacin).8 It's also thought that people with lower NAD levels naturally may be at increased risk of addiction, including to alcohol. NAD is also known to be depleted in Alzheimer's disease. Small doses of NAD (not time released) can be incredibly helpful when provided while weaning off alcohol.

The treatment helps to curb cravings for alcohol, detox the body, flushes alcohol (or other drugs) out of the system and relieves withdrawal symptoms. As a potent antioxidant, NAD helps to create energy in cells' mitochondria as well as increases the synthesis of neurotransmitters in the brain.9 What's more, it's being considered as an important therapeutic strategy to help maintain optimal function in the brain and possibly even treat Alzheimer's disease. According to a review in Current Opinion in Psychiatry:10

"Perturbations in the physiological homoeostatic state of the brain during the ageing process can lead to impaired cellular function, and ultimately leads to loss of brain integrity and accelerates cognitive and memory decline.

Increased oxidative stress has been shown to impair normal cellular bioenergetics and enhance the depletion of the essential nucleotides NAD+ and ATP. NAD+ and its precursors have been shown to improve cellular homoeostasis based on association with dietary requirements, and treatment and management of several inflammatory and metabolic diseases in vivo.

Cellular NAD+ pools have been shown to be reduced in the ageing brain, and treatment with NAD+ precursors has been hypothesized to restore these levels and attenuate disruption in cellular bioenergetics."

NAC May Help You Cut Back on Alcohol, Prevent Alzheimer's

If you're a social drinker who perhaps could benefit from cutting back on your drinking, also consider N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). NAC is a form of the amino acid cysteine and is known to help increase glutathione and reduce the acetaldehyde toxicity11 that causes many hangover symptoms. In addition, NAC is known to reduce alcohol consumption and withdrawal symptoms in rodents and cut down cravings in humans.

In a study of people who averaged one drink a week (or binge drinking 0.3 days a month), NAC increased the likelihood of alcohol abstinence and reduced drinks per week and drinking days per week.12 Meanwhile, if you are planning to have a drink, try taking NAC (at least 200 milligrams) 30 minutes before to help lessen the alcohol's toxic effects.

NAC is a powerful antioxidant known to directly target free radicals, especially oxygen radicals, which is important since oxidative damage is believed to be involved in Alzheimer's disease. NAC, in turn, may decrease levels of oxidative damage by protecting mitochondrial function, and in so doing reduce Alzheimer's risk, especially when combined with lipoic acid (LA). As noted in a review published in Cell Journal:13

"Combination of both LA and NAC maximizes this protective effect suggesting that this may prevent mitochondrial decay associated with aging and age-related disorders such as AD. Antioxidant therapies based on LA and NAC seem promising since they can act on mitochondria, one key source of oxidative stress in aging and neurodegeneration."

As for whether or not alcohol can be good for your brain, there is some research showing that light-to-moderate drinking may have neuroprotective effects. For instance, consumption of up to three servings of wine daily is associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease in elderly people without the apolipoprotein E4 (APoE4) gene, the gene thought to be most strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease.14

However, as James A. Hendrix, Alzheimer's Association director of global science initiatives, told Newsweek, "no one should start drinking alcohol as a means of lowering dementia risk."15

More Tips for Cutting Back on Drinking

If you believe you have an alcohol use disorder (alcoholism), seek professional help. If you drink excessively on occasion and would like to cut back, you can try keeping track of how much you drink and setting limits on how much (or little) to consume. You should also avoid places, activities and even people who may tempt you to drink and seek out new positive hobbies and friendships to replace them.16

Exercise is also essential. When you drink, it chemically alters your brain to release dopamine, a chemical your brain associates with rewarding behaviors. When you exercise, this same reward chemical is released, which means you can get a similar "buzz" from working out that you can get from alcohol. In one study, hamsters that ran the most consumed less alcohol, while less active hamsters had greater cravings for and consumption of alcohol.17

In addition, exercise may help to mitigate some of the risks of alcohol consumption. Longtime drinkers who exercise regularly have less damaged white matter in their brains compared to those who rarely or never exercise.18 As a bonus, exercise may also reduce declines in cognitive performance attributed to aging as well as protect against changes related to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.19

Key Strategies for Alzheimer's Prevention

Avoiding excess alcohol consumption is important in Alzheimer's prevention, but it's far from the only tool at your disposal. Dr. Dale Bredesen's (director of neurodegenerative disease research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine, and author of "The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline") ReCODE protocol actually evaluates 150 factors, including biochemistry, genetics and historical imaging, known to contribute to Alzheimer's disease.

This identifies your disease subtype or combination of subtypes so an effective treatment protocol can be devised. Prevention is far better than treatment, however, and for this it's important to focus on a diet that powers your brain and body with healthy fats, not net carbs (total carbohydrates minus fiber), i.e., a ketogenic diet. the ketogenic diet will help you optimize your health by converting from burning carbohydrates for energy to burning fat as your primary source of fuel.

You can learn more about this approach to improving your mitochondrial function, which is also at the heart of Alzheimer's disease, in my book, "Fat for Fuel." One of the most common side effects of being a sugar-burner is that you end up with insulin and leptin resistance, which it at the root of most chronic disease. Keep in mind that adopting the ketogenic diet along with intermittent fasting may further boost your results, especially if you have the ApoE4 gene.

from HealthyLife via Jake Glover on Inoreader http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/06/21/alcohol-increases-alzheimers-disease.aspx

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