Tag: recovery

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It Affects You Too: How to Deal with Addiction in Your Loved Ones

While most addicts come off as selfish…

Leaving people questioning:

How could you do this to your family?

People Standing on Dock during Sunrise

Don’t you care that you are hurting those around you?

 

The real problem is that they are so blindsided by their drug of choice that they do not even notice that their addiction is hurting those around them. In their mind, they think they are only hurting themselves. However, this mentality only makes things worse…

Because the truth is – the addict is hurting everyone they come in contact with. It could be as simple as upsetting their parents because they are watching them be so sickly to something more major like physically abusing their spouse or children. Whatever the case may be, addiction is not a victimless crime.

But, oftentimes, people are so focused on the recovery of the addiction they forget to focus on the friends and family hurt by the addiction. As the loved ones of an addict, not only are you effected but you still remain their support system and you need to be prepared for how to deal with their addiction.

A few tips to ensure your mental and physical health stay in check during the process include:

  1. Discover how to love an addicted person and still stay healthy. Seems almost contradictive, doesn’t it? Addiction can be toxic – even for those not suffering directly from it. Learn how to distance yourself when needed, learn how to avoid stressful situations that might put you in an uncomfortable or risky position.
  2. Stop blaming yourself. Even if you feel as though you might have caused the addiction, ultimately it is their decision. They made the choice to pick up that bottle or that dirty needle – you did not place it in their hand.Take a step back and examine your part in this. You are there to help them, but you did not do the damage so you should not feel guilty.
  3. Understand the difference between “self-care” and “selfish.” This is seen in addicts and in caretakers, you can easily forget about yourself and feel guilty if taking time for yourself – feeling like you are selfish. However, that is just a misconception that creeps in. Taking time for self-care is not selfish – you need time to rest, rejuvenate, and focus on you.Addiction can be contagious, especially if you are putting yourself in extremely harsh physical and mental situations. You are not helping them any more if you are not first helping yourself.

 

 

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Addiction and Substance Abuse: How is it plaguing our military?

It is no secret that the military is a tough job…

While people do go into the field willingly, it does not come without first understanding what they are getting into and the events they could potentially be exposed to.

Line of Soldiers Walkin

The harshness of the elements, lack of sleep, extended time away from family – all of these factors combined can really begin to change a person.

Why is substance abuse so prevalent?

While everyone is affected by these situations, some struggle with it in a different way. Unfortunately for some military personnel, the events of war can lead to struggles with substance abuse and addiction.

Especially in our veterans, substance abuse and addiction are becoming increasingly prevalent…

Combat is vastly different from how it used to be and now the increased trauma and terror has begun to take a toll on our service members.

One main door to addiction is prescription pain killers…

As these service members return from war with injuries causing excruciating pain, they are frequently treated using prescription painkillers. However, this method of treatment is highly addictive and over time can lead to abuse and addiction of the prescribed medication.

Substance abuse can be used as a method to deal with problematic symptoms of mental or physical injuries or disorders.

What is the statistics?

Numerous studies have shown a correlation between veteran substance abuse, depression, and suicide. In fact, in a single study involving around 600 veterans – who had been deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan – 39 percent showed a positive screening for probable alcohol abuse. Furthermore, 3 percent showed a positive screening for probable drug abuse.

So, what does that mean? That means that in that single study, a total of 42 percent of veterans showed signs of probable abuse – whether it is drugs or alcohol. The numbers speak for themselves – that is almost 50 percent of our veterans.

Furthermore, these statistics show numerous people who are at risk of suicide. One of the major negative causes of addiction is the depression and sadness it can lead to. Unfortunately, this depression and sadness can also lead to harming others, self-harm, and even suicide.

Do you know a veteran that needs help? Or maybe you are the veteran or a current fighter pilot suffering from addiction?

Make yourself aware of the signs of addiction and take action before it is too late.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SeqZs4tURI

Get the help you need, today. A Substance abuse Inpatient program can help start Your new future waiting right outside the door of recovery.