Welcome to Drug and Alcohol Treatment
| ||
Christian Drug Rehab Programs Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Christian Drug Rehab Programs. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
from:
Alcohol and Drug Rehab: Triggers, Cravings, Relapse and Recovery
By Jonathan Huttner
It has taken some time but, researchers have come to the conclusion that drug addiction and alcoholism are diseases and like other diseases, are chronic and those afflicted are subject to relapse. From a medical perspective, addiction can be compared to diabetes in that it will require long term treatment, lifestyle changes, medication at times and if not monitored, relapse will occur.
Experts with The National Institute of Drug Abuse feel it is not reasonable to expect a recovering addict or alcoholic to maintain lifelong abstinence with just one treatment or rehab experience. Furthermore, Dr. George Koob, a professor with the Scripps Research Institute agrees. His research has shown that approximately 80 percent of the addicts and alcoholics who experience detox return to drug or alcohol use within a year.
Discovering why addicts and alcoholics are so prone to relapse is an area of great concern to all of us. One aspect we identified is that of craving. Craving is the incredible desire an addict or alcoholic still feels for the substance days, months or even years into recovery. Research has shown us that the cravings that the addict or alcoholic experience could be directly related to the long term changes in brain function, due to the drug and alcohol abuse. In essence, the brain has become conditioned to function under the influence of drugs or alcohol and does not function efficiently without it.
Secondly, it has been established that cravings can be a conditioned response to triggers that the recovering addict or alcoholic may encounter, for example old people, places or things associated with the person’s prior drug or alcohol use. Relapse triggers, as they are termed, can create powerful emotional and sometimes physical responses that can lead up to incredible urges to use drugs and alcohol again. It is for this reason individuals early in sobriety are urged to change so many aspects of their life. With all of this said, it is clear that a person’s relapse is usually preceded by other difficulties which result in the addict or alcoholic feeling angry, lonely, depressed or in self pity.
The issue with relapse that is infinitely grave is not necessarily the fact that the addict or alcoholic has used or drank again, but the quantity and frequency with which they use is almost identical to right before they began their recovery. Very few, ease their way back into their drug or alcohol use. They begin as if they never stopped.
An experiment performed by Dr. Koob demonstrated that when alcohol was removed from alcoholic or addicted rats for three or four days and then returned, the rats consumed 50 percent more drugs or alcohol as they consumed before. As common as this behavior is among the people that relapse, it is one of the most misunderstood.
There is good news and that is if a relapse is caught early, it can prove to be a very valuable educational tool. The recovering addict or alcoholic might then practice the principles taught to them in their alcohol and drug rehab program with more willingness and motivation than ever before.
It appears that for those people that are able to maintain long term recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism the solution is much greater than just abstaining from drugs and alcohol. The other part of the equation lies in being able to identify cravings, wait out the feelings and become aware of what actually triggered them. Through becoming aware of what triggers the craving, the recovering person can make effective changes in their “life style” which can result in fewer urges to drink or drug. Finally, there are a number of well-known alcohol and drug rehab support groups that provide much needed support to help addicts (and their families) cope with the long term issues associated with drug addiction and alcoholism.
Jonathan Huttner is one of the the principals at Lakeview Health Systems, an addiction treatment, alcohol and drug rehab facility. Addiction treatment information and free live help 24/7 is being provided online at RecoveryConnection.org.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Huttner
http://EzineArticles.com/?Alcohol-and-Drug-Rehab:-Triggers,-Cravings,-Relapse-and-Recovery&id=154938
Christian Drug Rehab Programs Specific links
Christian Drug Rehab Programs News
Whitney Houston found dead in Calif. hotel, age 48 - Reuters
 BBC News | Whitney Houston found dead in Calif. hotel, age 48 Reuters She launched a comeback tour in 2009, and in April 2010 she called media reports she was using drugs again "ridiculous." In May 2011, Houston enrolled in a drug and alcohol rehab program. Despite her personal troubles, Houston commanded great affection ... Whitney Houston found dead at age 48 |
Amber Portwood of 'Teen Mom' Latest Young Celeb to Head to Rehab - Christian Post
Amber Portwood of 'Teen Mom' Latest Young Celeb to Head to Rehab Christian Post ... Christian Post Reporter Amber Portwood, star of MTV's "Teen Mom," has avoided jail, but will be making another trip to rehab under a plea deal, making her the latest among several young celebrities who have needed help dealing with drug or alcohol ... |
The Disaster at "Christ is Love" - NewDesignWorld (press release)
The Disaster at "Christ is Love" NewDesignWorld (press release) (NewDesignWorld Press Center) - 27 people were killed and at least five others critically injured by a fire that swept through Christ is Love, a privately run drug rehabilitation facility. Patients were trapped behind locked doors and barred windows. |
Vital Signs, 2/12 - San Angelo Standard-Times
Vital Signs, 2/12 San Angelo Standard-Times A Bible-based, Christ-centered 12-step recovery program for adults 18 years and older. Meetings, open to anyone who wants to address their hurts, hang-ups or habits, are every Thursday from 7 to 9:30 pm at PaulAnn Baptist Church, 2531 Smith Blvd. Free ... |
At least 26 killed in Peru drug rehab fire - ABC Online
 Castanet.net | At least 26 killed in Peru drug rehab fire ABC Online A fire swept through a three-floor drug rehabilitation centre on Saturday in a busy area of Lima, killing at least 26 people and injuring 12 others who were trapped inside, authorities said. The iron doors to the "Christ is Love" centre were locked, ... Fire in drugs rehab 'prison' claims 26 Fire sweeps Peru drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, killing 27 and ... 25 dead in Peru drug rehab fire |
Community Services from Feb. 12 - Gadsden Times
Community Services from Feb. 12 Gadsden Times Christians Against Substance Abuse, a 12-step program, is at 6 pm Mondays for women and 6 pm Thursdays for men in Rainbow Church of Christ, 2201 Rainbow Drive. Call 256-547-3731. NEW BEACON HOSPICE has a program for veterans called Hospice for Heroes ... |
Macaulay Culkin Gaunt Photo: Publicist Says No Cause for Concern (VIDEO) - Christian Post
 Christian Post | Macaulay Culkin Gaunt Photo: Publicist Says No Cause for Concern (VIDEO) Christian Post By Daniel Distant , Christian Post Reporter Pictures of actor Macaulay Culkin have surfaced with the star looking gaunt and haggard. The photos immediately caused worry among his fans, however, despite his appearance, the actor's representatives have ... |
For your health - Foster's Daily Democrat
For your health Foster's Daily Democrat The program "Knowing the Difference: Senior Moments vs. Alzheimer's disease" will be offered free. Group size is limited, and pre-registration is required. For information on programs, support groups, and community resources and to reserve at space for ... |
Calendar of events - The Daily News Journal
Calendar of events The Daily News Journal Survivors of Suicide support group meeting: 7 to 8:30 pm, second and fourth Monday each month, Central Christian Church, 404 E. Main St., Murfreesboro. Group for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Free. Call 615-513-7863 for details. |
Please Help Mitchell Mazda Continue to Support the Christian Mission Food ... - PR.com (press release)
Please Help Mitchell Mazda Continue to Support the Christian Mission Food ... PR.com (press release) John Belcher, Christian Mission Centers provides counseling, food, shelter, clothing, help with medicine and home utilities, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation to those in need in Enterprise Alabama as well as other locations throughout the state. |