Equine Therapy, also known as Horse-Assisted Therapy (or HAT), is a way to motivate adults to stay in addiction treatment programs for a long enough period of time to recover. Equine Therapy uses horses as metaphorical experiences that stimulate emotional growth. This is crucial in recovering from drug addiction and developing self-efficacy, self-concept, communication skills, trust, and perspective. A qualified therapist can observe the behavior and emotional reactions of each client with horses in order to help them establish healthy relationships between themselves, their friends, and family.

Horses and Substance Abuse Treatments

The main goals of equine therapy are to address subjects such as boundaries, communication, anxiety, focus, awareness, balance, coordination, memorization, and more. Because of their acute awareness of emotional and mental changes, horses play an important part in addiction therapy. The therapist examines the horse’s behavior in relation to the client’s moods, and then extracts information from their interactions with the horse.

A horse’s behavior is like a mirror, it reflects the depressed state or calm state of the handler. The behavior of a horse helps a client to become self-aware and builds trust because most clients perceive horses as friendly and non-judgmental. These interactions allow the client to let their guard down and give the therapist insight into their state of mind. The positive therapeutic partnership between horse and human improves the outcome of treatments. 

Equine Therapy is Supported Scientifically

Many studies have discovered that women who chose horse-assisted therapy had great self-esteem and self realization after going through the process. This enabled them to end abusive relationships. Equine therapy and other animal-assisted therapies have been used to treat depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder (ADD), substance abuse disorders, and other chronic diseases.

How Did Equine Therapy Start?

The history of therapeutic riding and therapy with horses dates back many years. Greek literature dating as far back as 600 B.C. shows that horseback riding was a form of therapy. The therapy was first formally introduced in Scandinavia in 1946 to treat poliomyelitis. Therapeutic horseback riding was then made possible in North America in 1960. It was a motivating form of recreation for people with disabilities.

Although other animals can be used for therapy, horses are the most well-known because of their immediate feedback. Horses are intimidating and large, which makes the client focus on gaining trust from the animal as well as trusting the animal in return. 

How Does Equine Therapy Assist With Mental Health?

Equine therapy is a form of mental healthcare that involves horses and it is sometimes called equine assisted therapy (EAT). Although it may seem strange to use horses for mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or addiction, it is a common and popular treatment. Equine therapy is a popular treatment option for people suffering from mental disorders because it helps them to feel empowered and find relief from everyday life.

Although you might believe that horse therapy only involves riding horses, it isn’t just that. Equine therapy includes caring for and building relationships with them. Horses are sensitive and intelligent animals. It is impossible to expect them to trust you if you don’t first gain it. This means that horses have expectations of people who work with them. The person involved in addiction or mental health programs is now responsible.

What is Equine Therapy Used For?

The main advantage of working with horses is relationship-building skills. Equine Therapy teaches how to balance internal emotions, assertiveness, resilience, non-verbal communication, positive emotional growth, mindfulness, and more.

Building relationships and avoiding isolation are key components of addiction recovery and mental therapy. It is easy to fall back into old habits and relapse if you are isolated and lack healthy relationships. Both those with mental illness and addiction can benefit from Equine Therapy. It helps them to understand their responsibility to stay sober and build stronger relationships.

Who Benefits From Equine Therapy?

Working with horses can be beneficial for almost everyone. Equine therapy is particularly beneficial to those who are in addiction recovery dealing with some of the most commonly treated addictions or to those who suffer from anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, eating disorders, or depression. People tend to lose their confidence and retreat into isolation in any of these cases. These people can be helped to open up and control their impulses by therapy with horses. Horses are almost like a living mirror, giving immediate feedback on interactions.

How is Equine Therapy Applied?

Horsemanship can include more than riding, cleaning, and grooming. The session’s therapist will usually set goals for each session. One session may involve the patient leading the horse from one place to the next or attaching a halter to the horse. The patient and therapist will discuss their ideas and thoughts about how they completed the duty.

This application is for people suffering from anxiety because it encourages the patient to be present and focused, rather than worrying about the future or past. They need to communicate with their handler, the therapist, and the animal. This kind of “living in the present” activity is also beneficial for those suffering from depression or other mental conditions. 

Cognitive therapy is another application that allows patients to focus on the animal that they are working with. Equines may react to danger by becoming hyper-aware of the world around them. These changes can be seen and felt by patients as they watch the animal. The patient should remain calm and accept responsibility for the animal’s fear.

Scheduling is a common part of this therapy because people with certain disorders may avoid their personal responsibilities. These people can regain their sense of structure and responsibility by scheduling activities to care for and work with animals.

Why Are Horses Great For These Types of Therapies?

Equines are intelligent, sensitive, impartial, and non-judgemental. They react only to the way the person acts and how they feel about it. They are not concerned about past mistakes or appearances. This is often described by patients as a relief in therapy, and it can help with self-esteem and confidence.

Equines are also herd animals which make them prey animals. They are vigilant and alert for dangers, which means that they are keenly aware of their surroundings. They are also able to adapt to human interactions. Patients have the unique chance to feel loved by another being when they go through therapy with horses.

Conclusion

Equine-assisted therapy is a great option for those suffering from anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders. Many rehab centers provide this type of therapy both for addiction treatment and mental healthcare treatment.

For those who are looking for meaning and a new hobby, equine therapy can be very beneficial for their addiction treatment. Many people can experience profound changes in their behavior and thoughts. Contact a reputable drug rehab to learn more about our programs.

Because of the serious health risks involved with drug addiction, it is understandable that many people will seek help with drug addiction recovery as soon as they decide to turn to drugs or alcohol. The problem is that a majority of those who are trying to quit drugs or alcohol are not sure what they should expect during the process. Some people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol are not even aware that they have a problem. This is because there are various ways to self-medicate for certain addictions, such as morphine addiction, whether it be through alcohol or prescription medications.

Drug addiction recovery requires both personal and institutional help. The addict will need extensive therapy and will be required to stay away from drugs while they are in recovery. The addict will likely need medication for some time during the recovery process. Some drugs, such as methamphetamines or crystal meth, will be hard to kick at first, making it difficult for an addict to stop using them. Other harder drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and crack cocaine, will require a more serious effort on the part of the addict to quit using.

Classes of Drugs

Drugs are divided into classes and there are many classes. For example, there are analgesics, anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, drugs for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, cancer drugs, and others. A drug class is basically a group of compounds and other substances that all have the same intended chemical structures, a similar mechanism of action, an effective mode of action, or are employed to treat the very same disease.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established the following five classes of drugs according to the United States Pharmacopoeia. These are: Analgesics, Antidepressants, Carbamazepine, Cyprindiol, and Tricyclic Antidepressants. These classes are further divided into two additional classes, namely, Tolerable Drug Substances or TDSS and Manual Control Substances or MCS. The main difference between these two classes of drugs is that MCSs can be recommended for children while TDSS is recommended for adults.

Addiction Recovery Programs

Most programs that concentrate on drug or alcohol rehabilitation focus on the effects of drug addiction on family members first. As such, if you are an individual seeking to recover from an addiction to a substance abuse, it is important that you work on rebuilding trust between you and your family. If you can show your family that you are sincerely trying to work on being clean and breaking free of your drug or alcohol addiction, you can begin the process of reconciling with them.

While there are many different methods of addiction treatment, many professionals believe that the most successful method of treatment is a residential treatment. If you are searching for the most effective way to cure your substance use disorder, then you should look into going to a drug rehab center. Drug rehab centers are able to treat various types of addictions. An addiction to alcohol is one of the most difficult to conquer, but there are countless other types of addictions that have been successfully treated at drug rehab centers throughout the United States. Alcohol addiction treatment outcomes vary, depending upon the severity of the addiction. Most successful drug addiction treatment outcomes are achieved when the addict has achieved a certain level of stability and sobriety.

Here are Some of the Commonly Treated Addictions

Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepine is an antidepressant that is given to treat depression and is sometimes given in combination with mood stabilizers. It works by fooling your brain into thinking you are not depressed. This trickery gives you a false sense of security so that you will be less likely to feel depressed. Unfortunately, because your body has become dependent on these mood-stabilizing agents, it can become difficult to get off of them for long periods of time.

Once a person becomes addicted to benzodiazepine, it is very difficult to stop using the drug without going through withdrawal. This is because your body has been so reliant on the drug for its mood-stabilizing effects that you will have to go through with the withdrawal process if you want to permanently remove the drugs from your system. Because the drug is so addictive, people who try to quit often have horrible withdrawal symptoms that are very hard to live with. Most of the time they are not able to last even a few hours without using the drug, and at times it can be even more dangerous to them than being depressed.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a highly addictive cathinone alkaloid and powerful stimulant, mainly obtained from the leaves of two cocoa species. It is most popularly used as a euphoric and recreational stimulant. Cocaine acts at the central nervous system to release neurotransmitters such as nor epinephrine and dopamine, both of which are widely used in the body for a range of functions, including movement, mood, anxiety, memory and alertness. These neurotransmitters act at synapses in the brain, allowing nerves in the body to communicate with other neurons, and ultimately to provide pleasure. Cocaine acts at the monosynaptic sites, which are involved in the transmission of impulses along the line of afferent nerves, with other synapses forming secondary ones at visceral areas, insular regions and reticular areas. It has been estimated that cocaine use leads to the formation of at least six times more synaptic connections than would be normal in normal physiology.

There are two major health effects resulting from continued use of cocaine, which both increase with increased usage and intensity. The first is increased blood pressure and heart rate; this is coupled with feelings of paranoia, anxiety and irritability. The second is profound mental delusion which may result in hallucinations such as hearing voices and seeing things that aren’t actually present. As these levels of paranoia increase, so does the risk of delirium tremens (falls in which patients suffer uncontrollable shaking and sweating).

Amphetamines

One of the most difficult addictions to break is that of amphetamine abuse or amphetamines addiction. This is because of the fact that amphetamines make the brain work much harder than it normally does, which can ultimately lead to the user’s inability to focus and to remember things. The side effects of this drug include speed, a euphoric high, and the feeling of being full for a longer period of time than normal. This can make it very hard to maintain the motivation needed in order to stop using that as a result can contribute to their becoming addict. It is these things along with the fact that amphetamines actually do have a lot of medical benefits that makes people continue to use them despite the serious side effects that come with them.

One of the things that make amphetamines so addictive is that they affect the reward system in the brain. The reward system is where the brain sends signals telling us that something good has happened if we continue to perform a certain action. For example, when we go to the gym and perform some form of exercise we are rewarding ourselves for our performance. The dopamine that is released into our bodies increases and this causes us to crave the reward that is being offered.

Opiates

Opiates are chemical substances which act directly on opioid receptors to produce opiate-like euphoric effects. Medically they are most commonly used for chronic pain, particularly for severe pain, as well as acute pain. In fact, many of today’s prescription pain killers can be considered opiates, because they react in a similar way to opiates. An opioid is a chemical substance that causes the body to release opiates, or opiates.

Doctors classify opiates into two groups: synthetic and natural. Synthetic opioids are considered quite dangerous because of their ability to cause addiction and dependency. This type of substance often mimics other chemicals in the body, so the person taking it may experience an assortment of different side effects. Conversely, natural opiates are not considered to be as dangerous because they occur in natural quantities in certain plants and herbs. Although there are synthetic varieties of these substances available over the counter, they usually come in dosages far too large to be effective.

Alcohol

Alcohol addiction is one of the most misunderstood addictions. It’s easy to see why, as alcohol abuse is the worst form of physical dependence. People start out with alcohol as a social drink, maybe at a party or a friend’s house. Over time, however, they begin to realize that they can’t function without it, and their lives become unmanageable.

The first step to recovery from alcohol addiction is to seek help. Alcoholism rehab centers are the best way for people who have an alcohol addiction to recover. The staff takes the issue of addiction seriously and will do whatever they can to help the recovering addict achieve success. They treat the problem holistically, encouraging patients to make positive lifestyle changes in the area of alcohol abuse while helping them reclaim their life. The more people who receive treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction, the fewer people there will be who continue to suffer and die due to the disease.

Get Help

With proper treatment, most adult drug addicts can lead normal lives that involve close relationships and involvement in social and work life activities. Inpatient drug addiction recovery treatment centers provide the necessary inpatient facilities to successfully treat adults. Regardless of the treatment method used, the primary goal of successful drug addiction recovery should be to help the person feel healthy and satisfied with his or her life, and to help him or her develop the necessary skills to avoid drug relapse.

If you or someone you know may be suffering from any type of addiction, then you need to seek out professional help. There is help available for many people who suffer from substance addictions. Drug rehab centers are the place you need to turn if you or someone you know needs help with substance abuse issues. There is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed about seeking help with any type of addictions. The more you accept responsibility for your problems, the better off you will be.

DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN TEENAGERS

Research has shown that drugs have become more potent over time. Also, there is increased accesses to these drugs making them ubiquitous. What was considered safe and neutral grounds in the past, like schools and colleges, have not been spared either. In fact, the most common drugs abused by teenagers can be easily accessed from their homes. They include prescription drugs and alcohol. Studies have shown that most teenagers are subjected to different drugs at the average age of 12.

 

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS BY TEENAGERS?

 

Most drugs available to teens come in their natural and synthetic forms. While some of these drugs have been in existence for a very long time now, it seems like new drugs keep popping up as the years go by. If you visit a treatment center today, you will be surprised by the numerous number of times they find themselves dealing with a drug they have no knowledge of. However, the most common drugs abused by teenagers include:

 

• Cocaine

• Heroin

• Inhalants

• LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

• Marijuana

• Synthetic Marijuana

• Ecstasy (Molly)

 

When it comes to prescription drugs, the ones most commonly abused by teens include:

 

• Xanax

• Ritalin

• Vicodin

• Adderall

• Ambien

• Oxycodone

• Codeine

 

Out of all these drugs, the most commonly used among teenagers is marijuana and alcohol. Studies have shown that while the use of illicit drugs has waned among teenagers over the years, marijuana use has surpassed regular cigarette use.

The increased demand for these drugs has made most teenagers susceptible to the use of adulterated drugs. This is because a majority of the drug dealers and pushers lace the drugs with substances meant to improve the potency levels so they can keep up with the demand. This can have a devastating effect on anyone who uses these drugs.

 

CAUSES OF DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG TEENS

There is no clear indication as to why some teenagers fall into drug and substance abuse. However, there are a number of factors that have been proven to increase the likelihood of them using and abusing drugs. They include:

 

• Abusive parents

• Lack of parental involvement

• Mental or emotional strain

• Traumatic events

• Poverty

• Environment

• Genetics

• Peer pressure

 

Research has also shown that drug and substance abuse is more prevalent in men than it is in women. The gap, however, is not that huge. A child or teenager who grows up in an environment where drug use is rampant is more likely to start using drugs destroying their minds. There has also been an increase in drug and substance abuse among teenagers who attend affluent and upper-class schools. This is because of the availability of disposable income, coupled with, often, absentee or disengaged parents.

 

EFFECTS OF DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN TEENAGERS

 

Drug and substance abuse can have detrimental effects on a teenager’s life. The level of addiction is based on the type of drug being abused. Many a time, teens will feel like they are unvanquishable and immune to the dangers posed by drugs, but that is never the case. Teenagers who engage in drug and substance abuse are prone to the following risks:

 

•Becoming ill or serious injuries

• Being kicked out of school

• Job loss or difficulty finding employment

• Acquiring financial debt

• Serving time in jails or prisons

• Loss of pregnancy or birth defects

• Becoming a degenerate

• Contracting sexually-transmitted diseases

• Overdose

• Death

 

HOW TO TREAT DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

 

Under the right conditions, a person suffering from drug and substance abuse can be treated. Most teenagers fall into this kind of life because of an acquired behavioral problem. However, if the cause of the problem is ingrained and biological, the recovery process can be difficult. There are quite a number of traits that can tell you if a person is strung-out. They include: trouble at school or work, financial problems, change in hygiene, and lying, among others.

 

The first step is to help the person in getting help. There are helping clinics all across the country that have qualified staff to help treat drug addiction, properly. Some of the most common available treatment options in most of these centers include counseling and therapy. Just because someone is a drug addict doesn’t mean that they can’t turn their life around. They can be helped.

 

What is Huffing?

Huffing, sniffing, and bagging is what kids are doing these days to get high. Whatever they call it, the basics of it are when a teenager or even younger kids inhale chemical vapors for a quick high. It is estimated that as many as two million of our children aged 12-17 are huffing, sniffing or bagging – many of which are addicted. Some experts studying this ongoing issue say that first experiences can be as early as 6 – 8.

While most parents are serious and watching for signs of their kids using drugs or alcohol, kids are turning to the poison found on any shelf in our homes and legally bought at any store. Inhalants are cheap and available in most households.

So what are they huffing? Try paint thinner, gasoline, markers, nail polish, correction fluid, rubber cement, keyboard cleaners and a whole list of other substances that are considered legal. Just about everything in an aerosol can be mind altering if it is inhaled deeply and don’t think it is something new. A disturbing study as early as 2005 revealed that girls are huffing more than boys.

The key ingredient for many of the products the kids are using is toluene, a clear, colorless liquid used as a solvent and found in gasoline, paint thinners, fingernail polish, antifreeze and countless other highly toxic items. Inhaling this substance can result in slurred speech, disorientation and other symptoms that are associated with intoxication.

You might think that your child would never do something so seemingly stupid. But, if their friends are telling them it’s fun and they should try it and you haven’t specifically talked to them about the dangers of sniffing furniture polish, are your really convinced that they won’t?

kids huffing

Long term effects of Huffing

Repeated exposure to toluene causes permanent brain damage, depression and even death. Other seemingly innocent products that kids are using to get high include cough and cold medicines, hand sanitizer, dry-erase markers, nitrous oxide canister (whip-it) , body spray, and nutmeg. Yes, nutmeg. Our kids are watching YouTube and learning that if you add enough nutmeg to your morning OJ you can hallucinate.

There is a long list of inventive abuses for using these over the counter items: A half-bottle of Robitussin in a sports drink enables “Robo-tripping” in public. For more information on it check out YouTube again which has over 500 videos of Robotripping teens. A box of Coricidin (“Triple C”) tablets added to a bag of Skittles that can be taken to school. Dry-erase markers can be sniffed. Nitrous oxide capsules, aka “whip-its,” are available online. Kids put them into balloons,  tie them off and they use them for huffing.

The list goes on and on.

One of the newest methods of getting high is using Axe Body Spray (One of the “10 most shoplifted items”). A group of kids spray it into the crooks of their arms, then they all stand in a circle to contain the fumes and inhale. The high only lasts a few seconds so it’s very hard to trace in the bloodstream, the kids just smell really good.

Parents need to become more aware of the ways that youths are finding to get intoxicated or high, so they can watch for the indicators, and have a serious conversation with their kids about the dangers. Much of this activity is taking place right under our noses. For example, kids are drinking hand sanitizer, because it has an alcohol concentration of 80 percent.

Signs your child might be huffing.

A kid high on chemicals will be dazed, have slurred speech, may lose their appetite or be nauseous. Watch them for general drunk-like behavior. They might have a consistent runny nose and sores rashes around the mouth and nose. A simple, common tip off is the strong chemical odor on their breath.  

You may see paint or other stains from cans on the child’s face, hands, or clothing. Look for an excess of empty containers in the trash or maybe hidden around the house or outside. Kids also put substances on rags to inhale them so watch for chemical soaked cloth or clothing.

Teen prescription drug use is at epidemic levels

While all of these uses are highly dangerous for our children one of the more disturbing things that is happening is that our kids are using prescription drugs. This problem is currently at epidemic proportions. There is a prevailing assumption that prescription medications are safe. Kids think that if it’s in the medicine cabinet it’s okay because it was prescribed by a doctor.

Unfortunately a child’s access to prescription drugs is most often found through unwitting adults. Drugs containing benzodiazepine (including Valium and Xanax) are opiates, and they are incredibly lethal when combined with alcohol.

Why do something so stupid?

The reason youths make such ill-advised choices is in part physiological. Scientific study has proven that prior to the age of 20 or so, the brain’s frontal cortex (which manages our self-regulating mechanism) has not fully developed. The result is kids not limiting or even being able to manage their behaviors.

Such behaviors are self-perpetuating, and early substance abuse can cause neuroanatomical effects of the brain. Many of these household substances when used for huffing destroy the prefrontal cortex of the brain, making it so even if you want to stop making stupid decisions, your brain says ‘too bad; I’m done. And there are no brain transplants available.

Dropping a few dabs of Visine into a drink can cause hallucinations, too. Using substances such as eye-drops and hand sanitizer will result in side effects such as vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea. An adult might experience those symptoms and realize that they don’t want to do that again. While for kids it’s a badge of honor and when they’re done throwing up, they’ll have another shot.

What drives a young person’s quest to numb reality?

Its no secret that teens have a propensity toward addiction.  Among the experts surveyed, the consensus is that social media has exacerbated the ever-present pressures of school life. Whether it’s a lack of communication with parents, their social status, body image or just typical hormonal growing pains, in seconds, a teen can text, tweet or post a comment about another to hundreds of peers, with devastating effects.

Experts cite the key factors as being social media stress, teen dating violence and cyberbullying. Keep in mind that most teens have a minimum of three Facebook pages: one their parents see, another that some peers see, and then one all of their peers see. It’s pretty shocking when you see what kids are saying about each other. Then there are plethora of other social media apps that kids are using to ensure that their parents don’t see what they and their peers are saying to each other.

Dangers of Huffing

What can you do?

Fortunately, there are many parents, local law enforcement agencies and school administrators who are tackling these issues head-on. In some cases, offering on-campus drug/alcohol counseling services, while school resource officers from local police departments help channel youths into appropriate diversionary programs.

There is a long list of subset problems that surround chronic substance abuse with youth breaking into homes and stealing items that can be sold in order to buy drugs. Gang warfare erupts when a potential interloper threatens drug sales on a specific turf. The incidence of violent crime among teenagers is way up in many large cities and the violence is escalating.

With summer in full swing, and, in many cases, both parents working outside of the home, our continued vigilance is mandatory. Parents can’t put their kids in bubble-wrap, but knowing who their friends are, ensuring they are where they say they are, and that they are doing what they say they’re doing, is essential to keep our children safe from making bad decisions that could affect them for life. But, top priority for every parent should be to educate themselves about the substances that can be abused, watch for changes in behavior, and pay attention to the warning signs of substance abuse.

Get on YouTube, read up online, and be aware of what your kids have access to. For those of you who don’t want to “invade your child’s privacy,” remember that your kids are living in your house and they’re don’t pay rent. You have every right to search their room and their backpack and their dresser drawers and it’s okay to ask questions. You need to know what’s going on at all times. It’s up to you to help them understand the dangers that are out there because they don’t know and can’t know unless you teach them or something devastating happens.  Its important to understand that Huffing doesn’t generally happen in moderation, most kids huffing are facing other addiction issues

If you believe you child is using drugs, find professional help. Don’t be afraid to have uncomfortable conversations with them. No parent should ever have to look back and regret that they didn’t have that tough conversation with their kids.

 

Addiction to Pain Killers After a Surgery/Injury

After a surgery or injury, the pain can be so great that taking painkillers prescribed by your doctor seems the only option. Usually, recovery is quick and the painkillers can be stopped after just a few days. However, sometimes those painkillers are needed for an extended period of time to live a tolerable life.

The most effective painkillers after a surgery or injury are opioids, which are highly addictive. Heroin and opium are also opioids. These drugs give the user a euphoric feeling, which makes the user want to continue use. Opioids are a type of drug that people develop a tolerance to over time, meaning that they will gradually need more to get the same euphoric feelings, leading to  opioid addiction.

Doctors often prescribe 30 days of painkillers, and when they’re on hand, the temptation can be to use them. Painkillers are chemically very similar to opiates like heroin, and are very easy to become addicted to. Sadly, after the prescribed painkillers are gone, many people find themselves purchasing heroin—which is cheaper and doesn’t require doctor visits.

addiction recoveryIt’s important before you have a surgery to plan ahead. Talk to your doctor about managing your pain. Many painkillers for post-opt are very easy to become addicted to. Knowing what to expect beforehand can help you be hyper-aware of whether you may be on the path to becoming addicted to your painkillers. If you have ever struggled with addiction in the past, let your doctor know so that you can find alternative methods to mediate your pain.

Make sure that you have a good support system of family and friends who can pay attention to your actions and behavior—it may not be easy to notice the addiction in yourself. Know the signs of addiction:

  • Craving your medicine
  • Mood and behavior changed, like anxiety, hostility, and irritability
  • Continued use after the initial pain has ceased
  • Increasing use without doctor recommendation
  • Seeing multiple doctors to obtain more prescriptions
  • Illegally buying the prescription or other drugs
  • Withdrawing from friends, family, work/school, social activities

You may not have realized that addictions were setting in while taking the painkillers. Once you stop taking them, you might experience withdrawal symptoms. Many people continue to take drugs to avoid these pains of withdrawal. Know the signs of withdrawal:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle aches and pain
  • Depression
  • Cramping
  • Flu-like symptoms

If you feel like you are becoming addicted, or are already addicted, talk to your family and friends about it. Go see your doctor so that can you be weaned off of the drug/painkiller in the healthiest way.  In the worst cases, you may need rehab and help staying in remission.

 

One small piece of knowledge that most people have heard but rarely adhere to is the old saying “All things in moderation”. Essentially it means that almost all things we indulge in are ok for the most part as long as we do not over-do it. Have a slice of pizza, not the whole pizza. Enjoy a drink or two, not all of them. For the most part this is easy to follow for some people who can eat a slice or have a drink. Not everyone handles things in the same manner.

History of Over Indulging

Some of us tend to over indulge in the things we get the most pleasure from. This can be food for some or more dangerous substances such as heroin for others. Society has had addicts for as long as we can remember. Ancient China and the Middle East have had opium addicts for centuries. In the US rather than opium it was heroin that ravaged the country and created addicts among the American people. Along with the heroin at the time was alcohol addiction affecting many people. Soon after the pharmaceutical industry created an enormous number of addicts with all the narcotic based prescription drugs being over prescribed to patients all over the country. Now the medical industry and the government began to notice the growth of addicts in the country. The issue now was how to deal with all the people addicted to the different substances.

Rehabilitation From Addiction

Along comes the idea of Rehabilitation centers to help treat people with addiction issues. One of the first rehab centers was founded by former First Lady Betty Ford who suffered from addiction to alcohol and prescription painkillers. The doors opened to the Betty Ford Clinic in Rancho Mirage, California in 1982. The clinic first was opened to women with addictions to alcohol and drugs. Today the clinic is known as the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and now treats men and women who live in separate areas with gender-specific treatment programs.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction

With drug addiction the steps can be lengthy and dangerous especially with substances the human body can become physically addicted to such as opioids. The first step is detoxification where all traces of the substance are expelled by the body. At this time the patient can go through withdrawal where the body still wants more of that substance. This can be extremely painful for the patient. Once the body has detoxed treatment begins with physical and mental health. There are many treatments available depending on the substance that was abused as well as the mental health of the patient.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcoholics have had a program open to those who recognize the need for help with a problem.  There are many alcohol rehabs throughout the country.  Back in the 1930s the Oxford Group were known to practice a formula for self-improvement by admitting wrong doings, making amends, performing self-inventory, meditating, and mentoring others in the same practices. Some of the practices they performed were things such as not drinking and using the power and support of the group to hold firmly to that practice. With success from those who wanted to make a difference Alcoholics Anonymous was essentially created. Mostly known today as simply “AA”, there are meetings in cities all over the world where anyone can join.

Addictive Personalities

As society grows so do the kinds of addictions. In the early years it was simply drugs like opium and heroin, as well as alcohol. In the 21st century we now have people who are addicted to technology. Young men and women are playing video games and staring at small screens more often than not. People are suffering from eye problems with failing sight at a high rate. Some people are suffering from seizures triggered by the content of video games and online videos. Another relatively new form of addiction is sexual addiction. Sexual addition is estimated to effect 6-8% of the population whether physical or pornography.

With a large number of new addiction types plaguing society, professionals had to develop new treatments and regimens sculpted around the addiction type. The treatments for drug addiction are straight forward with detox to rid the body of narcotics, and then helping that patient get healthy both physically and mentally. This was a tried and true method for drugs, not so much for addiction to technology or pornography. The development of new treatments also led to the foundation of new clinics and other organizations that focus on rehabilitation.

With the foundation of the Betty Ford Clinic as the first rehabilitation center, many more have joined the club. Some of the others are clinics like Crossroads, Townsend, Serenity Vista, and New Beginnings. All of which provide assistance and treatments for many different types of addictions. Some are private and some are public centers. Many may or may not accept some insurance plans depending on location therefor it may be best to call ahead for information pertaining to treatments and compensation. Most general information about the clinic or foundation should be available online.

Treatment for Addiction

With all of the options available for treatment of addiction there is one factor that is most important. The addict must want to change. Knowing there is a problem is the first step in overcoming addictions. Unfortunately some patients are in treatment due to legal circumstances rather than by choice. No matter the circumstances of why the patient is there for treatment there can be progress with a willing participant. Rehabilitation centers have been helping patients overcome addictions to substances and other things for many years. Some of the methods have had great success that helps people to change their lives for the better.

Opiod addiction continues to soar at alarming rates. In fact, more people are now addicted to opiods than cigarettes and other tobacco products. The most commonly abused opiods include Morphine, Oxycodone, and other pain killers. Like anti-anxiety and anti-depressant meds, opiods are highly addictive and can cause mental and physiological problems. If you are one of millions suffering from opiod or other types of addictions, drug rehab centers specific for prescription medications can help. In fact, drug rehabilitation clinics have helped countless people overcome addictions and get their lives back. All it takes is one phone call or e-mail to access a wealth of information and resources on battling and winning the fight over addictions.

Drug Rehabilitation Center Services

Drug rehabilitation centers feature industry-leading mental health professionals and doctors. There is always an emergency response unit available, and all patients are guaranteed timely and efficient care at all times. As part of any drug rehab program, patients will discuss their addictions with a psychiatrist or mental health expert. With years of extensive medical experience, they will determine the best route of action to take in helping you overcome your addictions. This includes medicines that are designed to tackle withdrawals, while replenishing vital energy levels and syncing the mind and body again. Individual and group therapy sessions will also be included. This is a great time to vent out any frustration, anger, or emotional duress you are experiencing. Remember, addicts are never judged at rehab centers and receive professional care from dedicated staff members at al times.

Vitamins and Medicinal Healing

AddictionVitamins and medicinal healing are essential in tackling opiod and other addictions. Drug rehab centers also help addicts with dietary and lifestyle changes, along with positive reinforcements and moral support. In order to make the most out of any drug rehabilitation program, you simply have to follow the suggestions laid out by your doctor. Family members may also be contacted to offer additional support during your trying time. If a patient does not have any close family members, he or she will still receive maximum support and care from all staff members. Similarly, other addicts will participate in joint therapy sessions, which include but are not limited to:

Discussing their personal trials and tribulations of life how addiction has ruined their personal and/or professional lives.

Problem solving skills and exercises are done to help re-energize the mind. Doctors and staff also help patients learn how to become mentally strong and avoid future addictions or recurring episodes.

In-depth discussions with health professionals, former addicts, doctors, and mental health experts who are all committed to helping you lead a healthier and substance-free lifestyle.

Rehab Centers Continue to Deliver Results

Drug rehab centers are continuing to deliver timely results across the nation. From steroids and tobacco to alcohol and drugs, they have the tools and expertise to help tackle and treat all types of addictions. If you are suffering from addiction, do not feel like you are in this struggle alone. Like you, there are millions of people that are dealing with addictions on a daily basis. The only solution is to check yourself into a rehab center and access the great services they have. You can also speak to your primary care physician for more assistance.

Why You Should Turn to Urgent Care Clinics for Your Medical Needs

If you are like most people when you need to see a doctor you go to the hospital. This means that you have to wait in line for long periods and test results also take a long time to come in, both which end up delaying your treatment. You can see a doctor much faster by visiting an urgent care clinic. These are small walk-in clinics that have been set up in cities all across the US to allow for more efficient treatment of patients. These are not to be confused with retail clinics that treat common illnesses such as flu and strep throat. Urgent care clinics are able to treat chronic illnesses and injuries. There are several benefits of using an inpatient facility instead of visiting the hospital:

• The first is that patients have shorter wait-times.

In most urgent care clinics in America patients wait for an average of 15 minutes unlike in hospitals where waits can take hours. This means that you are able to get the treatment that you need faster.
• You will pay hundreds of dollars less to get treatment in an urgent care facility than you will in a hospital. This is significant especially today when so many people cannot afford to pay medical insurance.
• Urgent care clinics are much more accessible than hospitals. 90% of them are in urban and suburban areas while the rest are in rural areas. If you have never visited one you should type into your computer “urgent care clinics near me” and find out where the nearest one is.
• If you are a busy professional it is quite likely that you don’t have the time to see a doctor during working hours. Unfortunately, most hospitals only treat emergencies after hours. You will be happy to know that urgent care clinics are open at night and they don’t discriminate between emergencies and none-emergencies. They are also open on the weekends.
• In case you are thinking that urgent care clinics are cheap because they have less qualified doctors you are wrong. These clinics are staffed with fully qualified medical professionals many of whom have had careers working in big hospitals. The reason why urgent care centers are cheap is because they eliminate many of the inefficiencies that are found in hospitals.

Urgent care clinics take Medicaid.

• You know how frustrating to call your doctor for an appointment only to be told that he will only be able to see you days from now. By then your condition could have worsened and even become life threatening. Instead of taking this risk you should find an urgent care clinic near you – they do not need for you to have an appointment and they treat anyone who walks through their doors.
• If you have a chronic condition and you find that your urgent care facility doesn’t have an expert doctor on your illness the doctors there will refer you to one – they are many options such as home health care.

• Urgent care centers have their own laboratories for common tests.

This means you don’t have to wait for days before you can get your results. They also have their own small pharmacies so you don’t have to go through the hassle of finding a pharmacist for your prescriptions.
As you can see, there is no need of going to a hospital instead of going to an urgent care center – they come with unbeatable benefits.

Trip to Urgent Care

Rehab – Staying in Remission

Rehab is a scary word. It has the power to bring the worst kind of judgement from others. But, most importantly, it is a word that represents change. And haven’t we heard our entire lives that change is never easy?

Yes, change is scary. But after you made the decision to go to rehab whether it be for drugs or alcohol, you stood up and punched scary right in the face. And when you checked into rehab to start treatment, you roundhouse kicked scary and knocked it to the floor.

And now that you are sober and out of rehab, I think it is a safe assumption to say that you want to keep it that way. But how?

Here is a list of the three most important things to remember while staying in remission.

 

SUPPORT

You want to make sure you have a solid support group. And by support group, I am not referring to the friends you had before rehab that just enabled your bad habits. What I am referring to are those who truly want to see you sober and happy.

These might be the friends you kind of lost touch with because of your drug or alcohol addition. Or they could be your family that loved you in spite of your addiction. Or it may even be the new friends you made in rehab that are on the same journey and have the same end-goals as you.

Whoever they are, surround yourself with people who want to help you. These people will be your key motivators in staying sober.

No matter what you plan is for staying sober, you want to ensure that whoever is in your support system is there to do just that – support you in your journey and your new life.

By surrounding ourselves with positive vibes from positive people, we will always see positive results.

 

ENVIRONMENT

maintaining your sobrietyMaintaining awareness of your surroundings is just as important as who you surround yourself with. Your path to maintaining your sobriety will be a lot more difficult if you see temptation around every corner.

Like we said before, change can be scary. But it can also be a very good thing.

By taking the steps to clean up your old room or apartment or even moving somewhere new altogether will do wonders with helping you help yourself.

By going back to the physical place you came from before rehab is just opening the door for you to go back to the mental state you were in.

 

ACCOUNTABILITY

Being accountable for yourself and your actions is probably the most important thing you can do after drug rehab. This goes from seeking help when you have bad days to maintaining all of your follow-up appointments.

When you can hold yourself accountable for your own actions, you have the sole power of planning your future.

There are many top rehabilitation centers that provide top level care – here is a good list of rehabs your can refer to for help.

Maintaining sobriety is one of the most difficult things a person can do in life. But it isn’t impossible. Moderation is key.
By maintaining a positive support system, a clean environment, and holding yourself accountable for your actions, you will be on a great start to a life dedicated to your health, happiness, and sobriety.

Motivation For Staying Sober

URGENT CARE CLINICS AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD

Urgent care refers to a category of the walk-in clinic which focused on the delivery of ambulatory care in a dedicated medical facility outside of a traditional emergency room. In short, it gives the services offered by an ambulance. Urgent care centers primarily provide treatment for injuries or illnesses that require immediate care. The history of urgent care existence is long, the original center opened in the 1970s as a response to the public need which needed convenient access to unscheduled medical care caused by accidents or other unforeseen dangers. Since its inception, the urgent care care sector has rapidly expanded to approximately 10,000 centers. The urgent care centers has similar criteria for operation as mentioned below:

  • ·         They all must be open seven days a week to be able to attend to patients
  • ·         Urgent cares must accept walk-in patients during business hours with no biase  unless they cannot be ble to treat the patient adequately due to seriousness of the case
  • ·         Must have a licensed physician operating as the medical director
  • ·         Have on-site diagnostic equipment that includes x-ray for proper diagnosis of patients.
  • ·         Contain multiple exam rooms
  • ·         Have ethical and business standards that are required
  • ·         Be able to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries and perform minor medical procedures

er vs urgent careUrgent care centers are staffed by a physician helped by nurses’ medical assistants and physician assistants. Around 70 5 of urgent care centers have at least one doctor on site at all times. The doctors that urgent care centers mainly allocated according to their area of expertise 47.8% are specialized in family medicine 30.1 % in preventive medicine and 7.6% in internal medicine. The urgent care physicians can offer a broad range of services due to the kind of doctors they have on the site. The center can thus provide services that include broken bones lacerations requiring stitches, modest cuts and common injuries such as falling and other illnesses. These treatments are made possible due to the diagnostic and x-ray equipment that are present in the urgent care facilities.  Many urgent care facilities are associated with home heath care companies for additional services.

Differences Between Urgent Care and Emergency Rooms

Since an urgent care is not an emergency room,  they cannot offer surgical services or procedures that require a full operating room or the level of specialist available in the center.  Because they act as a relief support for the emergency room and is a sub-branch of the emergency room thus cannot do all the procedures of a place of urgency.

patient information for a clinicThe urgent care locations app enables one find an urgent care place in over 3086 cities across the fifty states making urgent care location app the largest and most accurate urgent care directory online. The app enables you to get the most current information about each of these current care clinics and even read and write reviews based on one’s experience at the place.

Urgent care is a good choice for health care consumers because it offers convenient and affordable access to physicians when one needs them the most. You can also choose from the many urgent concerns which to go.When far from home and you need medical services urgently the care center works to one’s advantage.

Urgent Care Can Be Affordable

In many instances, an urgent care clinic can be much more affordable than a trip to the ER.  Because an emergency room is a piece of a full fledged hospital, they ultimately play a role in the hospitals overhead.  Urgent care clinics have a much lower overhead because they generally do not have the operating room facilities and the more high tech medical equipment for handling long term patients.  This means that, for an emergency, an urgent care clinic can be substantially less expensive.  Today, many urgent care facilities now take Medicare and Medicaid also,

Urgent Care Facilities Can Be Convenient

Because urgent care clinics are much smaller, even a relatively small medical group can open a variety of neighborhood clinic locations.  This gives more convenient options if you, or a family member, need immediate medical attention.  One can get access to urgent concerns or walk in clinics by just googling clinics near me or use your specific city and Google Covington Urgent Care for instance n– if your location is “Covington”.  It gives you some hospitals and care centers around you giving you a chance to choose which is the nearest in cases of emergencies such as injuries or accidents. It also enables one to choose which clinic to go to if it’s not an emergency.