Showing posts with label meth recovery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meth recovery. Show all posts

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Aromatherapy And Drug Addiction




The tradition of utilizing plant essential oils for health advantages is part of herbal therapy, a.k.a. herbal medicine. With roots in traditional Chinese medicine, aromatherapy has been extensively utilized in Europe, most recently as an accessory to medical aid to treat symptoms affiliated with disease, though limited research affirms effectiveness. While aromatherapy won't cure Drug addiction, research affirms its utilization as a complementary therapy for assisting with drug withdrawal symptoms.

Essential oils elicited from wild or domesticated plants bear a mixture of chemicals. Every unique aroma comes from the compounding of chemicals. Aromatherapy might directly supply a psychological, physiologic or pharmacologic impact or work indirectly to energize or strengthen nervous system reactions.
Fixed research on essential oils suggests the need for more studies to determine advantageous choice of essential oils for particular treatment including Drug addiction. An essential oil detected in lavender, lemon balm and rosemary, supplies a sedative action by blocking off sensory receptors in the brain to curb stimulatory neurotransmitter release.

Of course, successful recovery from Drug addiction demands motivation to recover, handling of fundamental cause of issues related to Drug addiction and an ongoing support system.  Even pharmaceutical treatments work best once utilized along with counseling for behavior therapy and the development of coping skills.
Drug withdrawal symptoms vary and might include nervousness, sleep disturbances, crossness and restlessness. Lavender oil and lemon balm utilized in a base cream and applied to hands and arms 2 times per day helps reduce symptoms affiliated with agitation including fidgetiness, tension, pacing and anxiety.
Essential oils can be applied topically to the skin in lotions or creams or utilized on cloth, cotton balls or heating devices for inhalation. Essential oils sop up quickly through the skin and enter the blood stream and have to be diluted before use. Once inhaled, the essential oils move through the olfactory bulb into the limbic system of the brain related to endocrinal and autonomic nervous system function. Aromatherapy massage integrates the utilization of essential oils with massage to boost relaxation.

Caution has to be exercised if storing and utilizing essential oils; a lot are poisonous and shouldn't to be taken by mouth. Essential oils might cause irritation to the skin and ought to be diluted as suggested. Discuss the utilization of essential oils with your doctor or pharmacist to help preclude interaction with medications. The Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate essential oils to ensure pureness, safety or effectiveness.


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Holistic Addiction Treatment - A Review



A lot of addicts ask, “What is used in holistic addiction treatment?” In addition, the addict’s acquaintances and loved ones might likewise ask and question how it may benefit their loved one.

Holistic addiction treatment is a comprehensive and progressive treatment system that centers on treating the whole person. An crucial point about holistic addiction treatment is that it provides a wide range of therapies that go a long way in assisting the person in full recovery. Additionally, these addiction treatment platforms likewise foster peace (which you know is crucial if you read my blog).

I have come across an outstanding program that uses holistic treatment for addictions. While checking into the program that uses a holistic approach (which, remember, centers on the whole person) I came across Holistic Light Addiction Rehab Center.

This program uses the treatments developed by Dr. Jacob Marshak (The Marshak Method). Dr. Marshak, after graduating from school in Russia began one of the first private rehab centers in Russia. He as well is a Kundalini Yoga teacher (yoga is used in holistic treatment, hence the "peace" part). Due to the glowing testimonials on the website, I was compelled to investigate further as it's important that addicts have an individualized plan and a center that actually cares about their recovery.

As I searched the net I found that Dr. Marshak is really a world renowned therapist and his treatment is well respected. The treatment includes therapeutic exercise to help manage mood swings that addicts have an issue with during and after recovery. As well the program includes special supplements to aid in recovery. Which if you follow this blog at all you know that I totally have faith in and have provided you info on that subject.

I say yay! I have long wondered why it is that conventional medicine and holistic medicine couldn't just get along and provide a better resolution for any patient, especially addicts. As well, there are testimonials from patients treated at Holistic Light Addiction Rehab Center. The reviews are glowing. But as addicts are usually skeptical by nature I knew that this alone would likely not be enough. However, to my surprise I found that this center provides a guarantee. This was surprising to me as many centers unfortunately count on the fact that addiction can mean a long cycle of recovery and relapse which pads their pockets. The last thing an addict needs is to feel they are not personally cared about and that the very people that are there to help them are concerned about everything but their true recovery. So a guarantee blew my mind!

If you follow anything here you know that the subject of addiction has had a personal impact in my life, being a mother of an addict. I am not in the habit of endorsing any one place or treatment as I believe each person requires treatment that is "just for them". That being said, I am impressed with this award winning program that centers on the needs of each "individual". After all, addiction is NOT a "one size fits all" thing.

My final thought to you today is, if you have an addiction you might already be at the place where you know that you need to stop. You may be battling with your recovery (as is the case with most if not all addicts). But getting the best care you can is essential to your total recovery and according to my research Holistic Light Addiction Rehab Center is a fantastic place for you to begin your journey.

Check it out for yourself here : http://www.holisticlight.com/

As always, my thoughts and prayers with you.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Substance Abuse and Childhood Injury



There are as a lot of reasons to become addicted. Every one is a way of trying to deal with individual problems and unmet personal wants. Mostly individuals start using to comfort themselves, temporarily ease depression, defeat negative self image, or to prevent dealing with something else. For a few individuals, addiction is a reaction to stress, lose, or trauma, and an attempt to feel more in control.

Occasionally individuals utilize substances as a weapon, to express angriness or seek revenge. Or, a few might use to hang on to love. In the final analysis, substance abuse is an attempt to settle a personal issue or spiritual quandary.

Heal


Distinguishing the Trauma.

In order to comprehend, defeat and prevent these hurts, we must recognize what they are and what we may do to finally break the cycle from carrying on in our own family. For instance, picking up on our parents' personality traits may be one of these. If you've a parent that's hot-tempered and raised their voice a great deal, this is one thing that may be prevented.

When you are able to identify the trauma and reach the core of it, you'll be able to keep it from cycling through your own family.

Forgiving Other People.

To be able to march on after any trauma (at any time) is to forgive the individual who induced it. If you were ill-treated as a youngster in any way, this might be a really hard step for you. It's even difficult as a grownup. It's difficult, yet really crucial.

Emotional Mending.

Individuals have different means of dealing with matters, emotionally. There might be times where you'll feel the anguish from trauma, as a similar occasion sneaks up. Perhaps something occurred that reminded you of that harm. How will you defeat those negative emotions? You might find it in prayer or another form. Coming through trauma, emotionally is a chore, but may be done.

Mental Welfare.

When you're traumatized mentally, it impacts your whole being, from emotional to physical facets. There are things that you are able to do to get yourself back into your correct mind. Naturally there are medicines to cover up the root of the issue. Then there are physicians to give it a name. All the same, in order to truly get over it, you must distinguish it and be strong enough to master it, when it comes back to you.

Faith.

This is a really big word when it bears on sufferers of trauma. Who do you have faith in and why? Being a trauma survivor, I'll say that it begins with you. When you understand how to distinguish a potential situation that may lead to trauma, understand how to deal with it when it attempts to come at you and in the end prevent it, this makes it easier to trust other people. Keeping your guard up is great, depending upon the circumstance. All the same, when you learn not to let individuals impact you, while maintaining an open mind, you'll discover that it becomes easier to trust other people on a certain level. Faith is obtained in levels and trauma survivors may relate to this. Time is a healer and faith is a must!

Relinquishing.

In order to trust other people and wholly, understand that relinquishing these past pains is something that you must do. You might never forget about them, but letting them go from impacting your life, is crucial for advancing, trusting and holding new relationships.

Marching On.

Not mastering your past pains, traumas and bombed relationships (whatever the instance) keeps you from marching on. Sure you might advance; all the same you'll be carrying these with you to impact your relationships. These may be relationships with your own youngsters or even your mate. It harms them, as you're hurting. There's nothing that they may do and it may finally ruin that relationship with them. The reason is because they're attempting to make you happy and happy. It's impossible for them to do this, as it's something you may only do for yourself.

Encountering, Knowing and Loving Yourself.

This is the greatest step of all. Once you've gone through the mending, trusting and relinquishing process, it's time to take your life back. This is a big step and it's like a new start. You know that you are able to love again, beginning with yourself and deal with your addictions. This is the most crucial step. Loving yourself looks like its miles away when you've been traumatized as a youngster. Youngsters look to grownups for all their needs. These include emotional needs. The last thing that they anticipate is to be hurt by any grownup. Ultimately loving yourself lets you really see the love that other people have for you.

Loving and assisting others.

This is a good step and helps to carry on your emotional mending. When you get to a place where you are able to assist others, it makes you feel great. It enables you to be free to love and it likewise assists you mentally, also. There's a lot of self gratitude in loving individuals and you are able to easily assist them, when you've gone through the same that they're experiencing.

Living a Good Life.

Now you're able to live and be glad. You are able to place trauma, address it, get over it and assist other people. There's no keener feeling in the world then to be able to assist other people that you recognize you are able to help. You are able to enjoy your loved ones and assist them as well. You'll recognize what not to do, forbidding the cycle of harm in your own family. You'll feel triumphant in knowing that you've overcome and now you are able to love and know you're loved.

Being free from childhood injury seems like its a million miles away to somebody who's affected and can't break the cycle. It may be done, even if it takes a long time.



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Stop Abusing Meth Tips


Determine that you do truly wish to stop using meth. Unless you've the want to change you'll never be able to.
Be totally true with yourself and other people. Your chances of recovery are not great if you can't face yourself and deal with confrontations from other people.

Be patient with yourself. It commonly takes at least 3 months prior to significant improvement, so don't quit if you don't get split second results.

Take away influences that enable your substance use from your life.

Prevent relying on somebody to stop doing meth with you, as he or she might not have the willingness to change. You must be amenable to stop spending time with individuals who use substances, and to avoid enticement. Learn to walk off from those that insist on utilizing or discussing using in front of you. It might call for you to be alone for a while or discover a whole new set of acquaintances to hang out with.

Stock up on nourishing, easy-to-eat foods like soup to maintain your strength while clucking (undergoing drug withdrawal). Be particularly sure to center on your protein consumption. This will help keep your blood glucose level stable, which successively helps maintain your mood on an even keel.

Discover a group in your local area like Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery. It will help you address the issues that arise when quitting meth. Narcotics Anonymous isn't actually particular to narcotics - substance abusers of all sorts of meth, including cannabis, attend Narcotics Anonymous. Recovering users of all sorts are likewise welcome at open meetings of AA. SMART Recovery assists addicts in learning to refrain from meth, alcohol, and addictive behaviors utilizing self-management strategies, and might be a great alternative for individuals who don't feel well-situated with 12-step groups.

Connect with a dependable friend who doesn't take meth, if you have one. Ask him or her to remain with you to help out while you experience the worst of your withdrawal.

If you feel you can't deal with drug withdrawal by yourself, then see a physician or go to a hospital ER.

Put down a list of matters you enjoyed doing before you began using meth or things you've been interested in doing that you haven't done as yet. Meth have been a huge part of your life and it will be simpler for you if you plan ahead to fill the emptiness that their absence will produce.

Distinguish your triggers, which are individuals, places, things, events, activities, emotions, times, dates and so forth., that make you consider using; consequently placing you at a higher risk of using. After you distinguish your triggers, prevent them.

Discover your relapse warning signs, which are alterations in your behaviors and/or attitude that signal a risk that you're close to using.

School yourself on the dangers to your brain and body.

Discover a support scheme.

Arrive at a list of health goals and read it daily.

Formulate a crisis program.

Formulate and utilize positive self talk.

Discover healthy activities to substitute substance usage.

Center on your health and attending to your family.

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    Using Affirmations For Beating Meth


    If you're serious about laying off meth, then you ought to earnestly consider utilizing the power of self-suggestion to alter your thought practices. With autosuggestion you'll be able to program your subconscious with the fresh ideas, feelings and behaviors that you wish for yourself as you get to be clean and sober. You can provide yourself some help with the steps of successful affirmation, suggestions for quitting substances, and reinforcing your new ego. This chapter will introduce you to utilizing affirmations to help yourself quit meth.

    Design

    In order to be successful at utilizing affirmations you have to have a clear-cut step by step game design. You have to set a time aside where you are able to utter your affirmations aloud every single day for at the least one calendar month.

    It's most beneficial to write your affirmations down first of all and then as you learn them you are able to narrate them in your own words. If you are able to state your affirmations aloud each day for more then 21 days, you'll discover this to be unbelievably powerful.

    Get Moving

    State aloud so you are able to hear your own voice the accompanying:

    "I understand that I have got the power to quit meth today. Consequently I require of myself doggedness and ceaseless action towards the goal of laying off meth now. I'm creating a promise to myself that I can and will stop"

    We today know that through the precept of affirmation and suggestion that the recurrent act of stating desire toward your goal will sooner or later become physical truth. Consequently it's advised that you spend equal to 30 minutes each and every single day, and spend that time on considering the drug free individual you intend to turn into. As you affirm your target of quitting meth, make a clear-cut mental image of this individual you're turning into.

    As you rehearse this you'll discover it works in a predictable style. As you continually and repeatedly bear in your mind the picture of your fresh self, you'll discover that you slowly and mechanically transform your truth in positive ways. Consequently it's crucial to spend 10 minutes of every day, requiring of yourself the self-control and self-assurance to quit meth.

    Devote

    In order to devote yourself even more to this procedure, make sure to get it down in writing. Put down a description of your goal to stop meth and promise to never quit trying, till you've developed the self-control to stop. It will be something you are able to go back to. Particularly at those times when you feel like surrendering.

    Reward

    In conclusion, you'll wish to remind yourself every day about some of the basic principles of affirmation. Simply recall that affirmations will carry on working for you as long as you only utilize them in fashions that benefit yourself and everybody around you.

    You'll sooner or later pull in to yourself the outcomes, places, and things you'll need to utilize, likewise the cooperation of others. Remember to formulate within yourself a love for all individuals, and particularly love for yourself. You'll discover that individuals are more then willing to assist you, as you're the type of individual who's helpful towards other people.

    Carry with you your personal statement of affirmation at all times, and put your name to it. Make certain to commit it to memory and recite it aloud each day.

    Utilize your faith and your emotions, and you'll discover that you step by step influence your own actions, quit abusing meth, and become and successful and self-governing individual. Remember the steps for affirmation, provide yourself the most beneficial suggestions for quitting meth, and make that a habit.

    You'll discover that you by nature produce a plan for quitting and follow that plan by utilizing affirmation and self-suggestion.



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    Monday, August 23, 2010

    People Pleasing-Stress and Recovery




    Stress is not good for recovery...One big problem individuals who are excessively stressed out have is the power to say “No” when they need to. Perhaps your mom wants you to take grandmother to the store, but you’re in the midst of a big work project. Maybe your best friend inquires if you wouldn’t mind baby sitting her youngsters when you’ve already made plans with yourself to get a haircut.

    There’s no reason why you have to answer “Yes” to everybody. As a matter of fact, there are frequently many times when you ought to turn them down. If you discover yourself agreeing to do things when you truly don’t prefer to, you’re a people pleaser. As a whole, this isn’t a foul trait to have, but it may be a big stressor.

    People pleasers consider others needs before their own. They fret about what others want, think, or need, and spend much time doing things for other people. They seldom do things for themselves, and feel guilty when they do. It’s difficult being a people pleaser.

    People pleasers hold off saying what they truly think or from seeking what they want if they think somebody will be disturbed with them for it. Even so they frequently spend time with individuals who don’t consider their needs in the least. In fact, people pleasers frequently feel driven to make insensitive or distressed individuals feel better - even at the harm to themselves.
    Perpetually trying to please others is draining and a lot of people pleasers feel anxious, concerned, distressed, and played out a lot of the time. They might not comprehend why no one does anything for them, when they do so much for other people - but they often won’t ask for what they require.

    This is the hole I fell into. I discovered myself forever agreeing to do for other people but when I required those same individuals to help ME out, they were oddly occupied.

    A people pleaser might believe that if they ask somebody for help and that individual agrees, that individual would be giving out of duty, not because they truly wanted to. The thinking goes - if they truly wanted to help, they'd have offered without my requesting.

    This line of thinking takes place because people pleasers themselves feel duty-bound to help and don't always do things because they prefer to. Unhappily, people pleasers have been schooled that their worth depends upon doing things for others.

    It’s dreadful being a people pleaser - believe me, I know! People pleasers are not only really sensitive to others feelings, and frequently take matters personally, but they likewise rarely center on themselves.

    When they do take a minute for themselves, they feel selfish, indulgent, and guilty which is why they're frequently on the go, hurrying to get things finished. Because people pleasers do so much and are easy to get along with, they're often the first to be asked to do things - they're vulnerable to be being taken advantage of.

    People pleasers were most likely reared in homes where their needs and feelings weren't treasured, valued, or considered significant. They were frequently expected as youngsters to respond to or to take care of others needs. Or they might have been hushed, unattended, or otherwise abused, hence learning that their feelings and needs weren't significant.

    In a lot of cultures, girls are reared to be people pleasers - to consider others’ needs first, and to overlook their own. A lot of women have at least some degree of people pleasing in them. Men who identified with their moms often do too.

    People pleasers’ focus is largely on others and away from themselves. They frequently feel void, or don’t understand how they feel, what they think, or what they want for themselves. But it’s possible to alter this pattern and to feel more beneficial about yourself.
    I managed to learn how to break away from this cycle. You are able to do the same thing if you see yourself in the above description. You want to understand how? It’s simpler than you believe!

    First of all, rehearse saying NO. This is a really significant word! Say it as frequently as you can, just to listen to the word come out of your mouth. State it aloud when you're alone. Rehearse phrases with NO in them, like, "No, I can’t do that" or "No, I don’t wish to go there". Try it for easy things first, and then build your way up to heavier situations.

    Quit saying YES day in and day out. Try to pause or breathe before reacting to someone’s request. You might want to answer requests with "I need to consider it first; I’ll get back to you" or "Let me check over my schedule and call you back". Utilize any phrase that you feel comfortable with that provides you time before you mechanically answer with YES.
    Take little breaks, even if you feel guilty. You won’t forever feel guilty, but most likely to begin with you will. Remember that your mental wellness is well worth the irritation you might have to take from other people. What’s significant is you. When you're healthy, those around you will be healthy!

    Work out what provides you pleasure. For instance, you might like reading magazines, watching videos, going to a park, or hearing music. Give yourself license to do those things and then savor them.

    Ask somebody to help you with something. I know this is a difficult one but you are able to do it! After all, everybody else is asking YOU for favors, why shouldn’t YOU ask THEM? Simply be tolerant if they turn you down. Just because you've always told them “Yes” doesn’t mean they always have to tell you “Yes”.

    Check in with how you feel and what you're thinking. It’s crucial to be cognizant of these matters; they’re part of who you are. And then try stating what you feel and think more often. Simply remember to have a little decorum in particular situations.

    A lot of people pleasers think that nobody will like them if they quit doing things for others. If somebody stops liking you because you don’t do what they require, then you’re being used by them and likely don’t want them as a friend anyhow.

    Individuals will like you for who you are and not merely for what you do. You deserve to take time to yourself, to state NO, and to take care of yourself without feeling guilty. It’s within your grasp to change - one little step at a time! De-stress for a better chance at recovery!




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    Monday, August 2, 2010

    Meditation To Help With Recovery



    Meditation pertains to a state where your body and brain are consciously relaxed and centered. Practitioners of this art report expanded awareness, centering, and concentration, as well as a more favorable outlook in life. This can all help with recovery.

    Meditation is most normally associated with monks, mystics and other spiritual fields. All the same, you don’t have to be a monk or religious mystic to enjoy its advantages. And you don’t even have to be in a particular place to practice it. You put up even try it in your own living-room!

    While there are a lot of different approaches to meditation, the basic principles stay the same. The most crucial among these precepts is that of taking away hindering, damaging, and wandering thoughts and illusions, and calming the mind with a rich sense of focus. This clears the mind of junk and prepares it for a greater quality of activity.

    The damaging thoughts you have – those of noisy neighbors, bossy officemates, that parking fine you got, and unwanted cravings– are said to add to the ‘polluting’ of the mind, and closing them out is allows the ‘purifying’ of the mind so that it might center on deeper, more meaningful ideas.

    A few practitioners even exclude all sensory input – no sights, no sounds, and nothing to touch – and attempt to detach themselves from the disruption around them. You might now center on a rich, profound thought if this is your goal. It might seem deafening initially, since we're all too accustomed to perpetually hearing and seeing things, but as you go along with this exercise you'll find yourself becoming more aware of everything around you.

    If you find the meditating poses you see on TV ominous – those with impossibly arching backs, and painful-looking contortions – you need not fret. The precept here is to be in a comfy position conducive to concentration. This might be while sitting cross-legged, standing, lying down, and even walking.

    If the pose lets you unwind and center, then that would be a great beginning point. While sitting or standing, the back should be straight, but not tense or taut. In other poses, the only no-no is slumping and nodding off.

    Loose, comfy clothes help a lot in the process as tightly fitting clothes have a tendency to choke you up and make you feel strained.

    The area you perform meditation should have a calming atmosphere. It might be in your front room, or bedroom, or anywhere that you feel comfortable in. You may want an exercise mat if you plan to assume the more challenging poses (if you feel more centered doing so,). You might want to have the place ordered so that it's calming to your senses.

    Silence helps most individuals relax and meditate, so you might want a quiet, detached area far from the ringing of the phone or the buzzing of the washer. Satisfying scents likewise help in that regard, so stocking up on aromatic candles isn’t such a sorry idea either. Certain scents can aid in recovery as well.

    The monks you see on TV making those monotone sounds are in reality performing their mantra. This, in easy terms, is a short creed, a simple sound which, for these practitioners, holds a mystical value.

    You don't need to perform such; all the same, it would pay to note that centering on repeated actions like breathing, and humming help the practitioner enter a greater state of consciousness.

    The principle here is center. You may also try centering on a particular object or thought, or even, while keeping your eyes open, center on a single sight.

    One sample routine would be to – while in a reflective state – silently name every part of you body and centering your consciousness on that part. While doing this you should be mindful of any tension on any part of your body. Mentally visualize expelling this tension. It works wonders. You can also focus on expelling thoughts... like cravings.

    Altogether, meditation is a relatively riskless practice and its advantages are well worth the effort (or non-effort – remember we’re unwinding).

    Studies have demonstrated that meditation does bring about beneficial physiological effects to the body. And there has been a growing consensus in the medical profession to further study the effects of such. So in the near future, who knows, that mysterious, esoteric thing we call meditation may become a science itself!

    Sunday, March 21, 2010

    Announcing Our First Book


    Announcing Our First Book

    Nutrition For Recovering Addicts

    Helpful Information To Speed Your Recovery With Nutrition !



    • What You Need To Know About the Killer Drug…Crystal Meth!
    • Snacks and Meal Suggestions...
    • Superfoods to Combat Cirrhosis and Clean Up the Liver.
    • Recovery Foods Highest In Phenylalanine.
    • Spirituality and Recovery-Nutrition for the Soul!
    • The Foods To Detox The Liver.
    • Much MORE!
    Let’s face it… Everybody who's on the path of development and growth to fight an addiction peters out of steam every once in a while. In recovery, we call this complacency and it can happen fast if the body doesn't have the right nutrition.

    What we have discovered with addicts and alcoholics, is that we're either advancing forward in our recovery, or we're stagnating our way back toward a relapse. There's no “treading water” when it concerns our progress – we must keep pushing ourselves to get strong both physically and mentally.

    Check it out here today to help speed your recovery.


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    Tuesday, December 15, 2009

    Crushing Addiction Calls For A Firm Push To Keep Developing


    Can An Addict Teach Us About Personal Growth:Part 2

    Everybody who's on the path of development and growth to fight an addiction peters out of steam every once in a while. In recovery, we calls this complacency. What we have discovered with addicts and alcoholics, is that we're either advancing forward in our recovery, or we're stagnating our way back toward a relapse. There's no “treading water” when it concerns our progress – we must keep pushing ourselves to develop.

    Once again, this is something that a lot of recovering addicts learn slowly over time, as they observe a pattern in which they slowly slip back into their stale ways. They in time find that the only way to make constant, forward advancement in recovery is to continue pushing themselves to accomplish fresh goals and achieve new things. Illustrations of this include helping new addicts in recovery, getting back to finish a college degree, or pushing themselves to get a more beneficial job. We can't stalemate and be successful in recovery. Stagnating leads to relapse. Steady development is a huge key to long term soberness.

    The significances of complacency regarding personal development are very visible. While many us may read literature day-after-day regarding personal development, and many us may as well have our daily practices and routines that we’ve adopted in order to go after a more spiritual life, how much have we truly developed lately? Ask yourself: should I be reaching for something more in my life right now? Will I be fulfilled if I continue living the way I have been living recently?

    Be sure to check back for the next part of our series and watch for my new upcoming book on Stress That Accompanys The Holidays.


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    Monday, November 23, 2009

    Can An Addict Teach Us About Personal Growth:Part 1



    What can an addict teach us about personal growth?

    A great deal. There's a great deal wisdom to be discovered by the addict’s journey from dependency to recovery.

    I recognize that some of you scanning this now maynot be drug addicts and alcoholics. That’s all right – but you stand to acquire great insight from the experience of those who have struggled and overcome a dangerous addiction. There are a lot of parallels between recovery and personal development. Many would reason that their paths are really one and the same.

    Living with a recovering drug addict , one of my loves is exploring the process of defeating addiction. While there are several different recovery programs, most of them share a lot of of the same features, so individulas who discover success in recovery do so by adopting a similar path. Here are a few of the things that lead to long term sobriety, while as well having pragmatic application for personal development:

    Defeating addiction calls for overwhelming power

    This was a big awakening for me personally. It took me awhi;le to realize just how strong of a commitment was called for for long term sobriety.

    Applying overwhelming power is counter-intuitive. We don’t require it for 99 % of our day-to-day interactions. For instance, let’s say you want to pick up your front room. Would it truly be essential to individually dust and then hand-wash each whatnot, steam clean every square inch of rug, wash and repaint the walls and the ceiling, vacuum all cloths and drapery, and so forth? Naturally not. This is overwhelming power, and it’s plainly not essential in this situation. We get pretty good outcomes (a clean front room) with only a small investment (quick dusting and vacuuming). We can see this same case acted out in a million different places. Put in a small effort, and get a small return. Almost all of our basic, day-to-day experiences reinforce this concept.

    Addiction and recovery does not work like that in the least. A small effort in defeating addiction will always result in relapse. It's only through the use of overwhelming power that an addict can defeat the unbelievable pull of addiction. Lukewarm efforts or even a moderately strong commitment will result in full failure. This is why a lot of addicts battle for several years, going in and out of treatment plans, only to someday (hopefully) work out the intense level of personal commitment needed to succeed.

    For a lot of addicts and alcoholics, addiction is a life-or-death circumstance. They're surviving on the brink of absolute destruction at the hands of these chemicals. Suppose your goals in personal development were of a life-or-death nature. So use this precept to dominate your personal development goals.

    Be sure to check back for the rest of this series.

    Tuesday, July 7, 2009

    From the Eyes of An Addicts Mother



    In my time on the net, providing information about addictions that I have learned through my own experience with an addicted child, I have found that there really are not many places for parents of addicted children to truly express their real feelings on the subject without fear of being judged or put down. This goes for not just parents, but anyone who cares about or has an addict in their life.


    So... The Addicts Attic, me, will be providing a new addition to the site. I will be sharing some of my personal experience and my TRUE feelings that manifested and are still coming up in some related situations today about the trials of addiction. If it turns out that I am jugged harshly by some... I guess that’s unavoidable...


    But I truly believe it's time for people to have a place where they can vent their HONEST feelings and do it in a place where others can truly understand where they are coming from. A place to truly share hurts, sorrows, regrets, triumphs or to just complain and get it all out.


    Please join me in sharing your personal experience by leaving comments on the posts from this series:

    From the Eyes of An Addicts Mother


    I really look forward to your input and sharing with you.... and you may just be helping someone else at the same time while helping yourself.


    Have a great day.

    Thursday, June 11, 2009

    You Must Do The Work for Successful Meth Recovery



    Picture walking into a 20-story office building, recognizing that your approaching meeting is on the top floor. You walk into the building and right away search for the elevators. To your shock, and disappointment, some of the elevators show "out of order" signs, and the rest are presently being worked on by a team of repairmen. You ask one of the repairmen how to get up to your meeting on the 20th floor, and he points and says with a shrug, "You'll have to take the stairs." While circumstances exactly like this may not have ever happened to you, metaphorically, it's your life in Meth recovery.

    You want to be successful in your recovery, stay clean and sober, and off the killer substance Meth. You want to not only be successful, but find the shortcuts or "elevator" to recovery.

    Though you recognize your success in any undertaking, requires some effort, wouldn't you like to make it as painless and easy as possible?

    There are no "overnight" successes in recovery!

    True recovery success comes from "taking the stairs" and moving toward your goals one step at a time.

    As you start to walk up the stairs to your meeting (metaphorically), you realize that while you would have rather had an easier way, there are some advantages to the stairway. You are getting exercise, building your endurance, getting a new viewpoint, creating a new experience, and as you go up the last flight of stairs, you understand the pride that comes from the effort!

    All of this is true for the effort you put into life and your Meth recovery. The pains you go through create exactly these same benefits: exercise, endurance, new viewpoint, experience, and pride.

    Given the symbol of "success in the stairway," what are the ways you can take the realism of effort and make the most of your effort, improving your likelihood of reaching the top floor as quickly as possible?

    There are some ways you can utilize your effort intelligently to make your path to success straighter and more direct -- even if you do have to walk:

    • Knowledgeable effort (Find the right path.). A lot of people believe that to generate big results, you must work hard. Effort is required, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Are you doing things the way other successful recovering addicts have done them? Are you taking time to learn the things that will minimize your recovery effort? Make your endeavor more informed, and recovery can be easier.
    • Constant effort (Keep going.). Getting into the stairway is great, but you won't reach your destination unless you keep going. In order to be successful in recovery, you must make constant effort. What did you do last week to move toward your meth recovery? What about yesterday? What have you done (or will you do) to have recovery success today?
    • Effort viewpoint (Does it have to be overwhelming?). If you always think about your recovery being overwhelming, guess what it will be? (Here's a hint -- it will be overwhelming.) But does recovery have to be overwhelming? Could it be eye opening? Could it be rewarding? Once you get a different viewpoint for effort, you make climbing the steps to your Meth recovery so much easier.
    • Joint effort (Why not recover together?). Find others to travel your journey with you. Usually when people feel like a part of something bigger than themselves – they’ll be more disciplined and more effective. Who do you know that could mentor you or work with you or support you? Or, who can you mentor, help, or support? Check out NA meetings.
    • Wholehearted effort (Get something out of the trip.). Choose to get something out of the trip up the stairs to your recovery. The fact is the elevator is broken; the walk is real and required. Why not decide to find the positive and get something out of the experience? It goes faster and easier. You know this is true. Make the choice to be more enthusiastic and positive.
    Yes, effort is absolutely still required, but these are things you can do to make that effort more effective and agreeable.

    Success in any area of life, especially Meth recovery, requires effort -- there is no free ride. But how you view and deal with that effort will make all the difference in the speed and ease with which you climb your path to recovery.

    Thursday, June 4, 2009

    Stress-Recovery Demon



    We're living in very nerve-racking and difficult times and things don't seem to be getting any more easygoing. Occasionally life can seem terribly painful and unjust, yet for some reason we manage to struggle on, day in day out, hoping and praying that things will soon get better with our lives and our recovery.

    But daily the world is becoming a less balanced and more uncertain place to live in, not to mention stressful. Nothing appears safe anymore. Millions of individuals are in record levels of debt. Many are losing their occupations, their homes, their health and sometimes even their sanity. Worry, depression and anxiety seem to have become a way of life for way too many people and can really, seriously affect recovery.

    We seem to have entered the Age of Anxiety. As a matter of fact, in 2002, the cover of Time magazine announced this loud and clear on one of their covers as the featured story in that issue. The ceaseless stress and uncertainties of living in the 21st century have surely taken their toll, and as a result many of us seem to live a life of constant fear and worry.

    When the terrorist attacks happened on September 11, this ceaseless stress and worry seemed to just be magnified. In fact, a lot of individuals even now years later report they're still frightened that something of that magnitude could happen again - maybe closer to them.
    Turn on the news or open up a paper and we're pelted with disturbing images and stories. We begin to question if we're safe anywhere. In this, the data age, never before have we had so much access to so much information.

    The economic system is another stressor. Our country is in debt and so are many Americans. Surging gas prices, exorbitant housing costs, even the cost of food has sent many Americans to work in jobs that are disappointing and boring. They work these occupations because they need a paycheck. Nowadays, it’s more crucial to bring home the bacon instead of work in a dream career.

    Having more women in the workplace adds to the tension. So many women sense the need to be everything to everybody and that includes a wage earner, house keeper, mommy, wife, daughter, and sibling. The only trouble with that is Many women just don’t make any time for themselves therefore contributing to their stress levels being at an all-time high.

    Even youngsters can feel the pressure of stress and anxiety. Adolescents who want to go to college find themselves pushing themselves during their studies to try and receive scholarships so they can go to schools that have ever increasing tuition prices.
    They find themselves having to hold down part-time jobs on top of all that to bring in money for extras that their parents can no longer give. Add peer pressure into the blend and you have a authentic pressure cooker!

    Cell phones, cyberspace, palm pilots, blackberries, i-pods - we're always on the go and forever reachable. We don’t make time to decompress and enjoy life any longer. Why not? We certainly should, especially for recovery!

    We feel pressure to do these things as we think we HAVE to, not because we would like to. All too often, it’s hard for individuals to just say “No”. Not saying that one little word accumulates un-needed expectations and responsibilities that make us feel nervous.
    All of us will have situations that may cause us to become stressed or feel anxious. The reasons are too many to mention but can include, buying a property, having guests sleep over (in-laws!), being bullied, exams, looking after youngsters, managing finances, relationship issues, traveling and of course trying to stay clean and sober.

    Stress is a ‘normal’ affair of everyday life. Only when it appears to absorb our lives does it then become a problem.

    Everybody will have different reasons why a situation induces pressure. As a rule it’s commonly when we don’t feel in control of a situation, then we feel its grip tightening up around us causing us to feel worried or ‘strained’.

    If stress is induced by us not feeling in control of a situation, the answer is to try and reverse this, and regain that control. The good news is: you are able to!

    You have everything inside you that you need to defeat your stress and the accompanying anxiety. The problem is, often we don’t recognize that we're in control because we feel so out of control at times. But the tools are there, you just have to use them.

    In later articles we will cover some of these tools.

    Until then, take a deep breath and try to gain your composure to not sabotage your recovery.

    Wednesday, May 13, 2009

    Addiction Recovery-Is Your Doctor Giving You All You Need



    Lets face it…the medical profession is not what it used to be back in the days of home visits and more flexible schedules. A lot of doctors are overworked and underpaid and of course there is the insurance crisis. Taking all of that into consideration I still feel powerfully that patients have rights and that sensitive (not just expert) medical care can make the difference between health or recovery and continued addiction.

    Some advice for making sure your doctor is giving you all you need:

    1) Whenever feasible, get a referral from a trusted person. Even if you’re on a plan that requires you to see a certain doctor you still have options. If you’re not getting your needs met switch to another doctor on the plan.

    2) Have a list of questions prepared for your doctor before you get to the appointment and make it your objective to get them all answered. Your appointment is YOUR time and the majority of doctors would prefer to spend a little extra time with you than to have frequent phone calls with random questions.

    3) Tell your doctor upfront that you have a list that you want to address at THIS appointment. Don't get pushed into making another appointment because she couldn't answer all your questions. If your doctor is clearly hurried (maybe he has a true emergency waiting) ask that he call you on the phone afterward so that you can get your questions answered.

    4) A few doctors (not all) are aggravated by knowledgeable patients because they don't want to be second guessed and they don't want to have to clear their treatment through the patient. That is never a good sign and it is definitely not a good reason to be uneducated. A really good doctor will welcome your input and opinions. After all, it is your body. That said, you need to find a doctor that you trust enough to make the final call about your treatment.

    5) You are just as significant as any other patient that doctor is seeing that day. Your circumstances may not be as critical as someone else's and you should respect that but doctors must be clear about their own limitations on any given day and make themselves available to you at another time if they are not able to answer all your questions.

    Be proactive in your treatment and recovery as it is important for you to look out for yourself.

    Wednesday, February 18, 2009

    It May Be Time To Appreciate Small Miracles



    Every day, there are things in our lives that we don’t pay attention to and think they are luck or chance or we simply take them for granted. Without doubt there are times when things throw us completely off balance or make us feel vulnerable or afraid, especially during recovery. most of the time we are so involved with daily routines, whether it’s work, errands, chores, staying off the drugs, that we don’t notice things around us that enrich our lives.

    Honestly, no matter what is happening in life, there are no average moments, no minutes or seconds that are pointless. It’s important to remember that we never get those moments back. It’s very important to recognize and appreciate these moments to help us stabilize and move forward in our lives and recovery.

    Waking to hear a birdsong outside your window, a nice hot cup or some warm buttery toast. Noticing your purring cat sleeping in a golden patch of sun that is warming the floor. These are all small miracles to feel grateful for, they are small pleasant gifts in our lives.
    This may all sound a little corny to those that are fighting for their lives to end an addiction, but if you consider what life might be like without these small miracles, the more important they seem to be. And for that matter, the little things are what either drive us crazy or make us happy. So, the little things are important in life, even if they don’t seem to be at the time.

    Pay attention to these small daily miracles and open yourself up to them. You will feel happier and more content with your life and consider each day different in its own way, which can be a big help in day to day recovery.

    Remember that little miracles happen every day. Flowers bloom, babies are born, the sun comes up and we are a living, breathing part of this world. Take the time to recognize the warm, special moments that make you feel good about yourself and the world around you and realize that you are a miracle too.