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Importance of Getting Over an Alcohol Addiction

Quitting alcohol is a healthy and desirable choice, and has profound effects on every aspect of our existence. If one chooses to give up use of alcohol entirely, it does not indicate that he has any alcohol related issues. Quitting is a conscious choice, wherein a person recognizes that negative effects of the substance are far more than any benefits that it might offer. However, if a person is addicted to alcohol, ceasing its use is all the more advantageous.

Alcohol affects our lives in many ways, more so if consumption is excessive. It can hamper the normal functioning of our bodies by destabilizing the blood glucose levels, and can also reduce energy levels. It can have telling consequences on our health, relationships, career and emotional well being. Giving up the substance allows us to put our life together. Quitting is tough, and becomes more difficult as a result of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. But the initial detox period generally lasts only for 2-4 days, after which the withdrawal symptoms are not severe, if they do occur at all. Thereafter, one regains fitness and starts feeling better as the body works towards getting over from the damage caused by alcohol.

Quitting brings about profound effects on our overall health, which are both, immediate and long drawn. Even though alcohol makes it easier for a person to fall asleep, it hampers our ability to remain asleep by disrupting restorative and deep sleep. On quitting, the quality of sleep improves significantly and one is able to sleep more soundly. Alcohol leads to weight gain by adding empty calories to our bodies and quitting alcohol helps our bodies lose weight. This correspondingly brings about the many benefits that come about with weight loss, like a healthier heart, enhanced self esteem and increased confidence. Consumption deprives our bodies of essential fluids and nutrients, and on quitting, appearance of our skin improves. Alternately, giving up can be extremely beneficial for our liver, and is one of the best ways to avoid cirrhosis and all types of liver damage. By leaving alcohol, one can prevent injury to pancreas, cardiovascular ailments and risk of certain types of cancer, including throat, esophagus and liver.

One of the biggest challenges that one has to overcome if he plans to quit is alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These are caused because the brain activity that is inhibited by alcohol is reversed instantaneously, which leads to overproduction of stress hormones. Some of the most common symptoms arising from alcohol withdrawal include anxiety, irritability, fatigue, insomnia and change in blood pressure. Getting over alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be tough, and it takes some resoluteness and commitment on one's part to subdue the same. On quitting, one must try and consume a diet that is wholesome and balanced, so that that the body is nourished and in a better position to fight the withdrawal symptoms. Similarly, having plenty of water allows our bodies to detox. Interacting with family and friends allows us to keep our morale high and tackle in a better way.

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Harshad Jethra has published 2 articles. Article submitted on July 15, 2013. Word count: 505

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What is Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning (AP) occurs when a person consumes an excessive amount of alcohol, usually in a short period of time, creating a toxic blood alcohol level. AP is dangerous and can be life-threatening.

How alcohol can become toxic

The liver metabolizes approximately one alcoholic drink per hour. A drink is defined as one 12 ounce beer, one 5 ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 fluid ounces of spirits (80 proof). When a person consumes several drinks in a period of time before the liver can process the alcohol through the blood, the person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level can become dangerously high. Rapid drinking and binge drinking puts a person at risk for AP. Alcohol is a depressant. It slows reflexes and body function. A high or toxic BAC level can affect a person's breathing, heart rate, and cause the person to lose consciousness. Many people who die from AP die because they pass out and then vomit and choke. Approximately 50,000 people die in the US each year from AP.

Signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning

Even after a person stops drinking, his or her BAC can continue to rise over the next hour. Symptoms that may indicate a person is experiencing AP include confusion, pale or bluish skin, hypothermia (decreasing body temperature), conscious but unresponsive, vomiting, seizures, loss of consciousness, and slow or irregular breathing.

How to help someone if you suspect alcohol poisoning

The most important thing you can do to help someone who is showing any signs of AP is to get them immediate medical attention. Don't think they can "sleep" it off. They could die in their sleep. Call an ambulance to get them to the hospital. If the person is awake, try to keep them awake and in a sitting position. If they can drink something, give them water only, to help counteract dehydration. If the person is unconscious do not try to give them water. Put them in the recovery position and check for breathing while you wait for the ambulance. To put someone (who is unconscious and still breathing) in the recovery position, roll them onto one side with the arms at a ninety degree angle and bend their top leg up towards their chest to brace their position. Rest their head on the back of one of their hands and lift their chin to make sure their airway is open but keep their mouth turned toward the side so they won't choke if they vomit. Stay with them and monitor them until the ambulance arrives. Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition and you could be saving their life.

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How Do You Know When Using the Florida Marchman Act Is the Right Action? (Juanita Darling)

The Marchman Act is an involuntary commitment statute in the state of Florida. It allows family or friends of an addict to confidentially petition the court for help in addressing the addiction. When successful, invoking the Marchman Act orders an individual into mandatory assessment and stabilization (detox) and into rehabilitation treatment overseen by the court for at least a 60 day stay. The reason it works is because it imposes real consequences for not complying: return to the rehabilitation program or incarceration. If you're not sure whether using the Marchman Act is your next step, ask yourself a few questions.

Has Your Loved One Experienced Few Consequences for the Addiction?

Families and friends naturally want to help a person who is in the grip of an addiction, and early on that my involve "rescuing" the person from consequences of his or her actions. The problem is, with some addictions, not suffering major consequences for the behavior may only lead to more of the addictive behavior. For many addicts, ending up homeless, being taken to an emergency room by law enforcement or emergency medical personnel, being arrested, or being called into court under a Marchman petition is what it takes to finally realize the extent of the problem.

Has He or She Shown No Initiative in Getting Help?

Sometimes people with severe addictions have no desire to seek help. They may think that their problem is not that bad, or that a treatment program can't help them. The Marchman Act allows family or friends of an addict to be involuntarily sent to detox and rehab with real legal consequences for failing to comply.


Are Incarceration or Death Becoming the Most Likely Outcomes?

Addictions can become so severe that that the only outcome in the absence of professional treatment is either jail or death. If your loved one's addiction is severe enough that you are worried they will end up in jail or at the morgue, then invoking the Marchman Act is probably your best action. While you can do this without legal counsel, you are more likely to be successful if you work with an attorney with experience handling Marchman petitions. The process can be confusing, and a lawyer will know the potential problems you could face if you try to do it alone.

Your Next Step

If your family member or loved one is in the grip of a life-threatening addiction, contact an attorney specializing in Marchman petitions. He or she will guide you through all the steps of the process and will know exactly what you're up against when you petition the court. Your loved one will have legal counsel working to prevent a successful petition, and your having your own legal counsel can help you prevail at a Marchman hearing. Having someone you love involuntarily sent to detox and rehab is a major step and it's emotionally draining. Yet this may be the action that ends up saving the life of someone you love.

Do you know how the Florida Marchman Act works to help an addict get the help they need? It's done with a court order that commits the addict to forced drug or alcohol rehab, which will pave the way for their recovery. But you can't take advantage of the Marchman Act alone. To get the help you need, go to arlshelp.com and talk to an expert.
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Telltale Signs of Addiction

When the words drug addict are mentioned, there is typically an image produced in the mind. Past experience often comes from the media and is used to shape that image into something dramatic. However, it is possible that someone in your life could be struggling with an addiction and you may never even know it. Many of the Texas drug rehab facilities warn families that there are many symptoms of drug addiction that can completely miss the radar. There are a few things that you should definitely be on the lookout for if you suspect that a loved one is struggling with an addiction.

One of the first changes that you may notice if someone is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, is changes in their sleeping patterns. Addicts often have trouble sleeping at night and may seem to not sleep well at all. On the other hand, they may be sleeping way too much. When an addiction is severe, a person may sleep in between highs and lose interest in anything else besides getting high.

Another key indication that someone is addicted to something is if you begin to see dramatic changes in their values and overall personality. A person could be one of the most honest people that you have ever met but when it comes to getting what they want, they may lie, cheat, or even steal from their loved ones. You may notice a difference in their personality as well. For example, mood swings between depression and extreme euphoria could be traits displayed by an addict.

Texas drug rehab facilities also advise people to be on the lookout for changes in the way a person lives their life and interacts with other people. In order to hide their addiction from their loved ones, an addict may become withdrawn from their family and friends. They may not go out as often as they once did, visit friends or family members, and they may even avoid family functions that they once enjoyed.

If you have saw any of these symptoms or changes with your loved one, there is a good chance that they could be struggling with a secret addiction. It is imperative that you do all that you can to help this individual seek treatment and get help because addiction can be deadly. This is especially true if a person keeps the problem hidden away from the rest of the world. If you believe that you are dealing with this issue, it is a good idea to contact one of the many Texas drug rehab facilities in the area. They can provide you with a variety of different types of tips and information about addiction and what you can do to help.

The author has an immense knowledge on Texas drug rehab facilities. Know more about drug rehab Texas related info in his website http://texasdrugrehab.net/
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Identifying Alcoholism And Finding Treatment Options in Pennsylvania

Alcoholism is essentially defined as an addiction to alcohol, to the point where it disturbs the functioning of your life. The truth is that it is possible to be an alcoholic without even knowing it. If you have been noticing that your alcohol consumption seems high or that it has recently been on the rise, it is worth looking into whether or not you have an alcohol problem, and if you do, to consider alcoholism treatment options. If you happen to live in Pennsylvania, there are plenty of alcoholism treatment options that might suit you.

Do I Have Alcoholism?

One indication that you might have an alcohol problem involves drinking even when it has caused you problems in the past. For example, has your drinking ever caused you to drive while intoxicated, to skip out on your responsibilities, to miss work or to get in trouble with the police? These are all things that indicate that your problem is out of control. Similarly, regularly drinking until you get sick or until you black out can definitely be a sign that you need to seek treatment.

Alcoholism is also a condition that affects the people around you and the way that you interact with them. For example, have you considered whether or not you hide the fact that you are drinking too much from the people around you? Do they treat you differently when you have been drinking, or have they ever told you that you are drinking too much? These are all signs that you might be experiencing a problem.

Analyze when you are drinking. Alcoholics are more likely to drink while they are alone, and they tend to use alcohol as a relief from stress. Do you find that you drink on your own a fair amount, and do you find that you are reaching for alcohol as a relief whenever you feel angry or upset? The problem is that alcohol tends to be a mood amplifier, and if you start to drink when you are upset, it can make your emotional state even worse.

Similarly, consider how you react to the idea that you might be dependent on alcohol. Do you immediately feel a sense of fear, anger or dread? Some people who are alcoholics fight or deny the idea that they could be addicted because if they are addicted, they know they should change.

How Can I Help Myself

When it comes to looking at alcohol abuse symptoms PA, also known as Pennsylvania, is one place where you can definitely get help. When you are trying to identify alcohol abuse symptoms PA public services has a number of different resources for you. There are local support groups, both public and private, that can give you the information to quit as well as the support to help you get clean, and on top of that, you will be able to get advice from people who have been in the same situation that you are going through. These support networks understand what you are going through and genuinely wish to help you through the challenge of healing yourself.

The truth is that while there is plenty of help available, you have to take the first step yourself. This is something that you have to decide that you want, so consider what it means to you.

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Understanding Drug And Alcohol Abuse And How to Cope With It

Ever wondered what turns a sober individual into a drug and alcohol addict? The reason may differ from person to person but the fact remains the same that it can potentially ruin the life of the addicts and distress those who are attached to them. Some people do not understand why individuals become addicted to drugs and alcohol, and how it can change the brain to foster compulsive drug abuse; instead, they mistake the addiction as a social issue and may also characterize those who are into drugs and alcohol as morally feeble.

In fact, there is a common belief among people that the addicts should be able to quit taking drugs and alcohol if they are willing to change their behavior and live a better life. However, what people often underestimate is the intricacy involved with drug addiction. It is a condition that affects the brain, due to which, stopping drug and alcohol abuse is not simply a matter of choice. However, the good news is that drug addiction can be successfully treated and patients can stop drugs and alcohol abuse with correct help.

Various alcoholism clinics are present today that provide correct treatment and help the patients resume their productive and healthy lives.

Why do some people become addicted to alcohol and drugs while others do not?

There is no single factor that can predict whether or not a person will become addicted to drugs or alcohol. However, the risk for addiction may get influenced by social environment, family environment, person's biology, circumstances and age, as well as stage of development. The higher the number of the risk factors an individual has, the higher are the chances that taking drugs and alcohol would lead to addiction.

Treatment and Prevention are the Keys

Thankfully, drug and alcohol addiction is preventable and can be treated with the help of experts. There are various treatment programs offered by drug and alcoholism clinics that include detox, inpatient, and outpatient programs, all aimed at helping the addicts lead a healthier life. These treatments play a major role in helping dependent drinkers control their drug and drinking habit and rebuild their lives. Furthermore, it is also advisable to involve your kids in such prevention programs and make them understand the harms of drug and alcohol abuse.

How to find rehab centers and alcohol treatment clinics

Thanks to the web, today, we can search everything related to drug and alcohol clinics and more from the comfort of our homes. Just make sure to select a nearby rehab center so that the near and dear ones of those to be treated can meet them on a regular basis.

Simentha Williams is an expert writter and analyst in online marketing related topics. She is a web specialist and written a number of articles on Stop drinking, addiction treatment, clinicas de alcoholismo, alcohol addiction, effects of alcohol, addiction recovery, alcohol addiction treatment and tratamiento del alcoholismo.
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Are You Through With Drinking Alcohol Temporarily?

Well at least until the next time or when you reach your weight decrease aim!

If you were centering on your Boot camp meals and workout routines over the last few days by cracking out the Brealy Bootcamps HIIT training program video lessons you should begin to discover results! Attempting to keep a meal log and recording everything is crucial and one thing that often gets left off of food diaries is your alcohol consumption!

Alcohol may well be one thing that obstructs you from decreasing those few extra few pounds of unwanted body fat every week here's precisely why...

Alcohol has got 7 calories per gram, just about as much as fat (9 calories per gram) and nearly twice as much as carbohydrate food and healthy proteins. Which means that even one or two small drinks could possibly be 300-400 calories!

Did you know say you decided to consume alcohol with your food your body has a tendency to burn the alcohol first so in theory storing the food you are consuming as fat. Not simply does alcohol make you hungrier but will also can lower your inhibitions making you more likely to splurge on unhealthy options! Of course the classic is that late night feast to the takeaway after a late night out drinking alcohol with mates or that night face-to-face with the Telly with a bottle of wine and all the nibbles that go on and on!

At Brealy Bootcamps we don't express you shouldn't appreciate a drink once in a while, however alcohol the same as sugar and fatty foods should be consumed without excess. If you're a drinker and require that fix every once in awhile, perhaps you may be open to reducing to a glass every other evening or perhaps having a glass at weekends or if you are going out for a meal.

There are more solutions to reduce the impact alcohol has on you getting those fat loss results so if you're planning to indulge take into account our weight loss camps top tips.

Champagne possesses fewer calories than most wines and beers so it's more than a very good drink to enjoy your achievements with.

For each drink you have give some thought to drinking one glass of water, it can help your body metabolize the alcohol and will counteract the dehydrating effects on the body, like the next day hangover!

It takes the liver 1 hour to process 1 ounce of alcohol, So space out your drinks with that water. The less you overload the liver the better it will likely be capable of work on wearing down the fats from the foods you eat.

If your has the intention to go out for some drinks plan your day accordingly, eating lighter foods loaded full of nutrition to encourage the livers purposes or being more active though the day can help always keep your energy expenditure high and intake low so you could maintain and not put on weight in that 7 days.

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Court-Ordered Drug Treatment Information (Juanita Darling)

It is a strange fact of life that ugly and evil things often have interesting histories. The word "slave," for example, dates back to the Ancient Romans and was coined shortly after they conquered and enslaved most of Slavonia. As a result, the eponym became synonymous with a subjugated population. These slaves were given as rewards to Roman soldiers, but were known by their Latin name, "addict." In modern usage, the word describes someone whose life is controlled by anything other than his own will. This description is fitting when applied to any form of addition.

According to the latest report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an estimated 22 million Americans were dependent on or abused drugs. That's more than 8 percent of the total population over the age of 12! Most of these addicts were heavy or binge drinkers. About one-third of them required treatment for a drug problem and rest needed help with a serious alcohol issue.

The Problem behind the Problem

As anyone who has ever staged an intervention could tell you, the most difficult step on the road to recovery is getting the addict to admit he actually has a problem. Only about one in ten substance abusers say they need help. Fortunately then, most of them get it! But what are the other 90 percent of friends, family members, and loved ones to do with an addict that refuses to admit and accept that he has a problem?

Court-Ordered Drug Treatment

As a general rule, Americans have a live-and-let-live attitude toward most issues. But when something impacts their lives or the lives of their loved one, they have no compunction about speaking up. Nearly one-third of all driving fatalities involve alcohol! On a national scale, that's nearly 10,000 people who were killed by addicts, abusers, and people with extremely poor judgment.


According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), a nonprofit organization, Florida has more drunk driving deaths than all but two U.S. states (Texas and California). It is no surprise then that legislators in the Sunshine State have taken extreme measures to stop motorists from driving under the influence. In addition to having some of the toughest drunk driving laws in the nation, Florida also follows the problem to its roots. In other words, it seeks to identify and provide treatment for the people who are most likely to drive under the influence, i.e., alcoholics.

The Florida Marchman Act gives the families and friends of addicts the power to have them involuntarily committed for addiction treatment should they refuse to listen to reason. It is one of the most progressive pieces of legistlation that addresses a problem that has become a public safety threat.

How does it work?

Under the law, only a spouse, blood relative, or any three people who have proof of a person's addiction can invoke the Marchman Act. In most cases, it is the final recourse that loved ones can utilize to force an addict to get the help and treatment they so desperately need but won't accept on their own.

Although each case is different, most begin with a court-ordered intervention assessment. If the subject is found to be an addict, the court may then order stabilization or detox as well as long-term treatment and monitoring. Because it is a legal procedure, the petitioner must file paperwork with the court that essentially asks the judge to assess an accused addict for involuntary treatment under the Marchman Act. If the judge determines that the individual is a threat to society or to himself, he/she may sanction court-ordered drug treatment.

Addiction Recovery Legal Services, LLC provides guidance, advice, and legal aid to the families of substance abusers through the Florida Marchman Act. The law gives loved ones the legal right and authority to compel an addict to receive court-ordered drug treatment. For more information on this legal intervention process, please visit us at http://www.arlshelp.com.
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Addicts Not All The Same

There is a tendency to think that all addicts are the same. Addiction and survivors of abuse are first of all people. Stereotyping all alcoholics, all drug users and any other form of addiction as a common personality type does not work.

Would you say that all people with a broken leg are the same?

What has to be thought about at all times is 'Are we treating the disease or are we trying to change what we perceive to be a personality defect.' Which may indeed be a personality defect. Even if it is not a personality defect is it what you want? Some addicts are basically nice people. Others can be very horrible. Others still are nice people but we don't want to be with them.

There are commonalities due to the disease but not everything we do not like is the disease. Mostly it is the person. The not very nice addicts will often play on their addiction to excuse unacceptable behaviour.

More than one person has spent years getting their addict sober or dry only to find that they do not actually like the addict. Those wasted years can never be recovered.

It is not fashionable to say walk away but there is a good case for looking at the addict and asking 'Do I like this person.' If you do not like this person then walk away. Your health and well-being is more important than someone you don't like.

This is a major problem for anyone caught up in the addiction merry-go-round. It is very easy for the focus to be on the addict full time and lose sight of who we are and what we want. Where is it written that you have to care for a person you do not like just because they have a self-inflicted condition?

Even if there is a problem such as childhood abuse it is still up to the addict to do something about it. The usual thing that happens is the addict will use the problem as the excuse for not doing anything to help themselves. Why change when everything they want can be obtained by manipulating those around them?

Addicts, as part of the disease, are Zen Masters at manipulation. Even the nicest of addicts are very manipulative. This is the thing that as a partner of significant other of an addict must be constantly aware off. The addict will try to manipulate you at all times.

If there is to be progress towards the recovery of an addict the manipulation has to stop. That is up to you because it won't be in the addict's interest to stop the manipulation. They thrive on it. If the manipulation stops the addict will sometimes leave to find someone they can manipulate. If they do it can cause grief but it is a sign that your recovery is well under way.

If a basically OK person teams up with an addict the addict does not get better, the OK person gets sick. If you are reading this you will probably already know the sickness is called co-dependency.

Most literature on co-dependency will concentrate on how to survive and restore our sanity in a relationship with an addict. What is often forgotten is whether or not you want to be there is the first place. Often the reason we stay is a misguided sense of duty and fear.

These are the addict's weapons. Misguided duty and fear. Even if the addict is your son or daughter what is your duty to them? Is it you duty to fall into a deep hole of fear and shame for all the things your addict blames you for or says you should have done? So you made mistakes, some real but mostly they are the mistakes your addict invents to manipulate you.

Do you want to continue to sink deeper into this dark place? The way out of the dark place starts by looking at your situation and asking yourself quietly and calmly if this is really where you want to be. It must be quietly and calmly because spur of the moment decisions will not work long term. The first secret is to see the situation as it is and decide if this is what you want. It is difficult to imagine what it would be like with this person without the disease and it might take a long time to see, but that is what is required if the decision is to be right for you.

If you decide to physically leave be certain that it is because you want something better; not just that you are running away.

You may want to physically stay or you might want to leave. Either way this is the beginning. If you physically stay you can still leave that dark place by learning not to be controlled or manipulated. The game of addiction takes at least two to play. Learn how not to play and things have to change.

Addicts are not all the same. There is still the person that you may or may not like. The problem is that it all gets blamed on the disease without any understanding of the person. The disease masks everything else. See the disease as it is and the size it is and it is not everything. There is much more. It is this much more that needs to be looked at.

The control and manipulation must stop. What is needed to stop the addicts control and manipulation, and to stop your control and manipulation? There is no way known you can control or manipulate an addict. It is part of the disease that they will always be one step ahead of you. The only way forward is to end the manipulation, which means stopping your manipulation. If you don't then today is the best day of your life. From here on in it is down hill all the way.

Yosef Albric Photo I only write about things that I have experienced. In all things to do with addictions it has to be experienced to understand. I come from the postion of not sacrificing ourself on the alter of someone else's addiction. Please visit my website http://www.yosefalbric.com/ for more of my work. Yosef Albric
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How Counseling Helps Addicts in Addiction Recovery? (Nicholas Grimaldi)

Those who are the victims of drug or alcohol abuse can benefit from counseling or behavioral therapy in a number of ways. It is the most effective treatment to help alcoholics and drug addicts to get rid of their detestable habits, and also deal with addiction recovery symptoms. Some counseling experts suggest both individual and group therapy for the betterment of individuals.

Several methods are employed by psychoanalysts, but all of them are meant to alter behavioral patterns of addicts so that they are able to abstain from alcoholic beverages and drugs. Let's understand now how psychotherapy helps.

The first and foremost benefit is teaching patients to develop the determination required to avoid drinks, cocaine, and drugs. When individuals are obsessed with stuff like cocaine, brown sugar, and alcohol, they lose control on themselves and their behavior. This makes it extremely challenging for the victims of substance abuse to quit drinking or taking cocaine. With the help of cognitive behavioral treatment, one can learn how to control cravings and deal with negative emotions that compel them to consume alcohol or drugs. Again, specialists at drug rehab centers teach patients to evade a relapse.

Counselors encourage alcoholics and substance abusers to be part of support groups. This helps patients feel that they are not alone in the crowd. It's not that they are going through a difficult phase in life alone. Involvement in group therapy classes help individuals that others are experiencing similar challenges. This way, it improves their confidence to stay away from addiction and share ideas and discuss problems.

Motivating alcoholics or addicts through motivational improvement therapy and interviewing plays a crucial role in recovery. In such sessions, people are made to understand the perils of addiction and how it destroys lives of the addicted person, as well as, those closely associated, such as family members. The counselor explains how obsession in alcohol or drugs can impact one's life adversely and the consequences. It's not that only problems are discussed, but patients are also encouraged to take necessary actions to get rid of their obnoxious habit.


Sometimes, small incentives are offered during the recovery process. It has been observed that incentives help in behavioral changes, in addicts. Since getting rid of addiction involves a great amount of patience and commitment, it is beneficial for patients to be compensated with little incentives. These rewards are given to appreciate the achievements of the addicted persons in the recovery process. You might be wondering what these rewards are. Well, these are little but significant incentives like restaurant coupons, movie tickets, or gift coupons for people reaching milestones during the therapy. These rewards will encourage patients to stay motivated and complete the counseling sessions.

Involvement of friends and family members in addiction recovery programs also help victims of alcoholism and drug abuse to stay motivated. There is nothing like the cooperation of family members. If they take time out and get educated about their loved one's addiction, the patient's recovery becomes all easy. This way, victims feel that they are not ostracized, but supported to help get rid of drinking and drug abuse.

What are your views on this topic? Please feel free to comment.

Nicholas Grimaldi is a professional counselor who educates people regarding Addiction Recovery programs and Drug Rehab centers. He also helps by building Addiction Social Networking and communities such as Amity Connect that encourage learning and sharing problems as a method to fight addiction.
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What Are You Addicted To?

Have you ever done a Vision Quest? I recently went on one in the Arizona Desert. Although they are not easy, I have found each one very rewarding and worth the challenge.

One of the biggest challenges of a typical Vision Quest is giving up what you think you need. On a Vision Quest you give up food: fasting for at least a day and as many as four. You give up comfort; you are sleeping outside on the ground with just the very basics. You give up entertainment: no cell phones, newspapers, TV, internet, or books. There is just the sound of the wind and the stars in the sky to entertain you. You give up companionship; a Vision Quest is done solo. You are alone and isolated (at least from people). And you give up safety; it is just you alone out there with the wild beasts, creatures, and creepy crawlies of the night.

One of the major breakthroughs on a Vision Quest is this discovery: you don't need these things as much as you THINK you do! The key word here is THINK. If that THINKING is not challenged, it tends to go on running our lives for better or worse. What you can learn on a Vision Quest, by challenging your BELIEFs, is that you are whole and complete, safe and empowered, inspired and cared for, with far less stuff than you think you need. With this new knowing comes peace, true freedom, and your authentic power of choice. These are things worth "Questing" for.

In many ways what we are talking about here is addictions, things we think we need, or have to do, or can't live without.

Let's have a look at the word addiction: Ad-dict: from the Latin addicere, to give assent.

to give oneself up to a strong habit,to make become addicted; addiction.

When we think of "addiction," we typically think of the people who are abusing drugs, i.e. the drug addict. However, in reality, addiction is a far more prevalent and widespread challenge. Look carefully at the definition of addict above. To be addicted, you only have to give yourself up to, or over to, a strong habit. Drugs are just ONE of the habits we humans can give ourselves up to.

The problem with addiction lies in this notion of "giving oneSELF up" to something. You are literally giving up to and giving your POWER over to, something that is apparently "more powerful" than you. In this manner, the addict makes himself or herself powerless. Ouch! Every time you engage your habit in this manner as an addict, you reinforce your powerlessness and weaken your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies. This is the pain, and this is the loss, experienced by an addict.

So what are you addicted to? How about Starbucks? Are you one of those millions of people who "can't start your day" without your morning cup of Joe. Really? You CAN'T start your day? Notice the powerlessness in this statement and the giving over of one's power. You feel you "have no choice, you have to do this." These are the words of an addict. Whether addicts consciously realize it or not, they are suffering because of it.

How about TV? Gaming? Alcohol? Shopping? The Internet? Or email? Oh, there's one for the masses: email (or put in texting for the younger crowd). I recently heard on the radio an announcer say "Studies show that decreasing time on email can significantly improve productivity, but changing that habit is very challenging because it is an ADDICTION." People feel powerless. Can you relate?

Even so called "good habits" can become detrimental addictions if we become powerless in our choice to engage them or not. Take, for example, work. You're called a work-a-holic if you're addicted to work. What starts out as a good thing - being productive, serving others, and doing a good job - becomes detrimental when you lose your freedom of choice. People in this boat will say things like "I have to work late, I have no choice." They are affirming they are powerless. We can put exercise, sleep, sex, eating, and all kinds of things into this category that are good and healthy when freely and appropriately engaged and chosen, but then become detrimental and even damaging when they move over into the category of addiction.

So why do we do this? What is underlying our addictions? Good question. My answer: FEAR. Fundamentally what is driving the addictive behavior is a fear of something. For the email or text addict it might be something like "I'm afraid I'll miss something important." For the work-a-holic it might be something like "I'm afraid my boss and colleagues will not approve of me." For the caffeine addict it might be "I'm afraid I will not have the energy and drive to think fast and succeed." For the social drinker it might be "I'm afraid of people; I may be awkward and rejected." Afraid, afraid, afraid. Fear, fear, fear.

Addictions are challenging to overcome because to achieve it you must FACE YOUR FEAR. To restore your peace, freedom, wholeness, and authentic power of choice you must embrace and face your fear, whatever it may be.

I am very intimate with this process. For me, addictions cloud my channel with the Divine. My tolerance for my addictions has been greatly decreasing over the years. When I give my power over to something outside of me, I am saying to myself, "The Divine in me is not powerful enough to overcome this addiction," and "This thing outside of me is more powerful than me." When I engage my addictions I am saying no to the Divine power within. I am saying "I need this to feel good, to be OK, to be safe." And on the flip side I am saying "I do not feel good, I am not OK, and I am not safe" (therefore I must engage this addiction to fix that). These are affirmations I am not interested in affirming!

As a social drinker of alcohol for most of my life, I have given up alcohol for all of 2012. I'm nine months into my challenge - and doing just fine. It is a spiritual practice for me, a sacrifice to the Divine in the greatest of ways. Each time I wish I could have a drink - usually weekend social events - I embrace the Divine within affirming "I feel good, I am OK, I am safe, etc." without alcohol. And you know what, I am! Plus, I've discovered a whole new world of fabulous non-alcoholic drinks.

Restoring your power can become addictive! I've now moved on to caffeine. Having been a black tea drinker for a number of years, I am moving to herbal choices and other no or very low caffeine options. In this process I must face my fear of "I need caffeine to be sharp, energized, and productive." Instead I affirm "I am sharp, energized, and productive" without caffeine. And you know what? I am.

Releasing your addictions is about restoring your power. It's about restoring your connection to Source and knowing yourself as whole and complete (without whatever you feel you must have). And that's the real truth for each and every one of us. Your wholeness, completeness, freedom, love, and inspiration are always inside waiting for you to choose and embrace in each and every moment.

Try this:

Become aware of things you might be addicted to. Jot down on a piece of paper a short (or long) list of these things to which you are giving over your power. As you look at that list, for each one, ask yourself "What fear would I have to embrace if I were to stop this addiction?" Write down whatever fear comes up for you.

Next, take one addiction, and for a minute or two, just embrace the fear you identified for it. Take a deep breath and just let it settle in - do not resist it. More often than not, the fear is not as scary, or real, as our minds make them out to be. If you "stand up" to that fear, very often you'll find it melting away, sometimes slowly over time, sometimes quickly.

Then ask yourself, "What would be available to me if I were to stop this addiction? What are the potential benefits of not engaging this anymore?" And make your list of benefits if you were to release your addiction.

Finally, perhaps ask yourself, "Which one of these addictions am I ready to release and evolve beyond?" If none, that's fine, perhaps a time will come later. If it is time, then start moving in that direction. Take the first step, whatever that may be for you to gently, awake and aware, day by day, restore your authentic power of choice.

Congratulations you're one step closer to your mojo!

Roger Kenneth Marsh Photo Roger Kenneth Marsh is a Spiritual Life Coach & creator of the Major Good Mojo System. He has an engineering degree, MBA, is a Certified Life Coach, HeartMath® Provider, and Passion Test® Facilitator. Get his book "NexGen Human" on Amazon.com, and FREE CD "3 Keys to Major Good Mojo" at http://www.majorgoodmojo.com/free-cd
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Best E Cigs That Can Help You Get Rid Of Your Smoking Habit

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigs can help you stop smoking if you have never tried or tried once but not satisfied.E cigarettes are the best known alternative that is catching up with the smokers. There are many smokers who are quite satisfied and claimed to have stopped smoking tobacco cigarettes completely. On the other hand, there are also many users who are not satisfied and returned to traditional smoking again. This may be they are not able to find the right e-cig that meet their requirement. This article helps smokers find out the best e cigs to mark an end to their smoking habit.

Finding the suitable e cigarette calls for better ways. The advent of this magical device has brought in many companies and brands that make one difficult to choose the product one wants. Though the online market is the best option available, there are many things you should know before making a decision to buy. The success growth of electronic cigarettes as the best substitute to the tobacco cigarettes has brought in many companies, including those that offer spurious brands.

How to Buy Quality E Cigs?

Since e-cigarettes are looked more as a health-wise alternative and means to quit smoking than the substitute to the traditional cigarettes, buying them requires several factors to be looked upon. After getting one, if it causes any problem, you will be upset. Therefore, the quality e cigs should be:

The products of a reputed company that offers the best brands of e cigs.Backed up with the warranty for batteries that are leak proof and that would last for long.Using good resistance atomizer fair enough to last 6-8 weeks depending upon the intensity of its use.Supported with a range of cartridges that help smokers to move from high nicotine level to zero nicotine level and finally quit smoking completely.

It is always wise to read the reviews of users to find if a particular brand has any past defects attached to it. The questions with regard to the life of cartridges, intensity of the atomizer, cost, etc., can help you gain more information about the best e cigs in the market. Moreover, the starter kits with all the accessories available also help you to try and experience a product to your satisfaction. So, go ahead, take a right decision and get rid of your smoking habit, not to regret about it in future.

Rakesh Sharma Jack Photo If you are looking for a good online store to buy best e cigs for personal use or even bulk purchases, check out an ultimate catalog for a quick purchase at: UnlimitedECigs.com.
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Advantages of Residential Recovery Program

If you feel that somebody who has to undergo addiction recovery through meeting houses would find it tiring and just a waste of time, then consider having them instead go for residential recovery program. This program is nowhere to be seen on any traditional rehabilitation centers anywhere. As a matter of fact, all it needs is a dedication in order to fulfill and receive the healing it entails.

Basically, the person suffering from addiction would have to abide to a 12 step recovery process which would later on define how much improvement they are already achieving. And since it is done in a facility, it would definitely become very advantageous on the following cases:

1. Constant Visitation

The program does not restrict the visitation of friends, family, and loved ones. As a matter of fact, they are highly encouraged to come and visit any time without any worries about limitations in visiting hours and in the number of people allowed to come in. This is highly encouraged so that their participation in some of the activities would make it livelier and that the morale of the patient is highly boosted.

2. Program Comfortably Administered

Since the residential recovery program is done within the facility, one can be away from temptations and experts are within the vicinity to help. In addition, residents are closely monitored and taken care of. They can also be away from tempattion and the feeling of alienation is felt when one is just at home. He would always feel guilty.

3. Travel Expenses Reduced

If driving or hitting the road makes it feel very boring, then the fact that treatment can be done in a facility for a certain period of time will certainly give enjoyment through activities and people who have the same problem. The program can be administered as the therapist itself will voluntarily go to your place to help do the activities and lectures that would complete the 12 step recovery process. As a result, coping up with the addiction would be done with minimal costs on the patient's part.

With the use of residential recovery program, the process of recovery becomes more effective, faster, and comfortable. For best results, one should really try their best to follow their instructor or therapist. When thought of addiction comes to mind, try to think of something that would replace it, just like happy thoughts together with family, friends, and loved ones. When addiction is defeated, it is easier to live life happily and without worries.

Jason Skeen Photo Jason Skeen is an online writer. As an ex-alcoholic, he writes about alcoholism and getting the right treatments. Learn about alcoholism treatments by following his articles.
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