Disease & Illness
Drug and Alcoholism Addiction Treatment Options
So you’ve identified that you or someone you love needs help. So what then are the options are far as alcoholism addiction treatment and treatment for drug addiction?
In my opinion, you should always try and make rehab/treatment program your first choice. You’ll typically spend 4-6 weeks getting clean and off the drugs/alcohol. (The length of your stay can vary depending on the treatment center you go to)
Because a focused in-patient treatment program will not only help you detox - but help you deal with a lot of the ‘baggage’ that you carry which causes you to drink or use drugs - through intensive therapy, counselling etc.
Getting that same level of quality care and treatment is much harder if you don’t go to rehab. And just as importantly, a good rehab or treatment center not only helps you get clean, but prepares you for a life outside its walls in terms of equipping you to maintain your sobriety once you leave.
Don’t let thinking rehab or treatment is unaffordable stop you. Yes, you get the expensive/fancy one’s the rich and famous go to that you read about in magazines - but there are many different types. A lot of treatment centers are government subsidised, so whatever your financial position, make sure you do your research, because I’m sure you will find an option that makes it possible for you to go.
Apart from rehab (which I would always recommend first) - what other treatment options are there? There are addiction and alcoholism self-help treatments where you would essentially need to spend a lot of time working on your emotional, spiritual and mental self - which no doubt has the ability to effect great change. I don’t have time for specifics now (try my website for that) - but I still think you should try a treatment program like rehab first because of the professional help you will be receiving.
Alternative alcoholism and addiction treatments are also becoming more popular. Alternative alcoholism treatments and the like definitely have a role to play - but I still think they should be used alongside a more traditional approach first - because there is so much to gain from the professionals who help you in a place like rehab.
Therefore when considering treatments for drug addiction or alcoholism addiction treatment options - make getting into a treatment center/rehab your priority. Things like alternative alcoholism treatment and addiction/alcoholism self-help methods can play a massive part - but going to rehab will just give you that head start, and so make recovery that much easier.
A Critical Alcoholism Symptom and Drug Addiction Sign
If you want to know if you or a loved-one is indeed an alcoholic or drug addict - it’s important that you know what the drug addiction signs and alcoholism symptoms are.
There are various symptoms and signs of addiction - but rather than tell you what they all are here (don’t hesitate to visit my website for that) - I want to give you what I believe is the most important one.
Most people think alcoholism or drug addiction is a function of how much you drink or how often you use drugs. I don’t think that’s the case however.
There are naturally times when it’s obvious that someone is an alcoholic or drug addict. The addict’s life will revolve around their habit and doing anything from working to maintaining relationships is near impossible.
The alcoholic will also just about - or already have - lost everything. Relationships will have broken down, holding a job down has become almost impossible - and it is now an open fact that this person is an alcoholic.
However, many suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction, aren’t that advanced yet with their addiction. Therefore you want to recognise the symptoms of drug addiction and alcoholism early.
And for me the telling sign and symptom of alcoholism and drug addiction is when you notice that your drinking or using begins to affect your life, i.e. the things you normally do on a daily basis.
So it means you’re probably thinking more and more about the next chance you’ll get to have a drink or use your drug of choice, your work is beginning to suffer, your relationships are starting to be affected - and unless you have that drink or take your drugs you increasingly find yourself struggling to cope (even if it is just mentally still because using or drinking provide you with a certain emotional comfort)
The problem is, that it is usually difficult to pick up on this alcoholism or drug addiction symptom, because it happens quickly and if often subtle. Denial usually prevents you seeing what is happening in your own case unless you are able to be really honest with yourself - or if it’s a person you care about, look out for changes in attitude, behaviour or mood.
Signs of alcoholism and drug addiction are numerous - but if you can see this one and hopefully catch the addiction early - treatment and recovery should be easier and your chances of success far greater.
Heart Disease - Public Enemy Number 1?
INTRODUCTION: Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions that affect the heart and its blood vessels. Also called cardiovascular disease, it primarily affects older persons and indicates that there are problems with the heart and arteries.
It has become the number one cause of death in the U.S., is a primary cause of disability, doesn’t go away, but by working with your physician, you can live longer and feel better. Types of cardiovascular disease include: Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type and is the #1 cause of heart attacks.
In 2003, almost two times as many women died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers combined. The older a woman becomes, the more likely she is to develop cardiovascular problems; however women at all ages should be concerned.
African American and Hispanic American/Latina women are more likely to get heart disease because they tend to have more risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, and diabetes than Caucasian women. Women of color are also more likely to die of the disease.
Having diabetes increase your odds of getting heart disease and high levels of triglycerides have been linked to the disease in some people. Also Being overweight increases your risk. Chest or arm pain or discomfort can be a sign of cardiovascular disease and an omen of an actual or impending heart attack.
If your dad or brother had a heart attack before age 55, or if your mom had one before age 65, you’re more likely to develop heart disease. Birth control pills can pose risks for some women, especially women older than 35, women with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol and women who smoke.
Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. You can find out more about heart disease by contacting the National Women’s Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662.
The risk of coronary disease can be decreased by taking steps to prevent and control those factors that put people at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack. The very best ways to prevent heart disease are to control your blood pressure, diabetes or a higher than normal cholesterol level and, if you smoke, STOP SMOKING.
CHOLESTEROL: What does a high level of cholesterol have to do with heart disease? It can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting necessary blood. People with high blood cholesterol or elevated blood triglycerides often have no symptoms, so have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked often. If your levels are high, talk to your physician about what you can do to lower them. You may be able to decrease your levels by eating better and exercising more, if not, your physician may prescribe medication to lower and bring it under control.
When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries, forming plaque and causing blood clots. There are basically two types of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is often called the “bad” type because it can clog the arteries that carry blood to your heart. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the “good” type because it takes the bad cholesterol out of your blood and keeps it from building up in your arteries.
All women 20 years of age and older should have their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at least once every five years. If you are overweight, losing weight can help reduce your total cholesterol and LDL (”bad cholesterol”) levels.
Try to consume more foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Skim (fat-free) or low-fat (1%) milk and cheeses, and low-fat or nonfat yogurt, Fruits and vegetables (try for five a day), Cereals, breads, rice, and pasta created from whole grains (such as “whole-wheat” or “whole-grain” bread and pasta, rye bread, brown rice, and oatmeal), Limit consumption of organ meats (liver, kidney, brains), Egg yolks, Fats (butter, lard) and oils, Packaged and processed foods.
There are two diets that may help decrease your cholesterol: Heart Healthy Diet and Therapeutic Lifestyles Changes (TLC) Diet. Exercise can help decrease LDL (”bad cholesterol”) and raise HDL (”good cholesterol”). If your physician has prescribed medicine to decrease your cholesterol, take it exactly as you have been told to.
CONCLUSION: Heart disease is not contagious - you can’t get it like you can the flu or a cold. It is a general term that refers to a variety of acute and chronic medical diseases that affect one or more of the components of the heart. The signs you describe to your physician will help to decide if you need to be tested for heart disease. Your physician will also check if you have any conditions that can increase your chance of developing the disease.
These conditions include: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol level, menopause in women, family members who have had heart disease at a young age. If you have cardiovascular disease, your angina can be treated by treating the heart disease. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight plus a regular exercise program can help you avoid heart disease.
