The Struggle That Comes After Getting Clean

Becoming sober is only the first step on a lifelong journey. Ask someone who’s been clean of drugs for so many years and they will tell you that they have been recovering instead. The problem is that just because an individual has become sober, it does not mean that the temptation has gone away. Being an addictive personality is no cake walk.

Many individuals turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of self medication. They have suffered emotionally at some point in their life to a grievous extent, with no ready support from other sources. Their pain is an engulfing thing. A potential addict won’t go to a doctor because they’re not taught to, or there is a stigma attached to admitting that they need help. Instead, alcohol or drugs serve to kill the pain.

Some addicts turn to drugs such as heroin or intoxicants like alcohol because they are depressants. Others gravitate towards crystal meth and cocaine for the euphoria. In either case, the facts remain the same: Drugs kill the pain. No having to feel anymore, just ride off on the cloud of bliss. The problem here with illegal drugs is that there is no structured support in their use, just go hide somewhere and get stoned. There is no one to talk to, no one to confide in, just the drugs taking over.

Once the addict starts the journey to get clean, they must begin to face the issues that drove them to the drug use in the first place. That look inside is hell indeed. Breaking the chains to addiction means that all of the issues that they were hiding from comes back into the full light. This is why it is so important to get counseling. Talking to a therapist gives the addict tools to move on with their life and not fall back into destructive patterns.

The temptation will always be there for the addict, even after getting sober. It never really goes away, just lies in the background, waiting. This is why the ex-addict will say that they are still in recovery.

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Need Nutritional Diet for Detox

It is very important that individuals get a well-balanced, healthy diet. This helps with physical functions and optimum growth in teens and kids. For alcohol drinkers though, nutrition is absolutely essential. Alcohol floods the bloodstream with toxins which harm the body in varying degrees according to how much alcohol is consumed.

A simple explanation is as follows:

1. With an alcohol level of 0.05-0.1 can cause in-balance, slurred speech, and distinct changes in emotions
2. With a blood alcohol level of 0.2 a drinker can pass-out
3. With a blood alcohol level of 0.3 is so severe that a person can be in a coma and completely unresponsive

It may also be good to note here that a blood alcohol level of 0.08 is considered legally drunk.

Since alcohol has so many negative effects, it is essential when doing detoxification to off-set these symptoms with a very healthy diet. For example, alcohol works as a diuretic which means it dehydrates the body. Drink plenty of fluids to re-hydrate yourself. Water is always a very healthy choice. Also though, fruit juices are a nutritional option because they can be high in the needed vitamins.

For example, heavy drinkers need extra Vitamin C, which builds healthier connective tissue in the body (specifically blood vessel walls, gums, and bones). Vitamin C as well as other needed vitamins can be found in orange juice, lemonade, apple juice, pineapple juice, and other citrus juices.

Other vitamins needed are thiamin and riboflavin which can help cleanse the bloodstream from the harmful toxins. Folic acids found in leafy green vegetables are also important to add to the diet. Eating extra fiber can also assist in binding toxins in the bowel and helps with the process of eliminating toxins from the body.

These are a few simple tips, but when considering a full-nutritional plan for detoxification it is best to consult medical experts or do some well-rounded research.

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Be prepared for violent outbursts during the Detox period

NEW YORK - JUNE 01: A man drinks a soft drink...
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If you’re a friend or a loved one that has decided to help someone through their Detox period while trying to overcame addiction, be prepared for just about anything.
Drug addiction is no laughing matter, and very few people can just make up their minds to quit.  For many, the attempt to get past drug addiction will be the hardest thing they undertake during this lifetime.
As the body goes through the Detox period, swings of emotion and sometimes abnormal bodily sweats and gigantic mood swings can occur.  Sometimes the best place for an individual to go through their Detox period is in a professional setting where doctors can administer drugs that will help with the Detox process.
If you’re going to help someone through this period, here are some examples of things that might help.
1.    Have thick skin – The Detox period is going to be filled with angry and sad moments, and you can expect just about any and all derogatory comments to fly at you with reckless abandon.
2.    Have plenty of fluids on hand – The person going through their Detox is going to sweat, and having water, soda and other non-alcoholic drinks around will help through the process.
3.    Plan on being there for more than a few days.  The typical Detox period takes 48-72 hours, so understand it’s not an overnight thing.  Have plenty of movies or music on hand to help pass the time.
4.    Encourage the person to keep a journal – Some of the most powerful healing processes are seeing in our own words the struggles we overcome.  By writing down the terrible and even happy moments, the individual going through the process needs to see it for themselves.
As stated earlier, Detox can be a long and painful process and may need to be done at the hands of a professional.

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Alcohol Withdrawal Can Be Dangerous

People you know and love may be going through a course of treatment at alcohol drug treatment centers. You know that this is a difficult course of treatment, but one that is necessary to get these loved ones on the road to recovery. However, you should be aware of the effects of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which can be life threatening. This is especially dangerous in people who have had a high level of alcohol consumption for long periods of time and then have completely ceased or dramatically reduced their consumption level.

The effects of withdrawal can occur within a couple of hours after consuming a drink and may continue for many weeks. The symptoms can include anxiety, body shakes, and more serious complications including seizures and DTs (delirium tremens). Death can even occur from the DTs. The symptoms of DTs include increased heartbeat, fever, and confusion.

Other symptoms of withdrawal are sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Some people may experience hallucinations that are different from DTs and may resolve within 48 hours or so.

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can come on very rapidly, so it is highly advisable to get medical help as soon as possible, even if you think the symptoms are mild. Medical attention during withdrawal can reduce the possibility of seizures or DTs.

If your loved one has experienced withdrawals in previous episodes, it is even more important to seek professional help. Medical treatment becomes especially critical for people who have other underlying conditions such as heart disease, infections, or a history of seizures.

Consider severe withdrawal symptoms to be a medical emergency and call 911 if the person is experiencing severe confusion, seizures, heartbeat irregularities, or fever. Because alcohol withdrawal can produce dangerous symptoms, it is recommended that people who wish to quit drinking seek professional help rather than trying to quit by themselves.

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Detox – On your way to recovery after substance abuse

Though a lot many individuals are taking to drugs and alcohol with every passing moment, there are also quite a few who have decided to kick the habit for their own good. However, one should know that joining a detox program is only half the process. Staying the course and getting back to one’s old ways is the biggest challenge.

Many people realize that they did not become drug addicts overnight. It was a gradual habit. The same way, staying away from drugs is not something that happens like what is seen in the movies. The person decides to quit, takes an oath not to touch abusive substances in the future, and turns a new leaf the next instant. It takes a lot of mental conditioning and days of practice. Many individuals are also seeking professional advice. Some are even prepared to join detox classes, even if it means taking cash advances to get rid of these habits.

Many doctors recommend that a person joining these classes be accompanied by someone. A close associate or a family friend would be of immense help since it would be hard to cross the bridge alone. The person undergoing this treatment would be losing a lot of sweat and body fluids. It is advisable to carry a lot of fluids, non-alcoholic beverages, and loads of water.

The friend accompanying the person getting treated would also do well to understand that there could be sudden outbursts or mood swings due to a sudden change in the system. It is not easy to let go of the craving for drugs. Listening to some soothing music and practicing meditation and yoga could also be possible steps to take.

 Finally, nothing is more comforting than listening to the words of someone who has been a drug addict himself and kicked the habit for good now, which is why people undergoing detox treatment are put in such groups many a time.

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Detox Your Body: Electronic Cigarette Company Helps Consumers

The Need for a Body Detox

A body detox is something that most people do once a year or even twice, depending on their body’s needs and their personal lifestyle. Many alternative health sources suggest a body detox for individuals who experience the following things on a recurring basis:

  • A sluggish, slow metabolism. Usually a person who finds it hard to “get started” every day may be a candidate for a body detox.
  • Infrequent periods of bowel elimination. Medical professionals advocate anywhere from one to three elimination periods on a daily basis. This varies widely per individual, but if the person is not on a routine schedule, he may have a problem.
  • Poor or interrupted periods of sleep. This is usually indicates a person needs to detox, especially if she wakes with episodes of stomach cramps, a boiling stomach, or even unusual hunger pangs.
  • An upset stomach or poor digestion systems. If an individual can’t clear up these symptoms with traditional methods, he may need a more aggressive approach to rectify the problem.

Types of Detox Systems

There are numerous types of companies that produce products to help consumers with detoxing their bodies as they pursue healthier living. Traditional detoxing, like colon cleansing and liver flushing, are very common, but lung detoxing is quickly becoming a popular method of detoxing, too. Products from an electronic cigarette company may help people quit smoking while detoxing the body and lungs.

Detoxing Gradually for Best Results

In order for a person to gain desirable, long-lasting results from the detoxing efforts, she should approach detoxing slowly and carefully so as to avoid upsetting the body’s chemical makeup. A slow approach also helps the person to avoid any possibilities of quitting detox and rendering the efforts useless. With a good plan in place, people are more likely to have favorable results that last for a long time.

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