Finding Help for Substance Abuse

Substance abuse does not just affect the abuser. It also affects his friends, family, and coworkers. If you have a problem with substance abuse, there is help available to you to overcome your addiction, and get back to your life.

The first step to receiving treatment is to determine what type you need. Do you need to join a support group and attend meetings? Do you need the help of a professional counselor? Do you need in-patient treatment? To help you answer some of these questions, you should talk to your primary care physician, or a counselor. Tell him about your problem, and how far into it you are. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your doctor about it, call a help line and talk to one of the counselors over the phone. They’re there to listen and give you advice on treatment options may be available to you.

Once you’ve determined the best course of treatment and help for you, set up a plan with your sponsor, counselor, or doctor. Stick to this plan, and ask for help and advice when you need it. You should also get your family and friends involved in your treatment. Let them know what’s going on, and how they can help. By keeping them in the loop, you’ll ensure they’ll be supporting you throughout your treatment, and be aware of what to expect throughout the process.

Once you have gone through your treatment, you need to be aware that you will still be on the road to recovery, and need to continue seeking help with your addiction. Keep going to meetings on occasion. Talk to someone you trust when things are starting to get shaky in your life. Reach out when you need help with something. Keep your family and close friends in the loop. You can even start to sponsor others with substance abuse problems.

By seeking treatment, you’re taking the first step toward your recovery.

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Substance Abuse Help on the Internet

When you think of substance abuse treatment, you’re probably thinking about rehab facilities, NA or AA meetings, counseling, and other treatment facilities. The last place you may think to look for help for substance abuse for yourself or a loved one is the Internet. Surprisingly, the Internet can be a valuable asset in locating help for substance abuse.

The Internet is a great place to start looking up information about substance abuse when you or a loved one is having a problem. All of the information you could drive around to look for, such as finding research materials, locating treatment centers, finding a counselor, or locating local meetings, can be found on the Internet. You’ll be able to sit in the privacy of your own home, click away, and look at various information, and even finding contact numbers of professionals you can talk to for more help.

The Internet will also provide you with multiple locations of treatment centers, counselors, and meetings, so you can find one in the area of your choice. If you live in one area, but work in another, and would prefer to go to a meeting after work, you can easily find a location near work without needing to drive around. If you need a location that offers odd hours, such as late nights or on weekends, you can also search for them on the Internet instead of calling dozens of places and asking what their business hours are.

The Internet may even provide you with help you haven’t considered: an online support group. There are so many different support groups on the Internet these days, and substance abuse support groups are among them. You can check a few out and see how you like the, share as much or as little information as you’d like, and see if they help you at all.

The Internet can provide you with multiple amounts of information on finding help for substance abuse.

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Symptoms of Substance-Abuse

Substance-abuse is an ever-prevalent problem today, especially among teenagers. Despite popular belief that certain social groups are a target for substance addictions, in reality teens from all walks of life are invited at one point or another to try drugs or alcohol. What starts out as an experiment can end up as an addiction. The more educated parents are about the signs of substance-abuse, the more likely they are able to catch problems early on. It is important for parents to watch for specific symptoms of substance abuse.

1. Abrupt change in a child’s personality and decline in performance; this includes at home, at school, and at work.

2. Increasing temper flare ups and increasing violent or sudden emotional behavior. While every teen can have mood swings and a sudden change of emotions, parents should be sensitive to the depth and frequency of these emotional displays.

3. Change in friends. Is your child hanging out with a known-substance-abuser? Is your child suddenly dropping old friends and reluctant to introduce you to his or her new social circle? Get to know your child’s friends and their parents. It will help you better determine your child’s problem.

4. Secretive behavior. Most teens want privacy, but parents can tell when a child is expanding their private territory and constantly making up excuses for missed school, practices, etc. Notice what they are doing at home and encourage open doors when appropriate.

5. Decline in over-all health and appearance. Substance-abusers’ grooming and personal hygene decrease along with basic health as abuse increases. They also, in later stages of abuse, may get headaches, nausea, or feel increasingly dizzy.

While the teen years are difficult for any teen, parents need to recognize the normal teen experience and the symptoms of abuse problems. As parents watch for these signs and appropriately analyze their child’s situation, they can prevent further problems and get professional help as needed.

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Denial and Distraction

Taking steps to overcome one’s alcohol problem or drug addiction can take courage and know-how. There are many support groups available to assist one in this process as well as medical help. There also are counselors and psychologists to lend their support and expertise.

All of these organizations and individuals have the goal of helping people overcome their addictions and achieve full-recovery.

One of the main focal points is to overcome denial and distraction. One must be determined to have a addiction-free life free from dependency on harmful drugs or alcohol. With this aim firmly set in one’s mind it will be easier to go through the recovery process. One will be less distracted by activities and persons that can or may persuade him or her from the desired recovery.
It is essential for this determination to come about and this goal to be made, that a person recognizes the need for such a goal. Denial seems to be the first hurdle facing all those with a drug or alcohol problem. They may feel that others are over-stating their habits. They do not view their behavior as one that is truly causing problems for themselves and others. There is a tendency to blame others or circumstances for the troubles that are actually a result of the person’s addiction.

This is why many recovery support groups, such as the AA and its 12-step program, focus on overcoming denial. In fact the first step in the AA’s 12 steps to recovery is to admit that the addiction is overpowering one’s life. It is essential to realize that whatever the addiction whether it be drugs or alcohol or over-eating, that one realizes that it is consuming his or her life to the point that life is becoming unmanageable. Admitting one’s problem and that such a lifestyle has adverse affects is the key to overcoming the addiction.

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The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous

In 1939 Alcoholics Anonymous published the original version of what would become the famous 12-setp program to assist those in truly overcoming their alcoholism. This program was not merely meant to give a little assistance, but to completely cure one from his or her addiction.

In the early 1950s, the fame and success-rate of this program was well known. Other groups and organizations started adopting and adapting these 12 steps over the following decades to meet other overwhelming challenges and dependencies such as those with drug addictions or over-eating problems.

The original 12 steps for Alcoholics Anonymous are as follows:
1. Recognition that there existed a powerlessness against alcohol and that there is an inability to handle one’s life.
2. Recognition that there is a Higher Power that can cure one’s addiction.
3. Make the choice to turn one’s life and will over to God.
4. Did a thorough review of one’s moral status in our lives.
5. Made known one’s wrong-doings to God, oneself, and another person.
6. Made one ready to have God remove the addiction.
7. Asked Him to take away the addiction.
8. Listed all persons harmed by our alcoholism and decide to make amends promptly.
9. Directly made things right between oneself and those affected by the addiction, unless it would cause them harm.
10. Reviewed our moral state on a regular basis and be quick to apologize for mistakes made.
11. Use pondering and prayer to strengthen our relationship with God to know His will for our lives.
12. Made efforts to share the Alcoholics Anonymous’ program with other victims of alcoholism. Use our new-found faith in all aspects of one’s life.

Note: In other adapted versions of these 12 steps the phrasing of particular words was altered to meet the specific needs of the group or organization. The main steps that were changed were the first and the last.
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The Benefits of AA Sponsorship

There are a wide-range of support groups to assist in the recovery process from alcoholism and drug-addiction. Probably the most well-known is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) which has existed for more than 70 years.
When considering joining one of these groups, be sure to note whether the group encourages mentorship between an experienced member and a new-comer.
In the AA, specifically consulting others or finding sponsorship is encouraged. To better help one through their journey to recovery, the AA encourages more experienced members who have undergone the AA’s 12 step program to mentor and assist those new to the program.

This is not supposed to mean that the “sponsor” or more experienced member, takes on the role of a therapist or expert. Rather the mentor is supposed to share his or her experiences and successes of going through the program. Novices are challenged to find at least one sponsor to assist them on the road to recovery.

This relationship is mutually beneficial. This gives the sponsor an opportunity to admit his or her addiction problem and how it was overcome through the 12-step process. This sharing can confirm to one’s mind the value and effectiveness of the program. It also is very healthy for the recovered addict to share and help another. So often victims have harmed others and have lead a life of indifference to those around them while they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When recovered, helping others is therapeutic and gives a person further purpose and confidence.

This relationship is also very helpful to a newcomer in the group. It establishes a social tie to the group which can help the person feel more comfortable in the group-setting and allow them to feel more ease as they undergo the 12-step process. It can also provide the new-comer with an opportunity to get needed answers from someone he or she can confide in. Overall this mentor relationship can greatly benefit the recovery process for both people.

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Choices

Alcoholism is a very serious and prevalent problem in the world today. It may seem that those who are victims to this problem were somehow in differing circumstances.

The truth is though that has the famous saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.” The same is true with alcoholism. The journey to addiction starts with one drink.

As we see friends or loved ones go from one drink to social drinking to a complete addiction, it can be very difficult. While we can be very supportive as they struggle to battle their addictions, it is important to keep in mind that it is their choice.

As much as we want to help, forcing people to change their habits will not truly help them overcome their addictions. We can persuade, encourage, educate, and even firmly-demand, but it is important to remember that the bottom-line is that they must desire the change for themselves.

They must recognize the problem. They must see it for what it is–an addiction that is taking over their lives. At first the they consumed the alcohol, and now the alcohol is consuming them, their lives, and the lives of those they influence. They must realize that it has changed them and that the consequences of this habit are negative and undesirable.

Only after a realization of their actions and their consequences can they really take the first step to recovery. Recovery has to come from the inside-out. The person needs to recognize and choose to eliminate alcohol from daily use.

If we force, it can have the opoosite effect of what we hope. Those we are trying to help, may get defensive and even more protective of their behavior. Forcing the issue will not stimulate them to make better choices.

As we realize the important value of one’s choice, it can help us and others better deal with situations where alcohol addiction is involved.

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Seeing the Signs of Alcoholism

You may feel tremendous concern for a loved one who has taken to drinking to alcohol. How can you determine if this is just a social habit or a more serious issue? You may have not experienced such a situation before or are unsure of how to proceed.

Taking a closer look at someone’s drinking habits can easily reveal the level of addiction. While you may feel a little anxious about being too “nosey,” remember that the person’s very well-being and health are at stake.

It’s best to first observe the person’s drinking behavior. Some of the following are sure signs that this is more than a mere habit, but rather addiction is taking root.

1. Secrecy. When a person stretches the normal limits of privacy and seems to do “sneaky” things like insisting on being alone or hanging out in the basement or bedroom more than is really necessary, take time to see what is going on.
2. Morning and Night. When a person feels that they need a drink first thing in the morning or the last thing before they go to bed, this is a tell-tale sign of dependency. Social drinkers do not feel such a strong craving on a consistent-basis.
3. Skipping Out. When a person starts to give up eating meals to have a drink, it reveals the person’s physical need for alcohol over that of nutrition. This is obviously very dangerous for a person’s health since alcohol holds very little nutritional benefit. Also if a person is willing to give up loved-hobbies or social activities with close friends or family, it again shows what a strong hold alcohol has on the person.
4. Before the party. If the person consistently needs a drink before a social event, especially where alcohol is going to be present, it’s not a positive sign. The person may need to “calm” down, but alcohol has been reported to not have the ability to change one’s mood, rather only maintain it.

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Eddie Munster in Alcohol Treatment

Butch Patrick
Cover of Butch Patrick

When starting in on alcohol treatment, it is important to stay with the treatment or the treatment facility. Unfortunately, there are times that people will go off and feel that they can do it just as well, or better, themselves. Many times this happens with celebrities, but it can happen to anyone. Knowing what you need to do, and being able to do it without help are two completely different things.

If you’ve ever watched The Munsters, you know the actor Butch Patrick. He played Eddie Munster in the show. Unfortunately, he has been dealing with alcohol and drug addictions for over 40 years now. In fact, he just recently was in a rehab center. After being released, he figured that he could deal with the problem on his own. One of the big mistakes that he made with this assumption is that he continued with the drugs and alcohol. In fact, he continued so strongly with them that he almost ended up dying of a drug overdose. Because of this, he was put into a rehab clinic again after an intervention from friends and family.

We all hear the stories on a regular basis: a celebrity goes into rehab, gets out, and is back in within a short period of time. This also happens frequently with those who aren’t celebrities as well. We just don’t hear about it because who wants to hear about Joe Schmoe in and out of rehab? No matter who this is happening to, we all know that it is a problem. It is impossible for someone to quit a drug, even if it is something that is legal like alcohol, if he or she is unwilling to. Those who have addictions to alcohol need to choose for themselves to seek alcohol treatment and not be forced into it. Otherwise, they will eventually go back to their old habits.

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Help available for those with Addiction problems

ASHKELON, ISRAEL - JUNE 11: A patient undergo...
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Addiction to a substance can be the hardest thing a person overcomes in their lifetime.
Many smokers intimate that their battle with quitting smoking was the hardest thing they have ever done, while the drug user addicted to crystal meth says their battle with addiction was their biggest life hurdle.
While many don’t have Addictions to drugs, there are some whose demon is alcohol and some whose biggest nightmare is food.   For some, their Addictions revolve around items like gambling, while others struggle with sex addiction
Whatever your Addiction, there are programs out there to lend support and offer a comfortable space to learn how to overcome.
Alcoholics Anonymous is famous for its ability to help alcohol abusers beat their demon with 12-step meetings and a desire to quit drinking.  Along the same lines is Overeater’s Anonymous for those that battle the everyday demon of food.  There is a Gamblers Anonymous and even programs for sex and drug addicts.
For many that are battling Addictions, a support-system like an Alcoholics Anonymous offers a safe environment where the addict can hear stories for others who are battling the same problem.  Oftentimes it is in this group setting where the addict has their first breakthrough in realizing they actually have a problem.   Hearing from others who have the same Addictions often unlocks hidden keys of hope and wisdom that the addict can turn to when times get tough.
Just about every city in the United States is equipped with some form of Addiction Anonymous settings.  By researching for even just a few minutes, you can find the program that fits your needs, its schedule and availability on your days off.
Addiction is a painful and disturbing process for everyone involved.  By attending these group-therapy sessions, the addict can learn, heal and return to being themselves in a matter of months.

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