Steps to Overcoming Addiction

Life As An Addict

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The Thorndike Barnhart Dictionary defines an addict as “a person who is a slave to a habit”. This definition could apply to many things besides drugs and alcohol, which are the common items that we usually refer to when talking about addictions.

In order for someone who is addicted to reach a state of remission they must go through certain steps to overcome this addiction:

*Realize and acknowledge they are an addict:

Until the addict realizes that they are an addict no one will be able to help them. They must take the first step, which is acknowledging that they have a problem.

*Remove themselves from the situation:

This is an absolute necessity. If the addict cannot remove themselves from the source of temptation they will never give themselves a chance to overcome the need for it.

*Seek help from a qualified source:

Rarely is anyone able to overcome an addiction without help. Seek help from a professional; which could be through a therapist, hospital or even a church.

*Find a support system:

A support system would be a group of people that has experienced the addiction and has overcome it or is working to overcome it. A group such as Alcohol Anonymous would be a good support group.

*Surround themselves with encouragers:

Have encouragers around to help you in those difficult times. These could be friends or loved ones who are pushing for success.

*Know their boundaries:

Once they are on the road to recovery an addict needs to know what their boundaries are. They should not put themselves into a comproising situation, this is just setting them up for failure.


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Why Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers Need to Focus on Mental Illness Treatment Too

When looking for a drug or alcohol treatment center it is important to make sure that the treatment center does not just focus on treating the addiction. Almost all successful drug and alcohol treatment centers also offer some type of mental disorder treatment along with the treatment of the addiction. Here is a look at why treatment for the mental disorder is just as important as treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction.

Recent studies and research suggests that a large majority of drug and alcohol addicts are directly related to a mental disorder. In fact, one study suggested that six out of ten people who suffer a drug or alcohol addiction suffer from some type of mental disorder.

Due to these studies finding it is vital that the mental disorder also be treated because the two problems are interlinked. Drug and alcohol treatment centers need to focus on treating mental disorders because there cannot be successful treatment of one condition when the two disorders are so dependent upon each other.

Not all drug and alcohol addicts suffer from some type of mental disorder or problem. This is why it is important that the treatment center run an assessment period in order to determine if there is a mental disorder present. This will allow the addict to have a treatment plan that treats not only the addiction but the mental illness. The only way to a successful treatment period is to make sure that all addicts tackle both problems and do not leave one untreated.

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What Needs Teen Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers Focus On

There are drug and alcohol treatment centers for adults and there are treatment centers for teens or adolescents. It might seem a bit extreme to have to have two separate treatment facilities but adolescents have unique needs and specific treatments that they must undergo in order to have a successful rehab stay. Here is a look at why a teen drug or alcohol abuser should attend a rehab center that is specifically designed for adolescent drug/alcohol addicts.

The main reason that teens should attend a drug and alcohol rehab center that is specifically designed for adolescents is because of their neurocognitive state. Studies have shown that teens do not fully develop their brain until the age of 25. This means that most teens do not possess the decision making abilities, planning or ability to control themselves. Teen rehab centers will focus on this factor and try to work with the fact that the brain is not fully developed. Treatment for these types of teens will usually involve a focus on the behavioral and psychological counseling sessions instead of working on factors that caused the addict.

Another reason teens should attend a drug and alcohol center that is specifically designed for adolescents is because of the time that is devoted to diagnosing mental illnesses. A large percent of teens who abuse drugs or alcohol have an underlying mental illness. These treatment centers will work on trying to diagnosis if the teen has an anxiety disorder, depression, bi-polar or ADD which are all common reasons for teens to engage in drug abuse practices.

The last reason teens should attend a drug and alcohol center that is specifically designed for them is because of the factors that can cause the drug abuse. Teenagers are not faced with the same problems as adults. They are not worried about supporting a family, losing a job or taking care of their parents. Instead they are worried about dating and school work. A treatment center that has other teens allows the teens to relate to each other on issues that might have caused the drug or alcohol abuse.

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Pasadena Recovery Center

Pasadena Recovery Center, located in Pasadena, California, has been considered one of the premier drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in the United States since its founding in 2001. However the center has also gained recent notoriety as the home of Celebrity Rehab, a popular VH1 television program staring Dr. Drew Pinsky, or “Dr. Drew”, and a cast of well-known celebrities and public figures who are in the midst of battling addiction. The new Season 4 features former model Janice Dickinson, singer Leif Garrett, actor Jeremy London, tabloid celebrity Rachel Uchitel, television personality Jason Wahler and actor Eric Roberts.

Despite its tv popularity, the Pasadena Recovery Center is also well known for the quality of its care and the commitment of its staff. The center is located in the historic district of Pasadena and was founded by renowned psychiatrist Dr. Lee Bloom in an effort to provide individuals and their families the total care needed to overcome drug abuse and alcohol dependency. The center also aims to minimize the devastating future consequences of such self-destructive behavior.

The Pasadena Recovery Center is open and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers high quality treatment and therapy services at affordable costs—ensuring that not only celebrities are given a shot at overcoming addiction. The center is focused on reintroducing their patients into society and equipping them with the skills necessary to stay clean and sober, interact and thrive within society, and put their lives back on the right path. The center relies on a holistic approach to recovery and offers a 12-step program that incorporates spiritual, mental and physical healing in order to treat chronic substance abusers in the most comprehensive way. By attending the program and committing oneself to its treatments, graduates of the program can gain social skills, job opportunities and an extensive network of support.

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