Conquering Addictions

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For people who struggle with alcohol or drug addictions and embark upon a drug rehabilitation program, changing their lifestyles or routine can be the catalyst to help them towards recovery. Many drug addiction recovery programs design their rehabilitation programs with the component built in that promotes “change” to the individual. The programs further encourage that by establishing drug abuse rehabilitation facilities that are in calm, controlled surroundings, the individual will feel confident and capable of tackling their addictions.

When an individual is at the mercy of a dependent lifestyle, they do not have the knowledge or confidence they need to rise out of their circumstances. They need solid information and resources, and to know how to use them all to reach this goal. Successful use and application of a rehabiliation process is where they will see a change for the good. That’s what drug rehab facilities do; they work closely with the individual to determine the cause of their addiction and to develop a course of specific treatment for them.

Drug counsellors work with the patient to first establish a level of confidence between the two of them. They create a relaxed, non-threatening environment where the individual feels relaxed. The individual will also go through a spiritual, physical, and emotional cleansing since they have been removed from their original environment, and through the rehab facility they now have available resources and completely different surroundings that are more conducive to successful rehabilitation efforts.

Individuals are comparitively more successful with drug rehab facilities than not because of their access to resources and professionally trained administrators who can design programs to help the individual conquer their addictions. To maintain that lasting effect however, patients need to make sure they correctly follow their prescribed treatment, work cooperatively with the rehabilitation facility and keep an upbeat, conquering attitude at all times.

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Why Women Are Separated From Men During Drug and Alcohol Treatment

The old saying that men are from Mars and women are from Venus is correct. This is especially true when it comes to the type of drug and alcohol treatment that they receive. While it might seem as if any drug and alcohol treatment center would work for anyone that is not the case. It has been shown that rehab centers that are separated by gender have higher success rates than those that are co-ed. That might make many people wonder what exactly the unique needs for women addicts are.

Many researchers have looked into the causes of drug and alcohol abuse. While there is no exact way for people to know exactly what will cause someone to abuse a substance, researchers have found that the majority of women who have substance abuse problems suffered from similar problems. These problems were usually related to a physical or sexual trauma that they experienced at a young age or in their teenage years. Instead of handling the situation these women sought the comfort of drugs and alcohol to deal with the stress of the trauma.

Due to this unique situation that women often find themselves in, substance abuse experts believe that it is beneficial to separate the sexes so that women can focus on their healing process. Women are also commonly separated because women can relate to one another. They often have similar stresses, worries, family life and situations. Women are also facing similar situations such as having to deal with family finances and worrying about pregnancy or child care while they are in treatment. By having the sexes separated women can support each other through treatment and allow each other to feel as if they are truly surrounded by those that can really understand and relate.

These differences in situations and potential causes of the drug or alcohol abuse are the reason why many rehab centers will separate men from women when they seek treatment.

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Above the Influence

Chances are, if you’ve ever turned on MTV, you’ve been met with an advertisement urging youth to be Above the Influence. The commercials are eye-catching, relate to teen’s today, and don’t overly promote drug resistance tactics. They just imply, simply and appropriately, that you don’t have to follow the crowd. Being Above the Influence encourages the courage of youth of today to stand up for what they believe in, to avoid the destructive behavior that their friends may be partaking in, and to live a life free from peer pressure to engage in drugs and alcohol.

As an advertising campaign, Above the Influence has received critical acclaim. Organized and launched by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign—a media campaign stemming from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)—the advertisements are designed to focus on the substances most abused by teens, including alcohol, marijuana and some prescription drugs. The campaign also aims to deliver a message of drug prevention at both the national and local community levels.

While Above the Influence may be best known for its televisions ads, it is also highly prominent on the internet, making use of online web banners and placement ads. Above the Influence has also created an interactive website that focuses on ideas to keep youth from engaging in drug use. The site encourages teens to share their photos and stories of ways in which they live above the influence of alcohol and drugs.

In addition to promoting a drug free lifestyle among America’s youth, Above the Influence also offers a number of resources to help the teenage population stay on the straight and narrow. Website segments where teens can “Ask the Doctor”, “Symbol-ize” themselves and get hard facts on drugs provide inquisitive youth with the tools necessary to understand drug culture and the devastating effects it can have on one’s life.

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Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous, better known as AA, is an international organization aimed to helping people worldwide to overcome alcohol abuse, attain sobriety and better engage within the communities and world in which they live. The primary objective of the organization is to help people stay sober and to provide a support network for those seeking sobriety and their family members. Alcoholics Anonymous also places a focus on spiritual and character development and recognizes that true sobriety involves more than just the devoid of alcohol.

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, better known as Bill W. and Dr. Bob. Today the organization claims more than 2 million members worldwide and has been an invaluable resource for individuals and families seeking sobriety and a better chance at the straight and narrow.

Wilson and Smith were the original founders of the Twelve Step program which is a list of twelve recommended stages each individual must go through in order to achieve total sobriety. The steps emphasize anonymity, altruism and the inclusion of all those who seek sobriety. While the organization began mainly with male, protestant patients, in 1936 its first female member sought help and in 1939 the organization welcomed its first Catholic member. Today the organization is all-inclusive, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life who seek to attain sobriety.

To offers comprehensive services, AA has also teamed up with prisons across the United States and Canada to help prisoners overcome addiction and to be better adjusted citizens upon their reintroduction to society. AA meetings are regularly held in correctional facilities, offering individuals support and guidance with their substance abuse struggles regardless of their criminal histories. The organization also publishes a collection of pamphlets and educational materials designed specifically for incarcerated individuals.

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