Thursday, November 3, 2016

Family support and addiction recovery: Moving through fear

In every story about heroes, from the Greek myths to modern day adaptations like Star Wars in order to grow the hero has to confront their fears, battle with that fear and ultimately move beyond that fear. In order to conquer the demon you must face it head on, see it for what it is and master the fear.
Here, we explore how you can cope with addiction within the family. Take you own hero’s journey and let go of the fear that is holding you back. Fear of change. Fear of things staying the same. Fear of others. Fear of ourselves. Then, we invite your questions or comments about addiction and the family at the end. In fact, we try to respond to all comments with a personal and prompt reply.
Moving Through Fear: A Guide To Letting Go!
Fear is a powerful motivator, but frequently it motivates us in the wrong direction, away from things that allow us to grow, keeping us from opportunity. This is especially true for people who grew up (or are growing up) in homes with alcoholism or addiction. Why? Because we have been trained to understand that the things we are afraid often come true.
The Monsters Are Real
When you are being raised with alcoholism or substance abuse in the mix, there really are monsters. You learn early on that it is best to live life in a way that keeps the monsters away. The problem is that as we grow the things that were true when we were young may not be true anymore, and living our lives based on those fears means that we are living limited by our past. To live a fully engaged life, we have to learn from the past but we also have to let go of the things that have stopped protecting us and now prohibit us from reaching our full potential; old fear has to go!
How to overcome monsters like alcoholism in real life ?
5 Steps For Families In Addiction Recovery
1. Face the demonlpline
What are you afraid of? This is not always an obvious answer so get into your childhood  mode and start asking “why”. If you are resisting doing something new, or unwilling to take on a different kind of challenge, or if your immediate reaction to something is to say “no” explore this-ask yourself why over and over until you can get to the root of what is making you uncomfortable. You don’t have to change your mind, you just want to get to a point of understanding.
2. Explain the reason for the fear.
Once you have got down to the root of the discomfort, explain it  why yourself just the way you would explain it to another person if they were sitting in the room with you.
3. Argue with yourself.
Apply logic. Does it really make sense to hold onto this fear with the people and circumstances of your life today? Does it still apply? If you were told over and over that you couldn’t or shouldn’t or were bad are those things actually true today? Is there evidence to support this or is it just an old story?
4. Reject/Replace/Receive based on what you just learned.
After you looked at the fear and taken a chance to understand where it came from and whether or not it is still true make a decision about what you are going to do with this information. If it isn’t true and doesn’t fit your life anymore then Reject it. If it’s really just an old habit and there is something new that applies to your life, Replace that old fear with what is true for you today.
5. Work with the fear.
Finally, maybe the fear is still applicable to your life, maybe you have more work to do, that’s okay; allow yourself to embrace the fear, Receive it in your life and accept that it is something you have to work with. Simply by acknowledging it you may give yourself the opportunity to ask for help, ask for comfort, seek guidance and find ways to start letting it go.
It is not easy
This isn’t an easy process. Here is my own example: I get uncomfortable when I have to rely on someone else to do something, whether this is building a piece of furniture or taking out the trash. I’m afraid I’m not going to get what I want and I am not going to be taken care of. I don’t trust that the other person will do what they say, and I’m afraid they won’t like me because I asked.
Why?
Because I grew up in a house with substance abuse , family dysfunction and addiction. The adults who raised me didn’t follow through on what they said. Then they would tell me I was a bad person for asking.
It was winter..
As an adult, I had to look at whether or not this was a reasonable behavior to expect from my spouse, co-worker’s or other adults. With a lot of exploration I realized it was not reasonable behavior and I could reject the fear that prevented me from trusting others, I could replace that feeling with what was true now-sadness at how I had been treated as a child and disappointment when someone doesn’t follow through, and I was able to receive a new depth in my relationships because I was no longer showing up with old fears.
Coming face to face with your fears can be terrifying; ; realizing that you don’t have to be controlled by that fear means that you can come out of that dark tunnel to glorious new opportunities for living your life. That’s why we are here at Shafa Home to help get you started.


Shafa Home is country’s premier organization for treatment of alcohol/drug problems, de-addiction, rehabilitation, counseling, treatment for females, nasha mukti , psychiatric disorders and secondary addictions like gambling, internet etc.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Personal Experience by Bhanu Kapoor.

I have been in this treatment for almost 18 months. I have experienced many ups and downs that have taught me to be tough with my decision making. I decide now on even small matters with a long discussion and take a unanimous decision if I am sure that decision will give me the solution of the problem. Hence I have learnt here in Shafa Home to deal with problems practically in a realistic way related to addiction in a better way. Now I have grown up to this world of uncertainty where you would find people deeply engrossed in to addiction and whom are not able to come out of this grave situation so they have only their strong will power and experience gained from the treatment and the things they learnt while they were undergoing the program where they learnt realistic and practical solutions to fight this dreaded monster of addiction. It was at the de-addiction center that they learnt what they were missing in their real life when they were deeply in to addiction and now they can get out of this and prosper peacefully in their life and enjoy fruits of recovery by using their sense of reason as I have been using since my last 5 months after completing my treatment .I am really thankful to Shafa Home to have provided me a platform of recovery and healthy life. This has given me a confidence in life and now I can enjoy my life with the fruits of recovery. Now I can enjoy every moment of life and can make use of all the opportunities available in this world. 


In Past I Bhanu Kapoor was a cheerful and fun loving person. I was enjoying my life with academics, music, dancing and relationships. Everything was going fine, but suddenly this fun started getting away from me and my lovable friends changed into some others. This moment was so evil that I forgot all my customs and relations and it evolved so fast that I was unable to withstand against it. Finally, I started abusing drugs. My family relations and I were effected so badly that I started running and in the end that so called run ended at Shafa Home.
I am happy that I took treatment from Shafa Home. Here I forgot that feeling of going home. Now if I look upon myself, I am happy to see myself as a changed person. I am no longer careless, no more taking things lightly and most important I have a strong belief of not touching drugs ever in my life..I am heartily thankful to SHAFA, MY FAMILY and all those people who helped me in this journey which results in that I am writing and sharing my journey in front of you all proudly….and when I go back home after working here at Shafa Home as a Voluntary Staff I feel very relaxed and also feel proud of myself to be in Recovery. I am now enjoying the fruits of recovery. I feel very happy when people at my place and even my neighbors’ compliment me about my success in recovery they ask me how did I got out of addiction. They are all inspired about how people recover from the dreaded monster called addiction. So I would like to thank Shafa home for helping me get out of addiction and enjoy my life without being dependent on any of the substance and lead a healthy life.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

What’s The Connection between Addiction and Mood Disorders?

Mental health disorders are far more common among addicts than they are among the general population, and mood disorders specifically very commonly co-occur with substance abuse. Depression and bipolar disorder are frequently accompanied by heavy drinking, abuse of painkillers or sedatives, and/or use of a combination of different substances. When this occurs, the effect can be significantly impaired mental health symptoms due to the combined effects of substance abuse and the mental health disorder.
A co-occurring mood disorder with alcoholism or drug addiction can make treatment a challenge. So what can you do if you or a loved one is exhibiting signs of the need for dual  diagnosis treatment? The most effective way to address both issues and stop the untreated disorder from sabotaging progress in the treatment of the other disorder is to enroll in a dual diagnosis rehab program that provides comprehensive care for both disorders simultaneously.
Self-Medication
Many patients first experience symptoms of a mood disorder and attempt to use drugs and alcohol to “medicate” those symptoms. Because the symptoms of depression or the anger or mood swings associated with bipolar disorder are uncomfortable, patients may attempt to drink to change their mood or in an attempt simply to feel better.
In the same way, some patients may turn to prescription drugs like opiate painkillers or benzodiazepines, but ultimately find that nothing helps them deal with their symptoms effectively or for the long-term. Many, in fact, instead find that drug use only worsens the symptoms, but rather than turn to a more effective solution, the pull of substance abuse can create an even deeper hole of isolation and despair.
Substance Abuse as the Primary Disorder
For some patients, drinking and drug use may have appeared before the symptoms of their mood disorder began to manifest. Diagnosable signs of these disorders don’t usually begin until the early adult years, but prior to diagnosis, many patients begin experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Though it can begin as a social experiment, patients may develop a substance abuse problem that accentuates the issues stemming from their mood disorder. Unfortunately, the following problems can result when the two disorders are co-occurring:
·         Worsened mental health symptoms
·         Intensified cravings for drugs and alcohol
·         Increased periods of depression
·         Increased difficulty during detox
Treatment for Addiction and Mood Disorders
The natural inclination of many patients is to attempt to isolate and treat either the mood disorder or the substance abuse problem, depending upon which one appears to be most intrusive in their day-to-day lives. Though this may seem easier than taking on a comprehensive treatment program that addresses both issues, it ultimately only creates more work and longer time spent in treatment. A treatment program that attempts to isolate the issues attached to just the substance abuse disorder, (addiction and depression for example), won’t be as effective as one that recognizes that the symptoms caused by the mood disorder are intense triggers.

Many patients will relapse because they are not getting help in addressing those symptoms in a healthier fashion. Similarly, those who attempt to treat the mood disorder while continuing to drink or use drugs will find that little progress will be made in managing their mental health symptoms because their substance use continually offsets the value of therapy and/or medication. This is why the need for dual diagnosis and specifically designed programs for its treatment exist. Mood disorders are best treated simultaneously with substance abuse issues.
Questions about Mood and Substance Use Disorders
ShafaHome Offers a comprehensive and personalized treatment program for patients who are struggling with a mood disorder and substance abuse. Your journey into recovery from both disorders can begin today. Call now to learn more about our comprehensive treatment programs. Or leave your questions for us in the comments section below. We’ll do our best to respond to you personally and promptly.


Shafa Home is country’s premier organization for treatment of alcohol/drug problems, de-addiction, rehabilitation, counseling, treatment for females, nasha mukti, psychiatric disorders and secondary addictions like gambling, internet etc.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Co-Occurring Disorder treatment

Options For Dual Diagnosis Treatment
There are a number of different options in dual diagnosis treatment for patients who are living simultaneously with a drug abuse disorder and a co-occurring mental health disorder. No two treatment programs will be alike because it is rare to find two patients who need exactly the same level of support in the same areas of recovery. Because of this variance across program experiences, many forthcoming patients l wonder what exactly they can expect should they decide to enroll in a dual diagnosis program.
In general, dual diagnosis treatment for addiction and co-occurring disorders will provide patients with the following:

1. Extensive evaluation and diagnostic process

Before a unique treatment plan can be designed, it is important for you to undergo evaluation. Different tests will be chosen based on the symptoms and issues you report. After evaluation(s) of the need for dual diagnosis treatment, an accurate diagnosis can be made.

2. Personalized treatment plan
Based on the results of the various tests done during the evaluation, your treatment team can create a unique treatment plan just for you. Since both mental health issues and substance abuse are the focus of treatment, therapies will be chosen based on their ability to help you stabilize quickly which can then be further customized as you progress toward treatment goal.  GUARANTEED
3. Psychiatric treatment
For most mental health disorders, psychiatric care provided by a specialist in your mental health diagnosis and substance abuse treatment is the best option. What does dual diagnosis means .It is individualized care. Specific to you, this is a one-on-one therapy that focuses on helping you to better understand and manage your mental health issues.
4. Increased social support
Meeting regularly with support groups that understand your struggles with substance abuse as well as the problems created by your mental health symptoms, and how those two intersect, can help you to feel stronger in recovery.
5. Medication monitoring
Many patients need medication to help them stabilize their mental health symptoms and stop them from intruding on their ability to manage their day-to-day responsibilities. Doses and specific medications may be adjusted and altered in order to find the right combination for your needs. During this period, medical monitoring is helpful to ensure that you are safe and that any complications that develop are dealt with immediately.
6. Regular check-ins
As you begin to build up time in sobriety and make progress in treatment, you will find that certain therapies are working for you and others may not be helping you in the way that you had hoped. Regular check-ins with your case manager or primary counselor will help you to address those issues and make changes to your treatment plan as needed.
7. Family support
Your family members will need support as you go through treatment, which they can often find through your dual diagnosistreatment program. Fortunately, there are a number of options for family members, including support groups specifically for friends and loved ones of those in recovery, and counselors who can answer their questions about your personal experience so that they can better support you in sobriety.
8. Long-term aftercare support
Aftercare treatments and therapies are the best way to ensure that the progress made during rehab continues after transitioning back home and that new obstacles are faced successfully without relapse on either front.

Shafa Home is country’s premier organization for treatment of alcohol/drug problems, de-addiction, rehabilitation, counseling, treatment for females, nasha mukti , psychiatric disorders and secondary addictions like gambling, internet etc.

Friday, August 26, 2016

Do You Know the Signs of an Alcohol Overdose?

Thousands of people die each year by overdosing on alcohol simply because the symptoms are not well known. We have outlined the signs to watch for and what to do if you see someone overdosing. Knowing your facts can help save a life.

Alcohol is the most widely accepted (and abused) substance around the globe, most likely due in part to the fact that it is legal in most countries. Whether people are celebrating special events, trying to relax, or cheering on their favourite sports team, alcohol is very often included. But the dangers of overconsumption can be very serious, and alcohol overdose can lead to death.
What is an Alcohol Overdose?
Also known as alcohol poisoning, an alcohol overdose occurs when a person drinks an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time which can affect their breathing, heart rate, body temperature and gag  reflex. Alcohol overdose can also lead to coma and death.
How Much Drinking is Too Much?
Government guidelines regarding safe alcohol consumption vary from country to country, but most are consistent in that no person should drink more than 10-14 drinks per week, and no more than 3-4 drinks per day. Unfortunately, it is not that uncommon for people to get caught up in the moment and consume double or triple that amount in a short period of time. If you find yourself in a situation where people are drinking heavily, it is important to be able to recognize the signs of an alcohol overdose.
Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning
Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include the following:
§  Confusion
§  Vomiting
§  Seizures
§  Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute)
§  Irregular breathing (more than 10 seconds between breaths)
§  Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
§  Low body temperature
§  Passing out (unconsciousness) with inability to be awakened

What to Do if Someone Shows Signs of an Alcohol Overdose
It is not imperative that a person be showing all of the above symptoms before seeking medical assistance. Vomiting and passing out are symptoms that are all too often overlooked – considered a normal part of a night of binge drinking. But these symptoms can be telling of a serious problem. If someone is showing anyof the above symptoms, call for medical assistance and do not leave them unattended. In the meantime, you can act in the following ways:
§  Do your best to keep the person awake and sitting up
§  Try to get them to drink water – only if they are alert. In many cases their ability to function has lowered so much at this point that they are unable to perform this task.
§  If they are passed out or unable to sit up, make sure that they are laying on their side (not their back) to keep their airways open and to prevent them from choking if they vomit.
§  Keep them warm. It is a common misconception that alcohol makes you hot, but actually, alcohol lowers body temperature and could lead to hypothermia in severe cases.
§  Stay with them and be aware of any changes in mental or physical state.
§  Do not be afraid to call an ambulance. Symptoms can worsen quickly, and it is better to be safe than sorry.

What Not to do in the Event of Alcohol Poisoning
Despite the best of intentions, there are many actions that people frequently take when they see someone who has overdosed on alcohol. The following actions may seem like ‘common knowledge’ of how to take care of an intoxicated person, but they could actually make the situation worse:
§  Do not leave them to ‘sleep it off’. Whether conscious or unconscious at the time, the blood alcohol content can continue to rise as the digestive systems continues to process alcohol in the stomach and deliver it to the bloodstream. Too much alcohol in the bloodstream can cause essential bodily functions to shut down.
§  Do not give them coffee. Contrary to popular belief, the caffeine in coffee will not sober someone up. To someone who has had a glass of wine and feels a bit drowsy, this may have a positive effect on the way they feel. But coffee actually dehydrates the body, as does alcohol. Drinking coffee in addition to a large amount of alcohol can worsen the problem.
§  Do not forcefully make them vomit. It might seem like the logical thing to do, but in some cases their gag reflex will not be working properly and they can choke on their own vomit.
§  Do not put them under a cold shower. As mentioned previously, alcohol actually lowers body temperature. Putting them under a cold shower could lower their body temperature to dangerously low levels which could actually lead to hypothermia.

How is Alcohol Overdose Treated?
If someone is suffering from an alcohol overdose, the above actions can help keep the person alive and well until they are able to receive proper medical treatment which is most commonly administered in the emergency room at the hospital. Vital signs will be monitored while doctors take measure to decrease the patient’s blood alcohol level. These treatments include:
§  Stomach pumping
§  Intravenous fluids or medications
§  Supplemental oxygen
§  Nutrients to prevent complications such as brain damage

Binge Drinking, Alcohol Poisoning and Addiction
If alcohol poisoning is a one time occurrence for an individual, it is likely that they simply got carried away, and as long as they have recovered safely, life should continue pretty much as usual. In the case that a person reaches this state more than once or even frequently, it is a imperative to seek the advice of an alcohol addiction treatment centre.
Many people have the misconception that just because they do not drink everyday, that they are not an alcoholic or do not have an addiction to alcohol. However, binge drinking, even occasionally, is considered an addiction when it negatively impacts your life. Do you cancel plans due to a hangover? Do you miss work or school because of drinking too much the night before? Have you ever thought that you wanted to drink less, but it never happens? When you drink, do you often end up passing out or vomiting?

Shafa Home is a residential rehab facility that offers a unique, affordable and effective alcohol addiction treatment programme. If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your drinking may be a serious problem, and you may need treatment. Contact us today for a free, no-obligations assessment to see how we can help you or your loved one.

Shafa Home is country’s premier organization for treatment of alcohol/drug problems, de-addiction, rehabilitation, counseling, treatment for females, nasha mukti , psychiatric disorders and secondary addictions like gambling, internet etc.


( These Articles are the sole property of “ The Cabin Chiang Mai “ , they are its original authors  )

Thursday, August 25, 2016

What is Meth Psychosis?

Meth-induced psychosis puts sufferers out of touch with reality and causes delusions, paranoia and aggressive behaviour.  Find out more about meth psychosis and how this frightening condition can be prevented.

Speed, crank, chalk, ice — these are all street names for the drug methamphetamine, better known as meth. Meth is a powerful stimulant drug that comes in the form of a white, odourless, crystalline powder, and is considered one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs on the streets today, causing a plethora of harmful health effects, not least of which is meth psychosis.
Effects of Meth Abuse
The short-term effects of meth use include a burst of energy, intense euphoria, chattiness and decreased appetite. For most meth users, these are the ‘positive’ effects that keep them coming back for more. However, meth also delivers many negative effects, especially with long-term abuse.
Some of the most serious negative health effects of meth are as follows:
§  Severe weight loss
§  Insomnia
§  Tooth decay
§  Facial sores and scarring
§  Increased heart rate and blood pressure
§  Mood swings
§  Confusion
§  Memory loss
§  Meth-induced psychosis
Meth Psychosis Explained
Long-term meth use can cause psychosis – a temporary but severe mental condition in which people lose touch with reality. A person suffering from meth psychosis will experience extreme delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, and/or obsessive compulsive behaviour induced by prolonged use of the drug. The Meth Project, a nonprofit organisation  uses an interactive animation to illustrate what it might feel like to be affected by meth psychosis.
Individuals experiencing meth-induced psychosis may exhibit the following symptoms:
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are false perceptions that may be associated with any of the five senses. Meth users may hear phantom voices or sounds, see people or things (often disturbing images) that are not actually there and smell odours or taste things that do not exist. Another common hallucination is known as ‘formication’ — the false perception of something being on or under the skin. The tactile hallucination of bugs crawling under the skin (known as ‘crank bugs’ or ‘meth mites’ by users) is very common with prolonged meth abuse.
Delusions
Delusions are false personal beliefs that cannot be corrected through reasoning. Examples of common delusions caused by meth psychosis include the belief that they are wanted by the police, the belief in (or creating of) conspiracy theories, belief that objects or other people are able to control their behaviour, or belief that parts of their body are being changed or distorted.
Paranoia
Not a far cry from some delusions, meth users will often believe that others are “out to get” them. They will become very suspicious of most or all people, even close friends and family. It can often get very out of control, believing that random objects in public places are surveillance cameras put out specifically to watch them.
Aggression
Meth increases aggression and decreases the brain’s control over impulsive behaviour. This leaves chronic users ‘amped-up’, unable to react to situations rationally, often leading to aggressive or even violent behaviour — especially when combined with above-mentioned paranoia and delusions.
Hyperactivity
Prolonged meth abuse can cause users to display obsessive-compulsive symptoms and repetitive behaviours. This is often seen in activities such as frantic cleaning, disassembly and assembly of objects (such as a washing machine, cell phone, toaster, etc.) or washing hands several times in a short time period. It can also cause the grinding of teeth, scratching of skin (usually due to formication) or pulling out hair.
In most cases, these symptoms become completely debilitating, causing the meth addict to withdraw from all aspects of ‘normal life’, trapped in this psychotic state.
How Long does Ice-Related Paranoia Last?
For some individuals, the psychotic state wears off as they come down from the drug. However, many users will note that after a time, meth psychosis remains far longer than the high from the drug, experiencing psychotic symptoms even when not using.
The effects of meth psychosis can last for just hours or days if you are “lucky”. Some people never completely recover and suffer from permanent states of psychosis or reoccurring instances that could be triggered with little to no warning.
Getting Help for Meth Psychosis
The first step to treating meth psychosis is of course to stop using meth. However, psychosis usually occurs after addiction has taken hold. And to further fuel difficulties in treatment, when the user is in a state of psychosis it is very difficult to reason with them about starting treatment.
If you are seeking help for a loved one who is in a state of psychosis, remember to speak to them calmly and avoid confrontation. If they only experience psychosis during drug use, try to wait until the drug has worn off before talking to them. If you can get them there, a visit to a doctor’s office or drug addiction treatment centre can definitely help.
Treating Ice Addiction
Meth-induced psychosis can happen during a ‘bad trip’ the first time a person tries the drug. However, most serious cases of meth psychosis develop after prolonged use. If you or someone you know are using meth, even infrequently, it is important to stop use and seek help immediately. Meth can quickly create a devastating dependence even if you think you are in control.
If you are concerned about the meth abuse by yourself or a loved one, contact us today for a free, no-obligations assessment to see how we can help you get back on track to a healthy, happy life. At Shafa Home we provide a unique and effective treatment programme that incorporates evidence-based treatment therapies, both clinical and holistic, to set you up on the right path to successful long-term recovery from addiction.

Shafa Home is country’s premier organization for treatment of alcohol/drug problems, de-addiction, rehabilitation, counseling, treatment for females, nasha mukti , psychiatric disorders and secondary addictions like gambling, internet etc.


( These Articles are the sole property of “ The Cabin Chiang Mai “ , they are its original authors  )