Care for Addicts is a Money Game

Health care might ideally be a basic right, but many people struggle with the same aspect of care – the cost. Insurance on the front end of any accident, injury, or illness is often very costly. However, those costs pale in comparison to the prices charged to visit a doctor in search of treatment. Exorbitant pricing alone has scared many potential patients away from seeking treatment for serious ailments. And that’s the dark side of health care – that the needy often don’t get any, while those who can afford to do so will visit a doctor simply because they’ve got a common cold.

 

Without insurance to cover inpatient screenings for health checkups, as well as a possible extended stay in rehab, it can be extremely costly to ‘get cleaned up.’ Even with nearly unlimited funding, it’s a difficult mental struggle for most people to come to terms with their addictions. But it really does come back to funding. Without it, most addicts find that it’s easiest to just continue along in their self-destructive ways. Mention a recovery program to someone who has a chronic drug abuse problem, and they’ll laugh at you.

 

Why? Not because they can’t envision living a clean, substance-free life. In fact, most addicts dream of just that. But the laughter is mirthful, as they know that it takes a business-like investment of cash plunked down to hire the specialists who can help make treatment effective. While groups like AA are free, they’re less able to help someone cope with the first stages of recovery which often involve strong physical reactions. It’s here that doctors and their expertise are necessary.

 

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Alternative Medicine Approach to Drug Addiction: Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture has long been a respected form of alternative medicine. While acupuncture has been accepted in America as a form of treatment for a number of illnesses and disease, it has just recently started to gain attention for its success rate for treating those with alcohol or drug addictions.

Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese as a way to treat those that have alcohol and drug addictions. The practice of acupuncture operates on the belief that the body has a life energy known as qi. In health people the qi is perfectly balanced amongst all the parts of the body. However, in those with drug or alcohol addictions the qi is off balance and that causes the craving for alcohol or drugs.

While acupuncture will not cure the addiction completely it will allow the addict to complete withdraw from the drug or alcohol addiction and even reduce ones craving for the substance of choice. This allows the addict to work on the issues that caused the addiction to form in the first place.

Acupuncture therapy for drug or alcohol addiction is usually a course of treatment that lasts several times a week for a number of months. The treatments include placing needles on the tips of the ears so that the qi is balanced throughout the whole body.

In a recent study of those that engaged in acupuncture therapy while they were treating their substance abuse showed that over 50% of the addicts did not suffer from a relapse. This study has caused many alcohol and drug treatment facilities to consider adding acupuncture to their treatment programs.

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What Not to Do When Approaching a Drug Addict Part 1

Many times those that are around a drug addict or drug abuser get these great ideas of being able to save the addict from themselves. However, depending upon what you do to get the drug addict help it could help or hinder the recovery process. If you are looking into getting help for a drug addict here is a look at some of the things you should not do as it could push back the recovery process.

Do Not Bribe, Preach or Punish. It can be hard not to offer a bribe to the drug addict but it could be the worst thing that you can do. Bribes rarely work because the addict will take the bribe and not go through with the recovery process.

Do Not Add Emotional Guilt. Many supporters feel if they guilt the addict into feeling bad for their actions they will get the help they need. However, addicts will rarely get the help they need when they feel guilty. In fact, they will often turn to drugs to deal with the guilt they are feeling. When you do approach an addict about their addiction talk to them rationally and try no to get emotional during that time. Those can often lead to feelings of guilt.

Do Not Cover Up For the Drug Addict. Many supporters will help the addict by covering up situations that they got into. They will handle the legal aspect and talk the addict out of any trouble that they are in. This will only validate the addict’s behavior and allow them to continue to engage in dangerous behaviors.

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What Not to Do When Approaching a Drug Addict Part 2

Approaching a situation where someone you are close to is suffering a drug addiction can be tough. There are certain things that might seem right at a glance that can really make the situation even worse. Here is a look at some of the things that you should not do when approaching a drug addict that could potentially make the situation worse than it was before.

Do Not Take Over Their Duties. It might be hard not to take over any of the drug addict’s responsibilities but you need to try and leave them there. Many addict’s will feel as if they don’t have any responsibilities they are not important or have any type of dignity. It is a good idea to leave any of the addict’s responsibilities until the very last minute so that they feel they have some type of worth.

Do Not Hide Drugs. When comforting someone with an addiction the first instinct is to toss out all the drugs or hide them. This is not recommended. Many addicts feel that because the drugs are not visible they do not have an addiction to the drug. It is a good idea to not toss out the drugs or hide them from the addict.

Do Not Argue With An Addict. If you plan on confronting an addict it is a good idea to try to do it when they are sober. Drugs will often lower the brains ability to process information or see reason because of this it is not a good idea to argue with an addict because there is no reasoning with them.

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Things Parents Can Do To Avoid Drug Addiction Problems

For a parent finding out that your child might have a drug abuse problem can be your worst nightmare. While you can’t eliminate the risk of a drugs from your child’s life completely you can take a few steps to reduce your child’s risk of becoming addicted to drugs. Here is a look at what parents can do to avoid a drug addiction problem.

Make Rules and Consequences. Many parents believe that if there are no rules and consequences their child will not engage in drugs because of the freedom. However, that is not true. Teens need to understand that drugs come with problems and consequences not only in the real world but at home. Make sure all the rules and consequences are reasonable and obtainable and enforce them every time your child breaks them.

Watch Your Child’s Activities. It is important to be actively involved with your child’s life. Make sure that you know who they are hanging around with and where they are. If your child has already been caught with drugs it is important that you do routine checkups on them as well as checks for drugs.

Encourage Other Activities. As a parent you can be supportive of your child and encourage them to engage in other activities that are healthier than using drugs. Try to find out if there is an interest that they can pursue and sign them up for that activity. This will reduce their risk of wanting to turn to drugs.

Talk To Your Child. Many teens turn to drugs because they feel it is the only way they can express themselves or their emotions. Make sure that you talk to your child and let them know that you are always there for them regardless of the problem. If your child can turn to you when they have a problem they are less likely to turn to drugs.

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Four Myths About Drug Addictions

There are many misconceptions about drug addictions that people develop over time. These misconceptions and myths often make it hard for many drug addicts to recover because those that believe the misconceptions often believe that the addiction is easy to overcome or there are other problems surrounding it.

Here is a look at the top four myths that surround drug addiction and what the real facts are surrounding this myth.

Addictions can be overcome with willpower alone. Many people believe that addictions can be overcome by sheer willpower. That if the addict wants to overcome the addiction they can will it away. That is not the case. Many substance and drug addictions have altered the way that the brain perceives things. The brain also has compulsions and cravings to use the substance or drug

Addictions are a disease that has no cure. While addictions are a type of disease of the brain it does not mean that if someone suffers from an addiction there is no cure for the disease. The brain disease that comes from addiction can be changed by receiving intensive therapy, exercising, eating right and various treatments that are developed to reverse the function of the brain.

Addicts will only recover when they hit rock bottom. This is not true at all. Recovery can happen to any addict at any point in time. In fact, many addiction experts believe that the earlier treatment is sought the easier it is to treat the addiction.

Addicts will only benefit from treatment if they go voluntarily. An addict will benefit from treatment if they want to benefit from it. That means that they could go voluntarily or be forced into treatment by friends, family or the legal system. It is believed that once the addict starts to sober up if they really want to change they will take the steps to change regardless of how they got into the treatment facility.

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Who is Susceptible to Drug Addictions

Drug addictions are just like any other type of disease or illness. There are people that are more susceptible to drug addictions than others. While drug addictions can develop in any person regardless of age, race or background there are certain specific characteristics that can determine if a person is more likely to suffer from a drug addiction then another person.

Here is a look at some of the various characteristics and background information that can determine if a person is susceptible to a drug addiction or not.

Family History. Many people who suffer from drug addictions have a family history of drug addictions. It is believed that there could be a genetic link to drug addictions but that has not been proven by any scientific study.

Early Use of Addictive Drugs. Those that have been exposed to drugs at an early age have a higher rate of susceptibility to drug addictions than those that are not exposed at an earlier age. This is because the body develops a craving and a need for the drug that was introduced at a young age.

Traumatic Experiences. Many people who suffer from traumatic experiences in their childhood often develop drug addictions. Traumatic experiences usually include violence, abuse or sexual abuse. It is believed that these people will often turn to drugs as a way to cope with the traumatic experience that they had in their life. The drugs will quickly turn into an addiction.

Mental Disorders. Many mental disorders cause an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. It is believed that when there is an imbalance in the brain it causes the person to not think clearly which causes them to turn to drugs as a way to cope with the mental disorders.

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Advice for Supporters of Drug Addicts

It can be hard having a friend or family member suffer from a drug addiction or drug abuse problem. Many times those that are around the addict will suffer just as much as the addict themselves. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do for yourself should you suspect that a family member or friend might be going through a drug abuse problem.

Here is a look at some of the things you can do for yourself and your friend or family member to make sure that you are handling the drug addiction.

Say Something. Many supporters of drug addicts or drug abusers rarely say anything to the addict. However, the best thing that you can do is try to speak up and say something to them. Try to voice your thoughts and fears about the problem. It is a good idea to make sure that you offer your support and let them know that you are there for them should they need it. If you do plan on saying something to the addict you must be prepared for them to come up with a number of excuses and reasons why they do not have a problem.

Make Sure You Are Taking Care of Yourself. Many supporters of drug addicts or drug abusers get so wrapped up in the person’s addiction that they forget to take care of themselves. It is important to make sure that you take care of yourself if you are around a drug addict or drug abuser. Ways to take care of yourself include surrounding yourself with a support system, staying away from dangerous situations and taking care of your emotional and physical needs.

Don’t Blame Yourself. Many supporters that are around drug addicts will often start to blame themselves for the drug addict’s behavior. It is a good idea to make sure that you remind yourself that you cannot change the drug addict’s behavior or decisions and that anything they did was on their own and not your fault.

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Physical, Behavioral and Psychological Signs of A Drug Addiction

There are often physical signs and symptoms that a person may have a drug addiction. It can often be hard to notice the physical signs and symptoms because the drug addict will usually try to hide or cover up the physical signs and symptoms so that no one else will notice that they have a problem. Here is a look at some of the physical signs and symptoms of drug abuse.

Physical Signs. There are many outward signs of drug addictions. Depending upon the drug addiction the signs and symptoms will be different. However, common physical drug addiction signs and symptoms include bloodshot eyes or smaller than normal pupils, extreme changes in appetite, changes in sleep patterns, lack of personal hygiene, unusual smells come from the body or clothing, slurred speech, bad coordination and tremors. Some drug addicts might have outward signs of the addiction such as numerous needle marks or bruises on their arms.

Behavioral Signs. Outward signs and symptoms of a drug addiction don’t just have to be of the physical nature it can also be a change in behaviors. Common changes in behaviors include lack of attendance at work or school, financial troubles that are unexplained, stealing, engaging in behavior that can only be described as secretive, changing friends or where they hang out and frequently getting into legal trouble when they were rarely in legal trouble.

Psychological Signs. When a person becomes addicted to a drug there are also psychological warning signs and symptoms that there could be a problem. The following are common psychological warning signs of a drug addiction. The addict will show sudden changes in a personality or attitude that cannot be explained, massive mood swings or angry outbursts, extreme periods of hyperactivity or extreme periods of sluggishness, lack of motivation and showing signs of being paranoid, anxious and fearful without a logical reason.

A drug addict will usually exhibit one or more of these signs. It is a good idea if you suspect a friend or family member from suffering from a drug addiction that you encourage them to seek help.

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Signs You or Someone You Know Might Have a Drug Addiction

There are multiple physical signs of a drug addiction. However, drug addictions also have several different signs and symptoms that are not of a physical nature. Many times drug addicts are able to hide the physical signs of a drug addiction but struggle to hide the other various symptoms that come with a drug addiction.

Here is a look at some of the obvious signs and symptoms that you or someone you know many be suffering from a drug addiction or abusing a drug.

Neglecting Responsibilities. Many drug users will start to neglect their family, work or school responsibilities. They usually neglect these duties in favor of using drugs.

Legal Trouble. Many drug users will start to get into trouble with the law. They will often be arrested for disorderly conduct, DUIs or even stealing. Often times these people never had problems with the law before but once they got involved with drugs the problems started to arise.

Constant Thoughts of Drugs. A sign that your drug use may have turned into a problem can be that you often think of drugs all the time. Every activity you engage in, every thought you have revolves around the drug of your choice.

Drug Tolerance. A sign that there could be a drug problem is that there is a tolerance to the drug of choice. This could be in the form of having to take more of the drug to get a high or not even noticing when you are using just a small amount.

Engaging in Dangerous Activities. Many drug users who start to develop a problem begin to engage in dangerous activities. This is because the drug will lower the brains ability to process safe activities. Many drug users will engage in unprotected sex, use dirty needles or engage in other dangerous activities.

Using Drugs to Relieve Withdrawals. Many drug abusers believe that they need to use the drug to relieve the withdrawal symptoms. This is a major sign that there could be a drug abuse situation going on.

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