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TRAUMA, ABUSE, ADDICTION RECOVERY

About the Cycle of Addiction

Addiction Center

Addiction Cycle

Alcohol Rehab Guide

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

Components of Recovery

Trauma and Its Effects

ADVANCED RECOVERY SYSTEMS

Advanced Recovery Systems puts behavioral health front and center, providing assistance to people with substance abuse issues, addictions, eating disorders, and mental health concerns. Every facility in the Advanced Recovery Systems network strives to provide the highest quality of care, using evidence-based therapeutic models that really work.

SIGNS OF ADDICTION

• Recognizing the signs of addiction is the first step to getting help for yourself or guiding someone you care about to rehab.

ALCOHOL ADDICTION AND TREATMENT

• Recognize the causes, symptoms, and consequences of an alcohol use disorder and learn about the treatment and recovery from alcoholism and life after rehab.

DRUG ABUSE & TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTION

• Learn about the most popular illicit drugs, common trends, the effects of drugs, and how to find help for drug abuse.

EATING DISORDERS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

• Since eating disorder recovery and ongoing addiction are so closely related, experts often recommend co-occurring therapies.

PROCESS ADDICTION

• While process addictions like this can look a lot like substance addictions, they aren’t always separate-but-equal entities.

GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF ADDICTED TEENS

• This guide is for parents of teens struggling with substance abuse. Learn how to talk to your adolescent child and find help for drug or alcohol addiction.

VETERANS: PTSD AND ADDICTION

• More than 20 percent of veterans with PTSD also abuse drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. But treatment is available and recovery is possible.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT

TREATMENT PROGRAMS OVERVIEW

• Whether the client requires treatment for alcohol abuse, opiate dependency, prescription drug abuse, or an eating disorder, our core mission is to empower and aid

DETOX PROGRAMS

• ARS detox programs utilize the latest evidence-based resources to make the detoxification process as safe, comfortable, and effective as possible.

RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS

• For individuals trying to overcome substance abuse or an eating disorder, residential treatment offers a respite from the stress and chaos of everyday life.

OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS

• In outpatient treatment, patients can attend therapy sessions, appointments, classes, meetings, or other recovery activities during daytime hours, while living in a private residence or a transitional housing environment.

CO-OCCURRING DISORDER TREATMENT

• Treatment for co-occurring disorders must begin with a complete neuropsychological evaluation to determine the patient’s needs, identify his or her personal strengths, and find potential barriers to recovery.

7 EFFECTIVE ADDICTION INTERVENTION METHODS

• There are seven methods of intervention that are widely used and condoned as the most professional ways of managing addicted patients.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND DRUG TREATMENT

• Addiction is a chronic disease that inflicts sufferers with a compulsion to continue using a substance despite the behavior causing serious distress and complications in their lives.

WHAT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MEANS TO THE TREATMENT INDUSTRY

• The Affordable Care Act — the ACA, for short — was signed into legislation under President Obama’s administration as a means to improve access to health care and affordable medical insurance

UNMASKING MISLEADING TREATMENT INFORMATION

• The search for a quality facility to treat your addiction with reliable procedures that are backed by research and tended to by skilled professionals isn’t one that should be taken lightly

CHAPEL HILL  MEDICAL DETOX

Chapel Hill Detox – The First Step on the Road to Recovery

Chapel Hill Detox provides men and women of all ages and walks of life with the clinical care they need in order to begin their own personal journeys of healing. If you have a friend who has been suffering at the hands of a substance abuse disorder and you feel as if you are stuck between a rock and a hard place, we are available to help. Simply give us a call and we will gladly give you a list of resources while doing everything we can to help point you in the right direction.

5 Common Relapse Triggers

We have compiled a list of common relapse triggers. It is best to be prepared when it comes to avoiding relapse. Of course, your personal relapse triggers will vary significantly based on your history and past experiences. However, the following triggers are liable to be experienced at least once. It is wise to avoid the following situations entirely, but if you can’t do so, then it is wise to have a set of healthy coping mechanisms in place that can help you through even the most emotionally uncomfortable experiences.

1. Hanging out with old friends – friends that still drink and/or use drugs. When you get sober you will develop an entirely new circle of friends – even if you were not planning on doing so! These friends will support you through the tough times and be there to celebrate your recovery triumphs with you. If you start gravitating towards your old friends, there is a good chance that you will eventually return to drinking and drugging – even if they say that they are supportive of your sobriety. It can be difficult to stay sober when everyone around you is actively using.
2. Spending time in places that are not conducive to recovery. This could include nightclubs, bars, or holiday celebrations or parties that revolve almost exclusively around drinking excessively. The old saying goes, “If you keep showing up to the barber shop, eventually you are going to get a haircut.” It will be difficult to change these behavioral patterns at first. If you are used to going to the same bar every Friday night with the same circle of close friends, it will be difficult to repeatedly turn down the invitation. But eventually you will find a new groove and settle into a new – healthier – way of life!
3. Break-ups. It is advised that men and women who are new to recovery do not make any major changes within the first year. This includes entering into a new relationship. This can be tricky, seeing as many individuals who are new to recovery will seek external validation from relationships, and use sex and romance to fill a void created by an absence of chemical substances. Unfortunately, going through a break-up brings up a wide range of severely uncomfortable emotions – sadness, rejection, a lack of self-worth, the list goes on. It is better to avoid these emotions all together if at all possible! Allow yourself time to get to know yourself before you spend time getting to know anyone else.
4. Stress. If you can, try to avoid putting yourself into high-stress situations. This might mean refusing to take a promotion at work if you know it will cause significantly more stress in your life, or waiting to file for divorce until you have been sober for an extended period of time (at least a couple of years). Stress cannot always be avoided, but it can always be managed. While in medical detox, inpatient treatment and aftercare you will learn to manage your stress in healthy and effective ways. If you are ever facing a situation you are not sure to handle, you will have extensive resources available to you to help you through the tough times.
5. Being overconfident in your recovery. Believe it or not, confidence is not always a good thing. If you start to get overconfident in your ability to stay sober, you might end up tripping over your own feet and relapsing in the long run. It is important to note that there is a major distinction between self-confidence and overconfidence. When you are self-confident it is likely because you are proud of yourself and the progress you have made in your recovery thus far. You feel good about where you are at and confident that if you stay on the right track you will continue making significant strides. This is a good thing – you want to feel proud and capable! However, moving into overconfidence means you will think things like, “I’ve got this.” Or “I can skip a meeting or two here or there because my recovery is so strong and I’m not at risk of relapse.” It is important to stay humble while working a program of recovery and understanding that addiction is far more cunning, baffling and powerful than you are – and it can take hold again at any point in time if your guard and defenses are down. Be sure you stay on top of your personal recovery program and stay as humble as possible! CALL 844-526-0032

MEDICAL DETOX CENTERS

REHABILITATION CENTERS

HOW TO CHOOSE A REHAB CENTER: A GUIDE FOR LOVED ONES

• This guide explains the process of choosing the right rehab center for your loved one. With a list of factors to consider, questions to ask facilities and more, this guide will prepare you for making this major decision.

AMENITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED

• Although drug rehab facilities are state-regulated entities, they are also private enterprises, and services can vary widely.

TEEN TREATMENT

• Nice amenities and beautiful grounds are two options programs can use in order to attract teens and help them to stay engaged in care.

THE STAFF MEMBERS

• Treatment facilities have an executive and administrative staff that runs the day-to-day operations while the professional staff members provide the rehab services.

SERVICES

• At Advanced Recovery Services (ARS), we draw from a wide range of advanced treatments that cover a full continuum of care, from detox to residential treatment, outpatient services, aftercare, and sober living homes.

ADDICTION GROUP

ALCOHOL MISUSE, ABUSE, ADDICTION & TREATMENT

ADDICTION RESOURCE

Struggling with an addiction to drugs and alcohol is a worldwide disease. Every country in the world feels the grip of addiction on its citizens. A decade ago, it was estimated that 35 million people in the world smoked methamphetamine, and that number grows each year.

In 2018, nearly two million people in the US abused methamphetamine, over six million abused cocaine or crack cocaine, and some 43 million people used marijuana. Statistics showed that over 60 percent of people over the age of twelve (nearly 197 million) were abusing illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco that same year. Over 20 million people and their families, and more people are diagnosed every day. As recent as 2017, addiction cost the country over $735 billion dollars in medical costs, efficiency in the workplace, and crime.

Addiction is pervasive and disastrous. It affects all aspects of a person’s life. Unfortunately, the solution is complicated and rarely easy. There are so many considerations; Where to go? What kind of program to choose? Who will pay the bills while I’m away at treatment? and, Is attending rehab going to get me fired?

When it comes to employment, there are protections in place for individuals in need of a leave of absence for medical reasons, commonly called The Family Medical Leave Act. Addiction is a recurring disease and qualifies as a medical issue.

Addiction Treatment Disparities

In the United States, only about one in ten people in need of rehab actually receive treatment.

There are a multitude of reasons that people who struggle with addiction do not get the help they need, such as:

• “I can’t afford it”
• “I don’t have time to go to rehab”
• “Who will take care of my house?”
• “I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills”
• “Who will care for my children/pets/responsibilities?”
• “I don’t want everyone knowing my problems”
• “I don’t need treatment, I don’t have a problem”
• “I don’t know where to start looking for rehab”
• “I tried rehab before, it doesn’t work on me”
• “I will lose my job if I go to rehab”

While some of these concerns may be reasonable, they do not have to stop a person from seeking substance abuse treatment, especially when a program can guide them into recovery.

The FMLA offers employment protection to employees who meet the criteria. This means that an employer cannot terminate your employment simply because you need to take some time off to attend a substance abuse treatment program.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – Defined

In 1993, the Family and Medical Leave Act was put in place to offer eligible employees up to twelve weeks per year of unpaid, protected leave from work in specific medical or family situations.

Some FMLA approved circumstances for these twelve weeks include:

• Caring for a child from birth up to one year of age (twelve weeks to be taken within 12 months of birth)
• Adopting or foster care child being placed in your care, up to one year of initial placement
• To care for an immediate family member who has a serious medical issue
• Military caregiver leave
• If you have a serious medical condition that affects your ability to do your job

Addiction is a serious medical issue and is therefore covered by FMLA.

How Do I Know If I Am FMLA eligible?

Whether or not you qualify to participate in the FMLA depends on a few eligibility criteria. FMLA requires that you have been an employee of your current employer for the previous 12-month period, and accumulate a specific number of work hours.

The employment does not need to be twelve consecutive months, and the hours do not need to be accumulated consecutively.

FMLA also requires that the company you work for employs at least 50 people in a 75-mile radius.

Employees are encouraged to give employers as much notice as possible when they are attempting to use FMLA and to supply enough information to the employers to determine if the situation meets the criteria for an FMLA qualified leave of absence.

Will I Get Paid While On FMLA Leave?

It is not mandatory for an employer to offer paid leave if someone is taking a leave of absence under FMLA. In some cases, employers offer a paid leave of absences, but that is usually outlined during the initial hiring process.

The FMLA is intended only to protect employees from being terminated for needing to take a leave up absence for up to twelve weeks. The employer is required to hold a person’s position or offer them a comparable position with equal pay.

How Do I Notify My Employer Of My Leave?

Employees should give employers as much advance notice as possible, and provide documentation to support the FMLA request. While not mandatory, the U.S. Department of Labor webpage for the FMLA has a number of FMLA documents that will help employees document the proof needed for an FMLA request.

ALCOHOL REHAB HELP

Alcohol Use Disorder (Alcoholism, Alcohol Addiction)

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD), previously called alcoholism or alcohol addiction, occurs when a person drinks a lot of alcohol regularly and cannot control their alcohol consumption.

What Causes Alcohol Use Disorder (Addiction)?

When it comes to alcohol use disorder (addiction), every person’s situation is different. There isn’t just one cause of alcohol addiction, but possible causes fall into three categories:

• Biological
• Psychological
• Socio-cultural

Underage Drinking & Alcoholism Risks

Many young people under 21 years of age look at alcohol as a rite of passage. At this age, people are looking for ways to assert their independence, engage in new experiences, and take risks. As a result, many of them turn to alcohol and other substances. The dangers of underage drinking can be severe, and even life-threatening, if taken too far.

Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (Addiction)

Changes in behavior are usually what cause people to recognize that their loved one has an alcohol addiction. These symptoms include binge drinking, replacing normal activities with drinking, the inability to stop drinking, and loss of interest in hobbies, among others.

Preventing Alcohol Abuse 

Alcohol abuse and addiction can affect anyone at any age. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent alcohol use disorder (AUD), especially in underage drinkers. Prevention tips include talking with children about the dangers of alcohol, monitoring alcoholism behaviors at home, and teaching valuable coping mechanisms, among others.

Types of Alcoholics

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can affect anyone at any age. There are five different types of alcoholics, including:

• Young adult alcoholics
• Young antisocial alcoholics
• Intermediate familial alcoholics
• Functional alcoholics
• Chronic severe alcoholics

Effects of Alcohol Abuse & Addiction

Harmful Effects of Hangovers

Hangovers are the result of the body’s attempt to recover from heavy alcohol consumption. Heavy drinking leads to frequent urination, which commonly results in dehydration, dry mouth, thirstiness, dizziness, and an electrolyte imbalance, among other symptoms.

Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal vary. For some people, they are mild and uncomfortable. In more severe cases, the symptoms of withdrawal can be life-threatening. Symptoms usually peak between 24 to 72 hours and usually settle within a week.

Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy (Alcohol-Induced Heart Disease)

Long-term, heavy alcohol consumption can lead to heart disease. More specifically, alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a type of alcohol-induced heart disease that severely damages the heart muscle. The main cause of alcohol cardiomyopathy is linked to chronic alcohol addiction.

Effects of Alcohol – Cancer

Drinking any amount of alcohol increases a person’s risk of developing certain cancers. However, heavy alcohol consumption and those with a long-term alcohol use disorder (AUD) are most at risk.

Mental Health Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol Abuse and Mental Health

Alcohol abuse can negatively impact your mental health. In many cases, those addicted to alcohol are also diagnosed with a mental health disorder (dual diagnosis).

Anxiety and Alcohol Abuse

Anxiety disorders are mental health disorders that cause constant fear and worry. They can range from mild to severe, depending on the person. For many, alcohol provides temporary relief of anxiety symptoms and is a way to self-medicate. However, this cycle can lead to problems later on, such as a dual diagnosis (when a person has both an alcohol use disorder and a mental health disorder).

Depression and Alcohol

Depression is the most common mental health disorder in the U.S., affecting over 16 million American adults. Unfortunately, alcohol abuse is common in people with depression. Many turn to alcohol in order to escape feelings of sadness.

Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Abuse

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that causes extreme mood swings. Those with bipolar disorder often turn to alcohol to self-medicate and reduce unpleasant symptoms. However, doing so can lead to serious problems later on, such as alcohol addiction. 

AMERICAN ADDICTION CENTERS

What kinds of questions do you need to ask to

find the right drug rehab for you?

In this country, both the use and abuse of substances are widespread. In a study of addiction habits worldwide, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, the United States took the top spot out of 17 countries in the use of legal and illegal drugs like cocaine.¹

Perhaps unsurprisingly, amidst a backdrop of such widespread substance abuse, there are thousands of drug and alcohol rehab centers people can seek help from when their use develops into an addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that there are more than 14,500 specialized drug rehab centers in the United States.² There are many other providers in private practice that offer help to people with addictions. Twelve-step fellowships and other support groups are also available to assist people who do not want to get formal professional help.

If you are searching for a drug rehab center for yourself or for someone you love, this is all good news. It is clear that you have reahb options for drug substance abuse available, and there is bound to be a provider out there that can assist you or your family with the addiction problems you face. But how to choose a rehab? And more importantly, how can you be sure that the option you do choose is the right one?

This rehab guide can help. Here, we will detail the rehabilitation options open to you, along with important questions you can ask before you settle on a specific provider.

OVERVIEW OF THE RECOVERY VILLAGE

• The overall staff at Advanced Recovery Systems, which is the umbrella over The Palmer Lake Recovery Village, believes that addictions aren’t just chemical problems. They’re also spiritual and emotional. They involve the way people think.

• The Correlation Between Trauma And Substance Abuse

  

  One of the most frequently asked questions regarding substance abuse is, “what causes addiction?” While there’s no clear answer, there are several risk factors that affect the likelihood that a person will experience addiction during their lifetime.

  A family history of addiction, having a mental health disorder, peer pressure, lack of family involvement, and a genetic predisposition are all common risk factors associated with substance abuse and addiction. But another risk factor, one that’s often overlooked, is trauma—especially trauma that occurs during childhood.

  Emotional abuse, rape, sexual assault, the death of a loved one, being the victim of a crime or accident, and catastrophic natural disasters are all examples of traumatic events that may have an impact on substance abuse and addiction.

  But how much do these events impact the likelihood of developing an addiction? And is there a way to prevent substance abuse later in life after an individual has experienced trauma?

  How trauma affects the brain

  Biology and genetics play a critical role in brain development, but the human brain also has the ability to respond and adapt to environmental stimulation. As the brain grows and matures during childhood, it creates, strengthens, and occasionally discards neural connections. Every experience a child has, whether positive or negative, affects the brain in some way.

  While most experiences cause the brain to develop in a way that’s beneficial, negative experiences can impede the brain’s development. Specifically, negative experiences during childhood, such as trauma, are believed to cause certain anomalies in brain structure that can result in cognitive, behavioral, and social impairments.

  Is there a correlation between trauma and substance abuse?

  Although experiencing trauma doesn’t mean a person will develop an addiction, research suggests there’s a significant, undeniable link between trauma and substance abuse.

  Researchers at the University of Texas studied 32 teenagers, 19 of whom had been maltreated during childhood but had not been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. The other participants served as the control group and had no history of any major childhood trauma or psychiatric problems.

  All of the teens were followed up every six months for approximately three and a half years. The researchers found that nearly half of the children who experienced trauma developed depression, an addiction, or both during the study. The comparison between the two groups showed that the rate of developing an addiction or mental health disorder in the maltreated teens was three times higher than in the control group.

  But it’s not just childhood trauma that has an impact on addiction. A report issued by the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and The Department of Veteran Affairs showed a strong correlation between trauma and addiction in adults as well. Some of the significant findings of the report include:

  • Sources estimate that between 25 to 75% of people who survive abuse and/or a violent trauma develop issues related to substance abuse.
  • 10 to 33% of survivors of accidents, illnesses or natural disasters report having a substance use disorder.
  • A diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases the risk of developing a substance use disorder.
  • Male and female sexual abuse survivors experience a higher rate of drug and alcohol use disorders compared to those who have not survived such abuse.

  Can addiction be prevented after abuse?

  Not every person who experiences a traumatic event will develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol, which makes it difficult for experts to say whether it can truly be prevented. However, people who don’t seek help when dealing with traumatic experiences are more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism, which can lead to a substance use disorder over time.

  Perhaps the best way to prevent substance abuse after a traumatic event is to ensure that the individual seeks some form of treatment, such as therapy with a licensed professional. Addressing the underlying trauma and the feelings associated with that trauma can help prevent a person from turning to drugs or alcohol in the future to cope with their emotions.

  Help is available

  You didn’t wake up one morning and decide to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. If you’ve experienced a traumatic event at one point in your life, there’s a chance you’re using drugs or alcohol to cope with those feelings and experiences, even if you don’t realize it. You don’t need to feel embarrassed, upset, or frustrated with yourself forever. Help is available, and by accepting treatment, you can begin to deal with your trauma, overcome your addiction, and live a happy, fulfilled life in recovery.

  At the Recovery Village at Palmer Lake, we offer a variety of treatment programs, including those designed to treat co-occurring disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact us today.

DRUG REHAB

SUSTAINING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Learning how to build and sustain healthy relationships is a critical part of clinical treatment because they help those in recovery find the motivation and support necessary to remain sober.

The Value of Healthy Relationships to Recovery

Healthy relationships are valuable in daily life and allow for connections to be made. Relationships can be familial, platonic, social, professional, or romantic and are all highly beneficial for personal growth and maintaining sobriety.

Both healthy and unhealthy relationships can impact people in and out of recovery in varying ways. A supportive friend who genuinely cares for someone who is recovering from substance abuse will offer compassion and maintain respect for their journey. Someone who is a toxic person in an unhealthy relationship may instead criticize or mock the person for having had an addiction. Such responses can deeply affect the person attempting to transition into sobriety. It’s important to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships to compare how they influence addiction.

Defining Healthy Relationships

Healthy relationships provide people enduring or recovering from addiction an opportunity for peace and growth. These relationships encourage the safety and growth and development of each individual. Traits of healthy relationships include:

Healthy relationships benefit us by providing security, joy, and partnership in our lives. Healthy relationships bring out the best in people, remind people to be responsible for their own happiness, and emphasize self-care. People in healthy relationships may experience less stress and achieve a balance of self-care and caring for others. Healthy friendships can offer us support and a sense of belonging, which are basic essentials for happiness.

Unhealthy Relationships

Unhealthy relationships have highly toxic impacts which can unfold in various ways. Unhealthy relationships that include lying, cheating, or are highly unstable create a lack of peace and well-being in the lives of those involved. Traits of an unhealthy relationship include:

Toxic relationships, relationships that leave someone feeling drained and hopeless, can lead to disturbances in peace and increases in depression and anxiety.

Unhealthy Relationships and Addiction

Patterns of attachment and ideas about relationships begin in childhood. Most often, childhood relationships determine the types of relationships we form and maintain as we age. Depending on how our parents responded to our needs, we can form unhealthy relationships or become attached to people who mimic our caretakers. If we were traumatized as children, this trauma can reveal itself in the types of people who we love or choose to be loved by in adulthood.

Unhealthy relationships can lead to emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression, which can lead to substance abuse. For example, studies reveal that many people who binge drink have endured childhood trauma and use alcohol to self-medicate. Unhealthy relationships in worst case scenarios can create voids, dependencies, and destructive tendencies like self-harm and addiction in some people.

Becoming aware of personal influences and maintaining self-care and self-esteem are positive ways to identify the possible dangers of negative, toxic relationships. If you or someone you know is trapped in an unhealthy relationship and is abusing substances for relief, contact a treatment professional today.

Volunteering at Treatment Recovery Centers

Addiction Recovery Guide Volunteering

WEBSITE RESOURCES

• Addiction Center

• Advanced Recovery Services

• Alcohol Rehab Guide

• American Addiction Center | AmericanAddictionCenters.org

• Detox Local

• Drug and Alcohol Intervention

• DRUG REHAB

• Palmer Lake Recovery Village

• REHABSPOT (DRUG REHAB)

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)