Sobriety as a New Year’s Resolution

The new year is a time when people make an effort to start over and change some of their habits for the better. It can be a good time to focus on health and well-being so that you live a more positive lifestyle. Sobriety can be one of the best resolutions that you make in the new year as long you have a plan to stay committed and follow through with your decision.

Becoming sober is a big change to go through and in order to succeed you will need to make a number of smaller resolutions to support your choice. Getting sober means talking to friends and family about your addiction and telling them that you want to quit. Letting other people know about your resolution can make it easier to be accountable and you will be less likely to give up.

The next step for becoming sober is seeking professional help if you have a serious addiction. You can find a therapist who specializes in addiction or you can enroll in an inpatient or outpatient treatment center to detox and get adjusted to a sober lifestyle. Quitting an addiction can be much easier in the environment of treatment and sobriety offered at a rehab center.

If your alcohol use is not severe enough to require inpatient treatment you might consider attending a twelve step program to help you get oriented with a sober lifestyle. These group meetings are designed to help people to deal with cravings and allow them to strengthen their resolve to be sober. You can also start to build a social support system with the people you meet in twelve step groups so that you have sober friends who will keep you on track with your goals.

Sobriety can be a great new year’s resolution as long as you take the right steps toward making a lasting change.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/sobriety-as-a-new-years-resolution/

When Substance Abuse Lands You in Jail

People that struggle with addiction often live with a deep sense of denial about their problem until they reach a very low point. Often their rock bottom can be when they are arrested for a DUI or land in jail for drug related crimes. In some cases, going to jail can be a wake-up call for people with addictions that their substance abuse has become a problem.

A large majority of inmates in prison are addicted to substances like alcohol and heroin. Dealing with an addiction while in jail can be difficult and painful as many prisons are not equipped to provide the medical care necessary to quit. Being suddenly cut off from their substance abuse can be very stressful and even dangerous for people with serious addictions.

One of the best options for people who have been arrested or landed possible jail time is to attend a treatment center for their addiction. Drug courts are sometimes an option that allows offenders to enter rehab rather than having to serve a full sentence. This option can be life saving for people that simply need to get help and are not involved in violent or more serious crimes.

For some people that serve shorter sentences and don’t have access to drug court, their time served in prison can help be a jump start for getting sober. For others it can be a difficult experience that may cause them to relapse because of the lack of proper treatment. It is crucial for any scenario that the offender enter a treatment center whenever possible so that they can avoid any jail time again in the future.

When addiction becomes so serious that it leads to problems with the law, it is important to get professional help in any way possible and end the abuse.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/substance-abuse-and-jail/

When Pills Make You a Better Parent

Parenting can be stressful and full of frustrations along with the ups and downs of raising a child. Many parents feel that they need some type of medication to keep them calm and cope with the rollercoaster of parenthood. More parents than ever are taking some type of pill such as anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds or other prescription to help them through their daily lives.

For many parents, the problem can start with post-partum depression which can affect the mother and the father. This is a common issue that people experience when they have their first child and aren’t prepared to deal with the overwhelming stress of caring for an infant. Doctors may provide post-partum moms or even dads with anti-depressants so that they can continue to function normally.

Children can trigger anxiety and depression for many people that are sensitive to sudden change and the unpredictability of being a parent. In fact, parents experience depression at twice the rate of the general population. Parenting is not easy for anyone and those who are more vulnerable to depression need to be careful when it comes to raising children.

It may be helpful for some parents to take regular medication such as anti-depressants if they are recommended by their doctor or psychiatrist. It may make it easier for the parent to handle their emotions and stay stable for the sake of their family. Anti-anxiety medications can be helpful too but it is important that they are not abused or taken in large doses.

Parents struggling with raising a child may be hesitant to take medication but it can be a helpful temporary solution if their depression has become a problem. Eventually some may want to wean off of their medication and focus more on long term solutions like regular therapy sessions to improve their emotional life and stress levels.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/pills-and-parenting/

Postpartum Depression in Men

Typically postpartum depression is thought of as a condition that women go through after they give birth to a child, the reality is that men can experience many of the same issues. While postpartum depression for women can be different because it involves difficult hormones changes and other issues, men can also have problems dealing with the stress of having a newborn child. Men can feel considerably depressed or anxious while trying to care for a child and it can negatively affect their health and ability to function as parents.

Postpartum depression takes place for men when they become overwhelmed by the stress and responsibility of caring for an infant. They may deal with sleepless nights, conflict with their spouse, and anxiety about their child during the first year of the baby’s life. When the stress leads to certain symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, insomnia, appetite problems and feelings of hopelessness then postpartum depression may have developed.

Certain problems can put men at a higher risk for developing postpartum depression such as lack of sleep, personal history of depression, poor relationships with spouse or other family members, poor social life, economic problems and other issues. When risk factors are present, the stress of parenthood can lead to serious depression symptoms that become difficult to combat alone especially with a child to care for. It is important to keep in mind that men also need plenty of emotional support when they have children and women are not the only ones who are vulnerable to postpartum mental health issues.

For men struggling with postpartum depression it is crucial to get help from a professional to address some of the factors that may be contributing to the symptoms. Talking to a therapist can help ease stress and provide the chance to work on tactics to cope with depression and parenthood.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/postpartum-depression-in-men/

Seeing a Family Member Homeless

When someone in the family has an addiction, loved ones often feel helpless and don’t know what to do to change their behavior. Sometimes the addict reaches their lowest point and may end up on the street, homeless because their addiction has become out of control. If this happens, it is crucial for the family to step in and help them recover before their situation gets worse.

Homeless people very frequently suffer from drug or alcohol addiction and the prognosis for living on the street for an addict is not good. They could get into dangerous situations and their health and wellbeing will suffer greatly. Loved ones might feel panicked and afraid when they find out that a family member is homeless and their initial reaction may be to take them into their home.

However, the first thing to think about when helping a family member from homelessness is how to address their addiction. Once you make sure they are safe, it is then time to start researching shelters and recovery programs that are designed to help homeless people with addictions. Getting them into some kind of treatment should be your first priority once you get them off of the street.

Once you do some research into the best treatment plan for them, make sure to drop them off and accompany them when they enter the facility. Since they most likely have hit rock bottom as a result of their homelessness, they may already understand how important it is for them to quit their substance abuse. It can also be helpful to check in on their progress, attend family therapy sessions and be supportive throughout their recovery program.

When an addict becomes homeless, they are at their most desperate point and need your help. Most importantly they also need professional treatment to get back on their feet.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/seeing-a-family-member-homeless/

Adrenaline and Bipolar Disorder

People who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder experience two very distinct conditions for certain periods of time. The mania and depression that accompany bipolar disorder can lead to physical and mental changes that are difficult for the person to control. During the manic phase, people with bipolar disorder can have hormonal changes and a type of adrenaline rush that causes them to behave erratically.

In a period of mania, the individual will feel excited and optimistic with more energy than usual. The adrenaline that they experience during the manic phase can cause them to talk rapidly, find it difficult to focus and control themselves. They may begin to engage in risk taking behavior and act impulsively going on shopping sprees or putting themselves in dangerous situations.

After going through the constant adrenaline rush of mania, someone with bipolar disorder will eventually start to enter a period of depression. A sudden withdrawal of stress hormones and the loss of adrenaline causes the individual to crash and become more lethargic, depressed and hopeless. During the depression phase, people with bipolar disorder may sleep more and have trouble accomplishing tasks or even getting out of bed in some cases.

Phasing in and out of mania and depression can take its toll on a person’s health as they go through different stress and adrenaline levels that affect them physically and mentally. Medication for bipolar disorder can help reduce some of the symptoms of mania and depression so that they don’t interfere with the individual’s life. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also have a positive impact on stabilizing the person’s mood and helping them cope with triggers that could cause an episode.

With treatment, eventually bipolar disorder will cause less extreme mood swings and they can minimize the adrenaline rush of mania followed by the crash of depression.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/adrenaline-and-bipolar-disorder/

Alcohol Increases Effects of Cigarettes

People that drink alcohol regularly often also smoke cigarettes when they are out drinking. It is also very common for alcoholics to also struggle with cigarette addiction simultaneously. Why are the two problems so closely connected?

One of the reasons that people smoke when they drink, whether they are aware of it or not, is that nicotine helps offset that sedative effects of alcohol. The body may be seeking something to counteract the slow reaction times and other issues that go along with consuming alcohol. Another possible cause is that alcohol actually increases the rewarding effects of nicotine when the two substances are consumed together.

Studies have shown that when compared to a placebo drink, alcohol tended to enhance the pleasure and calming effect of cigarettes with nicotine. Even a fairly low dose of alcohol can elicit these effects, according to the study, which explains why people who drink have a very hard time quitting smoking. The interaction of the two drugs makes it very common for people in alcohol recovery to continue being addicted to cigarettes for some time.

Because cigarettes combat some of the effects of alcohol and alcohol in turn increases the effects of nicotine, people make a strong association with both drug habits. Alcoholics in recovery who still smoke may feel a stronger craving for alcohol when they have a cigarette. Someone who has quit smoking may relapse and smoke a cigarettes if they have had a few drinks.

For optimal health and to avoid the drug habits influencing one another, it can be beneficial to quit both smoking and alcohol at the same time. Both alcohol and cigarettes are toxins that cause cravings for one another and affect recovery. Quitting both can be challenging but it will create a faster path to sobriety and increased wellness.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/alcohol-cigarettes-effect/

Dealing With Self-Loathing

Feelings of self-loathing can sabotage relationships because one person may feel that they are not “good enough” to be with other people. Those who cope with self-loathing can sometimes become isolated because they see so many negative qualities in themselves and assume that others will eventually see them. Someone who is hyper-aware of their limitations or perceived flaws can never be convinced of their worth unless they confront the cause of their self-loathing.

It can be difficult for people with self-esteem issues to build up confidence since compliments from others might have very little effect. A good tactic for people with self-loathing issues is to try to acknowledge that they might not know themselves as well as they believe. Although they might feel that they see and understand all of their own flaws, the reality is that the way they perceive themselves is often very inaccurate.

If someone who is a self-loather can learn to understand that the way they see themselves is not necessarily the “right” way then it opens up the possibility that they might not be as flawed as they think. They might see themselves as boring, worthless or untalented but others might see them as interesting and fun. Considering other people’s perspectives can help break down some of the deeply ingrained beliefs that affect their self-esteem.

People with self-loathing issues can also work on accepting praise from others and recognizing the ways in which they are supported and loved. Other people in their lives see their value and if they are able to understand that then it can start to change their perception of themselves. With time they can start to see their own positive qualities and allow themselves more self-care.

Self-loathing is a complex problem, but it is possible to reduce feelings of self-hatred through therapy and changing perspectives.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/dealing-with-self-loathing/

Addiction and Memory Loss

Drug abuse can have a devastating effect on a person’s personal life as well as their physical well-being. Repeated abuse of alcohol and other drugs can cause damage to essential functions in the body, especially in the brain. Addicts who have been abusing drugs for many years often experience memory loss and other problems with their cognitive functioning.

Hundreds of studies show a significant link between substance abuse and memory loss which as a result affects things like learning, language and comprehension. When a person experiences a blackout during alcohol or drug use, for example, it prevents the brain from completing the process of forming memories. Persistent drug use can cause not only issues with recalling recent events but also long term memory loss.

Drug use affects the hippocampus which is essentially the brain’s memory-storage system. Someone who becomes heavily dependent on drugs like alcohol will start to see long-lasting effects to their memory and brain function. They may begin to struggle with learning new things and have trouble recalling details such as birthdays and other important dates.

In some of the worst cases of addiction, people can develop serious brain damage leading conditions such as dementia. This typically occurs with excessive drinking over a long period of time and deals with issues of memory, learning and cognitive skills. Alcoholic dementia is a serious condition that is difficult and nearly impossible to reverse in some cases.

For people that are struggling with an addiction and are starting to experience some memory loss it is crucial to quit so that they can reverse some of the damage to their brain. Once sober, most addicts can start to see their cognitive function improve gradually over time. Getting treatment can help prevent further substance abuse from damaging memory and learning beyond repair.

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source https://www.goodencenter.org/addiction-and-memory-loss/