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How to Help Someone Who’s Going Through a Relapse

December 18, 2020 by Mandy

There are millions of Americans struggling with some form of addiction. They all, of course, have parents, siblings, kids, partners, or friends. We tend to think mostly about how addiction affects the lives of the individuals trying to deal with it, and we rarely think that they’re part of a family and social network.

If someone close to you has a substance use disorder, it will inevitably take its toll on you as well. This is someone that you care about deeply, so it’s hard to see how it changes them. When they decide to seek treatment, it feels like you can finally breathe again. All you want is to see them get better. You’ve been there for them every step of the way. You were there for the highs and lows. Perhaps you’ve even seen them reach rock-bottom.

If they have a relapse, it can be devastating because you thought the bad times were behind you and you were looking forward to a brighter future. As disheartening as a relapse can feel, statistically speaking, they are not unusual. About half of those who have undergone addiction treatment will have a relapse. But this shows that they are not a lost cause. Sometimes, after a relapse, we might get angry and blame them or ourselves. We start to think that maybe they didn’t try hard enough or that there was something we should have done for them and didn’t. But no, there’s nothing wrong with them or use. A relapse is a temporary relapse, not a life sentence.

The Signs of a Relapse

Usually, relapses don’t just happen. They’re triggered by something. It could be stress from work or a major event such as the death of a loved one or becoming unemployed. The trigger is most often something that causes the person to experience strong emotions they can no longer cope with in a healthy way. If this coincides with being exposed to drugs or alcohol, there’s a chance they will no longer be able to resist cravings.

You won’t always be able to see if a loved one is about to relapse because they’ll try as much as they can to hide it. They can become more secretive and withdrawn, which can be a sign in and of itself. You may also mood swings, impulsive behavior, and changes in physical appearance. If they were still getting outpatient treatment, whether it was one-on-one therapy, group therapy, 12 step or non 12 step programs, or support groups, they might start missing meetings because they feel ashamed or afraid of negative reactions. This is one of the reasons why it’s so helpful to be able to recognize the signs of a relapse. So even though they’ll try to hide it, you can let them know that you’re there for them and you don’t love them any less.

Don’t Give Up

Although witnessing someone you love go through a relapse can be heartbreaking, keep in mind that many people relapse, and they still go on to live healthy, happy, sober lives. A relapse is not a failure but a sign that they need further treatment. The best approach is to look for treatment options in your area and speaking to a dedicated treatment provider.

Based on an assessment and discussion, your loved one can try repeating the same treatment that enabled them to quit before, or they can try a different approach to better accommodate their needs.

Filed Under: Wellness Tagged With: health, mental health, substance abuse, wellness

7 Tips for Staying Clean From Opioids

February 21, 2019 by Mandy

The biggest challenge associated with opioid addiction is that you’re not the only one dealing with this disease. Your family and friends can be affected by your behavior, legal problems, and the daily stress of supporting a loved one. Below are seven ways that you can live a life free from opioids; contact Options Treatment Center if you live in Colorado and want to learn more!

Recognize the Signs

Admitting that you have an addiction problem is the first step to recovery. Noticing the signs of your opioid abuse will help you make big changes in your life. There are many signs associated with opioid addiction. The most common signs are anxiety, depression, irritability, lowered motivation, and psychosis.

Your addiction can cause problems with both your personal and professional life. It can lead to a decreased interest in your job, school, and hobbies. If you notice any of these signs within yourself, it’s time to evaluate your life. The breaking point often comes when you exhibit dangerous behavior that can cause harm to yourself or your loved ones. Driving under the influence is an example of risky behavior that is the most common sign of abuse.

Research Treatment Options

The next thing you should do is research the various treatment options to find out which one is the best for you. Choosing the right treatment center involves comparing the treatment options and rates. This is crucial when you want to enter an affordable yet reliable rehab.

Find out your options by talking to different medical experts. Learn about the different types of treatment that are offered, including the aftercare. Choosing the right rehab can help you set on the right path to recovery. By removing opioids from your system, these experts can help you detoxify and recover from your addiction with little chance of relapsing.

Set Realistic Expectations

You need to set realistic expectations about your treatment. But you should also keep an open mind when you enter rehab. If you’re ready to get help, schedule an appointment with the treatment center to get an assessment and referral. You can also check out programs in your area to see if you qualify for free services, or if they can find someone who can help you. If you can’t make the first move, talk to someone you trust who can help you get started.

Take Care of Yourself

Focusing on your health is the most important thing to do when it comes to your recovery. If you’re stressed out from your opioid abuse, it can cause strain with your relationships. It can also make it difficult for you to seek help from those who have your best interests at heart. By taking care of yourself, by attending rehab, getting plenty of rest, exercising, eating healthy, and receiving support, you can develop a healthy lifestyle that will help you stay sober.

Make Big Changes

If you want to stay clean, you should quit your old habits, hangouts, and routines. It doesn’t matter what changes you’re making in your life, just as long as you’re committed to making those changes. In order to break free from opioids, some of the changes you need to make must be obvious. That includes not hanging out with the people you received drugs from.

You can’t maintain your sobriety when hanging out with your old friends. Maintaining a sober lifestyle involves meeting new people who live their lives sober. If you have trouble making new friends, join a support group and find a sober buddy. Spending time with friends and family who care about your health and well-being can also help you live a healthy lifestyle and avoid situations in which you normally abuse opioids.

Get Physically Active

If you abused drugs for a long time, there is a good time it had a negative effect on your health. You’re probably not in the best of shape like you used to be. Regular exercise can help reduce stress, which is a big factor of relapse. Exercise is also a cure of boredom, which is another factor of relapse.

Working out can help you stay emotionally and physically healthy. Exercise can lead to eating a healthy diet and living a healthy lifestyle. It’ll greatly improve your health and well-being, improve your self-esteem, and make you just feel better.

Focus on Your Mental Health

Most opioid addicts deal with irritability and anger. While these are normal emotions, many addicts have trouble expressing and managing their anger and irritability. If you want to maintain your sobriety, you should learn how to manage your emotions. Learning to handle these emotions can make a difference in your recovery.

It’s all about learning about the healthy and non-healthy way to handle your anger and irritability. Find out ways that you can express yourself that provide a healthy outlet. These techniques should help you as you decide once and for all to turn away from drugs.

Filed Under: Wellness Tagged With: drug addiction, health, opioids, substance abuse, wellness

8 Ways Treating My Alcohol Addiction Made Me a Better Parent

September 25, 2018 by Mandy

The main difference which exists between alcohol addiction and being addicted to other drugs is that people make too many excuses for alcoholism. I used to make those excuses to myself and people around me. However, the day that I almost crashed my car with my daughters in the backseat, and got a DUI is when I realized how deep I was in trouble. I started the journey to make amends in my life, and things haven’t been the same since. Here is how quitting has made me a better parent.

1. I am more present

Previously, I rarely used to have time for my kids. I was always out there with my friends drinking and hopping from one entertainment spot to the next. I had left the parenting role to my wife and I would sneak in past midnight totally drunk and then leave for work before they woke up. However, now that I have stopped drinking, a huge chunk of time is available for me to bond with the kids.

2. I listen more

If there was a penny for every argument that I have had with my wife over my drinking problem, it would possibly add up to millions or more. The think about being addicted is that others see it and you just do not get why they keep nagging about it. The fights were horrible for the kids, I know I have a lot of emotional damage to repair, but I am glad to have the chance to model better behavior.

3. I stopped yelling 

There is a strange connection which exists between being addicted to alcohol and general lack of patience. I would yell like crazy to my kids because they made a small scratch or soiled the car and other small inconsequential things. Fortunately, I can now manage my emotions better, and when they are doing something wrong, I patiently explain why they need to stop.

4. I attend more of their functions

My wife must have warmed a thousand spots in the bleachers over the years as my daughters played tennis. I always had excuses to wriggle out of the responsibility. Now that I am sober, I am present for everything from the school play, picnics at the pack and hopefully, the upcoming graduation speech for my daughter. I love the fact that I have been able to reconnect with them and form that father daughter bond which had been lost.

5. I am a better example

They say that a girl learns about how men should treat her from the way her daddy treats her mother. Well, I am not ashamed to say that when I was addicted, I was a terrible example to my daughters with all the yelling and the abandonment. To be honest, I am lucky that she stuck around and I know how blessed I am to have her. I am most glad that I get to show my daughters how a gentleman treats a lady and hopefully, I am now setting a precedent for healthy relationships with men who will come into their lives.

6. I have discovered more hobbies 

Apparently, I am an excellent painter. This is what I learned when I was helping my youngest with her art project a few months ago. Nowadays we paint and visit art galleries during all the free time that we can get. It is an awesome shared talent to bond over.

7. The guilt is disappearing 

No one should lie to you that alcohol is effective in numbing emotions. There is always that lingering guilt because you know that you aren’t present as you should be but you also do not know how to get out of the mess. The guilt often leads to lashing out which isn’t pretty. I am glad that slowly my guilt is disappearing.

8. I am more stable financially

You have no idea how much alcoholism has compromised your finances until you quit. There is the time that it takes away from you and the opportunities you do not pursue because you are stuck in something else. When I quit, I did a refresher course and got that promotion and now my family can have what they need far more easily than before,

The benefits of quitting are countless as a parent. As you struggle to clean up, remember the reward will be really worth the struggle.

Filed Under: Children Tagged With: acohol, children, parenting, substance abuse

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