Coming to terms with an addiction is a difficult and eye opening experience for the addict and his/her loved ones alike. Often, once you acknowledge that you have a problem, trying to figure out your best course of action is a daunting, seemingly insurmountable task. However, understanding your treatment options will help keep you from feeling overwhelmed when you are taking the first steps towards recovery.

Detox vs. Treatment

There will be many terms you will hear associated when recovering from an addiction. In the earliest stages of recovery these terms may include “detoxification” (often abbreviated as “detox”) and “treatment”. It is important to understand that detox and treatment are two separate things. Detox simply refers to the process by which all traces of drugs/alcohol are eliminated from your system. It is the first step in the treatment process. Your doctor and/or counselor will outline all the steps of treatment with you and your family in advance.

Treatment vs. Rehab

Treatment and rehabilitation, also known as “rehab”, are often discussed in conjunction with one another. Many people mistakenly used the terms interchangeably, but you should realize that treatment and rehab are two separate stages of the recovery process. Treatment is the process in which your addiction is dealt with on a medical basis. Detox is usually the first step in treatment. The physical implications of your addiction are addressed during the treatment phase. For example, if you are addicted to opiates, this is the phase in which you may be given substitute drugs to help manage your addiction. Treating an addiction is only a temporary solution.

If you truly want to recover from your addiction, then you must undergo the rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation, or “rehab”, is the stage of recovery in which you strive to be restored to your “pre-addiction” capacity. This is the phase in which the psychological aspects of your addiction are dealt with. In order to successfully recover from addiction, this last step is crucial. Rehab programs include both “12 Step” and “non 12 Step” counseling options. With the help of your doctor or counselor, you can determine the best solution for yourself.

Best Treatment Centers (12 Step vs. non 12 Step)

Some drug and alcohol treatment facilities incorporate both 12 Step and non 12 Step programs, while others only offer either one or the other. In order to decide which treatment center is the most suitable for you, it is essential to understand the difference between the two.

Traditional “12 Step” programs include a set of guiding principles on which the entire recovery process is based. Recovering addicts must address each step before they are able to move on to the next step. “12 Step” programs utilize a group therapy format in which individuals “share” their experiences with others in the group. You should also realize that “12 Step” programs are based upon spiritual principles, so if you are uncomfortable with this, a better option may be a “non 12 Step” program.

“Non 12 Step” program formats often include a more individualized approach to recovery but vary widely depending on the treatment facility. Therefore, if this is an option you are considering, be sure to inquire about the program structure to make sure that you are comfortable with it before getting started.

Online Treatment Options

There is a wealth of information available online to guide you in understanding your treatment options. While there are numerous recovery sources on the Internet, one of the most comprehensive online recovery sites is SoberSources.com. If you are currently searching for solutions, be sure to thoroughly research and explore all available options.

Simply put, alcoholism is the continuous intake of alcohol. It is a disease that becomes worse through time and it brings major ill effects to your body and mind. The effects that are brought about by alcoholism can be passed to succeeding generations and if not treated early, the resulting ailments can be really painful.

You should not waste time in getting treatment once you have noticed symptoms. If you are still drinking even though you have promised yourself that you will stop, it could be a sign that you are an alcoholic. Also, if you have tainted relations with your loved ones but you still go on with your drinking, you may be an alcoholic.

The physical symptoms of alcohol addiction signify that there is something wrong in your body. Should you feel that these symptoms are gone even though you are still a drinker, you should not rest in your laurels and think that everything will be fine. This only means that your body has developed tolerance for the quantity of alcohol that you have been drinking. When this happens, you tend to crave for more and it’s not improbable for you to contract more serious complications.

The most common symptoms of alcoholism are (but not limited to):

• Vomiting

• Insatiable capacity for alcohol

• Liver swelling

• Abdominal pain

• Nausea and dizziness

• Swollen face and reddish eyes

These symptoms must not be ignored for they are life-threatening. Once you have experienced these signs in their early stages, it can lead to serious health problems in the long run. Better act upon it now before it is too late.

Also, a person is considered an alcoholic if he can’t seem to prevent himself from taking another bottle of beer or shots of hard drinks no matter what time of day it is. Those who are totally under the influence might resort to drinking even during office hours or during the wee hours of the day. This situation will bring him more enemies and he would feel that he has no friends. Psychological disorders are not improbable once an alcoholic feels this way.

Think about it: not only will alcoholism cause a scar on your health, but it can put a dent on your relationships and career as well. Because of your dependence on alcohol, you tend to forget about your friends and your family. Moreover, this addiction can also result in a drop in performance as far as work is concerned.

Thus, these alerts must be answered immediately through treatment. If not treated early, an alcoholic might shy away from his family and friends and it would be more difficult to pick him up from his current status. An alcoholic person does this to veer away from the comments that he might hear from those who care about him. Before this situation happens, it would be best to seek treatment for this person.

If you or someone you know suffers from alcoholism or addiction please visit us at www.sobersources.com and see the available resources and support forums we can offer you.

Most people with an addiction problem discover it when they hit rock bottom. The first sign that they can not ignore is often reflected in their relationships, because others see it sooner. Are you having trouble with your marriage, friendships, jobs or other relationships? Are these problems related to any addictive behavior? If so, then you need addiction help. When you let a habit come between you and the things you hold dear, you need help.

Are you finding your finances in constant peril due to addictive behavior? If so, then you likely need help with your addiction. No addict can keep their life in perfect working order, as addiction can tear your life to shreds. Your finances are usually one of the things that suffers because of your lack of awareness and spending habits in some cases. If you are struggling financially due to addictive behavior, then you need help.

Are you unable to resist the urge to skip that drink or trip to the casino? If you find yourself unable to control your impulses, and suddenly find yourself in the middle of addictive behavior without being sure how or why, then you need addiction help.

Do you plan your life around your addiction? Do you ignore the wants and needs of others so that you can engage in addictive behavior? These are also signs it is time to seek addiction help. You should head to a therapist right away and get whatever help is necessary before things get out of control.

Addiction help is nothing to be ashamed of, and if you seek it early your chances of success are increased a great deal. Waiting until you are deep in addiction is only going to make things tougher for you. If you think you are suffering from addiction, then you need to head out and get help today. There are plenty of resources available, and you should look into one or more of them as soon as possible. Your life will thank you for it.

Lethargy – Being tired and slow at work is certainly not always an indication of alcoholism, but it certainly can be caused by it. Alcoholism puts a heck of a strain on all of your body organs, and that alone can leave you feeling tired and exhausted.

Depression – Feeling depressed is something that alcoholics are very familiar with as a rule. They will crash hard when they come down from their drunken state. Sometimes the depression is because they are sad, and sometimes it is because they are no longer able to drink being at work. This leads to many other problems including…

Anger or short temper – If a co-worker is being short and snippy, it is likely a million things other than alcoholism. Still, the alcoholic will usually lose patience much quicker than they normally would. Anger management problems at work are common among functioning alcoholics.

Slowdown in Production – Alcoholism causes lethargy as mentioned above, and it almost always shows in performance. It is very hard for an alcoholic to perform at the same level as they did before the addiction.

Problems with Co-workers – Again, the anger and the depression can cause internal strife at work quite easily. If someone spends a great deal of time arguing with others, they could be suffering form alcoholism or addiction.

Coming in Drunk or Hung over – When the functioning alcoholic begins to break down from their addiction, it is not uncommon to find them drunk at work or at the least hung over. This can cause all types of problems

Missing Time at Work – This is one of the most common problems encountered by alcoholics at work. Even functioning alcoholics will usually have attendance problems, and this can lead to all types of serious issues at their job including getting fired.

If you suspect that a co-worker is having issues with alcohol, or if you yourself are struggling with this problem, please find an addiction treatment facility or help. Most companies these days are quick to help in a situation such as this if you are honest and seek help.

Another problem with drinking and abuse is that we often are incapable of watching out for our kids. Alcoholics are self absorbed with the next drink and rarely watch their kids properly. If they are watching, they are much less likely to perceive danger than they would be sober. The small child climbing on the couch might seem innocent when drinking but dangerous when we are sober. Our perceptions do not allow us to properly consider what is happening.

Alcohol can sometimes make us much more short tempered. When alcohol is in the mix, parents sometimes will spank children way too hard. In extreme cases, they may actually hurt their children on purpose. Some alcoholics become very abusive when they are drinking, and the child that is left unprotected is at serious risk.

If you are an alcoholic that thinks your drinking does not affect your children, you are kidding yourself. It is virtually impossible to be drunk all the time and take proper care of your children. Get some help for yourself and remove your children if you think they are at risk. No child should suffer because of a parent’s alcoholism. Be brave and make that step that is needed for their sake.

Once you have your kids in a safe environment, then you can truly make an effort to clean up your life. Addiction takes time and plenty of addiction support to overcome. Do not hesitate to reach out to those that love you.

Younger children need not know much at all, as they will have trouble understanding addiction and why it is a big problem for you. You can, however, let even the youngest children know that you are working on fixing a problem. Tell them that you are sick and that you are working towards getting better.

For older aged children, it is vital that you talk over addiction with them. This is true whether you are an addict or not, as kids are introduced to drugs and alcohol at a very early stage in life these days. Even if you keep your kids on a “short leash” they will have heard about drugs and alcohol by the time they get to middle school. They may even be offered these things.

That said, you have to take some time to explain how dangerous these things are. If they hear it from you before they are offered it at school, then they have a much better chance of knowing how to handle the situation. Your own addiction can serve as a warning for them. Explain to them what happened to you and allow them to ask questions. Be honest with them, and let them know the dangers in clear language.

If you remain silent with your children about addiction, they will be left to draw their own conclusions. Worse yet, they may draw their conclusions based on what other kids are telling them. This is a surefire recipe for addiction problems down the road.

Give your kids the information they need to avoid addiction. Do this even if it means your embarrassment or discomfort about admitting your own addictions. Kids understand far more than we give them credit for, and will benefit greatly from your doing so.

The first step in doing so is to begin to explore this world of spirituality. Nobody can do this for you, but a good place to start is to head out into the woods, beaches and mountains of your choice. If this is not practical, then head into the local woods nearby or by a nice lake. Wherever you feel the most relaxed in nature will do just fine. The reason this is so important is because it gives you the chance to relax your mind and become closer to nature.

Listen to all the things around you. Try to hear everything down to the slightest sound. Concentrate hard and you will likely hear things you never heard before. It is during this quiet time that you should begin to talk with yourself about what you believe in. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you think that Evolution was the sole cause for the Earth’s formation? Why? All of these questions will begin to prepare you for your battle with addiction because they are core questions. Knowing how you feel about each of them will help you to get closer to your beliefs. This breeds self esteem and self worth which is a vital part of addiction recovery.

Many people underestimate the power of spirituality in overcoming addiction. Regardless of the religion that you subscribe to, or if you subscribe to no religion at all, our spirituality has great power in overcoming addiction. We can use this power to fight off cravings, find peace, attain symptom relief, ease withdrawals or depression and modify our behavior.

If you believe in God, then use your relationship with Him to pray when you are feeling badly. If you subscribe to any religion, then speak to them. If you believe in no higher power than yourself, then pray to the universe at large. Regardless, you should make friends with that side of yourself that you can not kid. That voice is an integral voice in your addiction recovery, just as it was likely a loud voice when you began your addiction. Fine tuning what that voice says is the key. What used to be negative and self defeating can be turned into a voice of reason and change.

Using nature, spirit and self awareness, you can overcome any addiction much easier. Having a higher power to pray and talk to is important. Many people that do not believe in a higher power will also pray to a deceased family member or loved one that they were especially close to. Regardless, you need to have that outlet in your life. Turn to them when you feel as though you may slip back into addiction.

Using spirituality to overcome addiction is really about opening up to yourself. With practice, you can fine tune that voice of reason into a powerful addiction recovery tool.

Selfishness and self-centeredness is the root of our problems. Wow! Selfishness is a noun that simply means: Stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others. Fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, all things that stem from imagination drive this concern. We are acting from the imaginary. The self!

But what is a self? Here’s the kicker, the self is one’s consciousness of one’s own being or identity; the ego. It is what you believe you are. So when you imagine something that the self should be doing, you do it without regards of what that action is going to do in effecting other’s being. That’s what selfishness and self-centeredness is!
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The Addicts Guide is a manual and blog where people with addiction problems can seek help and follow a guide to getting sober on their own. There is not only a guide on how to become sober, but a blog where you can find and read many topics about the many ways that people cope and suffer with their addictions from the view point of those that know!  Addiction is a difficult subject to deal with, because many people simply are not able to overcome it without help. Even still, many addicts suffer daily for years until they are able to lift most of their cravings from withdrawal.

One of the best features of the Addicts Guide is that it goes in depth about all the different problems that people have with their addictions. You can read first hand how people who are doing just fine in their regular life, but are still struggling with their addictions. People often are in denial about their addiction. While you might not be in one of these situations yet, you could be  soon if you don’t get help. There are just so many things to think about. Whether your addiction will be affected by the stress of a life emergency, or if you are simply not going to be able to find help for your addiction.

Luckily, the Addicts Guide helps you out with your addiction. It spells out many of the treatment options that there are depending upon your addiction. You also can hear about how to stay sober after you have gone through treatment. That can be the single most difficult part of dealing with your addiction! You do not want to be left having to beg for help with your addiction. If you know that you have an addiction, take some of the advice from the Addicts Guide to heart and get some help from a professional source.

To read the blog and view the information please visit: www.theaddictsguide.com or for more information contact us at www.sobersources.com

Treating Alcoholism Naturally Right at Your Own Home

It is common knowledge that alcoholism is characterized by the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and the non-acceptance of the disabling effects that come with it. Of course, alcoholics depend heavily on these drinks that can bring severe effects in both the immediate and long run.

Alcoholism can either be developed through hereditary reasons or through bad judgment. Usually, it starts with an infrequent drink at social gatherings or at a bar. But as time goes by, an alcoholic would feel that drinking is something that he can’t live without. For them, alcoholic drinks are not just for releasing tension. Rather, it turns into a daily routine.

But whatever the cause, the repercussions of alcohol abuse are devastating. Immediate effects of alcoholism are, but not limited to, vomiting, delirium, dizziness, uncomfortable sleep and unintelligent decision making.

If not treated immediately, this may impair your liver’s functionality and eventually cause cirrhosis and intestinal disorders. It can also incur damage to your brain cells and diseases to your heart and circulatory system.

It’s easy to distinguish whether a person is an alcoholic or not. They usually have bloodshot eyes, a ballooned face, high pulse rate and a hoarse voice. Also, they tend to be hot-tempered, highly sentimental and doubtful.

Yet as natural as this addiction may come, there are also natural ways to combat it. These are solutions that are readily available in the comforts of one’s home or can be easily bought in delis and markets. Here are some of the effective agents against alcohol abuse:

• Celery – it has been proven that celery’s juice is effective against alcoholism. A half glass of celery juice mixed with a half glass of water, taken daily for one month, can induce a sobering effect to alcoholics.

• Dates – Mix four or five dates with a half glass of water and take it twice a day for a month. This concoction will bring a corrective effect to your alcohol addiction.

• Grapes – Since it contains alcohol in its purest form, having an alcoholic undergo a grape-dominated diet for a month is a great way to substitute the beverages. Three meals of fresh grapes every five hours can help you throw alcohol out of your system.

• Bitter Gourd – A glass of butter milk mixed with three teaspoons of bitter gourd juice would do magic. Take this every morning for a month and it can help in treating your alcohol addiction and the liver damage that comes with it.

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