Withdrawal Symptoms of Alcohol

Alcohol Addiction

Despite how prevalent alcohol use is in the American social scene, it is not as harmless as many people think. Alcohol, when consumed in moderate amounts, can be part of the balanced lifestyle. The risks of withdrawal symptoms of alcohol, though, are not only present to those addicted to alcohol, but they can also affect those who drink socially.

The effects of alcohol are both pleasant and euphoric because of how the drug impacts the central nervous system. Alcohol’s effect on the central nervous system, or CNS, can be detrimental when too much alcohol is consumed, leading to many potential complications and neurological concerns. One of the big concerns with withdrawal symptoms of alcohol is the increased risks of seizures.

Setting the Stage

There is a significant link between alcohol abuse and seizures. In fact, studies have shown that 9 to 25% of cases of epilepticus seizures are caused by alcohol abuse. Though epilepticus is rare, it can be serious. These seizures will occasionally last more than five minutes. This leads to a medical emergency that can cause brain damage that is permanent or death.

Binge Drinking

There is an unfortunate truth about binge drinking. That truth is that too many people enjoy this behavior without considering the risks. Many believe that because they do not binge drink often, there is nothing to worry about. Even if a person only drinks once a week, if they are binge drinking during that time, they are endangering their health by abusing alcohol.

Binge drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as drinking in a pattern that brings the BAC, or blood alcohol concentration, levels 0.8 g/dL. This happens in about two hours and will normally occur after a man has five drinks or woman has four drinks. If you drink this amount or more within two hours, you are putting yourself at risk.

Occasionally, an individual may experience what is called alcohol intolerance. This is a lot like an allergy because your body has a severe reaction to consuming alcohol. The reaction can create moderate symptoms and some discomfort. On rare occasions, though, an individual with alcohol intolerance may begin having seizures if they consume too much alcohol.

Alcohol poisoning is one of the biggest dangers of binge drinking. This happens when a person consumes a large quantity of alcohol so quickly that their body is unable to detoxify fast enough. When this happens, the alcohol will build up in the body and overwhelm the central nervous system. This results in potential side effects and can cause your body to begin malfunctioning or slowing down.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many withdrawal symptoms of alcohol you should be aware of. You don’t have to be addicted to alcohol to put yourself at risk. If you are worried about withdrawal symptoms of alcohol, or are interested in getting help for your alcohol problem, give Coastline Behavioral Health a call today. We can help you overcome your problems with alcohol in a safe environment.

Tags: Alcohol Addiction, Treatment Centers

Treating Drugs Safely

When it comes to diagnosing a drug addiction, the physical manifestations are not the only determining factor. A medical professional will need to perform a physical and behavioral diagnostic to determine if someone has an addiction. Some of the things the medical doctor looks for includes:

• If a person is unable to stop using drugs.
• If they are unable to meet work obligations.
• If they are unable to meet obligations with their family or friends.
• If they experience withdrawal symptoms once they stop drug use.
• If they have built a physical tolerance to the drug’s effects.
• If they use the drug compulsively even after they recognize the harmful consequences.

It is unnecessary for all the above points to be met someone to be an addict since some drugs do not cause withdrawal symptoms or create physical tolerance. On the other hand, some drug addicts use drugs compulsively yet they maintain their social and work obligations.

There are several treatments for drug abuse available. These include inpatient and outpatient options.

Inpatient Treatment

An inpatient treatment facility helps the recovering addict to focus solely on their recovery. Inpatient facilities have been proven to increase the success rate of recovery in drug addicts. They are especially helpful for anyone lacking a good support system at home, or those who have a mental illness such as an anxiety disorder, personality disorder, or depression.

Inpatient treatments for drug abuse typically provide a mixture of therapies, including individual and group therapy, to help recovering addicts learn how to beat their addictions. Education is also provided to help teach the recovering addict about drug use and what it does to their life and body.

Long-Term Treatment

One type of inpatient treatment is long-term treatment. Long-term inpatient treatment is necessary for some drug users to overcome their addiction. Many of the long-term treatment centers require 6 to 12 months stay in therapeutic communities. These are especially beneficial to addicts who have previously attended a standard treatment program but have had a relapse. These treatment facilities help the addict maintain personal accountability while helping them learn the social skills needed to overcome their drug addiction.

Outpatient Treatment

An outpatient drug abuse program can offer treatments for drug abuse that includes guiding the addict through their recovery stages. In fact, during the later stages of recovery, many addicts will use outpatient treatments. Most addicts benefit from recovery periods that are longer, so many will start with a short-term inpatient treatment program and transition later into an outpatient treatment program.

Conclusion

Regardless of what treatments for drug abuse you choose to use, we at Coastline Behavioral Health can help you get on the road to recovery. Contact us today so we can help you get started.

Tags: Drug Addiction, Treatment Centers

Substance Abuse Rehab

It can be hard as a parent to find that line between being involved in your child’s life but not becoming a helicopter parent. Parents, though, have a huge impact on their child’s decision to try drugs or alcohol. Eventually, the choice will fall on the child alone, but if you are a positive role model and give the appropriate advice, it can influence the choice they make.

Being a Good Influence

Research shows that parents are typically the most influential people in the life of their child, though many parents don’t believe this is so. In fact, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse did a study that shows the main reason high school students don’t use drugs or drink is because their parents would not approve. Whether they admit it or not, teenagers long for the respect of their parents. If you ever attended substance abuse rehab, be honest with them about the struggles you faced.

There are many ways parents can help their children stay away from drugs. Most importantly, parents need to be a positive role model in their child’s life. Teenagers mimic what they see you do. If you drink while your children are around, do so moderately and explain to them the importance of abstaining from alcohol at an early age.

Discussing Drug Abuse

Most children don’t like being lectured or told what to do. Allow your child to give input into your conversation when you discuss drugs and alcohol. Listen to their questions and ask them how they view drugs and alcohol. These conversations should start at a young age.

When talking about drug and alcohol use, never talk to your teenager like they are a child. If you’re talking with a young child, don’t give them too many facts. These conversations can be difficult, but below are some tips to help:

• Create an environment of open communication and trust. Never use scare tactics or threaten to send them to a substance abuse rehab. Simply stick with the facts and restrain from making exaggerated claims.
• Emphasize the negative side effects of using drugs and alcohol. Some of the side effects that can affect them are the damage they can do to their health and appearance, losing their driving privileges, and decreasing their physical abilities and sports.
• Talk with your teenager about their attitude towards drugs. Discuss how the media portrays drug use in music or on television. You children are likely exposed to drug and alcohol use on YouTube, Instagram, twitter, and Facebook. Ask how they feel about the things they hear and see about drugs and alcohol.
• It is likely your child will ask about your own drug use. If you used drugs in your past, be honest with them but explain the negative consequences of your usage and why you stopped. If you went to a substance abuse rehab, talk about your experiences there and what you learned about overcoming your addiction.

Conclusion

Parents can have a major influence on their child’s view of drugs and alcohol. Take advantage of your position in your child’s life to persuade them away from the addictive lifestyle. If you need help talking with your child about drug and alcohol use, contact us at Coastline Behavioral Health for resources.

Tags: Alcohol Addiction, Drug Addiction, Treatment Centers

Residential Treatment

Drug & Alcohol Treatment

A recent study on addiction showed that people who go into a residential treatment program are more likely to stay clean for longer than those who don’t. In fact, around 62% of addicts who receive professional help to treat their addiction remain in recovery for at least three years after their treatment. With those who don’t get professional treatment, the recovery success rate is around 43%. It has been shown that around 57% of addicts who make it three years clean are still clean 16 years later. Looking at these numbers, it’s easy to see how a residential treatment program is vital to the success of a recovering addict.

One of the most essential parts of treating a drug addiction is staying in the treatment for a long enough period to complete every component of the program. Doing so helps the recovering addict to leave the program with a higher level of confidence because of the tools and skills they learned to stay in recovery. Therefore, the best residential treatment programs design their programs around the individuals to help them make it through the entire process.

A residential treatment program provides care 24/7 in an environment where the focus is to help individuals recover from their addiction and not relapse. With this focus in mind, a residential treatment program can offer services that help each patient develop the tools and capabilities to stay clean long after they leave the program. Some of these services include:

• Individualized therapies.
• Detox and withdrawal that is medically supported.
• Maintenance care that is medically supported.
• Couples or family counseling.
• Classes to build skills necessary to stay clean after treatment.
• Continued follow-up care.

A residential treatment program that contains the services above are better equipped to help anyone struggling with addiction. At Coastline Behavioral Health, we customize treatments to meet the needs of every individual that walks through our doors. If you are looking for a residential treatment program that will treat you like an individual, give us a call today.

Tags: Drug Addiction, Treatment Centers

Residential Treatment Facility

Residential Treatment Facility

Most people who seek a residential treatment facility do not meet the criteria needed to be admitted to hospital but are still committed to staying for an extended period in a facility that offers intensive services. The services typically offered in a residential treatment facility are focused on helping addicts in an environment that is supportive and tight-knit, unlike one that is in an outpatient setting. There many unique opportunities offered through inpatient treatment programs for individuals to explore the medical and psychological issues that are associated with their drug abuse.

Treatment Options

Both traditional and innovative treatment options are available at most residential treatment facility programs that include the following:

• Intake evaluation that covers medical and psychological areas.
• Services that offer detoxification to guide patients through withdrawal with medical assistance.
• Medical services that can help with the addiction itself.
• Dual treatments for those diagnosed with more than one disorder.
• A safe, private living environment that is free of triggers that reinforce addiction.
• Targeted individual and group therapy.
• Counseling on nutrition.
• Couples and family therapy that help create a supportive environment for the addict to return to.
• Aftercare programs that offer participation in recovery groups, continued counseling, scheduled monitoring, and sober living arrangements.

Finding a Residential Treatment Facility

It is imperative to find a residential treatment facility that will meet your individual needs. For you to have a successful outcome in your recovery, you will need a facility that is supportive and offers effective treatment methods. One of the most important factors to look for in a residential treatment facility is one that customizes treatments to the individual’s needs and lifestyle.

If you are looking for a residential treatment facility that puts you first, contact us today at Coastline Behavioral Health. We can help you on the road to recovery by providing the tools and resources necessary.

Tags: Treatment Centers

Rehab Addict

Rehab, short for rehabilitation, is used to help a person recover from their addictions. The most common types of rehab are drug rehabilitation programs. These programs help drug addicts by giving them the additional care needed to overcome their drug usage.

What is a Drug Rehab?

A drug rehab facility helps a drug addict overcome their addiction and prepare to live in society again. An addiction to drugs can change someone’s behavior, affecting every aspect of their life including their relationships and work. A rehab addict works hard to return to their clean lifestyle in a safe and healthy way.

There are several kinds of drug rehab facilities. Some of these specialize in specific drug addictions while others offer a wider range of services for the rehab addict. There are both inpatient and outpatient rehab facilities available, as well as some that are specific to gender or age.

Many people seem to think that patients are forced to stay at a drug rehab treatment center. This is, however, untrue. A rehab addict is free to leave whenever they want. This is because rehabilitation can only be effective if the patient truly wants to be there and change their habits. There are occasions, though, where an individual may be compelled to go to rehab, by a court order or other mandate. The rehabilitation process is generally still effective in these cases, even when the patient is initially reluctant to participate.

There is a wide range of drug rehab centers available, from ones that offer basic amenities to luxury rehab centers. The addict’s budget or insurance coverage may determine the type of center they attend. Though most luxury centers offer a wide range of amenities, they don’t always offer the best treatments. Regardless of which type of drug rehab center you are considering, you should investigate it thoroughly before making your final decision.

What Happens in Rehab?

When first entering a rehabilitation facility, the addict may need to go through a detoxification program. The detox stage is when the patient’s body is flushed of the addictive substance. Doctors and nurses monitor this process that normally takes about a week. Once the detox is over, the patient is ready to go through the rehabilitation process.

The rehab addict in the treatment facility is taught to change their attitude towards using drugs. They learn the symptoms of addiction and what the drug does to their bodies to help them get past the denial stage so they desire to change.

Conclusion

It’s never fun to admit you have a problem. If you are struggling with a drug addiction, though, we can help at Coastline Behavioral Health. Give us a chance to help you overcome your addiction.

Tags: Drug Addiction, Treatment Centers

Drug & Alcohol Recovery

If you’re looking for recovery from addiction , understanding your triggers can help you avoid the people and situations that can lead to further substance abuse. To assess your triggers, you must honestly consider why you use, when you use, and who you are with when you abuse a substance. For instance, you may use a substance to simply alleviate anxiety or to have fun. It is important to be honest with yourself during this step. If you are not honest with yourself, you will struggle more to develop a plan of action.

Once you have identified your triggers, it is easier to identify the people and situations that lead you to abuse drugs or alcohol. Perhaps you have a group of friends that you use with whenever you hang out with them. Knowing what your triggers are can help you to avoid them. This, of course, will require a lot of major changes in your life. Many people will find it too hard to make the changes on their own. If you are looking for recovery from addiction, though, removing the triggers is a major step in the right direction.

Challenges of Quitting

If you have recognized you have a serious problem, it is time to take control of your life and overcome your problem. Recovery from addiction is harder than just setting your drug of choice aside forever, though. There are many unforeseen problems that can pop up as you try to quit. It is hard to give up any habit, but many who give up substance abuse will suffer from anxiety and depression that can often cause them to relapse.

When dealing with recovery from addiction, many people will also lose their social network. They will start to feel alienated from the friends they used with. This is one of the main causes for relapse in patients recovering from drug or alcohol abuse. We are social beings who love to fit in with others around us, but when this becomes unhealthy, we need to find new social circles.

Others develop health problems that can be serious when they quit drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can be painful and severe, occasionally needing medical attention. Therefore, it is important to seek the help of a treatment facility to help you through detoxification and recovery.

Recovery Support

Recovery from addiction can be difficult and complex as you assess your substance abuse issues and seek solutions. A good support system is important during your recovery. With your social network being disturbed throughout this process, it is important to reach out to other friends and family members who discourage substance abuse to help you create a new network of social support. By creating a new social network, you can find people who will compel you to stay away from using and become your cheerleaders. They can also help encourage you to stay away from the triggers that led you to use in the first place.

Conclusion

Addiction recovery is a difficult yet rewarding endeavor. If you need help getting started on the road to recovery, give us a call at Coastline Behavioral Health. We can walk you through the process of getting started or continuing your recovery.

Tags: Alcohol Addiction, Drug Addiction, Recovery, Treatment Centers 

Drug Addiction

Just like with other chronic diseases, such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, a treatment for drug addiction doesn’t provide a cure. Addiction is, however, treatable and can be managed successfully. A recovering addict is at risk for a relapse for several years after their recovery, and possibly for their entire life. Studies show that using medicines to treat the addiction along with behavioral therapy offers the best chance of successful recovery. It is also best to tailor the treatments to the individual patient’s drug use patterns and any other problems they may have socially, mentally, or medically to help with their lifelong recovery.

Of course, preventing addiction is completely possible. Research shows that drug use and addiction can be greatly prevented by involving schools, families, communities, and the media in prevention programs. A recovering addict will typically admit to personal events or cultural factors that led them to their addiction, but those trends are reduced if young people are taught that drug use is harmful. Therefore, it is imperative to provide outreach and education to communities to help people better understand the risks of using drugs. It is crucial for parents, teachers, and healthcare providers to educate youth to help prevent drug use and addiction.

Things to Remember

There are several things to remember when dealing with a recovering addict and when discussing drug use. Those things include:

• That an addiction to drugs is a chronic disease where someone seeks out drugs in a manner that is compulsive and hard to control without considering the harmful consequences.
• That the brain of an addict changes over time as they use drugs. These changes affect their self-control and will interfere with their resistance to taking drugs. This is a big factor when relapses occur with a recovering addict.
• A relapse is when a recovering addict returns to using drugs after attempting to stop. A relapse can indicate that a different treatment needs to be used.
• Dopamine is released throughout the brain with drug use. The dopamine over stimulates the reward circuit in the brain, causing the addict to feel an intensely pleasurable high that makes the user want to continue using the drug.
• The brain adjusts to the excessive amounts of dopamine over time, reducing the high feeling the addict feels. This effect is known as tolerance. Typically, the addict will begin taking more of the drug to get the same high.
• There are no determining factors as to whether a person will become a drug addict. Many factors influence the risk of addiction, such as genetics, the environment, and developmental factors. If a person has more risk factors, their chances of taking addictive drugs can be greater.
• A drug addict can be treated and learn to successively manage their recovery.

If you or someone you love is addicted to a drug or is a recovering addict, contact us at Coastline Behavioral Health get clean or continue the road to recovery.

Tags: Alcohol Addiction, Recovery, Treatment Centers

Problem Drinking

For hundreds of years, drinking has been accepted as a means to socialize with others, but at the same time, it is caused much misery and heartache for millions of people. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize they have a problem drinking until it is too late. At that point, recovery becomes more difficult than it would have been earlier.

There are ways you can determine if you have issues with alcohol. Below is some information that will help you diagnose if you have a problem drinking, how severe it is, your triggers, and much more. If you realize you have a problem drinking, remember that help is available to you if you need it.

Avoiding the Feelings of Shame

Most people with a problem drinking feel shame about it. Shame doesn’t lead you to quit drinking, though, but has been shown to increase your risk of having a relapse. Studies have shown that recovering addicts will often become depressed and return to drinking because of personal shame.

If you feel you have a problem with drinking, or may be an alcoholic, be honest about it without beating yourself up. Know that problem drinking is a disease, not a moral dilemma. Being an alcoholic doesn’t make you a bad person, just someone who needs to get help. Understanding this can help make your road to recovery easier.

Alcohol Abuse Disorder Symptoms

Having one drink daily isn’t typically a sign of problem drinking. The symptoms are usually much more severe and can create issues in your personal life, your career, and your health. The first way you can diagnose your problem is to watch for symptoms of the disorder. Some of the symptoms to watch for include:

• If you drink at least once a week more than you want to.
• If you have attempted to reduce your drinking but have failed.
• If you continue to drink and drive even though you know the risks.
• If drinking helps you feel less depressed or anxious.
• If you have ever experienced a blackout after drinking heavily.
• If you have become sick while trying to quit drinking.
• If friends and family are complaining about your drinking.
• If you have lost interest in things you used to enjoy in the past.
• If you feel you must drink more alcohol because the effects are wearing off.
• If you have suffered from drinking problems affecting your health such as heart murmurs, liver failure, insomnia, nausea, or puking.

After looking over the list above, if you have experienced more than one or two of these, you likely have a drinking disorder or you are getting close to developing one. If that is the case for you, contact us at Coastline Behavioral Health so we can help you get on the road to recovery. Just because you drink doesn’t mean you have a disorder, so knowing the symptoms above can help you understand better if you need help.

Tags: Alcohol Addiction, Treatment Centers

Treatment Center

Seeking help for an addiction is one of the most important things you can decide for yourself or your loved one. It is a hard decision to seek help and not one that you should use your telephone book to find. If you are searching for an outpatient treatment center, there are many things you should remember when deciding on which program to attend. Below are some things you should keep in mind as you make the tough choice about where to go for help.

Experience

Using an outpatient treatment center that specializes in the drug you are addicted to works best. Many treatment centers offer services for people overcoming both drug and alcohol addictions. If you can find a facility that specializes in treating the addiction that you specifically deal with, that will be your better choice. If you are unable to find an outpatient treatment center that specializes in your addiction, find one that has specialized training with your drug of choice.

There are many reasons specialized care is important. Many of the withdrawal symptoms vary with different kinds of drugs. If you’re looking for a successful outcome, finding one that focuses on treating your addiction will prevent you from going through a facility that offers a one-size-fits-all program.

Other Factors

Many other factors should be considered when determining which outpatient treatment center to use for your recovery. Of course, the kind of treatments they offer should be a priority, but there are other factors you need to consider, such as the cost, support offered, flexibility, and distance of the program.

Finances are one of the biggest triggers that lead to drug and alcohol dependency. The cost of an outpatient treatment center should not be a trigger that sends you into relapse. Luckily, outpatient treatments cost a lot less than inpatient treatment programs so some insurance companies are more likely to cover the costs.

Aftercare support is a requirement to keeping you clean after recovery. When you are left on your own, you are more likely to give in to the temptations of drug use. Any clinic you are considering should offer support 24/7 for all patients during and after their recovery.

It is important for an outpatient program to be flexible. If a certain treatment is not maximizing your odds of success, it should be changed. Scheduling flexibility is also an important part of outpatient care. This allows the patient to continue their life outside of rehab.

Though it may seem like a minor factor, you need to consider the distance of the outpatient program from where you live or work. To plan a solid rehabilitation strategy, you need to consider the amount of time you will be spending traveling to and from the outpatient facility. You will also want to be close enough to the outpatient treatment center that you can easily seek help when it matters the most.

Conclusion

There are many things to look for when you are searching for an outpatient treatment center. We at Coastline Behavioral Health do to our best to provide you with a program that will meet your individual needs. Come check us out to see what we can offer you.

Tags: Recovery, Treatment Centers