alcoholism Archives - South Florida Drug Rehabilitation | Simple Path Recovery

Managing a Co-Occurring Disorder

Matthew Koenig — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 14:14:24 +0000

Managing a Co-occurring Disorder in Recovery

When you admit into addiction treatment, you may likely get a psychiatric evaluation if there is suspicion that you may be experiencing a co-occurring disorder. You will meet with a therapist to ensure you are comfortable talking about your personal history to confirm that they have an accurate diagnosis. Generally, rehab is the best environment in which this happens. Not only are you facing your addiction, but now you can focus on the mental health aspects that may be the fuel of your substance abuse. You will be in a safe space where a full evaluation can take place with little to no outside influence that may normally occur in an outpatient setting.

Dual Diagnosis is More Common Today

If you receive a dual diagnosis, you will work alongside your therapist to come up with a treatment plan designed specifically to your needs. You will examine your past, present and future conditions that led you to drink or use drugs. In these therapy sessions, you will learn how your addiction and mental health disorder may have played a role in the volatility of your life and what steps you can take to reclaim your life. This likely includes coping strategies, setting boundaries, and medications that help manage your disorders simultaneously and a referral for a psychiatrist back home to ensure transition of care.

Recent studies show that 2 out 3 people receiving addiction treatment have some form of mental health disorder. In many cases, it’s not discovered until someone admits into an addiction treatment center.

Self-Medication Anyone?

By using drugs and alcohol to ease the pain of consuming emotional problems, you are increasing the effects of your disorder even though it may feel a brief respite. For example, if someone is drinking to offset their manic-depressive disorder, they may enjoy the numbness of the alcohol without realizing the alcohol is a depressant. Also, increasing drinking over time cause acute mood swings that results in unstable behavior. The capability to rationalize fades when one has certain mood disorders and drinks or drugs chronically. No matter what the drug of choice, your co-occurring disorder will only get worse when left untreated. As your disorder becomes unbearable, you are tempted to increase amounts. The increases then intensify the effects of the disorder, and the vicious cycle repeats, over and over. Often when the situation deteriorates to this point, loved ones tend to step in. The cycle can be broken down while the decisions are still in your hands. Admitting into residential treatment is your best option to recover.

Simple Path Recovery is an oceanside, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as a Top Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.

About the Author
Matthew Koenig is the principal of Last Call Marketing, which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Website Design and SEO, primarily in healthcare and tourism concerns. Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.

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Alcohol is a Substance

Matthew Koenig — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:04:41 +0000

Is alcohol a substance? To answer this query, another question must be asked: Does the substance alter your mood? Alcohol is a depressant that quickly changes the central nervous system. When people drink alcohol, their physical and cognitive functions become compromised. In fact, it is the oldest and most widely abused substance on the planet.

As drinking increases, most start to experience tremors, rapid pulse, elevated blood pressure, rapid breathing, sweating, and nausea. Simple Path Recovery helps many people overcome their addiction to alcohol. If you are struggling with alcoholism, our treatment programs can help you get sober and stay that way.

Story of Alcohol

The history of alcohol goes a long way back. The first archeologic proof is dated to 7000 BC. Interestingly enough, alcohol has played a key role in the survival of early people. Why? The process of fermentation preserves and improves the dietary value of drinks and food. Once this discovery was made, alcohol became a commodity for trade and protected the health of the wealthy. Those on poverty levels drank water that could be easily contaminated from unsanitary conditions which spread disease.

When Drinking Goes Beyond Socializing

How would you describe your drinking routine? Maybe it’s hanging out with friends and having a good time. However, when people think of alcoholics most conjure up stereotypes that do not quite fit your picture of an alcoholic. For example, a wino sitting outside drinking out of a paper bag. Alcoholism manifests itself in so many ways. You might only struggle to control your drinking and not consider yourself truly addicted. However, when you can’t just have two drinks for entire evening without feeling anxious, withdrawn, or agitated, then you might be on your way to alcoholism.

Your Mental Health and Alcoholism

If you've been drinking for a long time, you may have noticed your tolerance has increased over time. Tolerance leads to you drinking more to attain the same sensation Chronic drinkers often suffer from a condition called “wet brain.” This disorder is a result of chronic alcohol abuse. This syndrome is a form of dementia that is a result of a shortage of thiamine. thiamin is necessary for the growth, development and function of cells. Alcohol inhibits the body’s ability to absorb this vital brain nutrient.

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Relapse Prevention: Understand Your Triggers

Matthew Koenig — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 15:03:26 +0000

Figure Out What Sets You Off

You have connections with a multitude of things that prompt you to recall both, good and bad times. A song can remind you of great times with friends or a romantic moment with your love interest. Whether it is music, a place or a thing, there’s something that can recall feelings of happiness, sorrow or resentment.

Reactions to these things that trigger your responses can cause you to shift your thinking on a dime. How you react to these triggers is crucial for understanding why you seek contentment or strength in particular people, places and yes, drugs or alcohol. When you’re on the path to recovery, you’ll discover your triggers and how relapse prevention can help keep you on the “path" in recovery.

What are Triggers?

A trigger is something that that sets you off and takes your mind back to a specific person, place, or thing. In some cases, a trigger could be a smell, sound, or object. No matter what the trigger is, it can release an expressive or physical reaction. When something causes these kinds of reaction, that trigger can be a spark for your feelings.

Think about how traditional practices or rituals can affect your response to an individual or location. Think about how you react to certain social traditions or act when you are with friends or family. Do you connect the “pop” of can opening with drinking beer? What about hanging out with friends you used to get high with? The common behaviors can affect how you understand social settings. Before you can begin to change destructive habits with healthy ones, you need to identify what triggers you to use drugs or drink booze.

Common triggers include:

An anniversary of a loved one’s death
Disturbing news
Feelings of stress or anxiety
A relationship break-up
Self-esteem threatened
Job loss

To understand how to replace destructive habits with healthy ones, you need to understand why or what causes you to respond with a negative, habitual reaction.

Relapse prevention therapy can help you develop healthy coping skills – and in turn, prevent relapse when faced with any of your triggers.

Relapse Prevention Treatment

Deciding to go to rehab shows how brave you are because you made the difficult choice to deal with your addiction. Treatment professionals will help you pinpoint triggers, address mental health concerns, relationships and deliver cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy and relapse prevention therapy. While in rehab you can discover and talk over ways to prevent relapse, such as identifying your triggers and learning new coping mechanisms.

There are warning signs related with relapse. Typically, addiction relapse is set in motion long before the actual event of using or drinking. Often these signals are connected to returning to old stomping grounds, friends and the like. Relapse prevention therapy helps you manage what compels you to want to drink or drug. When you work with your therapist on detecting what leads to your use, you can also learn how to utilize positive coping skills you learned in treatment. You can learn how to extricate yourself from toxic relationships or environs. In some cases, this means moving on from those individuals who are unsafe for your sobriety.

Sober Living in Florida

What if you don’t have a safe ecosystem to return to after going to rehab? Or what if you find yourself in an atmosphere where you fear you can relapse? You can either move to sober living after you finish rehab or enter sober living if you feel you may relapse. A sober living facility can provide you with everything you need, physically and psychologically, while healing. The healing process can take time, and you should have the security and comfort you need to continue your healing process. Sober living is a safe landing that promotes accountability and, at the same time, protects those in early recovery.

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MAT for Alcohol

Matthew Koenig — Tue, 11 May 2021 19:05:02 +0000

MAT for Alcohol

With all the innovations in modern treatment, it can be easy to think there is a pill to stop drinking alcohol. Sadly, getting sober from alcohol isn’t as easy as taking medicine. In addition to medication, behavioral therapy is required for long-term sobriety, as well as support from family and community groups like AA. However, there are some medications to help stave off withdrawal symptoms, block cravings, and create a negative response to booze.

It is important to not count on only on medication to arrest your alcoholism. Recovery from alcohol is about creating a new life without drinking. You cannot get this from taking a pill. Instead, a commitment to behavioral therapy, holistic therapy, and 12-step support ongoing are vital to develop a foundation for lasting sobriety.

Medication-Assisted Detox

A medically supervised detox is the safest way to detox from alcohol. In fact, it should be the only way someone with a drinking problem begins their recovery. Also, relapse is most common during the first few months of becoming sober and this is due, in part, to the cravings and withdrawal. By controlling these symptoms, people are much more at ease and can focus on behavioral change.

Alcohol Withdrawal Indications (in no specific order)

Anxiety
Delirium tremens
Dizziness
Hallucinations
High blood pressure
Sleeplessness
Cravings
Irritability
Memory problems
Nausea
Seizures
Perspiring

These withdrawal symptoms can fluctuate in strength due to many influencing factors such as age, duration of drinking and quantity.

MAT Medications to Stop Drinking

Disulfiram

Disulfiram is a medication used to treat chronic alcoholism by triggering “sickness” effects when the individual drinks. These effects begin about 10 minutes after alcohol enters the body and last for 1 hour or more. Disulfiram discourages drinking and is typically administered at beginning of treatment and intermittingly after that, as needed. Disulfiram is effective because it provides the alcoholic with an immediate adverse reaction each time they drink.

Naltrexone

Naltrexone is used along with therapy and 12-step support to help people who have stopped drinking alcohol and continue to have cravings. Naltrexone is in a class of drugs called opiate antagonists. It works by decreasing the craving for alcohol and blocking the effects of opiate medications and opioid street drugs.

Acamprosate

Acamprosate is a medicine to help people “stay on the wagon.” Drinking alcohol for protracted periods changes the way the brain functions, and Acamprosate works by helping the mental capability of the individual. Acamprosate does not stop the withdrawal symptoms but has been shown to work in people who have not stopped drinking alcohol or in people who drink large quantities of alcohol.

Simple Path Recovery is a oceanside, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as a Top Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.

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How to Assist an Alcoholic

Matthew Koenig — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 18:03:53 +0000

“How to assist an alcoholic” is a burning question that many families struggle to understand. You’ve observed them over time and, seen first-hand, the progressive disease of alcoholism. Truth be told, you have also seen the costs of their addiction to alcohol, such as divorce, job loss and deteriorating health. It is easy to feel powerless when you’re up against alcoholism, but fortunately, there are some things you can do to help. If you’re prepared to help your loved one, then the first thing you need to do is take care of yourself. That means to join a local Al-ANON group support group and gather the experiences from those who have walked in your shoes.

Learn More About Alcoholism

Besides participating in Al-ANON, one of the most valuable things you can do is learn more about the disease itself. The more you are able to understand the disease, the more you are able to comprehend your loved one’s actions and behaviors.

Some essential things to be mindful of include:

People suffering from alcohol addiction act out in ways they typically wouldn’t. If your loved one has become belligerent, disobedient, or even violent, it is important to understand that their disease is typically the cause for their negative behavior.

Alcoholism chemically rewires the brain. This means that their dependency on alcohol is difficult to stop.

Alcohol addiction is a medical diagnosis portrayed by compulsive drinking with lack of control over quantity consumed.

“What Not to Do” With an Alcoholic

While there are some things you can do to help an “alcoholic”, here is EXACTLY what you should NOT do:

Don’t Enable. If you’re giving your loved one money, a roof over their head, making excuses for their drinking or defending them - you are an enabler! It is hard to accept, but the sooner your loved one experiences the consequences of drinking, the sooner they ask for help to stop.

It’s Not Your Fault. As a way to manipulate those around them, alcoholics accuse others for their drinking. Just know, this is an attempt to shift the conversation onto you. Don’t fall for it!

Stop Making Excuses for Them. Defending your loved one from other people in their lives who have worry will only feed into their denial.

Don’t Live in the Past. If your loved one has done something reprehensible while in the grip of their addiction, it is imperative to let this go if you want to move on.

Don’t give Up. Your loved one can take many trips to treatment before it finally registers with them. Relapse is a common part of addiction. The trick is to not give up on your loved one and offer your support and love instead.

If you’re ready to get help for your loved one, we are here for you. Our admissions team is available 24-hours a day to help guide you through the process and provide any assistance you may need.

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New Year’s Eve and Recovery

Matthew Koenig — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 17:56:46 +0000

Early Recovery Holidays Are Not easy

Newly recovering individuals face an obstacle soon—New Year’s Eve. While all noteworthy holidays present concerns for recovering people in general, New Year’s Eve is a holiday that is particularly tied to drinking and partying. If this something you are not used to doing sober, then it can take you out if you are not prepared. In fact, NYE can either be a teachable moment or a relapse event. However, If the latter is not an option, then it’s best to do everything in your control to protect your sobriety.

The holidays are definitely stressful and when stress is left unchecked, such emotions can trigger poor decision making as we try to cope with doing things different than we are used to. It will test your nerves and inner resolve. Some people can battle with fully realizing their limitations in sobriety during the silly season. It is crucial for all recovering individuals to keep in mind that they can't drink or drug period. With this in mind, newly sober people cannot put themselves in any position that may threaten their addiction recovery program. In the first year of sobriety, one would be very naive to put themselves into a large party atmosphere of 2020 revelers. Even those who feel safe in their recovery are in danger of misjudging their disease. Luckily, there are lots of ways to bring in the New Year without picking up a drink or drug.

Relapse Prevention Recipe for New Year’s Eve

With only a week to go until the countdown to 2021, each person has sufficient time to bolster their hard-earned recovery. Now is the ideal time to start planning for how you will close out 2020 sober. Those who are in early recovery may feel curious to accept an invite to a party from familiar friends. Some may feel the need to prove that they can be around heavy drinking or using without yielding to it. Addiction recovery is about creating new, healthy behaviors; it is about developing new rituals in the years of recovery to come. At the same time, New Year's Eve provides recovering alcoholics and addicts with an opportunity to strengthen their connections with their sober supports.

The good news is that 12-step meetings are available almost 24/7 on NYE. In fact, it is probable that the 12-steppers in your recovery network are arranging a sober get-together for bringing in the New year. These celebrations are typically a ton of fun and are a healthy outlet for promoting lasting sobriety. Bottom-line, you don’t have to drink or use to have a good time. Your NYE goal is to stay present and greet 2021 with an encouraging start. People who stay close to their supports set themselves up for success and prevent addiction relapse.

Supporting Recovery in 2021

Simple Path Recovery wishes everyone, with one day or five years sober, a safe and healthy New Year. Now is the time apply your coping tools, practice the principles of recovery in all your affairs, and keep your phone charged and sponsor on speed dial. New Year's Eve is also a time of making resolutions. If you are determined to make 2021 the year to get sober, then we encourage you to contact Simple Path Recovery. We are licensed by the state of Florida and a Joint Commission accredited substance abuse treatment center. As a boutique addiction treatment center, we tout a low therapist-client ratio of only 4-to-1. Our oceanside setting is peaceful retreat of hope and healing. Our goal for every client who comes through our doors is sustainable, lasting recovery.

Simple Path Recovery is a beach side, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as a Top Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.

About the Author
Matthew Koenig is the principal of Last Call Marketing, which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Website Design and SEO, primarily in healthcare and tourism concerns. Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.

The post New Year’s Eve and Recovery appeared first on South Florida Drug Rehabilitation | Simple Path Recovery.

12-Step Programs and Other Sober Supports

Matthew Koenig — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:04:51 +0000

When it comes to creating long-term sobriety beyond addiction detox and treatment, the oldest and probably most well-known 12-step program is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson, AA has been the dominant support group of alcoholics for over eight decades. In fact, most addiction treatment centers integrate at least some form of the 12-steps into their addiction treatment programs. In this way, addicts can (at the very least) find daily support for their recovery in almost every city/town in America.

AA is a faith-based 12-step program. individuals are directed to admit their lack of control over both alcohol / drugs and turn themselves over to a God (of your understanding). While the roots of AA are based in Christianity, the program is intended to be nonspecific regarding religious conviction and more a focus on a spiritual emergence.

Like many things in life, addiction recovery is not a “one-size-fits-all” process, the same is valid for addiction support groups. AA has been found to not be nearly as effective as people may think but it’s tough to get trustworthy data since Alcoholics Anonymous is a completely anonymous support group. We go by first names only and respect the anonymity of each other.

Do 12-Step Programs Really Work?

I’ve gone to Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings and the short answer is I don’t know. What I do know is that is has been working for me for the last 7 years and the large number of folks who I have met in the program. AA is largely untouched since its start. Also, it is a simple program for complicated people (I happened to be one of them). For example, drug addiction and alcoholism create fear and uncertainty. At the very same time, AA and the 12-steps will stabilize you and allow you to find peace and happiness in your daily life. With this in mind, the 12-steps shows us how our lives became unmanageable as a result of our drinking or drug use.

The individuals who attend 12-step meetings come from all walks of life. There are the newly sober, those coming back into recovery after relapse, the long-time veterans, and everything in-between. But the one thing they all share is they can't cope with their own lives if they are drinking and using. Perhaps most importantly, they want to help the newcomer to achieve what they have – long-term sobriety!

Are There Any Other Supports Groups Beyond 12-Steps?

Following 12-step programs, probably the largest recovery support program is SMART Recovery. SMART is an acronym for Self-Management and Recovery Training. SMART Recovery is an abstinence-based, not-for-profit program with a practical self-help ideology for people having issues with alcohol and drug abuse. Basically, SMART Recovery teaches common sense self-help practices designed to encourage you to abstain and to develop a more constructive lifestyle. While not the same as AA, there are many common aspects. SMART Recovery has gained steam over the last five years with meetings popping up everywhere. According to their website, they are now international.

Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is probable the biggest large-scale addition to addiction care. As a medical protocol, MAT is supported by behavioral therapy and addiction supports. MAT has been the fastest growing addiction treatment modality in the wake of growing overdose deaths. It is largely viewed as harm reduction It is also known as Suboxone (buprenorphine) treatment, which is used as a modality to abate dangerous cravings and withdrawals. This allows the individual to focus on their therapy without symptom distraction.

Addiction Recovery is Not One-Size-Fits-All

There is always hope and recovery is viable for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be AA or another 12-step program. The bottom line is if a program helps you get sober, and stay sober, then go with it. Sobriety is not a competition, nor should the way someone gets sober be assessed by their peers. It is as individual as you are! Studies have indicated that those who remain clean for at least five years have a relapse rate of less than 15 percent, and support programs are a big part of what makes that possible.

Simple Path Recovery is a beach side, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as an intimate Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.

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5 Questions to Determine if You Have a Drinking Problem

Matthew Koenig — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:17:28 +0000

You’ve always enjoyed drinking, but lately, it seems to be more like a drinking problem, rather than having a few beers with friends on the weekend. If you feel this way, then you are not alone. In fact, many of the Covid-19 restrictions have given birth to a new group of Americans suffering addiction. If you think that you may be an alcoholic, or that it is having a larger authority in your life than you’d like, use this quick set of questions to find out if your casual drinking has become more like an issue (or, at least to those around you).

1. Do you have alcoholism risk-factors?

Family history of alcoholism
Close friends who drink too much
Work environment alcohol-related
Suffering mental health issues

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2. Has drinking created a negative effect on your daily life?

Have you abandoned plans with friends because you are hungover, or perhaps because you wanted to drink alone? Have you called out sick to work or other responsibilities because of drinking? You may have even driven a car while being intoxicated. The regrettable truth is that increased drinking predictably causes difficulties in your job and home life, and if you are acting in reckless ways because of drinking alcohol, it is probable that you have an addiction to alcohol.

3. What happened last night?

This is not a trick question and should not be a mystery. However, here is an example that may sound familiar. Your friends throw a party, and you enjoy yourself, but parts of it seem a bit foggy the next day until the phone rings. Your best friend tells you he can’t believe you got into a heated argument with his brother in-law. A recognizable sense of guilt comes over you and you scold yourself for drinking too much at the party. If you feel guilty or embarrassed about drinking, it may be because you are drinking too much and no longer self-aware. This is common for alcoholics.

4. What happens when you abruptly stop drinking?

If you stop drinking, do you suffer withdrawal symptoms, like hands shaking, sweating, nausea, exhaustion, bad temper, or headaches? If so, your body is asking you for alcohol. It is in a withdrawal state which can only be relieved by a drink or a medically supervised detox. This is a bad sign.

5. Does your family or friends think you drink too much?

If your friends or family members have told you that you drink too much than take this as a strong sign of a drinking problem. Typically, those close to you will watch for quite some time before confronting the issue with you. You should take notice and be grateful they are worried about your health and well-being.

If you are being honest with yourself and score at least 2 out of 5, then it’s time to decide to get help in order to stop drinking. Still not sure? Check out a local AA meeting and meet the experts. By the way, their brochure has twenty questions and you only need two positive responses to qualify as a problem drinker.

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