Healthy Friends vs. Unhealthy Friends

You are who you surround yourself with. Although it may be a clichéd belief, for many, the saying holds true. If you’re in treatment, it is important to surround yourself with positive, healthy relationships that will be a source of support during and after the recovery process.

For many people, this may mean avoiding friends you used to hang out with before you entered treatment. It doesn’t stop there. Developing new friendships can also be tricky as you try to find a healthy network of friends.

The Difference between Healthy & Unhealthy Friendships

It might seem like a safe bet to turn to those who are not using, drinking, or engaging in negative behaviors, for friendship. However, even those friendships can negatively impact your recovery. In general, anyone who is insensitive to the difficulties of recovery, who makes hurtful comments, or who disrespects your boundaries can cause more harm than good.

Such behavior might include a friend questioning your food choices knowing that you’re in recovery for an eating disorder; engaging in emotionally charged situations such as an argument that can trigger you, or a friend encouraging you to skip meetings or counseling sessions.

Positive friends will accommodate your new lifestyle. They will never drink or use in front of you, make demeaning comments, or question your choice to remain sober or overcome your mental illness. A true friend will be considerate and supportive in your time of need and will never force you to do something that could lead to a relapse or mental break.

How Healthy Relationships Can Aid in Recovery

Positive, healthy friendships provide hope and support. These are the friends that will never place you in triggering situations, who will talk to you when you’re experiencing cravings, and encourage you to attend meetings or counseling sessions. Healthy friendships can encourage you through recovery, keeping a positive attitude that will help you thrive.

How Unhealthy Relationships Can Harm Your Recovery

Unhealthy friendships can make it difficult for you to avoid relapse. These relationships can be physically or emotionally abusive and enable or even encourage you to go back to your former lifestyle. Any type of unhealthy relationship could trigger you to relapse.

Making New Friends

After recovery, you can reestablish old relationships, however, you will need to examine if the relationship is healthy or not. Recovery can often help those in recovery make amends and renew relationships with family and old friends.

Healthy, new friendships may be formed through participation in support groups as well as through recreational organizations or religious organizations. Volunteer activities are also a great way to form new friendships. By making new friends, and being a good friend, you can find a network that will support you through recovery and beyond.

It’s important to recognize that loneliness can be a relapse trigger. Whether you’re suffering from a mental illness or recovering from substance abuse, loneliness can lead you to believe that life in recovery is disappointing and boring. You can also talk to your counselor or caseworker about these new friendships as they can help identify whether these relationships are healthy or unhealthy.

Ways to Celebrate Graduating from Women’s Drug Rehab

Graduating from a rehabilitation facility is an exciting event and should be celebrated in grand fashion. We make a big deal of every milestone – from receiving our driver’s license, to moving into our first apartment, to our work anniversaries. Recovering from addiction is no exception – and it takes much more hard work than studying for any exam.

It is normal to be hesitant about congratulating yourself as a recovering addict. However, celebrating is more important for someone recovering from addiction than anyone else. It is fulfilling to remind yourself of where you were, and how far you have come. When things become stressful or difficult for you, thinking back to the hurdles you have faced in the past will help you give yourself a boost of confidence and help you remember you can get through anything.

Don’t Downplay Anniversaries and Milestones

Tracking your sobriety has so many benefits throughout recovery, and tracking your milestones is no exception to this. Now that you have graduated from rehab, it is the perfect time to begin thinking of how you would like to track anniversaries, and the ways you would like to celebrate. Psychologically, tracking the days you are sober after leaving rehab often keeps newly sober people from relapsing because they simply do not want to have to start over at day one again.

Celebrating anniversaries is necessary for self-recognition, and you can begin this now with your graduation from rehab. You are beginning a new journey in sobriety, and you deserve to honor each and every milestone. Whether you ask another sober friend out to dinner or simply recognize the date in an aftercare meeting, it is important that you feel proud of yourself.

Not only is it healthy for you to take joy in anniversaries and milestones, but it’s also good for others to share in your happiness and find hope in your accomplishments. You could be the person who keeps someone going when they feel hopeless in their sobriety.

Indulge in Something Just for You

Just as a person on a diet might treat themselves to a new outfit when they have hit a certain weight, you too should treat yourself for graduating from rehab. Whether this is visiting a city you have always wanted to see, eating out at your favorite restaurant, or having a few friends over for a game night, think of something that you want to do, and do it!

In recovery, there is a lot of talk about abstinence. However, this does not mean you can’t treat yourself to something you really love. So go ahead – buy the dress you have been eyeing for months! You deserve it.

Begin a Tradition

As a community, we LOVE traditions. They create fond memories, an event to look forward to, a reason to lift our spirits, and an excuse to visit with family and friends. As a yearly tradition, mark the day you graduated from rehab by creating your very own tradition. Maybe this is visiting the Thai restaurant you have always loved, or having coffee with a family member you are close to. Organize this annual event, schedule it into your calendar, and do not miss it. Creating a tradition like this will make you look forward to the anniversary of your graduation.

However you decide to celebrate graduating from rehab, just make sure you do not discredit or downplay the accomplishment. You have come a long way, and you deserve to make a big deal of such a significant milestone. Enjoy the moment, and look forward to a bright and beautiful future in sobriety.

Should A Recovering Alcoholic Eat Foods Cooked with Alcohol?

Assessing the Risk

With the prevalence of alcohol abuse and alcoholism in the United States—over seventeen million people—questions about foods containing or prepared with alcohol are a common and legitimate concern.

Some insist that alcohol in food or cooking is nothing to worry about, often citing a commonly held belief that alcohol gets cooked out of foods during the preparation process. They claim that alcohol is literally boiled off during heating or cooking and its alcoholic potency is destroyed or eliminated.

This is a myth and is not based on accurate science. Alcohol still remains in significant amounts when used in various recipes.

Evidence indicates those recovering from alcoholism could be adversely affected by a small amount of alcohol, even if consumed accidentally. Accurately assessing risk and making wise choices depends on getting the facts straight.

Alcohol Retention in Food

The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a table of nutrient retention factors. The table includes information about nutrients, including alcohol, contained in 290 different foods under a variety of cooking and preparation methods.

An analytical study was performed to determine the extent of alcohol that was lost during food preparation under a variety of methods and lengths of time.

The results are quite detailed, but below are some findings from the study. Keep in mind that there are variables involved, and this is a general guideline.

• 85% of the alcohol remained when added to boiling liquid and then removed from heat shortly after.
• 75% alcohol retention was noted when using the flaming method of cooking.
• 70% of the alcohol persisted when using no heat and storing the food overnight.
• 45% of the alcohol remained when baked for 25 minutes with the mixture not being stirred.

When stirring the mixture, alcohol retention varied based on the amount of time the food was baked or simmered:

• 40% alcohol retention after 15 minutes
• 35% alcohol retention after 30 minutes
• 25% alcohol retention after 1 hour
• 20% alcohol retention after 1.5 hours
• 10% alcohol retention after 2 hours
• 5% alcohol retention after 2.5 hours

The science is unmistakable: alcohol is still present in food after preparation and cooking. Even after lengthy periods of heating, trace amounts of alcohol remain, which could adversely affect a recovering alcoholic.

Avoiding Relapse

Individual vulnerability to relapse is difficult to determine. Clinical studies show that relapse triggers fall into three general categories: exposure to small amounts of alcohol, exposure to alcohol-related cues or environmental contexts and stress.

Those with alcohol-dependence issues are more sensitive to such triggers, which can lead to cravings and increased desire to drink. The precise mechanisms that contribute to relapse are still being studied, but for those wishing to minimize the risk, avoiding food prepared with alcohol is a wise precaution.

Whether visiting others or preparing food at home, it is important to stay informed about what is going into your food. Popular recipes often call for different kinds of alcohol. Thankfully, there are many items that can be easily substituted for the alcoholic components without ruining your favorite dish. Helpful charts listing non-alcoholic items that can be used when cooking with recipes that call for alcohol can be foundhere and here.

What about eating out at restaurants where food may be prepared with alcohol? Communicate with your waiter, ask about menu options without alcohol and do not hesitate to make your preferences known.

Living with Alcoholism: Is Controlled Drinking Possible?

Alcoholism is more than just a drinking problem. The condition is marked by symptoms that include compulsive thoughts about drinking, distorted thinking and a lack of control over alcohol consumption. The general consensus on alcoholism is that affected people are unable to return to a problem-free level of drinking, and treatment programs typically focus on complete abstinence. However, some critics of this approach argue that alcoholics can return to a state of controlled drinking with moderate, responsible alcohol consumption.

The Disease Model of Alcoholism

The concept of alcoholism as a chronic medical condition of the brain is known as the disease model. Several aspects of the condition lead it to be classified as a medical illness by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence:

• It is a physical addiction that cannot be controlled
• It is distinguishable by specific symptoms
• It requires specialized medical treatment
• It is characterized by cycles of cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• The brain is physically altered and functions differently due to continued exposure to alcohol

Designating alcoholism as a disease makes treatment more accessible for affected individuals. However, the implication of chronic illness suggests that alcoholism cannot be cured and that abstinence is the only solution. This notion is debated by some addiction researchers who believe that controlled drinking is a viable option.

The Case for Controlled Drinking

One of the most frequently cited studies regarding controlled drinking is the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), which examined patterns of alcohol use among 43,000 American adults. The study indicated that 75 percent of participants classified as heavy drinkers recovered without the help of a traditional rehabilitation program or Alcoholics Anonymous. Of those recovering individuals, over half of them had cut back to moderate, controlled drinking instead of abstaining from alcohol.

Alcoholism vs. Alcohol Abuse

Although the NESARC study was groundbreaking, the results were fraught with controversy. The biggest question surrounding the survey involved its definition of heavy drinkers. Were these individuals physically dependent on alcohol, or were they alcohol abusers? One of the central beliefs of Alcoholics Anonymous is that alcoholics are in denial about being in control of their drinking behavior. According to Alcoholics Anonymous and many representatives of the addiction treatment community, anyone who can cut back to a moderate level of drinking was not an alcoholic to begin with.

It’s clear that the debate over controlled drinking is a complex issue. The disease model of alcoholism indicates that the condition is chronic and irreversible; with this fact in mind, it’s no surprise that abstinence is widely believed to be the only treatment. While controlled drinking may be a realistic goal for problem drinkers who lack a full-blown dependence on alcohol, alcoholics may fare best with an abstinence-only approach to recovery.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism or alcohol abuse, help and hope are available. It’s never too late to get started on the road to sobriety.

Do You Need Alcohol Rehab for Women?

Alcohol rehab for women is an area of recovery that does not get the mainstream media attention of illicit drug treatment specialties and other narcotic addictions due to the legality of alcohol not to mention its widespread availability and acceptance.

This often lends itself to the false impression that alcohol is not as habit forming as other addictive substances. This could not be farther from the truth. Alcohol is the most abused substance in this country and over 13% of women in the United States consume more than the recommended intake.

Alcohol rehab for women became that much more prevalent when studies suggested that over 5 million women in this country drink to a point that endangers their health, safety and general well-being. This includes women’s increased susceptibility to brain and heart disease as opposed to men as a result of alcohol abuse. This also includes the substantially greater risk of women being subjected to a violent attack or sexual assault as a result of heavy drinking.

When is Alcohol Rehab for Women Necessary?

Generally speaking, alcohol is considered abused when the consumption of it affects the general safety of the person drinking or others around them. This encompasses when an individual puts friends and family members in harms way, such as drinking and driving.

Alcohol rehab for women may be necessary when the following indicators are becoming prevalent over a 12 month period of time:

• When she is starting to neglect her personal responsibilities such as showing up for work and taking care of her children as a result of alcohol abuse. This is a massive indicator of alcohol addiction.
• Another great indicator as mentioned above is when she is putting herself and others in danger by operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
• A third and equally significant sign that alcohol rehab for women may be necessary is when she continues to drink despite strained relationships and tension due to alcohol abuse with her friends and loved ones.

Unfortunately, alcohol abuse in the United States will likely continue to rise until more stringent restrictions are placed on the accessibility and consumption of alcohol or at least until more knowledge is communicated to the public on the severely addictive nature of alcohol.

Alcohol rehab for women as well as men can be a very successful treatment option for those who are ready and determined to live a substance free life. Traditional programs will start with some sort of medically supervised detox program to safely monitor each client while their body reacts to the withdrawal of alcohol.

Many facilities that offer alcohol rehab for women work in conjunction with a detox facility rather than house them internally so they’re able to focus completely on the after care and personalized treatment plans to achieve long-term sobriety when they arrive at rehab.

If you fear that you or a loved one is starting to or has been consistently abusing alcohol, please give Destination Hope: The Women’s Program a call at 1-866-808-7111. Our counselors are available to discuss your alcohol abuse, give you advice, and help you get into treatment.

Destination Hope Women’s Program is the premier treatment center for alcohol rehab for women in South Florida. Contact us now so together we can start building towards your future, today.

The Role of Genetics in Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol abuse harms a loved one’s health in unexpected ways. According to Web MD (1), chronic heavy drinking contributes to several health concerns like cancer, anemia and liver disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2) report that women absorb more alcohol when compared to men and it takes longer to break down, which makes women more likely to develop the negative effects of the substance.

When a loved one’s alcohol abuse gets out of control, family members must consider the possibility of a genetic link when evaluating the potential causes and seeking appropriate treatment.

Genes and Alcohol Abuse

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (3) says that alcohol addiction does run in families, and genetics play a role in the development of an addiction. When a family shows a history of alcohol abuse and dependence, it means that other close family members also have a risk of substance abuse.

Although a genetic link plays a role in the way that a loved one’s body breaks down and reacts to alcohol, it does not automatically mean that the genetic factors are the only cause of an addiction. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (3), genetic factors only account for about 1/2 of the risk, which means that other environmental factors play a role in the way that a loved one abuses the substance.

Increased Vulnerability

The University of Utah (4) reports that genetic factors focuses on the susceptibility or vulnerability of an individual when it relates to alcohol dependence. Vulnerabilities in an individual’s genetics mean that the individual has a greater risk of alcohol dependence when compared to the general population, but it does not mean that a loved one will develop an addiction or that the genetic factors are the only cause of an addiction.

According to the University of Utah (4), genetic factors usually mean that a loved one will face more difficulties discontinuing alcohol consumption or may face more severe withdrawal symptoms when compared to an individual without the genetic vulnerabilities; however, it does not mean that an addiction must continue. A loved one can still move forward and stop abusing alcohol with the help of experienced professionals and the right combination of treatments.

Other Factors Associated with Dependence

Since genetics only contribute to roughly 50 percent of the dependence, other factors also impact a loved one’s behavior and contribute to substance abuse. According to the Mayo Clinic (5), an individual’s environment also plays a role in the development of an addiction.

Factors that contribute to alcohol abuse and dependence include:

• Social situations and factors
• Overall environment at home, school or work
• Psychological factors, like a mental health disorder or emotional trauma

When a loved one faces a complicated social environment or a stressful lifestyle, she faces more difficulties giving up alcohol and moving forward with a healthy lifestyle. By treating all of the underlying causes of an addiction and then developing a healthy support network, a loved one learns valuable tools that empower her abilities to avoid alcohol abuse after treatment.

Abusing alcohol stems from multiple causes, not just the genetic factors. Although genetics play a role in the way a loved one reacts to the substance, it does not limit her ability to start making positive changes to her lifestyle. By working on positive changes and addressing the underlying causes of addiction, a loved one learns valuable tools to avoid alcohol in the future.

Sources:

1. David Freeman, 12 Health Risks of Chronic Heavy Drinking, Web MD, September 15, 2011, http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/12-health-risks-of-chronic-heavy-drinking
2. Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Women’s Health, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 19, 2014, https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/womens-health.htm
3. Genetics of Alcohol Use Disorder, The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2008, http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders/genetics-alcohol-use-disorders
4. Genes and Addiction, The University of Utah, http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/genes/
5. Alcoholism Causes, The Mayo Clinic, December 5, 2014, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcoholism/basics/causes/con-20020866

Dependence vs. Addiction: What’s the Difference?

Differentiating between a physical dependence on a substance and an addiction helps determine the best way to handle a loved one’s substance abuse.

In some cases, a loved one does not actually abuse drugs or alcohol due to an addiction; instead, her body craves the substance or she abuses the drugs due to the physical reactions that occur when she does not use the substance. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (1) says that addiction and dependence have similarities, but they are also very different.

What is Dependence?

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica (2), physical dependence refers to the tolerance a loved one builds up while using a substance. Essentially, a loved one must use more of the drug or alcohol to get the same impact on the body. In many cases, a loved one also shows signs of withdrawal when she stops using the drug, which raises concerns about the possibility of an addiction.

Although a loved one faces withdrawal symptoms and tolerance for the substance, it does not always result in an actual addiction. The physical symptoms cause discomfort, but with a detox program and the help of professionals, a loved one has the ability to avoid drugs or alcohol in the future and will not continue using the substance when it causes harm to the physical body.

What is Addiction?

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (3) calls an addiction a chronic disease that impacts the reward center of the brain. It takes the physical aspects of dependence further by causing emotional and psychological dependence on the drug. It also changes the way that a loved one behaves.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (4), the factor that sets addiction apart from dependence is the urge or the need to take the drug, even when a loved one attempts to avoid the substance. Essentially, the drug takes control over a loved one’s behavior and causes chronic drug-seeking behaviors that potentially cause harm to her life.

Addiction refers to a loved one’s inability to stop taking the drug, even when it causes harm, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse (1). A loved one continues taking the substance after it harms relationships, career opportunities or even physical and emotional health. A loved one finds it difficult to get through the day without taking the drug and starts engaging in inappropriate behaviors in an effort to obtain the substance.

Seeking Treatment

Substance abuse raises concerns about a loved one’s health, even if she does not show signs of an addiction. In many cases, a physical dependence develops into an addiction when a loved one does not remove the drug from her lifestyle.

Professional treatment provides a variety of benefits for a loved one’s recovery goals. The primary advantages include:

• Identifying and treating the underlying causes of an addiction
• Working on removing the drug from a loved one’s system
• Learning different ways to avoid the substance and reduce cravings
• Finding ways to improve personal behaviors

The best treatment plan for any individual depends on her situation. In general, you want to encourage treatment for any substance abuse, even if a loved one does not show signs of an addiction or drug-seeking behaviors.

Addiction and dependence both impact a loved one’s health and wellness, so treating the underlying causes provide the opportunity to make positive changes. A treatment program allows a loved one to learn valuable coping strategies so that she avoids the drug and regains a healthy lifestyle.

Sources:

1. Is There a Difference Between Physical Dependence and Addiction?, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, December 2012, https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/there-difference-between-physical-dependence
2. Physical Dependence, The Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com/science/physical-dependence
3. Definition of Addiction, The American Society of Addiction Medicine, April 19, 2011, http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction
4. What is Addiction?, The National Institute on Drug Abuse, http://easyread.drugabuse.gov/what-is-addiction.php

What is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

Withdrawal is a part of all types of addiction, whether it involves drugs, alcohol, or nicotine. Even those suffering from behavioral addictions not involving drugs or alcohol like gambling, eating, or sex can suffer from the symptoms of withdrawal.

Since alcohol is the most commonly abused substance, it’s also the most common cause of withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is one of the most dangerous types of withdrawal and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Alcohol withdrawal occurs when an individual has been drinking regularly for an extended period of time, weeks, months, or years, and suddenly stops or reduces their alcohol consumption. The onset of symptoms generally begins between two to eight hours after the last drink, and reach their peak between 24 – 72 hours, but they can linger for weeks.

A person in withdrawal will feel terrible, and experience most if not all of the following symptoms:

• Shakes and tremors
• Nausea and dry heaving
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Extreme anxiety
• Rapid heartbeat
• Depression
• Nightmares
• Irritability and mood swings
• Fatigue and listlessness
• Mild hallucinations
• Diarrhea

If the alcohol withdrawal is severe, the sufferer might experience a condition known as delirium tremens, commonly called DT’s, which is characterized by extreme confusion, hallucinations, fever, and serious seizures, possibly resulting in death. Because the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome can worsen rapidly, it’s important to seek medical treatment even if the symptoms are only mild.

The Causes of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Drinking alcohol affects chemicals in the brain that facilitate communication between one part of the brain to another. These chemicals are known as neurotransmitters, and drinking enhances the function of a particular neurotransmitter that helps induce relaxation and feelings of euphoria.

For moderate drinkers, this effect is temporary and only requires a small amount of alcohol. But regular drinking causes neurotransmitters to gradually suppress their activity, and greater amounts of alcohol are needed to produce the same results. This is known as building a tolerance.

Chronic abuse also suppresses the functioning of another neurotransmitter called glutamate, which produces feelings of excitement. In an effort to counteract the effects of the alcohol, the glutamates start producing at much higher levels.

When a heavy drinker suddenly stops drinking, or even just cuts consumption considerably, the neurotransmitters that were being suppressed begin to rebound, and the brain enters into an overactive state called hyperexcitability. This is what produces the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It’s the extreme opposite of the effects of alcohol.

Treating Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

The treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome involves three goals:

• To reduce the immediate symptoms
• To prevent serious complications
• To provide therapy to address the abuse

Those experiencing mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms can often be treated on an outpatient basis, with sedatives to alleviate the worst of the symptoms, a physical examination and tests to reveal any other health problems related to drinking, and counseling to address the longer-term issue of alcohol abuse. If someone is experiencing withdrawal, they probably have a substance abuse problem.

If someone is experiencing severe withdrawal, they need to be treated on an inpatient basis so they can be closely monitored for signs of DT’s and seizure. They will also be examined and tested for organ damage and other illnesses, and more intensive rehabilitation therapy is often necessary.

If you know someone who suffers from alcohol abuse, it’s important they seek professional guidance before the condition gets worse. Destination Hope is available 24 hours a day for confidential consultation. Contact us today.

Sources:

1. David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Alcohol Withdrawal, NIH Medline Plus, 1/1/2013, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000764.htm
2. No author given, Alcohol Withdrawal, Drugs.com – Harvard Health Publications, 2015, http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/alcohol-withdrawal.html

Real Housewives Star Returns to Rehabilitation

Former child actress and one of the stars of the hit reality TV series, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Kim Richards has been hospitalized for substance abuse treatment. Richards has claimed to have been clean and sober since her alcohol addiction program three years ago but received plenty of attention and speculation regarding her sobriety after weeks of erratic behavior which was even apparent on the television series. Her odd behavior was even the cause of an altercation between her sister and co-star, Kyle Richards and co-star Brandi Glanville.

Finally, Kyle Richards sent her sister to substance abuse treatment for addiction relapse. Kim explained that she had suffered from a bad bout of pneumonia and bronchitis for weeks and so she took a prescription painkiller to help her manage pain symptoms. She admitted it was a lapse in judgment to take a painkiller despite being in recovery and that she didn’t think about the consequences for her sobriety or the effect it may have had on her.

Recovery is Not a Destination

Kim Richards is not alone in disrupting her sobriety by taking one pill, using one drug or having one drink. This is a very common way for clients to experience a relapse especially when clients begin to feel as if they have been “cured”. Feeling as if you are cured makes it easy to feel as if you may use a substance without any of the repercussions or reactions you have experienced in the past.

There is no cure for addiction. Recovery allows you to lead a healthier and more productive life but it is a process and not a final destination. This means that you must continue to work on maintaining your recovery long after substance abuse treatment in order to experience continued success.

Maintaining an Active Recovery

There are many things you can do to maintain a strong, healthy and active recovery. It is recommended that you continue to attend support group meetings on a regular basis in order to continue to receive and offer valuable recovery support from your substance abuse treatment peers. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for your recovery as a healthy mindset and living conditions are not conducive to addiction. Continue to take great care of yourself through a healthy diet, exercise and a proper sleep schedule. Remember that no longer you have been recovered, relapse is always a possibility. Work to ward off a relapse by using your relapse prevention strategies on a daily basis.

Long-term recovery success is possible. Nurture your recovery with the right processes and tools and remember that using even a single substance indicates relapse.

Who Might You Meet in an Alcohol Rehab Center?

Alcohol Rehab Centers treat a very diverse range of individuals. Although many people who have never visited an alcohol rehab center may have a simplistic image of who seeks treatment, the reality is actually a lot more complex. People from all walks of life can suffer from alcoholism or may abuse alcohol. In fact, recent research has identified five specific types of alcoholics, with young adults making up more than half of the nearly 8 million individuals who met the criteria for diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the United States.

If you suspect that you or someone you love has a problem with alcohol after reading through this list, it’s never too late to talk to a trusted, professional health care provider and seek help.

The Five Types of Alcoholic You Might Meet in an Alcohol Rehab Center

The Young Adult: Making up around 32% of American alcoholics at the time of the study,   young adults are, unfortunately, the least likely to see professional help at an alcohol rehab center.  The average age of this group is 24, with most becoming alcoholic around the age of 20. Rather than drinking regularly and frequently, they are more likely to binge drink and abuse alcohol.

The Young Anti-Social: With an average age of 26, this group makes up around 21% of US alcoholics. Unlike the Young Adults, they started abusing alcohol and other substances (like cigarettes or pot) quite young, around the age of 15, with alcoholism becoming a problem by 18. More than half of them also struggle with an antisocial personality disorder, making Dual Diagnosis treatment necessary for successful recovery.

The Functional Alcoholic: Comprising around 19% of US alcoholics, this group is perhaps a surprising one- made up of mostly middle-aged, well-educated, employed adults with above average incomes and stable relationships, they tend to drink almost every day or every other day, consuming at least five drinks on those days.

The Intermediate Familial: This group makes up around 19% of American alcoholics, and approximately half of them have close family members who are also alcoholics. They began drinking young, averaging around 17 years of age, and most became alcoholics by the time they were in their early thirties.

The Chronic Severe: At only 9% of the US population of alcoholics, this group is the rarest- and, surprisingly, they are what most people tend to think of when they imagine what an alcoholic is. They are, typically, middle-aged men, with a high divorce rate and higher likelihood of other kinds of substance abuse.

If you or a woman you love is having problems with drug abuse, alcohol dependency or mental illness, women’s drug rehab may be the answer.  Remember that recovery from addiction and alcohol abuse treatment means learning how to cope with intensely emotional situations, and identifying when you need help and support.  Treatment for addiction relapse, counseling and aftercare can help you do this, so please call us today at 1-866-808-7111.  Destination Hope: The Women’s Program is a full service addiction and women’s health treatment facility in Florida for women who suffer from substance abuse and behavioral health issues.