Accountability is the “willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions”. In my active addiction, not only did I lack accountability, I sought at any and all costs to avoid it. I did not want to be held accountable for my whereabouts on any given day, for what lies I told to cover my tracks and most certainly not for my behaviors. Accountability implies a level of acceptance with regards to consequences and I spent a tremendous amount of time and effort to evade the consequences and repercussions that resulted from my irresponsible and self-centered lifestyle.

Adopting accountability is a learning process for any recovering addict. It comes slowly because for so long, it was often much simpler to put the blame others or the circumstances and situations. Early in my recovery, as I began to learn and grow, I became able to admit my wrongs or to having had made a mistake but my tendencies to rationalization or justify outside events or other people’s behaviors as a cause still remained. It took a very long time before my pride would allow me to simply state “I was mistaken, I will do better next time and please accept my apology.”

Working at TSN, maintaining personal and professional accountability is absolutely critical. Every call I receive represents a prospective patient who is looking for help. Behind every patient is a concerned and hurting family and many times, other interested and caring healthcare professionals, employers, etc. There is a great deal of trust placed in my hands to be helpful and effective, to educate along the way and to treat everyone I come in contact with, no matter how difficult or abrasive, with patience, respect and above all dignity.

At TSN, we pride ourselves on our accountability. We take it upon ourselves to be responsible to ensure the suffering addict or alcoholic gets the appropriate level of care from that initial call, to being educated on both their disease and the possible placement options, to their stay in one of our facilities and all the way through an effective aftercare program and case management. When mistakes do happen, we take measures to remedy it immediately, as individuals and as a company. In this field, I find there is no other way to operate – the life of the suffering addict or alcoholic is simply too valuable to be jeopardized by a lack of accountability.

Now that it’s summer, do you know what your kids are up to? With more free time on their hands, and possibly less supervision from parents, this is the time when many teens first start experimenting with dangerous behaviors, many of which can eventually lead to drug or alcohol abuse.

Drug-Like Behavior

Teens now use anything they can get their hands on to experiment with drug-like behavior. Things like crushed candy and powdered drink mix are being snorted. The burning feeling adolescents get from this may make them think they are legally doing what drug addicts do. Other teens have begun to smoke crushed candy. They inhale the clouds of candy smoke that come out and feel like they are really smoking. Just because the substances they are using are everyday substances doesn’t mean the effects aren’t going to be harmful.

What is the harm in doing some of these experiments if they don’t physically harm the child? Part of the problem is in the emulating of bad behaviors like smoking or drug use. Many people spend their entire lives trying to break free from these addictions and unfortunately a large number of youth can’t wait to be able to try it themselves.

Teens Abusing Household Substances

Other teens are using household chemicals and products that do actually harm them or help them to get high. Things like cough medicine or rubbing alcohol, paint thinners or even nutmeg are all abused by teens today to alter their minds and give them “a good time”. These items can give your teen a real high, just like street drugs, yet they are found in most homes so teens don’t always see the danger in them.

Gateway to Drugs

While not every teen that smokes candy or inhales household substances will grow up to be a drug addict, it does open the door for the possibility. Kids that have sort of gone through the motions of doing drugs are more likely to try it with real drugs someday. It is a smaller step to take to try drugs when you’ve already experimented with these other drug-like trends.

Fortunately, there are things parents can do. They can first of all be vigilant about what their kids are up to. Kids that are kept busy with positive activities won’t have as much time to get into trouble. Parents can also talk with their kids (over and over) about the risks of drugs, but also the risks of these trends. Be honest with them. Tell them that using household items to inhale or snort can either harm their bodies, or could make it easier to get involved in drug abuse in the future. Parents also need to know what the trends are, and what kinds of temptations are out there for their kids. Go on the internet and check out some of the websites for teens that teach them how to use these chemicals. See what they are dealing with every day. By becoming educated and helping educate their children, parents can help keep their kids safe this summer.

Sources

http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/5694/Drugs-and-teensNutmeg/

Gregston, Mark Facing the summer with a troubled teen  6/24/2009

http://www.teendrugabuse.us/household_products.html

http://www.theantidrug.com/DRUG_INFO/drug_info_inhalants.asp

Everyone’s talking about the economy lately, and all levels of government are working on balancing their budgets in this time of crisis. Many advocates are asking for more money for a variety of causes, including law enforcement and medical treatment for those with drug or alcohol problems. While it sounds like a good idea to spend money to get some of these drug users off the street and in prison or the hospital where they can get help, this sort of “band-aid” approach is being criticized lately.

Columbia University’s Study on Government Spending for Substance Abuse

A recent report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University gave the results of a three year study about the cost of addiction for our government. The researchers assessed the costs of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal and prescription drug abuse, and the results were significant. An estimated $468 billion was spent by the government in 2005 to deal with substance abuse and addiction. Most of those costs went toward direct health care costs or law enforcement, while only 1.9% of the money was allocated for treatment or prevention of substance abuse. In other words, instead of using money to fix the problem, our government had to spend most of the money dealing with the consequences of substance abuse.

Indirect Costs

On top of those costs, we have indirect impacts, such as domestic abuse, homelessness, and other problems. Added up, the issue of substance abuse is a huge problem in our country, and many people are tired of paying for it. While we all want to see our streets safer, our family members getting help, and our kids not exposed to drugs, it may take more than just locking drug dealers up to solve our addiction problem. People need to be educated and a prevention program needs to be put in place. We spend way too much time and energy dealing with the consequences, not coming up with solutions and preventing the problem.

Prevention and Treatment

So what do we do? How can we stop pumping money into a system that simply punishes substance abusers when they mess up enough, and then is left with the cost to medically treat them when their bodies have begun to fail?

First of all, we need to invest in education and prevention programs for those at high risk for substance abuse and the public in general. Secondly, we need to encourage the use of treatment facilities that really work. It is important to have accurate reports that show the effectiveness of different types of treatment and if a facility is going to receive funding, they should be able to produce long-term results. By effectively treating those with addictions and working harder to prevent new people from abusing drugs or alcohol, we will be really dealing with the problem of substance abuse.

Sources

DELCOUR, JULIE Shot of reality Getting state’s priorities straight 6/21/2009

Holden, Cindy Effective Drug Rehabilitation can Save Society Tens of Thousands of Dollars Per Addict, says Narconon 19 Jun 2009

Substance Abuse Costs States, U.S. June 10, 2009

Eckholm, Erik Governments’ Drug-Abuse Costs Hit $468 Billion, Study Says May 28, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/us/28addiction.html?ref=usLinkedin

Private rooms, luxury amenities, spa treatments, gourmet meals – it sounds a lot like a five star resort, doesn’t it?  Actually, it is one of the latest trends in drug and alcohol addiction treatment. While some people might poke fun at the celebrities that enter high-end, spa-like treatment facilities, the truth is that for some people, this kind of private, personal treatment is necessary.

Privacy of Utmost Importance

The rich and famous have enough problems when it comes to privacy, and there are a few top of the line facilities that specialize in keeping patients’ information private and yet provide personalized treatment for each individual. These facilities offer the best quality of care to their patients, while keeping a high level of anonymity. The people they serve may be celebrities, or corporate executives, or athletes, or someone that has a lot to lose if their addiction becomes public knowledge.

Anything You Need

Let’s take a look at just what some of these state of the art centers are like:

First of all, these upscale facilities offer privacy. A person entering treatment might make use of the personal escort to get to the site safely and privately. A personal room is a must, and these individuals are welcomed into a beautifully furnished living area, complete with all the necessary accommodations. Internet, television, laundry service and dry cleaning are all part of the deal with this kind of treatment. A celebrity entering this detox might not even know they are away from their regular life. Need a manicure? Just ask for it. Need a massage after a week of detox? No problem. With things like a personal concierge service, patients can get just about anything they desire.

Just because it is a detox facility doesn’t mean that a person can’t relax and have a good time. Gourmet meals and exercise equipment are par for the course, as well as free time to enjoy a variety of activities. An individual will even be given the opportunity to work and take care of business right from the facility, as if they are simply away from the office on vacation.

High Quality of Care

The elite that might use these services will expect the best. And that’s what they get. As you might expect, the physicians and staff are the best around, and the center will have the best quality of care for those that need to go through medically supervised detox. Even though the facility will seem like a resort, the important thing is that the patient recovers from their addiction, and these centers will ensure that this is accomplished.

Substance addiction is a big problem in our country, and it can target anyone. For the sake of those that need to keep their struggle with sobriety a private issue, facilities like these provide a great alternative.

Sources

http://www.treatmentsolutionsnetwork.com/private-drug-treatment.html

Private Detox

Pareles, Jon Get Clean, Come Back: Eminem’s Return May 21, 2009

Our world is one of technology, gadgets, and internet everything. What about using some of that technology to help people get over substance abuse? Like many other fields, substance abuse treatment is also making use of the internet to make things a little bit easier for everyone.

Privacy is an important thing for all of us these days.  If a person is struggling with an addiction, they might not want to be seen entering an AA meeting, and it wouldn’t be ideal to bump into a co-worker as they exit an addiction forum. For these people, and for those that find it easier to deal with these issues at home, there are some modern technologies that can allow them to still get the help and support they need right from their computer.

Internet Help Sites

The internet is one of the ways people are getting help for addiction that was never an option to patients before. We now have plenty of self-help sites where you can diagnose and learn how to treat any ailment. But more and more treatment facilities are now offering online help also. This may come in the form of on-line 12 step meetings, chats with professionals, or alumni sites for those that have completed treatment at a facility. All you need to make use of these is a computer with internet access and the willingness to talk anonymously with others about your addiction. There are many professionals that are trying to make it easier for individuals to get treatment, and they are willing to offer even online help.

Internet Support Sites

Another resource for substance abuse and alcoholism help are chat rooms for addicts. These usually consist of individuals weighing in on different topics pertaining to substance or alcohol abuse. While one needs to be careful to not take too much advice from non-professionals like these, chat rooms can give people a whole community of others to instantly talk to about their struggles. These people all have a common bond with their addiction and being able to talk about what they are going through with others that understand can be a step toward recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous and other support groups often will have web-based meetings.

Even with all these helpful sites right in our homes, it is important for those with an addiction problem to be willing to enter a treatment facility for additional help, if needed. These online resources are great for continued support after treatment, or for someone that occasionally abuses a drug or alcohol and isn’t addicted, or even to get a person to realize that they do have an addiction. But to physically get over an addiction will most likely take the help of a specialized treatment facility. Then, once a person is sober, they can make use of chat rooms or online support sites to help them stay sober.

Sources

http://stepchat.com/

http://www.12step.com/community.html

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/addiction/index.htm

http://www.phdevel.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=377

In a time when many people are worried about the future, many are troubled about things in their past, and many are having a hard time making ends meet now, there are more problems facing individuals than just financial concerns. Many people are overwhelmed by the financial picture of the world today and are becoming depressed and suffering from anxiety. Some of these people have turned to drugs and alcohol to ease their anxious minds, hoping this will make them at least forget their troubles.

Magnifying Problems

But the truth is that when people medicate their lives with drugs or alcohol, the troubles get much worse. Using substances to deal with problems is never a good idea, and it often leads to dependence and addiction. Now the person still has their financial problems, but they are also stuck with an addiction to drugs or alcohol that is ruining their life and relationships with others. Whether it is prescription drugs, street drugs, or alcohol that is medicating a person’s life, the results are bound to be worse than dealing with the original source of stress.

Help for the Addicted

Because more and more people are turning to substance abuse as our economy continues to be slow, the good news is that more treatment professionals are recognizing this problem and offering help. If someone is now struggling with addiction because they were trying to deal with a difficult time in their lives, they are certainly not alone. The most important thing for them to do is to admit they have a problem and that they need help. They should enlist the help of a physician or treatment facility to determine what kind of treatment would be most helpful for their situation. Then they should have a talk with their family and loved ones about their addiction and treatment, and come up with a long term plan to work together to treat the addiction.

Help for the Troubled

Then, as treatment is doing its job and the person is not dependent on substances anymore, it will be time to deal with the underlying problem. If the initial cause of the substance abuse is not taken care of, the person will most likely turn right back to their substance of choice, or one even worse and more destructive.

It might take the help of a support group that struggles with the same issues, or it may be counseling and therapy that help a person in the long run. More drastic measures may need to be taken to rid the person of the stress they were dealing with. Maybe they will need to consider a career change to alleviate stress or they may need to change their standard of living to solve their money problems. While it might be difficult to make these changes, it might be necessary to help the person avoid stress and substance abuse in the future. With the help of a professional and family, however, many people are finding the strength to get their lives back on track.

Sources
Alcohol and substance abuse, along with economic stress, can be a dangerous mix for children April 29, 2009

Government Offers Economic Stress Rescue Plan for Your Mental Health 2 April 2009

Cornwell, Bill High Anxiety Stressed SW Floridians Battle Sobriety, Emotional Equilibrium June 3, 2009

Methamphetamine is a crystalline powder that can be dissolved in alcohol or water and taken orally, snorted, injected, or smoked. It gives the user a high because it causes the brain to release high levels of dopamine. It is a commonly used illegal drug in our country, and like all illicit drugs, there are many reasons not to start using it.

1. It’s addicting. Many people that use meth quickly become addicted and they begin to want to use more and more of the drug to keep that high feeling. Some meth users become so desperate to have meth that they begin to do things like make their own drugs, or put a loved one in danger in order to support the addiction.

2. Toxicity. Meth has toxic effects on the body and brain, even with short term use. Even after one use, meth changes how the brain functions, and chronic abuse can permanently alter the brain’s ability to learn and remember.

3. Risk of death. High doses of meth can cause convulsions or lethal hypothermia. Heart failure and stroke are also possible side effects from meth abuse.

4. Paranoia and anxiety. Long-term meth use can lead to paranoia, confusion, and insomnia. Anxiety is common and delusions and even hallucinations can occur.

5. Violent behavior. Because of the altered mental state of those that abuse meth, depression and changes in mood are common. Results of this can be violence and thoughts of suicide and homicide.

6. Home meth labs. Home meth labs can often lead to trouble. They can cause exposure to chemicals that result in skin irritation, chemical burns, and damage to the central nervous system. The other problem with home meth labs is the possibility of explosion. Countless stories are told of homes being blown up because of the chemicals used to make homemade meth, putting families and neighbors at risk.

7. Danger to children. People that abuse meth may also end up abusing their children. Some kids may be exposed to chemicals used to make meth or to the drug itself, and other kids may suffer neglect from parents that are high all the time.

8. Fetal exposure to meth. Women that use meth and become pregnant may not be able to stop using during the pregnancy. Babies that are exposed to meth during pregnancy may be subject to premature delivery, congenital deformities, and poor overall health.

9. Withdrawal. The withdrawal from meth is not so much a physical struggle, but rather a mental and emotional one. Patients that stop using meth will go through depression, paranoia, aggression, and an overwhelming craving for the drug. These withdrawal symptoms are serious and can make it very hard for a person to quit the drug.

10. It’s not worth it. Just like other illegal drugs, getting involved with meth causes more trouble than it is worth. Abusing drugs never helps a situation, and many people quickly find themselves addicted and wishing they had never tried it. It’s better to just stay away from it.

Sources
Dangers of Meth  http://www.stopmethaddiction.com/dangers-of-meth.htm

NIDA InfoFacts: Methamphetamine http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/methamphetamine.html

Dangers to Children Living at Meth Labs http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/bulletins/children/pg5.html

The last day of school, when we were children it was a day signaling freedom, the promises of an adventure filled summer free of the responsibilities of school and the tyranny of authority. Now that many of us are parents and grandparents we anticipate the closing of school more with cynicism than excitement. To many of us it begins two months of extra work and worry, who will watch the kids? What will my teenager be doing with all of their free time? How will I keep my child from the dangers of idle time and the increased peer influences which occur during the summer months? Among these worries is the issue of drug use among our children. According to The National Youth Anti Drug Campaign, June July and August are the months which carry the highest risk of first time drug or alcohol use among children and adolescents.

Our best weapon against children and teenagers getting involved with drugs or alcohol is to maintain open lines of communication with them. Parents continue to be the largest moral and behavioral role models for our children, even the teenagers, according to The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse and many other bodies of research. Speaking frankly to our children about the availability, use and prevalence of drug and alcohol with a zero tolerance policy on substance abuse on our behalf is the most effective prevention tool that we have.

Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, this old adage may sound cliche but the message it conveys is true. In addition to maintaining frequent and frank discussions with our children about the dangers of substance abuse it is more important than ever during this time of year to keep them busy. While school is out and normal extracurricular activities are on hold the National Youth Anti Drug Campaign offers the following S-U-M-M-E-R drug-free checklist for parents:

• Set rules
  Have you set clear rules and let your teenager know that marijuana use is unacceptable? Two thirds of kids say that upsetting their parents or losing the respect of family and friends is one of the main reasons they don’t smoke marijuana or use other drugs. Set limits with clear consequences for breaking them; praise and reward good behavior.
• Understand and communicate
  Have you talked to your child recently about the harmful physical, mental, and social effects of marijuana and other illicit drugs on young users? Young people who learn about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to try drugs than their peers who learn nothing from their parents. Look for teachable moments in everyday life to keep the conversation ongoing.
• Monitor your teen’s activities and behaviors
  Have you checked to see where your teenager is, who he is with, and what he is doing? Teenagers who are not regularly monitored by their parents are four times more likely to use drugs. Check up to make sure they are where they say they are.
• Make sure you stay involved in your teen’s life
  Have you talked to your teenager’s coach, employer, and friends lately? Stay in touch with the adult supervisors of your child (camp counselors, coaches, employers) and have them inform you of any changes in your teen.
• Engage your teen in summer activities
  Have you helped plan activities to keep your child busy? Research shows that teenagers who are involved in constructive and adult supervised activities are less likely to use drugs.
• Reserve time for family
  Have you planned a family activity with your teenager in the coming weeks, such as going to the movies, taking a walk, or sharing a meal? Teenagers who spend time, talk and have a close relationship with their parents are much less likely to drink, take drugs or have sexual intercourse.

if you need help with teen addiction treatment click here

Many people today are unhappy. Some are worried about their finances, some are worried about their jobs, some are overworked, and some have bad relationships with family members. It is times like these that we see many people turn to alcohol or drugs to deal with their stress. It is also times like these that we see more and more people become addicted to these substances. Many people in this type of situation will eventually realize they have an addiction and they need help. A growing trend in our country is to connect a person’s religion with substance abuse treatment for greater success.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Religion and a relationship with God is something that Alcoholics Anonymous was founded on years ago. It used to be common at meetings for individuals to confess their belief in God and rely on that faith to help them through recovery from alcoholism. Although most AA meetings have gotten away from being strictly religious, they do still encourage members to find strength in their own higher power.

Religious Drug Treatment

Just like there are different programs and techniques that various treatment facilities offer for drug abuse or alcoholism, there are different religious programs that are out there for treatment too. Christian drug treatment has shown to be successful for many that are looking for a faith-based program. As with most other treatment programs, they may offer inpatient and outpatient programs, they deal with the 12 steps to recovery, and they offer therapy and medical care. But the difference with the Christian drug treatment program is that patients also participate in Bible study and prayer meetings, and learn about the Christian philosophy that inspires them to stay sober. Those that have successfully completed treatment at facilities like these often say they were encouraged by Bible passages that give strength and encouragement, that they began attending church regularly, and that the focus on their religion successfully took their mind off their addiction.

Religious Support

Many religions also have addiction recovery programs that offer something a little more to those wrestling with addiction. It is becoming more and more common to see Jewish or Catholic or Muslim groups offering counseling or therapy for substance abuse. With the increase in depression, suicides, and substance abuse in recent months, many religious groups are finding ways to help. For some people it is helpful to focus on their God and their religion to help them through the issues so many people are having right now. Some people are strengthened by meeting with others of the same belief that are going through the same struggles. A church or temple that has a drug or alcohol recovery program or a church leader that is able to help can be a good place to start when it comes to drug rehab. Even if an individual needs the care of a treatment facility, having their religious leader there to encourage them can be very beneficial for many.

Sources

http://preventiontraining.samhsa.gov/Vol06/ref-articles.htm

Christian Drug Treatment in Florida Mar 06, 2009

Shulman, Robin Morocco’s New Guiding Force Muslim Women Being Trained as Spiritual Leaders and Family Counselors May 30, 2009