Interventions used to always be very secretive, with the alcoholic being caught off guard by their well-meaning family. Newer practices, however, include enlisting the input of the alcoholic and making them a part of the intervention process.

The Importance of an Intervention

Interventions are sensitive procedures, and most people avoid them whenever possible. But there are times when interventions are necessary and they become the tool needed to get a loved one to accept help for an addiction. Because an intervention can be a family’s last resort, it is important that it is done correctly. Always get the help of a trained professional to ensure the proper steps are taken before, during, and after an intervention.

Benefits of a Systemic Family Intervention

It might not be what we would expect, but it is often in the alcoholic’s best interest to let them know you are organizing an intervention, and invite them to come and hear what people have to say to them. This newer type of intervention is called a Systemic Family Intervention, and it helps avoid embarrassment and shame on the part of the alcoholic. An alcoholic that is surprised by an intervention may feel pressured to go along with the family and tell them what they want to hear. In these cases, the family will think they’ve gotten through, but the alcoholic may have no intention of entering treatment and my go right back to their ways.

A surprise intervention can also cause the alcoholic to feel they don’t have any control in the situation, and that can be scary. We all like to have a say in what happens to us, and to suddenly hear from others what our problem is and how we need to fix it can be intimidating and cause us to resist.

An open family intervention allows loved ones to approach the alcoholic first and let them know they are concerned. The professional interventionist can help with all the communication to help the alcoholic see the importance of meeting with their family in this way. During the process of intervention, the counselor will keep the tone from becoming confrontational, so that family members can say what they need to without causing barriers to go up.

A controlled and directed intervention can help an alcoholic see the hurt their family is in, and that they need help, but also that the family cares about them and will stand together. Of course, the desired end result is that the alcoholic gets help for their addiction. This too is a process, but with the right help the entire family will be able to get the help they need to start functioning again.

Sources

Systemic Intervention Associates

Family Intervention Alcoholism

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hurts Everyone in the Family

Al-anon

“So you don’t think you have a drinking problem? Prove it.” How many times have we felt like saying this to someone? How many people should have said this to us? During the remainder of the summer, we’d like to issue a challenge: Stop drinking so much.

Too Much Drinking

Our society has glamorized alcohol to the point that many people consider it normal to consume large amounts of alcohol. But our society would be better off if we all drank less. We’d reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents or injuries, reduce the incidence of alcoholism, improve our health, and save a lot of money along the way.

People that abuse alcohol don’t often think about their drinking as a problem. The challenge to stop drinking so much will help determine who has a dependency problem and who doesn’t. If we ask everyone to stop drinking for 90 days and see what happens, we’ll find that those that do not have an alcohol abuse problem will be able to do this; the rest will struggle and fail. Someone that is dependent on alcohol will not be able to go even a day without it, and needs medical help to detox from it. These people should go through therapy and support sessions to learn how to abstain from alcohol altogether. For those that aren’t addicted, let’s just start with drinking less, because alcohol abuse is also a problem. If we cut down on the number of drinks we have each day, or every week, we can gain some control over our behaviors and tendencies.

Tips to Reduce Drinking

To drink less, first keep track of how much you actually drink. You might be surprised at the amount you consume. The healthy normal is 1 drink daily for women and 2 for men. If you are consuming much more than this, seriously consider cutting back.

Set a goal, and spell out your reasons for that goal. You know why you should drink less – maybe it’s to improve the relationship with a family member, or to improve your health, or to take charge of your life. If you do plan to drink, don’t let it be more than one or two drinks per day. And set aside some days to not drink at all. Knowing that you can accomplish this will be empowering.

To keep yourself on track, empty out your alcohol cabinet at home. Keep only a few drinks in the house in order to avoid temptation.

Slow down your drinking. Start with a glass of water, and then take your time with the alcohol.

Replace drinking with positive activities. Get involved with a community group, take up a hobby, or go to the gym. Surround yourself with friends that won’t pressure you to drink.

There is much more to life than alcohol. Too often we forget about what’s really important and focus only on having a good time or relieving stress. This summer, make it a goal to drink less alcohol. Encourage friends to do the same. If you find you are not able to control your drinking, get help.

Sources

Alcohol intake of friends, family impact your drinking habit

Drink too much? How to tell

SAMHSA

So you have had enough of your drug or alcohol addiction, and maybe you’ve taken steps to get yourself into treatment. Or maybe your substance abuse has finally caught up to you and you are being forced into detox for family, financial, or legal reasons. Or maybe you are just finally seriously thinking of getting help and entering treatment in the near future.

Oftentimes there is a lag between the time the decision has been made, the trigger has been pulled, and when treatment actually starts. Ideally, once a person has admitted they have a problem and are willing to seek help, they should be whisked off to rehab, so as not to change their mind or get distracted again. But for the many times that this isn’t possible, it is important to consider what you should do with your last few days before treatment.

Don’t Over Abuse Your Substance

Do not go nuts and give yourself one last party on the substance, or one last crazy weekend of overindulgence. Just like the perpetual “diet starts tomorrow” attitude that causes would-be dieters to stuff themselves day after day, so it can go with substance abuse. You may think this is your last chance to live it up and to get as high as you possibly can, but these kinds of thoughts can be very damaging. For one, it may result in less motivation to enter treatment because you think, “Why would I want to give this up?”. It also creates a very dangerous environment for you or for others. Many people have overdosed just before entering treatment, causing serious injury or death. Many other people that are living it up before rehab cause accidents or injury from things like DUI or domestic abuse.

Focus on Positive Activities

It is not expected that you quit the substance on your own just days before your scheduled detox or treatment. After all, that’s why you are admitting yourself; to get help doing something you are unable to do yourself. But you should certainly keep the substance abuse in moderation. Now would be the perfect time to focus on eating right, maybe going for a daily walk, and most importantly, setting goals for your future. Keep yourself focused on what you really want for yourself and your family, so when the time comes, you are motivated to stick with the treatment program.

Look through old family photos of the “good old days”, read an inspirational book, attend church, or hear the stories of others that have succeeded in sobriety. All these positive things will help you much more in the long run than going out and partying one last time.

Sources

7 Things to Know Before Starting Drug Rehabilitation

Expert: Jail Time, Rehab ‘Best Thing’ for Lohan

Lindsay Lohan is turning a new leaf even before her jail sentence begins

EXCLUSIVE: Brooke Mueller Partied With Charlie Sheen Hours Before Going Into Rehab

Prescription drug abuse has risen dramatically in the last 12 years. The latest news from SAMHSA says that prescription painkiller abuse jumped 400% between 1998 and 2008. That’s not just a gradual increase that should be expected over time. This rise means this type of drug abuse is a huge problem in our country, and all of us are likely to know at least one person that is addicted to pain pills. This also means that people are suffering more ill effects because of the abuse. Fatalities from drug abuse are now more common than deaths from gunshot wounds, according to Gil Kerlikowske, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Prescription drug abuse spans every race, age, ethnicity, education, and employment level. Prescription painkiller abuse is a big problem, to put it mildly.

Reasons for the Widespread Abuse

There is a combination of reasons for the spike in painkiller abuse. At first when these meds came out, patients were not always given as much pain relief as they needed – they were under prescribed. There was a conscious effort by doctors to increase the level of medication, in order to provide their patients with the best care. But now so many people are on prescription painkillers that the pills are everywhere, making them easily accessible to addicts. Another reason for the increase is that since the pills are legitimately taken by many people, their danger is not always apparent. And finally, there are many people and companies that have realized the profit in selling prescription drugs, and have set up pill mills and facilities that prescribe and dispense these pills for nonmedical use.

Legalize It?

So what should be done about prescription painkiller abuse? Should something be done? Some groups are in favor of more lenient laws, or legalizing drug use altogether, in order to do away with the underground market for the pills. After all, prohibition didn’t keep people from drinking alcohol, why would prescription drug use be any different? And there is also the argument that if drugs were legal, people could feel more comfortable getting help for their addiction, rather than worry about legal consequences.

Negative Effects

But the effects of prescription drug abuse are too dangerous to let the abuse continue on. Prescription pills are very addicting, and many people find themselves dependent on the drugs in a matter of days. Many other people die from overdoses or side effects caused by the drugs. While some people are able to hold a job and are functioning addicts, enough other people’s lives are devastated by the drugs.

In order to control the abuse of prescription medications, there should be more collaboration between law enforcement, doctors, pharmacists, and treatment professionals. Instead of automatically charging and punishing people that abuse prescription pills, these people should receive quality treatment to help them get over their addiction. There should also be more education for the general public, to continuously remind people about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs.

Sources

Drug Control Policy Director Talks Prevention

Why Rx Abuse is Up 400%

Study: Prescription Pain Pill Abuse Up 400%

Wouldn’t it be nice to be substance free? Not just heroin free, or oxycontin free, but also methadone free, alcohol free, even free from everyday crutches we may have gotten used to. Holistic treatment centers on overcoming substance abuse by looking at the whole person, by trying to get the big picture into focus, by promoting a natural, healthy lifestyle.

Whole Treatment

Many treatment facilities now offer a holistic approach to helping people get sober. This works because when someone has a drug or alcohol addiction, it is more than the substances that are the problem. Mental illness, events of the past, and family circumstances can all be factors that drive someone to abuse drugs or alcohol. In order to fully treat a person, it is necessary to create order in the rest of their life also.

Many people detox from drugs or alcohol, only to fall apart and turn back to it after treatment. This is because the pressures, the insecurities, or the things causing unhappiness are still present and cause the person to feel the need to rely on substances. But with whole healing, a person is able to stand on their own and be at peace without substances.

Types of Holistic Rehab

There are many different types of holistic rehab. There are the ones we might expect, including acupuncture, organic food, and medication. These things help us focus on complete health without using modern medicine. Some facilities offer culinary experiences with locally grown organic food, tailored to meet all of the body’s basic nutritional needs. Others have massage therapists, or acupuncturists that can cleanse the body of discomfort. Many programs have a spiritual core that helps a person rely on a higher power to live a clean, healthy life.

Other holistic approaches are maybe not what would come to mind when we think holistic, but they also help redirect the body and mind toward complete health. Experiences in nature, such as staying in the midst of beautiful mountains, powerful oak trees, or a sunny seaside help patients connect with the simple things in life. Adventure therapy gives patients a mission, to help them center on something other than their substance abuse. Equine therapy also provides a positive tool  to aid in recovery.

By providing a nurturing atmosphere filled with positive experiences, along with nutritious meals, support groups, and therapy, holistic patients can become completely sober. No more drugs or alcohol, no more medicines to take the place of the illegal drugs, no crutch. The journey is not easy, but with the right kind of holistic treatment, patients seeking a natural lifestyle can learn ways to bring themselves to a completely healthy mind and body.

Sources

Holistic practices can offer medical options

The Canyon

Michael’s House

Our children are exposed to more medication today than ever before. It’s sad when kids grow up thinking that taking a pill will solve all their problems, or will help them have a good time. Some parents are too quick to give their kids medication, even to the point of overmedicating. There are many tragic stories about kids that are negatively impacted, injured, or killed because of medicating by their parents.

Medicating Unreasonably

There is an overall attitude among some groups of parents today that it is ok to give their kids pills if it makes the parents’ day easier. For example: Benadryl. This wonder drug can reduce the symptoms of allergies and colds, and stop itching from mosquito bites and poison ivy. It can also make a child fall asleep. It’s common knowledge in some circles that if you need your child to sleep on a long car ride or if they have trouble going to bed at night, a small dose of Benadryl will give them sweet sleep. No more arguing, no more hassle, no more having to yell at your kids, thanks to the little magic pill.

How unfortunate that parents have resorted to these measures! In some cases, ADHD medication is the same way. Some kids are misdiagnosed as having an attention disorder and put on meds that sedate them, when really it is a behavior problem. Parents need to be taught how to lovingly discipline their kids from the time they are young, while watching out for serious medical disorders, rather than make them pop pills to get a moment’s rest.

Any medication given to a child can have side effects: increased heart rate, seizures, coma, weight gain, stunted growth, delay in brain development. A couple in San Diego killed their baby because they gave him dose after dose of sleep aids, acid reflux medicine, and Benadryl, and sadly, they are not the only ones that have done this. Medications are not something to play around with, and we shouldn’t be too quick to reach for the pill bottle, especially when it comes to our child’s health.

Necessary Medicine

There are times, however, when medical intervention is necessary with our kids, and one of those instances is mental illness. In fact, mental illness is the one area that parents, in general, under medicate their kids. Parents, especially in inner city or low income areas, aren’t always aware that kids can suffer from depression, insomnia, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental disorders. In the case of mental illness, parents should seek out a trusted physician to diagnose and prescribe medication, if necessary. Parents should be aware of possible side effects, and closely monitor their child for any problems. A cautious approach to medicating should always be taken in the case of our children.

Children need to be taught to respect medication and only use it when necessary. It starts with parents being good role models for their kids by leading and encouraging a healthy, more natural lifestyle.

Sources

Father Accused Of Fatally Overmedicating Baby Pleads Not Guilty

How to Avoid Overmedicating your Child

Are We Overmedicating our Kids

As parents, we never want to see our children suffer, and it doesn’t change as they get older. Adult children that suffer with addiction do so because of choices they make in their lives, and it can negatively impact their whole family. A grown drug addict child can demand just as much attention and resources as a young child. Some parents feel trapped into caring for an adult child with an addiction. It’s sometimes hard to know what to do, what not to do, and how to really help.

One fifth of 18-25 year olds use illicit drugs. Many in this age group have been struggling with drugs since their teen years, which means they never really got on their feet and out on their own. This leaves the parent in a very difficult position. At age 18, 20, or 22, do you insist that your child move out and start providing for themselves?  It’s a difficult question for millions of parents, but the situation becomes much harder when an addiction is involved. How can a parent kick their adult child out of the house when they have no job, no money, and they are physically addicted to drugs?

Consequences of Leaving the Security of a Parent’s Home

Many of these young adult addicts that get sent out of the house do end up homeless, or bouncing from friend to friend, or shelter to shelter. They are in no position to provide for themselves, because their main priority is keeping up with the drugs. So they have little hope of living a real life on their own.

Consequences of Letting an Adult Child Stay

So what should parents do, let their grown children stay around and continue to do drugs? This isn’t the answer either. Parents need to set rules; things like not allowing any drugs or alcohol in the house, insisting the child get at least a part time job, and requiring them to help around the house. Parents should not bend the rules, or let their child take advantage of them, no matter how hard it is. If things get too heated and the parent no longer has control, they should be prepared to warn of consequences, and then carry them out. Show them love and concern and be willing to help them get on their feet, but when that stops working, tough love needs to take over. The last resort would be to send them packing, because without your positive influence and support, things will get miserable for them really quickly. But it is sometimes necessary.

Parents most importantly need to get help for their child. Check out possible programs or facilities and encourage your child to check themselves into treatment. Call a hotline if necessary, or call the police if you need to, but do what you can to get them the help they need.

Sources

Babysitter Smokes Pot, 3 Year Old Smokes Pot… & One-Fifth of 18-25 Year Olds Use Illicit Drugs

Living With Adult Children

Methamphetamine deaths spur relatives to fight back through support 

Generation Rx is what the newest generation of young people in our country has been dubbed. This unfortunate name is sadly fitting, given the amount of prescription drugs these kids are surrounded by and abuse.

Prescription pills are really everywhere. There is a pill for nearly every ailment, and rare is the person that lives their life without taking anything. Maybe it is our age of modern conveniences, short attention spans, and quick-fixes, but it sure seems like we are quick to jump to medical intervention for the littlest thing. There are plenty of people that truly need their medications; to manage pain, discomfort, or just life, but many, many more have turned to self-medicating, pill popping, and abusing prescription medication. No wonder prescription abuse is such an epidemic for our young people – they were brought up in this environment.

Generation Rx – sad and disturbing as it may be – there is no denying the statistics. Nationwide, 26% of 12^th graders have taken prescription drugs at least once without a doctor’s prescription. The trouble is that young people have been so exposed to these drugs throughout their life, that they don’t see a danger in taking these pills. Students, especially college students, may actually think they are doing themselves a favor by using prescription drugs. In order to stay up late to study or concentrate for an exam, they take Adderall. Ambien helps them sleep when they need to. They’re used to solving problems on their own, including self-medicating if necessary.

Dangers of Prescription Abuse

Even though some people don’t see the drawback to being called Generation Rx, the dangers of abusing prescription drugs are real. Whether people want to admit it or not, kids that abuse prescription drugs are more likely to someday abuse illicit drugs. And these prescription drugs are dangerous and have serious side effects. Emergency room visits for abuse of prescription drugs is now as common as visits due to illicit drug abuse. These pills can cause increased heart rate, cardiac arrest, seizures, depression, and many other side effects.

Putting an End to Prescription Drug Abuse

Yes, there is work to be done; education young people and parents and creating an overall awareness about the dangers of self-medicating. Ohio State University’s College of Pharmacy has created the Generation Rx Initiative, which provides safety resources and information for teachers and students. The project makes available toolkits, symposiums, and community events that work to educate people about prescription drug abuse. Programs like the one at OSU can be very beneficial in putting a stop to drug abuse, and can help students and young people learn how to live a substance-free life.

Sources

The Generation Rx Initiative

Prescription Drug Abuse

Illicit Drugs on Campus Are Increasingly the Rx Variety

Young people’s use of drugs such as Ecstasy is increasing, despite warnings about such substances. Ecstasy is commonly seen in bars, at concerts, and at raves, and its popularity today suggests the message of its danger is not getting across.

Ecstasy is a hallucinogen and a stimulant that is often smuggled into the U.S from foreign countries. It is the drug of choice for partiers because of its effects. The stimulant in Ecstasy keeps the user’s energy high, and can sustain partygoers for hours. The hallucinogen “makes everything more fun”.

Drug use and raves go hand in hand. Young adults that attend these music and dance events that go on for hours and hours usually do so with the intent of doing drugs. Very few people go to raves simply to hear music – the dancing and partying while under the influence of drugs is the main priority.

Damaging Side Effects of Ecstasy

Many people would classify Ecstasy as a safe drug, and since so many people use it at raves, many people don’t think twice about using it. But Ecstasy has its consequences and side effects, and a number of people have been hurt or have died as a result of it. Ecstasy causes a rise in body temperature and extreme thirst, which causes the user to drink large amounts. The over intake of water can actually interfere with neurons in the brain, causing coma or seizure. On its own, Ecstasy can do damage, but other drugs are also commonly mixed into the Ecstasy, causing even more effects. Methamphetamine, ketamine, and other chemicals are sometimes found in Ecstasy, causing increased heart rate and body temperature as well.

Danger of Raves

Teens at raves get so caught up with the party and heightening their experience that they may not realize they or someone else is in danger. By the time it is evident that someone is in real trouble because of the drugs they took, it may be too late.

Many people are concerned about the safety of raves. There is often little adult presence, and the young people are almost all under the influence of drugs. Los Angeles has had several incidences at recent raves, including the death of a 15 year old girl last weekend. Because of this incident, the commission that oversees the L.A. Coliseum and Sports Arena announced a temporary ban on new contracts with rave producers. A meeting next week will determine the future of raves at this venue.

Preventing Ecstasy Abuse

Kids will be kids, and teenagers that attend these events want to have a good time. But putting people’s lives in danger is not worth it for a few hours of fun. The deadly side effects that these drugs cause should to be explained to young people, and teens should find alternatives to drugs and raves. Parents need to help educate their kids, and make sure they are supervised and safe, and find a better way to have a good time.

Sources

Ecstasy Facts

Drug Abuse Facts

Death at Electric Daisy Carnival draws attention to connection between raves and Ecstasy

A Closer Look: How Ecstasy harms

http://www.latimes.com/news/health/la-he-closer-ecstacy-20100712,0,7955199.story

The debate over whether we should offer treatment or punishment to drug-motivated criminals is still causing a stir. There are many people that support treating addicts that have committed crimes, but just as many people feel we should not give these people any special care.

Drug Related Crime

There are an estimated 2.3 million inmates in the U.S., and more than half of them are there because of drug-related crimes. This shouldn’t come as a surprise – drugs make people do dumb things. Crimes are committed because an addict is desperate to get their hands on more drugs, or are not thinking clearly because they are high. Many burglaries, accidents, and fights or murders are a direct result of the control drugs have on people. Drug addicts that receive no treatment for their substance abuse while in prison or afterward are likely to relapse. A convicted felon may detox in prison, but even after years of being clean from the substance, when they reenter society, many go right back to the drugs and most likely back to their life of crime. In fact, 50% of inmates will turn back to crime and drugs once they get out of prison. The vicious cycle of putting felons in prison, letting them out after their sentence is up, and catching them for the same kinds of crimes has many people thinking there must be a better way.

Pros and Cons of Treatment

Treatment while in prison and afterward is a solution that definitely helps. Detox alone doesn’t heal lives destroyed by drug abuse, but counseling and therapy do help. These addicts need to learn how to stay drug free, and how to live a healthy life. Addicts have a disease that has changed their brain chemistry, and will only get better with treatment.

But providing treatment for criminals in prison or instead of prison is not the solution everyone would like to see. Some people can’t get past the fact that these people committed crimes and deserve to be punished. Others feel that providing treatment instead of punishment is being soft on drugs, leading others to try to get away with more. Still others can’t support spending all the money up front that is necessary to treat inmates.

Stopping the Cycle

We have to keep going back to the effects of substance abuse on the human body. People that are addicted to drugs lose control of their lives. Only the drugs matter – stealing money for drugs, lashing out at or abusing others that stand in their way, or hurting innocent people are all consequences of a mind that is influenced by drugs. We don’t have to go easy on drug addict criminals, but we do need to keep them from hurting any more people. The most effective way to stop the drug/prison cycle is to treat with rehab. Recidivism rates go down 30% among those that receive treatment.

Money is a big concern in the prison systems right now, and only 1/5 of drug addicted inmates get help for their drug problem. Many states, struggling with budget cuts and money constraints, have been quick to cut funding for treating inmates. In the long run, however, treatment is the way to go. It is cheaper to treat than incarcerate, and the money saved from not having to arrest and imprison these people over and over again will save a substantial amount of money.

Sources

US Prison System Falls Short In Treating Drug Addiction, Study Finds

Treating Drug Addiction: What Families and Offenders Need to Know

The Case for Treating Drug Addicts in Prison