Nov 13

Samuel was a twenty-six-year-old accounts receivable manager who was sick of feeling depressed everyday and tired of his abusive and unhealthy drinking behavior. Simply put, he was angry with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a worthless habit, he was tired of going through broken relationship after broken relationship due to his irresponsible drinking, he was sick of feeling tired every morning, he hated the hangovers he went through on a regular basis, and he missed his old drive for doing various things he enjoyed.

In addition he was aggravated with the many times he failed to pass an alcohol test at work, he hated the fact that he had to go to court for his second DWI, he was bored with his drinking friends, he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related attorney fees, and he was disgusted with how out-of-shape he was.

In addition to the perceptible alcohol-related health difficulties he was going through, perhaps the most troublesome part of his drinking behavior was the unreliable and scheming individual he had turned into. In his heart of hearts he realized that he had been lying about his drinking behavior to his relatives, friends, and family and he also knew he had been less than truthful with himself about the “healthy” outcomes of drinking. What is more, he made excuses for guzzling two or three drinks before going to social events and he also rationalized needing a few drinks as soon as he awakened so that he could manage the “stress” at his place of employment.

His Depression and His Hazardous and Excessive Drinking Lead to Significant Changes in His Life

It was apparent that Samuel was sick of putting up with the adverse consequences of his depression and his careless and abusive drinking and eventually made up his mind that something significant had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would stop drinking, start focusing on becoming a more healthy person, get professional counseling, start exercising, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, and develop a new circle of friends.

In brief, Samuel got to a special time in his life during which he understood that he hit the bottom of the barrel in his life and was now ready to start the slow and gradual road to recovery.

One of the ways that Samuel operationalized his “plan” was by asking for a transfer at work. When his request was approved, he moved 350 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this definitely made making new friends and pals and detaching himself from his old pals much simpler. Then he went to see a healthcare practitioner in his new city and made an appointment for a comprehensive psychological and physical exam.

Samuel Meets With a Physician About His Irresponsible and Heavy Drinking and His Depression

After meeting with the doctor and taking a number of laboratory tests, it was concluded that Samuel had made the transition from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction and therefore was in need of alcohol rehabilitation and alcohol detoxification. At this time, the physician made it a point to discuss the various signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term alcohol effects with Samuel.

The physician then told Samuel that it was concluded that he was clinically depressed and in need of counseling for this medical condition.

Samuel Decides to Fortify His Body by Drinking Distilled Water, Living an Alcohol-Free Way of Life, Going to the Gym, Eating Wholesome Foods, and Taking Vitamins

Due to his willingness to follow through with the therapy regimen, after ten weeks of inpatient rehab, Samuel was ready to start rehab on an outpatient basis. At this point in time, he started working at his new job and over the weeks began fortifying his body by exercising, drinking filtered water, eating healthy foods, living an alcohol-free way of life, and taking vitamins and minerals.

Samuel also came to grips with his spiritual concerns by joining the local Pentecostal church and going to the weekly services.

After nearly three months of outpatient therapy during which time he never suffered through a relapse, Samuel stopped going to alcohol therapy and instead started going twice per week to local AA meetings. Attending these meetings helped Samuel maintain his alcohol-free style of life, they gave him the support he required, and they served as a faithful reminder of the damaging results that are associated with excessive and abusive drinking.

After going to AA meetings about four months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Phyllis, a young woman he met at church. It clearly amazed Samuel how much more ready he was for a dating relationship now that he had his hazardous and abusive drinking under control. In actual fact it also surprised Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his excessive and hazardous drinking. Life was now positive and loaded with promise that he could have never longed for or made real when he was engaged in abusive and unhealthy drinking just a few short months ago.

A Success Story That is a Testimony of the Significance of Alcohol Therapy and the Power of Change

Samuel’s success story is evidence of the importance of alcohol rehab and the power of positive thinking. As Samuel reflected on his newfound self-respect and motivation for involving himself in healthy, worthwhile activities, he was actually thankful that he decided to do something productive about his abusive drinking instead of giving into his depression and into the lure of his alcohol addiction. The result: he likes his new job responsibilities, he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life, he is involved in a loving relationship, he is in command of his life rather than letting himself languish under the control of his alcohol addiction, and his life now has a positive direction.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

written by admin \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nov 07

Approximately six months ago I had breakfast with a forty-two-year-old man named Alexander who suffers from acute depression, has relationship difficulties, and who is alcohol and drug dependent. As explained by Alexander, it is his drug addiction and alcoholism and his severe depression that had the most to do with his continual relationship problems.

I recall reading that a history of mental health concerns, substance abuse, and excessive and careless drinking commonly take place in the same family. In addiction, I remember hearing that in such situations, a person needs to get counseling for both medical situations and that addiction and mental health difficulties many times occur in the same person.

As affirmed by Alexander, he is so defeated by his relationship problems and by both of his medical issues that he in actual fact has little or no desire to achieve much of anything. What is particularly unfortunate about this is that earlier in his life, Alexander managed to complete one semester of grad school in constitutional law.

Alexander’s condition makes me wonder if he is an example of an individual who can address his drug abuse and alcohol drinking problems and do something healthy about these issues or if he is someone who has to hit the bottom of the barrel before he gets addiction counseling that results in long lasting recovery.

The Need For a Counseling Program He Can Believe In and a Healthcare Professional He Can Trust

If it would be helpful I would presume that I could suggest several websites that could possibly help him learn more about drug abuse symptoms, the stages of alcoholism, chemical dependency information, and relationship issues. From my perspective, nevertheless, Alexander needs to locate a counseling regimen he can believe in and follow through over the long haul and find a doctor he can trust.

I could be incorrect but it seems to make sense that Alexander more likely than not needs to look in the mirror regarding his drug addiction signs and alcoholic symptoms and acknowledge the fact that he cannot abuse drugs or even drink responsibly if he wants to get sober, remain sober, and start on the route to lasting recovery.

It may be asked how counseling would help his alcohol and drug dependency. For starters, there are a number of newly developed doctor-prescribed meds that can help Alexander through his withdrawal symptoms, through the drug and alcohol detoxification process, and help him avoid a drug or an alcohol relapse.

Second, Alexander would learn to acknowledge the fact that there is utterly nothing healthy about chemical dependency and careless and hazardous drinking and that involving himself in one or both conditions is the road to poor work and school performance, a premature death, financial difficulties, deteriorating health, shattered relationships, and legal problems.

Third, therapy for his relationship difficulties and his depression might help him manage these conditions more effectively and help create less of a need for him to engage in addictive behavior.

The Importance of Support Groups Such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

There are probably quite a few family members, other individuals, and friends who would love to help Alexander with his drug addiction and his careless drinking. He probably would experience greater understanding from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, on the other hand, rather than getting guidance from individuals who rarely drink or who have never abused drugs.

When People Accomplish Things They Love and About Which They Are Ardent

There’s a school of thought that states that individuals who do things they love and something about which they are dedicated arrive at a great place in life. Stated more exactly, when people do what they enjoy, they rarely if ever experience boredom or an uneventful life. If they get involved in something that is enjoyable, moreover, they become more actualized and experience more pleasure and delight in life and in their relationships.

When this is examined more closely it becomes clear that this positive frame of mind is widely divergent from a life that is rooted in alcohol and drug addiction because such a lifestyle removes the happiness and delight that life offers.

Since Alexander doesn’t have the determination to do much of anything in his life, it is evident that he urgently needs a little hope for a more productive life. And the unfortunate thing is that hope is almost everywhere around Alexander if he could only get to the place in life to get the treatment he requires for his acute depression and drug dependence and alcohol addiction and adhere to his treatment program.

Enhanced Relationships, Beneficial Change, Self Esteem, and a Wonderful Life Are a Reality

Alexander is clearly too young to be beaten in life. He doesn’t comprehend this at this time in his life but if he can learn how to abstain from drugs and alcohol via alcohol and drug rehabilitation and get the treatment he needs for his intense depression, he can turn his life around and start living with passion, direction, and with self-respect.

More solid relationships, affirmative change, self respect, and a wonderful life are certainly a reality for Alexander if only he could become inspired to get the professional rehabilitation he needs, follow through with his treatment regimen, live his life in a healthy and sober way, and learn how to acquire a more positive attitude about his life.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

written by admin \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nov 06

Roughly a month ago I met a twenty-seven-year-old female named Rachael who is bipolar and who is also alcohol and drug dependent. I remember hearing that under such circumstances, a person needs to get counseling for both medical conditions and that mental health difficulties and chemical dependency often occur in the same individual. Moreover, I remember hearing that a history of hazardous and careless drinking, drug addiction, and/or mental health problems commonly happen in the same family.

Plainly, Rachael is so overcome by both of her medical issues that she in essence has no enthusiasm to accomplish much of anything. What is especially sad about this is that earlier in her life, Rachael completed three years of college. Rachael’s situation makes me question if she is an illustration of an individual who has to hit the very bottom before he or she gets alcohol and drug dependency treatment that leads to long lasting recovery.

The Need For a Psychologist She Trusts and a Counseling Program She Can Believe In

If I were in communication with Rachael I could recommend numerous websites and blogs that could possibly help her find information about addiction and alcoholic behavior, relevant substance abuse information, facts about alcoholism and drugs, and info about addiction symptoms and alcoholism warning signs. From where I stand, however, Rachael needs to find a therapist she trusts and a counseling protocol she can believe in and follow through over the long term. I could be in the wrong but it seems logical to conclude that Rachael probably needs to admit the fact that she cannot drink in moderation or abuse drugs if she wants to get sober, remain sober, and start on the route to long-term sobriety.

I am aware that there are some newly discovered doctor-prescribed drugs that can help Rachael avoid an alcohol or a drug relapse, help her through the drug and alcohol detoxification process, and help her through her withdrawal symptoms. Obviously it would be in Rachael’s best interests if she became conversant with these medications.

It seems clear that Rachael needs to concede the fact that there is completely nothing helpful about excessive and unhealthy drinking and drug addiction and that engaging in one or both situations is the route to deteriorating health, financial difficulties, poor work and school performance, shattered relationships, legal problems, and a premature death.

The Significance of Support Groups Like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous

There are possibly a lot of persons such as family members, friends, and other individuals who would like to help Rachael but she more likely than not would experience greater sympathy from a support group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous rather than listening to individuals who do not drink or who have never used drugs.

When Individuals Accomplish Things They Love and About Which They Are Zealous

There’s a philosophical attitude that contends that individuals who accomplish things they like and something about which they are fervent attain glorious place in life. That is, when people do what they enjoy, they hardly ever experience an uneventful life or boredom. If they involve themselves in something that is worthwhile, moreover, they become more whole and experience more happiness and delight in life.

To me, this sounds diametrically opposed to a life that is rooted in alcohol and drug dependency because such a lifestyle removes the gratification and joy that life offers.

Because Rachael lacks the determination to accomplish much of anything in her life, it is clear that she urgently needs some hope for a better existence. And the sad thing is that hope is virtually everywhere around Rachael if she could only get to the place in life to get the treatment she requires for her manic depression and alcoholism and drug addiction and stick with her treatment protocol.

A Wonderful Life, Self Esteem, and Affirmative Change Are a Reality

Rachael is simply too young to be beaten in life. She doesn’t realize this right now but if she can learn how to abstain from alcohol and drugs via alcohol and drug rehab and get the counseling she requires for her bipolar issue, she can reorient her life and start living with self-respect, passion, and direction.

Affirmative change, self respect, and a wonderful life are certainly a reality for Rachael if only she could get inspired to get the professional treatment she needs, follow through with her therapy regimen, live her life in a drug and alcohol-free and healthy way, and acquire a more positive attitude about her existence.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

written by admin \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nov 02

It took quite a few years but Emily eventually made up her mind that she had enough with her husband’s unhealthy and abusive drinking. She was sick of seeing Barry come home in the early hours of the morning from drinking instead of spending quality time with her and the children. She was also weary from the third DUI Barry recently received. Moreover she was drained from generating reasons for her spouse when he couldn’t make it to work due to his problems with drinking. In a similar manner she was nervous and depressed about the fact that their relationship was in constant conflict due to Barry’s careless and abusive drinking. And finally she was weary from the unstable financial predicament into which he had put his family due to his careless and abusive drinking behavior.

When Careless and Abusive Drinking Inspires a Person to do Something Helpful About a Person’s Drinking Problem

One Friday evening when Emily was thinking about what she could do about her husband’s hazardous and careless drinking, she got to the point that she frankly had to do something helpful to cut into the destructive cycle of Barry’s abusive and unhealthy drinking behavior.

So she looked in the local yellow pages under “alcohol rehab” and discovered scores of treatment clinics that were all located less than thirty miles away from where she and Barry lived.

Due to the fact that she didn’t know much at all about these rehabilitation centers, she finally determined that she needed to call some of them and ask some relevant questions. When she called each treatment center she introduced herself and articulated that Barry, her husband, was involved in hazardous and careless drinking behavior. She also mentioned that her husband had a comprehensive health insurance program at his place of employment and that outpatient or inpatient alcohol dependency rehab would be covered if a health care practitioner in the company health network called for the treatment.

At one rehabilitation center, Emily was shocked that she was able to converse directly with a counselor who asked her to come to the rehabilitation facility to talk about her husband’s excessive and hazardous drinking behavior in more detail.

Emily Talks to a Counselor About Her Husband’s Excessive and Irresponsible Drinking

When Emily arrived at the rehab facility, she filled out some forms and then after approximately five or ten minutes got to see a healthcare practitioner.

After listening to Emily discuss her husband’s careless and abusive drinking, the healthcare practitioner in a caring but firm way explained to Emily how she probably contributed to her spouse’s unhealthy and abusive drinking through the years by making excuses for him rather than allowing him to suffer the results of his careless drinking behavior.

Emily Discovers She Has Been Enabling Her Husband’s Hazardous and Excessive Drinking

Stated in a slightly different way, the therapist told Emily that she may have been unintentionally enabling Barry’s excessive and unhealthy drinking behavior. The therapist also underlined the fact that while Emily would not be able to control her husband’s conduct, with the encouragement and support of the rehab team at the rehab clinic she would not only be able to learn how to stop contributing to Barry’s abusive and unhealthy drinking but she could also learn how to motivate him to schedule an appointment at the rehab clinic so that he could go over his excessive and abusive drinking behavior with a physician.

Fortunately after Emily explained this to Barry, and he saw that she meant business, Barry told her that he had been quite upset with his careless drinking behavior and that he was very comforted to discover that Emily wanted to do something positive about his abusive and unhealthy drinking behavior. As a result, he scheduled an appointment to see a physician at the local alcohol treatment facility.

Barry Agrees to See a Psychologist About His Irresponsible Drinking

While simply calling a treatment facility does not ensure that a person’s problem drinking behavior will stop or that one’s warning signs of alcoholism or the alcohol abuse signs one exhibits will simply fade away, scheduling an appointment is undoubtedly a vital component in the rehab process. And because Barry was serious about getting treatment for his excessive and abusive drinking, the likelihood of a successful recovery was significantly enhanced.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

written by admin \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oct 04

For the past twenty-five years Jenny has been a nurse practitioner at a rural hospital. What is more, she has also been teaching Sunday school at the local Anglican Church. Despite the fact that she lived in a medium size rural town where it seemed that every person knew everyone’s business, very little was known about Jenny. To be sure virtually everyone knew that she had worked numerous years as a nurse and that she taught Sunday school for as long as she lived in their small town. Other than that, nonetheless, it almost appeared as if Jenny didn’t exist.

You can picture the hubbub that happened when it was discovered that one Sunday morning Jenny had lost consciousness due to too much alcohol. In truth, the article in the neighborhood weekly newspaper claimed that Jenny not only passed out, but that she also was arrested for drunk driving due to the fact that her blood alcohol level was significantly higher than the legal limit for intoxication. This is obviously one of the alcohol effects on the body that no Sunday school teacher wants to have publicized by the whole community. But this is specifically what occurred, much to the regret of Jenny.

Jenny Gets Very Saddened About Her Arrest For Driving While Intoxicated

Needless to say, Jenny was very letdown about her drunk driving arrest. Not only should she have known better about driving while intoxicated because of her nursing position, but she also should have conducted herself according to a higher yardstick because of the straightforward fact that she taught Sunday school.

After her DWI arrest, Jenny contemplated whether or not she should move out of town so that she would not have to feel upset about her arrest and also so she wouldn’t have to explain her actions for the thousandth time to the people in town. After discussing things with her reverend, nevertheless, she finally determined that she would get alcohol therapy at a local drug and alcohol rehab facility. She did this for two simple reasons. First, it was relatively easy for her to drive to a local rehabilitation facility. And second, she honesty wanted the message to get circulated among all the individuals in the community that she was sincerely dealing with her excessive and hazardous drinking.

Jenny Goes Through Alcohol Detoxification and Gets an Extensive Examination

After Jenny went through alcohol detox, she was completely examined by a doctor at the drug and alcohol rehab hospital. She then underwent a couple of lab tests where it was concluded that she was not alcohol dependent but rather was engaging in hazardous and abusive drinking. In a word Jenny was engaging in long term alcohol abuse.

Jenny was provided with the option of getting alcohol treatment as an in-patient or getting alcohol treatment as an outpatient. Jenny, nonetheless, thought that she could still work as a nurse practitioner and continue with her Sunday school teaching position if she were to be registered as an out-patient and this is precisely what she did.

According to her rehabilitation game plan, Jenny went to four sessions every three weeks, she learned more than she thought was possible about alcohol info, she worked on her take home “projects,” she received counseling for her depression and other mental health issues, and she discovered how to accomplish things in life that did not have anything to do with alcohol.

After twelve weeks, Jenny concluded that her unhealthy drinking was under control and so she got discharged from the alcohol rehab hospital under the stipulation that she would return for follow up treatment once every three months for the next eight months. Jenny signed an agreement form and followed through on her “word of honor.”

Jenny Decides to Remove Herself From All Drinking Situations and Finds Out That Her Sense of Worth Grows

After she completed her counseling Jenny concluded that she would be able to drink more responsibly than before. After reflecting on things more thoroughly, nevertheless, she concluded that she would completely stay away from any and all drinking situations.

When Jenny made this decision, she found out that her self image became more enhanced the more efficiently she managed her life. And as her positive attitude about herself grew, it appeared that she became more gregarious and started going to more local events such as flower festivals, local high school football and basketball games, music festivals, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, strawberry festivals, rib roasts, and carnivals.

Jenny Faces Her Excessive and Irresponsible Drinking, Comes to a Decision To Do Something Beneficial About It, and Reaffirms Her Faith

As time went by, the people in the town manifested more fondness for Jenny because she was involving herself with them more frequently and also because she addressed her unhealthy and excessive drinking and decided to do something productive about it. It may have been her imagination, but it also appeared that her Sunday school students displayed more admiration and respect for her.

Jenny is a living example of an individual who had a dangerous problem and who did something constructive about it. She is also an individual who discovered that her religious faith is not only something that is intrinsic, but that it is also something that affects the way in which an individual relates to other individuals.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

written by admin \\ tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,