Month: June 2021

An In-Depth Look at Services Offered by Anchored Tides Recovery Center

Being a woman struggling with addiction is a unique experience. Most men tend to have very different conditions for addiction; while they share many similarities in addiction development and treatment needs, their experiences are often different compared to a woman’s. Lets take a look into the services offered by Anchored Tides Recovery.

Benefits of a Women-Focused Addiction Treatment Center

There are many advantages to women-only rehab centers. The unity between women who attend a women’s only rehab center during their recovery provides a chance to heal in a judgment-free environment, with more empathy and understanding. This environment can make it easier for women to build relationships and a support group they can utilize throughout their lifetime.

Services Offered by Anchored Tides Recovery

Partial hospitalization program

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are for moderate to severe substance use disorders and a need to attend more support-based programs during the day. The goal of PHP is to provide a bridge between an intensive inpatient program and outpatient treatment. A qualified staff closely monitors the patient throughout the day for various lengths of time, intending to phase out prescribed medications while enrolled in this type of program.

Partial hospitalization programs provide addiction treatment through structured, supervised activities and therapies for a specified number of hours per week. PHP is helpful for patients with co-occurring mental health disorders, those who require more intensive levels of care than outpatient treatment can offer, or those who need the motivation factor that a structured program provides in combination with onsite medical treatment. As participation in a PHP helps people overcome addiction and learn coping skills necessary to lead productive lives, PHP should not be confused with detox or inpatient treatment.

Our partial hospitalization program at Anchored Tides Recovery includes a variety of therapies, including:

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Adventure-based therapy
Mindfulness & meditation
Trauma resiliency
Relapse prevention

Intensive Outpatient

An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a step down from inpatient treatment and is the highest level of care that doesn’t involve the client residing at the treatment facility. IOP’s typically consist of meetings three days a week and involve 8-12 weeks of treatment in a half-day format. Group therapy can consist of psycho-education, social skill development, coping skills, relapse prevention education, stress management, relaxation, and art/music therapy.

IOP’s are available for adults, teens, and children facing a variety of behavioral issues. IOP focuses on drug and alcohol recovery, so the program is perfect for those who may not have the time to attend an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program full time. Participants typically attend the entire day or night Monday through Friday to receive their drug and alcohol addiction treatment.

Individual therapy may include psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and brief therapies. In addition, IOP’s utilize therapy to primarily continue care for drug and alcohol addiction patients following residential treatment until they’re ready to step down to a lower level of care.

Outpatient

Outpatient treatment programs are designed to provide the same services as an inpatient program while allowing clients to acclimate to treatment in a less restrictive setting. At Anchored Tides Recovery, our goal is to provide every woman with the addiction treatment she requires. Once someone has cleared any alcohol and drugs from his or her system, the next step is to keep clean. We work to identify what drove the client to addictive behaviors first and then treat the person with these triggers in mind holistically.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment initially designed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, DBT is also effective for people with substance use disorders; the goal of DBT is to balance the urge to use with greater awareness and understanding of one’s situation. This balance helps people establish a healthier relationship with their emotions.

DBT for addiction typically includes the following modules:

Distress Tolerance Skills
Emotion Regulation Skills
Mindfulness Skills
Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills

All of these components are important to be able to manage distress before it becomes overwhelming. In addition, for addictive disorders, learning to tolerate distress is related to managing relapse triggers.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR in addiction, called EMDR-A, integrates various therapeutic approaches for the treatment of addictive behaviors. EMDR-A is a psycho sensory approach that involves exposure to stimuli associated with the traumatic events experienced by persons who are addicted.

EMDR is an innovative psychotherapy approach that has been shown to help survivors (individuals who have stopped using drugs) manage their negative emotions, thoughts, distressing memories, and stress-related physical experiences related to their substance use disorder.

Unlike other methods for recovery from addiction, EMDR is proven to be highly effective. The treatment consists of EMDR therapy sessions and different approaches that will help you cope with disturbing memories and associations related to your addiction. This therapy will help you deal with the trauma surrounding your addiction so that you can live a better life without dependence on drugs. In addition, EMDR provides relief from withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and other compulsive behaviors.

Trauma Support

The trauma support treatment in addiction recovery is a fully and widely integrated support program that addresses all of the individual needs of those with trauma and their families.

At Anchored Tides Recovery, our trauma support treatment in addiction recovery has a specific emphasis on recognizing and developing the inner strength, power, and resilience of those with trauma. With an open, caring, safe, and confidential atmosphere, our trauma support treatment in addiction recovery provides hope for healing. We specialize in providing a nurturing environment for women that includes our natural detoxification process and providing ongoing individualized therapy as needed to facilitate lasting sobriety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based practice used to treat addiction and behavioral change. It seeks to help people with substance abuse problems become aware of and change destructive thinking and behavior and facilitate lasting change in their lives. The goals of CBT are to identify and solve the problems of maintaining substance abuse, increase self-control capacity, modify destructive patterns of thinking, reduce stress and anxiety levels, and increase satisfaction with sober living.

For those with co-occurring mental illness, CBT can help address feelings of guilt and shame, family matters, and other behaviors related to co-occurring addiction and mental illness. CBT can be taught, learned, and practiced just like any other skill or habit change. It involves identifying connections between actions, thoughts, feelings and urges. By learning how addiction works, it allows people to view their addiction more objectively. It has been proven to help addicts achieve sobriety.

Therapeutic Group Therapy

Therapeutic Group Therapy in addiction is an innovative and effective substance abuse treatment program that focuses on group interaction. This approach uses group processes as a method for understanding the nature of addiction, teaching communication and social skill development, teaching behavioral skills, increasing self-awareness, and improving self-esteem. It has a wide range of therapeutic benefits, including but not limited to decreasing tension, anxiety, and depression while increasing family and community support.

The use of groups in this form of treatment allows for sharing experiences from those with similar backgrounds, building camaraderie among peers, and developing realistic plans for change within the drug recovery group. Like in alcohol and other drug treatment, group therapy for addictions, substance abuse treatments, or even food and eating disorders can be very effective.

Psychoeducational Group Therapy

Psychoeducational group therapy in addiction is one of the services offered by Anchored Tides Recovery that involves mixing clients with similar issues and other individuals who have been on the road to recovery and are now helping others. A professional therapist will be present as a facilitator of the group discussion and leading the members through a series of steps. The aim is to improve the quality of life of those affected by substance abuse by bringing hope, motivation, and practical support for dealing with these issues.

Psychoeducational group therapy in addiction is based on the idea that a group can provide support, education, and other meaningful help to others who share a common problem. It brings people together to work on specific topics, share experiences, and work toward the goals of everyone in the group. The benefits of this type of therapy are numerous. For many people, simply being part of a group is enough to be helpful. Many studies show that psychoeducational group therapy works well for many issues, including drug and alcohol addiction.

Adventure Therapy

Adventure Therapy is a non-traditional healing therapy for those with addictive behaviors. It is a type of experiential therapy where some sessions involve a physical challenge, often an outdoor activity. This adventure-based approach has been used in addiction treatment to help give participants a sense of accomplishment and purpose when they have accomplished something, such as completing their first run/bike/swim/hike. This helps build self-confidence that one can lose from living with addiction/substance use and other mental health issues.

Adventure therapy is becoming an increasingly popular treatment approach to addiction. This type of treatment aims to help people discover their potentials and strengths through physical challenges in the wilderness.

Family Therapy Program

Family may represent the core of the person’s life; addiction can have a devastating effect on the family structure. A great deal of care and support is required to get a person out of an addiction. Therapy for both the client and his or her family will be necessary so that everyone can live more harmoniously. Without the family and efforts to improve, there would be very high relapse rates, so it is beneficial to get family members involved.

As a result of family therapy sessions, a person learns to reshape his or her life with professional support and family support. In addition, recovery from addiction is much easier when all family members become involved in the process.

Choosing a Woman-Only Addiction Treatment Center

The services offered by Anchored Tides Recovery give women the privacy and support they need to overcome their obstacles, declare victory over their addictions, and move forward with their lives. Led by a strong circle of positive women role models, these treatment centers focus on teaching women how to live drug-free and lead a healthy lifestyle in a safe environment. As a result, women that choose addiction treatment centers can let go of past issues – without fear of judgment – making it easier for them to find help.

aftercare inpatient rehab for women services offered by Anchored Tides

The Relationship Between ADHD and Substance Abuse

There is commonly a relationship between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with substance abuse disorder. According to the National Institutes of Mental Illness, when someone has a mental health disorder along with a substance use disorder, it’s called a co-occurring disorder. Co-occurring disorders can begin simultaneously, but more commonly, one might appear before the other.

In the case of ADD/ADHD, it’s usually present before someone develops a substance use disorder.

What Are ADD and ADHD?

ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder, and ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; both disorders are considered subtypes of one condition.

The term ADD is somewhat outdated, and you’ll most often hear these conditions referred to generally as ADHD.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are around 6.4 million children with ADHD diagnosed with it in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), making this condition one of the most common childhood mental disorders.

Types of ADHD

Some variations of the disorder are:

Inattentive
Hyperactive
Impulsive
Combined
Adult

Inattentive

With the inattentive type, a child may specifically have problems focusing; symptoms for this particular subtype include:

Distracted easily
Forgetful
Not able to pay attention to details
Trouble staying on-task
Doesn’t follow instructions
Disorganized

Hyperactive/Impulsive

Symptoms of this type of ADHD can include:

Excessive talking
Squirms or fidgets
Moves around in inappropriate situations
Has a hard time staying quiet
Interrupts others
Experiences difficulties waiting their turn

Combined

The combined subtype of ADHD symptoms includes both inattention as well as hyperactivity/impulsivity.

Adult

Most adults who have ADHD had it since childhood, but it might not have been diagnosed until they were older. Symptoms of ADHD in adults can include:

Being easily distracted
Not paying attention to details
Some may have hyperfocus, meaning they delve so much into a project that they lose awareness of what’s happening around them
Disorganization
Problems with time management, such as often showing up late
Forgetfulness
Impulsivity
Shifts in mood
Negative self-image
Lack of motivation
Anxiety
Restlessness
Fatigue
Problems in relationships

Along with the symptoms above, adults with attention deficit disorder are also more likely to experience substance abuse, including alcohol and tobacco, and other illegal drugs.

What Are the Symptoms of Substance Abuse?

Some of the symptoms of substance abuse can overlap with ADHD symptoms. That can make a diagnosis of one or both conditions more challenging. Symptoms of addiction can include:

Urges or cravings to use a substance
A single-minded focus on getting and using the substance
Developing a tolerance and needing higher doses to get the same effects
Regularly taking more of a substance than intended
Financial difficulties that arise because of spending on drugs or alcohol
Continual use of the substance despite adverse side effects and outcomes
Engaging in risky behaviors while on the drug, or to get more of it
Not being able to stop using the substance
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if cutting back or trying to quit

If someone is dealing with addiction, the people around them may see more outward manifestations. These can include:

Problems at work or school
Failing to meet obligations in daily life
Physical health issues such as weight loss
Not caring about grooming or physical appearance
Changes in behavior
Being secretive
Problems with money

Why Are People with ADHD At Higher Risk of Substance Abuse and Addiction?

It’s estimated that more than 25% of adolescents with substance use disorders also fit the criteria for ADHD. Around the same percentage of adults who seek treatment for drug or alcohol abuse also have ADHD.

There are so many factors that can play a role in the links between ADHD and substance abuse, some of which are explored below.

Underlying Vulnerability

One theory as to why people with ADHD are more likely to develop substance use disorders is because both conditions are considered disinhibition disorders; when someone doesn’t have inhibitions, they are more likely to be impulsive in their behaviors. Impulsivity leads to risky behaviors, and that can include using substances.

Children, throughout their lifetime, are significantly more likely to try different substances than people without ADHD.

The brain of someone with ADHD can be wired to seek out new experiences because of their impulsivity. That means that not only could they be more likely to use substances, but their brain could move toward full-blown addiction more quickly.

Dealing with the Effects of ADHD

When a child or adult struggles with ADHD, it can have profound effects on their life, including overall quality of life. Someone with ADHD may struggle with relationships and in situations like school or work. It may be overwhelming for them to keep up with the demands of their daily responsibilities.

They may feel like they’re different from other people, or they may feel like they aren’t achieving what they’d like to because of ADHD. These negative feelings can impact self-esteem and can make someone more likely to use substances.

Self-Medication

In some ways, self-medication was touched on above, but it can also be talked about on its own. When someone is dealing with ADHD symptoms, they may find that it’s hard for them to calm down or relax, which can lead to self-medication with substances.

For example, if someone with ADHD often feels restless or as if their mind is racing, they might use a depressant like marijuana or alcohol to deal with the symptoms. Someone with ADHD could also self-medicate to improve anxiety, sleep, focus, or depression.

Do ADHD Medicines Contribute to Substance Abuse Problems?

There are some theories that the use of ADHD medicines like Adderall and Ritalin could themselves create an addiction risk. While amphetamine and methylphenidate are potentially addictive, most people with ADHD who take these drugs as prescribed are less likely to abuse them than people without ADHD.

When someone has ADHD symptoms and takes their medicine as prescribed, it doesn’t create that same high as it does in someone who’s recreationally abusing the drug. Research is increasingly showing that it may lower their risk of substance abuse when someone takes their ADHD medicine as prescribed.

Substance Abuse Treatment with Co-Occurring Disorders

For someone who has both ADHD and a substance abuse disorder, they may require long term treatment for both co-occurring disorders. When someone has a co-occurring disorder, dual diagnosis treatment is critical. If a person isn’t treated for both conditions, then there’s a higher likelihood of relapse. Once a dual diagnosis has been established, co-occurring disorders require specialized treatment that tends to be more in-depth.

Dual diagnosis treatment addresses the mental, physical and social factors of addiction and the mental health disorder. Dual diagnosis treatment may include a combination of behavioral therapies in both individual and group settings. The therapist might use medication as well.

The big takeaway is that while people with ADHD are more likely to have substance use disorders, treatment can work when it deals with both issues separately and their relationship to one another.

Anchored Tides Recovery is a safe place for women with co-occurring mental health issues, along with addiction issues, can heal. Call us today, find comfort and start to build your support group, one woman at a time.

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Pride Month: Celebrating Pride While Sober

June is LGBTQ Pride Month (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer), and it’s a time for celebrating the LGBTQ community and members of the community who have changed history. The premise of Pride Month is to uplift the voices and culture of the (Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender) LGBT community, recognize the impact, historically and currently, and support human rights.

The month of June is relevant because it coincides with the Gay Liberation Movement that was the Stonewall Uprising. On June 28, 1969, police raided The Stonewall Inn, which was a gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York City. The bar patrons fought back, leading to the Stonewall Riots, lasting for days. The Stonewall Inn is now a historic landmark and national monument.

In the United States, There are typically parades, performances, protests, memorials, and celebrations held during this month. The key symbol that represents Pride is the rainbow, and each color has its meaning. You’ll often see the rainbow flag throughout Pride events. This year’s Pride celebrations may be especially lively in many parts of the country because there weren’t opportunities for the major events last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With that being said, there is often a party atmosphere at many Pride events, and if you’re sober, you may find yourself wondering how you can go about celebrating Pride in a way that works for you.

Addiction In the LGBTQ Community

Addiction is, unfortunately, something that disproportionately affects the LGBTQ community. Many factors likely have to lead to this, including social stigma and discrimination. Members of the LGBTQ community are also at a higher risk of being victims of violence and harassment. These are all factors that can be risk factors for behavioral health issues like drug or alcohol abuse or addiction. Many sexual minorities use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate because of what they face in society and their daily lives. They may also have co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety.

According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, patterns of substance abuse reported by sexual minorities are higher than what’s reported by heterosexual adults. There are treatment programs that specialize in the needs of the LGBTQ community. When someone with a substance use disorder receives specialized treatment, outcomes tend to be better for them. These treatment programs can address the issues specific to this population, including violence, social isolation, problems with their families, and homophobia and transphobia.

Tips for Celebrating Pride If You’re Sober

If you are sober, whether because you’ve gone to treatment for a substance use disorder or it’s just something you choose for yourself, luckily, there are great ways to celebrate. The following are some ideas for celebrating Pride month if you’re sober but want a memorable experience.

Host a Sober Event

Pride doesn’t just have to be about going to other events; you can have your own with a circle of people you trust and feel comfortable with and make it a sober event. You can have fun with it—have a contest to see who makes the best mocktails. Remember that what you’re doing is creating memories that you won’t forget.

Have a Support System

No matter where you are in your sobriety journey, having a support system is critical. This is also important for your overall mental health. If you’re sober while celebrating Pride month, don’t be afraid to open up to your support system and tell them how you’re feeling. It’s okay to feel like you’re struggling a bit. If possible, bringing a friend with you who is also sober to different events is a great way to stay accountable. When you bring a sober friend, it can help you work through the situations where you might feel most vulnerable or triggered.

Avoid Your Triggers When Possible

It may be that you participate in some Pride month events, but maybe not all of them if you feel like they could be triggering for you. That’s okay, and your boundaries are essential to maintain no matter what. If you’re in a situation and feel like you’re facing triggers, have an exit strategy. Be ready to get away from a situation if you don’t feel comfortable, and go somewhere that you feel safer.

Go To Meetings

If you usually attend AA or NA meetings during Pride month, make sure that you keep up with those. You might be distracted by other things, but that’s often the most critical time to go to meetings. If you’re not in a 12-step program, maybe you check in with your counselor or do anything that’s going to help you stay on track, even when it’s challenging.

Take Pride in your Sobriety

Pop culture tends to paint Pride mostly about the party, and that’s not the reality. It’s a necessary time to celebrate who you are and the history of the LGBTQ community.

Addiction does not discriminate, and neither does Anchored Tides Recovery we believe everybody deserves to be loved and to live a happy life free of substance abuse, no matter what. Our aftercare programs and services create a safe environment for women to heal, call today and come build up your support system.

Pride Month

8 Steps to a Happy Life

Did you know you are worth a happy life? Everybody deserves to be happy and in good mental health, but this may seem impossible for someone with chronic drug addiction. Taking steps to a happy life can be a real challenge if you also are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. However, anyone battling addiction can overcome their struggles by using the right tools and knowing their self-worth. Regardless of how you have fallen into the drug addiction trap, you can recover.

You can be happy living a life free from drug addiction by being understanding, loving, and compassionate. Whether you have been in recovery for years or are just starting on your journey, here are eight steps to a happy life that can help you become the person you were meant to be.

8 Steps to a Happy Life

1. Eat a Balanced Healthy Diet

Healthy eating is part of a balanced recovery plan. It not only helps your body repair itself after a time of abusing alcohol and drugs, but it also helps keep your body healthy so you can remain abstinent. The recovery process is a long journey. Make it easier on yourself by eating lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and of course, plenty of water.

2. Exercise Regularly

If you want to eat healthier, sleep better, and rise more refreshed in the morning, regular exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise can help curb cravings, reduce stress, and give you higher energy levels. A few adjustments to diet and exercise can help lead the way to success. You won’t regret spending time exercising regularly.

3. Practice Mindfulness

Research shows that mindfulness can help people recover from addiction by overcoming negative feelings of guilt, anxiety, self-doubt, and stress. Mindfulness can also help people stay on track when they experience temptation. Meditation, journaling, breathing exercises, and other activities that can help you take an honest inventory of your journey toward sobriety will set the stage for a brighter future.

4. Explore New Hobbies

Life is full of activities that could spark great feelings within you. Do your part to discover new hobbies to replace harmful old hobbies. You don’t even need to spend money, try to take up a new sport or activity that you think is interesting.

Positive hobbies can help you form friendships with positive role models. Examples of hobbies that are proven to help people feel happier and be helpful in the early stages of recovery are:

Gardening
Photography
Scrapbooking
Journaling
Hiking
Knitting
Painting

5. Learn Stress Management Techniques

Good mental health is a work in progress, and living a happier life doesn’t always come easily. It’s crucial to have a plan in place, when you’re feeling stressed or have negative thoughts, to reduce the risk of relapse and cope with your negative emotions. Many recovering addicts use a technique called HALT. HALT refers to the following four situations that can lead to relapse:

Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired

It’s also a good reminder when you’re feeling any of these things to take care of yourself, not to experience stress overload.

6. Make a Daily Schedule and Stick to it

Daily habits have a significant impact on your overall productivity. When you know what needs to get done, making a schedule for your day is an easy way to get it all done. From squeezing in extra time to work out to manage your time away from work and school, a good schedule regularly has a profound, positive effect on your life.

7. Use Self-Love Affirmations

Learning to love again after experiencing trauma can be difficult, especially when you’re learning to love yourself. Positive affirmations for self love are a great way to remind yourself of your worth. When you’re feeling down, recovery affirmations can go a long way in lifting your spirits, try to use this tool at least two times a day. Some examples of affirmations are:

I am strong enough to choose sobriety;
My recovery is working;
I have what I need inside me to get sober;
I am filled with love;
I am stronger than my addiction.

8. Surround Yourself with Positive People

Addiction is a powerful force, so choosing your friends wisely is an essential part of recovery. During the first years of sobriety, it’s best to surround yourself with positive and supportive people—people who will help you stay motivated on your journey. Even if they aren’t around you all the time, they will be there for you during challenges and hard times.

Leading a Happy Life is a Choice you Make

The most important thing you can do for yourself is to choose to live a happy life. Life is filled with millions of choices, but yours will ultimately determine how comfortable you are. Happiness is not the outcome of a good or bad situation but rather the result of our reactions toward negative or positive events.

To lead a happier life, keep your thoughts and feelings in check, practice self-love, and find happiness in the small things surrounding your everyday life. Having positive thoughts about yourself can help you feel good and fulfilled.

Despite alcohol or drug addiction, you are worthy of love and happy life. You are welcome here at Anchor Tides recovery Center for a better way of life. We offer the most comprehensive outpatient treatment programs for alcoholism and drug addiction in one location. We emphasize early intervention and education to create lasting recovery results.

Our holistic approach to substance abuse recovery includes individualized treatments, eating disorders assessment, holistic therapies, recreation programs, and support groups. Please share our goal of helping you find your happiness through sobriety and call us at 1-866-753-5865 and choose to stop your cycle of addiction.

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Relapse Definition: Part of the Addiction Cycle?

The Relapse Definition

The “Relapse” definition is commonly explained as using a drug after a period of sobriety, or the continued use of a substance despite it having been previously stopped. Falling back into the addictive behaviors of drug or alcohol addiction means you will have to begin the addiction treatment process again. Relapse prevention and coping skills skill can improved upon with time, effort, and relapse and training. This article will go into more detail about these coping strategies.

Is Relapse Part of the Addiction Cycle?

Relapse is a common part of addiction recovery, but is it an expected part of the addiction cycle? According to statistics, anyone who has recovered from substance use disorders will likely have a relapse. Most relapses in addiction occur in the first year. People in recovery must be aware of the most common triggers for relapse.

How many people in the United States relapse after drug addiction treatment? A recent survey concluded that 35.8% of people who had received treatment for their drug addiction reported having used again while in early recovery, or within one year of quitting. One-third of those who return to active addiction was able to stay sober for only 90 days. But there are ways that we might be able to reduce the numbers and help addicts.

Relapse Triggers

Reviewing the possible triggers that may lead to relapse will help a person avoid those triggers and prevent a relapse into unhealthy behavior. Regression usually occurs because of one or more of the following reasons:

Withdrawal symptoms
Underlying mental health issues
Keeping in the company of drug users
Poor self-care
Boredom and isolation
Uncomfortable emotions

Stages of Relapse

The relapse process is a cyclical one; if you are not educated about the stages of relapse, you will not be aware of the warning signs and find yourself giving into cravings eventually. There are three stages through which drug addicts usually go through when they relapse. These stages vary from addict to addict, but there are common factors present in all of them.

Emotional Relapse

Emotional relapse usually occurs when you remember your first relapse as a drug and alcohol user. The SUD to drugs and alcohol is immediately triggered by a memory of using the substance for the first time in a particular environment or situation. It usually happens with recovering addicts who use drugs and alcohol in social situations, such as family, friends, parties, etc.

Signs of Emotional Relapse Include:

Suppressing emotions
Attending meetings but not engaging
Skipping meetings or group therapy sessions
Focusing on other’s problems
Isolation
Over or undersleeping
Eating problems

Knowing how to avoid emotional relapse is the best way to stay successful after rehab. Recovery from drug or alcohol abuse is nearly impossible unless you know how to prevent emotional relapse and keep your body safe from addiction.

Mental Relapse

Mental relapse is a war within the mind. One side wants to eliminate negative emotions by using drugs and alcohol, while the other side doesn’t want to relapse. Resisting addiction relapse at this stage becomes more and more difficult as the sufferer retreats deeper into denial and isolation from their loved ones, mimicking relapse definition.

Signs of Mental Relapse Include:

Reminiscing about past drug and alcohol use and addict lifestyle
Craving drugs and alcohol
Lying or bargaining
Thinking of ways to control drug and alcohol use
Seeking out opportunities to relapse
Planning a relapse

Mental relapse is the most challenging time in recovery for the addict. They go through feelings of hopelessness and depression. It appears like they have lost everything. This is the time when they are at their most vulnerable and will need the support of their family and friends to help them get back on track.

Physical Relapse

Physical relapse is the act of returning to drug-seeking behaviors and may be accompanied by compulsively using drugs regardless of consequences. The ability to resist the compulsion can be impaired from prolonged drug abuse, repeated relapses, and episodes of being sober.

The most obvious form of physical relapse is a return to drug use, but in some cases, it may occur in the form of a process not directly related to obtaining drugs. Experts say that physical progression is much more likely to happen if you “forget” to take your medications or otherwise get off your treatment program. This is often called “slipping” or going to “another level.”

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

The road to recovery is not an easy one, but it is possible. And one day at a time, you’ll begin living a life you may never have thought possible. Deconditioning oneself from an addictive behavior requires commitment, motivation, and inner strength. Breaking the cycle of addiction is a tough job, but it can be done. The important thing to remember is that heroin addiction is not just a physical problem; it’s also an emotional one. It’s not unusual for someone who has become addicted to heroin to want to get clean and stay clean, yet find themselves unable to do so because they haven’t first dealt with all of their problems with love and support from family members and friends.

If you are struggling with substance abuse or just considering whether treatment is right for you, it’s important to understand the benefits of choosing help. The risks of not getting treatment can be devastating – financially, morally, socially, and even physically. Anchored Tides Recovery offers support groups that focus on relapse definition and prevention. Please contact us today at 1-866-524-6014 and get on the road to recovery. Our program will help you, or your loved one, find alternatives to replace unhealthy behaviors and learn life skills to maintain long-term sobriety.

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Addiction and Employment: Get Help, Don’t Get Fired

It’s common to feel that addiction and employment do not mix very well and is a severe problem. The American Addiction Centers estimates that there are 14.8 million Americans who use illegal drugs, including thousands of working professionals. It’s good to know that when it comes to addiction and employment, there are resources that can help you overcome your struggles without having to sacrifice your career. Read on to find out more about some of these programs.

Getting into a rehab program during employment is possibly the world’s most pervasive and damaging vice. The treatment programs address the substance abuse problem and manage any co-occurring disorders among the addicts.

How does Addiction Affect your Employment?

The answer lies in the effect that addiction has on one’s job security. One significant impact is that those struggling with addiction are more likely to be fired from their jobs, often because they struggle with attendance and job performance. Addiction harms not only the individual employee but also the family and employers of the individual as well.

There are two types of workplace problems common to people struggling with an addiction: substance abuse and absenteeism. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA; funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) classifies substance abuse into functioning categories, including no or low impairment, moderate impairment, and high impairment. A person with a dependent or abusive problem is considered to have a high level of impairment if he or she has lost or been dismissed from a job where s/he used to be productive.

How to Handle an Alcoholic Employee?

An alcoholic employee is someone who abuses alcohol to the point it affects their work. This can take place at any time of day and not just during work hours. Despite the prevalence of drug use in the U.S., both before and during the current recession, many employers are uninformed about how to handle a worker who struggles with an addiction problem.

It’s essential to know the signs that an employee may be drinking as an alcoholic to handle the situation appropriately.

Analyze the effect of employee’s addiction problem at the workplace

Each case is unique, so have a clear sense of the threat your employee’s drug or alcohol use poses to your company. Is your employee creating a direct physical danger in the workplace?

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), one-fifth of workers and managers report that a coworker’s alcohol problems have jeopardized their safety and productivity. The action of someone who is intoxicated in the workplace can place other employees and property at risk. If an employee’s substance abuse has caused injury to you, your coworkers, or your employer’s property, that’s grounds for termination.

Consult the company’s Human Resources policy

If an employee shows up drunk and disorderly at the office, what is the proper reaction? Having an HR (Human Resource) policy with clear guidelines in place will help you act swiftly and appropriately. While the specifics of each policy may vary across businesses and industries, all procedures should have a zero-tolerance approach to drugs or alcohol in the workplace.

Distribute a company manual to everyone hired at a new location. The manual should outline company policies, procedures, and practices, including any drug or alcohol policy that may legally prohibit the possession or consumption of an illegal substance by employees.

Evaluate how substance abuse is affecting the employee’s job performance

If you suspect that one or more of your employees are using drugs, it’s essential to investigate, and possibly perform a drug test. Before you take disciplinary action against an employee, it is good to evaluate the reason for their job performance. Ask yourself if their job performance is due to substance abuse; what can you do about it?

If drug abuse affects the individual’s job performance, it is in your best interest to terminate employment. Reducing turnover and absenteeism and increasing productivity can add up to considerable long-term savings for you.

Assess employee’s level of substance abuse problem ownership and motivation to change

If your employee uses drugs or alcohol on the job, you can help them without violating their rights or exposing yourself to legal risk. The Employee Motivation to Address Substance Abuse Questionnaire (EMASAQ), in conjunction with the Personal Inventory Questionnaire (PIQ), offers an effective way for you to measure your employee’s ownership of their alcohol abuse problem. By assessing their level of ownership and motivation to change, you can craft an action plan that will have the greatest chance of success.

Job Protections Under Federal Law for employees during drug addiction treatment

If you are dealing with the disease of addiction to drugs or alcohol, or if you have a family member or friend who is, you should know that job protections under federal law are available if you’re considering different treatment options.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Family Medical Leave Act protect an employee’s rights to maintain their job while overcoming a drug or alcohol addiction. These laws outline what protections you are guaranteed, how to speak with your employer regarding your situation, and how the law may act in your favor if you are being discriminated against due to your drug use.

Additionally, in 2003, the Board of Nursing created RAMP (Recovery and Monitoring Program) as an alternative to the Discipline program. RAMP offers confidential, voluntary support to health care nurses recovering from alcohol or drug dependency. Nurses work with employers and close colleagues while at treatment facilities; here they can receive the appropriate treatment for their recovery and rapid reinstatement.

Addiction affects every aspect of your major life activities negatively, but it doesn’t have to end your employment dream. Contact us at Anchored Tides Recovery Center. A gender-specific rehab center and a place for women to heal will help you fulfill the emptiness and free yourself from the addiction that has hurt you and those around you. Understanding the illness and having a strategy are keys to staying employed while battling addiction.

Getting into a drug addiction treatment center program during employment can be challenging, and we want to make sure that you get the help you need. Get informed on addiction and employment issues today, and call us to learn more about our therapy sessions and support groups to achieve sobriety.

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Weight Loss Pills and Addiction

Most weight loss pills contain amphetamine-like medications and are on the controlled substances schedule. Abuse of these medicines can lead to dependence and addiction. Weight loss pills are a way to treat overweight or obese people when diet and exercise do not cause significant weight loss. Prescription weight-loss drugs are chemically similar to amphetamines, which have a well-established history of abuse. Understandably, some people wonder if these drugs carry a risk of abuse and dependence.

U.S. FDA-Approved Weight Loss Pills

The United States FDA has approved the following drugs to help to lose weight in overweight and obese people.

For long-term use

Orlistat (Xenical). It works by blocking the enzymes that your body uses to break down ingested fat. It is available both with and without a doctor’s prescription (OTC). OTC orlistat (Alli) contains a lower dose of the medication.

Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia). This combination product works by increasing energy expenditure and decreasing appetite. You need a doctor’s prescription to buy this product.

Naltrexone-bupropion (Contrave). The medicines in Contrave work in the part of the brain that regulates your appetite and energy expenditure. It is available only with a doctor’s prescription.

Liraglutide (Saxenda). Available by injection only, it works in your gut and brain. Liraglutide slows down the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine.

For short-term use

All the weight loss pills used for short-term weight management are similar to amphetamines.

Phentermine (Lomaira)

Benzphetamine (Didrex)

Diethylpropion (Tenuate)

Phendimetrazine (Adipost, Anorex-SR)

Can Weight Loss Pills Lead to Addiction?

Abuse of weight loss pills is widespread. Most notably, abuse is more common among young women and those with a history of mental illness or drug abuse. Likewise, eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, also increase abuse risk.

Some people may develop tolerance to weight loss medication, which means they need a higher amount of the drug to feel the effects. Long-term use/abuse may also lead to dependence. When this occurs, users may experience uncomfortable symptoms – such as high blood sugar levels, stomach pain, or other common withdrawal symptoms – upon stopping the drug.

Does this Mean Weight Loss Pills are Addictive?

Abuse, dependence, and addiction are different things. One may have drug dependence but not an addiction. Addiction is a chronic mental disease that occurs when a person continues drug use despite the known health and other hazards. You should also understand that physical dependence, unlike psychological dependence, is a stronger predictor of addiction.

Interestingly, this does not mean that addiction is unlikely. There have been several reports of addiction associated with the use of weight loss pills. Medicines in these pills are usually Central Nervous System stimulants; they increase energy levels, lift mood, help drop bodyweight, and cause euphoria, creating a perfect recipe for dependence.

People also tend to mix weight loss pills with other drugs, or while drinking alcohol. The side effects of the medication sometimes will mitigate the less desired symptoms of drug abuse, like fatigue.

The addiction risk of weight loss pills is lower than that of amphetamines. Nonetheless, this should not be an excuse for you to abuse them. Abuse may lead to overdose, which can be fatal.

Does the DEA control weight Loss Pills?

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has categorized weight loss pills into either Schedule III or Schedule IV.

Schedule III weight loss pills

Moderate to low risk for physical and psychological dependence.

Benzphetamine (Didrex)
Phendimetrazine (Adipost, Anorex-SR)

Schedule IV weight loss pills

Low risk of abuse and dependence.

Phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia)
Diethylpropion (Tenuate)

Effects of Weight Loss Pill Abuse

In low doses, you may experience:

Euphoria
Intense Feelings of Wellbeing
Rapid Heart Rate
Elevated Blood Pressure
Increased Alertness
Talkativeness
Decreased Appetite

Higher doses may cause:

Anxiety
Tension
Increased Body Temperature
Nausea
Shaking
Seizures
Coma
Death

Signs and Symptoms of Withdrawal

The following withdrawal symptoms can persist for one to three weeks. Relapse usually occurs within 4 to 12 weeks of discontinuing amphetamine or similar drugs.

Irritability
Aches and Pains
Depression
Impaired Social Functioning

Treatment of Weight Loss Pill Dependence

A combination of medicine and counseling is the cornerstone of stimulant dependence treatment. Medicines can include drugs to improve mood and control anxiety and seizures. Counseling is an integral part of addiction/dependence treatment. The most commonly used forms of psychotherapy are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and contingency management (CM).

FAQs

Are herbal weight loss pills safe?

The U.S. FDA does not regulate these products. Hence, their safety is unknown. It is best to avoid these miracle drugs that promise dramatic weight loss in no time.

Does metformin help with weight loss?

With a healthy diet and exercise, metformin works to help you lose a few pounds. However, side effects are common. Some metformin side effects include diarrhea, bloating, muscle pain, and low blood sugar. If you have questions about starting or how to stop taking metformin, talk to your doctor

Key Takeaways

Most prescription weight loss pills contain amphetamine-like substances.
Many users have reported dependence and withdrawal.
These medicines are in either Schedule III or Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Though these pills are less likely than amphetamine to cause addiction, addiction may lead to potentially fatal overdoses.

Addiction to these pills is common, along with eating disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling, the staff at Anchored Tides Recovery are very experienced in both areas and have helped hundreds of women find a safe place to heal in Orange County, CA.

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Relationships in Therapy:

The relationships in therapy is extremely important. Rehab can be an intense experience; it’s natural to bond with others during your stay in an addiction treatment facility for drug or alcohol abuse. In a support group, you may find yourself empathizing with others’ stories or relating to them better than you did before. While it is acceptable and even encouraged, to make friends in rehab, is it ever okay to start a romantic relationship in therapy?

Dating In Recovery

If you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol, you may have formed unhealthy relationships during that time — and lost them or given them up as you became sober, relationships beyond friends and family members also. The early period of recovery can be lonely as you try to rebuild your life. But is it a good idea to pursue dating while you are getting sober?

For most residential treatment programs, the answer is no.

Many rehab programs have a policy in place against finding a romantic partner in your treatment center. It can be complicated to date someone in the early stages of recovery, even if they are also getting sober from drug or alcohol abuse.

Alcoholics Anonymous and its sibling program Narcotics Anonymous also stand against dating in the early days of recovery. Because drug and alcohol abuse warp our perception of the world around us, AA believes that it is essential for us to regain a good understanding of who we are — and what we are looking for in a relationship — before starting to date again.

The Risks Of Dating Early In Recovery

You might think that policies against dating someone in treatment are a bit extreme. There can even be benefits to dating someone who is also in recovery since they understand, more intimately than most, what you are going through.

But there’s a big difference between dating someone when you have been sober for many years and dating someone in the early stages of recovery. This difference can make it problematic or even dangerous to get into a relationship during your time in rehab.

Another reason why many drug and alcohol treatment programs do not allow participants to date one another is the risk of codependency. You might replace your addiction to drugs or alcohol with a “relationship addiction” instead.

Once you are romance addicted, there are many more issues you have to face. Relationship problems, mental health problems, and more. You may soon find yourself in couples therapy, as well as individual therapy, and drug and alcohol counseling.

Rushing into a relationship too early in your recovery can lead to becoming overly dependent on your partner’s affection for your self-esteem. You might also make excuses for your partner’s bad behavior, even when the relationship becomes abusive. In some cases, this practice may even enable you or your partner to relapse into drug or alcohol abuse again.

It’s important to go into any romantic relationship as the best version of yourself. You want to be with a partner who understands and accepts your flaws. For someone in recovery, it is imperative to date someone supportive of your long-term sobriety. However, you also need to make sure you are fully healed from the issues that led to your substance abuse before seeking a critical relationship — especially if you want a healthy relationship that will last.

Consequences of Dating During Rehab

Dating too early in your recovery from drug or alcohol abuse can sabotage your healing process. You might develop codependency, or “relationship addiction,” which can lead you to relapse or find yourself in an abusive relationship. Both of these conditions can make it more challenging to recover from substance abuse.

You might also face severe consequences while seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. Since most treatment programs have rules against dating fellow participants in rehab, there can be repercussions for breaking these rules. One study found that 8% of participants were expelled from rehab programs for dating others in their treatment facility.

Most importantly, relationships in therapy and in the early stages of recovery can distract you from what matters: getting better. Your sobriety requires your full attention and effort, especially in the early days. Relationships can be a distraction, either purposefully or incidentally, that makes it more challenging to focus on yourself and heal from the wounds that led to your substance abuse.

Likewise, you want to make sure you can give a romantic relationship your total effort and attention. If you or your partner are trying to get sober, you cannot provide the relationship your best shot. That does not mean you necessarily need to end your relationship if you were in one before deciding to get sober. Still, you might find that the relationships you had during your substance abuse no longer serve you in your sobriety.

When Can I Date Again?

Relationships in therapy are rarely advised. However, romantic relationships are an essential part of the human experience, and many of us dream of finding a supportive partner to spend our life with. If this sounds like you, you might be wondering when it is okay to start dating again during your sobriety. How will you know when you are ready to start dating again?

The most important thing is that you are secure in your sobriety before you begin dating again. You need to prioritize getting sober over finding a romantic relationship, especially in the early days of recovery. It isn’t fair to you or your partner if you are still at a high risk of relapse. After all, if you have abused substances in the past, you have probably experienced how substance abuse can easily ruin a relationship.

Likewise, you want to ensure that relationship troubles will not derail your recovery if you have an intense emotional experience related to dating, such as a breakup. You need to ensure you have other coping mechanisms to deal with relationship conflict besides turning to drugs or alcohol. These are skills you will learn during rehab.

Because of the rules against dating during rehab, at the very least, you should wait until you are discharged from a rehab program before beginning to date again. For practical reasons, you might also want to wait until you feel equipped to live on your own again. For example, it might be uncomfortable to bring a date back to your place if you live in a shared sober living facility!

Ultimately, you can’t have a healthy relationship if one or both partners are unhealthy. When you are dealing with substance abuse, you are coping with a disease. Like any disease, it needs to be fully treated before you can show up as your best self again. If you want a relationship that will last — and be supportive of your recovery — you should wait until you feel secure in yourself, your communication skills, and your sobriety before beginning to date again.

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