Misconception #1: It can’t be a disease. It’s a lack of willpower. The Truth: Diseases are scary, so no one wants to think about them. Some diseases you inherit a tendency for, like high blood pressure or heart disease. Some develop over time, such as asthma or diabetes. And others develop over time for a lot of different reasons, like numerous cancers. Addiction is just like that. It is a disease.
When you think of someone being “clean and sober” what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of someone who no longer uses drugs or alcohol, and you would be right. Now, what about the phrase “living in sobriety” or “recovery.” What does that mean to you? While treatment and twelve-step programs are not the only way to get clean and sober, they are often the best. Why? Because they don’t just help you stop using, they also help you start living a life of peace, gratitude and fulfillment. That is recovery.
For so long people have lived bound by addiction, not knowing that there is another way. Day after day, so many are dependent on a substance to get going, to stay going, and in search for the strength to face the world that is waiting on them. Fear paralyzes even the strongest person’s ability to do what so many believe to be such a simple thing.
When it seems that someone you care about is suffering from a drug problem, you many experience a great deal of stress and confusion as you grapple with the question of what to do about it. You’ll find yourself asking whether you are overreacting, whether you ought to try to intervene, and whether your help will be welcome.
Because heroin and opiates are physically addicting, heroin detox becomes necessary when the body adapts to the presence of the drug. The addict’s body becomes tolerant to heroin’s effects and more and more is needed to reduce ones’ physical and psychological cravings for heroin. Withdrawal symptoms will definitely occur if heroin use or opiate use is abruptly discontinued.
Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a powerful drug that acts as an opioid antagonist and quickly reverses the effects of heroin and other opioid drugs. If administered in time, it can prevent death from overdose. Its effectiveness is so well-documented that at least seventeen states now permit naloxone to be administered by police and paramedics. Over half of those states also allow friends and family members of drug abusers to carry the drug.
The science of addiction treatment constantly undergoes scrutiny because there is no “cure” for substance abuse, and the causes of it vary from person to person. The question of whether addiction is a disease or a choice causes significant debate. Although some clinicians accept the disease model of addiction, many others believe strongly that addiction is a choice.
When it comes time for you to decide whether or not to enter a drug/alcohol detox facility, it is a decision that takes some consideration and is not usually easy. There are many choices when it comes to finding a detoxification facility and it can be as simple as seeing an ad on Facebook or the television. Most detox facilities claim to be the best, which makes your decision even more difficult. If you’re seeking a detox center in Southern Florida for yourself, a friend, or a family member, there is some important information to remember.
When necessary, alcohol detox treatment includes monitoring and administering medicine to persons experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms. However, when an alcoholic suddenly cuts off the supply of alcohol, the brain continues to produce an abnormal amount of norepinephrine for a few days following. This is what causes withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction to both prescription and street drugs is a rapidly growing problem. A person may not know when someone they love gets indulged into this curse. Street drugs are very common around the world. According to the United Nations Drug Report 2015, 246 million people are addicted to different drugs.
Gratitude is an extremely important aspect of life and even more important for those who are recovering and taking their lives back from drug and/or alcohol addiction. I would go as far to say that gratitude and recovery go hand-in-hand. It plays an integral part in our ability to lead productive lives when recovering.
Our admissions department is available 24/7 and happy to answer any questions you may have about our facility or treatment options.
