Author: Jacob Biddulph

How to Help Someone with Alcohol Addiction

Written by Jacob Biddulph on March 21, 2023. Posted in Addiction, Alcohol.

Practical Advice

Quick Overview of the Article

In this article, you’ll find practical ideas to help you:

Understand the biggest needs of someone suffering from alcoholism
Distinguish between helping vs enabling
Encourage a loved one to seek treatment

Before discussing this topic in detail, it’s important for you to understand a hard truth about having a loved one suffering from alcoholism: It is not within your power to fix or cure this person. Recovery requires cooperation on the part of the person dependent on alcohol, a decision that things need to change radically. Once someone has become addicted, the goal of “cutting down” on alcohol is a lie that often enables the person to continue alcohol abuse and all its painful consequences. Accordingly, breaking addiction begins when a person recognizes his or her alcohol dependence and agrees that it needs to end.

The Biggest Needs of a Person with Alcohol Addiction

It goes without saying that the biggest need of an alcoholic is recovery. Alcoholism not only damages the health of the addicted but risks financial problems stemming from the behavioral problems (e.g. inconsistency at work, excessive absenteeism, etc.) associated with the disease. The problems of alcoholism also extend beyond the person suffering from the addiction. Common alcoholic behaviors such as drunk driving put the welfare of others in harm’s way.

Substance abuse in any form is a health risk. With respect to alcohol, addiction can produce a variety of medical problems from high blood pressure and heart disease to problems with liver function. An alcoholic may begin to skip meals or otherwise eat poorly. If an alcoholic has not yet agreed to treatment, you should still encourage a health diet, proper nutrition, and regular medical check-ups.

An understanding of alcoholism is another extremely important need for an alcoholic. Family and friends who have self-educated on alcoholism will avoid:

Blaming themselves for an alcoholic’s drinking
Making excuses for a loved one’s drinking or covering it up
Believing common lies alcoholics tell themselves (and others) to justify their drinking
Behaving in a way that is problematic around an alcoholic (such as drinking in their presence or leaving alcohol in a place where it is easily accessible)
Financially supporting an alcoholic so he or she may continue drinking despite losing employment due to compulsive drinking

The Importance of Self-Care for the Family & Friends of an Alcoholic

Alcoholism, like many other illnesses, affects not only a person who suffers from the condition but also the loved ones within his or her life. Addiction can manifest itself innumerable ways that hurt those around the person dependent on alcohol. Most notably, typically loved ones spend an extreme amount of effort and energy on the alcoholic to address consequences of drinking and perform obligations that the alcoholic failed to perform. In this scenario, self-care can fall by the wayside.

If you have someone in your life struggling with alcoholism, remember to maintain a self-care routine to preserve your physical and emotional health. Consider the following self-care practices:

Attending a support group for people with alcoholic loved ones (e.g. Al-Anon)
Getting regular sleep
Exercising
Regularly pursuing activities you enjoy (e.g. movies, concerts, museums, sports events)
Obtaining therapy if you struggle with feelings of depression or regret or fear
Writing your feelings in a journal
Maintaining a healthy diet

Understand Alcoholism Goes Beyond Drinking

Alcohol addiction has a host of negative behaviors associated with it because alcohol affects the way the brain functions. Some of the activities that may occur during alcoholism include:

Spending money on alcohol that was meant for the family (e.g. food, gas, insurance, savings, etc.)
Lying about quitting alcohol or lying about the extent of drinking
Failing to control anger or impulsive behavior
Engaging in reckless behavior such as drunk driving
Losing inhibitions while drunk and engaging in promiscuity
Acting in a manipulative or secretive manner

During therapy, alcoholics are encouraged to recognize these behaviors and work on replacing them with healthier ways of behaving that preserve important relationships and build trust.

Helping an Alcoholic vs. Enabling an Alcoholic

Loved ones wish to protect an alcoholic from the dangerous consequences of this addiction. This is especially true when the alcoholic is a son or daughter, though it can equally apply to a spouse. Unfortunately, this protective instinct can transform into enablement of addiction because it creates an environment where the personal costs of addiction are reduced for the person dependent on alcohol.

Loved ones can enable alcoholism when they:

Deny that problem drinking has become alcoholism
Believe they are capable of curing another person’s alcoholism
Take over the responsibilities (e.g. financial, parental, etc.) of the person dependent on alcohol
Make excuses for an alcoholic’s drinking and drinking-related problems

There are a variety of online educational materials on alcoholism and local meetings for the loved ones of alcoholics. These resources can not only help people steer clear of enabling addiction but also help them cope with the emotional burdens attending the alcoholism of a loved one. They can also provide practical guidelines for dealing with an alcoholic. For example, instead of offering money to pay the bills when an alcoholic loses employment, you can offer to pay for a stay at a detox center.

The Need for Dialogue

The road to recovery begins with open and honest conversations. Since an alcoholic may be ashamed of his or her behavior, telling them what to do (“Stop drinking now”) may not be as effective as asking a series of questions that can lead to an honest discussion about recovery. Begin with openness and end with a discussion of treatment options including detox. Below is an illustration of how these questions can progress.

When you started drinking, what did you like about it?
What kept you drinking?
What are the things about drinking now that you dislike?
What would make you want to quit drinking?
What are the hardest things about being sober?
What are the things you would appreciate in a treatment center if you went to one?
If I get some information on different treatment centers, will you be willing to review the materials with me?

Phone & Email Help

For more information on our detox services and how we can help a loved one begin recovery, call us at (615) 488-5311

Drug Withdraw Symptoms

Written by Jacob Biddulph on March 21, 2023. Posted in Addiction.

Withdrawal Symptoms by Addiction

Overview

Withdrawal symptoms can vary by the substance to which a person is addicted. Other factors affecting withdrawal symptoms include:

The number of years a person has abused a substance
The purity of the substance being used
The degree of intoxication typically reached when using the substance
How severe the state of addiction is

Below are some of the major withdrawal symptoms specific to various addictions. Cravings for the substance previously abused is perhaps the most common withdrawal symptom experienced across the variety of addictions and, thus, it is not included in the individual lists.

It is important to remember that not every person experiences the same withdrawal symptoms. Just because a particular symptom is listed in conjunction with withdrawal does not mean it definitely will happen to you.

Some people suffering from substance abuse avoid treatment because they fear the discomfort of withdrawal. However, medical professionals are trained in treating withdrawal symptoms during detox so the discontinuation of alcohol (or drugs) is tolerable and detox is successfully completed. For example, medications such as Clonidine or Lofexidine may be used to treat stomach cramps, anxiety, tremors, and excessive sweating. Other medications are used to control cravings.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may involve tremors, mood swings, headaches, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and nausea. More severe symptoms may include hallucinations and seizure. For some, the first symptoms may present themselves within a few hours of discontinuing alcohol consumption. Peak intensity of symptoms may take up to a few days to occur.

Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms

People going through heroin withdrawal may experience sweating (including cold sweats), muscle pain, insomnia, fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. More rare but serious withdrawal risks include seizures and stroke.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms may last a few days or over a week.

Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms include depression and suicidal thoughts, fatigue, anxiety, reduced concentration or slowed thinking, and insomnia. Both heart attacks and seizures, while possible, are rare during cocaine withdrawal.

OxyContin (Oxycodone) Withdrawal Symptoms

As an opioid, OxyContin withdrawal symptoms may include nausea, muscle pain, anxiety, vomiting, chills, and insomnia.

Meth (Methamphetamine) Withdrawal Symptoms

The symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal encompass dry mouth, fatigue, dehydration, chills, irritability, headaches, anxiety, depression, muscle spasms, and insomnia. People in methamphetamine withdrawal may also exhibit psychosis and hallucinations.

Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal from fentanyl may evidence itself in dilated pupils, nausea and vomiting, restlessness, diarrhea, muscle pain, aggressive behavior, irritability, insomnia, stomach cramps, high blood pressure, and fatigue.

Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

Headaches and mood changes are among the symptoms of marijuana withdrawal. Depression, sweating, sleep problems, reduced appetite, and stomach pain are other symptoms associated with marijuana withdrawal.

Final Thoughts

As mentioned earlier, medical research has produced a variety of interventions to make withdrawal more tolerable. If worries about withdrawal pain have prevented you from seeking recovery, reach out to a substance abuse physician so he or she can explain what remedies are available to address your concerns.

What Is Drug Addiction?

Written by Jacob Biddulph on March 21, 2023. Posted in Addiction.

What Is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction, more commonly known as substance use disorder, is a highly debilitating illness that can impact anyone at any stage of life. This disease truly doesn’t discriminate, which is why tools like a drug self-assessment test are so important.

A self-assessment test can give you the answers you need to know if your drug use has spiraled out of control. While you might not think you have an issue with drugs, the truth is that addiction can sneak up on anyone. Self-assessments let you look at your drug use objectively and take action before it’s too late.

Why Are Substance Abuse Assessment Tools Important?

A drug use self-assessment test is just one of the many tools available for those battling addiction. It can provide valuable insight into your patterns of drug use, any potential red flags, and allow you to have a better understanding of your current situation. This information can then be used to seek out appropriate treatment options, like those offered at our luxury inpatient rehab at Tennessee Detox Center in Tennessee.

Unlike recreational drug use, substance use disorder has several physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms that lead to a diagnosis. A mental health provider can use assessments, testing, and other information like your current health and history to determine if you have SUD.

Drug Addiction Questionnaire

The following drug addiction questionnaire is based on the DSM-5’s criteria for diagnosing SUD. Answering “Yes” to any of the following questions may indicate a potential problem with substance use and might be a cause for concern. If you feel these questions mostly relate to you and your drug use, Tennessee Detox Center is one of the most trusted drug treatment centers Nashville residents can rely on.

You might want to explore our luxury drug rehab services for these issues. But remember, Only a medical or clinical professional may diagnose a substance use disorder. This drug addiction self-assessment is not a diagnostic tool and should not be used as such. The substance abuse assessment may serve as an indicator of a potential addiction but should not replace a diagnosis from a professional treatment provider.

Drug Self-Assessment Test – Answer Yes or No

Do you often take larger amounts of a substance or use it for longer periods than you initially intended?
Have you tried to cut down or stop using the substance, but found yourself unable to do so?
Do you spend a significant amount of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of the substance?
Do you experience strong cravings or urges to use the substance?
Has your substance use negatively impacted your ability to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home?
Do you continue using the substance even though it is causing problems in relationships with others?
Have you given up or reduced important social, recreational, or occupational activities because of substance use?
Do you continue using the substance even when it puts you in physically dangerous situations?
Do you keep using the substance even though it is causing or worsening physical or psychological problems? For instance, are you aware that drugs like meth or cannabis can lead to heightened anxiety and psychosis, but still use it.
Have you developed a tolerance, meaning you need more of the substance to achieve the desired effect or find the same amount is less effective over time? This could look like using more of a drug to feel the same effect, or even just to feel “normal.”
Do you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the substance, or do you use the substance to avoid these symptoms? Does using the substance make these symptoms go away?

What if I Answered “Yes” to the Substance Abuse Assessment?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions on the substance abuse assessment, it’s crucial to seek help and support. Substance abuse can have serious consequences on your physical and mental health, as well as your relationships, work, and overall quality of life.

There are many options available for treatment and recovery from substance abuse. This may include therapy, support groups, medication-assisted treatment, detox programs, or a combination of these approaches. Getting professional help is especially important if you answered “yes” to the last question and experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using.

What You Can Expect at Tennessee Detox Center

At Tennessee Detox Center, we provide confidential and exclusive treatment options for any stage of addiction. Our full continuum of care includes 24/7 medical detox, residential treatment, and outpatient services. We also offer personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual’s specific needs. Our experienced staff members use evidence-based practices to address the underlying issues contributing to substance abuse. These include:

Trauma therapy and informed care: Our therapists are trained in treating trauma and use safe, proven methods to help individuals heal from past experiences that may be contributing to their addiction.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): We utilize CBT techniques to help individuals recognize and modify harmful thoughts and behaviors related to substance abuse.
Dual diagnosis treatment: Many people struggling with addiction also have underlying mental health issues. Our team is equipped to address co-occurring disorders through integrated treatment.
Relapse prevention planning: We work with each individual to develop a relapse prevention plan that includes coping strategies and resources for maintaining sobriety after leaving treatment.
Holistic approaches: In addition to traditional therapy, we offer holistic approaches such as yoga, meditation, and nature outings. Our high-end rehab facilities also provide nutrition-packed gourmet meals as part of our approach to recovery.

Our goal is not just treating the symptoms of addiction, but helping individuals achieve long-term sobriety and a fulfilling life in recovery. We provide ongoing support and resources for relapse prevention, mental health management, and rebuilding relationships with loved ones.

Begin Your Journey Toward Sobriety Today

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse do not hesitate to reach out for help. Even if you answered “No” to some of the drug self-assessment test questions above, this doesn’t mean you don’t need addiction help. Whether you answered “No” or “Yes” to these questions, remember that recovery is possible. Our team at Tennessee Detox Center is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today for more information on our addiction treatment program in Nashville and how we can help you or a loved one begin the journey toward lasting recovery.