How Does Depression Affect Drug Use?

The link between substance abuse and depression has long been documented. But which comes first, the chicken or the egg?

In this article, we will examine the relationship between depression and addiction and explore how they affect each other.

What is depression?

Before jumping to conclusions, we need to first get clear on what is the definition of depression.

Depression is a mood disorder that affects how people feel, think, and react to things. Low moods and a lack of motivation are common symptoms of the disorder. 

In the worst of instances, depression is characterized by a lack of a will to live.

Life has its ups and downs, and it’s normal to feel a bit on the extreme of each side from time to time. But those suffering from depression tend to stay on the extremely lower end of the emotional spectrum for extended periods of time.

It is possible to develop depression in many different circumstances, ranging from life events to brain chemical imbalances caused by substance abuse.

Common symptoms of depression include:

  • Persistent sad or anxious mood
  • Hopelessness and pessimism
  • Irritability, frustration, and/or restlessness
  • Loss of interest, pleasure, and willfulness
  • Lower energy levels
  • Troubled sleeping patterns
  • Changes in appetite
  • Pains, headaches, and cramps that are not eased with treatment
  • Thoughts and attempts to take one’s own life

Can Depression Lead to Substance Abuse?

Depression and addiction are more deeply intertwined than most imagine. Addicts suffering from substance abuse tend to get depressed, mainly due to the physical depletion of dopamine in the brain and the damaging of other brain functions.

But what you might not know is that the opposite is also possible and that depression causes drug use.

The use of drugs such as ketamine, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol could be used by people that are depressed and want to self-medicate in order to feel better. 

Data also shows that people with depression are twice as likely to self-medicate with alcohol than drugs.

These behaviors can ultimately lead to addiction. 

What’s worse is that both conditions can exuberate each other and turn into a degrading cycle. 

The depressed take drugs or alcohol to soothe their emotions, then drugs and alcohol worsen their condition—rinse and repeat.

People might choose to self-medicate for a number of reasons including:

  • Lack of trust in conventional medicine
  • Lack of access to medical care
  • Fear of approaching a doctor
  • Misguided beliefs

Data shows that the most prevalent reason for self-medication tends to be a lack of access to mental healthcare.

Risks of Dual Diagnosis

Recovering from a dual diagnosis can be challenging even with professional help. 

Each condition exuberates the other which means both disorders need to be treated in parallel to ensure the patient is able to recuperate. 

Symptoms can also be more challenging to manage since depression causes drug use. 

Compared to addicts without a co-occurring disorder, those with a dual diagnosis are more likely to:

  • Have severe symptoms of depression
  • Relapse over and over again
  • Have a lower quality of life
  • Attempt to take their own life

A study showed that attempted suicide rates for addicts with depression were:

  • Twice as high as they were for addicts who developed alcoholism before depression
  • Three times as high as they are for people who only developed depression
  • Nine times as high as those who only developed an alcohol use disorder

The risk of suicide is the most troubling risk of the co-occurrence and one that can’t go ignored.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

It’s pointless to try to cure depression and addiction separately. Doing so risks that one of the conditions will cause the other again since depression causes drug use and the opposite is also true.

In order for patients to get better both co-occurring disorders like substance abuse and depression must be treated in parallel.

If you believe you or your loved one needs dual-diagnosis treatment then you must seek professional help. A dual diagnosis can be challenging for the addict and require professional expertise.

Veritas Detox offers dual-diagnosis therapy and other holistic treatments that can help addicts with mental illnesses fight the underlying causes of their problems and heal in a healthy way.

Contact Veritas Detox today and ask to speak to one of our admission professionals today!

How Meditation Can Help in Addiction Recovery

How Meditation Can Help in Addiction Recovery

There are a number of holistic practices available for addicts in recovery that can help them manage their condition.

But what are meditation and mindfulness for addiction and how does it work?

What’s Meditation and Mindfulness for Addiction?

Meditation and mindfulness are two ancient practices that are based on quieting one’s mind and being mindful or conscious of one’s thoughts. 

The practice dates back millennia and has been demonstrated to have a number of health and well-being benefits for practitioners.

Meditation and recovery are closely related as the practice has a variety of benefits for addicts that can help them combat cravings and strong emotions.

Meditation and mindfulness for addiction can help patients relax, reduce anxiety, and lower stress. 

What Are The Health Benefits of Meditation?

Although meditation and mindfulness for addiction are considered holistic practices, there has been plenty of research and scientific proof of their effects on the body. 

Electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans have shown the positive effects that meditation can have on the brain and body.

Some of the benefits of meditation and mindfulness for addiction include:

Mental Health Benefits

While meditation benefits extend beyond the mind, mental health is its main focus. 

These are some ways in which meditation and mindfulness for addiction can improve your mental health:

  • Lower anxiety and depression
  • Improve your mood
  • Reduce insomnia and improve sleep quality
  • Give increased feelings of relaxation
  • Reduce symptoms of PTSD
  • Help manage mental cravings
  • Help recover from Substance Abuse Disorders (SUD)
  • Improve mental health for terminal disease patients
  • Improve eating behaviors
  • Improved ability to think clearly and solve problems
  • Live a healthier happier mindful life

Physical & Other Health Benefits

Our minds and bodies are connected and can affect each other in both positive and negative ways. 

The effects of this link can be observed in the health decline of people with high levels of stress. Likewise, when people improve their mental health with meditation, they can also see the benefits extend to their bodies.

For example, one study showed that people with chronic pain were able to reduce pain with meditation by up to 42%. This practice and pain reduction also helped them sleep better and improve their mood.

These are some ways in which meditation and mindfulness for addiction can improve your physical health:

  • Reduce high blood pressure
  • Improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Improve Ulcerative Colitis
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Reduce depression
  • Help manage physical cravings
  • Could help manage pain

Can Meditation Help in Addiction Recovery

The short answer is yes, it can—it helps addicts cope with change and triggers, feel at ease, and avoid relapses.

Addicts and alcoholics are known to have racing thoughts, which can develop negative self-talk and increase stress levels. This is where meditation and recovery meet.

Meditation and mindfulness provide addicts with a tool to quiet their minds and become conscious of their negative self-talk. 

The ancient practices allow addicts to re-organize their thoughts and bring their focus back to a healthy mind frame.

Meditation can also be of invaluable assistance during the initial process of recovery and detoxification. 

During this time, addicts can be overly susceptive to strong mood swings which can become more manageable by employing meditative practices. 

The practice can also help addicts combat anxiety and cravings that can lead to relapse. 

Addicts can employ mindfulness each time cravings or thoughts of relapse invade their thoughts. Recovering addicts can cultivate awareness by submerging into a meditative state and clearing their heads of the thought of using again.

Holistic Recovery

When seeking recovery it’s critical to entrust your well-being to a team of professionals that will teach you or your loved ones the tools needed to stay sober well past your initial treatment. 

Attending a rehab center that offers a holistic approach to meditation and recovery can help your or your loved ones overcome your struggles with addiction.

If a loved one is experiencing addiction symptoms then it’s time to get help. 

Veritas Detox offers a holistic approach to addiction recovery. Help is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at no cost or obligation. 

Speak to one of Verita’s recovery experts, to seek the help you and your loved ones need. Contact Veritas Detox now!

What Are the Behavioral Signs of Addiction?

What Are the Behavioral Signs of Addiction?

Drugs and alcohol change our brain chemistry and therefore the way we think and act. 

While each drug has a different effect on someone’s personality, they all share a series of parallels that can be observed across the board.

Let’s dive into what are the signs of addictive behavior

Can Addiction Change Someone’s Behaviors?

It can, and it will. 

While change is not a bad thing, in this case, the change is never for the better. 

The deeper addicts fall into addiction the more likely it will be that their behaviors and personalities will be changed to the point that they might appear to be completely different people. 

Drugs and alcohol affect the chemistry of the brain by interfering with the way neurons send, receive, and princess signals. This disrupts normal functioning creating imbalances that lead to changes in behaviors and personalities. 

Essentially, drugs are retraining the brain and re-wiring it to respond differently.

Different substances will affect the brain differently and cause a variety of odd behaviors in the patient. 

For example, someone who abuses cocaine might be more prompt to act erratically or be paranoid. While marijuana users might adopt slowed-down behaviors that are more aligned with the drug’s effects.

Behavioral Signs of Addiction

Behaviors are different from drug to drug but generally, they share some parallels.

Let’s examine some of the most commonly shared signs of addictive behavior.

Obsession

Obsessive thoughts and behaviors are one of the most common indicators of addiction across the board. 

Not only is it present in patients that suffer from substance abuse, but also in other forms of addiction such as gambling.

Addiction itself can be considered an obsession in itself. This behavior is almost synonymous with what it entitles to being an addict.

Dishonesty

Indicators of addiction also include dishonesty. Not only does honesty play a role with the external world, but also in the internal. Addicts are almost always as dishonest with others as they are with themselves. 

This behavior goes hand-in-hand with addiction. So much so that exploring honesty is one of the foundations of any program of recovery. After all, accepting the problem begins with being honest with oneself.

Loss of Control

Addiction breaks down the barriers of self-will and self-control, this is why addicts can’t control their substance intake and ultimately end up hooked.

Loss of control expresses itself in many ways. Some of these indicators of addiction include:

  • Lack of control with drugs
  • The inability to abide by the law
  • Inability to control one’s emotions
  • Lack of self-awareness
  • Inability to control behaviors
  • Disregard of harm caused to themselves or others

The deeper the addict is in the addiction-hole, the more likely it is that substances will be at the driving wheel and the less likely the addict will have control over itself.

Manipulation

Addicts and alcoholics will go great lengths to sustain their habit and feed their cravings. For the most part, they will do or say anything to get them to their next fix or their next drink.

Addicts may also employ their own addiction as a way to manipulate the people around them to get what they want.

It’s important to keep in mind that while manipulating and playing with other’s emotions could sound significantly wicked, it’s not really the addict doing this, but rather their disease.

Emotional Wreckage

Strong mood swings, aggression, anxiety, and depression are all emotional red flags that a person might be addicted to drugs and alcohol.

The majority of these emotions can be present in people for various reasons, but addicts and alcoholics display them more intensely and/or in combination with each other.

Paranoia and/or Isolation

The emotions induced by strong drugs like meth, cocaine, and heroin as well as alcohol can inflict a lot of fear and “darkness” within the addict.

Fear-based emotions can lead addicts to isolation and to feel constant paranoia. Additionally, the deep sense of knowing they are doing something illegal fuels the fire of paranoia. 

These temporary emotions eventually become learned behaviors that stick around with the addict, changing their personality.

Criminal Behaviors

Not all alcoholics and addicts are criminals, but many of them do resort to crime as a means to sustain their addiction. 

When manipulation fails and money runs out, addicts could resort to taking things that are not theirs.

Unfortunately, statistics show that crime and drug consumption have a high correlation. Close to 26% of all arrests are crime related and nearly 80% of inmates reportedly abuse drugs and alcohol.

What To Do When Drugs and Alcohol Change Behaviors?

If you believe your loved one is abusing drugs and he or she has demonstrated some of the signs of addictive behavior listed above, it is important to respond appropriately and get help. 

Veritas Detox offers cognitive behavioral therapy and other holistic treatments that can help addicts re-learn positive behaviors and forget ill habits.

Contact Veritas Detox today and one of our admission experts will help you or your loved ones get the help needed to get sober.

What Types of Therapy Are Used in Drug Rehab?

What Types of Therapy Are Used in Drug Rehab?

Addiction is considered to be a mental health disorder, and as such, therapeutic practices can be employed to help patients overcome it.

The way we think has an impact and how we behave. If addicts are able to change their behaviors with therapy then they can be able to triumph over their cravings and addictive habits.

Let’s examine some of the most common types of drug rehab therapy.

What Types of Therapy Are Used in Drug Rehab

There are many types of drug rehab therapy available to treat addiction. 

An individual’s choice of addiction therapy will depend on their addiction severity, treatment history, financial ability, and other personal factors.

You can determine the right type of treatment plan for you with the help of a licensed addiction treatment professional.

Psychotherapy

This treatment category is one of the most common types of drug rehab therapy for addiction. 

Talk therapy consists of one-on-one sessions between the therapist and the patient. The report they built allows them to work through their cognitive problems.

Psychotherapy includes multiple types of therapies such as:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

One of the leading psychotherapy practices is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  

The effectiveness of this therapy has been researched extensively, demonstrating a high degree of efficacy in the treatment of addictions, anxiety, and depression.

This type of therapy examines the relationship between the patient’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and addresses them to improve their psychological well-being.

The principle behind the therapy states that our feelings, thoughts, and actions all influence our well-being. 

A CBT therapist will explore the behaviors that are negatively impacting your life and how to “un-learn” or change them. 

A variety of methods may be used by CBT therapists to unlearn negative behaviors. Breathing exercises are a helpful example of this. It is possible for therapists to change patients’ behavior by teaching them how to control their breathing.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is another leading form of psychotherapy in addiction.

An addict can explore the underlying causes of their addiction in a safe and supportive environment with the help of a professional in this type of therapy. 

Addicts often benefit from group therapy sessions because they can share their experiences, discuss challenges, and learn from each other.

Typically, sessions include six to twelve recovering addicts who meet regularly with one or two group therapists.

Family Therapy

Addiction is said to be a family disease, as it affects every member of the household and beyond. 

Family therapy is a great way to ensure the entire family heals together so potential triggers, traumas, and challenges are cleared from the path of recovery.

Family therapy helps the entire family recover from the trauma, not only healing the patient, by teaching the family how to deal with addiction in a healthy way.

This form of therapy has been shown to help addicts stay sober more often than those without it. Families can also positively influence their decision to get into treatment.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

This is one of the most common types of drug treatment in rehab because it’s often used for detox.

Medication-assisted treatment is used mainly in the process of detoxifying patients from alcohol or drugs as a means to cleanse their bodies of toxins and allow them to commence the healing process.

This treatment involves administering low-risk replacement drugs used to mask cravings and diminish withdrawal symptoms.

Medication-assisted treatment is one of the most common types of drug treatment in rehab for patients suffering from alcoholism, opioid addiction, and other drugs which could cause severe life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapy is one of the most overlooked types of drug treatment in rehab; however, it can carry enormous weight in recovery.

The holistic approach to addiction treatment encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of the addict’s health.

Instead of just treating the symptoms of addiction, holistic treatment addresses the underlying causes.

Examples of holistic types of drug treatment in rehab include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Yoga
  • Equine therapy
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • Nutrition
  • Massages

Finding the Right Types of Drug Treatment in Rehab

Finding the right types of drug treatment in rehab may feel like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. 

You don’t have to find these on your own, rehabs provide the right type of counseling to help you get the right bespoke treatment that fits your individual needs.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or alcoholism then it’s best to act swiftly and contact a rehab center right away.

At Veritas detox we offer help 24/7 and free-of-charge guidance on what kind of treatment you should receive. Contact us to speak to one of our counselors today!

Common Myths About Drug Addiction

addiciton myths, alcohol addiction myths

There is a stigma that is still associated with addiction. Many families, cultures, and social circles still treat the topic as taboo. It’s within this unspoken enigma where rumors, myths, and misconceptions around addiction could originate from.

 

It’s time to destigmatize addiction and take a look into some of the strangest myths and misconceptions about drug and alcohol addiction that are not true!

Alcohol Addiction Myths

Alcohol may be a familiar foe, yet alcoholism is plagued with distorted misconceptions. It is possible to help addicts get the help they need by dispelling myths about alcoholism and keeping them from falling into delusion.

 

Some of the most common and strangest alcohol addiction myths include:

 

1 – Drinking milk or yogurt before drinking will line up your stomach and keep you from getting drunk and throwing up:

 

False! – and weird? –  Alcohol will reach your bloodstream either way. Eating may slow down the body’s absorption time but the alcohol will eventually make its way there.

 

2 – All an alcoholic needs to stop is willpower:

 

No, no, and triple no! Alcoholism is a disease that creates physical and psychological dependence. 

 

Alcoholics, particularly those who are advanced in their condition, will need detox and professional support. Yes! Will power matters, but that’s not all there is to it.

 

3 – Alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction are the same things:

 

They are in fact, two different things. 

 

A drinker needs to develop a physical dependence to be considered an alcoholic. 

 

A problematic drinker may experience many of the negative effects of an alcoholic such as missing out on responsibilities and getting into trouble without being physically dependent on alcohol.

 

A person with alcoholism and physical dependence will have different symptoms such as withdrawals.

Myths About Drug Addiction

Unlike alcohol, drugs are not as familiar to most people. Its illicit status makes them more elusive and hence more prone to misconceptions.

 

These are some of the most common and strangest drug addiction myths:

 

1 – Doing drugs only once will turn you into an addict

 

Probably one of the most dangerous drug addiction myths out there – why? 

 

Well, let’s suppose you believe this and try drugs, or see a friend that tried them. Then, you realize you or your friend didn’t become addicted to them on the first try.

 

What’s your next thought? Ha! They lied, drugs are not addictive — I can do as many as I want. 

 

See how that can quickly turn into a serious problem?

 

While some people will be more likely to pick up addiction quicker than others, it’s highly unlikely that physical dependence will come from using only once. 

 

2 – Prescription drugs are safe

 

Nope! Prescription drugs are as addictive and harmful as illicit drugs. Take them only as prescribed and under medical supervision.

 

3 – Rehab is only for the wealthy

 

While rehab and detox may come at a cost — like other medical treatments — most of these costs can be covered with medical insurance. 

 

Financial solutions are also available for those who need them. Rehabs have financial departments that assist in such matters, it’s also free to speak with them for an admissions consultation. 

General Addiction Myths

 

1 –  Relapsing brings you back to square one

 

Relapsing is but a momentary setback, even though relapsing may reset an addict’s day count, it doesn’t mean they are back to square one. All of the knowledge and advancement the addict gathers up to that point will fast-track him or her back into recovery.

 

4 – You need to hit rock bottom to sober up

 

Gratefully, this is not true. Rock bottom may serve as a push for some addicts to humble down and seek help; however, it’s wise to avoid testing the depths of the well. 

 

Addicts don’t need to destroy their lives to get better, help is available and effective every step of the way.


 3 – Addicts are immoral

 

Addiction is non-discriminatory, addicts come from all walks of life, moral or immoral, rich or poor, educated or otherwise. Having an addiction problem does not make one immoral, criminal, or less than others. 

 

Yes, it’s true that addiction may drive some to commit crimes or make irresponsible decisions. But in essence, addiction is a mental health disorder that the sick person can’t fully control, this doesn’t make them inherently immoral.

Demystifying Addiction and Getting Help

Did we demystify any drug or alcohol addiction myths for you?

 

Demystifying addiction and normalizing help is a stepping stone to building an educated society that is better prepared to combat drug addiction and alcoholism.

 

Veritas Detox offers addiction treatment to help you or your loved ones get sober and stay that way.

 

Help is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at no cost or obligation. Speak to one of Veritas recovery experts, to seek the help you and your loved ones need. 

Contact Veritas Detox today!

What is the Role of an Alumni Recovery Program?

alumni aftercare addiction treatment

An addict who has been abusing substances for a long time may not have any sober friends or connections. This can prompt the addict to reach back to old acquaintances and fall back into addictive habits. 

 

But avoiding these situations is not always easy, as the addict may face challenges in gaining new friends in sobriety.

 

An alumni aftercare addiction treatment program can help addicts stay sober by connecting them to a wider network of practitioners, participants, and community-based activities — sober friends doing sober things.

How Does an Alumni Recovery Program Work

Alumni programs are usually offered by the rehab or detox center as a means for recovering addicts who have gone through the same program to stay connected and spend time together. 

 

They are a great way for new and former graduates to build a sense of community, gain sober friends, and participate in sober activities together. 

 

Attending an alumni aftercare addiction treatment program can empower recovering addicts to maintain their sobriety by surrounding themselves with a healthy recovery environment.

 

Alumni programs are not mandatory and non-intrusive. In fact, once recovering addicts decide to join the program, they can choose how to stay connected.

 

The programs create sober events that bring people together. The idea is to build relationships with other recovering addicts to maintain sobriety. 

 

As part of their offering, the program director usually follows up with members and makes sure everyone is doing well, as well as providing them with support or helping them overcome any hurdles.

Benefits of an Alumni Program

Alumni programs offer a wide array of benefits for addicts in recovery that go beyond just follow-up and connection. Well-structured alumni programs may help addicts with life integration and provide access to valuable resources.

 

An alumni aftercare addiction treatment program can also help addicts struggling with sobriety connect with sponsors, and mentors, or even find a safe living situation such as a sober house or community living.

 

Alumni programs also teach clients how to cope with real-life situations using healthy, positive coping mechanisms. 

 

Benefits of an alumni program include:

Community and Fellowship

One of the best benefits an alumni aftercare addiction treatment program can offer its members is the ability to connect with a sober community that offers both support and sober social events.

 

It can be extremely difficult for addicts to escape their previous habits, particularly if their circle of friends is still abusing drugs or alcohol. If addicts spend time around the wrong crowd, their chances of relapse increase exponentially.

 

By joining an alumni aftercare addiction treatment program, a recovering addict doesn’t have to feel alone in recovery.

Employment Support

Joining the workforce after recovery, particularly if the addict had a tumultuous past, is no easy task. Large gaps in the resume and potentially a history of poor performance could set back an addict. Even worse, taking the wrong job could trigger recovering addicts if they find themselves in the wrong environment.

 

Alumni programs will often help members find work and also guide them in how to re-incorporate themselves into an old job after a medical leave.

Connecting Addicts to a 12-Step Program

Finding the right 12-step program can help addicts maintain daily reprieve from their life-long disease.

 

By joining an alumni aftercare addiction treatment program, recovering addicts can be given assistance in joining and maintaining a 12-step program of recovery.

 

Help is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at no cost or obligation. Speak to one of Veritas recovery experts, to seek the help you and your loved ones need. 

Contact Veritas Detox today!

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has become one of the leading therapeutic approaches for addiction treatment.  

 

There is abundant research available demonstrating its efficacy in treating a variety of mental health problems, including addiction, anxiety, and depression.

 

But what is CBT? And how does it work?

 

Let’s look into why this form of therapy is gaining popularity in treatment centers across the world and why treatment centers are so eager to incorporate it as a key pillar of their rehabilitation program.

What is CBT and How Does It Work

CBT is a highly effective psychological treatment that works on the patient’s thought patterns and the relationship they have with feelings and behaviors.

 

The therapy is grounded on the principle that the way we think, feel, and act are all closely related and influence our well-being. 

 

Talk therapists will focus on digging into which behaviors are affecting your life negatively and how to “un-learn” them or change them. 

 

CBI therapists may employ a variety of methods to unlearn negative behavior. One example of this is using breathing exercises. By teaching a patient how to control their breathing, therapists may change the way a patient feels, thus changing their behavior.

CBT For Treating Addiction

Substance abuse is also a mental health disorder, the mindset and attitude that addicts have toward addiction have a lot to do with their destructive habits. 

While drugs and alcohol do develop physical dependence, the most challenging obstacle in overcoming addiction is psychological.

One does not need to seek too far for proof — take for example an addict who relapses after detox, or who quickly falls into addiction after many years of being sober. In both instances, the addict may have gotten over a physical dependence but not a psychological one, as the addiction remains strong within them.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in addiction seeks to resolve the psychological challenges that addicts face by changing their core attitudes and beliefs about substance abuse.

CBT focuses on finding the connections between the addict’s thoughts, feelings, actions, and substance abuse problems. By bringing these connections to the addict’s attention the therapists help them build awareness and control their impulses.

 

Some ways in which CBT can help addicts with their substance abuse problem include:

 

  • Improving self-control
  • Replacing habits that trigger substance abuse
  • Recognizing situations where they may be most likely to take drugs or drink alcohol
  • Developing coping strategies 
  • Learning to cope with other behaviors that lead to substance abuse like stress

CBT Techniques for Addictions Treatment & Habit Change

CBT teaches people how to cope with cravings by teaching them how to avoid high-risk situations and manage stress levels.

For example, someone may find themselves drinking each time they feel bored or lonely. In this case, the talk therapist may ask the patient to recognize these behaviors and work on replacing the behavior with something positive instead, like playing a sport or going out with sober friends to places where alcohol is not readily available.

 

Other CBT techniques that patients may employ in their treatment for addiction include:

 

  • Keeping a diary for self-awareness
  • Swapping negative thoughts for positive ones
  • Replacing one triggering activity with another
  • Breathing exercises
  • Scheduling times to relax and enjoy and consciously adding these activities into one’s life

CBT Therapy in Recovery

Alcohol and substance abuse disorders can be treated effectively with cognitive behavioral therapy. A person’s long-term recovery can be supported by the use of this approach on its own or in combination with other approaches. 

Now that you have a better understanding of what CBT is, you may want to find a recovery center that offers this form of therapy.

Veritas Detox offers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as part of its personalized addiction treatment program.

At Veritas we strive to help our patients get sober and stay that way.

Help is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at no cost or obligation. Speak to one of Veritas recovery experts, to seek the help you and your loved ones need. 

 

Contact Veritas Detox today!

 

What is a 12-Step Program?

12 Step Program

Frustrated with their own addictions, Bill Wilson and Robert Smith came up with a solution in 1935 that ended up helping millions of people around the world with their substance abuse problems.

Alcoholics Anonymous was born out of the encounter between these two men and became the basis for what we know today as a 12 step program for addiction.

What is a 12 Step Program for Addiction?

12 step programs consist of a group of non-professional peers who have experienced addiction. They support each other by following a program of 12 steps and 12 traditions that helps them achieve and maintain sobriety. 

In this non-professional program, attendance is free, although a small donation is usually given if the addict can afford to do so. The donation usually goes to support the facilities and pay rent.

There are as many types of 12 step programs for addiction as there are addictions. Everything from gambling to heroin.

The underlying principles of all 12 step programs are essentially the same; however, the language used in each program may vary depending on the obsession they seek to relieve.

The first step of the program is considered to be the most pivotal. It requires addicts to get honest with themselves and accept their addiction as a real condition.

The rest of the steps are a series of transformative actions. The last three steps (10,11,12) are considered to be steps of maintenance. Adherence to these steps and principles may provide the addict with a daily reprieve long after detoxing. 

What Are Different Kinds of 12-Step Groups for Addiction?

There are numerous ways in which addiction can manifest itself. In addition to substance abuse, an obsession can also be embodied in other forms of dopamine reward, such as gambling, sex, and other forms of self-indulgent behavior. 

It’s out of this that different forms of 12 step programs and other support groups have spurred.

Some of the best-known 12 step programs for addiction include – 

Why Choose a 12 Step Program for Addiction

Support groups for addiction recovery offers many benefits to addicts seeking recovery, including

  • A proven roadmap to getting sober and stay sober
  • Sponsorship
  • Continuous peer support
  • Counseling
  • Learning from the experience of others
  • Realization that the addict is not alone and his or her condition is not unique
  • Constant reminders of what it used to be like and what it’s like now
  • Helping others
  • Positive reinforcement
  • Sober friends
  • Resolving inner conflicts and getting rid of character defects
  • A safe trusting place
  • Relapse prevention
  • Spirituality

How to Find and Join a 12 Step Program for Addiction

There are a number of ways in which addicts can find 12 step meetings after they’ve identified which group is right for their condition

Organization websites

The official website of every recovery program should provide information about nearby meetings. It should be easy for you or a loved one to locate the correct website by simply searching online. Most official websites end with .org, indicating that they are non-profit organizations.

Local websites

In most cases, organization websites will redirect you to the organization’s official local website. 

For example, AA Miami-Dade is a website specific to the Miami area where addicts in recovery can find meetings local to Miami-Dade county. Another great example is AA EU – where alcoholics in recovery can find meetings in the Eurozone.

Online Meetings

As the world progresses into a digital era, so does recovery. The popularity of online meetings accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic. The need to still meet during lockdowns created a new trend for 12-step programs that has remained strong even as the world eases out of the pandemic.

Online meetings are offered at the local level and publicly listed in many of the 12-step program sites.

Online meetings can provide many benefits such as connecting with addicts from all over the world.

12-Meetings in Rehab

12-Step programs have long been a fundamental part of recovery. This has also been recognized and embraced by the private sector.

Any recovery center that does not offer some form of recovery group should raise a red flag to patients.

Veritas Detox understands the value of 12-step programs and provides patients with meetings and guidance.

Veritas checks all the boxes and excels at delivering exceptional detox treatments with 12-step programs. 

Their ultra-well-equipped rehab facility is accredited by JCAHO and employs top-notch licensed professionals. Their in-house gym, yoga classes, and gourmet meals.

Now that you know all there is to know about 12-step programs, it’s time to take action.

Come detox with us. Contact Veritas Detox today for a free consultation.

What is the Opioid Detox Timeline?

What is the Opioid Detox Timeline?

Opioid withdrawals can be life-threatening if not handled with proper medical care. Because of the severity and dangers that opioid withdrawals cause in addicts, they are usually treated in detox with medications that mimic their effects and allow the body to “come down” in a controlled way. Pharmacological drugs such as Methadone and Buprenorphine are used for these methods.

The US is currently undergoing an opioid epidemic that involves drugs such as heroin, oxycodone, codeine, and methadone. It’s estimated that close to 3 million people are battling opioid addiction in the US and nearly 16 million people worldwide.

The timeline of opioid detox commences shortly after the addict has taken the last dose and can last for up to 10 days, or longer in some cases.

Timeline of Opioid Detox

The timeline of opioid detox will be slightly different for each patient, as the length that symptoms will last is dependent on the severity of the addiction, the type of drug, and the way in which the addict consumed it.

Someone who recently picked up an Oxycodone habit will likely have milder withdrawal symptoms than someone who has been consuming heroin intravenously for an extended period.

Typically, addicts can expect to feel mild symptoms of withdrawal anywhere between eight and thirty hours after consuming their last dose progressing as time passes. Symptoms may extend for up to 10 days after the last dose is consumed, milder symptoms may stick around for longer in some cases.

During an opiate detox a patient can expect to:

  • Receive a medical examination
  • Experience withdrawal symptoms
  • Take medication for symptoms
  • Receive around-the-clock support 

24 Hours After the Last Dose

For short-acting opioids such as heroin and codeine, the discomfort will begin as early as eight to twenty-four hours after the last dose. 

If checking into a detox center, the patient can expect to receive a medical examination right away, along with receiving pharmacological opioid management for their withdrawal. 

Methadone and buprenorphine, being the preferred pharmacological option for opioid treatment, will typically be administered in this scenario to help combat the effects of withdrawal. Patients are commonly treated with small doses throughout the detox process.

The first withdrawal symptoms will be mild and progress as time passes.

Some of the first symptoms experienced include:

  • Headaches
  • Irritation
  • Anxiety and cravings
  • Body pains and aches
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Loss of appetite

Two Days After the Last Dose

This period is characterized by the beginning of withdrawal symptoms for patients that consumed long-acting opioids such as oxycodone or hydromorphone. Short-acting opioid patients will experience additional symptoms on the second day such as:

  • Sweating
  • Panic attacks 
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Diarrhea

Three to Six Days After the Last Dose

Days three to six will see the withdrawal symptoms peak for both long-acting and short-acting opioid addicts.

Additional symptoms experienced on days three to six include:

  • Cramps
  • Shivering
  • Fatigue
  • Enlarged pupils

Seven Days After the Last Dose

Patients will finally begin to see their symptoms recede a week after consuming their last dose of opiates.

While the worst may now be behind them, they will now enter a new stage where fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and depression may remain present for a longer time.

Where to Get Help

If you or a loved one is suffering from opiate addiction then you can’t overestimate the need to get help! 

Signing up for a detox program will shelter the addict from the health risks that come with opioid withdrawals, offering the protection and care of competent medical staff.

Now that you know what the detox timeline of opioids is like, it’s time to take action.

Veritas Detox offers opioid detox programs to help you or your loved ones get sober and stay that way.

Help is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at no cost or obligation. Speak to one of Veritas recovery experts, to seek the help you and your loved ones need. 

Contact Veritas Detox today!

How to Find a Comprehensive Detox Center in Southern California

How to Find a Comprehensive Detox Center in Southern California

Southern California, dubbed the “Rehab Riviera”, is the drug and alcohol rehab capital of America. People from all over the world travel to Southern California in search of recovery, often following the exposure it gets from celebrity patients that attend the riviera’s top treatment centers.

The rehab capital offers a plethora of options for addicts that can make finding the right comprehensive drug and alcohol detox center in California feel like an overwhelming task.

Nevertheless, identifying the right drug and alcohol detox in California is a crucial step in ensuring recovery gets done properly the first time around.

How to Choose the Right Drug and Alcohol Detox Center in Southern California

Where do we start?

A quick google search will easily reveal hundreds of choices for drug and alcohol detox in California, narrowing it down to the one that best fits your situation will be determined by the addict’s circumstances.

Important circumstances to consider when choosing a drug and alcohol detox in California include:

  • The degree of the addiction
  • Need for inpatient or outpatient treatment
  • Insurance
  • Financial situation
  • Addicts treatment needs

The first step in choosing an alcohol or drug detox in California is determining if the addict will need an inpatient or outpatient treatment center.

Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Detox

Inpatient detox facilities provide assistance to patients on-site 24 hours a day. Detox programs are usually offered in blocks of 72 hours, 5-days, 7-days, and 10-days, depending on the severity of the case and the type of substance being abused.

Inpatient alcohol and drug detox in California is usually best suited for those who:

  • Have moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms
  • Don’t have family support at home
  • Don’t have a home to go to
  • Don’t live in a space that’s healthy for recovery
  • Have other medical conditions
  • Have a dual-diagnosis

Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Detox

Outpatient treatments offer patients the ability to go back home while attending treatment, giving them more flexibility and costing less, without receiving attention around the clock. 

Outpatient alcohol and drug detox in California is usually best suited for those who:

  • Have mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms
  • Have a demanding job
  • Have family responsibilities 
  • Need a more economic treatment option and are not experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms

What to Look for in a Drug and Alcohol Detox Center in Southern California

Not all detox programs are created equal, and their services can range from very luxurious to more conservative offerings; however, there are a few factors that separate great treatment centers from those that don’t live up to expectations, regardless of whether their facilities may be luxurious or not.

Those factors include:

  • Outstanding and legitimate staff credentials
  • Onsite medical care
  • Program accreditation by health organizations such as JCAHO or CARF. 
  • Financing options
  • Support and 12-step programs
  • Tailored recovery solutions
  • Life integration programs
  • Comfortable spaces

Where to Look for a Detox Drug and Alcohol Detox Center in Southern California

Once you have decided what’s most important to you, then it’s time to commence the search. 

There are many sources available online that provide directories to service centers such as the federal SAMHSA treatment directory.

Rather than risk choosing the wrong drug and alcohol detox in California, which could be both costly and dangerous for the addict, it’s best to let the experts guide you.

The admissions team at Veritas Detox is prepared to help you or your loved one get the right personalized detox programs in Southern California.

Their ultra-well-equipped rehab facility is accredited by JCAHO and employs top-notch licensed professionals. Their in-house gym, yoga classes, and gourmet meals will make detox feel more like a breeze.

Get Help Today

If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction and needs drug or alcohol detox in California, then it’s time to get help!Come detox with us. Contact Veritas Detox today for a free consultation.