Showing posts with label addiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label addiction. Show all posts
3/24/17
When Parents Have a Distorted Sense of Boundaries
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterMarch 24, 2017Abuse, addiction, addiction rehab, alcohol, Bipolar, bipolar disorderNo comments
Many times abandonment issues are fused with distorted, confused, or undefined personal boundaries. We experience abandonment when parents have a distorted sense of boundaries, their boundaries and ours. They want us to like what they like, dress like they dress, and feel as they do. If we in any way express differences from our parents, or make different choices than they would, we know we run the risk of rejection.
How many of us attended colleges that our parents chose for us? How many of us married who we did or when we did because that was expected or desired by our parents? Having done what our parents expected, wanted, or demanded does not mean that it was the wrong thing to do. It just means that the decision was never totally ours. Certainly, many people do exactly what their parents don’t want them to do. Often this is an attempt to be a separate person. We choose to marry the person they would like the least, or simply choose to not attend college at all. It is not the outcome that is the issue as much as it is the decision-making process. Instead of choosing freely, we make a reactive decision based in anger.
When parents hold children responsible for what should be their responsibility, they are expecting something impossible of a child. In effect, they are telling children that they have more power than they truly have, setting them up to experience futility and inadequacy. Many times parents develop relationships with their children in which they are their friends, their peers, their equals. In doing so, they share information that is not age-appropriate for a child. Inappropriate information often creates a sense of burden, or even guilt, for children. That is not fair.
When parents are disrespectful of their children's boundaries and violate them, the message given is that they don't value the child as a person. That message becomes internalized as "I am not of value. I am not worthy." When parents don't acknowledge children's boundaries, the message they give is "You are here to meet my needs," and/or "I am more important than you," and/or "It is not okay to be your own person with individual feelings, desires, or needs." When children experience chronic abandonment with distorted boundaries, they live in fear and doubt about their worth. The greater the clarity a child has around boundaries, understanding who is responsible for what, and the greater a child's self-esteem, the more likely a child will be able to reject, rather than internalize, shameful behaviors and messages.
As children we cannot reject parents, because they are so desperately needed. Instead, we take on the burden of being wrong or bad. In doing this, we purge parents of being wrong or hurtful, which reinforces a sense of security. In essence, outer safety is purchased at the price of inner security.
What we must understand now is that our abandonment experiences and boundary violations were in no way indictments of our innate goodness and value. Instead, they revealed the flawed thinking, false beliefs, and impaired behaviors of those who hurt us. Still, the wounds were struck deep in our young hearts and minds, and the very real pain can still be felt today. The causes of our emotional injury need to be understood and accepted so we can heal. Until we do, the pain will stay with us, becoming a driving force in our adult lives.
Content Source When Parents Have a Distorted Sense of Boundaries
1/17/17
Trauma Can Lead to Eating Disorders
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterJanuary 17, 2017addiction, Depression, Mental Health, trauma, Treatment for Eating Disorders, Treatment for TraumaNo comments
Heather was raped when was she was a young adult. Her feelings of fear, rage, and powerlessness that followed became overwhelming and unmanageable. Initially, the stress she felt robbed her of her appetite; but, eventually, she began restricting her eating by choice. It gave her a sense of power over her body.
In recent years, it has become more and more apparent to researchers that people like Heather who struggle with eating disorders often also experienced trauma related to abuse. When someone experiences neglect, and/or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, they are frequently left feeling helpless and out of control.
Survivors of trauma may develop an eating disorder as a method of coping with those feelings of helplessness, and the severe anxiety and conflicting emotions that often come with them. They may adapt unhealthy eating behaviors because food intake is something they can control and the focus on food rituals helps them to mask their emotional pain.
Trauma is by far not the only factor in the development of eating disorders—personality and temperament, perfectionism, cultural and peer pressures, family expectations, and genetic and neurological factors can also contribute to the disorder—however, it is a very common one. In order for an individual to achieve long-term recovery from an eating disorder, they must address not only their unhealthy eating and body image issues but also their underlying emotional trauma.
How Does Trauma Trigger Eating Disorders?
There is so much that scientists and researchers still don’t know about the way our minds and bodies are connected. What we do know, thanks to researchers and clinicians like Dr. Peter Levine (who is also a Senior Fellow at The Meadows) is that trauma is held within the body. It cannot be released through intellectual processing alone.
Dr. Levine’s insights are based on the idea that the methods in which we, as humans, subconsciously react to threats aren’t all that different from the ways in which our fellow mammals in the wild react to threats. When animals are presented with a dangerous situation, their brains and bodies automatically produce a survival response of fight, flight, or freeze. Once the threat is gone, they release all of their survival energy through their bodies—often by shivering, sweating, crying, or yawning. Once they have released all of the pent-up energy, they resume their normal activities.
Human beings are missing the crucial, final “release” step in their fight, flight, and freeze responses. Once we experience a survival response, the energy can get “trapped” in our bodies, leading to the development of chronic disorders such as anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD. It can also lead to the development of disordered coping mechanisms, which is what often happens with addiction and eating disorders.
Not only can the trapped energy from trauma trigger the eating disorder, it can also make recovery from the eating disorder very difficult. If the energy from the trauma is not addressed and released during the course of treatment, relapse is much more likely.
Those at high risk for eating disorders because of trauma include victims of sexual abuse, particularly those who suffered at a younger age; victims or observers of domestic violence; and, those who suffer from PTSD.
Treatment for Trauma and Eating Disorders
Successful treatment for eating disorders and trauma requires a multi-disciplinary, integrated approach. Talk therapies, including group and individual counseling sessions, are important, as are coping skills training and nutritional counseling However, since trauma lives in the body as much as in the mind, it’s important to also incorporate body-based therapies including Somatic Experiencing® (SE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Yoga.
Somatic Experiencing® (SE)
Somatic experiencing is a body-awareness technique that was developed by Dr. Peter Levine. It was first introduced in his book, Waking the Tiger. With the help of a therapist, patients explore sensations in their bodies as they work to identify and regulate feelings of distress.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
In an EMDR session, a therapist uses external stimuli, like eye movements, tones or taps, to help the patient develop new insights or associations with their memories, triggers, and traumatic experiences. For example, the patient may be asked to focus on a particular memory or bodily sensation while simultaneously moving their eyes back and forth, following the therapist’s fingers as they move across the patient’s field of vision.
Yoga and Meditation
A number of mind-body therapies can aid in stress management, boost mood, and help release trauma from the body. Trauma-sensitive meditation, acupuncture, yoga, and breath work are a few examples of techniques that can be helpful in treating eating disorders and trauma as part of a larger, integrated treatment program.
If you or someone you love is struggling to maintain recovery from anorexia or bulimia, they may be experiencing underlying trauma that needs to be addressed through treatment. Remuda Ranch at The Meadows conducts a thorough assessment of all patients to help determine what, if any, trauma or co-occurring conditions might be making recovery especially difficult for them. We then develop a personalized treatment plan to help ensure progress in recovery. For more information about our programs call our intake staff at 866-390-5100 or send us an email.
1/5/17
Know with Claudia Black - Why you need to have addiction?
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterJanuary 05, 2017addiction, Addiction Rehab Centers, Addiction Treatment, Addiction Treatment Arizona, Inpatient Drug Rehab Arizona, Young Adult Addiction TreatmentNo comments
Alcohol addiction or alcoholism is defined as the obsessive and unmanageable use of alcohol regardless of its negative impact on a person’s life. Individuals suffering from alcoholism frequently drink to excess, leaving their bodies dependent on the substance and making their lives unmanageable.
As prolonged drug use continues, it can develop into treatment for drug rehab that can severely impact an individual’s brain chemistry. When the brain begins to signal an intense physical need to continue the use of drugs, what once was recreational use becomes an urge that can rule one’s life.
Alcohol and drug addiction are two addictions that have destroyed half of the young population America. Teenagers and youth think it is cool to have the intake of alcohol which is converted into addiction. It is way to destroy life. Thus, Claudia Black is Arizona Inpatient Drug Rehab Center that helps you overcome all kinds of traumas and addictions with a soothing environment. We heal patients in such a way that it lasts for the lifetime. Also, many times it may have happened that previous treatments have failed. Thus, Claudia Black Alcohol Rehab Center Az helps the patient to overpower addiction. It is the perfect solution for all kinds of addictions and disorders.
Claudia Black is one of the best young adult Addiction Treatment Centers in Arizona.
Content Source:- https://goo.gl/LbH37u
12/15/16
How do I say NO to holiday drinking?
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterDecember 15, 2016addiction, alcohol, Depression, drinking, Health Care, holiday, Treatment For Alcohol Addiction, vacationNo comments
Holidays…It’s like music to ears, but are they actually good for us? A
holiday is an excuse to abuse drinking. Holidays are not supposed to be
enjoyed by drinking. There are several activities to enjoy vacation and
alcohol intake is certainly not one of them. Alcohol could easily
become addiction if not taken care. Following are the reasons for the
addiction of alcohol:
- Stressful environment:
When one feels that atmosphere around him/her is not healthy and they
do not feel loved, they start drinking. The pressure of behaving in a
certain way, acting in a certain way during vacations leads to
alcoholism But alcohol is not the solution, talking is.Talking to
someone who is patient enough to understand you, will help you out
overcome it.
- Depression: Social life
also complicated. A race to be in the competition is necessary and many
times losing it causes depression.Things we bottle up and cannot share
with others of lack of listening ears could lead to alcoholism. That
happens because it temporarily helps you forget your problems. It is not
helpful; instead, this stops progress of your life.
- Peer pressure:
Sitting with group of friends and all forcing you to intake alcohol in
one way or other is very common. Do not hesitate to say NO even if they
consider you a loser. Looser is not the one who doesn't drink, instead
he is the one who know what is good for him and what is not.
- Family history: People with family history of alcohol should be very careful because that could easily get you.Try healthy drinks instead of alcohol because that will work towards building a healthy you. Also, the member who is addicted, give them health drink too.
12/5/16
U.S. Surgeon General Issues a Call to Action on Addiction
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterDecember 05, 2016addiction, alcohol, Depression, Drugs, integrated treatment model, Mental Health, the meadows, traumaNo comments
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s release of Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health at yesterday’s Facing Addiction Summit was an unprecedented moment in our country’s fight against addiction and substance misuse. It is the first time in history that a U.S. surgeon general has issued a report focused on drug and alcohol addiction. The report comes at a time when more and more Americans are struggling with the effects of addiction to opioids and heroin. One person dies every 19 minutes from an opioid or heroin overdose. And, the statistics related to other addictions are no less grim. One in seven people in the United States will face a substance misuse disorder, and only 10 percent will get the treatment they need to overcome it.
“We have to recognize (addiction) isn't evidence of a character flaw or a moral failing,” Murthy told USA Today. “It’s a chronic disease of the brain that deserves the same compassion that any other chronic illness does, like diabetes or heart disease.”
Treating Addiction as a Brain Disease
At The Meadows, addressing the neurological aspects of addiction alongside the social and spiritual aspects has always been a top priority. The Meadows Senior Fellow Dr. Shelley Uram often says that our approach includes both “Bottom Up” and “Top Down” therapies. To put it in the simplest of terms, the way your brain has been primed to respond to emotional triggers through your childhood experiences has an impact on the development of addictions and other behavioral health disorders.Automatic emotional responses (fear, anger, disgust, etc.,) are deeply embedded in your limbic brain—the “bottom” part of your brain—which operates subconsciously.
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11/23/16
Abusive Prescribed medicine…who thought?
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterNovember 23, 2016Abuse, addiction, Depression, Disorder, Prescription medicine abuse, trauma, Young Adults AddictionNo comments
You
either have common cold or cancer, you always rely on medicines.
Medicines have become your basic requirement. Prescribed medicine is the
most common way to treat pain. But many times it must have happened
that you depend so much on that, you are unable to let it go.It becomes
dependency and then a bad habit resulting into the destruction of
physical and mental health. The consequences of prescription medicine
abuse have been steadily worsening and young adults between the ages of
15 and 27 are broadening the abuse of prescription medicine.
Following are the abuse symptoms vary based on the class of drug:
Following are the abuse symptoms vary based on the class of drug:
Sedative abuse symptoms include:
- Drowsy, intoxicated appearance
- Confusion
- Unsteady movements
- Rapid, involuntary eye movement
- Poor judgment and decision-making
Stimulant abuse symptoms include:
- Extreme agitation
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Elevated body temperature
- Seizures
- Heart failure
- Increased hostility
- Paranoia
- Insomnia
- Weight loss
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11/16/16
Eliminate Your Fears and Doubts about Drug Addiction
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterNovember 16, 2016addiction, Addiction Treatment, Alcohol addiction, Codependency, Disorder and depression, Drug addiction, Gaming addiction, Prescription medicine abuse, trauma, Young Adult addiction Center1 comment
Have you ever had any kind of addiction, say drug addiction or alcohol or smoking habit? Ever thought how badly it could affect you and your family. You must think initially it seems cool but slowly and gradually it has dominated your daily routine. Habits and addictions should be something that you should be proud of, that you could off to people, not something that leaves you embarrassed in front of people. Few below mentioned are the addictions that could prove harmful to your mental peace as well as emotional peace:
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Alcohol addiction
-
Drug addiction
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Gaming addiction
-
Prescription medicine abuse
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Codependency
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Trauma
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Disorder and depression
Claudia
Black Young adult center
is an Addiction Treatment Center In Arizona that helps you overcome any kind
of addiction that has dominated your lives. It is spread across 14
acres 50 miles northwest of Phoenix, Wickenburg, Arizona. It is
perfect place for recovery due to its landscape and view. Here, we
have various kinds of therapies and treatments like:
Equine Therapy : Here we teach patients following things: - How to communicate with someone and interact with them with confidence.
- How to overcome your emotion and do not let the dominate you.
- How to be more positive about various things in life and how to keep hope.
- How to solve the problem rather that complaining about it.
- Acupuncture to ease pain and relieve stress
- Mindful meditation for non-judgmental experience
- Tai Chi and Yoga helps reduce stress and healing the mind and spirit.
Family Week Program : Family week program happens at 4th or 5th week of patient stay where family members are get together and counseling session is organized.
Small Group Sessions : Our small group session includes following :
- How to create long-term friendships and how to maintain them for lifetime
- Improves self-awareness…keeping own self-aware about physical and mental status
- Highlights the need for change which is must to keep up with the society.
It’s
just one time investment and return for life.
11/4/16
Free Flight!
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterNovember 04, 2016addiction, Addiction Treatment, inpatient treatment, trauma treatmentNo comments
Details on the Free Flight Offer
Admission must occur between November 1 and November 30, 2016.
Offer is available for a one-way airline ticket for the patient to fly to Phoenix, AZ for inpatient treatment.
Flight arrangements will be made through our corporate travel agent as coordinated by The Meadows Intake Department and are not to exceed $1,200.
There is no monetary value to this offer.
Return flight arrangements are the patient’s responsibility.
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10/25/16
Addiction and Eating Disorders Often Linked in Young Adults
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterOctober 25, 2016addiction, alcohol, Drugs, eating disorder, eating disorder programs, Health, Health CareNo comments
In a recently published Recovery Campus magazine article, Remuda Ranch at The Meadows Senior Fellow Jessica Setnick takes a closer look at the Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) eating disorder program at Texas Tech University. It is one of the first communities of its kind to recognize the need for eating disorder support services among students who are also struggling with drug or alcohol addiction
“Reports from eating disorder treatment facilities suggest that up to half of all individuals in recovery from eating disorders also have a substance use disorder. Some individuals develop an addiction to stimulants or diet pills by way of an unhealthy desire to manage weight or control appetite. Others experience dysfunctional overeating or undereating as an inadvertent replacement behavior for drug or alcohol use.”
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10/20/16
Becoming Fearless with the Help of Al-Anon
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterOctober 20, 2016addiction, Addiction Treatment, Anxiety, anxiety treatment recovery, Health, Health Care, Mental HealthNo comments
By the Mother of a Past Claudia Black - Young Adult Drug Treatment PatientAs my daughter does her recovery work from drug and alcohol addiction and anxiety, I too work my recovery through Al-Anon.
I won’t go into details of how my daughter and I both came to this point because I’m guessing many of you are already familiar with the scenario— failing grades, arrests, court appearances, isolation, detachment, and on and on.
I spent many fear-filled nights of insanity sleeping with my phone next to me waiting for that call parents fear most… Was she in jail again? Was she in an accident? Did she overdose? Was she dead? I received one of those calls. My daughter was in such a bad place that she couldn’t even finish her last semester of college.
I won’t go into details of how my daughter and I both came to this point because I’m guessing many of you are already familiar with the scenario— failing grades, arrests, court appearances, isolation, detachment, and on and on.
I spent many fear-filled nights of insanity sleeping with my phone next to me waiting for that call parents fear most… Was she in jail again? Was she in an accident? Did she overdose? Was she dead? I received one of those calls. My daughter was in such a bad place that she couldn’t even finish her last semester of college.
I left the intervention feeling defeated and numb. What now? As hard as it was, I tried tough love and cut her cell phone service off and thus lost total communication with her. However, she still had our family dog, Bailey, at the rental house.
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9/12/16
College-Age Suicides Escalate
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterSeptember 12, 2016Abuse, addiction, ADHD, alcohol, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Disorder, Drugs, Health, Health Care, Inpatient, Mental Health, Prescription, Rehab, Young AdultsNo comments
Untreated Depression Costs Lives
Each new day brings rays of sunshine that invite life’s pleasures – the enticing scent of freshly brewed coffee; the warmth of embracing young children as they scurry off to school; or savoring simple bowls of delightful berries in all of its sweetness.
Unfortunately, life’s splendors are no longer in reach for suicide victims. There are no more tomorrows and no options to change course. No more laughter. No more aha moments. No more tender hugs from loved ones. Nothing can reverse the loss of a life to suicide. It’s finite. Over. There are no second chances.
Unfortunately, suicides on college campuses have been accelerating at an alarming rate. Paul Soutter, a sophomore at the College of William & Mary, recently took his own life. A once high-achieving young man, his death has brought increased attention to this epidemic of sorts. His death will forever leave a mark on his family, friends, teachers, and everyone else who knew this young individual who was once so full of life. This was the fourth student death at the college this year.
Full Article Here: Claudia Black Center Blog
9/4/16
The Real Impact of Rape Culture and Sexual Trauma
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterSeptember 04, 2016addiction, Addiction Rehab Centers, Addiction Treatment, emotional trauma, PTSD, rape, recovery, sexual assaultNo comments
When bystanders pulled Stanford
University swimmer and Olympic hopeful Brock Turner away from the woman
he was sexually assaulting behind a fraternity house dumpster, he laughed.
When the judge in the resulting sexual assault trial handed down a sentence much more lenient than the recommended six years of jail time, citing the “severe impact” he feared a harsher sentence may have on the 20-year-old, many felt that he might as well have laughed.
When the judge in the resulting sexual assault trial handed down a sentence much more lenient than the recommended six years of jail time, citing the “severe impact” he feared a harsher sentence may have on the 20-year-old, many felt that he might as well have laughed.
Both reactions to Turner’s crime make
light of the traumatic and often devastating impact that rape and sexual
assault has on its victims. The Brock Turner case opened up many
fraught and painful discussions about rape culture and the way that
society tends to blame victims of sexual assault and normalize sexual
violence.
Many of those same wounds are being reopened this week with the news that Turner will be released from jail after serving only 3 months of a 6 months sentence. The news is not surprising—most expected him to only serve part of his sentence on a presumption of good behavior—but, for many, it’s serving as an unwanted reminder of their own sexual traumas and the ways in which their pain was silenced, ridiculed, or ignored.
People can develop PTSD after any number of horrific events including combat, car accidents, and life-threatening injuries, but rape victims have been found to be more likely to struggle with long-term psychological and physiological issues. They also have a higher risk of developing PTSD and related disorders.
In addition to PTSD, women who were raped have also been found to be more likely to suffer from sexual dysfunction, pain during intercourse, menstrual problems, and inhibited arousal.
Cortisol, a hormone that is released in times of stress, was reported in a 2011 study to be found at higher levels in rape victims than in those of people otherwise traumatized.
The exact reason is unknown, but some researchers believe that it could be that the physical closeness of rape prompts the body to respond differently to rape and sexual assault than it does to other types of trauma.
Another possibility is that rape victims’ levels of cortisol are elevated due to the level of shame they experience—shame has been found in some studies to be linked to higher levels of cortisol. If the shame theory holds true, it further illustrates the importance of changing the way we treat rape and sexual assault victims as a society.
More must be done to help lift the burden of shame from both male and female victims of sexual assault, and raise awareness about treatment options for PTSD and other mental health issues that often result from the emotional trauma of sexual assault.
If you’d like to talk to us about treatment options for sexual trauma and related disorders, please give us a call at 866-286-0105. Our specialists are glad to answer any questions you may have and understand the importance of keeping your call strictly confidential.
Reference Source: Addiction Rehab Centers in Arizona
Many of those same wounds are being reopened this week with the news that Turner will be released from jail after serving only 3 months of a 6 months sentence. The news is not surprising—most expected him to only serve part of his sentence on a presumption of good behavior—but, for many, it’s serving as an unwanted reminder of their own sexual traumas and the ways in which their pain was silenced, ridiculed, or ignored.
The Long-Lasting Impact of Sexual Assault
Researchers aren’t sure why, but rape seems to have a more severe impact on a person than other types of trauma. It’s normal to feel some symptoms of traumatic stress for a few weeks after any experience with violence. Those who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), however, can continue to experience problems with sleeping, nightmares, panic, severe anxiety and depression that last for months or years. As time goes on, if the person does not receive Treatment for the Disorder, the symptoms can get worse and worse, and even become debilitating.People can develop PTSD after any number of horrific events including combat, car accidents, and life-threatening injuries, but rape victims have been found to be more likely to struggle with long-term psychological and physiological issues. They also have a higher risk of developing PTSD and related disorders.
In addition to PTSD, women who were raped have also been found to be more likely to suffer from sexual dysfunction, pain during intercourse, menstrual problems, and inhibited arousal.
Why Does Rape Have a Stronger Impact Than Other Types of Trauma?
Though no one has yet been able to determine the reason why rape has such a heightened traumatic impact, some theorize that both brain chemistry and rape culture play a role.Cortisol, a hormone that is released in times of stress, was reported in a 2011 study to be found at higher levels in rape victims than in those of people otherwise traumatized.
The exact reason is unknown, but some researchers believe that it could be that the physical closeness of rape prompts the body to respond differently to rape and sexual assault than it does to other types of trauma.
Another possibility is that rape victims’ levels of cortisol are elevated due to the level of shame they experience—shame has been found in some studies to be linked to higher levels of cortisol. If the shame theory holds true, it further illustrates the importance of changing the way we treat rape and sexual assault victims as a society.
Recovery from Rape and Sexual Trauma
Many women who are traumatized by rape experience a secondary traumatization through the harsh scrutiny, blaming, and shaming they receive from law enforcement, family, peers, and others are often reluctant to ask for any further help. Men who are raped or sexually assaulted may be even more unlikely to report the crime or ask for help from the resulting trauma, due to stigmas related to men, sex, and powerlessness.More must be done to help lift the burden of shame from both male and female victims of sexual assault, and raise awareness about treatment options for PTSD and other mental health issues that often result from the emotional trauma of sexual assault.
If you’d like to talk to us about treatment options for sexual trauma and related disorders, please give us a call at 866-286-0105. Our specialists are glad to answer any questions you may have and understand the importance of keeping your call strictly confidential.
Reference Source: Addiction Rehab Centers in Arizona
8/29/16
Marijuana Addiction is No Joke
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterAugust 29, 2016addiction, Addiction Rehab Centers, Addiction Treatment, Addiction Treatment Arizona, Depression Rehab, Depression Rehab Az, Depression TreatmentNo comments
Can a person really become addicted to marijuana?
You never hear of any dying from daily pot use. You certainly don’t hear
about it in the same way you hear about deaths and other tragedies
caused by alcohol and other “harder” drugs. And, there are some serious
medical conditions for which marijuana is now believed to be an
effective treatment. Additionally, the movement to legalize marijuana
seems to be growing—25 states have legalized medical marijuana, while
four states plus Washington, D.C. have gone even further and legalized
recreational use of pot.
So, what’s the big deal?
So, what’s the big deal?
Well…The big deal is that like any substance or activity that has
the ability to alter your mood or neurological responses, marijuana can
be addictive. And, like all other addictions, it can have a devastating
impact on your life.
Among the many excellent pointsMolly makes in her essay, her point about the need for a discussion around marijuana and addiction really hits home. The low rate of fatalities directly related to marijuana use, as opposed to heroin or alcohol use, for example, may have contributed to a general societal complacency around Marijuana addiction.
It’s important to note that even though weed may not be as fatal, statistically speaking, as heroin or alcohol, depression is often co-occurring condition that goes along with marijuana addiction. And, withdrawal from marijuana can exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many people—like “Jake” who wrote a letter to Scientific American in 2012 describing his marijuana addiction—often end up having suicidal thoughts.
This means that the drug can, in a way, be indirectly tied to some fatalities. The drug may not be directly responsible for deaths related to suicide, but it certainly doesn’t help to prevent them. Here’s how Jake describes his experience:
“Over time, the proportion of high time to clean time became steadily more heavy on the high side. I went through several periods of suicidally. During my last six months of use the possible necessity to kill myself always seemed just a week or two away. My plan while I was at school was to jump off of a nearby parking garage. At home, I would use my dad's shotgun to shoot myself in the head. I didn't want to feel what I felt when I wasn't high. Luckily, I always got high before I was ready to actually kill myself.”
1. CravingPeople who are addicted to pot often think that they aren’t "really addicted" if they don't smoke it every day. While it’s true that marijuana addicts can go a few days between smoking again before they suffer any symptoms, it’s important to note that that’s because the chemicals in marijuana can stay in a person’s system for days. Once all of those chemicals are out of their system, subtle but serious withdrawal symptoms can start to set in. The first sign is a craving powerful enough to drive the addict to use the drug again.
2. Irritability and DepressionPeople who are addicted to marijuana find themselves becoming increasingly irritable and depressed if they go many hours without another hit. Often they don’t recognize the connection between their mood changes and the drug. After several days without the drug addicts can begin to develop severe depression accompanied by frequent crying spells. Many in recovery from marijuana addiction say the experienced a rapid and immense drop in self-confidence and self-esteem along with intense feelings of worthless and anxiety. Some even developed suicidal thoughts.
3. Loss of Ambition
While some pot users may continue to function at their jobs and their personal lives, addicts may end up accomplishing a lot less than would if they were not addicted to the drug. People who were once active and ambitious may stop participating in work, school or social functions, and lower their ambitions or drop them altogether.
4. Physical Changes
Withdrawal from marijuana can also include physical symptoms like nausea and loss of appetite. People in withdrawal often also report having sleep disturbances and nightmares that can continue over a period of months.
So, it’s especially important for those who fear that they may be dependent on pot to know that they are not alone - many people struggle with this particular drug in the same ways that they do. They are not imagining things—marijuana addiction is real and it can be treated. And, They are not weak - anyone can become addicted to marijuana.
If the addiction is severe and is accompanied by other disorders such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder—and it often is— inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment may be needed. If so, look for a program that provides treatments that can begin to heal both the emotional and neurological aspects of addiction through trauma work, experiential therapies like equine therapy and art therapy, and brain-based therapies like biofeedback and neuro feedback.
Our specialists at The Meadows would be happy to answer any questions you might have about addiction treatment. Please call us anytime at 800-244-4949 or chat with us through our website.
Reference Source: Addiction Treatment Center In Arizona
Nowhere to Turn
When people do start to feel that their marijuana use is interfering with their lives and relationships in a negative way, they often have trouble asking for and getting the support they need. Molly Hankins, in a personal essay for Nylon magazine, put it like this: “Being a junkie or an alcoholic who turns themselves over to a 12-step program, the sober lifestyle, God, whatever, registers at the David Bowie end of the addiction spectrum. Being addicted to weed barely registers as laughable and there’s no one in my life I feel comfortable talking to about it. As the era of marijuana prohibition in this country seems to finally be coming to an end, what is the popular discussion surrounding appropriate use? How much is too much? How do I stop if I want to but can’t?Among the many excellent pointsMolly makes in her essay, her point about the need for a discussion around marijuana and addiction really hits home. The low rate of fatalities directly related to marijuana use, as opposed to heroin or alcohol use, for example, may have contributed to a general societal complacency around Marijuana addiction.
It’s important to note that even though weed may not be as fatal, statistically speaking, as heroin or alcohol, depression is often co-occurring condition that goes along with marijuana addiction. And, withdrawal from marijuana can exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many people—like “Jake” who wrote a letter to Scientific American in 2012 describing his marijuana addiction—often end up having suicidal thoughts.
This means that the drug can, in a way, be indirectly tied to some fatalities. The drug may not be directly responsible for deaths related to suicide, but it certainly doesn’t help to prevent them. Here’s how Jake describes his experience:
“Over time, the proportion of high time to clean time became steadily more heavy on the high side. I went through several periods of suicidally. During my last six months of use the possible necessity to kill myself always seemed just a week or two away. My plan while I was at school was to jump off of a nearby parking garage. At home, I would use my dad's shotgun to shoot myself in the head. I didn't want to feel what I felt when I wasn't high. Luckily, I always got high before I was ready to actually kill myself.”
How Much is Too Much?
For those who become addicted to marijuana, "recreational use" of the drug slowly stops being fun or relaxing. The need to smoke in order to cope with life’s ups and downs and the need to hide how much you’re smoking (or ingesting) from others can have the same isolating and disruptive effects on a person’s life as any other addiction. Here are a few of the signs that someone may be dependent on the drug:1. CravingPeople who are addicted to pot often think that they aren’t "really addicted" if they don't smoke it every day. While it’s true that marijuana addicts can go a few days between smoking again before they suffer any symptoms, it’s important to note that that’s because the chemicals in marijuana can stay in a person’s system for days. Once all of those chemicals are out of their system, subtle but serious withdrawal symptoms can start to set in. The first sign is a craving powerful enough to drive the addict to use the drug again.
2. Irritability and DepressionPeople who are addicted to marijuana find themselves becoming increasingly irritable and depressed if they go many hours without another hit. Often they don’t recognize the connection between their mood changes and the drug. After several days without the drug addicts can begin to develop severe depression accompanied by frequent crying spells. Many in recovery from marijuana addiction say the experienced a rapid and immense drop in self-confidence and self-esteem along with intense feelings of worthless and anxiety. Some even developed suicidal thoughts.
3. Loss of Ambition
While some pot users may continue to function at their jobs and their personal lives, addicts may end up accomplishing a lot less than would if they were not addicted to the drug. People who were once active and ambitious may stop participating in work, school or social functions, and lower their ambitions or drop them altogether.
4. Physical Changes
Withdrawal from marijuana can also include physical symptoms like nausea and loss of appetite. People in withdrawal often also report having sleep disturbances and nightmares that can continue over a period of months.
How Do I Stop If I Want To But Can’t?
Many people with addiction and substance use problems are afraid to ask for help because of the stigma associated with the disorder. This can especially be true for those struggling with marijuana addiction. Since many harbor the belief that marijuana is a completely harmless drug, many addicts might assume that their friends and or family members will dismiss their concerns, especially if they are marijuana users too who don’t feel that they have experienced any ill effects from the drug.So, it’s especially important for those who fear that they may be dependent on pot to know that they are not alone - many people struggle with this particular drug in the same ways that they do. They are not imagining things—marijuana addiction is real and it can be treated. And, They are not weak - anyone can become addicted to marijuana.
Help for Marijuana Addiction
If you think that you or a loved might have a problem with marijuana, reach out for help from a therapist and a local Marijuana Anonymous (MA) group.If the addiction is severe and is accompanied by other disorders such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder—and it often is— inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment may be needed. If so, look for a program that provides treatments that can begin to heal both the emotional and neurological aspects of addiction through trauma work, experiential therapies like equine therapy and art therapy, and brain-based therapies like biofeedback and neuro feedback.
Our specialists at The Meadows would be happy to answer any questions you might have about addiction treatment. Please call us anytime at 800-244-4949 or chat with us through our website.
Reference Source: Addiction Treatment Center In Arizona
8/18/16
Looking for ‘The One?’ First, Look Into Your Trauma
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterAugust 18, 2016addiction, Addiction Treatment, Depression Rehab, Depression Treatment, Drug Addiction Treatment, Mental Health, Treatment Centers, Young Adult Addiction TreatmentNo comments
There seems to be
an assumption these days that people in their 20s are all caught up in
“hookup” culture. Supposedly, young adults are not at all interested in
committed relationships and use dating apps like Tinder only to have a
series of casual, no-strings-attached, sexual encounters.
But, according to Sean Rad, the CEO of
Tinder himself, roughly 80 percent of those who use the Tinder app say
that they are looking for a long-term relationship. These days, many of
us even know couples who met through Tinder or one of the many other
dating apps and websites that are currently available.
No matter how you found your partner,
maintaining a healthy relationship in the long-term requires a high
level of emotional maturity. Both people in the relationship need to
have the ability to express their thoughts and feelings appropriately,
accept life’s many ups and downs, and take full responsibility for their
decisions and actions.
Unfortunately, Emotional Trauma
from a person’s past can interfere with their ability to grow on an
emotional level and function well in an intimate relationship. Those
with unresolved trauma tend to experience super-charged emotions,
escalate seemingly trivial issues, and make effective communication seem
impossible. They may also struggle with Depression, addiction, and a whole host of additional mental health issues.
So, when you first meet someone and are
caught up in the giddy, exciting, and dream-like state of new love, how
can you know if you might be headed for a disaster?
There are signs you can look for in your
partner and in yourself that may indicate that some emotional growth—and
possibly therapy or treatment—are needed in order to build a strong and
satisfying long-term commitment.
What to Look for In a Relationship
In a truly committed relationship, the
effects of unaddressed emotional trauma are not one person’s problem to
solve. What affects one partner affects the other and has an overall
impact on the relationship. Unresolved emotional trauma can commonly
turn up in a relationship in these ways:
- Very strong emotional reactions to common relationship issues.
- All disagreements, no matter how minor, tend to be fueled by intense emotion.
- Tendency to withdrawal, or behave in a distant, unresponsive manner.
- Avoidance of conflict and inability to discuss issues.
- Assumptions that the partner is acting against them when they are not.
- Constant doubt about the partner’s love and commitment.
- Difficulty accepting love, in spite of constant reassurance.
Pia Mellody’s Model (a.k.a. The Meadows’
Model) of Developmental Immaturity provides a framework for recognizing
and understanding the impact of childhood trauma on a person’s ability
to connect with others. The model looks at whether the person
experiences appropriate levels of self-esteem, sets healthy boundaries
with others, owns their own reality, understands their needs and wants,
and expresses themselves appropriately.
Take a look at the chart below and ask yourself:
- Which areas does my partner do well in?
- Which areas does my partner struggle in?
- Which areas do I do well in?
- Which areas do I struggle in?
Once it becomes clear that your
relationship is being negatively impacted by emotional trauma—yours,
your partner’s, or both—reach out for help. Progress can be made through
a combination of individual therapy sessions and couple’s therapy
sessions. An inpatient or outpatient treatment program may even be
necessary for one or both of you depending on the severity of your
issues and behaviors.
Can Your Relationship Be Saved?
Many people don’t even realize they’ve
had traumatic experiences or recognize painful events from their pasts
as “trauma.” Trauma-informed therapy and trauma-informed treatment
programs can help individuals and couples begin to identify their hidden
pain and see how it still affects them and their relationships.
Trauma-focused therapy also helps couples to better understand one
another by sharing their individual personal histories and teaching them
how to process and express their thoughts and emotions in healthier and
more productive ways.
But, trauma work isn’t just for couples.
If you’re currently single, now is the perfect time to focus on yourself
and develop the communication skills and self-knowledge that will help
you start any relationship—whether it’s with a spouse or partner,
friend, family member, or employer—on the right foot. You can build a
better future for yourself and those you love.
Call us for more information on how you can get started. 800-244-4949. Or send us an email.
5/31/16
11 Signs Your Young Adult May Need Help
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterMay 31, 2016Abuse, addiction, ADHD, alcohol, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Disorder, Drugs, Health, Health Care, Inpatient, Mental Health, Prescription, Rehab, Young AdultsNo comments
Do you sometimes feel that you no longer recognize the child that you raised? When you look at your young adult, do you find yourself asking,"Who is this person?" Do you feel "crazy," "lost," or “at your wits end?” Have you lost all hope?
Maybe this is where hope begins.
Dramatic personality changes often occur due to trauma, drug addiction treatment, mental health issues, or some combination. Oftentimes, as families, we struggle to identify what is "normal" and what are red flags.
Here are some warning signs, questions you should ask yourself, and questions you may already be asking yourself that might help you to decide whether or not to get help. The more red flags you identify the greater the urgency…
1. Emotional Extremes
Ask yourself, "Am I walking on egg shells?"
Has your young adult begun showing extreme emotions in any of the following areas?
• Extreme Anger
Raging or fighting. Reactivity when they are told “no.”
• Extreme Anxiety
Especially during everyday activities that once brought about no fear.
• Extreme Euphoria
Laughing for no apparent reason, or at inappropriate times.
• Extreme Lack of Emotion
Or, a vacillation between emotional extremes.
2. Physical Change
Are you saying to yourself, "They look different?"
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
Have you noticed a lack of appetite, them showing little no interest in food or restricting themselves from eating? Have they begun to overeat or eat in response to emotion and not from actual hunger?
• Changes in personal hygiene
Has the young adult lost interest in their personal appearance, stopped bathing, stopped brushing his or her teeth, or failed to seek medical assistance when needed? Do they no longer clean their clothes or keep a clean living space? Or, to the opposite extreme, have they become obsessive about cleanliness or about looking and being perfect?
3. Withdrawing or isolation:
Are you asking yourself, "What are they up to?"
• Have they begun to disregard family time, no longer showing up to dinners, holidays, or special events?
• Have you begun to notice excessive time in their room, with "friends", on their phone, or other technology?
• Do they not answer when you call or "never see" the text message?
4. Dishonesty
Ask yourself, "Can I trust them?"
• Do you get the sense that you are being manipulated, lied to, or deceived?
• Do you feel they contact you only to get something?
• Do they answer every question with a question, biding their time?
• Do they appear to have an excuse for everything?
• Are they using phrases like, "I am fine," "It's ok," when it is obvious they are not?
5. Poor work or school performance
Are you saying to yourself, "Has there been any progression?"
• Is the young adult constantly blaming coworkers, teachers or others for their own short comings?
• Has the individual been unable to hold a job for more than six months?
• Has the young adult dropped classes or been placed on academic probation?
• Have they been suspended or expelled for dysfunctional behavior?
6. Legal problems
Have you had to ask, "Do we need to get a lawyer?"
• Has the young adult found him or herself in the jail system due to DUI, fighting, theft, minor in possession, drugs, or paraphernalia?
• Have allegations of sexual or physical assault been discussed?
7. Self Harm
Have you ever thought to yourself, "How did that happen?"
• Does the person in question have unexplained cuts, scratches, bruises, or abrasions?
• Are they wearing clothing that appears inappropriate to the season, perhaps to cover markings?
• Do they explain away cuts bruises or burns that appear in inappropriate places or in distinct patterns?
8. Suicidal or Homicidal Threats or Behaviors Have you asked yourself, "Are they serious?"
• Does the young adult make threats of harm to themselves or others?
• Do they talk about having a fantasy of harming to others?
• Have you found violent materials in their room, or on their computer, phone, etc?
• Do they have a fascination with weapons or death?
• Have they harmed animals?
• Do they struggle with self harm?
9. Paraphernalia
Have you ever asked, "What is this?"
• Have you recently found sexual paraphernalia such as pornography, condoms, or fetish objects?
• Do they have applications on their phone for "hooking up"?
• Do they have drug paraphernalia such as pipes, needles, or pill bottles?
• Are you discovering items out of place or in excess, such as tin foil, spoons, or baggies?
• Have you noticed household items gone missing or being purchased in excess such aerosol cans or over-the-counter medications?
10. Social Change
Have you looked at your young adult and asked, "What are you doing?"
• Have they changed their group of friends? Perhaps begun a romantic relationship and left their friends behind?
• Do they no longer find pleasure in the things they once enjoyed?
• Are they acting chronically younger than their actual age?
• Have they failed to "grow up"?
11. Financial Instability
Are you asking, "Where did all the money go?"
• Do they have creditors calling?
• Are they always asking for more money? Do they offer vague explanations on why?
• Have they taken money without asking?
• Is there entitlement to spending money?
• Do they appear to always need more?
Help Is Available
We encourage you as parents and loved ones to trust you instinct. Even if you are uncertain about red flags, but you know something is wrong, seek help.
It can never be too soon, but it can be too late.
You can speak with an Intake coordinator at The Claudia Black Center on the phone or online anytime. Call 855.333.6075 or Chat Live online.
- See more at: 11 Signs Your Young Adult May Need Help
5/1/16
Claudia Black to Present at Young Adult Conference
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterMay 01, 2016Abuse, addiction, ADHD, alcohol, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Disorder, Drugs, Health, Health Care, Inpatient, Mental Health, Prescription, Rehab, Young AdultsNo comments
The Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows is proud to serve as a co-host of Ben Franklin Institute’s Young Adult: Failure to Launch Conference, which takes place October 29 – 31 in Tempe, Arizona.
The conference offers advanced clinical training for therapists and counselors. Nineteen continuing education credits (CE’s) are available to those who attend.
The conference will feature the top faculty, authors, and thought leaders in the field of mental health and the issues that affect today’s young adults. Topics will include understanding young adults that get stuck; engaging with difficult clients; treating addiction and trauma in the young adult; intervention strategies for addressing marijuana use; trauma and eating disorders; young adults, sex and the Internet; Positive Psychology and the young adult; and many more.
On Thursday, Oct. 29, Claudia Black, PhD, will give a keynote address on “Addiction and Trauma: Complexity of Treating the Young Adult.” During the 1970s, Dr. Black gave “voice” to both young and adult children from addictive homes. This cutting edge work was critical in creating the foundation for the co-dependency field and a greater understanding of the impact of family trauma. She is a Senior Fellow and Clinical Architect for the Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows.
Also on Thursday, Oct. 29, Leanne Lemire, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director of The Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows, will give a presentation on “Honoring the Survivor Within.” Lemire’s specialty focus is with trauma resolution, addictive disorder, and complex psychiatric disorders among young adults. Her training includes Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing®, Ropes Challenge Course, Gestalt Therapy, and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Ben Franklin Institute, the producer of The Summit for Clinical Excellence Conference, is the premier provider of continuing education for behavioral health, mental health, and addiction professionals. They bring together the best and brightest trainers from many disciplines to offer broader perspectives and to help therapists and counselors to better address the issues that their clients are facing day-to-day.
Behavioral health professionals can register online for the conference at www.bfisummit.com.
-See more at:- Claudia Black to Present at Young Adult Conference
4/4/16
August 31 is International verdose Awareness Day
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterApril 04, 2016Abuse, addiction, ADHD, alcohol, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Disorder, Drugs, Health, Health Care, Inpatient, Mental Health, Prescription, Rehab, Young AdultsNo comments
According to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention deaths caused by drug overdose are on the rise. Deaths of women who overdosed on benzodiazepines have risen a staggering 640 percent over the last 12 years, while deaths for both men and women from prescription drug overdose have risen 340 percent.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31st each year. It aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.
You can pay tribute to friends and loved ones who have been affected by a fatal overdose on the IOAD’s Tribute page. And, you can help prevent overdose deaths by sharing the warning signs with friends and family.
Overdose Warning Signs
Signs of a drug overdose can vary from person to person. But, here are a few common symptoms:
- Problems with vital signs (temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate,blood pressure)
- Sleepiness, confusion, and coma
- Skin that is cool and sweaty, or hot and dry.
- Chest pain and/or shortness of breath. Breathing may get rapid, slow, deep, or shallow.
- Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea .Vomiting blood, or blood in bowel movements, can be life-threatening.
Get Help Before It'S Too Late
If you suspect someone is experiencing a drug overdose, call 911 immediately. If you can, gather any prescription bottles and/or chemical containers that you suspect the person may have taken and bring them to the emergency room doctor.
Overdose tragedies are preventable. Many addicts have experienced at least one non-fatal overdose in the course of their addiction; sometimes it is the event that leads them into recovery. But, if you or a loved one has been experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol, we urge you not to wait for a catastrophic, and possibly fatal, overdose to occur. The Claudia Black Center has Intake counselors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call and let us help you find a recovery program that’s right for you.
3/1/16
Wings of Hope
By The Claudia Black Young Adult CenterMarch 01, 2016Abuse, addiction, ADHD, alcohol, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Disorder, Drugs, Health, Health Care, Inpatient, Mental Health, Prescription, Rehab, Young AdultsNo comments
We understand how tough making the decision to seek treatment can be for those struggling with trauma, addiction or mental health issues. We want to help recovery take wings, so we’re offering to cover airfare for individuals admitting to inpatient treatment at any of The Meadows programs: The Meadows, the Claudia Black Center for Young Adults, and Gentle Path at The Meadows.
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Admission must occur between July 20, 2015 and August 31, 2015.
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Offer is available for a one-way airline ticket to treatment. Cost not to exceed $1,200.
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Flight arrangement will be made through our corporate travel agent and coordinated by our Intake department.
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There is no monetary value to this offer.