Every time I am asked to share my personal story/experience, I feel it changes a bit. Although I am sure I only have one life, the reason for this is that thanks to this process called ‘being in recovery,’ we keep evolving on a personal development level, every day a bit more. “Recovery is not …
Drug and alcohol treatment providers offer various types and stages of care. Frequently, individuals struggling with addiction benefit from a continuum of care with graduated stages of structure and support. Some, however, do well with only primary care consisting of inpatient treatment or rehab, while others, who need more support and a longer recovery period, …
THE NEED FOR SECONDARY CARE: STOP USING IS NOT ENOUGH Read More »
There are many different forms of Addiction as it is a complex disease, but nearly a century of scientific study has helped researchers come to a deeper understanding of how it works. This research has culminated in an important change in how we talk about addiction: Addiction is now classified as a disease that affects …
General signs of addiction are: lack of control, or inability to stay away from a substance or behavior. decreased socialization, like abandoning commitments or ignoring relationships. ignoring risk factors, like sharing needles despite potential consequences. A person with an addiction does not have any control over what they are doing, using or taking because their brain chemistry changes as their addiction progresses. Their addiction may have reached a point where it has become harmful. Addictions are not just limited to physical things that we consume, such as alcohol or drugs, but may include practically anything such as gambling, sex and food. Addiction can refer to either a substance dependence, such as with drug addiction, or behavioural addiction like gambling, sex or internet. The term addiction used to solely indicate psychoactive substances that cross the barrier between the body and the brain to temporarily alter the brain’s chemical balance. It would include tobacco, alcohol and some drugs. Nowadays, a significant amount of psychologists and healthcare professionals insist that psychological dependency, such as with smart phone, sex, gambling, work, should be considered as addictions as well since they also cause feelings of shame, guilt, failure, despair, anxiety, hopelessness and humiliation. When an individual becomes addicted to something, they start to become dependent on it and need to keep repeating the activities, taking the drug or drinking alcohol, despite the negative consequences these behaviours bring. Some of the most common characteristics of addiction include: 1.The individual cannot stop taking the substance. … 2.Health problems do not stop their addiction. … 3.Giving up recreational and/or social activities. … 4.Keeping a steady supply. … 5.Saving stashes. … 6.Risky behaviour. … 7.Excessive consumption. … 8.Dealing with issues. 9.Obsession 10.Secrecy and denial 11.Having troubles with the law 12.Financial problems 13.Relationship issues Physical Signs of Addiction ●Over-active or under-active (depending on the drug) ●Repetitive speech patterns ●Dilated pupils, red eyes ●Excessive sniffing and runny nose (not attributable to a cold) ●Looking pale or undernourished ●Clothes do not fit the same ●Weight loss ●Change in eating habits ●Unusual odors or body odor due to lack of personal hygiene Behavioral Signs of Addiction ●Missing work/school ●Work/school problems ●Missing important engagements ●Isolating/secretive about activities ●Disrupted sleep patterns ●Legal problems ●Relationship/marital problems ●Financial problems (e.g. always needing money) ●Conversations dominated by using or drug/alcohol related topics Emotional Signs of Addiction ●Irritability/Argumentative ●Defensiveness ●Inability to deal with stress ●Loss of interest in activities/people that used to be part of their lives ●Obnoxious ●Silly ●Confused easily ●Denial ●Rationalizing – Offering alibis, excuses, justifications, or other explanations for their using behavior ●Minimization – Admitting superficially to the problem but not admitting to the seriousness or full scope of the behavior or consequences ●Blaming – Placing the blame for the behavior on someone else or some event …
Symptoms of addiction; how can you see someone has a Substance Use Disorder Read More »
When it comes to living a clean and sober lifestyle, more key factors play a roll over just stopping stopping the intake of mind altering substances. One needs to make fundamental changes to your lifestyle and behaviours to maintain sobriety. Overcoming substance abuse is only the first step in a challenging road to recovery. Choosing to …
Sober living is more than just Isolation from everything you used to know. At Liberty Home, we offer a safe haven where one can flourish. We don’t rely on scripted methods of recovery. At Liberty, we believe in teaching, guiding, and learning by example, in all honesty. We try to show you that getting clean and …
To recover from a substance use disorder, more is needed than just stop using the substances. Addiction is a behavioural disease. The symptoms of this disease are behaviour, progressive, and unfortunately deadly. Recovering is isolation is not possible. Coming out of denial is the first phase towards a path of recovery. This process is best …
Check out our new Website www.libertyhome.co.za! Liberty Home in Cape Town South Africa is proud to announce the launch of our brand new website! Check out www.libertyhome.co.za and start recovery today! Liberty Home is a Secondary Care Facility that assists guests who have attended rehabilitation for narcotic, sex and alcohol addiction. Liberty Home offer 2 programmes …
Check out our new Website www.libertyhome.co.za! Read More »
