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Showing posts with label substance abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label substance abuse. Show all posts
July 12, 2012
Law Battles Synthetic Drugs
President Obama signed the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 into law on July 9 as part of S. 3187, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act. The legislation bans synthetic compounds commonly found in synthetic marijuana (“K2″ or “Spice”), synthetic stimulants (“Bath Salts”), and hallucinogens, by placing them under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. click for full article
March 28, 2012
A codependancy issue: Engaging in addictive dialogue
Addicts enjoy the the feeling of getting high, weather it be drugs or alcohol. They also enjoy the function it may serve(feeling more comfortable in social settings, enjoying the escape, etc.). It is safe to say that a good portion of addicts would continue to use if outside influences(family, legal, employment)didn't make it more uncomfortable for them to use. The impact of their use must outweigh the benefits derived from their use, otherwise there would be no incentive to stop.
Family members forget this when they are discussing their significant others substance use. They allow themselves to engage in an addictive dialogue. Addictive dialogue is any discussion that detracts from the dependent's substance use and impact of it. Discussion turns onto other areas, or areas that would hold him/her less accountable. Examples would include: shifting blame("if you didn't nag I wouldn't drink so much."), avoiding accountability("I will not drink as much","I will cut back.") minimizing("I know plenty of people who drink more.) or other misdirections. The more gray area an addict can create in the discussion about their use, the more likelihood they can continue to use. Family members could get more focused on the discussion and avoid addressing the actual use.
It is important to not allow subjectivity to be a factor in addressing use. This would especially hold true if the subjectivity is the addicted persons. Shift more of a focus on measurable or objective discussions. An example would be an addict saying they will be cutting back. That is a gray area. Cutting back how much? If someone is drinking a case a beer a day, forty beers a day is cutting back. A statement such as "I will not drink at all" is more realistic to gauge. Another example is discussing the belief about legalization of marijuana with an adolescent detracts from discussing his or her using. If as a parent you do not want your youth using mind altering drugs, the legalization of it is irrelevant. Stay in a black or white focus. The clearer you are in your expectations, the easier it will be for the addict or alcoholic to stay on track. Once you start engaging in a addictive dialogue, the greater the chance the addicted person will be less accountable for their actions.
Family members forget this when they are discussing their significant others substance use. They allow themselves to engage in an addictive dialogue. Addictive dialogue is any discussion that detracts from the dependent's substance use and impact of it. Discussion turns onto other areas, or areas that would hold him/her less accountable. Examples would include: shifting blame("if you didn't nag I wouldn't drink so much."), avoiding accountability("I will not drink as much","I will cut back.") minimizing("I know plenty of people who drink more.) or other misdirections. The more gray area an addict can create in the discussion about their use, the more likelihood they can continue to use. Family members could get more focused on the discussion and avoid addressing the actual use.
It is important to not allow subjectivity to be a factor in addressing use. This would especially hold true if the subjectivity is the addicted persons. Shift more of a focus on measurable or objective discussions. An example would be an addict saying they will be cutting back. That is a gray area. Cutting back how much? If someone is drinking a case a beer a day, forty beers a day is cutting back. A statement such as "I will not drink at all" is more realistic to gauge. Another example is discussing the belief about legalization of marijuana with an adolescent detracts from discussing his or her using. If as a parent you do not want your youth using mind altering drugs, the legalization of it is irrelevant. Stay in a black or white focus. The clearer you are in your expectations, the easier it will be for the addict or alcoholic to stay on track. Once you start engaging in a addictive dialogue, the greater the chance the addicted person will be less accountable for their actions.
December 25, 2011
Mark Myers expert Answer to: Is it up to the person to decide if his habit is an addiction and a problem?
For a person to be diagnosed addicted, it does not require his or her acknowledgment of the problem. However, to meet the criteria of being dependent, according to DSM IV-TR(reference source used by the medical and mental health community to diagnose mental health and substance abuse problems), that does rely on some subjective acknowledgment of the symptoms.
September 3, 2011
Prevalence of Mental Disorders Linked to Gender Differences
The prevalence rates of mental illness are associated with gender differences, with 
women having higher rates of anxiety or depression and men having higher rates of substance abuse or antisocial disorders, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.
women having higher rates of anxiety or depression and men having higher rates of substance abuse or antisocial disorders, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.
August 4, 2011
Addictions raise Problems for People Over 50
June 2, 2011
Establishing Goals for Substance Abuse Treatment
Individuals who verbalize a commitment to abstaining from substance use or who enter therapy for drugs or alcohol, may not always be committed to the same goals for therapy as significant others who want him\her in treatment. I have worked in the chemical dependency field for over 25 years and believe it is important to understand someone’s motivation level when addressing this issue. A person may believe they could control or manage their drinking. Family members/significant others could be under the impression that goal is not realistic. Or a person may not believe their use is a problem and are entering treatment to appease others. This presents a conflict in treatment goals between client (person entering treatment) and others.
A therapist’s role is to help the client clarify goals in treatment. It is important to have mutually understood goals. If, as a therapist, I am presenting tools more consistent with someone who has a goal of complete abstinence, and this individual is not committed to stopping use all together, therapy will not be successful. The first step in the therapeutic process is endeavoring to be on the same page with the client. A helpful tool I use is the motivational wheel.
Once goals are established, we come up with tasks that will help meet these goals. If a person uses substances when his/her goals are abstinence we go over the motivational wheel again. We establish if the use was: a lapse (goal was abstinence but had a slip) or decision to use (goal was not to stop and decided to use). If it is determined to be a lapse, we examine goals and determine what areas may need further focus. Lapses are not uncommon in recovery and may actually help develop focus and commitment to stopping use. If the client made a decision to use, I will explore what may have changed from the initially stated goals.
Recovery is not a event, but a journey. Each person may carve their own individual
path. It may entail some slips or challenges along the way. For some it may take longer to reach this goal than others. What is essential in therapy is that goals in treatment are agreed upon, realistic, clear, and obtainable. If a person is not committed to stopping all together, my role will be to establish safe guidelines in exploring the costs to use and impact on one’s life.
A therapist’s role is to help the client clarify goals in treatment. It is important to have mutually understood goals. If, as a therapist, I am presenting tools more consistent with someone who has a goal of complete abstinence, and this individual is not committed to stopping use all together, therapy will not be successful. The first step in the therapeutic process is endeavoring to be on the same page with the client. A helpful tool I use is the motivational wheel.
Once goals are established, we come up with tasks that will help meet these goals. If a person uses substances when his/her goals are abstinence we go over the motivational wheel again. We establish if the use was: a lapse (goal was abstinence but had a slip) or decision to use (goal was not to stop and decided to use). If it is determined to be a lapse, we examine goals and determine what areas may need further focus. Lapses are not uncommon in recovery and may actually help develop focus and commitment to stopping use. If the client made a decision to use, I will explore what may have changed from the initially stated goals.
Recovery is not a event, but a journey. Each person may carve their own individual
path. It may entail some slips or challenges along the way. For some it may take longer to reach this goal than others. What is essential in therapy is that goals in treatment are agreed upon, realistic, clear, and obtainable. If a person is not committed to stopping all together, my role will be to establish safe guidelines in exploring the costs to use and impact on one’s life.
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