Thursday, March 27, 2014

Should I Stop Using Tobbacco In Drug Rehab?

 

"I am going into rehab for my addiction problems... Should I stop smoking cigarettes?" 

This is actually one of the most common questions from recovering addicts who are entering into a drug rehab facility, chemical dependency treatment program, or residential addiction treatment program. This question also stirs up a debate -- nicotine addiction is real, and just as dangerous as drug addiction, so should the recovering addict also be tackling his/her addiction to tobacco while in rehab as well?

While there are two separate fields of belief on this topic, the traditional answer has been to allow the continued use of tobacco products during treatment for addiction in a recovery program and drug rehab facility. This may be because some believe that trying to tackle too many addictions at one single time will result in failure, but the fact remains that continued addiction to one product, while treating an addiction to another product/substance, will usually result in a lopsided view of addiction-recovery.

An addiction to dangerous chemicals that could kill an addict within days, should be treated immediately, and if that addict has to put-off treating his/her addiction to tobacco until later, it is for the greater good of that individual. Though, if you have the means and the will to quit smoking while confronting your other addictions, this will greatly improve your chances of a full and successful recovery from both.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Painkillers Can Be Extremely Addictive

Addiction to Painkillers is a disease that can be controlled with a little professional help and a lot of personal motivation. Have you ever been around a person who is addicted to Painkillers? I grew up in a household where my mom was a major hypochondriac and abuser of Painkillers. She consumed at least 10 Painkillers each and every day. Needless to say, she was in and out of hospital for years because of this terrible abuse. She later died because of major complications to her health. She was only 45 years old when she passed away.

It is a terrible thing when someone tosses their life away so needlessly. It is even sadder when it happens at an early age. I used to think that maybe she would recover and become a normal mom. I would get mad at myself for thinking bad thoughts about how she was depriving me of a happy life. I was extremely angry that she only was concerned about herself and showed little concern for me.

It is hard for to understand the feelings that a son goes through with living with a parent who is addicted. If you have never experienced it yourself, it is hard to imagine. For me, it is even harder to explain. The pain and the suffering that it causes to all members of the family and to the addicted person themselves is horrible. It is an addiction that I would not want anyone to experience.

Everyone who suffers with such an addiction deserves our pity. For them it is something that seems impossible to change. However, change can be accomplished by three things. Love, professional help and a self-motivation to succeed. Never give up on your family who have these ugly additions to Painkillers.

You Don't Have to Live in Pain.
You Don't Have to Live as an Addict.

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The Dunes East Hampton