What to expect when Getting Sober ...the early days.

The Sober Sources Network has just about every category when looking for help with addiction issues. From alcoholism, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety and depression and other mental health issues such as PTSD associated with addiction we have it! Be it yourself or a friend that needs help Sober Sources is sure to offer you either the information via the many blog resources, downloads and publications of the latest recovery methods, or live support forums for both adults and teens in need of addiction support and help.

We offer many areas in which you can talk on our live forums to people who have experience with alcoholism and addiction. You will find the members of our communities to be very helpful and understanding of your own issues. If you need help and support with a loved one or friend you will also find we have within our forums an area especially for you.

Our forums are only the beginning, however. The Sober Sources Network of information is vast and you can find information in categories such as:

• 12 Step Programs
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• Advertising and Marketing Industry Partners
• Mental Health and General Health Blogs
• Support information for eating disorders, anxiety, depression and PTSD
• Government Help and Resources
• Venues for providing information on Sober Living Homes and Treatment Centers

These are only a handful of the resources that we provide in depth detailed information and articles about. Chances are if it has anything to do with addiction and recovery, we have what you are looking for.

For more information on the Sober Sources Network please visit our site where you will find out exactly what we’re all about and how WE can help YOU!

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Addiction is invasive - that is it can sneak up on you and become entrenched before you ever realize that it is there. This makes addiction recovery very difficult for the person to do by themselves. Being alone has many definitions, however. Just because you do not have immediate family or friends that are ready to help you out, that does not mean that you have to fight addiction alone. There are countless treatment centers, doctors and even support groups that can help you in your journey to recovery. That is something that you have to do to truly overcome the worst addictions.

Having friends and loved ones around to help you through addiction recovery is certainly something that gives you an edge. Other people see things in addicts that the addict may not be able to see for themselves. They can help to distract you, point out oversights and just be a general support to the addict in times of trouble. Trying to fight addiction alone is not something that you should do if you have friends and loved ones that care. They can help you out in so many ways, and make the process much easier.

If you do find yourself alone, then reach out to the various support groups in your area. Speaking with other addicts about your problems and getting input from therapists that run the groups is absolutely a great way to increase your chances of recovery. These support groups are often free, and you can join them and get started right away. You can be sure there are others that share your addiction, regardless of the type of addiction you have. That alone is enough to join up.

If joining an in person support group is too much for you right now, then try joining an online support group. This keeps you from having to jump into an in person conversation that you may not feel ready for, and instead allows you to communicate with others anonymously through the Internet. This is also a wonderful way to recover from addiction with the help of others, and there are countless choices and options available.

Spend plenty of time with your friends and loved ones, and join some support groups in addition to your regular treatment to give yourself the best chance at addiction recovery. It can be done alone, by why would you wish to suffer when you do not have to? There are so many people that can help you do it easier, and with a greater degree of success. Give yourself the best chance at recovery and reach out to someone today.

Know the Rehab program you want them to enter ahead of time. Do not hold an intervention and then seek out a program after. You should be ready to take them to the rehab center immediately after the intervention for the best chances of success. Make sure the rehab center has openings and are expecting you. This will have the maximum impact on the drug addict and allow for the best chance to succeed.

Only include those members of the family that are close. Do not include fringe members of the family or those that have no immediate relationship with the addict. Including them is not beneficial and will likely make the addict even more uncomfortable and emotionally closed. Also leave out people that are angry with the addict. Hostility will only make the addict more likely to retreat.

Be prepared to make tough decisions. This includes allowing any further help to the addict. Giving them a roof over their head, food and other things that are allowing them to freely spend money on dope is not helping them any longer. You must remove all help to the addict that is not willing to quit. This forces them to look at what they are facing with real eyes.

Help them see the things that they are losing and destroying with their addiction. The addiction is killing them, and they need to know how that is affecting each of you at the intervention. This allows them to see the results of what they are doing, and to feel the pain they are causing themselves and others.

Make certain that they are sober and clearly thinking when you have the intervention.

Consider an interventionist from the rehab facility. They can help the addict to see each and every problem clearly, and understand what to expect in rehab. They are wonderful ways to keep the intervention on track and clearly moving forward. The family is supported in every way and the addict is as well. Interventionists are highly recommended for an optimal intervention.

Affairs - The sexual addict often can not be satisfied by only one sexual partner and will eventually seek out others to have sex to relieve the stress. This leads to the destruction of families as well as a long line of unprotected sexual encounters with strangers. The sexual addict will often feel nothing emotionally and rarely if ever feels satisfied sexually.

Pornography Obsession - This is not the man that occasionally looks at a sex tape or Playboy. This is the man that spends hundreds of dollars at the local peep shows, buys sex magazines regularly and seeks out pornography online constantly. Some sexual addicts will seek porn even while at their jobs. Pornography is a very common sign of a sexual addict.

In extreme sexual addiction, the addict may become a peeping tom or voyeur. This behavior can lead to serious legal problems and a complete destruction of self. Sometimes, when a sexual addict is also suffering from other mental issues or addictions, the crimes can escalate to rape.

A sexual addict is every bit as much an addict as someone that suffers from alcoholism or drug addiction. While the addiction may be of a different nature, it is still insidious and dangerous to the life of the addict. Sexual addiction can indeed be deadly - unsafe sex, dangerous sex, and criminal activity related to sexual activity can lead to serious issues.

For those that suffer from sexual addiction, they usually spend a lot of time feeling guilty and ashamed after committing these acts. They often will feel as though they have no way out. If you suffer from sexual addiction, then you really should see a therapist and get some help. Sexual addiction is treatable and you can get better. Reach out and ask for help at your local community help center.

Generally speaking, weekend drinking is not a problem if you are not a recovering alcoholic. An alcoholic can never just “drink socially” and not have serious consequences to their recovery. Most weekend drinkers are those that simply have a glass of wine or a mixed drink after dinner on the weekends. Some people only drink when they go out to clubs or other social gatherings. The first step is to define your particular weekend drinking habit.

As an example, do you drink after dinner a couple of days a week or do you drink after every meal every day of the week? When you do consume alcohol, do you drink until you are drunk? Do you stop after just one drink? When you go out to a social function or dancing, do you drink until you are drunk? These are the types of questions that a weekend drinker should ask themselves.

Generally speaking, if you are wondering if you have a problem you are. Most people do not give a couple of drinks a week much thought. If you are thinking you may have a problem, then you likely do and should seek help. Anytime you are drinking without the power to say no or walk away, that is a sign that you need help.

Weekend drinking is a term that is not very well defined and so it leaves plenty of wiggle room for excuses. If you think you are simply a weekend drinker and do not have a problem, then simply walk away and do not drink for a couple of months. This is rather easy for someone that has no problem with drinking. If you can not easily walk away from alcohol for a month or more at a time, then you should probably seek help.

Nobody likes to admit when they have a problem, particularly when it comes to drinking and other addictions. It is vital that you ask yourselves some of these questions and be honest about your answers. Prove a point with yourself by actually stepping away from the habit. If you are able to do this easily enough, then you probably drink responsibly.

Never be afraid to seek help, as this is the one way that you have a fighting chance against alcoholism. Alone, the fight against drinking problems become much larger. Surround yourself with others that can help instead.

Weekend drinking is not always a problem, but it can certainly sneak up on you quickly. When we are out having a good time at clubs for example, it is easy to miss the signs that we might have a problem. Everyone else is drinking around you and you might not realize just how much you are consuming. Pay attention to how much you drink. It is the key to knowing when you might have a problem, weekends or not.

Among the many addictions, alcohol addiction is most common. Alcohol detox or withdrawal syndrome is experienced by those who, drink regularly and generally with high tolerance decide to stop drinking abruptly and the intensity of the withdrawal can vary from mild to fatal if not treated carefully. The severity of withdrawal symptoms depends upon how the person became “alcohol dependant”;  the more the dependency on alcohol the worse the symptoms. Alcohol dependency develops by drinking heavily on regular basis, drinking daily even in mediocre amounts or drinking alcohol heavily but not daily. In all the cases people become chemically dependent on alcohol at some point when they drink daily or to excess.

Once someone has become “alcohol dependent”, if he stops drinking abruptly, then he is likely to face some sort of discomfort. A doctor should always be consulted when an alcoholic individual quits abruptly.  It is extremely difficult to stop drinking without help, medical advise and most important support.  External assistance or support is necessary for alcoholics to stop drinking; so rehab centre or support group can help them a lot.

Withdrawal symptoms may have few or all of these symptoms like rapid heartbeats, sweats, headache, nausea and shooting blood pressure high. Those who are less alcohol dependents likely to have mild effects like shakes, headache, night sweating, anxiety, nausea, high blood pressure and rapid heartbeats. These alcohol withdrawal symptoms are quite irritating and turn one uncomfortable but they are not fatal. These symptoms always associated more “craving” for alcohol; so the help of support group is needed.

Occasional drinkers, who get “morning after hangover” after heavily drinking, suffer from withdrawal symptoms from the excess of their previous night’s drinking as the alcohol contents in their blood drop. The symptoms may appear after a gap of few hours for not drinking.

Hallucinations and Seizures - More Serious Symptoms.

Those who are heavy drinkers and highly dependent on alcohol may develop hallucinations after six to forty eight hours of not drinking. Usually they are visual hallucination but may associate with smells and sounds. Sometime they can last for hours or even for weeks at a stretch. During this period after quitting alcohol, seizures or convulsions can occur. At this point alcohol withdrawal may become fatal if not treated medically.

DT’s or Delirium Tremens and Chronic Alcoholism.

Withdrawal symptoms from chronic alcoholism may lead to delirium tremens or DT’s after three to five days, when drinkers abstain from drinking totally. DT’s or delirium tremens manifest disorientation, profound confusion, hyperactivity, hallucinations and extreme cardiovascular disturbances. This conditions cause trouble with breathing, irregular blood circulation and body temperature. This may further associate rapid heartbeats and shooting up blood pressure tremendously with dehydrations.

There is no suitable treatment for delirium tremens. Grand mal seizures, strokes and heart attacks may occur during DT’s. Medical attention is must for meeting all these emergencies during withdrawal symptoms from alcohol. So it is always advisable to contact an alcohol detox centre or support group before quitting alcohol.

For more information about learning what to expect please visit www.sobertime.net and download the brief manual Getting Sober What To Expect

]]> http://www.addicts.ws/?feed=rss2&p=74 http://www.addicts.ws/?p=71 http://www.addicts.ws/?p=71#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:53:53 +0000 admin http://www.addicts.ws/?p=71 Heroin Addiction

The reason why people choose to use heroin is the perpetual happiness and short termed relaxation they get from its regular abuse. One of those drugs which cannot be found easily but it is a very highly abusive drug know as Heroin. In this piece of writing I will disclose the process of Heroin addiction that how a person gets addicted to Heroin with the passage of time.

Heroin addiction can occur in a relatively short period of time. You should first know of what Heroin actually is and what effects does it have on your body and body functions. Heroin is derived opium poppy, which is actually a natural plant or the herb that people naturally use to cure various ailments and diseases. Heroin was discovered 150 years ago. When Heroin was discovered for the very first time, it was used to cure many diseases and other aliments like many other drugs but with the course of time people used this drug for wrong purposes which has led to a vast culture of heroin addicted individuals.

Heroin is worst of all opium drugs and reagents. It is an acetylated form of morphine, which is converted into pure morphine within the liver of the body. Heroin is injected in the body with the help of needles and as soon as it reacts with the blood the person assumes himself/herself out of this world as it creates a sensation of relaxation in ones mind. People can also injest heroin via snorting or sometimes smoking it.

People who have overcome Heroin addiction are trying to educate othes on the dangers of heroin addiction by making more and more people aware about the hazardous effects of Heroin addiction. The death rate is also increasing day by day from heroin abuse is on the rise and most of the Heroin addicts are dying because of this hazardous addiction and inability to get help. The process of Heroin addiction takes place as the fake neurotransmitters and receptors are released just after Heroin is injected which is why most of the addicts feel euphoric.

The process of Heroin addiction grows steadily and only gets worse over time. However people can overcome Heroin addiction in latter stages as well but it is advisable that you must get help and detox from this addiction when it is in it’s development phase. Many people do recover and live fulfilling lives once they seek treatment for heroin addiction, the fist step is reaching out for help. There are many organization, sources and online support services such as the Sober Sources Network ( www.sobersources.com), which provide online resources, forums and suggested treatment options. It’s never to late to start your recovery, there is no such thing as a hopeless dope addict!

Addiction is often related to something unhealthy, harmful and abusive. There can be numerous kinds and forms an individual could be addicted to something. It can be drugs, alcohol, computers, gambling, videogames or even caffeine! People find whatever relaxing and compelling they go after it to seek pleasure and fascination overlooking the negative aspects they can confront. Alcohol addiction is considered to be the major addiction these days that has not only affected the adulthood but it is gradually moving towards the teenage and underage kids too.

Reasons can be as many as you can think of. Lack of parental support, confusion, distressing consequences, frustration, indiscipline, lack of confidence and peer pressure can lead to drinking habits. Many people drink because they have too many complaints form life; some do it when they are happy and delightful while others drink alcohol as a celebration. There is diversity here. Mostly, it is influentially taking place. People think it is impressive and appealing if they would drink or if they are going to become a real man! This is probably the reason why there is a sudden increase in alcohol purchase with the passage of time. What can be done to stop this massacre? What measures should be taken in order to release people from this nightmare? Here are some tips for getting rid of alcohol addiction.

It is important to make these addicts realize how dangerous this habit can be. You can talk to the person and describe of what the consequences can be and how they can suffer physically, mentally and emotionally. You can encourage them by making them think of themselves as the backbone of the society which has to support and sustain the economy.

You can also tell them they are ruining their health for the sake of pleasure and false relaxation; it is an efficient tip for getting rid of alcohol addiction. Make sure they are seeking your guidance in order to preserve their capabilities and thoughts. You can tell them that there are as much as thousands of reasons and causes to be happy and they can celebrate in a better way. Alcohol rehabilitation is a place where you can get them enrolled in order to achieve help and consultation. There are a lot of good and well reputed organizations that are running these centers to provide proper care and teachings to the alcohol addicted people.

]]> http://www.addicts.ws/?feed=rss2&p=68 http://www.addicts.ws/?p=64 http://www.addicts.ws/?p=64#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:37:15 +0000 admin http://www.addicts.ws/?p=64 Drug abuse or addiction is most hazardous since it kills the abusers, if not controlled or checked. The drug addicts behave in similar ways all over, they crave and compulsorily use a drug not for its therapeutic purpose but for the “high” it produces, obviously when taken in overdoses with harmful effects to health. This addiction often leads the addicts to deviant activities like forging prescriptions or stealing money, just to procure the drug.

Other facts, that the tolerance to a drug, its withdrawal symptoms are not taken for considering the characteristics of addiction, though they are always associated with the addiction. A drug abuser needs to increase the quantity of drug he use or abuse continuously to maintain the level of “high” to his preference; thus tolerance to the drug increases. So the patients with severe chronic pains are given opiate medications like morphine to relieve pain and for them the dose needs to be increased continually to maintain the pain relieving effects of the medicine. So, tolerance increases with regular use of certain drugs like alcohol, opiates or cocaine etc. and this is without any regard of individual’s psychological dependence on the substance. Withdrawal syndrome means when these substances or drugs are discontinued abruptly; the individual suffers from discomforts with certain symptoms or characteristics. Drugs like some antidepressants, oral steroids, benzodiazepines or opiates; when abruptly discontinued produce withdrawal symptoms. So, presence of withdrawal symptoms does not reflect addiction.

]]> http://www.addicts.ws/?feed=rss2&p=64 http://www.addicts.ws/?p=61 http://www.addicts.ws/?p=61#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:54:04 +0000 admin http://www.addicts.ws/?p=61 The Difference between Substance Use and Abuse

Generally substance abuse is termed to any substance that is being used for mood-altering purpose by the user harming self. There is difference between drug abuse and substance abuse, according to Medline’s medical encyclopaedia the drug abuse is defined as “the use of illicit drugs or the abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are indicated or in a manner or in quantities other than directed”. But the defining substance abuse is not that simple. There are substances that can be abused for mood-altering purposes and they are not drugs at all. They may be solvents or inhalants. At the same time there are drugs that have no mood altering effects but they are abused like anabolic steroids.

Most people when they talk about substance abuse they refer to drug abuse or illegal use of drugs may be they are prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs. The persons associated with prevention of drug abuse say any use of illegal drugs is an abuse. On the first count those drugs have to illegal and with a negative effects to health; so hazardous and use of them is abuse.

On the other hand there are other who would argue that some recreational drugs like marijuana is not addictive and have no harmful effects but it offers the “high” with beneficial effects unlike the “hazardous” drugs. But contrary to their claim, studies have shown that prolong use of marijuana harms physical, mental and psychomotor system. As per the reports of National Institute of Drug Abuse that marijuana is very much addictive and develops psychologically dependency.

In fact illegal drugs are not to be blamed alone for their addictive nature. Alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, many prescription drugs, solvents, inhalants or tea, coffee, tobacco can be abused by using them to harmful excesses. There are many substances for which there are no clear cut lines between use and abuse. They may vary from one to other. A pot of coffee in the morning to start the day may be useful for one but the same may be abuse for other, depending upon individual health condition. So, in this situation, it is only the individual can decide the line between use and abuse of a particular substance.

About the illegal substances, the society has identified that their use is hazardous to individual as well as social health. It has clamped the prohibition of their use to curb the drainage of healthcare resources, productivity loss, crime, the spread of various diseases and homelessness.

On the web you can find the list of drugs that are most commonly abused and cause addictions.