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1. <?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:blogger='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134</id><updated>2024-02-07T19:22:44.804-08:00</updated><category term="addiction"/><category term="treatment"/><category term="recovery"/><category term="drugs"/><category term="alcohol"/><category term="opioids"/><category term="overdose"/><category term="prescription-opioids"/><category term="heroin"/><category term="study"/><category term="mental-illness"/><category term="research"/><category term="addiction-treatment"/><category term="addiction-recovery"/><category term="relapse"/><category term="opioid-use-disorder"/><category 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term="opioid-dependence"/><category term="opioid-narcotic"/><category term="opioid-overodses"/><category term="opioid-painkillers"/><category term="overdose deaths"/><category term="overprescribing"/><category term="paranoia"/><category term="parties"/><category term="peers"/><category term="percocet"/><category term="perfectionism"/><category term="physical health"/><category term="podcasts"/><category term="police-departments"/><category term="poll"/><category term="poor"/><category term="positivity"/><category term="post-acute withdrawal symptoms"/><category term="post-op"/><category term="postpartum-depression"/><category term="pot"/><category term="potential"/><category term="poverty"/><category term="powerlessness"/><category term="pregnancy"/><category term="pregnant-women"/><category term="premature-deaths"/><category term="prescription"/><category term="prescription-drug-epidemic"/><category term="prescription-narcotics"/><category term="prescription-stimulants"/><category term="presidential-canidates"/><category term="prison"/><category term="problem gambling"/><category term="problem-drinkers"/><category term="problem-drinking"/><category term="probuphine"/><category term="progress not perfection"/><category term="proposed-ballot"/><category term="proposition-47"/><category term="psychiatric-medications"/><category term="psychological"/><category term="psychological-distress"/><category term="quitting"/><category term="quotes"/><category term="racial disparity"/><category term="racism"/><category term="random acts of kindness"/><category term="red-bull"/><category term="relapse-prevention"/><category term="relax"/><category term="relaxation techniques"/><category term="research study"/><category term="residential treatment"/><category term="responsibility"/><category term="retirement"/><category term="risks"/><category term="risky-decision-making"/><category term="risky-drinking"/><category term="routine"/><category term="rural"/><category term="rural America"/><category term="safe-disposal"/><category term="science"/><category term="self-discovery"/><category term="self-will"/><category term="serenity"/><category term="service industry"/><category term="setting realistic goals"/><category term="sexual-assault"/><category term="signs of addiction"/><category term="skilled nursing homes"/><category term="skin-picking"/><category term="smokers"/><category term="sober fun"/><category term="sober party"/><category term="sober-dorms"/><category term="sober-living"/><category term="sobering-center"/><category term="social acceptance"/><category term="social anxiety"/><category term="social-media"/><category term="social-rejection"/><category term="speed"/><category term="step work"/><category term="stimuli"/><category term="storing-opioids"/><category term="street-drugs"/><category term="stress and addiction"/><category term="studies"/><category term="substance use"/><category term="substance-abuse-drugs"/><category term="substance-use-disorders"/><category term="subthalamic nucleus"/><category term="suicidal"/><category term="support group. meetings"/><category term="tanning"/><category term="tanning addiction"/><category term="task-force"/><category term="teen-alcohol-use"/><category term="telehealth"/><category term="terrorism"/><category term="therapy"/><category term="tobacco-addiction"/><category term="tolerance"/><category term="transplants"/><category term="traveling"/><category term="treating addiction"/><category term="treatment-centers"/><category term="treatment-counselors"/><category term="treatment-professionals"/><category term="treatments"/><category term="unemployed"/><category term="unemployment"/><category term="unused-drugs"/><category term="unwanted thoughts"/><category term="use disorders"/><category term="use-disorder"/><category term="vaccine"/><category term="valium"/><category term="vaping"/><category term="video games"/><category term="virtual meetings"/><category term="volunteer"/><category term="voting"/><category term="wolf-therapy"/><category term="wolves"/><category term="work"/><category term="workforce"/><category term="wreckage-or-your-past"/><category term="young people"/><category term="young women"/><category term="youth"/><title type='text'>Drug Alcohol Treatment Center Orange County - Blog</title><subtitle type='html'>At our drug and alcoholism treatment center, we believe in our patients’ ability to succeed. With the help of our outstanding staff, we support our patients’ growth and recovery. We can help. (866) 930-4673</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><link rel='next' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default?start-index=26&amp;max-results=25'/><author><name>Hope By The Sea</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10354657352101900452</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='15' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r2yRoLm5fZw/SbvycDxtPaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/R4JmRmD8rOU/S220/Hope+Logo.JPG'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>438</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-1550300570524023060</id><published>2022-01-11T11:36:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2022-01-11T12:22:18.706-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="Drug rehabilitation"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="Drug-Rehab"/><title type='text'>Drug Rehabilitation Explained</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1tsXJOR3EoRuJY57haMvMANX2XJ827K4lD-mEY_GMFC1JpiwZX9N3p7vpTHY1PZ7U07eF40g6TbcrL5dGv-s-F_4bRGuX2-LHtolR82ZPzmSqih6tZrnAwxTybuOtRZtc2jAq9_LpoWQFAZhH4x8RN4Ibpohm_aQkeGmn1-IXLdKn82c6_Dj3eLuacQ=s7952&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;5304&quot; data-original-width=&quot;7952&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1tsXJOR3EoRuJY57haMvMANX2XJ827K4lD-mEY_GMFC1JpiwZX9N3p7vpTHY1PZ7U07eF40g6TbcrL5dGv-s-F_4bRGuX2-LHtolR82ZPzmSqih6tZrnAwxTybuOtRZtc2jAq9_LpoWQFAZhH4x8RN4Ibpohm_aQkeGmn1-IXLdKn82c6_Dj3eLuacQ=w640-h426&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you’re trying to quit using drugs, you know how arduous the task can be. Drug rehabilitation can be a wise option if you are struggling. Our guide helps you learn more about the process and answer common questions associated with rehab.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;What Happens in Drug Rehabilitation?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;While each program might be unique in structure, the outcome is always the same: helping you refrain from using drugs. On this note, some programs require residential care. While it might seem overwhelming to be away from home, family, and friends, you receive care 24 hours a day–a vital help as you go through detox.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Detox&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Detox can be difficult, as you quit using drugs. During this time, your body might experience withdrawal symptoms. However, many programs offer medication to offset these symptoms while allowing your body to heal from the drugs it absorbed. Being in rehab also grants you access to trained medical professionals, who can help you with any struggles you might encounter.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Dual Diagnosis Treatment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is common for people using drugs to have underlying mental health illnesses, such as anxiety, depression, and other disorders. Therefore, our team unearths the root causes of drug use and treats these illnesses. Doing both allows you to focus on recovery by having medications, cognitive-behavioral therapies, and other treatments to put you on the road to recovery.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Daily Structure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;One of the most vital aspects of recovery is developing a daily structure that helps you confront the causes of drug use and employ coping techniques when temptation strikes. Our team outlines daily schedules complete with group therapy, individual therapy, family days, nutritional therapy, relapse recovery, mentoring, and much more. Our goal is to equip you with the behaviors and mindset needed to live a healthy, drug-free life once you complete drug rehabilitation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;12 Step Program&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;We rely on the 12-step program as part of the recovery process. You can complete this through our residential program or attend our outpatient treatment. If you do not want to go through the program, we offer an alternative. It includes group and individual therapies. You’ll also learn coping techniques to tackle your challenges head-on.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;How Long Should I Do Drug Rehabilitation?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Most people need at &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;least three months of care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; to lead to more positive outcomes. When considering residential care, note some of the many positives you’ll receive:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;You have the time and space to heal without the temptation of drugs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;You have medical professionals standing by 24 hours a day to assist you, which is essential during detox&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;You undergo group and individual therapy sessions&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;You learn therapies to help you cope with your addictions&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;You have structure with a daily schedule you can incorporate into life after rehab&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Where Do I Learn More?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re ready to quit using drugs, our team offers you the caring guidance you need. &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact&quot;&gt;Contact us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; today to learn more about all the options available to you.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/1550300570524023060'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/1550300570524023060'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2022/01/drug-rehabilitation-explained.html' title='Drug Rehabilitation Explained'/><author><name>Sean</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16909924844195757404</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1tsXJOR3EoRuJY57haMvMANX2XJ827K4lD-mEY_GMFC1JpiwZX9N3p7vpTHY1PZ7U07eF40g6TbcrL5dGv-s-F_4bRGuX2-LHtolR82ZPzmSqih6tZrnAwxTybuOtRZtc2jAq9_LpoWQFAZhH4x8RN4Ibpohm_aQkeGmn1-IXLdKn82c6_Dj3eLuacQ=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-7137138263418011136</id><published>2022-01-03T10:25:00.002-08:00</published><updated>2022-01-03T11:14:38.956-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="New Year&#39;s resolutions"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="newly sober"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="setting realistic goals"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="sobriety"/><title type='text'>List of Resolutions for the Newly Sober</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ4zwQoizbouh-Ir3CeZtEKkNZY1tfIvDRzmRpfOFxHO2eMRShxowt8BZ6_Z-TmyOVmpBYrZqHMNyT5IVob4DRqw8MU8pM-piZJuUx-ZqcCsy7CGWFwVwVn3wTL3TSEC3sW6m0fVkg-rTRkJdryOh0OY1gLI6xjZy-YAafLXjlN4XctDqGAMpFQGKslQ=s3000&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;resolutions for the newly sober&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;2000&quot; data-original-width=&quot;3000&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ4zwQoizbouh-Ir3CeZtEKkNZY1tfIvDRzmRpfOFxHO2eMRShxowt8BZ6_Z-TmyOVmpBYrZqHMNyT5IVob4DRqw8MU8pM-piZJuUx-ZqcCsy7CGWFwVwVn3wTL3TSEC3sW6m0fVkg-rTRkJdryOh0OY1gLI6xjZy-YAafLXjlN4XctDqGAMpFQGKslQ=w640-h426&quot; title=&quot;A List of Resolutions for the Newly Sober&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;As you embark on being newly sober, you know how vital it is to set realistic goals. And with the start of the new year upon us, now is a wise time to set resolutions to help you remain on the road to recovery.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span id=&quot;docs-internal-guid-614908c6-7fff-7394-246f-dd270f56472d&quot;&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;What Realistic Resolutions Should I Set?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p dir=&quot;ltr&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;Below are some considerations when planning your resolutions:&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Take Things as They Come Daily&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p dir=&quot;ltr&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;Life can present overwhelming challenges, making you susceptible to revert to old behaviors, such as drinking or using drugs. One way to make things less stressful is to focus on setting small, realistic goals you can strive for daily to retain your sobriety. You should also practice the coping techniques your therapist recommended--if applicable. That way, when a trigger presents itself, you know how to tackle the challenge. Overall, setting small goals empowers you to control and adjust your everyday behaviors, which charts a course for remaining sober.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Avoid Old Behaviors That Could Challenge Your Sobriety&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;An important part of remaining sober is to continue to set behaviors that help you avoid old routines. In some cases, it might mean disassociating with people from that life, especially if they do not understand or are not supportive of your journey. You should reflect on the routine that prompted your old behaviors and make adjustments as needed. It might mean avoiding work parties, taking different ways home, or learning new activities.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Develop Self-Care Habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Being new to sobriety means you’ll have great days and challenging ones. It is why you need to prepare for the ones testing you. One effective way to do this is to develop self-care habits that can help you feel better about yourself, help you achieve positive self-esteem, and manage stress better. You can do this by:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Setting aside some time each day to focus on something you enjoy doing. Read a book, take a crafting class or something else you like. The emphasis is on distancing yourself from the noise of every day and have some quiet time to refocus and recharge.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;On this front, you could try meditation or yoga. Both can help you learn to manage stress and help you relax.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Exercising can also help to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and, most importantly, it can &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;boost your mood&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt;. If you do not want to join a gym, consider a hiking group, enrolling in a dance class, or taking a brisk walk in your neighborhood while listening to music or your favorite podcast.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Getting the right amount of sleep can help you feel more alert and ready to tackle the challenges of living every day with sobriety.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Maintain a Supportive Network&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;As you continue your sobriety, you know the people around you play a huge role. It is why it’s imperative to continue to build a healthy network of supportive loved ones, friends, support groups, and therapists (if applicable.) Doing this gives you people to turn to when the temptation becomes overwhelming.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Strike a Healthy Balance&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;As you work on the road to recovery, you don’t want any other compulsive behaviors to arise. To demonstrate, instead of drinking, you use exercise to fill that void. Setting small goals can help you gain structure in your life while also giving you the balance you need to heal from the past and move forward.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span&gt;Do Not Feel Afraid to Seek Help&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Sometimes, you might need professional help to get you through a difficult time. If the temptations of the past become too overwhelming, or you had a setback, know we are here to assist you. We offer personalized solutions that address the root causes. And we provide supportive care to help you back on your road to recovery. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact&quot;&gt;&lt;span&gt;Contact us&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span&gt; today to talk.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7137138263418011136'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7137138263418011136'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2022/01/list-of-resolutions-for-newly-sober_02048676779.html' title='List of Resolutions for the Newly Sober'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQ4zwQoizbouh-Ir3CeZtEKkNZY1tfIvDRzmRpfOFxHO2eMRShxowt8BZ6_Z-TmyOVmpBYrZqHMNyT5IVob4DRqw8MU8pM-piZJuUx-ZqcCsy7CGWFwVwVn3wTL3TSEC3sW6m0fVkg-rTRkJdryOh0OY1gLI6xjZy-YAafLXjlN4XctDqGAMpFQGKslQ=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-4335346979833985438</id><published>2021-12-15T14:40:00.002-08:00</published><updated>2021-12-15T14:40:48.479-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="clean and sober"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="definition"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="recovery"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="sober"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="sobriety"/><title type='text'>Sober Definition | What Does Sober Mean?</title><content type='html'> &lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXqkQeJNwViaTE2bbzQHyaNJFdjVrXNNlUG8AjS9DMXWiNglHE7IRiTw2zpvUNdLXcFlL_B2Yyp6-p35TFirlqptQdfJ0pWlUIOTGSLkqNURShdtgEN20r8Tk3Jz7pxlj6RkpQtEOBhm_sdR1Ji_l3f4Y92qxX8C7JGXBFudI3stvjU-vhjROpuncR=s1000&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;sober definition&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;668&quot; data-original-width=&quot;1000&quot; height=&quot;428&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXqkQeJNwViaTE2bbzQHyaNJFdjVrXNNlUG8AjS9DMXWiNglHE7IRiTw2zpvUNdLXcFlL_B2Yyp6-p35TFirlqptQdfJ0pWlUIOTGSLkqNURShdtgEN20r8Tk3Jz7pxlj6RkpQtEOBhm_sdR1Ji_l3f4Y92qxX8C7JGXBFudI3stvjU-vhjROpuncR=w640-h428&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;
2.  
3.    The dictionary definition of <em>sober</em> is "not drunk or affected by
4.    alcohol, free from alcoholism, not a habitual drinker; serious, staid,
5.    muted, solemn, and/or sensible." Which is a comprehensive enough definition
6.    if your interest is purely scholarly; but if you have personal investment
7.    in finding freedom from alcoholism (or any other addiction), it's important
8.    to also consider the mindset that makes physical sobriety a normal state of
9.    being and not simply a burden to be tolerated.
10. </p><p><br /></p>
11. <p>
12.    Let's look at how various aspects of the above definition relate to
13.    alcoholism and to finding freedom from addiction.
14. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">
15.    "Sober" as in "Not Drunk"
16. </h4>
17. <p>
18.    Since "drunk" and "not drunk" both refer to immediate conditions, even
19. someone with serious alcohol addiction is obviously sober in this sense    <em>part </em>of the time. It's also possible to be addicted without being
20.    strictly "drunk" on any regular basis: although that certainly can be a
21.    <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243">
22.        symptom
23.    </a>
24.    , addiction in the medical sense requires only:
25. </p>
26. <ul>
27.    <li>
28.        Regular substance use that interferes with everyday functioning or
29.        relationships
30.    </li>
31.    <li>
32.        Inability to change substance-use habits even after ongoing best
33.        efforts
34.    </li>
35.    <li>
36.        <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-treatments#1">
37.            Withdrawal symptoms
38.        </a>
39.        if regular use is stopped or cut back.
40.    </li>
41. </ul><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">
42.    "Sober" as in "Not a Habitual Drinker"
43. </h4>
44. <p>
45.    Of course, anyone with active alcoholism is a habitual drinker-but,
46.    technically, so is someone who has a martini every Saturday evening and
47.    never develops an alcohol problem. In any case, alcoholism-related drinking
48.    habits come in a variety of patterns, not all of which fit popular
49.    stereotypes (for example, some people with alcoholism drink primarily on
50.    <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/7-signs-your-weekend-drinking-may-actually-be-high-functioning-alcoholism-9879419">
51.        weekends
52.    </a>
53.    and would hardly be considered habitual drinkers by those who see them on
54.    work days).
55. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">
56.    "Sober" as in "Not Affected by Alcohol"
57. </h4>
58. <p>
59.    This type of "sobriety" may actually be a red flag, as it is <em>more </em>
60.    likely to be seen in those with alcohol addiction than in those who (all
61.    other factors being equal) drink the same amount of alcohol without having
62.    an addiction. One symptom of alcohol abuse disorder is having built up
63.    physical
64.    <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/alcohol-and-tolerance-66572">
65.        tolerance
66.    </a>
67.    for the drug, thus being able to consume "normal" amounts of alcohol
68.    without the "normal" effects. (Note that, even aside from the addiction
69.    question, someone who isn't visibly affected may still have consumed
70.    <a href="https://super.stanford.edu/alcohol-drug-info/buzz-buzz/what-bac">
71.        enough alcohol
72.    </a>
73.    to adversely affect performance.)
74. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">
75.    "Sober" as in "Serious, Staid, Muted, Solemn"
76. </h4>
77. <p>
78.    This use of "sober" isn't confined to contexts involving alcohol
79.    consumption, but however it's used, too many people equate it with being
80.    dull and colorless, never having fun, or even being perpetually depressed.
81.    Unfortunately, many people with addiction visualize physical sobriety that
82.    way, and they fear that the choice is between the miseries of an alcoholic
83.    lifestyle and the miseries of an empty life. This worry doesn't necessarily
84.    disappear with physical detox: many former drinkers develop a yearning for
85.    alcohol when the
86.    <a href="https://www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/PAWS">
87.        sober life gets stressful
88.    </a>
89.    , and this yearning can easily progress to relapse. To ensure against that
90.    happening, addiction recovery should include advance planning and
91.    accountability, plus positive understanding of how
92.    <a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/December-2019/Sobriety-is-Not-Boring">
93.        fulfilling
94.    </a>
95.    life can be without drugs.
96. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">
97.    "Sober" as in "Sensible"
98. </h4>
99. <p>
100.    While "sensible" has fewer negative connotations than "staid" or "muted,"
101.    people who enjoy adventure and challenge may nonetheless fear that
102.    "sensible" will demand abstinence from all forms of excitement as well as
103.    from alcohol. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way: when common
104.    sense is combined with big dreams, the former is what keeps the latter on
105.    track toward worthwhile goals and achievements.
106. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">
107.    "Sober" as in "Free From Alcoholism"
108. </h4>
109. <p>
110.    The key word is "free," which should be considered proactive as well as
111.    positive. A long-term lifestyle rooted in the best kind of sobriety means:
112. </p>
113. <ul>
114.    <li>
115.        Accepting your circumstances and making the best of them
116.    </li>
117.    <li>
118.        Taking responsibility for your life and your choices
119.    </li>
120.    <li>
121.        Cultivating and contributing to meaningful relationships
122.    </li>
123.    <li>
124.        Taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually
125.    </li>
126.    <li>
127.        Discovering your best individual purpose and working to achieve it
128.        through your goals, your vocation, and your relationships
129.    </li>
130.    <li>
131.        And becoming the best possible version of your unique self, free to
132.        live, enjoy, and achieve without any need for alcohol.
133.    </li>
134. </ul><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">
135.    Begin Your Sobriety Journey Here
136. </h4>
137. <p>
138.    The best first step toward healing from addiction is getting professional
139.    help: medically supervised detox, followed by post-detox therapy and
140. treatment for any co-occurring mental health disorders.    <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com">Hope by the Sea</a> provides all
141.    that and more, in an environment where our clients' well-being is top
142.    priority. <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">Contact us</a> to
143.    learn more. Hope Starts Here!
144. &lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/4335346979833985438'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/4335346979833985438'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/12/sober-definition-what-does-sober-mean.html' title='Sober Definition | What Does Sober Mean?'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXqkQeJNwViaTE2bbzQHyaNJFdjVrXNNlUG8AjS9DMXWiNglHE7IRiTw2zpvUNdLXcFlL_B2Yyp6-p35TFirlqptQdfJ0pWlUIOTGSLkqNURShdtgEN20r8Tk3Jz7pxlj6RkpQtEOBhm_sdR1Ji_l3f4Y92qxX8C7JGXBFudI3stvjU-vhjROpuncR=s72-w640-h428-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-5492872122513173607</id><published>2021-12-13T14:07:00.005-08:00</published><updated>2021-12-13T14:08:16.168-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="depression"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holiday"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holiday depression"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holidays"/><title type='text'>Holiday Depression | Overcoming Negative Feelings During the Holidays</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4QRB-n3QxoezloWlTFUoP8DosQjcLjeXVM9XbOjY5lmtm-_h7VmL-KYXEZG4LDjhghrq7hbEJxq5ou9ppBDRjxqiK0qKj-vnJ5-95yoJ9yrxHaNCy2f5Ced1fuEXIEnq2YB_k3VnuTXHCMLRX8RRR6zXTnOJYzuIV4rsnukYrxlkqcefLGCV-hcrR=s1000&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;holiday depression&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;667&quot; data-original-width=&quot;1000&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4QRB-n3QxoezloWlTFUoP8DosQjcLjeXVM9XbOjY5lmtm-_h7VmL-KYXEZG4LDjhghrq7hbEJxq5ou9ppBDRjxqiK0qKj-vnJ5-95yoJ9yrxHaNCy2f5Ced1fuEXIEnq2YB_k3VnuTXHCMLRX8RRR6zXTnOJYzuIV4rsnukYrxlkqcefLGCV-hcrR=w640-h426&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;
145. The holidays usher in a whirlwind of activities and demands from buying
146. presents to hosting family. For others, it can mark a lonely time, where
147. you feel isolated as you see others spending time with friends and loved
148. ones. Our guide identifies some of the sources of holiday anxieties and
149. provides coping techniques when you experience them.
150. </p>
151. <p> </p>
152. <h4 style="text-align: left;">
153. What Causes Holiday Depression?
154. </h4>
155. <p>
156. The holidays can produce feelings of anxiety, guilt, dread, depression, and
157. more. If money is tight, having to pay more for gifts, food, and other
158. gatherings adds to the pressures of daily life. If you possess social
159. anxieties, the prospect of being in rooms with larger crowds could make you
160. feel dread-to the point where you do not see the benefit of going.
161. </p>
162. <p>
163. And then there is fatigue. Life can be hectic enough. When you add in
164. holiday parties, rushing around to shop, hosting family, and other
165. obligations, it can wear you out. It is why it is crucial to take time
166. during the holidays to focus on your peace and well-being.
167. </p>
168. <p> </p>
169. <h4 style="text-align: left;">
170. Ways to Cope with Negative Feelings During the Holidays
171. </h4>
172. <ol start="1" type="1">
173. <li>
174. The first is to acknowledge you are stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious.
175. Doing so isn't admitting weakness. It is having the courage to confront
176. the feelings you have.
177. </li>
178. <li>
179. Once you do, reach out to a trusted friend or loved one to share how
180. you feel. Having an accountability partner is crucial, as they can be
181. the ones you go to (and vice versa) when you feel depressed or
182. overwhelmed. If you do not have a friend or family member, consider a
183. therapist. They will work with you to identify the source of your
184. anxieties and create a plan to confront them.
185. </li>
186. <li>
187. Next, you can minimize the feelings of becoming overwhelmed by setting
188. a schedule. It is a wise way to take things in small steps. By setting
189. small, realistic goals each day, you take steps to complete all the
190. tasks you have without having to wear yourself out mentally.
191. </li>
192. <li>
193. Divvy up tasks to make things less demanding for yourself. If you plan
194. to have a Christmas party, make it a pot-luck. If money is tight,
195. consider having everyone draw a name to buy a gift. That way, instead
196. of purchasing many items, you only need to do one. And while others
197. might not admit it, they might be in the same situation financially.
198. </li>
199. <li>
200. <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544">
201. Create some me-time
202. </a>
203. . Go for a 15-minute walk every day, carve out some time to work on
204. your favorite crafts or hobbies. The goal is to devote a small portion
205. each day to things that will center and re-energize you.
206. </li>
207. <li>
208. Moreover, it is okay to say no. If you are too tired, anxious, or
209. stressed, then you should not force yourself to do things to please
210. others. Some people are in the same boat as you and will completely
211. understand. And even if they express surprise at you canceling, do not
212. feel guilty about taking time for yourself. You are taking steps to
213. achieve a better, more restful well-being. And that is most important.
214. </li>
215. <li>
216. If you feel lonely during the holidays, consider joining a social or
217. civic group. Many cities have Meetup groups, where you find others who
218. share the same interests. You can also volunteer. There are many
219. volunteer opportunities during the holidays where you can meet other
220. people and feel connected to your community.
221. </li>
222. <li>
223. Participating in 12-Step meetings can be a great way to connect with
224. other people in recovery. Check out the <a href="https://aa-intergroup.org/">AA Intergroup website</a> to find
225. virtual or in-person meetings to attend this holiday season. By keeping
226. your recovery first, you'll maintain a healthy frame of mind in the
227. hectic days ahead.
228. </li>
229. <li>
230. Most importantly, it is okay to receive professional help. It can be
231. one of the most stressful times of the year, and if you feel
232. discouraged, isolated, anxious, or overwhelmed, it is vital to have
233. someone who will listen to you.
234. </li>
235. </ol>
236. <p> </p>
237. <h4 style="text-align: left;">
238. Receiving Help During the Holidays
239. </h4>
240. <p>
241. The holiday season can also be a difficult time for people in recovery.
242. Whether you're feeling isolated from your loved ones, anxious about your
243. first sober holiday season, or exhausted by all of your social obligations,
244. we want to help. <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">Contact us</a> to learn more
245. about our residential, outpatient, and extended care programs. Hope Starts
246. Here!
247. &lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5492872122513173607'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5492872122513173607'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/12/holiday-depression.html' title='Holiday Depression | Overcoming Negative Feelings During the Holidays'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4QRB-n3QxoezloWlTFUoP8DosQjcLjeXVM9XbOjY5lmtm-_h7VmL-KYXEZG4LDjhghrq7hbEJxq5ou9ppBDRjxqiK0qKj-vnJ5-95yoJ9yrxHaNCy2f5Ced1fuEXIEnq2YB_k3VnuTXHCMLRX8RRR6zXTnOJYzuIV4rsnukYrxlkqcefLGCV-hcrR=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-5192374805220377179</id><published>2021-12-06T14:10:00.004-08:00</published><updated>2021-12-06T14:10:27.661-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcohol"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcohol use disorder"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcoholism"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="delirium tremens"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="detox"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="dts"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="medical detox"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="recovery"/><title type='text'>Alcohol Detox Stages | Withdrawals | Quitting Drinking</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLK7v2L7zTigTZbtmZQrkwLkNzWz8DhfYso8Pe9uMuouai7wFukvuvvlpGobGOEWLJivj68HBpuoVSku39aFghjNxF5hGfdliRP_8-WI1LB266pNeHPf7beMzPUP_9m0sW5C9jZYOfovRd-HNEpWsueiD1wynmT62LXwoO6zU8HSgP546dVFg34p0V=s1000&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;alcohol detox stages&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;667&quot; data-original-width=&quot;1000&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLK7v2L7zTigTZbtmZQrkwLkNzWz8DhfYso8Pe9uMuouai7wFukvuvvlpGobGOEWLJivj68HBpuoVSku39aFghjNxF5hGfdliRP_8-WI1LB266pNeHPf7beMzPUP_9m0sW5C9jZYOfovRd-HNEpWsueiD1wynmT62LXwoO6zU8HSgP546dVFg34p0V=w640-h426&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;h2&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
248. <h3>
249.    Alcohol Detox Stages
250. </h3>
251. <p>
252.    Living with a substance use disorder, aka addiction, is painful in the
253.    short term and life-wrecking in the long term. Unfortunately, finding
254.    freedom is also painful—and, especially during initial physical detox, has
255.    its dangers. Detoxing from alcohol, for example, carries the risk of
256.    <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/delirium-tremens">
257.        <em>delirium tremens</em>
258.    </a>
259.    , with such symptoms as hallucinations, violent muscle spasms, and
260.    potentially life-threatening acceleration of heart rate and other vital
261.    functions.
262. </p>
263. <p> </p>
264. <h3>
265.    Medical Detox
266. </h3>
267. <p>
268.    Fortunately, detoxing in a medical setting, under professional supervision,
269.    removes most of the physical danger from the experience. This approach also
270.    removes immediate temptations to go back to the bottle for relief. And,
271.    with a hospital setting and
272.    <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/medications-counseling-related-conditions">
273.        medication-assisted treatment
274.    </a>
275.    , the experience is much more comfortable than
276.    <a href="https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/alcohol/can-you-detox-from-alcohol-at-home">
277.        home detox
278.    </a>
279.    .</p>
280. <p> </p>
281. <p>
282.    It can help to know, not only that the discomfort won’t last forever, but
283.    how long it likely <em>will </em>last. Exact timelines are of course
284.    different for every individual, but for most people the alcohol detox
285.    experience is similar to the following.
286. </p>
287. <p> </p>
288. <h3>
289.    The Stages of Alcohol Detox
290. </h3>
291. <p>
292.    (Note: “Stage” numbers are assigned by the writer and do not have official
293.    medical status.)
294. </p>
295. <p> </p>
296. <p>
297.    <em>Stage 1, 5–24 hours after last drink:</em>
298.    Patient becomes shaky and nauseated, perspires noticeably. Heart rate
299.    increases; breathing grows rapid and shallow. Rest and sleep become
300.    difficult.<em> </em>Patient may experience panic or hallucinations after
301.    the first 12 hours.
302. </p>
303. <p> </p>
304. <p>
305.    <em>Stage 2, 24–48 hours after last drink: </em>
306.    Stage 1 symptoms continue or accelerate. Muscle tremors intensify;
307.    potential risk of convulsions or seizures.
308. </p>
309. <p> </p>
310. <p>
311.    <em>Stage 3, 3–5 days after last drink: </em>
312.    Symptoms reach their peak. Risk of delirium tremens, which affects about
313.    <a href="https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/alcohol/alcohol-withdrawal-symptoms-timeline">
314.        5 percent
315.    </a>
316.    of alcohol withdrawal patients, is at its highest.
317. </p>
318. <p> </p>
319. <p>
320.    <em>Stage 4, 5–7 days after last drink:</em>
321.    Symptoms begin to abate. Immediate physical cravings for alcohol disappear.
322. </p>
323. <p> </p>
324. <p>
325.    <em>Post-detox stage:</em>
326.    Psychological cravings for alcohol may return periodically for several
327.    months, usually in circumstances or environments previously associated with
328.    drinking. Many people experience
329.    <a href="https://www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/PAWS">
330.        post-acute withdrawal syndrome
331.    </a>
332.    and struggle with various symptoms off and on for up to two years:
333. </p>
334. <ul>
335.    <li>
336.        Poor physical coordination
337.    </li>
338.    <li>
339.        Insomnia
340.    </li>
341.    <li>
342.        Brain fog
343.    </li>
344.    <li>
345.        Mood swings
346.    </li>
347.    <li>
348.        Panic attacks.
349.    </li>
350. </ul>
351. <p> </p>
352. <h3>
353.    Recovery Is a Lifelong Journey
354. </h3>
355. <p>
356.    Difficult as the alcohol detox procedure is, the post-detox stage is loaded
357.    with
358.    <a href="https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2017-04-24/why-do-alcoholics-and-addicts-relapse-so-often">
359.        relapse
360.    </a>
361.    temptations that can be even more challenging. Relapse is common and hardly
362.    means irredeemable failure: however, it’s always best avoided, if for no
363.    other reason than because the potential for delirium tremens and other
364.    serious symptoms increases with subsequent detoxes. Plus, being sober for a
365. while means losing some    <a href="https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa28.htm">tolerance</a>
366.    for alcohol, and resuming consumption at former levels could be deadly.
367. </p>
368. <p> </p>
369. <p>
370.    If you can, find an alcohol detox center that offers several weeks or
371.    months of inpatient care after initial withdrawal: it’s the best
372.    environment for getting your head together and planning a long-term sober
373.    future. In any case, find a regular therapist and a peer support group to
374.    help keep relapse temptations at bay.
375. </p>
376. <p> </p>
377. <p>
378.    Other tips for the post-detox stage (which, technically, comprises the rest
379.    of your life):
380. </p>
381. <ul>
382.    <li>
383.        Get a complete physical checkup: alcoholism may have done undetected
384.        damage.
385.    </li>
386.    <li>
387.        Take care of your overall health.
388.        <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-eat-healthy-guide">
389.            Eat healthy
390.        </a>
391.        , get adequate
392.        <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379">
393.            sleep
394.        </a>
395.        , and exercise regularly.
396.    </li>
397.    <li>
398.        Keep your stress levels as low as possible. Beware especially of
399.        schedule overload, unrealistic expectations, and toxic relationships.
400.    </li>
401.    <li>
402.        Pinpoint circumstances that will likely tempt you to relapse, and have
403.        an advance plan for avoiding or coping with such situations.
404.    </li>
405.    <li>
406.        Find purposeful, and personally meaningful, goals to stay busy with.
407.    </li>
408.    <li>
409.        Keep faith that you <em>can </em>find permanent freedom from
410.        alcoholism, and can live a meaningful life!
411.    </li>
412. </ul>
413. <p> </p>
414. <h3>
415.    Alcohol Detox in a Safe Environment
416. </h3>
417. <p>
418.    It’s never safe to undertake detox from alcohol (or any other drug
419. addiction) without qualified medical supervision.    <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com">Hope by the Sea</a> provides
420.    qualified detox care, post-detox rehab, and also treatment for co-occurring
421. mental health disorders.    <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">Contact us</a> to learn more
422.    about our treatment options. Hope Starts Here!
423. &lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5192374805220377179'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5192374805220377179'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/12/alcohol-detox-stages.html' title='Alcohol Detox Stages | Withdrawals | Quitting Drinking'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLK7v2L7zTigTZbtmZQrkwLkNzWz8DhfYso8Pe9uMuouai7wFukvuvvlpGobGOEWLJivj68HBpuoVSku39aFghjNxF5hGfdliRP_8-WI1LB266pNeHPf7beMzPUP_9m0sW5C9jZYOfovRd-HNEpWsueiD1wynmT62LXwoO6zU8HSgP546dVFg34p0V=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-570684092155643909</id><published>2021-12-01T12:19:00.004-08:00</published><updated>2021-12-01T12:38:48.780-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="co-occurring mental illness"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="dual diagnosis"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="inspiration"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="quotes"/><title type='text'>Depression and Anxiety Quotes | Inspirational Words | Mental Health Quote</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqKaZO_Z1NaPEgBZq1f0axQFwEzQKyGbxY7CQgx2skVe-uLsWEIFfkQzsAYZbPTlmhu7YYK5a6aOB0L4Y4PeNo2vXw1wIZ0pt3WjkHwSSYSNK-FvsTna8hUO4ueTkwox0xc5t_9o_XRbfvDVnXxePW1RkgmQ0VVvY7XffzPBFoxU6HabfV6YsNFB7j=s2048&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;depression and anxiety quotes&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1365&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqKaZO_Z1NaPEgBZq1f0axQFwEzQKyGbxY7CQgx2skVe-uLsWEIFfkQzsAYZbPTlmhu7YYK5a6aOB0L4Y4PeNo2vXw1wIZ0pt3WjkHwSSYSNK-FvsTna8hUO4ueTkwox0xc5t_9o_XRbfvDVnXxePW1RkgmQ0VVvY7XffzPBFoxU6HabfV6YsNFB7j=w640-h426&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re going through a difficult time, you’re not alone. Depression and anxiety are common – so common, in fact, that millions of Americans are contending with these conditions right now. The Anxiety &amp;amp; Depression Association of America (&lt;a href=&quot;https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics&quot;&gt;ADAA&lt;/a&gt;) estimates that over 40 million U.S. adults have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. They have also found that depression is the leading cause of disability in our country. These conditions are real, and their effects can be devastating. Today, we’d like to provide you with some comfort and encouragement in the form of depression and anxiety quotes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
424.  
425. <h4 style="text-align: left;">Depression and Anxiety Quotes to Share with Loved Ones</h4>
426.  
427. <p>Whether you’ve had depression for a few months or several years, you may have found that others don’t understand how you’re feeling. Anxiety works in the same way – friends and family may not empathize with you in stressful situations. Here are a few quotes to help your loved ones develop a deeper understanding of your emotions.</p><br>
428. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>“Depression is like a heavy blanket. It covers all of me, and it’s hard to get up. But there’s comfort in it too. I know who I am when I’m under it.” – Unknown</p></blockquote><br />
429.  
430. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“A human being can survive almost anything as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end.” – Elizabeth Wurtzel, author of <em>Prozac Nation</em></p></blockquote><br />
431.  
432. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“Having anxiety and depression is like being scared and tired at the same time. It’s the fear of failure but no urge to be productive. It’s wanting friends but hating to socialize. It’s wanting to be alone but not wanting to be lonely. It’s caring about everything, then caring about nothing. It’s feeling everything at once, then feeling paralyzingly numb.” – Anonymous</p></blockquote><br />
433.  
434. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“It’s my experience that people are a lot more sympathetic if they can see you hurting, and for the millionth time in my life I wish for measles or smallpox or some other easily understood disease just to make it easier on me and also on them.” – Jennifer Niven, author of <em>All the Bright Places</em></p></blockquote><br />
435.  
436. <h4 style="text-align: left;">Mental Health Quotes About Fighting the Stigma</h4>
437.  
438. <p>Millions of people have mental health conditions, and they come from all walks of life. However, many do not seek treatment due to the negative social perceptions surrounding depression and anxiety. It’s important for us all to fight the stigma. Here are a few choice words on this subject.</p><br />
439.  
440. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“What I would tell kids going through anxiety, which I have and can relate to, is that you’re so normal. Everyone experiences a version of anxiety or worry in their lives, and maybe we go through it in a different or more intense way for longer periods of time, but there’s nothing wrong with you. To be a sensitive person that cares a lot, that takes things in in a deep way is actually part of what makes you amazing.” – Emma Stone​, actress</p></blockquote><br />
441.  
442. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and deserves the same quality of support. No one would feel embarrassed about seeking help for a child if they broke their arm.” — Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge</p></blockquote><br />
443.  
444. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“I felt plagued with a negative attitude and a sense that I was permanently in the shade. I’m normally such a bubbly, positive person, and all of a sudden, I stopped feeling like myself. Anyone can be affected, despite their level of success or their place on the food chain. In fact, there is a good chance you know someone who is struggling with it since nearly 20% of American adults face some form of mental illness in their lifetime. So why aren’t we talking about it?” — Kristen Bell, actress</p></blockquote><br />
445.  
446. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“After every Olympics I think I fell into a major state of depression, and after 2012 that was probably the hardest fall for me. I didn’t want to be in the sport anymore…a year and a half, two years after that…I didn’t want to be alive anymore. I think people actually finally understand it’s real. People are talking about it and I think this is the only way that it can change.” — Michael Phelps, Olympic athlete</p></blockquote><br />
447.  
448. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” – Fred Rogers, host of <em>Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood</em></p></blockquote><br />
449.  
450. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close, actress</p></blockquote><br />
451.  
452. <h4 style="text-align: left;">Picking Yourself Up: Inspiring Quotes</h4>
453.  
454. <p>Even when things feel hopeless, there is always a path to recovery from depression and anxiety. Turn to this next set of quotes when you need motivation and inspiration to seek help, take care of yourself, and overcome your mental illness.</p><br />
455.  
456. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” – William James, the father of American psychology</p></blockquote><br />
457.  
458. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“When you’re born in a burning house, you think the whole world is on fire. But it’s not.” – Richard Kadrey, author of <em>Aloha from Hell</em></p></blockquote><br />
459.  
460. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“The moment you asked for forgiveness, God forgave you. Now do your part and leave the guilt behind.” – Anonymous</p></blockquote><br />
461.  
462. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” – Amit Ray, author of <em>Om Chanting and Meditation</em></p></blockquote><br />
463.  
464. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” – Dan Millman, author and lecturer</p></blockquote><br />
465.  
466. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">“There are far, far better things ahead than anything we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis, author of <em>The Chronicles of Narnia</em></p></blockquote><br />
467.  
468. <h4 style="text-align: left;">Help for Depression and Anxiety</h4>
469.  
470. <p>If you’re battling depression or anxiety, Hope by the Sea can help. We provide dual diagnosis treatment for clients who are dealing with both addiction and mental illness. Our treatment center offers a welcome retreat from the stressors of day-to-day life. <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">Contact</a> our admissions office to learn more. Hope Starts Here!</p>
471. </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/570684092155643909'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/570684092155643909'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/12/depression-and-anxiety-quotes.html' title='Depression and Anxiety Quotes | Inspirational Words | Mental Health Quote'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqKaZO_Z1NaPEgBZq1f0axQFwEzQKyGbxY7CQgx2skVe-uLsWEIFfkQzsAYZbPTlmhu7YYK5a6aOB0L4Y4PeNo2vXw1wIZ0pt3WjkHwSSYSNK-FvsTna8hUO4ueTkwox0xc5t_9o_XRbfvDVnXxePW1RkgmQ0VVvY7XffzPBFoxU6HabfV6YsNFB7j=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-5476690498397377079</id><published>2021-11-30T12:45:00.004-08:00</published><updated>2021-11-30T12:45:45.058-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="marijuana"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="marijuana addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="marijuana use"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="marijuana-use"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="medical marijuana"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="withdrawal"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="withdrawal symptoms"/><title type='text'>Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip1v7U0TruULzF_WDjGnRR_gLFVW2NHuHmYLWT8Yg_CuboKbMmWsrpaUvv_1buTCSysd2bFxkZPOj7ENJPPmTEM6XtuHwrBwNCzBUt-Ozee9frQ1HoKlU8JrsGtpxtlt4ojMIelhDzLt1w_8F1m3lf1rjVB-JMZKQEBPAMF09iGnQqEIL4whWGcirG=s1000&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;marijuana withdrawal symptoms&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;667&quot; data-original-width=&quot;1000&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip1v7U0TruULzF_WDjGnRR_gLFVW2NHuHmYLWT8Yg_CuboKbMmWsrpaUvv_1buTCSysd2bFxkZPOj7ENJPPmTEM6XtuHwrBwNCzBUt-Ozee9frQ1HoKlU8JrsGtpxtlt4ojMIelhDzLt1w_8F1m3lf1rjVB-JMZKQEBPAMF09iGnQqEIL4whWGcirG=w640-h426&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The risks and benefits of marijuana use have been hotly debated for at least three-quarters of a century. In recent years, official research into the drug’s &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-cannabis-research-and-drug-approval-process&quot;&gt;medical value&lt;/a&gt;, increased popularity of &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476&quot;&gt;cannabidiol (CBD)&lt;/a&gt;, and full marijuana legalization in many states have again brought the debate to the forefront of public attention. One frequently argued question: is marijuana truly addictive?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
472.  
473. <h4 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Addicted to Marijuana</strong></h4>
474.  
475. <p>There is still considerable debate on what defines “marijuana addiction” and how many users have it. (The CDC estimates that one in ten of regular users will become <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/marijuana-withdrawal">addicted</a>—one in six of those who begin using before age 18—but other research suggests that addiction may affect <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324301">close to one in three</a> marijuana users.) However, medical experts agree that marijuana use disorder (also called cannabis use disorder) is real, and a real problem for many people. Over <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4747417/">300,000 Americans</a> seek professional help each year to quit marijuana, often after six or more attempts to stop on their own.</p>
476.  
477. <p>You may have the disorder if:</p>
478.  
479. <ul><li>You regularly spend more money on marijuana than you budgeted</li>
480.  
481. <li>You use marijuana in situations where you know it’s illegal or otherwise banned</li>
482.  
483. <li>Your marijuana use is interfering with work, relationships, or daily routines</li>
484.  
485. <li>You’ve ever gotten high enough to cause an accident or injury</li>
486.  
487. <li>You go on binges—smoking excessive amounts until you become fully detached from reality</li>
488.  
489. <li>You’re developing “<a href="https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-are-marijuanas-long-term-effects-brain">brain fog</a>” problems (poor memory, lack of self-control, or difficulty concentrating)</li>
490.  
491. <li>You have withdrawal symptoms when you go without marijuana for longer-than-usual periods.</li></ul><br />
492.  
493. <h4 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal</strong></h4>
494.  
495. <p>Mild withdrawal is not necessarily proof of all-out addiction: virtually everyone experiences some perceptible discomfort when <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-expect-from-cannabis-withdrawal-22304">trying to quit</a> <em>any </em>ingrained habit. Even people who use marijuana for purely <a href="https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/body-work/more-than-half-of-people-using-cannabis-for-pain-experience-multiple-withdrawal-symptoms">medical reasons</a> have withdrawal symptoms. (Important note: if you take any marijuana-derived prescription, get your doctor’s advice before discontinuing it—and if you experience any unusual symptoms while or after taking a prescription, do <em>not </em>jump to the conclusion that your old problem is coming back and the best response is to resume or increase marijuana doses.)</p>
496.  
497. <p>Withdrawal from marijuana usually takes 1–2 weeks (though it can take as long as four weeks for the brain to fully adjust to the new normal). Symptoms, typically at their worst between the first and third days, may include:</p>
498.  
499. <ul><li>Lack of appetite</li>
500.  
501. <li>Nausea or stomach pain</li>
502.  
503. <li>Heavy perspiration, chills, or (occasionally) fever</li>
504.  
505. <li>Muscle tremors</li>
506.  
507. <li>Severe headaches</li>
508.  
509. <li>Difficulty concentrating</li>
510.  
511. <li>Insomnia</li>
512.  
513. <li>Vivid dreams or (occasionally) waking hallucinations</li>
514.  
515. <li>Irritability or short temper</li>
516.  
517. <li>Restlessness or anxiety</li>
518.  
519. <li>Depression</li>
520.  
521. <li>Desperate cravings to return to marijuana use</li></ul>
522.  
523. <p>Some people also experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms for several weeks or months.</p><br />
524.  
525. <h4 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Getting Through Marijuana Withdrawal</strong></h4>
526.  
527. <p>The good news is that marijuana withdrawal is not particularly dangerous as addiction withdrawals go: closer to the classic discomforts of nicotine withdrawal (“quitting smoking”) than to the agonies of opiate withdrawal or the potentially life-threatening effects of alcohol withdrawal. Many people have succeeded in quitting marijuana by pure willpower or by tapering off, without experiencing major problems.</p>
528.  
529. <p>That said, many people <em>do </em>need help to quit marijuana, and even after quitting, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/marijuana/marijuana-relapse-prevention-tips">relapse</a> is always a potential risk. Long-term therapy and peer support (there’s a <a href="https://marijuana-anonymous.org">Marijuana Anonymous</a> just as there is an Alcoholics Anonymous) are recommended for everyone. Anyone who has been using marijuana daily for years, uses additional drugs, or has co-occurring mental health disorders is at risk for particularly severe symptoms and should seek direct medical supervision during withdrawal.</p>
530.  
531. <p>Whatever level of treatment you choose for your own marijuana use problem, you can do a lot personally to ease withdrawal symptoms:</p>
532.  
533. <ul><li>Consult a doctor before you begin voluntary withdrawal.</li>
534.  
535. <li>Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Avoid sugar, caffeine, processed foods, and anything with stomach-irritating potential.</li>
536.  
537. <li>Get all the sleep and rest you can.</li>
538.  
539. <li>Exercise daily to release endorphins and help calm jittery emotions.</li>
540.  
541. <li>Have a circle of supportive loved ones stay on hand to encourage you.</li>
542.  
543. <li>And remember, this too shall pass, and soon you’ll feel much better for the short <em>and </em>the long term.</li></ul><br />
544.  
545. <h4 style="text-align: left;"><strong>If You Need Professional Help with Marijuana Withdrawal</strong></h4>
546.  
547. <p>While not everyone with marijuana use disorder needs medical supervision to quit, many people find professional help invaluable. <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com">Hope by the Sea</a> can help you make it through withdrawal from <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/marijuana">marijuana</a> (or far more dangerous withdrawals from <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/addictions-we-treat">other addictions</a>) and learn to live a rewarding, drug-free life. <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">Contact us</a> to request admission or a consultation. Hope Starts Here!</p>
548. </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5476690498397377079'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5476690498397377079'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/11/marijuana-withdrawal-symptoms.html' title='Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip1v7U0TruULzF_WDjGnRR_gLFVW2NHuHmYLWT8Yg_CuboKbMmWsrpaUvv_1buTCSysd2bFxkZPOj7ENJPPmTEM6XtuHwrBwNCzBUt-Ozee9frQ1HoKlU8JrsGtpxtlt4ojMIelhDzLt1w_8F1m3lf1rjVB-JMZKQEBPAMF09iGnQqEIL4whWGcirG=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-3879589489970417647</id><published>2021-11-17T12:35:00.004-08:00</published><updated>2021-11-18T04:18:20.354-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="AA Meeting"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction recovery"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction treatment"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcohol addiction"/><title type='text'>Orange County AA Beach Meetings</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSLEbK1WmZWWv7E4Gi4FsNkS8iN1niKp8_9IBvFrXzEbXMYCnhgn0GQV9vwQ6Z9gQeSSdu2ySTUiXJgCMTJBMZIV9zuviY8-IhLnPJL2dnG0iu6fkOujKm6C2qkTTYXewyJBGXSqh4xP_1cvRUzy6tyCWDN9SWUwuD2aA0YsU5seEnlOpl0Aa2M1v3RA=s2048&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;AA meetings in Orange County&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1363&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSLEbK1WmZWWv7E4Gi4FsNkS8iN1niKp8_9IBvFrXzEbXMYCnhgn0GQV9vwQ6Z9gQeSSdu2ySTUiXJgCMTJBMZIV9zuviY8-IhLnPJL2dnG0iu6fkOujKm6C2qkTTYXewyJBGXSqh4xP_1cvRUzy6tyCWDN9SWUwuD2aA0YsU5seEnlOpl0Aa2M1v3RA=w640-h426&quot; title=&quot;Orange County beach meetings&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ongoing support through your recovery from addiction can
549. include participating in the 12-step program. As part of that program, the
550. professional team at Hope by the Sea encourages clients to attend Alcoholic
551. Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings. In fact, we take our
552. clients to Orange County beach meetings for AA and NA to help them in their
553. recovery journey.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
554.  
555. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Year-Round Meetings<o:p></o:p></b></p>
556.  
557. <p class="MsoNormal">The Orange County beaches are ideal for AA meetings
558. throughout the year. Held outdoors on the beautiful and calming ocean, meetings
559. are hardly ever canceled because of <a href="https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/county/california/orange">weather</a>
560. concerns. In fact, Orange County gets only about 14 inches of rain, on average,
561. each year and has about 278 sunny days per year. Rated by the annual BestPlaces
562. Comfort Index at a 9.2 out of 10, Orange County is one of the most pleasant
563. locations in California.<span face=""Segoe UI",sans-serif" style="color: #212529;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
564.  
565. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>How AA Meetings in Orange County Can Help<o:p></o:p></b></p>
566.  
567. <p class="MsoNormal">In the words of <a href="https://www.aa.org/pages/en_us/information-on-alcoholics-anonymous">Alcoholics
568. Anonymous</a>, “Regardless of the road we follow, we all head for the same
569. destination, recovery of the alcoholic person. Together, we can do what none of
570. us could accomplish alone.” AA meetings help individuals who are going through
571. the journey of recovery by giving them the support and encouragement they need
572. to continue in their sobriety. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
573.  
574. <p class="MsoNormal">Newcomers are encouraged to “keep coming to meetings” as
575. they benefit from exposure to multiple meetings, strengthening their understanding
576. of the program and how it can help them. Those who are addicted to alcohol or
577. drugs who try to stay sober on their own will typically struggle and will
578. probably not be successful. Attendance at AA meetings can help you maintain
579. your sobriety and enjoy the experience, in fellowship with others at the beach.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
580.  
581. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Your First Meeting<o:p></o:p></b></p>
582.  
583. <p class="MsoNormal">AA meetings are so important to your recovery that they are
584. usually held even if there are only a few people in attendance. You may have
585. heard some <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/what-can-i-expect-at-a-12-step-meeting-63409">myths</a>
586. about AA meetings, including that you will have to stand up and say “I am an
587. alcoholic” or that you’ll have to tell all of your secrets about your addiction
588. while participating in group hugs and praying. In reality, you are not required
589. to speak at all during a meeting, although it can be helpful to share as you
590. feel comfortable doing so.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
591.  
592. <p class="MsoNormal">For Orange County beach meetings, you will find some
593. additional surprises and benefits. Our area is one of the few places in the
594. world with an abundance of beach meetings. You might spot dolphins in the
595. distance as you are participating in one of the AA meetings in Orange County.
596. Bring a beach chair to the meeting and be prepared to speak loudly so you can be
597. heard over the waves!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
598.  
599. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Calming Ocean<o:p></o:p></b></p>
600.  
601. <p class="MsoNormal">One of the most rewarding benefits of Orange County beach
602. meetings is the spiritual <a href="https://www.inc.com/anne-gherini/how-beach-benefits-your-brain-according-to-science.html">component</a>
603. of participating in an AA meeting at the ocean’s edge. The water, the air, and
604. the sandy beach itself have been shown to benefit your mental health in many
605. ways. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
606.  
607. <p class="MsoNormal">The sound of the waves can help you achieve a meditative
608. state, proven to heal and strengthen your brain. Even the color of the blue
609. ocean can calm your mind. The salty, misty air can also help you find a sense
610. of calm. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
611.  
612. <p class="MsoNormal">There are negative ions in the ocean air that have been
613. proven to have a pronounced anti-depressant effect. Even as early as 1932, an
614. American research engineer noted the mood changes when individuals were exposed
615. to the ocean air. Other studies have found that negatively ionized air can also
616. alleviate some symptoms of mental health issues such as seasonal affective
617. disorder (SAD).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
618.  
619. <p class="MsoNormal">Simply walking barefoot in the sand also has stimulating
620. benefits for your body and your mind. Your feet can absorb free ions on the
621. earth’s surface, much like your lungs can absorb the ions in the salt air.
622. Walking barefoot is also known as grounding. Walking barefoot on the beach
623. triggers a tingling warm sensation as a result of grounding to the earth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
624.  
625. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Help for Addiction and Mental Health Issues<o:p></o:p></b></p>
626.  
627. <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 160.5pt;">Taking our clients to healing AA
628. meetings on the beach is an essential part of helping those who are overcoming
629. addiction and mental health issues. At <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/">Hope
630. by the Sea</a>, a southern California addiction treatment center, we guide you
631. through the journey of recovery from drug abuse as well as mental health
632. issues. We specialize in treating you as a whole individual, as well as your
633. family members who are affected, so everyone can embrace recovery with as much
634. support and momentum as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 160.5pt;"><br /></p>
635.  
636. <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 160.5pt;">Our team continues to follow
637. federal, state, and local public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure
638. our clients' safety. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">contact
639. us&lt;/a&gt; today to learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/3879589489970417647'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/3879589489970417647'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/11/orange-county-aa-beach-meetings.html' title='Orange County AA Beach Meetings'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSLEbK1WmZWWv7E4Gi4FsNkS8iN1niKp8_9IBvFrXzEbXMYCnhgn0GQV9vwQ6Z9gQeSSdu2ySTUiXJgCMTJBMZIV9zuviY8-IhLnPJL2dnG0iu6fkOujKm6C2qkTTYXewyJBGXSqh4xP_1cvRUzy6tyCWDN9SWUwuD2aA0YsU5seEnlOpl0Aa2M1v3RA=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-8469286792225829517</id><published>2021-11-11T10:51:00.003-08:00</published><updated>2021-11-11T10:52:01.738-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction treatment"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="chronic stress"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="illness"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><title type='text'>Can Stress Make You Sick?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLFXzShsAV0cPjiU-eMVqF6b9gjPlYsmVhotAt4wVBSXZGdCK4pWXTOn-MNvqz-V3Lmdx21VH6IV65bEHo0SmAoiDS-xDxGrHeNhEOYP8y0OinIJCkqgf37IZW4rvLgCmfx59B07AOv3kpM2u1ykEm6yHjRpd5rML85lu4Yjj4xomkgf6tSXOmbhy87g=s2048&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;stress and illness&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1536&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;480&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLFXzShsAV0cPjiU-eMVqF6b9gjPlYsmVhotAt4wVBSXZGdCK4pWXTOn-MNvqz-V3Lmdx21VH6IV65bEHo0SmAoiDS-xDxGrHeNhEOYP8y0OinIJCkqgf37IZW4rvLgCmfx59B07AOv3kpM2u1ykEm6yHjRpd5rML85lu4Yjj4xomkgf6tSXOmbhy87g=w640-h480&quot; title=&quot;can stress make you sick&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Everyone faces some sort of stress almost every day. It
640. could be as seemingly minor as waiting in line to check out at the grocery
641. store when you are worried about everything else you have to do that day. Or it
642. could be a major stress factor, such as losing a job or facing financial
643. difficulties. Can stress make you sick? Stress can have a serious impact on
644. your mental and your physical health, including your immune system.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
645.  
646. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Experiencing Stress<o:p></o:p></b></p>
647.  
648. <p class="MsoNormal">When you are stressed, your body’s internal <a href="https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/what-stress-does-to-the-immune-system">chemistry</a>
649. changes. You have a stress hormone known as cortisol, which, along with your
650. adrenaline and norepinephrine, surges as a result of stress. That increases
651. your blood sugar levels, resulting in more glucose being allocated to your brain.
652. The chain reaction is good for when you need a “fight or flight” response to a threatening
653. situation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
654.  
655. <p class="MsoNormal">However, the same biochemical responses will now kick into
656. gear to help you react quickly when you’re under pressure and not necessarily
657. seriously threatened. Rather than being faced with a predator, you may be
658. running late for work or having an argument with a loved one. Prolonged stress,
659. such as that experienced by most people during the COVID-19 pandemic, can also
660. cause the chemical reaction in your body that can prove more harmful than
661. helpful.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
662.  
663. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Stress and the Immune System<o:p></o:p></b></p>
664.  
665. <p class="MsoNormal">When you experience stress, your body increases its <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-stress-make-you-sick">production</a>
666. of steroid hormones that include cortisol. These hormones normally regulate the
667. immune system and help reduce inflammation, but chronic stress causes a miscommunication
668. between your immune system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Essentially,
669. this is the interaction between the pituitary glands, the adrenal glands, and
670. the hypothalamus. Your stress hormones can depress your immune system by
671. lowering the activity of those cells that respond to bacteria, viruses, and other
672. inflammatory conditions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
673.  
674. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Stress Symptoms<o:p></o:p></b></p>
675.  
676. <p class="MsoNormal">Prolonged stress can increase your <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/can-stress-make-you-sick">risk</a> of getting
677. sick. One study has found that 60% to 80% of doctor’s office visits may be
678. related to the patient’s stress levels. You may experience physical symptoms as
679. soon as your stress level starts to increase. The symptoms will worsen as your
680. stress continues and, in fact, if your stress levels remain high or you
681. experience stress frequently, your risk of getting sick will also rise. <span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
682.  
683. <p class="MsoNormal">Symptoms caused by stress can include:<o:p></o:p></p>
684.  
685. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Increased blood pressure</li><li>Increased heart rate</li><li>Rapid breathing or shortness of breath</li><li>Muscle tension</li><li>Nausea</li><li>Dizziness</li><li>Headaches</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
686.  
687. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
688.  
689. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
690.  
691. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
692.  
693. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
694.  
695. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
696.  
697. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
698.  
699. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Stress and Your Physical Health<o:p></o:p></b></p>
700.  
701. <p class="MsoNormal">From aches and pains to migraines, stress has been known to
702. be at the root of a number of illnesses or, at the least, to make you more
703. susceptible given that your immune system has also been affected.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
704.  
705. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Common cold</i></b>: Chronic stress can prevent your
706. body from properly regulating its inflammatory responses. You may be more susceptible
707. to developing a cold when exposed to cold-causing germs when you have experienced
708. stress over a long period of time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
709.  
710. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Stomach-related illnesses</i></b>: Stress can stop
711. your gastrointestinal system from functioning as it should, and that can affect
712. your large bowel and stomach. You can experience indigestion, abdominal pain,
713. constipation, and diarrhea as a result. Stress not only aggravates the symptoms
714. of irritable bowel syndrome but may be one of the main causes of the condition.
715. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
716.  
717. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Obesity</i></b>: Higher cortisol levels that are
718. caused by chronic stress have been shown to influence weight gain. When you
719. experience sleep issues related to stress, your cortisol levels are raised even
720. further and that can lead to increases in your belly fat. You will probably
721. also crave sweets and refined carbohydrates, which contribute to poor nutrition.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
722.  
723. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Heart disease</i></b>: Stress, including that related
724. to finances, work, life events, and emotional concerns, can increase your risk
725. of heart disease. Increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels are directly
726. linked to heart disease. Stress can also significantly increase your risk of
727. having a fatal heart attack.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
728.  
729. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Stress and Addiction Treatment<o:p></o:p></b></p>
730.  
731. <p class="MsoNormal">When you need help with chronic stress and addiction, <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">reach out</a> to Hope by the Sea.
732. You may be one of the 47.6 million Americans struggling with a mental health
733. disorder, possibly from your chronic stress, as well as an alcohol or substance
734. use disorder. We can help. Our team of highly trained professionals can help
735. you heal and begin your journey of recovery. We offer many unique,
736. evidence-based therapies designed to help you get on or get back on the road
737. toward lasting recovery. Hope starts here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/8469286792225829517'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/8469286792225829517'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/11/stress-make-you-sick.html' title='Can Stress Make You Sick?'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLFXzShsAV0cPjiU-eMVqF6b9gjPlYsmVhotAt4wVBSXZGdCK4pWXTOn-MNvqz-V3Lmdx21VH6IV65bEHo0SmAoiDS-xDxGrHeNhEOYP8y0OinIJCkqgf37IZW4rvLgCmfx59B07AOv3kpM2u1ykEm6yHjRpd5rML85lu4Yjj4xomkgf6tSXOmbhy87g=s72-w640-h480-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-7611286291931313980</id><published>2021-11-04T11:58:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2021-11-04T11:58:12.733-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="accreditation"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction treatment"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcohol addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="drug-treatment-facility"/><title type='text'>Newsweek: Hope by the Sea Named One of America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVPSixVID2nSXuFSc-r9olg2rt6240m2Quy2rTxc4Qufe0r8lo-F8-7b6rXy-H1P3eQHunGKk3UBOn84Ah502-STTLh1j0KaFhamfGy48PhvPxq4F1kC1yLVoT19vcxiJSfUWu0rX8Wj3YWUq7mgc1GW6Knw_U4xGRJyeUHw3DioBb1hmt4UtDbLDLsg=s1310&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;best addiction treatment center&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;500&quot; data-original-width=&quot;1310&quot; height=&quot;244&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVPSixVID2nSXuFSc-r9olg2rt6240m2Quy2rTxc4Qufe0r8lo-F8-7b6rXy-H1P3eQHunGKk3UBOn84Ah502-STTLh1j0KaFhamfGy48PhvPxq4F1kC1yLVoT19vcxiJSfUWu0rX8Wj3YWUq7mgc1GW6Knw_U4xGRJyeUHw3DioBb1hmt4UtDbLDLsg=w640-h244&quot; title=&quot;America&#39;s best addiction treatment centers&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hope by the Sea has been focused on honesty, integrity, and
738. excellent care, keeping the well-being of each client as our top priority,
739. since 2003. Now we are being nationally recognized by <i>Newsweek</i> for the
740. quality of our care, as one of America’s best addiction treatment centers!<p></p><p><br /></p>
741.  
742. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Named One of the Best in America<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
743.  
744. <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Newsweek</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, a prominent weekly news magazine, just </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/americas-best-addiction-treatment-centers-2021/california">published</a></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> “America's
745. Best Addiction Treatment Centers 2021” and included Hope by the Sea on the list
746. of the best. In introducing this year’s list, Newsweek’s Global Editor in
747. Chief, Nancy Cooper, says:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
748.  
749. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In recent years, driven by things like
750. the opioid epidemic and expanded health insurance coverage, the demand for
751. treatment has expanded significantly. Finding the right treatment facility,
752. however, can be a challenge. As part of <i>Newsweek's</i> commitment to reporting
753. on all aspects of health care — most crucially, covering what new developments
754. could mean for our readers — this year we partnered with global market research
755. firm Statista Inc. to rank the 300 best U.S. treatment facilities that focus on
756. addiction.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
757.  
758. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Recommendations, Quality, and Accreditations<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
759.  
760. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hope by the Sea was selected as one of America’s best addiction treatment
761. centers in 2021 as a result of high scores on a combination of recommendations,
762. quality, and accreditations. The centers in this year’s listing were ranked
763. according to their cumulative scores, including a reputation score, based on subscores
764. for recommendations and for quality</span>, and their relevant accreditations. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
765.  
766. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Recommendations of Medical Experts<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
767.  
768. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the recommendations scoring, the research firm Statista invited
769. medical experts, including counselors, therapists, doctors, staff, and
770. administration in addiction treatment facilities, to participate in an online
771. peer-to-peer survey. The data was collected by Statista and by <i>Newsweek</i>
772. from May to July 2021. Participants were required to verify email addresses and
773. underwent quality checks to ensure their validity and that there were no
774. self-recommendations for the individual or for the treatment center.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
775.  
776. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">These survey participants were asked to rank the quality dimensions
777. that influence the quality of rehabilitation facilities. The rankings were
778. based on:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
779.  
780. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Quality of care (e.g., treatments/ therapies,
781. consultation with doctor/ therapist, psychological support)</span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Quality of service (e.g., meals, leisure
782. activities)</span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Quality of follow-up care (e.g., support
783. meetings, individual counselling)</span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Accommodations and amenities (e.g., size of
784. room, quality of furnishing)</span>.</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
785.  
786. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
787.  
788. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
789.  
790. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
791.  
792. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Based on the reported importance of each quality dimension a
793. quality score was assigned using the following weights:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
794.  
795. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">50% – Quality <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of care</span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">25% – Quality <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of follow-up care</span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">15% – Quality of service</span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10% – Accommodation and amenities</span>.</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
796.  
797. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
798.  
799. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
800.  
801. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
802.  
803. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Accreditation</span></b><b><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
804.  
805. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">A critical
806. aspect of ensuring that a treatment center is providing quality and effective
807. care is an accreditation, which was also one of the key scoring factors in the
808. rankings of America’s best addiction treatment centers. The gold standard or
809. accreditations in healthcare is the Joint Commission accreditation. At Hope by
810. the Sea, we are proud to say we have achieved an impressive 3-year accreditation
811. from the Joint Commission, which demonstrates our commitment to continually
812. elevating our treatment standards as we provide superior treatment for
813. substance use disorders.</span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><br /></span></p>
814.  
815. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Addressing Today’s Issues with Quality Care<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
816.  
817. <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Newsweek’s</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Global Editor in Chief noted that over 21
818. million people in the US suffer from drug or alcohol abuse. Many of those
819. people lose their lives from overdose and a lack of quality treatment for their
820. addiction. Drug overdose deaths increased to about 93,000 in 2020, an increase
821. of 29.4% over the previous year. About 95,000 alcohol-related deaths were also
822. reported in 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
823.  
824. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hope by the Sea offers hope in the form of effective treatment in
825. southern California. We work with individuals on a one-on-one basis, so we can
826. determine the right alcohol and drug treatment track for each one. That quality
827. of care, combined with our reasonable costs that make addiction services
828. accessible to everyone, has earned us the distinction of being named one of
829. America’s best addiction treatment centers in 2021.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
830.  
831. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Help for Addiction<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
832.  
833. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/">Hope by the Sea</a></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, a
834. southern California addiction treatment center, we focus on helping you begin your
835. journey of recovery from drug abuse. We specialize in treating each person as a
836. whole individual, to embrace recovery with as much support and momentum as
837. possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
838.  
839. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our team continues to follow federal, state, and local public
840. health guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure our clients' safety. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">contact us</span></a> today
841. to learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7611286291931313980'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7611286291931313980'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/11/Newsweek-best-treatment-centers.html' title='Newsweek: Hope by the Sea Named One of America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVPSixVID2nSXuFSc-r9olg2rt6240m2Quy2rTxc4Qufe0r8lo-F8-7b6rXy-H1P3eQHunGKk3UBOn84Ah502-STTLh1j0KaFhamfGy48PhvPxq4F1kC1yLVoT19vcxiJSfUWu0rX8Wj3YWUq7mgc1GW6Knw_U4xGRJyeUHw3DioBb1hmt4UtDbLDLsg=s72-w640-h244-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-5512231337858721970</id><published>2021-10-23T14:49:00.003-07:00</published><updated>2021-10-23T14:49:20.395-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction treatment"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="cocaine-addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="crack-cocaine"/><title type='text'>How Long Does Crack Stay in Your System?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK9qAt4PQdZAbRrxrSqyBd4N2O-8X0_UAuvNbMXFaGIrfSJvJt4veR45_atQaE6i6ympMslceyX8XUKIaDlJszpdV31fwjbF_0p8j8U7DPb8J4mP3XwKdP5BC8Lzd9fGIE81DIwcDAXUCifHf7oiBBnfuwcvcMYU_pLve96QhTIkU_oEbPTZRrC_uiKQ=s2048&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;crack cocaine&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1365&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK9qAt4PQdZAbRrxrSqyBd4N2O-8X0_UAuvNbMXFaGIrfSJvJt4veR45_atQaE6i6ympMslceyX8XUKIaDlJszpdV31fwjbF_0p8j8U7DPb8J4mP3XwKdP5BC8Lzd9fGIE81DIwcDAXUCifHf7oiBBnfuwcvcMYU_pLve96QhTIkU_oEbPTZRrC_uiKQ=w640-h426&quot; title=&quot;how long does crack stay in your system&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug. It can
842. cause serious health problems, sometimes with fatal consequences. How long does
843. crack stay in your system? The answer varies depending on a number of factors,
844. but the damage it causes does not take long to take effect.<p></p><p><br /></p>
845.  
846. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What is Crack?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
847.  
848. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Crack cocaine is a form of the <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs3/3978/3978p.pdf">drug</a> that
849. is derived from powdered cocaine through a simple conversion process. It is
850. made by dissolving the powdered form of the drug in a mixture of water and ammonia
851. or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Then the mixture is boiled. When a solid substance
852. forms, it is removed from the liquid, dried, and broken into chunks or rocks. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
853.  
854. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The drug is highly addictive, cheap to make, and a powerful
855. stimulant. It emerged as a drug of abuse in the 1980s. Crack is usually smoked,
856. which delivers large quantities to the lungs and produces an immediate and
857. intense “high.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
858.  
859. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Crack Use a Serious Problem<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
860.  
861. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Reports indicate that over 6 million people in the US over the age
862. of 12 have used crack at least once in their lifetime. One survey revealed that
863. 150,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 and over a million young
864. adults between the ages of 18 and 25 have used the drug at least once. Almost 4%
865. of high school seniors in the US have used the drug at least once and over 1%
866. had used the drug in the past month.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
867.  
868. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Effects of Abusing Crack<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
869.  
870. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Cocaine is powerfully addictive, regardless of the form it takes.
871. Addiction develops more quickly when the drug is smoked in the form of crack,
872. than when it is snorted as a powder. Cocaine use poses a number of health
873. risks, including increased heart rate, increased temperature, higher blood
874. pressure, constricted blood vessels, and a risk of cardiac arrest and seizure. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
875.  
876. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In addition to these serious health effects, an individual who smokes
877. crack cocaine can also experience acute respiratory problems, including
878. shortness of breath, coughing, and lung trauma and bleeding. Smoking crack can
879. also cause paranoid and aggressive behavior.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
880.  
881. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How Long Does Crack Stay in Your System?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
882.  
883. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How long crack stays in your system depends on a number of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-cocaine-stay-in-your-system">factors</a>.
884. Cocaine usually remains in the system for one to four days, but it can be
885. detected for up to two weeks in some people. Factors that can affect the
886. duration of cocaine include:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
887.  
888. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How much crack you use<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How often you use the drug<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How you consume it<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The purity level<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The amount of body fat you have<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your alcohol consumption.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p>
889.  
890.  
891.  
892.  
893.  
894.  
895.  
896.  
897.  
898.  
899.  
900. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When you drink alcohol while consuming cocaine, it can cause the
901. drug to stay in your system longer. The alcohol will bind to the cocaine and
902. interfere with its excretion.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
903.  
904. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How soon you will feel its effects also depends on different
905. factors. When you smoke crack, it can hit you in a matter of seconds. When snorting
906. or gumming the cocaine, the effects can take up to three minutes to be felt. The
907. difference is in the speed at which it enters your bloodstream. Smoking crack
908. bypasses the mucus, skin, and tissues that are in the way when snorting, so the
909. drug enters your bloodstream almost instantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
910.  
911. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You might feel the effects for about 5 to 15 minutes when smoking
912. crack. Some people continue to feel the effects for up to an hour. How much you
913. use and the use of other substances can make the difference in how long the
914. crack stays in your system.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
915.  
916. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Testing for Crack in Your System<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
917.  
918. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How long crack stays in your system for testing purposes varies by
919. the type of test. Typical detection times are:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
920.  
921. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Up to 2 days: blood and saliva tests<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Up to 4 days: urine test<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Up to 3 months: hair test.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p>
922.  
923.  
924.  
925.  
926.  
927. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The long-term effects of using and abusing crack cocaine are
928. psychological and physical dependence, which can impact your mental and
929. physical health for much longer, unless you seek professional treatment for
930. your addiction.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
931.  
932. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Help for Addiction<o:p></o:p></b></p>
933.  
934. <p class="MsoNormal">At <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/">Hope by the Sea</a>,
935. a southern California addiction treatment center, we focus on helping you begin
936. your journey of recovery from drug abuse. We specialize in treating each person
937. as a whole individual, to embrace recovery with as much support and momentum as
938. possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
939.  
940. <p class="MsoNormal">Our team continues to follow federal, state, and local
941. public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure our clients' safety.
942. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">contact us</a> today to
943. learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5512231337858721970'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5512231337858721970'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/10/how-long-crack-stays-in-system.html' title='How Long Does Crack Stay in Your System?'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK9qAt4PQdZAbRrxrSqyBd4N2O-8X0_UAuvNbMXFaGIrfSJvJt4veR45_atQaE6i6ympMslceyX8XUKIaDlJszpdV31fwjbF_0p8j8U7DPb8J4mP3XwKdP5BC8Lzd9fGIE81DIwcDAXUCifHf7oiBBnfuwcvcMYU_pLve96QhTIkU_oEbPTZRrC_uiKQ=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-8339500576496913965</id><published>2021-10-20T11:16:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2021-10-20T11:16:17.743-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="intrusive thoughts"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="unwanted thoughts"/><title type='text'>How to Get Rid of Unwanted Thoughts</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbRY2PcSEgzpBxO3AaqLGlGTnS-I19slD1ipY2vHaxtLnzeUbDHjs0viVVPjeUcUFUnr_96s2-p4CGO4U1geTuKBRx9S9RxB6o0lXsSwbxez__vMk9TyUaI8n0faKEyqMk15tTIE1_ZPD5GqNAxXobyiyUuXSR6eRzXUAk_nxdA_X5NZ__g_XKHNjlhg=s2048&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;unwanted thoughts&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1382&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;432&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbRY2PcSEgzpBxO3AaqLGlGTnS-I19slD1ipY2vHaxtLnzeUbDHjs0viVVPjeUcUFUnr_96s2-p4CGO4U1geTuKBRx9S9RxB6o0lXsSwbxez__vMk9TyUaI8n0faKEyqMk15tTIE1_ZPD5GqNAxXobyiyUuXSR6eRzXUAk_nxdA_X5NZ__g_XKHNjlhg=w640-h432&quot; title=&quot;how to get rid of unwanted thoughts&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When unwanted thoughts suddenly occur, they can be very
944. disturbing. You may wonder if having these thoughts means that you will act on
945. them. They can also cause you great stress and anxiety. Understanding the potential
946. causes as well as how to get rid of unwanted thoughts is important for your
947. mental health.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
948.  
949. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Sudden, Involuntary Thoughts<o:p></o:p></b></p>
950.  
951. <p class="MsoNormal">Everyone experiences involuntary thoughts occasionally.
952. Unwanted thoughts, also referred to as <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/intrusive-thoughts"><span style="color: blue;">intrusive</span></a> thoughts, can come on suddenly. These
953. involuntary thoughts can be disturbing and distressing for some people. They
954. can be explicit, in terms of violence or sexual acts, leading the individual
955. who has them to feel ashamed. Generally, though, they are just thoughts and
956. they do not mean that the person experiencing them will act on them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
957.  
958. <p class="MsoNormal">These unwanted thoughts are involuntary and have no bearing
959. on a person’s real desires or values. In fact, the person experiencing these
960. thoughts will usually find them shocking and unacceptable. The shame associated
961. with these thoughts can keep the individual from seeking help for them, though.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
962.  
963. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Symptoms of a Mental Health Condition<o:p></o:p></b></p>
964.  
965. <p class="MsoNormal">Although the cause of intrusive thoughts is unclear in some
966. cases, unwanted thoughts could be a symptom of a condition affecting your
967. mental health. Intrusive thoughts are among the symptoms of anxiety,
968. depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Obsessive thoughts are
969. one of the major symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). An individual
970. with PTSD has developed the condition following a traumatic event. Their
971. unwanted thoughts can be frightening, causing a state of hyperarousal that can
972. lead to disturbing flashbacks.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
973.  
974. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>How to Get Rid of Unwanted Thoughts<o:p></o:p></b></p>
975.  
976. <p class="MsoNormal">These thoughts are persistent. Often, the harder you try to
977. get rid of them, the more they persist. They will probably also become more
978. intense. There are some <a href="https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/unwanted-intrusive-thoughts"><span style="color: blue;">steps</span></a> you can take to shift your attitude and to
979. get rid of unwanted thoughts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
980.  
981. <p class="MsoNormal">First, label the thoughts as “intrusive thoughts.” Then you
982. can remind yourself that they occur involuntarily. Whether or not you have them
983. is not up to you. As the thoughts enter your mind, do not try to push them out.
984. Do not try to figure out what they mean and don’t engage with them in any way.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
985.  
986. <p class="MsoNormal">Take a deep breath and allow the thoughts to pass. Allow the
987. anxiety associated with the thought to pass. Expect the thoughts to return but
988. know that you are prepared to deal with them. Eventually, they will reduce in
989. frequency. Continue whatever you were doing prior to having the unwanted
990. thought without giving it any regard as to its effect on you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
991.  
992. <p class="MsoNormal">These steps can be difficult at first. The more you apply
993. them, the better your chance of seeing a decrease in the frequency and the
994. intensity of the unwanted thoughts. Reducing your sensitivity to the content of
995. your thoughts can help you get rid of them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
996.  
997. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Treatment for Unwanted Thoughts<o:p></o:p></b></p>
998.  
999. <p class="MsoNormal">The best way to <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/intrusive-thoughts#treatment"><span style="color: blue;">manage</span></a> your unwanted thoughts is to seek
1000. professional treatment. A mental health provider can help you with therapy
1001. options and other methods of addressing your thoughts as well as the anxiety
1002. and depression that can accompany them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1003.  
1004. <p class="MsoNormal">Proven treatment methods include cognitive behavioral
1005. therapy, a way for you to discuss your distressing thoughts and their impact on
1006. your life. You will have the opportunity to learn healthy responses to your
1007. thoughts through these sessions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1008.  
1009. <p class="MsoNormal">Other treatment options include Gestalt therapy and
1010. meditation. Becoming more aware of your body and mind helps you release tension
1011. as you develop a spirit of calm. De-stressing is one of the main objectives of
1012. meditation therapy. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1013.  
1014. <p class="MsoNormal">You can also learn how to get rid of unwanted thoughts by
1015. using self-care techniques. Managing your stress in a healthy way can help you
1016. see your thoughts as just thoughts, recognizing that they are not the same as
1017. behavior or intent. When you seek professional treatment, you can develop
1018. active coping strategies that will improve your mental health so you can live a
1019. more fulfilling life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1020.  
1021. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hope by the Sea is Here to Help<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1022.  
1023. <p class="MsoNormal">If you or someone you love is dealing with mental health
1024. issues, the professionals at <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Hope by the Sea</span></a> are here to help. We are a
1025. southern California mental health and addiction treatment center, focused on
1026. helping men and women begin the journey of recovery from mood disorders and
1027. addiction. We specialize in treating you as a whole individual, so you can
1028. embrace your recovery with as much support and momentum as possible. When you
1029. need help treating your mental health or substance use disorder, we offer the
1030. dual diagnosis treatment program you need. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">contact us today</span></a> to learn more about our programs
1031. and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/8339500576496913965'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/8339500576496913965'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/10/get-rid-of-unwanted-thoughts.html' title='How to Get Rid of Unwanted Thoughts'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbRY2PcSEgzpBxO3AaqLGlGTnS-I19slD1ipY2vHaxtLnzeUbDHjs0viVVPjeUcUFUnr_96s2-p4CGO4U1geTuKBRx9S9RxB6o0lXsSwbxez__vMk9TyUaI8n0faKEyqMk15tTIE1_ZPD5GqNAxXobyiyUuXSR6eRzXUAk_nxdA_X5NZ__g_XKHNjlhg=s72-w640-h432-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-8970837228389469662</id><published>2021-10-11T10:47:00.003-07:00</published><updated>2021-10-11T10:47:43.083-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="anxiety"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="obsessive-compulsive disorder"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="OCD"/><title type='text'>Is OCD an Anxiety Disorder?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCg0VE5ANez4Ka8Sn5y7tTsT9lRGASk8XoTsu3YmxQVqjiEjWk5DSqZ2_YHjaOMSIY04R7A-GBolHPkfffhx7HM8lhDekFYtGLhmuG_p4GijWihnuK1GuzBBgYaYLs5_p73w1Zt-anu1LEe2Ca2KZL6MZDMpJ2hZFXL4b44aoN0MtwGIrFG4TdJmoQVQ=s2048&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;obsessive-compulsive disorder&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1278&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;400&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCg0VE5ANez4Ka8Sn5y7tTsT9lRGASk8XoTsu3YmxQVqjiEjWk5DSqZ2_YHjaOMSIY04R7A-GBolHPkfffhx7HM8lhDekFYtGLhmuG_p4GijWihnuK1GuzBBgYaYLs5_p73w1Zt-anu1LEe2Ca2KZL6MZDMpJ2hZFXL4b44aoN0MtwGIrFG4TdJmoQVQ=w640-h400&quot; title=&quot;is OCD an anxiety disorder&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Living with a mental health condition can be challenging,
1032. but the proper treatment offers hope for those individuals to get help managing
1033. their symptoms. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects many areas of an individual’s
1034. life. During OCD Awareness Week, it’s important to understand whether OCD is an
1035. anxiety disorder as well as the treatment options available to someone
1036. suffering from the condition.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
1037.  
1038. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>OCD Awareness Week<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1039.  
1040. <p class="MsoNormal">October 10-16 is <a href="https://iocdf.org/programs/ocdweek/#:~:text=International%20OCD%20Foundation%20%7C%20International%20OCD,%3A%20October%2010%E2%80%9316%2C%202021">designated</a>
1041. as OCD Awareness Week. The recognition started in 2009, as a way to share
1042. knowledge and to reduce the stigma around OCD and other mental health
1043. disorders. Education and awareness can make a huge difference in the lives of
1044. those with OCD and their family and friends. The focus of the week highlights
1045. the importance of living a value-driven life with OCD and works toward
1046. educating the public about what it means to live with the disorder.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1047.  
1048. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Affecting Millions of People<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1049.  
1050. <p class="MsoNormal">OCD is a common mental health <a href="https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd">condition</a>
1051. that affects millions of people. About 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in
1052. the US are diagnosed with the disorder. They experience both obsessions and
1053. compulsions. An obsession is an intrusive thought or urge, usually unwanted, that
1054. can cause distress or anxiety. A compulsion is a behavior that an individual
1055. feels they must perform to ease their distress or anxiety. They may also
1056. develop the compulsion as a way to attempt to suppress their obsessive thoughts.
1057. Individuals with OCD can experience a range of obsessions and compulsions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1058.  
1059. <p class="MsoNormal">Generally, individuals with OCD recognize that their obsessive
1060. thoughts and compulsive behaviors are not rational. However, they continue to
1061. feel a strong need to follow through on them. In fact, they may spend several
1062. hours every day focusing on these obsessions and performing compulsive rituals.
1063. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1064.  
1065. <p class="MsoNormal">Without the proper treatment, the condition can seriously
1066. impact an individual’s normal routine, at work and at home. Treatment gives
1067. them hope that they can regain control and get relief from their symptoms. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1068.  
1069. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>OCD Is an Anxiety Disorder<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1070.  
1071. <p class="MsoNormal">The National Institutes of Mental Health (<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/what-are-the-five-major-types-of-anxiety-disorders/index.html">NIMH</a>)
1072. includes OCD among the five anxiety disorders. Obsessions can cause anxiety
1073. within the individual who is dealing with their recurrent and unwanted
1074. thoughts. They then perform the compulsive rituals in an attempt to make the
1075. thoughts go away, but the compulsive behavior provides only temporary relief. If
1076. the person does not perform the rituals, the anxiety increases. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1077.  
1078. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>OCD Symptoms<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1079.  
1080. <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd">symptoms</a>
1081. of OCD can cause even more anxiety, as they interfere with the individual’s
1082. ability to function normally each day. Symptoms of obsession include:<o:p></o:p></p>
1083.  
1084. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A fear of germs or contamination</li><li>The need to make sure things are symmetrical or
1085. in a perfect order</li><li>Unwanted thoughts seen as forbidden or taboo, involving
1086. sex, religion, or harm</li><li>Aggressive thoughts towards others or themselves.</li></ul>Compulsive symptoms include:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Ordering and arranging things in a precise manner</li><li>Excessive cleaning and/or handwashing</li><li>Repeatedly checking on things, such as
1087. repeatedly checking to see if the door is locked or that the oven has been
1088. turned off</li><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Counting compulsively.</span></li></ul><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1089.  
1090. <p class="MsoNormal">In addition, a person with OCD typically:<o:p></o:p></p>
1091.  
1092. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Spends at least one hour a day on their
1093. obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors</li><li>Can't control their thoughts or behaviors, even
1094. when they are recognized as excessive</li><li>Doesn’t get any pleasure from performing the
1095. behaviors or rituals, but may feel brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts
1096. cause</li><li>Experiences significant problems in their daily
1097. life as a result of these thoughts or behaviors.</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
1098.  
1099. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1100.  
1101. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1102.  
1103. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1104.  
1105. <p class="MsoNormal">The symptoms can ease over time or they could get worse. An individual
1106. with OCD may try to avoid situations that trigger their obsessions. They may
1107. also turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to calm their anxiety. This can
1108. lead to an addiction that can further damage the individual’s mental and
1109. physical health. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1110.  
1111. <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 126.75pt;"><b>Hope for Your Anxiety Disorder<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1112.  
1113. <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 126.75pt;">Help is available at <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/">Hope by the Sea</a>, a southern California
1114. addiction treatment center. We offer personalized treatment for mood disorders
1115. and addiction, as we focus on helping you begin your journey of recovery from
1116. substance use and mental health issues. We specialize in treating you as a
1117. whole individual, so you can embrace your recovery with as much support and
1118. momentum as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 126.75pt;"><br /></p>
1119.  
1120. <p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 126.75pt;">Our team continues to follow
1121. federal, state, and local public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure
1122. our clients' safety. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">contact
1123. us</a> today to learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!<o:p></o:p></p>
1124.  
1125. &lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/8970837228389469662'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/8970837228389469662'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/10/OCD-anxiety-disorder.html' title='Is OCD an Anxiety Disorder?'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCg0VE5ANez4Ka8Sn5y7tTsT9lRGASk8XoTsu3YmxQVqjiEjWk5DSqZ2_YHjaOMSIY04R7A-GBolHPkfffhx7HM8lhDekFYtGLhmuG_p4GijWihnuK1GuzBBgYaYLs5_p73w1Zt-anu1LEe2Ca2KZL6MZDMpJ2hZFXL4b44aoN0MtwGIrFG4TdJmoQVQ=s72-w640-h400-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-8993650743671542947</id><published>2021-10-07T11:39:00.002-07:00</published><updated>2021-10-07T11:39:27.721-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="depression"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="depression screening"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental illness awareness week"/><title type='text'>How to Get Out of Depression</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEc3w6TO2PBXB6OFNf1UD9sFQo3yi8oS5hI6IQ5SpM8JWwpAyCROzbcrhqvjLdEcMZiBaYq8MzX-JOOl8fuDnNIy9OVjBW-OH1vmVmihDvZGtKSERpdIQ3uB3QoLZdsla26U_xyzNfIxzgoo5Tu4ZMhotRqK3ph_sKC2UI5Xl1aU-0dKpxCFO-iJxDZg=s2048&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;mental illness&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1365&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEc3w6TO2PBXB6OFNf1UD9sFQo3yi8oS5hI6IQ5SpM8JWwpAyCROzbcrhqvjLdEcMZiBaYq8MzX-JOOl8fuDnNIy9OVjBW-OH1vmVmihDvZGtKSERpdIQ3uB3QoLZdsla26U_xyzNfIxzgoo5Tu4ZMhotRqK3ph_sKC2UI5Xl1aU-0dKpxCFO-iJxDZg=w640-h426&quot; title=&quot;how to get out of depression&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Have you ever been told to “just snap out of it?” When you
1126. are experiencing the symptoms of depression, you know that is not good advice. Learning
1127. more about the symptoms and effects of the mental illness can help you be
1128. better prepared to manage it. A mental health screening can help you recognize
1129. the symptoms and know more about how to get out of depression.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
1130.  
1131. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Together for Mental Health<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1132.  
1133. <p class="MsoNormal">October 7 is National Depression Screening Day, part of
1134. National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. The theme for this year
1135. is “Together for Mental Health.” Mental health conditions should be discussed
1136. openly throughout the year, but this month is designated to focus on improved
1137. care for all individuals with mental illness.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1138.  
1139. <p class="MsoNormal">A <a href="https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">screening</span></a> that is
1140. free, confidential, and anonymous can help you determine whether your symptoms
1141. might point to depression. The screening is not a diagnosis. You can use it as
1142. a tool to move forward with seeking treatment and learning more about how to
1143. get out of depression.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1144.  
1145. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Learn About the Symptoms<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1146.  
1147. <p class="MsoNormal">When you know more about depression, including the <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">symptoms</span></a> you are
1148. experiencing, it can help you better manage the illness. Some of the symptoms
1149. of depression include a persistent feeling of sadness or emptiness as well as a
1150. feeling of hopelessness. In addition, you may be experiencing:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Irritability, restlessness, or frustration</li><li>Feelings of helplessness or worthlessness </li><li>Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or
1151. activities you once enjoyed</li><li>Significantly decreased energy or fatigue</li><li>Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering
1152. details</li><li>Difficulty sleeping, including early morning
1153. awakening, or oversleeping</li><li>Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes</li><li>Aches or pains, including headaches and stomach
1154. problems that don’t have a clear physical cause and that do not get better with
1155. treatment.</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
1156.  
1157. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1158.  
1159. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1160.  
1161. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1162.  
1163. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1164.  
1165. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1166.  
1167. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1168.  
1169. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1170.  
1171. <p class="MsoNormal">Suicide attempts or thoughts of death or suicide are serious
1172. symptoms of depression. If you are thinking about suicide or about hurting
1173. yourself, call 911 immediately or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1174. at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text HELLO to the Crisis Text Line at
1175. 741741.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1176.  
1177. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Develop a Positive Support Network<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1178.  
1179. <p class="MsoNormal">When you are trying to get out of depression, a positive
1180. support <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327018"><span style="color: #0563c1; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">network</span></a> can help.
1181. When you have close family members or friends who understand your condition, it
1182. can make a huge difference in how you manage your depression. You will know
1183. that you have people you can count on, especially when you want to talk through
1184. what you are feeling.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1185.  
1186. <p class="MsoNormal">A formal support group also gives you a network of people
1187. who understand what you are going through as you experience the symptoms of
1188. depression. If you are not comfortable meeting in person, there are a number of
1189. online groups available that give you the same support in the comfort and
1190. safety of your home.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1191.  
1192. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Take Care of Your Physical Health<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1193.  
1194. <p class="MsoNormal">Though it may take some effort, improving your physical
1195. health can have positive results for your mental health as well. Focus on
1196. eating nutritious meals that give you the vitamins and nutrients you need. Try
1197. to eat more fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1198.  
1199. <p class="MsoNormal">Go for a walk for find another way to get some exercise.
1200. Getting outside and participating in physical activity may feel like the last
1201. thing you want to do, but physical activity has been shown to release
1202. endorphins that improve mood and can be an effective part of your effort to get
1203. out of depression. Start slowly at first if you need to but try to get moving
1204. in a constructive way every day. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1205.  
1206. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Avoid Drugs and Alcohol<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1207.  
1208. <p class="MsoNormal">Many people experiencing the symptoms of depression will
1209. turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to manage their condition. However,
1210. these substances will only make your mental illness worse. Alcohol is a
1211. depressant and can make you even more fatigued with feelings of sadness and
1212. hopelessness. Substance use can also lead to an addiction, which will need to
1213. be treated at the same time as your depression.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1214.  
1215. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Reach Out for Treatment<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1216.  
1217. <p class="MsoNormal">A mental health screening can guide you toward a better
1218. understanding of your symptoms. The next step is to reach out to a healthcare
1219. professional for <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/mood-disorder"><span style="color: blue;">treatment</span></a> so you can get out of your depression
1220. and begin living a healthier life, physically and mentally. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1221.  
1222. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hope by the Sea is Here to Help<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1223.  
1224. <p class="MsoNormal">If you or someone you love is dealing with mental health
1225. issues, the professionals at <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Hope by the Sea</span></a> are here to help. We are a
1226. southern California mental health and addiction treatment center, focused on
1227. helping men and women begin the journey of recovery from mood disorders and
1228. addiction. We specialize in treating you as a whole individual, so you can
1229. embrace your recovery with as much support and momentum as possible. When you
1230. need help treating your mental health or substance use disorder, we offer the
1231. dual diagnosis treatment program you need. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">contact us today</span></a> to learn more about our programs
1232. and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/8993650743671542947'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/8993650743671542947'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/10/get-out-of-depression.html' title='How to Get Out of Depression'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEc3w6TO2PBXB6OFNf1UD9sFQo3yi8oS5hI6IQ5SpM8JWwpAyCROzbcrhqvjLdEcMZiBaYq8MzX-JOOl8fuDnNIy9OVjBW-OH1vmVmihDvZGtKSERpdIQ3uB3QoLZdsla26U_xyzNfIxzgoo5Tu4ZMhotRqK3ph_sKC2UI5Xl1aU-0dKpxCFO-iJxDZg=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-1877550154262403862</id><published>2021-09-30T12:35:00.002-07:00</published><updated>2021-09-30T12:36:36.441-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="cocaine"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="heroin"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="meth"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="nicotine"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="recovery"/><title type='text'>What is the Most Addictive Drug? | Most Addictive Substances</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOXVm0NiDvfv4VNsvSo4movtMF8SPk7O1GLPc1EuzN7dXL9IiYOuktwmojNekOBqy-frO7GRyESuAn2bkMuzd9EZc65w-auSF97Upr7fqRYrxgCVOreOpImwfzEPqYdveTXUWgyvEgruyCIr4tYDtsuC1FIZMPO0S7stX0hniP8F1ekrQvNkQWfWo1=s1000&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;what are the most addictive drugs&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;667&quot; data-original-width=&quot;1000&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOXVm0NiDvfv4VNsvSo4movtMF8SPk7O1GLPc1EuzN7dXL9IiYOuktwmojNekOBqy-frO7GRyESuAn2bkMuzd9EZc65w-auSF97Upr7fqRYrxgCVOreOpImwfzEPqYdveTXUWgyvEgruyCIr4tYDtsuC1FIZMPO0S7stX0hniP8F1ekrQvNkQWfWo1=w640-h426&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the U.S., over&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29392/Assistant-Secretary-nsduh2019_presentation/Assistant-Secretary-nsduh2019_presentation.pdf&quot;&gt;19 million&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt;adults, and over 1 million&lt;em&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;people&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://drugabusestatistics.org/teen-drug-use/&quot;&gt;under 18&lt;/a&gt;, have some form of substance use disorder (drug addiction). Medical experts say that the top 5&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/the-most-addictive-drugs-and-how-to-get-help&quot;&gt;most addictive drugs&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt;are:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Nicotine (there are over 34 million&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/index.htm&quot;&gt;smokers&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt;in the United States)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Alcohol (around 15 million cases of&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.verywellmind.com/prevalence-of-alcoholism-in-the-united-states-67876&quot;&gt;addiction&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt;in the United States)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Cocaine (over 1 million cases of addiction in the United States)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Methamphetamine (1 million cases of addiction)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Heroin (over 400,000 cases of addiction).&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Nicotine&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many people don’t consider smoking a “real” addiction because it doesn’t make users “high,” and it doesn’t seriously impede everyday functioning or keep people home from work with hangovers (though it can increase the severity of alcohol&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.verywellmind.com/smoking-can-make-hangovers-more-intense-67356&quot;&gt;hangovers&lt;/a&gt;). It also doesn’t necessarily lead to serious illness when someone tries to quit cold turkey—but there are&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/7-common-withdrawal-symptoms/index.html&quot;&gt;withdrawal symptoms&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;nonetheless:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Nicotine cravings&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Mood swings&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Insomnia&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Difficulty concentrating&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Increased appetite (side note: low-calorie snacks and regular exercise can head off post-smoking weight gain).&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;The worst dangers of nicotine addiction are long-term and well-known: lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease, and a host of other&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/health-risks-of-tobacco/health-risks-of-smoking-tobacco.html&quot;&gt;health issues&lt;/a&gt;. Even in the short run, most habitual smokers suffer from chronic coughing, reduced stamina, premature wrinkles, bad breath, and reduced sense of smell.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Alcohol&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;For anyone over 21, alcohol is easy to purchase legally; and most younger adolescents can find it in their households or obtain it from friends. Its ready availability—and its common association with “calming the nerves”—makes users vulnerable to crossing the line into dangerous misuse. This is especially true for those whose natural reasoning abilities are impaired by mental illness, severe stress, or simple brain immaturity. (Note: the age of full&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.businessinsider.com/age-brain-matures-at-everything-2017-11&quot;&gt;brain maturity&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;arrives four years&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;after&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;the age of legal drinking.)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alcohol is considered among the highest-risk drugs for&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/alcoholism/can-you-die-from-alcohol-withdrawal&quot;&gt;life-threatening withdrawal&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;effects. Detox should&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;never&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;be attempted without medical supervision.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Cocaine&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Cocaine is known for inducing brief but intense euphoria and bursts of energy. The drug once wasn’t considered strictly “addictive” because physical withdrawal symptoms are rare. But the psychological&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000947.htm&quot;&gt;symptoms&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;are just as severe and dangerous:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Extreme agitation and/or depression&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Inability to sleep&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Vivid nightmares and, often, paranoid delusions when awake&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Extremely intense cravings for cocaine&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Hostility toward others&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Suicidal impulses.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If not carefully monitored, a person undergoing cocaine withdrawal may become violent and do serious harm to themselves or someone else.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methamphetamine&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;People typically begin using “meth” to experience euphoric stimulation, ward off fatigue, or lose weight through appetite reduction. Those who become addicted suffer from:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Insomnia and/or irregular sleep patterns&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Irritability and/or frequent “jitters”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Dental issues&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Frequent “something’s crawling on me” sensations, leading to obsessive scratching and open sores&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Frequent heavy perspiration.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Potential&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/methamphetamine/what-are-long-term-effects-methamphetamine-misuse&quot;&gt;long-term&amp;nbsp;&lt;/a&gt;effects include anxiety disorders, psychosis, frequent illness, strokes, and heart or liver damage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Heroin&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;All opioid drugs are addictive, but heroin is the most notorious—the illegal drug stereotypically associated with “junkies,” but at least as often the opioid to which anyone can “graduate” when “a few extra” prescription painkillers no longer make them feel better. (Eighty percent of people with heroin addiction started by abusing prescription painkillers.)&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Heroin withdrawal is the epitome of the quip, “It won’t kill you, but it can make you want to die”: it induces severe nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, chills, muscle spasms, and all-over physical and emotional misery. Occasionally, it&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;does&amp;nbsp;&lt;/em&gt;kill someone—usually from vomiting-induced dehydration or desperation-induced suicide—so anyone seeking to give up heroin should seek medically supervised detox.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Endnote: The Importance of Medical Advice&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;Self-treatment for&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;any&lt;/em&gt;&amp;nbsp;substance addiction is extremely difficult, and potentially dangerous. If you see&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/drug-dependence&quot;&gt;symptoms of dependence&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;developing—even with a substance not generally considered addictive—don’t wait to see what happens, and don’t just stop taking the drug. Make an immediate appointment to discuss the situation with a doctor. As with any illness, the odds for addiction recovery are best with early diagnosis and treatment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Effective Addiction Recovery Starts With Treatment&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whatever the exact nature of an addiction or the drug(s) involved, addiction is an illness that needs professional treatment.&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopebythesea.com&quot;&gt;Hope by the Sea&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;offers detox and follow-up care tailored to your demographic and individual needs.&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact&quot;&gt;Contact us&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;to learn more: Hope Starts Here!&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/1877550154262403862'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/1877550154262403862'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/09/most-addictive-drugs.html' title='What is the Most Addictive Drug? | Most Addictive Substances'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOXVm0NiDvfv4VNsvSo4movtMF8SPk7O1GLPc1EuzN7dXL9IiYOuktwmojNekOBqy-frO7GRyESuAn2bkMuzd9EZc65w-auSF97Upr7fqRYrxgCVOreOpImwfzEPqYdveTXUWgyvEgruyCIr4tYDtsuC1FIZMPO0S7stX0hniP8F1ekrQvNkQWfWo1=s72-w640-h426-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-9080289921766882650</id><published>2021-09-24T11:14:00.007-07:00</published><updated>2021-09-24T11:15:02.305-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="post-traumatic-stress"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="ptsd"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="trauma"/><title type='text'>Trauma and Addiction</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKX0RM7OMs6A01BDmiBBoinf5vpkrZWcr_Gd9sxcN5uxUQG1FJjam3RXGwOEOvuU6EG4AnWp_Efi2FpWAnS-FWlvh1oufrAT1iUPIHSd982HzcgAb3RP0RQDDBxcUymkojQ3gQ89-5Dnk/s2048/trauma+and+addiction.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;trauma and addiction&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1367&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;428&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKX0RM7OMs6A01BDmiBBoinf5vpkrZWcr_Gd9sxcN5uxUQG1FJjam3RXGwOEOvuU6EG4AnWp_Efi2FpWAnS-FWlvh1oufrAT1iUPIHSd982HzcgAb3RP0RQDDBxcUymkojQ3gQ89-5Dnk/w640-h428/trauma+and+addiction.jpg&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;
1233.    When someone experiences a traumatic event, they may struggle with
1234.    overcoming its emotional or physical effects. They may turn to drugs or
1235.    alcohol to try to manage their symptoms. Likewise, someone with an
1236.    addiction is generally more vulnerable to traumatic experiences. The link
1237.    between trauma and addiction can be a vicious cycle for some individuals.</p><br>
1238. <h4 style="text-align: left;">
1239.    Link Between Trauma and Addiction
1240. </h4>
1241. <p>
1242.    Substance use problems and exposure to traumatic events are strongly
1243.    <a href="https://istss.org/ISTSS_Main/media/Documents/ISTSS_TraumaStressandSubstanceAbuseProb_English_FNL.pdf">
1244.        linked
1245.    </a>
1246.    . Trauma can result from an event or an experience such as abuse, a
1247.    criminal attack, an act of violence, an accident, or going into battle.
1248.    Many people who undergo these types of trauma will turn to drugs or alcohol
1249.    in an attempt to manage their symptoms.
1250. </p>
1251. <p>
1252.    In a vicious cycle, the increased substance use will often lead to
1253.    additional trauma experiences, leading to further use of drugs or alcohol.
1254.    Those individuals who are addicted to these substances may also be more
1255.    susceptible to traumatic events such as violence or crime. Trauma-related
1256.    disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression,
1257.    are seen in people with substance use disorders as well.
1258. </p>
1259. <p>
1260.    Trauma and addiction create serious problems for the individual’s physical
1261.    and mental health. These linked disorders can also affect the lives of
1262.    those around them, including impacting relationships with friends and
1263.    family members.
1264. </p><br>
1265. <h4 style="text-align: left;">
1266.    PTSD
1267. </h4>
1268. <p>
1269.    PTSD is often thought of as something that happens to members of the
1270.    military and first responders. In fact,
1271.    <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd">
1272.        PTSD
1273.    </a>
1274.    can develop in anyone who has experienced a traumatic incident. The
1275.    symptoms can begin with three months of the incident but can emerge months
1276.    or even years later. When a person experiences PTSD, their symptoms will
1277.    interfere with their daily life, including their work and their
1278.    relationships with others.
1279. </p>
1280. <p>
1281.    PTSD symptoms can include flashbacks of the event or experience, avoiding
1282.    places or people that are reminders of the incident, being easily startled,
1283.    having difficulty concentrating and difficulty sleep, having angry or
1284.    aggressive outbursts, and engaging in risky or destructive behavior,
1285.    including abusing drugs or alcohol.
1286. </p><br>
1287. <h4 style="text-align: left;">
1288.    Alcohol Abuse and PTSD
1289. </h4>
1290. <p>
1291.    When an individual is stressed and anxious as a result of experiencing a
1292.    trauma in their life, they may be more tempted to use drugs or alcohol as a
1293.    temporary relief or distraction. However, this can create more problems for
1294.    the individual, both for their physical and their mental health.
1295. </p>
1296. <p>
1297.    Substance abuse can reduce a person’s ability to concentrate, to sleep
1298.    restfully, to be productive, and to cope in a positive way with their
1299.    traumatic memories and stressors. It can increase the sense of being numb
1300.    emotionally, as well as their social isolation, depression, anger, and
1301.    irritability. People who abuse alcohol and have PTSD often feel they need
1302.    to constantly be on their guard, which can be wearing on them.
1303. </p>
1304. <p>
1305.    Trauma and addiction to alcohol are often seen together, as traumatized
1306.    individuals are more likely to abuse alcohol both before and after they are
1307.    diagnosed with PTSD. Research has found that:
1308. </p>
1309. <ul><li>One-fourth to three-fourths of those individuals who have survived
1310.    abusive or violent traumatic experiences report problematic alcohol use.
1311. </li>
1312. <li>One-tenth to one-third of those individuals who survive trauma related to
1313.    an illness, accident, or disaster report problematic alcohol use,
1314.    especially if they are troubled by persistent health problems or pain.
1315. </li>
1316. <li>Up to 80% of Vietnam veterans seeking PTSD treatment have alcohol use
1317.    disorders.
1318. </li>
1319. <li>Veterans over the age of 65 with PTSD are at increased risk for attempted
1320.    suicide when they abuse alcohol and experience the complications of
1321.    depression.
1322. </li>
1323. <li>Women exposed to trauma in their life show an increased risk for an
1324.    alcohol use disorder.
1325. </li>
1326. <li>Men and women reporting sexual abuse have higher rates of alcohol and
1327.    drug use disorders than those who have not experienced such trauma.
1328.  </li></ul><br>
1329. <h4 style="text-align: left;">
1330.    Other Psychological or Physical Issues
1331. </h4>
1332. <p>
1333.    Issues with mental health and physical health can also be a concern for
1334.    someone experiencing trauma and addiction. About half of those adults with
1335.    both alcohol use disorders and PTSD have one or more physical or
1336.    psychological issues. Anxiety disorders, including phobias and panic
1337.    attacks, mood disorders such as depression, attention deficit disorder, and
1338.    abuse of prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol are often seen in
1339.    people who have experienced trauma.
1340. </p>
1341. <p>
1342.    Those individuals are also more likely to experience chronic physical
1343.    illnesses, such as heart disease or diabetes. They will also suffer from
1344.    chronic physical pains as well, sometimes as a result of a traumatic injury
1345.    or illness but sometimes with no clear physical cause.
1346. </p><br>
1347. <h3>
1348.    Trauma and Addiction Treatment at Hope by the Sea
1349. </h3>
1350. <p>
1351.    If you have experienced trauma in your life and are struggling to deal with
1352.    the symptoms, we are here to help with your anxiety, mood disorder, and
1353.    addiction. At
1354.    <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/dual-diagnosis-treatment">
1355.        Hope by the Sea</a>, we work with you to create a personalized treatment regimen that will be
1356. effective for you and your situation. Please    <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">contact</a> Hope by the Sea
1357.    immediately for assistance. Hope Starts Here!
1358. &lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/9080289921766882650'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/9080289921766882650'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/09/trauma-and-addiction.html' title='Trauma and Addiction'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKX0RM7OMs6A01BDmiBBoinf5vpkrZWcr_Gd9sxcN5uxUQG1FJjam3RXGwOEOvuU6EG4AnWp_Efi2FpWAnS-FWlvh1oufrAT1iUPIHSd982HzcgAb3RP0RQDDBxcUymkojQ3gQ89-5Dnk/s72-w640-h428-c/trauma+and+addiction.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-5815311971751706908</id><published>2021-09-13T12:49:00.002-07:00</published><updated>2021-09-13T12:49:24.794-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction treatment"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="co-occurring mental illness"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="dual diagnosis"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><title type='text'>Dual Diagnosis Treatment | Statistics on Dual Diagnosis</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73lUOpfN_TP_d0y9QhbOdrZlGJBLGJXlushx714VZGfGg_J6ApJb5ozJkCnQxoQZBHELfI_xH0-GEHjB3SoPYGWs0axYZXLyjasPVZuRbnknxY2XrTMExSLSmCQETVigcq0nSQZcf9Ek/s2048/dual+diagnosis+treatment.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;dual diagnosis treatment&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1365&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73lUOpfN_TP_d0y9QhbOdrZlGJBLGJXlushx714VZGfGg_J6ApJb5ozJkCnQxoQZBHELfI_xH0-GEHjB3SoPYGWs0axYZXLyjasPVZuRbnknxY2XrTMExSLSmCQETVigcq0nSQZcf9Ek/w640-h426/dual+diagnosis+treatment.jpg&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;
1359.    Many people who struggle with substance use disorders also have mental
1360.    health concerns. Likewise, many with mental health disorders are also
1361.    addicted to drugs or alcohol. When an individual has both conditions, they
1362.    are said to have a dual diagnosis. The statistics on dual diagnosis show
1363.    that these conditions frequently occur together but dual diagnosis
1364.    treatment can be effective in managing the symptoms of each disorder.
1365. </p>
1366. <br>
1367. <h3><strong>
1368.    What is Dual Diagnosis?
1369. </strong></h3>
1370. <p>
1371.    Simply put, an individual with dual diagnosis has both an addiction to
1372. drugs or alcohol and a mental health disorder. The    <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/dualdiagnosis.html">conditions</a> occur
1373.    together and should be treated together. About half of the individuals with
1374.    a mental health issue also have a substance use disorder and vice versa.
1375.    The symptoms of each condition can worsen the symptoms of the other
1376.    condition.
1377. </p>
1378. <br>
1379. <p>
1380.    Although these conditions occur together in someone with a dual diagnosis,
1381.    it can be difficult to determine which came first. There are three
1382.    possibilities as to why they occur together in some people.
1383. </p>
1384. <ol>
1385. <li>
1386.    Common risk factors, including stress, trauma, and genetics, can
1387.    contribute to both substance use and mental health disorders.
1388. </li>
1389. <li>
1390.    Mental disorders can contribute to substance use disorders as
1391.    individuals tend to use drugs or alcohol to try to manage their symptoms.
1392.    Mental disorders may also change the functioning of the brain, making it
1393.    more likely that these individuals will become addicted.
1394. </li>
1395. <li>
1396.    Addiction can contribute to the development of mental health disorders.
1397.    Substance use also changes the brain in ways that may make it more likely
1398.    that the individual will develop a mental disorder.
1399. </li>
1400. </ol>
1401. <br>
1402. <h3><strong>
1403.    Statistics on Dual Diagnosis
1404. </strong></h3>
1405. <p>
1406.    In 2019, 9.5 million adults in the US had a dual diagnosis. This was an
1407.    increase over 2018 numbers, when approximately 9.2 million adults in the US
1408.    had both mental health and substance use
1409.    <a href="https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/pep19-5068.pdf">
1410.        disorders
1411.    </a>
1412.    . The 2018 number was higher than the numbers for 2015 and 2016.
1413. </p>
1414. <br>
1415. <p>
1416.    Among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25, 2.4 million had a dual
1417.    diagnosis in 2018. Five million adults between the ages of 26 and 49 were
1418.    diagnosed with both a mental illness and a substance use disorder. Among
1419.    adults over the age of 50, 1.7 million had a dual diagnosis.
1420. </p>
1421. <br>
1422. <h3><strong>
1423.    Dual Diagnosis Treatment
1424. </strong></h3>
1425. <p>
1426.    The best
1427.    <a href="https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Substance-Use-Disorders">
1428.        approach
1429.    </a>
1430.    for a dual diagnosis of a substance use disorder and a mental health
1431.    disorder is to treat both conditions together in an integrated
1432.    intervention. Treatment must address the individual's specific situation,
1433.    but may include:
1434. </p>
1435. <ul>
1436.    <li>
1437.        <strong>Detox</strong>
1438.        : The first step is usually to rid the body of the toxic substances so
1439.        addiction and mental health treatment can begin. A medically supervised
1440.        detoxification program will help the individual manage withdrawal
1441.        symptoms and stay healthy throughout the process.
1442.    </li>
1443.    <li>
1444.        <strong>Inpatient Rehab</strong>
1445.        : Addressing the individual's addiction and mental health disorder can
1446.        be most effective when they receive mental health and medical care
1447.        24/7. Therapy, health services, and support are available to the
1448.        individual to treat their conditions and the underlying causes of each.
1449.    </li>
1450.    <li>
1451.        <strong>Psychotherapy</strong>
1452.        : Therapy sessions, including alternative therapies such as Gestalt
1453.        therapy and art therapy, have been proven effective in helping the
1454.        individual with a dual diagnosis learn how to cope with and how to
1455.        change ineffective patterns of thinking which could lead to an
1456.        increased risk of substance use.
1457.    </li>
1458.    <li>
1459.        <strong>Ongoing Support</strong>
1460.        : Extended care programs, support groups, and 12-Step programs enable
1461.        the individual with a dual diagnosis to learn how to live a new life
1462.        after addiction. They will find a supportive network of other
1463.        individuals with similar experiences and backgrounds who can share in
1464.        their frustrations and celebrate their successes. An extended care
1465.        program reinforces the individual's ability to develop and retain the
1466.        skills they will need to live a healthier and more fulfilling life in
1467.        recovery.
1468.    </li>
1469. </ul>
1470. <br>
1471. <h3><strong>
1472.    Help for Drug Abuse and Mental Health Issues
1473.  </strong></h3>
1474. <p>
1475.    It's critical for your recovery to work with a professional with
1476. specialized dual-diagnosis expertise. At    <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/">Hope by the Sea</a>, a southern
1477.    California addiction treatment center, we help you begin the journey of
1478.    recovery from drug abuse as well as mental health issues. We specialize in
1479.    treating you as a whole individual, as well as your family members who are
1480.    affected, so everyone can embrace recovery with as much support and
1481.    momentum as possible.
1482. </p>
1483. <br>
1484. <p>
1485.    Our team continues to follow federal, state, and local public health
1486. guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure our clients' safety. Please    <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">contact us</a> today to
1487.    learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!
1488. &lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5815311971751706908'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5815311971751706908'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/09/dual-diagnosis-treatment.html' title='Dual Diagnosis Treatment | Statistics on Dual Diagnosis'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73lUOpfN_TP_d0y9QhbOdrZlGJBLGJXlushx714VZGfGg_J6ApJb5ozJkCnQxoQZBHELfI_xH0-GEHjB3SoPYGWs0axYZXLyjasPVZuRbnknxY2XrTMExSLSmCQETVigcq0nSQZcf9Ek/s72-w640-h426-c/dual+diagnosis+treatment.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-7872032270611641995</id><published>2021-09-10T13:10:00.003-07:00</published><updated>2021-09-10T13:10:37.586-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="anxiety"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="anxiety test"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><title type='text'>Do I Have Anxiety? </title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG_zDezriWuKigrROETsgL0gb-EG4Q65DeP9PQebEegJewbygtg7ZA5DytkZpBjFluLjMmB4rHXr2iTfcqF_f7e0jTXzTUO836PXmaU1tu94d13WJ8EQblK-w0R4kKm3f888P739cQCLe/s2048/do+I+have+anxiety.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;anxiety test&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1365&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG_zDezriWuKigrROETsgL0gb-EG4Q65DeP9PQebEegJewbygtg7ZA5DytkZpBjFluLjMmB4rHXr2iTfcqF_f7e0jTXzTUO836PXmaU1tu94d13WJ8EQblK-w0R4kKm3f888P739cQCLe/w640-h426/do+I+have+anxiety.jpg&quot; title=&quot;do I have anxiety&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Being anxious about a new job or a temporarily challenging
1489. situation in your life is normal. You may be worried about what life will be
1490. like in a new neighborhood if you’re planning a move or concerned that you will
1491. do well in a presentation you have to make for work. However, if your symptoms
1492. of being anxious continue for a long time, you may wonder if you have anxiety
1493. or what kind of anxiety test is available so you can be sure.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
1494.  
1495. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Anxiety Disorders<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1496.  
1497. <p class="MsoNormal">An anxiety disorder is a mental health <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/anxiety.html"><span style="color: blue;">condition</span></a>
1498. that can seriously affect your daily life. That feeling of fear or dread does
1499. not go away and, in fact, can become worse over time. Anxiety can impact your
1500. job, your personal life, and your relationships. It can be debilitating.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1501.  
1502. <p class="MsoNormal">There are different types of anxiety disorders:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1503.  
1504. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)</b> is excessive worry
1505. about ordinary issues. If you are anxious about your family, your job, money,
1506. or health, and you have worries about any of these almost every day for at
1507. least six months, you may be diagnosed with GAD.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1508.  
1509. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Panic Disorder</b> is typically diagnosed when you have
1510. panic attacks that come on quickly and last for several minutes or even longer.
1511. These attacks occur even when you are in no actual danger, but you experience
1512. sudden, repeated periods of intense fear.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1513.  
1514. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Phobias</b> are diagnosed when you have an intense fear
1515. of something that doesn’t actually put you in danger. If your anxiety is a
1516. phobia, you may have a fear of going to crowded places, being in social
1517. situations, or even an intense and debilitating fear of objects or animals such
1518. as spiders.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1519.  
1520. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Causes of Anxiety Disorders<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1521.  
1522. <p class="MsoNormal">While the precise cause of anxiety is unknown, it may be
1523. related to brain chemistry, stress levels, genetics, and influences from your
1524. environment. GAD and phobias are more common in women. General risk factors for
1525. anxiety disorders include:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1526.  
1527. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A family history of anxiety or other mental
1528. health issues</li><li>Traumatic events that occurred in early
1529. childhood or adulthood</li><li>Personality traits, such as being extremely shy
1530. or withdrawn in new situations or around people you don’t know</li><li>Physical health conditions such as arrhythmia or
1531. thyroid conditions.</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
1532.  
1533. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1534.  
1535. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1536.  
1537. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1538.  
1539. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Do I Have Anxiety?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1540.  
1541. <p class="MsoNormal">Anxiety <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323454"><span style="color: blue;">affects</span></a> 40 million people in the US. Anxiety disorders are the
1542. most common group of mental illnesses in this country. Less than 37% of people with
1543. an anxiety disorder receive treatment, though. <o:p></o:p></p>
1544.  
1545. <p class="MsoNormal">What symptoms are you experiencing that lead you to wonder
1546. if you have an anxiety disorder? Different types of anxiety have different
1547. symptoms, but all typically have some combination of:<o:p></o:p></p>
1548.  
1549. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Changes in your behavior, such as avoiding
1550. activities that you used to do without fear.</li><li>Physical symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat,
1551. dizziness, shortness of breath, pounding heart, and unexplained aches and
1552. pains.</li><li>Thoughts or beliefs that are hard to control.
1553. These thoughts make you feel restless and tense. They will interfere with your
1554. daily activities. They do not go away, and instead you feel them more intensely
1555. over time.</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
1556.  
1557. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1558.  
1559. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1560.  
1561. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Anxiety Test<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1562.  
1563. <p class="MsoNormal">When you are concerned that your anxious feelings may be an
1564. anxiety disorder, there is an anxiety test that will <a href="https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/anxiety/"><span style="color: blue;">screen</span></a> for symptoms. The test will help assess
1565. whether you have experienced symptoms of anxiety for extended periods of time.
1566. Questions will ask how often you are not able to stop or control your worrying
1567. and how often you feel afraid, as if something terrible might happen, for
1568. example. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1569.  
1570. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Treatment for Anxiety<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1571.  
1572. <p class="MsoNormal">It’s important to follow up on the anxiety test with
1573. appropriate treatment if you suspect that you do have anxiety. A mental health
1574. professional can confirm the diagnosis and treat you with behavioral therapy,
1575. psychotherapy, and medications. If you are also struggling from a substance use
1576. issue, this can also have a strong effect on your mental health so both
1577. conditions will need to be treated together.<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1578.  
1579. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hope by the Sea is Here to Help<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1580.  
1581. <p class="MsoNormal">If you are dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety,
1582. the professionals at <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Hope by the Sea</span></a> are here to help. We are a
1583. southern California mental health and addiction treatment center, focused on
1584. helping men and women begin the journey of recovery from mood disorders and
1585. addiction. We specialize in treating you as a whole individual, so you can
1586. embrace your recovery with as much support and momentum as possible. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1587.  
1588. <p class="MsoNormal">When you need help treating your mental health or substance
1589. use disorder, we offer the dual diagnosis treatment program you need. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">contact us today</span></a> to learn more about our programs
1590. and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7872032270611641995'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7872032270611641995'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/09/do-I-have-anxiety.html' title='Do I Have Anxiety? '/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG_zDezriWuKigrROETsgL0gb-EG4Q65DeP9PQebEegJewbygtg7ZA5DytkZpBjFluLjMmB4rHXr2iTfcqF_f7e0jTXzTUO836PXmaU1tu94d13WJ8EQblK-w0R4kKm3f888P739cQCLe/s72-w640-h426-c/do+I+have+anxiety.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-4770630936728675804</id><published>2021-08-31T11:32:00.002-07:00</published><updated>2021-08-31T11:32:17.776-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="anorexia"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="behavioral health"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="bulimia"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="co-occurring disorder"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="diabetes"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="diabulimia"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="dual diagnosis"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="eating disorders"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="ed"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="fad diets"/><title type='text'>Diabulimia: A Life-Threatening Fad Diet</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohaCAxFwX_l8KZfOD44gMeZF0TSjp2tPlzglBr3kE77czBr2xy-zf_0lHgsI-fHVvAM5SQuTsqvWRhHoStwGA0qJ6jqW2CQz6VFJDiuJV4NqohW1OG3a6asOsq0F2WTYiRW_CpicZh1w/s1000/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-6942039.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;diabulimia&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;486&quot; data-original-width=&quot;1000&quot; height=&quot;312&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohaCAxFwX_l8KZfOD44gMeZF0TSjp2tPlzglBr3kE77czBr2xy-zf_0lHgsI-fHVvAM5SQuTsqvWRhHoStwGA0qJ6jqW2CQz6VFJDiuJV4NqohW1OG3a6asOsq0F2WTYiRW_CpicZh1w/w640-h312/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-6942039.jpg&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You’ve probably heard of the common eating disorders—&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/anorexia&quot;&gt;anorexia&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/bulimia&quot;&gt;bulimia&lt;/a&gt;, compulsive &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/bed&quot;&gt;binge eating&lt;/a&gt;—and their attendant health risks. Most of these, while demographically proportional to negative-body-image issues, can happen to people of any age, gender, or background. However, there’s one eating disorder and dangerous fad diet that happens only to members of one small demographic. There are 1.6 million Americans with &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.diabetes.org/resources/statistics/statistics-about-diabetes&quot;&gt;Type 1 diabetes&lt;/a&gt;; and among teen and young-adult patients at least, over 10 percent and perhaps as many as 40 percent struggle with &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.everydayhealth.com/type-1-diabetes/diabulimia.aspx&quot;&gt;diabulimia&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;What Is Diabulimia?&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353011&quot;&gt;Type 1 diabetes&lt;/a&gt; is different from the more common &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193&quot;&gt;Type 2&lt;/a&gt;, which affects over 32.5 million Americans, mostly in the over-50 demographic. Both diabetes types are due to high blood sugar brought on by a shortage of pancreas-produced insulin, without which the body is unable to absorb sugar. But while Type 2 diabetes begins when the pancreas and insulin-absorbing cells wear out from age or from years/decades of excessive sugar intake, Type 1 is due to a pancreas that never functions properly or “dies” early in life. And while Type 2 is often a minor (or even asymptomatic) problem manageable with weight control and healthy diet, Type 1 patients must take regular doses of supplementary insulin throughout their lives.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Symptoms indicating either form of diabetes include frequent thirst, increased appetite, fatigue, blurry vision—and weight loss. When blood sugar loses its insulin “key” to the cells that would ordinarily store it, the body, now unable to utilize its normal sugar energy sources, begins breaking down fat cells for their backup energy supply. The result: less fat, less weight, but at the price of abnormally high blood sugar levels.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Diabulimia begins when someone decides to lose weight by cutting supplementary insulin. People without Type 1 diabetes don’t get diabulima because they’re immune to it: their bodies produce insulin naturally, and that source can’t be turned off. (Even most people with Type 2 diabetes still have adequate natural insulin for everyday functioning.)&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;Why Diabulimia Is Life-Threatening&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unfortunately, people with diabetes are already in a high-risk category for &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/mental-health/eating-disorders&quot;&gt;eating disorders&lt;/a&gt; in general. The parallels are many:&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;li&gt;Young Type 1 diabetics feel uncomfortably different from their peers (the illness affects &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.mic.com/articles/136237/diabulimia-eating-disorder-risks-causes-myths-and-facts&quot;&gt;one teen in a thousand&lt;/a&gt;); people with eating disorders feel ugly, alone, and unappreciated&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Effective diabetes management requires ongoing attention to body functions; eating disorders are triggered by obsession with the body&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Diabetes management means careful monitoring and hard work; many people with eating disorders are highly organized and perfectionistic&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;People with diabetes can suffer “burnout” and get tired of all the work involved (that in itself can be a major contributor to diabulimia); people with eating disorders have their own “burnout” periods when they give up on being responsible.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Eating disorders are life-threatening because they trigger increased &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/health-consequences&quot;&gt;risks&lt;/a&gt; of heart trouble, severe malnutrition, blocked intestines, stomach rupture, and kidney failure. People with diabulimia also risk every major health concern associated with low insulin—heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, blindness, slow wound healing, frequent illness. And, more immediately, ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal coma caused by acid buildup in the blood.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;If You Suspect Diabulimia&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;Symptoms of diabulimia include:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;li&gt;Change in diabetes-management, exercise, or eating habits&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The return of Type 1 diabetes symptoms that had been under control&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Unaccounted-for rise in the blood’s A1C level&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Hair and skin drying out&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Increased secretiveness&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Rapid weight loss, usually with refusal to talk about it&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Excessive concern with weight and other aspects of body image&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Episodes of nausea and vomiting&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Episodes of hypoglycemia (wooziness and shakiness due to low blood sugar) or ketoacidosis—and, often, frequent emergency-room visits due to low insulin.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Diabulimia can persist for years and &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/what-is-diabulimia&quot;&gt;shortens average life span&lt;/a&gt; by a decade. If you suspect you or a minor in your custody has it, see a doctor immediately (be sure to mention your concerns about the ongoing problem, since diabulimia is still little recognized even in the medical world). See an eating disorders specialist as well, and find a &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.diabetes.org/community&quot;&gt;support group&lt;/a&gt;—preferably one that includes others with co-occurring diabetes and eating disorder.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Finally, remember that neither diabetes nor weight management has to ruin your life. With family and peer support, anyone can find much to be grateful for, even amidst the toughest challenges.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;Get Help for Your Health Problems&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;While prescription insulin is essential for Type 1 diabetes, many people take unprescribed substances that can do as much harm as diabulimia—especially when substance abuse turns into addiction. At &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopebythesea.com/&quot;&gt;Hope by the Sea&lt;/a&gt;, we offer accredited treatment for addiction disorders and the mental/behavioral illnesses that often accompany them. &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact&quot;&gt;Contact us&lt;/a&gt; to learn how we can help with your specific concerns. Hope Starts Here!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/4770630936728675804'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/4770630936728675804'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/08/diabulimia.html' title='Diabulimia: A Life-Threatening Fad Diet'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohaCAxFwX_l8KZfOD44gMeZF0TSjp2tPlzglBr3kE77czBr2xy-zf_0lHgsI-fHVvAM5SQuTsqvWRhHoStwGA0qJ6jqW2CQz6VFJDiuJV4NqohW1OG3a6asOsq0F2WTYiRW_CpicZh1w/s72-w640-h312-c/pexels-nataliya-vaitkevich-6942039.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-3475984888199918517</id><published>2021-08-21T10:32:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2021-08-21T10:32:14.912-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcohol addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="drug addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><title type='text'>Vulnerability to Addiction Increases After Gastric Bypass</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFI9tfkvduAVKfU9HdUBK59_LAnNB1bemXsO6SKo2DoxVznLGQTbzEW22Ns2LfBWHcdyW8SjRpZk7DAzEyV5pqwdyxByKNOG-Z0JyrS5oTWQfwVHomCrrNuaYii0ox8lJDyhx-63btY5ztSp3CtPs_azYXFbJcskin3VSPiknDc6mWsBYICGmxjcvC5g=s2048&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;vulnerability to addiction after gastric bypass&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1384&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;432&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFI9tfkvduAVKfU9HdUBK59_LAnNB1bemXsO6SKo2DoxVznLGQTbzEW22Ns2LfBWHcdyW8SjRpZk7DAzEyV5pqwdyxByKNOG-Z0JyrS5oTWQfwVHomCrrNuaYii0ox8lJDyhx-63btY5ztSp3CtPs_azYXFbJcskin3VSPiknDc6mWsBYICGmxjcvC5g=w640-h432&quot; title=&quot;vulnerability to addiction increases after gastric bypass&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Being overweight can cause issues for a person, both on a physical
1591. and a psychological level. Some people opt for surgery to help them lose the
1592. weight so they can try to live a healthier life. In some people, though, vulnerability
1593. to addiction increases after gastric bypass surgery, perhaps because they are
1594. unprepared for the psychological challenges they may face afterwards.<p></p><p><br /></p>
1595.  
1596. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Surgery to Fight Obesity<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
1597.  
1598. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In the US each year, approximately 200,000 people have <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-drinking-problems-develop-after-weight-loss-surgery#Why-alcohol-problems-develop">surgery</a>
1599. in an effort to lose weight. The country is, in fact, getting heavier every
1600. year. Over one in three people are considered to be obese and over one in
1601. twenty fit the definition for extreme obesity. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></p>
1602.  
1603. <p class="MsoNormal">Surgery known as a gastric bypass is actually the oldest
1604. known weight-loss surgical procedure and remains the gold standard, as it has
1605. shown the longest record of success. During the procedure, the surgeon takes
1606. the steps necessary to reduce the patient’s stomach to the size of a walnut. Then
1607. the stomach is attached to the middle of the small intestine where it bypasses
1608. a section that normally absorbs calories.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1609.  
1610. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Stress of Adjustment<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1611.  
1612. <p class="MsoNormal">For someone who has been overweight for a long time, the
1613. change in their physical appearance after surgery may require a significant <a href="https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/126520/addiction-medicine/alcohol-use-disorders-after-bariatric-surgery-case/page/0/1">adjustment</a>,
1614. emotionally and physically. Weight loss, particularly <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when it happens relatively quickly, can impact
1615. an individual’s body image, lifestyle, and social functioning, both positively
1616. and negatively. While the physical result was certainly desired, the mental
1617. adjustment can be challenging.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1618.  
1619. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Adaptive Coping Skills<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1620.  
1621. <p class="MsoNormal">Often, individuals undergoing gastric bypass surgery are not
1622. adequately prepared, psychologically, for their new look. They experience the
1623. stresses without the appropriate, adaptive coping skills necessary to properly
1624. adjust. One theory is that this, in part, explains the fact that vulnerability
1625. to addiction increases after gastric bypass.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1626.  
1627. <p class="MsoNormal">People have reported profound changes in their life as a result
1628. of the surgery, which delivers a relatively rapid and substantial weight loss
1629. for them. The impact for them can be both positive and negative and can affect
1630. their relationships with loved ones, friends, and even strangers. This type of sudden
1631. adjustment is difficult without effective and healthy coping skills.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1632.  
1633. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Existing Psychological Distress<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1634.  
1635. <p class="MsoNormal">People who undergo surgery to lose weight have already
1636. experienced significant psychosocial issues because of the stigma surrounding
1637. overweight individuals. Most have already spent a considerable amount of time
1638. inhabiting larger bodies, which has caused them to deal with negative judgments
1639. and other psychological challenges. A tendency to internalize this stigma can
1640. cause further emotional distress. After surgery, the weight may be reduced but
1641. the psychological distress can remain.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1642.  
1643. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Emotional Vulnerability to Addiction<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1644.  
1645. <p class="MsoNormal">There are certain <a href="https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/08/gastric-bypass-alcoholism.html">physical
1646. reasons</a> for an increase in alcohol addiction in people who have undergone
1647. gastric bypass. There are also psychological and emotional reasons related to
1648. the stress that individuals experience both before and after their surgery.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1649.  
1650. <p class="MsoNormal">Turning to alcohol or drugs may become a new coping strategy
1651. after surgery, particularly when the individual is not equipped with the
1652. appropriate support and guidance to be able to deal appropriately with their weight
1653. loss. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1654.  
1655. <p class="MsoNormal">Several <a href="https://www.obesityaction.org/community/news/bariatric-surgery/transfer-addiction-following-bariatric-surgery/">factors</a>
1656. may increase an individual’s vulnerability to addiction after gastric bypass. When
1657. considering surgery for weight loss, it is critically important to seek
1658. counseling and guidance to learn healthier coping skills to deal with these
1659. issues and to be able to manage the new lifestyle in a more effective manner. Vulnerability
1660. to addiction may be a result of a history of:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Substance abuse in the individual or in the family</span></li><li>Eating disorders, food addiction or compulsive
1661. eating</li><li>Engaging in self-sabotaging tendencies </li><li>Chronic pain, possibly accompanied by overuse of
1662. narcotics for pain management</li><li>Trauma, especially childhood sexual abuse</li><li>Depression and other mood or anxiety disorders.</li></ul>The individual may also have experienced:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>An avoidance of emotions and experiences</li><li>Regular consumption of alcohol before surgery</li><li>A lack of adequate support </li><li>A feeling of isolation. </li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1663.  
1664. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1665.  
1666. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1667.  
1668. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1669.  
1670. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1671.  
1672. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1673.  
1674. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
1675.  
1676. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1677.  
1678. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1679.  
1680. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1681.  
1682.  
1683.  
1684. <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signs of Addictive Behavior<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
1685.  
1686. <p class="MsoNormal">When you or a loved one becomes concerned about a possibility
1687. of a vulnerability to addiction after gastric bypass, be aware of the signs of
1688. addictive behavior, including: <o:p></o:p></p>
1689.  
1690. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Using more drugs or alcohol to get the same
1691. effect as time progresses</li><li>Multiple unsuccessful efforts to stop using
1692. drugs or alcohol</li><li>Legal, financial, professional, or personal
1693. issues that are directly related to substance use</li><li>Trying to cover up the substance use, drinking
1694. in secret or lying about the drug use</li><li>Feelings of shame or guilt about the addictive
1695. behavior</li><li>Using drugs or alcohol becoming the main focus
1696. of what to look forward to each day.</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
1697.  
1698. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1699.  
1700. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1701.  
1702. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1703.  
1704. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1705.  
1706. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1707.  
1708. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Help for Drug Abuse and Mental Health Issues<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1709.  
1710. <p class="MsoNormal">If you are struggling with the challenges of significant
1711. changes in your life after gastric bypass surgery, help and hope is here. At <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/">Hope by the Sea</a>, a southern California
1712. addiction treatment center, we help you through the journey of recovery from
1713. drug abuse as well as mental health issues. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1714.  
1715. <p class="MsoNormal">Our team continues to follow federal, state, and local
1716. public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure our clients' safety.
1717. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">contact us</a> today to
1718. learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;span style=&quot;color: #222222; font-family: &amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;&quot;&gt;&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/3475984888199918517'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/3475984888199918517'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/08/vulnerability-addiction-after-gastric-bypass.html' title='Vulnerability to Addiction Increases After Gastric Bypass'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFI9tfkvduAVKfU9HdUBK59_LAnNB1bemXsO6SKo2DoxVznLGQTbzEW22Ns2LfBWHcdyW8SjRpZk7DAzEyV5pqwdyxByKNOG-Z0JyrS5oTWQfwVHomCrrNuaYii0ox8lJDyhx-63btY5ztSp3CtPs_azYXFbJcskin3VSPiknDc6mWsBYICGmxjcvC5g=s72-w640-h432-c" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-2394877973205101668</id><published>2021-08-13T12:16:00.003-07:00</published><updated>2021-08-13T12:16:54.890-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="depression"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health disorder"/><title type='text'>Vitamin D and Depression | How to Get More Vitamin D</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCxKDHNks4aVroD0k4THkktVNeHdlt4uHgZI9zPDNF3KOa96f7vOtvKO8eZx-wGSFwSMvP6Mdorp1KbDIPmCOBKvE4HIIuKHIf4b6cIGb_zIhtgaTRshadUfTKnbb4QXxL443dhzLjnOp/s2048/vitamin+D+and+depression.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;how to get more vitamin D&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1365&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCxKDHNks4aVroD0k4THkktVNeHdlt4uHgZI9zPDNF3KOa96f7vOtvKO8eZx-wGSFwSMvP6Mdorp1KbDIPmCOBKvE4HIIuKHIf4b6cIGb_zIhtgaTRshadUfTKnbb4QXxL443dhzLjnOp/w640-h426/vitamin+D+and+depression.jpg&quot; title=&quot;vitamin D and depression&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Depression can affect every aspect of your life. There are a
1719. number of reasons that you may be experiencing the mental health disorder,
1720. including an issue with your physical health. Research has shown that there is
1721. a link between vitamin D and depression so it’s important to understand how to
1722. get more vitamin D for your health and well-being.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
1723.  
1724. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Link Between Vitamin D and Depression<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1725.  
1726. <p class="MsoNormal">Research has found that a vitamin D deficiency can cause a
1727. number of issues for your physical health as well as your mental health. <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression-and-vitamin-d"><span style="color: blue;">Studies</span></a> conducted by the researchers have shown
1728. that there is a link between vitamin D and depression. In fact, it was
1729. discovered that individuals with low vitamin D levels were at a much greater
1730. risk for depression.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1731.  
1732. <p class="MsoNormal">These researchers believe that, since vitamin D is so
1733. important to a healthy brain function, insufficient levels of the nutrient may
1734. play a significant role in depression and other mental health disorders. One
1735. study identified vitamin D receptors in the same areas of the brain that are associated
1736. with depression.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1737.  
1738. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Symptoms<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1739.  
1740. <p class="MsoNormal">You may experience fatigue or drowsiness, muscle and joint
1741. weakness and pain, and aching bones if you have a vitamin D deficiency. You may
1742. also experience the symptoms of depression, which include:<o:p></o:p></p>
1743.  
1744. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A feeling of sluggishness</li><li>An overwhelming feeling of sadness or
1745. hopelessness</li><li>Loss of interest in activities you once found
1746. enjoyable</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Difficulties concentrating and forgetfulness</li><li>Anxiety</li><li>Headaches or back pains</li><li>Thoughts of death or suicide.</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
1747.  
1748. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1749.  
1750. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1751.  
1752. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1753.  
1754. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1755.  
1756. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1757.  
1758. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1759.  
1760. <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
1761.  
1762. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>How Much Vitamin D Do You Need?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1763.  
1764. <p class="MsoNormal">You should consult with your healthcare professional to
1765. determine the right level of vitamin D for your specific mental and physical
1766. health needs. In general, many <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-increase-vitamin-d"><span style="color: blue;">experts</span></a> state that 600-800 IU of daily vitamin D
1767. is sufficient. An IU is an international unit, the standard measure of potency
1768. for vitamins. The US Endocrine Society, however, recommends 1,500-2,000 IU per
1769. day. The US National Academy of Medicine suggests that a daily intake of up to
1770. 4,000 IU is safe for most people. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1771.  
1772. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ways to Get More Vitamin D<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1773.  
1774. <p class="MsoNormal">How do you get more vitamin D, for the benefit of your
1775. mental and physical health? Since the vitamin is referred to as the “sunshine
1776. vitamin,” spending time in the sun is one of the best ways to get more of the
1777. nutrient. Sun-derived vitamin D may actually circulate twice as long as the
1778. vitamin D you might get from food or supplements. Use caution while being
1779. exposed to the sun, though, to avoid sunburn and other harmful effects.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1780.  
1781. <p class="MsoNormal">Eating fatty fish and seafood can also benefit you
1782. significantly, as they are among the richest natural food sources of vitamin D
1783. available. Salmon contains the most amount of vitamin D. You can also benefit
1784. from eating tuna, oysters, mackerel, shrimp, anchovies, and sardines. Much of
1785. this type of seafood is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for your
1786. heart health as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1787.  
1788. <p class="MsoNormal">Other types of food that contain vitamin D include
1789. mushrooms, particularly those that grow in the wild that get more exposure to
1790. the sunlight. Egg yolks are also a good source of vitamin D. Some food products
1791. are fortified with vitamin D since few foods contain the nutrient naturally.
1792. Fortified foods include orange juice, ready-to-eat cereals, cow’s milk, other
1793. types of milk such as soy and almond, some yogurt, and tofu.<span style="color: #231f20; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1794.  
1795. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Vitamin D Supplements<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1796.  
1797. <p class="MsoNormal">Another way to get more vitamin D is to take a supplement
1798. each day. When you look for a supplement, you’ll see many brand names
1799. available. Choose one that has been independently tested. Nutritional
1800. supplements are not regulated in the US, but third parties such as the US
1801. Pharmacopeia (USP) do test for purity and quality. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1802.  
1803. <p class="MsoNormal">There are two main types: D2 and D3. Most researchers think
1804. that D3 is more effective at raising and maintaining your overall vitamin D
1805. levels. To ensure you are getting the right dosage, it’s a good idea to have
1806. your vitamin D levels tested by a healthcare professional before taking
1807. supplements.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1808.  
1809. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hope by the Sea is Here to Help<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1810.  
1811. <p class="MsoNormal">If you are dealing with mental health issues such as
1812. depression, regardless of the underlying cause, the professionals at <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Hope by the Sea</span></a>
1813. are here to help. We are a southern California mental health and addiction
1814. treatment center, focused on helping men and women begin the journey of
1815. recovery from mood disorders and addiction. We specialize in treating you as a
1816. whole individual, so you can embrace your recovery with as much support and
1817. momentum as possible. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1818.  
1819. <p class="MsoNormal">When you need help treating your mental health or substance
1820. use disorder, we offer the dual diagnosis treatment program you need. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">contact us today</span></a> to learn more about our programs
1821. and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/2394877973205101668'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/2394877973205101668'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/08/vitamin-d-and-depression-how-to-get.html' title='Vitamin D and Depression | How to Get More Vitamin D'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCxKDHNks4aVroD0k4THkktVNeHdlt4uHgZI9zPDNF3KOa96f7vOtvKO8eZx-wGSFwSMvP6Mdorp1KbDIPmCOBKvE4HIIuKHIf4b6cIGb_zIhtgaTRshadUfTKnbb4QXxL443dhzLjnOp/s72-w640-h426-c/vitamin+D+and+depression.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-7309320277556905134</id><published>2021-08-06T11:08:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2021-08-06T11:08:39.847-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Fentanyl Addiction Among Young People</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh0c99vZS7fuN7WuVFS-5sebU95_L6BXsT1bf8pGMPyvkyGYvhcTWdRgjDngTuuQos5Ov4ytXuc6w1CxPXvgShtQ8SCFLXTz2PWrDOG9xitDaJRjrGFvj7F-zCS-WqnaTq0I9bCf6Cdi1/s2048/fentanyl+addiction+among+young+people.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;fentanyl addiction among young people&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1365&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh0c99vZS7fuN7WuVFS-5sebU95_L6BXsT1bf8pGMPyvkyGYvhcTWdRgjDngTuuQos5Ov4ytXuc6w1CxPXvgShtQ8SCFLXTz2PWrDOG9xitDaJRjrGFvj7F-zCS-WqnaTq0I9bCf6Cdi1/w640-h426/fentanyl+addiction+among+young+people.jpg&quot; title=&quot;fentanyl addiction among young people&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that can cause harm
1822. to those misusing or addicted to it. When teenagers and young adults abuse the
1823. drug, the consequences are particularly devastating. Fentanyl addiction among
1824. young people is a serious and growing concern. Awareness and early treatment are
1825. critical for a young person’s health and well-being.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
1826.  
1827. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Most Common Drugs Involved in Overdoses<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1828.  
1829. <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl">synthetic
1830. opioid</a> fentanyl can be 100 times more potent than morphine. The drug can be
1831. prescribed legally as a treatment for pain, but even then has significant
1832. potential for abuse and addiction. Fentanyl is also sold illegally and
1833. sometimes used to “cut” other drugs such as heroin.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1834.  
1835. <p class="MsoNormal">Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are now the most common
1836. drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the US. In 2017, over 59% of all
1837. deaths related to opioids involved fentanyl. This was an increase from 14.3% in
1838. 2010.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1839.  
1840. <p class="MsoNormal">The type of fentanyl most often associated with overdoses in
1841. made illegally in labs. It is then sold as a powder, made into pills that look
1842. like other prescription medications, dropped onto blotter paper, or put in eye
1843. droppers and nasal sprays. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1844.  
1845. <p class="MsoNormal">Fentanyl can also be mixed with other drugs, including
1846. cocaine and heroin, as it is cheaper to produce. When young people take these drugs,
1847. it is especially dangerous as they might be taking stronger opioids than their
1848. bodies can handle, and they are then more likely to overdose. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1849.  
1850. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Young Adults<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1851.  
1852. <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/what-scope-prescription-drug-misuse">misuse</a>
1853. of prescription drugs such as fentanyl is highest among young adults from age 18
1854. to 25, with 14.4% reporting that they used prescription medications for
1855. nonmedical use. Among youth from age 12 to 17, 4.9% reported using
1856. prescriptions nonmedically. Among 12<sup>th</sup> graders, prescription medications
1857. used nonmedically, including the stimulant Adderall and the pain reliever
1858. Vicodin, are among the most commonly used drugs, after alcohol, marijuana, and
1859. tobacco. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1860.  
1861. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Overdose Deaths Increasing in California<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1862.  
1863. <p class="MsoNormal">Fentanyl addiction among young people is increasing in <a href="https://abc30.com/fentanyl-fresno-warning-kids-teenagers/10329006/">California</a>,
1864. along with the number of overdose deaths. The state has seen an increase, especially,
1865. in the number of teenagers and young adults who take counterfeit pills that
1866. contain the highly potent fentanyl. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1867.  
1868. <p class="MsoNormal">Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp emphasizes that
1869. "The amount of fentanyl that it takes to overdose on is like two grains of
1870. salt.” Young people are often unaware that the pills they are buying are
1871. laced with the drug. Smittcamp further explains that “They are signing up for
1872. Xanax and they are getting fentanyl. They are signing up for oxycontin and they
1873. are getting fentanyl.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1874.  
1875. <p class="MsoNormal">The DA speculates that the problem has increased from 2019
1876. to 2020 because of the pandemic. She adds, "It's a difficult time. Kids
1877. are struggling and they turn sometimes to drug use in order to overcome some of
1878. these feelings they have.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1879.  
1880. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Warning Signs<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1881.  
1882. <p class="MsoNormal">If you suspect that a teenager or young adult in your life may
1883. be addicted to fentanyl, it’s important to watch for the signs and get help for
1884. that individual as soon as possible. Sometimes the signs are very subtle and may
1885. be attributed to typical erratic teenage behavior.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1886.  
1887. <p class="MsoNormal">Dr. Bonnie <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2021/05/05/teen-drug-opioid-addiction-how-to-know-column/4938948001/">Milas</a>,
1888. professor of Clinical Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine in the Perelman
1889. School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, writes that she missed
1890. the signs in her own sons even though she works with fentanyl every day. Although
1891. the typical warning signs are a loss of friends, a decline in appearance, and
1892. falling grades, Dr. Milas says her sons didn’t display any of these symptoms.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1893.  
1894. <p class="MsoNormal">She advises parents to watch for the subtle signs that might
1895. gradually increase to the point that the fentanyl addiction has affected many
1896. areas of the young person’s life. There may be pills in a pocket wrapped in
1897. foil or dropped in the bathroom. The young person may develop an increasing
1898. preoccupation with money, and you may realize that some of your cash is
1899. missing. In fact, you may find that the individual is also missing for long
1900. periods of time and not reachable by cell phone. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1901.  
1902. <p class="MsoNormal">Pay attention to whether your son or daughter is sleeping a
1903. lot. They could be experiencing a symptom known as “dipping out,” particularly
1904. if they are using opioids intravenously. They might fall asleep at the dinner table,
1905. falling into their plate while taking deep, noisy breaths. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1906.  
1907. <p class="MsoNormal">Dr. Milas says that bathroom habits can also be a sign of fentanyl
1908. addiction among young people. Opioids cause constipation and, if taken intravenously,
1909. can also cause urinary retention. The individual may actually fall unconscious on
1910. the toilet. It’s important to also notice paraphernalia such as waxed paper envelopes
1911. or syringes. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1912.  
1913. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction Among Young People<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1914.  
1915. <p class="MsoNormal">It is critical to get help as soon as possible for the teenager
1916. or young adult addicted to fentanyl and other opioids. Drug abuse can be
1917. especially damaging to their still-developing minds and bodies. More importantly,
1918. overdose deaths are increasing in youth and that is largely attributed to the
1919. misuse of opioids. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1920.  
1921. <p class="MsoNormal">A specific young adult track, such as the one offered by
1922. Hope by the Sea, can address the unique needs of young people so they can
1923. transition successfully from their drug dependency and get their life back on
1924. track. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1925.  
1926. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Help for Addiction<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1927.  
1928. <p class="MsoNormal">At <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/">Hope by the Sea</a>,
1929. a southern California addiction treatment center, we focus on helping your
1930. loved one begin their journey of recovery from drug abuse. We specialize in
1931. treating each person as a whole individual, to embrace recovery with as much support
1932. and momentum as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1933.  
1934. <p class="MsoNormal">Our team continues to follow federal, state, and local
1935. public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure our clients' safety.
1936. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">contact us</a> today to
1937. learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7309320277556905134'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7309320277556905134'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/08/fentanyl-addiction-among-young-people.html' title='Fentanyl Addiction Among Young People'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh0c99vZS7fuN7WuVFS-5sebU95_L6BXsT1bf8pGMPyvkyGYvhcTWdRgjDngTuuQos5Ov4ytXuc6w1CxPXvgShtQ8SCFLXTz2PWrDOG9xitDaJRjrGFvj7F-zCS-WqnaTq0I9bCf6Cdi1/s72-w640-h426-c/fentanyl+addiction+among+young+people.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-5710791265829115348</id><published>2021-07-30T10:25:00.006-07:00</published><updated>2021-08-06T10:38:32.606-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcohol"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcoholism"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="bariatric surgery"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="gastric bypass"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="post-op"/><title type='text'>Alcoholism After Gastric Bypass</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LN5JSxBxaRLcAVH9UYzlpaqZ7pbdhEcSv7v8_AEfJ5jsm-rQMjOlZ76-94Xbnx5BRg_8nVRsNiu-kmy_hT4gBRmAEyX2C-ieHy6DMPF5HWQlzRSftpQlXPn9YNXiI1Iew1VOjwi8yqc/s1000/neonbrand-5ddH9Y2accI-unsplash.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;alcoholism after gastric bypass&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;667&quot; data-original-width=&quot;1000&quot; height=&quot;427&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LN5JSxBxaRLcAVH9UYzlpaqZ7pbdhEcSv7v8_AEfJ5jsm-rQMjOlZ76-94Xbnx5BRg_8nVRsNiu-kmy_hT4gBRmAEyX2C-ieHy6DMPF5HWQlzRSftpQlXPn9YNXiI1Iew1VOjwi8yqc/w640-h427/neonbrand-5ddH9Y2accI-unsplash.jpg&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It’s no secret that &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html&quot;&gt;obesity&lt;/a&gt; is a major health hazard. However, many fad weight-loss methods—self-starvation, substituting vitamin pills for real food, smoking or taking unprescribed &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.verywellmind.com/adderall-rapid-weight-loss-speed-diet-3972108&quot;&gt;amphetamines&lt;/a&gt; to suppress the appetite—are just as unhealthy or more so. For the vast majority of people, the best way to lose weight is simply to stay physically active, eat a healthy diet with limits on &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2021/jan/empty-calories-what-are-they-and-which-foods-are-they-hiding-in/&quot;&gt;empty-calorie foods&lt;/a&gt;—and keep these as long-term habits so unnecessary weight stays off.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It does happen, though, that someone is dangerously overweight and, for one reason or another, the standard weight-loss approach is impractical. In which case, the doctor may prescribe a &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-drugs/art-20044832&quot;&gt;weight-loss drug &lt;/a&gt;or recommend bariatric surgery (an operation to make the stomach smaller, so a person feels full sooner and takes in fewer calories).&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;The Basics of Gastric Surgery&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;The four most common forms of bariatric (“gastric”) surgery are:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gastric bypass surgery&lt;/b&gt;, which involves removing and/or stapling off a portion of the stomach, then repositioning the small intestine to direct food through the resulting “pouch.” Besides providing a smaller stomach and a faster sensation of “fullness,” this has a “malabsorptive” effect on gut bacteria, keeping some potentially fattening nutrients from entering the body tissues. The operation is reversible, but only through another complicated surgical procedure (typically undertaken only under extreme circumstances), and side effects such as &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940&quot;&gt;reflux disease&lt;/a&gt; or chronic diarrhea may be permanent.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gastric sleeve&lt;/b&gt;, which accounts for roughly 60 percent of &lt;a href=&quot;https://asmbs.org/resources/estimate-of-bariatric-surgery-numbers&quot;&gt;weight-loss surgeries&lt;/a&gt; performed since 2016, completely removes up to 85 percent of the stomach and staples the remainder shut. It involves fewer organs than gastric bypass and does not cause malabsorption. However, it is not a reversible operation. (Gastric sleeve surgery is sometimes the “opening act” for the considerably more complicated BPD/DS operation—&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/bpdds-weightloss-surgery&quot;&gt;biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch&lt;/a&gt;—which follows the sleeve surgery with a malabsorptive bypass around the small intestine.)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gastric banding&lt;/b&gt; uses an inflatable band to seal off the lower part of the stomach, leaving a small channel that slows the passage of food. It is relatively easy to adjust the band’s size and to reverse the operation. However, the “feeling full” advantages are limited, many people find the band painful, and it is less effective than other methods for inducing lasting weight loss. Banding accounts for only a tiny percentage of gastric surgeries: it works best for people who need extra incentive to practice slower eating.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Intragastric balloon surgery&lt;/b&gt; involves implanting a saline-filled silicone balloon in the stomach by way of the esophagus, to provide “feeling full” benefits without the risks of more invasive surgery or the discomforts of gastric banding. Unlike the other options on this list, an intragastric balloon is deliberately designed to be temporary—removed after about six months, at which time it may or may not be replaced.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Obviously, all types of gastric surgery have advantages and disadvantages. Gastric bypass, in particular, carries a danger many people are unaware of: it places the patient in a high-risk category for developing alcohol abuse disorder.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;Why Gastric Bypass Surgery Increases Alcoholism Risk&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-drinking-problems-develop-after-weight-loss-surgery&quot;&gt;Twenty percent&lt;/a&gt; of people who have undergone gastric bypass surgery show strong symptoms of alcoholism at some point within five years. Three times as many former gastric bypass patients &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20190620/rates-of-drug--alcohol-linked-death-triple-after-weight-loss-surgery#1&quot;&gt;die of alcohol-related causes&lt;/a&gt; (or the effects of other drugs) than do their counterparts in the general population. It’s not simple coincidence nor the stress of surgery-related lifestyle changes: research has established that the physical changes of gastric bypass do, in fact, make many people more susceptible to alcoholism.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;li&gt;The reduced calorie intake associated with gastric bypass is also associated with faster rise in blood alcohol level, and with longer retention of alcohol in the blood. (A substantial percentage of bariatric patients report &lt;a href=&quot;https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/07/alcohol-abuse-after-weight-loss-surgery/&quot;&gt;getting drunk&lt;/a&gt; faster after surgery, and objective research has confirmed that they really do.)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Removing or blocking off part of the stomach means losing access to the alcohol-metabolism hormones that reside there—and with them, the first line of defense against drunkenness.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;People who have had recent gastric bypass will be on a largely &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/in-depth/gastric-bypass-diet/art-20048472&quot;&gt;liquid diet&lt;/a&gt; (the stomach is still healing, and unable to manage solid chunks of food). For some, this may lead to temptation to compensate for “deprived” feelings with a wide variety of liquids, perhaps including alcohol.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Some patients (and lab animals) have been observed to develop a taste for alcohol after gastric bypass—although there are also reports of longtime drinkers losing their taste for alcohol. (Note that the appetite-inhibiting hormone leptin has chemical links to dopamine, the pleasure chemical associated with drug highs.)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Although pre-surgery drug use (including smoking) increases risk somewhat, many patients who develop alcoholism after gastric bypass never had a drinking problem previous to surgery.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It’s worth noting that doctors routinely advise gastric-bypass and gastric-sleeve patients to avoid alcohol for 6–12 months after the surgery and to limit consumption to an occasional small glass (preferably &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery-blog/2015/august/alcohol-intake-after-bariatric-surgery&quot;&gt;without added sugar&lt;/a&gt;) thereafter. This is not only due to the increased risk of drunkenness and addiction, but because alcohol is a known stomach irritant—just what a stomach recovering from surgery doesn’t need.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;What to Do: If You’re Considering Gastric Surgery&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;It should be obvious by now that gastric bypass and similar surgeries are not to be undertaken lightly—particularly if your desire to lose weight is tied to any form of &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cbsnews.com/news/many-bariatric-surgery-patients-face-mental-health-issues/&quot;&gt;self-esteem issue&lt;/a&gt;, which is also a frequent factor in &lt;a href=&quot;http://psych.colorado.edu/~rolson/4521/Self-Esteem%20and%20Alcoholism.pdf&quot;&gt;alcoholism&lt;/a&gt;. Before committing to any form of weight-loss surgery, have a long consultation with your regular doctor—and perhaps a therapist as well—regarding your personal reasons as well as the general pros and cons.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;li&gt;Ask your doctor(s) about each of the following:&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Whether you are actually overweight, and, if so, what specific risks are associated with your degree of overweight/obesity&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Whether a less drastic method—standard diet and exercise, prescription drugs combined with diet and exercise, digestion-slowing stomach injections—might be a better option&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How your body would likely respond to gastric surgery—how well you will tolerate the actual operation, what post-surgery side effects are likely, how much weight you will actually lose and keep off&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What screening tests you will need to qualify for surgery&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Whether any personal or family history of chemical addiction puts you at extra risk for post-gastric-bypass alcoholism&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Whether, if you decide to opt for gastric surgery, you should give up or drastically reduce social drinking.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Finally, remember what your doctors will no doubt emphasize: this is not a matter of “one quick fix and I can go back to eating whatever I please.” Even with the less permanent forms of surgery, you will need major and lasting lifestyle changes—beyond cutting down or abstaining from alcohol—if the weight is to stay lost and your health is to stay good for the long haul. Invariably, there will be exercise and diet “prescriptions.” If you’ve had gastric bypass or another form of malabsorptive surgery, you may also need a permanent regimen of dietary supplements to ensure adequate vitamins and minerals.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;What to Do: If Someone Shows Symptoms of Post-Surgery Alcoholism&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;Simply being aware of the risk for alcoholism after gastric bypass can help reduce it. The surest bet, of course, is to avoid alcohol altogether. However, if you or someone you know has resumed drinking post-surgery, stay alert for possible signs of alcoholism developing:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;&lt;li&gt;Wanting and planning to drink less, but finding that impossible to accomplish&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Spending disproportionate amounts of one’s income on alcohol&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Neglecting work, hobbies, or personal care because of drinking or its aftereffects&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Lying/rationalizing to others (or to oneself) about the amount of alcohol consumed&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Becoming irrationally defensive if anyone says anything negative about the alcohol use.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Note that these symptoms indicate possible alcoholism in anyone, whether or not they have ever had weight-loss surgery. Anyone with a possible problem should seek medical help immediately, before things get worse.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But if you and your doctor agree that gastric surgery is best for you, you don’t have to reject it for fear of developing alcoholism. Just stay aware of the risks, monitor yourself carefully—and remember that, whatever health problems you have or don’t have, the best thing you can do is take overall good care of yourself.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: left;&quot;&gt;Help and Hope for Alcoholism&lt;/h4&gt;&lt;p&gt;No matter how an alcohol (or other drug) use disorder developed, &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopebythesea.com/alcohol-rehab&quot;&gt;recovery&lt;/a&gt; is possible. &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopebythesea.com/&quot;&gt;Hope by the Sea&lt;/a&gt; provides medically supervised detox followed by individual-focused counseling and the development of a long-term plan to live sober and healthy (including healthy eating). &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact&quot;&gt;Contact us today&lt;/a&gt; to learn more. Hope Starts Here!&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5710791265829115348'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5710791265829115348'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/08/gastric-bypass-alcoholism.html' title='Alcoholism After Gastric Bypass'/><author><name>-</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/05702598714766377446</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LN5JSxBxaRLcAVH9UYzlpaqZ7pbdhEcSv7v8_AEfJ5jsm-rQMjOlZ76-94Xbnx5BRg_8nVRsNiu-kmy_hT4gBRmAEyX2C-ieHy6DMPF5HWQlzRSftpQlXPn9YNXiI1Iew1VOjwi8yqc/s72-w640-h427-c/neonbrand-5ddH9Y2accI-unsplash.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-7867793323440448399</id><published>2021-07-23T13:30:00.006-07:00</published><updated>2021-07-23T13:30:31.213-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction treatment"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcohol abuse"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="alcohol addiction"/><title type='text'>Can Alcohol Cause Diabetes?</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_yhBTlKXFISS8W1Tyuz_IsgArhNoN9SaTeKUNXQ95RI59Vwg26OzRtKPxGxM29VJB-bnaPEtSEzGrMOiRNwT08Vr68sjDbvMoslZidd1ZmsWcAkBuieILq6LlaR2OHEAKZmefa12UD5S/s2048/can+alcohol+cause+diabetes.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;can alcohol cause diabetes&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1365&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_yhBTlKXFISS8W1Tyuz_IsgArhNoN9SaTeKUNXQ95RI59Vwg26OzRtKPxGxM29VJB-bnaPEtSEzGrMOiRNwT08Vr68sjDbvMoslZidd1ZmsWcAkBuieILq6LlaR2OHEAKZmefa12UD5S/w640-h426/can+alcohol+cause+diabetes.jpg&quot; title=&quot;can alcohol cause diabetes&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Substances such as drugs or alcohol can affect many areas of
1938. your physical and mental health. In fact, anything that you eat, drink, or
1939. otherwise consume could potentially impact you in ways you may not have
1940. realized. It’s especially important to understand whether alcohol can cause
1941. diabetes.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
1942.  
1943. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>What is Diabetes?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1944.  
1945. <p class="MsoNormal">When your blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high you are
1946. at risk of having a <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes">condition</a>
1947. known as diabetes. Your blood glucose, your main source of energy, comes from
1948. what you consume. Insulin, which is a hormone made by your pancreas, helps the
1949. glucose get into your cells so they can use it for energy. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1950.  
1951. <p class="MsoNormal">When your body doesn’t make enough of the insulin or doesn’t
1952. use it well, glucose stays in your blood and doesn’t reach those cells. Over
1953. time, too much glucose in your blood can cause issues such as diabetes. Over
1954. 10% of the US population had diabetes in 2018. Every year, 1.5 million people
1955. in the US are <a href="https://www.diabetes.org/resources/statistics/statistics-about-diabetes">diagnosed</a>
1956. with the disease. In 2017, it was the seventh leading cause of death in this
1957. country.<span style="color: #575757; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1958.  
1959. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alcohol Increases the Risk<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1960.  
1961. <p class="MsoNormal">Drinking alcohol can impact your body’s functions in many
1962. ways. <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/255716">Researchers</a>
1963. have found that binge drinking, in particular, causes insulin resistance which
1964. can then lead to type 2 diabetes. Their studies concluded that drinking alone,
1965. without any additional factors such as overeating, can increase your risk for
1966. diabetes. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1967.  
1968. <p class="MsoNormal">Alcohol can disrupt your metabolic process as it disrupts
1969. the insulin receptor signaling by causing an inflammation of the hypothalamus. This
1970. is the area of your brain that is important for the metabolic processes in your
1971. body. The main role of the insulin receptor is to control the uptake of glucose
1972. within your body. When the signaling of this receptor is decreased, it means
1973. your cells cannot take up the glucose and that results in too much glucose in
1974. your blood. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1975.  
1976. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Insulin Resistance<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1977.  
1978. <p class="MsoNormal">When your natural insulin does not bind properly to the
1979. receptor, you can experience insulin resistance. Drinking too much alcohol can
1980. also cause chronic inflammation of your pancreas, which will then impair its
1981. ability to secrete insulin. Even when your pancreas is producing enough
1982. insulin, though, insulin resistance can hamper the receptor’s ability to send
1983. the right signals to your cells so they can use the glucose for the energy you
1984. need.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1985.  
1986. <p class="MsoNormal">One of the symptoms you’ll experience as a result of insulin
1987. resistance is that you will have high levels of insulin your bloodstream. This
1988. condition is part of a group of risk factors that will increase the potential
1989. to cause diabetes as well as stroke and coronary artery disease. One of the
1990. researchers noted that “Someone who regularly binge drinks even once a week,
1991. over many years, may remain in an insulin resistant state for an extended
1992. period of time, potentially years.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
1993.  
1994. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Complications of Alcohol Consumption<o:p></o:p></b></p>
1995.  
1996. <p class="MsoNormal">While alcohol can cause diabetes, there are a number of
1997. other <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/drinking-alcohol">complications</a>
1998. that can result from alcohol consumption in relation to blood glucose. For
1999. example, beer and sweet wine contain carbohydrates that can raise blood sugar
2000. levels. In addition, alcohol will usually stimulate your appetite and that can
2001. cause you to overeat, which can affect your blood sugar levels as well. Poor
2002. food choices often result from eating while consuming alcohol.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2003.  
2004. <p class="MsoNormal">Alcohol itself can have a lot of calories, which can affect
2005. your ability to lose the excess weight that can be a contributing factor for
2006. diabetes. The alcohol you drink can also raise your triglyceride levels, which
2007. impacts your potential for diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes,
2008. alcohol consumption can interfere with the effectiveness of your medications.<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; letter-spacing: -.2pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2009.  
2010. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Get Help at Hope by the Sea<o:p></o:p></b></p>
2011.  
2012. <p class="MsoNormal">Do you need help with an addiction to alcohol? At Hope by
2013. the Sea, a drug and alcoholism treatment center, we believe in our patients’
2014. ability to succeed. Our drug and alcohol rehab programs include treatment
2015. programs such as detoxification and residential treatment as well as outpatient
2016. treatment and long-term care. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2017.  
2018. <p class="MsoNormal">We provide you with the top clinical staff, a serene
2019. setting, and over fifteen years of experience treating addiction to guide you
2020. through a successful recovery from your alcohol addiction. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">contact</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"> </span>Hope by the Sea immediately for assistance. Our team
2021. is following every <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html?s_cid=bb-coronavirus-2019-ncov-NCIRD">CDC
2022. protocol</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"> </span>for COVID-19 because our clients'
2023. safety is of the utmost importance.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7867793323440448399'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/7867793323440448399'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/07/can-alcohol-cause-diabetes.html' title='Can Alcohol Cause Diabetes?'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_yhBTlKXFISS8W1Tyuz_IsgArhNoN9SaTeKUNXQ95RI59Vwg26OzRtKPxGxM29VJB-bnaPEtSEzGrMOiRNwT08Vr68sjDbvMoslZidd1ZmsWcAkBuieILq6LlaR2OHEAKZmefa12UD5S/s72-w640-h426-c/can+alcohol+cause+diabetes.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2822182839036045134.post-5607893752630011741</id><published>2021-07-16T13:54:00.004-07:00</published><updated>2021-07-16T13:54:14.166-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="addiction treatment"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mental health"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="meth addiction"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="skin-picking"/><title type='text'>Meth Skin-Picking and Abscesses</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3X9d9Y6ka9CTSYfF1SUYiPyRx9jWc5PdY8gQGRpZRQcJ11O1irhl0dMM-nr15y6A2wA921QNmmv6wumO3ptWjKdRZGO_oY9xEc65NptKeYDDvHmPiaeWCxelkGP6C7xcCcURhKjP5FbO/s2048/meth+skin-picking+and+abscesses.jpg&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img alt=&quot;meth skin-picking and abscesses&quot; border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;1365&quot; data-original-width=&quot;2048&quot; height=&quot;426&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3X9d9Y6ka9CTSYfF1SUYiPyRx9jWc5PdY8gQGRpZRQcJ11O1irhl0dMM-nr15y6A2wA921QNmmv6wumO3ptWjKdRZGO_oY9xEc65NptKeYDDvHmPiaeWCxelkGP6C7xcCcURhKjP5FbO/w640-h426/meth+skin-picking+and+abscesses.jpg&quot; title=&quot;meth skin-picking and abscesses&quot; width=&quot;640&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Methamphetamine abuse is a growing problem in the US. The drug
2024. can cause serious issues for users, affecting their physical and mental health
2025. as well as the overall quality of their lives. Meth skin-picking and abscesses
2026. are two of the more concerning issues for people who are addicted to the drug.<p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
2027.  
2028. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dangers of Meth<o:p></o:p></b></p>
2029.  
2030. <p class="MsoNormal">The most devastating result of sustained meth use is
2031. overdose, which can often be fatal. In fact, there has been a surge of <a href="https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/news-releases/2021/01/methamphetamine-overdose-deaths-rise-sharply-nationwide">overdose
2032. deaths</a> over the past several years. From 2011 to 2018, the number of deaths
2033. involving methamphetamines increased from 1.8 to 10.1 per 100,000 men and from 0.8
2034. to 4.5 per 100,000 women. There are no currently FDA-approved medications for
2035. reversing meth overdoses.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2036.  
2037. <p class="MsoNormal">Additional <a href="https://drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/dpa-methamphetamine-facts.pdf">risks</a>
2038. are involved in the short-term and long-term use of meth, including damage to
2039. the nervous, renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems. Short-term
2040. use can also result in weight loss, anxiety, increased heart rate and blood
2041. pressure, and an abnormally low body temperature. Long-term use can cause
2042. damage to the kidneys and liver as well as to the heart. Psychological effects such
2043. as paranoia, depression, anxiety, and hallucinations are also potential health
2044. hazards. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2045.  
2046. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Common Concerns Among Meth Users<o:p></o:p></b></p>
2047.  
2048. <p class="MsoNormal">Meth is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
2049. It can produce feelings of increased energy and euphoria. It can be used as a
2050. white powder, in a semitransparent crystal form, or in pill form. When the meth
2051. is injected, it puts the individual at a higher risk of contracting an
2052. infection such as hepatitis C or HIV and at a higher risk for skin infections.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2053.  
2054. <p class="MsoNormal">A common issue for meth users is the hallucination that they
2055. have bugs or parasites crawling under their skin, a condition known as parasitosis.
2056. They will try to get rid of the bugs by picking their skin. This type of meth
2057. skin-picking will often result in an infection, including the type of infections
2058. and abscesses that can make the individual very ill. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2059.  
2060. <p class="MsoNormal">Scars left by skin-picking may be embarrassing for the meth
2061. user who is seeking treatment for their addiction. However, it’s critically important
2062. to get professional medical help for the infection as well as for the substance
2063. use, so the individual can return to a healthy life, physically and mentally.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Factors Affecting the Skin</b></p>
2064.  
2065. <p class="MsoNormal">In addition to the neurological sensation of something crawling
2066. under the skin, meth users have a number of other risk <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4290678/">factors</a> involved
2067. that may affect their tendency toward skin-picking and the resulting abscesses.
2068. Most seriously, injecting the drug is associated with the development of a
2069. condition known as necrotizing fasciitis, a bacterial infection that can be
2070. fatal if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2071.  
2072. <p class="MsoNormal">In addition, a lack of proper hygiene can contribute to skin
2073. issues, particularly infections, abscesses, and cellulitis, also a bacterial
2074. skin infection. Many of these infections are self-treated by the meth user, in
2075. an attempt to heal the skin or to cover up the fact that they have been
2076. engaging in skin-picking. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2077.  
2078. <p class="MsoNormal">A staph infection known as MRSA has been found in many of
2079. the cases of skin issues treated in the emergency room. Since it is not uncommon
2080. for meth users to live in unhygienic situations or to inject the drug in an
2081. unsafe manner, they can contract the infection easily. Injecting meth with
2082. unsterile equipment, in addition to using contaminated drug solutions,
2083. introduces a high load of bacteria to the body and to the skin. In fact, the
2084. injection of crystal meth has resulted in frequent visits to the emergency room
2085. for <a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/mBio.01622-15">treatment</a>
2086. of cellulitis, abscesses, and other types of skin infections. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2087.  
2088. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Treatment for Skin-Picking<o:p></o:p></b></p>
2089.  
2090. <p class="MsoNormal">These infections and abscesses resulting from skin-picking
2091. need to be treated properly and promptly for them to heal and to avoid more
2092. serious consequences. The most effective solution to reduce or eliminate the meth
2093. skin-picking behavior itself is to treat that individual for their addiction. Once
2094. the person has detoxed and the drug leaves their system, the symptoms of
2095. hallucinations as well as the perceived need to pick their skin will typically
2096. subside as well, usually within a few days or weeks. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2097.  
2098. <p class="MsoNormal"><b>Help for Your Addiction<o:p></o:p></b></p>
2099.  
2100. <p class="MsoNormal">At <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/">Hope by the
2101. Sea</a>, a southern California addiction treatment center, we focus on helping
2102. you begin your journey of recovery from drug abuse as well as mental health
2103. issues. We specialize in treating you as a whole individual, so you can embrace
2104. your recovery with as much support and momentum as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
2105.  
2106. <p class="MsoNormal">Our team continues to follow federal, state, and local
2107. public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure our clients' safety.
2108. Please <a href="https://www.hopebythesea.com/contact">contact us</a> today
2109. to learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5607893752630011741'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://www.blogger.com/feeds/2822182839036045134/posts/default/5607893752630011741'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://blog.hopebythesea.com/2021/07/meth-skin-picking-and-abscesses.html' title='Meth Skin-Picking and Abscesses'/><author><name>Pat Fontana</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/10886178815071556202</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3X9d9Y6ka9CTSYfF1SUYiPyRx9jWc5PdY8gQGRpZRQcJ11O1irhl0dMM-nr15y6A2wA921QNmmv6wumO3ptWjKdRZGO_oY9xEc65NptKeYDDvHmPiaeWCxelkGP6C7xcCcURhKjP5FbO/s72-w640-h426-c/meth+skin-picking+and+abscesses.jpg" height="72" width="72"/></entry></feed>

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