Oftentimes in order to seemingly protect an addicted loved one, people make excuses for them or twist the truth. Family members often see what they want and hear what they want in order to deny that their loved one has a problem. Mom might overlook the missing money out of her purse or call Dad’s work and tell his boss that he’s sick instead of hungover. We often make excuses for our loved ones, and we do so out of love, or so we think; however, covering up these indiscretions only allows an addicted individual to get even sicker.   Denying addiction is a difficult action to move away from. By acknowledging the truth, it may be more painful than continuing to help cover it up. Family therapists often encourage these family members to put the denial to the side and examine their own behaviors. When people look away from and minimize the addiction of their loved one, they only allow that person to get sicker. Addiction is a serious disease that requires the supervision from professionals to treat.   The act of denial is saying or pretending that something isn’t true. This act is a common one in codependent relationships with addicted individuals. By creating a false perception of the world you live in with your addicted loved one, this lifestyle of denial will seep over into all areas of your life. When you distort your reality, it can’t…

The most commonly prescribed opioid in the United States is called hydrocodone. It is classified as an opiate (narcotic) that is used for the treatment of pain. When an individual takes opioids for an extended period of time, it becomes very easy to get addicted to them. The process of recovering from any addiction takes time and patience. The duration of treatment length depends on the severity of the substance abuse and the length of the addiction. Generally most inpatient addiction treatment programs run from thirty to ninety days, and outpatient treatment usually extends from ten to twelve weeks.   Symptoms and Signs   Is a hydrocodone addiction afflicting you or someone you love? If you are taking hydrocodone in any way or amount other than what your doctor has prescribed, the answer is yes. Substance abuse can quickly lead to drug addiction. When you do not follow the precise dosing timeline as given by your physician, the body becomes tolerant and begins to require more of the drug to treat the pain. Hydrocodone addiction is mostly characterized by the incessant urge to take more of the drug; however, the addiction can occur for a myriad of reasons including but not limited to psychological, social, or biological factors.   Not all abusers of Hydrocodone exhibit the same signs and symptoms, but this is a general list to look out for if you suspect a loved one may be addicted: compulsive…

The benzodiazepine Xanax is prescribed to treat insomnia, as well as anxiety and panic disorders; however, this drug is not meant to be used for an extended period of time. If used for too long, Xanax can easily lead to a full blown addiction. Because of this, the maximum recommended length of daily use is six weeks. When an addiction occurs, it is recommended to undergo an addiction treatment program at a drug rehab center. Having a physical dependence on Xanax can cause many serious side effects. Because of this, it is imperative to undergo detox under the supervision of experienced professionals.   The characteristics of a Xanax addiction vary from person to person; however, not everyone who takes Xanax will become psychologically dependent on the drug. The following physical side effects can merely be the result of using Xanax for more than a short period of time: craving or compulsion to use the drug, taking more than is medically prescribed or in different ways, and continuing to use Xanax even in the face of negative side effects.   Many clients at Right Path Drug Rehab have admitted that they were scared to enroll in an addiction treatment program. We know that it can be overwhelming to choose a drug rehab facility that is right for you and then be away from your family and the comforts of home for an extended period of time. Because of this, we house…

When someone’s life is consumed by addiction—when their friends and family are gone and they’ve lost their job, when they live only for the high and they’ve landed in a jail cell or drug rehab—it’s clear that they need treatment in an addiction recovery center. But not all drug abusers fit this mold. There’s a different class of drug addicts, a group of people who seamlessly hide their addiction while simultaneously balancing high-demand jobs or responsibilities and maintaining relationships. These so-called high-functioning addicts live in constant denial and often don’t get the help they need.   A high-functioning addict usually has a high-powered job or position, which allows them greater professional freedom. If they leave the office for a stretch of a few hours, no one calls to check up on them. If they roll in a little late, there’s no manager asking them where they’ve been. Because of this freedom, addicts can go about their business as they please with fewer consequences, and can preserve a facade of professionalism.   High-functioning addicts often live in a state of denial. The usual negative stereotype of a low-life, strung-out drug addict doesn’t apply to them, and so they conclude that they can’t possibly have a problem. Because their days are filled with challenging responsibilities, these addicts rationalize their addiction away. No one would entrust such an important project to a drug addict, they think. I’ve got it all together. And they…

Right Path Drug Rehab knows how difficult it can be to make the decision to attend treatment at a drug rehab center. We also know how difficult it can be to think about letting your children know. Many individuals who enroll in an addiction treatment program have said that they are unconvinced that their addiction affects their kids. This is often based on the fact that the kids are young, or the individual in question believes he or she has been able to hide the addiction from his or her children. Most of the time, this is not the case. Children are very perceptive and smart. Even if they cannot grasp what an addiction is, they certainly know that things have not been right in the home.   With the youngest of children, the conversation can be as simple as letting them know that the parent is sick and will be away from home getting better. Explaining that the parent is sick helps the child to grasp that the absence has nothing to do with them or their behavior. Young children thrive on routine. While the parent is in treatment, it is important to stick to the daily routine as much as possible, even without that parent in the home.   Oftentimes clients are hesitant to attend treatment because they are concerned about being away from their children for so long. If this is something you are worried about, please…

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that resembles amphetamine and has similar effects to other stimulants like cocaine. Also called chalk, ice, glass, and crystal, meth delivers up to three times the dopamine payload that cocaine does, making it one of the most addictive drugs treated by addiction recovery centers.   Methamphetamine is a Schedule II drug, meaning that it has some medical use, but the only prescriptions written for methamphetamine are for severe attention deficit disorder, depression, or obesity, and only if people haven’t responded to other treatments. Many healthcare professionals are rightly concerned about the extremely addictive properties of meth, which sends hundreds of thousands of Americans into addiction and addiction treatment facilities each year.   Because meth can be made with easily attainable over-the-counter materials, it can be produced in regular neighborhoods and homes, though the toxic fumes often make the dwelling uninhabitable, and deadly explosions are a constant danger due to the volatile compounds. However, home labs only create enough meth to sell a few local hits, while drug cartels and traffickers use super labs to manufacture huge quantities of the drug.   Meth is produced as a white pill or powder that can be smoked, snorted, or injected. Crystal meth comes in blue-white crystal form and can be smoked and inhaled. The high that comes from meth is immensely powerful but fades relatively quickly, prompting people to binge on meth, sometimes for days at…