For those on the outside looking in, it can be hard — perhaps impossible — to decipher the behavior of a drug addict. Partners, family members, and friends will scratch their heads with frustration trying to comprehend why the addict behaves the way they do.   The truth is, few addicts can continue to hide the power the addiction has over them for long. For those who know what to look for, these five behavior traits reveal the dependency an addict is attempting to conceal.   Behavior Trait 1: Lying If there is one thing most addicts do not want to talk about, it is their addiction. When asked where they were, what they were doing, who they were with, and other sorts of questions, a drug addict may readily lie if they perceive telling the truth may compromise their ability to keep using. If the addict thinks a partner or loved one is going to try to get them to go into a substance abuse treatment center, the lies often get worse due to feelings of fear.   Unfortunately, since the motivation for lying well is very strong, an addict often gets very good at telling lies. In addition, the more lies the addict tells, the easier it gets. Over time, even the addict themselves may no longer remember where that fine line between truth and fabrication lies.   Behavior Trait 2: Stealing Along with other criminal behaviors, stealing…

The nexus between substance abuse and the entertainment industry is painfully underscored by the toll it has taken on legendary musical acts. The life of musical performers is often filled with hedonistic pursuits, which is why the adage of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll will always hold true. Sadly, drug use is to blame for the destruction of many musicians, including the five listed below. This list is a painful reminder that drug addiction is a terrible state of mind, and drug addiction awareness and recovery should be discussed more often. Contact Right Path Drug Rehab today if you or your loved one is addicted to drugs, we will gladly connect you with the perfect addiction recovery center for your situation. 1 – Jane’s Addiction All members of this legendary alternative rock band were extremely talented, but they all had issues with drug use. Two of the band’s members in the early 1990s sought recovery and were able to surmount their addictions, however, Dave Navarro and Eric Avery faced a difficult time reintegrating with Jane’s Addiction and going on tour because Stephen Perkins and Perry Farrell were still heavy users. These days, Jane’s Addiction is more of a brand than a band, and it has failed to retake the glory of its yesteryear. 2 – Miles Davis One of the greatest jazz musicians the world has ever known could have been even more prolific if not for his addiction…

The first step in any addiction recovery program is detoxification. Detoxification, commonly referred to as “detox,” is a set of strategies with a goal of managing withdrawal. During the detox process, the toxins that have accumulated in the body of an individual suffering from dependency on a substance are purged from the body. The detox process seeks to minimize the mental and physical difficulty associated with drug or alcohol withdrawal. There are a variety of detox methods utilized by substance abuse treatment programs. Which method will be used in any given situation will depend on a number of factors, including the type of substance causing the addiction, the severity of the dependency, and any other concurrent medical or psychological conditions.   Outpatient Detox An outpatient detox program is typically managed through an addiction recovery clinic, a mental health center, or a private clinic. These programs are less disruptive to a client’s life, as the client continues to live at home during the detoxification process. In addition, this type of program tends to be less expensive, thanks to the reduced costs associated with having the client living at home.   Inpatient Detox When an individual engages in an inpatient detox program, they reside in a drug abuse treatment facility 24 hours a day during the detoxification process. This allows round the clock monitoring of clients, which can be useful in ensuring that any complications that might arise can be quickly dealt…

Pregnancy can be a challenging time. There are opinions to spare as well-meaning family, friends, and even complete strangers offer you unsolicited advice for having a healthy pregnancy and raising your child.   One topic that is often raised when pregnancy is involved is the risks associated with consuming alcohol while pregnant. According to the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, there is no safe amount of alcohol you can ingest, nor is any type of alcohol safer than the rest. This is because the alcohol in the mother’s blood passes straight through the umbilical cord and into the growing baby. Fetal life is delicate, and alcohol can negatively affect the cells as they divide and duplicate.   Risks Of Alcohol During Pregnancy There are a plethora of risks associated with consuming alcohol during your pregnancy. These include: Premature Birth Brain Damage Birth defects, especially those affecting the heart, eyes, hearing, kidneys, and bones Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Low Birthweight Cognitive delays and disorders Miscarriage Stillbirth It Is Possible To Stop Drinking   If you cannot stop drinking, despite how much you may want to, you may have an addiction. Remember, alcohol is the most commonly used drug, and is extremely addictive in nature. Do not despair, you are not alone. Recovery from drug addiction is possible, and there is an addiction recovery facility that is right for you. The first step is to admit that you have a problem,…

Drug addiction, which is classified as a chronic disease, can occur as a result of a variety of different substances. Recovery from an addiction to drugs can be derailed by the substances that initially fueled the addiction, especially when such drugs are known for being highly addictive. Prolonged use of drugs which possess addictive properties can also lead to a series of related personal, professional, and health problems that are likely to require treatment at a drug rehab clinic equipped to handle the complexities of addiction. While almost all illicit substances possess some addictive properties, there is a reason that certain drugs have a reputation for being more addictive than others. Here’s ten of the most addictive drugs available today. Heroin: Addiction to heroin is fueled by a rapidly developing tolerance, which encourages increased usage and greater dependency. The opioid drug produces a feeling of euphoria and an intense high by facilitating the release of the neurotransmitter histamine. It also possesses an analgesic effect, meaning it relieves pain, further increasing dependence. Some substance abuse treatment facilities administer methadone in order to help assuage the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, as methadone can reduce withdrawal symptoms without providing the high commonly associated with heroin and other narcotics. Cocaine and crack cocaine: The cycle of dependency characteristic of cocaine is due to the short duration of its effects and the subsequent anxiety and paranoia as the high wears off. Users are often searching…

If you suffer from depression, anxiety, or another type of mood disorder, you may face the temptation to self-medicate. Self-medication can take the form of food, over-the-counter drugs, natural remedies, food, alcohol, or other substances. This is a dangerous and usually unhelpful approach to problems that would be better treated by professional help. Here are five reasons why you should seek treatment at an addiction recovery program rather than continuing to self-medicate.   Self-Medication Can be Dangerous to Your Health When you self-medicate, the only goal is to feel better in the moment. As a result, you may not be aware of the dangers associated with the consumption of certain substances. Both legal and illegal drugs can have dangerous side effects and long-term consequences. While this may also be true for prescribed antidepressants and other prescription drugs, when taking medications under the supervision of a healthcare professional, your health is being carefully monitored. A medical professional will inform you about safe dosages and potential side effects. When something doesn’t agree with you, substitutes can be found. This is not the case when you self-medicate. When you buy substances illegally, you can’t always be sure what you’re getting. Certain drugs sold on the street are extremely toxic. Alcohol can cause severe liver damage. Stimulants may cause heart failure and other life-threatening issues. When you start mixing drugs, the effects can become even worse. If you feel like you need help, you…

There is a strong link between addiction and other types of mental illness. It’s not unusual for substance abusers to struggle with other issues like anxiety, depression or bulimia. Having two separate health problems at once is known as comorbidity. In 2014, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, almost 8 million adults in the U.S. had a dual diagnosis. People who have at least one mental disease are doubly at risk for addiction; people who abuse drugs or alcohol are twice as likely to have a mood disorder. Plainly, the two go hand in hand. Read these statistics concerning Americans who have ever been diagnosed with a mental disease of any kind: • They consume 69 percent of all the alcohol in the U.S. • They use 68 percent of all the tobacco in the U.S. • They use 84 percent of all the cocaine in the U.S. Addiction is a chronic, progressive brain disease that requires professional help for recovery. Not so long ago, caregivers tackled addiction first and underlying mental issues later. Experts now know that they are intertwined. For treatment to be effective, all existing problems must get equal care and attention at the same time. Detox is just one example of how that works. Addicts can rarely withdraw from a drug on their own even if they have the willpower and good intentions. Cravings, physical discomfort and emotional upheaval all at once…

How to Avoid Enabling a Drug Addict Drugs can take over not only the lives of those who suffer from addiction, but the lives of their family members and friends as well. As a parent, sibling, grandparent, friend, or partner of someone with a drug problem, you probably feel overwhelmed, saddened and angry at your loved one’s behavior, but still want to help. While this instinct is only natural, you could actually be doing more harm than good by helping someone close to you. By taking steps to avoid enabling your loved one, you can give the individual the incentive needed to seek help. 1. Don’t give the addict financial assistance. While it you may feel like you are helping your loved one to stay out of trouble by loaning them money or bailing them out of jail, providing financial assistance may actually have a counteractive effect. If your family member or friend knows that you will be there to help them, they are less likely to address their problem. It may be difficult for you, but you can most help your loved one by saying “no” when they ask for any type of financial help, no matter how small the amount. This may mean that your friend or family member has to face a difficult situation, such as jail time, but people are often more willing to seek genuine help when they have reached rock bottom. Instead of giving…

The story is extremely common. A brilliant writer, musician, or painter claims to have their mind opened by drugs and become increasingly prolific. Or vice-versa and the already creative brain is drawn to the stasis, transformation, and escape drugs have to offer. It is evident that the creative mind and drugs have some sort of relationship. But why is this? How can we learn to avoid drug addiction while promoting creativity and broadening of the mind in recovery? Neuroscientist David Linden from John Hopkins University told Scientific American that there isn’t a link between substance abuse and creativity, but that the chemicals like dopamine act as a “prerequisite” for creativity, by producing pleasure and reward of risk-taking, “novelty-seeking,” and compulsive behaviors. You can teach someone how to be creative, you cannot teach someone how to not be addicted to narcotics. You can show someone how to think outside the box, to question everything, and how to implement what you find, but you will not be able to instruct someone on how to survive an overdose. So how can we use these in our attempts to free addicts of addiction at rehab centers and treatment facilities? The short answer is to promote creativity and other dopamine inducing behaviors after detox and as a part of the recovery process at any inpatient residential or clinical center. Art, music, and books are often described as a form of therapy. And the arts should…

Tranquilizers are used to combat mental illness and instability of all kinds. The drug, almost always taken in pill form, is classified into major and minor tranquilizers. The former, like its name denotes, is used to treat major form of mental illness, while the latter is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and panic attacks. While most forms of sedatives, any drug that slows down the nervous system, are not widely misused, tranquilizers are. Ambien and barbiturates are two infamous downers, depressants, and sedatives. These drugs can be extremely addictive and can cause dependence and withdrawal in addition to other side effects. Considering tranquilizers ease tension and stress, are highly addictive, and easily obtained from multiple doctors, reliance on sedatives may be a fluid and alarming transition from a relieved mind to a withdrawing body. According to drug information website for rehabilitation center Narconon, 140,000 people will abuse these drugs for the first time every year. The writer also adds that there are more than two million American users. Just how addictive are these strangely common prescription pills? According to George Washington University, “barbiturates are one of the most addictive types of drugs.” Due to their mellowing nature, sedatives are often taken liberally to numb anxiety, stress, and depression. The physical effects of sedatives and tranquilizers range from malfunctioning sexual activity to breathing disorders to intense withdrawal. When coming off a powerful drug like barbiturates, the detox patient may have fits…