The Clear Benefit of Positive Influences

There is a distinct line drawn between positive influences and negative influences as far as substance abuse is concerned. Even further, positive influence has very clear benefits over negative influence. This is because whether in pre-recovery, recovery, or post-recovery, these influences in subtle ways effect the behavior, attitudes, and perceptions of the user/former user.

Preference toward the Positive

We can say there is a good reason to prefer positive influence over negative influence because of both our intuitions and observations. Obviously more often than not people will prefer positive lifestyles, approaches, and outcomes to negative ones. Surrounding oneself with positivity and success is conductive to achieving this preference.

Additionally, we can observe the relative success rates of people who follow a positive path rather than a negative one, and witness proactive change more consistently among those who choose a proactive lifestyle and adopt positive beliefs about their chances to succeed. This is complemented by the fact that the influence of others in addition to lifestyle change is the best way to attain a lasting sobriety, rather than admitting defeat or a defeatist attitude.

Why Some People Might Abuse Substances

People influence and are influenced by other people. Because of this influence, it is reasonable to say that people can influence others to use illicit substances. Although that is seemingly an obvious point, there is a deeper meaning to why this influence takes place.

Preserving “Harmonious” Relationships

Since people influence and are influenced by others, the influence can change the capacity of people to exercise their self-control in order to preserve their relationships with others. So when someone is surrounded by others who don’t exercise self-control they become more likely not to exercise their own self-control to “fit in”. The need to be included is very strong and may limit a person’s ability to exercise self-control.

Furthermore, to preserve harmonious relationships, people who might be predisposed to not engaging in self-control behaviors would be more likely to do so if they are surrounded by people who do successfully manage their self-control. This is important because it implies that people who have a difficult time managing their substance addiction may find it much easier to do so when they are surrounded by people who don’t relapse, as opposed to people who do relapse.

Examine Yourself

There are a couple ways in which people can resolve internal strife. They can change their behavior to match their own standards, or avoid situations which allow them to think about themselves where the conflict arises again. If they run away from situations that involve them thinking about themselves, then conflict between standards and behavior seldom, if ever, arises.

- From Looking Inward

Amy Winehouse, the Insider with Pax Prentiss

Amy Winehouse, the Insider with Pax Prentiss – http://bit.ly/pB7NEe

Spread the Knowledge

When I finally read this book, this was what I have been thinking and feeling since I got clean and sober.

-from Spread the Knowledge

Ecstasy Addiction

Ecstasy is a man-made psychedelic drug with hallucinogenic properties. Ecstasy’s active ingredient, MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), acts as a psychoactive stimulant, causing hyperawareness of the senses, heightened empathy, emotional openness and intense euphoria.

Fueled by a release of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, ecstasy users experience a rush of energy and happiness, leading to feelings of hyperactivity and emotional connectedness.

However, due to the rapid release of serotonin, ecstasy users experience the depletion of this vital neurotransmitter in the days following an ecstasy trip, leading to depression, anxiety and lethargy. One of the most serious risks of ecstasy addiction is dehydration, leading to intense fevers, overheating and possibly death.

With continual use, ecstasy users can also experience other side effects, such as tooth and gum disease, bruxism (teeth grinding), jaw clenching and high blood pressure, as well as transmission of sexually transmitted diseases from lowered inhibition during intoxication.  Chronic ecstasy use can also lead to severe depression, anxiety, lethargy, memory loss and cognitive disturbances.  At Passages, we treat ecstasy addiction and provide a medically supervised full detox.

Crack Cocaine Addiction

Crack is a smokeable form of cocaine that is manufactured by mixing cocaine with baking soda and water through a heat-intensive process. The resulting “rock” state of cocaine (known as base-cocaine) forms as the water evaporates from the mixture, creating the crackling sound that gives crack its name. As a result, crack cocaine will vaporize at low temperatures, making it easier to inhale for a fast-acting high. However, crack cocaine is by nature impure, generally including less than 40 percent cocaine, depending on the degree to which it is “cut” with additives. 

On a physical level, crack cocaine becomes addictive largely because of the effects it creates in brain chemistry. Crack sharply increases the levels of dopamine in the user’s brain, resulting in intensified feelings of excitement and euphoria. While this creates a sense of disoriented pleasure while the crack high lasts, dopamine levels become depleted after use.

Additionally, continued crack cocaine use can cause the brain to lower dopamine levels over the long run, sensing excess dopamine present. When users attempt to cease crack cocaine use, they experience this cocaine-initiated chemical imbalance, causing depression, withdrawal symptoms and anxiety.  If you or someone you know is addicted to crack cocaine, Passages can help.

Why Primarily Group-Based Treatment is Ineffective at Drug Rehab Centers

The vast majority of drug rehabilitation centers revolve around a group-oriented approach to treatment. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol withdrawal and recovery requires a deep, focused and attentive process that cannot be achieved in a group setting. Only in the safety and confidentiality of committed therapy can true healing from the psychological and emotional roots of substance addiction begin.

Group therapy programs at rehab clinics have become notoriously overpopulated and understaffed, short-changing addicted individuals from receiving the depth of healing they deserve for recovery.  In the long run, the lack of individualized care and targeted therapy applied at many rehabilitation centers may cut costs for facilities, but proves incredibly costly to the addicted individual. These lapses in care lead to chronic relapse, mental breakdowns, and physical complications as drug use endures. While short-term rehabilitation may be achieved, long-term group treatment programs experience roughly the same success rates as placebo therapies in treating addiction.  At Passages, the majority of our treatment program is comprised of one-on-one, customized therapy.

Holistic Treatment for Addiction

Drug addiction is an extremely complex problem that does not adhere to a one size fits all approach, and many treatment centers are realizing this fact and altering their programs.  For many years, the 12-step treatment center was considered the only option when it came to drug rehab.  In more recent years, the holistic model of treatment has emerged and has changed what people look for in an effective drug treatment center.

Essentially, holistic treatment centers use a variety of different modalities such as one-on-one therapy, marriage and family therapy, hypnosis, acupuncture, physical training, and a healthy diet plan.There are many benefits of a non 12-step model versus a 12-step drug rehab center, both in terms of what the center provides and what clients should expect.  12-step centers still use the outdated model that addiction is an incurable disease, and that the addiction itself is your primary problem that you will always have and just need to manage. As a result, these centers offer mostly group therapy and no therapy geared towards individual problems.

At holistic treatment centers, caring professionals realize that every person is dealing with different underlying issues and life circumstances, and that private attention and individually tailored therapy is really the key to getting sober.  Passages Malibu is a holistic, non 12-step treatment centers with years of experience in treating addiction.

Volunteer Work in Drug Treatment

There are several things beyond just group meetings and psychotherapy that are effective at helping with addictions within drug or alcohol treatment programs.  Many treatment centers are incorporating various forms of volunteer work and community services programs into their treatment plans.  These activities allow individuals in treatment to interact with one another and get them involved in the community.

According to a new study, volunteer work and community service may also help support relapse prevention efforts.  Volunteer work and community service helps substance abusers focus on something outside of them and put their energy towards a greater good.  In a recent study, researchers found that 40 percent of alcoholics who provided emotional support to individuals with a similar addiction stayed sober for a longer period of time than those who did not.  Many experts in the addiction field now believe that helping others should be a regular component of relapse prevention programs, and that this strategy may help more recovering alcoholics and drug users learn to remain substance-free.  At Passages Malibu, we allow our clients to do volunteer work as a part of their individualized treatment program.