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50 Best Drug Addiction Quotes and Sayings of All Time

Drug addiction recovery is a challenging experience. Fortunately, a tremendous amount of resources is available to help you along the way. Some of these can inspire, and others, well let’s just say they let you look at your situation with humor. 

In this post, we’ll list 50 of our favorite drug addiction quotes and sayings of all time. Reading addiction recovery quotes from formerly addicted individuals can give you solace and inspiration for your recovery journey. Use this list to gain motivation to keep going along your recovery journey and stay drug-free.  

1) “The priority of any addict is to anaesthetize the pain of living to ease the passage of day with some purchased relief.”

– Russell Brand on drug abuse 

2) “This stuff, this Mexican sludge, just grabbed you by the f–king heartstrings and tore me apart,” he told Rolling Stone. “All those years of snorting coke, and then I accidentally get involved in heroin after smoking crack for the first time. It finally tied my shoelaces together.”

– Robert Downey Jr. on facing the point when he faced the need for drug addiction recovery 

3) “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a hundred times.”

– Mark Twain with a hard truth on addiction recovery. 

4) “Addiction is just a way of trying to get at something else. Something bigger. Call it transcendence if you want, but it’s a rat in a maze. We all want the same thing. We all have this hole. The thing you want offers relief, but it’s a trap.”

– Tess Callahan with one of our favorite drug addiction recovery quotes. 

5) “You just have to take it one day at a time. Some days are easier than others and some days you forget about drinking and using, but for me, I work on my physical health, which is important, but my mental health as well.”

– Demi Lovato on mental illness

6) “One of the hardest things was learning that I was worth recovery.”

– Another diamond from Demi speaking truth about addiction recovery 

7) “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”

– Mahatma Gandhi with philosophical insights for recovery quotes. 

8) “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”

– Friedrich Nietzsche with a good philosophy to guide one’s drug addiction recovery.

9) “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”

– Carl Bard with another favorite from our drug addiction recovery quotes. 

10) “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

– Helen Keller, a true model for overcoming strife. 

11) “I understood, through rehab, things about creating characters. I understood that creating whole people means knowing where we come from, how we can make a mistake and how we overcome things to make ourselves stronger.”

– Samuel L. Jackson’s inspiring words to live by when struggling through addiction recovery. 

12) “If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.”

– Benjamin Alire Sáenz on the possibilities of drug addiction recovery. 

13) “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”

– Japanese proverb 

14) “The initial journey towards sobriety is a delicate balance between insight into one’s desire for escape and abstinence from one’s addiction.”

– Debra L. Kaplan on the balancing act of addiction recovery. 

15) “What is addiction, really? It is a sign, a signal, a symptom of distress. It is a language that tells us about a plight that must be understood.”

– Alice Miller on the true meaning of drug addiction recovery. 

16) “Nobody stays recovered unless the life they have created is more rewarding and satisfying than the one they left behind.”

– Anne Fletcher on what addicted individuals need to achieve true sobriety.

17) “You can come out of the furnace of trouble two ways: if you let it consume you, you come out a cinder; but there is a kind of metal which refuses to be consumed, and comes out a star.”

– Jean Church on how treatment options can help you shine. 

18) “You can get the monkey off your back, but the circus never leaves town.”

– Anne Lamott 

19) “Addiction is an adaptation. It’s not you–it’s the cage you live in.”

– Johann Hari 

20) “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”

– Henry Ford 

21) “Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with your self-esteem.”

– Kurt Cobain on the futility of substance abuse.

22) “Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.”

– Vince Lombardi on making drug addiction recovery a new habit. 

23) “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

– Chinese Proverb 

24) “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

– Nelson Mandela 

25) “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

– Henry Ford 

26) “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson with insights that people in addiction recovery can use to transcend their current plight. 

27) “If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.”

– Zen Proverb 

28) “Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street.”

– Zig Ziglar proving that drug addiction recovery can be ongoing but worthwhile. 

29) “At first, addiction is maintained by pleasure, but the intensity of the pleasure gradually diminishes and the addiction is then maintained by the avoidance of pain.”

– Frank Tallis 

30) “First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.”

– Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald 

31) “We don’t choose to be addicted; what we choose to do is deny our pain.”

– Unknown with real insights for the person in drug addiction recovery. 

32) “Remember just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there.”

– Robert Downey 

33) “It was the hardest boyfriend I ever had to break up with.”

– Fergie on struggling with drug addiction recovery. 

34) “Recovery is an acceptance that your life is in shambles, and you have to change it.”

— James Lee Curtis on addiction recovery. 

35) “Recovery is not for people who need it. It’s for people who want it.”

– Unknown on who will find the greatest success in a drug addiction recovery program. 

36) “Recovery is a process. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes everything you’ve got.”

– Unknown 

37) “Be stronger than your strongest excuse.”

– Unknown 

38) “It’s a beautiful day to be sober.”

– Unknown on the best time to pursue drug addiction recovery. 

39) “If you chased your recovery like you chased your high, you would never relapse again.”

– Unknown with words of encouragement for those in drug addiction recovery. 

40) “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”

– C.S. Lewis 

41) “It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars.”

– Richard Evans 

42) “No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible.”

– George Chakiris with an important message for anyone in drug addiction recovery treatment. 

43) “The best way out is always through.”

– Robert Frost 

44) “One step at a time. One day at a time. One hour at a time.”

– Unknown 

45) “There’s not a drug on earth that can make life meaningful.”

– Unknown source on the real reason to fight for drug addiction recovery. 

46) “Never underestimate a recovering addict. We fight for our lives every day in ways most people will never understand.”

– Unknown 

47) “Be stronger than your strongest excuse.”

– Unknown on facing the hard truths of drug addiction recovery. 

48) “Recovery is about progression, not perfection.”

– Unknown 

49) “I am not defined by my relapses, but in my decision to remain in recovery despite them.”

– Unknown person speaking truth about addiction recovery.

50) “I understood myself only after I destroyed myself. And only in the process of fixing myself, did I know who I really was.”

– Unknown 

Conclusion 

No matter what stage you are at with your drug addiction recovery, there is always hope. Hopefully, one or more of these quotes has inspired you to maintain your dedication to sobriety. 

Click here to contact an addiction expert that can help. 

Resources

https://www.kerrang.com/features/kurt-on-kurt-the-nirvana-icon-in-his-own-words/

https://www.popsugar.co.uk/celebrity/demi-lovato-quotes-about-sobriety-47315289

https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourCare/MentalHealthSubstanceUse/SubstanceUse/Documents/AD%20Info%20Sheets_Tobacco.pdf

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/118143-you-can-get-the-monkey-off-your-back-but-the

https://people.com/celebrity/fergie-crystal-meth-hardest-boyfriend/

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Addiction & Mental Health Support During a Global Pandemic

Long before COVID-19, we’ve lacked as a community an evidence-based, system-wide health care response to the disease of addiction. Combined with the current pandemic, people with substance use disorders today face increasing challenges that we must recognize and immediately address. Last week, Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine hosted a multi-disciplinary conversation with leaders in the addiction treatment community to discuss how best to provide support during these unprecedented times.  

The conversation, called “Addiction & Mental Health Support During a Global Pandemic: Perspectives from Frontline Responders,” was moderated by Dan Jenkins of Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine via Zoom Webinar. Panelists included Dr. Andreas Bienert, Clinical Director, Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine; Doug Bevelaqua, former Inspector General of Behavioral Health for the Commonwealth of Virginia; Mark Blackwell, Director of Recovery Services, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Captain Robert Wershbale, Henrico County Police; Lieutenant Jerry Hoyt, Henrico County Police, and Karen Stanley, President & CEO, The Healing Place – Richmond VA and CARITAS.

You can watch the full conversation, “Addiction & Mental Health Support During a Global Pandemic: Perspectives from Frontline Responders,” HERE. Topics include:

-The unique challenges each organization has encountered since the onset of the pandemic. -How the approach to treatment and social interaction has changed in response to the pandemic. -The increased risk of relapse during the pandemic. -The increase in alcohol consumption since lockdown and its impact on the need for detox from alcohol abuse. -How local police departments have worked alongside other organizations to assist with challenging circumstances, from homelessness to addiction. -How the community can help. -Drug related and mental health related calls since the pandemic began. -Domestic conflict statistics that have included drugs and alcohol during the pandemic. -How law enforcement is responding when loved ones and users ask for help. -Statistics on overdoses over the past two months. -Drug and alcohol related arrests and other trends noted by law enforcement during the pandemic.

The team at Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine is available at all times to help people with substance use disorder during these unprecedented circumstances and beyond the current pandemic. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, contact Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine at [phone].

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Which Neurotransmitter Is Involved in Drug Addiction?

It’s important to know that individuals struggling with substance use should be held accountable for their actions. That being said, people may be at a higher risk of substance abuse due to factors like: 

Mental health disorders

Environment (the beliefs and attitudes of one’s family, interaction with certain peer groups, etc.)

Genetics (inherited traits may speed up the progression of substance use)

Using drugs at a young age

Regardless of how it develops, addiction looks the same in our brains. Drugs alter our brain chemistry, making it harder for us to quit, leading to severe consequences. 

So, which neurotransmitter is involved in drug abuse? Well, there isn’t just one. From the experts at The Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine, here is some more information about neurotransmitters and their role in substance use.

What Are Neurotransmitters?

Before defining neurotransmitters, let’s take a look at the makeup of your brain. 

You’ll find many different types of cells in the human brain—glia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, to name a few. But nerve cells are by far the most well-known. 

Nerve Cells (AKA Neurons)

The average human brain has around 86 billion nerve cells. Also known as neurons, these cells carry information throughout our bodies. They use chemical and electrical signals to dictate our breathing, thinking, and much more.  

Each cell consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites:

The cell body and its nucleus control what the cell does.

The axon extends out of the body and sends messages to other cells.

Dendrites branch out from the body and receive signals from other cells. 

How Do Neurons Communicate with Each Other?

Our brains might have lots of neurons, but these cells don’t physically touch either. So how exactly do they communicate?

This is where neurotransmitters come in. These cells use these chemical messengers to send signals to one another.

A nerve cell will release neurotransmitters via its axon. The neurotransmitters cross the synapse, the microscopic space between two nerve cells. The second nerve cell receives these neurotransmitters via its dendrites. Then, depending on what type of neurotransmitter is received, the cell will respond accordingly. 

Inhibitory vs. Excitatory

Generally speaking, neurotransmitters may either cause inhibitory or excitatory responses. 

Inhibitory neurotransmitters make a neuron less likely to carry out a specific action. Excitatory neurotransmitters, on the other hand, stimulate nerve cells, prompting them to send messages to other cells. 

Examples of Neurotransmitters  

Our bodies have over 100 different neurotransmitters. Below, we provide some examples of the ones most relevant to brain function and substance use:

Dopamine

Dopamine plays a huge role in our bodies. While dopamine influences our learning, concentration, memory, etc., it is best known for how it influences our body’s reward system. Having adequate amounts of dopamine is essential for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Serotonin

Also known as “the happy chemical,” serotonin contributes to feelings of well-being. It also helps regulate our mood and sleep-wake cycle.  

Glutamate  

Most experts regard glutamate as the most important transmitter for normal brain function. Glutamate plays a major role in learning, fine and gross motor skills, and much more.  

Endorphins

Endorphins are similar to serotonin in that they cause feelings of well-being. They can also reduce pain and alleviate stress. 

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Gamma-aminobutyric acid is an inhibitory transmitter. It can improve sleep, relieve anxiety, and reduce overall excitability.

The Impact of Drug Addiction on Neurotransmitters

Now, you should be familiar with neurotransmitters and how they work in our brains. 

But how do neurotransmitters relate to addiction? Let’s first take a look at how substance use affects transmitters. 

How Substance Use Affects Neurotransmitters

When someone participates in substance use, it sends chemical signals to neurons. Neurons respond by altering how they release and receive neurotransmitters.

As we mentioned earlier, these responses will be either inhibitory or excitatory. This means that a drug can either prevent cells from functioning normally or drive them to behave a certain way. 

The Effects of Different Drugs on Neurotransmitters

Individuals experience different effects based on what drugs they use. This is because different drugs target different neurotransmitters. 

Below, we provide some examples of how different types of substance use affect the body’s neurotransmitters:

Cocaine

Cocaine binds to transmitters that regulate dopamine. The result is an increase in dopamine production, causing extreme feelings of euphoria. 

Opioids

The body responds to heroin, fentanyl, and other opioids in a way similar to how it responds to the neurotransmitters enkephalin and endorphin. 

However, the body’s response to opioids is much more pronounced. Opioids bring on decreased alertness, increased analgesia, and slowed breathing. 

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens can influence the production of serotonin, causing hallucinations, feelings of euphoria, etc. 

How This Leads to Addiction

Neurotransmission is a natural process in our bodies. Nerve cells use chemical messages to control normal brain functions, stimulate feelings of well-being, etc. 

When someone uses drugs, they disrupt this natural process. Substance use can exacerbate the effects of transmitters, causing users to lose self-control. 

For example, consider someone who uses cocaine. As we mentioned above, cocaine facilitates dopamine production. Users experience extreme feelings of euphoria. After the high fades away, the user will experience a crash. They go back to cocaine because they want to experience the euphoria it provides. 

As a person continuously uses the drug, it will alter their brain chemistry. Neurons will adapt, becoming less sensitive to certain neurotransmitters. This means the user will have to use more of the drug to experience the same effects. 

The Consequences of Addiction

Of course, users affected by drug addiction experience severe consequences. Their relationships often suffer, as do their finances. 

Addiction is also detrimental to your physical health. Drug use can cause the production of dangerous amounts of neurotransmitters.

For instance, if you use a drug that rapidly increases gamma-aminobutyric acid, you could experience cessation of breathing, brain damage, or even death. This is because of the substance’s inhibitory properties. 

Withdrawal

For many, recovering from drug addiction may seem impossible. This is largely due to the withdrawal symptoms one faces. 

As we’ve mentioned, drugs alter one’s brain chemistry. This means that when an individual who is addicted to a drug abstains from a drug, their brain isn’t getting the stimulation it’s become used to. The result? Withdrawal symptoms. 

People who are addicted may experience anything from lethargy and mood changes to seizures. The type of symptoms depends on the type of drug used, the severity of the addiction, etc.  

To experience immediate relief from these symptoms, addicted invididuals go back to using the drug. It’s even harder to break the cycle of addiction when you consider the affection that people have for the substance they use. 

Think about it. When someone uses a substance, they are with certain people, in certain places, etc. They tend to associate these things with the euphoria that drugs bring on. So, when they try to quit, they are constantly reminded of the drug via the associations they’ve made with it. 

What to Do to Maintain a Healthy Brain

As you can see, a healthy brain is crucial to your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Below, we provide some ways you can balance your body’s neurotransmitters: 

Avoid illicit substances and situations in which you might be tempted to use them.

Talk to your doctor about prescription medications. Medications alter your brain chemistry, so you should be aware of the risks they carry.

Acknowledge your risks. Some people are at a higher risk of addiction than others. Knowing that your family has a history of addiction, being aware of your environment, etc. can help you take preventative action.

Look for natural ways you can boost dopamine levels (exercise, healthy diet, etc.).

Talk to a professional. Taking care of your mental health is crucial for a healthy, well-functioning brain. 

Get Professional Help Today

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse, know that you don’t have to face this battle alone. It is difficult to overcome substance addiction without expert help. 

Contact The Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine today. Our team of professionals is ready to help you on your road to recovery.  

Resources:

https://lagunatreatment.com/addiction-research/roles-of-neurotransmitters/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC80880/

https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2017/03/impacts-drugs-neurotransmission

http://sites.utexas.edu/asrec/basic-addiction-science/neurotransmitter-role-play-description/

https://www.recoveryfirst.org/blog/understanding-neurotransmitters-and-substance-abuse/

https://www.promisesbehavioralhealth.com/addiction-recovery-blog/addiction-lights-brain-dopamine-neurotransmitters-101/

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/health-complications-addiction/chemical-imbalance

https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/executive-summary/report/neurobiology-substance-use-misuse-and-addiction

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Is Drug Addiction a Disease or a Choice? The Final Verdict

There is a stigma attached to addictions, specifically ones associated with drugs. People often think that those who use drugs lack self-control or willpower and that addiction is a choice. They believe that since drug addicts chose to start using drugs, those individuals could stop whenever they want. The reality of drug addiction is far more than that. 

Addiction is a severe and lifelong struggle. It doesn’t just affect the person but everyone around them. Once the person has become addicted, chemical changes in the body occur. The condition can get much worse if the user quits the drug immediately or “cold-turkey.” 

This situation is why so many drug addicts find it difficult to stop. If left untreated, the person’s body, relationships, and even life could be in danger. 

Is addiction a choice or a disease? Read on to find out more. 

What Is Drug Addiction? 

Addiction is a severe, lifelong condition characterized by a person continually seeking and compulsively using a drug. The user does so, regardless of the adverse consequences. These consequences can include organ diseases, cancer, mental illness, and even death.  

Although the initial decision to use the drug or drugs is voluntary, even just one use can lead to changes in that person’s brain. These chemical changes make it difficult for the person to stop. Repeated drug use interferes with a person’s self-control and ability to resist urges for the drug. 

Addiction can be the result of several things, including biological and environmental factors. Scientists have studied how a person’s family history affects addiction. They have concluded that the person’s ability to develop addiction links to their genetic makeup.  

Similarly, a person’s environment can lead to addiction. External factors can all affect the likelihood of a person developing an addiction, such as family members, friends, personal history, and socioeconomic status. 

How Drugs Affect the Brain 

Most addictive drugs affect the brain’s “reward center.” When the reward center is working, it releases dopamine.  

Dopamine causes euphoria and encourages the person to repeat pleasurable behaviors. Activities that stimulate the reward center include eating and spending time with the people they love.  

However, repeated surges of dopamine in the brain’s reward center can reinforce behaviors that cause pleasure but are unhealthy. Taking drugs is one of these behaviors. In time, this takes a toll on mental health. 

As the person continues to use the drug, the brain must make specific adaptations. It does this by reducing how well the cells in the brain’s reward center respond to the drug. As a result, the brain needs more of the drug to achieve the same effects it felt the first time a user took the substance. This need is what creates tolerance.  

An unfortunate side effect of tolerance is that the person may also find less and less pleasure in other activities they enjoyed, such as eating or social events. This change affects a person’s mental health. In dire circumstances, it can contribute to conditions such as heart disease. 

Long-term drug use can change the brain in other ways as well. Ongoing drug use impacts learning, judgment, decision-making, memory, and behavior. Over time, drugs become a need rather than a want.  

When it is an addiction, a person might have triggers, such as places or interactions linked to their drug use. Cravings can last for years and feel uncontrollable even if and when the person becomes sober. 

Drug abuse is a “relapsing” condition: Although sobriety is possible, people in recovery have a high risk of returning to drug use even if they haven’t used it in years. A person’s mental health may recuperate, but the person may still have relapses.  

Relapses are possible and even common, but this doesn’t mean that treatment has failed. Similar to other chronic health conditions, ongoing treatment is a must. A recovering user needs a tailored approach, depending on how the patient is responding. 

Is Drug Addiction a Disease or a Choice? 

Addiction constitutes a brain disorder that changes how the brain responds to situations that involve stress, rewards, and self-control. These brain changes aren’t just long-term. They can persist for months (even years) after the person has kicked their substance use problem. They can cause disturbances in the functioning of organs, lead to decreased quality of life, and increase the risk of premature death. For these reasons, many argue that addiction qualifies as a disease. 

However, some people argue that addiction is not a disease but a choice. Proponents of this argument say that addiction is not transmissible or contagious, autoimmune, hereditary, or degenerative. Therefore, it is not a disease. Others argue that since the person had made the original decision to take the drug, addiction is a self-acquired condition. Once the addicted person no longer has access to the substance, they can stop. 

These two sides of the debate are polarizing. Although most substance abuse cases indeed begin because the person decided to take the drug, most treatment centers and researchers consider it a disease. They argue that if overcoming substance abuse were as simple as taking away the drug, the global problem of addiction would be much simpler to address.  

Per the Disease Model of Addiction, drug abuse classifies as a disease because it’s a chemical and biological issue that will get worse over time. So the truth is, drug addiction is a disease, not a choice.  

Choice cannot be the determining factor in diagnosing a disease. Several diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, involve personal decisions such as diet and exercise. “Disease” is what happens to the body due to substance use and abuse. 

For example, take someone who has received a diagnosis of skin cancer from too much sun exposure. The person could have stayed out of the sun more, but the disease was not the person’s choice.  

The person who chooses to use the drug the first time may do so willingly, but they do not wish to become addicted. 

It is rare to find a nationally recognized substance abuse recovery organization that views addiction as a choice rather than a disease. The “addiction is a choice” viewpoint is mostly from individuals and some smaller grounds groups.  

The American Psychiatric Organization has changed its rules to describe problems regarding chronic substance use. It does not use the term “addiction” at all. Instead, it uses “substance use disorder” to avoid confusion around the word “addiction” and its negative stigma. 

Conclusion 

The first use of a drug is due to addiction, but once the drugs have altered the brain, it becomes challenging for that addicted person to stop. Substance abuse is an ongoing issue. There is an argument that addiction is not a disease “because people have recovered without treatment.” Everyone is different. People with mild addictions may recover with very little or no treatment, but people with more severe forms of addiction may need intensive treatment along with a lifelong treatment plan that continuously evolves. Since there is no one-size-fits-all solution to solving addiction, people affected by the disease of addiction should seek professional addiction treatment – if we can not help someone due to them needing a higher level of care, our addictionologists have a nationwide network of inpatient treatment centers that can help individuals with dual diagnosis, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and more – we do this through our treatment matching and referral program. . Contact an expert with The Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine to figure out a plan that works for you.

Resources https://www.centeronaddiction.org/what-addiction/addiction-disease https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/is-drug-addiction-a-disease https://www.foundationsrecoverynetwork.com/addiction-disease/ https://www.marylandaddictionrecovery.com/what-is-the-disease-model-of-addiction/

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Addiction & Mental Health Support During a Global Pandemic: Perspectives from Frontline Responders

The Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine will host “Addiction & Mental Health Support During a Global Pandemic: Perspectives from Frontline Responders” on June 17 at 5:30 PM. The webinar will be moderated by Dan Jenkins of Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine via Zoom. Panelist will include Dr. Andreas Bienert, Clinical Director, Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine; Doug Bevelaqua, Former Inspector General of Behavioral Health for the Commonwealth of Virginia; Mark Blackwell, Director of Recovery Services, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Captain Robert Wershbale, Henrico County Police; and Karen Stanley, President & CEO, The Healing Place – Richmond VA and CARITAS. Topic will include: -The unique challenges each organization has encountered since the onset of the pandemic. -How the approach to treatment and social interaction has changed in response to the pandemic. -The increased risk of relapse during the pandemic. -The increase in alcohol consumption since lockdown and its impact on the need for detox from alcohol abuse. -How local police departments have worked alongside other organizations to assist with challenging circumstances, from homelessness to addiction. -How the community can help. -Drug related and mental health related calls since the pandemic began. -Domestic conflict statistics that have included drugs and alcohol during the pandemic. -How law enforcement is responding when loved ones and users ask for help. -Statistics on overdoses over the past two months. -Drug and alcohol related arrests and other trends noted by law enforcement during the pandemic. To attend, Dawn Choudhury at [email protected]. SPEAKER BIOS: Mark Blackwell – CPRS, RPRS, ICPR, MSA: Over 20 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare field in leadership positions, including for profit and nonprofit sectors, representing providers and payors. Areas of specialization include business development, marketing, provider network development/relations, nonprofit leadership, and contracting (including managed care). Mark has become a leading advocate in mental health and addiction recovery, seeking to promote the use of individuals with lived experience and recovery oriented services as a pathway to health and wellness. Mark has a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in Public Administration and an advanced graduate degree in Health Services and Masters in Administration from Central Michigan University. Mark currently serves as Director of Office of Recovery Services of Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, having served most recently as Director of Consumer and Family Affairs for Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. Current responsibilities include promoting recovery oriented services throughout the continuum of care and developing the Peer Recovery Specialist and Family Support Partner Workforce throughout the Commonwealth. Karen Stanley – CARITAS, President & CEO: Karen began the role of Executive Director for CARITAS in 2000 and took the organization from a 22-week winter-only emergency shelter to a year-round program including case management, a state-of-the-art daytime facility and aftercare services which include central Virginia’s only furniture bank, and a workforce development and life skills program called CARITAS Works that rolled out in 2011. CARITAS Works was developed to help men and women who have significant barriers to employment. Today, 90% are hired in less than 30 days after completion. In 2007, Karen took on the dual role as Executive Director for The Healing Place – Richmond VA, a 188-bed recovery program for men struggling with substance use disorders. She guided the efforts of The Healing Place and combined the organization with CARITAS in 2012, making CARITAS the largest homeless services organization in the metro Richmond area. After a successful $15M capital campaign, CARITAS will move into the new CARITAS Center this summer, which will include a 120-bed recovery program for women. She is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond, a recipient of the Stettinius Award for Non-Profit Leadership, United Way’s “Champion for Change,” a YWCA Outstanding Woman Award winner, the 2010 Better Housing Coalition’s “Creative Collaborator,” and was inducted in the Virginia First Lady’s FLITE Hall of Fame for Women in Business in 2012. She has served on the boards of Homeward, Leadership Metro Richmond, the Governor’s Advisory Board for Volunteerism and National Service, and currently serves on the Vestry of St. James’s Episcopal Church. Doug Bevelacqua: For over 35 years, Doug has served on local, state, and national boards and commissions advocating for behavioral health and substance use disorder issues. Doug currently conducts pro bono 12-Step Study workshops at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital for their 75 bed in-patient Substance Abuse Recovery Program and chairs the board of Triangle Stepping Stones, a nonprofit 12-Step clubhouse in WMBG. He has lectured at W&M and Regent University to undergrad and clinical psychology doc students on alcoholism and 12-Step programs. He has been in recovery since 1982, holds a master’s degree in addictions counseling, and has had the privilege of sponsoring hundreds of people in recovery. Prior to his service as Inspector General for Virginia’s Behavioral Health and Developmental Services System (2010 to 2014), he co-founded, operated and subsequently sold several large businesses specializing in building construction for federal, state, and local government agencies in the mid-Atlantic region. He is currently retired and lives with his wife, Robynn, in Kingsmill where he works part-time (pre-COVID-19) as a personal trainer at the Kingsmill Sports Center. Captain Bob Wershbale: Bob has been employed by the Henrico County Police since 1995. Enjoying a diverse career, he has held assignments within Patrol, Community Policing, School Resource, Personnel and Training, Professional Standards, and Criminal Investigations. He has been a Department of Criminal Justice Services Certified General Instructor and Defensive Tactics Instructor since 1998 and has been recognized as a Use of Force Subject Matter Expert in Federal Court. Bob is currently the Commanding Officer of the Organized Crime Section. An alumnus of the University of Richmond, Bob earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice in 1995 and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management in 2006. Andreas Bienert, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CSAC: Dr. Andreas Bienert is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in the state of Virginia, and a Nationally Certified Counselor. Dr. Bienert has worked in the mental health field since 2005. Currently serving as the Clinical Program Director for the Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine, he is also recognized for his work within inpatient and outpatient levels of care with individuals struggling to recover from addiction and trauma, and has worked with children, adolescents, adults, in addition to couples and families. Dr. Bienert also serves as an Assistant Professor at Colorado Christian University’s online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program as well as a steering committee member of the International Registry of Counselor Education and Related Educational Programs (IRCEP), where he contributes to quality assurance efforts within International Counselor Education programs.

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How to Help Someone With Drug Addiction: 10 Ways to Support Them

When someone that you love is struggling with addiction, it can also feel like a struggle to find ways to help. The truth of the matter is that recovery from drug addiction is usually a long and complicated journey. With the support of a loved one, it can become that much easier to begin the journey and see it through to the end.

If you don’t have much experience with drug or alcohol addiction, the whole situation can quickly feel overwhelming. Instead of ignoring the situation or backing away because of the overwhelm, take the time to encourage them to identify their problem and seek a solution.

Are you trying to navigate the complexities of addiction by being a support system for a loved one? There are certain things you can do to provide the most help. Some things should be avoided for the best chance of recovery.

Below, we’re sharing how to help a loved one with a substance use addiction and a few things to avoid while supporting someone through it.

10 Ways to Support Your Special Someone With Drug Addiction

For an addict, deciding to get help and kick the addiction is no easy feat. Luckily, studies have shown that with the additional love and support of someone close to the addict, their chances of recovery are much higher.

While each situation of addiction has its own unique sets of circumstances and factors at play, there are some general guidelines as to the best way to help someone and offer support.

1. Educate Yourself

When you’re inexperienced with drug addiction, it can be easy to base assumptions on what you see in the behavior of your loved one. By educating yourself on the addiction itself as well as the symptoms and causes, you’ll be better equipped to recognize it before you and truly understand it.

You won’t become an expert right away, and that’s okay. But putting in the time to slowly educate yourself will be beneficial to both you and the beloved addict in your life. You’ll be more in tune with what they are experiencing and more adept at speaking with them about it.

2. Communicate Your Concerns

They won’t know that you are concerned about them or that you think they have a problem unless you tell them. 

You’ll need to understand that what you identify as a problem might not seem like a big deal to them. That’s part of the power of addiction. They need to be the ones that decide they need change, but you can help them to understand why their addiction is hurting you and those around them.

Be sure not to threaten them, but instead come from a place of love and genuine concern.

3. Keep a Positive Mindset  

It’s essential to try to seek the positives in the situation and celebrate the progress made. Changing addictive behavior is hard, just like making any significant change of habit. Yet it’s even harder than that because there are chemicals involved that interfere with their decision-making ability.

Even if they slip up, try to remain positive. Use supportive communication to explore what led to the slip-up, and then figure out how to avoid it in the future. You don’t want your loved one to slide back, so encourage them to see how far they’ve come already.

4. Offer Your Support

Often, addicts can’t truly grasp how much their family members and friends care about them and love them. Even though it may be evident to you, the drugs can skew their perspective or create distance between them and those they love. 

After you tell your loved one that you are concerned about their health and drug use, be sure to include that you’re along for the ride as support. Knowing they’ll have someone to lean on every step of the way can become a huge relief.

5. Establish and Honor Boundaries

Creating boundaries is crucial when dealing with an addict. It can be easy to feel responsible for keeping them clean and safe, but that’s not your job. If you want to help someone, your job is to provide appropriate loving support. It is not your duty to overextend yourself for their sake.

Establish boundaries to protect yourself and your energy. Limits can be things like the times you’re available to talk on the phone or ways that you are willing to contribute, like healthy meals and rides to doctor’s appointments. Once you establish them with your loved one, honor them. They will respect you for keeping your word and appreciate your involvement.

6. Take Care of Yourself First

It can be easy to feel devoted to helping someone get out of drug addiction, but you need to take care of yourself first. If you are not taking proper care of yourself, you won’t be able to help someone else.

That means getting a full 8 hours of sleep, exercising, eating well, and even seeking mental health counseling or support groups.

7. Keep Their Addiction in Perspective  

Keeping things in perspective in the grand scheme of things will help you from feeling enveloped in their addiction. While their drug abuse may feel like the worst thing that could ever happen, you need to remind yourself that things will get better. Seeing this from you, the addict you love may be able to find hope that things will get better for them, too.

8. Lead by Example

By creating a positive role model for your loved one, you can lead them to recovery through your example. Often, the social circles that drug or alcohol addicts are involved with include other addicts and those who may encourage the behaviors. 

By remaining present in their life and serving as a healthy, happy, and drug-free example, they may be able to see that life doesn’t have to be this way – that there is another alternative.

9. Celebrate Progress

Recovery is a slow-moving process. There won’t be any overnight cures or fast-tracks to sobriety. Instead, there will be small, gradual changes. These changes can get overlooked when full recovery is the goal, so be sure to celebrate any progress made towards the end goal.

10. Get Professional Help

While it should ultimately be their decision to get help, you should encourage them to seek it out and address how meeting with a drug abuse expert may be able to help them with both mental health and addiction. You may be met with excuses or total denial, so you should expect that possibility. Be persistent, but remain loving, and don’t make them feel ashamed or guilty for their addiction.

You can get help from drug abuse professionals directly at the Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine. Call us today to speak with an expert.

What to Avoid When Helping Someone With Drug Addiction

Just as certain things can help someone’s recovery, some things can hinder the progress or cause relapse. When you are speaking with and supporting your loved one through drug abuse treatment, try to avoid the following:

Emotional Appeals

These may increase feelings of guilt or shame within the addict, leading to the compulsion to use drugs again.

Preaching or Lecturing

Do not try to moralize your loved one or speak from a pedestal about what they should do. Instead, offer encouragement and loving but firm suggestions.

Making Excuses for their Behavior

It’s common for an addict to create excuses to justify their behavior. You mustn’t accept these excuses, as it can enable the addiction.

Enabling the Behavior

Covering up the problem from other loved ones or giving them money to help will only hurt your loved one more. Do not provide them with money for drugs, and do not keep the actual situation from other involved family members and friends.

Arguing When They are High

When someone is on drugs, they won’t be thinking or speaking rationally. Don’t waste your time arguing during drug use, because your voice is much less likely to be heard and taken seriously. 

Feeling Guilty

Don’t feel guilty for any setbacks or lack of progress. It is not your addiction to face. However, you should prepare yourself to buckle in for the whole ride, no matter how long it takes.

Conclusion

Do you feel as if someone you love has a substance abuse problem or is dealing with an addiction? The best thing you can do for them is to support them, remain present, and encourage them to get professional addiction treatment.

It’s a delicate balance of not only encouragement and love but also boundaries and persistence. You should expect some resistance or push back, but it’s crucial not to give up on your loved one. Be consistent with your concerns and continue to ask them to seek help.

While supporting your special someone through substance abuse is by no means an easy feat, it’s a crucial part of the process and can increase their odds of full recovery.

If you need expert drug addiction support for your loved one, contact an expert at Addiction VA today.

The post How to Help Someone With Drug Addiction: 10 Ways to Support Them appeared first on Drug & Alcohol Detox Addiction Treatment in Richmond, Virginia.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Alcohol Withdrawal? Signs, Causes & Treatments

The irony of alcohol consumption is that a substance often used to relax and unwind can be responsible for a keyed-up state of anxiety and poor mental health. In severe cases where alcohol becomes a coping mechanism, people can begin to feel withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, the signs of withdrawal are severe enough to warrant medical advice and attention.

If people regularly engage in excessive drinking, alcohol withdrawal can be expected when they don’t have a drink. While most common in adults with a history of being dependent on alcohol, withdrawal symptoms can appear in anyone who drinks excessively.

Binge drinking is when someone consumes multiple drinks in a short period. About four to five drinks in a few hours is considered binge drinking. It is important to note that excessive alcohol consumption does not automatically mean alcohol dependency or an alcohol use disorder – but it does mean people who engage in this behavior are at a higher risk for the symptoms of withdrawal.

So, what are the signs, causes, and treatments of alcohol withdrawal syndrome? Read on to learn more.

What Is Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome?

Despite alcohol being a social tool intended for enjoyment, this substance is a depressant that slows brain function and influences how nerves communicate with each other. When a person regularly consumes excessive amounts of alcohol, the central nervous system becomes accustomed to it and expects it. The body adapts chemical functions to account for the continuous presence of alcohol. If you drink heavily – even without being an alcoholic – you will experience some level of withdrawal when you stop drinking suddenly.

Alcohol is often consumed to help people relax and relieve anxiety. This effect is achieved by amplifying GABA, a neurotransmitter that creates euphoria and calm. It also decreases glutamate, a neurotransmitter responsible for excitability. Alcoholics and heavy drinkers will find it challenging to reduce glutamate and increase GABA over time – requiring more alcohol to achieve the same effects.

To combat the depressive effects, your body works harder to keep your brain awake, and the lines of communication between nerves open, especially with the two neurotransmitters, GABA and glutamate.

Take away the alcohol suddenly, and you see your brain continuing to work in this keyed-up state, overproducing GABA and under-producing glutamate. The mind is attempting to communicate to your body, but the chemical balance is disrupted and struggling to adapt as alcohol leaves the system. This is the point where severe withdrawal symptoms begin.

Withdrawal Vs. Hangover

While some might think of a hangover as a mild withdrawal, they are not the same. The causes behind a hangover and withdrawal syndrome are different and worth understanding.

Hangovers occur when you drink too much at once. Too much alcohol causes dehydration, stomach irritation, and inflammatory physical response. As the alcohol leaves your system after your last drink, hangover signs of nausea, headache, and fatigue appear. This is common with people who had a little too much fun on a single night out – but not a sign of regular alcohol abuse if it is not occurring regularly over an extended period.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome occurs when alcohol use disappears or decreases drastically. Alcohol use has to be over a prolonged period, at least long enough for the body to become dependent on having some amount of alcohol in the system at any point. The central nervous system has time to adapt to the presence of alcohol and change neurotransmitter production. Once the supply of alcohol is cut off or decreased, alcohol withdrawal symptoms begin to appear.

So, do not confuse a hangover with withdrawal. They are not the same, especially when it comes to treatment.

The Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Once withdrawal begins, the symptoms will range from severe to mild. The severity will be contingent upon your history of alcohol abuse, how long you drank, and how much. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are commonly associated with ‘the shakes’ – but the list of symptoms stretches much further than body tremors and an increased heart rate.

People can see mild symptoms appear in as little as six hours after consumption ends. The mild symptoms include:

· Shaky hands

· Anxiety

· Nausea

· Headache

· Vomiting

· Sweating

· Insomnia

· Irritability

· Dilated pupils

· Exhaustion

· Pale skin

· Mood swings

Roughly twelve to twenty-four hours into withdrawal is when the more severe signs will occur.

More severe signs of withdrawal include:

· Hallucinations

· Seizures

· Fever

· High blood pressure

· Confusion

· Racing heart/increased heart rate

· Cardiac arrest

· Extreme agitation

Withdrawal Timeline

The entire detoxification process of withdrawal can take between five to ten days and begins just hours after consumption ceases. Once you stop drinking, the liver starts to metabolize ethanol and move alcohol through the system. As the alcohol leaves your body, the symptoms outlined above begin to appear.

Typically, withdrawal follows the following timeline for severe cases:

· 6-8 hours: First signs appear, usually shaking, stress, anxiety, headaches, nausea, trouble sleeping

· 1-3 days: Symptoms begin to peak. Hallucinations, irritability, seizures, and high blood pressure can occur. There is a risk of cardiac arrest.

· 5-10 days: Symptoms begin to subside, but cravings may be present for weeks

How Severe Can Withdrawal Symptoms Be?

The severity of withdrawal depends upon the severity of the dependency. It also depends on the length of time in which alcohol was being heavily consumed.

In the most severe cases, a person may experience delirium tremens, a syndrome characterized by changes in mental states and automatic nervous system excitation.

Delirium tremens is likely to occur in people who have a history of alcohol withdrawal, drink daily for months, or who have abused alcohol for years. While it is the most severe symptom of withdrawal, it only appears in less than 5% of people experiencing withdrawal.

It usually shows up a day or two into withdrawal as all alcohol leaves the bloodstream. It can appear suddenly, which is why monitoring vitals and safety is essential in the detox process. Delirium tremens occurs when the brain suddenly loses the alcohol depressant after long periods of suppression and vigorously springs into a dangerous rebound.

The signs of delirium tremens include:

· Body tremors

· Fever

· Disorientation or severe confusion

· Agitation

· Hallucinations

· Seizures

This is a severe symptom and requires immediate medical attention and could be fatal without proper care. If a person has been dependent on alcohol for a long time, the risk of developing delirium tremens is higher than usual.

How to Treat Alcohol Withdrawal

Depending on the severity, you may be able to handle alcohol withdrawal symptoms without medical assistance. For most people, a supportive, healthy environment is enough to navigate this process. The following is recommended to recover from mild cases:

· Soft lighting

· Quiet environment

· Supportive, positive atmosphere

· Limited contact with others

· Fluids and healthy food

If you have a preexisting health condition or a history of severe symptoms of withdrawal, you might require professional assistance. If the pulse rises, you have high blood pressure, or temperature increases or you experience hallucinations or seizures, emergency medical aid is needed. From there, your doctor can advise on drug treatment and inpatient care options.

Some treatments simply require medications like benzodiazepines for insomnia, anxiety, and seizures. These medications can alleviate some withdrawal symptoms, but should be used under medical supervision as they can be addictive themselves.

Why You Need Professional Help When Treating Alcohol Withdrawal

While alcohol dependency is not a prerequisite to experiencing withdrawal, severe withdrawal symptoms are a sign of more serious underlying issues. These symptoms can shift violently and quickly, with a mild case becoming severe within hours.

There are several professional treatment options to assist in navigating this situation. Various alcohol treatment programs seek to aid individuals to address drinking problems. Some treatment specialists and facilities can even help alleviate severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms while providing 24/7 support in a medical detox process.          

Professional treatment is necessary for alcohol withdrawal because there is not a single solution that works for everyone, especially for addiction treatment. Expert advice will give the full scope of options so patients can find what works.

The options include:

· Inpatient treatment, which provides a supervised, safe environment to battle alcohol addiction. This is the most intensive treatment option and requires 30, 60, or 90-day programs.

· Outpatient treatment allows you to continue with daily responsibilities while recovering and is well-matched with mild cases of alcohol abuse. This is a good option if you can handle continuing to be around influences and drinking triggers in your daily routine.

· Individual counseling focuses on mental health and helps to discover underlying factors behind alcohol addiction and identifying tools to cope and work through alcohol withdrawal.

· Medication-assisted therapy can be helpful with prescription medication that can alleviate uncomfortable symptoms, freeing the focus for other recovery elements.

· Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide a supportive environment to focus on treatment goals and challenges with peers who have been in the same situation.

Professional Standards

Some people do not have a supportive, safe environment conducive to detoxification. Utilizing professional assistance can mitigate this concern and prioritize mental health in the process. Professional aid means professional standards, and the detoxification process has high standards in the medical professional field. If you detoxify with medical supervision, you will see the following:

· Protection of dignity in the withdrawal process and humane treatment

· Safe withdrawal process and treatment aiming to help you live alcohol-free

· Preparation for ongoing treatment for alcohol dependence even after withdrawal ends

Contact the Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine

Navigating withdrawal can be painful and requires an in-depth look at your innermost self as you struggle to understand the causes behind alcohol abuse once you stop drinking. The range of treatment options and support spheres shows you are not alone in this process.

Set down that last drink and contact the experts here at the Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine or your medical provider to learn more and determine what treatment option is the next step to a healthier you.

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Can a Marriage Survive Drug Addiction? A Complete Guide for Couples

The short answer to that question is yes. Drug addiction is a severe health problem that can have long-lasting ramifications on every relationship the affected person has, especially marriages.

Marriage is designed as a life-long commitment that bonds in sickness and in health. Unfortunately, drug addiction is one of the most serious illnesses that exist, making it difficult for many marriages to survive, but certainly not impossible.

The Effects Of Drug Abuse On Your Marriage

When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, they often act irrationally. They can become easily irritated, aloof, and inattentive to a partner’s needs. Untreated drug abuse can also often lead to a host of other negative behaviors such as lying, stealing, and manipulation. These actions can place extreme strain on any relationship but especially a marriage.

Lying

For a marriage to last, it needs to be built on a strong foundation of trust. However, unfortunately, lying because of a drug addiction can erode that base. People with severe active addiction will often resort to lying to cover up their substance use. They will often not tell the truth about where they have been or what they have been doing, which can lead to a lack of trust in all aspects of the relationship. Distrust is one of the quickest ways to make a marriage unstable.

Stealing

Often, when an addicted person has the substance they are abusing taken away from them, they will resort to doing things they would never do otherwise to get their hands on it. Whether this is stealing the drug or stealing money to obtain the drug, it negatively affects the spouse. Often, the spouse must answer for the person with an addiction’s actions.

Manipulation

Manipulation often takes lying a step further and makes the spouse feel as though things are their fault, as opposed to the drug addiction’s fault. When spouses are manipulated, it can lead to them feeling betrayed and used, which is not conducive to a healthy marriage.

Imbalance of Responsibility

All of the above behaviors can contribute to an imbalance of responsibility in the marriage. If one spouse spends a significant amount of time engaging in substance abuse, the other often has to pick up the slack with work, chores, and other obligations.

The addicted spouse is also typically unable to provide their significant other with the emotional support that everyone needs while dealing with life’s challenges.

What To Do When Your Spouse Is Addicted To Drugs

Once you know that your spouse is addicted to drugs or alcohol, you need to take decisive action so that the problems discussed above do not befall your marriage. Consider the following techniques to help your partner through their active addiction while keeping your marriage intact.

Set Clear Boundaries

Your spouse needs to understand that their behavior and substance use is unacceptable. If you set clear boundaries, then they may begin to understand how their actions are affecting you, which may provide them with an impetus to stop. If they continually choose to ignore your boundaries, then you must institute consequences.

One boundary that you may need to implement depending on the circumstances is separating your bank accounts. If your significant other keeps spending money on their addiction, then this may be one of the only ways to ensure that they do not spend all your money.

Exercise Patience

Addiction is a long and arduous road. You cannot expect things to get solved overnight. Unfortunately, there will likely be many ups and downs throughout the journey. You also need to be prepared for relapses and for things to get worse before they get better.

Recovering from drug addiction is not a linear process, and things could likely look awesome one day, and then you could be back to rock bottom the next. However, in the end, everything will be worth it.

While you need to be clear and direct with your spouse, you need to be careful not to be too harsh. Being overly strict can be counterproductive. If you push your loved one too hard, then they may react negatively.

Take Care of Yourself

While your spouse may be the one with the disease, that does not mean that you are not experiencing trauma. If your marriage is going to survive, you need to feel supported as you work to support your significant other.

Seek out support from friends and other relatives. Finding someone in your life who has experienced something similar with someone close to them can be an invaluable resource so that you don’t feel alone. If you don’t have anyone like that in your life, then you at least need to try to find a close friend or family member to whom you can vent.

If you have children, you need to make sure that they are safe as well and that they experience as few negative repercussions of the situation as possible. This process can take many forms and, in some cases, may require the children to live somewhere else. You need to decide what is best for your family.

Seek Professional Help

When dealing with addiction in a family, you are often walking a thin line that can be hard to navigate. It is often nearly impossible to do so without outside assistance. You are not weak if you need to ask for help. In fact, it is one of the strongest and most selfless things you can do to seek out help for yourself as well as your spouse.

Many treatment centers also offer support for families. If you’re thinking of enlisting the help of a professional facility for your spouse, don’t be afraid to ask what help they offer for the families of those affected too.

Why You Should Get Professional Help For Your Spouse

Of the tactics introduced above, seeking professional help for substance use is likely the most important, which is why the topic warrants additional discussion. Getting expert advice is critical because addiction treatment is a complicated issue. 

Addiction is a Disease

Addiction causes a chemical imbalance in the brain that can be helped by medications and other addiction treatments. However, these treatments can only be accessed with the assistance of professionals at treatment centers. If you refuse to seek out professional help for your spouse, then you are leaving all these options on the table that may be the perfect fit for them.

Affected Parties Need Both Physical and Emotional Support

Addiction is such a traumatizing problem that affects all aspects of someone’s life. Dealing with this kind of pain can be extremely difficult because it can disrupt everything. You cannot ignore the significant role that mental health plays in these types of situations. However, enlisting the help of professionals and getting addiction treatment can be instrumental in helping people to get through addiction.

Help the Whole Family

Professionals often facilitate support groups and treatment programs that allow all family members to heal through engaging in open dialogue. Usually, when the addicted person realizes the damage they have caused to their family, they are more motivated to work toward changing their behavior. These support groups also ensure that all members of the family get the help they need so that everyone can recover.

Counselors Can Provide a Plan for the Future

When battling addiction, it can be easy to feel despair and not know where to turn. However, professionals are well-equipped to provide patients with steps that will help them to return to healthy routines slowly.

Counselors can also advise clients on whether what they are doing is working or not. If things turn out to not be giving the desired results, then they can offer a different course of action. Professional expertise on what the next steps should be can prove to be invaluable.

Professionals Have Training, Education, and Experience

Professionals have spent countless hours studying and practicing methods to improve the lives of people with addiction. The odds are that professionals have seen a situation that is similar to yours before and will have ideas of what substance abuse treatment to try to make things better. Additionally, when you are dealing with an addicted spouse, they may be more likely to listen to the advice of an outside party like experts at a treatment center with significant experience.

Conclusion

If you discover that your significant other has a severe substance abuse problem, that is not necessarily a death sentence for your marriage. While it will likely make everything significantly more complicated, it is not impossible to overcome. You can get help. The sooner you start making changes and seek out professional help, the less likely your spouse’s condition will have adverse effects on your marriage.

Contact an Expert

Even if all hope seems lost, don’t quit before you reach out to an expert – like the Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine. We will be happy to speak with you about your specific situation to find a course of action that will work best for you.

Our treatment center operates physician-led treatment programs to help your loved one receive the best care possible. If you need to get help for your spouse, give us a call today.

The post Can a Marriage Survive Drug Addiction? A Complete Guide for Couples appeared first on Drug & Alcohol Detox Addiction Treatment in Richmond, Virginia.

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How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol? The Timeline That You Should Know

Detox is widely considered the first step in overcoming alcohol addiction. It is a natural process of the body ridding itself of waste products and toxins from excess, long-term alcohol abuse. Medication and counseling typically aid with this process.  

At the Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine, one of the most common questions we hear is, “How long does it take to detox from alcohol?”  

It can be frustrating to hear how long detox takes varies based on the person. However, the medical community has established a general timeline that can help you know how long treatment can take. Read on to learn more about the alcohol detox process. 

How Long Does It Take for Alcohol Detox? 

As said before, the alcohol detox process varies based on several factors. After a person’s last drink, alcohol takes days to leave the body. However, the cravings last much longer, and fighting them is a challenging part of the recovery.

There is generally a three-step process that most people go through when detoxing. 

The Timeline 

Intake – Includes a comprehensive review of the patient’s medical history to understand the situation entirely.

Medication – Some patients get prescribed medication that mimics the effects of alcohol to ease withdrawal symptoms.

Stabilization – The patient works with medical professionals through therapy to balance the mind and body without the use of alcohol. 

Detoxification is only the first preparatory step after a person’s last drink. It precedes a more prolonged (sometimes lifelong) treatment program.  

The detox process may only take between a week and ten days. After this, the hard part begins. Medical experts recommend full treatment that includes counseling and support groups to prevent relapse. 

Alcohol withdrawal is the hardest part of detox to overcome. Alcohol is a depressant, and as such, has a sedating effect on the brain. The brain adjusts its chemicals to account for the continual exposure to it. When the body undergoes alcohol withdrawal, the brain must readjust its chemicals to account for the lack of depressants. This sudden shock to the body’s system results in alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including severe cases such as delirium tremens. 

A more in-depth timeline of the detox process and its withdrawal symptoms is below: 

1-2 Days (Intake) 

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms begin about 1-2 days after a patient’s last drink. For safety, a person should enter an addiction treatment center or facility to go through this process. 

During these first two days, medical personnel review a patient’s entire medical history to create a personalized detox plan. A doctor or qualified professional will prescribe and administer medications to combat symptoms.  

Anxiety, insomnia, and shaking are among the most common alcohol withdrawal symptoms that occur during this time. High heart rate and blood pressure can also occur, as well as general restlessness and irritability. This time is the “adjusting period.” 

3-5 Days (Medication) 

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms peak after the 72-hour mark from the last drink. This stage is what many patients consider the worst part of the detox process. A person will experience severe symptoms, which can include the following: 

Anxiety

Hallucinations

Tremors

Nausea/Vomiting

Insomnia

Sweating

High blood pressure 

In rare instances, delirium tremens (commonly referred to as DTs) can occur. This condition is when the brain cannot readjust its chemistry during alcohol detox and creates a temporary state of confusion. Symptoms of delirium tremens include unpredictable changes in heart rate and blood pressure.  

Delirium tremens occur in the most chronic alcohol abusers. No specific treatment exists other than symptom control. However, the use of benzodiazepines is the most common method to mitigate symptoms and prevent seizures for delirium tremens. 

5-7 Days (Transition into Stabilization) 

Symptoms taper off within the first week of not consuming alcohol. This point is where most people start feeling better, but this is dangerous.  

Some patients feel that they’ve cured themselves because they’ve decided to stop drinking. They mistakenly cease all treatment at this point. Therapy and counseling are vital in this time to ensure that relapse does not occur.  

For the most severe cases of alcohol use, prolonged (and maybe lifelong) therapy is necessary to prevent alcohol abuse from reoccurring. 

After 7 Days 

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can and do occur even after direct treatment stops. During Post-acute withdrawal, the brain is slowly regulating itself and getting back to normal functioning. This adjustment can result in symptoms from the imbalances still in the brain.  

Symptoms after seven days can take a toll on mental health and lead to: 

Anxiety

Insomnia

Mood swings

Depression 

Severe post-acute withdrawal symptoms are most common in those who suddenly stop substance abuse. This risk is why it’s crucial to contact a medical professional for help rather than quit “cold turkey.” 

Alcohol cravings can still occur after the first week of alcohol detox, which is why therapy and counseling are essential. Working with a counselor or therapist to identify triggers and control thoughts can help you to prevent and overcome cravings. 

Therapy is necessary to prevent relapse after detox is complete. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a standard tool to use in tandem with medication. More open and generalized groups can build a support network that can help keep the good momentum going.

Other Factors That Affect the Alcohol Detox Process 

Other factors can complicate a straightforward answer to the question, “How long does it take to detox from alcohol?”

As mentioned, the detox process varies from person to person. Someone who has had alcoholism for years will likely have a longer detox process than someone who has had an alcohol dependency for a few months.  

Several factors affect the duration of the detox process, including: 

How much the person drinks regularly. A person who drinks eight drinks a day will have a longer detox process than someone who drinks four.

How often the person drinks. A person who drinks every day will have a longer detox process than someone who drinks every two or three days.

Age. Younger people generally have a better ability to “bounce back” from the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

Weight. Heavier people need more alcohol to feel its effects, which means they’re consuming more.

Sex. Males are statistically more prone to alcohol and other substance abuse.

Genetics. Some people have a genetic predisposition to an alcohol use disorder. Some genes also affect how people respond to alcohol withdrawal treatment and medication.

Other substance abuse. The more drugs a person uses, the more difficult it is to detox. Alcohol interacts with other substances and makes withdrawal symptoms more severe, making the detox process longer.

Mental health. Mental health disorders, such as depression or mood swings, can affect the detox process and timeline. Comprehensive recovery plans are the safest and most effective way to treat both problems.

Physical health. Alcohol affects the body in more ways than one. It can damage the organs and the brain. The more damaged the body is, the longer detox can take. 

Something that not many people realize is a factor that affects the alcohol detox process is the method of approach. Quitting abruptly (“cold turkey”) is the fastest method of detox. However, it’s the most dangerous. More severe symptoms can occur without the advice and constant monitoring from a medical professional. A slower, monitored approach will take longer, but it will ease the person into and out of the withdrawal symptoms rather than throw them into it. 

The medications prescribed can also affect how long the detox process can take. Benzodiazepines (such as Librium, Valium, and Ativan) are the most common drugs used for alcohol treatment. These medications reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Some people will respond better to one kind of medicine rather than another, so sometimes it is a trial-and-error situation with medication 

It’s important to note that Benzodiazepines are an addictive substance. A person should only take them in medically appropriate amounts and when prescribed by a medical professional. Substance abuse not only can prolong the detox and recovery process, but it can also result in legal action. 

Why You Should Get a Professional’s Help 

Alcohol addiction is a highly treatable disease, and recovery is 100% attainable. However, it can be nearly impossible to do it alone.  

Alcohol withdrawal is also dangerous (and potentially even fatal) to do alone. It is best to have the symptoms of alcohol detox monitored by a medical professional. Experiencing seizures, heart arrhythmia, hallucinations, and even aspiration pneumonia is rare but can happen. This risk is not something you should attempt alone. 

Getting a professional’s help ensures that you’re getting the best treatment by someone who has studied addiction to alcohol and knows how to work with you to prevent it from getting worse. They can prescribe medication to ease the detox process and recommend counselors to talk to you through the symptoms of withdrawal. They are also available to help if anything goes wrong or if any of the more serious symptoms occur. 

A professional can also help you get valuable local resources to help you stay alcohol-free once you leave the rehab facility or hospital. Relapse doesn’t mean failure, but getting back on track and resuming treatment is essential. 

Conclusion 

Entering detox can be life-saving for someone with alcohol addiction. Alcohol detox is a process that can take some time, especially in the case of relapse, but alcohol treatment programs improve the chances of staying off alcohol for good. Ridding the body of alcohol during detox is just the first step but a vital one. It can clear the mind and heal the body so that you can pursue full treatment and go on to live a happy and healthy life. If you want to stop drinking, know that you can with help from a treatment center. For more information about alcohol detox and addiction treatment options, contact The Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine today.

Resources https://www.addictioncenter.com/alcohol/detox/ https://www.addictioncenter.com/rehab-questions/how-long-does-detox/ https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/alcohol-withdrawal-a-to-z https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders/genetics-alcohol-use-disorders https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/dual-diagnosis/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482134/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2897895/ https://americanaddictioncenters.org/withdrawal-timelines-treatments/post-acute-withdrawal-syndrome

The post How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol? The Timeline That You Should Know appeared first on Drug & Alcohol Detox Addiction Treatment in Richmond, Virginia.

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How to Notice When Someone is Struggling with Addiction

As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine is working to help raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience. 

As part of our efforts, our team is regularly hosting speaking engagements, webinars, and virtual learning opportunities throughout the community. In a recent presentation to Markel Corporation, Dr. Andreas Bienert, our Clinical Program Director, spoke about addiction and how we can work together to recognize when someone may be struggling. 

As Dr. Bienert emphasized during his recent presentation at Markel that the disease of addiction is a national epidemic—one that existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has presented increased difficulties for those struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. Here are several tips to notice when someone is struggling with addiction:

1. Lies and Secrets. One of the most common signs that someone has an addiction problem is that they become secretive, isolated, or defensive. 

2. Unpredictable Mood. Alcohol and narcotics change body chemistry pretty severely, so people who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction may start acting erratically. Sudden outbursts or seemingly unprovoked shifts from positive to negative moods may be linked to substance abuse.

3. Sudden Loss of Property. When someone is suffering from drug and alcohol addiction, it triggers an obsessive, desperate need to continue consuming their substance of choice. Those substances aren’t free. If money or valuables around the house start disappearing, it’s often because someone is taking them to finance their habit. This is a potentially destructive sign of addiction.

4. Weight Changes. Fluctuations in weight are a common sign of drug and alcohol addiction, as substance abuse is known to have a major effect on appetite. As a result, eating disorders are often diagnosed in tandem with substance addiction. 

5. Changes in Energy Level and Sleep Patterns. This is something that works both ways, depending on the substance in question. If you notice someone being unusually lethargic, or unusually energetic to the point of hyperactivity, this could be a sign of drug and alcohol addiction.

6. Disinterest in Hobbies and Passions. Drug and alcohol addiction is an all-consuming disease, that leaves its victims little mental capacity for anything other than feeding the habit. If you notice someone close to you simply ignoring the things that used to drive them, start asking questions about it as a sign of addiction.

7. Withdrawal from responsibilities at home/work. Drug and alcohol addiction change the way people look at their lives. Their priorities get shifted, usually in ways that aren’t particularly admirable. Someone who is normally dependable will start missing deadlines, forgetting appointments, and just generally being unreliable. When this is a sign of addiction, it is often met with a sense of general apathy about responsibilities.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, contact Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine at [phone].

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Recovery in the Era of Coronavirus

The COVID-19 pandemic and the growing need to improve addiction treatment are two of the world’s most critical challenges on a collision course with one another. Long before COVID-19, communities around the globe lacked an evidence-based, organized, system-wide health care response to the prevalent and serious disease of addiction. Combined with the current pandemic, people with substance use disorders today face unprecedented challenges that we must recognize and immediately address—together.

Last week, Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine hosted a multi-disciplinary discussion with leaders in the addiction treatment community called “Recovery in the Era of Coronavirus: An Expert Panel Discussion.” Dr. Jimmy Thompson, co-founder and chief medical officer for the Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine, led the discussion as the moderator. Dr. Thompson began working in addiction medicine while still a resident in Internal Medicine at VCU and has since dedicated his career to improving and advancing addiction treatment. He was one of the first Richmond area physicians to become certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine.

Dr. Thompson was joined by Dr. Andreas Bienert, clinical program director at Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine; Mike Feinmel, deputy commonwealth’s attorney, Henrico County Government; Mike Zohab, Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS); Dr. Jonathan Lee, The Farley Center at Williamsburg Place; Peter Pennington, Mount Regis Center; Center Honesty Liller, McShin Foundation; Dr. Sarah Scarbrough, REAL LIFE; Jimmy Christmas, River City Integrative Counseling; Shannon Taylor, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Henrico County Government; Sam Davis, Broad Highway Recovery; and Angela Weight, Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

You can watch the full conversation, “Recovery in the Era of Coronavirus: An Expert Panel Discussion,” HERE. Throughout the webinar, our experts discuss the unique challenges of COVID-19 for those battling addiction, the structural hurdles that our healthcare system is facing, stigma and social issues, and how the concept of physical distancing can impact the most vulnerable patients who rely on support systems to help them reach recovery.

“An outpatient program like ours, one that encourages connections with others, is a combination of medical, psychiatric, and professional counseling combined with recovery coaching all in one program,” explained Dr. Thompson during the discussion. “A typical patient is seeing one member of our team or another at least once or twice a week, and some even more through our outpatient and IOP programs. Like a lot of folks, however, we saw the writing on the wall in the middle of March and realized we were going to have to make an unprecedented move from live, face-to-face care for over 900 active patients to an entirely virtual setting.”

You can listen to Dr. Thompson’s share the Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine’s transition to telehealth as well as other panelists, treatment providers, and recovery organizations discuss their efforts to open doors, provide contact and constant communication with their patients in new ways during this health crisis.

The team at Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine is available at all times to help people with substance use disorder during these unprecedented circumstances and beyond the current pandemic. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic, contact Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine at [phone].

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Long Term Effects of Alcohol On The Brain – What You Need To Know

Alcohol is historically a huge influence on the American social scene. For this reason, you see it pretty much at every party, restaurant, and big event. Advertisements for alcohol caution that it should be enjoyed responsibly, but as we know all too well, things can take a turn for the worse almost too easily. 

The short-term effects of alcohol on the brain are very well-known: 

Cognitive changes

Delayed reaction time

Sleepiness

Slurred speech

These are just a few.  

Although the long-term effects of alcohol have been researched for years, very few people have interest in these studies. However, scientists have exposed the dangerous long term effects of alcohol on the brain. Heavy long-term drinking can even cause permanent brain damage in extreme cases, making it very dangerous.  

The effects may take longer to take hold, but the long-term effects of alcohol on the brain can cause numerous health problems and dangers. Here are just a few you should be aware of, and how you can find treatment if you or your loved one shows symptoms. 

Blackouts 

Large amounts of alcohol for either short or long periods can have lasting effects on the brain. Binge drinking, or drinking large amounts of alcohol too much and too quickly, can cause blackouts and lapses in memory. This can happen even after just a few drinks, and especially when one drinks copious amounts of alcohol on an empty stomach.  

A blackout is when a person cannot remember details of an event (or even an entire event) after drinking. Blackouts are a dangerous consequence of binge drinking that can have lasting effects for everyone involved. Frequent blackouts from alcohol can cause long-lasting effects on the brain. Those who drink regularly to the point of blacking out are more likely to experience general memory loss even when not drinking or intoxicated. 

People who have blackouts are also more likely to physically injure themselves or others, which also causes long-term effects on everyone involved. Car crashes involving alcohol account for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.  

A person experiencing a blackout can also get in fights that can cause themselves and others injury; alcohol tends to emphasize emotions and give people tunnel vision. People who blackout tend to not realize the consequences of their actions, and it is very unlikely that they will remember that the event happened the next day. 

Although blackouts seem like a temporary inconvenience that results from alcohol use, they can lead to much bigger problems. People who blackout are at extreme risk of: 

Falling and suffering a head injury

Choking on vomit

Experiencing seizures

Extensive memory problems 

Diminished Gray Matter in the Brain 

Substance abuse of any kind can have a detrimental effect on the body. In regard to alcohol, it significantly affects the tissues in the brain. Research suggests that gray matter in the brain reduces due to high amounts of alcohol. 

Alcohol-dependent patients were studied and scanned within 24 hours of detoxification and abstinence; tissue volume was observed to be smaller in alcohol-dependent patients than in the non-alcohol-alcohol-dependent patients. This shows that alcohol use makes gray matter in the brain shrink over time. 

The brain is about 40% gray matter. This is the part of the brain that is essential for attention, memory, and thought. It contains neurons that also deal with motor control and coordination, which explains why long-term alcohol abuse is characterized by loss of memory and attention deficits. Studies in college-age young adults show that heavy alcohol use results in accelerated grey matter volume.

It is a common misconception that drinking excessively “kills brain cells”; this is not true. However, excessive drinking does damage neurons, which can make it difficult for them to relay messages to one another.  

This is why brain matter is so essential for functioning. This tissue contains these precious neurons that need to relay important messages. Just because it doesn’t “kill” brain cells doesn’t mean it’s any less damaging to the brain. 

It is possible to save these tissues in the brain by reducing or stopping alcohol use and abuse. The same studies that show the tissue decreases with the use of alcohol proved that when those same patients were detoxified, the tissues tended to regenerate. This shows that recovery is possible with the right treatment. 

Attention Span and Concentration 

Binge drinking, heavy drinking, and long-term drinking have a big effect on attention span and work performance. Doctors can tell if you have been drinking excessively by testing your blood alcohol concentration. 

Attention deficits have been exhibited in patients who drink excessive alcohol more than once a week. Compromises memory processing has also been reported in adults 25 years of age and younger, which can lead to trouble in school and work. These may not be as severe as permanent brain damage, but they can still have lasting effects on a person’s mental health. 

Further, adults who participate in excessive drinking regularly frequently experience “hangovers” or symptoms that result from drinking alcohol. Symptoms of hangovers include: 

Headaches

Light sensitivity

Nausea

Dizziness 

Hangovers cause poor performance and conflict at work and school, which have consequences that can vary from poor mental health to verbal reprimand, termination, or expulsion. 

Alcohol and the Developing Brain 

Drinking alcohol while pregnant can result in a baby having severe physical, learning, and behavioral issues. These issues are most commonly known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), and children who have this syndrome have fewer neurons that can function correctly, which can result in learning and behavioral issues:

Complex motor skills

Learning disorders

Attention deficits

Poor problem-solving skills  

These are all issues that may arise from a mother drinking or abusing alcohol while pregnant.  

Although researchers have carried out studies to alleviate and eliminate these issues in rats, the best way to prevent FAS from occurring is to not drink while pregnant. Those with a history of alcohol abuse should reach out for professional assistance if this proves to be difficult. 

Long-Term Damage from Short-Term Effects 

Although long-term brain damage is thought to be the most severe effect of alcohol consumption, other damages may result from the short-term effects of alcohol consumption. It is well-known that intoxicated individuals exhibit a loss of fine motor skills, poor coordination, slurred speech, loss of balance, and aggression. These short-term effects that are typically gone the next day may have lasting consequences for everyone involved with the intoxicated individual. 

Drunk driving is one of those short-term decisions that can have lasting effects. On a federal level, the maximum blood alcohol concentration to be able to drive is 0.08%. However, in the year 2014, 31% of all driving fatalities were alcohol-related.  

The fatalities aren’t the only statistics that matter: Permanent brain damage and loss of life is an unfortunate but true consequence of driving under the influence of alcohol. A drunk driver can easily reach the 0.08% at different points during a drinking episode, so it can be difficult to know when a drinker has reached that legal limit. That being said, consuming any amount of alcohol before driving is a dangerous decision that can result in lifelong consequences for everyone involved. 

Slips and falls due to poor coordination and balance from being under the influence of alcohol after heavy drinking can result in long-term consequences of drinking. Brain damage is completely possible from a bad fall. Although the dizziness from heavy drinking is temporary, its effects can be lasting. 

It’s important to note that aggression is a lesser-known but valid concern when discussing the long-term effects of heavy drinking. This is for two reasons: 

The drunken individual or the object of their aggression can suffer from permanent injuries from a fight

Drinking can reveal concerning and even disturbing internalized aggression in a person who is usually calm and collected. 

Alcohol emphasizes emotions; if a person who is usually not aggressive starts a fight, it can be a sign that the alcohol brings out their “true form.”  

Reaching out to a professional for help is a good first step in finding ways to express this aggression in healthy, helpful ways. 

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome 

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is a neurological disorder that is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B1. Symptoms develop in two stages: the Wernicke stage and the Korsakoff stage.  

In the first stage, symptoms include confusion and disorientation over a few days or weeks. This may at first be confused for brain damage, but these symptoms eventually lessen.  

After this, lethargy, drowsiness, and indifference may occur. In extreme cases, delirium can develop; if left untreated, affected patients can experience loss of consciousness.  

From there, the second stage begins. This stage is characterized primarily by memory loss and impairment. 

Most cases of this syndrome in the United States occur due to excessive alcohol consumption. This is because heavy drinking reduces the body’s ability to absorb the vitamin. It diminishes stores of the vitamin in the liver. Treatment for Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome includes the administration of Vitamin B1 and abstinence from alcohol if recommended by a physician or doctor. 

Chronic alcohol abuse can make this syndrome worse and even cause levels of brain damage. The most serious cases have resulted in: 

Severe brain damage

Memory issues

Cognitive issues 

However, it has been proven that if the disorder is caught and treated early, treatment can make progress to recovery. 

Addiction 

Addiction to alcohol is an unfortunately common consequence of alcohol abuse that isn’t considered “brain damage.” Typically known as “alcoholism” or “chronic alcohol abuse,” it is marked by cravings for alcohol and heavy drinking with an inability to stop. This can cause extreme personal and social harm.  

Addiction is possible with almost any substance use or substance abuse situation but is especially dangerous for alcohol. Since alcohol is legal (unlike many other drugs and substances), it makes it that much harder for alcohol use to be regulated, especially for those addicted to it. 

Other Alcohol-Induced Disorders 

Alcohol is a depressant to the central nervous system. However, under certain circumstances and depending on the person, heavy drinking can either excite or sedate some users.  

Excitement can be due to alcohol suppressing inhibitory parts of the brain, which can make the user feel invincible and powerful. Sedating effects can make the person sleepy, sad, and depressed. Therefore, alcohol should be seen as a danger to mental health. 

Moderate drinking can be detrimental to a person’s mental health, even if not consumed regularly or heavily. As said before, alcohol can reduce the brain volume of tissues, which can make neurons unable to communicate with each other. This can result in a feeling of sluggishness or lethargy, which also leads to more severe disorders. Although moderate drinking is normalized in society, every person is responsible for self-monitoring to avoid severe drinking habits. 

Alcohol-induced psychiatric syndromes can be induced by alcohol abuse, such as:

Alcohol-induced depression

Bipolar disorder

Sleep disorder

Psychotic disorder

These are usually temporary and go away after the body processes and removes the alcohol from the system, but in some individuals, it has persisted and caused major depression and anxiety disorders. 

Other issues involving the brain and central nervous system have been linked to alcohol use and abuse, such as substance use and abuse. Users may develop a tolerance to alcohol and turn to other substances (drugs such as heroin, ecstasy, MDMA, and others) to receive that same “good feeling” that they’ve lost from alcohol. It’s important to not let it get this far and reach out to a healthcare professional if the abuse has gotten this far. 

Why Should You Seek Professional Help? 

If you’re concerned with your use of alcohol, you’re not alone. Over 14 million adults in the United States suffer from some form of alcohol abuse disorder. However, less than 9% received any form of treatment. For this reason, most people with an alcohol abuse disorder feel that they have no options or are a lost cause. 

Alcohol abuse does not happen suddenly, and it is not a quiet or hidden disorder; there are many signs and symptoms that point to alcohol abuse. Signs that it is time to seek treatment include:

Drinking more than intended

Memory brownouts and blackouts

Strong urges to drink

Tolerance (needing more alcohol to get the same effect)

Irritability or restlessness when not under the influence of alcohol 

If you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or anyone else, it may be time to seek help from a healthcare professional. It may seem shameful to ask for help because you think you can stop drinking whenever you want to, but asking for help is a necessary step in the recovery process. You can’t start your recovery until you admit that you need to recover. 

There are several forms of treatment for alcohol abuse, and they can all help develop skills needed to stop or reduce drinking: 

Behavioral treatments such as counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy help patients change their way of thinking and their relationship with alcohol. 

Medications help the body work through addiction while the individual works on their recovery without the risk of cravings. 

Mutual support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous connect individuals to groups for during their recovery journey. Everyone helps each other cope with triggers that cause a relapse. 

Regardless of the origin of the drinking problem, there is no shame in seeking professional help for an alcohol abuse problem. Personalized programs are even possible since each case is unique and should be approached as such.  

Always remember that it is imperative that you feel respected and understood when seeking help for alcohol abuse. Rehabilitation is possible, and support groups can help you maintain sobriety and continue on your recovery path for years to come. 

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction or have a loved one in danger, seek support immediately. At The Virginia Center of Addiction Medicine, we’re happy to help you or your loved one through this time of need. 

Conclusion 

Alcohol abuse will never be a simple matter. It can be thought of as a spectrum: for some, alcohol consumption can seem like a temporary escape to feeling good before coming back to earth. For others, alcohol consumption is a solution to a problem that nothing else can fix.  

Each person is unique. If you’re one of those who believes that there is no other solution than alcohol, you need to know that you are not alone and there is help out there for you. All you need to do is simply reach out to those who are willing to help you through it. No matter where alcohol abuse has taken you, recovery is possible with help. To learn more about resources for alcohol addiction and abuse, or if you would like to take the first steps to stop drinking, contact one of our experts at The Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine. We will treat your specific condition and provide the support you need, so you can get back to feeling in control of your life.

Resources: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/treatment-alcohol-problems-finding-and-getting-help https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics https://www.alcohol.org/co-occurring-disorder/depression/ https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/wernicke-korsakoff-syndrome/ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark_Lipsey/publication/14094825_Is_There_a_Causal_Relationship_between_Alcohol_Use_and_Violence/links/0deec518c2b2ba5922000000.pdf#page=250 https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5627037/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01853.x https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html

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The Foundation of Fulfilling our Mission

The COVID-19 epidemic has been a true test for VCAM in our mission to serve our patients, who need care and support more than ever. Over the past few weeks, the team at the Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine has never lost its focus or dedication. In contrast, it has grown stronger, more resolute, and more committed to fighting the disease of addiction by meeting this challenge head on.

Each member of our team has been willing to work more hours and meet each and every challenge in the transition to a totally new way of providing care. While making the adjustment to a remote work environment, our providers began seeing patients via telehealth, and have continued to accept new patients that need help. It took true teamwork to make the necessary changes in our continuum of care, from our peer recovery coaches, our therapy team, and our physician and NP addiction medicine providers. Our administrative support staff have also been instrumental in guiding our patients through how to complete their visits using the Zoom video app while making in-person aspects of a visit, such as check-in and check-out, a virtual process. This transition is an incredible example of adapting our model to the needs of our patients, made possible by the contributions of each team member. It reminds me again of what I love most about our VCAM team—the passion and dedication for doing the extra work to help our patients progress in their recovery journey.

Teamwork is the most vital aspect of any organization at any time—not to mention, just about anything we do as human beings. This fact is never more evident than when our communities across the world are faced with difficult times. We can all agree that now is one of those times. And while the world struggles at this very moment, we are keenly aware of the resilience of the individuals working together all around us in every community.

To our own team, we say: You make us proud. You make us hopeful. And you make us aware that it is possible to overcome even the largest challenges that we face when we work together!

It’s during difficult periods of time like this that good healthcare teams band together and find new and creative ways to move forward for the benefit of the patients they serve. With that in mind, we are extending our heartfelt gratitude to our entire team. Their compassion, tenacity, and ability to come together during unprecedented times gives us hope for the future and confidence that together we as a community will overcome the current health crisis.

With sincere appreciation and gratitude,

Anna McKean

Chief Executive Officer Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine

Our medical team from left to right: Donna Brown, NP Mary Bowman, NP James Thompson, MD Kira Bleecher, MD Marci Waggoner, NP

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Helpful Online Recovery Tools To Use While Social Distancing

Practicing social distancing does not mean we cannot connect deeply with our community. While the current situation requires we remain physically apart, we can still show our solidarity, our ability to communicate, and our resilience by finding creative ways to connect one with one another. Here are a few digital platforms recommended by Dr. AndreasBienert, Clinical Program Director at Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine, for you to use today! 

In The Rooms: A free online recovery tool, In The Rooms offers 130 weekly online meetings for those recovering from addiction and related issues. In The Rooms embraces multiple pathways to recovery, including all 12 Step, Non-12 Step, Wellness and Mental Health modalities. For more, visit https://www.intherooms.com/. 

Alcoholics Anonymous: A helpful list of online Alcoholics Anonymous meetings is available through the AA website found here, http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php. 

Narcotics Anonymous: A list of online Narcotics Anonymous meetings and recourse is available through the NA website. You can use the platform to locate helplines and websites for local groups near you who can assist you in finding a meeting. For virtual meetings, you can use the country code “Phone” or “Web” to locate helpful listings. For more, visit www.na.org/meetingsearch/. 

SMART Recovery: Offering practical tools and social supports, SMART Recovery maintains a helpful list of online meetings available for the week here: https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/calendar.php

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Recovery Resources During COVID-19

Here is a list of tips and tricks to support you protecting your sobriety during our current COVID-19 crisis:

It is important to be prepared, but it is not helpful to be panicked. Set boundaries for your media intake and discussions over the virus, if needed.

We are powerless over many things going on right now, but we are not powerless over our reactions. It is important to be grounded in here and now. Be present with what is in front of you and stay where your feet are. “Accept the things we cannot change and have the courage to change the things we can.”

Take care of your mind, body, and spirit. This is important for sobriety and for your health. Listen to your body cues and rest when needed. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” We need to take care of ourselves in order to care for others.

Although nothing compares to a meeting in-person, online meetings are a great tool to use. Technology is our friend during a time like this. The online community awaits and is available right at your fingertips all day long!

Addicts and alcoholics are a strong group of people. Many of us have been through the wringer and are still here to tell the tale. Although sobriety might be new for you, don’t doubt the strength of yourself and your Higher Power. We can walk through these times – just take it one day at a time.

Reach out to your supports when you need help (whether that be a sponsor, family member, or friend). Asking for help does not make you weak, it makes you strong! Use those supports. You are not a burden – people want to see you be sober and thrive.

Online Meetings

https://www.intherooms.com/

“In The Rooms is a free online recovery tool that offers 130 weekly online meetings for those recovering from addiction and related issues. We embrace multiple pathways to recovery, including all 12 Step, Non-12 Step, Wellness and Mental Health modalities.”

http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php

A list of online Alcoholics Anonymous meetings available through the AA website.

https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/text-results.php?country=Web&state&city&zip&street&within=5&day=0&lang&orderby=distance

A list of online Narcotics Anonymous meetings available through the NA website.

https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/calendar.php

Smart Recovery’s list of online meetings available for the week.

Online Recovery Literature

https://jftna.org/jft/

Just for Today daily meditation for Narcotics Anonymous. Updated Daily.

https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/daily-reflection

Daily Reflections daily meditation for Alcoholics Anonymous. Updated Daily.

https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/alcoholics-anonymous

The entire Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous available for reading.

http://dev.coastalcarolinaarea.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/b_t.pdf

The entire Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text available for reading.

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Protecting Sobriety During COVID-19

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been on everyone’s mind and it’s natural to feel vulnerable at a time like this. Know that you have support. Know that we’re in this together. And know that there are steps that you can take to protect your sobriety during these trying times. Here are some recommendations from Dr. Andreas Bienert, Clinical Program Director at Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine: 

·      Limit your intake of news and social media. It’s important to be prepared, but it’s not helpful to be panicked. Set boundaries for your media intake and discussions over the virus, if needed.

·      Recognize what you can control and focus on that. We are powerless over many things going on right now, but we are not powerless over our reactions. It is important to be grounded in here and now. Be present with what is in front of you and stay where your feet are. “Accept the things we cannot the change and have the courage to change the things we can.”

·      Implement self-care. Take care of your mind, body, and spirit. This is important for sobriety and for your health. Listen to your body cues and rest when needed. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” We need to take care of ourselves in order to care for others. 

·      Utilize online meetings and recovery literature. Although nothing compares to a meeting in-person, online meetings are a great tool to use. Technology is our friend during a time like this. The online community awaits and is available right at your fingertips all day long!

·      Don’t forget how resilient you are. Addicts and alcoholics are a strong group of people. Many of us have been through the wringer and are still here to tell the tale. Although sobriety might be new for you, don’t doubt the strength of yourself and your Higher Power. We can walk through these times – just take it one day at a time. 

·      Ask for help if needed. Reach out to your supports when you need help (whether that be a sponsor, family member, or friend). Asking for help does not make you weak, it makes you strong! Use those supports. You are not a burden – people want to see you be sober and thrive.

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Continued Care and Support During COVID-19

VCAM is open, prepared, and always ready to serve our patients. We realize that the COVID-19 health emergency does not mean that our patients don’t need continued care and support. To ensure the safety of our patients and our team, VCAM has worked diligently to create a seamless transition plan for providing telehealth patient visits through the HIPAA-compliant Zoom video conferencing application!

We began the transition to telehealth in March, carefully tested every aspect, and have implemented the offering completely so that we can continue to serve our patients at the same level of care that we’ve worked so hard to deliver over the years. It’s important to note that we carefully chose Zoom for our telehealth offering because it’s user-friendly, accessible by smart phone or computer, and HIPAA-compliant. Telehealth is available for all medical appointments as well as group, individual, and IOP therapy.

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