Many addicts find that after taking the first step in admitting that they have a problem, the choice of different treatment programs is baffling and knowing where to turn is all but impossible. There are, however, some things that can be done to try to separate the outstandingly good addiction treatment programs from the mediocre.

Firstly, it is wise to consult with your family doctor or other doctor who has been seeing the patient about their drugs issues to see what they would recommend as the best course of action. Doctors often have a vast network of contacts, and will hear from other medical professionals and associates about which treatment programs are good and which ones have a poor success rate. Doctors may also be able to help secure a place on a hard to get into treatment program by pulling strings or using their influence as a medical professional.

Addiction Treatment Program

Another good starting place for finding a good addiction treatment program is by calling the volunteer run helplines dedicated to speaking to people with the same specific issues. The volunteer counselors who staff the helplines or run the self-help groups will have spoken to many dozens of other people in similar circumstances and will know which programs have had good success rates and which ones have not been able to help users break their cycle of drug use.

Another important factor to consider is the level of insurance cover held by the individual. Some insurance policies will cover treatment in most types of program, whether that be residential, out-patient, or by seeing a doctor or psychologist for regular appointments. These sorts of programs can be costly, especially programs which involve staying in a center as an inpatient. If insurance cannot cover the costs of the treatment either in whole or in part, it is important to try and work with these facilities for discounts and to determine other forms of payment.

The Right Addiction Treatment Program

When evaluating the different sorts of addiction treatment programs on the market, it is important to find out what sort of qualifications and accreditations the health professionals running them have. Although most treatment programs and centers are reputable and are run by properly qualified and well-meaning professionals, there are some which are not and at first glance it is easy to be seduced by a glossy website promising the answer to all of your problems. It is always wise to spend time asking about the training and methods used.

The individual should also consider what sort of program is best suited to their personality and likes and dislikes. Most treatment programs are a combination of group and individual treatment offering the opportunity to learn to open up as well as to work on individual issues that lie at the core of the problem.

In the United States, the most commonly used illegal drug is marijuana.  More than thirty percent of seniors in high school halve already tried this drug at least once and more than half of them say that they could obtain marijuana easily if they wanted it. Decision making and memory are impaired by marijuana use and teens who take this drug are more likely to develop anxiety disorders, depression or risky behavior.  You can prevent your teen from using marijuana by knowing the facts about this drug as well as the signs and dangers of taking it.

Teens and Marijuana

Marijuana use and some of the signs that your child could be taking it

• Use of deodorizers and incense to disguise the odor
• Odor in the child’s bedroom and on their clothes
• Eyes that are red or bloodshot
• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble remembering things that have just happened
• Paranoia
• Use of smoking supplies such as rolling papers or pipes
• Giggling and other silly behavior for no reason
• Increased appetite
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Impaired coordination
• Poor personal hygiene
• New friends
• Depression
• Changed sleeping patterns
• Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Poor school performance
• Increased truancy or absenteeism from school

How do teenagers use marijuana?

Marijuana looks like dried and crushed leaves, seeds, flowers or stems and can be either green or brown.  The smoke emitted from marijuana has a strong, distinctive odor.  The main way that marijuana is used is by smoking in either a cigarette (called a ‘joint’) or in a pipe (can be called a ‘bong’).  Some people will choose to mix their marijuana with food or they will brew it in tea.

What else is marijuana known as?

• Hash
• Pot
• Weed
• Grass
• Blunt
• Dope
• Reefer
• Skunk
• Herb
• Chronic
• Ganja
• Boom
• Aunt Mary
• Mary Jane

The Dangers of using marijuana

Short term memory is damaged by those who use marijuana.  Long term users can develop learning and memory problems later in their life.  There have also been links to cancer, respiratory damage and changes in the reproductive organs.  Chronic users of marijuana can develop suicidal tendencies, schizophrenia, as well as increased levels of depression and anxiety.

Those who use marijuana will probably tell you that it is not addictive but using it long term can lead to addiction.  Withdrawal symptoms have been reported by long term users including anxiety, irritability, drug craving, sleeplessness and decreased appetite.  Many people will also find that marijuana was the gateway that led to other illegal drugs and alcohol.

Marijuana use in teens: facts and statistics.

• According to NSDUH, in 2006, 25 million people over the age of twelve in America had used marijuana at least once in the year prior to that.
• Teenagers that take drugs are five times more likely to have sex than those teenagers who abstain from drugs.
• According to MTF, in 2008 10.9 percent of those in 8^th grade had already tried marijuana at least once as well as 23.9 percent of those in 10^th grade and 32.4 percent of those in 12^th grade.
• Of those who died or were injured in traffic accidents, 4 to 14 percent tested positive for THC.
• Teenagers are doubling their risk of developing anxiety or depression if they use marijuana every week.
• Half of all teenagers have claimed that they would find it very easy to get their hands on marijuana if they wanted to.
• Around 25 percent of teenagers have claimed that they could get their hands on cocaine easily if they wanted it.

How can I prevent my teenager from using marijuana?

• Be familiar with the warning signs.
• Speak to your child about the dangers of marijuana use.  A report by the Partnership for a Drug Free America claims that if children learn about the risks of drug taking from their parents, then they will be less likely to use drugs.
• Get to know your teenager’s friends and their parents and make sure you know where your teenager is when he or she goes out.
• If you see any signs of drug use then take action immediately before things get out of hand and the drug use becomes drug addiction.

Choosing a teen drug rehab

There are a number of drug rehab facilities out there for teenagers.  There are a few things you need to consider when making your choice such as credentials of the staff, the types of treatment that they provide, the licensing that they have and the types of after care programs on offer.  You have to think about whether your child needs to be kept in for treatment or whether an out patient facility will be better.  You could also consider whether he or she needs to be treated for a dual diagnosis of co occurring disorder or whether assisted detox is the better option.  A medical professional is the best person to speak to regarding symptoms in order to find out what type of treatment will work best.

For more information on how to get you or your teen help, call us toll- free: 877-686-6751.

Alcoholism is a disease that does not discriminate. Anyone can suffer from this addiction, regardless of race, age, or religion. Millions of people in this country alone are affected by someone who needs addiction help.

Addiction rehabs are full of people who are trying to get help. The streets hold those who aren’t. Alcoholism is a serious problem in this country. Addiction centers are available to try to alleviate some of the strain, but if someone is not willing to get help, then it is hard to help them.

1. When someone is an alcoholic, they crave alcohol. When they don’t have alcohol, their body goes through physical withdrawals. Often, when they start drinking alcohol, they can’t stop. Without the help of an addiction doctor, they may find their lives on a downward spiral of despair, with no way to fight back to the surface.

2. More than 14 million Americans are alcoholics; a grave statistic. And the more they drink, the more their tolerance goes up, meaning that they will eventually need to drink even more. Often, it is impossible for an alcoholic to quit drinking without the help of an addiction treatment center.

3. Without another kind of outlet, many people use drinking to run away from their problems. This disease is quickly becoming an epidemic and needs serious attention. Addiction centers offer an alternative for alcoholics: help.

If you or someone you know is an alcoholic, don’t let the problem get any bigger. Recovery Ways is a residential treatment center that can give you some hope.

We provide relief from addictions by offering natural remedies to get your life back in order. We try to heal you from the inside, focusing on mental outlook, nutritional, and physical health.

Don’t let alcoholism rule your or your loved one’s life anymore. Call us today so we can help you or your loved one get back on the road to recovery.

Substance abuse and chemical dependency continue to be serious issues that plague the landscape of American culture. In many cases, those suffering don’t get the help they need early enough because those around them don’t recognize the symptoms. In cases where symptoms are recognized and patients referred to help, the chances of full recovery and an addiction-free future rise substantially. If you suspect a friend or family member is suffering from substance abuse, you’ll probably recognize at least some of the following symptoms.

1. Emotional and Social Withdrawal

While most drug addictions usually start through the casual use of drugs in a social environment, someone who becomes chemically dependent normally ends up withdrawing from normal social activities. The addict generally becomes alienated from friends and family, confining himself to his room or even completely disappearing for days at a time. This behavior may come on either gradually or suddenly.

2. Poor Performance at School or Work

Because substance abuse alters the mind and the emotions, poor school and work performance inevitably follows. For example, a student who got straight A’s prior to his chemical dependency may see his grades plunge to failing levels. At work, the usually dependable and trustworthy employee becomes one who does not finish his tasks, is often late, and might even steal from his employer.

3. Unexplained Memory Lapses

As chemical dependency progresses, individuals will be more likely to suffer episodes involving blackouts. The resulting memory lapse is troubling for the addict at first, and he may be willing to talk about it until he figures out what’s causing it. Unexplained lapses in memory should never be discounted. Even if they are not caused by substance abuse, they could be a precursor to serious medical issues.

4. Unexplained Financial Loss

It goes without saying that illegal substances cost a lot of money. The recreational drug user will spend a significant amount of money while the person who is chemically dependent will spend everything he has. If a friend or family member suffers unexplained financial loss, and it can be reasonably assumed there are no other factors that could account for the loss, consider the possibility of chemical dependency.

5. Failed Attempts to Stop Using Known Substances

Substance abusers often find themselves involved with, and dependent on, more than one chemical. Alcohol is a good example. A family member or friend who makes it known of his determination to quit using alcohol, yet repeatedly fails in doing so, is probably addicted to alcohol at the very least. He may also be dependent on other substances he has managed to keep secret.

The symptoms of substance abuse and chemical dependency are sometimes difficult to detect. But more often than not, if friends and family members make the effort to diligently observe, they can recognize at least some of the telltale signs. If you believe someone you know has chemical dependency issues, seek professional help as soon as you can.

If you’re suffering with chemical dependency and looking for help in breaking free, you’ve taken the first step by visiting our website. Recovery Ways is committed to helping you overcome substance addiction and regain control of your life. But we want you to understand that the recovery process is not easy. It is a long process which requires time and perseverance, usually extending well beyond the time you might spend in a residential treatment program.

Unfortunately, many of the people suffering from chemical dependency enter a treatment program with unrealistic expectations of success. Some expect a quick-fix solution that will help them break their addiction with very little effort. That’s not the way it works. You didn’t become an addict overnight; you will not break your addiction overnight either. But with the dedicated care and concern of a licensed, clinical treatment center, and the love and support of friends and family, you can break the addiction cycle and reclaim your life, chemical-free.

When you first enter a residential treatment program you will probably find the early days to be refreshing, almost like a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. That’s because you will finally be getting the help you know you need which relieves some of the guilt associated with chemical dependency. But after a few days, the reality of the treatment program will begin to set in, and it will become easy to be discouraged and frustrated. During these times it is important for you to persevere; to refuse to give up; to commit yourself to completing your treatment – not only for your own benefit, but also for the benefit of your loved ones. If you determine to push through your fears and frustrations, you will come out the other side into a bright tomorrow.

When your residential treatment program is completed, an aftercare program will be there to help you stay on track as you learn to adjust to your new, addiction-free life. Support groups are an excellent outlet for you to share both the joys and temptations of life, with others who are living through the same experiences. And spiritual leaders will be essential in helping you focus your life in order to find the meaning and purpose you were lacking during your time of substance abuse. The combination of all these support resources is your key to remaining chemical free into the future.

You can overcome addiction with the help of Recovery Ways. All you need is the time, perseverance, and firm commitment to take your life back. Make that commitment today. Do it for your family, for your friends, and for yourself.

Substance abuse and chemical dependency are on the rise as the significant factors in the breakup of the American family. As more and more people are beaten down by the negative circumstances of life, those who find they cannot cope are easily tempted to find solace in drugs or alcohol. Furthermore, when casual use of chemical substances becomes addiction, it can tear apart the very fabric of a family.

For spouses, children, and other family members, the first step in helping their addicted loved one is to perform an intervention. An intervention is almost always uncomfortable, but it’s often the only thing that will shake up an addict enough to get his attention.

Since substance abuse, by its very nature, alters the way the mind operates, those suffering from chemical dependency are unlikely to think rationally, for long enough periods of time, to understand they have a problem. Without the intervention of family or friends, a drug addict may never be able to see through the haze to the point of seeking help.

How an individual family goes about an intervention is a matter of circumstances and personal preference. Some people with chemical dependency need their family members to get in their face and deal harshly with them; others do better with a gentle coaxing. Still others need to see the damaging effects of their behavior on others before they will even begin to get a minimal understanding of the seriousness of the problem. If you need to do an intervention, and you’re not quite sure how to go about it, contact a local support group or treatment center for their advice. The Internet is also a great resource for helpful ideas. Regardless of how you go about it, the most important thing is that you do it.

If you’ve been part of an intervention that appeared unsuccessful, don’t give up. Some studies suggest that many addicts require several interventions before they will seek help. If your first or second intervention did not get the attention of your loved one, try again and again until you succeed. Family members need to be as persistent in their intervention attempts as the addict needs to be in his treatment.

Finally, it’s common for family members to feel guilty before, during, and after an intervention. Whatever you do, don’t give in to those feelings of guilt to the point where you don’t honestly deal with the situation. If guilt is allowed to control the intervention, you are more likely to become an enabler than a motivator to action. Rest assured, once your loved one admits his problem and enters a treatment program, your feelings of guilt will be replaced by the joy that comes from recovery.

If you have a friend or family member whom you suspect to have chemical dependency issues, don’t delay. Organize a group of people and perform an intervention as soon as you possibly can.

Ecstasy is one of the most popular drugs on today’s market due to its easy availability and the perception among younger users that it’s not addictive. And this despite the fact that many studies of Ecstasy use indicate that as many as 43% of users show symptoms of dependency while up to 60% suffer regular withdrawal symptoms. Even more alarming is a recent study from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse that revealed 25% of those questioned knew of a friend or classmate who used ecstasy. According to the same study, 17% of respondents knew more than one user.

The fact is Ecstasy is a wildly popular drug. Especially among those of the younger generation who tend to frequent the rave party scene. On the street the drug is known by other names including Scooby snacks, disco biscuit, essence, and X. And one of the biggest problems with this drug is the fact that almost no one except the original maker really knows what’s in a given batch of pills. In fact, emergency room doctors are more and more sounding the alarm regarding patients who come in with Ecstasy-related issues and doctors who cannot treat them effectively because they can’t identify what drugs have actually been ingested.

It is common for the makers of Ecstasy to dilute their formula with other drugs in order to make it cheaper to produce. The combination of these drugs can sometimes prove fatal. This is especially true when users "stack" Ecstasy; meaning they take more than one dose and combine it with alcohol or other drugs. Young people especially, do not comprehend the danger of this practice and it often kills them.

If there’s any good news about this drug, it’s the fact that in its pure form (methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA) it may show some clinical promise as a treatment for some psychiatric disorders. Of course, even if the FDA were to approve such a use, it is still illegal and dangerous as a recreational drug.

Even though Ecstasy is touted as modern LSD, it is much more dangerous and should be avoided completely. Whether you’re a casual or regular user of Ecstasy, you’re playing Russian roulette every time you swallow a pill. Now is the time to break free. The feelings of happiness and euphoria you experience from the drug are temporary, at best, and addictive at worst. Now is the time to replace those empty feelings with the lasting satisfaction and happiness that are created by meaningful and productive life activities. Forget the Ecstasy name, it is very misleading.

Individuals who are addicted to chemical substances are not the only ones who suffer from their dependency. Their family members also suffer tremendously, and often in silence. Seeking treatment and healing from chemical dependency is essential in restoring the lives of both the patient and his loved ones. Without effective treatment, not only are the lives of addicts destroyed, but their families are also destroyed with them.

Recovery Ways believes in the importance of family in helping clients to fully recover. Strong family relationships not only help carry the client through the treatment program, but also provide much of the support needed to help the client remain clean in the future. Helping the chemically dependent person is also helping the family, because the two are inseparable.

Families Often Suffer in Silence

Due to the fact that substance abuse and addiction carry a stigma in our society, many family members of addicts are ashamed to tell anyone of their situation until it becomes too stressful to manage on their own. Parents are especially hard hit in this area, suffering in silence at a time when they could use as much help and support as possible. In addition, their secret family issues put so much stress on them that it affects their work, hobbies, and most everything else they do.

Families Often Suffer Financially

When a person reaches the stage of habitual chemical dependency, it’s only a matter of time before his personal finances run out. In order to continue his addiction, he must obtain the money for his habit from other sources; this often involves stealing from family members. Even in cases where parents or siblings give the money freely, drug addiction will drain all of their resources as well. It’s not uncommon for the families of drug addicts to suffer financial ruin due to the actions of the addicted member.

Families are Often Divided

Probably the most serious affect substance abuse has on the family is that it causes division. Different family members who are aware of the substance abuse issues generally have different opinions on how to approach the problem. Furthermore, addicts are very adept at pitting one family member against another in order to gain sympathy or financial support. This division can be so severe as to split husbands and wives, drive away siblings, and completely destroy a previously healthy family unit.

It goes without saying that those who abuse drugs are risking the health and well-being of their family members as well as their own. If you’re experiencing chemical dependency problems, now is the time to seek help before your family is lost. As many an addict will tell you, the loss of your family is not worth the temporary pleasure obtained from illegal substances.

It’s long been agreed by most in the medical community that certain kinds of addictions can be classified clinically as diseases. This is based on the fact that these addictions, like alcoholism for example, exhibit a specific set of symptoms and will progress to a known end if left untreated. New scientific studies adding to the disease concept also suggest a genetic link to some chemical dependency. However, there may be some unintended negative consequences to approaching chemical dependency in this way.

.Before continuing, it’s important to note that the point of this article is not to dispute the medical studies behind the disease-based diagnosis. Rather, it is simply to propose some food for thought regarding the way we approach chemical dependency and recovery.

Whether or not chemical dependency is truly a disease or genetic malfunction, the medical community must be very careful in how scientific studies are presented. The problem is if the results of such studies are presented in a way that convinces the addict that he is not responsible for his actions, he becomes less likely to seek treatment. In other words, it’s common for substance abusers to seek a way out and avoid breaking their addiction. If they are convinced their addiction is a genetic malfunction, or something they “caught” along the way, they will have been given the way out they are looking for.

With this in mind, it might be more productive for the medical community to include with their studies some companion studies that look at the relationship between those predisposed to addiction and employing intervention before substance-abuse even starts. In other words, why not take those who might be genetically predisposed to alcohol abuse and involve them in intervention programs before they are even old enough to drink? If such intervention programs could help reduce the number of individuals who end up on the road to alcohol abuse, such a study could reaffirm the fact that substance abusers do have control over their choices.

Chemical dependency may indeed have its roots in a medical or genetic deficiency. But just like those who are genetically predisposed to certain heart conditions, altering one’s behavior and making good choices can drastically reduce the chances of succumbing to it. A proper balance between medical science and behavior modification is the best path to reducing the amount of substance abuse and chemical dependency in American society. But continued insistence on a medical diagnosis of chemical dependency, without accountability for one’s decisions, is a sure recipe for propagating the problem well into the future.

For those suffering from substance abuse or chemical dependency issues there are many methods of treatment and recovery. Some of them work and some of them don’t. Recovery Ways believes that one of the best methods of treating substance abuse is through a residential treatment program. Residential treatment programs tend to look at the many, varied aspects of substance abuse problems which, when dealt with together, ensure the greatest chances of long-term success. In contrast, a less comprehensive approach to treatment can make it more difficult for substance abusers to break free.

Residential Treatment Separates the Addict

The first step in successful substance abuse treatment is to separate the client from his normal environment. This is necessary because in most cases, the addict has learned to adapt his environment so as to facilitate his drug or alcohol use. It’s nearly impossible to break the cycle of addiction if he remains in the environment, because it only helps to encourage his destructive behavior. A residential treatment program provides a safe and non-tempting environment in which the client can begin to take his life back.

Residential Treatment Provides Peer Support

One of the complaints often voiced by those with chemical dependency is the perception that no one in their lives really understands them. To a certain extent, that complaint is legitimate. A residential treatment program is a place where substance abuse clients can find a listening ear from those who understand exactly where they are. They will eat, study, work, talk, and learn right alongside others who are having the same experiences. The support and relationship-building that results from this peer interaction goes a long way in helping the client overcome his addiction.

In addition, a good residential program will employ a trained clinical staff that knows the importance of both physical and emotional support, especially as a client is withdrawing from his habit. Treatment program staff members are there to encourage, guide, and support clients every step of the way.

Residential Treatment Provides Security

In order to honestly address substance abuse issues, the addict needs to feel a sense of safety and security. Most residential treatment programs are conducted in secure facilities where clients experience the peace and safety they desperately need. In such an environment they are more willing to be honest about who they are and what they really need to do to get their lives back.

Residential treatment programs offer many other benefits too numerous to list in this space. Suffice it to say, if you or a loved one is suffering from chemical dependency or substance abuse issues, we encourage you to take a look at a residential treatment program. If Recovery Ways has been helpful to you thus far, we would welcome the opportunity to help you further by introducing you to our residential treatment program.