As Memorial Day weekend begins, let’s all who fight the war against substance abuse and remember how far we’ve come. Remember the Fallen Sadly, we can’t pretend that everyone wins the personal war against substance abuse. In 2014, more than 28,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses, and over 75,000 from alcoholism-related issues (not counting the […]
As noted last week’s blog on mental illness and substance abuse, many people with substance abuse and mental health greatly impact each other. This runs the spectrum from mild but chronic depression to complete lack of capacity for comprehending reality. Proper understanding and treatment of mental illness may keep many from turning to addictive substances […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Over a third of substance addicts are estimated to also have some level of mental illness, according to 2014 statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The commonality of mental illness and substance abuse gives those concerned about addiction more of a reason to bring awareness […]
Once you’re detoxed, self-evaluated, and feeling hopeful for a substance-free future, it’s time to clarify your vision for that future. Few things are as universally advocated as setting goals during substance abuse treatment. Yet, even the healthiest people struggle to define what those concepts mean for them. As the saying goes, “If it were easy, […]
Following up last week’s post on The 12 Steps, this week begins a series of posts that examine each of the steps in more detail. Step One of the 12 Steps: We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction–that our lives had become unmanageable. “I can handle it” is one of humanity’s favorite phrases; most of […]
If nicotine is among your old chemical indulgences, you’ve probably heard the line “quit smoking, get fat.” While many former smokers do gain a few pounds, that’s not always a bad thing. Nicotine is an appetite suppressant and also speeds up metabolism, which can lead to chain smokers becoming underweight. Unhealthy weight loss is even […]
Last week, we discussed overconfidence and entitlement as factors in relapse. Today, we’ll explore other things that commonly function as “triggers” in tempting someone to return to the familiar bottle, needle, or other sources of chemical comfort. First, though, a couple of facts about relapse triggers that everyone should remember: Relapsers are in particular danger […]
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” -Holy Bible, New International Version, 1 Corinthians 10:12 Initial detox from chemical dependence is exhilarating. You feel better—physically, mentally, and emotionally—than you have in years. Anything seems possible. You believe wholeheartedly that “I’ll never go back to that old misery!” You believe you’re immune to relapse. […]
Kemah Palms is prominently featured in article of Healthcare IT News about Addiction Relapses written by Bill Siwicki. Texas treatment center ties EHR to data-tracking tech to slash addiction relapses Substance use disorder treatment centers are notoriously behind in technology, but Kemah Palms Recovery® has implemented the tracking tech and an EHR to improve outcomes and […]
You may have seen some version of this slogan: “Please be patient; God isn’t finished with me yet.” Yes, we remain a work in progress throughout our lives. We all have setbacks and relapses, false starts and blind alleys. Those who refuse to accept that truth, and who demand mistake-proof performance from themselves, are doomed […]
For some, recovery from chronic substance abuse is a straightforward matter of tossing away the bottle, going cold turkey for a few days, and then returning to the old normal life. The former abuser who finds things so simple is the exception, though. Most substance-abuse problems start with a desire to escape the “old normal” […]
Nobody is perfect. Over 60 years ago, J. B. Phillips wrote (in Your God is Too Small): “Of all the false gods there is probably no greater nuisance in the spiritual world than the ‘god of one hundred per cent.’ … This one-hundred-per-cent standard is a real menace [which] has led quite a number of sensitive, conscientious […]