Category Archives: Addiction Help

Is Depression Truly Biochemical?

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There is much debate in both professional and social circles over whether depression is purely mental or biochemical. Every person gets sad at some point and depression can resemble a bout of simple sadness to the layperson. Therefore, it is easy to compare the two and reach the conclusion that depression is just being sad and perhaps the sufferer is making it worse without any physical mechanism playing into it. Then again, evidence is building to suggest that this is not the case. Evidence suggests there is a distinct difference between depression and sadness that goes beyond the symptoms.

What does "Biochemical" Mean?

What it means to say something is biochemical is that it is related to the chemistry within a living organism. As it pertains to depression, it is saying there is a chemical imbalance within the body, specifically the brain, that is causing the mood disorder. Researchers are even noticing, "reduced hippocampal gray matter" in individuals with chronic (Read More....)

Ways Technology Addiction Can Be Harmful to Children

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In today's world, technology addiction is becoming a very serious problem among our youth. Whether it is video game consoles, hand-held devices, smartphones, or computers technology can have a greater impact on our children than we realize. Out of the news we hear stories of children and teens being violent with parents because of a game or a console that was taken away from them. The same can be said about smartphones and how our children simply don't know how to exist without one. Just how harmful can an addiction to technology become?

1. Withdrawn from Friends - Oddly enough, children who are addicted to their online friends can become withdrawn from ones in real life. His or her online persona can be as important to them as how they are viewed in real life. It is a way for the child to become more than what he or she imagines they are. It's the same reason that many adults withdraw into an online world - they can be important there.

2. Physical Deterioration - The news is spotted by those teenagers and young adults who become so involved with gaming and technology that they literally play themselves to death. For children who are out of shape to begin with, ramping up their pulse rate with energy drinks and pop can be very bad for their heart. Spending non-stop hours online or gaming can lead to sleep deprivation (Read More....)

Addiction and Our Young People

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Throughout most of my life I have been surrounded by some type of addiction. It always takes on the same form with each and every person no matter what the object of addiction is. I know that each person who has had any contact with addiction most likely has tried to figure out where it comes from and why it happens. I am aware that it is considered a disease and that it may be hereditary. Although what I am not sure of is whether or not it is completely a physical disease. I believe at least half or more of the problem is with the heart.

If you are an addict or have ever been around one you know that they are generally very selfish people. Their number one concern is themselves. The world seems to revolve around them and their needs. The majority of addicts I have been around say the same thing over and over. “I am not hurting anyone but myself.” This is a fabrication of their selfish nature.

Unless they live on an island all alone they are always hurting someone else with their addiction. Many times they hurt people financially, they have families that do without because of their addictions. Many times the hurt is emotional, parents, spouses, children, siblings, or friends that hurt because they care or because of constant disruptions in the family. It always ends up that the responsible people; the selfless people (Read More....)

What to look for when finding an addiction program that will help you

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Balboa Horizons is for men and women who want strong Christian values incorporated into their recovery program.

Addiction programs treat all types of addictions. Just some of these are addictions to alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex and even shopping. Those who believe that they have an addiction serious enough to need treatment will want to find the most appropriate place for their unique circumstances. No matter what their addictions are, they will be able to choose an inpatient or outpatient, secular or Christian or a program with a particular philosophy to help them meet their goals.

Do You Need an Inpatient or an Outpatient Program?

An inpatient program is ideal for those who have been abusing a substance for several years or even decades. If this is the case, the detoxification process can cause these people to experience frightening withdrawal symptoms. When this occurs, they are highly tempted to drink or use the drugs again.

In an inpatient program, (Read More....)

How Will I know When They Really Mean It?

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Dealing with a loved one who is going through addiction is one of the most trying and difficult experiences imaginable. There are so many different interests going up against one another: you want to take care of your loved one, you need to protect yourself, and you need to not waste your time trying to help them when they're not willing to accept your help.

The bad news is that you can never be 100% certain that your loved one is being honest about wanting help. When you're dealing with a person who is in the throes of addiction the fact is that you're not dealing with that person, you're dealing an addict. The need for the drug takes over every other aspect of their personality from rational thought to their innermost dreams and passions. Everything takes second stage to getting the next fix, so even the most honest person can be driven to lies and deception if the addiction gets hold of them.

Another complication is that people who ask for help today might not want it tomorrow. It's very easy for an addict to say that they've had enough when they've just had a fix, when things are going well, but hard for them to stick to that promise when they're crashing back down to reality.

This is the hardest fact about helping someone over an addiction: you need to be strong when they aren't.

The (Read More....)

How To Break Bad Habits Before They Start

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Bad habits can be difficult to break. I know that very well myself, for I have formed numerous bad habits since early childhood, and though I have broken some of them, others still linger on. I sucked my thumb until I was twelve, and I can tell you that it took a great deal of effort on my part to shed that habit. Some of these addictions make us look unattractive in public. Others handicap us in our ability to perform the necessary tasks of daily life effectively. But whatever their effects are, it is much better to prevent such unattractive habits from forming in the first place, and this article will teach you how to do that.

1) Curbing bad financial habits

There are probably few areas in which human beings are so inclined to formulate bad habits than money. People can be so eager to spend on things they see and think they would like, but they start procrastinating when it comes to paying up on their credit card accounts, or they yield to temptation, show sort-sightedness or disorganization, or become anxious. All of these vices can be nipped in the bud by developing the following good habits:

• procrastination—The interest that accumulates on credit card debts means that the longer one procrastinates on payment, the greater the expense will be. To make sure that payments (Read More....)

How to Show Someone You Love They Need Help With Their Addiction

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Addiction can devastate families. Not only does the addict destroy his or her own life through engaging in addictive and often risky behavior, but he or she can destroy the lives of family members and friends who care and try to help. Sadly, many addicts live in denial, believing they could stop the addictive behavior if they truly wanted to. In order for addiction treatment to work, addicts must decide for themselves that they have a problem and want to make changes in their lives. Although you can't force an addict to see his or her problem for what it is, there are things you can do to help lead them towards the realization that they need help.

Take a Step Back
Paradoxically, the best way to show an addict that he or she needs help is to take as much of a hands-off approach as possible. Often, families of addicts try to protect the addict from the consequences of his or her behavior because they don't want anything really bad to happen. However, this has the effect of stopping the addict from realizing that actions have consequences. When the addict is (Read More....)

Never Ending Addiction

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Anna Amphigorously Photography

Too many times we have seen recovering athletes and movie stars tell their story of addiction recovery leaving all of us with a feeling that if we try drugs we will not have an addiction. This is positively not true.

1. Starting - Identifying why one chose to do unlawful drugs, excessive alcohol or smoking will be 90% of the solution. If not easily identifiable, then reasonable doubt can be employed filtering through the twining of the ball of rubber bands about ready to snap.

2. Rejection - Rejection by friends and family may lead to a greater addiction. A true rejection of the opposed drug and user will alienate and destroy family and household alliance. It is important not to badger.

3. Discovery - Discovery of an addiction in the family or household can lead to rebuking spiritual deity or the head of household. Respect has to be introduced again into one's life. Point out positive signs (Read More....)