Why Dual Diagnosis Must Be Recognised and Treated Correctly

Addiction and mental health issues often go hand in hand. Many people with mental health problems such as anxiety disorder or depression will turn to substances like alcohol or drugs to provide temporary relief for their conditions. Taking drugs or drinking alcohol may make them forget their problems but the more they abuse the substance, the greater their risk of addiction.

On the flip side, those who have developed drug or alcohol addictions may then develop mental health conditions such as depression as they struggle to cope with the weight of their problems. Those who are dealing with both addiction and mental health problems are said to have a dual diagnosis and so require more complex treatment programmes. Thankfully, many organisations around the UK provide specialist care to those with dual diagnosis.

When Dual Diagnosis Affects Recovery

It is essential that those with dual diagnosis get sufficient care for their addiction and their mental health disorder. Unfortunately, dual diagnosis patients often fail to get the help they need because their condition acts as an obstacle they cannot get around.

Those who have mental health problems are often in denial about their addiction, which in turn prevents them from seeking the help they need. They find it difficult to escape their addiction because of their mental health condition and their addiction makes it more difficult for them to get help for their mental health problems; it is what is known as a Catch-22 situation.

Treating Dual Diagnosis

In the past, dual diagnosis patients were often at greater risk of relapse because not enough was understood about their condition. Rehabilitation often just focused on treating the addiction and once the patient left rehab, he or she would still have the mental health problems that may have been the reason this individual started abusing chemical substances in the first place.

These days, counsellors and therapists are fully aware of dual diagnosis and how it needs to be treated. Many treatment providers have fully trained staff experienced in helping dual diagnosis patients to overcome their illnesses. This means that both conditions will be treated at the same time to give the patient a greater chance of successful long-term recovery from addiction.

The Dangers of Not Treating Dual Diagnosis Correctly
Unfortunately, some patients with dual diagnosis still do not get the help they need for their problems. Those with dual diagnosis treated only for their addiction may find that sobriety is a major struggle and symptoms from their mental health conditions may become more pronounced. This could mean that they are at greater risk of relapse.

Those who do not realise the affected person is suffering from dual diagnosis may assume that he or she is not putting in enough effort to overcome his/her addiction. Voicing these opinions may make the patient feel inadequate leading to him/her suffering with low self-esteem, which can again result in relapse.

Those who are told they are not working their programme correctly or are not putting in enough effort may try even harder to do well in recovery. If they fail to see any progress, they may become extremely frustrated and disappointed, possibly leading to serious consequences, including suicide.

Getting Appropriate Help

If you have been struggling with your recovery or are worried about how a loved one is coping, call us here at Middlegate today. It may be that you have dual diagnosis that has not been correctly treated. Our experts will assess your situation and will recommend an appropriate treatment programme based on your needs and circumstances. We can help you to get the most from your recovery and ensure you do not end up back where you started.

This article originally published at Middlegate Blog here

The Effect of Substance Abuse on Oral Health

Most people are aware that abuse of substances such as alcohol and drugs can cause a number of physical and mental health problems. Alcoholism and addiction can lead to heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, depression, anxiety, and dementia.

Some drugs can have a devastating effect on teeth and gums, and because many addicts do not practice good oral hygiene means that tooth decay and associated problems are quite common. Addicts often suffer from conditions such as gingivitis, chronic tooth decay, and cracked teeth. Unfortunately, very few of them will seek help from a dentist and will just ignore the problem.

Oral Hygiene

People who become addicted to substances such as alcohol or drugs tend to think of nothing but their need for the substance to which they have become addicted. They often neglect their personal hygiene and grooming, and oral health will certainly not be on top of their agenda. Many do not eat healthily, and alcoholics, especially, tend to get most of their calories from alcohol.

With such poor oral hygiene, it is no surprise that many addicts and alcoholics suffer pain in the mouth. Nevertheless, true to form, they tend to self-medicate with either alcohol or drugs instead of seeking help from a qualified dentist.

Teeth and gums can be further aggravated by vomiting, which is often a common side effect of substance abuse.

Tooth Decay in Alcoholics

Alcoholic beverages are generally quite high in sugar, which can lead to tooth decay, especially in those who are failing to brush their teeth regularly. Alcoholics often spend little time worrying about their personal or oral hygiene and many tend to go for long periods without brushing their teeth. This means they are prone to tooth decay and gum disease.

Meth Mouth

Meth mouth is a condition caused by the drug methamphetamine. Users of this drug tend to suffer from rotten, broken and discoloured teeth. This illegal drug can cause a dry mouth because it stops the saliva glands from producing saliva. This means that acid from food and drink erodes the enamel on the teeth and because addicts tend to neglect their oral hygiene, their teeth suffer even more. The highly corrosive ingredients found in methamphetamine cause extreme tooth decay and can also result in sores in the mouth.

How Stimulant Drugs Affect the Teeth

Those who are addicted to illegal stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamine and ecstasy tend to grind or clench their teeth while intoxicated. This often results in the teeth being ground down and cracked. When teeth are cracked and damaged, it can lead to further problems in the mouth, including root and gum damage. Teeth can become loose and may need to be removed. Stimulant drugs also result in dry mouth, and those who abuse these drugs also tend to drink alcohol or sugary soft drinks, exacerbating tooth decay.

The Effect of Heroin on the Teeth

Heroin has a devastating effect on the teeth and gums of those addicted. Heroin addicts often fail to practice any oral hygiene, resulting in serious problems such as severe tooth decay, gum disease, snapping teeth and mouth trauma. This tends to be due to the sugary food and drink diet that they have because of the drug as well as the fact that they will usually neglect to brush teeth.

Alcohol and drugs cause many problems, but the effect on oral health can be devastating.

About Middlegate - Alcohol Rehab London

If you need help in the london area, then please contact us for information on the latest information on places in london alcohol rehabs as well as greater lodnon drug rehabs.

We also provide advice all across the UK, and world-wide, and our only aim to to get people with alcohol or drug misuse problems, the best help available in order to help them get well as quickly as possible.

This article originally published at Middlegate Blog here

Helping a Loved One with Addiction

Family members suffer when a loved one struggles with addiction. Although they are not physically affected by the illness, they do suffer mental and emotional issues and it can place an enormous strain on family relationships. It is hard to watch a loved one struggle in this way, and family members will all react in different ways.

Some will want to take over and will believe that they can ‘fix’ their loved one. They are of the opinion that all that is needed is to make him or her see sense and that the affected individual will then stop drinking or taking drugs. If only it were that simple. Sadly, many addicts are unable or unwilling to stop, and no amount of pleading or begging will change that.

Addicts are skilled at making others believe what they want them to and will tell their loved ones whatever it is they want to hear if it means the addict can continue with his or her destructive behaviour. Family members are often left hurt and disappointed with their loved one’s actions. After a while, they will find it hard to believe anything their addicted loved one tells them.

If a Loved One Recognises the Problem

In the beginning, most addicts will not be able to see that they have a problem. As addiction is a progressive illness, he or she will slowly get worse; it may take some time before the addiction is something this person can see as being a destructive force.

The ideal situation for family members and friends is that their addicted loved one will get to a point where they can see that there is a problem and will reach out for help. Before this can happen, the affected individual will have to firstly recognise that the addiction is out of control.

You may have heard the expression ‘rock bottom’ in relation to addiction. This is typically the point at which an addicted person realises that his or her addiction has become a problem and that a change needs to be made. It could be triggered by a health issue or an ultimatum given by a loved one. Either of these situations can make an addicted person see that his or her actions are causing negative consequences for themselves and those around them.

Helping with Treatment

However, it is not enough for the addicted person to simply agree and promise to stop. He or she must take steps towards rectifying the situation. This is where you can help – you can encourage your loved one to get help and do whatever it takes to make this possible.

This could mean helping out by taking care of children or pets so that the addicted person can enter a rehabilitation treatment centre if necessary. You could also help by taking the individual to a doctor or counsellor for appointments.

If you really want to help, contact us here at Middlegate today. We offer a free service to those dealing with addiction as well as to their family members. We have a team of expert advisors ready to take your call and they will be able to offer you helpful advice on taking the next steps.

As a referral service, we do not provide treatment for addiction. However, we work with a wide range of organisations in both the public and private sectors and we will be able to make a referral to a suitable treatment provider based on the needs and circumstances of each client. We will carry out a full assessment of the situation before offering advice and information on the treatments available and how to access them.

If you would like more information on our free and confidential service, contact us today.

This article originally published at Middlegate Blog here

Addiction Traits to Ditch in Recovery - and One to Keep

Many family members say that their addicted loved ones are no longer recognisable. The people they love have changed before their eyes and they cannot believe that this is the same person. It is true that addiction can have a profound effect on individuals, and many will pick up certain characteristics along the way. Addicts often learn the skills and traits they need to ensure they can continue with their addictive behaviour, which can lead to them to becoming self-centred and manipulative. They will often lie, steal, cheat and cover up in order to get what they want.

It can be difficult for recovering addicts to simply revert to how they were before they became addicted. Many family members expect to have the old person back once rehab is finished, but this is rarely the case. For many, the traits they have picked up while addicted can become entrenched and they will have to work doubly hard to get rid of them. Below are some of the more common characteristics perfected by addicts.

Dishonesty

Addiction and honesty rarely go hand in hand and many addicts will lie to everyone about their habit. They will not want others to know they are reliant on alcohol or drugs so will make up excuses for their behaviour and may deny any problem exists if challenged. Addicts become expert liars because that is how they survive and how they are able to continue with their destructive behaviour. However, if you are in recovery, you can no longer be dishonest. You must learn to accept any mistakes you make instead of lying about them or covering them up. Learning from your mistakes is a vital process in recovery and one that will stand you in good stead. You will not get better if you continue to lie to others or try to deceive them.

Self-Centredness

Most addicts have perfected this characteristic while they were ill as well as during their early recovery. In fact, recovering addicts are often encouraged to think only of themselves and their recovery during the early days. Nevertheless, you cannot continue in this vein as you move forward. It is now important to start learning how to heal or rebuild relationships with your loved ones. And, you will never make new healthy relationships if you are only focused on yourself and your happiness.

Anger

Many addicts feel anger at their situation and have a long list of people or circumstances to blame for their illness. They often believe themselves to be victims and get angry at the world. It is imperative that you learn how to deal with your anger issues in recovery as this is one emotion that can derail you if you let it.

Trait to Keep

While many of the characteristics you have picked up while addicted should now be dropped, there is one you should look to keep. The living one-day-at-a-time philosophy is one that many addicts will adhere to. Addicts do not look to the future, they simply concentrate on what they can and cannot do that day, such as getting through work in order to have a drink or finding enough money for that day’s fix.

In recovery, it is important to take things one-day-at-a-time too. Recovering addicts need to focus on each day as being another day of sobriety. Nonetheless, the difference is that recovering addicts can and should look to the future. They can start to believe that good things are possible and, the longer they are sober, the more achievable their goals become.

This article originally published at Middlegate Blog here

More Education Required to Highlight Dangers of Gambling Addiction

One of the most devastating addictions is a gambling addiction because of the effect it has on the sufferer and his or her loved ones. While all addictions can destroy lives, a gambling addiction directly affects family members and loved ones of the person with the illness. This addiction is one of the easiest to hide and so for that reason, it is known as a ‘secret’ addiction.

The knock-on effect of a gambling addiction can be far-reaching. It is not uncommon for problem gamblers to amass huge debts, leaving their family facing financial ruin. In addition, as with all addictions, a gambling addiction can cause mental and physical health problems that can include stress, depression and anxiety, for the person with the addiction and their loved ones.

A Common Problem

Gambling addiction is becoming more and more common in the UK, with many people developing this devastating illness. However, it is not just those who are desperate for a big win to change their lives who develop problems with gambling.

Many sports stars have opened up about their problems with gambling and have spoken out about how the illness has affected their lives. Former footballer John Taylor admits to developing a fascination with gambling at the young age of fourteen. Unfortunately for John, this attraction grew into an addiction that almost had deadly consequences. He said, “It got to the point where I knew that if I didn’t seek help, I would end up doing myself some serious harm. It had already affected my family, and I didn’t have many friends left because I was always caught up in my own little world.”

He confessed that there were several times when he considered taking his life. And, while he knows he is lucky to have never followed through on these thoughts, he says others have not ‘survived that thought process’.

Easy Access

John is not alone; there are an estimated half-a-million people in the UK struggling with a problem gambling habit. Many blame the fact that gambling has become more accessible than before thanks to online gaming sites and mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Addiction charities believe individuals need to be educated regarding the risks of gambling. The head of gambling charity Breakeven, Ian Semel, said the ‘face of gambling has changed massively in the past five to six years’ and he believes the most significant change is the easy accessibility of online gambling.

Online gambling is available twenty-four hours to anyone with a bank account and access to the internet. Mr Semel said, “One of the biggest problems that evolves with people who gamble remotely is that it does not feel like real money. There’s a big difference between withdrawing cash from a bank and placing a bet at the counter, compared with using a credit or debit card on a gambling website. The only evidence of what you’ve spent is when you see the account statements.”

Betting Machines

Nevertheless, it is not just online gambling that is causing a growth in the number of people developing crushing gambling addictions. Betting shops around the country have a number of betting machines or fixed odds betting terminals, installed where punters can bet up to £300 per minute on casino-style games such as Black Jack, roulette and poker. These machines have been dubbed the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling due to the number of people becoming addicted and displaying aggressive behaviour towards them after suffering substantial losses.

A Treatable Illness

Gambling addictions destroy lives, but it is important to remember that it is an illness. The good news is that it is a treatable illness. Here at Middlegate, we provide help and advice to those suffering from a number of addictions. Our aim is to put those who need help in touch with the organisations providing that help.

If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction, contact us here at Middlegate today for free, confidential advice and information.

This article originally published at Middlegate Blog here

Therapy During Rehabilitation and Recovery

One of the biggest obstacles most addicts face when it comes to recovery is their fear. They are afraid of admitting that they have an addiction because of what it will mean for them. Many do not believe they could survive without the drugs or alcohol they are addicted to while others fear they will be unable to cope with rehabilitation. It is often fear of the unknown that prevents them from accessing help and treatment for addiction, and many will wait until it is too late and their health has been irreparably damaged before they finally reach out.

What is Addiction Therapy?

Many addicts worry about what therapy is going to be like and it can prevent them from asking for help. They believe they will fail in their attempts to get clean and would rather not try than actually seek help and fail. However, with more information and education, they would be in a better position to understand what rehabilitation is actually like. Below are some of the therapy options used by various rehabilitation clinics around the UK.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of behavioural modification technique used by most therapists when it comes to addiction treatment. The idea behind CBT is to help the patient to identify the maladaptive behaviours he or she uses and to teach him or her ways of using more positive behaviours to deal with certain situations. Once the patient has established a way of dealing with situations and scenarios in a less destructive manner, these behaviours are continuously reinforced until they become natural. CBT is often used in conjunction with other treatments such as 12-step work.

Supportive Psychotherapy

Supportive psychotherapy is a type of counselling designed to change attitudes in patients struggling with addictive or compulsive behaviours. It can be provided on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting.

Motivational Interviewing

Denial is very common among addiction patients, and the inability to see the destructive path they are on often becomes a major obstacle in the recovery process. Motivational interviewing aims to help patients break down these barriers and become motivated to succeed in the programme. The therapist will use question and answer sessions that are designed to help the patient look at his or her attitudes and to gently encourage him or her to stop justifying addictive or maladaptive behaviours.

Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

Some rehabilitation clinics use DBT to help patients get a better handle on their emotions. CBT techniques are used alongside methods such as mindfulness or meditation to encourage patients to learn how to deal with situations in a positive manner.

Contingency Management
Contingency management is often used in the treatment of teenage addiction because it focuses on a rewards and consequences system. Teenagers often cannot see that sobriety is a reward in itself so need encouragement for positive behaviour. They are rewarded for good behaviour but there will be consequences when they do not behave well. The idea behind this type of treatment is that it encourages patients to get clean and stay clean. They know that if they stay clean, they will be rewarded but if they do not stay clean, they may lose certain privileges such as phone or internet access.

If you are an affected individual, then the type of therapy you will be given will depend on the facility you attend and your personal circumstances. Most rehab clinics will evaluate your situation before developing a tailored treatment programme based on your requirements. Nonetheless, the treatments used will be designed to help you overcome your addiction and to teach you how to live a clean and healthy, sober life.

This article originally published at Middlegate Blog here

How to Handle the Early Days of Recovery with Your Spouse

If your spouse has given up drinking, you may be forgiven for thinking that things are going to go back to the way they used to be before addiction was an issue. This rarely happens, however. It is unlikely that things will ever be the same as they were before, but they can become better – with time.

Many spouses have unrealistic expectations about what recovery will mean for the family, simply because they have no experience with addiction. The truth is that getting sober is just the first step on the road to recovery. There is no quick fix for alcoholism, and you need to be prepared for things to get worse before they get better.

Patience

Although you have been through your struggles while your partner was in the grip of a destructive addiction, you may need to be patient for a little while longer. Your loved one may not be very nice to live with at the moment as he or she learns how to adapt to sober living but, with time, the whole family will adjust, and things will get back to some form of normality.

Responsibility

It is important to remember that you were not responsible for your spouse’s drinking. Similarly, you are not responsible for his or her sobriety. Your spouse must learn the skills necessary to live without alcohol and is therefore completely and entirely responsible for his or her recovery. You can offer support and love, but it is not your job to make sure he or she stays on the right track.

You cannot change your spouse, and how he or she behaves is not your fault. You may feel sad if your loved one behaves badly, but you should not feel guilty.

Enjoy Life

You need to learn how to be happy independently of how your spouse feels. For too long, you have probably been letting your moods be dictated by those of your spouse. When your spouse was drinking and behaving badly, you were unhappy. Likewise, when your spouse was sober and behaving well, you were probably happy. It is important to remember that you have your life to live and cannot rely on your spouse in order to feel happy or sad.

Start going out with your friends and having some fun. You deserve to be happy, and you need to start enjoying your life again – with or without your spouse. If your spouse is spending a lot of time focusing on his or her recovery, you can offer love and support, but you need to start focusing on you as well.

Addiction is an Illness

Another thing to bear in mind is that addiction is an illness. Your spouse did not start drinking in order to make you unhappy, and he or she is not trying to get better to make you happy. Your spouse needs to want to get better for him or herself. Try to separate the illness from the person and remember that inside is the person you fell in love with. He or she has been through a lot, as have you. Try not to apportion blame because at the end of the day, nobody chooses to be an addict.

If you can separate the alcoholism from the person, you may be able to move on and start a new life together. Rebuilding relationships can be tough, but it is possible, provided there has not been too much damage to the relationship.

Things may be tough going for a while, but recovery from addiction is a long and slow process. However, you are on the right track, and if you are prepared to be patient and want to make things work, you could end up with a loving and caring relationship once more.

This article originally published at Middlegate Blog here

How Much Help Should You Give Your Recovering Child?

If your son or daughter is in recovery from addiction, you may be tempted to do everything you can to help. However, this is not always the best move.

You have probably spent a lot of time worrying about your child while he or she was in the grip of addiction, and now that it seems as though life may be getting back on track, you might be tempted to offer financial assistance to ensure that your child does not have to suffer unnecessarily. But this is not always the best option.

Financial Struggles

It is common for recovering addicts to find themselves in trouble financially. Those with addiction tend to think of little else but the substance or activity to which they are addicted. They usually neglect all other responsibilities in their lives, including paying bills. Those with gambling or shopping addictions, for instance, may find themselves in a worse situation financially than those addicted to sex because their addictions require constant access to cash. Even those with drug or alcohol addictions will need a lot of money to fund their habit.

This can lead to them struggling with debt when they are in recovery. So it is understandable that, as a parent, you may want to do anything you can to relieve this situation. Nevertheless, part of the recovery process involves taking responsibility for one’s actions, so your child must be made to face up to the consequences of his or her actions.

Beware of Enabling
Even if you can afford to help your child get out of his or her current financial situation, you need to be wary of handing over money that could enable him or her to revert to old ways. If your child is living away from home and has a family, you could offer assistance by way of helping out with grocery shopping or giving him or her a lift from time to time.

If you are going to get into the habit of paying all the bills or handing over large sums of money to pay off debt, your child will never take responsibility for his or her actions.

Impose Conditions

If you feel that by not helping your child his or her financial situation could spiral out of control, do so but with certain conditions attached. If your child still lives at home, make sure that he or she helps out with household chores.

If you are planning to give your child money, ensure that he or she understands it is a loan and that it must be paid back. Also, consider telling your child that you will cut off all help if he or she stops attending meetings or does not stick to the treatment plan in place.

Take a Step Back

You may be tempted to take control of your child’s recovery at this stage in order to ensure that he or she sticks to the plan. However, at this point, you need to be prepared to take a step back and allow your child to take charge of his or her life.

If your son or daughter has just completed a programme of rehabilitation, he or she will have likely learned the skills required for independent sober living. By taking over, you will be jeopardising his or her recovery. Let your child arrange to make his or her own way to meetings and to look for work.

Your natural instinct may be to do this, but the less involved you are in his or her recovery, the better the chance of it being successful.

This article originally published at Middlegate Blog here

Effect of Addiction on Children - Factors that Contribute to the Severity

Children are often referred to as the forgotten victims of addiction. These vulnerable individuals can struggle in a number of ways if they are living with a parent who has an active addiction. Younger children who do not understand the illness their parent is suffering from may experience feelings of confusion, fear, guilt, loneliness and anxiety. Older children may have some idea of what is going on and might experience the same feelings coupled with shame, embarrassment and helplessness.

While some children of addictive parents may continue to function quite well, others will fall behind in their school work or might be unable to develop friendships because they fear others will find out their secret. The extent of the effect addiction has on a child will depend on a number of factors, including:

1. Whether one or both parents were addicted. In most instances, children are affected more severely if their mother is the addict (because she is often the primary carer). Inevitably, they are also affected more profoundly if both parents are suffering from

2. The severity of the symptoms of their parents’ addiction. It goes without saying that the more severe the symptoms, the greater the effect it will have on the child.

3. If there was another carer present. Children with access to another carer, such as a grandparent or aunt, for example, tend to cope better with a parent’s addiction. Being cared for by another adult means they will not suffer from loneliness or helplessness, and they may be able to develop their coping skills and sense of worth.

4. The age of the child when addiction became a problem. The younger the child, the greater the impact. This is also the case for children who have been living with an addicted parent for a long time. Older children tend to be well settled and may not be as severely affected as a young child who has been neglected by a parent with addiction issues.

5. Strength of the family unit. Some families manage to stick together despite one parent having an addiction. If the non-addicted parent is strong enough to hold the family together, the children will not be as significantly However, if the non-addicted parent finds it difficult to deal with this situation, he or she may also neglect the needs of the child, which could lead to lasting emotional problems.

6. Support given to the child. Young children are often left as innocent bystanders who witness the destruction their parent’s addiction is causing. Nonetheless, this leads to confusion and many children blame themselves for the actions of their parent. But when children are dealt with openly and honestly, and when they are given emotional support, they tend to deal with the addiction much more effectively.

7. Did the child suffer abuse? Unfortunately, some addicts become violent or aggressive while under the influence of certain substances, and children often become targets for their aggression. If an addictive parent abuses a child, then that child is much more likely to develop lasting emotional problems. One of the biggest problems with this abuse is that it often occurs when the parent is intoxicated, and they may be unable to remember it because of blackouts. The child may not speak out about this abuse for many years and, during that time, will be dealing with various emotional problems.

8. Were there financial problems? If a parent’s addiction leads to financial struggles, this can affect the child going forward. Dealing with the effects of addiction coupled with a lack of financial security can be devastating for children, and it can affect them for years to come.

This article originally published at Middlegate - Alcohol Rehab Clinic Blog here

Will an Alcohol Relapse Hurt those Around You?

One of the biggest fears amongst those who are attempting to recover from an alcohol addiction is the risk of hurting those around them. They do not want a relapse to cause people to pity them or feel as if they have failed them in some way. This applies to both family members and the people who they are trying to recover alongside.

In this article, we are going to discuss the issue of alcohol rehab and alcohol relapses. Let us take a closer look at it.

The General Perception

The general perception amongst people is that they are going to potentially affect their recovery partners if they fail. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. Firstly, it is thought that the fear of letting everyone else down will serve as some sort of motivator. The problem is if it does go wrong and the person relapses it could make them feel that much worse about it.

Staying Strong
Contrary to popular belief, it is not always the case that people will collapse alongside whoever has relapsed. Drug rehab breeds a culture of support. When someone fails, the chances are everyone else will close ranks and attempt to help the person. They will actually take their attention away from their cravings in order to help them. In other words, a slip here and there does not have to mean causing a significant amount of damage to others. It can actually make everyone else stronger.

Should You Tell Someone You Have Had a Relapse?

It is not uncommon to see people deciding to suffer in silence when they relapse. They do not want to go through what they see as the humiliation of telling their support group what has happened. The belief goes that they are doing a good thing by doing this. In reality, they are only reducing their chances of success in the future. By bottling up these feelings, it allows the negativity to grow. When people allow negative thoughts to fester, the chances of a further relapse increases.

Always seek professional help when experiencing a relapse. Yes, it will mean that other people will know about what’s happened, but that is not a bad thing. It is a good thing. Someone who can be honest with themselves and those around them is a strong individual. They can cope with the realities of their situation. Not being able to cope with what is going on is an example of what got the person stuck in an addiction rut in the first place.

You Are Not Responsible

Nobody should ever feel as if they are responsible for someone else’s recovery. This does not mean nobody should care about anyone else. It means if someone relapses,that is his or her problem. They did it to themselves. They have to take responsibility for their actions. Unless someone else tipped a bottle of beer down their throats, this was a decision they made.

One of the biggest mistakes any alcoholic can make outside of rehab clinics is to make themselves believe that their actions will affect upon another person’s recovery journey.

Middlegate have worked with hundreds of rehab clinics in the UK. Through their experiences, they can show you how to use alcohol rehab to turn your life around.


This article originally published at Middlegate.co.uk Blog here

Staying on Track While in Recovery

One of the biggest fears that a recovering addict will have is that he or she is going to relapse and end up back where they started. If you are a recovering addict, it is important to remember that, especially in the early days of recovery, addiction is an illness that affected you over an extended period of time. If you were drinking alcohol or using drugs for many years, then it is going to take a while for you to get better. Recovery does not happen overnight and you are bound to have periods where you experience intense cravings. However, you do not have to give in to those cravings and you do not have to have a slip-up. Relapse is not inevitable but it is also not uncommon. Many recovering addicts have had a slip-up before getting themselves back on track again.

Beware of Your Emotions

Certain emotions can lead to relapse, so you need to be on the lookout for them and how they make you feel. Dealing with your emotions as they arise is the best way to ensure that you do not give in to them. Fear is a common emotion, and it is a healthy one. If you were not afraid of relapse, then you would be in danger of succumbing to it. Nevertheless, if your fear begins to take over your life, you need to do something about it. You cannot let your fear prevent you from living; if you feel that your fear has become debilitating, you should speak to your counsellor or sponsor.

Resentment is another common emotion that can be hard to let go of. Many recovering addicts cling to their feelings of anger against others but this can prevent you from having true success. Whatever happened in the past should be left in the past. While some people may have hurt you, you have probably done your fair share of hurting too. Learn how to forgive and forget so that you can move on.

Move Forward
If you are feeling guilty about things you have done while you were addicted, this is normal. If you use that guilt to make amends, then this will improve your chances of a successful recovery. Nonetheless, do not dwell any longer than necessary on these feelings of guilt. Make amends to those you have hurt and then move on. Remember that you are not a bad person because you had an addiction. You did not choose to have an addiction, nor did you have any control over your actions when you were addicted.

Addiction affects the brain and changes the way it works. Alcoholics and drug addicts are people with illnesses. These chemical substances can impair the brain and affect behaviour and cause individuals to act in a way they never would when sober.

Telling Others

A primary concern for recovering addicts is whether or not they have to tell others that they are in recovery from addiction. It is natural to be embarrassed or ashamed about your addiction and you may not want to tell others. You do not have to tell everyone about your problems if you do not want to, but many recovering addicts feel that talking about it helps.

These days, there is not as much stigma attached to being an alcoholic or addict. People are more accepting about addiction and realise that it is an illness. It is entirely up to you, but you may be surprised at how understanding others will be. Most people these days know someone who has suffered from some type of addiction. Moreover, you may find that many already had their suspicions that you were suffering from an addiction.

Whatever you decide is your choice. You may not feel ready to talk now, but you may want to open up as time goes on and you feel stronger about your recovery.

This article originally published at middlegate.co.uk -   Alcohol Rehab Clinics Blog here

Is There a Difference Between Helping and Enabling?

If you are the parent of a child that has an addiction, you will probably want to do everything in your power to help. Even if that child is married with children of his or her own, you will still worry and will be devastated to see him or her struggling in this way. However, it is important to realise that there is a very fine line between helping and enabling.

Your child may have no money and no opportunity to get credit anymore, so you may be tempted to help out financially. You may have already been doing this for some time, but this is not always the best idea. The problem that many parents face is that they do not want to see their child struggling financially if they feel they can help. This is even more of an issue when children are involved.

Are You Enabling Your Child?

If you are giving your child financial help, you have to ask yourself whether or not this kind of help is allowing him or her to carry on with the addiction. You may have decided that instead of giving money to your child you will take care of their grocery shopping each week. This may sound the perfect solution because you will be providing your child and his or her family with essential items but you are not providing money that could be spent on the addiction.

Nevertheless, by taking care of this expense, you are giving your child the opportunity to spend money elsewhere. Instead of having to put money aside for groceries, your child can now spend that money on gambling, alcohol, drugs or whatever it is that he or she is addicted to.

It would be far better to do things such as offer lifts to meetings if needed or take care of their kids when necessary. You can also help him or her to manage the money coming in and going out of the home so that the family can get back on track financially. And offering support throughout drug and/or alcohol rehab and recovery is another way to help.

Being Cruel to be Kind

The important thing to remember as a parent of an addict is that your child needs to learn how to stand on his or her own two feet. While your natural instincts may be to help, you may be doing more harm than good by doing so.

You might feel guilty for taking a step back but, in most instances, this is the best way to handle the situation. Let him or her start taking care of managing the issue of recovery. Do what you can to get your child to accept that help is needed, and help find the best treatment centre for this. Nonetheless, once his or her treatment has started, it is a good idea to let him or her manage it. The more you do for your child, the less he or she will do.

It is tough for parents to take a step back and to see their child struggling, but in many cases, this ‘cruel to be kind’ approach will work and will encourage your child to take control of his or her life again.

Make Treatment a Condition of Help

If you want your child to get help for addiction, you can help but you should make sure that he or she understands that you expect some guarantee on their part. You should make a commitment to treatment a condition of any help you offer, and instantly stop helping if your child decides to stop attending meetings or going to counselling sessions. Make sure that help is not something that could enable his or her addiction.

This article originally published at middlegate.co.uk -  Rehab Clinics Blog here
https://www.middlegate.co.uk/is-there-a-difference-between-helping-and-enabling/

Are You Scared of Facing Rehab?

You may have been struggling with addiction for many years and have spent much of that time either denying you had a problem or downplaying the severity of it. Most addicts will do this at some stage during their addiction. It may be because they genuinely do not think they have an addiction or because they do not want to have to give up the chemical or activity to which they are addicted.

However, what once made the addicted individual feel good has no doubt become a huge problem in his or her life. Most people begin taking a specific substance or engaging in a particular activity because they think it makes them feel better about their life. However, after a while this substance or activity will take over and will cause more problems for them. There will come a time when they finally realise that they need to stop taking drugs, drinking alcohol or gambling (or whatever else it is this person is addicted to). They will finally accept that they need help because their addiction is negatively affecting them and the people they love.

If you are one such person and you have agreed to get help for your addiction, then a programme of rehabilitation may be on the cards. You may be excited at the prospect of getting help for your addiction but you may also be feeling apprehensive or worried. You may even be a little bit scared of what is ahead.

Fear is Natural

It is natural to feel scared about something new and you may be worried about being away from home and work or leaving your family behind. You may not like the idea of having to spend time in a rehabilitation facility and feeling as though you cannot leave. However, look at it this way – if you suffered a heart attack, for example, you would be taken to hospital without question. You would be leaving your home, work and family behind in order to get better. You would not think twice about it in this situation, as you would understand that being away was the best chance of saving your life.

Your addiction is a serious illness that needs treatment. In the same way that being in hospital could save your life after a heart attack, a rehabilitation centre could save your life – if you do not get treatment for your addiction, you could die.

Think of the Positives

The worst that could happen in a rehabilitation centre is that you could be lonely or that everyone will find out you are an addict. Nevertheless, if you do not go, your addiction will undoubtedly get worse and everyone will find out regardless.

You are unlikely to be lonely in rehab. You may not be with your family all day but you will meet new people and will learn to live without the substance or activity that has been controlling your life for so long. This means that when you do return to your family, you can start a new, fulfilling life together.

Rehab is your chance to get your life back on track and to do something positive. No matter how scared you are feeling right now, by taking a step towards recovery, you will soon lose those fears. As you begin your treatment, you will slowly lose your fears and will start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

You will see how it is possible to overcome your addiction and to live a life free from chemicals. As you learn more about addiction and how it affects you, you will become more powerful and will know that you can live a long and happy life with those you love. Fear of rehab is natural but it should not be allowed to prevent you from beating your addiction and getting better.

This article originally published at middlegate.co.uk – Rehab Clinics Blog here

The Tragedy of Alcoholism

Most people have a personal perception of what an alcoholic looks like. Those with no experience of this devastating illness imagine alcoholics to be individuals who spend all day long drinking. They may believe that those suffering from alcoholism live on the streets and have no job, but this is far from the norm. The truth is that alcoholism is an illness that affects far more people than most would imagine.

In reality, many individuals around the country are living with this illness everyday but, to everybody else, they look like they have everything. High-functioning addicts can appear to all the world as if they have their life in order, but behind closed doors they struggle to cope.

Hidden Addiction

Rachael Lander, an award-winning cellist from South London, is an example of a high-functioning addict who hid her addiction from those around her. She has now revealed how she was taking bottles of what looked like water on stage with her when she performed. The bottles actually contained vodka, which she was drinking while playing with a professional orchestra. During breaks in her performance in top venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, Rachael would sip on vodka from her ‘water’ bottle.

She said, “I would think ‘I just have to get through to that sip’, that was how I was living. I spent a lot of time in the public toilets of supermarkets putting own brand supermarket vodka into water bottles and then wrapping the glass bottle and putting it in the Tampax bin quietly.”

Excuses

Rachael, like most other alcoholics, found excuses and reasons for her addiction to alcohol and blamed her high-pressured career. She developed a love for the cello at the age of eight and admits she worked really hard to become the best cellist she could possibly be. She said “Sometimes I think it was my first addiction, it gave me an escape from myself.”

As Rachael’s career developed and she began playing in front of large audiences, she started to feel nauseous and anxious. She continued, “When I was sitting in orchestra sections my heart would start beating and I could feel adrenaline like a chemical. I was really conscious of the fact there was lots of people there looking at me and I had to keep my s**t together otherwise everyone would know.”

Heartbreak

Rachael admits that heartbreak at the age of seventeen led her to realise that alcohol could take the edge off her feelings of anxiety and fear. She said, “I thought, ‘hello that’s it’; from that minute the link had been made in my head, you don’t have to take it anymore, you can feel like this, I used to take it like medicine.”

She began taking vodka with her to calm her nerves and, as she puts it, ‘be able to function’. Nevertheless, this soon led to her drinking throughout the day without realising she had a problem. She said that one of the biggest tragedies surrounding alcoholism is that the person affected tends to be the only one who doesn’t realise they have the issue.

Rachael is not the first alcoholic to self-medicate with alcohol or to be oblivious to the fact that she even had a problem. And, unfortunately, she will not be the last. These are common traits among those affected by alcoholism, but the good news is that help is available through alcohol rehabs and addiction advice organisations.

Middlegate is currently working with people affected by all types of addiction. If you or someone you love needs help for an addiction, you can contact us here at Middlegate today. We will provide you with information and can answer any questions you may have.


Source: https://www.middlegate.co.uk/the-tragedy-of-alcoholism/

How to Avoid Temptations When Not at Home

If you are learning to live a sober life after a programme of recovery, then you will have to change certain things about your lifestyle. You may have to stop socialising with certain people as well as change the places you frequent. However, what happens when you are away from the security and comfort of your home? How will you cope with temptations when you are away?

Away from Home

If you are travelling for business or pleasure, it may not be as easy to stay on the straight and narrow. Travelling alone makes it very easy to think that you could have one or two drinks, and nobody would know. It is easy to let your guard down when you are away from home and your support network. It is, therefore, crucial that you plan ahead and prepare before you leave home so that you do not end up back where you started.

Before you head away, check out the nearest fellowship meeting to where you will be staying. If you are worried that you may fall off the wagon while away, take a sober companion with you. If you cannot do this, then make a point of letting colleagues know that you will not be drinking. If you do not want to tell them you are in recovery, say you cannot drink for medical reasons.

Flying in Recovery

Flying can be tough for many individuals, and a vast majority of people will try to calm their flying fears by drinking alcohol. Those in recovery cannot do this, so it can be a struggle for those who are afraid of flying. There is also the worry that the person next to you will be drinking. If you are flying alone, you have no control over who sits beside you and you cannot stop them from having an alcoholic drink if they want to.

If you do find yourself sitting beside someone who is drinking and there is no possibility of switching seat, you should close your eyes and zone out. Meditate, watch a film or listen to music to help you forget about the fact that you cannot drink.

Coping with Temptations

Below are a few examples of ways to deal with temptations when not at home:

1. If you are finding it tough while away from home, contact your sponsor or someone you can talk to about your feelings. This may be a close family member or friend who will be able to get you through this tough

2. Take some literature with you that you can read when you are feeling particularly low – you may be surprised at how much this helps. Also, practice any meditation techniques you have learned to help you to move past these feelings.

3. Remember why you wanted to get sober in the first place and what it was like during the darkest periods of your life before alcohol rehab. It is easy to fall back into the old ways if you begin to glamorise your drinking or drug-taking past. Instead, think of all the good things in your life and remind yourself of what you could lose if you succumb to drinking or drug-taking again.

4. Find something to do that does not involve drinking. No matter where you are in the world, you should be able to find some activities that should take your mind off any cravings you may be experiencing. Ideally, you should research these before you leave home so that you know what opportunities you will have for sober activities should you need them.

5. Go for a walk or find a local gym or leisure centre where you can do a workout.

Source: https://www.middlegate.co.uk/how-to-avoid-temptations-when-not-at-home/