Alex Atwood's Blog: May 2017

Wednesday, 31 May 2017

Freedom Machines Uses Bikes To Help People Overcome Addiction

The non-profit has already given nearly 100 bikes to people in recovery this year.

from
https://www.thefix.com/freedom-machines-uses-bikes-help-people-overcome-addiction

Hardcore Band Beartooth Tackle Depression In Unique New Video

The band's new video showcases the variety of ways that people cope with mental health issues.

from
https://www.thefix.com/hardcore-band-beartooth-tackle-depression-unique-new-video

Overdose 'Tsunami' in Ohio Killed Over 4,000 in 2016

Powerful synthetic opioids like carfentanil and fentanyl are suspected to be driving the dramatic rise in overdose fatalities.

from
https://www.thefix.com/overdose-tsunami-ohio-killed-over-4000-2016

Celebrating Sober

Back in my drinking days, alcohol fueled all of my celebrations

from
https://www.thefix.com/celebrating-sober

Acting DEA Director: ‘Marijuana Is Not Medicine’

The acting DEA director who once called medical marijuana a joke is reiterating his anti-marijuana stance.

from
https://www.thefix.com/acting-dea-director-marijuana-not-medicine

Actress Gina Rodriguez Opens Up About Anxiety On Instagram

The "Jane The Virgin" star revealed that she struggles with anxiety in a recent Instagram post.

from
https://www.thefix.com/actress-gina-rodriguez-opens-about-anxiety-instagram

Jamie Foxx Reveals How Oprah Helped Curb His Drinking

Foxx recalled how an Oprah-staged intervention at Quincy Jones' house changed his life in a recent interview.

from
https://www.thefix.com/jamie-foxx-reveals-how-oprah-helped-curb-his-drinking

Morning Roundup: May 31, 2017

Tiger Woods highlights drugged driving problem, DEA chief: marijuana is not medicine, NFL's Anthony Fasano explores Florida rehab business.

from
https://www.thefix.com/morning-roundup-may-31-2017

How I Turned Orange in Sobriety

With sobriety, my fear of getting fat was back.

from
https://www.thefix.com/how-i-turned-orange-sobriety

Heroin Use and Activism in Ithaca, NY: An Inside Look

Keri Blakinger sits down with a former running buddy and current participant in VOCAL-NY's film about safe injection facilities, The Caring Community

from
https://www.thefix.com/heroin-use-and-activism-ithaca-ny-inside-look

How To Overcome Drug Addiction

Is addiction curable at home? Generally, addicted individuals have a difficulty dealing with life that they have chosen. In the process of recovery, emotional pain can be evident. The newly sober person can feel fears and anxieties that can actually cause them to revert to addictive behaviors. This is all part of the withdrawal process. […]

The article was first published on http://www.detoxofsouthflorida.com

Source: https://detoxofsouthflorida.com/overcome-drug-addiction/

source https://detoxofsouthflorida.wordpress.com/2017/05/31/how-to-overcome-drug-addiction/

Tuesday, 30 May 2017

Instagram Voted Worst Social Media Site for Mental Health

YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram were all ranked by their positive or negative impact in a new report.

from
https://www.thefix.com/instagram-voted-worst-social-media-site-mental-health

Two Addiction Counselors Die Of Overdose At Recovery Facility

The counselors were found by residents in recovery at the halfway house.

from
https://www.thefix.com/two-addiction-counselors-die-overdose-recovery-facility

Florida High School Girls Design Date Rape Drug-Detecting Straw

Their patent-pending design could soon help thousands of women subtly test for date rape drugs in their drinks.

from
https://www.thefix.com/florida-high-school-girls-design-date-rape-drug-detecting-straw

'Jesus' Son' Author Denis Johnson Dies at 67

The acclaimed author's struggles with drugs and alcohol helped shape his unforgettable writing.

from
https://www.thefix.com/jesus-son-author-denis-johnson-dies-67

The Last Addictions Memoir (Hopefully): An Evidence-Based Recovery Story Pt. 10

The neuroscience of addiction explains how alcoholism became my personal horror story.

from
https://www.thefix.com/last-addictions-memoir-hopefully-evidence-based-recovery-story-pt-10

Senator Al Franken: John Belushi’s Overdose Death Got Me to Quit Drugs

In his new memoir, Franken details getting sober and attending AA after Belushi's death.

from
https://www.thefix.com/senator-al-franken-john-belushi-s-overdose-death-got-me-quit-drugs

Tiger Woods Says DUI Arrest Was Due To Medication, Not Alcohol

"I didn’t realize the mix of medications affected me so strongly.”

from
https://www.thefix.com/tiger-woods-says-dui-arrest-was-due-medication-not-alcohol

Morning Roundup: May 30, 2017

High school girls invent straw that detects date rape drugs, golfer Billy Horschel opens up about wife's alcoholism, X-Pac proven innocent in drug case.

from
https://www.thefix.com/morning-roundup-may-30-2017

Assigning Blame: Chris Cornell, Ativan, and Suicide

Once again, suicide is reduced to a loveless action taken by a selfish person who was too thoughtless to consider the loved ones they would leave behind.

from
https://www.thefix.com/assigning-blame-chris-cornell-ativan-and-suicide

How Does Drug Addiction Affect The Brain?

Your brain is a very important part of you. It allows you to think, breathe, move, feel, and speak. It is only 3 pounds of gray and white matter resting on your skull, but it serves as your “mission control.” You perceive information from your surroundings through the brain because it can receive, process, and […]

The article is courtesy of https://detoxofsouthflorida.com

Source: https://detoxofsouthflorida.com/drug-addiction-affect-brain/

source https://detoxofsouthflorida.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/how-does-drug-addiction-affect-the-brain/

Can you get addicted to Ultram?

Is Ultram addictive? The FDA and Ultram manufacturers say that the chances of becoming addicted to Ultram are very low if you use it for medical purposes and exactly as prescribed. But, even under appropriate medical use, the risk for becoming addicted to any opiate pain medication is real.

But, what increases your chances of Ultram addiction? Can you avoid it? Any abuse of Ultram for nonmedical purposes increases the possibility of addiction to Ultram. And, there are some percussions you can take to minimize the risk of getting hooked on this drug. Read more in this article, and feel free to share any additional questions in the section at the end of the page.

Psychoactive ingredients of Ultram

Ultram is a brand name for the generic prescription medicine tramadol. This medication is intended for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Tramadol belongs to the group of synthetic opioid analgesics, and is the main psychoactive ingredient of Ultram. Besides tramadol, there is a number of inactive ingredients (non-psychoactive) that can be found in Ultram:

carnauba wax
glycol
hypromellose
lactose
magnesium stearate
microcrystalline cellulose
modified starch (corn)
polyethylene
polysorbate 80
pregelatinized corn starch
sodium starch glycolate
titanium dioxide

What does Ultram do in the body?

When you take Ultram, your pain levels are muted down to the point where you can perform everyday activities without feeling drugged. Ultram is a successful pain killer and works by binding to the brain’s opioid receptors. This drug increases the level of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Scientists believe that this neurotransmitter regulates:

appetite and digestion
memory
mood
sexual desire
sleep
social behavior

This is why people who take Ultram might feel happier, in a better mood, sleepy, and experience appetite changes.

Ultram also interferes with another neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. This hormone regulates the levels of stress in a persons’ body. The release of norepinephrine causes an increase of glucose and blood flow in the blood stream, and a faster heart rate. This makes the body to feel extremely energized.

One of the most important effects of Ultram on the body is that it slows down the release of these hormones (serotonin and norepinephrine), which then leads the body into a state where pain is not perceived nor registered.

How do you get addicted to Ultram?

If you use Ultram as directed by your doctor the risk of becoming addicted is lesser. But, it is possible to become physically dependent on Ultram and experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it or significantly lower your usual dose.

It is also possible to develop tolerance to Ultram. This means that you will feel the need for ever increasing quantities of Ultram to be able to achieve the same pain-relieving effect.

In case you have a history of substance abuse, you should be extremely careful with this medication. Individuals with a history of drug use may feel triggered by the opiate effects of Ultram and start using it more often. This may eventually lead to becoming addicted.

Ways to recognize a person being addicted to Ultram

If a person starts craving Ultram – that can be the signal that s/he may be developing an addictive behavior. Obsessive-compulsive seeking and use of Ultram is another sign of addiction. Also, when a person loses control over the use of Ultram or continues to use it despite knowing the harmful consequences, it shows that they have become addicted.

How to avoid Ultram addiction

Here are some recommendations about how you can prevent the occurrence of addiction to Ultram:

Use Ultram appropriately.
Always follow the prescribed directions.
Do not regulate doses of Ultram by yourself.
Do not order Ultram online or try to obtaining from anyone else other than a trustworthy pharmacy.
Learn about potential interactions of Ultram with other drugs, prescriptions, or alcohol.
Never stop or change a dosing regimen without discussing with your doctor first.
Never use another person’s prescription.

Young people face an especially high risk of Ultram drug abuse. If you are a parent of a child prescribed with Ultram, it is suggested that you follow these steps to help prevent your teen from abusing the medication.

Talk about the dangerous consequences of abusing Ultram.
Set rules.
Keep Ultram in a safe place.
Properly dispose of Ultram if any pills remain after the treatment is done.

Questions about Ultram dependency

Do you have any additional questions regarding Ultram’s addictive potential? We welcome all your inquiries in the comments section below. We will try to provide you with a personal answer as quickly as we can.

Reference sources: FDA: ULTRAM

FDA: IMPORTANT DRUG WARNING

NIH: Prescription Drug Abuse

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Monday, 29 May 2017

Working with Gambling Addictions: One Strategy that Works!

By Denise F. Quirk, M.A.

“K.I.S.S.” & Gambling Disordered Clients

In the rooms of 12-Step support groups, “K.I.S.S.” stands for “Keep It Simple, Stupid.” Therapists like me who thought of “stupid” as a bad word and a put-down, something shaming that therapists are already trying to reduce, changed the last “s” to “sweetheart.”

Whichever version you prefer, it doesn’t matter.

The adage is clear: when one is in recovery from a behavioral addiction like gambling, keeping things simple is preferred to the old, familiar chaos.

A “4-Part” Strategy For Gambling Disordered Clients

Each time we begin a therapy group at the Reno Problem Gambling Center (rpgc.org) in Reno, Nevada, the clients, whether their first group or 100th, are asked to check in with a simple, but certainly not easy, method. I call it the “Four-Part Feeling Statement.”

This formula was taught to me in various forms during my Marriage and Family Therapist training in the 90’s. It is part of my essential repertoire as a therapist. I use it myself regularly, and my children are familiar with using it in our home. It’s designed to be a one-sentence wonder, where brevity and clarity are desired. That way the person hearing and repeating it will hopefully capture the thoughts and feelings and be able to repeat it back to the sender.

By filling in the blanks, the Four-Part Feeling Statement goes like this:

When _______
I feel ________
I want _______ and I need ________,
And I’m willing to do__________.

A version of this that I use as a poor but clear example (believing that “you better be careful what you ask for, you may get it!), is, “When I was in college doing poorly and feeling depressed, I wanted a red Corvette and a million dollars, although I needed to get to work and save my money, and I was willing to rob a bank to get it.” Thankfully, that example never left the loading dock of my brain and was tossed out for a better idea…working two jobs and going to see a therapist.

How the “Four-Part Feeling Statement” Helps

So how does the “4-Part” (as one astute client abbreviates our RPGC check-in recipe) help? In my 25 years as a Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in treating addicts, especially gamblers and their families, this is the KISS that works.

And it’s uncomfortable.

Practicing and getting past the uncomfortable first few attempts takes effort. I acknowledge that awkwardness from the beginning and ask clients to do it anyway. Clients soon find that everyone will be required to do it and we will help folks who struggle.

In addiction recovery, the work required is often about feelings: identifying and defining them for ourselves, then practicing effective ways to contain and express them at appropriate times, in appropriate ways, with appropriate people. By practicing the “4-Parter” at the beginning of every group and in every couple’s session and individual session with me, my clients are learning new neural pathways. In other words, I am brainwashing them, in a good way.

Clients report that as they try the new communication formula in everyday settings like the grocery store and move up to more challenging areas like the workplace, they are astonished how effective a tool it is to help them both identify their own feelings, wants and needs, and the willingness of others to hear them and possibly empathize with them. Or, they find out who their true friends are and who just wants to continue to talk over them.

These simple exercises are what newly recovering and long-term alumni of the RPGC report as effective, helpful, and satisfying therapy tools. The alumni regularly return for aftercare and have some confidence in using the “4-Parter,” a little bit of a badge of accomplishment in front of newer clients.

As they lead with a strong four-part feeling statement to check in, I often hear that sweet shifting of gears, zooming along the therapy highway, that one might hear in a well-cared for sports car…perhaps a Corvette.

Have more questions about Gambling Disorder?

For additional questions or comments on gambling, please send us a message in the designated section below. We love your feedback! We try to respond personally and promptly to all real life situations, or we’ll refer you to someone who can help.

—–
About the Author: Denise F. Quirk, M.A. is the CEO and Clinical Director of Reno Problem Gambling Center.

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from
http://gambling.addictionblog.org/working-with-gambling-addictions-one-strategy-that-works/

Maia Szalavitz On a Quarter Century of Addiction Activism

Author and advocate Maia Szalavitz discusses activism, stigma, compulsive behavior and the progress she sees in drug policy reform.

from
https://www.thefix.com/maia-szalavitz-quarter-century-addiction-activism

What Is Drug Addiction?

Addiction is believed to be a chronic disease that is characterized by the compulsion to use a substance with difficulty in controlling one’s cravings. The desire is common despite the knowledge of its harmful side-effects. In most cases, the initial decision to use drugs is still voluntary. With repeated use, drugs can result in brain […]

The above post Read more on: https://detoxofsouthflorida.com

Source: https://detoxofsouthflorida.com/what-is-drug-addiction/

source https://detoxofsouthflorida.wordpress.com/2017/05/29/what-is-drug-addiction/

Sunday, 28 May 2017

What credentials should an addiction intervention specialist have?

By Louise A. Stanger Ed.D, LCSW, CDWF, CIP

When You’ve Run Out of Ideas

When the person you love cannot stop drinking or using (and will not accept treatment), it’s common to feel:

Frustrated
Powerless
Hopeless

We’re here to tell you that there is hope. In fact, a group of licensed, certified professionals can help.

Here, we’ll review the main role interventionists during a talk with a loved one who is experiencing a substance abuse or mental health disorder. Plus, we’ll weigh in with industry expert, Dr. Louise Stanger, on what credentials MUST BE IN PLACE as you choose a professional interventionist to help. Dr. Stanger has been a professional interventionist for decades and has helped literally thousands of families get help for addiction. Finally, we invite your questions about intervention at the end. Please send them in! We love to hear from our readers…and make every effort to provide real-life questions with a personal response.

What’s an interventionist?

A professional interventionist guides families, friends, business executives, and others through the intervention process for a substance abuse, mental health, chronic pain, and/or process disorder (sex, gambling shopping, disordered eating problem). During an intervention, a person addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs and compulsive behaviors is encouraged to accept help. During an intervention, caring loved ones work together to break through an addict’s denial. The main idea is to break the addiction cycle before it’s too late. What does the interventionist do?

Families frequently employ the services of a professional interventionist to facilitate an intervention. Let’s not mince words. A heart centered talk is often a difficult one. An interventionist not only guides the process, but helps the people involved. S/He plans an organized, meaningful, thoughtful, heart-centered and productive conversation with the main goal of having the individual who is in crisis enter treatment..

Are Interventions Successful?

Yes!

The Association of Intervention Specialists reports that more than 90 percent of addicts accept treatment following a successful intervention. Recent studies have demonstrated that self-referred and intervention-based clients have equal chances of experiencing rehab as a positive thing. IN this way, addiction treatment – to substances or compulsive behaviors – might be started or re-started with an intervention.

What Do You Need from an Interventionist?

Industry leader and long-time interventionist, Dr. Louise Stanger says this:

1. You need someone with experience.

Look for an interventionist who can tell you about their effectiveness and experiences anecdotally and on record. Also, look for someone who can customize the experience. I employ an invitational , heart-centered and individualized, hands-on concierge approach to bring hope and healing to clients experiencing substance abuse, process addiction and/or mental health disorder.

2. You need someone who is certified.

Look for Certified Intervention Specialists and members in good standing of the following professional organizations:

NII (Network of Independent Interventionists)
AIS (Association of Intervention Specialists)

It also helps to work with someone who is credentialed in the profession of mental or behavioral health. For example, Dr. Stanger has been a licensed clinical social worker since 1973.

Finally, it helps to work with someone who is committed to continuing education. For example, I’m a trainer and have training in the following areas:

Intervention Models and Processes
Solution Focused Therapy
Solution-Focused Coaching for clients and loved ones, estate attorneys, wealth managers, and work-related personnel
Safe Passage
Recovery Management Services
Motivational Interviewing
Certified Daring Way/Rising Strong Facilitator

As such, I am skilled in Case Management, Family Work, Recovery management Services

3. You need someone who understands current trends in addiction.

It’s best to work with someone who is on “the pulse” of addiction. Look for an interventionist who comes referred by others or who is recognized in the industry. As a behavioral health care expert, for example, I write about topics ranging from:

The Opioid Epidemic
Wealthy clients and addiction
Family dynamics
Treatment centers and recovery
Marijuana and other drugs
Tips and helpful advice in the field

These are some topics that your chose interventionist should be able to talk with you about, as well. While I write for the Huffington Post, The Sober World, Recovery Campus, Addiction Blog , Counselor Magazine, and globally at DB Resources…your interventionist should be able to refer you to reading sources like these. I keep up with the latest behavioral health technologies, trends and changes in the field. Your interventionist should, too.

In sum, your chosen interventionist might not have as much exposure to national events as I do, but they should be able to know what’s going on locally in your city or state.

4. You need someone who integrates the family into the treatment process.

Look for someone with a track record of follow up from intervention to treatment. Look for someone who works closely with clinicians and rehabs directly.

Treatment centers or therapists often refer me to complicated families to work with and facilitate while their loved one is in and out of treatment. My concierge-style approach to problem solving transcends traditional therapeutic boundaries and I often meet people in their homes or on Skype. I also offer family workshops which are customized to meet the unique needs of the family.

Look for these qualities in an interventionist, as well.

Find the Interventionist You Need

In our opinion, Dr. Stanger represents “the best of the best” when it comes to interventionists. She’s a regular speaker at
Behavioral Health Care Events across the United States, after all. If you want to learn more about her and the work she does, check out her website or her memoir Falling Up! available on Amazon – it’s chock-full of tips and tricks for living a happy and healthy life.

If you’re in the market for an interventionist, you can find one via:

NII Member Listing
AIS Member Directory
Dr. Louise Stanger: All About Interventions

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Saturday, 27 May 2017

6 Proven Facts and Helpful FAQs on How to Do Marijuana Detoxification

By Vikram Tarugu

Marijuana Detox…What?

Marijuana is one of the most popularly-known, abused illegal drugs. What’s more…studies show that for a small, but important number of users, marijuana can be addictive. Those who think that marijuana is not addictive clearly haven’t been through days of being sleepless while craving for that one small hit to take the edge off.

Detoxification of long-term marijuana is not as easy as you might think. In fact, the withdrawal symptoms can be intense that people end up going back to use more than what they need and for longer than they intended. Here, we review marijuana’s withdrawal effects and share tips to make the process easier.

We also appreciate our reader’s feedback. So, if you have any questions or comments, please share them in the section at the end of the page. We try to answer personally and promptly to all legitimate inquiries.

Withdrawal Symptoms from Marijuana

The detoxification from marijuana and its symptoms are real. They are medically proven. And although weed withdrawal may not be severely physically dangerous, it can make you feel extreme discomfort.

One of the effects of marijuana is that it can stay in your body for several days and even weeks after you stop using. Those who smoke weed and want to cleanse their body from it need to be patient.
The hardest part is that during the process, cravings can get extremely intense, making it real difficult to attain abstinence. In addition, abrupt withdrawal from marijuana could seem almost impossible.

6 Tips For Detoxing from Marijuana

Here are some of the most proven effective steps to detoxifying your body from long-term marijuana use:

1. Stop using weed.

There is nothing more compelling than just quitting use and being free from addiction. But, everyone who uses it knows that sudden withdrawal from long-term use of marijuana is not a piece of cake. In order to avoid relapse triggers, always stay away from places and situations where you know that a pot session may occur, such as a friend’s birthday celebration where you know that marijuana will be available.

2. Plan and be prepared for a cleansing period.

Marijuana is a fat-soluble substance, generally stored in some of our fatty tissues for an extended period of time. Pot remains in a human’s body for anywhere from 1 to 5 days after occasional use, as reported by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

For those who take marijuana regularly or heavily, it will take about 3 to 6 weeks (or even longer) of no weed intake to clean the entire body naturally and become completely pot-free.

3. Exercise intensively.

Jog around your neighborhood or spend some hours in the gym every week. Workout burn fat. By doing this, you’re not only helping your body to be healthy, but you can be a hundred percent sure that you’re helping your body clean any trace of the pot.

4. Cranberry juice is your friend.

Because it is acidic by nature, drinking cranberry juice may help you speed up the cleanse of your body from marijuana. Aside from that, cranberry juice has some properties that tend to increase the flow of your urine.

Others also believe that nicotinic acid (or niacin) can also cleanse marijuana from the body, but researchers have yet to test this idea.

5. Be wary of detoxification products sold online.

You may come across some website online that sell drinks and products which contain herbal cleansers, vitamins, and some minerals, promising to “detoxify your body from marijuana.” Nevertheless, put in mind that science still has to check if these products truly deliver results. Studies have not yet proven that these products are efficient when it comes to cleansing your body from marijuana within days or hours – as some claim.

6. Test at home.

No matter what method you use in cleansing marijuana from your body, you have to use a home drug test kit to make sure that the process of cleansing has worked. You can buy these home drug test kits in any local pharmacy for only $15.

FAQ’s About Marijuana Detox

Since we have given you some of the facts about marijuana detoxification, here some of the most frequently asked questions that people have about the weed cleansing process:

Q: Are there some physical effects if you quit taking marijuana?
A: Yes, physical withdrawal symptoms when you discontinue chronic marijuana use.

Many experts say that quitting marijuana does not have any physical effects. But in contrast to that, a growing number of those who recover from this addiction claim that there are surely severe withdrawal symptoms that a person is likely experience.

Q: Why does marijuana withdrawal last longer than the withdrawal from other substances?
A: Marijuana is a fat-soluble substance.

Therefore, you can find the active chemicals of marijuana in your body’s fat tissues. Unlike other water-soluble drugs and alcohol, it takes longer to cleanse weed from your system as some body parts may still retain THC even if it’s already been months since your last pot session.

Q: What are some of the most common symptoms of withdrawal?
A: Although there are some commonly experienced symptoms, withdrawal can be different for every individual.

The most common symptom of withdrawal is insomnia. There can be a few sleepless nights (literally) or occasional nights of sleeplessness that could last for months. You may also experience recurring vivid dreams and nightmares.

Next is depression (if you’re not rapturous).

And then there are also feelings of anger. At first, it’s just typical displeasure towards something unfortunate until you start feeling increasingly irritable most of the time to the point that you display sudden bouts of anger when you least expect it. You may be angry at the world, your family, and even at yourself.

Other regular symptoms include:

agitation
anxiety
a significant decrease in sex drive
headaches
intense cravings for marijuana
loss of concentration
nausea
poor appetite
restlessness

Medical Help For Marijuana Addiction

If you have a family member or a loved one suffering from marijuana addiction can be one of the most heartbreaking moments you can ever witness in your entire life. That is why many people concerned about their loved ones well being need to ask for professional help in rehabilitation centers or at least, motivate their loved ones to see a doctor, therapist, or counselor.

Being a victim of marijuana addiction is not something to be ashamed of and should never be kept private.

Addiction is a severe medical condition and as such, it can be medically treated with success. It is something that we should never ignore.

Marijuana Detox Questions

Do you have any other questions to ask or some stories to share? Please post them in our comments section below. We try to provide a personal and prompt response to all legitimate inquiries.

—–
About the Author: Vikram Tarugu is a passionate leader, CEO, and founder of Detox of South Florida, Florida’s Top Alcohol Detox and Drug Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Tarugu is also a leading gastroenterologist and hematologist. You can find him practicing at several hospitals in South Florida and at Gastro In Florida. He is a proud advocate of drug-free living. In his spare time, he loves writing about tips on how to manage day-to-day tasks without depending on different addictive drugs.

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Friday, 26 May 2017

Can Listening To Music In a Group Trigger People With Depression?

A new study examined the way people with depression process and emotionally bond with music in social settings.

from
https://www.thefix.com/can-listening-music-group-trigger-people-depression

Eating Disorder Recovery Book: How to Love Yourself? (BOOK REVIEW)

A book of poetry that can help

Learning how to love yourself can be in the core of healing. Here, we review a book of poetry that aims to help you learn and practice techniques for self-love. So, if you’re looking for a book that can help you get to a place of recovery from eating disorders…you’re in the right place!

More here on how to use the book “Falling in Love With Yourself: Aligning With Your Natural State Of Being” by Debra Mittler in eating disorder recovery. It is a book of warm and compassionate language that facilitates healing. We wish you happy reading…but invite your feedback in the comments section! Please send us a message! Let us know what you think, or if you have any questions. As always, we try to respond to all real-life comments with a personal response.

What is self-love?

Self-love refers to the act of valuing your own happiness and well-being. In a sense, it is a kind of acceptance that can be described as an unconditional core of compassion for the self. Self-love might also be considered a willingness to:

meet your personal needs
encourage non-judgmental thinking about yourself
view yourself as essentially worthy, good, and valuable
believe that you are deserving of love and happiness

Self-love is an important component of self-esteem and overall well-being. Without loving yourself first, it would be generally difficult – if not impossible – to feel content. Moreover, researchers have discovered that the practice of self-love is associated with a multitude of benefits, such as greater life satisfaction, increased happiness, and greater resilience.

Loving yourself is important

Here is a strange thought: Loving yourself comes from believing and knowing that you deserve to be loved and to love.

In “Falling in Love with Yourself”, the author draws inspiration from a long battle with an eating disorder and self-hatred as a result. About her struggle and failed attempts at getting better, Debra Mittler says:

“Every time I took a step towards healing, something inside me would sabotage it and bring me right back to the anorexia. It was a powerful force that seemed impossible to stop. By doing my rituals of eating at certain times, certain foods in a certain way and exercising I kept myself busy so I didn’t have to deal with anything else in life. I was so frightened of change that it seemed safer for me to stay the way I was, even if I was going to die. Starving and exercise became my friends, my comfort and my safety.”

These feelings seem to be true for many kinds of medical and mental issues, including drug or alcohol addiction. It is not unlikely for people dealing with addiction, as well as people dealing with eating disorders to have very low self-esteem and to believe they are unworthy and undeserving of anything, especially love.

The more you focus on having no love or connection, the more you are alone… and food or drugs can easily become replacements for relationships.

How can “Falling in Love with Yourself” help you?

“Falling in Love With Yourself: Aligning With Your Natural State Of Being” by Debra Mittler is a book of warm and compassionate poetry. It is simple to read and easy to understand. If you are familiar with mantras, devotionals, or self-reinforcement you already know the style in which it’s written.

Here is what the journey to self-love via Debra’s book of poetry looks like:

1. Making a commitment.

The book begins with a poem that encourages you to make a commitment to start loving yourself TODAY and it does so in an sneaky-yet-effective way: You write a letter to yourself and you sign it at the bottom. Reading it, I immediately felt like it was not just a prommise that you think of and maybe never stick to. This is a promise made by you and signed at the bottom. How can you not commit to it?

2. Getting connected.

Several poems guide you towards calm and inner peace, where you can connect with the feeling of love. This is done through practicing several important aspects of love:

3. Practicing gratitude.

You are instructed to make a list of at least five (5) things that you are grateful for every morning, and you are even given examples of things that may inspire your gratitude.

“Feeling grateful is one of the keys,
Of truly living happy and free.
When you’re appreciating what you already have,
You feel more fulfilled on your earthly path.”

4. Starting on the path to self-acceptance.

The author encourages you to become aware of and accept ALL and EVERYTHING about yourself, bad and good. After all, even your flaws are what make you “you”.

“Are you really accepting you?
Everything that you think, say and do?
Or are you rejecting the things you don’t like,
And experiencing an internal fight.”

5. Loving your body.

In today’s day and age, many of us rush to take care of everything and everyone else, without really taking enough time to take care of ourselves, to eat right, to rest, to listen to our body’s needs. Specific poems asks you to make a list of the things you do that are harming your body.

“Have you ever taken the time to thank it [your body] for keeping you alive,
And doing it’s job on this earthly ride?
Most of us find fault with our bodies,
And blame it if we’re not looking like model hotties.”

The poems that follow help you explore:

The conditioned self.
The unconditioned self.
What you truly desire.
Ways to let go of disappointments.
Ways to express yourself.
Ways to identify and reinforce your core beliefs.
Ways to change a behavior.
Practicing self-forgiveness and self-compassion.
Ways to listen to your inner wisdom.

Who is this book for?

“Falling in Love With Yourself” can help those who have a deep passion for spiritual growth and are already on the continuous journey in expanding in wisdom, creativity, knowledge, and love. If you see yourself as a lost soul and are looking for motivation and encouragement to follow your heartfelt dreams and desires, then this book can help you, too. The author encourages cultivation of nurturing and loving ways that you can be with yourself and others…and that goes for anyone in need of healthy image.

What are the benefits of loving yourself?

Well, there may be too many to count…but we will list just a few:

The 1st benefit of loving yourself: People with high levels of self-compassion have been shown to often be able to overcome difficult life events, with more ease than those who are harder on themselves.

The 2nd benefit of loving yourself: The ability to affirm yourself has been linked to improved problem-solving abilities and decreased procrastination, because it can help you recognize the effects of negative habits and behaviors.

The 3rd benefit of loving yourself: The risk of developing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and perfectionism can also be decreased through the practice of self-love.

The 4th benefit of loving yourself: It can increase your optimism and may be helpful for stress reduction, especially in the face of various life challenges.

The 5th benefit of loving yourself: Self-love can lead to improved relationships. In fact, research has shown that practicing self-love and self-compassion is likely to improve well-being in the context of interpersonal relationships. People who have self-compassion and practice self-love generally report feeling happier and more authentic in their relationships, and thus, they may be better able to assert their needs and opinions.

Got any questions?

Self-love is considered to be an ongoing act, rather than a constant state. For many people, it takes effort, attention, and mindful attempts to practice self-compassion and affirm and accept oneself. We hope that “Falling in Love With Yourself: Aligning With Your Natural State Of Being” by Debra Mittler can help you find the motivation to work on your relationship with yourself.

If you have any further questions, we invite you to post them in the comments section at the bottom of the page. We value your feedback and try to answer all legitimate inquiries in a personal and prompt manner.

—–

About the Author: Debra Mittler is a graduate of the Master’s Program in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and was an A student of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute. Debra was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at age 13 and spent a quarter of a century going in-and-out of hospitals and treatment programs. She know first-hand what it’s like to live with the degradation of an eating disorder and self-hatred. Now, she draws from her own experience and aims to help clients overcome obstacles by offering encouragement, effective tools, and valuable insights in order to reach inner wisdom. Her goal is to help people reach a place of experiencing genuine love, value and self-appreciation.

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from
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Amazon Could Be The Home of Your Next Prescription Drug

The massive online retailer entering the pharmaceutical business could mean lower prices on prescriptions for consumers.

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https://www.thefix.com/amazon-could-be-home-your-next-prescription-drug

'Magic Mushrooms' Deemed Safest Recreational Drug

The psychedelic reigned supreme partially because the drug's users tend to prepare and practice harm reduction before their trips.

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https://www.thefix.com/magic-mushrooms-deemed-safest-recreational-drug

Pigeon Caught Carrying Tiny Backpack of Ketamine Pills

It's not uncommon for pigeons to be employed as drug couriers.

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https://www.thefix.com/pigeon-caught-carrying-tiny-backpack-ketamine-pills

Robin Williams' Daughter Zelda Talks Becoming An 'Accidental' Mental Health Advocate

The 27-year-old aspiring actor spoke about her advocacy at a luncheon to raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing.

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https://www.thefix.com/robin-williams-daughter-zelda-talks-becoming-accidental-mental-health-advocate

Trump Praises Duterte For Deadly Drug War Campaign

A leaked transcript of a phone conversation between the two controversial presidents has caused a public outrage.

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https://www.thefix.com/trump-praises-duterte-deadly-drug-war-campaign

Morning Roundup: May 26, 2017

AG promises crackdown: 'drugs and crime go together,' study finds shrooms are safest recreational drug, woman says death threats forced her to traffic cocaine.

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https://www.thefix.com/morning-roundup-may-26-2017

What Is The Difference Between Oxycontin And Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is often thought of as the lesser of the two evils as it is most often used in combination with other medications. This opiate is often formulated alongside Tylenol or Ibuprofen in several formulations. The number of prescription pain relievers with Oxycodone components include Tylox, Percodan, Percocet and of course, OxyContin. OxyContin, on the […]

is republished from Detox of South Florida

Source: https://detoxofsouthflorida.com/difference-oxycontin-oxycodone/

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The Secret Power of Shame

As a child, I couldn't figure out a reason for my father's rage, so what my mind couldn't grasp, my soul embraced: I deserved it.

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https://www.thefix.com/secret-power-shame

Daybreaker Campus Reinvents College Partying

This is an environment in which students can have fun and relax without risking the anxiety, depression, and relationship problems that often result from alcohol-related incidents.

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https://www.thefix.com/daybreaker-campus-reinvents-college-partying

Dissociation and Association in the Treatment of Addiction

The Relationship Between States of Being

In Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), “state” refers to a person’s subjective experience of self and the world at a certain time. Positive states include happiness and relaxation; negative states include anger, sadness, and guilt.

A person’s state elicits different behaviors and reactions to the same situation. For example, the person in a happy state who missed an appointment might apologize and request another meeting. A person in a depressed state who missed an appointment might blame the traffic. A person in a depressed state who missed the appointment might be self-critical.

States are associated or dissociated. In an associated state, a person experiences self and the world from a feeling of happiness. In a disassociated state, the person sees the self being happy as if watching a movie. There are times when each state is appropriate. The challenge is to choose wisely.

NLP Strategies in the Treatment of Addiction

There are many NLP strategies to use when managing a person’s state. We will discuss four: Dissociation, The New Behavior Generator, Association, and Anchoring.

Dissociation

A person uses dissociation to see the “big picture,” to see the self in relation to others, and to step out of negative feelings. The following actions can be used to dissociate:

Imagine seeing the self as standing across the room, and observe the behavior.
Watch the self as if watching a movie.
Refer to self in the third person while describing the state.
Listen to the self, discussing the state as if the self were across the room.
Ask the following questions

a. What is this about?
b. What is the big picture here?
c. How would this appear from an objective point of view?

New Behavior Generator

Dissociation is used with the New Behavior Generator, as well. Steps of the strategy are as follows:

Identify a stuck state in which the person has limited choices.
Consider the stuck state from a disassociated viewpoint; as if watching from afar.
Identify several more beneficial behaviors.
While in the disassociated state, watch what happens as new behaviors are tried.
Step into the image to see if the stuck state is managed more effectively.
Future pace by practicing the new behavior in situations which may occur.

Association

Association is used to experience positive feelings or to amplify an experience using other submodalities. The following three questions can be asked to facilitate association:

a. How do I feel in this situation?
b. How does this move me?
c. What is my passion?

Anchors

I use association to anchor a client. Anchors trigger specific physiological or emotional states or behaviors – in other words, they are an automatic reaction. Anchors happen unintentionally, like the way a song evokes the memory of an old friend, or they are created intentionally. For instance, a person can pinch his or her ear while recalling a feeling of confidence and apply that feeling in a new situation.

Hypothetical Case – Client Excessively Smoking Weed

Tonya sought counseling with me for her marijuana use. She has a prescription for medical marijuana and smoking does alleviate her chronic anxiety. Even so, she wants to learn strategies for lessening the anxiety without using drugs. She is concerned about the long-term effects of smoking and becoming addicted.

Because Tonya’s anxiety seems to trigger pot smoking, I focused on her anxiety in an initial attempt to resolve the presenting issue.

After building rapport, I completed an assessment based on NLP strategies, identified the positive intent of the marijuana use, and asked specific questions.

Initially, I taught Tonya ways to dissociate. She decided to:

View herself smoking a joint as if she were watching a movie and change the submodalities of the image.
Refer to herself in the third person while describing the problem. For example, she was to talk about “Tonya’s anxiety” rather than saying “my anxiety” or” when I am anxious.”
Explore “what this is really about.” In doing so, Tonya realized that a lack of confidence was causing the anxiousness.

I then led Tonya through the steps of the New Behavior Generator
Her stuck state was anxiety, which she alleviated by smoking weed.
She saw herself being anxious and smoking as if watching a movie.
She identified behaviors she could use to resolve the anxiety rather than smoking.

– Talk to someone.
– Go for a walk or exercise.
– Make a list of the anxieties.
– Dissociate from the anxieties by seeing them in the distance or changing their submodalities.
– Find a hobby.

She considered each option and decided a hobby or walking would not be effective. However, talking to someone, writing down her anxieties, or dissociating would be helpful.
She stepped into the image of herself being anxious and pictured herself talking with a friend, writing down the anxieties, and dissociating. Each strategy seemed to lessen the anxiety and reduce the need to smoke.
Tonya found the best solution was to record her worries, put them in a bottle, and dissociate by making the bottle smaller and seeing it on a shelf far away.
The final step was to test the new behavior by having her picture times in the future when she might be anxious, such as when she had to submit a class assignment or was overwhelmed with work. I encouraged her to picture the new strategy. She seemed to feel calmer and had little desire to smoke.

To help Tonya strengthen her new behavior and remain motivated, I taught her about association. We explored the following questions regarding positive events in her life.

a. How did she feel in the situation?
b. How did they move her?
c. What was her passion?

I then taught Tonya how to create an empowering anchor.

The feeling/state Tonya chose to work on was her lack of self-confidence.
She recalled feeling confident the day she graduated from college. So, she focused on her pride and confidence at graduating and starting a new career.
I guided her to physically anchor the feeling of confidence she felt by rubbing her hands together.
We tested the anchor to make sure the feeling of confidence occurred.
The feeling was weak initially. However, Tonya repeated the process several times until she felt strong confidence.

There was more work to do but this was a start.

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from
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Thursday, 25 May 2017

Amber Tamblyn's Directing Debut 'Paint It Black' Chronicles Aftermath of Suicide

Tamblyn wanted the movie to showcase the visceral, complicated emotions associated with the grieving process.

from
https://www.thefix.com/amber-tamblyns-directing-debut-paint-it-black-chronicles-aftermath-suicide

North Dakota Governor Will Donate Salary To Help Addicts

The governor is following through on a campaign promise to enhance addiction recovery initiatives in the state.

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https://www.thefix.com/north-dakota-governor-will-donate-salary-help-addicts

Rapper David Banner Talks About ‘Floating’ In Sobriety Through Meditation

"I’m learning to tap into God through meditation. I don’t need them drugs to put myself on that level.”

from
https://www.thefix.com/rapper-david-banner-talks-about-floating-sobriety-through-meditation

Wading Through The Fog of Depression

An alcoholic relapse would lead to dangerous, disorienting depression from which I may never reemerge.

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https://www.thefix.com/wading-through-fog-depression

Harsh Penalties for Drug Possession Negatively Impact HIV Treatment, Prevention

"We must understand that punitive laws have neither decreased the supply or the use of drugs and have caused adverse health outcomes."

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https://www.thefix.com/harsh-penalties-drug-possession-negatively-impact-hiv-treatment-prevention

Dark Web Drug Sales Rose After Silk Road Founder's High-Profile Life Sentence

According to a new study, US dark web sales doubled in the days following Ross Ulbricht’s sentencing.

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https://www.thefix.com/dark-web-drug-sales-rose-after-silk-road-founders-high-profile-life-sentence

Morning Roundup: May 25, 2017

Vermont governor says no to MJ legalization, FDA commissioner calls for 'more forceful steps' in opioid crisis, high schoolers rock mohawks for mental health awareness.

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https://www.thefix.com/morning-roundup-may-25-2017

Am I an Alcoholic? How to Know if You Are Suffering from Alcoholism

The first step in fixing any problem is identifying it. Sometimes people just don’t recognize a problem even if it is staring them in the face. And so it’s no surprise that people who are abusing alcohol don’t even know that they are doing it. It becomes especially confusing when heavy drinking is associated with […]

The above story See more on: Detox of South Florida

Source: https://detoxofsouthflorida.com/alcoholic-know-suffering-alcoholism/

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