eDrug Rehab Newsletter Volume 3 January 5th, 2009

eDrug Rehab Newsletter Volume 3 January 5th, 2009 ********************************************************************* Contents: 1.**Enabling Addiction** Featured Newsletter Only 2.. Repeating the Past: Marrying an Alcoholic 3. Suicide and Substance Abuse: Know the Risks 4. What You Don't Know Can Kill You 5. What to Ask a Rehab Facility ********************************************************************* Enabling Addiciton Addiction can have extremely painful consequences for an addict: destruction of relationships, loss of career prospects, and even death. As their priorities shift and the substance becomes increasingly important to them, they may neglect even the most basic of their needs like nutrition and hygiene. For those who knew and loved the addict before the addiction took over – especially parents who have always protected and fulfilled the needs of their son or daughter – it is nearly impossible to passively watch this downward spiral without trying to cushion the fall. Family and friends with good intentions try to protect the addict from negative external consequences. However, in doing so, they help the addict maintain an existence that, no matter how horrible it may seem to an observer, is satisfactory to them. There are many ways a person may be enabling an addict, some of which are not completely obvious. Certainly, giving money that goes directly or indirectly to addiction is a form of enabling. This includes providing money that is used on rent, groceries, transportation, and clothing when the addict's own resources are being put toward addiction. But even leaving money in places the addict may find it and steal it could be considered enabling. Although you haven't technically given your permission, making money available to someone who has had such a serious shift in priorities – and not confronting or prosecuting them for behavior that would not be acceptable in the real world – is as much your problem as addiction is theirs. Ultimately, addicts are responsible for the decisions that they make. If you, your wallet, your home, your car, your refrigerator, your bail money, and your excuses for their boss didn't exist, they would be forced to confront the external consequences of what often develops as a result of an internal problem. These enabling behaviors often delay an addict's decision to seek treatment because, if they have help living a life of addiction, why should they make an effort to change? If you genuinely want to help a loved one recover from addiction, you need to assess your own role honestly. ********************************************************************* Repeating the Past: Marrying an Alcoholic Growing up in a home where one or both parents have problems with alcohol or other substances often leaves a negative impression on a child – finances are stretched because of irresponsible spending; tempers are short; parental love, support, and guidance may be absent; physical, verbal, or sexual abuse may occur. /repeating-the-past-marrying-an-alcoholic ********************************************************************* Suicide and Substance Abuse: Know the Risks An estimated 90 people per day and 32,000 people per year die from suicide attempts with many more individuals attempting suicide and failing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even failed suicide attempts can produce extensive physical damage and deep emotional pain that may take a lifetime to recover from. /suicide-and-substance-abuse-know-the-risks ********************************************************************* What You Don't Know Can Kill You At the end of November, public officials in Alberta, Canada released a health warning about tainted cocaine. In 7 cases, cocaine users developed a condition called agranulocytosis, which impedes the immune system's ability to fight infections. /what-you-dont-know-can-kill-you-adulterated-and-unknown-substances ********************************************************************* What to Ask a Rehab Facility Do you have a problem with drugs or alcohol and are ready to take the next step toward recovery? Are you a friend or family member trying to help an addict get well? Choosing a rehab facility can be a confusing, intimidating, and overwhelming process. The decision of facility can make or break the addict's recovery process. When talking to the staff of the rehab centers that you are considering, you should keep the following points in mind. /what-to-ask-a-rehab-facility *********************************************************************