Parents, children hear tales of drug use and recovery
VALPARAISO — Families came together Tuesday to share their children's stories of drug abuse and addiction. There were stories of overcoming and succumbing to drugs, with a common thread of parents unaware of their children's addiction. About 250 …
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Computer game addiction more difficult to treat than drug abuse – expert
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Oak Hills Christian College launches addiction counseling program
… to meet the needs of individuals, families and communities. Students in the program will experience a thorough academic curriculum, as well as contribute almost nine hundred service hours each to area counseling clinics and treatment programs.
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For the past several months, the daily economic news has been grim. We hear about more job losses, foreclosures, home sales down, food prices soar, the stock market goes up and down. These are extraordinarily difficult times for everyone, and in some way everyone is affected by the situation. The never-ending stress taps into your energy and saps your strength; it tests your faith and leaves you confused. Families without the added stressors of alcohol or drugs will pull together; they will make some sacrifices as they grumble and complain, but in the end these families will more than likely survive the current economy.   

What about the alcoholic? More importantly, what about the children living with an alcoholic? Research has confirmed that alcoholics lack coping skills. When faced with problems, the alcoholic will turn to the bottle. Most of us have seen the destructive dysfunction that results from alcohol or drug abuse. What happens when the alcoholic faces a job loss or pay cut, or loses the important health insurance? These situations exceed the “normal” stress of life and will most likely find the alcoholic turning to the bottle more often and in larger quantities.  

The National Runaway Switchboard has reported that there has been an alarming increase in calls over the past year. The callers have been increasingly younger. These victims have reported abuse and neglect with alcohol a common denominator in many cases. With the increased stress from the economy, there has been an increase in alcohol and drug abuse. With increased alcohol and drug abuse, we have seen more violent outbursts. The sad result has been child abuse and neglect. Unfortunately, the weak economy has also reduced the funding for shelters and self-help organizations.  

As we all know, eventually there will be more jobs and stocks will go up. We can all go eat lobster and see a movie. The economy will bounce back and up! In the interim, we need to ask ourselves a question: what about the children living in alcoholic homes during these tough times? Will their self-esteem ever be restored? What are the permanent lasting affects on these future leaders? We all need to be aware of the far reaching affects of a “bad” economy. Recent research indicated that children of alcoholics not only risk becoming an alcoholic but are more likely to abuse drugs.  

We must pay attention to friends and family members that may need some extra help, and possibly intervention, during this tough time. Teachers, church leaders and adults that come in contact with children, stay watchful and pay attention to children that may be living in an alcoholic home. The turmoil in an alcoholic home can create guilt, shame and confusion for the children. These children try desperately to keep this ugly family secret, yet more than anything they need a trusted adult that will listen to them. Encouragement and support will begin their journey on the road to recovery.  

We are all in this together, and we need to help each other. If we turn our backs on these children in need, the economy will recover but a huge segment of our society will not.  

Question by Jakob: How long until I am save to take the pills?
So, listen.. I am a drug abuse.. Not a very bad one but I enjoy having my fun and I always try to be as save as I can. Please don’t tell me not to or that I need help because I am in the process of quitting drugs/alcohol. So here is my question. I had 8 beers day from 3:30 to 6. I plan on taking lorazepam tonight at 12 am, I will be taking 6-8 MG I know that is a lot but I have a tolerence. Will I be safe to take it 6 hours after drinking?

Best answer:

Answer by DeannetheGreat
Doesn’t sound to me like you are “in the process of trying to quit drugs/alcohol” when you get on here and ask about an exceptionally high dose of unprescribed benzodiazepines and the timing with alcohol consumption of “8 beers”.

Stop lying to yourself. Go to rehab– you need it.

Give your answer to this question below!

Question by Quack Quack: Where is a mandatory drug rehab center for adults in Texas?
My brother who is now 21 years old is struggling with Alcohol and Drug abuse. He has been to many volunteer rehab centers but end up getting out! He wants to change because he attempts to by going to these voluteer rehab centers but when he gets the urge he gets out. Please help!!

Best answer:

Answer by Blue_Iguana
I’m sorry to hear about your brother who is struggling with addiction. It can be a difficult and uncertain process for a person to recover from drugs and alcohol, that’s for sure.

The reality is that there is no “mandatory” drug rehab centers that will lock you down during the course of treatment. The closest thing to it is court-ordered treatment, which even then often times a person can leave if they want to but will then be in violation of the courts.

If your brother REALLY wants to get clean and sober than he must be willing to do the work. He should look at his past experiences in rehab and see what it is about either himself or the facility or the type of approach used that caused him to leave. Some rehabs are like military camps, others are in relaxing residential settings. Some are very strict and severe, some are more therapeutic and based on the individual’s needs. Your brother should consider what he is getting into before he commits to make sure he can live with his decision, the wrong type of recovery approach can make someone not want to get sober. Believe me, I know that personally.

Hope this helps, good luck with your brother.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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Addiction is a risk to us all
In the same way that anyone from any walk of life can develop an addiction but some may be more at risk than others, anyone with addiction has the potential to achieve recovery. The people with more social resources may find it easier to access because …
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