Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery – Using Group Therapy



When it comes to alcohol and drug addiction recovery, there is no one ‘best’ approach to recovering from an addiction and there is no single part of the process which works exactly the same for each person. However, group sessions have come to be seen as one of the best possible therapies for those in addiction recovery.

Group therapy sessions can be extremely helpful to many struggling with addiction. The types of groups we will be addressing are support groups (by which we mean self-help and support meetings, typically free of charge), and group sessions or groups which are educational in nature,which are moderated by professionals.

Group sessions, whether for support or as a clinical therapy have several benefits:

1). Learning that there are others who share your problems, or problems like yours. While their addictions may not be the same as yours, you’ll find that there are a lot of similarities to how you and the other members of the group experience addiction – meaning that you can learn valuable coping strategies from each other.

2). You will probably have the opportunity to see someone with the same problems as you who has come farther along through the recovery process that you’ll realize that there is hope for you; which will give you additional incentive to stay in recovery.

3). Being able to get some things off of your chest can be a big help towards getting you closer to recovery. We are by nature social animals and having a group to share your troubles with can make your burdens easier to bear.

4). Group sessions are a great way to build your social skills.

Addiction therapy groups which are guided or moderated by a therapist or other professional offer even greater benefits to those battling drug and alcohol addiction. These groups tend to be smaller. The information divulged in this context is far more likely to remain confidential. The therapist or other health professional moderating the group session will likely be very helpful in examining the dynamics of the group and helping the individuals in it to understand their own behaviors. Like any group sessions, the benefits are most readily apparent after having participated for some length of time, from months to as long as a few years.

Educationally oriented groups (also known as psycho-educational groups) do not offer all of the benefits of the other types of groups, but instead offer instruction on coping strategies for overcoming addiction. There will likely be a very limited amount of socialization and interaction involved. These groups are instructional, but unless the instructor is especially talented, can take on the feel of a lecture.

The best group sessions to help you break the bonds of addiction are the ones offered by a local alcohol and drug professional or drug rehab program with an excellent reputation. Support groups in your area can also be helpful and are usually free and offered at various times which can fit into your schedule.

Is Alcoholism a Disease and is Alcohol Addiction Treatment Effective



Is alcoholism an incurable disease or is it something that can be overcome? For millions of people this has been a topic that has been debated for years. Many people have been told that their alcoholism is something that they will always have and that by putting their faith in a higher power that they will be their only chance of recovery. Though even with this apathetic form of therapy, they are still told that relapse is part of recovery and that they will probably have slip ups on their way.

The truth is thousands of people have overcome their addiction to alcohol and never had a relapse since. Staying in the present and staying focused about life and goals is a much better approach. Staying stuck in the past and waking up in the morning thinking you “made it another day” is not the best approach because basically you are saying you are lucky for making it. Also being told that you are powerless and no control is certainly a pretty depressing thing. If I was told that I would consider returning back to drinking alcohol because of such a bleak outlook.

The most important thing is finding an alcohol rehab that will work. Not just trying to locate a place to sober up or detox. An effective alcohol rehabilitation center will not only help a person overcome their addiction medically but also physically, mentally, and emotionally. Generally this will require a long term treatment center that offers a medical detox, cognitive counseling and life skills therapy. A therapeutic environment that provides a healthy lifestyle has also found to be very effective. A holistic doctor that offers vitamin and mineral therapy, a cellular cleansing process, which cleanses the body of alcohol and drug metabolites to eliminate physical cravings for the alcohol and an exercise program with a physical trainer are healthy lifestyle changes vital to successful recovery.

Once a family has found a program that specializes in alcoholism that next step is making sure the addicted individual stays and completes the ENTIRE program. Alcohol rehabilitation is not always the easiest thing to do. Most patients have to confront things in their life that they have never wanted to look at. Then they have to start taking responsibility for all of the transgressions they have committed against their family, friends, and jobs. This is when the real healing begins. This is when the family will really notice a change in attitude.

Don’t get frustrated if your loved one who is addicted to alcohol does not ask for help. If they had the ability to help themselves than they would be able to quit. That is why as a family you must come together as one team to make sure that get the proper alcohol addiction treatment to give this person their life back. If after several attempts of talking with the person to enter in a residential alcohol treatment center with no luck then taking a look at an alcohol intervention would be the next step. Regardless, remember never to give up on your loved one who has an addiction problem with alcohol.

To find out more call 1-800-391-4893 or go to http://www.alcohol-drug-treatment.com

Fines and Costs of an Oklahoma DUI



Most people know that the consequences of an Oklahoma DUI arrest include probation, fines, and jail time. Fewer know that those who drink and drive risk a financial toll beyond fines assessed as a result of conviction and sentencing. Towing and impound fees, bail, court costs, attorney fees, and more extend the financial impact of a conviction far beyond the fines.

Fines for DUI in Oklahoma can be quite high: up to $1,000 for a first offense, up to $2,500 for a second offense, and up to $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense. However, additional fees and costs start adding up the minute one is arrested for Driving Under the Influence.

Unless the driver’s vehicle is parked on private property with the permission of the property owner, the vehicle will be towed to police impound. The arrested party is required to pay for the towing and impound.

While the vehicle is locked up at impound, the driver is locked up in county jail. In order to regain freedom, a person arrested for DUI will have to post bond. Bail is set by a judge and varies depending on the circumstances of the arrest.

In order to fight the DUI charge, one needs the help of a defense lawyer. Attorney fees for a DUI defense depend on the attorney’s rates and the complexity of the charges. In addition to the attorney fees, one must pay court costs associated with the case.

If a person is convicted of DUI, he or she must also pay for costs associated with the sentencing, including jail costs, district attorney supervision fees for probation, DUI school, ignition interlock rental, and victim impact panel fee, and alcohol rehabilitation.

Sample costs associated with an Oklahoma DUI follow:

· Impound fee: $150

· Bail: $175 (for a first offense, misdemeanor arrest)

· Attorney fees: $4,000 (for a first offense, misdemeanor charge)

· Oklahoma County District Court costs: $950

· Oklahoma County Jail costs: $45/day

· District Attorney supervision: $40/month

· Fine: up to $1,000 (for a first offense, misdemeanor conviction)

· Ignition Interlock rental: $185 plus $550 every six months

· DUI school: $325

· Victim Impact Panel fees: $50

· Alcohol Treatment and Rehabilitation: up to $15,000 per stay

The costs of a DUI arrest and conviction are significant. In order to fight a DUI charge and avoid any unnecessary legal, financial, and personal consequences of a conviction, contact an experienced Oklahoma DUI defense attorney for help.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction – Three Phases of Addiction Recovery



One way to view being in drug and alcohol addiction recovery is to think of a time line with three phases marked out on it, early recovery, middle recovery, and late recovery.

Every stage of addiction recovery as certain lessons to be learned, growth opportunities, and tasks that must be completed within that stage before moving to the next stage. A defining characteristic of addiction is that a person loses control over their use of alcohol and drugs. This causes negative consequences in their lives, psychologically, physically, spiritually, he and in relationships. Addiction recovery in a large part, is about systematically gaining back control of those areas of one’s life, while admitting a lack of control over the drugs and alcohol.
Here are the three phases of alcohol and drug addiction recovery:

1. Early Recovery:

The primary lesson to be learned in early recovery is deceivingly simple and that is abstinence from all mood altering drugs, including alcohol. It is only through removing the substance from the body, in giving the brain a chance to heal, does one have a chance of regaining normalcy in their life. In early recovery, one must gain a knowledge of addiction, begin to form a social support network, and work on a relapse prevention plan. All these activities are directed toward the goal of gaining the skills necessary to maintain abstinence over drugs and alcohol. Although each person is different, and there is no hard time line the early stage of recovery can last up to two years.

2. Middle Recovery:

In the middle stage of recovery one continues to hone the skills necessary to maintain abstinence. The focus tends to be on vigilance and avoid sliding into complacency. Here one needs to learn lessons that may have been lost, forgotten, or never learned previously. It is important to examine and start to identify and repair damages caused by addiction and move toward attaining a balanced lifestyle. If an issue needs to be addressed, we admit it and take some action to make it right. Here is the time to start healing relationships with self, family, Higher Power or God, and the community at large. A good indicator that the necessary lessons have been learned and goals have been met in middle recovery is when one feels ‘balanced’ within and starts to be at peace the world about them. For the time frame oriented, the middle phase of recovery may run from six months to five years after initiating abstinence.

3. Late Stage Recovery:

Once one has achieved stability and security in recovery, it may be time to deal with ‘underlying issues’. These may be issues that are deeply ingrained, perhaps reaching back into childhood. The idea is that if one works on and processes issues that have caused unease, dis-ease, and turbulence in one’s life, it undermines the need to seek relief from these problems through drugs and alcohol. Some issues that are commonly addressed in a later phase of recovery might be abuse issues, low self-esteem, abandonment, or recognition of a dysfunctional family system. It is suggested that these “core issues” be reopened only when one is very stable in recovery, and preferably with professional support.

Progression through phases of recovery depends more on accomplishing and learning the specific lessons, rather than an accumulation of time abstinent from drugs and alcohol. The final phase of recovery is a growth and continuation phase that really never ends. It is highly suggested that wherever one is in recovery, education should continue.

Essential Points in Question About Drug Rehabilitation



In today’s world, where numerous techniques and treatment technologies have been discovered in the world of medicine and personal health care, treating the social ills like drug and alcohol addiction have become quite easy. There are numerous rehab centers that exclusively cater to treatment of narcotics addiction. Here are some of the important points that one needs to seriously think about when joining any rehab treatment program:

Point#1 – Are You Ready for Drug Rehabilitation Program? – Most of drug addicts usually refrain from joining a rehab program as this will automatically mean putting shackles on their liberty. Are you the one who belongs to this category of addicts? The whole idea behind joining a rehab program is to get you out from the clutches of dark life so that you can really enjoy healthy and Christian life. It is very important to mention here that you need to fight within yourself and win over the monster sitting within you so that you can join the rehab program. Your readiness is must for the success of drug rehab program.

Point#2 – Make sure that join a rehab treatment center near you – If you have planned to join a rehab center then make sure that the center should be located near your area. It is because you can visit your family and home over the weekend and spend some real quality time with your family. Moreover, it will be easy for the staff of the drug rehab center to keep your family members updated about your improvement. Therefore, it will be a complete advantage to you, your family and the staff of rehab treatment center.

Point#3 – Check with the Drug Rehab Center on the Rehab Program – The drug rehab program is offered by all treatment centers and there’s no unusual thing about it. However, you need to check on whether the program offered by the rehab center is customized and meet your personal requirements. A customized rehab program is a flexible program that will help you in quitting drugs in easy way. The rehab centers that offer rigid rehab program do no good to the addict. In fact such stereotype centers make the addict more stubborn and as the result of which the addict will not leave the drugs, though he or she might force their urge to subside for a while, only to recluse back again.

Point#4 – Exercise Regularly – When you are going through rehab treatment program at the center or otherwise, make sure that you exercise every morning. If you have joined a rehab center, the counselors out there will help you. If you are following home-based rehab program, you have to follow the exercise schedule by taking help of any family member.