Pasadena Rehab Blog | Substance Abuse News

Experiencing a Public Relapse

Anyone who goes through a relapse will feel a deep sense of shame and failure about letting go of their sobriety. A public relapse can be even more embarrassing and shameful but it is a reality for many people, especially celebrities or public figures that suddenly get off the wagon. When people know that you have relapsed they might see it as a sign of weakness inability to stay committed.

Worrying what other people think about your relapse can be a natural reaction but it is important to focus on your own health first. The feelings of self-recrimination and shame can be overwhelming but you should not let it stop you from taking steps to get back on track. It can be helpful to realize that recovery is not always a straight path but can take some detours until you get a better handle on it.

People are often taught to be perfectionists or that they shouldn’t make mistakes when they are working toward their goals. Setbacks and accidents are a normal part of life especially with something so difficult as recovery. When you are dealing with a public relapse, keep those things in mind or even address them publicly if necessary so that people understand the nature of your journey to sobriety.

Shame and guilt can be destructive emotions so it is crucial to be able to forgive yourself for making a mistake in order to move on. Negative feelings can rob you of your motivation and make it hard to start over again because of a loss of self-belief and confidence. Letting go of your negative emotions can make it easier to focus on the work you need to do to get sober again.

A public relapse can be embarrassing but the most important thing is that you don’t waste time and get back into treatment as soon as possible.

Alcohol Abuse and Insomnia

Alcohol Abuse for Insomnia

It is common for people who abuse alcohol to experience disrupted sleep and end up in a vicious cycle of insomnia and addiction. Sleep disorders and substance abuse often go hand in hand as mind altering chemicals can make it harder for the body to function normally and get the rest it needs. Sleep problems tend to exacerbate substance abuse and vice versa because the two problems are so closely related.

For someone that doesn’t have a sleep disorder, they will typically experience regular patterns in their periods of sleep and go through the two phases of REM and non-REM sleep. The process of sleep is dictated by an interaction of chemicals in the brain including norepinephrine and serotonin. Alcohol abuse can affect the level of chemicals in your brain which can begin to disrupt sleep patterns and lead to insomnia.

People with insomnia might be able to fall asleep initially be self-medicating with alcohol but over time it will make it harder for them to maintain regular sleeping patterns. Alcohol is actually one of the most commonly used substances for insomnia with 28 percent of those with the sleep disorder using alcohol to help them fall asleep. People with insomnia are also more likely to develop issues with alcoholism.

In order to recover from an alcohol addiction it is important to treat issues of insomnia as the two problems can influence one another. An addict in recovery will need to address their sleep disorder as having disrupted sleep can trigger cravings and a potential relapse. There are many methods for improving sleep patterns such as the use of supplements, relaxation techniques and getting the right amount of nutrition and exercise.

One of the most important things a person can do for their health and their sleep is to maintain their sobriety. Fortunately quitting alcohol abuse and living a healthier lifestyle may significantly improve sleep patterns.

Dealing with Homeless Youth

Youth homelessness has been on the rise as the cost of living increases and many young people simply can’t afford housing. Even working a minimum wage job can make it difficult to cover the cost of rent in big cities like L.A. Young people that aren’t able to live at home with their parents can end up on the streets because they have nowhere else to turn.

Homeless youth often end up in temporary shelters while going to school and trying to work a part time job. One solution for the homeless youth provided by an organization in L.A. is to provide young people with affordable housing. Jovenes, a non profit group serving homeless youth, is helping alleviate the problem by buying houses and renting out rooms to young people at a price they can afford.

Many of the young people dealing with homeless still have goals and aspirations of becoming independent, finding sustainable careers and being able to afford their own home. Creating affordable housing provides an opportunity to help young people get on their feet until they eventually are able to move forward and reach their goals. Temporary shelters do not provide enough of an opportunity for youth that need a place where they can stay indefinitely until they become more independent.

Creating affordable housing by providing low rent rooms to homeless youth is a long term solution that can have a positive impact on the growing problem of homelessness in cities with high living costs. If young people are able to work, eat and survive then they can grow as individuals instead of falling into the endless cycle of poverty. Jovenes and other organizations working to reduce poverty and the homeless youth population are giving children and young adults a second chance at life.

The Double Standard In Mental Health

Mental health disorders are a problem that affects millions of Americans every day and yet there remains a deep stigma in our country about mental health and treatment. While other physical illnesses are treated as legitimate issues that need medical attention, people with problems such as depression, anxiety or other disorders are still often ignored and even denied access to the care they need. Mental health problems are frequently seen as something within the individual’s own control or people are simply labeled as crazy.

There is often a double standard when it comes to the way people treat a person with a physical illness versus a mental illness. Health insurance companies are less likely to provide coverage for mental health issues and treatment compared to physical illnesses. People are more likely to offer support and sympathy for someone with visual health issue and might be more judgemental when it comes to mental illness.

It is important for people to be educated about mental illness and the need for medical attention regarding mental health issues. A mental illness can affect the ability of a person to live a healthy and stable life. Mental illness is not a personal failure of an individual, they are often disorders that are inherited through genetic vulnerability or develop as a result of childhood trauma.

A mental illness, like any other disease, is not something that can be easily cured alone. People need access to professional care so that they can treat their disorder and eventually reach a state of better health. Raising more awareness to issues surrounding mental health is crucial in our culture in order to erase the stigma that can sometimes prevent people from getting the help that they need.

Dealing with the Side Effects of Addiction Medication

People with very severe addictions often benefit from having substitute medications which can help them to immediately get off a harmful drug. Medications like methadone and suboxone can be useful tools to allow someone with a very serious dependency on opioids to start working on recovery without many of the intense withdrawal symptoms initially. Although these medications can save lives, they have a few side effects that patients will need to adjust to until they eventually wean themselves off of any substances.

Each person will react differently to a certain medication and if a particular option has too many side effects they can try something else instead. Methadone can have short term side effects when someone first begins using it such as drowsiness, light-headedness, or gastrointestinal problems. While the side effects may be unpleasant they can be dealt with through other types of over the counter or prescription medications.

In some cases methadone can also cause psychological side effects such as hallucinations, insomnia, anxiety or paranoia. If these side effects become severe the patient may need to try a different medication that may have less of an effect on them. Suboxone is an alternative to methadone but it can have its own side effects as well.

Suboxone can have short term side effects such as nausea, dizziness, sweating, insomnia and irregular heartbeat. One of the most serious side effects that can sometimes occur with suboxone is respiratory depression which leads to shallow breathing and a lack of oxygen in the body. If this occurs the patient should seek medical help immediately and cease their use of the medication.

Addiction medication can be a useful way to help patients transition off of a chemical dependency. When side effects occur their doctor can recommend supplementary medications or switch them to an alternative that may have a more mild effect.