What exactly are benzodiazepines, and what are they used for? Is it something someone should take daily, or as needed? Can they be purchased illegally, or only obtained through a prescription? If you’ve found yourself asking these questions in the past, look no further! Within this article, we have provided information about benzodiazepines, what they are, and how to receive help if you or someone you know is suffering for a benzodiazepine addiction. 

Commonly Abused Benzodiazepines

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, benzodiazepines (benzos) calm or sedate the individual taking them. Benzos achieve this by raising the levels of GABA, a inhibitory neurotransmitter, in the brain. There are many different benzodiazepines, some of the common ones include:

• Diazepam (Valium) – Diazepam is an anxiolytic benzodiazepine. This drug is long-lasting and fast-acting. It is commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, but it is also used to treat alcohol detoxification, acute recurrent seizures, severe muscle spasms, and spasticity associated with neurologic disorders. Valium, and the rest of the benzos listed, can be obtained with a doctors prescription or unfortunately, purchased illegally on the street.
• Alprazolam (Xanax) – Xanax, also known as “bars” (due to their physical shape), is one of the most prescribed benzodiazepines in the treatment of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. This drug is known to be highly addictive according to addiction specialists and is limited within its clinical usefulness. 
• Clonazepam (Klonopin) – Clonazepam is a very high potent and long-acting benzodiazepine. This drug has been used to treat seizure disorders and panic disorders.

Overall, benzos are prescribed to those who struggle with various forms of anxiety. But like any other pill, just because it’s prescribed by a doctor doesn’t mean it can’t become addictive. Benzos are highly addictive and when abused, can cause serious withdrawal side effects. 

How to Get Help With Benzodiazepine Abuse

According to the National Institute of Health, the most common and well-known harms of long-term benzodiazepine abuse are dependency, falls, and cognitive decline. When someone becomes addicted to benzos they may experience withdrawal symptoms (such as headaches, palpitations, tremors, sweating, etc.), and should go through some sort of detox process, and even maintenance treatment (this of course should be done with the help of a professional). Getting help before becoming dependent is ideal, but we understand that sometimes, as humans, we don’t comprehend that something is becoming a problem until something drastic happens. Some people become aware of their addiction when they face health complications, others drain their bank accounts to sustain their addiction. Some people don’t realize the severity of their addiction until they find themselves in the middle of their own intervention. 

Once an individual becomes addicted to benzos, interventions, drug substitutions, and therapy are essential to overcoming the addiction. When treating a benzo addiction, some therapists use different drugs with shorter half-lives (substitutions) within their therapy, especially when overcoming a substance that has a longer half-life. 

For most people, an inpatient program or an outpatient program may be required when dealing with this type of substance abuse. It is important to seek professional help when overcoming this addiction, and take part in activities, such as support groups that will teach you to hold yourself accountable for your actions, and provide a healthy/sober support system. 

Beat a Benzo Addiction at Atlanta Recovery Place

At Atlanta Recovery Place, we provide comprehensive outpatient addiction treatment for those struggling with a benzo addiction and other forms of substance abuse. Our addiction treatment programs include a partial hospitalization program, intensive outpatient, a regular outpatient and sober living. Each of these programs are  unique and individualized to each of our clients’ needs. 

Which treatment track is used truly depends on the client’s substance use; the way they use it, the length of usage, the environment in which they live, and the amount of social support that they have. We will help each of our clients find the treatment option that best fits them, their needs, and their schedule. Reach out to us today to start your recovery process! 

Alcohol – it’s widely available and it may seem like everyone drinks it. Although it’s easily accessible and often used as a social tool, it can be extremely addictive. Because it’s socially acceptable to drink, it can be hard for someone to recognize if you have an alcohol addiction. It can also be difficult to comprehend whether or not you need treatment for said addiction. 

Today, we’d like to talk about the signs of alcohol addiction and how to get help for it. Alcohol can cause some people to engage in extremely destructive behavior. Like any other addiction, it can start off slowly and eventually end up consuming your entire life. If you or someone you know is suffering from an alcohol addiction, please don’t wait to seek professional treatment. 

Establishing What Alcoholism Is 

Alcoholism, or Alcohol Use Disorder, is a chronic disease that is characterized by a dependence to alcohol and uncontrollable drinking behaviors. Alcoholism can also be characterized by a physical and/or emotional dependence on alcohol. Someone that is suffering from alcoholism may not feel like they can function normally without having alcohol within their system. This can lead to a wide range of negative consequences and can even impact their home, work, and social life. As time moves on within this disease, the negative consequences and serious side effects can continue to worsen and produce damaging complications.

What Are the Signs of Alcoholism?

There are many different signs of alcohol addiction/alcoholism. As highlighted and outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5), to be diagnosed with alcoholism a person has to meet any of the two criteria presented below within a 12-month period:

• The usage of alcohol in larger amounts or for a longer time than originally intended
• The inability to cut down on alcohol use despite a desire to do so
• Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of alcohol
• Having cravings, or a strong desire to use alcohol
• The inability to fulfill major obligations at home, work, or school because of alcohol use
• Continuing to abuse alcohol despite negative consequences (interpersonal or social) that are likely to occur due to alcohol use
• Giving up previously enjoyed activities (social, recreational, occupational, etc.) because of alcohol use
• Using alcohol in physically dangerous situations (such as driving a car or operating machinery)
• Continue to abuse alcohol despite psychological or physical problems that occur due to this alcohol use
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol (meaning that an individual will need to drink in an increasingly large or more frequent amounts of alcohol to achieve desired effect)
• Developing withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using alcohol 

Once again, if someone meets two of these criteria within a consecutive 12 months, they may have alcoholism and should seek out treatment. Please note that addiction looks a little different for everyone, if you feel like you have a dependency on alcohol but don’t relate to the bullet points above, you may still have an issue. At the end of the day, you are truly the only person who can determine whether or not you’re suffering from an alcohol addiction.

How to Get Help With an Alcohol Addiction

Getting help with an alcohol addiction first starts with realizing you need help. Once you establish you need professional addiction treatment, it’s important to find the right treatment center for yourself. Addiction and alcoholism is different for everyone, so choosing an individualized treatment program is crucial. Below is a list of different treatment options to treat an alcohol addiction:

• Detoxification – This is (usually) the first step in alcoholism recovery. It’s crucial to have professional help when going through the detoxification process. At times, you may experience withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some withdrawal symptoms can cause serious health complications, so if you do require detox, don’t try to do it alone.
• Rehabilitation – This can be either done within inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab, and truly depends on the severity of the addiction. Inpatient rehab is intensive and requires an individual to check into a treatment facility for a period of time. Inpatient rehab usually lasts from 30 to 90 days. Outpatient rehab allows you to partake in a recovery program while maintaining a sort of ‘normalcy’ within your life. You can live at home or in a sober living while attending outpatient rehab.
• Maintaining sobriety – Addiction is a lifelong disease. Once you complete addiction treatment, attending support groups and counseling is a great way to maintain long term sobriety. Some support groups include Alcoholics Anonymous and Refuse Recovery. 

If you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, seeking professional treatment should be a main priority. It’s rare for an addict to be able to maintain employment, solid relationships, good health, etc, as addiction affects all aspects of your life. Professional addiction treatment not only helps you get off drugs or alcohol, it helps you learn coping skills to maintain long term sobriety and reintegrate back into society. At Atlanta Recovery Place, we want all of our clients to complete treatment and feel happy and confident starting their new sober life. Today we’d like to spend some time talking about finding employment post addiction treatment. Keep on reading to find out more information! 

Finding a Job After Addiction Treatment

Participating in addiction treatment doesn’t always, but sometimes may, affect your professional life. A lot of people are even hesitant to seek addiction treatment in the first place because of this. Although it may not feel like it, no job is as important as seeking recovery. If your job or career needs to be put on hold in order to do this, that is totally ok. 

After addiction treatment, it can be hard to jump back into a “normal” life/routine. It’s important to be able to find a balance between recovery and some sort of ‘normalcy’. Finding a job is crucial in the search for this balance between normalcy and recovery because working can give you a sense of purpose, and the ability to support yourself financially. Working and being employed full time will also help you create a routine. Routines help you incorporate structure and stability into your daily life, a crucial component to maintaining long term sobriety. 

If you’ve recently completed treatment and are unsure what you want to do professionally, working in the addiction treatment space may be a great place to start your job search! The industry will feel familiar as you’re now immersed in it, so seeking employment here may feel a little less intimidating. 

Jobs in the Addiction Field

There are many different careers within addiction recovery and the rehabilitation field that you can possibly pursue! Some of these jobs include things such as:

• Substance Abuse Counselor – As you may or may not know, Substance Abuse Counselors treat people who are struggling with substance abuse. The main goal of a Substance Abuse Counselor is to help addicts overcome their addiction. Every state in the US has different qualifications to become a counselor but the NAADC is a national certification that exceeds most state requirements. 
• Social Worker – A social worker  performs a great diversity of tasks to help people who are struggling with some aspect of their lives. Social workers can be employed by rehabs and addiction treatment centers, as well as other places such as hospitals. If you’re interested in going back to school and receiving a masters degree, this could be a great option for you. 
• Detox Support Specialist – These people help perform drug screenings and monitor individuals undergoing the detox process. They provide a safe space for their clients to detox and go through their withdrawal symptoms.
• Sober Companion – A sober companion is fairly self-explanatory; this is a person who provides companionship for someone that is sober. They offer guidance and advice, are physically present the majority of the day, and will help someone with day to day tasks. 

The above mentioned are just a few jobs in the addiction field. With a little research, and guidance from the addiction treatment center you went to, the job opportunities in the addiction field are endless! 

Atlanta Recovery Place Can Help You Today

Atlanta Recovery Place is an addiction treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia. We specialize in partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and sober living services. We are also always looking for an extra set of hands to help out at our facility. If you’re interested in working with us, you can fill out the form here. Whether you’re looking for help with your addiction, or a place to work, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today! 

Rehabilitation and recovery does not have to be a burden for someone who is trying to maintain a sober life. Within outpatient recovery programs you can continue to work while going through the process of sobriety. At our facility Atlanta Recovery Place, we’re here to help anyone with addiction (who wants help of course). We also hope to inform the general public about addiction & effective ways it can be treated. Keep on reading to learn a little bit more about outpatient rehab and how it helps with addiction recovery. 

What Is Outpatient Rehab?

What is outpatient treatment? Outpatient rehab is a treatment style that offers individualized, unique treatment that allows for flexibility in a recovery addicts schedule. This treatment is for a recovering addict who wants to continue to work and spend time with others (including families, friends, etc.). This gives them the ability to experience addiction treatment and recovery while continuing to live their life. The cost of outpatient is also significantly lower compared to inpatient treatment (this is because you don’t have to pay for any living costs.).

The above mentioned are just a few of the benefits of outpatient treatment programs. During these outpatient treatment programs clients typically become engaged in individual therapy, group therapy, life skills workshops, mindfulness practices, and relapse prevention. The individual therapy may consist of cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy. Once again, the addiction treatment plan is based on your specific needs and will be individualized/unique to you.

Why You Should Go to Outpatient Treatment for Addiction

There are many reasons why an individual should partake in an outpatient treatment program for their addiction. Once again, outpatient treatment programs include many different benefits. These benefits include things such as:

• Flexibility – The outpatient treatment programs provide less restrictions and more flexibility. This program works with and around  your schedule, and it also helps provide resources that fit your needs.
• Cost – Because there is no need to pay for living arrangements, the costs of the outpatient treatment programs are substantially less than the costs for the inpatient treatment programs. 
• Maintaining a “normal” life – When taking part in these outpatient treatment programs our clients can still maintain their normal life, such as work, family time, talking with peers, etc. This provides freedom and the ability for our clients to take responsibility, and find accountability. While this is the case, we still recommend and encourage finding a sober community to engage in, even while living the client’s normal lifestyle.

These are just a few of the benefits to engaging in an outpatient treatment program. Outpatient rehab can be used as a followup to an inpatient treatment program or as stand alone treatment. No two addictions are alike, therefore everyone’s course of treatment will vary a bit. Using outpatient rehab as a standalone treatment also usually depends on the severity of the addiction and the support system that the client has within their life. 

How Atlanta Recovery Place Can Help

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we provide specialized treatment for our clients so they can achieve their recovery and sobriety goals. We provide outpatient treatment programs that usually last a few hours a day on certain days of the week. These outpatient programs typically range from 30-90 days. When a client is engaged in these programs and on the facility grounds, the clients have access to different amenities in this facility. These amenities include things such as  our tennis courts, pools, and the atmosphere of our gated sober community. 

There are three types of outpatient treatment programs here at our facility. We have a traditional outpatient program that provides a more laid back approach and solution to substance abuse and recovery. Our intensive outpatient treatment program is suited for a complex recovery including those struggling with not only substance abuse, but also a co-occuring disorder. Our partial hospitalization program is the most intensive, allowing the clients to focus solely on recovery daily. Reach out to us today to figure out which treatment program best fits you and your schedule!

Quitting something isn’t always simple, especially if it’s something that you enjoy. Drinking alcohol can be enjoyable, and seem like something to partake in at social events, but this can lead to damaging habits and even a future addiction. At Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to provide information and resources for anyone looking to quit drinking alcohol. 

The Dangers of Alcohol

Although alcohol can be purchased legally in the United States, it is still a mood alternating substance and can be abused. There are many different dangers involved when partaking in alcohol. According to the CDC, these risks range from extremely small risks to extremely severe risks. These risks include things such as:

• Alcohol poisoning – This is when an individual’s blood alcohol level is extremely high and can even lead to death. 
• Injuries – These can consist of car accidents, drownings, burns, and falling down. 
• Violence – This can consist of domestic violence and abuse, sexual violence and abuse, emotional abuse, homicide, suicide, etc.
• Risky behavior – These behaviors can be things such as >>>>>
• FASDs – Drinking alcohol while pregnant can cause fetal alcohol syndrome and lead can also lead to miscarriage. 
• Health issues – These can be chronic diseases and illnesses, like things such as: high blood pressure, cancer (breast cancer, throat cancer, liver cancer, etc.), heart disease, stroke,weakening of the immune system, digestive issues, and liver problems/disease. 
• Family/social/learning issues – This can include things such as problems with being social, problems within the individual’s family, poor school performance, memory loss, unemployment, and a decline in productivity. 
• Mental health issues – This can include co-occurring disorders, anxiety, depression, etc.
• Addiction – Having an addiction to alcohol can cause many many issues including co-occurring disorders, social issues, family issues, wok problems, etc. Getting help/treatment before drinking can become an addiction would be preferred, but that isn’t always the case, but getting treatment is important either way.

How Can I Quit Drinking?

If you feel like your drinking is getting to be out of control, you probably find yourself asking “How to quit alcohol”? There are many different ways to quit drinking alcohol and these may or may not include going to a treatment facility. If you feel like you have a severe alcohol addiction, we strongly recommend not detoxing alone. The safest way to detox off any drugs or alcohol is at a professional treatment center. This way, you’ll be under the care of medical professionals. Alcohol & drug withdrawals can cause health complications. 

• Keep a journal – Keeping a log of each time you partake in alcohol can help someone visualize how much drinking they actually do/how much alcohol they actually consume.
• Create goals – Keeping and creating goals is an important way to celebrate small victories when trying to quit a destructive habit. 
• Get help/ask for support – Before the drinking habit becomes an addiction or after the habit becomes an addiction. Cutting out drinking may not always be easy, so getting your family and friends on board will help with keeping you accountable and gaining some support. 
• Stay away from peer pressure – Whether the pressure comes from acquaintances, friends, family, parties, or bars, staying away from people and places that may make you stumble may be a good idea. 
• Stay busy and be persistent – Keeping busy can help to steer clear from temptation that may involve harmful drinking habits. This can also keep one’s mind off of alcohol and on to better things. Being persistent and constant in quitting alcohol is one of the main ways to shake this issue.
• Seek professional addiction treatment – This could also be included in the “get help” category, but getting treatment or attending support group meetings would be a great and helpful way to quit this habit.

Get Sober At Atlanta Recovery Place

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we have many different treatment options that can help our clients to quit drinking. We provide individualized treatment options for each of our clients and provide resources/support for our clients once they receive treatment. We have inpatient treatment options, outpatient treatment options, and sober living options as well. Reach out to us today to find the perfect individualized treatment options and find support from many different professions who are willing to work with your needs.

Finding the perfect drug rehab facility is not always an easy task, especially finding one that meets your individual needs. No two people or addictions are alike. At Atlanta Recovery Place, our addiction treatment in Georgia understands the difficulties in finding a drug rehab and the right time to go to that addiction treatment facility. Today we will discuss the different types of addiction treatment options you can pursue and what they entail. 

What Is Addiction?

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a chronic, but treatable, medical disease involving complex interactions and connections between an individual’s environment, their genetics, and their life experiences. 

These individuals that have an addiction, abuse substances and engage in compulsive behaviors that have negative consequences. Addiction is a disease, just like heart disease. The only difference is that an addiction is a disease of the brain. This addiction does not mean that that individual is a bad person, it just means that they have a disease and may be struggling to recover from that disease. 

Types of Drug Rehabs in Georgia

There are numerous avenues of addiction treatment someone can pursue. Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to provide services to help each of our individual clients find recovery and lifelong sobriety. We also want to use this time to describe some of the practices that alcohol rehab in Georgia and drug rehab in Georgia follow. Our facility provides many different services and a lot of information during our clients stay that assist in their recovery process and set them up for lifelong sobriety. Below we have provided some of our treatment options (and options that other facilities may have) and information regarding each one:

• Detox – After the client realizes that they need help with their addiction, this is usually the first step within the recovery process. This is when the client “gets off” of the substance and may suffer from withdrawal symptoms. The facility should help ease those symptoms every step along the way.
• Partial hospitalization – This treatment occurs during the day and usually offers a program that addresses and helps with both the mental and physical aspects of substance abuse. This program helps with all kinds of addiction, substance abuse, co-occuring mental health disorders, etc.
• Intensive outpatient – These outpatient programs usually have the clients come to the facilities to receive treatment. This treatment usually includes individual counseling, group therapy, and alternative therapies. The individual counseling is working with licensed professionals with one on one therapy. Group therapy is where clients can talk to each other about their experiences and to help build community. Alternative therapies include things such as art therapy, acupuncture, exercise, learning healthy life skills, etc.
• Outpatient program – This kind of outpatient program is like the intensive outpatient program, but allows for even more freedom. This program allows their clients to maintain a normal life schedule and also has at-home flexibility. This program is suited best for those with a strong support system, a less severe addiction, or someone who has previously had an addiction. 
• Sober living – This program offers clients with a sober community to live in and also provides long-term aftercare once the inpatient treatment is over. This after-care provides our clients with support and the care that they need to continue to succeed after treatment.

Choosing the Right Alcohol Rehab in Georgia for You

Each client has their own unique and individualized treatment path. Reaching out to someone is the first step in getting treatment. Doing your research is important in finding the right treatment path, especially in understanding what program would best fit your individual needs and your schedule. Understand that you need to find time to make your recovery a priority so you can be back to loving the life that you have. Choosing the right rehab program may be difficult, but it is crucial in your process to recovery and overcoming your addiction.  Reach out to us, a specialized drug rehab in Georgia, today, to find you, or a family member’s, unique and individualized addiction treatment care. 

Building and maintaining a sober support system is crucial to the addiction recovery process. Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we understand the importance of this support system and want our clients to know this  as well! Our hope is by completing addiction treatment, our clients can start to build a sober support system that will help them maintain their recovery.

Building a Sober Support System

Building a sober support system is twofold: it includes rebuilding broken relationships and making new sober friends. When mending a broken relationship, keep in mind that addiction doesn’t just affect the user, it also affects the relationships that the user has with other people. Substance abuse can damage the lives and relationships around the user. This can lead to emotional pain and unhealthy coping habits. The good thing about recovery and sobriety is that you have the ability to rebuild all of the relationships that have been affected by the substance and addiction. Some ways to regain trust within individuals and their relationships with you are:

• Having empathy – Putting yourself in other people’s shoes is so important in trying to understand their feelings and what they are going through. This helps you to not be biased with your own opinion. 
• Be patient with others – Being patient with the people around you is crucial in rebuilding relationships. Understand that they may not be willing to jump right back in with a relationship with you. Taking time and putting in effort to rebuild those relationships is important in showing others that you care.
• Forgive yourself – In rebuilding relationships, you need to understand that not everyone will be willing to work with you and forgive you, but it is important to forgive yourself. Understand that you aren’t the same person that you were while using and there may be some hiccups along the way, but continually striving to succeed is what is important. 
• You can only change yourself – Investing in yourself is super important. Understand that you can only change yourself. You can’t change those around you, but you can change who you are around. You need to invest in a healthy support system, that wants you to succeed and is there for you when you struggle. 

Rebuilding broken relationships is important, but creating new and healthy relationships is equally as important! 

Why It’s Important to Have Sober Friends

Having a sober and healthy support system is crucial during the recovery process. We know that the recovery process is not all sunshine and rainbows, so having a support system that has the same morals of you is crucial, especially in regards to being sober and sobriety. Having sober friends can not only prevent a future relapse, but it can also prevent loneliness and boredom without any kind of peer pressure involved. The peer pressure that you should be receiving is accountability. It’s a different kind of peer pressure, it’s the one that makes you want to succeed and make your friends/family proud of you. 

A sober support system will tell you the truth, and the truth may hurt sometimes, but it’s important that this support system doesn’t sugar coat anything. Having sober friends means having honest relationships that aren’t afraid to tell you how it is regardless of how you feel. This support system can help you build and normalize a sober routine, and help you when you get out of that routine. Building these friendships are crucial and having others to lean on during a time like this is helpful in the recovery process. 

Get Sober at Atlanta Recovery Place

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to help you succeed in every possible way in regards to your recovery process and sobriety. We want to help you find a support system that meets your needs, works on bettering you, and wants to help you stay accountable and succeed in your recovery process. Reach out to us today to start your recovery process and receive help in becoming successful in your sobriety. 

Addiction is a very common disorder among individuals of all ages, races, and religions. It manifests in many different ways, and sometimes can be difficult to identify. According to Addiction and Recovery, approximately 10% of the population is addicted to drugs or alcohol, but what causes addiction? Can addiction be genetic? Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to provide information in regards to addiction and its causes, whether it be the environment or a genetic disposition.

What Is Addiction?

According to Addiction and Recovery, people abuse substances as a way to escape, relax, or even as a way to reward themselves. These substances, when used overtime, can make an individual feel like they need them to just to live a normal life. This is caused by dependency and tolerance to the substance. The addiction will worsen overtime if not treatment properly. Having professional treatment and having professional detox is helpful in the aid to recovery. Support systems and professional treatment is important to the recovery process.

Can Addiction Be Genetic?

According to Addiction and Recovery, there are many different causes to an addiction. These causes aren’t completely genetic and can contribute to things such as peer pressure. These causes include:

• Addiction and genetic disposition – 50% to 60% of addiction is due to genetic factors within a family. This has been proven within studies, such as the twin studies. When an identical twin was addicted to a substance, the other twin was at an increased risk. Though family history is correlated with addiction, it is not always the cause.
• Poor coping skills – When dealing with stress and anxiety some individuals have poor coping skills. Stress is a very important risk factor in individuals with depression and anxiety. 
• Negative thinking – Some individuals have a lot of negativity within their life which can lead to negative thinking. This negativity can make you feel stressed, uncomfortable, unhappy, and discontent. When you try to quit cold turkey it can cause negative thinking.
• Co-occuring disorder – Some individuals experience a co-occuring disorder such as anxiety or depression that can contribute to this disorder. Approximately 15% to 30% of people who have issues with addiction also have an underlying disorder. 

Addiction itself isn’t always caused by genetics, and can be caused by many other things, but genetics can certainly contribute to someone’s vulnerability to addiction and substance abuse. 

Signs of Addiction

There are two basic signs and qualities of an addiction. These basic signs consist of:

• The using of this substance may first start as casual and then lead to a daily occurrence. For example, one drink or substance can lead to another.
• The using continues and may even increase even despite the negative symptoms and consequences to this substance. For example, the addiction may cause problems within the individual’s life and the relationships of those around him.
• There may be emotional, physical, and even psychological changes within an individual and their body. They may be noticeable or they may not be noticeable to the individual that is abusing the substance or the people within this individual’s life.This being said, each individual is different and experiences different things, so the signs and symptoms may not be that noticeable.  

It is important to be able to understand and to be able to read the signs an individual is experiencing during their addiction. This can help them get the professional help and social support that they need during this difficult situation. Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial during the recovery process and maintaining sobriety. 

How Can Atlanta Recovery Place Help?

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want our clients’ recovery process to be successful and as smooth as possible. We are here to assist in the maintenance of sobriety and preventing future relapse. While being an addict can be genetic, there are also many other causes of addiction. We make sure to address these causes and needs with each and everyone of our clients. Reach out to us today to get a jumpstart on your recovery! 

There is an epidemic that has been affecting America for generations. This epidemic has caused an abundance of substance abuse throughout the nation. This epidemic is called the opioid epidemic. Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to provide information on the opioid epidemic and how it is affecting Americans all over the nation. Our hope is by raising awareness, we can all band together to stop the opioid crisis plaguing America. 

What Are Opioids?

Opioids, or sometimes known as narcotics, are prescribed or illegal pain relievers that have been abused for many decades. Opioids can be natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic. According to the CDC, there are three different types of opioids. The first type being prescribed opioids. These opioids are usually prescribed by doctors as a pain reliever for moderate to severe pain. This seems to be very common in America and pain affects many Americans. Some of the common types of prescribed opioids are Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Morphine, and Methadone. The second type of opioids is Fentanyl, a synthetic pain reliever that is more powerful than the other opioids. This opioid has been used in cancer treatment. Illegally made and distributed Fentanyl has been on the rise in the US. The third type of opioids is heroin, an illegal opioid. Heroin has been abused across genders, ages, classes, and geographics. 

How Are Opioids Affecting America?

According to the CDC, almost 450,000 people have died from overdoses involving opioids between the years 1999 and 2018. That is an alarming amount of deaths. There have been three waves within the opioid epidemic involving the three different types of opioids. The first wave began in 1990 with an increased amount of prescribed opioids. Prescription opioids are supposed to be for short term pain management, but instead and widely abused and used for long term pain management, contributing greatly to the opioid epidemic in America. These opioid overdose deaths were from natural and semi-synthetic opioids that have still been increasing since 1999. 

The second wave started in 2010 with increasing overdoses and deaths due to heroin. The third wave started in 2013 with an increase in overdoses and deaths due to synthetic opioids (usually Fentanyl). Opioids can cause many different issues and side effects within its user. These side effects can range from something as little as drowsiness to something as intense as slow heart rate and even death. The amount of opioid deaths have decreased from 2017 to 2018, it is important to continue that decreasing trend.

How to Get Help

The first step in receiving help is acknowledging that you have a problem, which takes a lot of boldness and bravery. Acknowledging you have a problem with opioids is important in the process of recovery. If you realize you have a problem and want to get better, then you will find a way to do so. 

Once you acknowledge your addiction, the next step is to take action. If you’re currently prescribed opioids, you can reach out to your doctor who is prescribing them. They can hopefully lower your dose and how many you should take. If you are illegally purchasing opioids, a good option for you is to seek addiction treatment. There are many forms of treatment that can help with an opioid addiction; inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient, just to name a few. If your current environment is not ideal in recovery, find some new scenery. Start addiction therapy or a support group as soon as you can to ensure sobriety and prevent a future relapse. 

According to the CDC, some of the best ways to prevent opioid abuse and opioid overdose deaths are to (1) improve and lessen opioid prescribing, (2) reduce the exposure an addict may have to opioids, (3) prevent the misuse of opioids, and (4) treat opioid substance abuse disorder. 

How Atlanta Recovery Place Can Help

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to provide resources in making your recovery process as simple and easy as possible. Reach out to us today so we can assist you or a loved ones individualized needs and help you succeed in the recovery process. 

The 12-steps. We’ve all heard of it at one point or another, but some of you may not know exactly what they are. Today, Atlanta Recovery Place would like to spend some time explaining what a 12-step fellowship is and how it’s effective in treating addiction.  At our facility, we provide comprehensive addiction treatment and other services that help address the distinctive needs of each individual client. 

What Is a 12-Step Fellowship Program?

A 12-step fellowship first started out as a religious addiction treatment program that helps recovering addicts through Christian inspiration to gain/achieve abstinence. Today, the basic idea of the 12-step fellowship is so that people can help each other maintain sobriety from substances or behaviors that they are addicted to, through support groups and 12-step meetings. To put it more simply, a 12-step therapy treatment program is a strategy that is designed for recovering addicts to become actively involved in a support group. Having the support from others is crucial in recovery. We feel that having a 12-step fellowship available during treatment is also important because it’s something our clients can continue to do after they leave. Recovery is a lifelong journey and doesn’t stop after someone leaves treatment. 

What Are the 12 Steps?

Though not all addiction treatment facilities take advantage of the 12-steps, they do promote this 12-step method, especially after the clients finish their rehabilitation program and need to find support as they are trying to maintain/achieve sobriety. The 12-steps are as follows:

1. Admitting powerlessness over the addiction.
2. Believing that a higher power (in whatever form) can help.
3. Deciding to turn control over to the higher power.
4. Taking a personal inventory.
5. Admitting to the higher power, oneself, and another person the wrongs done.
6. Being ready to have the higher power correct any shortcomings in one’s character.
7. Asking the higher power to remove those shortcomings.
8. Making a list of wrongs done to others and being willing to make amends for those wrongs.
9. Contacting those who have been hurt, unless doing so would harm the person.
10. Continuing to take personal inventory and admitting when one is wrong.
11. Seeking enlightenment and connection with the higher power via prayer and meditation.
12. Carrying the message of the 12 Steps to others in need.

These 12-steps are very important in addiction recovery and treatment, and they have given some very promising results for our clients. The key to keeping up with these 12-steps is to find a community that will support you and keep you accountable throughout your recovery process. 

How Do the 12-Steps Help in Addiction Recovery?

The 12-steps help in addiction recovery by assisting our clients in having the ability to recognize and admit that one is experiencing an addiction problem. This includes the realization that this addiction is a chronic disease and is very difficult to control by themselves. Clients should begin to understand willpower alone is not sufficient enough to overcome this addiction problem. By recognizing that they have an addiction problem, our clients start to understand that they need to surrender their control that they have over their addiction problem. This helps relieve stress and anxiety, which can prevent a future relapse. This surrender involves, in some cases, the client giving themselves to a higher power, and accepting fellowship and support that comes with meeting with other recovering addicts. Lastly, having active involvement in a 12-step meeting/setting is important in overcoming this addiction, surrendering the stress, and achieving sobriety. These 12-step treatment programs are efficient and successful in treating alcohol dependency and have been found to be a promising treatment in other addictive substances and behaviors.

Atlanta Recovery Place Can Help

Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to help you have a successful recovery and maintain sobriety. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact us today. There is no better time than now to start your community in building a better journey to recovery!