ByNick Jones

Teen/Young Adult

Hollywood’s Impact on Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is an epidemic the nation has been struggling with for years. In 2013 alone, statistics showed that more than 9% of the population over the age of 12 was using drugs. Hollywood is often viewed as having a huge impact on these statistics. Many teens use celebrities as role models. When it comes to drug abuse, this can sometimes be detrimental and sometimes be a positive thing. The following guide walks you through a few of the many ways that Hollywood is having a huge impact on drug addiction in this country.

Hollywood Minimizes the Dangers of Drug Addiction

When people read stories about the celebrities they idolize drinking or doing drugs, it often gives them the impression that drug or alcohol abuse isn’t a big deal. Watching movies or television shows that depict people getting drunk or high and everything working out for them creates a false depiction of what can really happen.

It’s important for people to realize that movies and television are designed to entertain you, not necessarily be an example of what you should be doing in your everyday life. Drug addiction occurs for each person differently. There are some people who can do drugs multiple times and not become addicted to them while others only have to do a drug one time and their body instantly starts to crave it uncontrollably.

Hollywood Can Make Drug Use Look Appealing

Seeing celebrities talk about drug or alcohol abuse in a joking manner or seeing it being depicted on film or television can make someone want to try things for themselves. Many teens claim that they wanted to try a drug or drinking alcohol because of what they saw in a movie or on a television show. This can be very dangerous because the people on television or in movies are just acting. Many teens don’t realize that they aren’t in their right state of mind when they drink or do drugs. They don’t realize that they may have a negative reaction to the substances that they take and that they could develop a drug addiction.

Many people aren’t properly educated about the dangers that come with drug or alcohol abuse. They assume that if they see someone safely mixing drugs and alcohol in Hollywood that it’s safe for them to do too. This can lead to an overdose or dual dependency very quickly.

Celebrities Can Make Drug Addiction Less Shameful

Developing a drug addiction is often very shameful for people. They assume that there will be a stigma and choose not to get the help they need. This decision can easily lead to someone overdosing or trying to live in active addiction for much longer than they should.

Having famous celebrities come forward and admit that they are battling a drug or alcohol addiction and have chosen to seek professional drug addiction treatment can make it easier for the average person to have the courage to seek help too. It’s important to realize that while celebrities can have a negative influence on people, they can also have a positive influence.

Hollywood Can Make Drug Addiction Treatment Less Scary

People are afraid to seek drug addiction treatment because they are fearful. They assume that they will have to deal with horrible withdrawal symptoms and feel miserable. Hearing celebrities talk about their experiences can make it easier for someone to choose to get treatment. They feel less intimidated and can go to a treatment facility to talk about their options.

Hollywood Allows People to Realize No One is Immune to an Overdose

Many people assume that they are able to abuse drugs or alcohol without having to worry about any long-term effects. They think that they have the situation under control and know what their limits are. When celebrities overdose from drugs or alcohol, it can serve as an eye-opener for those that idolize them. It can help them to realize no one is immune to an overdose and push them to get help.

Protecting Your Loved Ones from Negative Hollywood Influences

It’s important to realize that parents can protect their children from the negative influence Hollywood has to offer. Being proactive can improve the chances of your children being able to make rational decisions when they are older. There are many things you can do to protect your kids from potential drug or alcohol abuse such as:

Educate About the Dangers: Educate your children about the dangers of drug abuse. This includes the physical, mental, and emotional dangers, as well as the legal dangers they could incur. Many teens think that because their celebrity idol didn’t get into trouble for using drugs, they won’t either.
Limit Exposure to Questionable Material: Limit what and how much content involving drug or alcohol use your child watches. Marginalizing drug or alcohol use can make it seem less dangerous to children.
Create an Open Dialogue: Ensure that your child feels safe and comfortable to talk to you. When children feel like they can talk to their parents, they’re more likely to consult with them about potential decisions.

If you think that you or someone you love is suffering from addiction, take action right away. You want to be sure treatment is started quickly. It’s a rough journey but it’s worth it to find recovery and live a more productive life.

ByNick Jones

Addiction

Things to Look forward to in Recovery

Is the tough journey towards sobriety worth pursuing? The first few months of recovery may come with a lot of euphoria. But soon some people may start to feel bored. Perhaps you still miss the drinking days or you still want to be in the circle that used to get high every evening. It is OK to run into “the wall’ but after that, there is much to look forward to in sobriety.

Sobriety comes with a feeling of gratification in the long run. You can have your life back and you can even have it better this time. Here are some things to look forward to in recovery.

1. Improved Health

It goes without saying that you will enjoy better health in sobriety. Imagine that your body does not have to strain cleaning up all the toxins. You also get to eat at the right time and in the right amounts, consciously.

You are now free from long-term dangers that come with prolonged substance abuse such as liver or kidney problems. While you may not entirely reverse the health damage that has already happened, you avoid risk of further respiratory problems, cardiovascular, digestive and mental health issues.

During recovery, you can come up with a positive and structured routine that will fuel your body positively. Sobriety will help your body heal and slowly build up its energy, immune system and support for health functioning.

2. Freedom

Addiction and dependency is a form of slavery. Having to depend on drugs every day to wake up, cope with life issues, feel good or interact with others is not healthy. For a long time, drugs have run your life. Now, you do not have to worry about being in control of your substance use. No more wasting time figuring out where to get the next fix or drink.

There is a sense of relief that comes with letting the chains go and feeling free again. Slowly, feelings of shame, despair and guilt will begin to wear off and you do not have to feel disconnected from the world.

3. Emotional Well-being

With sobriety, you no longer have to be the emotional wreck you used to be. One of the greatest fears for recovery is how to go about handling issues and all the emotions. First of all, there is no miracle cookie for happiness and balance and recovery. However, sobriety comes with clarity of mind that helps you handle issues better.

You will learn to understand all the emotions behind any feeling. Since you understand yourself and your mind better, you will know when to act and how to act. With self-consciousness, you learn to accept your mistakes and pick the lessons for better tomorrow. You will go through significant emotional milestones in sobriety.

4. Better Wholesome Relationships

A lot of relationships get damaged during addiction. Your loved ones suffered the consequences of your addiction and some emotional damage occurred. When you are committed to sobriety, you prove to them that you are choosing the best for yourself.

In sobriety, you also meet friends with common beliefs. You will be amazed there are so many good people with the same beliefs that have overcome similar struggles. You get to shed off bad crowds that kept you company during high days.

5. New Hobbies and Interests Await

During addiction, you may have lost interest in a lot of things you used to love before. This includes losing interest in other aspects of life including activities that bring happiness and relaxation. Sobriety will give you a chance to know yourself better once again. While reflecting on your personality you will discover constructive outlets such as new interests and hobbies.

6. Productivity and Chance at a New Career

Chances are you ran into work trouble during one of the days you were high. Perhaps, it’s the work life that gets you on the cliff. With sobriety, you have a chance to rethink things. Having lost so much to addiction, you do not have to waste more time with a job you do not like. You will have the courage to pursue your true work path.

While going through the sessions, you might have been lucky to stumble upon networks that help recovered addicts find new work opportunities. Being sober will help you reflect on the important things, and being productive tops the list.

7. Helping Someone Else

When you have done this successfully, you have a chance to tell someone how it felt and how you got through it. You can also tell them how the other side feels. You can mentor someone best if you have been in their situation. They find you more credible if you somewhat know and understand what you have been through and overcame successfully.

8. Sobriety Excitement Islands

Once in a while, make a habit of celebrating your sobriety journey. It is such a significant accomplishment. Excitement islands are simply little things you do for fun on a regular basis. These islands give you something to look forward to. Here are some island ideas you can schedule for yourself

Hang out over the weekends with family and friends
A matinee movie
Try a new splendid restaurant (great idea for the money wasted on drugs)
Camping
Massage or spa treatment
A play or a ball game
Coffee with a new friend
Take day off!
Get creative with other examples

9. Gratitude-filled Life

Sometimes people fall off the wagon because they do not take a moment to be grateful. Gratitude begins with meditating on your journey. When you have won back your sobriety, it builds a culture of gratitude as you become grateful for second chance, new friends and family, better relationships and your freedom.

You also learn to pat yourself on the back for small and big achievements made so far. You realize that this is a better routine than the one you were used earlier where you felt inadequate and undeserving. Gratitude comes with self-love, satisfaction and confidence in self.

Sobriety comes with a complete transformation into a new person. You feel better about yourself and you appreciate your journey more. There is a lot to celebrate and to discover about new being. Remain patient and positive as each day brings new lessons. If you would like to start your recovery journey today, call us for all the support you may need.

ByNick Jones

How Do I Know a Particular Drug Addiction Rehab Center is Right for Me?

Trying to find the right drug addiction rehab center for your very individual needs can be overwhelming. A simple online search leads to many possibilities all across the country.

While many of these choices seem promising, do they offer what you really need? Is the focus on sustained recovery, or is much of the drug addiction rehab center website used to show amenities that don’t interest you? While a “retreat” is always nice, is a retreat going to save your life? Will it actually deliver the long-term recovery you want or just some pretty amenities instead?

What You Really Need from Drug Addiction Rehab Center Treatment

When substance abuse is controlling your life, drug addiction rehab center treatment must be focused on recovery and rebuilding what has been damaged. Luxury amenities won’t get you back on track. A comprehensive array of therapies and focused rehabilitation will. Through a Joint Commission-accredited, long-term rehabilitation program, you can focus on fixing the problems of your past that led to addiction in the first place, while overcoming the hold that substance abuse has on your life.

Traits of the Most Effective Drug Addiction Rehab Center Programs

Joint Commission accreditation is an affirmation of quality in drug treatment after a thorough third-party audit of program components, facilities, staff, client satisfaction and patient success in recovery. When the gold seal of the Joint Commission is displayed by a rehab center, you can be assured that you will receive the most effective substance abuse treatment possible.

Beyond accreditation, additional traits of the type of program you need for success in long-term sobriety include:

Medically supervised detox program
Long-term residential program availability for those needing concentrated, effective treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders and anger management, as needed
12-Step program integration toward support in aftercare and the home community
An array of evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy
Holistic therapies, such as art and music therapy
Family support and therapy
Individual counseling
Group therapy
Life and coping skills education
Aftercare

Recovery In Motion Provides Treatment that Is Right for You

When focusing on treatment is your objective from rehab, Recovery In Motion provides the long-term, comprehensive rehabilitation you need. Recovery In Motion is a long-term residential program that is more affordable than other types of treatment facilities that are more focused on expensive amenities you may not want.

Adults over the age of 18 and ranging into retirement years are treated by Recovery In Motion each day. If you’re ready to overcome drug addiction, call Recovery In Motion in Tucson at (866) 418-1070, so you can join peers from all parts of the country in treatment designed for ultimate success. Rooms are available, so make the call today.

ByNick Jones

Are the Best Alcohol Rehab Centers Always in Well Known?

Trying to find the best alcohol rehab centers to choose from can be like searching for needles in a haystack. A web search easily leads to hundreds of options, some of which you may be familiar with and others that are a mystery to you. All of these options purport to be the best alcohol rehab centers. But are they the best for you?

Searching for the Best Alcohol Rehab Centers

When it’s time for you to get help in one of the best alcohol rehab centers, don’t be fooled by some well-known options. Being the best known in the field of addiction treatment doesn’t automatically mean a facility is the most effective. In fact, you may find your best treatment actually comes from a much less-known facility where you are treated as an individual with unique needs.

Another method people use when looking for the right treatment options is to check online reviews. That method isn’t always as dependable as you might think. Online reviews often aren’t legitimate. As search engines turn to online reviews to boost the visibility of brands online, many rehabs paid people to write reviews for them. Many of these people have never even seen the inside of a rehab facility. As a result, their reviews do nothing to help you assess a facility.

Narrowing the Field to the Best Alcohol Rehab Centers

Things are often not as they appear on the web in a search for the right rehab. Often, a well-known facility may not be the right fit for you. Therefore, you need a reliable means of evaluating options and narrowing the field of rehabs from which to choose.

The best way to find the alcohol rehab best suited to your needs is to consider what you wish to gain from rehab. Are you looking for a retreat from life, or to focus intently on rehabilitation and lasting recovery? If you don’t think massages, swimming pools, and horseback riding are what you need to become sober for the long term, you will be better served by attending an affordable, comprehensive alcohol rehab in sunny Tucson.

Recovery In Motion: An Accredited Long-Term Residential Alcohol Treatment Facility

Recovery In Motion is a Tucson, Arizona-based long-term residential rehab. Unlike retreat-oriented facilities, Recovery In Motion provides comprehensive treatment focus without the added expense or distraction of elements that seem right for you. Treatment includes:

Medically supervised detox
Individual counseling
Group therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Dual diagnosis treatment
Integration of the 12 steps
Family support and therapy
Employee Assistance Program coordination to help you keep your job
Art therapy
Music therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy
Anger management, as needed
Trauma therapy
Life-skills training
Relapse prevention education
Aftercare support

If you (or someone you love) are ready for accredited alcohol rehab focused on first-time success, call Recovery In Motion at (866) 418-1070. Recovery In Motion may not be the best known, but we provide the affordable treatment you need to gain successful and long-lasting recovery.

ByNick Jones

5 Signs You’re Ready for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation

Substance abuse rehabilitation provides comprehensive help for those people who are ready to get their lives back on track and enjoy a more fulfilling future. When substance abuse takes hold, rehab is a very necessary step toward freedom from the problems that otherwise won’t go away.

Five Signs You’re Ready for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation

Many things indicate that you’re ready for substance abuse rehabilitation. Each of the following are indications that it’s time to take searching for the right treatment center before it’s too late:

1. Substance abuse is the biggest priority.

When using your substance, whether drugs or alcohol, is a bigger priority than other daily activities, work, school or your family, treatment is due. As addiction grows, you likely find that you’re giving up things you used to love and life is slowly losing its appeal.

2. Substance abuse is causing health problems.

Using drugs or alcohol leads to many health problems, depending upon which substance you use. Some provide early outward signs of use, such as skin blemishes and ill appearance. Others take longer to be seen on the body’s exterior but are actively affecting major organs. Just because you still look somewhat healthy on the outside, it doesn’t mean your life isn’t in danger from both physical and mental conditions.

3. You have to use more and more of your substance to gain the same effects.

If you find yourself needing substantially more of your substance than when you first started abusing it to get the same effects, you have developed tolerance that can lead to a deadly overdose. Without treatment, you are likely on a path toward becoming just another overdose statistic.

4. You have a co-occurring mental illness.

Many people abusing substances are actually, even unknowingly, self-medicating for co-occurring mental conditions. These illnesses, like depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental disorders, can be an underlying cause of your substance abuse that you were previously unaware of. By gaining treatment for both the mental illness and substance abuse, you have an excellent chance of sustained recovery.

5. Attempts at quitting on your own have been unsuccessful.

Many people try first to quit on their own. But when this fails, it’s a clear indication that you need substance abuse rehabilitation. There is nothing wrong or shameful in seeking the help you need, just as you would for any other disease like diabetes, cancer or heart disease.

Get the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Help You Need Now

If you have avoided getting the help you need because of fear of rehab cost or because many rehabs seem to include costly extras not necessary for recovery, Recovery In Motion of Tucson, Arizona provides comprehensive treatment with the affordability you want. Call Recovery In Motion at (866) 418-1070 to take advantage of rooms available now for the brighter future of sobriety that you deserve.

ByNick Jones

How the Abuse of Prescription Pain Medications Can Lead To Heroin Use [Infographic]

Prescription Pain Medications

Many individuals who struggle with an addiction to heroin originally began by abusing prescription pain medications. All too often, people mistakenly believe that prescription painkillers are less addictive, dangerous or problematic than drugs like heroin, but the two are inextricably linked. The use of prescription pain medications can and often does lead to heroin use and addiction.

Prescription Pain Medications and Heroin Can Have a Lot in Common

Many prescription pain medications are opiates, which means that they reduce pain by attaching themselves to specific molecules called opioid receptors. Heroin is also an opiate, and it works in virtually the same way. Opiate addiction, whether a result of prescription pain medicine or heroin, is responsible for more than 29,000 overdose deaths every year.

Heroin is Cheaper than Prescription Opiates

Without insurance, or on the black market, prescription pain medications can be incredibly expensive. Patients who originally legitimately needed the medication, but are now addicted, can expect to pay around $60 for a single 60-milligram pill of an opiate painkiller. The equivalent amount of heroin, however, may be as little as one-tenth of the price. This significant price difference between the two substances means that financially-strapped individuals dealing with an addiction may be forced to purchase heroin in order to afford their next dose.

Prescription Drug Crackdowns Can Lead to Heroin Use Instead

According to the Center for Disease Control, a staggering 12 million Americans use prescription pain medications non-medically. This essentially means that they’re abusing the medication and may have an addiction. Sometimes, medical groups or cities will crack down on illegal prescriptions or sales of prescription painkillers. While this has positive intentions, unavailability of prescription opiates may cause some individuals to turn to heroin instead.

America Has a Serious Prescription Pain Medication Epidemic

The United States is home to roughly 5% of the world’s population. However, the nation is responsible for consuming more than 80% of the world’s supply of prescription painkillers. This is indicative of a serious addiction and opiate abuse problem in the United States, and it shows the scale of people who develop opiate addictions that can sometimes only be sated through heroin consumption.

Many People Who Use Prescription Painkillers Go on to Use Heroin

The transition from prescription pain medications to heroin isn’t rare or statistically insignificant. In fact, 1 in 15 people who take non-medical prescription pain medication will go on to try heroin within the next decade. With more than 12 million people taking prescription pain medications non-medically, this is a major issue that needs to be addressed.

Just because prescription pain medications can have a legitimate purpose, it doesn’t make them any less addictive or dangerous. Whether you’re struggling with an addiction to prescription medications or heroin, Recovery in Motion can help. Call (866) 418-1070 today to get the support and resources necessary to take back control over your life.

ByNick Jones

Struggling with Alcoholism: How to Stop Drinking

When you’re struggling with alcoholism, attempts to stop drinking are often difficult. However, steps can be taken to progress toward recovery and ensure a successful return to a fulfilling life. It’s important to recognize that stopping substance abuse requires outside help for sobriety to be achievable and lasting.

Why You Need to Know How to Stop Drinking

Simply going “cold turkey” can be dangerous, particularly if you’ve been abusing alcohol for a long period of time. Many people who have alcohol dependence need medical supervision in order to become sober safely. Doctors can provide much-needed help and support on the difficult journey to recovery.

Regardless of what’s motivating you to learn how to stop drinking, ending alcohol abuse is the only way to ensure bigger problems don’t continue to develop in your life, including:

Health problems caused by excessive alcohol use, such as liver disease and cancer
Fetal alcohol syndrome, if you’re pregnant
Family alcoholism problems, relationship issues and other social struggles in the wake of alcohol abuse
Employment effects, including lost jobs and poor productivity
Legal problems arising from DUI or poor decision making

How to Stop Drinking If You Are Not Yet Dependent

If you do have a physical need for alcohol to prevent withdrawal symptoms, you will need professional alcoholism help through a comprehensive treatment center. As effective means of how to stop drinking early in alcohol abuse, try the following:

Find alternatives to fill time you spend drinking, such as new healthy activities, hobbies or diversions
Avoid things that trigger you to drink
Develop a plan for times when cravings hit, such as seeking support from others, physical exercise or repetition of positive affirmations
Practice saying “no” to drinking offers, particularly socialization in places where alcohol is served until you are strong in sobriety

If the above measures haven’t worked for you, you need treatment from professionals who know how to support your return to recovery. There’s nothing shameful in asking for this help, as alcoholism withdrawal can be deadly if not properly supervised. When you’re ready to quit drinking and feel you’re struggling, being aware that treatment exists to make recovery permanent can be a major relief.

You Aren’t Alone at Recovery In Motion

At Recovery In Motion in Tucson, Arizona, patients from all over the country work toward recovery through evidence-based therapies and holistic treatments. Recovery In Motion is affordable and comprehensive treatment for adults who want to focus on sobriety for a more fulfilling and productive future. Long-term treatment is ideal for overcoming alcohol and drug abuse in a setting of apartment-style living among peers in recovery.

Don’t let alcoholism control your life. Call Recovery In Motion now at (866) 418-1070 for the effective support you need to stop drinking.

ByNick Jones

Rehabilitation

Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehab: What You Need to Know

If you are thinking about going to rehab, you’ll need to understand which direction is best for you to take.

knowing where you stand with everything can be hard, especially when you make the decision that help is needed. If you’ve been an addict for a long time, how should you decide what kind of care is best for you?

Being unsure and nervous by this decision is completely normal and there’s nothing to worry about. Our aim is to help you figure out whether you should get inpatient or outpatient rehab. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but there are some big-time differences that might make you lean one way over the other.

So, why wait any longer? Let’s get to the bottom of the inpatient vs outpatient rehab discussion. Which one should you choose?

Inpatient Vs Outpatient Rehab: Which Is For You?

To properly break this down, we need to find out what is included in each of these types of rehab. You might think you know what goes on, but there’s a deeper purpose beyond the surface that might make your recovery better suited for inpatient over outpatient, or vice versa.

What Is Inpatient Rehab?

Inpatient rehab is an intensive rehabilitation process where the patient lives at the facility for a set amount of time. These licensed live-in facilities have 24-hour services to accommodate your needs. Doctors, nurses, psychologists, and other workers are present at all times to help you through your process.

This type of rehab is very structured and special focus is put on living a sober lifestyle. Days are planned out with various activities and appointments to check in and help you with any concerns you have about your treatment and your addiction.

There are things to consider, however, before you decide that inpatient treatment is for you:

You’re required to leave your life and lifestyle behind when you enter the facility. Once you’re there, you’re in treatment short-term or long-term. If you’ve got a spouse, kids, or a job, you’ll have to arrange other plans to get the kids to school and inform your employer that you’ll be gone for a while.

Short term treatments typically last for 3-6 weeks and long-term treatments last between 6-12 months. Treatment types depend on how severe your condition is. The structured nature of the treatment can be challenging for some, as the facility’s staff will determine your day to day schedule.

Because of the intensive nature of this kind of treatment (taking care of patients, maintaining facilities, paying staff), inpatient rehab can get expensive.

What Is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab is, in many ways, the opposite of inpatient rehab. Rather than providing a live-in facility, outpatient rehab allows the patient to continue to live, work, and interact within their normal lives. It still involves (sometimes) daily treatment at a facility, but in the evening, the patient gets to go home.

Overall, it’s less intensive than inpatient, but you still get to go through therapy, group sessions, and 1-on-1 counseling with dedicated professionals. While inpatient treatment is intense and structured throughout the entire time you’re at the facility, outpatient treatments down-scale as you grow within the treatment.

Let’s talk about some of the things you need to think about before you decide to choose outpatient treatment:

You get to choose the level of treatment that you get. If you’re a casual user that wants to quit a habit, you can choose a more lax form of rehab. You can still proceed with your daily life and fit in counseling sessions and group therapy in your free time.

You get to live at home, rather than at a facility. Some people take comfort in the ability to continue living their normal lives during their recovery. Appointments can be made in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate your work and family schedule. For this reason, it’s much cheaper.

Some outpatient programs offer concurrent treatments for co-occurring problems like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. This allows you to tackle two problems at the same time. Many people fall into addiction because of a deeper psychological issue. Addiction and mental health are often tied together.

Which Should You Choose?

It’s alright if you still don’t know which is the best one for you. You should consider talking to a professional to make this decision, however. It really boils down to the severity of your substance abuse issue.

Those that have had a long-standing battle with addiction almost always choose inpatient rehab. Often, an addict’s personal life becomes completely entangled with a drug. If you find yourself in an environment where your lifestyle revolves around getting drugs and getting high, then you need to remove yourself from it ASAP.

The best way to detox and reset is to be admitted to a facility where there are no drugs around and you can get medical attention whenever you need it.

If you’re a functioning addict, then you’ll probably choose outpatient rehab. This type of rehab is still intensive, but you can be present in your life. It’s suited for those who have milder addictions that require support, but maybe not 24/7 attention.

It should be noted that the success rate of inpatient is higher than that of outpatient, but the statistics don’t tell the whole story. A lot more money goes into inpatient rehab because they’re often dealing with more dire situations. The success rate of outpatient rehab depends a lot more on the patient.

Get Clean Today

Now that you know what the two types of treatment include, you can make a more informed decision. It’s not a matter of inpatient vs outpatient rehab, it’s a matter of what’s best for your health and recovery. Talk to a doctor today and decide what’s best for you and your family.

It can be a long road to sobriety, but it’s not impossible. Deciding to go to rehab for treatment is where the process will start, regardless of what that treatment is. If outpatient treatment doesn’t work for you, you can always try inpatient. And, if you’ve tried inpatient, but don’t like it, you can always try an outpatient program.

Visit Recover In Motion to find out how to get clean. We’ve got affordable inpatient and outpatient programs in the Tucson, AZ area. Our focus is on getting you clean and back to your friends and families.

While you’re there, check out our blog to read additional information about getting sober and what to expect from rehab.

ByNick Jones

Blog

Rehab or Your Job: You Don’t Have to Choose

Stressing about how to keep your current job while you go to rehab? Turns out that Fear is the top reason that stops alcoholics and addicts from seeking help. The fears of repercussions are what keeps addicts stuck in a cycle of self-destruction.

Is there currently a way we can assist those we love with addiction before its all too late? Our belief is that recovery is possible for everyone. That’s why our specialists strive to bring quality treatment to each patient.

Yet, we can’t help if you or the one you love is afraid to lose their work. Treatment programs should be the root of healing, not a cause for fear. We’re aiming to ease the fears or hesitations about job loss and rehab.

Read on to uncover why you won’t lose your job during rehab!

Need Rehab? Here’s How to Keep Your Job!

Accepting that you need treatment is the first step to recovery. Planning to get treatment is the first step toward a new life. But are you letting the fear of losing your job hold you back?

We’re here to tell you—don’t! Before you can start any paperwork or making decisions, you’ll need each help. Round up a group of close family and friends.

You want people surrounding you that are loving and supporting. Having supporting people by your side will keep you strong. They’ll encourage your confidence and strengthen your decision to get treatment.

The beginning steps are when addicts are the most vulnerable to falling off track. That’s because it’s scary and involves an unfamiliar change. You also know that it is going to be challenging.

The good news is that the people you love are going to be with you. You won’t have to heal and recover on your own. Mental health professionals help you put your life on hold while getting better.

Here’s what you’ll need to do!

First: Understand the Process of Treatment

A 12 step treatment program helps those with addiction. This is the most common treatment program for addicts. It tackles issues like:

Denial/Acceptance
Withdrawal and drug detox
Healthy coping mechanisms
Forgiveness
Clear and accurate communication
Spirituality
Release of anger

The list of elements goes far beyond mere twelve steps. But the twelve steps are a basic template to take you from one touchstone to the next. Know that this program is life-changing and successful.

When you put your mind to changing your circumstance, you can find the power within. This isn’t an overnight job, and you have to make time to recover. You might be wondering: how to do I make time with my job?

That’s where the law comes into play. You’ll need to think about your current situation. Are you abusing alcohol or other substances in the present while employed?

If so, then you need to apply for FMLA or ADA ASAP!

Second: Research the Law, Disability, and Your Rights

Addicts should know of the Americans Disability Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. ADA and FMLA protect addicts while they’re seeking treatment in rehab or support. But there are a couple catches that you need to be aware of!

The type of drug use matters, and timing, or when you seek treatment, affect your job protection. FMLA covers addicts in rehab, which means you can’t get fired. Though, you have to seek treatment before your addiction causes problems at work.

If you’re using illegal drugs without seeking help, your boss can fire you. What happens if you do get fired while under ADA or FMLA? While it’s possible to still get fired, this could mean serious trouble for the company that does.

At that point, you would have every right to sue the company.

Third: Get Familiar with Discrimination in Law and How It Applies to Addiction

Since addiction is a mental illness, it is also considered a disability. That’s why you are safe under the ADA and FMLA acts. While you’re under ADA or FMLA, going to rehab is a safe bet.

You will have the confidence that when you get back you’ll still have an income to get through. Getting fired even under FMLA or ADA is discrimination in law. You can sue the company that fires you for discrimination against your disability.

There is also the option to apply for unemployment funding until you find a better position.

Four: Is Your Job the Right Fit for You and Your Recovery? Be Honest and Realistic with Yourself and Your Goals to Get Success!

Remember that sometimes it’s better to lose a job that’s doing you more harm than good. You need positive energy in your life before, during, and after recovery. A stressful job could do damage to your recovery than the income or benefits it provides.

Keep in mind that new jobs have probation periods for insurance coverage and drug tests. Setting up counseling appointments can help you return to a difficult job position. Always have a support group to turn to when treatment or life becomes overwhelming.

Ask for help the moment you notice triggers or poor coping mechanisms pop up. Therapy helps navigate stress and ease the burden of a demanding corporate world. You are the priority, so be honest and set yourself up for success.

Beginning the Journey One Step at a Time

Knowing how to keep your job during rehab is about knowing the law. It’s also about having the right people by your side to guide you through tough decisions. Seeking the best people to help you through recovery can be a tough choice.

Drugs and alcohol mold our perception in an unhealthy way. Professional help is a great starting point to overcome the starting phases! They’ll lead you in the direction to getting healthy, and being the support you need.

Reach out to us with all your questions and concerns about rehab! That way you can know you’re making the best choice for you and your future. Stay strong, maintain your belief that it’s possible, and remember you are not alone.

ByNick Jones

Drug Information

Used and Abused: The Most Common Types of Prescription Drugs that are Abused

Do you wonder why America has been so taken by substance abuse over the years?

If you’ve been affected by addiction, then you know how troubling it is to see the state of substance abuse worsen each year. To the uneducated, it might be the result of alcohol or street drugs like heroin and amphetamines. But, the truth is, the most dangerous drugs are the ones being prescribed to us.

In this post, we’re going to discuss the different types of prescription drugs that get abused in our country. It may or may not surprise you to hear that some of these can lead to serious dependency issues, or worse, death.

It’s going to be a long hard road back, but if we agree to stricter regulations on pharmaceutical companies, we can climb out of this hole we’ve fallen in. The best way to start is by getting everything out in the open. Let’s do that now.

What Types of Prescription Drugs Are Most Abused?

The prescription drug problem in the United States is a complicated issue. When a doctor prescribes you a drug, their intention is not to hook their patient on a substance. It’s to help them. However, it’s the broken system that is seeing more and more people addicted to these legal, but dangerous substances.

The most abused prescription drugs fall under three categories: opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants. People are being prescribed these drugs for various issues. Many of these are completely valid, but the problem lies in prolonged prescriptions and teenagers stealing their parents’ medication.

All of this has resulted in an enormous number of deaths. Opioids alone accounted for nearly 50,000 of the 72,000 overdose deaths in America in 2017. Let’s unpack this a little bit.

Opioids in America

The opioid crisis is the most publicized substance abuse issue in America, and rightfully so. While some of it can be chalked up to addictive illicit substances, it’s real root is with prescription drugs. For example, the typical practice has been to prescribe the opioid Oxycontin as a pain killer.

This is a very addictive substance that often hooks the patient before their initial prescription is over. When the prescription runs out, these people have to resort to obtaining these drugs in illegal ways. They eventually resort to heroin and fentanyl as cheap replacements.

This is a simple explanation for a complicated issue. But, it illustrates the helplessness that we face at this juncture. Substances that are being prescribed are powerful, so doctors only prescribe a small amount. Patients become addicted nonetheless and seek out cheap/illegal forms of the medication instead.

There are several other opioids that are regularly prescribed to treat pain. Vicodin, Demerol, Darvon, Lomotil, and Morphine are all very common and all have addictive properties.

It can be hard to notice when someone close to you is abusing opioids. If you suspect that they are, look out for nausea, poor coordination, drowsiness, and increased sensitivity to pain. It’s important that you act fast when someone is abusing opioids, as it can quickly lead to severe illness and death.

Media attention is focused more on this epidemic, so brighter days are ahead. Currently, however, far too many people are suffering at the hands of addiction. Big-pharma is making far too much money to want things to change. It’s time to hold those responsible, accountable.

Benzos & Mental Health

Another one of America’s great epidemics is the battle for mental health awareness. It’s coming to light that more Americans than we ever could have imagined are suffering from anxiety and depression. While the stigma attached to mental health treatment is loosening its grip, drug abuse among patients is on the rise.

Benzodiazepines are a class of pharmaceutical drugs used to treat anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and epileptic seizures. They’re even used to treat the withdrawal symptoms that happen during the detox process from heavier drugs. However, benzos themselves can become quite addictive.

Benzos are legal, but due to their prominence in treating these aforementioned illnesses, they’re widely available to many people. The more you use benzos, the more you’ll want to take. Building up a perceived tolerance to them results in a greater dependency.

While these things are much less physically destructive to the user than opioids, they still present a massive problem. Often, abusers will use other substances in conjunction with the benzos to achieve an even greater high. Most of the hospital visits associated with benzo abuse are the result of a cocktail of substances.

Because of how they’re prescribed, benzo abusers can develop under the care of the prescribing doctor. For that reason, it can be hard to spot when someone is abusing benzos.

Amphetamines

Amphetamines are usually associated with street stimulants like meth and ecstasy. Prescription drugs like Adderall and Dexedrine are now part of the conversation, however. These drugs stimulate activity in the brain, leading to greater energy and focus on their users. This can be euphoric, and thus, addictive.

Because of the increase in energy, prescription amphetamines have become very popular with young people dealing with the stresses of high school and post-secondary education. Kids are taking them so that they can study more effectively and do better in school.

Contrarily, the results show that kids that take prescription amphetamines actually perform worse most of the time. What is true, is that these drugs are leading to prescription amphetamine addiction and gateways to more destructive substances.

There are conflicting reports when it comes to the number of prescription amphetamine users, but the signs are often clear when someone is abusing them. You’ll see increased blood pressure, decreased appetite, mood swings, aggression, paranoia, and an inability to keep up with their responsibilities.

If you’re seeing these symptoms in a child that you know, they may need help kicking their prescription amphetamine habit. This one, unlike opioids, is very beatable and long-term damage can be easily mitigated.

If You Notice a Problem, Seek Help

It can be disruptive to your friendships and family dynamic to confront an individual that you think is abusing one of these types of prescription drugs. It won’t be an easy road to recovery, but it’s far better to deal with it sooner than to let it grow and worsen. Often, these things can lead people down a dark path.

Finding help for your loved one’s addiction is a brave move, but not something that you have to do alone. Visit Recovery In Motion to find affordable treatment near you. We specialize in intensive inpatient and outpatient programs, as well as therapy, intervention, and life skills training.

While you’re on our page, visit our blog to read more informative posts about confronting addiction and how to recognize symptoms of addiction.