Getting Back on Your Feet

If you have had what a lot of people would call a “life destroying” addiction, it may be a wonder that you are even here to be reading this article. But before you go doing some yoga to pat yourself on the back, keep in mind that just because you are winning the war against the physical aspect of your addiction, does not mean that you can simply sit back on your laurels and pretend that this is enough. You have got to be a contributing member of society, if you want to keep living in it. And the best way to do that is through getting educated, and getting yourself a profession. While you might not like it, there are definitely advantages to be had.

Getting your education is a labor of love. While you might not love many of the labors that you will be expected to do, you will probably end up loving where those labors will help you to end up. After all, there is more to a profession than just the Orwellian need to contribute. There is also the potential for a very tasty paycheck down the line. After all, you did not quit using just so you could go work at Mickey D’s, did you?

The hard part is, you are also going to have to join support groups, find new friends, and be truly honest with people. After all, if you continue to do the same old things, you are inevitably going to fall back into the same old life style as you had before. Join an “anonymous” group related to your vice of choice. Make some friends who do not use. And most importantly, rebuild on the relationships you have with your family. You never know — they might just take you back.

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Addiction Counselling

Addiction
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Addiction counseling is almost always necessary to overcome any addiction. Not only is an addiction difficult to overcome physically, but an addict needs to address the mental and psychological issues that may have contributed to the addiction. The recovery process is long and finding a safe environment in which to discuss your issues is paramount.

Many addicts end up with their addictions due to lack of self worth and the inability to practice self love. Addiction counseling will teach addicts how to love themselves because if you don’t love yourself how can you possibly feel you are worth healing?

Some addicts are so enmeshed in a destructive cycle that they forget how to communicate and even how to acknowledge their feelings. An addiction counselor will help you learn to communicate and to address any feelings that you may be unable to articulate. Learning to read feelings is not as simple as telling time on a Philip Stein watch, yet this kind of dialogue is imperative to a successful recovery.

Learning how to live each day without using your addiction as a crutch is a difficult process. However, this must be accomplished in order to totally overcome your addiction. Waking up each morning and feeling full of life and joy rather than unhealthy and depressed is important to an addict’s mental health. A good addiction counselor will equip the addict with the tools needed to learn to enjoy each day to its fullest instead of impatiently waiting for their next score.

An addiction counselor can even address issues on how to physically take care of yourself. Addicts adopt behaviors that are self destructive to their health and so learning something as simple as how to eat properly is a struggle. An addict cannot fully recover without ensuring that he or she is consuming sufficient nutrition in order to have the physical strength to overcome daily struggles.

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How to Intervene: A Guide to Intervention

When you realize someone you love has a problem with addiction, it can be one of the most traumatic experience of your life. As you struggle to come to terms that this loved one has a problem, you try to find out what the best ways of intervening are in this situation. Intervention can potentially save your loved one’s life.

There are many intervention services and resources you can turn to. The Internet is a wealth of information for those who are not sure where to begin but who are trying to figure out how to come to terms with this realization. There are numerous online support groups that can help you, as well as encourage you to help your loved one.

Other great resources are organizations, such as Nar-anon or Alco-non. They have meetings in almost every major and small city around the country. Most chapters allow both addicts and non-addicts to attend meeting regularly. Some separate the addicts from the family members so that each has a support group and can share freely without being intimidated.

Family intervention is usually the first option this is when a family member or a group of family members tries to sit the addict down to discuss the potential problem. This has to be handled very delicately so as not to alienate the addict. Screaming, accusing, and verbal assault will not get the desired results.

Another avenue to explore is mediated intervention. This is when a professional comes into the home to help the family confront the addict and make sure the dialogue does not do more harm than good.

Regardless of how you go about intervening, an intervention is necessary if a life is at stake. The negative repercussion of standing idly by and seeing your loved one deteriorate before your eyes is much more painful than any conversation you may have.

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Hereditary Addiction

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Hereditary Addiction
Is addiction hereditary?  This is a common concern among addicts of all kinds.  It seems natural that those who have recognized and put forth the tremendous effort that it takes to overcome addictions are very concerned that their children won’t have to go through the same thing.  One father was extremely worried that his daughter would grow up to become an alcoholic like he was.  He watched her like a hawk.  When the daughter did develop alcoholism she blamed her father for it.  She really believed (for a time) that his constant worry had been the determining factor in her actually developing the addiction.
One psychotherapist puts the hereditary factor as high as 60%.  Some support a slightly lower figure of only 50%.. Some also support the belief that the addictive tendency will skip a generation much like diabetes.  Studies have shown, however, that genetics definitely do play a strong role in developing addiction.  One provider looks at the family history and if addiction isn’t found, he won’t diagnose the problem as addiction.
With all that said, is there any hope?  Sure there is!  Everyone has the power to overcome their genetics.  The more that is understood about the environment and how early habits and behaviors influence choices later on, the more power one has to live addiction free regardless of family history.  As strong, healthy habits are formed and positive environmental factors are built into ones life, the less likely they are to need the escape or peer acceptance that often precede first experimenting with addictive substances.
As influential as family genetics may be, strong family relationships form a powerful protection against addictive behaviors. Frequently the first lessons learned regarding self-control or delayed gratification are learned in the family.  Families also are one of the most positive forces in assisting those with addictions to overcome them.  Often in treatment facilities, groups are organized into "families" to make use of the strength which can be gained from feeling the support found in families. One may not be able to change their genes but they can control much of the influence they allow.
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Depression in the Workplace

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Depression is a difficult and serious problem for many people today. It can haunt anyone: man or woman, child or adult. It does not matter your social status or family history. Depression can hurt anyone.
Depression in the workplace is a huge problem for both the employee and the employer. Near 5% of all short term disability time is used due to depression and related issues. Depression is the cause of over half of all money spent on medical treatments in the United States. Over 10% of people suffering from severe depression die by suicide.
These are staggering statistics. Depression in the workplace is a troubling problem suffered in any and all stations of the workforce. Unfortunately, many times an employee with depression will not let anyone know, or even seek out treatment. Frequently, they are worried that people knowing will effect their job, possible promotions, and responsibilities.
There are many symptoms of depression, and everyone experiences depression differently. Some symptoms are more obvious than others. Thoughts of suicide and death are an obvious sign of depression. Other symptoms are less obvious, such as insomnia, fatigue, or reduced appetite.
Some things that you can do to help keep depression away, and stay healthy at work include pursuing jobs that you enjoy, asking for help with projects when you feel overwhelmed or have too much on your plate, and make sure to take advantage of resources to help through times of stress or trouble.
Depression in the workplace can be a downward spiral. Depression can cause negative impact on work performance. This in turn can cause more depression, as you may feel that you are not working up to par. Being absent from work can put you behind in any projects that you are working on, therefore continuing the spiral. Many symptoms of depression, especially in the workplace, can result in furthering the depression.
If you are experiencing depression, please seek help from a medical professional. Do not feel alone!
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