Tag Archives: drug abuse

Alcohol’s Effects on Your Sleep Pattern

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Many people hold the notion that alcohol can act as a sedative. Therefore, leading them to the belief that drinking before bed will lead to a better night’s sleep. However, modern science has proven for this to be anything but true.

For one, alcohol is actually a stimulant – to some regards – even though it’s classified as a depressant. If it didn’t wake us up and feel good, millions wouldn’t be going out every Friday night and having their drinks as a means of socializing. Alcohol makes us feel good and it does so in the essence of filling the brain with endorphins. These are the chemicals responsible for us becoming talkative, confident, and less socially ashamed.

These chemicals do eventually wear off and leave us feeling rather sluggish. Ending our drunkenness with a drowsiness. Sometimes, instances appear where an individual has drunk too much to the point of sending themselves into a loss of consciousness. But it should be noted that this is simply the body’s reaction the lack of consumption in terms of blood alcohol levels.

Interestingly, scientific research has led to the conclusion that alcohol, in fact, reduces the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. Yet, it increases the amount of time the brain spends within deep sleep.

To top this off, the second half of the sleep cycle is very much disturbed. Causing abusers to not get as good of a night’s sleep and more susceptible to waking up from minor annoyances. With this data, it’s highly suggested that people with insomnia do not use alcohol as a sedative. Though it may help an insomniac fall asleep quicker, there is a very likely chance one will be awakened before they’ve received a full night’s rest.

Some may be asking the question as to whether alcohol is always bad for sleep. There are instances where – in an example – a glass of wine has sedative qualities that will help an individual fall asleep and stay in sleep for a longer period of time. However, it’s highly noted that the body builds a tolerance to alcohol very quickly. And soon enough, the individual would have to increase the amount of alcohol consumption in order to recreate the same effects. With this, they will not only be doing harm to their body but also great damage to their sleep schedule.

Understanding the Sleep Structure with Alcohol

There’s usually a time in everyone’s school career where they learn about the sleep cycle. To those unaware, the average adult begins their night in a stage called NREM (defined non-rapid eye movement). To put it simply, this is when the brain slowly goes from consciousness to unconsciousness.

Following NREM is REM (defined rapid eye movement). During this period is when a sleeper will experience dreams as they are very deep into unconsciousness. Throughout the night, we experience the sleep cycle around four to five times.

When an individual brings the toxification of alcohol into this they are disturbing much of what the brain is used to. In essence, throwing it off the steady course of the cycle and almost creating an entirely new one.

As mentioned, alcohol will make you fall asleep faster as well as cause you to stay within deeper sleep for a longer period of time. With this knowledge, we can understand that the third and fourth stages of the sleep cycle are heightened to some degree. This also causes the SWS (defined slow wave sleep) to increase during the first half of a night’s sleep. For those unaware, SWS is responsible for refurbishing the body and immune system for the following day.

At this point, it does seem as though alcohol may help an individual find sleep. However, it’s during the second half of one’s sleep cycle that a person will experience the disturbance caused by inebriation. REM is greatly reduced during this time, therefore, leaving the user in a very fragile state of mind before a full refreshment of the body is complete.

How Alcohol Affects Everyone’s Sleep Differently

People are likely to have a versatile amount of experiences while attempting to sleep with alcohol in their system. For alcoholics, these experiences may happen more frequently than to that of a non-alcoholic having their fun with a night of drinking. And vice versa.

Being that alcohol also affects us all differently, the number of possibilities in which an individual sleeps – or wakes up – to remain inconsistent.

  1. Waking Up Too EarlyAs mentioned, the second half of the sleep cycle is very much disturbed by alcohol flowing through the blood. Being this, people will often find themselves waking up in the early morning – before their intended wake up time – and unable to fall back asleep. This is commonly known as the rebound effect.
  2. Combining Pills with AlcoholPreferably, we’re going to quickly discuss sleeping pills as many believe it’s a way to counteract any disturbance brought on by alcohol. Though some may find themselves getting full night’s rest – or even more – there is much danger in sleeping pills combined with alcohol. For one, the body is not receiving proper refurbishing as it would in a healthy body. But also, there are chances of accidents that could lead to fatal situations.
  3. Night SweatsAlcohol has the ability to open up blood vessels which, in essence, heat up the body to temperatures all too warm. With this, individuals will have the tendency to sweat throughout the night.
  4. Increased SnoringPeople who are affected by snoring are likely to worsen their symptoms. Being that alcohol relaxes the muscles in the throat and airway. If you’re not affected by snoring, there’s still the chance of gaining these symptoms through alcohol.
  5. Increased UrinationThis one may be obvious, but the more alcohol an individual is going to consume, the more they’re going have to use the bathroom. With this, it can be assumed that a night’s sleep will often be disturbed by the constant necessity of urination.
  6. Increased Chance of SleepwalkingBeing that alcohol increases our SWS, there are likely chances of people suffering from somnambulism increasing their suffering through drinking. The occurrence of sleepwalking happens more frequently in the SWS. Therefore, with alcohol only heightening the condition, people may find themselves in the position of sleepwalking more frequently.

 

If you or anyone you love is looking for alcohol abuse treatment or desire more information on how alcohol affects a person’s sleep patterns, please, give us a call at 602-535-6468 or email us at info@stonewallinstitute.com.

Why Do We Get Hangovers?

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The fun always has to come to an end. And when it comes to drinking, this fun generally results in a hangover. The feeling of a dry mouth, unbearable headache, and nausea. It’s terrible and people generally get the sense of regret upon waking up with such unpleasant sensation. Yet, it doesn’t stop many from making the same mistake again. And again.

Hangovers tend to make people feel achy in the muscles. Their eyes become much more sensitive, specifically to light. And there’s this overwhelming desire to continually drink water as thirst never seems to end. People with severe hangovers will find themselves dizzy, sweaty, and maybe a little agitated.

There’s reasoning behind all these terrible symptoms. Hours after your last drink is consumed, your blood alcohol level dramatically drops. With this, there’s a climax with these symptoms once your blood alcohol level has hit zero.

According to Robert Swift, a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University, hangovers are just like withdrawals. When a non-addict is drinking – even if it’s their first time – their body becomes ever so slightly addicted to alcohol. Enough to the point where a hangover will pursue as a way to release the chemicals.

This gives us input as to why proper detoxing for alcohol addicts is so important. If just a taste of being drunk causes an individual to experience withdrawal symptoms, you can only imagine what it must be like for someone who’s a heavy drinker.

Different Hangovers for Different Alcohols

Have you ever noticed that certain drinks will leave you feeling more hungover the following day than others? The reason behind this is a chemical known as congeners.

Congeners are a byproduct found in alcohol after it has been fermented. A result of a mix of other chemicals such as methanol, acetone, esters, and more. Their main responsibility is to the taste and smell that an alcoholic drink will create. However, they will also constitute some of the taste for non-distilled drinks.

These chemicals are more common in darker liquors such as:

  • Red Wine
  • Dark Beer
  • Whiskey
  • Bourbon
  • Brandy

Knowing this will give an explanation as to why that Jack Daniels made you feel worse in the morning than the Smirnoff you had the week prior. For social drinkers, it’s something to keep in mind. Though hangovers are hard to avoid when you’ve decided to have your fun with alcohol, there are ways to make that morning nuance less overbearing.

However, for problem drinkers, the nuance stems much longer than the morning. As mentioned, alcoholics will experience withdrawals more frequently the more often they drink. Therefore, though the congeners are a confliction, the constant hangovers have more to do with the frequent intake of alcohol itself.

Symptoms Caused By Congeners

As we know, congeners are responsible for the feeling of a hangover. But what we have yet to discuss are the symptoms responsible for drinkings after effects.

The main one being dehydration. Alcohol is prominently known for getting rid of fluids within the body. With this in mind, you can assume that the more severely you drink, the more dehydrated your body will be. This will, inevitably, lead to an even more severe hangover.

Alcohol also fuels you with something called metabolites, which leaves irritation within your body’s fluids. This also catapults dehydration and can be blamed for any feelings of nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. It can also vex other areas of the body like your stomach lining and the muscles of your lower esophagus. Metabolites are the greatest responsibility for puking.

Yet, it’s the brain that truly is taking in much of the torment. Alcohol has an extremely depressing effect on brain cells that cause a person who’s drunk to lack coordination and hold sensations of dizziness. The more someone drinks, the more they are killing the cells in their brain accountable for proper analysis of how to handle oneself.

If you ever find yourself feeling weak due to drinking, it’s because of the combination of effects on the brain and in lowering your blood sugar. People who experience diseases that cause low blood sugar – such as hypoglycemia – will feel this vulnerability even more.

With all this information, it’s important for individuals to remind themselves that alcohol is – in some regards – poisoning the body. And if said individuals have any sort of medical concerns, they should be aware of what they could be doing to their bodies with the intake of alcohol.

Yet, even healthy individuals should keep an open eye as to how much they drink. Too much of the substance could lead to diseases later on, one of the most important being an addiction. For once addiction becomes an issue, there’s much deterioration that’s going to take place within the body.

Avoiding Hangovers

Is there truly a cure out there that will ensure people avoid hangovers while drinking? The simple answer is no. The only sure fire way to prevent these terrible feelings is to either not drink or drink less of a particular substance. With the knowledge of congeners in mind, you can consider which drinks are less likely to produce stronger hangovers, but you cannot avoid them.

What about the cases of some people not getting hangovers? It’s hard to pinpoint everyone’s reaction to alcohol because we all hold different responses to any sort of substance. Body weight, the amount of food in the digestive tract, and the speed at which alcohol is consumed all play a factor in the hangover that will follow the morning after. Most of the time, the people who don’t get hangovers are drinking more responsibly.

It should be noted that keeping your body hydrated while consuming alcohol will help with the symptoms. Yet, it’s not the answer to curing hangovers. They’re incurable once they’ve taken their effect. And the reason being is your body’s withdrawing from the substance and needs to time to rid itself of the chemicals.

For heavy drinkers, you are only fueling your withdrawal symptoms further with the more you drink. And you’re destroying your body and brain cells while this is going on.

If you or anyone you know going through an alcohol addiction and looking for a treatment plan, Stonewall Institute Treatment Center is happy to help. Please, give us a call at 602-535-6468 or email us at info@stonewallinstitute.com.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Addiction

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Proposing a conversation upon your children about another’s substance addiction is never easy. Whether the addict is a parent, sibling, or other close relatives, a child’s comprehension on the subject remains vague. Therefore, the adult intending to initiate such a conversation is going to have to explain the situation properly and efficiently enough for a child’s understanding.

Statistics show that more than 28 million children have at least one alcoholic parent. These children have been shown to grow up with emotional, behavioral, and academic problems. This is due to the fact that these children grow up facing issues the average child doesn’t have to handle. With addiction’s arbitrary inclinations, substance-abusing parents are more likely to threaten their children to abuse, neglect, and the witness of domestic violence.

Over time, these effects play their role, and children of addicted parents end up four times as likely to become drug addicts themselves. Depending on their environment, there’s the strong chance they won’t understand a life outside of their drug infested home. However, there are steps that can be taken to avoid this. One of the most important being the proper conversation.

To whoever decides to take this task upon themselves, you should be aware of a child’s developmental stages in coordination to living within an addict’s home. For example, if the addicted parent(s) never gave their children proper discipline, there’s the impregnable possibility that they will grow up with a shortfall in self-discipline and an understanding of their responsibility.

Emotions within a child as such can be confusingly sporadic. Often, the case of resentment becomes an issue. Especially as a child enters their adolescent years. With these emotions in mind, the conversation about addiction can get tricky. What you are about to undertake is the explanation of addiction’s destruction to a young, fragile mind that has already witnessed much of the horror. We should attempt to put that horror into perspective and a clear understanding for the child’s sake.

Listed below are different factors to keep in mind when preparing for the conversation. Obviously, everyone’s situation is different and no two conversations will be alike. But these factors have remained consistent in terms of how to handle a child born into an addicted family.

  • Cue Yourself Properly

    There’s a time and a place for this conversation. Preferably, within a private setting and following a pinnacle moment of the addict’s abuse. The talk should be one without distractions and remain in a relaxed manner.

    If there’s a plan set forth to help the addict, use the opportunity as a way to speak with the child. Bringing up that a solution is set in place is a reassuring factor to the overall discussion. If any major changes are to be expected within the child’s life, to shy away from bringing them up. Be sure to always let the child speak if they desire to and let him/her learn to open up to such a dilemma.

  • Remember the Child’s Age

    The maturity of the child has much to do with the way you’ll speak of the matter to them. They may be too young for big language or too old for skimpy details. Be upfront and speak the truth, but keep in mind two important aspects.

    1. The amount of information a child can retain truly depends on their age and understanding.
    2. The details of the situation may (or may not) be inappropriate for certain periods of time. For example, if the child’s parents have recently overdosed on a substance and the child has yet to enter preteen years, you’ll want to go about the situation in an illustrative, yet, forgiving manner.

    Remember to always end the conversation with a sense of hope. No matter how old a person is, hope can be a leading factor in how someone handles with the emotions of an addicted parent.

  • Educate Yourself

    If you are fairly unaware of how addiction works outside of the obvious traumas, it’s vital you teach yourself about the situation. The internet offers research on any regard to the subject. A look through Stonewall Institute’s blog will even give you much information on a variety of topics.

    More often than not, a child will have many questions upon addiction. It shouldn’t be underestimated that they’ll probably believe whatever the adult has to say. Without proper answers, you’ll find yourself misleading. If you truly don’t have an answer, there’s no reason not to look one up together.

  • Remain Honest

    Never let yourself mock-up an explanation or work around certain matters that may be sensitive towards the child. Lying is another way of underestimating a child’s intelligence. Though they may believe a lie or two, it’s unfair to place them in such a position. Though it has been said many times, honesty can go a long way.

  • Liberate Humiliation and Create Perspective

    There are many instances where children will blame themselves for their parent’s downfalls. It’s important a child realizes it isn’t their fault. With this, an addict’s behavior and intentions have more of a possibility of coming into perspective.

    Through this perspective, a child holds the potential of realizing that they are facing troubles on their own. And that these struggles are not their faults. It’s key to make sure they realize they are not alone in this struggle. More often than not, the person attempting to give this conversation has, likewise, been through much due to another person’s selfish decision.

    This can be an enlightening moment to bring up what’s called “The Seven C’s”. The National Association for Children of Alcoholics” have created this list as a way for children to better understand their situation.

    1. I didn’t CAUSE it.
    2. I can’t CURE it.
    3. I can’t CONTROL it.
    4. I can take CARE of myself.
    5. By COMMUNICATING my feelings,
    6. Making healthy CHOICES, and
    7. By CELEBRATING myself.

  • Remain Open to the Child’s Words

    Children who are put in such a position may feel disconnected from many around them. If so, you should attempt to understand this disconnection and give them time to open up to you. The emotions they must combat are strong and patience is a vital factor in helping their comprehension.

  • Look for Other Support

    Sometimes we can’t give a child everything they need. No matter how hard we try, there are areas of understanding beyond our own comprehension. And professional help becomes a possibility. Whether it be a counselor, teacher, therapist, or religious leader, a child may find their comfort in places outside of you.

    If you or anyone you know is looking for a treatment plan or you would like more information on how to properly talk to children about addiction, please, give us a call at 602-535-6468 or email us at info@stonewallinstitute.com.

Defining Alcohol Poisoning

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If we can understand what alcohol poisoning (or alcohol overdosing) is, there’s a chance we can stop the 2,200 deaths per year it invokes.

Those most susceptible to alcohol poisoning are men between the ages of 35 and 65. This is due to the fact that a person’s body of that age frame isn’t as receptive as that of someone in their twenties. However, that’s not to say people in their twenties aren’t still at risk.

Alcohol poisoning is when an individual drinks too much alcohol and the body struggles to process it through. Inevitably, this leads to certain areas of the brain shutting down that are in control of your body temperature, breathing, and heart rate. These are vital not only to your health but also your life and if shut down, there can be fatal results.

There are a number of signs for you to look out for if someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning:

● Pale skin and/or bluish skin coloring (usually round lips and fingertips)

● Irregular breathing/extremely slow breathing

● Low body temperature

● Torpor/the inability to wake up or be woken up by others

● Seizure

● Vomiting

The cause of alcohol poisoning is an intake of alcohol to the level that it becomes toxic. For those who drink a glass of wine or two, there’s nothing to fear. For the person downing shot after shot at a club, there’s more of a risk. If an individual’s blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.30%, then alcohol poisoning has entered the body.

Keep in mind, that all our bodies are built differently. Therefore, not all of us will experience a rise in blood alcohol concentration the same. Depending on your height, weight, gender, you might be able to handle more alcohol or less. There’s also the consideration of whether you’re eating and drinking water with the consumption of alcohol, how quickly you’re drinking, and what kind of beverage you are having. Tequila has a much higher risk than a glass of beer.

As mentioned before, the majority of those over the age of 35 are at more risk of dying from alcohol poisoning than that of a young adult. However, since a young adult hasn’t had much experience with alcohol, they can be facing the same risks as well.

When young adults drink in excess, many of them are at a stage in their lives where they are unaware of how much alcohol their bodies can handle. They may even underestimate the effects of alcoholic beverages that don’t taste so pungent; such as mix drinks.

The last factor to consider is those who quit alcohol for a period of time and go back to it drinking at high levels are also at great risk.

If you are a recovering addict feeling unable to control the urges to go back to alcohol, you should seek medical attention. The risks of alcohol poisoning in recovering addicts are much higher than that of a person just getting started with the substance.

If you’re looking for more information on alcohol or alcohol recovery, please give us a call at 602-535-6468 or email us at info@stonewallinstitute.com.

How to Stay Motivated Through Treatment

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More often than not, people check into a treatment facility with the intention of staying for the average rehabilitation length; 28 days. To think that the recovery process only lasts a month is underestimating the journey you’re about to take. Usually, rehabilitation under supervision lasts up to around 90 days. Yet, it continues throughout the rest of your life.

Maybe you have a loved one entering treatment for their addiction. Or maybe you’re addicted yourself and are looking for a way to handle the process. There are three separate factors that all correlate to help influence addicts stay motivated through treatment.

● Individual engagement

● Facility engagement

● Intensive interventions

 

Through these three factors, your treatment process will not only be successful but also reassure the motivation behind such a life changing decision.

 

Individual Engagement

There are instances where addicts are forced into treatment and, in the end, don’t recover. This has much to do with their lack of individual engagement.

One of the most important steps in recovery is an individual making the decision to quit themselves. If you desire to change your life in this regard, there’s more of an inclination to carry out the steps that proceed.

Addicts who find themselves in a full recovery are often self-motivated by their own ambition. This is why individual engagement is so important.

To ensure a successful treatment, here’s a list of some ways in which an individual can stay engaged:

● Support from loved ones

● Motivated to make a change

● Pressures from outside sources (work, relationships, criminal justice system)

 

Facility Engagement

Though an individual can’t necessarily be held responsible for a facility’s engagement, the facility in question is still your choice. This is why it’s vital for you to pick the right facility for your treatment.

Without the right engagement, an addict may lose faith in their abilities and never recover. When deciding upon a facility, look out for these key factors:

● Cooperative treatment plan

● Clear and concise treatment expectations

● Positive and promising therapeutical relationships with the staff

● Professional resources available (medicinal, social service, psychiatric)

 

Intensive Intervention

One of the most difficult aspects of addiction is an individual is forced to change direct areas of their personality. To go from high to sobriety may be a change in itself, but that change carries along with it a load of minor changes. With this, some individuals get unmotivated to make the change and end up dealing with intensive interventions.

When these situations come into play, those around the individual must know to step up and say something. Whether it be a family member, a faculty staff, a friend, a counselor, or even a co-worker, everyone in the individual’s life must remind him/her that he’s/she’s not on this journey alone. This gives off the impression of care in one’s life and care alone has the ability to motivate someone.

There have been instances where addicts attempt to get out of treatment, even if they had put themselves into it. Often, the change seems too radical for them to handle. It is important that we never let an individual feel undetermined about themselves and to lift them up in times of desperation.

 

 

If you or anyone you know has the desire to make this change, please feel free to call Stonewall Institute Treatment Center at 602-535-6468 for more information on treatment. You may also email us at info@stonewallinstitute.com.

An Explanation to Behavioral Health

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Behavioral health is indistinguishable with the term “mental health”. It involves the practice of treating, preventing and alleviating illnesses such as anxiety, depression, addiction, or insomnia.

We can look at behavioral health as the practice of taking care of the mind.

 

Your Options for Help

The most common practice for helping those concerned with their behavioral health is that of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This is also known as “talk therapy” as it involves a laid back situation in which a patient has a discussion with a professional in this regard.

It is a very popular choice considering it allows an individual to keep their privacy. This holds the potential of someone revealing important factors of their life they may not be comfortable sharing in a group setting.

However, group therapy shouldn’t be overlooked as it is also an option for treatment. Likewise, the 12-Step Approach and Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation are other alternatives to consider.

The positive aspect of group therapy is it allows you to relate to others who may be in a similar situation as yours. They also provide counselors, therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists to ensure that the individual and the group are discussing concerns that help resolve their behavioral health.

 

Therapy’s Length

One of the biggest questions many people ask is how long therapy will last. The easy answer is it depends on the individual. Some may feel satisfied after a few sessions while others may need a more intensive treatment.

However, it should be stated that the length of the therapy shouldn’t be a concern. Though some may not like the idea of needing treatment for their behavioral health, it’s important to do all you can to ensure you are treated. Therefore, don’t focus on the length of therapy. Rather, on how much you’re getting out of it.

Even still, there are instances where individual’s don’t need therapy anymore, yet, continue working with their behavioral health. For instance, people with anxiety may still get anxious after treatment. What’s important is if they came out of treatment understanding how to work with their anxiety.

 

Looking Down Upon Oneself

As unfortunate as it is, there are individuals who feel as though the necessity for therapy makes them a weaker person. This is one area in which we struggle to change. Needing professional guidance for behavioral health is nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, it should be embraced.

Mental health holds the potential of debilitating an individual just as physical health can. In some situations, even more so. This is why it’s important to make treatment a priority.

 

We at Stonewall Institute Treatment Center hope you don’t look down upon yourself for needing a priority other individuals might not need. We’re all built differently and what is a problem for one individual is always going to be dissimilar to another.

If you or someone you love is in need of behavioral health treatment, or if you just have any questions on the subject, please give us a call at 602-535-6468 or email us at info@stonewallinstitute.com. We’re always glad to help.

Marijuana Addiction

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With a cultural movement happening across America where the legalization of marijuana is taking its effect, many are ignoring the notion that THC is addictive. This is partly due to its medical benefits and partly due to the idea that marijuana is harmless. Yet, recent studies have concluded otherwise.

For one, the THC levels have risen dramatically. About ten years ago, a marijuana plant contained 10% THC. Nowadays, that number has risen to around 30%. With such higher THC levels, we are finding that there are many incidents of excessive doses, toxic reactions, and medical emergency events spawned by consumption of marijuana.

Symptoms for Marijuana Dependence

It should be noted that many signs of addiction are similar to that of other substances. For example, if you’re finding yourself building a strong tolerance to the weed, there’s a potential for addiction. Often, people smoke more and more in order to feel the effects of THC.

A question that is important to consider; is marijuana conflicting with your interpersonal relationships, your job, and/or your education? Studies have shown that chronic smokers are often unmotivated and lack productivity in their daily lives which results in the intake of more marijuana.

Have you ever attempted to quit marijuana, but found it rather difficult? Being that marijuana is perceived as nonaddictive, many users try to quit on their own terms. Though there are those who come out successful, there’s also the flip side of the coin. Continued unsuccessful attempts at quitting marijuana is a sign of dependence.

Maybe you’ve attempted to quit, but found yourself feeling strange. Marijuana comes with its own set of withdrawal symptoms.

● Lack of sleep

● Loss of appetite

● Anxiety and/or depression

● Irritability (usually caused by a lack of sleep)

● Loss of focus/constant fatigue

● Gastrointestinal distress

● Strong cravings (which gives the chance of relapse)

The reason your body withdrawals in this regard is because THC stays in the system for months after quitting. Being that the chemical is still floating around, your body often expects for you to get high again.

 

Solution

Since marijuana withdrawals are not as powerful or dangerous as that of other drugs, medical supervision isn’t quite necessary. However, there are instances where individuals seek out some medical assistance. Usually because of their lack of sleep. Due to the fact that anxiety and depression are also factors of withdrawal, it’s important to keep a positive mindset when quitting any substance. Therefore, if you find yourself with either or, therapeutic help is recommended.

The most important element to remember when quitting marijuana (or any substance, for the matter) is that you must stay motivated to do so. Many people don’t quit simply because they aren’t motivated enough to face the unpleasant withdrawals. Keeping a positive mindset while taking this journey is the key to successful sobriety.

 

 

Stonewall Institute Treatment Center offers an Intensive Outpatient Program for addiction to any substance, including marijuana. If you’d like more information about this and/or questions about marijuana addiction, please call us at 602-535-6468 or email us at info@stonewallinstitute.com.

 

LGBT Community & Addiction

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Although addiction does not discriminate against race, gender, age, economic status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion, the LGBT population is more susceptible to falling victim to the disease than the heterosexual population.  Why?  Some studies show that because of previous and current traumas in their lives surrounding bullying, stigma, and self-esteem, this population may turn to mood and mind altering substances for relief.

 

Many avoid care because of perceived or real stigma and discrimination by health care providers and institutions, as well.  Studies also show that many gay individuals will use alcohol and/or drugs for sexual purposes.  Many gay men, when they become sober, will have to learn not only how to be in social settings without alcohol and/or drugs, but also how to have sex without being under the influence.

 

The need for specialized LGBT addiction treatment in the community is obvious.  That’s why at Stonewall Institute Treatment Center, we are fully trained to treat LGBT clients.  Our agency delivers both community and internal education/training to raise awareness on LGBT issues.  Our priority is to make our LGBT clients feel as welcomed and as comfortable as possible as we embrace the distinct needs and positive attributes of LGBT clients.  We are a Safe Space that anybody, regardless of sexual orientation, will feel safe and welcomed at.  With us, nobody will render judgement, nor will anybody discriminate against you.

 

Our 10-week Intensive Outpatient Program will help you establish a solid foundation for achieving and maintaining a meaningful life of sobriety.  The group program emphasizes that regardless of personal background: be it sexual orientation, gender identity, race, economic status, or religious background, everyone shares the commonality of addiction.  

 

For just 3 nights a week, we’ll help provide the structure, guidance, and support you need to develop the skills that can keep you on track.  This life-long journey starts with the courage to face your vulnerabilities and embrace your potential.

 

Call us today, we will help get your life back.

 

(602) 535-6468

 

 

Alcohol and Drug Outpatient Treatment

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Stonewall Institute offers an excellent alcohol and drug intensive outpatient treatment program where most major insurance is accepted.  This treatment program can make a real difference for someone who is struggling with alcohol or drug abuse.  Never before has there been such a great need for premier treatment programs, especially now that the Surgeon General of the United States has declared that substance abuse has reached epidemic proportions.  It is time for each and every one of us to consider all treatment options available.

Considering Outpatient Treatment

Depending on the individual’s needs, outpatient treatment can be an excellent means of obtaining substance abuse recovery help.  It is an option that offers intensive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention skills and psychoeducation, while allowing the recovering individual the opportunity to meet his or her life’s obligations with support.  It is perfect for someone unable to take off time from work or school.

Studies show that outpatient treatment can be quite successful for those in recovery. The advantages of outpatient treatment vs. inpatient treatment are the benefits to allowing a patient to continue to live at home, and in some cases, work and attend school.  While inpatient treatment removes those struggling with substance abuse from an environment that may have contributed to the development of drug or alcohol addiction to begin with, outpatient treatment provides a way to more accurately test the efficacy of ongoing treatment while a patient remains amidst those very triggers.  In this way, it could more accurately assess the coping mechanisms of the person in recovery while continuing to provide them with intensive periods of support.

In addition, outpatient treatment challenges a patient to seek out and utilize sources of support in their home environment, such as in finding local self-help groups or other recovery mentors in the neighborhood that can help guide someone down the path of recovery.

The Aftercare Option

As an aftercare option, the transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment can be jarring, and the substance abuser in recovery will need the support of the community where he lives, works, and belongs.  In addition to addressing the problems of addiction, the intensive outpatient treatment will also be able to accommodate and treat those with mild to moderate co-existing medical or mental health conditions.  Real-life issues experienced by an individual in early recovery can be processed and therapeutically managed by attending an IOP group several days a week.

Stonewall Institute’s Intensive Outpatient Program is an evidence-based program utilizing the most proven therapeutic methods.  These small groups take place in an upscale office environment and are facilitated by Master’s level licensed substance abuse counselors.  Individual focus and mutual respect are maintained.  This is an LGBTQ-affirmative program where all are welcomed.

Substance abuse is a complicated issue, potentially impacting all areas of one’s life–work, health and interpersonal relationships.  Hopefully, at some point, a person in the grip of drug or alcohol addiction will reach out for help.  If you or someone you love needs help, call Stonewall Institute at 602-535-6468 today.

AZ Alcohol and Drug Rehab

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Stonewall Institute is the premier AZ alcohol and drug rehab.  Their unique intensive outpatient program offers small groups in a respectful and nonjudgmental environment.  If you or a loved one needs help with drug abuse or feels they may have a drinking problem, call 602-535-6468 today to schedule a drug and alcohol evaluation.  For more information, visit the website at www.stonewallinstitute.com.