Tag Archives: substance abuse

How to Properly Determine if a Loved One Needs Help

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Have you noticed any changes in your loved one’s behaviors? Are their physicalities slowly changing without explanation? These are the two general questions to ask when someone in your life is acting in a way that’s unfamiliar to you.

Be careful of misguided beliefs. A person’s behavior is viable to change with or without the use of substances. There are many forces in our lives that can control our behaviors and physical appearances. The goal of this blog is to pinpoint the forces related to drugs and alcohol and to clear up those questions you’re asking for the sake of helping the person you love.

The Physical Signs

Due to the fact that each drug works differently on the body, it’s going to be difficult to accurately determine the exact substance you may be skeptical of. The information below is based upon what common physical impacts the majority of drugs have.

Addicts commonly have irregular schedules. Since drugs cause an internal physical change, the way one’s daily agenda goes tends to circle around when they’re high or not. For example, an individual most likely isn’t going to sleep unless the high’s over. Likewise, with their appetite, a person might not eat if the substance helps them ignore hunger. If you find any irregularities in your loved one’s sleep and/or eating patterns, you have reasonable superstition.

To follow this up, you can observe their physical health. Though it tends to take some time before these signs have their impact, there’s a variety of hints you can monitor.

● A change in the eyes; a redder tone, watery, enlarged or decreased pupil size.

● Unable to properly coordinate average physical movements.

● Poor hygiene and/or health (as if one’s sick with a virus).

● Overly active or underly active.

These changes may or may not be noticeable unless one is under the influence while you’re making the observations. You’re going to want to keep a keen eye out for this because when an individual is high, their behavior will usually show it.

The Behavioral Signs

An intoxicated person will often show off differences in their mood. However, even when an addict is sober, there are indications to look out for. First, there are changes usually made in their private lives (though this may depend on the person’s age).

● More often taking to solitude (secretive) or frequently trying to stay away from home.

● A fall in school grades or work performance.

● A change in outfits and/or styles.

● A decline in one’s self-esteem and/or motivation.

Secondly, you’ll want to observe the way this person interacts with others. Whether it be you, other loved ones, friends, or even strangers.

● Are relationships damaging around the individual?

● Are they often asking for money?

● Are they noticeably forgetful or dishonest?

● Have they lost interest in other loved ones?

● Have they become oversensitive and/or sporadic?

We understand that it may seem more convenient to sit down with your loved one and properly talk out any concern. Or, better yet, have them take a drug test for safe measure. Although these tactics may give us peace of mind, many individuals struggling with addiction are unwilling to admit to their habits and will go great lengths to hide it.

This has a multitude of reasons. The prime cause being guilt. That’s why we at Stonewall Institute Treatment Center make it our goal to give you all the information sustainable for handling addiction and properly caring for it.

If your concern has discovered an addiction in a loved one, we encourage you to call us for assistance at 602-535-6468 or email us at [email protected].

Do I Have A Drinking Problem?

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When people think of a person who has a drinking problem, they usually will think of someone who drinks every single day, drinks and gets sloppy, drinks and starts slurring their words, drinks and gets sick, or drinks alone.  While these scenarios may be relevant to some who have drinking problems, a large percentage of alcoholics do not exhibit all of these behaviors.

Alcohol dependence or abuse may not be apparent to those who have a drinking problem.  Some may not even think that their drinking habits are to be of any concern.  The nature of the disease, however, is to tell you that you don’t have a disease. 

Denial is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help for alcohol abuse and alcoholism.  The desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize drinking, even when the consequences are obvious.  By keeping you from looking honestly at your behavior and its negative effects, denial also exacerbates alcohol-related problems with work, finances, and relationships.

How Can I Tell If I Have A Problem?

There are a few ways to gauge your drinking habits to see if there’s a problem.  The CAGE test is a quick assessment tool that helps clinicians identify alcoholism signs in patients.  The CAGE test is comprised of four brief questions designed to detect alcohol abuse or dependence.  Answering yes to any CAGE question suggests a possible alcohol problem.  Answering yes to two or more questions indicates a high risk of alcohol abuse or dependence.   *(Note that CAGE questions are only guidelines – not diagnostic criteria).

CAGE Test Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt the need to Cut down on alcohol consumption?
  2. Are you Annoyed when people question your drinking habits?
  3. Do you feel Guilty about your alcohol use?
  4. Have you ever used alcohol as an Eye opener (drink or shot) in the morning to recover from a hangover?

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) has also devised a self-assessment intended to help you determine if you or someone you know needs to find out more about alcoholism. 

Some examples of the questions asked are:

  • Do you drink heavily when you are disappointed, under pressure or have had a quarrel with someone?
  • Do you sometimes feel uncomfortable is alcohol is not available?
  • Are you more in a hurry to get your first drink of the day than you used to be?
  • Have you been having more memory “blackouts” recently?
  • When you’re sober, do you sometimes regret things you did or said while drinking?
  • Have any of your blood relatives ever had a problem with alcohol? 

To take the full test, click here.

Please note that these self-assessments are intended only to provide insight into possible drinking problems and alcohol dependence or abuse.  These self-assessments are not to be used as criteria in diagnosing someone as alcohol dependent.  Rather, these self-assessments can be used to determine if further steps need to be made. 

If you answered ‘yes’ to the questions above, you may have a problem or may start to be having a problem.  If your drinking or a loved one’s drinking is becoming a concern, Stonewall Institute Treatment Center can help.  By scheduling a Clinical Evaluation, our licensed professionals will conduct a thorough analysis of your circumstance and provide you with objective results related to your individual needs.

You don’t need to deal with this alone. 

Call us today:  (602) 535-6468

5 Common Myths about Alcoholism

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There are many myths and misconceptions about alcoholism and who alcoholics are.  Those who are not in the recovery community contribute to the perpetuation of these myths via stereotypes and being generally unaware of what addiction actually consists of.   These myths may also contribute to the stigmatization of alcoholism.

Here, we’ve listed 5 common myths associated with alcoholism and alcoholic behavior.

Myth #1:   All Alcoholics Are The Same

Many people believe that all alcoholics are the same.  Common stereotypes about alcoholics include being unemployed, not having much money, drinking only hard alcohol, drink alone, getting sloppy while drinking, don’t have strong family relationships, etc. 

These stereotypes can be true in some cases, but in many other cases, the opposite is true.  Highly functioning alcoholics exist, and it can lead to a stronger denial that they have a problem. Addiction does not discriminate and people from all backgrounds are affected. 

Myth #2:   Alcoholism Can Be Cured

Many believe that once you complete an addiction treatment program, you are then cured of your alcoholism.  This is not the case.  Once somebody is an alcoholic, they will always be one.  One drink will never be enough, and their drinking habits will never be considered normal.

Alcoholism is a lifelong disease, and addiction treatment is one that must be continually maintained.  After residential treatment, outpatient treatment, sober living, etc., it’s extremely important to begin involvement in a 12-step program and aftercare services.  Getting a sponsor and being accountable will help keep your alcoholism in check.  Alcohol recovery is a continuous process.

Myth #3:   Alcoholism is a Choice, not a Disease

A common belief about alcoholism is that alcoholics bring their condition on themselves and that they can stop drinking whenever they want. 

Alcoholics are unable to control their drinking and they cannot stop drinking after one or two drinks.  They are powerless over alcohol.  Alcoholism is not a lifestyle choice somebody makes, it’s a vicious and deadly disease that needs to be treated as such.  Many factors may contribute to alcoholism:  genetics, environmental factors, stress levels, other mental illnesses, etc. 

Myth #4:   Relapsing is Failure

When somebody relapses, some will equate this to failing.  Relapse does not equal failure, relapse is simply a part of that person’s journey to recovery.  Yes, relapsing is painful, frustrating, and disappointing.  It can make you feel as though you’ve failed, but know that relapse, albeit unwelcome, is very common.  In fact, studies show that more than half of newly recovering addicts will relapse within 1 year of sobriety. 

Myth #5:   Once Alcohol is Eliminated from an Addict’s Life, All Problems Go Away

When an alcoholic experienced stress, frustration, insomnia, anger, sadness, etc. while active in their disease, they turned to drinking.  Drinking was their coping mechanism and the quick-fix for their problems.  The alcohol gave immediate relief, but when you eliminate that relief method, you need to find a healthier and more long-term way of coping. 

Alcohol use can create more problems in ones life, but simply eliminating alcohol will not make all of their problems go away.  The same problems exist with or without alcohol.  However, instead of escaping their problems, they must learn to manage them in a healthy and positive way.

Stonewall Institute Treatment Center provides world-class addiction treatment care in Phoenix, AZ.   In just 10 weeks, our Intensive Outpatient Treatment program can help you establish a solid foundation for achieving and maintaining a meaningful life of sobriety.  We will help you make purposeful life changes in a supportive, non-judgmental setting.

If you or someone you love is struggling with a drug or alcohol issue, we can help. Call Stonewall Institute Treatment Center today to schedule a confidential clinical evaluation with one of our qualified professionals at 602-535-6468.

Importance of 12-Step Meetings

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12-Step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, are designed for individuals who share a common desire to stop drinking and using.  There are many misconceptions about 12-step meetings, but their importance within the recovery community is significant. 

Typically, when an addicted individual completes residential treatment and/or outpatient treatment for addiction, they will start attending 12-step meetings.  Alcoholics Anonymous (“AA”) has chapters in 180 countries around the world.  The organization doesn’t keep a list of members’ names, but estimates that it has 2 million members who come from all backgrounds.  Members who suffer from alcoholism range in age from young adults to seniors adults. 

Other 12-Step meetings include Al-Anon, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous, and Marijuana Anonymous.  Although these meetings have different topics, the structure is the same.  All 12-Step programs use a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems.

What makes 12-Step programs so important?  First, addiction recovery works much better in a group environment.  Although some people choose to work through their addiction individually, working the Steps has been proven to be essential in an addict’s recovery. 

12-Step programs provide accountability and constant support.  The meetings focus on members supporting each other and it’s been shown that simply belonging to such a group can help the member stay free of addiction. 

Although being a part of a group is essential to recovery, many members of AA also benefit from a one-to-one relationship with a sponsor.  A sponsor in AA is somebody who is there to offer guidance and support to a sponsee.  They’re there to listen and hold the sponsee accountable.   Sponsors will take their sponsee’s through the 12 steps and offer encouragement and praise for achievements.

A common misconception about AA is that once you work the steps, you’re done.  This way of thinking may prove to be detrimental to an addict’s recovery.  Continuing to go to meetings is extremely important, as meetings keep you connected to your recovery.  Recovery doesn’t stop after 1 year of sobriety, 5 years of sobriety, or 20 years of sobriety.  Recovery is life-long, and to maintain that commitment you must be active and connected to that part of your life.

Getting sober and staying sober is challenging, but participation in 12-Step meetings and sponsorship will be extremely beneficial to one’s recovery process.  For information about AA meetings in your area or to learn more about AA, visit http://www.aa.org/ . 

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, Stonewall Institute Treatment Center can help.  Call or visit us today and talk to one of our intake coordinators.  602-535-6468 , www.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.

Best AZ Alcohol and Drug Rehab

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Stonewall Institute is best Arizona alcohol and drug rehab you can find.  It offers a drug and alcohol treatment program that addresses issues that accompany addiction and substance abuse.  If you or a loved one needs help with alcohol or drugs during this holiday season, call 602-535-6468 today to schedule an appointment for a drug and alcohol evaluation.  For more information, visit the website at www.stonewallinstitute.com

Substance Abuse Rehab Arizona

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Stonewall Institute knows that many of its clients have a polysubstance dependence issue.  That is, they are not just abusing alcohol, but may be using marijuana while drinking, or using cocaine to get less drunk, and so forth.  Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) addresses all issues of substance abuse – no matter which substance or substances are used.  We meet the client wherever they are in their recovery from drug or alcohol abuse.  If you are a polysubstance abuser, we can help.  Our alcohol and drug counselors have the training and experience in relapse prevention to support your individual path to sobriety.   Visit our website at www.stonewallinstitute.com and call us for an appointment at 602-535-6468.

Best AZ Drug Rehab

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Stonewall Institute is the best place to come if you are struggling with drug abuse.  Whether you or a loved one is dealing with alcohol abuse, opioid addiction, crystal meth addiction, prescription med abuse, marijuana dependence or any other substance abuse issue, we can help.  Our Phoenix drug rehab is staffed with drug counselors trained in addiction treatment.  This rehab program takes place in an upscale office environment for the comfort of our clients.  We focus on the individual’s issues with sobriety and with life.  This is a dual diagnosis program, facilitated by a licensed addiction therapist.  Our IOP accepts insurance.  What else do you need to know?  Call us today for more information at 602-535-6468 and visit our website at www.stonewallinstitute.com.

Best Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment Program Arizona

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Stonewall Institute is the best AZ alcohol and substance abuse treatment program.  This is a high quality drug and alcohol abuse treatment plan.  Our Intensive Outpatient Program allows you to live your life with support for your recovery from alcohol and substance abuse. Our alcohol and drug counselors are well-trained and empathic.  We provide group support which studies show is an important element in recovery from substance abuse.  The time to start the road to recovery is now.   We accept major insurance plans and offer convenient payment options as well.  Check out the website at www.stonewallinstitute.com and call us at 602-535-6468.