Effective chemical dependency counseling requires professional input from several disciplines to help abusers overcome addictions. Whether people become addicted to prescription or street drugs, the effects on the mind, body, and psyche are very similar. Habit-forming chemicals are absorbed into the blood stream and can cause cardiovascular disorders; strokes; psychological and physical dependencies; and symptoms of fear, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and hopelessness upon withdrawal. People may begin using prescription drugs for legitimate reasons: tranquilizers to calm the nerves or relieve insomnia or pain killers to alleviate chronic discomfort. However, medicines can become habit-forming when individuals begin to take higher dosages than prescribed to continue feeling euphoric or to avoid dealing with stressful situations.
Chemical dependency counseling reveals some startling tendencies. Some patients consult with different doctors for the same illness only to obtain larger quantities of pain killers or tranquilizers. Others may habitually mix prescription drugs with alcohol to numb the mind from dwelling on disappointments or personal conflicts. Senior adults are notorious for forgetting the correct dosages of medicines and either overdosing or mixing prescriptions, which decreases the potency of one or more drugs. Many people continue taking medications to feel better psychologically or physically even when no ailments are present; and some insist that they cannot function without a "little help from my friends." Surprisingly, statistics indicate that the number of emergency room visits for prescription and illegal drug overdoses are nearly the same; and the individual who abuses codeine may be just as addicted as those who abuse cocaine. While prescription medicines are perfectly legal, moral and ethical law prohibits using medicine for purposes other than the original intent. "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (I Corinthians 6:12).
When patients present to the emergency center with symptoms of drug overdose or withdrawal, a team of medical doctors and behavioral therapists must determine how to devise a treatment plan which addresses the underlying causes for addiction. Doctors and therapists will first assess the types of chronic or physical conditions individuals are being treated for, including high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases; and try to ascertain the number of medications patients are currently taking. Street drug abusers will also be required to undergo a complete physical before beginning detoxification and chemical dependency counseling.
Therapists that specialize in chemical dependency counseling can better assist patients towards recovery by reviewing past medical histories and patterns of substance abuse. Many times, counselors will discover that long-term abuse has created adverse psychological and physical effects. Individuals may have become addicted to opiates, such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroine, methadone, and morphine. Addictions to morphine may occur after chronic pain sufferers are given dosages to curb acute discomfort, and continue its use long after pain has subsided. Analgesics or non-addictive painkillers may also be abused. In addition to prescription and street drugs, people may utilize over-the-counter medications, such as nasal sprays, laxatives, cough medicines and diet pills to get a "high," instead of using household remedies for normal purposes.
Once doctors discover which drugs patients have abused, the process of detoxification includes administering medication intravenously to rid the body of residual chemicals and help patients begin rehabilitation. Chemical dependency counseling, cognitive behavior therapy and individual or group psychotherapy may be employed to help resolve underlying issues of substance abuse. Counselors will spend time with patients in the hospital or as out patients to discover the circumstances, situations, or environmental factors which led to chemical dependency. Qualified psychologists gently lead patients into productive and revealing dialogues about marital problems, childhood conflicts, workplace situations, or health conditions which triggered drug abuse. Therapists will strive to listen intently to individuals to assess negative or self-destructive thought patterns which led to socially-unacceptable behavior or dependency. People may turn to drugs to resolve and cope with any number of incidents of child or sexual abuse, dysfunctional family issues, divorce, depression, or mental impairment.
Effective chemical dependency counseling not only exposes the underlying cause of substance abuse, but it also provides opportunities to reprogram negative thought processes and retrain individuals to better cope with life's challenges. Therapists also provide tools for reeducating patients about drug abuse and dependency and the adverse physical and psychological effects of prolonged use of stimulants, analgesics, alcohol, or tranquilizers. Reprogramming also includes offering alternative methods of coping with physical pain and chronic health conditions, such as natural supplements and vitamin therapies, moderate exercise, guided imagery, stress management, and relaxation techniques.
Some faith-based behavioral clinics employ Biblical principles to help individuals back on the road to recovery. By providing professional chemical dependency counseling which encourages individuals to seek help from God, faith-based institutions add a powerful element to a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Some 12-step programs are based on spiritual principles which gradually rebuild a person's faith and restore the ability to resist using harmful substances. Spiritual counseling also helps patients endure withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, muscle spasms and pain, delirium, restlessness, or convulsions.
Individuals plagued by addictions should remember that chronic abuse doesn't happen overnight; and it will take weeks or months of chemical dependency counseling to help recover. Depending on the extent of chronic abuse, some individuals may require years of participation in support groups and programs. Churches, clinics, hospitals, and health clubs may offer rehabilitation courses for those seeking to regain control over chemical dependency. However, by submitting to a comprehensive program of medication, group or individual psychotherapy, cognitive behavior modification, reeducation, and faith-based instruction, patients will be more successful in rebuilding a life free from drugs.
Chemical dependency counseling reveals some startling tendencies. Some patients consult with different doctors for the same illness only to obtain larger quantities of pain killers or tranquilizers. Others may habitually mix prescription drugs with alcohol to numb the mind from dwelling on disappointments or personal conflicts. Senior adults are notorious for forgetting the correct dosages of medicines and either overdosing or mixing prescriptions, which decreases the potency of one or more drugs. Many people continue taking medications to feel better psychologically or physically even when no ailments are present; and some insist that they cannot function without a "little help from my friends." Surprisingly, statistics indicate that the number of emergency room visits for prescription and illegal drug overdoses are nearly the same; and the individual who abuses codeine may be just as addicted as those who abuse cocaine. While prescription medicines are perfectly legal, moral and ethical law prohibits using medicine for purposes other than the original intent. "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (I Corinthians 6:12).
When patients present to the emergency center with symptoms of drug overdose or withdrawal, a team of medical doctors and behavioral therapists must determine how to devise a treatment plan which addresses the underlying causes for addiction. Doctors and therapists will first assess the types of chronic or physical conditions individuals are being treated for, including high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases; and try to ascertain the number of medications patients are currently taking. Street drug abusers will also be required to undergo a complete physical before beginning detoxification and chemical dependency counseling.
Therapists that specialize in chemical dependency counseling can better assist patients towards recovery by reviewing past medical histories and patterns of substance abuse. Many times, counselors will discover that long-term abuse has created adverse psychological and physical effects. Individuals may have become addicted to opiates, such as marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroine, methadone, and morphine. Addictions to morphine may occur after chronic pain sufferers are given dosages to curb acute discomfort, and continue its use long after pain has subsided. Analgesics or non-addictive painkillers may also be abused. In addition to prescription and street drugs, people may utilize over-the-counter medications, such as nasal sprays, laxatives, cough medicines and diet pills to get a "high," instead of using household remedies for normal purposes.
Once doctors discover which drugs patients have abused, the process of detoxification includes administering medication intravenously to rid the body of residual chemicals and help patients begin rehabilitation. Chemical dependency counseling, cognitive behavior therapy and individual or group psychotherapy may be employed to help resolve underlying issues of substance abuse. Counselors will spend time with patients in the hospital or as out patients to discover the circumstances, situations, or environmental factors which led to chemical dependency. Qualified psychologists gently lead patients into productive and revealing dialogues about marital problems, childhood conflicts, workplace situations, or health conditions which triggered drug abuse. Therapists will strive to listen intently to individuals to assess negative or self-destructive thought patterns which led to socially-unacceptable behavior or dependency. People may turn to drugs to resolve and cope with any number of incidents of child or sexual abuse, dysfunctional family issues, divorce, depression, or mental impairment.
Effective chemical dependency counseling not only exposes the underlying cause of substance abuse, but it also provides opportunities to reprogram negative thought processes and retrain individuals to better cope with life's challenges. Therapists also provide tools for reeducating patients about drug abuse and dependency and the adverse physical and psychological effects of prolonged use of stimulants, analgesics, alcohol, or tranquilizers. Reprogramming also includes offering alternative methods of coping with physical pain and chronic health conditions, such as natural supplements and vitamin therapies, moderate exercise, guided imagery, stress management, and relaxation techniques.
Some faith-based behavioral clinics employ Biblical principles to help individuals back on the road to recovery. By providing professional chemical dependency counseling which encourages individuals to seek help from God, faith-based institutions add a powerful element to a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Some 12-step programs are based on spiritual principles which gradually rebuild a person's faith and restore the ability to resist using harmful substances. Spiritual counseling also helps patients endure withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, muscle spasms and pain, delirium, restlessness, or convulsions.
Individuals plagued by addictions should remember that chronic abuse doesn't happen overnight; and it will take weeks or months of chemical dependency counseling to help recover. Depending on the extent of chronic abuse, some individuals may require years of participation in support groups and programs. Churches, clinics, hospitals, and health clubs may offer rehabilitation courses for those seeking to regain control over chemical dependency. However, by submitting to a comprehensive program of medication, group or individual psychotherapy, cognitive behavior modification, reeducation, and faith-based instruction, patients will be more successful in rebuilding a life free from drugs.
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