A simple guide to understanding drug use and addiction. Drug Addiction treatment in Alberta and British Columbia – Drug Rehabs in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and other parts of Alberta by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating heroin, fentanyl, opiate, drug addiction and recovery.

Drug Opiate Rehab in BC and Alberta

Drug addiction is hard to understand for the average person. They believe drug addicts do not have any willpower or just choose to use drugs for pleasure. They question the person’s values and decisions. They may even believe quitting drugs is as easy as turning down an after-dinner mint.

Drug addicts wish it was that easy. An addiction has gone beyond a simple choice and has become an illness which is hard to cure. It is not enough to make the decision to quit and to attempt to use willpower. Many drugs change the brain’s chemical balance or modify the brain’s functions making it very difficult to stop, even when they try their hardest.

Research has begun to give us a better understanding of how addiction works and how it can be treated. New treatment options help restore a person’s ability to stop using drugs and can give them their life back.

How Does Drug Addiction Work?

Imagine having an itch that never stops. You scratch and apply medication, but the itch is always there. Addiction is very similar. It is a chronic illness that can only be cured through proper treatment and extreme effort. An addict constantly seeks and uses the drug to satisfy their cravings because it is an insatiable itch. It all starts innocently. They tried drugs recreationally and enjoyed them, but with each repeated use the drug begins to change them physically. Soon their body and brain demand the drugs overcoming their desire to stop using drugs.

Stopping the use of drugs is often not enough. Many of the physical changes caused by drugs do not go away. Drug addicts relapse and begin using the drugs again because their body demands it. Recovering addicts are always at a risk to relapse and start using again, even when they have been off of drugs for years.

Does this mean the treatment is not working? Relapses are just like any other chronic disease. If you stop following your program of treatment, the illness can quickly recur. An addict may need treatment for the rest of their lives, with regular adjustments to their treatment plan. Regular evaluations need to become a way of life, just like it is with anyone else suffering from a chronic illness.

Are There Physical Changes To The Brain From Drug Use?

Most people are surprised the real culprit behind addiction is a natural chemical all of us produce. Dopamine is the chemical messenger our body uses to signal feelings of euphoria, or extreme happiness and pleasure. It is our body’s reward system. It is so powerful that it causes people to repeat behaviors that release dopamine. Think about what causes you extreme pleasure. Is it playing with your children, eating ice cream or running? They can all release dopamine, making you want to repeat the activity.

This sudden feeling of euphoria makes us want to keep doing the activity and to repeat it as often as possible. Drug users get an even larger blast of dopamine when they take the drug. It almost forces them to continue to use the drug to reach a level of “feeling good”.

Our body is smart enough to know too much dopamine is not a good thing. When it senses too high a level of dopamine, it begins to shut down some of the receptors in the brain. This leads to needing more dopamine and drugs to reach the same level of euphoria. Addicts begin to have higher and higher tolerance levels to the drugs.

Each time the addict uses more drugs, the body quickly begins to adjust. They must keep adjusting their drug usage upwards to reach the same feelings. Their tolerance climbs. Since their brain has now become very resistant to dopamine, they no longer receive pleasure from food, hanging out with friends and even sex. All of these normal forms of having fun are now boring activities providing no pleasure.

Heroin and Opiate Rehab in Alberta and BC

Drug and Opioid Rehab in Alberta and BC

The problems continue to grow with continued drug use. Soon the brain chemistry changes even further and communication in the brain deteriorates. The addict’s memory begins to fail. They find it hard to learn. Their stress levels climb. They start making bad decisions in all parts of their lives.

So why do drug users continue to take drugs even if they know this will happen? It is how addiction works. They can only reach a state of happiness with the drugs, so they do not see an option. The goal of treatment is to restore options and provide a chance for an addict to live a more normal life.

Dangerous Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine Addiction in Alberta and BC

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Our Opiate Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Drug Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

The four signs that an alcohol intervention is necessary – Alcohol interventions and rehab treatment plans in Alberta and British Columbia Canada – Drug Rehabs in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and other parts of Alberta by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating alcohol, heroin, fentanyl, opiate, drug addiction and recovery.

Alcohol Interventions in Alberta and BC

The change in character and habits of a loved one that abuses alcohol is hard to go unnoticed or to ignore. The addiction affects not only the user but also the close family friends. It is a state of affairs that often has the family and friends wondering what to do to help their loved one overcome the problem.

Most families will opt to hold an intervention; it may seem like a drastic measure, but it surely is the best way of helping the loved one that is chained by alcoholism. Know when to take such a step is a matter of understanding the four signs that your loved one is an alcoholic and it is time for the family to act and save the addicted individual.

1. Uncontrollable Or Compulsive Alcohol Consumption

When the use of alcohol becomes compulsive, it is a sign of addiction, and the person cannot fight the urge to drink. They cannot control how much they drink, when, and how often. As a result, the user will:

a) Wake up to a drink (alcohol) in the morning.
b) May bring the alcohol to work, the church, or family gatherings, or even drink in the car.
c) Cannot stop drinking once they start.
d) Attempts to cut back, and bears little to no fruit.

Any of these traits are an indication that the alcoholism is beyond the user’s control. As such, an intervention is the best help you can offer your loved one.

2. Alcohol-Related Health Issues Develop

Recent disease control and prevention statistics on alcohol addiction show that alcoholism is the leading cause of chronic liver disease, kidney problems. Alcohol addiction is also linked to the development of cancer problems as well as cardiovascular complications. Most of these health issues, if not treated along with alcohol addiction, can lead to death.

Heavy drinkers start to register a decline in their health, and the rate is often drastic and warranting immediate intervention. The user will often have abnormal test results whenever they go for a medical checkup. Such issues are a trove of information that the family can use when taking an intervention since they are an indication that their alcohol consumption has reached dangerous levels.

3. The Safety Of Relatives And Friends Is At Risk

Not only are alcoholics a danger to themselves, but also those close to them. For instance, the user may opt to drive while drinking or when intoxicated. They quickly get in physical altercations because they are easily irritable when drunk. They often make poor choices because the alcohol impedes their judgment. As such, feuds with the family and friends are fueled by the alcohol and the arguments can lead to injuries. Overall, such actions can see the alcohol addict get jailed or face hefty fines. For instance, drunk driving is illegal primarily because it puts other road users, including the drunk driver, at risk of injuries or death.

4. Brief Talks Fail To Work

Many families touched by alcohol addiction attempt to solve the problem by holding frequent, informal talks. They might discuss the behaviors they’ve seen, and express that they wish the loved one would get help, and sometimes families even feel compelled to research treatment facilities before the talk, so they can outline how the treatment will progress. If families have held a number of these talks and the person still won’t enroll in treatment, it’s time to get serious and stage a planned intervention.

Counting the many times that the talks about addiction have yielded little; the person will not seek treatment or any help. It is in such a point that a planned intervention is the only resolve to ensuring the person gets the help they need and are free from the disease of alcoholism.

What You Should Do

Any of the above issues should be a wake-up call that you need to act on behalf of your loved one even when they do not want to accept that they have an alcohol problem and should seek help.

Holding an intervention for your loved one who is an alcoholic is not easy. The feeling of being unsure and frightened about the outcomes of the discussion is understandable. And that is why it is wise to consider the expertise of an interventionist to help plan. The interventionist can also opt to be present in the room during the talk and will step up and take charge if things take a turn for the worse. Call Options Okanagan at 1-855-335-0331 if you need guidance or assistance. We have the various experienced professionals who can be there every step of the way.

Drug Intervention Treatment Options :: Professional Alcohol Intervention In Alberta

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Our Alcohol Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Alcohol Treatment Centers
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Alcoholic teenagers have special needs and require special rehab treatment – Alcohol addiction in Alberta and British Columbia – Drug and Alcohol Rehabs in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and other parts of Alberta by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating alcohol, heroin, fentanyl, opiate, drug addiction and recovery.

Teenager Alcoholism in Alberta and BC

The consumption of alcohol affects your mental and physical state. The human brain continues to develop until we reach 30 years of age. As such, alcohol can have adverse effects on the brains of teenagers that consume it; it has damaging effects especially if the alcohol consumption is excessive. Failure to act early and accordingly can see the teen experience permanent brain damage. It is for this reason that parents and the society reach out to these young people and help them enroll in alcohol rehab centers for help.

The intervention measures taken for adult alcohol addicts is different from that of teens. The teenagers do not think or act the same as the grown folk. How they respond to things is very different; they tend to have a language of their own. Moreover, they have a different set of life priorities. As such, opting to ignore these facts when trying to help a teen that has an alcohol problem is the wrong approach and will yield poor results.

What To Know About Treatment For Teenagers

Treatment that involves group the teen according to their peers has proven to be very useful in most teenager alcohol rehabilitation programs. It works mainly because these young people tend to care a lot about their peer’s thoughts and opinions of them. As such, creating a situation where they feel they are accountable to the same peers will often give favorable results. It is a method that is more effective than one-on-one counseling.

The alcohol rehab program should also understand the issues that affect teenagers and can identify the root cause of alcohol addiction. Things such as the divorce or separation of parents, breaking up with a girlfriend or boyfriend, or even the loss of a job can have an emotional impact that pushes the teenager to seek solace in alcohol. Turning to alcohol is, more or less, a means of escaping the reality of the problems they face. Many accomplished teen alcohol counselors are familiar with these kinds of issues and can identify and address them when the teenager is in the rehab program.

How A Program Designed For The Teens Can Help

The alcohol rehabilitation program should be designed to help teenagers that are troubled by alcoholism. As such, the program will be able to address various concurrent issues specific to teens that may occur alongside the alcohol abuse. For instance, the alcoholism can cause the teen to have an eating disorder, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and poor health among other issues. For the teenage girls, they face the risk of early pregnancies or be victims of sexual abuse. The counselor will be able to pinpoint these kinds of problems when the teen is in the right rehab facility that ensures he or she gets the attention he or she deserves. Such care may not be availed in an adult alcohol rehabilitation center.

Option Okanagan understand the needs of young people. We have a trained and caring staff that will be on hand to help your teen overcome the alcohol addiction and stay clean. At Options Okanagan, we have known the emotional, physical, and psychological impact that alcohol abuse can have on teenagers as well as adults. It leads to depression, desolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. Call Options at 1-855-335-0331 and get your teenager proper help for their alcohol problem.

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Our unique and distinctive drug and alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Our Drug & Alcohol Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Alcohol Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

The various steps to effective family therapy for heroin addiction in Alberta and British Columbia – Drug Rehabs in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and other parts of Alberta by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating heroin, fentanyl, opiate, drug addiction and recovery.

Opioid Heroin Rehab in BC and Alberta

The structure of families has changed in North America, but the intense emotional connection between the members of a family has remained the same. However, these emotional ties can weaken when a family member has a heroin addiction.

People with this addiction often respond best to treatments which help them to understand how heroin is affecting them and others. These people can easily deny problems and focus instead on getting and taking more of the drug. When they are faced with how their addiction is destroying their personal life and family life, they will often become motivated to change and seek the help they need.

When they have family members as part of their treatment, they will learn to support their loved one in their sobriety and help to heal the damage done by the addiction. Families of heroin addicts also need support to help them process their own feelings and learn how to help a person in recovery. It is important that everyone take part in family therapy both during and after addiction treatment. This participation will help the family members heal the damage that the addiction has done to their relationship and help to build a better relationship once their loved one is sober.

Attaining Sobriety in Alberta and BC

The first step in family therapy will be to get the addicted person into treatment. Research has shown that personalized treatment plans are best for heroin addicts and some people respond the best to a combination of medication-assisted treatment and talk therapy. The first step in any treatment plan will be to detox the person. After this, they will need support, particularly from their family to live in recovery.

It is important to be supportive of the addict regardless of how family members feel about their behavior during their addiction. Choosing a rehabilitation treatment that includes family therapy in the overall treatment will ensure that everyone is getting the support that they need.

Adjusting to Sobriety in BC and Alberta

During rehab and after the heroin detox, the focus of the treatment should be on adjusting to life without the drug. This is typically when addicts will go through the biggest adjustments. They will have to learn how to live as a sober person again and how to interact with people in a more forthcoming and honest manner.

It is important to note that living with a newly sober person can also be an adjustment for the family. A lot of families have problems believing that the person is actually clean and will remain this way in the future. During this period, it is important that the family works at rebuilding trust through therapy.

A family that participates in treatment with their loved one will actually give them a greater chance of entering treatment at all. There is also a stronger likelihood that they will stay in treatment and stay sober after the treatment.

Treatment programs that integrate the family will often explore the reasons behind the addiction and involve family members to improve the situation. As a family member, you will need to be prepared to take responsibility for your role in the addition. This could be a contribution to the problem or simply ignoring it as a way to keep others from seeing the addiction.

Maintaining Sobriety

After the person has completed their heroin rehab successfully, family therapy should not stop. You need to find a family therapist that specializes in drug addiction treatment to help the family and the addict maintain sobriety. The success of long-term recovery does rely on the knowledge that the person has support from their family.

Peer recovery support groups are important, but the participation of family members in recovery has been found to increase the odds of success. When family members know how to promote sobriety they will be able to focus on being supportive and encouraging. Continuing family therapy after the treatment will ensure that bad habits are broken and better routines replace them while providing the family with an open space to discuss any problems before they get worse. Good family support will make up for the stress and temptation that often lead to a relapse.

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Our Opiate Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Drug Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

The reality behind addiction and homelessness in Alberta and British Columbia – Drug Rehabs in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and other parts of Alberta by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating heroin, fentanyl, opiate, drug addiction and recovery.

Opioid Rehab in BC and Alberta

A link exists between addiction and homelessness according to recent research findings. Without dwelling too much on the topic, the average person is in fact likely to associate the abuse of substances with homelessness.

Many homeless individuals are struggling with addiction, in fact. However, blindly assuming that all homeless individuals use drugs would be wrong. Most homeless people are not addicts, as hard as that might be to believe, while most drug users are also not homeless as supported by statistics.

A Complicated Problem With No Simple Solution

A huge increase in homelessness has been seen in western countries over the recent past. This increase has nothing to do with addiction according to experts. There are many reasons why people end up without a home.

The issue of homelessness is quite complicated, and there no simple solution to it. It’s unfortunate but to cope with the new and unwelcome situation of homelessness, many individuals face the risk of developing an addiction.

Locking homeless individuals in jail or beating them up was common practice in the distant past. As it stands however, the treatment of such people has improved. Sadly however, homelessness is still frowned upon by a large proportion of society, with the homeless being viewed as if they don’t belong.

About 1% of the population in the US and Canada, is estimated to be living without a home, this equates to 4.1 million individuals. Alcohol and drug abuse are only two of the many potential causes of homelessness.

Delving Deeper Into Substance Abuse And Homelessness

Around 39 percent of all homeless individuals are struggling with alcohol abuse, while 28% are struggling with the abuse of substances other than alcohol; keep in mind that gathering accurate statistics on the homeless is quite a challenge.

In comparison with the general population, addiction is a bigger problem among the homeless population. A large percentage of the general population assumes that substance abuse is the reason behind homelessness simply because many homeless people use alcohol and drugs.

While some homeless individuals use addiction as a means of coping with their stress they are under, others suffer from mental illness. However, drug addiction follows a downward trajectory in all situations.

Any attempts made by a homeless person towards improving their life can be destroyed utterly and swiftly by an addiction.

Addiction And Homelessness Leaves Individuals Exposed

Homeless people who are struggling with an addiction tend to be more vulnerable. Such individuals are left to weather the elements because many homeless shelters do not, in fact, open their doors to homeless individuals who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Taking advantage of social services offered to the homeless tends to be quite a challenge for those who also suffer an addiction. Homelessness can be caused by a variety of issues; it is however agreeable that this is a complicated problem.

Only temporary support is offered by most of the available solutions. Rather than becoming homeless as a result of substance abuse, many individuals turn to it as a way to cope with living without a home, even though substance abuse can actually cause homelessness.

Seek Assistance From Options Okanagan For Substance Abuse

For those who need it, we can assist by offering addiction treatment at an affordable rate, even though the complexities of substance abuse and addiction are not going to be solved in the near future. As such, we can get people back to making a positive contribution to society by getting them off the street.

Reach out to Options Okanagan today, and kick start the process of saving another life, if you have a loved one or friend who needs assistance for substance abuse.

Professional Drug Rehab and Interventions In Alberta and BC

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Our Opiate Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Drug Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Do’s and Don’ts of helping individuals who are fighting an addiction to drugs – PART 02 – Drug opiate intervention in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada – Drug Rehabs in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and other parts of Alberta by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating heroin, fentanyl, opiate, drug addiction and recovery.

Opiate Addiction Rehab in BC and Alberta

Fighting An Addiction To Drugs: The Do’s And Don’ts : Part 02

In North America, more than 25 million individuals struggle with drug addiction in one way of the other. In some quarters, this is believed to be one of the most pertinent issues the region faces. Furthermore, over 64% of the region’s population has encountered addiction through a close relation, according to research findings. When your close relation agrees to get help, it can be a welcome relief, if you are part of the group that has had to witness a loved one struggling with addiction. However, this is not the end.

For both you and the person struggling against addiction, there’s still a lot to be done even after the process of recovery commences. Recognizing that your role goes over and beyond offering your loved one support is important. To best support the recovering individual, it’s essential that you find out what you should be doing and avoiding, when it comes to helping them through the process.

What To Avoid When Helping Individuals Fighting Drug Addiction

In an attempt to protect and cover for a loved one battling addiction to drugs, it’s easy for you to fall into some habits. To give him/her the best opportunity to get past the recovery process independently, it is best that you steer clear of these habits.

1. Enabling Improper Conduct

Taking the blame for arguments and disagreements with the addict, or calling their office/workplace to cover for absenteeism, while they are under the influence of the drug they are trying to shake in the first place, are some of the temptations that you should steer clear of during the recovery process. These actions only encourage your loved one’s behavior. You should instead recall that to fully recover from the addiction, they need to should the consequences of their actions.

2. Setting Unrealistic Expectations

Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst is the best approach to use when it comes to your expectations about a recovering loved one. Avoid expecting your loved one to change overnight, instead give them the space they need to get through the process. Similarly, support the recovering addict in any way you can, including limiting their access to funds in the household.

3. Find A Way To Deal With Your Personal Concerns Healthily

Letting your close relation know that you care about them is essential. However, you sharing your thoughts on whether the activities they engage in or the friends they keep will lead them into a relapse will do nothing to help them through the process. Similarly, this is also not the time to talk about the decisions the recovering individual made in the past. Find a safe way or person to help you work out your concerns instead of projecting them onto your recovering loved one.

4. Avoid Feeling Stuck

Even when the situation is not working, many close relations think that it is up to them to see their loved one through the process. You should not feel stuck, in case either of you feels like they are unhappy, or won’t be able to get the relationship back on track even if the recovering addict successfully gets through the process. To encourage healing on both sides, it is recommended that you, as a sensible individual, free yourself and your loved one from the relationship’s expectations.

Although possible, recovery is not easy. For a basic guide to the do’s and don’ts when it comes to helping an individual fighting drug addiction, use the above suggestions.

Options Okanagan Drug And Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Our unique and distinctive drug treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Our Drug Opiate Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Alcohol Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331