A drug and/or alcohol addiction is a life-changing illness that can be detrimental not only the addict, but also to their family and close friends.  To better understand addiction as an illness, one must first understand what an addict and/or addiction looks like.  In then seeing an addictive lifestyle in yourself, or a within the life of a loved one, it is possible to seek proper rehabilitation treatment.

So, what exactly is an addiction?  Formally, an addiction to a drug or alcohol can be described as the ongoing abuse of a substance that affects an individual’s life, and the life of those that surround them, negatively.  It is a chemical dependency that, over time, becomes a lifestyle.  An addiction can affect rational decision-making, internal will-power, character and personal strength.

There are several negative consequences that may come with a harmful addiction, beyond that of issues relating to poor health.  Some of these consequences may include, but are not limited to:

*  Financial problems
*  Inability to work
*  Poor hygiene
*  Loss of time with family and/or friends
*  Broken relationships
*  Death due to overdose or inability to make good/healthy decisions

An addiction is not only that of abusing a harmful substance.  An addiction also encompasses all of the behaviors, rituals and feelings that entice an addiction to continue using drug and/or alcohol.  Often times, breaking these bad habits and amending these negative feelings and/or behaviors, are just as difficult as not continuing to use the chemical.

It is often difficult for an addict to quit using drugs or alcohol on their own.  Even if they do make a conscious decision to do so, the support of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center is highly recommended.  Within these centers, an individual can gain medical assistance, counseling and the support of others in similar situations.  These rehab centers are located throughout the entire United States, each with different methods of treating the illness.

When searching for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, there are many decisions in which to make. Asking a friend or family member for assistance may be a good idea. Together an addict and their loved one can choose options such as that of a gender specific center, a spiritually-based program, etc. The choice should feel like a positive step forward, so one should not be afraid to ask questions of center professionals prior to starting the program.

An addiction can affect relationships, finances and health, to the point of overall personal destruction.  Although, one must also realize that individuals overcome addictions each and every day.  There is hope via contacting a rehabilitation center.  It’s never too late to start walking down a path to a healthy and complete recovery.

Related Alcohol And Drug Addiction Recovery Articles

The first step towards getting clean of addiction is for the addict to realize the need to stay away from the drugs or alcohol, whatever is the source of his addiction. But for him to do so, his family should show solidarity and support. Often, despair grips the family of an addict when they see their loved ones losing his way, taking to drugs and alcohol and often shuns him out of embarrassment or sometimes opt for violent intervention. But often it makes matters worse for the addict and might aggravate his addiction. It is the duty of the family to help him realize his mistake through love and compassion and then take him to a good Christian addiction recovery centre to get him clean.

Now, one question that might surface is, how do you choose among the various addiction recovery centers. For this, there are several factors that you need to consider. You should go through the list of professionals working at the center and see their records. You should also look for the relapse rate of these centers and opt for the one that has the minimum relapse rate. Also, you should decide whether you would be comfortable with an in-house treatment or in a more relaxed environment, like a garden. The type of therapy offered by the rehab center should also be taken into consideration. While some people may respond better to group therapies, other might require individual attention. Privacy is also a deciding factor while choosing your rehab facility. You should also look at the nature and extent of medical care available within the facility. Another important factor is the time of the rehabilitation program and whether the center provides continuing care even after you are clean, to make sure you stay away from alcohol and drugs for good.

Apart from these general considerations, a good Christian addiction recovery center should have a good church with a pastor where the inmates can pray and attend the sermons. These centers use the addict’s faith in God to probe into his inner self and see the light within and to understand the problems in his life that have led him to take the way of addiction. Once they cause is identified, one can try to solve the problems and thus get away from addiction permanently. A good Christian rehab center also performs readings of the bible with the belief that the teaching of the bible and the faith in God will strengthen the willpower of the person to get rid of his addition and transform the person from someone lost in the wilderness of life to one who is in complete control of his senses and can clearly see the light at the end of his path and leads a biblical and faith based life. Thus, as the goodness in the person is brought to the forefront, he experiences the divinity and realizes how this new life free from drugs is much better than the old one that he has been leading. This helps him to stay clean of drugs in future.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/find-the-best-christian-addiction-recovery-centers-5830250.html

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Baldy Hughes Addiction Treatment Centre – July 19, 2010

Image by BC Gov Photos
Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon is joined by Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond and Prince George- Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell as he presents a cheque for 0,000 to Marshall Smith, executive director for the Baldy Hughes Addiction Treatment Centre and Therapeutic Community, which is located just outside of Prince George.

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Question by Sally: should married people have married sponsors in 12 step programs?
my husband is a sex addict who has started a 12 step sex addiction recovery program. i think his sponsor is not a good match – he is middle aged and never-married, and has no idea what marriage is supposed to be like. he encourages my husband to be secretive, not heed my needs, assert himself with me and assert that “his recovery comes first”, and completely ignore me. anyone else had any such experiences with sponsors being detrimental to the relationship (maybe AA folks)? i think married sponsees should have married sponsors.

Best answer:

Answer by TRIXIE
i would have to leave anyone that is in need of any type of recovery. sorry, i know my comment didn’t help. 🙁

What do you think? Answer below!