Support Groups, Clubs, and Services
Women's Alcoholics Anonymous, 10:30 a.m., 7 p.m., closed, 808 Freeport Road, Sterling. Mercy Nursing Services free blood pressure clinic, 11 a.m.-noon, Walmart, 1901 First Ave., Rock Falls. Sauk Valley Group Alcoholics Anonymous, noon, 7 p.m., open, …
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Community Calendar — Friday, Dec. 27
Confidential teen support group, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Nelsonville First United Methodist Church, 205 W. Columbus St.; sponsored by Bridgebuilders of Nelsonville-York communities. Alcoholics Anonymous closed discussion, 6 p.m., Athens First United …
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Question by Hello There: Is the recovery from bulimia in a 12 step program drastically different than Alcoholics Anonymous?
I had a friend tell me that in ABA for example- you don’t start counting days again if you purge again, and that the road to recovery isn’t complete abstinence from binging and purging, but reaching a level of manageability in which you ‘get back on the horse’ when you purge after a period of refraining. I was alarmed, but intrigued by her statements and wanted to find out if this was the case- since I’m so AA biased.

Best answer:

Answer by thebigz
there is over eaters antonymous in a 12 step program but as far as i know there is no program for bulimia you can make your program around the two where you are now and the oa program and see if that works if you like the 12 step program

Good Luck

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Question by Liza Shevchuk: Natural Remedies For Brain Damage After Drug Abuse?
My older brother has done many drugs from about 16-21. Its been a year since his last use, and he’s been having some serious problems. He has high anxiety and he’s been having frequent episodes of “weird” (as he calls it) feelings. He doesn’t label it as feeling sick. During these episodes he feels jittery, emotional (even cry’s sometimes) out of control, his heart rate goes up. This also causes him to have insomnia. Maybe they’re panic attacks, but the thing is, what triggers it? This occurs randomly on a normal day. We believe its typical withdrawal symptoms, because he abused quite a few drugs. (Marijuana, cigarettes, ecstasy, crystal meth, shrooms, hookah, cocaine, inhalants, “uppers” (as he calls them))
He has gone to see his doctor several times to get treatment, and his doctor said he has migraines.
-____-
He prescribed him anti depressants and that didn’t help my brother AT ALL.
He does this herbal drop treatment (echinacea, other oils, etc) That help him sleep.
Now we’re trying to find him herbal remedies that would help repair his brain damage from all of the abuse he has done to it.
Thank you very much.

Best answer:

Answer by jannsody
I’m not sure that there will be repairing of the brain damage (presuming that he has that as I’m not a medical doctor :), but researchers believe that the brain is very “plastic” and may form new nerve pathways to *help* compensate for the injured areas.

With regard to inhalant use, my friend actually has a severe Brain Injury from huffing at the age of 12, now in her 30s. The chemicals in products used for huffing are actual *poisons* that were never meant to go through the bloodstream.

Please be *very* careful with herbal supplements or “remedies” (e.g., echinacea, ginkgo biloba, chamomile) as they can result in side effects and/or drug (medication) interactions. It’s best to check with a licensed pharmacist before taking any of them. Not everything that is “natural” is safe 😉

Regarding the panic attacks, some people have generalized anxiety (to know specific event) or other types of anxiety. The antidepressants may help to lessen the intensity and/or frequency of the anxiety symptoms. Such medications tend to take about 6-8 weeks before possibly noticing results. A caveat (warning) is that some antidepressants may cause insomnia (trouble getting to and/or staying asleep). However, there are medications that one may take to help counteract the insomnia.

Even though benzo’s (e.g., ativan, valium, xanax, klonopin) may be prescribed to help with sleep, they’re not always recommended as a medication due to their physical addictiveness. (Some withdrawal symptoms from benzo’s may include seizures, psychosis/mental break from reality, or even death.) Some psychiatrists (it’s best to get medication for mental health issues from a board-certified psychiatrist as opposed to “just” a family doctor) prescribe seroquel (or other medications), which is classified as an antipsychotic but in smaller dosages may help with sleep.

You’d mentioned that he’s gone to the doctor several times, and I’m wondering if he’s gone to a neurologist which is medical dr who can help rule out disorders of the nervous system – brain, spinal cord, nerves. I’m just thinking that to help “cover all the bases” (not trying to give false hope though, know what I mean).

I’m not sure that he’d still be going through withdrawal symptoms a year after stopping the drugs, but it’s a good idea to ask a doctor about that as well.

Pertaining to the anxiety, please show him this government site which may have some local counseling agencies: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ and can click the second link. Then one can click “near you” on the left-hand side of the page under “find facilities” and can type one’s city and state of residence into search. Their toll-free 24/7 referral helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Just an fyi that the first link is for those looking for substance abuse counseling/treatment, and that may be an option if he’s still “using” or having cravings for substances.

A 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), may have some local support groups. The only requirement is having a desire to get sober. One may attend an “open” AA meeting if there is no drinking problem: http://www.aa.org

This site has some common mottos pertaining to those 12-step programs, including “One day at a time”, “First things first” and “People, places and things”: http://www.royy.com/toolsofrecovery.html

Al-Anon is a 12-step program for the *friends and family* of the problem drinker, but one may attend an “open” Al-Anon meeting if the loved one doesn’t have a drinking problem: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org

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They always say that admitting to a problem is that hardest part of recovery. However, this isn’t always true. What do you do after that? Where do you turn to? For those battling drug addictions, this can be a very difficult process. When dealing with drug rehab, Los Angeles is often the city to go to. There is a Los Angeles drug treatment center every couple miles. But, getting to the point where rehab is an option is also a very hard battle. Those battling with drug addictions need support. It is important not to feel punished or guilty when dealing with a drug issue. Here are some tips for those dealing with addiction or helping someone who is.

Friends are crucial in a time like this. No one can beat an addiction alone. Often times, family can be too helpful or too angry, where as friends want nothing but to help. If your friend is addicted to drugs and looking for help, reach out to them. One of the most powerful tools to be addiction is support. Feeling like someone else wants them to quit and is willing to help them can be the deciding factor. Also, don’t be a fair weather friend. If you quit as soon as the situation gets sticky, you will hurt the person greatly.

Also, for those who are dealing with addiction, the people you surround yourself with is important. If your drug abuse is a social thing, or started as a social thing, you need to find new friends. Don’t attend parties while trying to get clean. However, don’t sit at home and have no social life. It is important to go out and stay busy so the temptation is lessened. Even if your friends are not addicted to drugs, explain to them that you are, and it is difficult for you to resist when they do drugs around you. If they won’t change for you, it is time to invest in a new group of friends.

Local support groups can also be a godsend in a time like this. If rehab is too expensive, or perhaps you’re simply not ready, these are a great alternative. They are support groups similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, but they target specific drugs. These are usually more popular than you realized especially if you live in the city. The sessions are usually held in gyms or local meeting halls, so they are easily accessible. Through groups like this you can find other people suffering like you who may help your beat you addiction.

A lot of people turn to religion when dealing with drug addiction. Religion can be something to focus on or a way to call out for help. Lots of people find god and use god as support. Some people turn to more spiritual religions as a way to channel their addiction into something more positive. Also, activities such as yoga and running can be a great way to keep busy. The key is getting help and not leaving any room for relapse.

By

drunkdrivinginjurieslawyers.com

If you are suffering from an alcohol addiction, you are not alone. Alcoholism is a word that sometimes has negative social connotations, and just because a person drinks alcohol does not mean that they are an alcoholic. The amount of alcohol consumed varies greatly from person to person that develops alcoholism, and is also affected by genetic predisposition, and social and emotional health. Alcohol by definition is a disease that results from a persistent use of alcohol despite negative personal, emotional, financial, and professional consequences. Heavy alcohol use accompanied by dependence and symptoms of withdrawal, and the inability to recognize that every bad thing has been related to an alcohol addiction. The sometimes uncontrollable urge to drink leads to constant preoccupation with the drug. Also leads to arrests for drunk driving and extra expenses for a good dui lawyer

According to numerous online sources, the most common substance of abuse resulting in dependence in patients presenting for treatment is alcohol. Overcoming an addiction to anything can be difficult, but there is help and hope available to people who want to stop drinking and get their lives back on track. The mind is more powerful than any drug, and to discover this is to truly be on the road to recovery. Addicts have to make a conscious choice to get and stay sober, one day at a time, and learn how to control the cravings. It’s not something that can be done alone, which is why there are treatment facilities all over the country, most of which are privately owned substance abuse recovery centers. The philosophy of AA or Alcoholics Anonymous has proven to be helpful to many alcoholics in their fight against alcohol addiction, and the program is often used as an adjunct treatment with other therapies, such as in an inpatient setting. AA also encourages communication with a sponsor to help guide the addict through the recovery process, and provide support while working through the program.

Learn more about effects of alcohol as well as alcohol facts and the truth about alcohol addiction and drunk driving. Some online literature discusses at length what drives alcohol addiction, detailing the effects of alcohol and describes some of the research being done to correct drinking problems. Alcohol continues to be the most greatly abused substance despite the wide-spread negative consequences. Even after public outbursts, divorce, loss of employment, revocation of driving privileges, and loss of life and limb, alcoholics continue to drink because it is so highly addicted in people who are predisposed to this disease. If you or someone you know is giving part of their life to alcohol, encourage them to get help. It may take a series of bad events to get the point across, and for many alcoholics, this is what it takes to see their illness in a different light.

Facts about Alcohol Adiction and Drunk Driving
http://www.drunkdrivinginjurieslawyers.com

Question by msbrook3: Why is it called alcoholics anonymous when the first thing you do is stand up and say “Hi my name is Bob & I’m
an alcoholic”?

Best answer:

Answer by Jo
now thats a good question!!!

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