Recovery Is Available Now

”A community thirty miles away has fifteen fellows of Alcoholics Anonymous. Being a large place, we think that someday its fellowship will number many hundreds. But Life among alcoholics anonymous is more than attending gatherings and visiting hospitals, cleaning up scrapes, helping to settle family differences, explaining the disinherited son to his irate parents, lending money and securing jobs for each other, when justified -these are everyday occurrences. No one is discredited or has sunk too low to be welcomed cordially.” - pg. 161 from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

There exists among us a fellowship of men, and young people that share their experience strength and hope. There is a joy emanating from us because we are aware of how blessed we are to have been able to receive detox and get sober. When we first get sober many of us had very little hope left. We might have thought we had exhausted our chances at recovering but we were pleasantly surprised to find that through going through Above It All Treatment, AA, or addiction rehabilitation that we all had a chance at happiness and getting sober. If you are struggling there is still hope for you all you need to do is reach out, have faith, and have a desire to change the way you are living. The fact is that through sobriety you never have to feel this way or go through anything alone again. We have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body and we are here to help show you how you can recover too. 

Step 3 | Cleaning House

“Maybe this all sounds mysterious and remote, something like Einstein's theory of relativity or a proposition in nuclear physics. It isn't at all. Let's look at how practical it actually is. Every man and woman who has joined A.A. and intends to stick has, without realizing it, made a beginning on Step Three. Isn't it true that in all matters touching upon alcohol, each of them has decided to turn his or her life over to the care, protection, and guidance of Alcoholics Anonymous? Already willingness has been achieved to cast out one's own will and one's own ideas about the alcohol problem in favor of those suggested by A.A. Any willing newcomer feels sure A.A. is the only safe harbor for the foundering vessel he has become. Now if this is not turning one's will and life over to a newfound Providence, then what is it? But suppose that instinct still cries out, as it certainly will, "Yes, respecting alcohol, I guess I have to be dependent upon A.A., but in all other matters I must still maintain my independence. Nothing is going to turn me into a nonentity. If I keep on turning my life and my will over to the care of something or somebody else, what will become of me? I'll look like the hole in the doughnut." This, of course, is the process by which instinct and logic always seek to bolster egotism, and so frustrate spiritual development. The trouble is that this kind of thinking takes no real account of the facts.”-from the chapter on Step Three from The AA Twelve and Twelve

Many of us as alcoholics feel like we have already made a big enough sacrifice when we get to the point of going into a drug addiction detox, AA, or Above It All Drug Rehab. Alcohol was our solution to everything and here we were faced with having to give it up as well as turn our will and life over to a power greater than ourselves. How were we supposed to do that? Through doing the work, getting alcohol and drug rehab, and realizing that we suffered not just from a phenomenon of craving but also from a spiritual malady we were able to start building a foundation for our sobriety. Through cleaning house, trusting God, and working with others we were able to see our lives change for the better. The more that we continue this practice the more free we get to be.

Getting Sober

“ If he is not interested in your solution, if he expects you to act only as a banker for his financial difficulties or a nurse for his sprees, you may have to drop him until he changes his mind. This he may do after he gets hurt some more. If he is sincerely interested and wants to see you again, ask him to read this book in the interval. After doing that, he must decide for himself whether he wants to go on. He should not be pushed or prodded by you, his wife, or his friends. If he is to find God, the desire must come from within.” - pg. 95 from the chapter entitled “Working With Others”  from The Big Book Of Alcoholics Anonymous

In order to get to the place where we are open to receiving addiction recovery most of us have to first get to the place where we are so desperate that we are able to surrender. When it comes to drug and alcohol abuse it is more than a matter of not having enough will power it is an allergy of the body and a disease that centers in the mind therefor most of us are not successful when it comes to trying to quit on our own. Through the help of Above It All, or AA we are able to recover from this seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. This is a self-diagnosed disease. Only you know if drugs and/or alcohol are a problem and only you can decide to take the steps towards getting the help that you need.

Heroin’s Effect On The Unborn Child

Heroin is an extremely addictive, semi-synthetic opioid, which is used recreationally to produce intense feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Heroin tolerance often requires users to take heightened doses of the drug to ensure the same effect with long-term use.

When pregnant mothers use heroin, the fetus takes the drug into their system through the placenta. Because of this, children born to mothers who use heroin stand a high risk for addiction before birth.

Heroin in the Unborn

Unborn babies of heroin addicted mothers are at a heightened risk for complications, premature and stillbirth. However, mothers dependent to heroin must not choose to quit using without the approval and aid of a specialized physician. In an effort to reduce a mother’s heroin dependency, many physicians utilize methadone.

Birth

Babies who are exposed to heroin in the womb are at high risk for a variety of afflictions following birth. These include: premature birth, hypoglycemia, respiratory issues, intracranial hemorrhage and low birth weight. Children forced into heroin withdrawal may experience seizures, tremors, moodiness, vomiting, sleeping difficulties, achiness, diarrhea and fever.

Long-Term Effects

The long-term effects of heroin on children are not well known. A number of babies born with heroin addiction often require special needs classes in school, while others are forced to repeat 1+ grades throughout their academic career. Whether this is due to early drug exposure or other reasons is still unknown.

More Information?

Want to learn more about your pregnancy detox options? Pick up the phone and call Above It All treatment center today! 

Endorphins - The Good Stuff

Our bodies are truly astonishing. When it comes to drugs, nothing compares to the endorphins found in the human brain. From pain relief to mood enhancement, endorphins provide us with the good we need to make it through the day. In this entry, we will discuss methods and techniques you can use to elicit your own natural high throughout the day.

1 – Get some sun! Studies show that endorphin can be triggered by natural sunlight. Heck, even the simple thought of a beautiful sunny day can sometimes be enough to boost your mood!

2 – Like chocolate? Grab a piece and watch your mood soar. When eaten, chocolate is able to trigger an endorphin release. If you find yourself feeling stress or upset, taking just a small nibble of chocolate will provide you with a happy feeling. But don’t go overboard… moderation is key.

3 – Add a little spice to your life. Include more spicy foods, like chili peppers into your diet for an additional release.

4 – Get active! Exercise is another wonderful way to activate smiles. Have you ever heard of the “runner’s high”? The cause is due to the fact that a large amount of endorphins are released during a workout. Not only will you feel wonderful, you’ll look like a stone fox!

5 – Try meditating. This simple activity is yet another means of achieving an endorphin high, with many practitioners reporting feelings of bliss during regular sessions.

Looking for more illicit drug alternatives? Pick up the phone and call Above It All treatment center today! 

Working With Others

“We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.” - pg. 84 from the chapter entitled “ Into Action” from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

After we have gone through alcohol addiction detox, AA, or Above It All Treatment and have picked up the tools needed in order to live a sober life it is imperative that we “pay it forward” and start helping others. When we start feeling uneasy or our character defects start cropping up then nothing will insure immunity from the first drink like extensive work with a newcomer. Through providing addiction treatment to someone else we are able to get out of ourselves and are able to see things from a different perspective. Through working with others we are able to recall where we came from as well as provide hope to people with less experience , or time sober than us. When we approach life from an altruistic angle we are able to have gratitude for the things that we have as opposed to focusing on the things we don’t. When we take contrary action we are able to start over and change our perception.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Cocaine addiction is a powerful stimulant with extremely addictive strength that damages the brain directly. Coke, blow, or snow just to name a few well known names for cocaine. Cocaine can be snorted via the nose, smoke or injected. Above It All drug rehab center is designed for individuals who need an environment separate from their home life in which to focus on their recovery.

Cocaine effects a person within minutes of using the drug and can last anywhere from minutes to a few hours. In the beginning using cocaine can give an individual a feeling of excitement, energy, alertness, and make the user become very talkative. Cocaine temporarily diminishes the users need for sleep or food. An anxiety, restlessness, irritability and paranoia are very common feelings for coming down of the drug period.

Here are some most common effects of cocaine:
Confusion, Flow of energy, Increase in heart rate and blood pressure, Loss of appetite, Paranoia, Rapid speech, Runny nose, or Stuffy nose.

It is very common that user could become cocaine addicted from the very first us of the drug. When cocaine dependency developed, an individual may experience the following complications:  Blurred vision, Chest pain, Hallucinations, Heart attack, Heart disease, Seizures, or Stroke.

Cocaine treatment has two components: detoxification and rehabilitation. The first step is to stop using the drug. A medically-supervised detox program may consist of medications given to help a patient to get through the need for cocaine period. Their doctor will study and assess their own unique situation. He will review their mental and physical history, along with their past days of cocaine abuse. He will put forward a detox plan that will help them detox from their cocaine addiction safely and painlessly until they are ready to begin their treatment program.

Second step in Cocaine Treatment is recovery and rehabilitation in a drug rehab facility.    A person who has been using cocaine associates certain people, places and feelings with drug use. They will need help to identify the kinds of things that act as “triggers” that make them feel like they want to use the drug again. Over time, they can learn how to deal with their triggers and substitute other behaviors in the place of using cocaine. Both individual and group therapy may be used at Above It All Treatment Center for this type of addiction.

Call us today so that we can help you to stop the Cocaine addiction.  Our controlled environment will allow you the best chance for a successful recovery and our personalized treatment plan will start you down the road to recovery.

Cheese Heroin Is On The Shelf

A highly addictive drug known as “cheese heroin” is a blend of black tar Mexican heroin (called “black tar” because of its color) and over-the-counter cold medication, such as Tylenol PM.

The drug costs only a couple of dollars a hit and children as young as 9, hooked on cheese heroin, have been rushed to hospital emergency rooms for heroin withdrawal.

The combination of the two drugs can cause vital body functions such as breathing and heartbeat to slow down and result in death. Since 2004, cheese heroin is responsible for at least forty deaths in the North California region, according to local authorities.

When teens were surveyed to find out why they started using drugs in the first place, 55% replied that it was due to pressure from their friends. They wanted to be cool and popular. Dealers know this. They will approach you as a friend and offer to “help you out” with “something to bring you up.” The drug will “help you fit in” or “make you cool.”Drug dealers, motivated by the profits they make, will say anything to get you to buy their drugs. They will tell you that “heroin is a warm blanket” or “heroin will be your best high.” They don’t care if the drugs ruin your life as long as they are getting paid. All they care about is money. Former dealers have admitted they saw their buyers as “pawns in a chess game.”

Get the facts about drugs. Make your own decisions.Heroin is a highly addictive, illegal drug. It is used by millions of addicts around the world who are unable to overcome the urge to continue taking this drug every day of their lives—knowing that if they stop, they will face the horror of withdrawal.

Heroin (like opium and morphine) is made from the resin of poppy plants. Milky, sap-like opium is first removed from the pod of the poppy flower. This opium is refined to make morphine, then further refined into different forms of heroin.Most heroin is injected, creating additional risks for the user, who faces the danger of AIDS or other infection on top of the pain of addiction.

Heroin was first manufactured in 1898 by the Bayer pharmaceutical company of Germany and marketed as a treatment for tuberculosis as well as a remedy for morphine addiction.

During the 1850s, opium addiction was a major problem in the United States. The “solution” was to provide opium addicts with a less potent and supposedly “non-addictive” substitute—morphine. Morphine addiction soon became a bigger problem than opium addiction. As with opium, the morphine problem was solved by another “non-addictive” substitute—heroin, which proved to be even more addictive than morphine. With the heroin problem came yet another “non-addictive” substitute—the drug now known as methadone. First developed in 1937 by German scientists searching for a surgical painkiller, it was exported to the US and given the trade name “Dolophine” in 1947. Renamed methadone, the drug was soon being widely used as a treatment for heroin addiction. Unfortunately, it proved to be even more addictive than heroin.

By the late 1990s, the mortality rate of heroin addicts was estimated to be as high as twenty times greater than the rest of the population. If you have someone in your family that is using or addicted to heroin or any other drug, contact us today at 1-866-918-6089 and we will assist you in getting your family member into a detox program followed by a treatment plan designed to fit their needs.  At Above It All Treatment Center we are here to assist you and your family every step of the way.