Do Phone Apps Help with Addiction or Make it Worse?
There is a debate within the addiction field as to whether smartphone apps can help people struggling with addiction. Many experts believe that apps are effective in helping people quit smoking, for example, frequently offering gamified rewards for completing levels or tasks. While some apps simply provide access to recovery groups and support programs, others take a more hands-on approach using targeted games and rewards systems. The creators of these apps are mainly coming out of the tech world with great success, but there seems to be an emerging skepticism about their true effectiveness. Here are some phone apps that are designed to help in addiction recovery.
Sober Grid
This app is the first choice of many recovering alcoholics due to the gamified rewards system it provides. It tracks individual challenges with goals and rewards that can be traded for gift cards, merchandise, and even cash. Other features include a chat function, text messaging, and email reminders. The app doesn’t replace the need for a sponsor or even in-patient treatment, but it is used to improve self-awareness and stimulates a support network among recovering addicts.
Pear reSET
Based on the 12-step program, Pear reSET is another widely used app to help people quit addictive substances. The free app allows users to track their “sober days,” connect with others in the same situation and makes it easier to find support groups. It also provides motivational messages and has a chat feature for further encouragement. While not a perfect solution on its own, many recovering addicts still find this app very helpful when combined with other programs such as in-patient treatment or intensive outpatient programs.
Nomo
This rewards app is designed to make the process of quitting smoking to a “whole new level.” It integrates social elements such as texting, gamified challenges, and even rewards, along with other features. Those who need something more in-depth than most of the other apps mentioned can look into this app which helps support groups exchange personal experiences and lessons they’ve learned while quitting. Addiction treatment centers across the country also currently use this app to help their clients stay on track with recovery.
RecoveryBox
This app was developed by behavioral scientists and is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help its users. It’s designed to analyze behavior through challenges and rewards that can be tracked online or using a mobile device. It also allows users to cope with stress, stay away from triggers, and promote a positive mindset. The in-depth questionnaire helps the app figure out the best learning style for each user, which can allow it to become an ideal companion in recovery programs.
SoberTool
This app is another gamified app based on CBT techniques. It allows users to track their progress in the form of progress bars, earning points, and hitting milestones. A leaderboard tracks their progress from one day to the next, helping them stay accountable. The app also offers a social network where members can connect with others and share tips and tricks to help them stay sober.
Conclusion
While there is a lot of debate on whether phone apps are helpful in addiction recovery, there are many people who swear by them. They provide an intimate level of support that’s often difficult to come by in traditional treatment programs. The challenge isn’t with the app itself but with the individual making use of it and its potential to become an opposing force in recovery if misused. Therefore, the Sands Treatment Center is dedicated to providing a holistic approach to addiction treatment and helping its clients remain in control.
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Is Microdosing a Form of Medication Assisted Treatment?
Microdosing is a term that has been used recently in the media and by some professionals as a new approach to medication treatment. It refers to taking small doses of drugs that do not produce the same effects as usual but still have beneficial properties. The idea is that microdoses can create cognitive benefits like enhanced attention and focus, heightened creativity, enhanced memory recall, etc., without any of the negative side effects produced by larger doses of stimulant drugs like cocaine. Therefore, how can microdosing be used as a form of MAT?
How Does it Work?
Microdosing involves taking small amounts of psychedelic drugs, such as LSD or Psilocybin mushrooms to combat depression, anxiety, and other mood-based disorders. These substances that the patient ingests are known to impact neurotransmitter levels in the brain for short periods and bring about a certain feeling of euphoria that can counteract some symptoms of depression.
Microdosing is different from a full session with psychotherapists in two ways: patients take lower doses and take them more frequently than in traditional psychiatry sessions. This does not involve a standardized prescription, and instead, the patient takes drugs as often as needed for any symptoms that arise.
Moreover, it is also different from traditional psychiatry in that patients do not have to sit down with psychiatrists for an hour or more to discuss their issues; this method allows the patient to be in control of their use, and they are allowed to choose what they put into their bodies.
Benefits of Microdosing
If the word ‘microdose’ is unfamiliar to you, then you are not alone. But in the past few years, this approach has gained popularity because it allows people to take drugs and combat depression and other conditions without having to go through withdrawal symptoms or sacrificing their daily routine. Some of the benefits include:
1. Eliminating the ‘high’ and Negative Side Effects
The idea behind microdosing is that patients do not have to experience high doses of euphoria, thus eliminating some of the negative side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. Moreover, this method allows people to take the drug without experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it.
2. A Non-Addictive Option
Patients who suffer from severe conditions that affect the mood, such as depression, may want to try something without the addictive qualities of normal drugs like anti-depressants or anti-psychotics. The idea is that microdosing is a drugless alternative for patients who require medication for their symptoms.
3. Empowerment
Another benefit that microdosing offers is the empowerment to take control of one’s body and mind. This method allows patients to overcome their feelings of hopelessness and despair, thus allowing them to move beyond self-doubt and negative thoughts. Thus, it can be viewed as a tool that allows patients to fight mental health conditions in an environment where they are trusted and allowed to make choices based on their own will.
Conclusion
Microdosing is a new way of taking drugs that have been gaining popularity in the media, with some professionals and patients suggesting it as a treatment method. Many doctors and psychiatrists who have tried microdosing personally have reported that this approach offers many benefits, especially to people who are suffering from mental health conditions. The Sands Treatment Center is a rehab center that allows you to live the life you want. We are here to help; get in touch with us today.
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Is Recovery Time Shorter with Intensive Outpatient Program?
The number of illegal drug users in the USA is over 31 million. However, only 11% of those who get addicted receive the help they need and deserve.
Various factors can keep drug users from seeking help. However, lack of access to help can be one of the primary reasons. Even when many try to quit drugs through rehabilitation, a lack of support or a support system can lead to addiction relapse. Every two or three out of five patients experience relapse. Relapse can extend the duration of their healing journey.
Intensive Outpatient Programs are being recommended more and more to help those who have completed inpatient programs. They are designed to fit into patients’ lives to bring them closer to a normal life while also helping them through each step of the way.
How Long do Intensive Outpatient Programs Last?
Intensive Outpatient Programs or IOP Pompano Beach can last anywhere from one month to a year. However, most intensive outpatient programs last between two or four months, i.e., eight to sixteen weeks. Patients must come in three times a week, with each visit lasting up to three hours.
Do Intensive Outpatient Programs Last Shorter than Inpatient Programs?
Inpatient programs last 90 days and require the patient to stay at the hospital for the entire duration. On the other hand, intensive outpatient programs last for a much shorter duration. Since they only require up to nine hours of the patient’s time during a week, the overall duration of even a long intensive outpatient program can be shorter than an inpatient program lasting three months.
The Convenience of Intensive Outpatient Program
Dropping everything and staying at the hospital may not be convenient for many patients with drug abuse.
Patients cannot go to work or attend in-person classes during the inpatient program. They can also miss out on fulfilling their domestic responsibilities. Since these requirements also come with financial strains, the patients may be unwilling to enroll in an inpatient program.
However, intensive outpatient programs can fit different schedules. The patient only needs to schedule a few hours in the whole week to receive the help that increases their quality of life for the rest of the week and even the rest of their life.
While many patients are recommended intensive outpatient programs after completing an inpatient program, those who deal with drug addiction but cannot make time for an inpatient program can also opt for it. Patients having experienced relapse can also join intensive outpatient programs.
The Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Program
Intensive outpatient programs help patients in the following ways:
Attend Work or School
The primary benefit of intensive outpatient programs is that they don’t take up much of a patient’s time, and hence the patient can easily go to work or attend school. This benefit allows the patient to stay independent, bring a sense of normalcy to their life, and help them progress in their career.
Fulfill Domestic Responsibilities
Besides allowing patients to keep a sense of normalcy in their life outside the home, intensive outpatient programs also allow the patients to be present at home and fulfill their domestic responsibilities. Patients with children or partners can especially find this advantageous.
Get Support from Families
Inpatient programs can make many patients feel isolated from their families. However, intensive outpatient programs allow the patients to spend time at home with their family and friends. It allows the patients and their family members to build communication and talk about the patient’s progress.
Many intensive outpatient programs may include some sessions on family counseling and building communication between family members. These sessions can prove to be significantly helpful for the patient in finding their family’s support.
Maintain Privacy
Patients may feel hesitant in enrolling in an inpatient program for the fear that people close to them will notice their absence and find out about their addiction issues. The hesitation can also make patients feel guilty or ashamed of their addiction. These feelings can sometimes worsen the addiction and keep the patient from seeking help.
However, since intensive outpatient programs allow the patients to attend work or school and maintain a normal routine, it saves them from answering difficult questions from their acquaintances. Patients can feel safe from judgment while also finding support from those close to them.
Feel Belonged with Their Recovery Group
Patients are grouped in intensive outpatient programs with individuals with similar needs. Intensive outpatient programs also include many group therapy sessions. These factors allow patients to feel understood and belonged. They can build a community with individuals who understand their issues and support them in overcoming them.
Last but not least, Intensive outpatient programs are also affordable compared to inpatient programs. When looking for an intensive outpatient program or IOP Pompano Beach, patients are advised to opt for one that personalizes the care according to the patients’ needs. Sand Treatment Center is one such place that helps patients with tailored therapy to help them make the best of their lives.
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Opioids Vs. Opiates- Comparison of Drugs with Treatment
The terms “opiate” and “opioids” are frequently interchanged to refer to any pain-relieving medicine that binds to opioid receptors, be it of natural or chemical origin.
An opioid is a drug class of synthetic or semi-synthetic agents for medical contexts, whereas “opiate” applies to opium alkaloids or natural analogs.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, all medications that operate on opiate receptors are classified as opioids irrespective of how they’re synthesized.
Opioids will include illegal narcotic heroin, synthetic opioids like Fentanyl, and legally prescribed painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many more.
Before things get much more complicated, let’s start with the most contentious comparison: “Opioid vs. Opiates.”
We’ll also go over how both medicines are utilized for therapy and point you in the direction of some expert aid for opioid addiction treatment, so keep reading!
How Do We Differentiate Between Opioids and Opiates?
What Exactly Are Opioids?
According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), we can put them under two categories:
Natural opioids are found in nature, derived from the poppy seed of specific plant species. These drugs reduce pain by acting on the body’s nerve receptors.
Synthetic opioids are drugs that operate on the same receptors in the body but are manufactured in a lab. Methadone and Fentanyl are popular synthetic opioids.
Therefore, the word “opioid” applies to both natural and synthetic versions of these molecules.
Then, What Are Opiates?
According to the CDC, “opiates” explicitly refer to natural opioids. Opiates are narcotic drugs that profoundly affect the nervous system, generating sensations of euphoria and relieving pain.
Among the most common medications in this category are:
- Heroin
- Morphine
- Codeine
- Opium
Enkephalins and endorphins are opioid-like substances produced by our bodies. Endogenous opioids give a “natural high” that is not addictive.
Addiction Problem
Opioids
Opioids are dangerously addictive due to their potent euphoric effects. One can instantly get dependent on opioids because of their high degree of tolerance.
This implies that when the brain adjusts its function to cope with levels of opioids in blood, eventually, greater dosages are required to get the intended effects.
After some time, there may be a transition in the brain’s structure and functionality, performing better when opioid is present in the bloodstream. As a result, withdrawal symptoms will occur when the medicine is stopped.
These symptoms may be agonizing, and withdrawal usually necessitates a medical detox treatment.
Opiates
An overdose happens when breathing drops to the extent where there’s an insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain. Even if this is the first time the substance has been misused, there are chances of morphine and heroin overdose.
Even if this is the first time the substance has been misused, there are chances of an overdose, especially when it comes to heroin and morphine.
Codeine, an opiate, is frequently used with Tylenol for cough. However, combining codeine with Tylenol can be dangerous and result in addiction and overdoses, especially when combined with other narcotics.
Opiate abuse can be deadly because of insufficient oxygen to the brain for an extended period.
Drug Use Disorder and Prescription Drugs
Most of those hooked on opioids did so after their doctors gave them pain relievers. Whether the individual began misusing the medicine or raised daily doses as the tolerance rose, this resulted in a massive catastrophe that has been ongoing since the early 1990s.
Not everyone prescribed opioids get addicted to or misuse them, but studies show that this is a continuing epidemic worldwide that must be addressed.
Misusing opioids, whether prescribed or illicit, may have catastrophic consequences, causing abuse, addiction, and then death. If you or your loved one is in pain, there is help available.
How to Use Opioids Safely
As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, opioid pain drugs are typically safe when taken for a short period or as prescribed by a doctor.
Opioids, on the other hand, can be abused because they provide psycho-active effects and euphoria.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), psychedelics are any chemical that a person consumes or ingests that might impact their mental states, such as sensation, intellect, memory, mood, or emotions.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 71,000 Americans died due to drug overdose in 2019. An opioid was implicated in over 70% of these fatalities.
Opioid Addiction Treatment in South Florida
If you or your loved one is struggling with opioids or any form of addiction, you are not alone.
You can reach out for help before it’s too late.
If you are looking for addiction treatment centers in South Florida, there can’t be a better option than The Sands Treatment Center.
To book an appointment or reach out for free consultation, dial (844) 200-2509.
You can also visit their website thesandstreatmentcenter.com for more info.
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Is the Pandemic Causing Alcohol Addiction Problems?
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of all of us and compromised our economic, social, and psychological well-being. It has been particularly stressful for those with alcohol or substance addictions. Studies have shown a marked increase in alcohol consumption since the onset of the pandemic. The most prominent reason is stress, which is particularly problematic for those addicted to alcohol. Preventative treatment is imperative for those with addiction propensities.
The Pandemic’s Effect on Ordinary Lives
Our daily lives have been impacted by the COVID pandemic in countless healthcare, economic, and social respects.
- Excessive burdens on the existing medical system at the expense of patients with other health problems
- Heavy business losses and economic retardation
- Extreme social disruptions, including cancellation of traditional public and family gatherings
- Undue emotional stress including depression, stemming from isolation and social distancing.
All of these effects exacerbate problem drinking, particularly for those who struggle with addiction under ordinary circumstances.
Statistics of Alcohol Addiction due to the Pandemic
Statistics show that alcohol consumption increased dramatically during the COVID pandemic. A national survey of U.S. adults found that excessive drinking increased by 21% between 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.
Researchers attributed to that increase an additional 8,000 cases of alcohol-related liver disease, 18,700 cases of liver failure, 1,000 cases of liver cancer, and an estimated 8.9 million disability-adjusted life years between 2020 and 2040.
Another survey of 832 adults also showed a dramatic increase in alcohol consumption linked to the pandemic.
Compared to the pre-COVID experience, 60% reported increased drinking during the pandemic. About 34% reported binge drinking while 7% reported extreme binge drinking. The reasons for the increased drinking patterns included increased stress (45.7%), increased alcohol availability (34.4%), and boredom (30.1%)
People experiencing economic or psychological stress often consume more alcohol and suffer symptoms of alcohol abuse and increased alcohol dependence.
A 2020 study by the RAND Corporation showed that alcohol consumption during the pandemic among adults over age 30 increased by 14%, with a 41% increase in women heavily drinking. The strain was particularly acute for those already coping with addiction with increased rates of relapse and overdose.
What is the Process of Alcohol Treatment Programs?
The Sands Treatment Center in Florida is a leading alcohol treatment center. We employ a combination of inpatient and outpatient alcohol treatment programs, including cognitive-behavioral therapies, medicinal therapies, and 12-step programs.
Cognitive and dialectical behavior therapies were originally developed for the treatment of stress and depression. They later proved very effective as alcohol treatments. As such, these therapies are useful for dealing with stress that is associated with the economic and psychological effects of the pandemic. They are essential for the already addicted to cope with the compounding effects of the COVID pandemic.
Conclusion
We have all experienced the pandemic’s disruption of our economic, social, and psychological well-being. People with substance addiction propensity are particularly vulnerable to COVID-associated stress. It is imperative therefore that those vulnerable seek professional preventative help. Don’t shy away, call today.
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Coping With PTSD in the Workplace
What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a severe single or prolonged threatening or horrifying event.
Causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Causal events include war and combat atrocities, terrorist acts, rape or sexual violence, or serious accidents and injuries.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in the Workplace
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can adversely affect a patient’s job, relationships, physical health, and everyday life.
A worker with PTSD may have physical health issues including cardiorespiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders that affect their work performance and lead to frequent absences.
Symptoms that can affect a worker’s performance at work include:
- Recurrent memories or reliving of the traumatic event even at work
- Distractions from trying to avoid thinking or talking about the event
- Memory problems
- Difficulty with close relationships
- Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
- Trouble concentrating at work
- Angry outbursts or aggressive behavior
Stress at work can amplify the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The condition often leads to depression and substance abuse that is usually hard to hide at work.
If an employee demonstrates any of the listed behavioral or health symptoms an empathetic employer should sit down with them and determine if counseling might be indicated.
What Therapies Does Sands Treatment Center Employ for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
PTSD is treated with medicine and psychotherapy. Studies show that trauma-focused psychotherapy is more effective than drug treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Sands Treatment Center employs a variety of PTSD treatments but finds that the efficacy of behavioral therapies surpasses available medicinal treatments.
As opposed to Freudian therapies, behavioral therapies were taken up by therapists in the 1960s to focus more on a patient’s current twisted or abnormal thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes.
Historical Freudian therapies focused on identifying unconscious meanings behind behaviors with the expectation that acknowledging and understanding those meanings would solve the problem.
Behavioral therapists address the problem directly. They seek to help the patient develop and practice strategies for dealing with distorted thinking.
Behavioral therapy is a form of mind control. It was originally used to treat depression which is often associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In the 1980s, it became popular for treating many mental health conditions including PTSD treatments, marital problems, eating disorders, and addiction.
Behavioral therapies mesh with 12-step programs, having their genesis with Alcoholics Anonymous founded in 1965. For that reason, behavioral therapies are often combined with a 12-step program for PTSD as well as alcoholism. Alcoholics anonymous teaches addicts to eliminate so-called “stink’n think’n” (i.e., mind control).
Efficacy of Behavioral Therapy
Numerous studies have shown the efficacy of behavioral therapy. Among them is a study manuscript published in July 2012 in PubMed Central (PMC).
The study, “The Efficacy of Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses” reviewed 269 meta-analytic studies of behavioral therapy. The analysis concluded that cognitive-behavioral therapy was more effective than other treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health disorders.
Sands Treatment Center
We at Sands Treatment Center have many years of experience treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance addiction as well as other disorders. We use 12-step programs in combination with behavioral therapies. For a consultation, you can meet our experts today or call (844) 200-2509 for more.
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Is Recovery Time Shorter with Intensive Outpatient Program?
There are over 31 million illegal drug users in the USA. However, only 11% of those who get addicted to drugs receive the help they need and deserve.
While there are many factors that prevent drug users from seeking treatment, lack of access to help is one of the primary reasons. Even when many try to quit drugs through rehabilitation, a lack of support or a support system can lead to addiction relapse. Every two or three out of five patients experience relapse, which can extend the duration of their healing journey.
Intensive Outpatient Programs are being recommended more and more to help those who have completed inpatient programs. They are designed to fit into patients’ lives to bring them closer to a normal life while also helping them through each step of the way.
How Long Do Intensive Outpatient Programs Last?
Intensive Outpatient Programs or IOP in Pompano Beach can last anywhere from one month to a year. However, most intensive outpatient programs last between two or four months, i.e., eight to sixteen weeks. Patients must come in three times a week, with each visit lasting up to three hours.
Do Intensive Outpatient Programs Last Shorter than Inpatient Programs?
Inpatient programs last 90 days and require the patient to stay at the hospital for the entire duration. On the other hand, intensive outpatient programs last for a much shorter duration. Since they only require up to nine hours of the patient’s time during a week, the overall duration of even a long intensive outpatient program can be shorter than an inpatient program lasting three months.
The Convenience of Intensive Outpatient Program
Dropping everything and staying at the hospital may not be convenient for many patients with drug abuse.
Patients cannot go to work or attend in-person classes during the inpatient program. They can also miss out on fulfilling their domestic responsibilities. Since these requirements also come with financial strains, the patients may be unwilling to enroll in an inpatient program.
However, intensive outpatient programs can fit different schedules. The patient only needs to schedule a few hours in the whole week to receive the help that increases their quality of life for the rest of the week and even the rest of their life.
While many patients are recommended intensive outpatient programs after completing an inpatient program, those who deal with drug addiction but cannot make time for an inpatient program can also opt for it. Patients having experienced relapse can also join intensive outpatient programs.
The Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Program
Intensive outpatient programs help patients in the following ways:
Attend Work or School
The primary benefit of intensive outpatient programs is that they don’t take up much of a patient’s time, and hence the patient can easily go to work or attend school. This benefit allows the patient to stay independent, bring a sense of normalcy to their life, and help them progress in their career.
Fulfill Domestic Responsibilities
Besides allowing patients to keep a sense of normalcy in their life outside the home, intensive outpatient programs also allow the patients to be present at home and fulfill their domestic responsibilities. Patients with children or partners can especially find this advantageous.
Get Support from Families
Inpatient programs can make many patients feel isolated from their families. However, intensive outpatient programs allow the patients to spend time at home with their family and friends. It allows the patients and their family members to build communication and talk about the patient’s progress.
Many intensive outpatient programs may include some sessions on family counseling and building communication between family members. These sessions can prove to be significantly helpful for the patient in finding their family’s support.
Maintain Privacy
Patients may feel hesitant in enrolling in an inpatient program for the fear that people close to them will notice their absence and find out about their addiction issues. The hesitation can also make patients feel guilty or ashamed of their addiction. These feelings can sometimes worsen the addiction and keep the patient from seeking help.
As intensive outpatient programs allow the patients to attend work or school and maintain a normal routine, it saves them from answering difficult questions from their acquaintances. Patients can feel safe from judgment while also finding support from their loved ones.
Feel Belonged with Their Recovery Group
Patients are grouped in intensive outpatient programs with individuals with similar needs. Intensive outpatient programs also include many group therapy sessions. These factors allow patients to feel understood and belonged. They can build a community with individuals who understand their issues and support them in overcoming them.
Last but not least, Intensive outpatient programs are also affordable compared to inpatient programs. When looking for an intensive outpatient program or IOP Pompano Beach, patients are advised to opt for one that personalizes the care according to the patients’ needs. The Sands Treatment Center is one such place that helps patients with tailored therapy to help them make the best of their lives.
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Will PTSD Become More Prevalent In Children After COVID-19?
Children are becoming more prone to developing serious mental health conditions following COVID, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Childhood Trust has recently come out with a statement informing that disadvantaged children are especially vulnerable to mental health conditions after the pandemic. Some contributing factors include anxiety relating to the health of loved ones and detrimental effects from social isolation and hunger.
Therefore, children are in a position where they cannot access online therapy or make the healthcare appointments necessary to deal with the effects of PTSD.
The Sands Treatment Center offers treatment programs for PTSD in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Let’s explore the effect COVID-19 has had on children’s mental health.
Symptoms of PTSD
The Childhood Trust informed BBC News that many children are suffering from horrible nightmares relating to the effects of the pandemic, which is a common side effect of PTSD.
Children have been greatly affected by news of global death rates, which has led to them developing anxieties relating to the potential death of their parents and friends. With news about the increasing mortality rates being broadcasted around the world, children have internalized the sense of impending doom and have been displaying symptoms of PTSD.
A clinical psychologist from the University of Bath has made it clear that the effects of the pandemic are far-reaching and involve people developing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Social isolation has made it difficult to interact with friends, and the lack of regular education has also played an important factor in feeling a sense of loss and deprivation. Separation from loved ones, absence of freedom to move around, and monotony are some of the key factors that can have drastic consequences on children’s mental health and well-being.
Those already predisposed to mental health conditions are unable to receive the help and support they need. The Childhood Trust states that 83% of children receiving mental health care have suffered from the detrimental effects of the coronavirus.
Effects of the Coronavirus Leading to PTSD
Social isolation due to coronavirus has become the new norm.
This has led to an increasing number of child abuse and sexual exploitation cases, which has led to the development of PTSD in many children.
COVID-19 has seen a 21% rise in alcohol sales during the lockdown period, and many children have been stuck at home with irresponsible parents drinking hazardously and causing problems at home. Children and young individuals have seen a decline in their mental health after dealing with and caring for family members suffering from alcohol dependency and substance abuse.
Due to the closure of schools, children are no longer exposed to trained professionals who can spot signs of abuse. As a result, there has been a surge in mental health conditions.
The crisis will affect the younger generation well into the future, meaning the effects of coronavirus are far-reaching and long-lasting. Medical professionals warn that these problems will not vanish easily, and their impact on children can be irreversible if the correct steps are not taken today.
Once you develop a serious illness, it is often impossible to overcome it entirely. Like with grief, you don’t get over someone’s passing but learn to live with it, which is why PTSD is especially deadly.
Children are struggling with learning efficient coping strategies, and there are no medical professionals to guide them through the process due to the strict rules of the pandemic.
What to do About PTSD in Children
Parents are encouraged to provide a nurturing environment at home and shield their children from any negative news, which can be toxic to fragile minds. There is a sense of impending doom projected throughout the world, and it is the parents’ responsibility to help their children learn to think positively and have an optimistic outlook.
Parents are also advised to allow their children to access online therapy to learn to develop coping strategies for any difficult symptoms of PTSD that have become prevalent. Children should also be encouraged to talk about their issues, and parents must listen, reassure, and engage in enjoyable activities.
Final Verdict
There is no definite conclusion that symptoms of PTSD will last for a long time or if children will begin to recover after COVID restrictions start to ease up.
Children must have regular routines to bring back a sense of normalcy during these difficult times.
For treatment for PTSD in Fort Lauderdale, Florida you can reach out to The Sands Treatment Center.
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What Are the Long Term Benefits of the 12-Step Program?
The 12-step recovery program in South Florida is a popular therapy that has been around for many years. It is designed to help people struggling with addiction get out of trouble and regain sober life. While it might not be an easy journey, it’s worth it. The 12-step program has many benefits for addiction recovery, which include:
1. Gives You Hope and a Sense of Direction
Typically, most patients struggling with addiction don’t have a clear vision of how they want their life to be. The 12-step program gives them a sense of direction and hope. It allows them to make changes in their life that will affect their future.
2. Helps with Self-Acceptance
One of the issues most patients deal with during addiction recovery is the issue of self-acceptance. They often struggle with how they feel about themselves and how other people see them. The 12-step recovery program in South Florida helps to develop a sense of self-acceptance as a patient works on developing a new way of thinking about themselves and their lives.
Additionally, the program requires you to be active. It encourages the patient to take action in their recovery process. It shows them that they can make changes in their lives and do it independently.
3. Helps Patients Integrate Positive Behaviors into their Lifestyle
One of the most critical aspects of addiction recovery is to develop a new, positive way of living. The 12-step program helps to create this new way of living. It teaches the patient that they can change their lives for the better and do it independently.
The program also helps patients learn how to incorporate positive behaviors into their lifestyles. This means learning how to live with moderation and avoiding excesses in their lives. In addition, the program gives them a sense of self-control, which is very important for anyone looking for addiction recovery.
4. Instills a Sense of Accountability
The 12-step program teaches people accountability. It helps them learn that they are responsible for how they live their lives and that they need to take responsibility for their choices.
They learn to take full responsibility for their actions, which is an essential step in recovery from addictions. This is a crucial lesson that many people fail to learn, and it can lead to relapse in recovery if it is not understood properly.
The program also helps patients make changes without relying on others or taking medication as a crutch. These changes are made by working on themselves and developing good habits that will help them live a good life in the future. Most people find it difficult to change how they live, and the program helps them do so.
5. Helps Achieve Long-Term Sobriety
The 12-step program teaches people to live a sober life and be happy and healthy. They learn how to deal with their problems, which is something that many people do not discover on their own. The program also teaches them the importance of being honest and truthful, essential for anyone looking for addiction recovery.
Generally, the 12-step program is very effective for those looking for recovery from addictions in South Florida. It helps them to stay sober and to develop healthy relationships with others.
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Stress of Addiction Treatment on Family
The topic of addiction does grab a lot of attention. There is even a lot of well-documented psychological literature about it, but the negative consequences of an addict on their family still remain concealed to a large extent.
Many family members and even friends of those who suffer from substance abuse problems often feel a lot of stress and anxiety in their daily lives.
Too much chronic stress can cause mental health problems, and many may experience a drop in their overall quality of life.
This is almost a part and parcel of caring for someone going through addiction treatment in South Florida.
Let’s explore how families of those undergoing addiction treatment, in South Florida, can cope with daily life.
Healthy Coping Should be Prioritized Instead of Blaming
Many individuals have had negative encounters with medical professionals who have shown insensitivity towards the family of those suffering from drug addictions.
This has led many families to stop seeking professional help and just manage by themselves.
It is easy to judge family members and blame them for causing trauma, such as neglect or domestic abuse, which pushes individuals towards drugs or other types of addictions.
Many of these are assumptions that medical professionals make without considering family dynamics.
This has created a need for supportive interventions, and many options have become available one of which is group therapy, which helps support family members instead of trying to diagnose them.
As a result of this, many families today have options to seek out compassionate and caring services that can help them vent or cope with the struggles of daily life.
Addiction treatment is difficult for family members, especially since blood bonds are tied closer than friendships.
When stress becomes chronic, this can negatively impact all avenues of an individual’s life. It can get frustrating to watch your loved one who is undergoing treatment fall into the same cycles of self-destructive behaviors.
Blame and labeling become the norm, and families lack the necessary coping strategies to be compassionate towards each other. They oftentimes snap and project their difficulties onto others.
Support Resources
There are many services available that families of individuals suffering from substance abuse problems can avail of to manage their stress and tension. Usually, it includes family therapy and group meetings with other people going through a similar phase of stress and anxiety.
Many families decide to put on a brave face. Still, sometimes it is important to talk things out so that you don’t propagate any toxic emotions and ill feelings toward others internally.
Twelve-Step programs are pretty common, helpful, and practical in helping families cope with stress from substance abuse.
You can visit their websites and get all the details you need to start going to group sessions that can help you cope on a daily basis.
Children are not charged any money for attending these meetings, and families can attend together if they wish to do so.
Some family members may choose to visit a therapist in a one-on-one setting. Many psychological models exist in the literature to help people cope with such issues, which the therapist can implement.
As evidenced by the literature, one of the particularly effective models is the stress-strain-coping-support model.
This model is useful because it helps the family members create healthy coping strategies instead of trying to diagnose them with any psychological disorders.
Even if families cannot afford many of these treatments, research has shown that families that participate in one meeting or single session with a therapist or counselor seek to benefit greatly.
This allows them to deal with the stress in their daily lives as they learn to navigate this new and tricky terrain without losing themselves in the process.
Causes of Stress
Many family members start to self-blame once they learn of their loved one’s drug addiction.
They wish to know exactly which trigger or stressor pushed them to start taking drugs and what they could have done differently.
Families must learn to stop all the self-blame, as addiction can happen to anyone, and it is not necessarily their fault.
Self-blame is also very impractical, as it tires you out as well as damages your psyche, but does not offer any solution.
You can try to figure out the cause all you want, but it is not that simple to isolate the exact trauma that pushed individuals to start dabbling in drugs.
The past is only sometimes relevant, and people can make life decisions that are not based on trauma.
If individuals grow up spoiled and get shielded from the realities of life, then their tolerance to stress is minimal and they then become vulnerable to addiction.
Looking at it optimistically, it is an opportunity to develop tolerance because suffering shapes character.
Final Verdict
Families undergoing hardships and suffering from chronic stress should be supported instead of diagnosed. It is also crucial that families seek out professional help instead of trying to cope or manage by themselves, as this can propagate the problem.
To know more you can contact The Sands Treatment Center and speak to our experts. We offer families the support they need to help them cope with the stressors in daily life. To schedule a consultation you can call Call: (844) 200-2509 today.
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