Stop the Chaos: Recover from Addiction and Gain Control of Your Life

Stop the Chaos: Recover from Addiction and Gain Control of Your Life

Stop the Chaos: Recover from Addiction and Gain Control of Your Life

Does your brain ever tell you one thing but you end up doing something different? Almost all people who suffer from addiction struggle with this experience. The statement often sounds like, “this is the last time I will ever use….” and the promise that you made ends up broken. Addiction is referred to as a progressive disease that worsens over time.  Our lives have spun out of control as a result of the growing addiction. The result of these broken jackpot promises contributes to the loss of jobs, relationships, health and general well being. We often experience an increase in:

Recover From Addiction
Recover From Addiction

  • Fights with our loved ones
  • Tardiness or increasing absences from work
  • Arrests due to substance use
  • Depletion of our savings
  • Spiritual neglect
  • Neglect of our health

Deceiving Ourselves

The concept of powerlessness goes against human nature. We like to believe that we are in control and to some extent we are. However, when our lives become unmanageable through the use of drugs and/or alcohol we have trouble seeking or admitting that we need help. Excuses we make to ourselves and to others are:

  • I’ve got this under control
  • I don’t need help
  • I am overwhelmed, I have so much going on now
  • I just need to restructure my time
  • I have to stop hanging out with those type of people
  • Next weekend will be different
  • I don’t need treatment

We never plan on becoming addicted to any thing, but the progression of addiction creates chaos in everyone’s life. Our denial of our using habits does not diminish the truth of the chaos fostered by our addictive behavior. We will often begin to push loved ones away who challenge our use of substances.

How Others View of Us

There is a difference between what we do daily and what we say we do. Soon  people become aware of the truth. They grow concerned and question us. Because we are addicted, the thought of stopping is terrifying. This dynamic creates tension and stress between family members, friends, and employers and employees. Despite our protests, the image we present to the world is quite different and creates confusion and anxiety for others. To them we may appear:

  • Tired all the time
  • Irritable
  • Depressed
  • Exhibit changes in eating habits
  • Excessive sleeping
  • Argumentative
  • Exhibit change in energy
  • Mood Swings
  • Blood shot eyes
  • Change in personal hygiene habits

We may argue that these changes are due to stress over looking that substance abuse alters our body and brain function and contributes to our daily stress

Do I have a problem?

After reading about jackpot promises, lying to ourselves and the mixed message we present to others, how do you know if you need treatment? Self assessment tests can be used as an initial screening tools for alcohol problems . Here is a commonly used test known as the CAGE:

  • C – Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?
  • A – Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
  • G – Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?
  • E – Have you ever felt you needed a drink first think in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

Self assessment tests for drugs problems may include such questions as:

  • Do you ever use alone?
  • Do you regularly use a drug when you wake up or when you go to bed?
  • Have you lied about how much you use?
  • Have you ever tried to stop and control your using?

Admitting that you need help is the first step to changing your situation and giving yourself other options to overcome and break the cycle of addiction.

So Now What?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions the truth is that you may have a problem with substances. Despite what loved ones and friends may say, you have to be the one who decides to make a change. Change is not easy and sometimes assistance from others who understand addiction can make it easier to take the next step and get help.

Benefits of Treatment

Allowing someone to help you is extremely courageous. This is the first step to making positive changes in your life. Making the first phone call to a Recovery Connection coordinator provides you with a sense of understanding and warmth. These staff members are specially trained to answer all your addiction questions and many are in recovery. They understand your dilemma.  Understanding, warmth and confidentiality will follow you throughout your experience of getting help. Upon entering a quality addiction treatment facility, you will realize that you have a safe place to stop using, understand your addiction and the underlying causes while building self-esteem, confidence and self-worth. Reclaim your life, stop the chaos, halt the progression of the disease and call now 866-812-8231.

Perky Percocet: Addiction, Detox and Rehab

Perky Percocet: Addiction, Detox and Rehab

Perky Percocet: Addiction, Detox and Rehab

Percocet is a combination of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Oxycodone. Oxycodone is a pain reliever derived from opium that when combined with the active ingredient in Tylenol creates a fast acting pain reliever. Percocet is considered to be an opiate and is a Schedule II drug. If you are taking this drug you should be under the medical care of a doctor. It is appropriately prescribed as a pain killer for short periods of time, but a patient can easily become addicted.

How Percocet Hooks Us

For most people who experiment with substance use, the initial excitement of the euphoric feeling is considered fun. Percocet use is no different than many of our other addictive agents that produce good feelings such as OxyContin. The initial effects of Percocet use are:

  • Pain relief
  • Providing extra energy
  • Taking the edge off daily stress
  • Relaxation
  • Euphoria

In reality, these positive feelings will be produced for a period of time however, like all mood and mind altering substances a tolerance for the drug will develop and more of the drug will be needed to obtain a similar effect. There are four steps to the addiction process:

  • Use – Taking the medication as prescribed by your doctor
  • Misuse – Taking a few more pills then prescribed but do not refill the prescription once it is  finished
  • Abuse – Mood changes are more evident and tolerance develops
  • Dependency – Tolerance grows, risky behaviors are evident and withdrawal symptoms are present

Addiction Progression of Percocet

Three ways to describe the progression of addiction:

  • Social– Percocet use in the social context seems innocent enough at first and although it is used it for relaxation purposes verses medical purposes, it does not seem dangerous. Despite the physical addictive qualities of Percocet, in the social phase of addiction, the psychological thought that Percocet use is not a big deal is the controlling idea. The desire to achieve this effect regularly, leads to increased use and abuse.
  • Mood Changes– Once the user chooses to change a mood through the use of Percocet, a physiological (body) and psychological (mind) tolerance builds. The goal then becomes the altered mood state. Mood swings such as easy going to irrational with spouses, children, friends, employees and employers is induced by Percocet use.
  • Dependency – When tolerance to the Percocet has grown and more of the drug is needed to avoid the physical pain of not having it (withdrawal), the addiction has taken control.  Staying medicated becomes the obsessive compulsive behavior of the addict ruling daily thoughts and actions. Signs of addiction may include:
  • Impaired Judgment
  • Nodding off Behavior
  • Mood Swings/Irritability
  • Obsessive thinking about getting/using Percocet
  • Withdrawal symptoms

(More on signs and symptoms of Percocet addiction )

Compulsive Percocet Use

The driving compulsion to avoid the physical pain of withdrawal can be overwhelming and cause behavior that goes against our values and belief systems. Decisions based upon getting Percocet every day will override healthier decision making. For example, money that has been set aside for emergencies is used to buy more drugs to feed the addiction. The addict will go to great lengths to alter plans only to maintain use, such as choosing not to go on a family vacation unless there is a sufficient supply of Percocet. Outside support to stop using is needed to break the obsessive compulsive nature of addiction.

How to Stop Percocet Use Once Addicted

Stopping the use of drugs such as Percocet can be dangerous. A medically monitored drug detox program allows the addict to withdraw from Percocet addiction safely and comfortably. Once your body has become adjusted to having the medication in your system, it is unable to function correctly without it.  A medically monitored detox means:

  • A medical doctor will monitor your withdrawal
  • 24 hour nursing supervision
  • Vitals monitored regularly
  • Anti-anxiety medication given as needed throughout the detox process
  • Psychiatric evaluation if needed once detox is complete to address dual-diagnosis issues
  • Smooth transfer to treatment

Detox alone is not drug treatment. Detox is only the first step to stopping the cycle of addiction. The need to move from detox immediately to treatment provides the addict with the greatest chance of abstaining from drug use. Finding a facility that encompasses both detox and rehab provides the addict with a smooth transition reducing chances of using.

An Overview of the Treatment Process

A quality treatment center will be able to offer Percocet detox and rehab services at the same facility. A quality treatment curriculum should include:

  • Individual counseling
  • Group therapy
  • Educational lectures
  • Relapse prevention
  • Intensive Out Patient program
  • After care plan
  • Ongoing alumni support

For more information about Percocet addiction and treatment speak with a Recovery Connection coordinator now. They can assist you with finding the appropriate treatment facility to address your needs. Our Recovery Connection coordinators understand the fear and anxiety about entering treatment as most of them are in recovery.