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		<title>Tropical Oasis Blog</title>
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			<title>Treat Drug rehab Centres as a technique to Get New Life</title>
			<link>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/treat-drug-rehab-centres-as-a-technique-to-get-new-life</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:24:57 +0000</pubDate>			<dc:creator>Nick Russi</dc:creator>
			<category domain="main">Drug Rehab</category>			<guid isPermaLink="false">47@http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/</guid>
						<description>Addictions are known to take away all the tensions of the life but rather these addictions are the cause of the biggest problems a person can face. Most of the time the one that is addicted to drugs do not realize that he is actually addicted. This type of addiction can become the only focus of that person’s very subsistence and it usually happens very quickly; however, it becomes impossible to stop this habit or to make choice on their own. Comprehending this situation and to look for the real assistance is the first step taken to solve your drug addiction.

Drug addiction is more complicated than ‘too much drug use'. Drug and its dependence come ahead of the control of the abuser. Drug use affects both the emotional and physical balance. Once it is reached beyond control, it becomes the substance dependence. However, the willpower is important to control anything in one's life; during drug addiction, the lack of willpower cannot be blamed. Willpower is at play at the first stages of drug experimentation, but at a certain point in addiction, it loses its meaning. However, drug persuasion is difficult but it is not impossible to get rid from this dependence, its persuasion can be achieved and rehabilitative treatment is the only way to cure this dependence.

The decision to choose drug rehabs can be both negative and positive. No one wants this craving to surpass their life to the point that rehab becomes a compulsory step. However, the decision to go to one is something to look forward to, as it is the decision to reconstruct a vigorous life. It is the mindful realization of a problem, and it is the first cognizant step towards the cure. Considering what drug addiction causes and how it distress’ the user is important for healing substance abuse. Understanding addiction and knowing what rehabilitation is will help the patient understand the purpose of the treatment.

A drug addiction rehab centre intends at more than ending drug use and should not be treated as punishment. It must be the regular process of ending addiction and gives a new promise of a healthy life, which is considered the most difficult aspect of rehabilitation. In addition, it makes the patient realistically understand that tomorrow consists an effort and hope to reintegrate and retort them socially. Understanding what addiction is and why it happens is vital for the drug rehab treatment, patient and the chosen treatment center. The rehab center that completely understands the dependence offers a full and diverse program that will be created and recreated for the needs of the patient, and will guide the patient not only through his addiction, but also through his reintegration into a healthy life and society.&lt;div class=&quot;item_footer&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/treat-drug-rehab-centres-as-a-technique-to-get-new-life&quot;&gt;Original post&lt;/a&gt; blogged on &lt;a href=&quot;http://b2evolution.net/&quot;&gt;b2evolution&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/small&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Addictions are known to take away all the tensions of the life but rather these addictions are the cause of the biggest problems a person can face. Most of the time the one that is addicted to drugs do not realize that he is actually addicted. This type of addiction can become the only focus of that person’s very subsistence and it usually happens very quickly; however, it becomes impossible to stop this habit or to make choice on their own. Comprehending this situation and to look for the real assistance is the first step taken to solve your drug addiction.

Drug addiction is more complicated than ‘too much drug use'. Drug and its dependence come ahead of the control of the abuser. Drug use affects both the emotional and physical balance. Once it is reached beyond control, it becomes the substance dependence. However, the willpower is important to control anything in one's life; during drug addiction, the lack of willpower cannot be blamed. Willpower is at play at the first stages of drug experimentation, but at a certain point in addiction, it loses its meaning. However, drug persuasion is difficult but it is not impossible to get rid from this dependence, its persuasion can be achieved and rehabilitative treatment is the only way to cure this dependence.

The decision to choose drug rehabs can be both negative and positive. No one wants this craving to surpass their life to the point that rehab becomes a compulsory step. However, the decision to go to one is something to look forward to, as it is the decision to reconstruct a vigorous life. It is the mindful realization of a problem, and it is the first cognizant step towards the cure. Considering what drug addiction causes and how it distress’ the user is important for healing substance abuse. Understanding addiction and knowing what rehabilitation is will help the patient understand the purpose of the treatment.

A drug addiction rehab centre intends at more than ending drug use and should not be treated as punishment. It must be the regular process of ending addiction and gives a new promise of a healthy life, which is considered the most difficult aspect of rehabilitation. In addition, it makes the patient realistically understand that tomorrow consists an effort and hope to reintegrate and retort them socially. Understanding what addiction is and why it happens is vital for the drug rehab treatment, patient and the chosen treatment center. The rehab center that completely understands the dependence offers a full and diverse program that will be created and recreated for the needs of the patient, and will guide the patient not only through his addiction, but also through his reintegration into a healthy life and society.<div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/treat-drug-rehab-centres-as-a-technique-to-get-new-life">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
								<comments>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/treat-drug-rehab-centres-as-a-technique-to-get-new-life#comments</comments>
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			<title>Drug abuse: do not wait to get help</title>
			<link>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/drug-abuse-do-not-wait-to-get-help</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:23:26 +0000</pubDate>			<dc:creator>Nick Russi</dc:creator>
			<category domain="main">Adiction</category>			<guid isPermaLink="false">46@http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/</guid>
						<description>Drugs are fast spreading its wings to engulf everyone under its effects. A large number of people are reportedly using drugs and facing its consequences. The devastating effects of drugs can invade the lives of lots of people, not just addicts. Parents who abuse drugs or alcohol tend to neglect their children leaving them to their own devices. The whole society, in which the drug addicts live, is affected.

Not only does the adults are under the spell of drugs, but the teenagers are fast catching up the trend. They too are found in large number consuming drugs. It may be due to the pressure of their peers, imitation of their famous celebrity or neglect from their parents. It is also found that teenagers who grow up in homes where a respected adult or parent uses alcohol or drugs have a higher tendency for developing the addiction. As the parents are preoccupied with their addictions, they fail to provide the proper guidance that children need especially during their growing years, so as a result the children too resort to drugs.

The treatment of this abuse to once again become sober and clean of drugs is very crucial. The treatment must be started at soon as the parents or the family finds out that their loved one has started taking drugs. Once own initiation towards becoming sober can be a great move. There are many addiction treatment centers which help a person to get totally rid of drugs and live a normal and healthy life again.

There are varieties of drug rehab centers for different kind of addiction. They use various techniques to cure a person and the intensity of treatment varies from one rehab center to another. Different kind of problems requires different kind of treatment and rehab method largely depends on the severity of the problem and the underlying actual cause of the problem. But sufferers need to first realize and accept that they need help then only they can benefit from these services. The person under the influence of drugs must be mentally prepared and must be determined to kick the habit anyhow.

The drug rehab provide all the facilities and have all the necessary devices to cure the person fully. They are completely aware that further abuse may lead the person towards severe health issues. Therefore, they resort to their best treatment and address the issue amply. They make use of various programs which include cognitive-behavioral therapy, problem-solving groups, insight-oriented psychotherapy and 12-step programs. So, if you are under the influence of drugs or anyone among your family or friends, do not wait, get help now!&lt;div class=&quot;item_footer&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/drug-abuse-do-not-wait-to-get-help&quot;&gt;Original post&lt;/a&gt; blogged on &lt;a href=&quot;http://b2evolution.net/&quot;&gt;b2evolution&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/small&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Drugs are fast spreading its wings to engulf everyone under its effects. A large number of people are reportedly using drugs and facing its consequences. The devastating effects of drugs can invade the lives of lots of people, not just addicts. Parents who abuse drugs or alcohol tend to neglect their children leaving them to their own devices. The whole society, in which the drug addicts live, is affected.

Not only does the adults are under the spell of drugs, but the teenagers are fast catching up the trend. They too are found in large number consuming drugs. It may be due to the pressure of their peers, imitation of their famous celebrity or neglect from their parents. It is also found that teenagers who grow up in homes where a respected adult or parent uses alcohol or drugs have a higher tendency for developing the addiction. As the parents are preoccupied with their addictions, they fail to provide the proper guidance that children need especially during their growing years, so as a result the children too resort to drugs.

The treatment of this abuse to once again become sober and clean of drugs is very crucial. The treatment must be started at soon as the parents or the family finds out that their loved one has started taking drugs. Once own initiation towards becoming sober can be a great move. There are many addiction treatment centers which help a person to get totally rid of drugs and live a normal and healthy life again.

There are varieties of drug rehab centers for different kind of addiction. They use various techniques to cure a person and the intensity of treatment varies from one rehab center to another. Different kind of problems requires different kind of treatment and rehab method largely depends on the severity of the problem and the underlying actual cause of the problem. But sufferers need to first realize and accept that they need help then only they can benefit from these services. The person under the influence of drugs must be mentally prepared and must be determined to kick the habit anyhow.

The drug rehab provide all the facilities and have all the necessary devices to cure the person fully. They are completely aware that further abuse may lead the person towards severe health issues. Therefore, they resort to their best treatment and address the issue amply. They make use of various programs which include cognitive-behavioral therapy, problem-solving groups, insight-oriented psychotherapy and 12-step programs. So, if you are under the influence of drugs or anyone among your family or friends, do not wait, get help now!<div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/drug-abuse-do-not-wait-to-get-help">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php?tempskin=_rss2&#38;disp=comments&#38;p=46</wfw:commentRss>
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			<title>The best way to escape drug addiction...Drug rehab</title>
			<link>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/the-best-way-to-escape-drug-addiction-drug-rehab</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:21:33 +0000</pubDate>			<dc:creator>Nick Russi</dc:creator>
			<category domain="main">Drug Rehab</category>			<guid isPermaLink="false">45@http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/</guid>
						<description>Drug addiction is dangerously increasing among the today’s youth they are escaping their routs for their problems and due to it they addict to be drugs. Hundreds of thousands of people have fallen victim to drug addiction of all sorts. Drugs affects the working of the brain and it leads one to crave more and if the patient is kept away from drugs, then they develop severe problems like violent tempers, loss of appetite, weight gain or loss and bizarre behavior. The best way to escape drug addiction is by Rehabilitation programs and for this you can visit Drug rehabilitation center. There are many Drug rehab centers. These centers are as a gift and a hope to man and women and their families who are suffering from the devastating consequences of chemical dependency and addiction. Drug rehabilitation tends to address a stated twofold nature of drug dependency: physical and psychological dependency. Physical dependency involves a detoxification process to cope with withdrawal symptoms from regular use of a drug. With regular use of many drugs, legal or otherwise, the brain gradually adapts to the presence of the drug so the desired effect is minimal.

A drug influences a human physically and mentally. This is how physical tolerance develops to drugs such as heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine or alcohol. A drug can lead to withdrawal symptoms where the body may take weeks or months it depend on the drug which involved, returning the normal. Various types of programs offer help in drug rehabilitation, including: residential treatment (in-patient), out-patient, local support groups, extended care centers, and recovery or sober houses. Newer rehab centers offer age and gender specific programs also. There are many things to be considered in selecting process like; philosophies, program options, credentials, staff skills and qualifications, and cost of centers.

Drug rehab treatment option will suit every addict. Drug addicts find it quite difficult to get away from their addiction. They also think that addiction is an incurable disease and they would die instead of getting better. But it always happened with them who have lack of knowledge Drug rehab treatment. The goal of all the treatment programs is same. The programs are designed to help the patient to get rid of addiction. There are two main types of treatment programs which are practiced worldwide. The first one is short term and second one is long term. The three main components of a short term therapy are residential therapy, medication therapy and outpatient therapy. On the other hand long term therapy may include methadone maintenance outpatient treatment for opiate addicts and residential therapeutic community treatment. It depends on the addiction of drugs.&lt;div class=&quot;item_footer&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/the-best-way-to-escape-drug-addiction-drug-rehab&quot;&gt;Original post&lt;/a&gt; blogged on &lt;a href=&quot;http://b2evolution.net/&quot;&gt;b2evolution&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/small&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Drug addiction is dangerously increasing among the today’s youth they are escaping their routs for their problems and due to it they addict to be drugs. Hundreds of thousands of people have fallen victim to drug addiction of all sorts. Drugs affects the working of the brain and it leads one to crave more and if the patient is kept away from drugs, then they develop severe problems like violent tempers, loss of appetite, weight gain or loss and bizarre behavior. The best way to escape drug addiction is by Rehabilitation programs and for this you can visit Drug rehabilitation center. There are many Drug rehab centers. These centers are as a gift and a hope to man and women and their families who are suffering from the devastating consequences of chemical dependency and addiction. Drug rehabilitation tends to address a stated twofold nature of drug dependency: physical and psychological dependency. Physical dependency involves a detoxification process to cope with withdrawal symptoms from regular use of a drug. With regular use of many drugs, legal or otherwise, the brain gradually adapts to the presence of the drug so the desired effect is minimal.

A drug influences a human physically and mentally. This is how physical tolerance develops to drugs such as heroin, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine or alcohol. A drug can lead to withdrawal symptoms where the body may take weeks or months it depend on the drug which involved, returning the normal. Various types of programs offer help in drug rehabilitation, including: residential treatment (in-patient), out-patient, local support groups, extended care centers, and recovery or sober houses. Newer rehab centers offer age and gender specific programs also. There are many things to be considered in selecting process like; philosophies, program options, credentials, staff skills and qualifications, and cost of centers.

Drug rehab treatment option will suit every addict. Drug addicts find it quite difficult to get away from their addiction. They also think that addiction is an incurable disease and they would die instead of getting better. But it always happened with them who have lack of knowledge Drug rehab treatment. The goal of all the treatment programs is same. The programs are designed to help the patient to get rid of addiction. There are two main types of treatment programs which are practiced worldwide. The first one is short term and second one is long term. The three main components of a short term therapy are residential therapy, medication therapy and outpatient therapy. On the other hand long term therapy may include methadone maintenance outpatient treatment for opiate addicts and residential therapeutic community treatment. It depends on the addiction of drugs.<div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/the-best-way-to-escape-drug-addiction-drug-rehab">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
								<comments>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/the-best-way-to-escape-drug-addiction-drug-rehab#comments</comments>
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			<title>Drug addiction and teens</title>
			<link>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/drug-addiction-and-teens</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:19:56 +0000</pubDate>			<dc:creator>Nick Russi</dc:creator>
			<category domain="main">Drug Rehab</category>			<guid isPermaLink="false">44@http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/</guid>
						<description>Drugs are fast spreading its reach and now drug abuse has become common among teens too.  More and more teens are getting involved in drug abuse at a very tender age. Teens get easily influenced by their friends who are drug addicts and start using drugs without even considering its fatal consequences. Family members are usually unaware of the habits of their kids.  They are vulnerable to the negative influences and very easily fall prey of the addiction of drugs by following the so called trend.  In the race of looking cool among the peers, they go to any extent that includes trying drugs too. With the easy availability of drugs, it becomes difficult to prevent young minds to prevent teenage addiction.

The teens as well as their parents realize the disastrous nature of the drugs when they become drug addicts. Taking heavy doses at a regular interval can create a lot of trouble and thus, spoil the future life of a child. Among the most popular drugs are marijuana and alcohol that can actually ruin the future of any teenager.  They regret their bad decisions and mistakes and start trying to get rid of this drug addiction. They know of the devastating effect their addiction is bringing on them and their loved ones.

Once, realizing the mistake, there must be strong determination to quit. There are many drug rehabilitation centers which help the teens to get out of this fatal abuse and will provide addiction treatment. The drug addiction facilities for all kinds of addiction for the teens are provided by these centers.  There are also caring individuals that want to guide through the recovery path. The struggling teenagers who long to come of the fatal trap of addiction can avail the supportive and positive environment of the rehabs.  The drug addiction treatment for teens includes drug free programs, psychological treatment and methadone maintenance.

These addiction services can be regarded as a boon for the teenagers who are addict of drug. They lead the teenagers to the ultimate path of being clear and sober of drugs. The drug addict learns how to tap into his self control and resist the temptations he might find in the regular world. These rehab centers also have one on one counselor that help to adjust and to control the urge and talk about any inner demons they might be facing on their path. They give various therapies which includes psychotherapy, counseling, family therapy and support groups. Prescribed medications also provide assistance in suppressing withdrawal symptoms, particularly drug craving. These help the drug addict to develop techniques to help them deal with the situations and finally make them free of drugs. At this crucial time choosing a recognized and experienced drug addiction rehab is essential to come out of these drug addictions in a professional approach.&lt;div class=&quot;item_footer&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/drug-addiction-and-teens&quot;&gt;Original post&lt;/a&gt; blogged on &lt;a href=&quot;http://b2evolution.net/&quot;&gt;b2evolution&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/small&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Drugs are fast spreading its reach and now drug abuse has become common among teens too.  More and more teens are getting involved in drug abuse at a very tender age. Teens get easily influenced by their friends who are drug addicts and start using drugs without even considering its fatal consequences. Family members are usually unaware of the habits of their kids.  They are vulnerable to the negative influences and very easily fall prey of the addiction of drugs by following the so called trend.  In the race of looking cool among the peers, they go to any extent that includes trying drugs too. With the easy availability of drugs, it becomes difficult to prevent young minds to prevent teenage addiction.

The teens as well as their parents realize the disastrous nature of the drugs when they become drug addicts. Taking heavy doses at a regular interval can create a lot of trouble and thus, spoil the future life of a child. Among the most popular drugs are marijuana and alcohol that can actually ruin the future of any teenager.  They regret their bad decisions and mistakes and start trying to get rid of this drug addiction. They know of the devastating effect their addiction is bringing on them and their loved ones.

Once, realizing the mistake, there must be strong determination to quit. There are many drug rehabilitation centers which help the teens to get out of this fatal abuse and will provide addiction treatment. The drug addiction facilities for all kinds of addiction for the teens are provided by these centers.  There are also caring individuals that want to guide through the recovery path. The struggling teenagers who long to come of the fatal trap of addiction can avail the supportive and positive environment of the rehabs.  The drug addiction treatment for teens includes drug free programs, psychological treatment and methadone maintenance.

These addiction services can be regarded as a boon for the teenagers who are addict of drug. They lead the teenagers to the ultimate path of being clear and sober of drugs. The drug addict learns how to tap into his self control and resist the temptations he might find in the regular world. These rehab centers also have one on one counselor that help to adjust and to control the urge and talk about any inner demons they might be facing on their path. They give various therapies which includes psychotherapy, counseling, family therapy and support groups. Prescribed medications also provide assistance in suppressing withdrawal symptoms, particularly drug craving. These help the drug addict to develop techniques to help them deal with the situations and finally make them free of drugs. At this crucial time choosing a recognized and experienced drug addiction rehab is essential to come out of these drug addictions in a professional approach.<div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/drug-addiction-and-teens">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Drug abuse and Drug addiction</title>
			<link>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/drug-abuse-and-drug-addiction</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:15:11 +0000</pubDate>			<dc:creator>Nick Russi</dc:creator>
			<category domain="main">Adiction</category>			<guid isPermaLink="false">43@http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/</guid>
						<description>Drug abuse and drug addiction are two major burdens to society. However the terms &quot;drug abuse&quot; and &quot;drug addiction&quot; are often used interchangeably, but in fact, denote very different conditions. The term &quot;drug abuse&quot; refers to the use of a substance in a manner that deviates from the culturally acceptable norms, while the term &quot;drug addiction&quot; describes a disorder where the drug appears to be the dominant influence on the individual's behavior. Addiction occurs when an individual crosses the line separating drug abuse from a physical dependency on drugs. This is usually characterized by compulsively seeking to use a substance regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological, and physical consequences. Drug addiction makes drug use a compelling need, not a casual choice.

Drug addiction is said to be a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. The path to drug addiction begins with that first act of taking drugs. Over time, a person may need more of the drug to get the same effect. The changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person’s self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs.

Drug addiction is a complex but treatable disease but it is generally difficult to cure a drug addict completely, especially without a proper drug rehabilitation (often drug rehab or just rehab) program. It is also not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again if the treatment is not properly administered. Medication is important, but so is behavioral therapy as well. Therefore the ultimate goal of any drug rehab treatment is to enable an individual to achieve lasting abstinence, but the immediate goals are to reduce drug abuse, improve the patient's ability to function, and minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse and addiction.

Drug rehab treatments are multi phased with both short and long term procedures. The different types of programs offer help in drug rehab, including: residential treatment (in-patient), out-patient, local support groups, extended care centers, and recovery or sober houses. Sober living creates a real life environment that is less structured than a treatment center. The individual is given the opportunity to build up their confidence and learn a sense of stability and good orderly direction.

Drug rehabs are a huge help for the addicted persons and their families. People should spend some time while choosing a drug rehabilitation center which has experienced staff and offer licensed residential treatment services. A 12-step treatment program is generally followed at most rehabs, though some places might have other forms of treatment other than the 12 step program. A twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems.&lt;div class=&quot;item_footer&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/drug-abuse-and-drug-addiction&quot;&gt;Original post&lt;/a&gt; blogged on &lt;a href=&quot;http://b2evolution.net/&quot;&gt;b2evolution&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/small&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Drug abuse and drug addiction are two major burdens to society. However the terms "drug abuse" and "drug addiction" are often used interchangeably, but in fact, denote very different conditions. The term "drug abuse" refers to the use of a substance in a manner that deviates from the culturally acceptable norms, while the term "drug addiction" describes a disorder where the drug appears to be the dominant influence on the individual's behavior. Addiction occurs when an individual crosses the line separating drug abuse from a physical dependency on drugs. This is usually characterized by compulsively seeking to use a substance regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological, and physical consequences. Drug addiction makes drug use a compelling need, not a casual choice.

Drug addiction is said to be a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. The path to drug addiction begins with that first act of taking drugs. Over time, a person may need more of the drug to get the same effect. The changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person’s self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs.

Drug addiction is a complex but treatable disease but it is generally difficult to cure a drug addict completely, especially without a proper drug rehabilitation (often drug rehab or just rehab) program. It is also not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again if the treatment is not properly administered. Medication is important, but so is behavioral therapy as well. Therefore the ultimate goal of any drug rehab treatment is to enable an individual to achieve lasting abstinence, but the immediate goals are to reduce drug abuse, improve the patient's ability to function, and minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse and addiction.

Drug rehab treatments are multi phased with both short and long term procedures. The different types of programs offer help in drug rehab, including: residential treatment (in-patient), out-patient, local support groups, extended care centers, and recovery or sober houses. Sober living creates a real life environment that is less structured than a treatment center. The individual is given the opportunity to build up their confidence and learn a sense of stability and good orderly direction.

Drug rehabs are a huge help for the addicted persons and their families. People should spend some time while choosing a drug rehabilitation center which has experienced staff and offer licensed residential treatment services. A 12-step treatment program is generally followed at most rehabs, though some places might have other forms of treatment other than the 12 step program. A twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems.<div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/11/23/drug-abuse-and-drug-addiction">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Eating disorders</title>
			<link>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/09/14/eating-disorders</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:37:58 +0000</pubDate>			<dc:creator>Nick Russi</dc:creator>
			<category domain="main">Welcome</category>			<guid isPermaLink="false">41@http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/</guid>
						<description>Eating Disorders

If you find yourself in a losing battle with an eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia, or overeating, you’ve probably been hurting yourself and those around you for much longer than you realize. You may have tried to change your behavior in the past, but quickly fallen back to into old habits and felt even worse than before. If an eating disorder has begun to control your life and you feel powerless to break free, it’s time to seek help and healing. 

Most people have a healthy relationship with food. Eating is a simple pleasure and a basic need. For some people, though, food has become their worst enemy or best friend, used as a pawn in coping with stress or exerting control. Eating disorders, which range from binge-eating to binging and purging to not eating at all, have deep physical and emotional repercussions, both to the individual suffering and those around him or her.

Symptoms of an eating disorder may include:

• Eating a large amount, quickly and in private, whether hungry or full
• Feeling a sense of shame, guilt, or failure after eating
• Purging the body of food by laxatives or vomiting after binging
• Developing an obsession with counting calories, weighing food, restricting food choices, eating only a small amount at a time, and other abnormal habits
• An obsession with weight and/or fear of weight gain
• Extreme weight loss/gain
• Skewed self-perception or a belief that one is fat
• Skipping meals excessively

If you suffer from an eating disorder, it may be a symptom of something larger going on in your life. Immense stress or pressure to perform or keep up an appearance of perfection can foster an obsession with weight and physique. Controlling your body and your food may give you a sense of power if everything else in your life seems out of your control. If you struggle with binge-eating, you might find comfort temporarily in eating instead of confronting someone who’s hurting you or facing other problems. If you’re bulimic, you find comfort first in food, then in purging the food. 

Though it’s possible to control your emotions and medicate other problems with food, these paths lead back to a feeling of failure and a fear that you’re not good enough. Deep issues like low self-esteem, a feeling of not being good enough, the weight of upholding an image, or a problem that’s just too big to handle on your own can send you back to controlling, back to indulging, and back to purging. It’s a cycle that’s nearly impossible to break alone.

Consequences of eating disorders are both long term and short term, and they can affect your physical health. 

These include:

For binge-eating:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type II Diabetes
• Obesity 

For bulimia:

• Inflammation and damage to teeth, stomach, esophagus
• Ulcers
• Long-term constipation
• Death from chemical and mineral imbalances

For anorexia

• Brittle bones, hair or nails
• Dry or yellowed skin and fine hair growth
• Anemia
• Swollen joints
• Heart failure
• Death by starvation

If you don’t seek treatment for an eating disorder, it could end in death. Depriving the body of the calories, vitamins, and minerals it needs to function properly can cause dangerous imbalances in vital systems, and inflicting stress by not eating on the body can cause it to just stop working. Binge-eating also pushes people to earlier death, by helping to bring on other conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.

If you or someone you care for is struggling with an eating disorder, it’s time to get help. The path to recovery and health is not fast or easy, but recovery is possible. Recovery from all addictions and disorders is a gift we can all have.&lt;div class=&quot;item_footer&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/09/14/eating-disorders&quot;&gt;Original post&lt;/a&gt; blogged on &lt;a href=&quot;http://b2evolution.net/&quot;&gt;b2evolution&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/small&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Eating Disorders

If you find yourself in a losing battle with an eating disorder like anorexia, bulimia, or overeating, you’ve probably been hurting yourself and those around you for much longer than you realize. You may have tried to change your behavior in the past, but quickly fallen back to into old habits and felt even worse than before. If an eating disorder has begun to control your life and you feel powerless to break free, it’s time to seek help and healing. 

Most people have a healthy relationship with food. Eating is a simple pleasure and a basic need. For some people, though, food has become their worst enemy or best friend, used as a pawn in coping with stress or exerting control. Eating disorders, which range from binge-eating to binging and purging to not eating at all, have deep physical and emotional repercussions, both to the individual suffering and those around him or her.

Symptoms of an eating disorder may include:

• Eating a large amount, quickly and in private, whether hungry or full
• Feeling a sense of shame, guilt, or failure after eating
• Purging the body of food by laxatives or vomiting after binging
• Developing an obsession with counting calories, weighing food, restricting food choices, eating only a small amount at a time, and other abnormal habits
• An obsession with weight and/or fear of weight gain
• Extreme weight loss/gain
• Skewed self-perception or a belief that one is fat
• Skipping meals excessively

If you suffer from an eating disorder, it may be a symptom of something larger going on in your life. Immense stress or pressure to perform or keep up an appearance of perfection can foster an obsession with weight and physique. Controlling your body and your food may give you a sense of power if everything else in your life seems out of your control. If you struggle with binge-eating, you might find comfort temporarily in eating instead of confronting someone who’s hurting you or facing other problems. If you’re bulimic, you find comfort first in food, then in purging the food. 

Though it’s possible to control your emotions and medicate other problems with food, these paths lead back to a feeling of failure and a fear that you’re not good enough. Deep issues like low self-esteem, a feeling of not being good enough, the weight of upholding an image, or a problem that’s just too big to handle on your own can send you back to controlling, back to indulging, and back to purging. It’s a cycle that’s nearly impossible to break alone.

Consequences of eating disorders are both long term and short term, and they can affect your physical health. 

These include:

For binge-eating:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type II Diabetes
• Obesity 

For bulimia:

• Inflammation and damage to teeth, stomach, esophagus
• Ulcers
• Long-term constipation
• Death from chemical and mineral imbalances

For anorexia

• Brittle bones, hair or nails
• Dry or yellowed skin and fine hair growth
• Anemia
• Swollen joints
• Heart failure
• Death by starvation

If you don’t seek treatment for an eating disorder, it could end in death. Depriving the body of the calories, vitamins, and minerals it needs to function properly can cause dangerous imbalances in vital systems, and inflicting stress by not eating on the body can cause it to just stop working. Binge-eating also pushes people to earlier death, by helping to bring on other conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol.

If you or someone you care for is struggling with an eating disorder, it’s time to get help. The path to recovery and health is not fast or easy, but recovery is possible. Recovery from all addictions and disorders is a gift we can all have.<div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/09/14/eating-disorders">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
				<item>
			<title>The truth about alcohol</title>
			<link>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/09/14/the-truth-about-alcohol</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:37:10 +0000</pubDate>			<dc:creator>Nick Russi</dc:creator>
			<category domain="main">Welcome</category>			<guid isPermaLink="false">40@http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/</guid>
						<description>This article is is meant to inform and educate it’s readers about the effects alcohol has on a persons mind and body. Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the world today, but not without consequences. Lets stop here to consider some of the most devestating:

-About 114 million americans (41% of the population) had at least a can of beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail; 12-14 million of this group are considered heavy drinkers.

-About 3/4 of the 6 million college students had a drink, and 1/2 of those were heavy drinkers.

In the last two weeks in the US:

-About 16% of 8th grade studentshad five or more drinks at one sitting.

-About 31% of high school seniors had five or more drinks in one sitting.

Yesterday:

-About $220 million dolars was spent at bars, resteraunts, and liquor stores on alcohol.

And unfortunately:

-From 25% to 30% of all US hospital addmissions were due to direct or indirect medical complications from alcohol.

-About 1/2 of the murder victims and 1/2 of the murderers drank alcohol.

-More than 1/2 of the 300 rapes that occured yesterday involved alcohol.

-Alcohol was a factor in 40% of all violent crimes.

And worldwide last year:

-Over 2 million people died due to alcohol.

Alcohol, now the legal drug, has devistating consequences on our society at large. But historically alcohol has been accepted and intertwined with cultural, social, and financial powers. Because beer, wine, and liquor are so widely available and legal in most societies, many people do not think of alcohol as a drug. But it is…one of the most dangerous available today.

Many countries have had periods in there history where alcohol use was restricted or banned completely. Here are a few examples:

-Many Buddhist sects in IUndia prohibited alcohol starting in 500 B.C and continuing to the present day.

-Alcohol was prohibited in ancient Persia by the ruling Islamic culture because of wide spread health problems.

-And of course, official prohibition of alcohol by the US government lasted for 13 years starting in 1919, but was later repealed.

In general, society’s view on heavy drinking is more forgiving than its view on even ocational cocaine, heroin, or LSD use. But we must not forgett, that alcohol is a powerful psychoactive drug and is classified as a central nervous system depressant.

It is important to know how alcohol is absorbed in the body. Though most drugs must be passed into the intestines for absorption, alcohol is one of the few that is partially absorbed through the stomach
Women absorb alcohol differently than men. In men about 20% of alcohol is absorbed by the stomach wall while in women there is almost no absorption by the stomach. A woman who weighs the same as a man and drinks the same amount as a man absorbs 30% more alcohol and feels its effects faster and more intensely.

Three reasons why:

-Women have a lower percentage of body water than men, so there is less water to dilute the alcohol.
-Women have fewer enzymes in the stomach to break down the alcohol, so less alcohol is metabolized before getting into the blood.
-Changes in hormone levels during menstruation effect the rate of alcohol metabolism.

For this reason chronic alcohol use causes more physical damage to women than men. Female alcoholics have death rates 50-100% higher than male alcoholics.

There are five levels of use classified for alcohol use. The first is known as experimentation. This is generaly use for curiosity with no drug seeking behavior. The second level is known as social recreational use. This is best described as sporadic infrequent use with no established drinking pattern. The third level of use is habituation. With habituation there is an established pattern of use with no real negative consequences. The fourth level is Abuse. People who abuse alcohol have continued use despite negative consequences. The fith level of use is addiction. Addiction is a Compulsion to use, inability to stop use, and major life dysfunction with continued use.

The following is a chart showing the symptoms of alcohol use starting with .00 blood alcohol level and ending with .50 blood alcohol level.

.00 BAC
Lowered inhibitions, feelings of relaxation
Some loss of muscular coordination
Decreased alertness
Reduced social inhibitions
Impaired ability to drive
Further loss of coordination
Slowed reaction time
Clumsiness, exaggerated emotions
Unsteadiness, standing or walking
Exaggerated emotions
Slurred speech
Severe intoxication
Inability to walk without help
Confused speech
Incapacitated, loss of feeling
Difficulty to rouse
Life threatening unconsciousness
Coma
Death from lung or heart failure
.50 BAC

Blackouts are another common symptom for heavy drinkers. During a blackout a person is awake and conscious and seems to be acting normal but afterwards cannot recall anything. Blackouts are caused by an alcohol induced electrochemical disruption of the brain, not passing out or losing consciousness.
You can think of it as an electrical short, only in your brain. This short resuslts in reduced amplitude of the brain wave p3 or p300. Blackouts are often an early indicator or marker for alcoholism.

Just like with any other drug, tolerance begins to happen in the body after continued drinking. Tolerance is the bodys natural adaptation to forieghn substances put in the body. There are four ways the body adapts to the effects of alcohol and protects itself: 

-Dispositional tolerance: The body changes the way it metabolizes alcohol. As a person drinks over a period of time the liver adapts to create more enzymes to process the alcohol more quickly. This process accelerates the natural aging of the liver and eventually lead to liver damage and disease.

-Pharmacodynamic tolerance: Brain neurons and other cells become more resistant to the effects of alcohol.

-Behavioral tolerance: Drinkers learn how to handle there liquor by changing there behavior or trying to act sober.

-Acute tolerance: The body’s way of providing instant protection to the poisoness effects of ethanol.

With long term heavy drinking, detoxification from alcohol is common. Some common symptoms of alcohol withdraw include rapid pulse or sweating, hand tremors, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, transient visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations and illusions, psychomotor agitation, anxiety, 10-33% suffer grandmal seizures, and 5% of serious cases of detox experience DT’s, delirium tremens. They can last 3-10 days, untreated 10-20% die

Liver disease is very common amongst heavy drinkers as well. 10-35% of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis. 10-20% develop cirrhosis of the liver. 10-24,000 people die in the U.S. each year due to cirrhosis of the liver.

Alcohol can wreak havock on the digestive system. For instance, common digestive problems include acid stomach, diarrhea, peptic ulcers, gastritis (stomach inflammation), irritation of the esophagus, pancreas, and small intestine. Serious disorders like ulcers, stomach hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding are linked to heavy drinking as well.

Alcohol abuse has horrible effects on the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascualr disease is a common killer amongst alcoholic. Some of these include heart disease like hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal irregular heart rythims). An enlarged, flabby and inefficient heart is found in heavy drinkers. For most, heavy drinking increases the risk of stroke.

The nervous system is severly effected by alcohol, and can have some of its most debilitating effects on the brain and its higher functions. Both physical brain damage and impair mental abilities have been linked to advanced alcoholism. Alcohol limits the brains ability to use oxygen, causing brain cells to die.
Chronic high doses of alcohol causes direct damage to nerve cells. Brain atrophy (loss of brain tissue) has been discovered in 50-100% of alcoholics. Dementia (deterioration of intellectual ability, faulty memory, and disorientation) is also a known consequence of heavy drinking.

The more we are educated about the effects of alcohol, the better choices we can make as a whole. Recognizing alcohol for the dangerous drug it is and passing this knowlege down to our family and friends, can possibly prevent serious consequences for our children and loved oned.&lt;div class=&quot;item_footer&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/09/14/the-truth-about-alcohol&quot;&gt;Original post&lt;/a&gt; blogged on &lt;a href=&quot;http://b2evolution.net/&quot;&gt;b2evolution&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/small&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[This article is is meant to inform and educate it’s readers about the effects alcohol has on a persons mind and body. Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the world today, but not without consequences. Lets stop here to consider some of the most devestating:

-About 114 million americans (41% of the population) had at least a can of beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail; 12-14 million of this group are considered heavy drinkers.

-About 3/4 of the 6 million college students had a drink, and 1/2 of those were heavy drinkers.

In the last two weeks in the US:

-About 16% of 8th grade studentshad five or more drinks at one sitting.

-About 31% of high school seniors had five or more drinks in one sitting.

Yesterday:

-About $220 million dolars was spent at bars, resteraunts, and liquor stores on alcohol.

And unfortunately:

-From 25% to 30% of all US hospital addmissions were due to direct or indirect medical complications from alcohol.

-About 1/2 of the murder victims and 1/2 of the murderers drank alcohol.

-More than 1/2 of the 300 rapes that occured yesterday involved alcohol.

-Alcohol was a factor in 40% of all violent crimes.

And worldwide last year:

-Over 2 million people died due to alcohol.

Alcohol, now the legal drug, has devistating consequences on our society at large. But historically alcohol has been accepted and intertwined with cultural, social, and financial powers. Because beer, wine, and liquor are so widely available and legal in most societies, many people do not think of alcohol as a drug. But it is…one of the most dangerous available today.

Many countries have had periods in there history where alcohol use was restricted or banned completely. Here are a few examples:

-Many Buddhist sects in IUndia prohibited alcohol starting in 500 B.C and continuing to the present day.

-Alcohol was prohibited in ancient Persia by the ruling Islamic culture because of wide spread health problems.

-And of course, official prohibition of alcohol by the US government lasted for 13 years starting in 1919, but was later repealed.

In general, society’s view on heavy drinking is more forgiving than its view on even ocational cocaine, heroin, or LSD use. But we must not forgett, that alcohol is a powerful psychoactive drug and is classified as a central nervous system depressant.

It is important to know how alcohol is absorbed in the body. Though most drugs must be passed into the intestines for absorption, alcohol is one of the few that is partially absorbed through the stomach
Women absorb alcohol differently than men. In men about 20% of alcohol is absorbed by the stomach wall while in women there is almost no absorption by the stomach. A woman who weighs the same as a man and drinks the same amount as a man absorbs 30% more alcohol and feels its effects faster and more intensely.

Three reasons why:

-Women have a lower percentage of body water than men, so there is less water to dilute the alcohol.
-Women have fewer enzymes in the stomach to break down the alcohol, so less alcohol is metabolized before getting into the blood.
-Changes in hormone levels during menstruation effect the rate of alcohol metabolism.

For this reason chronic alcohol use causes more physical damage to women than men. Female alcoholics have death rates 50-100% higher than male alcoholics.

There are five levels of use classified for alcohol use. The first is known as experimentation. This is generaly use for curiosity with no drug seeking behavior. The second level is known as social recreational use. This is best described as sporadic infrequent use with no established drinking pattern. The third level of use is habituation. With habituation there is an established pattern of use with no real negative consequences. The fourth level is Abuse. People who abuse alcohol have continued use despite negative consequences. The fith level of use is addiction. Addiction is a Compulsion to use, inability to stop use, and major life dysfunction with continued use.

The following is a chart showing the symptoms of alcohol use starting with .00 blood alcohol level and ending with .50 blood alcohol level.

.00 BAC
Lowered inhibitions, feelings of relaxation
Some loss of muscular coordination
Decreased alertness
Reduced social inhibitions
Impaired ability to drive
Further loss of coordination
Slowed reaction time
Clumsiness, exaggerated emotions
Unsteadiness, standing or walking
Exaggerated emotions
Slurred speech
Severe intoxication
Inability to walk without help
Confused speech
Incapacitated, loss of feeling
Difficulty to rouse
Life threatening unconsciousness
Coma
Death from lung or heart failure
.50 BAC

Blackouts are another common symptom for heavy drinkers. During a blackout a person is awake and conscious and seems to be acting normal but afterwards cannot recall anything. Blackouts are caused by an alcohol induced electrochemical disruption of the brain, not passing out or losing consciousness.
You can think of it as an electrical short, only in your brain. This short resuslts in reduced amplitude of the brain wave p3 or p300. Blackouts are often an early indicator or marker for alcoholism.

Just like with any other drug, tolerance begins to happen in the body after continued drinking. Tolerance is the bodys natural adaptation to forieghn substances put in the body. There are four ways the body adapts to the effects of alcohol and protects itself: 

-Dispositional tolerance: The body changes the way it metabolizes alcohol. As a person drinks over a period of time the liver adapts to create more enzymes to process the alcohol more quickly. This process accelerates the natural aging of the liver and eventually lead to liver damage and disease.

-Pharmacodynamic tolerance: Brain neurons and other cells become more resistant to the effects of alcohol.

-Behavioral tolerance: Drinkers learn how to handle there liquor by changing there behavior or trying to act sober.

-Acute tolerance: The body’s way of providing instant protection to the poisoness effects of ethanol.

With long term heavy drinking, detoxification from alcohol is common. Some common symptoms of alcohol withdraw include rapid pulse or sweating, hand tremors, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, transient visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations and illusions, psychomotor agitation, anxiety, 10-33% suffer grandmal seizures, and 5% of serious cases of detox experience DT’s, delirium tremens. They can last 3-10 days, untreated 10-20% die

Liver disease is very common amongst heavy drinkers as well. 10-35% of heavy drinkers develop alcoholic hepatitis. 10-20% develop cirrhosis of the liver. 10-24,000 people die in the U.S. each year due to cirrhosis of the liver.

Alcohol can wreak havock on the digestive system. For instance, common digestive problems include acid stomach, diarrhea, peptic ulcers, gastritis (stomach inflammation), irritation of the esophagus, pancreas, and small intestine. Serious disorders like ulcers, stomach hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding are linked to heavy drinking as well.

Alcohol abuse has horrible effects on the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascualr disease is a common killer amongst alcoholic. Some of these include heart disease like hypertension (high blood pressure) and cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal irregular heart rythims). An enlarged, flabby and inefficient heart is found in heavy drinkers. For most, heavy drinking increases the risk of stroke.

The nervous system is severly effected by alcohol, and can have some of its most debilitating effects on the brain and its higher functions. Both physical brain damage and impair mental abilities have been linked to advanced alcoholism. Alcohol limits the brains ability to use oxygen, causing brain cells to die.
Chronic high doses of alcohol causes direct damage to nerve cells. Brain atrophy (loss of brain tissue) has been discovered in 50-100% of alcoholics. Dementia (deterioration of intellectual ability, faulty memory, and disorientation) is also a known consequence of heavy drinking.

The more we are educated about the effects of alcohol, the better choices we can make as a whole. Recognizing alcohol for the dangerous drug it is and passing this knowlege down to our family and friends, can possibly prevent serious consequences for our children and loved oned.<div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/09/14/the-truth-about-alcohol">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Understanding sexual addiction</title>
			<link>http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/09/14/understanding-sexual-addiction</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:36:04 +0000</pubDate>			<dc:creator>Nick Russi</dc:creator>
			<category domain="main">Welcome</category>			<guid isPermaLink="false">39@http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/</guid>
						<description>No matter what the addiction, there comes a time for every addict when the consequences are so intolerable and the pain so excruciating that the addict finally admits life is out of control. For sex addicts, this can be especially difficult. Sometimes we see it on the news, such as the pubic outrage when a congressman, minister, or professional icon is caught for some unacceptable sexual behavior. Many read the articles in the news, and make severe judgments about people who are with prostitutes, who are sexual with children, commit homosexual acts in public bathrooms, or have affairs. Others read these same articles, feeling a deep fear inside that they themselves will have the same exposure and have there sexual behavior brought out into the spot light.

Understanding sexual addiction can be difficult, and most will want to be quick to label and judge addicts as perverts, or hopeless scum. It has always been this way with all addictions, we are afraid of what we do not understand. But just like with other addictions, we come to see the reality, that these “addicts” are humans just like us. And who posses the same ability to change as any one else. 

Sex addiction has also been a term used with sarcasm, or a badge of honor. For sex addicts, this is the farthest idea from there mind. For many addicts, this is a deeply shameful, secretive double life that is led. Addicts are tormented with obsessive thoughts and repeatedly guilt ridden behavior followed by vows “never to do it again”. Even as these vows are made, echoes of previous promises and resolutions ring loudly in the background. Some wish deeply never to be sexual again, thinking that that would cure there obsession. Sexual addiction has been described as athlete’s foot of the mind. It is always asking to be scratched, promising relief. But when itched it does not bring relief, only making the itch more intense.

What is sexual addiction? One way to understand sexual addiction is to compare it to other addictions. A common definition for alcohol or drug addiction is that a person has a pathological relationship with a mood altering chemical. This relationship becomes most important, over family, friends and work. Eventually this progresses to the point where the addict needs the chemical to feel normal from day to day. This sought after “normal” also brings with it loneliness and isolation until the user only feels adequate when using the drug or alcohol. 

Sex addiction is very much like this example. The addict’s mood altering behavior (sex) becomes central to his life, isolating himself from healthy relationships and healthy behaviors. This isolation causes him to retreat farther and farther away from those closest to him (family, friends and work). Secrecy becomes more intense, and a false identity must be maintained. This double life is extremely shameful, compounding the negative emotional damage sex addiction causes.

There are several behavioral types of sexual addiction. We will describe eleven of them here. These behaviors vary in degree from person to person, but will give you a idea of how sex addiction manifests itself. They are as follows:

Fantasy: Fantasy sex involves obsessing or thinking about sexual adventures, spending large amounts of time in fantasy, slipping up on responsibilities or commitments because of living in fantasy, manipulating environment to be seductive or sexual to keep fantasy life going.

Seductive role sex: This behavioral type involves having many relationships at the same time or going from one to another, using seduction to get power over others, believing sex will give you power over other people, failing to make commitments or keeping schedule open in order to be available for sexual encounters, frequenting sex clubs, bars or health clubs with the intention of being sexual, using sex to feel good about ones self.

Anonymous: This behavior is simply engaging in sex with unknown or anonymous partners, frequenting beaches, parks, parking lots, bathrooms with the intent of being sexual. 

Purchasing sex: This can include paying for sexual phone calls, using escort services, prostitution, massage parlors.

Voyeuristic sex: This behavior type involves using magazines or video, collecting pornography at home or work, frequenting adult book stores and strip shows, peeping through windows of apartments or houses, using telescopes to watch other people, and making non sexual magazines and publicity sexual.

Exhibitionist sex: Exhibitionism involves exposing self in public places, exposing self in your home or car, undressing in public, using clothing with the purpose of being exposed in public, frequenting nudist clubs to find sex partners.

Intrusive sex: This can best be describes as making inappropriate sexual advances, touching others without permission, telling sexual stories at inappropriate places or times, forcing sex on anyone including your partner.

There are several other behavior types, but this will give you an idea. 

Recovery from sexual addiction can be very difficult, just like recovery from any other addiction. For any addict, there must come a point of surrender. A point when they realize that the problem they have is bigger than they can handle. For addicts, this is the hardest struggle, most believe that they are in control and capable of coping. This keeps the addiction alive, as this belief is deeply ingrained in any addicted person. Some will need an inpatient rehabilitation center to jump start there recovery, and learn the essential tools necessary for long term recovery. Some it will take involvement in sex addicts anonymous or other 12 step groups. Psychotherapy is often used to help the addict become aware of his more glaring defects. For most, a combination of the three is most effective.

It is important to remember that addicts are highly competent and genuinely good people. These are people with an illness who need treatment. Many may be family members of yours, who struggle silently. In any case, help is available for these people. Recovery is possible and addiction can be treated. 

To learn more about sexual addiction, I recomend reading “out of the shadows” By Patrick Carnes and “Don’t call it love” by Patrick Carnes.&lt;div class=&quot;item_footer&quot;&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/09/14/understanding-sexual-addiction&quot;&gt;Original post&lt;/a&gt; blogged on &lt;a href=&quot;http://b2evolution.net/&quot;&gt;b2evolution&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/small&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[No matter what the addiction, there comes a time for every addict when the consequences are so intolerable and the pain so excruciating that the addict finally admits life is out of control. For sex addicts, this can be especially difficult. Sometimes we see it on the news, such as the pubic outrage when a congressman, minister, or professional icon is caught for some unacceptable sexual behavior. Many read the articles in the news, and make severe judgments about people who are with prostitutes, who are sexual with children, commit homosexual acts in public bathrooms, or have affairs. Others read these same articles, feeling a deep fear inside that they themselves will have the same exposure and have there sexual behavior brought out into the spot light.

Understanding sexual addiction can be difficult, and most will want to be quick to label and judge addicts as perverts, or hopeless scum. It has always been this way with all addictions, we are afraid of what we do not understand. But just like with other addictions, we come to see the reality, that these “addicts” are humans just like us. And who posses the same ability to change as any one else. 

Sex addiction has also been a term used with sarcasm, or a badge of honor. For sex addicts, this is the farthest idea from there mind. For many addicts, this is a deeply shameful, secretive double life that is led. Addicts are tormented with obsessive thoughts and repeatedly guilt ridden behavior followed by vows “never to do it again”. Even as these vows are made, echoes of previous promises and resolutions ring loudly in the background. Some wish deeply never to be sexual again, thinking that that would cure there obsession. Sexual addiction has been described as athlete’s foot of the mind. It is always asking to be scratched, promising relief. But when itched it does not bring relief, only making the itch more intense.

What is sexual addiction? One way to understand sexual addiction is to compare it to other addictions. A common definition for alcohol or drug addiction is that a person has a pathological relationship with a mood altering chemical. This relationship becomes most important, over family, friends and work. Eventually this progresses to the point where the addict needs the chemical to feel normal from day to day. This sought after “normal” also brings with it loneliness and isolation until the user only feels adequate when using the drug or alcohol. 

Sex addiction is very much like this example. The addict’s mood altering behavior (sex) becomes central to his life, isolating himself from healthy relationships and healthy behaviors. This isolation causes him to retreat farther and farther away from those closest to him (family, friends and work). Secrecy becomes more intense, and a false identity must be maintained. This double life is extremely shameful, compounding the negative emotional damage sex addiction causes.

There are several behavioral types of sexual addiction. We will describe eleven of them here. These behaviors vary in degree from person to person, but will give you a idea of how sex addiction manifests itself. They are as follows:

Fantasy: Fantasy sex involves obsessing or thinking about sexual adventures, spending large amounts of time in fantasy, slipping up on responsibilities or commitments because of living in fantasy, manipulating environment to be seductive or sexual to keep fantasy life going.

Seductive role sex: This behavioral type involves having many relationships at the same time or going from one to another, using seduction to get power over others, believing sex will give you power over other people, failing to make commitments or keeping schedule open in order to be available for sexual encounters, frequenting sex clubs, bars or health clubs with the intention of being sexual, using sex to feel good about ones self.

Anonymous: This behavior is simply engaging in sex with unknown or anonymous partners, frequenting beaches, parks, parking lots, bathrooms with the intent of being sexual. 

Purchasing sex: This can include paying for sexual phone calls, using escort services, prostitution, massage parlors.

Voyeuristic sex: This behavior type involves using magazines or video, collecting pornography at home or work, frequenting adult book stores and strip shows, peeping through windows of apartments or houses, using telescopes to watch other people, and making non sexual magazines and publicity sexual.

Exhibitionist sex: Exhibitionism involves exposing self in public places, exposing self in your home or car, undressing in public, using clothing with the purpose of being exposed in public, frequenting nudist clubs to find sex partners.

Intrusive sex: This can best be describes as making inappropriate sexual advances, touching others without permission, telling sexual stories at inappropriate places or times, forcing sex on anyone including your partner.

There are several other behavior types, but this will give you an idea. 

Recovery from sexual addiction can be very difficult, just like recovery from any other addiction. For any addict, there must come a point of surrender. A point when they realize that the problem they have is bigger than they can handle. For addicts, this is the hardest struggle, most believe that they are in control and capable of coping. This keeps the addiction alive, as this belief is deeply ingrained in any addicted person. Some will need an inpatient rehabilitation center to jump start there recovery, and learn the essential tools necessary for long term recovery. Some it will take involvement in sex addicts anonymous or other 12 step groups. Psychotherapy is often used to help the addict become aware of his more glaring defects. For most, a combination of the three is most effective.

It is important to remember that addicts are highly competent and genuinely good people. These are people with an illness who need treatment. Many may be family members of yours, who struggle silently. In any case, help is available for these people. Recovery is possible and addiction can be treated. 

To learn more about sexual addiction, I recomend reading “out of the shadows” By Patrick Carnes and “Don’t call it love” by Patrick Carnes.<div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.oasistropical1.com/blog/to.php/2009/09/14/understanding-sexual-addiction">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>]]></content:encoded>
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