2 weeks ago · RAC RAC

Understanding the Cycle of Addiction

No one engages in substance use or other activities expecting or hoping to develop an uncontrollable urge to participate. However, the desire to use substances or engage in risky behavior happens when an individual becomes addicted. Alcohol abuse, illicit drugs or sex with multiple partners may seem harmless and fun. Still, the initial euphoria or pleasure can turn into a craving that threatens safety and well-being.

When people become addicted to something, they must have it in more significant doses to achieve the pleasure they experienced when they first tried it. Harmful substances cause changes in the brain’s pleasure center, requiring more of the substances to recapture that initial feeling of euphoria or bliss. It never feels as good for most people as it did in the early encounters. However, the addicted individual may think, “If I get more of it, I can relive that initial feeling.”

Addiction doesn’t happen overnight; it develops over time. When it comes to substance abuse, the length of time it takes to become addicted depends on the drug. For example, some individuals require prescription drugs to manage pain. Opioid painkillers can be highly addictive, making it easier for an individual to become dependent on opioids more quickly than some other substances.

The Cycle of Addiction

Understanding the cycle of addiction helps individuals know when they or a loved one might be at risk for a downward spiral that can be tough to recover from. The addiction cycle is different for each individual. Stages can overlap, and professionals may call them by different names. People addicted to substances tend to move through phases of substance use from seemingly harmless to uncontrollable and destructive. Individuals may go through the treatment process, but because addiction is a relapsing brain disease, some may only get temporary relief before they start abusing substances again.

Initiation 

Initiation is an individual’s first experience with a substance. Initial use can happen in several ways. Adolescents who grow up in homes where parents drink alcohol might take their first drink without their parents knowing about it. A curious teen may decide to take a family member’s prescription medications to see if they can get high. Young people often try drugs or alcohol when hanging out with peers, and research shows that substance use at a young age puts individuals at higher risk for addiction. Young people’s brains are still developing. Making sound decisions may be difficult because they may not have the critical thinking skills to understand the harmful consequences of risky behaviors.

Experimentation 

Once individuals have tried a substance, they might move to the experimentation stage. Experimentation often involves trying different substances to see which offers the “best” high. People who experiment may mix drugs with alcohol. Experimenting with harmful substances may occur during social gatherings, such as parties.

Some people enjoy the perceived relaxation that comes with using drugs or alcohol. Experimenting may lead them to use occasionally to alleviate stress or wind down at the end of a long workday. People in the experimentation stage usually choose when and how often they’ll use a substance and haven’t yet reached the point of craving or dependency.

Regular Use

Some people move from experimenting or using substances socially to making drugs or alcohol part of their everyday lives. They no longer only have a drink when they go out with friends or on special occasions but develop a pattern where they drink every weekend or use alcohol or drugs to cope with issues like loneliness or trauma. Individuals may experience problems such as hangovers or be absent from work after a night of heavy drinking. However, they may function without others knowing they drink regularly. Individuals who are regular substance users may feel in control, thinking they can handle the substance and will quit whenever they’re ready. While it’s true some people in this stage may decide to stop drinking or using, regular use can lead to the next stage: high-risk use.

High-Risk Use

Individuals who become high-risk users will start to exhibit behavioral changes that can be signs they need help. A high-risk user may develop severe cravings for substances and compulsive drug-seeking. Changes in the chemical receptors in the brain’s reward center can lead to a condition where casual or regular use no longer satisfies. Frequent and controlled use changes to chronic misuse and interferes with their daily routines, such as work, caring for children or going to school.

A high-risk user may believe they can perform tasks like operating machinery at work or driving while intoxicated. They may attract coworkers’ attention due to unsafe work habits or neglect to do their share of the work. Their behaviors lead to strained relationships and endangering others and themselves. If this describes you or a loved one, it’s essential to pay attention to these warning signs and seek help before spiraling further into the vicious cycle of addiction.

Dependency

When substance users reach the dependency stage, they need the drugs or alcohol to get through the day. The person who could once drink or use drugs and mask it well enough to hold down a job or take care of essential family needs no longer has those priorities. Getting alcohol or drugs is now the center of the individual’s thinking. At this point, the individual is not drinking or using drugs for reward but to get through the physical and mental challenges that occur when they don’t use the substance. Therefore, getting the drug is paramount. They may experience severe cravings and require more drugs more often. Without the substances, they undergo painful and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol and drugs can have specific effects on the body. However, some common withdrawal symptoms include agitation, depression, excitability, insomnia, loss of appetite, mental confusion, mood swings, nausea, night sweats and shakiness.

When a person reaches dependency, illicit drug use can have lasting and devastating impacts on loved ones and others. Family problems are common. Children who grow up in homes with addicted individuals may experience neglect and abuse by their parents or strangers. Children may also begin to use substances at a young age. Domestic violence, driving while impaired and financial problems are common in families where a member is addicted to substances.

Treatment

A time comes when the only way people can overcome addiction is to seek drug rehab or substance abuse treatment. It can be challenging for most addicts to quit without help. Professional treatment helps break the addiction cycle, and insurance may cover treatment.

Addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. For treatment to be successful, it must address the complex issues the addicted person faces. For example, an addicted individual may also have a mental health disorder or chronic conditions that contribute to poor physical health. An assessment helps medical and professional staff weigh all treatment options and develop an individualized plan, which may involve dual diagnosis treatment.

Detoxification

The detoxification process helps the person begin fighting addiction by clearing alcohol and other drugs from the body. During detox, the drug dependence can be so strong that the individual experiences painful withdrawal symptoms. Medical staff can prescribe medications that help lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps addicted individuals recognize and avoid situations that trigger substance use. People with substance use disorder discover the actions and feelings that lead to repeated substance use and develop coping skills to minimize those triggers. 

Group Therapy

Group therapy helps individuals see they’re not alone in their struggles. Groups led by therapists are safe spaces where members can feel comfortable sharing their experiences and learning from others. Group members offer support and hold each other accountable for reaching goals. A therapy group is where individuals struggling with addiction can learn communication skills and develop self-confidence. In addition to group therapy, family therapy may be appropriate.

Family Therapy

When individuals struggle with addiction, their families also suffer. Understanding the impact their behavior has had on loved ones offers opportunities for addicted individuals to make amends. During sessions, families can address conflict with the guidance of a professional therapist. Family therapy helps loved ones increase addiction understanding and how it affects personal relationships. They can also learn about actions that may contribute to the problem, such as enabling the substance user by pretending the problem doesn’t exist.

Relapse

Staying clean or sober is a significant struggle for individuals who undergo substance abuse treatment. Those who’ve tried to quit on their own understand how difficult it is to overcome this addiction stage. 

Emotional Relapse 

Emotional relapse can happen when individuals feel isolated and may keep feelings inside. Neglecting self-care, including not getting enough rest, can lead to emotional relapse.

Mental Relapse 

Individuals may experience a mental relapse when they start reminiscing about past drug abuse. They may think about the friends who were part of their drug addiction and long for the opportunity to drink or use drugs. An individual may plan to relapse during a mental relapse, leading to a physical relapse. 

Physical Relapse

Physical relapse is the third relapse stage. A person experiences physical relapse when they start using again. Physical relapses can happen when the individual finds an opportunity to use again and can occur when they think they can use without getting caught.

Aftercare Is Important

Aftercare support is essential for individuals who complete substance abuse treatment programs. Outpatient counseling, peer support groups and community organizations that connect individuals to community resources can help people stay on the path to recovery.

Follow Your Path at Recovery at the Crossroads

At Recovery at the Crossroads, we believe recovery is personal. When you come through our doors, expect an individualized approach to care. This means that, with your help, we’ll develop a recovery plan to address the challenges you face. 

We know it can be unsettling to share your deepest concerns and fears, but we’ll be with you each step of the way. In both inpatient and outpatient rehab, our compassionate and professional staff help patients navigate the recovery experience. 

Whether you’re dealing with alcohol abuse or drug use, you can count on getting the support you need to stop using. We understand that substance abuse is not just about the individual seeking treatment; your loved ones also need attention. Our therapists will help you and your loved ones dive into the problems that can be challenging as you work toward getting mentally and physically healthy. 

Emotional trauma is as real as physical pain and can keep you from enjoying your life to the fullest. If you’ve experienced trauma, we want to help you work through the emotional pain.

While at Recovery at the Crossroads, you should be able to focus on your recovery journey, so if you experience withdrawal symptoms, we offer medication-assisted treatment that can provide relief and help you feel better. 

Art therapy and music therapy can help you connect with your emotions and feel positive. Art therapy allows you to express feelings when you can’t find the words. Music can be both calming and uplifting when you feel anxious or down. Many people find that when they engage in these creative therapies, they feel less stress and can let go of guilt.

At Recovery at the Crossroads, individuals find a welcoming environment where they discover how good it feels to live substance-free. We’re ready to help you or a loved one chart a path toward recovery.

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1 month ago · RAC RAC

5 Reasons Why Marijuana is the New Alcohol

Marijuana is quickly becoming the drug of choice for young adults and professionals alike. From comical brand puns to carnival-like flavors to the medicinal use of marijuana, what was once a shunned illicit drug is almost as popular as the Kardashians themselves. Access to Marijuana comes easily too – as do the addictive tendencies.

Like other drugs, there is the main ingredient, in the case of Marijuana, THC, which is the specific chemical responsible for getting users ‘high’. No matter how you may choose to ingest THC, it’s passed into the bloodstream and impacts everything from cognitive function to changes in mood.

Marijuana addiction is characterized by the problematic use of this substance. Those who are addicted may find they use marijuana more frequently over time and in larger amounts. It may also manifest as neglected responsibilities in other areas of life, in favor of using the drug instead. Marijuana addiction may lead to other forms of substance use and abuse, the reason it’s commonly called a gateway drug. Addiction can manifest as psychological and/or physiological dependence on the substance.

Recovery at the Crossroads wants you to understand how addictive marijuana can be, especially when used in conjunction with other substances, as is often the case. It is critical to know when and where to get help.

The idea that marijuana can be addictive is something many people are just beginning to accept, which means more users may come to realize they need help breaking their addictions to the substance. Moreover, marijuana addiction can exacerbate other substance use disorders, such as alcoholism. This is one of the reasons marijuana has been touted as the “new alcohol.” It’s entirely possible to struggle with addiction to a substance that’s been made legal in some areas and is readily available.

When asking, “Is marijuana the new alcohol?”, it is important to consider the extent to which marijuana use impacts your daily life. Both alcohol and marijuana can have negative impacts on your physical and mental health. Moreover, quitting may not be as easy as you think. A person can be addicted to both substances and require help dealing with the addiction. Consider five important reasons why marijuana is the new alcohol.

Marijuana Is Legal in New Jersey

The movement to legalize marijuana in New Jersey is the first reason it’s considered the new alcohol. The legalization process means marijuana is easier to obtain than ever. As the cannabis industry continues to grow, so does the need for cannabis consumers. Just like with alcoholic beverages, the more available marijuana is, the more likely people will find reasons to use it. When it comes to marijuana use, New Jersey is already trending in the wrong direction.

In 2020 and 2021, the New Jersey Legislature passed a series of laws legalizing and decriminalizing recreational marijuana usage. These included S.21/A.21, A.1897/4269 and A.5342. Because of the legalization and decriminalization of recreational marijuana, it’s prudent to assess where the state currently stands on a number of factors related to marijuana usage.

Before this industry takes hold in New Jersey, it’s worthwhile to note that studies show New Jersey marijuana use is slightly lower than usage across the U.S. — among both men (45.2% in NJ and 48.6% in the U.S.) and women (35.8% in NJ and 39.6% in the U.S.).

However, as marijuana use increases, some of the negative impacts of drug abuse centered on marijuana are also increasing. Despite a rise in arrests for younger adults (ages 18-20), the number of older adults (26-50) admitted to treatment facilities for marijuana use increased, while the number of those aged 12-25 decreased from 2015-2018.

At the county level in New Jersey, Cumberland, Camden, Salem, Cape May, Atlantic and Gloucester counties had dramatic increases in deaths due to drug overdoses between 2016 and 2021. With Recovery at the Crossroads centrally located around these counties, we are actively working to offer treatment for addiction before these statistics hit home.

Marijuana admissions by gender show female admissions to recovery and treatment facilities have risen, while the rate is dropping for males in New Jersey. The latest numbers outline that females represented 28.8%, from 25% in 2018, of those admitted into recovery and treatment facilities in New Jersey for marijuana abuse and males represented 71.2% of those admitted. This is where our Women-Focused Addiction Treatment programs could be of great service.

Marijuana Is Addictive Despite Its Legality

Some of the negative impacts of using marijuana include negative impacts on health, diminished cognitive function, lack of motivation and inability to perform at work or school.

One of the common misconceptions about marijuana use is that it’s not addictive. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Almost 10% of all users become addicted. This increases the younger in age a person starts smoking marijuana. Those who do struggle with addiction may find they’re unable to stop smoking when they want to. They may also experience feelings of withdrawal, including sleeplessness, irritability, decreased appetite, anxiety and cravings to use the drug.

If you suffer from a traumatic event or are going through a depressive episode, Marijuana use generally increases, like it is as if you were binge drinking alcohol. Marijuana users in these mental states may soon begin to wholly depend on the effects of THC on the body, which then ties itself to addiction. If you or a loved one needs help for any addiction, please reach out to Recovery at the Crossroads today!

Marijuana Is Touted as a “Safer” Alternative to Alcohol and Opioids

One of the common narratives that people spread about marijuana use is that it’s a safer alternative to both alcohol and opioids. However, marijuana compared to other substances is not necessarily a healthy comparison to make. The truth is that consuming marijuana in any form has its own set of problems. It can still be a dangerous substance when it’s abused, which does happen. Comparing which is the more dangerous substance between the alcohol industry and marijuana use has no positive outcome. Alcohol consumption is bad when people abuse it, and the same applies to marijuana.

This means there’s no safer option in the way a person chooses to become inebriated. When they do it through drinking alcohol excessively, sometimes known as binge drinking, it becomes unsafe. The same applies to consuming marijuana, despite its legality in the Garden State.

Marijuana Can Now Be Found in Alcohol

Another reason marijuana has become the new alcohol is that the two are now being combined. Drinkable weed is a new trend in the craft beer industry, and cannabis companies are only getting started on this marriage of convenience and profit. While smoked marijuana presents its own set of issues, reining in marijuana use will become much harder if people can simply drink it at their local bar.

COVID-19 Contributed to the Desire To Escape

Yet another reason why marijuana has become the new alcohol is that during the pandemic, people turned to the substance as a way to escape. For many people dealing with the rigors of lockdowns and anxiety, making the switch from alcohol use to cannabis products was a no-brainer. This was despite the fact that it would have been far more beneficial to many people’s mental health to instead replace alcohol with healthier habits that perpetuated positive health effects.

Substance use, even so-called recreational use, is never a substitute for healthy habits. Daily marijuana use increasing over the pandemic to avoid drinking has resulted in a marked increase in those seeking treatment for substance abuse issues.

Treating Marijuana Addiction

Treatment admission rates indicate that heroin, alcohol and marijuana represented the three main substances for which people were admitted into treatment facilities in the months following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting treatment is imperative to bringing a marijuana addiction under control. Options include dual diagnosis behavioral therapy, which will help to reroute the way you engage in certain coping mechanisms that may lead you to abuse marijuana.

Medication-assisted treatment is another option. Since marijuana withdrawal does come with side effects that can be physically unpleasant, medication-assisted treatment can help reduce the amount of marijuana you may be using while you work on the other components of treatment.

Finally, some people opt for outpatient drug rehab in dealing with substance abuse. For those who may not have obstacles in their home environment, this is an ideal option to help address prevention and ways to minimize and/or stop consumption entirely.

No matter the cause of addiction, the effects can be overwhelming. Recovery at the Crossroads is here to help! We provide effective outpatient addiction treatment to residents across the great state of New Jersey and the following localities of Mount Laurel Township, Monroe Township, Camden, Cherry Hill Township, Deptford Township, Wenonah, Pine Hill, Clementon, Lindenwold, Somerdale and Woodbury.

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2 months ago · RAC RAC

Trauma and Addiction: Tools to Overcome Both

How Are Trauma and Addiction Related?

There are numerous comparable connections between trauma and addiction, the first of which often occurs early in life. Studies show that 60% of people in the U.S. witnessed or experienced abuse and early life stress in childhood, with 26% of study participants having experienced child abuse before age 4. The effects of trauma, often leading to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can last a lifetime, and most people need some type of therapy or medication to heal. 

The need to self-medicate to cope with symptoms of having experienced trauma can lead an individual to drugs and alcohol, many times leading to addiction. Taking a trauma-informed approach to addiction treatment and recovery can greatly improve the chances of staying sober. Read on to learn more about the complex relationship between addiction and trauma and what tools are available to help people recover. 

Treat your Trauma & Addiction Today! Contact us: 888-342-3881

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & Addiction: Their Relationship

Trauma is defined as any adverse life event that creates a feeling of danger in a person. An individual enduring trauma will feel afraid for their life or destruction of their property or unsafe emotionally or physically. While it might seem easy to move forward and away from the danger after an adverse event, the long-lasting effects of trauma can be debilitating. Symptoms of untreated trauma include:

• Anxiety and other forms of mental illness
• Sleep disturbances such as night terrors, sleep paralysis and insomnia
• Feeling numb and emotionally detached from day-to-day experiences, whether positive or negative
• Extreme feelings of anger and sadness
• Emotional dysregulation in the form of uncontrollable outbursts or isolating behaviors
• Feeling shame about the traumatic experience or denying it altogether
• Physical symptoms such as ulcers, liver damage and high blood pressure

In order to cope with the deep-rooted psychological effects of trauma, people often turn to substances in an attempt to self-medicate. One study shows that 59% of youth with PTSD also have a substance abuse disorder. Binge drinking is a common way to self-treat symptoms of childhood trauma. In recent years, binge drinking and drug use have increased. People of all ages, races and educational backgrounds are affected, in every community. 

According to a study of New Jersey residents, binge drinking has increased most dramatically among college graduates. Among races, white-identified people binge drink more often than Blacks, Asians and Hispanics.   

Recovery at the Crossroads’s programs are specifically tailored for those with past/current trauma and addiction.  

The Roles of Trauma and Addiction for Women

Research indicates that young women with PTSD tend to experience higher rates of substance abuse disorders and alcoholism than men in the same age group. What is it that drives women to self-medicate more often than their male counterparts? A significant amount of women who enter substance use treatment programs do so with symptoms of PTSD stemming from physical and sexual abuse.

Research shows anywhere from 55% to 99% of women in rehab have some type of psychological trauma in their background. The effects of childhood trauma are numerous and long-lasting, especially when compounded with addiction and mental illness. In order to recover, women need to be equipped with:

• A deep understanding of the mechanics of addiction, with a holistic view of how the cycle of adult trauma and addictive behaviors begin and the internal processes that perpetuate addiction
• A variety of ways to effectively manage emotions 
• Basic coping and life skills
• Relationship-building skills

Many substance abusers turn to rehab to help them learn these things, often discovering in the course of treatment that there are many lacking areas they weren’t even aware existed, such as emotional intelligence. Through an efficient treatment program, patients can learn more about themselves and what satisfies and fulfills them without the need to turn to drug or alcohol abuse. 

Recovery at the Crossroads has an intensive outpatient program featuring a woman-only inpatient rehab program at its 4.5 acre Black Horse Acres complex.

Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in the Jewish Community

Drinking alcohol is common in the Jewish tradition, with wine being served at religious gatherings and holidays followed by cheerful shouts of “L’chaim.” In the Jewish faith, it’s commonly believed that consuming alcohol won’t lead to addiction, and one study of New Yorkers showed that members of the community consistently reject the idea of alcoholism. However, studies show up to 20% of North American Jewish households are impacted by alcoholism. Still, most Jewish people will deny they know any heavy drinkers when asked. This widespread denial of an alcohol problem further compounds the issue. Trauma causes immediate psychological harm at the time it occurs, but the long-lasting effects can worsen if actively denied.

It’s one thing to tell yourself there isn’t a problem and you don’t need any therapy, but it can feel impossible to address childhood trauma or substance abuse when your entire community and religion are giving you the same speech. When a people’s history has such dark and horrific periods that generations experience childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms later in life, you might be easily persuaded to try to forget the past and move on instead of addressing the trauma. This style of denial can also apply to events of childhood abuse. But this attitude further perpetuates childhood trauma, giving a person a high risk of experiencing severe anxiety and developing a substance abuse disorder.

Relatives of survivors of the Holocaust experience a special type of trauma that can be hard for those who weren’t affected to understand. Jewish folk can benefit from rehabilitation centers that offer kosher treatment programs and an understanding of generational trauma experienced by those in the community. 

Recovery at the Crossroads in Blackwood, New Jersey, has a Jewish Substance Abuse Program with like-minded staff and residents that provides a safe space to speak your truth. Kosher meals are served, and traditional holidays like Yom Tov and the weekly Shabbos are observed. 

How EMDR Therapy Helps Fight Substance Abuse

New treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and EMDR have been developed to further minimize current PTSD symptoms and substance use disorders alongside traditional therapies. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a way to reprogram the brain away from trauma-induced thoughts when triggered. It involves moving the eyes rapidly back and forth and tapping the body while viewing images related to your traumatic memories. These can be images associated with childhood trauma or recent traumatic experiences. Through this process, the brain experiences new sensations while engaging in traumatic memories and can reconfigure its responses appropriately. If a person is triggered by sitting near the edge of water, for example, a vision of a river can reprogram emotional responses to feel more neutral instead of upset.

This can be helpful in treating addiction because traumatic memories often trigger the desire to engage in high-risk behavior using various substances to distract the brain. Recovery at the Crossroads offers EMDR therapy in its rehab programs, along with the serene surroundings and structured schedule needed to facilitate recovery. 

At Recovery at the Crossroads, we focus on helping patients address negative beliefs and dysfunctional behaviors, giving them the greatest chance at a long-term recovery. Patients who meet the criteria for EMDR therapy work directly with Ann Marie Bescherer, PhD.

Recovery – On Your Terms

Go online or call to speak to a friendly intake specialist who can answer all your questions and listen to your story with compassion. Intensive outpatient rehab programs are offered for those who want to stay in their communities, and inpatient centers are available for those who need more help regaining independence from addiction.

We stand with the residents of New Jersey to ensure they have access to treatments designed with them in mind. Those who struggle with addiction face a daunting task: confronting their trauma & addictions and finding long-term recovery. The best way to make this journey easier is by going through a program that provides support from knowledgeable professionals in the field of psychiatry, psychology & addictions. You will never walk alone in your journey towards sobriety! Contact us today. 

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