Tag Archives: alcohol addiction treatment in Vancouver

How To Stop Abusing Drugs or Quit Drinking – Getting Sober In Vancouver, BC – Part 01

How to stop abusing drugs or quit drinking and getting sober in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna, British Columbia. Part 01 – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Developing A Plan To Stop Alcohol Abuse or Drug Use

The fact of the matter is that beating an addiction needs a huge commitment. Moreover, it needs a person to have a plan and take the first step. The moment you acknowledge that you have a problem, the sooner you will find the many options available to you.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Being Sober Is Possible When A Person:

• Commits to stop using substances
• Set short-term and long-term goals
• Develop a treatment plan
• Find a support network
• Commit to your getting sober program

Commit To Stop Using Substances

Many people find it difficult to quit using drugs, and some find it difficult even to commit to the program. The fact of the matter is that getting sober takes a lot of effort and time. This means that you need to find reasons to avoid and state everything plainly. Through this technique, you will be in a better position to recover.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

You should take a look at your soul and body and compare the cost using drugs have done to you. Therefore, if you find the price is high compared to the benefits, then it is time to make changes. Committing is very hard. You are more likely to engage hard if you feel the pain of the consequences of using the drugs. This is not meant to make you guilty, but admitting that you have a problem is the first step to getting better.

Reasons To Quit Using Drugs And Alcohol

• To rebuild damaged relationships with everyone
• Creating a professional life and building a living
• Creating a healthy lifestyle
• Keeping yourself safe
• Improving your financial stress and legal problems

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

The Benefits Of Setting Goals

One of the most important things to note is that one of the ways to stop abusing drugs or quitting alcohol is setting up goals. Doing this will make the process less stressful, making it easy for you to stop abusing alcohol or drugs. Setting realistic goals for both long and short-term basis is important. The goals must be measurable and specific.

Short-term goals are paramount because it helps build encouragement and confidence. It is wise to ensure you have written them down.

Short-Term Goals Example

Well, below are few examples of placing realistic short-term goals. By completing these goals, you will be on your way to the recovery path. It is wise to take things easy. Many people mess up when it comes to setting goals. Many people will either set high goal expectations or low goal expectations. Realize that achieving goals is a process.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

This is how we learn.

• My aim is to attend three 12-step program meeting this week
• My goal is to enter a 30-day inpatient treatment program. I can achieve this by dialing a treatment support advisor at 1-855-335-0331 to receive more information
• My aim is to continue sober for two weeks. If I am successful in this, I will award myself with a delightful or favorite treat.
• My objective is to stay sober for four weeks, and if I succeed in this, I will go for a holiday trip somewhere.
• My aim is to workout five days a week straight by riding my bike every day after work
• My aim is to spend more time with my family. I will achieve this by spending with my family every weekend all day.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Long-Term Goals Examples

Below are few long-term goals:

• My goal is to be alcohol or drug-free for one year. If I achieve this, I will schedule a week-long vacation to a place where I have always wanted to go
• My aim is to custom a sober and healthy circle of families that are encouraging and supportive. I will achieve this by creating more through approaching others and attending more meetings
• My goal is to go to therapy twice a week for the whole year
• My aim is to get a promotion at work within two years. I will achieve this by putting extra work and going beyond my expectation.

It is wise to reduce drug usage gradually, which will help them live a free drug life. However, if your addiction is alcohol, then you should consider detoxing yourself from alcohol in a treatment facility to avoid possible medical problems. At the same time, it is wise to go to a professional if you have taken a large amount of toxic quantities of any drugs or if you have taken a lot of drugs for many years.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Give Options Okanagan a call today at 1-855-335-0331 if you are indeed looking for more information about your alcohol and drug center options, including all the details regarding the cost of the treatment.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Drug and Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Learn The Role Of Continuing Care In The Treatment Of Addiction In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

Learn the role of Continuing Care in the treatment of addiction in Vancouver, Victoria or Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

Anyone honest with themselves in recovery treatment knows that their recovery is going to prove a lifelong process. There is no actual cure for addiction, so getting a life on a good track is going to mean staying on that track for the rest of your days. If you do not adopt this mentality, then no level of alcohol or drug addiction treatment will restore or maintain your sobriety, nor can you create the type of recovery that points you in the direction of healthy decisions and motivating experiences for the rest of your life. Recovery does start in residential treatment, but it keeps going with a comprehensive plan or package of continuing care as you move from a structured, safe, and supportive environment and move back into the larger world.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

When you complete a residential program for addiction treatment, it can be very daunting transitioning back to a regular life, so added support is needed for encouragement and perhaps even some sense of solidarity with others facing the same circumstances. If this particular option is not available, an addict might find him or herself tempted to relapse, especially when they consider how serious their addiction is and they think about the substance they abused and possibly where they can go back and get it.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Vancouver

Many recovering addicts find continuing care group therapy to be quite a valuable life line when keeping up with their recovery program and sober lifestyle. Without the care of a continuing care provider and the support of peers also in group therapy, then higher-risk scenarios can possibly do you in and drive you back to your addiction. Support helps you cope with whatever your new life throws at you. Having access to a like-minded community can help you develop fundamentals critical to a successfully sober lifestyle, including adequate nutrition, appropriate rest, emotional support, and physical exercise. If you want to give your sobriety and treatment the best shot at working, then full participation is necessary in your continuing care and your group therapy. Spending time with those also in recovery or a little further along will give you ideas and inspiration on how to recognize triggers and resist them to prevent relapse so that your recovery can be long-term.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

A good continuing care program can help restore wellness to many different facets of your overall life. You can deal with stress better, let go of resentments, and help heal or stay away from dysfunctional relationships that you developed while actively addicted. Continuing care and group therapy also goes a long way in lifting you out of the sheer loneliness, despair, and isolation many recovering addicts feel. For the most part, continuing care that incorporates group therapy has proven to be the secret to sobriety success for millions that have already gone through residential treatment programs for their addiction as they built sober and healthy lifestyles rather than relapsing or returning to their old ways.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare and Continuing Care in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Aftercare: How To Avoid Relapse After Drug Treatment In Vancouver, BC – Options Okanagan

Aftercare: How to avoid relapse after opiate, drug or alcohol rehab treatment finishes in Vancouver, Victoria or Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating opiate and alcohol addiction and recovery.

In many ways, the most difficult part of getting a long-term recovery process established and maintained occurs after the intensive, initial part of the treatment is finished.

In order to avoid relapse, a majority of individuals need the warm embraces of their loved ones – whether that happens to be close, biological family members or new chosen “family” made up of other recovering individuals that they feel they can turn to anytime they believe they are in danger of a relapse.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Five factors were identified by one study that contribute most often to relapse:

1. Low motivation for change
2. Negative thinking
3. Failing to follow through with recommendations from counselors and doctors
4. Interpersonal conflicts with family members o others
5. Being unable to manage negative emotional states or stress

Those factors are similar to the variables affecting relapse when having to deal with diabetes and other kinds of chronic disorders:

1. Co-occurring mental health disorder
2. Inadequate support from family members
3. Poverty
3. Failing to stick with behavior change, medications or diet

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Addicted individuals, among other things, have to learn how to avoid coming into contact with triggers that might set their brains in motion for its demands for alcohol or drugs. At times when the triggers are unavoidable, individuals need to develop the proper skills that will help to prevent their cravings from completely taking over. One of the core elements of their treatment program needs to be to learn these skills; maintaining them needs to be part of their long-term recovery plan or aftercare program.

A well known aftercare counselor, who helps fellow NA and AA members, says that aftercare is continuing care that an individual needs to stay involved with in order to survive. He adds that if a person simply leaves their 30 day treatment and doesn’t attend meetings or participate in a group and have a sponsor and commitment, then within a very short period of time they will go back. They won’t be able to resist the temptations of Alcohol or Drugs.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

One leading counselor, who is in charge of a confidential addiction assistance program to help employees at a Canadian Major College of Medicine states that expert counselors can’t strongly emphasize the role that the aftercare contract plays enough as well as the aftercare program. He says it is the key to being successful.

Another counselor, who heads a Vancouver recovery center, where participants are able to gather for job training, mutual aid, friendships and other forms of tangible assistance to help individuals in recovery get back on their feet, stay committed to their recovery plans and begin a new life. Peer support is a critical aspect of the recovery center. However solution-oriented efforts are the focus of the organization and it isn’t limited to specific issues that come out of addition-focused dialogue from 12-step programs. Aftercare focuses on the solution instead of the problem.

Many individuals believe they are trying to replace AA. However, they aren’t trying to replace 12-step. Individuals who are in long-term recovery process are in a completely different stage and don’t have the same needs. The counselors have developed recovery commitment plans for their clients – the goal is getting them to the place where they are preparing themselves for a lifetime of recovery.

Services like skill-training and educational services, mentoring and peer coaching, and recovery center play a key role in assisting an addicted individual with rebuilding their lives, avoiding relapse and sustaining long-term recovery. The Recovery Community Services Program (RSCP), a small federal program, funds faith-based and community-based programs that offer these services, which links people with education, jobs and/or housing, as well as hosting drug-free or alcohol-free social activities.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Why Aftercare Is Crucial For Your Opiate And Alcohol Addiction Treatment In Vancouver, BC – Part 03 – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Why Aftercare is Crucial for your opiate, drug and alcohol treatment in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and other parts of British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate and Alcohol addiction and recovery.

When Transitional Living Is Right For Aftercare

Sometimes it is possible for a person to return home after completing their treatment program at a rehabilitation center. If they have family and friends or even neighbors and coworkers who support their recovery, there is a support network in place. They should still have access to outpatient aftercare, including group meetings, therapy, and a sponsor. Others, however, might not have a very supportive network waiting for them after they finish their inpatient program.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

They may not have a job to go back to or enough money to cover expenses. Their home life may be negative, or they may not have a home at all. Others simply might not feel ready to return to their everyday life, feeling overwhelmed by the reality of sobriety. For these people, a transitional living situation can give them a chance to smoothly move from inpatient rehab to living independently.

Explaining Extended Care

Patients in an extended care facility usually live in an environment that is supervised, but feels home-like. If an individual feels tempted to relapse, they have access to either a counselor, therapist, or fellow recovering addict at their fingertips. A transitional living situation includes access to a house manager and counselor, and often the manager is an addiction specialist or former addict themselves.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Help Is Available Round-The-Clock

Individuals often benefit from having support available anytime they need it. Meetings are often held daily, and there are many opportunities for discussion of feelings, hopes, and fears in order to work out any problems that arise. Residents in a program also serve as a source of encouragement and support, establishing a community and sense of fellowship. While a transitional community has less structure than an inpatient treatment facility, they still have fixed rules that establish a sense of stability.

Housemates often share chore duty, taking turns cleaning and cooking. These chores not only maintain the house, they impart a sense of routine and structure that is essential for someone just out of rehab. The members of the household also must follow rules on curfew and meeting attendance.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Besides their daily chores, individuals who live in transitional housing can choose to take classes to improve life skills. These can vary from parenting classes to workshops to refine a resume. The classes will help the individual learn the skills they will need and haven’t had a chance to master on their own due to their addiction. In addition, if the person is currently unemployed, a transitional home is more affordable while providing essential stability as they search for a new job.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Why Aftercare Is Crucial For Your Drug Or Alcohol Addiction Treatment In Vancouver, BC – Part 02 – Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Why Aftercare is Crucial for your drug and alcohol treatment in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and other parts of British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate and Alcohol addiction and recovery.

Benefits of Aftercare

By providing an opportunity for continued support, counseling, or transitional living, programs for aftercare give individuals another layer of accountability that stands between them and returning to their substance of choice. These programs are a safe place where individuals can connect with other recovering addicts, advice for coping with temptation and stress, motivational speakers, and a mentor or sponsor.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Aftercare programs are also quite useful for the family and friends of those suffering from addiction issues. Many services include counseling sessions for the spouse, parents, children, or partners of the person with the addiction problem. Group therapy and educational seminars on the link between mental disorders and substance abuse can also serve as a great resource for friends and family. Family members are also welcome at various 12-step programs such as meetings of Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, who both have material tailored especially for family of the recovering addicts. These meetings serve as a place where family members can safely share their experience with addiction and gain the support of others in similar situations.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Finding The Right Program

If an aftercare program is to be effective, it must be tailored individually to the person. These types of plans usually are created as a joint effort between the individual and addiction specialist or counselor before they are discharged from their rehabilitation program. How complex the plan is will depend on what the person needs, what their home life is like, the environment they will be returning to, and their risk of relapse. The less that is left to chance, the better. Without a concrete plan, it is very easy for an individual to relapse and take up old habits. The aim of a good aftercare plan is to have nothing left to chance.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Basic Steps In Aftercare

No two aftercare plans will be identical, however, these basic steps are usually a part of the program.

1) Continuing therapy. Having therapy sessions continue beyond the period in the rehabilitation center will allow a person to continue working on any issues that they have that might have contributed to their addictions. Individuals who are new to recovery will have a greater chance of attending regular programs for recovery if they have someone to be accountable to.

2) Learning Triggers. A person needs to learn what triggers their addiction and how they can cope with them using workshops, group therapy, lectures, or individual therapy sessions. There are many different factors, psychological, social, or environmental in nature, that could trigger someone to return to their addiction. A loved one’s sudden death, losing their job, PTSD, or any sudden extreme sensation or emotion has a risk of driving someone to relapse. While initial discovery of these triggers may begin during their stay at rehab, returning to their normal life may trigger a host of new problems. This is where the importance of understanding triggers comes in during aftercare.

3) Coping with cravings and stress. After leaving rehab, a person may face a situation that they didn’t anticipate while in treatment. Even a good experience, like a new job, can cause stress and trigger a craving for their substance of choice. Aftercare programs include teaching skills on how to cope with stress and deal with cravings. Regular attendance at counseling or support groups will give additional structure to the person’s life, so when stress hits, they can reach out to their support system and reduce their chances of relapse.

4) Preventing relapse. Nobody is perfect. Even a person who is committed to recovery can suffer from a relapse, whether as small as a sip of alcohol or as large as using again. A lapse might appear to be minor, however, they can cause a very fast spiral downwards back towards relapse and substance abuse. A major part of an aftercare plan should be a plan for what to do if the person relapses. They should list 5 people who they can contact, such as a sober friend or sponsor), and 5 steps they can take to stop the abuse immediately, such as asking for a ride away from the situation or attending a support meeting. Thinking of the possible outcomes in case of relapse and having a plan in place to address any mistakes can reduce the chances that the person will seriously relapse.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Why Aftercare Is Crucial For Your Drug Addiction Treatment In Vancouver, BC – Part 01 – Options Okanagan Treatment Center

Why Aftercare is Crucial for your drug and alcohol treatment in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and other parts of British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate and Alcohol addiction and recovery.

Aftercare: A Commitment For Life

Recovering from addiction will take more than a simple 4-6 week long treatment program. It is a process that will continue for the rest of the person’s life. The steps that are taken in the early months after completing a treatment program can be crucial when it comes to whether the person stays sober for life or is destined to relapse. Once formal treatment is complete, aftercare should be the very next consideration.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Programs Vary When It Comes To Aftercare

While the overarching goal of any aftercare program is preventing relapse, the exact nature of the program can vary greatly based on a number of factors. For some people, attending a weekly support group that is led by a qualified counselor will help provide needed support and referrals once rehab is completed. These meetings allow the members of the group to bond with each other, as well as the counselor, to form a network of support.

For others, it may be more beneficial to move into a transitional living space upon completion of a rehabilitation program. Transitional living is useful for anyone who has completed an intensive inpatient program but may not be ready to live on their own just yet. Having regular meetings with a mentor or sponsor is also crucial for good aftercare.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Who Could Benefit From Aftercare?

Over 35 million people across North America are struggling with addiction or substance abuse. However, just over 4.5 million of these individuals will attend treatment in a rehabilitation center that specializes in addiction. That is just 11 percent. While treatment for addiction is essential, the need for adequate aftercare should be just as important. Even after rehabilitation, often an individual will struggle with their issues with substance abuse.

Having a good aftercare program can make the difference when it comes to reducing the chance of a relapse. Every day 15,000 people start using a drug, and often they are under 18 years of age.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

In recent years, specialists in addiction have begun to recognize that relapse is a major symptom of an addiction problem. People who also have additional disorders are at a higher risk of relapsing and can also greatly benefit from a good aftercare program to prevent that.

a) More than 15 million people (13.7 to be exact) across North America have a mental disorder in addition to their substance abuse problem.

b) Unfortunately, less than 10 percent of these people will have both conditions treated, and half receive no treatment at all.

c) Adults who suffer from a mental illness have an increased likelihood of beginning on alcohol or report using alcohol heavily.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Aftercare In Vancouver, B.C. And An Explanation Of AA : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Aftercare in Vancouver, British Columbia and an explanation of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) by Options Okanagan Treatment Centers in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate addiction and recovery.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) over the last 60 years has been the common and frequently the only kind of care for alcohol as well as other substance use issues. Out of all of the mutual assistance groups that are available, including Narcotics Anonymous and Smart Recovery, by far AA is the most widely and readily available. The focus of AA meetings is on having honest, open and frank discussions regarding all of the various aspects to help people deal with recovery – both the positive experiences that recovery brings as well as the pains that were experienced during times of substance use.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

There are no fees charged by AA. Meetings are not for alcoholics only – individuals are welcome who have all kinds of different substance use problems. There are some meetings that allow smoking, however many don’t. Coffee is made by a volunteer for these one-hour meetings, and typically a volunteer chair will open the meeting by telling her or his personal recovery story and then the meeting will be opened. Then people raise their hands to either share a positive experience that has been brought to them by their recovery or to talk about a problem that they are struggling with. In AA there is no criticism, and there is no deriding of anyone’s issues or statements. All comments and issues are treated with confidentiality and respect.

People Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Is AA a form of treatment?

No it is not. AA is a mutual help organization. There have been many people who have entered into recovery through just attending AA meetings and not having any formal treatment. AA has been used by many others as a type of continuing care in order to help them stay sober after they have undergone a formal treatment program.

Is AA a kind of religious group?

No, it is not. Although there are spiritual (not religious) aspect that are a part of numerous groups, it isn’t universal. There are many members of AA who think that a major key to their recovery is getting in touch with their own spirituality. However, this view isn’t shared by everyone. AA doesn’t require any spiritual or religious involvement.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Is AA for alcoholics only?

No, it is not. AA is for anybody with a substance use problem, no matter what their level of severity or diagnosis is who is interested in achieving sobriety and then staying sober. Many who go to AA meeting have more than one substance use issue.

What are AA’s 12 steps?

In AA writings and meetings the 12 steps that are discussed involve steps that come from the collective experience of individuals who are in recovery that result in developing a forgiving, helping an honest lifestyle – it is the type of life that isn’t consistent with addiction at all.

Men Living with Drug addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Vancouver

Is it all talk?

No, a majority of those attending AA meetings are able to meet with other recovering individuals and get together with them socially for meals and coffee or other kinds of social events. In addition, AA meetings can lead to other kinds of useful connections to things like affordable housing and jobs. In these ways, AA meetings can serve the daily and social needs of individuals in recovery as well as help them to meet their daily challenges.

Where can AA meetings be found?

On the Internet an AA directory is posted. Most treatment programs have local schedules that are available. Nearly every town has church or more that dedicates a meeting room for AA meetings several times a week or day.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction and Addiction Aftercare in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

The Purpose Behind Inspirational Drug Recovery Quotes : Vancouver, BC : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

The real purpose behind inspirational drug recovery quotes : Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, British Columbia – Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate addiction and recovery.

The drug recovery quotes used while you are at the 12-step meetings or treatment may not mean much to you when you first become sober. The longer you stay in the program and maintain sobriety these drug recovery related quotes will become more and more significant.

These simple and easy to use quotes have been used by many individuals throughout their most difficult sobriety days. Really comprehending the significance of these quotes you can truly use them on a daily basis to help you through your recovery as well as to maintain sobriety once your program is completed.

“Just For Today”

Although it may sound ridiculous the fact that many people struggling with addiction have trouble focusing on today is really true. One of the main reasons people use in in order to cope with their life, when concerned about the unknown or the future the urge to use is great and many times regret for the past is another trigger, Relapsing due to theses stresses which cause anxiety and fear is a real concern.

In the early stages of recovery having to focus on the future can cause an addict to place expectations which are impossible. Imaging life long sobriety can be quite overwhelming. By focusing on maintaining sobriety at the moment, just today the job at hand seems much easier to accomplish, today turns into tomorrow, tomorrow into a week, then a month, a year and many more but it is accomplished one day at a time.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and addiction in Vancouver

“No Matter What, Don’t Pick Up”

This is referred to by many as the “No Matter What” club. Throughout active addiction addicts tend to find many ways to justify their addiction, many times when sober addicts will have reservations. Many times when an addict begins recovery there will be various factors which are contingent to their sobriety such as recovering their spouse or job.

Becoming sober must be accompanied with a promise to yourself that no matter what you will never pick up a drug again. When attending meetings and hearing stories that others with many years of recovery behind them you begin to hear amazing tales of how they were able to make it through overwhelming situations without ever having to pick up regardless of the situation.

“The Only Thing That Must Be Changed Is Everything”

Finishing treatment does not mean that you are “cured” of your addiction. Although addiction may be in remission, those who do not make the important and necessary changes once they get home run the risk of relapsing. This quote, about changing everything is on of the best drug recovery quotes. Returning home to a spouse who has abusive tendencies, an overwhelming and stressful job or friends who continue using could lead to relapse. Not only do you have to work on changing old habits so you are able to maintain sobriety but it is important to surround yourself with people who understand and support your sobriety.

Once you have been sober for a few months or even a year you will be able to see the positive affect these drug recovery quotes have really had on helping you create your path of sobriety. You may even find yourself being that person who quotes these quotes to those who are just setting out on their path and are in need of help with their sobriety. By really giving what you learn during treatment importance you will discover that you have all the tools you need to continue on your path of sobriety even after you have been discharged.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate Addiction in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, heroin drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

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Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Getting Help For Alcohol Addiction In Vancouver, BC : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

Getting help for Alcohol Addiction in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and other parts of British Columbia by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate and Alcohol addiction and recovery.

Struggling with an addiction to alcohol can leave people filled with feelings of guilt, shame and remorse. Recovering alcoholics may also feel embarrassed about the fact that they can’t control their drinking. If you’re like most alcoholics, you’ve likely tried multiple times to control your drinking through different methods, but for you they just don’t seem to work. This can make you feel defeated, but the key is to get the help you need for an alcohol addiction that you need at an accredited alcohol treatment program.

Opiate addiction and drug abuse and Alcohol addiction in Vancouver

Don’t Surrender to the Disease – Get Help for an Alcohol Addiction

Many alcoholics pursue the idea that they can drink like everyone else to the point where doing so becomes dangerous. Although you may be able to hold yourself together in every other aspect of your life, it must be understood that alcohol addiction can be deceptive. In addition to the risks involved in such addictions, it’s among the few illnesses that individuals frequently tell themselves they are not afflicted by, all evidence to the contrary. Reaching a moment of clarity in which you understand you can’t maintain control when it comes to alcohol is important, after which one can finally begin to seek help.

People Living with Drug addiction in Vancouver

Ask For Help

Alcoholism may have caused you to lose contact with family and friends due to your actions done under the influence. This may well have resulted in certain people walking away from you, but there are some people who love and care about you who had to walk away because they couldn’t stand to watch you continue down that path. It is always surprising to see the reaction you get when you tell the people closest to you that you understand that you have a problem that you need genuine help for your problems with alcohol. Many loved ones will do what they can do get you into a worthwhile treatment program.

Unfortunately, some people don’t have this luxury. In cases like these, one should see the help of an addiction specialist. By meeting with a specialist, you’ll get the information you need about what type of treatment program is best for you, as well as what you can do to cover the costs. There are a range of different grant programs and health insurance plans also frequently help with the cost of addiction treatment.

Men Living with Drug and Alcohol addiction in Vancouver

When you’ve reached the point where your problems with alcohol become too much, allow “Options Okanagan” to help. We have a quality addiction treatment program, where we’re passionate about helping people recover form alcoholism. We have seen people who had lost all hope go on to live incredible lives that they never knew were possible. Help for alcoholism is closer than you think.

Put your addiction in your past and get help for an alcohol addiction now. Call “Options Okanagan” today at 855-335-0331.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate and Alcohol Addiction in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331

Vancouver, BC : How Alcohol Effects The Human Body : Options Okanagan Treatment Centers

How alcohol effects the human body by Options Okanagan Treatment Center in Kelowna, British Columbia treating Opiate and Alcohol addiction and recovery.

Alcohol, and ethanol in particular, is a central system nervous depressant. If excessive quantities are ingested it can have drastic effects on the human body. It causes coma, increased risk for cancer, liver cirrhosis, and even death in some cases. The following will help provide you with a detailed understanding of the various effects that alcohol can have on a human body.

Have you ever wandered the city streets next to the pubs and bars after a late night party on a Saturday? If your answer is yes, then you have undoubtedly run across at least a couple of people stumbling around, unable to speak properly, and claiming that the world is spinning all around them. You just ignore their claims and assume they are a bit drunk. What happens exactly to those people when they drink alcohol? It might be a bit more complicated and dangerous than we may think. The term ‘alcohol’ covers the whole organic compound family, such as isopropanol, ethanol and methanol. However, generally speaking when we are talking about alcohol we mean ‘ethanol,’ which among these chemicals is ingested the most. Ethanol is an organic compound that is comprised of the molecules of Oxygen, Hydrogen and Carbon. It is a very volatile liquid that has a very distinct odor and great affinity for water. Its high solubility when it is in water in fact makes it among the most powerful depressants of the central nervous system in human beings. It is a hypnotic and powerful sedative with various side effects. The extent of its affect on the central nervous system will depend upon the alcohol concentration in the blood, which is usually referred to using the acronym BAC (short for Blood Alcohol Content).

Opiate addictin and Alcohol abuse and addiction in Vancouver

Alcohol Consumption Effects

Distribution And Absorption Mechanism

When alcohol is consumed, the first thing that it does it irritate the mouth’s mucous lining followed by the esophagus. This causes an anesthetic effect. Next it goes into the stomach. Only around 20% of the total amount is absorbed there. The small intestine absorbs the remaining 80% and is then distributed throughout the entire human body. During this process alcohol travels throughout the blood where it comes into contact with nearly every organ’s cells. As previously mentioned, due to the high affinity that it has with water, it is able to penetrate nearly all cellular membranes. This results in all organs absorbing it.

People Living with Drug and Alcohol addiction in Vancouver

Initial Stage Effects

The effects that alcohol has when it is ingested on the human body gradually changes over time. During the initial stages, an individuals feels cheerful and more relaxed. This is followed by more animated speech and stumbling movements.
A person frequently starts letting go of their inhibitions and becomes more confident. This occurs due to the increased metabolism within the brain’s nigrostriatal pathway, which is associated with movements of the body. Increased alpha waves with the brain make the individuals more relaxed and cheerful, while stimulation to the cortex within the brain’s hippocampus region helps the person lose their inhibitions. The stage is often referred to as ‘euphoria’ and has a BAC of about 0.03 to 0.12%.

Long Term Effects

The enzyme dehydrogenase, which the hepatic cells secretes, converts alcohol into acetaldehyde. The acetaldehyde gets converted further into acetic acid. Then from acetaldehyde dehydrogenase it becomes acetate. Acetate is a type of compound of fats that is locally deposited. The blood is filtered by the liver and it also eliminates toxins out of the body as urine. Due to continuous and chronic consumption of alcohol, the increased levels of fatty acid results in plaque forming within the hepatic capillaries. The situation can result in liver cirrhosis. Since the liver performs the critical role as the body’s filtration mechanism, malfunctioning of the liver frequently leads to hepatitis and jaundice. Antidiuretic hormone secretion is inhibited by alcohol, which results in more urine forming and dehydration.

Men Living with Drug and Alcohol addiction in Vancouver

Although drinking one glass of alcohol per day can help the heart function properly, an excess amount of alcohol affects how it works and it won’t be able to pump the amount of blood that is necessary to various parts of the body. Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol can also affect the endocrine gland functioning. They are responsible for metabolism, tissue function and secreting growth hormones. An excessive amount of alcohol may weaken the immune system as well. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder can be caused when alcohol is consumed while a woman is pregnant.

Carcinogenic Effects

WHO classified alcohol as Group 1 carcinogens. Despite the fact that previous studies have been unable to establish any direct connection between cancer and alcohol, there are strong indications that suggests that the effect of other kinds of carcinogenic chemicals such as tobacco are enhanced by alcohol. Acetaldehyde, which is the byproduct of alcohol metabolism, becomes concentrated within the body in very high mounts. This can damage the cells DNA. When they react with polyamines they may end up forming mutagenic DNA. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol increases risk for breast, liver, esophagus, pharynx, larynx and mouth cancer.

Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Centers in Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Vancouver, British Columbia – Men and Women are recovering and healing from Alcohol and Drug Abuse at our treatment center here in the Okanagan right now.

Individuals Living with Opiate and Alcohol Addiction in Kelowna

Our unique and distinctive Opiate Drug and Alcohol treatment program allows men and women to come in from Calgary as well as Edmonton as we offer airport pickup.

Numerous clients come to us from Calgary and Edmonton and other locations in Alberta and even other provinces for Opiate addiction treatment, meth drug treatment, many other drug and alcohol addictions for rehabilitation because of the uniqueness of our treatment center.

Google+ Options Okanagan

Our Treatment Location:
Options Okanagan Opiate and Alcohol Treatment Center
551 Sherrydale Crescent, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 2E6
Toll Free Phone Number : 1-855-335-0331