Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy tool for addiction treatment
REBT @ SHRI GKS DE-ADDICTION CENTER
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy tool for addiction treatment, is the first form of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). This therapy addresses emotions, irrational thinking, behavior and memories responsible for cravings. An individual is taught to intervene on these levels. REBT teaches to question or challenge pattern of thinking that are responsible for urge of taking drugs/alcohol. As an addict always try to justify the use of drugs for him/her self, this therapy enables the individual to think reasonably and question or challenge their thoughts rationally.
REBT works on three basic points
The extra pressure which individual put on him/her self to perform best.
When people are under influence of drugs/alcohol for prolonged time then they try to make the time wasted in those habits. As a result they in turn become more likely to relapse by not thinking rationally.
High expectation from others.
People who are in recovery process do not like to be criticized. They have high expectation from others; they tend to take other people comments or criticism in wrong way.
The irrational desire to get what they want.
In general recovering addicts or after recovery they have very strong but sometime irrational desire to achieve something. They tend to get angry or severely upset if not getting the thing that they were looking for. This situation can trigger cravings which may lead to relapse.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) works towards breaking down false or irrational beliefs that become reason for using drugs/alcohol.
It is impossible to break down anyone’s all beliefs because some of them are natural and inherent but we can break down beliefs which are responsible for addiction in three steps.
- Detect – one need to go to the roots of certain thought or feelings. If individual can think of the source of the feeling it can be better judged.
- Debate – once the source is identified, the thought can be compared with rather different or opposite point of view. Now after comparing thoughts on each level unbiased, one can get clear idea of the situation.
- Decide – the main of breaking down the belief is to decide whether it is correct or not. The best way to decide is by thinking of the consequences of that belief.
REBT helps the patients recovering from addiction by impressing upon following points. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy tool for addiction treatment
Acceptance of self and others
Acceptance of the world
Therapist work with the patient to evaluate feelings, thinking patterns and beliefs to determine whether those rational or not.
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COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT)
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT)
CBT is psychological intervention in order to improve mental health of the patient. This therapy focuses on challenging and changing thought pattern, attitude and behavior. CBT is originally designed to treat depression. It is widely used to treat addiction.
The individuals struggling with substance is often diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and psychotic order. CBT focuses on thinking patterns and emotional behavior responsible for cause of addiction. CBT is effective treatment method for substance abuse.
CBT is action-oriented and problem focused therapy program that benefits
- CBT helps in identifying behavior patterns and beliefs which lead to self destructing actions.
- CBT helps the patient in finding and adopting alternate thinking.
- CBT can be provided in both, individual or group therapy.
- CBT skills and strategies are practical and can be used in daily life.
- CBT also helps in dealing with stress triggering situations that may lead to relapse.
CBT is different from traditional therapies. Since therapist and the patient are both actively involved in this, they work together to find solutions in order to achieve recovery of the patient. CBT may require practice or homework for patient outside therapy sessions.
CBT helps in addiction treatment by
- There is always some presumed beliefs or false beliefs associated with individuals struggling with drugs/alcohol. CBT helps in replacing those beliefs with practical and positive approach for analyzing the cause of that belief.
- Prolonged addict of any drug/alcohol often seems to have mood swings, some time very intense. CBT provide self-help tools to cope up with mood swings.
- In general an addict struggles to communicate about his/her feelings with anyone. CBT teaches effective communication skills. This helps the patient in avoiding situations that may lead to consume drugs/alcohol.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT) Techniques
These techniques or methods are designed to overcome issues responsible for situations or instances that may lead to desire of taking drugs/alcohol.
- Thought Records
The general tendency of an addict is negative. There thinking pattern is developed in such way that they will find some excuse to support their taking drugs or drinking. This technique will help in compare those thought with reasonable and balanced thoughts and positive approach to evaluate their thinking.
- Behavioral Experiments
In this technique the therapist finds out best type of thoughts that are effective in changing behavior patterns. For instance some people responds positively by self-criticism and change their habit or for some people it’s different they respond well by self-kindness. In order to dismiss or change habit of addiction, this experiment is a helpful tool.
- Imagery Based Exposure
This is a distinct exercise used for the addicts who take drugs/drink because of anxiety. In this exercise the patient thinks of a negative memory that produces anxiety. Patient made to take note of every detail of that memory. By repeating this exercise over time the desire of taking drugs/drink will reduce.
- Activity Schedule
The primary objective of this exercise is to replace the idle time available time at patients hand with some resourceful and healthy activity. The chances of taking drugs/drink are reduced as by allotting the idle time, which may had been used for something that triggers craving.
CBT is proven to be helpful all over the world in addiction treatment. In addition this not only helps in recovery but also in relapse prevention, as its different exercise can be helpful in avoiding drugs/drink in daily life routine.
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Services Of Rehabilitation Center
The perception of an average educated Indian towards Rehabilitation Center or Addiction Treatment Center is flawed. Generally people use the services of Rehabilitation Center facilities as last resort instead of that it should be considered as first option. The problem lies with the attitude towards drug abuse. I have encountered hundreds of people obscure about drug abuse.The truths regarding drug abuse are not known to large number people generally they are misinformed about the issue terribly.
I have had came across many people who believe in these statements:
Myths
- Smoking marijuana helps in recreational activities.
- Marijuana is not addictive.
- Concentration while driving, studying improves with smoking marijuana.
- There is a safe limit of alcohol intake.
- Alcohol helps with digestion of meat products.
Facts
- It is proven fact that marijuana is highly addictive in nature around the globe.
- Marijuana does not make you artist.
- The average reaction time and concentration level increases with smoking marijuana.
- There is no safe limit of alcohol intake.
- Alcohol does not help in digestion of meat products.
These are the common myths prevailing among the minds of even educated people of our society. Apart from this, people do not get serious about intoxicating themselves up until they came across serious health issue or accident.
Many of us neglect the signs of addiction in ourselves and as well as of our loved ones. People also have a very careless attitude about the use of illicit substances like hashish, heroin, cocaine, etc People often don’t try to get enough knowledge about these dangerous drugs until someone close to them get affected.
Addiction to these drugs will result not only affect the life of the user but also of his/her family. The problems accompanied with the drug abuse are more than just health issues. With drug abuse the loss of social stature along with financial troubles will always be associated.
Significance of Services of Rehabilitation Centers in Welfare.
The key for fighting the problem of drug abuse is to identify the signs and symptoms of addiction and to enable the victim to get help from Addiction Treatment Centers or Rehabilitation Centers. As the proverb says “There is no time like the present” it better to avail the services of Rehabilitation Center at first sight of addiction symptoms. In other words if you find any sign of addiction in your family members or loved one consult the service of Rehabilitation Center.
The deceptive zone of addiction needs a methodical and scientific approach for complete recovery of the victim. These centers have all the necessary means to encounter the addiction problem of different substances. Physical treatment for different substances may differ but the complete recovery depends upon total abstinence. The focus of such Rehabilitation or Addiction Treatment Centers is primarily on complete recovery.
An addict might physically regain health through medication and proper diet but there is always a greater possibility of relapse. These center work with specially designed therapies and psychologies to develop mentality of the victim for total abstinence.
This is a problem which gets worse with time however if one can avail the services of Rehabilitation Center in early stage the recovery will be faster.
The recovery process in Rehabilitation Center primarily depends on such factors:
- The time spent under the influence of drug.
- Mental condition at the time of admission.
- Willingness of the victim.
- Support of the family.
For complete abstinence from the drug mental stability is required along with the physical health. Generally mental condition needs much time to improve (if effected) than physical health.
Need For Rehabilitation Centers
The need for Rehabilitation Centers is obvious. There cannot be any debate about how the disgrace of drug abuse has influenced our society as from the newspaper to the tabloids; from television to local radio station you can find some piece of information regarding this issue. It’s not a matter that needs any longer debating “whether this problem is poisoning our way of life or not?” Because the bitter truth which is that, this problem has so embedded in our ambiance that one out of the three resident families of this city has been affected by this problem. There is no scale to measure the destruction and apprehension caused by this evil to the lives of victim. From school going teens to well employed person this evil does not spare anyone.
The reason for increase criminal activity.
The heinous crimes committed under the influence of drugs and for the acquiring of drug is more than forty percent of the total crime of the city. One can observe the intensity of road rage, school teens fighting over petty issues, etc. has significantly increased or sometimes these fights lead to killings. The primary reason for this kind of intensity is the not the ego but the influence of illicit drugs which has impaired the ability of thinking things reasonably of some people in our society. Out of total domestic violence and sexual assault case reported to authorities. Substance abuse indulgence is found to be main cause directly or indirectly in eighty percent.
These illicit drugs are making their way to the streets of every city and village. There is a very strict provision of law against contravention of these substances. However, the lure of big profit margin associated in trading of these drugs making this possible. Every addict sooner or later, at some point always face financial crisis because these drugs are expensive. After becoming an addict the body of user tends to develop tolerance for the drug. This means that the user will have to intake more quantity of the drug for the same kind of rush and feeling.
To fulfill their need an addict is a very likely to commit a crime for money like stealing, robbery etc. These addicts are potential candidates to become drug paddler. Drug mafia often uses such addicts in exchange for little quantity of drug.
Number of people who are accused of paddling drugs had confessed that for getting high they had started this gig. Many of the convicts of crime like stealing, burglary, etc. are from descent family backgrounds. Some of the convicts had good jobs and promising careers before they had became addicts. This habit of drug abuse had turned kings into beggars, without any doubt.
In today’s demography, we live in situation that there is urgent requirement of proper institution dedicated towards wellness of the victims of drug abuse. The Rehabilitation Center for Drug Addicts or Addiction Treatment Centers can play very vital role in welfare and improvement in life of victims.
As the dependency on drugs is increases with the time. It certainly becomes important for an addict to have proper medical care for detoxification and also to handle withdrawals. These institution have professionals with experience to handle the situation.
The need for Rehabilitation Centers is important is for the reason that the addict goes through various emotional phases along with regular deterioration of health.
Which are depends upon the factors:
- The drug to which individual is addict.
- Age of patient
- Duration of addiction.
- Health loss due to addiction.
These Rehabilitation centers help in recovery from addiction through special programs designed specifically for sole purpose of complete abstinence. The cycle of addiction is very deceptive and vicious. However, with help of trained and experience staff personnel and focused therapies one can find a way. Therefore one must seek the services of rehab to get through the quicksand of addiction to a beautiful life.
Nasha Mukti Kendra in Bhopal
Addiction Treatment Centers a.k.a. Nasha Mukti Kendra are the words with which a large section of urban population is still not familiar with! Peoples mind are encompassed with an idea that addiction problem lies within poor class or people with criminal lifestyle. Since the problem of drug abuse in today’s civil society is so embedded that one out of the three families is suffering due to this disgrace. This stereotype thought must change.
The problem of drug abuse is an evil which does not differentiate between poor or rich neither between illiterate or literate. This evil strikes its every victim rigorously. The problem of drug abuse is not only harm to the addict but it punishes his/her entire family. It affects life on every aspects health, mental, financial as well as social stature of person.
The key point of fighting this evil is awareness. By sharply observing anybody will realise that the society is under threat from the evil of drug abuse. These illicit substances are available everywhere. Anyone can get their hands on them easily or might be with some difficulties. These drugs are accessible everywhere from college campus to our local market.
The common drugs which are in trend are:
- Ganja.
- Hashish/Charas.
- Heroin (Smack/Brown Sugar).
- Prescription drugs.
Ganja is considered to be gateway to all other kind of drugs. Since it is less costly than other drugs, access to the same is very easy.
You can find many teenager and college kids smoking pot or vaping it. The quantity increases gradually as the user’s body develops tolerance toward it. As a result the user will require more quantity of drug to get the same rush. Some user might go further by opting for other illicit drugs. Ganja has bad effect on both physical and mental health.
But the most dangerous is a Ganja addict is very likely to become an opiate user.
It is very important to understand this cycle of addiction because the changes will not happen overnight; they will gradually take grip of the lifestyle and overall performance of any individual in any stage of life. The only cure for the disease of addiction is complete abstinence. To achieve that we have to first identify the addiction.
There are few general signs and symptoms of drug abuse.
- Intense cravings.
- Physical dependence.
- Tolerance for drug.
- Withdrawal symptoms.
- Engaging in violence.
- Financial issues.
- Isolating behavior. Etc
Complete abstinence from a drug is not an easy task. It requires effort from the addict, but help and support of family and professionals go a long way in achieving sobriety and to stay sober for life. Many addicts try at their own various methods to overcome this problem. However, they fail in accomplishing the goal due to lack of knowledge about the problems arise in abstinence from drug or by their daily life problems and atmosphere.
There are facilities such as Addiction Treatment Centers or Nasha Mukti Kendra which are equipped with experienced staff and techniques to counter addiction problem through therapies and programs designed specifically for this purpose. It is always better to consult with experts from such centers if you are able to identify any sign of drug addiction in yourself or any one you care about because this problem gets worse with the time spend in addiction. Such center will not only help in regaining your health back but there program will also help in developing a mentality which will help you to stay away from drugs in future.
Annihilation of Bad Habits through Yoga
Yoga has been around for ages, the word itself means combining as in Hindi Yog means addition. Here the word Yoga means to combine your body, mind and soul through meditation and posture. These postures also called asanas designed and developed for achieve body strength, health improvement and making our physical flexibility for meditation.
Yoga doesn’t mean to pressurize your body to limits in order to perform asanas like any physical workout routine will do. For performing asanas you should be always relaxed and try to do these asanas as per physical limitations with just breathing techniques. Gradually your body will develop itself. Furthermore, you will find amazing changes in flexibility of your body. Very soon, you are going to perform those postures or asnas well enough.
No Yoga instructor will ever tell you to put extra pressure on your body.
Yoga is most simplest and holistic way of healing of both mind and body.
The various breathing techniques practice in yoga known as Pranayam with meditation will help releasing stress and anxiety on daily basis. These techniques help in calming nervous system where as the different postures or asanas will release tension in muscles, improve digestion and helps to eliminate toxins from your body. With regular practice of Yoga symptoms of asthma seems to lighten in patients along with high blood pressure and joint aches.
Yoga also helps in addiction treatment. Any alcoholic or any other addict of illicit substance always go through sleeping disorders and mood swings practicing following this routine on regular basis will help them in insomnia as well as controlling anger and anxiety for mood alterations. Yoga practice has become a successful tool in almost every rehabilitation and addiction treatment center around the globe. Practicing Yoga also helps in suppressing cravings in recovering addicts as it helps in detoxification of body and meditation helps in focusing with clear thoughts and relaxed mind.
Here are some of popular yoga styles.
- Asthanga – Known as power yoga, a cardiovascular workout helps to build flexibility, muscle strength and stamina.
- Bikram – This constitutes of total 26 postures which require stretching muscles, ligaments and tendons. This style helps in cleansing and detoxification.
- Iyengar –This style more focuses on alignment of postures more precisely. This is very useful for the people recovering from severe injuries and chronic pain.
- Kripalu – This is a slow breathing technique accompanied by movements.
- Kundalini – The goal of this style to awaken the energy at base of spine which are the energy centers. This styles ivolves breathing techniques with chanting of mantras.
- Viniyoga – This style combines breathing with alignment, based upon each individual.
It had considered a philosophy from ancient India as old as about 5000 years. The most beautiful thing about yoga is that it can be practiced about every age group. One can start this at any phase of life even while suffering from disease.
You just need determination and will to start practicing this routine. There are books and DVD available on Yoga across the country so you can start from any day.
Heroin Addict Rehabilitation
Heroin Addict Rehabilitation is very complex case. The withdrawal symptoms of this drug may differ from person to person. The common symptoms are fever, chills, state of confusion, vomiting, poor appetite etc. However the most dangerous are violent acts done by the user or an addict in state of withdrawal. This heinous action does not have any limits whatsoever. An addict can go any distance in order to fulfill their need of obtaining the drug or sometimes action carried out by an addict is for without any reasons. That is why a proper program run by de-addiction centers is needed for any Heroin Addict for total recovery from this habit.
Heroin is an opium based drug, which is so addictive that it starts controlling its user even just doing it one or two times. The statics shows that the consumption of heroin is almost doubled from the year 2009 to 2015 in India.
The effect of Heroin on Body
It has chemically same effects as morphine. It has twice or even thrice times the effect same for the same quantity. This drug can be smoked, snorted and can be injected directly into the veins. Taken by any means this drug reaches brain very quickly and gives the user a sensation of happiness and rush of good feelings.
The last way of doing Heroin; by injecting directly to the veins is most dangerous. The continuous use of this way will result in collapsed veins. In this way, the chances of overdose maximised. The overdose of Heroin results in slower heart rate which can be fatal.
Heroin is often laced with other chemicals and drugs to increase its effect on end user so by injecting it directly into veins is extremely dangerous as even the user does not know sometimes how strong the substance is?
In India opium is produced under security of Indian Government, from production to transportation to pharmaceutical industries. Even with all the efforts of law enforcement agencies one to two percent of the total opium produce find its way to black market. However the rest of the illicit drug is smuggled into India through its neighbouring countries.
Due to the tempting profits margin (up to 300%) on Heroin, this drug is available easily in northern parts of India. In spite of being so expensive Heroin demand especially in youth has been increasing year after year.
The role of rehabilitation center
The rehabilitation of a Heroin addict is long process. Even after complete abstinence from heroin over a longer period of time people tend to relapse. The lure of this drug is very extreme. An individual tends to relapse in spite of being fully recovered and healthy. So it is very necessary to also change the addicts’ mentality or mindset towards life. Therefore it is advisable for an addict to join proper programs provided by rehabilitation centers to ensure full recovery.
There are many NGO’s and institution in the country working regarding this issue.
The key to this evil is awareness. We should be aware of this problem as it affecting our society in devastating way. Drug abuse is a family disease. Since it just not only affect the individual but it also consumes the happiness of entire family.
Prescription Medicine Abuse in India
Prescription Medicine Abuse in India.
According to U.N reports abuse of prescription drug had seen a significant rise in India over last decade. The prescription drugs which are commonly abused can be classified into these categories.
- Central Nervous System Depressants ( Alprazolam, Librium, Ativan, Valium etc.)
- Dextromethorphan (Various brand names only psychoactive when taken in higher amounts than recommended.)
- Loperamide (Immodium also psychoactive when takenin higher amounts.)
- Prescription Opioids / Opium based drugs (Codeine which comes under different brand names as cough syrup and tablets, Hydrocodone based Alprax, Tramadol etc as pain killers, Methadone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone.)
- Prescription Stimulants
- Steroids
Most of the normal people who live in our society might have no idea about the drugs mentioned above! So the question arises how the youngster or any user comes under the influence of these drugs?
There are few possibilities
As an alternative, sometimes for an addict it is become quite difficult to find a dealer to get hold of heroine or other opium based illicit substance due to alertness of police. As a result of desperation many addicts starts using these medicine to get high. Methadone is a drug which is used to treat heroin addicts but due to its addictive nature it’s a very high chance that the user might become addict of Methadone.
As a combination to get more rush, by the time some of addict’s body develops a tolerance against his/her choice of addiction therefore in order to get more rush or feeling euphoria they tend to mix them with prescription drugs. This practice can be more dangerous and sometimes can lead to death. Prescription Medicine Abuse in India
As by being ignorant, it is high possibility to become an addict to medicine prescribed by a doctor by using for a longer period than recommended by simply lacking awareness of knowing about a drug which ones is taking or being simply careless to consult a doctor. Many times it is seen when a doctor had prescribed a drug for pain relief or insomnia, it used by the patient even after the completion of prescribed duration of period.
As being influenced by trends at the high end night clubs. It is very common for any wanna be kid to get easily influenced by other rich youngsters. Every young addict at the parties or in college atmosphere has tendency of showing off this practice as cool and hip. Which sometimes lead new kid around attracted and curious about doing drugs?
As for simple reason which is money, in India illicit substance like cocaine, smack, and heroin may or may not easy to get but it is always expensive. Like every addict tends to go out off cash in some point in life these substitute comes in handy. It is world known fact that the pharmacy product price is lower, if compared internationally. Laws can easily be bent while obtaining these drugs from market.
There are many problems in implementing the law in illegal trade of this drug as India being a very populous country with a large number of genuine consumers of this drug. So it is mostly up to the society to be aware of this disgraceful habit. There are many rehabilitation center and addiction treatment centers dedicated to help regarding this issue. Please do call one for help if you see yourself or any loved one indulge in this habit.
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Caution for Recovered Alcoholics
It is not surprising that most cases of relapse which are admitted in rehab or de-addiction center are alcoholics. As in present scenario in India drinking culture is embedded in so many levels in our society, it becomes very tough job for a recovered alcoholic to escape the lure of a drink. From richer to poor, from corporate offices to the group of workers on a construction site, from farmers working in fields to family functions and even in school and colleges one can observe how this disgrace has effected each section of our society.
The Relapse
There are many cases of relapse, of recovered alcoholics from Rehab and de-addiction centers. They had fallen for the lure of a drink even after fully regaining their health back from zero. The main problem is the influence of drinking culture in our daily life. It is very common in alcoholics that after rejoining their work routine being fully recovered, they observe that people around them are healthy and enjoying alcohol.
Very soon their mind starts to play illusion games like they often ask themselves
- what harm one or two drinks can do?
- Now I can do it in a controlled way as I am fully healthy and aware.
- I am going to drink on holiday/weekends only.
These sentences are the usually first step towards inferno. After giving in to this disgraceful habit it is just matter of few days for an alcoholic to realize that he/she had open the gates of hell. Therefore very soon his/her lifestyle, daily routine all will be designed around this habit.
Few of them might realize that something very wrong is going on but they are under in control of the alcohol. At this stage they are unable to control the urge for a drink. Making every effort they had put for being sober to square one.
There are ways for an alcoholic to stay sober after joining their routine life:
- A daily habit of writing about the changed or sober life goes a long way.
- Write about the mishaps of life due to alcohol and read it before starting the day.
- Also avoid hanging out with people who are always indulging in drinking.
- One can always try to develop some new hobbies certainly which cannot be accompanied by liquor like outdoor sports etc.
More importantly don’t get carried away by the drinking of other people. Always remember that alcohol has different type of effect on an alcoholic than the rest of people.
The selling and consumption of alcoholic drinks is legal in almost around the globe. Therefore it mainly depends on choice and strong will of an individual to stay sober. This can be very tough for any alcoholic after recovery for few months. Our general life atmosphere is influenced by presence of alcoholic drinks, especially in India. Every now and then we encounter its presence in celebrations or in general get together. One should be very careful alert about its routine of daily life to remain sober. Gradually your lifestyle gets designed accordingly and struggle will ease down.
There are institutions like AA and addiction treatment centers dedicated to help any alcoholic at every stage. If you find yourself on the verge of relapse, please do not hesitate to call.