Sober Living Houses Archives - Garden State Treatment Center

Are Liquor Stores a Trigger for Alcoholics?

Living a life of sobriety can be difficult at times and especially for those who have been diagnosed with alcohol addiction. It is a job 24/7 to always make sure you are doing what’s is best for your recovery. You have lived a life where you knew nothing except drinking. Every day, every event involved drinking – after work, during work, after dinner, while you were cooking dinner, on weekends, at get-togethers, and everywhere in between. When you stop drinking and maybe at a point where you have completed some treatment and are trying to adapt to “real” life, you have relearned every daily task without drinking. And every single thought, person, and smell could trigger you to relapse, to drink again.

liquor store

Now cravings are a normal part of getting sober and staying sober. You can count on cravings to happen, and you will also feel the urge to drink, but you don’t have to worry if you have a plan and some coping skills for when this happens.

Know Your Triggers When it Comes to Alcoholism

  • External triggers – These are people, places, things, or times of day that offer drinking opportunities or remind you of drinking. These “high-risk situations” are more pronounced, predictable, and avoidable than internal triggers.

For many alcoholics, a liquor store or the wine section at the grocery store can be a big trigger because they are everywhere on every corner. It will take some time for you to be able to drive past or get groceries without thinking about it. It is also ok to take some time and avoid those areas or ask a friend to get groceries for you until you feel comfortable.

  • Internal triggers – These can be scary because they seem to come out of nowhere. But suppose you pause to think about it when it happens. In that case, you’ll find that a fleeting thought, a positive emotion, such as excitement, negative emotion, such as frustration, or a physical sensation such as a headache, tension, or nervousness, may have set off the urge.

These can be tricky and harder to deal with, especially if aroused by some emotion that can be hard to let go of. A situation that leaves you sad such as the passing of a family member, can be difficult because grieving can last for a long time. When you get into situations where emotions are involved, it is best to have some support that you can go too, especially in emergencies such as:

  • A counselor, social worker, or doctor that you would call in an emergency
  • Emergency contacts, like a crisis line, an AA 24-hour line, or other emergency-prepared people
  • Sponsor or others from a support group, people from your rehab community
  • Friends and family that you would be willing to talk to about the cravings and struggles with sobriety
  • Friends and family that you could talk to to try to get your mind off things, not talk about relapse or sobriety (Distraction can be a good technique)

Learn Coping Skills for Recovering Alcoholics

There are plenty of stressful situations that happen every day. These stressful situations can put your sobriety at risk. You can’t run away from or avoid these situations forever, so its best to face them with some skills that you can use, and soon enough, it will become second nature. These skills listed are more of a self-care approach that can help you get past the urges and put your whole mind and body at ease and maybe find a skill or hobby that you enjoy.

  • Meditate
  • Yoga
  • Create a gratitude list
  • Look up inspirational quotes
  • Write down your goals and the steps you are going to take to accomplish them.
  • Write a list of your strengths
  • Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts
  • Write or journal
  • Draw/Paint
  • Take a bath
  • Garden
  • Go for a walk
  • Read a good book

We Can Help You With Alcoholism

There are plenty of other things you can do to cope, but before you learn all that must take the first step at Garden Treatment Center, we can make that possible. Here at Garden, clients receive individual and group therapy sessions at Garden State Treatment Center. We’ll go into more detail on the program pages, but these therapies each have the multi-faceted goals of resolving traumatic events, peer support, and long-term relapse prevention.

The most important thing you can expect from your Garden State Treatment Center Treatment experience is that you will emerge from it transformed, stable, and ready to begin a lifetime of recovery.


Published on: 2024-03-02
Updated on: 2024-03-02

What Organs Does Alcohol Abuse Damage?

Many people may have found some sort of relief from drinking alcohol after a long day at work to unwind or use it as a way to socialize at first, but alcohol consumption can quickly lead to alcohol abuse that can cause some real damage to your body. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism is a very serious disease that causes many psychological and physiological effects and it affects a lot more people than you might think. The National Institute of Health reports that nearly 15 million adults suffer from alcohol use disorder or alcohol abuse, and around 88,000 people die every year from alcohol-related deaths.

Chronic Alcohol Abuse is VERY Unhealthy

People that live deal with alcohol abuse do not live nice, healthy lives. They suffer tremendously as a result of their excessive drinking and do some serious damage to their organs. What may have started as a fun time drinking at the end of the day can quickly spiral into binge drinking and alcohol abuse if you are not careful.

What Organs Does Alcohol Abuse Damage?

The Organs Most Affected by Alcohol Abuse

The brain – Alcohol affects the brain because it has a way of interfering with the communication pathways in the brain. It is vital for a person’s thoughts, behaviors, and memory. Alcohol abuse can impair cognitive function to a serious point. When a person is that far gone in alcohol abuse, it can cause what is known as a wet brain. Memory and cognition start to go away and it can take years to get your brain to normal again if a person decides to get sober.

The liver – This organ is responsible for breaking down fats in the body and making healthy proteins it needs to function. It is the body’s filtration system and makes the energy your body needs to keep going. When a person abuses alcohol, it can lead to severe strain and even hardening of the liver that is called cirrhosis.

The Heart – People who abuse alcohol are much more likely to experience heart problems than those who do not drink. The heart’s job is to pump blood throughout your body and you will not be able to function properly if this is not done. Drinking alcohol in excess can enlarge the heart vessels, cause an irregular heartbeat, cause high blood pressure, and even cause blood clots that lead to a stroke.

The Kidneys – The kidneys also act as a filter for harmful substances in the blood. Alcohol can cause damage and changes in their function, making them able to filter these substances from the blood.

The Pancreas – This organ breaks down food after it leaves your stomach. When your body becomes overloaded with sugar that is in most alcoholic drinks, it overwhelms the pancreas and leads to inflammation, also called pancreatitis.

Get the Help You Need for Alcoholism

If the physical harm that alcohol abuse does to your organs is enough to help you decide you should put down the bottle, know that there is help available to you, and getting off booze does not have to be done alone. At Garden State Treatment Center, we can give you the tools you need to live a happy and fulfilled life while sober.

You will also see the mental and physical benefits of living alcohol-free. Many people do not realize how different they will be when they put down the bottle. Not only will you physically feel and look healthier, but you will also have more mental clarity and have better mental health, regain financial freedom after spending all of your hard-earned money on alcohol, and even be able to regain your loved ones back that you lost as a result of your alcohol abuse. Drinking heavily can quickly spiral into abuse and alcoholism before you even know it. If you take a chance at living a sober life, you will see the benefits to your health and life altogether.


Published on: 2021-03-24
Updated on: 2024-02-16

How to Find a Power Greater Than Ourselves

When you first enter the rooms of AA or NA you will hear a lot of talk about “God” and “Higher Power. This can be confusing and somewhat scary if you do not believe in God or don’t have a sense of what a “higher power” is and therefore can have a negative outlook on the whole thing.

How to Find a Power Greater Than Ourselves

The Higher Power in Twelve Steps

What is a Higher Power exactly? A Higher Power is a power greater than ourselves. It can be God, other conceptions of God.  For others, a higher power doesn’t have anything to do with religion. It’s just a connection that we may have with something. The benefit of having a Higher Power is the comfort of knowing that you do not, cannot, and will never be in control of anything in the universe, except yourself, and even then, we can sometimes need a lot of help. But in the end, It comes down to whatever works for you and what keeps you sober.

But how does one go about finding a power greater than ourselves? We are told to pray to our higher power but if you don’t have one, this can be confusing and may make you feel uncomfortable. There are some simple ways you can get on track to start finding your higher power.

  • Meditating – If you have never meditated before, you want to start small. There are many YouTube guided videos or apps that can help you through.
  • Selfless Acts – Being selfless is a big thing to us addicts since we were so used to being selfish in our addiction. By volunteering, being sober support, doing random acts of kindness, or just being a good friend, we can often feel that sense of gratitude and hope that is similar to that feeling of comfort and faith that a Higher Power can bring.

It can become very frustrating to accept the idea of a higher power and choosing one may be more difficult. Even though the fact that it may be tempting and easier to just avoid the whole higher power thing entirely, spirituality is a very important part of your recovery.

Spirituality and Addiction Recovery

There has been researching that shows that aspects of spirituality are associated with positive outcomes for trauma survivors, including those who are suffering from depression and PTSD. Most times, addiction is a symptom of trauma, difficult life experiences, and other obstacles that people are otherwise unable to cope with. Not to mention the trauma that is also caused by addition. Cultivating a healthy spirituality may create meaning and purpose for living, and help individuals cope with difficult life circumstances and trauma.

The concept of a higher power you will see throughout your literature as you go through the 12-steps. After you complete the Steps the same concepts can help guide you through your life in recovery as challenges arise and when “life shows up”.

If you don’t believe in God, it is still important that you choose a higher power that is special and means something to you. There is no need to feel pressured by others as to what they think it should be. This is your choice.

If you’re struggling to define your own higher power while working through a 12-step program, here are some ideas to get you started.

  • Nature – The Mountains, ocean, or just the trees that surround you on your morning walk could be a great higher power.
  • Love
  • Music/Art – Listening to music or creating art is a very spiritual experience. It can relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and help people express strong emotions and feelings that some people may attempt to cloak with drug and alcohol abuse out of fear or an inability to express them.
  • Journaling

Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

As mentioned before whatever your path is to recovery is up to you but your first step is to be set free from the chains of addiction and we at Garden State Treatment Center can help. We are run by New Jersey natives and many of our addiction specialists are in recovery themselves. Our evidence-based treatment programs have helped countless men and women overcome addiction. Please contact us today if you or someone you love is suffering the pain of addiction.

FAQ

  • What does it mean “How to Find a Power Greater Than Ourselves”? What is a power, and how do you find it?

Published on: 2020-09-06
Updated on: 2024-02-16

What Does Being Powerless Over Drugs Feel Like?

When anyone is amid drug addiction, feeling powerless is one of the hardest things to come to terms with. It is hard to admit to yourself that your life has become so unmanageable that you no longer have any power over your own life or mind. While that powerless feeling can feel like an end for you, it is also the beginning of a new chapter. In most 12-step recovery groups, the first step towards recovery is admitting that you are powerless over drugs. This is one of the hardest things to do because, to overcome your addiction, you must first admit to yourself that you have an addiction. The power of admitting you are powerless is the first step to getting your life back.

A person would be considered powerless over drugs when, even though they know the drugs are causing harm to them in every way, they continue to use the drugs anyway and they simply cannot stop. Most people who are still in active addiction don’t realize what they are feeling is powerlessness because they may still be in denial over their addiction. They may be blaming what they are feeling or going through on everything but their drug use or use the drugs to further “cope” with their feelings.

What Does Being Powerless Over Drugs Feel Like?

What Does it Feel Like to be Addicted?

Unmanageability is one of the most common feelings you have when you are powerless over drugs. You can’t seem to juggle anything in your life including work, family, or household responsibilities because you just can’t wait until you have that next hit. Many people try to control this feeling by limiting themselves to how much of a substance they are going to use or only using on certain days of the week. This might work for a while but eventually, you will slip back into your destructive ways and will do virtually anything necessary to get the drugs you feel you need.

The powerlessness of drug us also makes one feel hopeless. They may feel this way because they see no way out of the never-ending cycle of addiction. The feelings of hopelessness and despair are very persuasive in keeping people in this cycle of addiction. They may feel that life no longer holds any meaning or value, so what it the point of trying to quit anyway?

The Mentality of Drug Addiction

Mental obsession also makes those suffering from addiction feel powerless. You are powerless over that drug because you have a completely irresistible urge to get high. And when you aren’t getting high, all you can think about is when you can get high again. This is the powerlessness of the mind for which the drugs have a complete hold of. For those in addiction, mental obsession feels more like life or death.

This is actually how it feels to them and there is no reasoning or bargaining that can stop them until they have satisfied the obsession. When mental obsession has come into play, a person will feel like they have lost all self-control. That is because they have. They are powerless over their own lives because of drug use.

Treatment for Drug Addiction

There is also a positive side to admitting to oneself that they are powerless over drugs. Once they admit they are powerless is when the real healing can begin. A person cannot fix a problem if they can’t admit to themselves that there is a problem. Being powerless does not mean you are helpless. You are only helpless when you remain in denial of your addiction. Admitting powerlessness is the first step to living a healthy and sober life. If you are ready to get the help you need, Garden State Treatment Center is ready to help you get your life back on track. Now is the time to start your journey in recovery. Let us help you do it!


Published on: 2020-07-22
Updated on: 2024-02-16

Can I Snort Ativan?

Ativan, the brand name for Lorazepam, is one of the 5 most prescribed benzodiazepines, which are a class of central nervous system depressant drugs.  It was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1977 to treat a variety of disorders including anxiety attacks, panic disorder, and insomnia, pre-surgical and surgical anesthesia.

The medication also has numerous off-label uses including, but not limited to, delirium, alcohol withdrawal, panic disorder, and to treat agitated or unruly patients. Due to its’ fast onset (typically 1-3 minutes), Ativan is a popular sedative in the inpatient setting when administered intravenously. When taken as prescribed by a physician, Ativan comes in tablet form, which is the most common method of use.

Benzos enhance the activity of the GABA neurotransmitter, an inhibitory transmitter, which in turn reduces the excitatory signaling brain activity that induces stress and anxiety. There is normally a natural balance between inhibitory and excitatory brain signals, however, for people with certain conditions, such as chronic anxiety and seizures, this balance can be far off.

The general effect of Ativan on the neurotransmitter causes a feeling of relaxation and well-being. Benzodiazepines, including Ativan, are Schedule IV drugs in the US Controlled Substances Act, meaning that while it has medicinal purposes, it can also become physically and psychologically addictive.

Can I Snort Ativan?

Snorting Ativan

One of the ways that Ativan is abused is by snorting it. The pill is crushed into a powder and ingested nasally. Once inhaled, Ativan is absorbed rapidly and a rush of GABA initiates the euphoric “high”. When snorted, Ativan has an expedited transit to the nervous system and receptors in the brain. This makes for high abuse and addiction potential. Regular intranasal use can cause increased tolerance and physical dependence. The withdrawal symptoms once dependence is achieved are extremely unpleasant.

The dangers of abusing Ativan must not be downplayed.  According to drugabuse.gov:

A 2010 study found that nearly 30% of deaths caused by pharmaceutical drugs were due to the overuse or overdose of benzodiazepines like Ativan. Furthermore, 75% of overdose deaths caused by benzodiazepines are unintentional. When Ativan is snorted, for instance, it may be easier to misgauge or underestimate the effects of the drug, prompting higher-than-recommended dosing, which can then lead to lethal consequences.

There are many side effects to taking Ativan, including nausea, dry mouth, reduced or increased appetite, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, blurry vision.  The more serious side effects, which occur more frequently when the drug is abused, include difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, shuffling walk, inability to walk in a straight line, or have a normal gait, tremors, irregular heartbeat. In the case of overdose, the central nervous system can be shut down and the user might have pale bluish skin and lips, labored breathing, slurred speech, impaired motor skills, oversedation, and respiratory depression. During an overdose, the respiratory system slows dramatically, the brain and other organs are deprived of oxygen, and the result could be coma or even death.

This is more of a danger when snorting the drug than taking it in pill form as it is more difficult to gauge the amount and rate at which it is entering the system, so the user can take too much unintentionally. A person experiencing an Ativan overdose must be treated immediately, otherwise, they run the risk of brain and nervous system damage. Their respiratory and cardiovascular systems must be stabilized and then they are orally treated with charcoal, binding to the toxic substances and drugs, removing them from the bodily tissues. A person who has overdosed on Ativan must be monitored until their bodily functions return to a normal state.

Ativan Addiction Signs and Symptoms

There are many signs that a person is addicted to Ativan, including confusion, sweating, slurred speech, doctor shopping, breathing difficulties, drowsiness, giving up hobbies and responsibilities, lying, stealing, mood swings, irrational and impulsive behavior, financial woes, and defensiveness when confronted about their abuse of the drug. In addition to these common symptoms of all addicts, those snorting Ativan will most likely show damage to the nasal cavities and sinuses.  The addict might sniff excessively, frequently have nosebleeds, have a diminished sense of smell, as well as difficulty swallowing.

Once addicted to Ativan, it is extremely difficult, both physically and mentally, to withdraw from the drug. It is one of the more dangerous substances to withdraw from and must not be done alone and detox should take place at a medical facility if possible. Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal begins with unpleasant symptoms of increased anxiety, nausea, irritability, mood swings, and insomnia, and acute withdrawal symptoms can last 3 to 5 weeks.

We are Here to Help with Ativan Abuse

Once the addict has gone through the initial detox, they will continue to face withdrawal symptoms such as extreme mood swings, panic attacks, depression, confusion, and suicidal thoughts. At Garden State Treatment Center, men and women addicted to Ativan can safely begin their long term recovery.  There is lasting damage caused by Ativan, and this should be processed with the guidance of professional therapists and caring staff. The addict faces the daunting task of treating the underlying issues that led to their addiction, and they must learn to deal with these feelings without the help of chemicals.

Garden State Treatment Center has many programs to help the addict stay sober. We educate and assist the addict in returning to society and living a sober life. We provide one on one therapy, group therapy, family and cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as relapse prevention programs. We have a partial care rehab program for dual diagnosis conditions like anxiety, trauma, and depression.  Our programs are all evidence-based and intended to treat each individual’s underlying issues which are at the core of their addiction.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to Ativan or any other substance, please call and speak with an admissions counselor today.  We are open 24/7 and are ready to help you create a path to a healthy and sober life.

FAQ

  • Why do people enjoy snorting ativan?

Published on: 2020-04-27
Updated on: 2024-02-16

Staying Sober While Living With Drinkers

Early recovery can be such a precarious and emotionally strenuous time. Addiction specialists recommend that those who have recently completed inpatient treatment transfer directly into a sober living environment. Sober living houses (also frequently referred to as halfway houses) offer newly sober men and women the opportunity to adjust slowly to drug and alcohol-free living. Living with drinkers is not a good idea for people that have recently become sober.

When it comes to transitional housing, residents are housed with several other sober individuals and are provided with 24-hour support from sober staff members that live in the house as well. In most cases, sober living houses provide a good amount of structure – they implement a curfew, require daily (or near-daily) 12-step meeting attendance, and mandate residents to get a job within a certain time frame.

If a newly sober individual returns to his or her previous living environment directly after rehab, the chances of relapse increase significantly. Because early recovery is such a fragile time, emotional and mental triggers may push an individual over the edge. So then, do people in recovery need to live with other sober people for their entire lives? Or will there come a time when they can safely live with drinkers?

Staying sober while living with drinkers

The Mental Obsession for Alcohol

It is believed that addicts and alcoholics suffer from a mental obsession – they obsess over chemical substances, and uncontrollable compulsion leads them to use or drink repeatedly. This mental obsession is extremely powerful – however, it can be successfully overcome, and it can be overcome in the long-term. How? Most recovered addicts and alcoholics will agree that in order to heal their body, mind, and soul, they needed to go through some variation of 12-step programs – either Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, most commonly.

One of the 12-step promises is relief from the mental obsession. There has been an overwhelming amount of proof that this method of recovery does actually work, and that the promises do ultimately come true. However, it is important to remember that everyone’s timeline is different. Some recovered alcoholics may be able to work as a bartender with no temptation at all after one short year, for example. Other recovering alcoholics may not feel comfortable being around alcohol for five years – simply because the possibility for temptation isn’t worth the risk.

Am I Ready to be Around Alcohol?

How do you know you’re ready to live with drinkers or be around alcohol at all? Here are several rules to follow to ensure that you don’t potentially put yourself in harm’s way.

  1. Be honest with yourself — Honesty is truly the best policy, especially when it comes to maintaining long-term sobriety. Be honest with yourself when it comes to living with people (or a person) that drinks. Do you feel completely comfortable? Or do you still have some reservations? Don’t jump into anything that you aren’t sure of.
  2. If you feel uncomfortable, abort the mission — If you do decide to take the plunge and you realize that you may have made the wrong decision, there is absolutely no shame in changing your mind and backing out. Do what’s right for you – we all make mistakes!
  3. You don’t have anything to prove to anyone — If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, your ego may be eager to prove that you’re stronger than your urges. Remember that addiction is a relapsing brain disease – it isn’t about will power. Not at all.
  4. Recovery comes first — Your recovery ALWAYS comes first. So long as you remember to keep your priorities straight, you will be alright.

If you are interested in addiction recovery, or if you have been sober for a while and you’re looking for additional support or guidance, we at Garden State Treatment Center are available to help! Get in touch at your convenience, and our team of experienced and compassionate professionals will offer you all of the guidance you need.

FAQ

  • How to stay sober while living with alcoholics?

Published on: 2019-11-15
Updated on: 2024-02-06

Should I Go to NA or AA Meetings?

When an addict has the desire and willingness to get sober for the first time, they probably wonder which twelve-step program is better, Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous? What is the difference? Do I have to commit to one? A lot of questions go through our heads about the programs of recovery and rightly so. You should ask and explore all the similarities and differences to find out which one or if both are right for you or a loved one.

Should I go to NA or AA meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is the older of the two programs starting in 1935 by a few men who had the same goal of wanting to help alcoholics gain sobriety and pass it on to other alcoholics.

The Twelve Step Program is what AA is centered around, which is 12 steps that alcoholics live by. They are a guide to help them grow spiritually and to help them become aware of the damage they have done to others and to themselves in their addiction.  Through these steps, they also get to make amends and make their wrongs right.

As the person continues to live by these 12 steps in his/her everyday life and gains life skills to live by, they start seeing the importance and the joy they bring and want to share this with the next person who is looking to better their life through recovery.

AA is also centered on group therapy or support groups, which are the meetings that are held around the world. This is where other alcoholics can get or give support through others who have been where they were and share similar experiences.

Narcotics Anonymous

While AA was growing and gaining praise, there were people who struggled with addiction to substances besides alcohol who needed support as well but felt they were not included since the AA program was based around alcohol. This was when Narcotics Anonymous began.

There are many similarities in both AA and NA. They both use support groups as their therapy and hold meetings. And they both use The Twelve Step Program as principles and guidelines to living life.

So AA and NA share many similarities, but there are a few differences that go beyond which substance is used by the addict.

Differences Between AA & NA

The first main difference is AA’s basis of their program is to help the person who suffers from the substance of alcohol while NA’s program is there to help people who have an addiction to any substance. In relation, the twelve steps that both AA and NA base their programs off of are similar except the first step. AA states “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.” Where NA states, “We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.” It may seem like only a couple of words that are different, but it means a lot more than that.

AA’s first step claims only the alcohol needs to be managed; then everything will be good to go. NA’s are saying “our addiction,” which can mean anything and everything that brings us to unmanageability. That could be drugs, food, money, our thoughts, our actions, etc. It goes a lot deeper and is more of what is whiting a person rather than an external substance.

Now we can compare till we are out of breath, but what many suggest is try both and see what works for the individual seeking recovery. There is no wrong answer. They both have the same message and goal: “to help the next alcoholic or addict achieve sobriety.”

Garden State Treatment Center is an outpatient and partial care addiction treatment facility that offers nuanced levels of care for individuals struggling with the horrors of substance abuse. Garden State Treatment Center’s 12-step addiction treatment based on the philosophy of the 12-step program as outlined by Alcoholics Anonymous. When you enroll in the program, we will work with you to draw you out of hopelessness into a new way of life.

FAQ

  • What are the differences between Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous?
  • Does Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous use the same steps?

Published on: 2019-10-04
Updated on: 2024-02-06