Addiction

News of the opioid crisis is bombarding us through the media almost every day. Addiction is on the rise. People are suffering. They are wasting their lives as slaves to a substance without understanding why. Addiction is a serious problem, yet most people don’t understand it. Sufferers feel misunderstood, rejected, and stigmatized by society and loved ones. Loved ones get confusing or contradicting advice on how to best support their loved one through their addiction. They often wonder what can be done to help?

What is Addiction?

Addiction is complex and multifaceted. In its simplest definition, addiction is returning to a destructive habit despite negative consequences. If we look at brain chemistry, we can begin to understand the magnitude of the pull that addiction has over people. Brain images show that when studying starvation and thirst the craving for food shows up as a ‘basketball’ size craving. However, the brain scans of addicts register their addiction for drugs as the relative size of a baseball field. That is a huge difference in the size of craving, and it shows that it is unnatural. Humans brains are not naturally wired to handle a craving that intense, which is why addictions are so difficult to overcome. *For more information on the brain chemistry of addiction click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwZcPwlRRcc

What drives addiction can not be whittled down to just one thing. Brain chemistry, past personal history, past or ongoing trauma, domestic violence, mental health disorders, family of origin issues, emotional abuse and many many other factors can contribute to a person’s struggle with substance abuse. Like most things in this world, addiction is complex and unique to the person experiencing it. Treatment therefore, should be specifically tailored to each individual. Integrative therapy approaches that combine the use of skills, insight, and EMDR therapy provide excellent results.

If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, you should consider these important things:

Support system – Recovery cannot happen alone. One needs a strong support system of sober individuals to call upon when in need. Alcoholics anonymous, Narcotics anonymous, and hundreds of other support groups are available. Simply google search for one in your area and ‘shop’ around to find the right one for you.
Systems and Structure – When you are newly sober, now is not the time to change up your life drastically. Instead, create systems and structured routines in order to keep you from the 3 habits of destruction – People, Places, and Things that remind you of substance use. These reminder can increase your cravings and lead to relapse.
Medication – There are many medications that can support you through the withdrawal and recovery process. Seek help from a medical professional or an in-patient treatment program to help you through the initial withdrawal. This will give you a greater chance of success.
Therapy- When you combine individual therapy with a strong support system and meetings, you have the best chance at a successful recovery. Although people can and do recover without ALL three elements, research has shown that this is not only extremely rare, it can be downright impossible for most folks. This is by far the most effective treatment combination for success.
Give Yourself Time – It takes about two years of continued treatment (or more depending on the complexity of the factors contributing to the addiction) to fully kick an addiction. Even then, some people believe that they are never completely healed. Be patient and give yourself and your loved ones to time to heal. Time is needed not only for your brain chemistry to come back to normal, but also to heal from the emotional trauma that follows addiction.

Do you live the Hanford or Visalia California area? Call me to set up a therapy appointment today!

Debra Schmitt, ACSW

Reno NV Therapist / California Teletherapy

Call: 559-697-5045

Find Me on Facebook!

Suicide Prevention:

Suicide is a major topic of concern in the media these days. Suicide has touched most of us in one way or another. We have either heard about prominent celebrities committing suicide or been heart wrenched to find out about by a friend or loved one’s suicide. The shock of this news rings through us and we often wonder what could have been done to prevent this suicide. We wonder what we missed, or how we could have helped the victim.

Suicide rates are on the rise. Here are some statistics from cdc.gov, afsp.org and nihm.gov*

Statistics:

Suicide rates have increased by 30% since 1999
Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death
Suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of death for those ages 10-34
Suicide is the 4^th leading cause of death for those ages 35-55
For every completed suicide, 25 attempt it
54% of suicide victims were not diagnosed with a mental health disorder

Suicide is not a mental disorder, it is a symptom. Many treatable mental health disorders carry a risk of suicide, such as depression or mood disorders. However, because of the high prevalence of mental health stigmatization in our culture, many people who could have sought treatment for suicidal impulses did not and paid the ultimate price. It is important for us to begin to think differently about mental health. We don’t stigmatize people for going to the doctor, why is therapy any different? In fact, why is therapy not as routine as going to the gym? The whole world would be better if we all sought after our mental health as much as we do our physical health. Surprisingly, mental and physical health are very connected. More blogs to come on the link between mental and physical health…

It is important to remember is that suicide is not “selfish.” In fact, the person considering suicide may truly believe the act is selfless because they feel like a burden to their loved ones. For those of you who may be considering suicide, your family and friends LOVE YOU! You are not a burden, you simply need help. We all need help sometimes and how you feel right now will most definitely pass. Never make a permanent decision on a temporary feeling.

One of the many questions that go through a loved one’s minds when thinking about preventing suicide are: “What are the warning signs?” and “What can I do to help if I see these signs in a loved one?”

Warning Signs:

Extreme Mood Swings or Sadness: Long-lasting sadness, mood swings, and outbursts of rage.
Being Isolated/ Withdrawal: Not feeling connected to anything or anyone. Isolating from people or activities one once loved this includes the loss of interest or pleasure in most or all activities the person previously enjoyed. Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities.
Feeling Trapped: Talking about unbearable pain, or talking about being a burden to others.
Hopelessness: Feeling a deep sense of hopelessness about the future, with the sense that circumstances cannot improve.
Sleep Disturbance – Sleeping to little or too much.
Sudden relief from sadness, a feeling of calm, or even joy: Suddenly becoming calm of elation after a long period of depression or moodiness.
Changes in personality and/or appearance: A person who is considering suicide might exhibit marked changes in attitude or behavior. This can often include a “slowing down” effect in speech, thinking and affect (facial expressions). This could also be a “speeding up” in dangerous behaviors, risk taking, or talking about these topics more often. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance and hygiene.
Increased anxiety, agitation, or rage: Talking about seeking revenge or behaving recklessly.
Dangerous or self-harmful behavior: Risky behavior, such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol.
Increased alcohol or drug use: Using substances to cope with uncontrollable symptoms. This can decrease inhibitions and therefore increase the risk of suicide attempts due to low impulse control.
Recent trauma or life crisis: Major life transitions or crises may give rise to suicidal ideation and attempts. Crises include the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, losing housing, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems.
Making preparations: Looking for access to lethal means such as buying a firearm or other means like poison or drugs. Visiting friends and family members out of the blue and saying goodbye. Talking as though they will never see you again. Giving away personal possessions. Making a will. Cleaning up room or home. Writing a suicide.
Threatening suicide: From 50% to 75% of those considering suicide will give someone a warning sign. However, not everyone who is considering suicide will say so, and not everyone who threatens suicide will follow through with it.

Every threat of suicide should be taken seriously. Many people wonder if they should even bring up the topic to someone who they suspect is suicidal. The answer is yes! Talking about suicide is to prevent suicide. You cannot make someone suicidal by asking them if they are, on the other hand, if you do ask, then you have an opportunity to provide help.

If you suspect a loved one is suicidal:

- Ask: Make sure you use the right works such as “Do you want to kill yourself?” or “Do you want to commit suicide?”
- Take any weapons: If the person has means to a weapon or other object they could use to hurt themselves, remove it from the immediate premises and restrict their access to it if possible.
- Call 911 or take the person to the emergency room right away: Tell the person you cannot let them hurt themselves and that you are going to get them the help they need.
- Don’t leave the person alone: Utilize friends or family to stay with the person if needed while you call for help. Or call for help while the person is in your care.
- Help them connect: Help them understand that you care about them and still want them around.
- Find a Qualified Therapist: Just because this crisis is over, does not meant that the person is “out of the woods” yet. Make sure that your loved one receives regular psychotherapy and even psychiatric treatment from a qualified professional so they can find relief and recovery, as well as learn to cope with any suicidal feelings they might have again in the future.
- Follow up: Make sure after the crisis ends that you are checking in with them on a regular basis.

If you feel suicidal:

Call someone for help: You can call anonymously 1(800) 273-8255 (24/7 to talk with the suicide prevention hotline), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Find a qualified therapist.

Do you live the Hanford or Visalia California area? Call me to set up a therapy appointment today!

Debra Schmitt, ACSW

Reno NV Therapist / California Teletherapy

Call: 559-697-5045

Find Me on Facebook!

**Statistics are from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.shtml; https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/; https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/suicide/index.html