Maintaining sobriety is a constant, ongoing struggle. Addicts have to face the reality that relapsing is not only possible, it’s statistically probable. Nic Sheff, the 26-year-old writer of Tweak is a recovering crystal meth, marijuana and alcohol addict, and represents the large number of young adult drug users who battle with their urge to use every day.

In a recent CNN profile, Nic confessed how life’s misfortunes and missteps have led him to revisit his drug-riddled past. “I am isolated, alone, disgusted with everything and, most especially, myself. I am filled to overflowing with pain and torment and weight,” said Nic, describing how he fell back into drugs after a bad break-up and a manic episode.

Unlike general belief, a relapse isn’t spurred simply by a lack of willpower or ability to deal with personal crises. When an addict returns to using, a complex mental and chemical reaction is at work. A relapse refers to a failure or breakdown in a person’s ability to continue or follow through with a change in any set of behaviors — most commonly, alcohol and drug abuse. Often times, a relapse is underlined by a user’s complete lack of control over their behavioral response to situations; they will take more than they want to take, and cannot stop no matter how intensely they want to. 

Edythe London, a neurobiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles asserts that an addict’s neurological system is different than a non-addict. Feelings like helplessness, lack of control and loss of inhibitions can be linked to the circuitry of the brain. “Some of the most profound changes, for example in the dopamine system, can take years to resolve completely,” she says.

Although relapse is a common occurrence for many addicts, there still is hope. Cognitive and behavioral therapies can teach a person how to deal with pressures and stressful situations in a healthier manner. Gatehouse’s extended care treatment program instills in residents basic life skills and coping mechanisms; the long-term care increases the chances that an addict will remain sober for the long-run.

Can you imagine driving around on the holidays and getting hit by a drunk driver? For Bob Kent, and many others, this story is all too familiar. Kent lost his own son and two of his friends on Christmas Day, 2004. This holiday season, Kent shared his story with others as a reminder of the lives that are lost every holiday to people who drink and drive.

The statistics for drunk driving are staggering. It’s scary to think that “every 30 minutes, nearly 50 times a day, someone in America dies in an alcohol-related crash. This means you, your friends, your family are regularly at risk” – as documented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It’s disheartening that “Americans who drink and drive after holiday parties and festivities make the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s one of the year’s most deadly and dangerous seasons due to alcohol-related crashes.”

Adults and teens are both regularly found guilty of drinking under the influence. Of course for teens, underage drinking is illegal and they shouldn’t be intoxicated in the first place. But adults, both young and old, who are over the drinking age have a choice – to be responsible. The CDC and NHTSA have both come up with lists of ways to prevent impaired driving and DUI accidents.

Before going to a party, you pretty much know if there will be alcoholic beverages served or not. If you’re not sure, ask the party host – make a plan and be prepared. Designate a sober driver before the party starts or arrange for a taxi ahead of time. Leave your car at home. Doing so will take away the temptation – the entire option – to drive home intoxicated.

If you are hosting the party, ask your guests if they have a designated driver when they RSVP for the event. For guests who are not drinking at the party, ask if they would like to be a designated driver and be sure to thank them for their help. If you are hosting a party and know that some of your guests are alcoholics, or former alcoholics who are currently in rehab or recovery, it will be appreciated if you choose to serve non-alcoholic beverages. You can also request your bartender to monitor the alcohol intake of your guests.

We have the power to change how alcohol affects our society by changing ourselves and our attitudes toward alcohol consumption and driving. Once we have changed our own behaviors, then it’s possible to help our friends and family make better choices.

Addiction is riddled with complexities, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs are intended to help drug users gain clarity of the power to which it controls actions, thoughts and choices. For those of us without drug and alcohol addiction, understanding the behavior of those who do is a difficult process.
“Why won’t they just stop using?”,”How long until they’re clean?”, “Why do they chose to hurt themselves and the people closest to them?” Questions such as these often go unanswered for relatives, spouses and friends of addicts. Reasoning is ineffective and relating is impossible; many soon realize that they can’t fix the problems of their addicted loved ones.

Dealing with an addicted companion can lead to negative pathologies for non-addicts. Guilt, confusion, frustration, co-dependency, and a weighing sense of obligation can deteriorate individuals who are overwhelmed by their loved one’s disease. To heal the wounds inflicted by addiction, it is important for family members to attend group therapy meetings and share their personal struggles with others who’ve had common experiences. Groups like Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, the counterparts to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are 12-step programs that address the role of addiction and recovery in family members’ lives.

To better grasp the battle of an addicted loved one, communication is essential. Relay your feelings about your partner’s decisions and behaviors, and encourage them to discuss their inner struggle. Let go of the idea that you can shield your loved one from the disease and that you can control their actions. Learn more about the effects of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as the addiction recovery process.

You may never fully empathize with what your loved one is going through, but taking charge to educate yourself about addiction and conversing with non-addicts in similar circumstances will set you on a path to understanding.

This past weekend, from September 12^th to September 14^th, the residents of Gatehouse Academy were part of a special “Gathering of Young People in Recovery”. The event was a huge success, but you don’t have to take my word for it, here’s what some of the attendees had to say:

• Niki H.: “It was great to see the residents come alive with service, SOBRIETY & FUN through the conference. I was very impressed with their amount of involvement & excitement. It was a great experience.”
• Katie: “Sober people can actually be fun people & they’re still nuts!”
• Whitney M.: “This weekend was an amazing opportunity for me to see what real fun in sobriety looks like. I got to dance which was so fun, hear some really great speakers including my sponsor, and engage in some really worthwhile service work. I cannot wait to do this again next year.”
• Marc V.: “That’s what I’m talking about!! ”
• Joe M.: “I never thought I would be sober packing my face full of marshmallows, ON STAGE IN FRONT OF A CROWD, and enjoying it! ” In reference to a “chubby bunny” competition, where everyone tries to say “chubby bunny” with as many marshmallow in one’s mouth as possible.
• Lizzy T.: “It was the best time I have had in my life in a very long time, a few years actually, and this time I was sober. I finally felt like my old self again, and going to the event gave me a lot of hope for my future of fun in sobriety outside of Gatehouse Academy. I can’t wait till next year!!!"
• Zach H.: “It was sweet! I thought it was really cool. It gave me hope seeing other people my age having fun in sobriety. We had great speakers and fun activities. Dancing sober was really sweet. ”
• Dan I.: “Awesomely, fantabulous, exciting & inspirational.”

“The experience of gathering with young people in recovery was really amazing and it was the first time a lot of the residents here at Gatehouse Academy have ever been to an event like it. There was a lot of laughter, dancing, and new friends and family made. Going out and experiencing a taste of the “real” world in sobriety is very different than the lives we were living when we were using.

The guest speakers that shared about their experience, strength and hope were very inspiration and filled a lot of the residents with hope for their lives. The service work was something a lot of the residents had never had experience with, but they went in with excitement and being open to learning new things.

It was a very intimate weekend spending time with other alcoholics and getting to hear their story, a lot of the residents felt more connected with the people once they opened up to each other. There were Marathon Meetings all around the clock all on different topics and it gave the residents a chance to select a meeting that they are interested in learning about. Through listening to all the feedback about the weekend up in Flagstaff it was very apparent that this trip was eventful, exciting, new and intimate.

We can’t wait until next year!”

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. It’s a time to educate and inform people about the benefits of alcohol and drug rehab programs, and it is the perfect time for people who are suffering from addiction to make a commitment to recovery.

This year’s theme is: “Real People. Real Recovery.” Every day at Gatehouse Academy we see real addiction recovery in young adults as they progress through their individualized treatment programs. Recovering from addiction is no easy task, but it’s refreshing to see professionals, volunteers, families, friends and neighbors support one another throughout the process. Bringing people together to support one another during the recovery process is really what Recovery Month is all about.

Show your support for the people recovering in your community by attending a drug and alcohol addiction recovery event. Many events are going on nationwide, providing people with information and support. This month only comes around once a year, so make the most of it by bringing someone you know who needs help, and don’t forget to invite their families and friends.

If you, or someone you care about, are seeking drug rehab then you are already well on your way to a brighter future. When looking at drug rehabilitation centers or other drug rehab programs, don’t be surprised that there are admission requirements. But don’t think that the admission process is out to stop people from getting help – that’s not true at all. Treatment for addictions and substance abuse is a highly personalized process. To help everyone succeed it is important for the professionals to know why you are there and what kind of mental and physical condition you are in.

Each drug rehab center and program is different, but most will want to know what the person is suffering from – whether it’s alcohol and drug addiction or substance abuse. They will also need to evaluate your physical condition. Any recent physical exam that has been completed by a doctor will be valuable to them, but many rehab programs do their own exams as well. Persons with complex psychological problems or physical handicaps may need to find specialized rehab programs. Some centers perform on-site detox, but not all do. It’s important to find out if you need detoxification and if that is something the rehab will provide.

Some rehab facilities may require that you know how to speak English well and have a social security number, and there may be different programs for people of different ages.

The most important requirement for admission into a drug rehab program is an open-mind and willingness to complete the program. The person seeking help can only be successful and change their life if they want to.

Alcoholism – With it comes severe, detrimental penalties for the drinker. Yet, what many overlook are the effects of alcohol on family and friends.

Spouses, siblings, parents, children, friends and loved ones are all adversely affected by the destructive choices made by alcoholics. They bear witness to these destructive decisions, sometimes on a daily basis, and are incapable of changing them. It can happen to any family, anywhere. Even Julie Andrews recently revealed her troubles with an alcoholic father while growing up in England. Those with a close relationship to an alcoholic also need support so they can maintain their sanity while positively encouraging their loved one’s recovery process. There are groups, such as Al-Anon and Alateen  doing just that – creating a community and helping others who are dealing with alcoholism indirectly.

Dealing with the unpredictable roller-coaster ride of heavy drinking and its aftermath can be traumatizing. Personal recovery is possible, though it does take a concentrated effort. Al-Anon uses the original twelve steps from Alcoholics Anonymous, but adapts them to be relevant to those who deal with the negative effects of alcoholism and are not alcoholics themselves.

Just as AA urges alcoholics to admit that they had become powerless over alcohol, the first step for family and friends is to accept that they had no power to force someone else to stop drinking. The choice is not theirs to make. These poor choices aren’t their fault, either. Making threats, planning schemes, and begging are all futile efforts. Feeling like it is their responsibility to make their loved ones change their habits and choices can cause exhaustion, stress, and depression.

The first step helps them to let go of the alcoholic’s problem. It shows them the power of their own actions and choices over their own lives. By focusing on how to be their own personal best, they’ll start to find solace by getting their own lives into a manageable state again.

Alcohol detoxification, or "detox," is the process of removing alcohol from the alcoholic’s system. This is the first step in the journey towards sobriety and it must be done within a medical facility as it can be fatal. Alcohol detox is necessary and it is difficult. Alcohol detox leads to alcohol withdrawal which includes the following symptoms:

• mild to moderate physical symptoms: jumpiness, nervousness, shakiness, anxiety, irritability, emotional volatility, rapid mood swings, depression, fatigue, difficulty thinking clearly and bad dreams
• mild to moderate psychological symptoms: headaches, sweating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia, paleness, rapid heart beat, dilated pupils, clammy skin, abnormal movements, tremors in hands, involuntary/abnormal movements of the eyelids
• severe symptoms: a state of confusion, visual hallucinations (known as delirium tremors), severe agitation, fever and convulsions

Not everyone who stops drinking experiences withdrawal symptoms but those that have been drinking for a long time, drink frequently and drink heavily will experience some form of alcohol withdrawal. Most detox centers have doctors and other trained medical personnel that can administer certain medications that help with the physical symptoms of withdrawal.

Alcohol detox, or detoxification, is the term used to describe the body’s response to the elimination of the substance it has become dependent upon. Alcohol detox must be done in a medical center because the body can react violently to withdrawal and only trained medical personnel can administer any necessary medications to help with this process. The objective of alcohol detox is to help the patient attain an alcohol-free state which helps prepare the patient for entry into treatment and rehab. The fundamental goal of alcohol detox is preparation for long-term recovery from alcoholism. Alcohol detox lasts anywhere from 3 to 14 days.

Gatehouse Academy is an extended care treatment center for young men and women in need of long term drug rehab or alcohol rehab. We offer the opportunity for young adults from the ages of 17-25 to learn life skills, continue formalized education, enhance physical well-being, and recover from the detrimental effects of chemical dependency.

If you have any questions please contact us.