Alcohol and other drugs

Substance use disorders is the clinical term used to help establish a parameter that differentiates between a 'normal' pattern of alcohol and other drugs (for example, prescription drugs) use and a maladaptive pattern of drinking and using substances - drugs. When an individual has a problem with a substance - such as alcohol - he or she may or may not be aware of the problem. Awareness, then, is key to recovery. If I am not aware I have a problem, I am probably not going to try to change the behavior! So, learning what a substance abuse 'looks' like as opposed to what normal drinking or use is can be the beginning to a whole new life for someone who has the disease of addiction. I say disease because I cannot believe anyone who has fought with an addiction can be classified in any other way; not to mention the fact, for those who require more 'scientific' evidence for the term, there are 'symptoms' present which classify the disease as a mental illness (in future, I'd really love to talk about that term and try to help dispel the negative connotations associated with it-- I personally believe we need to change the term to something like cognitive illness because of the negativity associated with the term. But that discussion will need to wait for another blog :)

I am going to share a link for the CAGEAID. The link I am sharing will take you directly to a very simple assessment tool which may be of some help toward building that awareness piece I suggested earlier. It is a very short 4-question test. I'd like to encourage you to just look it over and be honest with yourself about your answers. One affirmative response is a positive for a potential problem. Also, (and this is very important!) be gentle with yourself! If you believe you may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, the last thing you want to do is beat yourself up! You may have already begun to question whether you have a problem prior to looking over this information, or maybe you don't think you have a problem, but someone in your life has suggested you do. Either way, the first step is building awareness AND if during this process - this 'awareness building' process - you think you may have a problem, don't despair! There is help, hope and recovery available! There are treatment centers abundant; there are private therapists as well as addiction specialists to assist you; and there are 12-step programs which offer support and a program for recovery. The road to recovery is a journey, so go gently! Also, please do not attempt to detox yourself from a substance (such as alcohol) without proper medical attention. Sudden withdrawal from long term alcohol use can cause severe medical problems so talk to a doctor, a detox center, or go to the nearest ER (as with any life threatening mental or physical health problem) if you are having a life threatening emergency.

Here is the link to the assessment tool I discussed earlier. I hope it will be helpful for you :)

http://www.integration.samhsa.gov/images/res/CAGEAID.pdf

Also, in the near future, I am going to be developing an online substance abuse education program* that you can complete at home. If you are interested, please let me know! Follow the links on my page to find information on how to contact me

*If you are mandated to attend substance abuse education, please check with your lawyer, probation office, PTI counselor, etc prior to signing up for this course to ensure it will fill the requirements. :)