Tag Archives: addiction

Recovery Success Stories

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September is National Recovery Month.  Heartland Intervention is pleased to join with million of other this month in promoting the benefits of  prevention, treatment and recovery from all types of substance abuse.  With that in mind, lets share some stories of those who have beaten the odds and are enjoying the benefits that recovery can bring; Most addictions are related to an unhealthy dietary habit, check these meticore reviews.

Alcohol dependence and drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease defined by a physical and psychological dependence of prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or alcohol. Through the abuse of drugs and alcohol, a tolerance can build up leading users to require increasing amounts of the substance to maintain their intoxication or ‘high’. Intoxication can alter or impair judgement, perception, attention, muscle control, and physical coordination.

Once an addiction disorder has formed, a person will pursue their habits despite putting themselves and potentially others in harm’s way. Substance addiction can lead to problems in both health and in personal relationships.

We at Artemis Institute for Clinical Research conduct clinical trials for investigative medications for the treatment of alcohol dependence and drug addiction. Qualified research participants will receive financial compensation for their time and travel, study-related medical and psychological evaluations, and the investigative study medication at no cost. Help advance medicine and medical research through participating in our clinical research trial!

Peter’s Story

2012 has not been an easy of so far for Peter.  While it’s been 17 years since Peter last had a drink or a drug, his 12-step sponsor died suddenly of a heart attack this summer, even though they took precautions like having an outdoor defibrillator for emergencies.  Less than a month later, one of his sponsees died following a long battle with cancer.  Peter reported that he never thought about drinking.  “That would just be disrespectful to  both of them.”, Peter says.  “I’m just grateful that I have the 12-steps and people from the program which help me get through situations like this.”  He states that he’s grateful that he could be there for others as they grieve while taking time to savour the memories that he shared with those he has lost.  Peter remains optimistic about the future and says that his sponsor would want him to keep helping others.  So that’s exactly what Peter plans to do.

Carrie’s Story

Carrie is a wonderful young lady who lives in the country.  She is a wife, mother, daughter, employee……and drug addict.  For over 12 years Carrie has tried various ways of getting her life back together.  Each effort would bring a few days, weeks or months clean but eventually she would return to the drugs.  This left Carrie feeling bad about herself and wondering what was wrong with her.  Recently she contacted us to let us know that she has been off of drugs for several months.  She is engaged in treatment that will support her ongoing recovery.  “For the first time in a long time…I have hope.”, she says with a smile.  Carrie is at the beginning of what we hope will be a long road.  We are cheering for her every step of the way!

Your Story

The primary recovery text reminds us that recovery from addiction and alcoholism is available to all of us, no matter what our circumstances.  If you are in recovery, we would love to hear YOUR story too.  Please take a minute to write us or find us on facebook.  This month is set aside to celebrate every person who is in recovery regardless of their drug of choice or length of sobriety.  Heartland Intervention, LLC exists to save lives and families by  lovingly offering recovery.  We proudly celebrate with family and friends that have discovered the blessings that come with recovery.

September is National Recovery Month.  Heartland Intervention is pleased to join with million of other this month in promoting the benefits of  prevention, treatment and recovery from all types of substance abuse.  With that in mind, lets share some stories of those who have beaten the odds and are enjoying the benefits that recovery can bring; Most addictions are related to an unhealthy dietary habit, check these meticore reviews.

Alcohol dependence and drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease defined by a physical and psychological dependence of prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or alcohol. Through the abuse of drugs and alcohol, a tolerance can build up leading users to require increasing amounts of the substance to maintain their intoxication or ‘high’. Intoxication can alter or impair judgement, perception, attention, muscle control, and physical coordination.

Once an addiction disorder has formed, a person will pursue their habits despite putting themselves and potentially others in harm’s way. Substance addiction can lead to problems in both health and in personal relationships.

We at Artemis Institute for Clinical Research conduct clinical trials for investigative medications for the treatment of alcohol dependence and drug addiction. Qualified research participants will receive financial compensation for their time and travel, study-related medical and psychological evaluations, and the investigative study medication at no cost. Help advance medicine and medical research through participating in our clinical research trial!

Peter’s Story

2012 has not been an easy of so far for Peter.  While it’s been 17 years since Peter last had a drink or a drug, his 12-step sponsor died suddenly of a heart attack this summer, even though they took precautions like having an outdoor defibrillator for emergencies.  Less than a month later, one of his sponsees died following a long battle with cancer.  Peter reported that he never thought about drinking.  “That would just be disrespectful to  both of them.”, Peter says.  “I’m just grateful that I have the 12-steps and people from the program which help me get through situations like this.”  He states that he’s grateful that he could be there for others as they grieve while taking time to savour the memories that he shared with those he has lost.  Peter remains optimistic about the future and says that his sponsor would want him to keep helping others.  So that’s exactly what Peter plans to do.

Carrie’s Story

Carrie is a wonderful young lady who lives in the country.  She is a wife, mother, daughter, employee……and drug addict.  For over 12 years Carrie has tried various ways of getting her life back together.  Each effort would bring a few days, weeks or months clean but eventually she would return to the drugs.  This left Carrie feeling bad about herself and wondering what was wrong with her.  Recently she contacted us to let us know that she has been off of drugs for several months.  She is engaged in treatment that will support her ongoing recovery.  “For the first time in a long time…I have hope.”, she says with a smile.  Carrie is at the beginning of what we hope will be a long road.  We are cheering for her every step of the way!

Your Story

The primary recovery text reminds us that recovery from addiction and alcoholism is available to all of us, no matter what our circumstances.  If you are in recovery, we would love to hear YOUR story too.  Please take a minute to write us or find us on facebook.  This month is set aside to celebrate every person who is in recovery regardless of their drug of choice or length of sobriety.  Heartland Intervention, LLC exists to save lives and families by  lovingly offering recovery.  We proudly celebrate with family and friends that have discovered the blessings that come with recovery.

Relapse

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Perhaps nothing is more upsetting to family, friends and professionals alike than when a person who is in recovery experiences a relapse.  Experience shows that relapse is a process that takes place over time rather than the event of just drinking or using again.  Relapse erodes relationships and trust and often results in consequences far greater than then the person was initially using.  This is because addiction is progressive in nature.

Frequently families will ask how often to expect relapse or what the relapse rate is when people return home from treatment.  Of all the questions that I am asked, this is the one that troubles me the most.  I remember Bob D. emphatically stating that, “100% of the people who don’t pick up a drink…don’t get drunk.”  That was his way of saying that relapse is not a necessary part of recovery.

For sure, relapse is a significant part of many people’s story.  At Heartland Intervention we encourage those in early recovery to make changes slowly and with lots of accountability and supervision.  Recently there was a person who had several months sober.  All was going well until she began working a full-time job.  In a matter of a two weeks, she had gone from a meeting a day to 1-2 meetings per week.  The third week found her running with her old crowd and likely using.  Also a young man recently allowed the fear of step-work keep him from his sponsor and meetings.  In a few days his family was searching for him on the streets and praying that he was ok.

Recovery literature is full of reminders and warnings about the effort that it takes to stay clean and sober.  Many heed these warnings and the result is long-term recovery and all of the promises that come with it.  They are proof that relapse into alcohol and drug addiction does not have to be part of the story.

Call Heartland Intervention today at 877/752-8811 to discuss relapse prevention skills.  We are eager to assist you or your loved ones avoid relapse with counseling and suggestions for structure and accountability.

Choices

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Lost the Ability to Choose

When addicts and alcoholics are actively using, they seem to have lost the ability to choose.  One person said, “I was using against my own will.”  Many have said they wouldn’t have known how to stop even if they had wanted to.  Drinking or drug use just becomes a way of life until the person’s world grows smaller and smaller.  That’s why at Heartland Intervention, we always want to remind folks that there is a way  out.

Family Choices

It is horribly painful to watch a loved-one melt into a life where alcohol or drug use swallows the person.  The slowly become more distant, less honest and more angry.  Before long, the family feels that they have lost the person.  They are angry, scared and not sure what they can do to help.  They are afraid any action will make things even worse.  That is the blessing of intevention.  An intervention allows the family the support and structure they need to help their family member find the way out.  It is a loving and structured way to support a person’s recovery and offer an alternative to the lost family member.

Sober Choices

Once a person gets clean/sober the ability to choose is restored as well.  In recovery, a addict learns that all she has to do today is the “next right thing”.  Because early sobriety can be overwhelming, the simplicity of doing “the next right thing” is a useful tool that builds confidence and honors the second chance that the addict has been given.  It also is a way to honor the family for helping to save a life through the intervention process.

It can be argued that the most powerful trait that a human can possess is the ability to choose.  Yet substance abuse and fear can rob even the most loving and caring person. Loving choices can save a life and a family.  Heartland Intervention exists to help families and individuals when the stakes matter most.  Call us today at 877/752-8811.