first step in an alcohol recovery

What Is the First Step in an Alcoholic’s Recovery?

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If you (or a loved one) are finally ready to confront an alcohol use disorder, you might wonder what is the first step in an alcoholic’s recovery. Read on to learn all about the detox and withdrawal process.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder?

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) refers to the long-term effects of continued heavy drinking. AUD is diagnosed on a continuum that ranges from mild to severe disease.

To determine if someone has an AUD, the NCADD has created an online questionnaire. It includes a list of common signs of AUD that you may recognize in yourself. The more symptoms that are present, the more severe the AUD:

  1. You avoid friends and family while drinking, preferring to drink alone.
  2. You consume higher quantities of alcohol as time goes on.
  3. You drink in response to stress, sadness, anger, or disappointment.
  4. You have hand tremors in the morning or have other withdrawal symptoms.
  5. You cannot remember things you said or did the night before.
  6. You are experiencing financial, legal, career, or family problems due to drinking.
  7. Your doctor advised you to cut down on alcohol.
  8. You lie about how much alcohol you drink.
  9. You are preoccupied during the day with drinking or crave alcohol.
  10. You get drunk several days in a row.

What Are the Signs Alcohol is Causing Harm in Your Life

There is no debate about the destructive nature of alcohol abuse. Some of the most common signs that your drinking habits are causing you to harm include:

  • Health problems. Alcohol is very toxic to the human body. Symptoms of health issues may emerge that are a direct result of heavy drinking. These include weight gain, heart problems, cognitive problems, liver disease, gastritis, and cancer.
  • Loss of job. You may lose your job, due to a decline in job performance, excessive absences, or drinking on the job. This can have far-reaching effects on your family finances.
  • Relationship problems. Alcoholism begins to demand all of your attention. As the AUD worsens, you spend more time drinking alone, and less time with your spouse and friends. This causes strain on the relationships, even leading to divorce.

first step to recovery

Preparing for the Recovery Journey

Now that you have addressed the AUD and are getting ready to begin the recovery journey, there are some items to take care of prior to the first step in alcohol recovery. These include:

  • Take an extended leave of absence. Sit down with your employer to make a plan to take a leave of absence. Your job is protected by law.
  • Look up insurance coverage. Call your health plan provider to gather the details about what your plan covers. Most health plans now have at least some coverage for addiction treatment services.
  • Select a treatment program. Begin the process of choosing a rehab program. Your doctor can help guide you in terms of what level of care you will need.
  • Arrange for childcare, pet care, and bills to be paid. Get all your ducks in a row prior to leaving for detox and rehab. This helps your spouse manage things during your absence.

The First Step in Alcohol Recovery: Alcohol Detox and Withdrawal

When starting out on the recovery journey, the first order of business is to rid the body of the toxins associated with alcohol. Detox lasts from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the severity and history of your AUD.

Alcohol detox involves three distinct stages. These stages include:

  • Stage 1: Emerging Symptoms. The early phase of withdrawal begins within 6-8 hours of the last drink. This stage lasts one day and includes the symptoms: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, tremors, fatigue, anxiety, foggy thinking, and insomnia.
  • Stage 2: Peak Symptoms. The second phase of withdrawal involves symptoms peaking and lasts 2-4 days. Symptoms include increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, body temperature, and respiratory rate, mental confusion, sweating, mood swings, and irritability. Also, it is during this stage that delirium tremens (DTs) can develop, causing hallucinations, severe mental confusion, fever, and seizures.
  • Stage 3: Subsiding Symptoms. The final stage begins after day four and can persist for a couple of days to weeks. This stage is marked by depression, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, and cravings.

Keep in mind that throughout the detox process, your symptoms will be closely monitored and medications provided to minimize discomfort.

After Detox, What Comes Next?

Once you have completed the detox process, you are ready to enroll in the rehab portion of the recovery. Treatment is multi-pronged, with each activity building on the other to effect real change. Here is what you can expect in the rehab program:

  • Psychotherapy. Therapy is the main treatment element for alcohol recovery. Through therapy, you will examine any unhealthy behavior patterns that only perpetuate the alcohol addiction. Using CBT, the therapist guides you to reshape those thoughts and behaviors.
  • Family therapy. Family groups help the whole family unit heal and move forward together as their loved one enters recovery.
  • Education. Learning about the impact of alcohol on brain chemistry can be a deterrent to relapse. You will also be learning new coping tools and making a relapse prevention plan.
  • 12-step or similar. Peer support is a key element in recovery, and these meetings provide the opportunity to share experiences, challenges, fears, and goals with others in recovery.
  • Holistic. Rounding out rehabilitation are several activities that augment psychotherapy, including mindfulness training, yoga, art therapy, acupuncture, recreational therapy, equine therapy, and other activities that teach individuals relaxation techniques
  • Recreational therapy. Golf can be a very therapeutic addition to the rehab process. Spending time outdoors and getting exercise helps improve your mood and mindset.

Golf Drug Rehab Helps You Overcome Alcoholism

Golf Drug Rehab is a full-spectrum addiction treatment program that blends golf into the mix. If you are ready to that the first step in alcoholism recovery, give our team a call at (877) 958-5320.

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cocaine drip

What is Cocaine Drip?

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Cocaine drip is the presence of a constantly runny nose after using the drug. Cocaine drip can also occur in the back of the throat. To learn more about the adverse effects of cocaine use, read on.

Facts About Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant drug that is derived from the coca plant. It remains a popular drug due to its powerful euphoric effects. Cocaine causes the nerve activity in the central nervous system to speed up. This leads to a short-lived high that increases energy heightens focus, suppresses appetite, and enhances confidence.

As a DEA Schedule II substance, cocaine has a high potential for abuse and addiction. In fact, addiction can develop quickly. The drug is used in various ways, including snorting the powder through the nose. Cocaine can damage the delicate nasal tissues, as well as lead to a condition referred to as cocaine drip.

What is Cocaine Drip?

Because cocaine acts as a vasoconstrictor it has the effect of shrinking the blood vessels in the nose on contact. This causes the tissues to swell and mucous production to increase. The result is something called rhinitis, or a constant nasal drip. This is referred to as cocaine drip, coke drip, or simply the drip.

The other way that cocaine drip manifests itself is as a post-nasal drip. Once the drug has been snorted into the nasal cavity it will drip into the sinuses and the throat. This is experienced as a dripping sensation at the back of the throat and even onto the vocal cords.

Can Cocaine Drip be Treated?

There is only one way to cure drug-induced rhinitis and that is by stopping cocaine use. Once the mucous membranes that line the nose have had a chance to heal, the drip will cease. Meanwhile, there are some nasal saline sprays, as well as antihistamines or corticosteroids that may help with symptoms.

Other Ways Cocaine Affects Nasal Tissues

The phrase, cocaine nose (coke nose), pertains to the damaged condition of nasal tissues caused by cocaine use. The damage to the nose can be profound. When cocaine is used for an extended period it keeps the blood vessels in the nose constricted. The decreased circulation reduces the blood supply to the nose, causing damage.

As prolonged cocaine use takes a toll on the nose, the following damage can occur. These effects include:

  • The lining of the nose is more fragile, which can result in injuries and nosebleeds.
  • Severe sinus infections.
  • Septum damage.
  • The collapse of cartilage at the bridge of the nose.
  • Hard palate damage.

Long-term cocaine use can result in damage to the nose that is so severe a complete reconstruction or prosthetic nose is required.

coke drip

Signs of Cocaine Addiction

As cocaine addiction sets in, there will be some clear signals. These signs and symptoms involve all areas of functioning, such as:

  1. Personality changes. Someone with a cocaine problem may begin to display paranoid behavior, stress and anxiety attacks, depression, erratic behavior, and anger. When they are not high on coke, their mood may be flat or unresponsive. Stealing money to support the cocaine habit is also common among addicts.
  2. Intense mood swings. In the early phases of cocaine use, it is common for the person to be in a state of euphoria. They may be full of energy and very productive, and able to put in long hours. As tolerance increases and more of the drug is needed to maintain this energy, their mood becomes dark.
  3. The decline in work performance. In the early days of cocaine use, the person may be highly productive and have boundless energy. Later on, work performance begins to suffer. They miss work often or arrive late. They may struggle to concentrate or focus on the work, and they lose interest in the job.
  4. Physical symptoms. Coke addiction shows up with sudden weight loss, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, cocaine drip, muscle tics, and nose bleeds.  Cocaine addicts also commonly suffer from insomnia.
  • Money problems. Cocaine is a pricey drug that can quickly destroy personal finances. Bills go unpaid, credit cards are maxed out, savings accounts are depleted, and jobs are lost due to coke addiction.

Getting Help for a Cocaine Addiction

While the best way to stop the damage caused by cocaine is to discontinue using the drug, it is not always so easy. Cocaine has a powerful grip on the brain’s reward system. The best way to break that connection is to enroll in an evidence-based treatment program.

Treatment for cocaine addiction includes these elements:

  • Detox. The detox and withdrawal process must be completed prior to treatment. Withdrawal symptoms will range from mild to severe, depending on the scope of the cocaine addiction.
  • Talk therapy. A licensed therapist can help the person confront issues that may be providing fuel for the cocaine addiction. CBT and DBT are the most common evidence-based therapies to help break compulsive behaviors.
  • Group therapy. Small groups composed of peers in recovery will meet and discuss topics that pertain to recovery.
  • 12-step program. N.A. or A.A. themes are often woven into the treatment program.
  • Life skills training. Classes teach new coping skills that can help support recovery efforts. One of these is making a relapse prevention plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
  • Holistic. During rehab, you will learn to control stress by engaging in holistic activities. These include yoga classes, art therapy, mindfulness, and massage.
  • Recreation. Spending some time outdoors and being active is very good for your mood state during treatment. Golf can provide a respite from the work of recovery.

If you are tired of a constant cocaine drip, reach out for treatment today.

Golf Drug Rehab Offers Upscale Cocaine Addiction Treatment

Golf Drug Rehab is a luxury addiction treatment center that offers golf alongside rehab. If you are struggling with a cocaine problem, our team is here to help. Give us a call today at (877) 958-5320.

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