The Legacy of Cory Monteith

The hit TV show “Glee” regularly depicts real-world issues within the confines of William McKinley High School. The episodes only pale in comparison to the recent death of star Cory Monteith.

The actor passed away this past July at age 31 due to a toxic combination of alcohol and heroin, according to the Canadian coroner’s report.

On “Glee”, Cory played a singer/clean-cut quarterback on his way to college. However, the actor was quick to let fans know just how different his own story really was.

Cory freely discussed details of his past with the press: drinking and drug use at age 13, high school drop out and stealing to account for the next high. Following an intervention from family and friends, Cory decided to seek help for his drug addiction at age 19.

Over time, Cory was able to clean himself up, begin acting, and in 2009, shot to stardom with the cast of “Glee”. By all accounts, Cory was a beautiful individual inside and out.

However, like many recovering addicts, Cory struggled with sobriety. Reports confirm that the actor voluntarily re-entered a rehabilitation facility in March of this year, successfully completing a 30-day program. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough.

Cory’s death is but another reminder of the perils associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Athlete or artist, poor or rich, old or young, struggling or successful – nobody is safe.

When one star overdoses, fans mourn by the millions. The sad fact is that drug and alcohol abuse takes hundreds of thousands of wonderful people each year, with little to no attention from the general public.

It’s important to view Cory’s struggle as an example for families to follow. His addiction and demise do not make him a hypocrite. They make him a human being.

Surely, Cory Monteith would prefer that his fans and friends do more than mourn another celebrity death. When “Glee” returns to living rooms this coming season, the producers will likely pay tribute. They may even present a story to help fans avoid the same pitfalls.

Here’s hoping that Cory’s story motivates each of us to take a stand for the generations to come. 

Living With An Addictive Personality

Once viewed as a psychological disorder of gluttony and excess, addiction has come to light as a physiological disease rooted deep in the brain chemistry and wiring. Though there is no cure for addiction, a number of therapies and treatments have proven effective in addressing addictive behaviors and compulsions. However, it is important to educate oneself regarding the complexity and difficulty of these behaviors before treatment can offer any hope of success.

1 – Self-awareness is key to combating an addictive personality. Keeping in tune with behaviors actions and reactions will create a base from which to create a healthy, happy, and sober lifestyle. Understanding which triggers – chemical, emotional, psychical - to look for and avoid will help ensure consistency, while keeping temptation at arms length.

2 – Communication is yet another ally in the fight towards recovery. Addicts must face a lifelong struggle in addressing negative compulsions, and as with any battle, one should not fight alone. Family, friends and significant others should be kept in the loop and made aware of the situation to ensure the best interests of the addict are promoted and upheld. The more people you have on your team, the better chance of success.

3 – Because addition is a lifelong affliction, perseverance is essential to success. Bouts of sadness and difficulty are all but certain, but the understanding that these times are temporary is paramount to a continued recovery.

You may trip. You may fall. So long as you pick yourself up, you will not fail. 

Need Help?

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, Above It All alcohol & drug treatment center is the place to call. Pick up the phone today, and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy, and fulfilling lifestyle you’ve been missing. 

Relapse Risks: Know What To Avoid

Overcoming a substance addiction is perhaps one of the most difficult things a person can do. The battle to maintain sobriety and healthy life habits is often a constant battle. As with any long-term challenge, some days are inevitably better than others, but many triggers and dangers exist that can potentially end your “win-streak”. Knowing which triggers to avoid is half the battle.

Familiarity

The areas you used to hang out at and the individuals you were surrounded by while you were using should be avoided. Placing yourself around these factors will only build a desire to relapse. Humans enjoy familiarity and comfort. If you choose to be around those influences, it will seem off without the usual cocktail or substance. Peer pressure is yet another factor to consider when choosing activities and social outings.

Stress

Unfortunately for most of us, stress is an inevitable part of life. The connection between stress and addiction is extremely strong. As such, it’s not uncommon for recovering addicts to feel challenged in their recovery during difficult periods. Drugs and alcohol often offer a perceived safe haven from emotion and turmoil while adding to the issue at hand. In order to properly counter stress levels, they must be address head-on in a positive and healthy manner. Indulge in a hobby, take in a movie, go for a jog. Give yourself something to do that will put your mind at ease will moving away from desperate measures.

Irresponsibility and Isolation

Removing yourself from friends, family and the world at large will do little to aid your recovery progress. Seek out new acquaintances and call up old friends who are supportive of your sober lifestyle. The more positive influence you have in your life, the less likely you’ll succumb to boredom or depression – both common triggers. The best advice to the recovering addict is always “stay busy”!

Need Help?

If you or a loved one is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, Above It All treatment center is the place to call. Pick up the phone today and let our team of addiction specialists help you back on track towards the healthy, happy life you deserve.

OxyContin Dependence Reduction Techniques

OxyContin is a prescription medication provided to patients in an effort to address severe pain and discomfort. Since its introduction in 1995, OxyContin addiction has become a wide-spread issue, due mainly to its large-scale availability and addictive properties. As with other opiates, OxyContin provides users with an extreme feeling of euphoria and contentment.

Reducing a dependency to OxyContin is a difficult process, as many physicians tend to prescribe the drug in mass quantity. Proper treatment can help decrease and ultimately eliminate OxyContin addiction, while placing addicts on the road to a healthy and happy recovery.

Steps

1 – Find yourself a medically monitored detox program. Withdrawal from OxyContin addiction may include symptoms ranging from nausea and insomnia to seizures. If not properly supervised during detox, these symptoms may result in death. A medically monitored detoxification program can offer addicts the attention they require to make a safer, more comfortable transition into sobriety.

2 - Enroll in our Above It All treatment program. Due to the severity of OxyContin dependency, a residential rehab program is vital to ensuring a healthy foundation from which to base your recovery. Here, patients will receive psycho-education and information regarding the nature of their dependency alongside family, group, and individual therapy.

3 – Locate an outpatient support group following completion of your Above It All rehab program. These organizations will provide support throughout your post-rehab recovery. Groups will vary, but tend to emphasize education regarding the tools required to enjoy a long-lasting recovery. 

How To Recognize Oxycontin Addiction

Over the past few years OxyContin has risen out of relative obscurity to become one of the most abused drugs in the country.

With its powerful painkilling properties and close similarity to morphine, the mounting reports of OxyContin (timed release oxycodone hydrochloride) abuse and dependency has caused both healthcare professionals and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reconsider how the drug is packaged and marketed.

As with other painkillers, OxyContin has several withdrawal symptoms which can be signs of a possible addiction problem. However, if you take the drug as prescribed, meaning no more and no less, then you shouldn’t experience these symptoms. Also, it is suggested that you gradually ease off using this drug as opposed to abruptly going cold turkey. Anxiety, nausea, muscle pain, muscle weakness, flu-like symptoms and fevers are all legitimate concerns during withdrawal.

There are a few signs to look out if you suspect a friend or loved one might be abusing a strong prescription painkiller such as OxyContin. Pharmacy theft, fraudulent prescriptions and over-prescribing in the United States have led to abuse of OxyContin. On an older version of OxyContin, there was a warning on the bottle stating that the time release tablets shouldn’t be crushed. This led to recreational drug users crushing and snorting the capsules. OxyContin’s popular street name is “hillbilly heroin” and its abuse is on the rise. If you think a loved one is overindulging in the effects of OxyContin, talk to them immediately about the dangers of addiction; if you suspect a powerful addiction has developed, OxyContin addiction treatment therapy is always an option.

At Above It All Treatment Center, we are here and ready to help you or a loved one who is experiencing any of these symptoms.  We will work with you to design a program that is tailored to your needs and will put you on the road to recovery.  

OxyContin Rehab –Withdrawal

Drug addiction detox for oxycontin users can evoke a number of symptoms. The withdrawal process is quite similar to those experienced with other opiate-type substances such as heroin, methadone, morphine, Dilaudid and codeine.

What Causes Withdrawal Symptoms?

As with other opiate-based substances, oxycontin abuse can lead to addiction and physical dependence. When the drug is taken over a longer period, a tolerance can be built up, requiring the user to use larger amounts of the substance in order to obtain the high once initially felt.

What Are The Symptoms?

Ranging from severe to mild, oxycontin withdrawal symptoms typically depend the use history and the amounts being taken. Many patients using the drug as intended may not even recognize mild withdrawal symptoms once the drug is no longer needed – citing a flu or cold as reason for their discomfort.

Early Withdrawal Symptoms

-          Anxiety

-          Agitation

-          Yawning

-          Muscle Aches

-          Insomnia

-          Increase tearing

-          Sweating

-          Running Nose

Later Withdrawal Symptoms

-          Diarrhea

-          Abdominal Cramping

What Are The Dangers?

Though the withdrawal process from oxycontin can cause a great deal of discomfort, the process is not life threatening. However, various complications may arise, which can pose potential danger.

Breathing in stomach contents into the lungs following vomiting can lead to aspiration, choking or even infection. Diarrhea ad vomiting can also lead to mineral and chemical disturbances within the body, in addition to dehydration.

Perhaps the biggest danger facing oxycontin rehab patients is relapse. Because a user’s tolerance is reduced during the detoxification process, they pose a much higher risk of overdose when deciding to use even a much smaller amount than they were used to before. As such, the majority of oxycontin overdoses tend to occur in individuals who have recently completed a drug addiction detox program.

Help Is On The Way!

If you or someone you know has developed an addiction to oxycontin, local and affordable rehab options are available to you. In order to ensure a safe, healthy and successful detox, it’s best to get in touch with a reputable facility as soon as possible to determine the best treatment plan for the individual in question.

The road ahead will not be easy… but the rewards are virtually endless.