Last updated 7 months ago
Addiction comes in many forms, and a substance abuse problem can manifest itself differently depending on the substance the addict is using. Each drug interacts with the brain and body in a unique way.
Our brains are composed of nerve networks that send signals to each other. When we do something that helps us survive, like eat, the part of the brain that registers good feelings becomes active. How does cocaine take advantage of this system? Watch this short video to find out.
Do you or a loved one need help dealing with a substance abuse problem? Sundown M Ranch is here to help. Call us today at (509) 654-9033 or visit our website for more information about how we can get you started on the road to recovery.
Last updated 7 months ago
Getting through substance abuse treatment is a tough accomplishment, and one that will change and improve your life. However, many addicts find it difficult to avoid their old lifestyle when they return to their job, home, and friends. A sponsor can be a great way to prevent relapse and make sure your recovery is permanent. Read on to learn more about the ways a sponsor can help you or a loved one post-treatment.
What Is a Sponsor?
A sponsor is another recovering addict. He or she has usually been in recovery for at least a year, and is there to provide one-on-one advice and support. Your sponsor is there to talk with you in between group meetings and when temptation arises. When recovery gets tough, your sponsor is the person with words of encouragement and advice.
How Do I Find a Sponsor?
The general advice for finding a sponsor is to ask! If you want a sponsor, ask about them at your recovery meetings. Ask about them during your treatment. Some organizations keep a list of potential sponsors waiting for someone to be matched up with. Choosing a sponsor with similar experiences to you or a sponsor who is on a recovery path you admire may help you build a relationship.
Is Having a Sponsor Worthwhile?
Yes! If you have a sponsor for the beginning of your recovery, you are three times as likely as someone without a sponsor to be abstinent six months into recovery. Try to keep a relationship with your sponsor going for longer than just a few months. Recovering addicts who keep in touch with their sponsors for more than just three months have more successful recoveries.
Are you or a loved one ready to start addiction treatment? Sundown M Ranch can help you with treatment, and we provide a Sundown M Ranch graduate sponsor for everyone who completes our program. If you live in the Spokane, Everett, Yakima, Seattle, or Tacoma areas and need help with recovery, call us today at (509) 654-9033.
Last updated 7 months ago
Facing addiction can be a difficult task, but knowledge is power. To learn more about the nature of addiction, its consequences, and how to overcome it, read the following articles. For a high-quality, supportive rehabilitation facility, call Sundown M Ranch at (509) 654-9033. We offer several different recovery programs for alcohol and drug addiction.
Last updated 8 months ago
Chemical dependency is tough on you and your family, no matter what age you may be. However, for people over fifty years old, chemical dependency treatment should differ from treatment for younger patients for a variety of reasons. Why do older patients often require a specialized approach to chemical dependency treatment? Keep reading to find out.
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Different Values. People who were raised in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s have a divergent value system than people born later. Patients in this age group tend to hold themselves to very strict behavioral standards. When they fail to measure up to these internalized codes of conduct and thinking, these patients tend to feel high levels of shame and blame themselves. This is in stark contrast to later generations who were raised in more liberal times, where substance abuse was more prevalent in popular culture.
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More Independence. Older patients tend to be seen as authoritative figures in their family and often in their careers. Because of this, they are not accustomed to being challenged on issues such as their own behaviors. Additionally, patients such as these often view chemical dependency as a weakness that should not be seen by others, which can lead to denial of the problem.
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Compounded Grief. Many older patients have dealt with more death in their lifetime than younger patients. They may also be struggling with the loss of a career through retirement or perhaps a loss of mobility. This buildup of grief, when not addressed in a healthy manner, can lead to relapse in the future.
At Sundown M Ranch in Yakima, Washington, we fully understand the issues that many patients cope with while undergoing chemical dependency treatment. If you’d like to know more about what services we can offer you or a loved one, please call us today at (509) 654-9033.
Last updated 8 months ago
The abuse of legal prescription medication is a serious problem in the United States today, and certain drugs, such as the stimulant Adderall, are only getting more popular despite their dangers. Learn more by watching this report.
Studies show that college students are becoming increasingly reliant on Adderall for studying purposes. Students use Adderall to focus and study, even though its use is a felony if done without a prescription. Adderall’s use continues to rise throughout the country, second only to alcohol for college students.
If you or your loved one needs help with chemical dependency, Sundown M Ranch in Yakima, Washington, is here. Call us at (509) 654-9033 or visit our website to learn more about the treatments we offer.
