Addiction Blog. Insight and Advice
from Our Austin Area Addiction Recovery Experts.
10 Common Lies Compulsive Gamblers Tell Themselves
Gambling addictions do not create the same level of chemical dependence that are seen in substance addictions, but the withdrawal effects that compulsive gamblers experience when they are unable to indulge in their chosen gambling activities can be debilitating and disruptive to the gambler’s life. As with individuals who are addicted to alcohol or drugs,…
10 Health Risks for the Heavy Drinker
When a person gets drunk, what’s basically happening is that they’ve taken in more alcohol than their body can metabolize. The excess gets stored in the bloodstream which gets circulated throughout the entire body thanks to the heart pumping away. Changes in normal body function begin happening as a result of internal chemical changes.Alcohol is…
10:02am The Perfect Time For Recovery
For all of our Facebook followers, y’all are probably wondering why we posted a photo of a Clock at 10:02am. At The Last Resort we have a session we like to call “Community”. Every Monday through Friday, Community begins at 10:00am. I know, you’re asking what’s with 10:02, why not 10:00? Community starts with 2…
The 12 Step Program and Beyond – the Forefront of Rehab
What is the 12 step program, and how can it help me overcome my addiction? If you are suffering from drug addiction or alcoholism, things can seem pretty bleak. The fact is, it’s been proven time and time again that it can be difficult or even impossible for people to overcome addiction on their own….
The Meaning of the 12 Steps
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There may be as many meanings to the 12 steps of recovery as there are people who work them. Addiction recovery will always have deeply personal meanings and implications to addicts who are able to overcome their chemical dependence on drugs or alcohol. Still, there are a few common threads to the 12 steps and…
2013 Big Texas Rally for Recovery Invocation
A good friend of The Last Resort, Father Bill, was asked to bring the Invocation for the 3nd Annual Big Texas Rally for Recovery on the steps of the Texas Capitol Building this weekend. If you were unable to make it to the rally this weekend, please read Father Bill’s full invocation below.Hi Everybody! My…
236 Heroin Overdoses In 3 Weeks
The Akron Beacon Journal reports on the current OD toll in the city, and the escalation of the problem, tied by authorities to the influx of a powerful elephant sedative in the heroin chain:”From January to June, Akron paramedics responded to about 320 drug overdose calls.In the three weeks between July 5 and July 26,…
28 Day & 30 Day Rehab Programs Not Long Enough
How can I make sure that I, or a loved one, is protected from drug relapse? Drug addiction relapse is one of the most major problems facing anyone who’s setting a goal of recovery from drug addiction. And a good program of drug rehab treatment is one of the best possible weapons in the fight…
3 Tips for Improving Family Health and Communication
Family health and communication is important for all families. The effects of growing up or living in a dysfunctional family can last a lifetime and leave family members with lingering anger and distrust that extends well beyond their family dynamic. Achieving and maintaining family health and communication takes on a heightened sense of importance when…
4 Tips for Self Improvement in Long-Term Recovery
Recovery is a life long process. We are never cured, nor is there a magic pill to make it all go away. All we have is a daily reprieve, if we choose to maintain and utilize the tools we have been given in sobriety. With quite a few days under your belt, you may have…
5 Common Relapse Triggers to Avoid
Alcoholics and drug addicts might reject rehabilitation therapy on the premise that everyone experiences relapses and that therapy will not work. Although many individuals who are recovering from addiction problems will experience one or more relapse events, those events are not inevitable. A well-structured and organized rehabilitation program will recognize the likely triggers that will…
5 Reasons for Relapse in Recovery
It’s an unfortunate reality and sometimes impossible to avoid. Relapse is the big demon on the road as we head out of addiction on the road of recovery. There are many reasons for relapse and it really depends on the person in question, but there are some common factors to bear in mind so you…
5 Signs of Heroin Abuse
Poppy flower > opium > morphine > heroin . . . aka H, smack, boy, horse, brown, black, tar . . . Whatever name you call it, this opioid is highly addictive, illegal, and used by millions of addicts around the world. Heroin is derived from the poppy flower through a series of refinement processes…
5 Signs That It’s Time to Quit Drinking
Drinking alcoholic beverages has become a socially acceptable practice at family gatherings, special occasions, parties and a part of everyday life. People drink to feel relaxed, lower inhibitions, and because it is the thing to do at certain occasions like a wedding. There is a responsible way to drink and then there are signs drinking…
5 Symptoms Of Crack Detox
Crack is a powerful drug that alters the brain processes responsible for behavior, thought, perception, and emotion. As the body adjusts to the presence of cocaine in its system, the user requires more and more of the drug to feel stimulated—or even stable. When this dependency develops, crack detox becomes for a successful recovery.The longer…
5 Things to Look for in a Drug Rehab Facility
No two drug rehab facilities are alike. They all offer comprehensive addiction recovery programs, but the similarities end there. Some facilities resemble high-end resort spas. Others are more utilitarian, taking a hand-on participatory approach in which patients do routine housekeeping chores. Their methodologies can vary as much as the natures of the facilities themselves. When…
5 Tips for Helping Your Friend Stay Sober
Recovering from addiction is a journey of a lifetime requiring the support of friends, family and colleagues. Encouragement from loved ones help an individual in recovery with motivation to live free of addiction and substance abuse. The following tips can be helpful when providing support for a friend in sobriety. Acceptance Judgment can impair an…
6 Signs Your Son is Abusing Drugs
Trying to decide if your teen is using drugs can be difficult and stressful. Realizing that your child may be going through this struggle can be hard to cope with or understand. Support and guidance is important to provide during this time, even if you feel frustrated or angry.There are six main signs that your…
9 Warning Signs of Alcoholism
Drinking is so normalized in most every day social life that identifying alcoholism can be difficult. When faced with the question whether we or someone we love may have a drinking problem there are likely to be complications in answering “yes”. Denial, confusion, and rationalization might come into play. Many people make the argument that…
A Cup of Joe
Good morning brothers and sisters! The word honest or honesty is mentioned 23 times in the first 164 pages of the basic text in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. In fact, its one of the ESSENTIAL requirements of THE PROGRAM! I am really big on looking up the definitions of words in an effort…