Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a truly terrible blight on the mental health landscape of Australia, and in many countries around the world. It is a problem most commonly linked with soldiers and other ex-military personnel, and while it does affect them disproportionately it should not be considered a uniquely “military” disorder.

When you are a PTSD sufferer, it can be hard to know exactly how to deal with it. Besides stigmas that surround general mental health issues, PTSD is also quite a delicate matter that can get out of hand when it’s not dealt with in a productive and healthy way. If you want help better managing your PTSD symptoms and other impacts, then here are some ideas to assist:

1. Reach Out to Professionals

People will always advise you to book a session for dealing with PTSD, but it’s really easier said than done. One problem that PTSD sufferers frequently share is that they feel quite strongly that no one, not even trained professionals, are capable of fully comprehending what they have been through, and thus are skeptical about their ability to help.

Taking that first step to getting a professional on-side is therefore challenging. If you can reach out, however, you will quickly discover that the impartial perspective of a therapist is invaluable, not to mention the many techniques they can help you learn to manage your PTSD symptoms more effectively.

2. Read Everything You Can On Trauma and PTSD

Educating yourself on your own condition can be a big part of overcoming it. So much of what affects us in PTSD is connected with our lack of understanding of it. Panic attacks overwhelm us because we don’t know exactly what’s happening to us. Stress dreams and flashbacks disturb us because we don’t know how to quantify or explain what’s going on in our heads. Improving your knowledge of the disorder — supported by a qualified therapist, wherever possible — is the path to a more enlightened view.

3. Steer Clear of Alcohol and Drugs As Much As Possible

Taking drugs or drinking excessively are frequently used by sufferers of PTSD as methods of escape from the condition. If you’re serious about overcoming your symptoms and condition in any kind of meaningful way, then you have to fight hard to do it without the twin dopamine crutches of drugs and alcohol.

Having a drink when you’re experiencing the worst side of your PTSD might seem to work at first. The pleasurable dopamine hit we get seems to reassure us that we’re doing the right thing but we’re not. The only likely result will be addiction to these substances, and increasing abuse of them as you try to mask worsening symptoms faster and faster.

4. Learn About Relaxation with an Open Mind

You might not have always thought much of practices like meditation, breathing exercises and other relaxation techniques, but when you’re a PTSD sufferer, they can really help a great deal. Start with a smartphone app like Calm or another similar one that contains meditation sessions, relaxation stories, soundscapes and more. It’s incredible what effect someone with a calming voice reading a familiar novel can have on your body and mind, you really have to try it yourself to really see.

5. Practice Patience and Self-Reassurance

Next, you should remember that recovering from something as serious as PTSD won’t happen overnight. There is no silver bullet; no magical cure to make it just vanish. When you’ve experienced a traumatic event, it can take years to process, and that’s alright. If you can reassure yourself that you’re on the right path, doing the right kinds of things, avoiding harmful vices, and taking positive steps to regain your true self, then that will keep you going.

Good health & well-being is often taken for granted and the 21^st century lifestyle brings a lot of pressure and this can impact your health. A healthy body is a healthy mind, or so the saying goes and we put together a few tips to help you make some positive changes in your lifestyle.

• A-Z daily supplement – The human body requires a wide assortment of vitamins, minerals and nutrients and by taking a daily A-Z supplement pill, you are sure to have all the essentials for good physical health. This is especially pertinent to those over 50 and once you get into the habit, taking the tablet every morning will become second nature. Of course, wherever you live, you should have a monthly health insurance policy that covers emergencies and some out-patient costs.
• Stress relief – There is a lot of stress out there and we all need to find ways of relieving the stresses that come with modern life.
• Everything in moderation – This is a good rule that makes total sense; eating or drinking anything to excess is bound to have a negative effect on your health. If you like a drink now and then, keep an eye on the number of units of alcohol you consumer, while trying to limit sweet snacks, as they contain high levels of sugar. Here is some information on how drugs can impact your life.
• Daily exercise routine – If you work in an office, setting a daily workout routine is important; half an hour in the morning and evening is all it takes to give the major muscle groups a workout. You should use the weekends to get out and about; cycling or playing golf will give you the exercise you need. The older we get, the more important exercise is and the body is designed to be used.
• Take up yoga – This eastern discipline is perfect for everyone, whether a young and athletic person or a middle-aged person who wants to stretch and promote mobility. There are many YouTube yoga videos that you can follow; invest in a mat and some yoga clothing and you are good to go. You could enrol in a local yoga class or join one of the many online classes for all levels and ages.
• The importance of a balanced diet – You are what you eat, or so they say and having a balanced diet is an important aspect of physical and mental well-being. Fresh fruit and vegetables are essential and if you don’t live near an organic farm, you can order a weekly delivery online. Drinking fresh fruit every morning is a great start to the day and you can buy fresh fruit drink in powder form; just add cold water, stir and there you have it!

If you follow the above tips, you should enjoy a healthy lifestyle and don’t forget daily workouts twice a day and eat a balanced diet. It makes total sense to have health insurance, which you can find with the online insurance broker.

 

What are Special Needs?

Here in the United States, special needs comprise a variety of ailments, illnesses and chronic conditions. To qualify for Special Needs Care, you might have to fit into a few categories. Ultimately, when we are seeking healthcare for people with Special Needs, interestingly enough the United States has a few special ways for caring for those people via Medicare benefits.

America has a lot of people who are addicted to alcohol and drugs, just like everywhere else in the world. Thankfully, there are Medicare Advantage plans that can assist those people specifically. It is not exactly easy to take advantage of those plans though, since the United States makes people with substance abuse issues jump through a lot of hoops to receive care and support. But it is important to know that technically, this assistance exists.

Technically, student loan forgiveness exists for many student borrowers in America. But the Department of Education has historically refused to assist people, even those who fit within the very narrow confines of the requirements. When we think about Special Needs (https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-are-special-needs-3106002) folks in America, it is very easy to consider these people in terms of the way we think about student borrowers. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to get your medical issues any help when you are already having a difficult time advocating for yourself in America writ large.

If you have debilitating, painful mental health issues, you are more likely to end up as a cog in the machine of America’s prison industrial complex than you are in the arms of a trusted healthcare provider. This is because in the United States, though slavery was outlawed by the thirteenth amendment, the fine print of that amendment states that people can be enslaved if they have committed a crime. As a result, for the past 170 plus years, America has expanded its prison system to maintain illicit and unethical labour.

Where Do We Go From Here?

What does this have to do with Special Needs issues? Well, people with mental health issues are far more likely to end up committing crimes as a result of becoming dependent on drugs. This is because America has decreased its focus on preventative medicine over the course of the last 100 years. This occurred because in 1968, with the ratification of the Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act of 1970, America technically was supposed to legally expand access to all social services and programs to African Americans. In lieu of sharing with people of all races, the United States chose to scale back those services instead.

This sounds like the epitome of cutting off your nose to spite your face, right? Well, that is exactly what has occurred over the years. In wanting to funnel poor Americans into the prison industrial complex, we have minimized our respect and care that we offer to those with mental health issues. Additionally, we have gone from a system that treats drug abuse and alcohol dependence as a medical issue and we have instead penalized and criminalized drug users. So while the Special Needs area of Medicare exists, it is very difficult to access this support.

How Can C-SNP Plans Help?

That being said, a C-SNP (Chronic Special Needs Plan) can really help someone who has fallen through the cracks of society with their issues, especially those with mental illnesses and substance abuse issues. On its face, a Special Needs Plan under Medicare is obviously meant to assist people with chronic conditions like cancer, COPD, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, heart failure and many others. This is intended to catch those who would have slipped through our healthcare system before the Affordable Care Act made it illegal to prevent health insurance companies from denying care to people with pre-existing conditions.

If you did not know, the United States used to make people pay for healthcare only to have that healthcare denied when people needed it most, because they considered almost everything that could happen to you a pre-existing condition. That meant that if you were sick or hurt before you acquired health insurance, these companies were within their rights, legally, to deny you coverage even though you had been paying into these plans for years on end. This deeply unethical and terrible system was finally done away with by Barack Obama, who modeled the Affordable Care Act on the healthcare system proposed by Utah Senator and former Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney.

Even though Mitt Romney was “from across the aisle” as Americans describe political rivals, that did not endear this plan to members of the Republican party. As a result, they stripped the Affordable Care Act of any chance to be updated and improved before it passed, making it deeply unpopular in its first iteration. You can learn more about the struggle to advance healthcare in America on the internet. Thus, the idea of preexisting conditions being shelved and making it over the finish line was an incredible feat. Therefore, the existence of Chronic Special Needs Plans, when taken in historical context, represent a massive step forward for American healthcare.

According to the American Cancer Society, there is no certain way to prevent mesothelioma. However, avoiding asbestos exposure is the best method of prevention.

In the past, asbestos was a naturally occurring mineral used in various construction materials and products. Due to its durability and resistance to heat and chemical damage, asbestos was an ideal material for many applications. However, asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems, including mesothelioma.

When industrial workers bring home deadly asbestos fibers on their clothes, shoes, hair, and tools, family members become victims of second-hand exposure. Read on to explore ways to reduce the risks of developing mesothelioma.

Workplaces more prone to exposing their workers to asbestos

In the past, many industries used asbestos-containing products. Workers at a greater risk of asbestos exposure and getting a mesothelioma diagnosis include shipyard workers, construction workers, power plant workers, boiler workers, railroad and automotive workers, etc. Workers can also inhale asbestos fibers by renovating or dismantling old structures built with asbestos-containing construction and insulation material. This activity can destabilize the loosely held asbestos fibers, exposing the workers to them.

Is it possible to prevent malignant mesothelioma?

Though not everyone exposed to asbestos reports malignant mesothelioma, frequent contact and exposure to this material are directly proportional to a higher chance of cancer. To reduce the risk of mesothelioma, workers from various industries must be aware of its detrimental effects and ways to avoid the exposure.

As they say, “prevention is better than treatment,” here are some ways to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

Workers’ training

All the industrial workers exposed to the risk of asbestos exposure must have proper training about handling such products. They must understand their work requirements before signing up for it and know about all the risk factors involved. The neglect of these workers can prove fatal in the form of a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Adhere to safety guidelines

The occupational Safety and Health Administration have laid out safety guidelines for workers working in high-risk industries. All the workers must respect these guidelines to keep their exposure to asbestos at a minimum.

There are guidelines for the management too. Currently, OSHA requires employers to test air quality at their workplace frequently. Employers must keep asbestos levels below 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter in the air.

Don’t linger unnecessarily in the work area

In case of any health concern, workers must stop the work immediately and talk to their supervisor. The workers must not stay at the work site for more than the required time. They must avoid eating, drinking, or sleeping at the workplace. Moreover, smoking must be strictly prohibited too. Though smoking is not directly related to mesothelioma, some studies establish that smoking and asbestos exposure increases the risk.

Use of personal protective equipment

The employer should provide all the needed equipment to the workers for safely carrying out their work. On the other hand, the workers must wear the mandatory personal protective equipment, such as gloves, eye protection, face masks, shields, etc.

Asbestos does not pose a substantial health risk when it is intact in its position. But once disintegrated and displaced from its place, it becomes a health hazard. Therefore, never cut, saw, drill or scarp the structures without donning your protective equipment, lest it will disturb the asbestos fibers.

Additionally, ensure the equipment is clean with no holes or tears to provide an inlet for the fibers. Also, when you go home, don’t take your used clothes and PPE along as they may have asbestos fibers stuck to them.

Don’t sweep up dust and debris with a broom

At the end of the workday, make sure the workplace is clean. However, don’t sweep the dust with a broom as it can spread the asbestos fibers into the air, finding their way into your lungs during inhalation. Instead, use a vacuum cleaner to clean the area. But use a wet/shop vacuum with a HEPA filter to sweep and mop the floors. Later, safely throw away the dust and debris to avoid spreading the fibers.

Know what kind of work you can carry out with risky products

Contractors working in the industry already have an idea about the products containing asbestos. Therefore, they should avoid using such products in the first place. Nevertheless, suppose these products’ use is indispensable. In that case, contractors must know the type of work they can safely carry out with such products.

Explain the health hazards to your employees

There is much more awareness about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma compared to the past. However, many employers still do not discuss the health hazards of their workplace with workers. The result does not favor either party, whether it is out of sheer negligence, utter cruelty, or fear of not finding a labor force to work on such sites. Therefore, it is the moral and professional duty of the employers to explain the health hazards involved in the proposed work. This way, workers can be more vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines religiously.

Can better planning in the workplace reduce the risk of mesothelioma?

Better planning can make risky worksites safer for the workers and the management. The management must prioritize working with materials that do not contain asbestos. However, when working with harmful products, clearly stipulate the guidelines and display some flex sheets detailing the risk and preventive measures on the worksite.

Ensure all workers consent to working with asbestos-containing products. Strictly enforce the use of PPE. Moreover, hire a licensed contractor aware of the workplace hazards to keep the workplace and the workers safe.

Conclusion

The use of asbestos-containing must be avoided or kept to the minimum to prevent the risk of mesothelioma. However, if you are working in such an environment, pay attention to changes in your physical health. Don’t take matters like chest pain, persistent cough, and shortness of breath lightly, and communicate about your asbestos exposure to your doctor. Always maintain a healthy diet and take all the precautionary measures at the workplace, such as using PPEs to avoid asbestos inhalation. Remember, avoiding asbestos exposure is the only way to reduce the risk of mesothelioma.

 

If you are wondering what makes pillow protectors so necessary for your pillows, then we have created a simple guide that will help you understand how the different types of pillow protectors, which can be found through Everlasting Comfort Waterproof Pillow covers, can truly help you maintain both your pillows cleanliness and overall conditions.

1. Cleanliness

When it comes to necessity, keeping your pillows clean is one of them. As your face will be coming in contact with your pillow every single day sweat and grease will likely dirty your pillow. This can be a problem as many pillows cannot go in the washing machine without getting damaged. As a result, you might have to reach out to a dry-cleaning service to get your pillow properly cleaned. If this is a regular occurrence then the bill can pile up.

However, by using a pillow protector you can avoid that together. A pillow protector is made up of a much thicker material which usually means that it won’t allow any stains to make their way to your pillow. As a result, washing your pillows will be much more infrequent which can help you maintain the condition of your pillow over a longer period.

2. Maintaining the shape of your pillow

Your pillow’s shape is usually one of the reasons why you chose to buy the pillow you bought. And yet, over time its shape will be lost and instead, you will be left with a pillow that is not as comfortable to sleep on. To address that problem, or rather to stop it from occurring altogether, you can use a pillow cover. As pillow covers are created to be much thicker and stiffer, they usually can help your pillow maintain its shape much better. This means that you will have many more nights of comfortable sleep ahead of you without having to suffer from having a flat pillow.

3. Hypoallergenic pillows

Finally, if you have allergies having a hypoallergenic pillow cover can allow you to have a good night’s sleep without any allergic reactions. This can be very beneficial and, for many people, it can even be lifesaving. There are specific pillow covers with these properties so if you want one of those you will need to check that the pillow cover you are getting is hypoallergenic.

A pillow protector is a necessity for those who want to keep their pillows clean and well cared for. By having a pillow protector, you can ensure that your pillow will maintain its shape while also staying clean. It usually needs to be used with a good pillowcase for the best possible results in terms of keeping your pillow clean and adding longevity to your pillows. If you suffer from allergies, you can also get a pillow protector specifically designed to assist you with those. From protecting your pillow and giving it a longer life, to protecting your own self there are plenty of benefits that come with using a pillow protector.

 

If you are considering the use of beard oil then you might be wondering how long it will take to see the effects of using the product. Naturally, people tend to seek instant gratification and as such you might be hoping that results will be witnessed quickly. However, the reality is that when it comes to beard growth oil of any brand it will usually take time to see any results. This is because the ingredients used in beard growth oils are completely natural and as such, they are effective in gradually promoting hair growth.

Why does it take time?

The main reason why it takes time to see results when using a beard growth oil or, oil jelly-like the Bossman Beard Oil Jelly, is that these products tend to use completely natural carrier oils and essential oils. As such, while you can benefit from the effects of these oils, long-term exposure is key.

Daily application of beard oil will increase your chances of seeing results and it will help you quickly realize how your hair texture and moisture in your skin change with every day that you are using the product. Apart from consistently the amount of the product that you use and your body chemistry will also influence the growth speed and levels.

If naturally, your hair is quite thin and does not grow fast, the beard oil might be able to help you but it will not be able to simply alter the type of hair that you have. Therefore, it is important to understand that hair growth and the promotion of it through beard oil is more about helping your hair despite its natural tendencies.

How long will it take to see the effects of using a growth beard oil?

Typically, you should be able to see the effects of using the beard growth oil within six to eight weeks. The results you might see will differ based on your own hair, but everyone should be able to see at least some minimal results during that time frame. Six to eight weeks will also be enough time for you to be able to compare your hair growth and see how your beard differs from how it was before.

If during the six to eight weeks you are not consistently using your beard oil then the effects you might see will be even more limited, so as much as possible try to keep to a daily schedule for applying the oil.

When it comes to the use of beard oil many people are expecting to see instant results. However, that is not usually possible, instead, you will need to consistently use the products over a long period before you can see any results. The standard timeframe in which you will be able tonotice all the differences is six to eight weeks. During this timeline, you will be able to take notice of all of the changes in your facial hair.

 

If you or a loved one is suffering from a drug addiction, now classified by mental health professionals as a substance misuse disorder, it can be an incredibly trying ordeal. There is so much that goes on surrounding this topic, and unfortunately a lot of harmful stigmas around it. That means that many of the treatment options are also stigmatized.

Thankfully, in recent years this has been the case less and less. While more work needs to be done on this front, in general we seem to have a more open mind towards the suffering of addicts and their families. If you are looking for help in Colorado, hopefully this article will assist you.

How Addiction Impacts our Lives

As I somewhat touched upon in the introduction, substance misuse disorders touch our lives in many ways – be it personally or on the people around us. First, I will discuss what drugs can do to us on an individual level. You can read more about all of this at this link: https://addiction.surgeongeneral.gov/sidebar-many-consequences-alcohol-and-drug-misuse.

It is important to remember that drugs alter our brains. Some of them mimic naturally occurring chemicals and bind to our neuron receptors but send the wrong signals. Others cause the mind to flood with an excess of a natural chemical that the neural network cannot filter out. Whatever they do, they change the neuron pathing and end up creating a reward cycle.

Eventually this can lead to becoming dependent on the drug. Without it, you might experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms. These could be something like irritation or misanthropy but may also be hallucinations or painful headaches. None of them are pleasant.

Some other physical impacts of this disease are changes in appetite. You might find that you are always hungry, or never hungry. Weight gain or loss that is unusual when in tandem with using a substance could be a sign. Your sleep patterns could also be disrupted – many develop forms of insomnia and get very little rest. This can further lead to a gaunt appearance.

Of course, these are not the only ways that it can affect us. Another huge aspect of our lives that can be disrupted is our social and work lives. If you are feeling lethargic and having a hard time sleeping, it could result in being late to work for example. Your overall performance might degrade.

This could lead to punishments or in the worst case, being fired. Obviously, you would also fail any drug testing enforced by a company if that is how your place of employment operates. However, our interpersonal relationships will most likely take a hit as well.

If you are desperate for money and to purchase a drug, you might take to petty theft – even from family members or friends. These substances can truly wreak havoc on our minds and warp us that far. You may also find that you are lying often or getting into many arguments. Family and friends might cut ties with you.

Getting Help

Obviously, none of these impacts sound like fun or like a good thing to happen. That is why getting treatment for a substance misuse disorder is so imperative. Without it, we might be unable to return to our normal lives and keep a sense of identity. In the worst-case scenario, we could even overdose and tragically pass away.

If you are unsure about the options that are out there, there are several programs and facilities out there. In Colorado there are places such as Mountain Springs Recovery Addiction Rehab that treat these ailments. Carefully consider your choices, as this decision is important.

You will want to find a place that accepts your insurance policy, of course, but after that there are a few other key features you may want to seek. Comfort and compassion from the staff is paramount. You should be able to feel safe and secure, not like you are being punished.

Resources for returning to the outside world are also ideal if you are going to an inpatient program. Adjusting again can be difficult, after all. You should also look for a place that offers more individualized treatment options, as each of us has different sets of needs.

The Importance of Rehab

You might think that people can stop using drugs without rehabilitation services. In some, rare cases, this is true. However, this is not a problem to take lately. In fact, it is a matter of life and death to some extent. There is a lot of scientific evidence pointing to the effectiveness of these services and twelve step programs.

Of course, nothing will universally work for everyone. That being said, if we can save more lives by shining more light on these programs, that is nothing to turn our noses up at. Given the atmosphere of Colorado and how serious substance misuse disorders have become there, it is even more vital to understand here.

If this is unfamiliar to you, you can look at some statistics about it here: https://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org. As it details, a lot of people in this state tragically pass away due to overdoses – even more than those who die in fatal car crashes.

These are harrowing facts. Education is the first step of prevention, but this is not always possible. Especially in some environments. There are a lot of vulnerable groups, such as children whose parents are addicted to illegal drugs or alcohol. Often, they will be more inclined to start using themselves, and sadly some are even born dependent on a substance if their mother used during pregnancy.

So, if education does not prevent the problem, we must rise to the occasion with treatment. If you are worried that a friend or loved one is suffering from a substance misuse disorder, consider convincing them to check into rehab. At the very least, do your best to support them.

Sometimes this means cutting ties until they get sober. Examine your situation and do your best to decide what will be most helpful for you.

 

Addiction is a serious mental illness that requires medical attention. Drug rehab facilities were created to provide safe places for doctors and psychologists to help their patients overcome the physical and mental drive to consume addictive substances. These centers provide a variety of treatments for all ranges of addictions.

If you are ready to make changes in your life regarding your addiction, it is important to find the appropriate help and support system. It cannot effectively be treated on your own. Trained doctors and therapists can help provide the tools and care to overcome the addiction not just for a while, but for the rest of your life.

When looking for a rehab center that works for what you can and want to accomplish, there are many factors to consider. As you go through this process, it can be helpful to speak to your doctor, friends and family, and your boss, to determine what program is needed, and plausible for your lifestyle. Addiction is different for every person, so it is important to create your program specifically for your needs.

Addiction

Understanding your addiction is necessary before finding and choosing a rehab center. Addiction is a chronic disease, which means that it can’t be cured after one treatment. Full recovery from addiction can take years, or your whole lifetime. The amount of individual commitment to the recovery process can make it feel impossible at first, but with the right tools it can be possible and a life-altering decision.

Every person deserves to find a way to get control of their addiction. Previous tactics for treating addiction was to expect will-power to just win out over the substance. As we have learned more about how addiction can alter the brain, we have learned that this tactic isn’t effective. Treatment centers, like these rehab facilities in Aurora treat addiction as the disease it is. The main focus of these centers is to rewire a person’s brain and mentality about every aspect of their addiction, and give them tools to overcome it.

When a person becomes addicted to a substance or activity, the reward sensors in their brain are heightened. Each subsequent use makes that heightened response more and more addicting. After prolonged use, those same sensors require more of whatever is causing the response to get the same amount of “high.” This is what causes people to need to use the substance more often, and in higher doses. Once the brain becomes addicted, it’s only a matter of time before that substance will take over more time, money, and brain space.

The alterations in the brain caused by these substances can affect the way the brain processes memories, motivation, impulse control, and judgements. This means it actually changes the way your brain processes the impact of the drug and limits the ability to control those impulses and cravings. Because of the way addiction changes our brain structure, specific therapy is required to rewire those parts of our brains. Therapy is the main aspect of rehab and substance abuse treatment.

Individual Therapy

During your treatment plan, individual therapy will be required to help work through the triggers and impulses to partake in those addictive substances or activities. Individual therapy focuses on creating and maintaining healthy habits to replace the damaging behavior that fed the addiction. Some of these skills will focus on maintaining healthy habits in your life, finding motivation to remain sober, and creating different hobbies in your life.

Many people who suffer from substance use disorder also struggle with other underlying mental illnesses. If the patient struggles with other mental illnesses, it can trigger and magnify substance use. Individual therapy will treat those underlying conditions to help the patient create a healthier mindset overall.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is important in helping individuals create a safe community for their healing. Since addiction will be a part of the rest of their lives, it creates an opportunity to face it and discuss it with other people. Group therapy sessions also provide a place for the patient to feel less alone in their journey. These sessions can help people learn from other experiences.

For more information about the use of behavioral therapies in drug rehabilitation check out this article.

Rehab Centers

There are two types of facilities to look into when choosing your program. You can choose an in-patient facility or an out-patient facility. Both facilities provide similar services, just with a few distinct differences.

• In-patient Facilities

These programs offer stability and structure by creating an immersive environment. Individuals will live in these facilities full-time for the duration of their program. These programs provide daily structure that create healthy habits during their stay. This is also a great option for people who require medical attention during their process. This is especially important for certain substances when detoxing can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Because of the structure and stability of these facilities, it can be a great option for people who struggle to remain clean while at home. This can help keep the patient from finding themselves in situations that could lead them to using again.

• Out-Patient Facilities

These facilities work best for those who cannot commit to leaving home for a prolonged period of time. This can include people who are the primary caretakers for children or elders in the home. It can also be a good option for those who cannot take time off work. These programs may take a bit longer, but you can keep certain aspects of your life the same.

These programs require a level of motivation and dedication to participate in all the sessions, and stay on track with the program. This type of environment works best if the patient already has a stable, supportive home life.

To decide which option is the best for you, find more information at https://www.help.org/inpatient-vs-outpatient-rehab/. These decisions can be overwhelming, but there are numerous resources at your disposal. Choosing a rehab center can significantly improve your health and happiness.

 

You use different protective gears during summer to keep yourself safe from the scorching sun. Sunglasses are one of the protective gears; summer is never complete without sunglasses. People of all ages use sunglasses, thus making them available in different shapes. Apart from wearing sunglasses for aesthetic reasons, many people put them on to protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays, which may damage your eyes if you expose them. Some doctors also recommend sunglasses to protect faulty eyesight, which does not need extra light. Let’s look at why you need to wear sunglasses when going out:

• Helps Prevent Future Eye Related Diseases

Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause permanent eye damage by increasing the chances of you developing macular degeneration. Remember, these eye conditions can damage your sight, leaving you blind. If you have macular degeneration, you gradually lose the ability to see people’s faces or watch television. Besides, ultraviolet light can also cause eye cancer, hence the need to protect your eyes using sunglasses. Remember, it helps to wear sunglasses every time you go outside to help you be healthier.

• Give You a Better Vision Outside

Putting on sunglasses gives you instant relief from the sunlight. Besides, going out in the blaring sun with naked eyes may be uncomfortable as nothing will protect your eyes from intense light. When carrying out an outdoor activity like skiing, the glasses help you see clearly due to the polarized lenses improving your vision. Besides, you also protect your eye from sun glare reflected by horizontal surfaces. When using brands like Just Sunnies, you can enhance color and contrast. If you are playing sports, sunglasses allow you to perform better and thus enjoy yourself more.

• Improves Your Style 

Sunglasses come in different sizes, colors, and shapes. You can get a brand that suits your style by complementing your personality. Similarly, you can get sunglasses that fit your dressing code since manufacturers are keen to produce various brands. The most significant fragment is that you can request custom-made sunglasses to fit your fashion needs. When buying glasses, do not forget to buy a perfect fitting as a loose one or tight one may cause discomfort. Also, it would be best if you ensure your lenses offer complete protection against UV reflection.

• Reduces Headache and Migraine

Direct sunlight can trigger headaches and migraines. Wearing shades assists you in reducing the intensity and frequency of light getting into contact with your eyes. Similarly, you also reduce fatigue and strain on your eye muscles when you wear sunglasses in the open. Once you reduce the pressure, you enjoy your outdoor activity without obstacles. It would be best to buy good quality glasses for maximum protection as they will last longer, thus giving you more extended protection. If your eye is recovering, the sunglasses protect you from sunlight, which may cause strain and worsen your condition.

Conclusion

There are many brands of sunglasses, hence the need to ensure you buy quality brands. The brands you buy also need to have a warranty as a form of security. For example, before purchasing brands like Just Sunnies, confirm if they have a reasonable contract.

 

People use drugs for various reasons. For some people, consuming drugs starts as a recreational activity, but for others, drugs can be a way to deal with different problems like stress and mental illness. Growing up around someone addicted to drugs can also prompt you to try drugs. However, drug use should not be taken lightly, and thinking about trying them even out of curiosity can be dangerous as there is always a risk of addiction. Moreover, they can ruin a person’s mental and physical health.

Drug addiction is a grave issue in several countries. Governments are trying to control and prevent this issue as it significantly raises costs in criminal justice, healthcare, and lost productivity. Understanding the risks and causes of drug abuse can help eliminate substance abuse.

The most commonly consumed drugs in the US include alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis. Excessively using these drugs can cause several physical problems like impaired cerebral capacity, organ damage, stroke, and even death. In addition, drug consumption also elevates symptoms of mental illnesses.

Various drug addiction rehab facilities are spread across the US to provide addiction treatment. One such renowned facility is the Delphi Health Group, which offers individualized treatment options for all levels of addiction. The physical effects of addiction are easier to treat than the mental effects, as drug consumption can alter brain functions and has a long-term impact on mental health. This article will discuss several ways in which substance abuse can affect mental health:

They can cause memory loss

Users can suffer from short-term and long-term memory loss based on the drugs they consume. Unfortunately, many users don’t immediately realize this impairment as the loss is gradual. Alcohol can cause temporary memory loss, but illegal hard drugs can cause long-term memory loss, negatively impacting the user’s quality of life.

Experiencing a blackout once in a while doesn’t necessarily indicate memory loss. However, frequent use of drugs increases temporary blackouts and permanently damages brain cells damaging cognitive function and memory.

They can lead to psychosis

Drug consumption can lead to psychosis, a severe symptom of delusion, or loss of the sense of reality. Psychosis has two main symptoms, which are;

• Hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that don’t exist)
• Delusions (believing things that are not true)

Psychotic episodes can last from hours to days, and the person undergoing a psychotic episode needs to be monitored and sedated if need be.

The duration and form of a psychotic episode vary from drug to drug. For example, cocaine can cause psychotic delusions within minutes after consumption, and alcohol-induced psychosis appears after weeks of intense alcohol consumption.

Frequent psychotic episodes can lead to a condition called delirium tremens, which is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment as it can be life-threatening.

Drugs can rewire your brain

Every drug has a different chemical structure, and these chemicals can negatively impact the brain upon entering the body. These chemicals can interfere with the brain’s communication system. They overstimulate the reward system by increasing dopamine release and imitating the natural neurotransmitters. Consistent use of drugs repeats the same processes in the brain, which changes the neural pathways causing further damage.

Neural connections dictate our behavior. When we perform an activity repeatedly, the neural connections for that activity strengthen. Repeated drug consumption can lead to new neural connections in our brain that possibly translate to negative behaviors, which impact our mental health in the long run.

They can cause stress

Stress is a leading cause of substance abuse. Consuming drugs slows down your heart rate, body, temperature, blood pressure and enhances relaxation. It also increases the levels of GABA, which is a neurotransmitter that suppresses the body’s natural response to deal with stress. Therefore, many people turn to drugs to relieve stress. However, you are prone to more mistakes like accidents, and impulsive financial decisions, when consuming drugs. Hence, drug consumption can cause you more stress in the longer run.

Drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine cause effects similar to that of stress, like decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and increased energy levels.

They can cause mental illnesses

Mental health practitioners often give people dealing with addiction and mental health illnesses at the same time a dual diagnosis. There is a constant debate over whether drug abuse causes mental illnesses or if mental illnesses lead to drug abuse. However, both drugs and mental illnesses have a direct correlation.

Dependence on drugs can leave you with no other option to deal with problems other than drug consumption. Therefore, increased dependence can contribute to mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. In addition, some drugs like cocaine and magic mushrooms can escalate already existing mental problems.

The Bottom Line

Drug use can lead to a chronic illness called substance addiction. In addition, it can ruin an individual’s social, mental, and physical health, so it is critical to recognize the symptoms and causes to seek professional help. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the ways drugs can affect your mental health. If you are a loved one are currently suffering from substance abuse, please reach out to a licensed practitioner and take the first step towards a healthy, happy, and drug-free life.