Child abuse is seen to be a closely related to issues of later substance abuse

The article, Research finds substance abuse varies widely in association with child abuse, neglect, Source; The University of Kansas states

“Alcohol and other drug use are regularly linked to child abuse or neglect in families, but simply assuming the former causes the latter is not taking a deep enough look. A University of Kansas professor has authored a pair of studies examining how a range of parental alcohol and substance use behaviors are related to abusive and neglectful parenting behaviors and argues that a more thorough understanding can help address the associated problems to better serve families.”

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Modern Strides Being Made in Addiction and Mental Health

Modern strides for aiding addiction recovery and helping in overcoming mental health disorders are creating opportunities for individuals to incorporate new perspectives, healing, and new tools and techniques in the quest for the best possible health outcomes. With new ways of looking at and treating addiction, will come less stigma attached with the disease.

The Evolution of a Theory

No longer seen as a sign of weak character or moral shortcoming, there have been great advancements made in helping individuals to recover from addiction and to overcome mental health disorders. Modern theory over the last fifty years now views addiction as a treatable disease and there are a number of treatment plans available to help the individual struggling with addiction or mental health issues.

At the Beginning

Most drug and alcohol recovery programs begin with the process of detoxing. Once the substance that has been abused is removed and the addict is allowed to work on recovery with a clear mind and body the foundation is laid for addressing the issues that led to addiction.

Therapy

One of the tools used in recovery is therapy. It is now recognized that many addicts have undiagnosed or untreated mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTS, and other issues that need to be addressed. Therapy can include individual, group, immersion, cognitive, behavioral counseling, and other types of counseling.

Skills for Living

Another useful tool is to develop skills for living. This is useful for both addiction recovery and mental health issues. These skills may include anger management, priority setting, visualization, and learning appropriate self-talk and interpersonal communication skills. Many modern Addiction Treatment centers work with patients to come up with plans to work on these skills.

A United Front

Another modern stride toward working with addiction and mental health issues is recognizing the body/mind/spirit connection. Being united and holistic in looking at healing both in body and mind can be beneficial in working about the greatest change.

Food is the First Medicine

Nutrition is paramount. Many addicts are malnourished which exacerbates problems. Recognizing the connection between health and nutrition, addiction recovery centers take pride in not only providing nutritious cuisine but often try to use organic foodstuffs whenever possible.

Move

Exercise is a major component in the goal of attaining health. In numerous studies, exercise has proven a wonderful method for restoring both physical and mental health.

The Skills of Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness practice is an ancient system that is now being studied by scientists and added to the tool chest to help individuals in every walk of life have a better quality of life. Mindfulness training is a method to calm and quiet the mind and is proving extremely useful for people seeking help in overcoming addiction and mental illness.

Supplements

Supplements, vitamins, herbs, tinctures, and teas are a method now being employed to help people live their best lives. The benefits of natural supplements are gaining acceptance with allopathic healthcare providers.

Drugs

Many people have had good outcomes with the use of medication to control mental illness. Pharmacological modalities are one more possible way to handle the challenges that come with mental illness and addiction. The individual should work closely with his/her healthcare provider to reach the right dosage as it not only varies with each person, but one person’s plan may change over time.

Connection

One of the obstacles and/or symptoms that add to the problems of addiction and mental illness is a tendency for people in that state to isolate. We now recognize this as a symptom of the disease, and one that lends itself to the dilemma of the downward spiral. One of the best ways to deal with mental illness and addiction is to develop a connection with others. Whether it is through therapy, family, friends, or a group with which one shares common interests, it is beneficial to form healthy alliances.

Animal Companions

Another avenue for healing is through interacting with animals. Their non-judgmental affection enables people to find peace and comfort. The responsibility of nurturing and enjoying the company of an animal companion is therapeutic. So much so that some addiction recovery centers are now adding an animal care component, such as equestrian therapy, as part of their healing services.

Joy

One of the best things that an individual on the road to recovery can do is to find an arena of satisfaction. Whether it’s a hobby, sport, intellectual pursuit, or cause, finding something that brings personal satisfaction is a way to maintain mental and emotional equilibrium. In addiction and mental illness, hobbies and goals are often jettisoned and restoring them is one of the roadways back to health.

In the sphere of mental health and recovery from addiction, there have been incredible modern strides made in diagnosis and treatment.

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Substance Abuse Counseling for Bath Salts: A Psychological Time Bomb

‘Bath Salts‘ are a relatively new drug to hit the market, following in the wake of the ‘plant food’, methadrone.  Despite the name, they have no relation to the salts that you and I use for a relaxing soak; rather the name for another drug that has been manufactured specifically for the purpose of getting high. It has already spread across America, with the rate of spread increasing at an alarming rate. Sold under many names representing particular ‘strains’ the chemicals inside rarely differ to too much of a degree.

The active chemicals, the parts that have an actual effect are pryovalerone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone and mephedrone. All of which are stimulants designed so that your heart beats faster and you have much more energy. The effects of bath salts could even be described as being LSD like in the hallucinations and visions that they invoke. While they are similar in effect to drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine or speed, there is a large distinction between them. Bath Salts do not offer the same euphoria as these drugs and typically will mean that the user will experience confusing and frightening times.
As they have hit the market and managed to circumvent the anti-drugs legislation, they are quickly becoming a very popular drug amongst young people. The fact that it is legal means that it is sold by head shops and on the internet in large quantities.  One of the few ‘advantages'(the term used loosely) of the legality of bath salts is that purveyors will have no reason to pollute the drug with cheaper components, as they will already be available cheaply. It is shipped from the east: India, China and Asia, then packaged into whichever garb it is being sold under. The packages do contain a warning about not being suitable for human consumption. But the rest of the packaging makes it obvious to any reader exactly what the product is for.
The major problem with bath salts, as with all of the new designer drugs that hit the market is that since they are so new there is next to no information on the long term effects of abuse. Even a relatively well policed drug like thalidomide managed to make it to the market and be well used before the terrible effects were realized. These legal highs are already pushing the boundaries of toxic chemicals, the potential unknown long term effects could be devastating. Whilst even knowing the difference between a normal and a fatal dose is guesswork.
What is already known about the side effects of the drugs is extremely bad news. Users have displayed symptoms of stimulant overdose and brain damage. Delusions and paranoid hallucinations can be very common. With studies showing  that up to 50% of users are likely to develop a form of schizophrenia.
There are already a great many cases where people high on bath salts have had psychotic breaks and been driven to commit quite violent and disturbing acts.
The news story that has been at the forefront of peoples’ minds lately is of the man, Randy Eugene  who ran naked through the streets until he found a homeless pensioner, who he brutally attacked and tried to eat the face of.  He actually took bites out of another man’s face. Apparently bath salts were already illegal in Miami Florida where the attack took place. But this incident and many others like it are causing a stir amongst the authorities. There are already plans in place to ban the active components of the drug.
It is clear from the sheer numbers of people being admitted to hospitals and poison control centers that this drug is already out of control. Topped off with the amount of violent and bizarre crimes being committed  by the users. There are many tales of people becoming scared of the paranoid hallucinations that are afflicting them and trying to escape. In most cases this means putting other people at serious risk. This means for most cases that the users who are already delusional and a huge risk to their own and public safety are then extremely likely to direct their anger towards the very people who are trying to diffuse the situation.
What is clear is that anyone using such a drug is putting their physical and mental health under a massive strain. No good can come of this and if we do not act to curb the drug soon as schizophrenia and madness could reach epidemic proportion.

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