“I CAN HANDLE IT”

These are the four fatalistic words spoken by an alcoholic who is absolutely drunk…

And these are the very four words that more often than not take him to the grave.

“ I am sorry I will not do it again ..” after breaking the furniture for the umpteenth time the night before after getting drunk

“ He forced me to have a drink.. it is after all his birthday… I only had two.”

“  How can I not drink/use drugs… I was neglected as a child, my parents were never there when I was growing up… “ how old am I today? 30

“ I promise I will stop drinking from tomorrow itself.. today  I am feeling a little disturbed .. I need it.”

“  If you do not allow me too drink I will jump from the balcony”

“ I love you only, I will not look at another female..”  a guy high on drugs to his wife before calling his girlfriend after a minute.

“ Marijuana is not a drug . It is a herb , it is not addictive, it is legal in many countries in the world.”  A student who is stoned the entire day, grades are dropping and has auditory hallucinations as a consequence of using weed.

“ I will drink only 2 drinks today.. not more” this after having downed 4 drinks before coming home and kept 4 at the bar counter to gulp apart from the two had with the spouse.

“I can quit anytime”  “ I am not an alcoholic because I don’t drink since morning “  “ I don’t drink hard liquor hence I am not a alcoholic.”

“If you did not fight with me so much I would not drink “ “ you never appreciate me hence I took to drinks” “She broke my heart.. what could I do but drink?”

“You need treatment not me”

“ I cannot go to a rehab now, I have my business to look after, my children need me”

Sound familiar ?

How many times have you been caught in these web of apologies promises emotional blackmails et al…..  all  the web of manipulations spread by the person suffering from addiction . .

As a doctor I have seen clients of cirrhosis of the liver with fluid filling in their abdomen and vomiting blood and telling me I will be fine … I am waiting to attend the New Years bash at so n so’s place … it will be rocking! …. n soon drinking again without accepting help and not living to see the new year in . This is where the manipulation of the person addicted kills him …

By being socially manipulative they manage to keep their relationships alive on false promises, persuading partners to take on their responsibilities and take care of them . Plans and family outings  are made around using .. lies and deceptions and excuses made in order to drink/ use.  Many times parents and spouses even comply and get the alcohol and drugs themselves to prevent a fight or thinking if he/she uses at home he/she will remain safe . Thus the family unwittingly ends up enabling the addict .

Many times the addict starts believing his own fabricated stories which makes things worse as the lines between truth and falsehood blur.

The person risks reaching a state of mind in which the lying , making up stories and conniving are not considered wrong and seem to be a natural way of thinking and behaving. The masks become one with the face.

Causes of manipulation –

– Controlling those around

– Thinking that one will not be accepted or loved if one does not control

– Attention seeking

– All these lies and manipulations are to protect, guard, progress one’s usage of alcohol and drugs and throw a smokescreen on the same.

Consequences of manipulative behaviors

–  Loved ones around soon cry wolf as they see through the lies and deception

– The person addicted to alcohol/ drugs soon finds oneself isolated from friends , social dos and family and gets trapped in his/her own self deceptions and lies.

– The disease of addiction progresses as the person addicted keeps putting up blocks and obstacles in seeking or getting help through these manipulations.

Ways to avoid being manipulated for the co dependent

– You are not responsible for the drinking /using of the person addicted to the substance nor are you responsible to get him to stop doing so.

– From your own experiences with the person suffering from addiction identify and recognize when you have been manipulated.

– Realize you have the right to say no without feeling guilty even if made to feel so

-You are not responsible for keeping the addict happy so if you see the person being extremely polite to someone then in a split second being extremely rude and abrupt you are witness to classic manipulation . Keep a safe separation and detachment for your self preservation

–  If something unreasonable is being asked of you question it and probe and ask questions thus showing the mirror to the person addicted to the substance. If the person is a bit aware will realize that their manipulation has been seen through.

– Avoid self blame

Treatment

In treatment in order to get beyond one’s manipulative behavior

– Residential alcohol/drug rehab stay

– A treatment program that involves acceptance, inclusion, counseling, meditative techniques and other alternate therapies to enable the person addicted to identify, admit, accept and work introspectively towards taking responsibility of one’s actions and get beyond them thereby leading a joyful, honest full life not finding the need to use any alcohol/drugs.

Addiction to alcohol/drugs is literally a life or death situation. The manipulations , lies and deceptions are primarily self directed and are cries for help. By the time usage reaches addiction, the alcohol and drugs hijack the individual physically, mentally and spiritually.  Professionals who have the experience in treatment that is voluntary can facilitate the person into receiving help.

Reach out. Help is available.
Rehab India | Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre in India

Mephedrone aka m-cat aka meow- meow

A drug that has taken the Mumbai streets by storm due to lacunae created by poor quality cocaine and is cheaper than it, is Mephedrone also known as M-CAT/ meow-meow/plant food etc.

Mephedrone [4-methyl methcathinone (4-MMC) or 4-methyl ephedrone,] is a synthetic stimulant akin to amphetamines and is a cathinone similar to those found in the psychostimulant plant Khath used in Africa. It is sold across the world as plant food and research chemicals online in order to by pass legal bans and routes.

History 

It was first discovered in 1929 but went into obscurity till it was re synthesized by an underground chemist in Israel in about 2003 .

Mode of use– snorting, rectally, orally in tablets, intravenously.

Even today  the complete and long term effects of the drug on the brain and body have not been researched .  Hence what is known is from short term studies and effects observed in users and shared by them.

Effects

Users have described its effects to be akin to the effects of MDMA and cocaine.

Its effects set in within 15minutes to half an hour of snorting it and lasts for 3-4 hours.

It  creates a sense of euphoria, elation, sleeplessness, a sharpness and mental acuity that makes one feel very productive and able to focus better . It also creates a markedly heightened sexual desire with intercourse lasting for hours. This increases the chance of risky sexual behavior increasing the propensity to sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C etc.

Currently mephedrone is used in many places in the world for what are called as ““chemsex” parties .

Body and brain-

-It creates a complete lack of appetite wherein users do not eat at all while in the phase of using and consequently loose weight and fall ill.

-The pupils  are dilated,

there is an increase in heart rate of the drug user/ person addicted to the drug. Since the effect lasts only for a few hours the frequency of usage and quantity of usage gradually increase thus making abuse of the drug very easy.

-There is no low feeling or depression following the stoppage of use.

-Short term memory is grossly affected.

-Anxiety and paranoia are seen in some.

-Heightened nervous stimulation is seen in some resulting seizures.

-It also creates in some a feeling of affection towards people around.

-Teeth grinding , jaw clenching , cold fingers and toes are some other effects.

Withdrawals

Physical- Body ache, headache, heart palpitations, constipation, increased appetite,  excessive sleepiness, lachrymation, watering of the nose.

Mental- irritability , restlessness

Solution

The solution for someone addicted to the drug is a residential treatment program in a voluntary drug rehabilitation facility wherein the treatment program is voluntary, non medical and incorporating counseling , meditation and other therapies are incorporated . We at Anatta offer such a program wherein the individual is treated with understanding and acceptance and his/her confidentiality and anonymity is maintained.

ADDICTION AND NUTRITION

Alcohol and drug abuse /addiction can result in numerous and gross nutritional deficiencies that hamper the physical and mental health of the individual. A healthy diet plays a major role in sustaining and improving the quality of life in recovery.
Alcohol and drug use can affect nutrition in the following ways
(i)  Not eating- drinking and using drugs causes a drop in appetite and at times they forget to eat.
(ii)  Eating insufficient– Drinking /using drugs is given a priority over eating .
(iii)  Overeating- at times there can be an increased appetite due to drug and alcohol use and the person eats unconsciously without an idea of satiety.
(iv)  Damage to organs- Alcohol and drug abuse can result in damage to the liver, pancreas, stomach, intestinal linings which are all involved in the digestion, absorption and retention of nutrients in the body.
(v)  Drop in Immunity- The depletion of nutrients causes a fall in immunity making the person prone to various ailments
(vi)  Gastrointestinal disorders
(vii)  drop in glucose levels resulting in mental and physical imbalances.
Alcohol
Those addicted to alcohol have poor food intake. Either they do not eat at all in order to drink or eat a lot without awareness of satiety.
In both cases there is nutritional depletion as the body is busy processing the alcohol that needs to be metabolized before the food.
Alcohol results in inflammation of the gut and stomach lining  resulting in indigestion, acid reflux, gastritis, malabsorption resulting in diarrhea and consequent dehydration.
Severe deficiencies of Thiamine, B12,B6 and Folic acid develop resulting in conditions like peripheral neuritis , anemia, fatigue, headache, memory problems and Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome due to Thiamine deficiency.
Muscle wasting, immunity reduction happens making the person prone to ailments , and in Indians the most common ailment that afflicts a person when the immunity drops is Tuberculosis.
Chronic alcohol use can cause significant damage to the liver and pancreas which are involved in digestion of proteins, fats, carbohydrates , hormones and sugar balance thus causing an imbalance in them.
Opiates
Withdrawals from drugs like opium, heroin etc results in cramps and severe diarrhea preventing the person from eating resulting in dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Eating carbohydrates and enough fluids will tide over this.
Stimulants -like amphetamines, MDMA, Crystal meth, cocaine
Stimulants keep the drug user awake for hours on end, hyperactive and kills the appetite whereby people do not eat for days  . This results in malnutrition , electrolyte and hormonal imbalance leading to severe weight loss, muscle loss, alopecia, increased risk of infections , heart ailments, depression, apathy, confusion etc.
In treatment, eating more  can result in an upset digest system as it is just getting used to food. this requires an experienced medical care. meals should be had in small portions.
Marijuana
Marijuana usage results in a ravenous appetite but for mainly junk food excessive consumption of which can result in obesity. Lack of any nourishment in junk food results in malnutrition also. There is a deficiency of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids which can result in skin ailments like eczema, rash and other inflammatory processes. Healing of wounds is delayed and susceptibility to infections is increased.
Diet during Treatment and Recovery
-A craving for sweets develops in most people in recovery from addiction to alcohol and drugs , as sweets trigger the same dopamine reward pathway that are triggered by the substances in brain.
-Exercise regularly- various yoga asanas aid in bringing the hormonal balance in the body and regain optimum organ functioning, regain physical and mental balance and core muscle tone. Start working out slowly being in connect with one’s body as the existent muscle wasting and lack of tone if pushed into working out too soon and too hard will result in recurrent injuries.
-Eat more complex carbs – Green vegetables,Whole grains and foods made from them, such as and whole-grain breads,rotis, Starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and pumpkin, Beans, lentils, and peas.
(i)  Eat small portions of frequent meals, the appetite will slowly improve.
(ii)  There should be an increase in intake of fiber which will maintain gut health and proteins would help build muscles affected by alcohol and drug abuse.
(iii)  Avoid or reduce Caffeine intake in the form of coffee or carbonated drinks.
(iv)  Have plenty of water
(v)  Taking supplements of vitamins and minerals are essential as they will help initially to replenish immediate deficiencies and then enable the body to function well.
Every treatment /rehab facility should have a good and nutritious diet provision with adequate opportunities to exercise . We at AH provide such  an optimum  blend of nutrition and physical and mental growth in a luxurious ambience.
Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers In Mumbai

ACCEPTING HELP

The need to  “fit in” is an universal human trait - most youth do several things-dress alike keep up with the trends etc some of them being  drinking and smoking cigarettes- like a “rite of passage” and lo! It is an entry into the world of parties –being part of, etc.. the shy gangly adolescent turns into a sauve happening kid popular amongst the guys and girls alike.  The intake begins in a small manner as that is enough to give a high, loosen the tongue and the inhibitions. In the flush of youth, studies are managed and the drinks increase to 6-7-8 . from weekends to two or three times a week.
The increase is noted by friends, warnings are issued but ridiculed by the young man - “ be a man-drink like me !”  Is help accepted? Life is going great guns, the studies are done, the girls are there one or many .. more often one too many than one.  The new job is gotten, a fat pay packet to boot.  The alcohol flows, the money too flows generously “friends “ benefit.
Slowly the hangovers take over... waking up with heavy heads become a norm…  the drinks are tried to be controlled now, the hangover hidden with coffee and soon enough through a drink to get over the hangover as the body and mind is in shambles ... focus is lost.. meetings are missed, absenteeism sets in... one tries to “ cut down to two or three drinks” succeeds for a few days then one fight at the office or home front, the three becomes 10 in no time and without any inkling as to how it reached there... the intention had been just have the three drinks and pacify the girlfriend/wife [This is the compulsive nature of an addictive mind taking over]  After three all intentions get drowned in the bottle... the next morning one wakes up with absolutely no memory of what transpired the night before- a blackout . The blackout starts becoming frequent. [Is help accepted here?] The mind remains more befuddled...The thinking changes… It becomes more grandiose, emotions are exaggerated, mountains are made out of molehills- though alcohol s temporarily not there because it is untreated the mental habits do not change.  Everything triggers an emotional reaction either expressed or in expressed. Life revolves around planning to get the next drink or start drinking.  [The obsession takes over]
Friends start avoiding as Dr. Jekyll turns to Mr. Hyde post a few drinks.. Friendships are lost.. guilt and remorse sets in.. and to forget it , guess what- more drinks are drowned.. but does one forget? No- cause the drink only magnifies the hurt existent real or imagined. [is help accepted now]
Again the decision to stop drinks.. but in the next one day, one hour or next five minutes the man finds a glass in his hand and a half a bottle down. It is baffling! How did that happen? [it is a cunning baffling disease- and the time from a thought of a drink to an intense thought to craving to obsession and compulsive drinking can take a few seconds to minutes to hours or days ] Help accepted?
The family intervenes. The hands are unsteady the body tremors cannot hold a glass; yet the thought” I can handle it” The liver is fired – on the verge of cirrhosis on the hospital bed- and yet the thought “I can handle the bottle” the struggle goes on; the life revolves around controlling the drink and going back to “social drinking” of 2-3pegs, a futile illusionary dream! [ this is the denial of dependency] The family tries to control the drink- drink wine- drink at home- I will drink with you- you are taking advantage of us! Another futile illusionary dream! [ the denial of the co dependent] Is help accepted?  For, now it has reached the stage of Addiction – “first the man drinks the drink, then the drink drinks the drink, then the drink drinks the man. “
 The drinking that was fun at a point  and solution at times now has become a problem!
But one is unable to stop for long on one’s own... people around “society” at large think that the man is a drunk ..he can stop on his own but he is selfish and wants to enjoy life at the cost of his family. However, the person addicted drinks now to keep away pain- physical and psychological and there is no more “fun” in it. [ is help asked for and accepted?]He/she is sick and tired  of feeling sick and tired
 The family approaches psychiatrists or an experiential addiction counselor for help ... the person who is chemically dependent now meets the counselor. An experiential counselor is one who has lived a life of addiction to drugs or alcohol and has accepted treatment and gone beyond the need to use alcohol or drugs for a substantial length of time. The light is seen at the end of the tunnel... identification is established... he understands my story, as my story has been his story... and if he can do it then I too have hopes of reaching where he has reached today and he will guide me into doing the things he did to arrive at where he is.
Help is finally looked for in the right place and accepted. Thus it is seen that one cannot predict when a person can ask for and accept help.
This is half the battle won.
We at Anatta are here to help those who accept help and to enable those who resist to arrive at a decision to accept help. We have our rehabilitation centers scattered in most parts of India like rehabilitation Center in Pune, rehabilitation center in Nagpur and drugs and alcohol rehabilitation centers in Delhi. Come to us and we will help you see life in a new way without alcohol and drugs.