“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

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT A PARENT’S ADDICTION

Growing up in a family in which a member is addicted to alcohol or drugs , can be chaotic and scary to a child. Witnessing the fights and the tears between the parents and the displaced anger they are inflicted upon many times makes them believe that they are responsible for the drinking or using of their addicted parent.  It is confusing. They can get reactive, aggressive angry. The academic studies are affected. They can become under achievers or over achievers to compensate for the helplessness and anger they feel. Many a time they too begin using addictive substances. They can be more mature for their age.

They are faced with repeated promises of giving up and being lied to and lied about by their addicted loved one. Taking care of ones needs in such situations seems not right to them.
How to speak to your child depends on their age. the primary premise being the child should be told the truth in an age appropriate manner.
The following general guidelines can be followed:
The affection on the child and its impact has to be acknowledged and the child has to be encouraged to express its feelings.
The shame associated is to addressed. Many times the parent blames the chid for their usage causing them to take on responsibility for their using. They need to be explained that the parent under influence is very different and they are also helpless about their use.
It takes time for a child of an addict to process their emotions to identify and express them without fear. An environment where they can do so should be created
Below 10years- Children can identify with feeling  an intense desire to want a toy and want it when they want it and throwing a tantrum when they are unable to get it and many times their mind tells them “no” but they cannot help themselves. It can be explained that their  parent behaves in the same manner when they want to drink alcohol or use drugs. And even when they know they are making the wrong choice they still choose it.
Very young children can be told that their parent /loved one is ill  from an addiction.
Early teens-They find it difficult to listen to long winding explanations. It is better to ask their understanding of the situation at home and answer their questions honestly.
Older teens : today are already seeing substance use and addiction around them in their friends so identifying the same in their parents is not difficult. Hence ,  trying to minimize their loved ones usage is not right. An opening to the conversation can be that “ you had seen your dad trip down the stairs and I had to help him get to bed. “ they will share similar experience and from there it can be explained that the parent  is afflicted by addiction , what it is, and how the effort is to motivate them to go for treatment to a alcohol/drug rehab.
One person of the family preferably a parent or a counselor of the family trained in addiction and co dependency treatment speaks to the child and passes on the facts. This prevents confusion and gossip to the kids.
The National Association for Children of Alcoholics,say ,Annata Drug Alcohol Rehab centre Indiachildren need to know the “Seven Cs of Addiction”:
I didn’t Cause it.
I can’t Cure it.
I can’t Control it.
I can Care for myself
By Communicating my feelings,
Making healthy Choices, and
By Celebrating myself.
Every day a child lives with an addicted parent it is becoming damaged psychologically. Other sources of help need to be also taken- such as Al a Teen the self help group for children of those addicted to substances. Also regular Counseling by an experiential Co dependency counselor or one who has worked in the field for long needs to be done as when they see non judgmental acceptance with love being imparted they feel safe to emote , trust and express and receive help.
We provide this facility in AH to all children of our clients and have seen them blossom with self love and care.

Youth And Addiction

The youth of any generation are the clay of which future adults emerge.
The youth today are the special ones who have the world literally in the palm of their hands. There is so much information bombardment. The minds that are already highly impressionable are spoilt for choice . There is also an excessive experimentation , use ,abuse and addiction to drugs and alcohol seen amongst them.
The incidences of dependency and addiction to substance amongst them is increasing by leaps and bounds. In India the legal age for drinking hard liquor is on an average 21-25 years.. But we see drinking beginning at as young an age as 14-15years.
Probable reasons for use
Young kids begin drinking with the intention of doing something taboo, then they discover it lowers their inhibitions and it seems to be more fun. Many times seeing their parents drinking and getting intoxicated on a regular basis makes them think this is as a norm. Family history of addictions, dysfunctional families , childhood abuse,  emotional traumas, a need to “fit in” may incline them towards using .
Effects on the Brain and Risks involved:
The brain of a human being develops till age 21years.Adolescents tend to binge drink to begin with i.e. having large quantities of alcohol in a short span of time. This results in affections of thinking , learning and memory as the hippocampus[ the region that is responsible for this] gets damaged.. The pre-frontal lobe of the brain gets damaged affecting the abilities of planning, reasoning , decision making and impulse control.
Risk behaviors increase in the form of being promiscuous and have unsafe , unprotected sex, fights, violent crimes, homicides, suicides, accidents due to DUI etc. Sexual assaults and date rapes increase. Grades are affected.
The patterns of drug consumption have also changed. Alcohol  intake is not to savor the taste but to to get completely “wasted” . Marijuana today is no longer just “ a herb” but comes in very potent forms and adulterated with chemicals too. We have treated too many young people with addiction to only marijuana and have their lives wasted by dropping off studies and being non productive.
Marijuana gets one acquainted with dealers and users who deal in other drugs, thus it becomes  a “gateway” for further use. A naturally curious adolescent and young mind craving for new experiences does not even realize before it is engaged and engulfed in usage of drugs that are  addictive even on single use.
Today heroin is laced wth fentanyl, Nbome is sold as LSD, mefedrone as cocaine etc and these are extremely addictive and potentially very fatal.
The young of today are thus looking fro answers  in drugs/alcohol , fanaticism  etc… the world gets more virtual and real time communication with family diminishes . A grounding within themselves is lost. This intelligence, curiosity and drive if it can be channelized through meditative practices inwards, then there can be tremendous progress in every sphere in life, physical, mental and spiritual and the world can progress. Else it is going to be a zombie world where a substance  is taken for everything from waking up[coffee], to work, to stay alert [adderal] , to stay calm[alprazolam] to sleep [alcohol,valium] and would be apocalyptic.
We at AH look at helping our young clients to be self sufficient pro-life individuals who do not find the need to use drugs/alcohol through our Alternate Life therapy program involving meditation, introspection and counseling.

http://anatta.in/youth-and-addiction/

MDMA [3,4,methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine]

The rave and party drug that has taken the party scene by a storm for several decades .

it is available in Pill form – Ecstasy – which can however be adulterated by bath salts[cathionines]  or any other chemicals. It is called Molly for “molecular” available in capsule form but which can be mixed with bath salts again. It is also available in crystal form which is swallowed or dissolved in water and drunk . Powdered versions are also available  which are snorted.

it is a psychedelic drug with stimulant effects.

It affects three chemicals in the brain-

Dopamine- causes euphoria and increased energy.

Norepinephrine- causes increase in heart rate and in blood pressure which can result even in a heart attack or a stroke.

Serotonin- MDMA causes the brain to secrete enormous amounts of serotonin and eventually this depletes the serotonin sources and reduces it considerably. Initially it causes one to feel all loving and caring , alters perceptions, heightens the senses. However,  soon it causes a very low dip or even depression and anxiety in the individual.

The effect of MDMA sets in within 30 to 60 minutes. In 3.5 to 4 hours it peaks followed by a plateau and then a depressive phase to stave off which a dose is popped again.

At times to enhance the psychedelic effects it is combined with LSD, Psilocybin mushrooms or Ketamine called as “flipping”. Also with marijuana and alcohol.

Effects. The person under influence becomes physically very active alert and hence it is used in rave parties where people dance non stop for the entire night and day . The music has a synergistic effect in enhancing the psychedelic effects. The mind becomes hyperactive. Thoughts run at a high speed.

After effects-  dry mouth, lack of appetite, bruxism [ lockjaw] repeated involuntary  clenching of teeth  , blurred vision, chills, sweating, fatigue, anxiety, paranoea, feelings of excessive love, increased sexual desire, this can result in high risk sexual behaviors too , insomnia, lack of focus .

In people who have myopia, with a high number , MDMA causes expansion of the eyeball which puts pressure on the retina . the small retinal capillaries might leak resulting in floaters in the line of vision. Retinal tears also might happen increasing the risk of loss of vision.

In people who have traits of ADHD , the use of this drug magnifies the effects.

In people with underlying anxiety and dependency issues , these symptoms get highlighted and last longer.

Thus depending on the frequency , duration, quantity of usage  and the underlying personality traits, the duration of the effects also vary.

Over the course of the week following moderate use of the drug, a person may experience: irritability, impulsiveness and aggression, depression,sleep problems, anxiety, memory and attention problems, decreased appetite, decreased interest in and pleasure from sex

Chronic use results in depression anxiety and paranoea.

Other physical adverse effects

MDMA can cause increased body temperatures to abnormal levels so much so that it can lead to multi organ failure , heart failure and can prove fatal.

Withdrawals seen –  fatigue , anxiety, depression, lack of appetite , difficulty in focus.

Treatment-

Residential care in an alternate life therapy center/drug rehab in an environment that is non judgmental, loving and accepting with counseling, meditation, yoga, writing and other alternate therapies is the path to a  resolution.

We provide the same at AH

http://anatta.in/mdma-34methylenedioxy-n-methylamphetamine/ 

INHALANT ABUSE

Ever seen a kid sniffing something from a pouch or a cloth on railway stations? Seen a school kid’s white ink getting over sooner than it has been bought? Office supplies ordered more than required especially cleaning fluids, glue etc? Most likely you are looking at an addiction to inhalants.
Inhalants are drugs that are rarely taken via any other route of administration though there are other illicit drugs that can be inhaled too. The term of usage is called “huffing.”
Products Abused as Inhalants
Volatile solvents—liquids that vaporize at room temperature
Industrial or household products, including paint thinners or removers, degreasers, dry-cleaning fluids, gasoline, and lighter fluid
Art or office supply solvents, including correction fluids, felt-tip marker fluid, electronic contact cleaners, and glue
Aerosols—sprays that contain propellants and solvents
Household aerosol propellants in items such as spray paints, hair or deodorant sprays, fabric protector sprays, aerosol computer cleaning products, and vegetable oil sprays
Gases—found in household or commercial products and used as medical anesthetics
Household or commercial products, including butane lighters and propane tanks, whipped cream aerosols or dispensers (whippets), and refrigerant gases
Medical aesthetics, such as ether, chloroform, halothane, and nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”)
Nitrites—used primarily as sexual enhancers
Organic nitrites are volatiles that include cyclohexyl, butyl, and amyl nitrites, commonly known as “poppers.” Amyl nitrite is still used in certain diagnostic medical procedures. When marketed for illicit use, organic nitrites are often sold in small brown bottles labelled as “video head cleaner,” “room odorizer,” “leather cleaner,” or “liquid aroma.”
These products are not considered as drugs of abuse but have been found to be so more so in young children than older teens or adults.
Methods of usage
Abusers of inhalants breathe them in through the nose or mouth in a variety of ways (known as “huffing”). They may sniff or snort fumes from a container or dispenser (such as a glue bottle or a marking pen or white ink), spray aerosols (such as computer cleaning dusters) directly into their nose or mouth, or place a chemical-soaked rag in their mouth. Abusers may also inhale fumes from a balloon or a plastic or paper bag. Although the high produced by inhalants usually lasts just a few minutes, abusers often try to prolong it by continuing to inhale repeatedly over several hours.
Effects on Brain and Body of Inhalant abuse
Repeated abuse of inhalants are addictive.
Inhalant effects are similar to that of alcohol- slurred speech, lack of coordination, dizziness , euphoria etc..  They can also experience hallucinations and delusions.  They may feel loss of control of self with light headedness and a lingering headache
Breathing difficulties also occur with at times stoppage of breath. There can be abdominal discomfort , nausea, ulcers, vomiting and vomiting of blood. Irregular heart beats might occur. Nervous system damage happens in the form of affection of sensations, muscle power and coordination, degeneration of brain function and capacity. Liver functions are also affected.
Inhalant abuse and addiction in India is becoming more prevalent amongst urban street children, especially addiction to cobbler’s glue, petrol fumes etc Even the well heeled school children are getting addicted to white ink, glue etc.  I have seen children afflicted with tremors, in coordination, confusion with difficulty to function psychologically or their capacity etc.
We at Anatta provide the right environs for growth , healing and a return to a regular vibrant life. We are the best alcohol rehab centres and drug addiction treatment centres in India.So take advantage of the most convenient and luxurious rehab centre in India.

QUESTIONNAIRES TO IDENTIFY CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE AND CO DEPENDENCY

There are standard questionnaires by which one can identify the existence of an alcohol or drug problem that requires treatment.
The most common questionnaire for alcohol and drug use is the CAGE questionnaire
CAGE Questions
1. Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (eye-opener)?
CAGE Questions Adapted to Include Drug Use (CAGE-AID)
1. Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on your drinking or drug use?
2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing you’re drinking or drug use?
3. Have you felt bad or guilty about your drinking or drug use?
4. Have you ever had a drink or used drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (eye-opener)?
Scoring: Item responses on the CAGE questions are scored 0 for "no" and 1 for "yes" answers, with a higher score being an indication of alcohol problems. A total score of two or greater is considered clinically significant. However even one positive score indicates the presence of an alcohol / drug problem that requires treatment in the form of rehabilitation.

Likewise there are questionnaires to identify Co-dependency in a family member or close loved one of the person addicted to alcohol / drugs
1. Did you ever lose time from work due to your relationship with an addicted person?
2. Have your relationships ever made your life unhappy?
3. Have your relationships affected your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after manipulating a situation?
5. Did you ever control situations to get money to pay debts household bills or otherwise solve financial difficulties that belong to someone else?
6. Has your involvement in a relationship caused a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After a fight or disagreement, did you feel you must get even?
8. After winning an argument, did you have a strong urge to restate your point?
9. Did you often stay in a relationship until your last hope was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow money to finance another person's addiction or associated crisis?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance another person's addiction or associated crisis?
12. Were you reluctant to purchase necessary items because it may cause a disagreement?
13. Did your relationships make you care less of the welfare of yourself and your family?
14. Did you ever stay in a degrading or dangerous situation longer than you planned?
15. Have you ever dragged old hurts into discussions about current items?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, and illegal act to finance someone's addiction?
17. Did your relationships cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to change someone else?
19. Did you ever have an idea that if loved ones would only see things your way, life would be much better?
20. Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your reactions or relationships?

Answering yes to five or more of these questions is an indication that codependency has become a problem in your life.
If you test positive for either of the above tests you would need to consult a substance abuse counselor who will guide you to the next course of action required to be taken. It can vary upon the situation. They may consult for alcohol rehabilitation treatment or rehab for drug or any other treatment that may work on you.
We at Anatta Humanversity Pvt.Ltd. facilitate the treatment of the dependent and co dependent in a loving, accepting, ambiance, being client specific and maintaining the highest level of confidentiality in our rehab centers in India. 

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.

GOING BEYOND EMOTIONS

Man lives in his mind.
Most of his activity revolves around the mind. As a result the body has been neglected and the unity of mind body has been shaken. The result- stress, emotional angst etc... we color every experience with emotions , thus deluding us from reality.
Have you ever eaten something very delicious and wanted to hold on to that taste ? For that, if you stay hungry and do not brush your teeth the whole day..what do you think will happen? The next morning, you wake up hungry, stinking  and grumpy and the taste that one so wanted to hold on to is now only in the mind...  this is exactly what we do with our emotions .. Whether happy or sad, we tend to hold on to them till they raise a stink....
We find ourselves living in more than one mind at a time trying to think why another person behaved in a particular manner , what will people think  if I did this etc. ; living in one mind itself is tiring , imagine living in multiple minds- exhausting!
In addiction  , the addict is at an advantage because the problem is so in the face that he has to do something about it. With the rest of the world the proverbial carpet is ever present.
But do things actually get brushed under the carpet? The incidents will, but the emotions are held on to in a conscious or unconscious form either suppressed or repressed... which then colors all our responses to incidents in our lives.
Thus, we can conclude that it is our emotions that are behind every so called “ issue” in our lives. “Gurus” tell us go beyond emotions, detach ourselves from emotions, be in the present, renounce our relations, material things etc but can we “renounce” our minds? And HOW do we go beyond all our emotions?
Our mind never allows us to see reality as it is, for, it takes us to the past and the future [ both non -existent]  thus enabling us never to  be in the present. A story- two monks come across a woman waiting to cross a river. One of the monks volunteers to help and carries the woman across, lets her down and goes his way. The younger monk begins arguing for 3 hours about how could the monk touch a woman , it is forbidden in their sect and is a sin… the older monk quietly tells him,  I dropped off the woman 3 hours ago..I see my friend, that you are still carrying her... this, is what we do with all our emotions.
The ability of going beyond emotions is inherently present within each of us, we only have to become aware of it and live it.
A few methods we incorporate :
Writing
The writing is in a prescribed manner. We write all the incidents in our lives as they happened  , without embellishments or adornment  of philosophy and retrospective analysis. It is describing the incident as it happened. Then, to make it more interesting write down the emotions you felt at the time separately. Also add the emotions you feel now when writing the incident. If you sit with yourself for at least 45mins everyday and keep writing all the incidents in your life in this method ; slowly you will realize that you develop a detachment from the emotions one has held on to over the years.
Meditation
Regular practice of meditation releases suppressed and repressed emotions stored in our cellular memory and changes the structure of our brains, reducing the size of the areas that cause emotional fluctuations thereby changing the responses to stressors around us ; the areas of our brains that regulate compassion and empathy increases in size. Meditation keeps us in the present moment.
Yoga
Yoga balances the interiority of an individual ,keeping one in the present enabling an increase in awareness of our body and mind.
Being present
Extending this practice of being present to everything we do in life. While eating eat , while drinking water drink, while walking, walk.... cut out the multitasking.
Being present and doing all of the above to do so , eventually, helps us to deal with incidents in our lives without attaching emotions to them and seeing them in all their reality and we learn to truly “respond “ instead of “ reacting”.

We at Anatta enable this ability to go beyond emotions to surface and provide the tools to maintain it because we are one of the finest rehabilitation treatment centers in India.
Get speedy recovery from drug and alcohol addiction with the top drug rehab center as well as top alcohol rehab in India. We are only a phone call away.

MEDITATION

In life if we zoom in closely all crises are emotional crises...we do not see reality as it is but always tend to colour it with emotions that results in ”stress” or distress. In addiction too, once the person is in rehabilitation treatment centres and the substance is stopped and in the treatment process the real issues that crop up are all of emotional unmanageability.
We assume that over the years we have “dealt with” past injuries or incidents that have affected us. Then why does illness strike us? Why is it that we react untowardly to a situation that does not call for such a reaction? This is because the emotions that we thought we have dealt with have only been suppressed or worse, repressed for they have been stored in the cells of our body. Cellular memory has been discovered by science today.
Today it has been proved that the ancient eastern sciences of meditation enable one to attain a balance which is the result of actual structural and biochemical changes that take place in the brain due to meditative practices proved by the advent of advanced CT and functional MRI machines and other technical devices..
Meditation techniques are a bridge towards actual meditation. They are very scientific and developed over centuries by those who have attained.
They have been developed based on pure experience and observations of being aware and taking us beyond emotions.
Effects of Suppression of Emotions
Once any emotion is triggered, if the flow is impeded by suppression of the same, the energy that has resulted in the release of so many biochemical actions on the body and brain is unable to retract these changes. As a result, the chemicals bring about a change at the cellular level and can come up eventually with physical ailments like hypertension, migraines and even cancer in the long run. Psychological ailments like anxiety neuroses, depression, personality disorders might result. In the current scenario of society, meditation might not be directly possible due to these various suppressions and repressions that block the flow of natural energy. Hence the process of catharsis is very essential.
Active meditations enable this catharsis to take place in a guided manner making way for an experience of a meditative state.
What is meditation? Meditation is not sitting with closed “concentrating” on the breath or something. Let us try an experiment—close your eyes and be “aware” of the breathing that is happening in your body.. it is an involuntary process..be aware of it through the rise and fall of your abdomen for a few moments..open your eyes.. Were there any thoughts in your mind for that time? No? You just experienced a state of meditation. This state of ‘no mind’ is the state of meditation .Regular practice of different techniques takes us to that state and eventually we realise that we take life moment to moment and respond instead of reacting.
Current Scientific Studies on Meditation
Researchers at Harvard, Yale, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found the first evidence that meditation can alter the physical structure of our brains. Brain scans they conducted reveal that in experienced meditators increased thickness in parts of the brain that deal with attention and processing sensory input & associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress is seen. Likewise, the area of the brain that is responsible for emotional reactions-the amygdala is seen to reduce in size. Thus, though the stressors in the environment remain the same the responses to them change. Thus meditation is also very psychotherapeutic!

Conclusion
Science is still in a fledgling stage to discover the actual Meditative state. However, the individual experience of the state is the only proof required. But for a person with addiction, Anatta Humanversity being a drug & alcohol rehabilitation center will get a person out of the addiction in the best possible manner. Moreover, this alcohol rehab center has branches all over India.

ARE YOU LIVING A NIGHTMARE THAT IS NOT YOURS?

A person starts to drink in the company of friends, at a party, or with one’s father, as an “introduction to manhood”. One feels good, on a high, inhibitions reduced. It becomes easier to say things you would otherwise have not said; talking to the girls becomes much simpler and fun; suddenly one becomes the life of the party.
The desire to feel the same high continues but the same intake of the substance does not achieve this, as the body has developed a tolerance. The quantity of consumption increases.
At the job deals are closed over “entertaining “with alcohol. Problems at work lead to increased consumption. Managing home and work becomes stressful.  The same “high” is not attained, hence the quantity increases. At this stage the family, whether, the wife or the parents start feeling alarmed and start admonishing and asking the person to cut down on the drinks. This is a stage of problem drinking.
Slowly ,  the weekend consumption  becomes daily; from 2-3 pegs it becomes 5-6 or more. Social meetings, family dinners and work meetings are arranged around the availability of alcohol.  Instead of using alcohol, abusing it begins. Sexual desire increases and risk behaviours increase. This happens insidiously. This is Alcohol Abuse.
Then the nightmare unfolds for the person. The thought processes change. Incidents get colored by emotions that are exaggerated, like watching a movie on a 100mm screen. Identification develops with the personality that has changed due to the alcohol. Suspicion and paranoia set in.  He wants to have only 4/ 5 drinks but loses count after that and before he knows it, he is a bottle down. He decides, he will not drink today but in 5 minutes or 5 hours, he finds himself with a glass in hand. He has just gone for a walk after an entire day of not drinking eating healthily, having a nice time with family, before he realizes he finds himself in a bar 4 drinks down. The mornings are terrible, the body unsteady shaking, tremors, a mind befuddled with last night’s hangover, and no memory of how he reached home, whom did he meet, or has he gotten his car back [ “Blackouts” – the person has absolutely no memory of  his words and actions , of what has transpired while he was drunk ] This increases the terror that arises within, giving a sickening sinking feeling – which is then appeased with another drink to stabilise.. Or, months can go without drinking [untreated] and suddenly without warning he finds himself drinking again. This is Addiction to alcohol, the drink consumes he person, and he loses control of the drink and his life.  Thus, he is living a nightmare that he is unable to wake up from.
 The family pulls themselves into this nightmare trying to control his drinking without understanding that treatment is essential at this stage in the form of residential, voluntary, rehabilitation. They lose their identity and identify themselves with his nightmare; [Co dependency] they require as much help.
On reading the above do you identify with the experience of the nightmare that the person drinking is going through? Then,You need to visit drug & alcohol rehabilitation centre.
Or, do you identify living with a nightmare that is not yours?  Then,You need help too.
AH provides a voluntary, residential care in an exclusive ambience, with non –medically, with meditation and counselling techniques as cornerstones of therapy along with other alternate life therapies. It is one of the best alcohol addiction treatment centres.
Help is available through addiction treatment centres, which is just a phone call away.

MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT ADDICTION AND TREATMENT

Among the hundreds of myths surrounding addiction and treatment, the following are especially relevant to individuals who are beginning to question the true nature of their relationship with addictive substances and are considering the possibility of seeking treatment.
•    Myth: Addiction is a bad habit the result of moral weakness and over-indulgences.
•    Fact: Addiction is a chronic, life-threatening condition, like hypertension, and diabetes.
•    Fact: Addiction has roots in genetic susceptibility, social circumstance, and personal behavior.
•    Fact: Certain drugs are highly addictive, rapidly causing biochemical and structural changes in the brain. Others can be used for longer periods of time before they begin to cause inescapable cravings and compulsive use.
•    Myth: Bad, stupid, and crazy people are most susceptible to becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs.
•    Fact: Addiction is an equal opportunity disease. It does not discriminate in any way against any class of people. It strikes equally among individuals in all ethnic, socio-economic, intelligence, and emotional wellness categories.
•    Myth: If an addict has enough willpower, he or she can stop abusing alcohol and using drugs.
•    Fact: Few people addicted to alcohol and other drugs can simply stop using them, no matter how strong their inner resolve. Most need at least one course of structured substance abuse treatment or drug and alcohol rehabilitation to end their dependence on alcohol and other drugs. Some achieve sobriety through participation in community-based support organizations (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous), but relapse rates under this condition are very high. The most effective approach is one that combines residential treatment, community-based support and rehabilitation treatment centers.

•    Myth: Many people relapse, so treatment obviously does not work.
•    Fact: Like every other treatment, addiction treatment cannot guarantee lifelong recovery. Relapse is often a part of the recovery process; it is always possible--and treatable.
•    Myth: Once sobriety is achieved, whether with or without the benefit of treatment, most individuals can eventually return to social use of alcohol and/or drugs.
•    Fact: Addiction is a chronic condition that does not disappear, even after extended periods of sobriety. This is caused by neuroplasticity wherein a pathway is formed in the brain due to repeated use of a substance which is triggered everytime the substance is used. This is true regardless of the individual's drug of choice, level of self-control, or length of abstinence.
•    Myth: An individual who is addicted to one drug or family of drugs can undergo treatment for and recover from addiction to that particular drug and still use other drugs with impunity.
•    Fact: Cross-addiction nearly always occurs when an addict tries to switch drugs, regardless of the reason. Cross-addiction invariably takes the form of one or the other of two possible outcomes: 1) The individual quickly becomes addicted to the second substance, or 2) The individual returns to the original drug of choice while under the influence of the second one.
•    Myth: We have reached the limits of what we can do to treat addiction.
•    Fact: Treatment of addiction is an ever progressive field. Today's treatment providers are being challenged to stretch their knowledge base and find more effective approaches to prevention, intervention, and alcohol addiction treatment. 


We at Anatta Humanversity offer a Client specific , non medical, voluntary treatment process that incorporates Meditation , Counseling processes as cornerstones .

It is our experience that true recovery happens only in freedom.

ADDICTION TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Addiction to alcohol and illicit drugs has always been spoken about, prescribed medication has remained silent but IS also a frontline addiction..

Addiction to prescription drugs is on the rise in India and across the world.

There are drugs to sleep, there are drugs to wake up, there are drugs to perform, there are drugs for pain , there are drugs to focus in exams , there are drugs to treat various physical ailments which are being abused on a large scale-pain medications, cough syrups etc etc..

There is a chemical maelstrom brewing  in the brain and body of a large population of humanity addiction to which is as life threatening as addiction to alcohol and illicit drugs . Even more so as, because as they are “ prescription meds” they are thought to be “ safe” and far less harmful.

In the west addiction to prescription drugs are rampant amongst teenagers who hold  “Pharm parties” wherein a punch bowl is filled with medicines  pinched from the medicine cabinets of  their parents. The kids then take turns going to the punch bowl grabbing  a fistful of tablets and eating them most times with alcohol. Several times due to the ignorance of the kind of medicines consumed and the drug interactions between them or side effects and the combination with alcohol proves fatal.

Several times Psychiatrists and some Drug rehab centres prescribe medications for various disorders and the patient continues on them without a follow up and ends up getting addicted to them.

In Prescription medications addictions the most common classes of drugs involved are:

Opioids [for  cough,  pain] eg Oxycodone ,Hydrocodone,  Codeine cough syrups etc

Central Nervous system depressants [ for anxiety ,sleep disorders] eg alprazolam, diazepam, pentobarbital sodium etc

Stimulants [ ADHD medication etc] eg Methylphenidate[ADHD med] , Amphetamines etc.

Medical consequences of prescription drug abuse include the following.

   Opioids  can cause an increased risk of choking , low blood pressure, a slowed breathing rate and potential for breathing to stop as they suppress the respiratory center in the brain, or a coma.

Eg.When abused, promethazine-codeine cough syrup presents a high risk of fatal overdose due to its effect of depressing the central nervous system, which can slow or stop the heart and lungs. Mixing with alcohol greatly increases this risk. 

Withdrawals from opioids-  Restlessness, muscle and bone pains, Insomnis, diarrhea, vomiting, involuntary leg movements.

          Sedatives and anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics)  can cause memory problems, low blood pressure and slowed breathing. Overdose can cause coma or death.

Abruptly stopping the medication may be associated with withdrawal symptoms that can include hyperactivity of the nervous system and seizures.

Stimulants can cause dangerously high body temperature, heart problems, high blood pressure, seizures or tremors, hallucinations, aggressiveness, and paranoia.

We at Anatta provide drug & alcoholrehabilitation and  have come across several clients who have been treated with psychiatric medications for their addiction wherein the person afflicted finally uses both the substance of their choice and the prescribed medications thereby ending up with multiple addictions.

We are one of the best rehab centres in India who treat these clients non medically after tapering off all their medications incorporating various meditation techniques that are psychotherapeutic along with Counselling and other techniques that take the person within allowing healing to happen.