Monthly Archives: December 2017

Why Character Defects Don’t Go Away Just Because You Get Sober

Thinking of everything that has plagued mankind since the beginning can be overwhelming. There’s been measles, mumps, and all sorts of bumps. There’s been cancers, AIDS, and rat-infested plagues. Then there is the camouflage disease. The stealthy sickness. The obsessive madness. This, of course, would be alcoholic thinking and the delusions it contrives.

Alcoholic thinking is a disease that shares some of the same properties that many other disorders and/or irregularities have, but is still one of a kind. For starters, it is completely unwarranted. Nobody fully welcomes abscessed arms, burnt lips, or liver pains- but the irrationality of the disease takes them there. Like it or not.

Alcoholism is not a biologically degenerative condition nor a contagious one like the properties that some other illnesses may possess, but it is a sickness in the same mirrored conception. Any and everybody’s quality of life will become deeply affected by the prominent character defects that alcoholic thinking feeds into. You see, addiction is a mental disease that will change the holiest of beings into inebriated demons. There are no limitations or exceptions to it. The only way to thrive through the slavery that is an addiction is to understand what makes the beast of a disease tick.

Licensed To Kill

The idea that addiction is a disease speaks for the character defects that follow. It literally steals souls as it launches that person into a world of delusion. However, this is not an entire justification for behaviors that follow. The fact that alcoholic thinking can be corrected is where the fine line between rationality and irrationality lie.

Alcoholic thinking is the disease and alcoholism is merely a symptom of it. You see, we can have an addict or an alcoholic dealing with the obsessive character defects like insanity even when there are no substances ravaging thru the bloodstream. Unfortunately, insanity it just a broad generalization of the sloppy attributes that are usually accompanied by the disease. A few common character defects to occur in addicts include:

Dishonesty
Laziness
Selfishness
Anger
Disassociation
Poor Decisions
Immorality or Loss of Values

Those are just a few to mention, but the list could be much larger if we had the time. That all being said, remaining that addiction is a disease is vital because it instills the fact that none of the character defects just come or go in the night. It takes time for an addiction to grow into its monstrous potential. It is always on the psychological back burner, recovery just stops it from catching everything on fire.

No Ruby Red Slippers

The disease of alcoholic thinking causes continually poor decisions to be made- thus resulting in behaviors that become us. That’s the power addiction has on addicts and alcoholics of the like. It changes the way a person processes and rationalizes things in their lives. Addiction is a disease because of how it ropes the affected person into seeking harmful patterns and behaviors despite the detrimental results that follow.

For people of this inflicted nature, addiction can be described similarly that of to a schizophrenic imbalance. The character defects of any alcoholic thinker are already dysfunctional in practice, but then adding an obsessive compulsion to drink day and night really takes things to their max. A using addict versus an addict that has dropped the substances are entirely different, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that either one is better than the other. It boils down to the work that is being put into self- substances or no substances. Treating alcoholic thinking isn’t just about tapping your shoes together and dropping the bottle just because it’s empty. To treat this imbalance, there is action to be had.

Shoo Defects- Go Away

Actually getting rid of the character defects alcoholic thinking causes is a matter of comprehending our thought patterns; what makes us go go go. It’s a matter of understanding ourselves and why we make the choices we do. Alcoholic thinking will feed off the rawness of those character defects dwelling inside if we allow it. This is just the nature of the disease, not much we can do but pay attention.

A wise man once said, “Watch your thoughts because your thoughts become your words. Watch your words because your words become your actions. Watch your actions because your actions become your habits. Watch your habits because your habits become your life. Watch your life because your life will become death”. Those in recovery learn the tools to work on those character defects that will try to become our lives. They do not dictate who we are unless we decide to let them.

It is often that alcoholic thinking disguises the not so pretty attributes. Drinking or getting loaded on any substances will only put on further layers to the masks being worn. This is why it is imperative that alcoholics sober up before they can work on themselves in an effective manner. It’s a constant conscious effort to deal with but that of which saves lives. Everybody makes mistakes, but some let their flaws shine brighter than others. As addicts choosing recovery, we are introduced to a world of metaphorical mirrors that put us so far ahead of the rest of society. In the end, we decide whether we want those character defects to weigh us down or if we’d prefer to break free and fly.

Sleeping Greatness

Addicts and alcoholics have more potential than most other individuals that have walked the planet. It’s astounding how much-hidden potential lies beneath the alcoholic character defects that are allowed to blossom in some cases. Getting clean and dropping the chemicals will be the first step in changing that character. If you or a loved one is struggling with chemical dependency and are ready for help, please call 888-481-1993 or visit www.coastaldetox.com. We are ready to give you any suggestions possible and set you or your loved one on a path that we can all be proud of.

5 Tips to Deal with the Guilt of Your Past

Alcoholism is a disease that will steal your soul- period. There is no debate, there is no cure, nothing but unadulterated misery brought upon by an invisible disease unrecognized prior to the 20th century. That’s the cynical frame of it in a nutshell at least. You see, alcoholic thinking is a style of justified behaviors that simply turn any great person into an empty husk of what they once were. It hypnotizes all afflicted individuals into trouncing shamelessly past all the ashes left in their wake. Yet, it doesn’t have to be this way. There is an answer to the prayer’s of addiction: recovery.

Upon accepting the fate of our addictive tendencies, those of us clinging to hope to look into the power of the fellowship. We begin turning our lives around with the ultimate decision of leaving the substance abusing chaos behind. We become ready for change and embrace it fully. However, for some of us, the hauntings of the past have solidified upstairs. Dealing with the guilt of who we used to supersede our new intentions sometimes.

Many addicts tend to be the reaction to the bad parts of themselves. This can be a positive and negative battery but is contingent upon how it’s used. While focusing on the negative performances can teach us things we may have overlooked, it’s important to keep in mind the esteemable acts we’ve done also. In recovery, we attempt to right many of our wrongs while creating the valuable individuals we aim to be. That being said, we cannot dictate our future solely because of the qualms of our past. Dealing with the guilt face to face is one of the greatest freedoms we can allow ourselves in this new lifestyle.

Unguilty Revelations

In recovery, there are those of us that are too apologetic when we feel we have not met expectation, and then there are those of us that lack moral consciousness in the beginning. Regardless of that standpoint, it’s a must that we snap out of the mindset that we have ruined things beyond repair. No this is not a justification to do morally inept things, but more so a reminder that nothing in this life is permanent except death. The point of recovery is to become a new person; leaving those dealings with the guilt behind.

Recovery is kind of about giving back since we took so much for so long. However, in order to give love to others, we must give love to ourselves. Raise your self-esteem off the ground and know deep down in your soul that you are worth every second of this life. That’s just one of the things we can remind ourselves when dealing with the guilt of our past. Some other tips for leaving behind shifty feelings can be as simple as:

Recognizing Our Inner Strengths
Accepting All Those Strengths AND Weaknesses
Promoting Esteemable Acts
Engaging in Spiritual Practices
Discussing That Guilt/Shame With Others

It’s once we start implementing these practices, the negativity will be stripped of its power. It’s imperative to take time for yourself while dwelling on the idea that you’re not alone. We all see ourselves in a different light than that shined by others. Everybody sees everything from different lenses. So in knowing that, we cannot assume that others see the same unforgivable shadows we look for.

Shaving Off the Guilt

Having chosen recovery as the side of the road we prefer, now it’s about maintaining that side. Now it’s about becoming people of integrity that have nothing to hide. Dealing with the guilt is an uncomfortable experience that we were once able to numb away. Sobriety has returned the emotions that now make that impossible. We can no longer run from the monsters that plague us- recovery makes us face them.

Recovery will help us to perceive the world in a more optimistic manner. This newfound positivity helps us to see that we never have to be those people we once were. We can stop creating that guilt by becoming better people that don’t take from the quality of life of others. A wise man once said that life is like a table filled with all sorts of different drinking glasses. Our job on this planet is to keep those glasses of water full so that others can be happy. Yet at the same time, we have to keep our pitcher full to do so. This is the wonderful blueprint that many of us use for dealing with the guilt of our past. Addiction does not define us.

Guilt is Expensive

When it comes to self-esteem and learning to forgive yourself of the past, it is vital to remember that an apology is only words. We can say it but it doesn’t always have that fulfillment we’re hoping for. We can work on dealing with the guilt by paying it forward. Doing things for others kind of feeds into the karma from the past. There’s a general balance in life that must be met, a yin and yang if you will. Most addicts took and never gave for so long. In order to achieve balance, many addicts must turn all that selfishness into selflessness.

It’s as simple as that: lending an extra hand while promoting good morals. No need for apologies all day long. Every human on this planet has made a slew of mistakes. Of course, some mistakes are more costly than others, but learning from the past while moving forward is the best way to learn from them. Of the predetermined paths of destiny, we control our fates. No point dealing with the guilt and allowing it to rent space in our heads for free. Catalog the wrong and make the future right.

Knowing You’re Worth It

Loving yourself while knowing your importance in this world is crucial. Know that it’s okay to be human and if you’re struggling with addiction to reach out for help. Everybody deserves to love themselves and to be loved by others. Life is too short and alcoholic thinking only shortens it more. If you or your loved one is in need of detoxification or help due to substance dependency, please call 1-888-481-1993 or visit www.coastaldetox.com. Our team of specialists is standing by to help figure out what options are best for sending your life is a comfortable direction that you can proudly stand behind.

The Difference Between Being Unbalanced from Drug Addiction and Actually Having a Dual Diagnosis

We’re all mad here. The world is a gigantic Neapolitan ice cream tub of unique, boring, and eccentric people just melting together in conflicting tastes that also complement each other contrariwise. There are different levels of every person existing or to have ever existed. Every single person has a different genetic composition than the last- and nobody will ever be able to emanate that. You are you-er than you and that truer than true.

With all those different flavors sloshing about you would imagine that the ingredients differ dramatically, sure, but to what degree? When it comes to all the different personality reactions and reactions of personalities, there are a lot of external and internal factors that affect things. One thing to specifically take note of is the irrational decisions of an alcoholic. To put it bluntly, alcoholic thinking causes a lot of mistakes to be made. A lot a lot a lot.

On the other hand, once the haze has cleared away and the problems stay, there’s clearly something else at hand. Often times addicts and alcoholics of the sort deal with something called dual diagnosis. This is essentially where there is alcoholism and another disorder/disease working together in the irrationality that ensues. Most of the time there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the chemically dependent.

Not Everything is Better in Two’s

As if addiction wasn’t enough of a pain in the ass, sure enough now there’s the threat of dual diagnosis for some. This is an unbalance upstairs that can be any combination of mental health disorders partnered with substance dependency. In any cases the addict in question has been dealing with the other mental illness for quite some time but said sickness was masked by the absurdity of alcoholic thinking. This happens much more often than most would realize.

Yes yes, there’s dual diagnosis for some and then co-occurring disorders for others. As if dual diagnosis wasn’t sinister enough, some people are dealt with the cards of addiction plus multiple existing disorders. They have it rougher than most but are still not doomed to desolation because of being unhinged. Any dual diagnosis or combo of mental hang ups are all able to be overcome with the right effort put forth. Between medications, therapy, and fellowship, any equation is beatable if we put our mind to it. How were you willing to go just to get high/drunk? The same applies to the art of becoming in-balance.

Double D’s

Even though dual diagnosis has no bounds, some mental disorders are much more common than others. Often times genetics can dictate all of the possibilities. Science still debates whether addiction is nature versus nurture in many ways, but regardless of its roots, it does exist. Some of the more recognized illnesses paired with it include:

Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
Schizophrenia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Anxiety disorders (panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder)
Personality disorders (antisocial, borderline, narcissistic)

With all the different DSM classifications, you can only imagine the endless blends of unbalance. Fortunately, as long as a strait doctor makes a professional diagnosis then it can all be tamed. It’s important to know if the alcoholic in question needs to be medicated or requires less of it. It’s important to know if drugs were the reason behind certain behaviors or if a bonkers equilibrium was. Moving forward requires action to recognize action that requires action.

Defeating the Two-Headed Dragon

9 times out of 10 it is recommended to begin treating both the mental disorder and addiction simultaneously. If one is treated without the other, the chances of a full recovery or long-term sobriety are slim. Neither the yin or yang of dual diagnosis are more important to treat than the other, but the alcoholism side is usually the more pressing matter that is blatantly there.

Upon accepting the problems at hand and moving forward, usually, detox is recommended to begin with. Clearing the toxins out of our systems will tap into that frozen rationality that’s been missing. Once this couple day to a couple week process is completed, treatment for the dual diagnosis can and should begin immediately. It is here that a good bit of the haze has been aired out and most alcoholics can slowly begin to see the error of their ways at least. Detox essentially sheds the camouflage hiding the dual diagnosis all along.

Dealing With the Dual

Dual Diagnosis can be overwhelming at first when thinking about it, but rest assured that it’s something that can easily be left in our wake if we choose recovery from such. Those dealing with comorbidity of any sort will explain that it is not nearly the monster that some of the pessimists dramatize it to be. Once the drugs are off the table it is so much easier to see what clearly needs to be done.

The reality of dual diagnosis is that there is not a choice in the matter… A disease is a disease is a disease. Addiction will make us crazy about drugs and other diseases will make it seem like it’s just the drugs. This equation absolutely has x and y factors that must be applied or removed when looking for the solution. Anything in this world can be understood and attained if we put our mind to it. Following a recovery regimen with proper medications can be the difference between sanity and insanity in this scenario. Sometimes it’s great to be eccentric, but a regulated eccentricity is the safer one at that.

Diagnosing a Need for Diagnosis

Treating dual diagnosis is a complex process that requires the simple effort of willingness. There is no shame in such just understanding to be had. If you or a loved one is struggling with chemical dependency and are ready for help, please call 888-481-1993 or visit www.coastaldetox.com. We are ready to give you any suggestions possible and set you or your loved one on a path that we can all be proud of.

The Problem With the “At Home Detox” Method

An opioid epidemic at large. Booze on every corner. Cannabis is slowly becoming legalized. It’s kind of bonkers to look at the chemically driven world that we live in. Everybody wants to do everything on their pink Cloud 9 until reality catches up with them. Typically drugs and alcohol are glorified as having fun. We associate them with laughter and good times. Unfortunately too many are never warned of the harsh times that are to come once the substances have consumed you.

Detoxification- just sounds like a derogatory term doesn’t it? For addicts and alcoholics that is a word that has a sinister double-edged sword behind it. Think about it as getting pierced by that sword but becoming stronger in the long run upon healing. It’s the sword in the stone that we eventually have to face once alcoholic thinking has made itself prominent. Addiction is a disease that will only lead to jails, institutions, and death unless we are to replace the drugs with the placebo effect or recovery.

Recovery starts off at the beginning, and detoxification is that beginning. Detoxifying all the chemicals and garbage out of our systems will only help us to better function. It’s about shedding the weight that the substances have added mentally and physically- but doing so in the correct way. Many end up having to detox then relapse, then detox and relapse again in this ugly revolving door cycle because of half-assed attempt at getting clean like at home detox. Sometimes when you want something done you have to put in 100%.

2 Wrongs Definitely Don’t Make a Right

Making detox the biggest priority in your life at the beginning of recovery is vital. At home detox is a sure fire way of half-assing it that will produce anything but preferred results. Withdrawals are intimidating but only have to be gone thru once if the right measures are taken. No addict should have to stay bound and gagged by addiction if there is a key to be given.

Choosing the right detox facility instead of at home detox can seem like torture but it’s more so fear that gives the idea power. Most addicts and alcoholics will avoid detoxing for fear of how uncomfortable withdrawing from substances can be. Some of those alleged symptoms that alcoholic thinking will do everything to run from include:

Hot Flashes with Sweating
Cold Chills with Sweating
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Achy Bones/Joints
Overall Discomfort

Yet even with the brashness of symptoms, the remarkable thing is that once any addict makes it thru this the possibilities are limitless. Addicts and alcoholics are tough, resilient people that know how to survive through struggle and strife. However, even though we are labeled as such, we still have to climb the ladder one rung at a time like anybody else. There is always right and wrong ways to doing things, but rest assured, putting ourselves through at home detox is without a doubt the wrong way.

Too Much Muchness

Addiction and alcoholism are tricky mental diseases that will catch people off guard time and time again.

Once an addict’s life gets to the point of needing such help, it seems more than apparent that it was the culmination of their bad decisions that got them there. This idea is applied to any addict or alcoholic that has allowed their life to get into such a powerless and unmanageable state. It seems clear that that person’s best thinking, now controlled by alcoholism, is what lead them astray. So why on earth would this person’s decision of at home detox be trusted as a wise one?

Alcoholic thinking will take control of any good addict and convince them of certainty behind their irrational decisions. You see, it’s imperative to keep in mind that alcoholism is a double agent disease that will convince its host that good things are happening while they continually harm themselves. It’s truly a disease of mental blunder.

Dirty Body in a Dirty House

At home detox is a poor idea not only because of the temptations but also because of the lack of medical staff. When the detoxing commences, our bodies are depleted. Sometimes patients at a facility will be hooked up and monitored on an IV because of the level of dehydration. Other times patients at a proper detox may need their vitals taken regularly to check on their blood pressure amongst other heart-related complications. Sticking to hearty health foods will also encourage healthy brain functioning. Healthy foods and services are offered at most medical detox establishments but are something you will rarely see in the scene of an at home detox.

At home detox allows any good alcoholic to sit in and contemplate their sickness. The beginnings of any good recovery start with help from others. This help includes healthy patterns of sleep and exercise being pushed onto the alcoholic whilst trying to make it through the body’s torturous way or regulating itself. It’s all connected- the mind, body, and soul. A proper detox versus at home detox will help to push a sober agenda focusing on all three pieces of health instead of feeding into the alcoholic ones that rule our thoughts while at home. At home detox is a decision usually made by somebody who has been using- so why not try something somebody who is not using recommends? A good detox is the best way to distract from the withdrawal discomfort as we come out on top never having to look back.

Your Body is Your Home

We all lead different lives, but at the end of the day, a lot of us deal with similar issues. Addiction and alcoholism will convince us of our right doings when they’re wrong. Allow yourself to truly benefit from stepping out of that grandiose comfort zone. If you or your loved one is in need of detoxification due to substance dependency, please call 888-481-1993 or visit www.coastaldetox.com. Our team of specialists are waiting by to help figure out what options are best for sending your life is a comfortable direction that you can proudly stand behind.