Chemical Dependence
Life events, both positive and negative, affect an individual’s emotional, physical and behavioral health. Some of these events include:
- Death of a spouse or significant other
- Job loss or change
- Divorce or separation
- Relocation
- Birth of a child
- Fertility issues (inability or difficulty in conceiving a child) miscarriage
- Financial concerns
- Serious illness/injury
- Financial concerns
- Serious illness/injury
At times, individuals may find difficulty in coping with stressors in their life. They may turn to drugs (prescribed or illegal) or alcohol to help them cope with feelings of anxiety, depression, or fear. We can help. We have a caring team of professionals to address issues related to the use of chemicals.
Stopping the use of a chemical is the first step in treatment. It is impossible to treat for substance dependence unless a person is detoxified—in other words, the substance the individual is dependent on must be safely removed from their system. Substance dependence needs to be addressed as a priority before other emotional illnesses can be treated. The abuser must refrain from further access to alcohol/drugs—which is monitored through the use of random drug screening. Family and friends are involved in treatment to increase an individual's support system, which is vital to recovery. We believe in and teach the disease model. Dependence is a medical illness. Alcohol/drug dependence is not a moral failing. Generally, it requires a life-long commitment to sobriety. The road to recovery may be long. Typically, trying “just one drink” is the initiation into a relapse episode. Self-help groups such as AA and NA are extremely helpful for individuals with substance abuse/dependence issues.
Adults
Significant life events (positive and negative) which affect an individual's emotional, physical and behavioral well being:
- Death or a spouse or significant other
- Job loss or change
- Divorce or separation
- Relocation
- Birth or a child
- Fertility issues (inability or difficulty in conceiving a child) miscarriage
- Financial concerns
- Serious illness/injury
- Attending/Graduating from school/college
- Marriage
Children
Adolescents
Signs/Symptoms of behavioral, cognitive, emotional disturbance
- Frequent lying
- Change in regular activities which used to bring pleasure
- Sad, depressed mood (may show as irritability in some children/adolescents)
- Change in primary peer group (loss of friends)
- Grades dropping
- Experimentation/use of drugs or alcohol
- Running away from home overnight
- Frequent truancy from school or for older adolescence absence from work
- Stealing
- Vandalism or destruction or property
- Fire-setting
- Cruelty to animals
- Frequent initiation of fights
- Use of weapons
- Forcing another person into sexual activity
- Physical violence