Signs of Addiction -

Tips for Parents of Child Addicts

Written by admin on October 21, 2022. Posted in Addiction, Drug Addiction, Drugs and Alcohol, Signs of Addiction.

Parents of child addicts primarily have one goal for their child, to safely withdraw and get treatment for the addiction. Parents must become highly educated on addiction to understand what their child is facing. Family counseling is crucial to learn how to avoid relapse, support the child addict in recovery and delve into why the addiction may have occurred. Building a strong family unit to beat addiction is the recovery goal. Meanwhile, exploring the family history can allow a glimpse into possible generational habits.

Addiction in the Family

Parents of child addicts may not be aware that addiction can be a generational illness. Genetics is the basis for many addictions. Genetics accounts for roughly 60% of the addictions to drugs and alcohol. Other influences can include environmental factors and the possibility of a co-occurring mental illness. Parents of child addicts need to be aware of the following:

Parents who are addicts can expect their children to be eight times more likely to become addicted.
Half of all child addicts also experience at least one mental illness.
Roughly 20 million people in the US aged 12 and over have used illegal drugs within the last 30 days.
The presence of treatment and recovery from addiction in the family can encourage other addicted family members to seek help.

Signs that Your Child is Addicted to Drugs

Parents of child addicts can be blind-sided, but they usually are aware that something is wrong with their children. As a result, they may try to overlook abnormal behaviors because it is easier to avoid the truth. However, when you have a loved one addicted to drugs or alcohol, you know it. Physical signs of addiction can include:

Red eyes or flu-like symptoms
Inconsistent eating and sleeping habits
Lethargy and fatigue
Hyperactivity
Inability to speak clearly
Lack of coordination
Shakiness
Unexplained illnesses

Behavioral and emotional signs that point to addiction in a child can include:

Self-isolation
Changes in the peer group or friendships
Loss of interest in usual hobbies
Moodiness and irritability
Depression or anxiety symptoms
Secretive behaviors
Poor school performance
Immediate defensiveness or hostility when asked about drug use
Missing money
Being absent for periods
Locked bedroom door

Five Tips for Parents of a Child Addicts

Five no-nonsense tips for parents of child addicts can begin the journey for treatment and recovery. Never ignore the problem. Start to work towards building trust and a strong supportive bond with the child.

1. Learn as much as possible about addiction. Making an effort to learn about addiction and what detox, treatment and recovery can mean to your child is vital. In addition, education will support your stance about addiction and what processes you will be facing with your addicted child.

2. Connect with understanding peers. Very effective resources are the support groups available for free help. For example, Al-Anon is for family members of alcoholics, which also has a group for teenagers affected by alcoholism called Teen Corner. Narcotics Anonymous is a support group for addicts involved with drugs.

3. Go to family therapy sessions. Family group therapy is supportive and shows the addicted child how much the family wants to help. The family members can form a strong bond in family therapy. Learning how to use practical communication skills is of utmost importance.

4. Prepare meals and eat them as a family. You provide time and effort to eat healthy foods and encourage conversation and listening. Allowing your child to help prepare meals is a great way to promote fun and laughter.

5. Manage expectations. Learn not to expect things to happen as you are hoping they will. Squashing the opportunity for disappointment to seep in is always beneficial to the situation.

Tips for Talking to Your Child about Drugs

Talk to your child about drugs, alcohol, and the possibility of addiction. Education is the best weapon against drug or alcohol use through curiosity or experimentation. Always talk to your teenager when they are sober. Parents of child addicts are aware of their behaviors. However, if your child is high, they will not absorb the information you are offering them. Always make it clear that you want to help them and love them.

Parents of child addicts need to understand that if their child feels attacked, they will close themselves off from you mentally and physically. Education concerning addiction being a medical illness and a generational problem is helpful. Ask questions and then listen to the responses. Ask the child if they understand or know why they began using drugs or alcohol. Children need to know there are healthy, positive methods to address emotions and feelings they can not process.

Find Addiction Treatment for your Child in Atlanta, GA

Find detox and addiction treatment for your child in Atlanta with Retreat of Atlanta. It’s difficult to see a child suffering from a medical illness. However, addiction specialists at our center have experience working with child addicts. We provide a supportive and genuine environment for treating and recovering from child addiction. Contact us today.

Can You Get Addicted To Molly?

Written by admin on July 8, 2022. Posted in Drug Addiction, Signs of Addiction.

Over the past two decades, the drug known as Molly has exploded in popularity. Also called the party drug “MDMA” or “Ecstasy,” Molly is a controlled substance derived from elements of cocaine, MDMA, and even methamphetamine. Popularized through pop culture and made widely available through clubbing and music scenes, Molly has become a formidable foe for struggling users as well as their families. By learning more about Molly and its effects, one can better protect themselves from its dangers. Learning what makes Molly so potent could mean the difference between a new lease on life and tragedy. So, this leaves us to wonder: can you get addicted to Molly?

What is Molly?

On a chemical level, Molly is a derivative of MDMA. MDMA is the chemical compound made famous by the party drug “Ecstasy.” MDMA is known as an “upper” meaning that it stimulates the central nervous system. This produces the effect of the user appearing to be more energized, upbeat, and rhythmic as a result. These attributes have made it widely popular in clubbing and EDM dance scenes. These factors can also make Molly even more dangerous, as dehydration (common at these music festivals) can exacerbate the effects of Molly and lead to adverse symptoms and reactions.

While chemically similar to MDMA, Molly is also often mixed with cocaine or methamphetamine. This produces an even more energized and euphoric state of mind in the user, as well as amplifying Molly’s other effects. Today there is even more discrepancy in what Molly contains than ever before. The introduction of Fentanyl into the drug market means that deals could potentially cut it into an already powder-based drug like Molly quite easily.

Symptoms of Molly Use

Learning to spot the signs and symptoms of Molly use can help you to better identify a loved one who is using. Once you identify the symptoms, you can begin giving them the help and care that they deserve.

Symptoms of Molly use include the following:

Increased heart rate
Sweating
Paranoia
Depression
Dehydration
Anxiety
Loss of appetite
Enlarged Pupils
Convulsions

Dangers of Taking Molly

Molly is a highly unpredictable drug whose effects can be lethal. Most often a mixture of MDMA with either cocaine or methamphetamine, Molly is a chemical concoction that can effectively kill a person in only a single use. If one’s body has an adverse reaction to the drug, a person can suffer seizures, stroke, heart attacks, or organ failure almost instantaneously. In the long term, the use of Molly erodes the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Furthermore, Molly misuse can irreparably damage this area, responsible for much of our cognitive function, personality, and impulse control.

All of this being said, can you get addicted to Molly? In short, yes. One can become addicted to the various compounds found in Molly, such as MDMA, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Molly addiction and “MDMA use disorder” describe the same thing. A person can also become mentally addicted to the drug, craving its effects but not necessarily experiencing physical withdrawal.

Signs of Molly Addiction

Recognizing the signs of Molly addiction can make the difference between saving a life and losing one. While every person reacts to Molly differently, there are some baseline attributes that you can search for in order to effectively identify those addicted to Molly.

Signs of Molly addiction may include:

Risky behaviors
Loss of appetite
Heart palpitations
Impaired balance
Difficulty sleeping
Rapid eye movement
Jaw clenching/flexing/contorting
Tremor
Fatigue

Treatment for Molly Addiction

Every year, thousands of Americans find refuge from the horrors of addiction. Now that we’ve answered the question “can you get addicted to Molly” we can begin exploring effective treatment options. With the proper support system at your back, the recovery process can be easier. Having a caring and supportive group with your best interests at heart can help to make all the difference during a difficult recovery. By finding the appropriate system of support, you effectively give yourself the highest likelihood of a successful and long-lasting recovery.

Safely Detox from Molly Addiction in Atlanta, GA

Here at Retreat of Atlanta, we are ready to help you every step of the way during your personal recovery journey. Located in Eatonton, GA, we provide a peaceful atmosphere conducive to healing and free of the triggers that can cause relapse.

Our inpatient drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation programs offer you the opportunity to start again. We here at Retreat of Atlanta know how detrimental drug and alcohol addiction can be to one’s life. We also know that effective treatment can help to reduce and reverse much of the damage done through dependency. Allow our compassionate team of professionals to give you the tools necessary to reclaim your independence from addiction.

There has never been a better time to reclaim your freedom from dependency. Contact our admissions page today and allow us to help you in taking the first steps in your individual recovery journey.

Am I Addicted To Marijuana?

Written by admin on June 17, 2022. Posted in Drug Addiction, Recovery, Signs of Addiction.

Over the last two decades, marijuana has skyrocketed in use. With a rise in legalization across the country, many people wonder if they are addicted to marijuana. With dispensaries at every street corner and advertising becoming more widespread, getting away from marijuana may seem difficult. By learning more about marijuana, as well as its dangers, you can better prepare yourself against negative influences. In addition, one can get help for addiction and find the treatment they deserve.

What is in Marijuana?

The word “marijuana” describes a wide array of cannabis and cannabis-derived products. The cannabis plant or flower is the source from which all legitimate marijuana products come. With the psychoactive chemical known as THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, marijuana products are low-level psychedelics with mainly depressive or sedative effects. Around 70% of American adults admit to having tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime. As the war on drugs has leveled out, marijuana legalization has become more trendy around the country as a result.

Some states such as Washington and Colorado have legalized marijuana entirely. However, other states such as Georgia and Florida have opted for decriminalization. Other legal loopholes such as the Delta-8 line of products make marijuana even more abundant. With no signs of slowing, now is a great time to learn how to avoid the hardships of marijuana.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Contrary to what many Americans believe, marijuana can be highly psychologically addictive. For many years, people thought that marijuana did not contain many of the addictive traits of its counterparts. However, in recent years, studies show a high correlation between dependence and long-term marijuana use.

While physical dependency is still up in the air for debate, psychological dependency has become widely accepted. This means that marijuana is highly addictive. Being addicted to marijuana is hopeless. Each year, thousands of Americans addicted to marijuana find treatment and overcome their addiction.

Am I Addicted to Marijuana?

Knowing whether or not you are addicted to marijuana is vital to treating addiction. Many users who believe that they do not have a problem will develop an addiction without even realizing. But, by knowing the signs of marijuana addiction in yourself or a loved one, you can get the treatment you need.

Signs of marijuana addiction include the following:

Altered perception of time or reality
Sudden financial problems
Impulse control issues
Reddened or bloodshot eyes
Withdrawal from social situations
Poor judgment
Risky behaviors
Panic attacks

Signs and symptoms of addiction may vary from person to person. These signs depend on factors such as volume and frequency of use, age, weight, and others.

Effects of Marijuana Abuse

The effects of marijuana abuse can be both intense and long-lasting. Aside from social and money troubles, marijuana can also open the door to physical and mental health problems. Being addicted to marijuana is not usually dangerous in the short term. However, users under the age of 25 might be at a greater risk. Regardless of age, using marijuana over an extended period of time can cause health issues and other problems.

Effects of marijuana abuse may include some of the following issues:

Long-term memory loss
Loss of motor functions
Depression
Insomnia
Mood swings
Coordination issues
Psychosis

Is There Help for People Who Become Addicted to Marijuana?

Fortunately, for those addicted to marijuana, there are options for treatment. Each year, thousands of Americans reclaim their freedom from addiction and begin their drug-free life anew. With a system of support, one increases their chances of success in recovery. Thus, having the right team of professionals can help to make all the difference.

In addition, a solo withdrawal attempt can be dangerous and is not advisable. More often than not, solo withdrawal attempts can result in relapse and continued use. By finding the proper system of support, one gives themselves the best chance for a successful recovery.

Begin Recovery from Marijuana Addiction in Atlanta, GA

Here at Retreat of Atlanta, we are ready to help you every step of the way during your recovery. Located in Eatonton, Georgia, we provide an inpatient drug and alcohol detox and rehab center that is conducive to healing. By removing the stressors that can trigger a relapse, we offer a safe place to heal worry-free. Visit our admissions page today and take the first steps in your recovery journey.