The truth about addiction

Addiction is a disease that is progressive and fatal if not arrested. Most drug treatment facilities and professionals now base their treatment on the fact that if an addict achieves sobriety, the first hit or shot will take them straight back to their previous existence of obsessively and compulsively seeking drugs.

This disease leaves the sufferer living a painful existence, ruled by their need for drugs. The narcotic dependency is only a symptom of a deeper problem. The drugs are not the issue but a result of the underlying problems and the need to escape from uncomfortable feelings. No matter what the consequences, an addict will still use drugs as the compulsion to consume them is so great. This is why families are broken, marriages fail, jobs are lost, houses are repossessed and health and hygiene decline rapidly as a result of drug addiction.

When a drug user’s life has become completely unmanageable, rehabilitation is incredibly beneficial at arresting the disease and beginning a process of recovery. Drug treatment facilities offer intensive in-patient programmes for addiction treatment.

Firstly, an addict needs to detox from drugs if they have formed a physical dependence on them as their bodies will enter a state of withdrawal.

Detoxification

Drug treatment centres always carry a policy regarding detoxification and admission to the centre. Some have a rule that the client must be detoxed before admission and must achieve a ‘clean’ result in a urine test. Others have a detoxification programme with the correct facilities to cope with this. Detoxification cannot be taken lightly: when the human body is physically addicted to a substance such as heroin or alcohol, the withdrawal can be fatal.

A detoxification usually requires the assistance of medicines to ease the discomfort and symptoms of withdrawal. Heroin addicts are often given Methadone and Subutex to relieve pain. These medicines must be given in metered doses by trained professionals who are experienced in coping with the detoxification process. Addicts struggling with withdrawal symptoms in confinement can be unpredictable and detox facilities and the staff should also be trained and experienced in easing client’s discomforts.

Types of treatment centres

12 Step treatment centres are structured in different stages aimed at clients in different stages of recovery. Primary Care rehabilitation is a four week, intense programme where patients receive therapy throughout the day for their addiction. Secondary care is the next stage of treatment which allows clients a little more freedom – some allow clients to go to work or attend university but the programme has strict requirements regarding curfews and daily therapy groups which must be attended. Tertiary care offers even more freedom than Secondary care as all clients are required to work, study, volunteer or be seeking employment. The therapy groups are less frequent and curfews are later.

Extended Primary care is another type of 12 Step treatment centre which offers the same intense programme as a Primary Care centre, only without luxuries such as housekeeping, catering and laundry services, therefore keeping costs down. This allows clients to remain in the treatment programme for much longer than the four weeks which Primary care offers. It has been found that addicts who complete at least three months as an in-patient in a rehabilitation centre have a much higher rate of maintaining sobriety.

Life in rehab

Drug treatment facilities will all have different programme schedules and services but a 12 Step treatment centre will generally offer individuals counselling as well as group therapy. Individuals counselling is important in addiction treatment as it provides a safe space where a client can speak freely with a counsellor with whom they work on a regular basis. Group therapy offers clients the chance to work on issues with the help and experience of other recovering addicts in the centre and the opportunity to confront issues arising in their present situation.

The 12 Steps are an integral tool in recovery. These steps provide a recovery programme which is used after the client has left the centre and provides a stable support system and tools for coping with everyday life. Treatment centres offering long term treatment facilities, therapy, a 12 Step programme and the endorsement of a healthy lifestyle have the highest success rates in addiction recovery. The combination of these factors for addiction treatment is incredibly beneficial in helping an addict to find their feet in the world and piece their lives back together.

Drug addiction can be arrested and managed if the addicted individual is able to abstain from using their drug of choice and undergo an internal change. The disease of addiction is an internal problem – people, places and things are not the problem – the addict is. Each sufferer will benefit from access to drug treatment facilities as rehab centres provide a safe place for detoxification and recovery.

The longer one uses cocaine, the more tolerance and dependency they will develop. For that reason, the only probable way of recovering is to get into a long term cocaine addiction treatment program. Usually, long term cocaine addiction treatment is done at an inpatient addiction treatment program; meaning the individual resides at the long term cocaine addiction treatment facility. This gives the recovering addict relief from outside sources and temptations, allowing them to focus solely on their addiction and recovery.

This form of drug addiction rehabilitation is considered to be the most successful drug rehab method currently available. A team of NIDA-funded researchers from the University of Chicago, Brown University, and Rhode Island Hospital has found that, in general, the more time a person spends in treatment for addiction, the better. Individuals who participate in long term cocaine addiction treatment are typically those with serious health/medical related issues as a result of their drug use and/or they have attended other types of drug rehabilitation with little to no success. The ultimate goal of a rehab program is to enable the individual to achieve lasting abstinence from drug use. The short term goal of rehab is to help the individual through detox and withdrawal from drugs.

Detox is riding the user’s body of the toxins that were accumulated by their drug use. Withdrawal from drugs is “the act or process of ceasing to use an addictive drug.” Once an individual has discontinued using drugs physical and behavioral withdrawal symptoms may follow. Detox is a process that helps diminish the uncomfortable symptoms of drug withdrawal. Those who go through medically assisted withdrawal to minimize discomfort but do not receive any further rehab, perform about the same in terms of their substance use as those who never attended a drug rehab. Over the last 25 years, studies have shown that attending a drug rehab works to reduce drug intake and crimes committed by drug-dependent people. Researchers also have found that drug abusers who have been through a drug rehab are more likely to have jobs. Another initial goal of long term cocaine addiction treatment is to improve the individual’s ability to function in society again. A drug rehab will help minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse.

A Long term program refers to the length of time the treatment is. Short term programs typically run less than 30 days, a popular length of treatment is 28 days. Long term cocaine addiction treatment can run from 30 days up to a year. However, typical long term cocaine addiction treatment runs for 3-6 months. The length of one’s stay usually is dependent on the severity of the addict’s cocaine addiction.

To make a successful recovery, the individual needs new tools in order to deal with situations and problems which arise. Factors such as encountering someone from their days of using, returning to the same environment and places, or even small things such as smells and objects trigger memories which can create psychological stress. This can hinder the recovering individual’s goal of complete recovery, thus not allowing the addict to permanently regain control of his or her life.

Attending long term cocaine addiction treatment means that the individual will be spending a substantial amount of time on their drug addiction treatment program. Generally, long term drug rehab is conducted in residential treatment facilities. When an individual enters this type of rehab program they know that they have truly dedicated themselves to recovering from their drug addiction. They will be provided with care and supervision 24 hours per day, generally in nonhospital settings. The best-known long term treatment model is the therapeutic community (TC), but residential treatment may also employ other models, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Long term cocaine addiction treatment is focused on the “resocialization” of the individual. This treatment model uses the program’s entire “community,” including other residents, staff, and the social context, as active components of treatment. The focal point while in drug rehab is on developing personal accountability, responsibility and socially productive lives. The program is highly structured with activities designed to help residents examine damaging beliefs, self-concepts, and patterns of behavior and to adopt new, more harmonious and constructive ways to interact with others.

While receiving a long term cocaine addiction recovery program the individual is able to experience day to day life for a substantial period of time clean from drugs. This helps them once they complete rehab and re-enter society. With shorter treatment programs the drug addict does not get to experience any significant amount of time off drugs. They have just enough time to withdrawal, detox and take in a few lessons before they are back in the world dealing with the same social pressures that drove them to treatment in the first place. Recovery from cocaine addiction is not a quick fix process. Enrolling and completing a rehab program is a life changing accomplishment. Graduates of these programs now have their lives back and are able to be who they always knew they could without the use of cocaine.

Types of Medications for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex illness with many parts of the brain implicated in its presence. Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, two types of chemical messengers in the brain, are typically targeted by bipolar medications. The primary types of medication for bipolar disorder treatment are:

• mood stabilizers
• anticonvulsants
• antipsychotics

Mood Stabilizer Medication for Bipolar Disorder

The only true “mood stabilizer” medication is lithium. Lithium is a chemical salt and typically lithium carbonate is prescribed. Lithium is still the first bipolar disorder medication treatment of choice in many circumstances and is known to effectively treat mania and prevent future bipolar episodes. Lithium also has a unique antisuicide effect. When lithium is used, blood levels must be carefully monitored as too much lithium can be toxic.¹

(In-depth information: Mood Stabilizers for Bipolar Disorder)

Anticonvulsant Medications for Bipolar Disorder

Anticonvulsants are sometimes called mood stabilizers when used to treat bipolar disorder. Anticonvulsant bipolar meds were initially created as anti-seizure medication but were later found to be effective at preventing mood swings. Several anticonvulsants have been shown to be very effective at treating bipolar disorder both acutely and long-term. Common anticonvulsant medication for bipolar includes:

• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Valproate (Depakote)
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• Topiramate (Topamax) and oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)

Antipsychotic Medication for Bipolar Disorder

Antipsychotics have been used in the treatment of bipolar disorder since the 1950s and the advent of the typical antipsychotic, chlorpromazine (Thorazine). Now, newer atypical antipsychotic bipolar medications are mostly used. Antipsychotics can be very useful for mood stabilization and treatment of bipolar mania, whether psychosis is present or not. Often used antipsychotic medications for bipolar disorder include:

• Aripiprazole (Abilify)
• Ziprasidone (Geodon)
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Asenapine (Saphris)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

(In-depth information: Antipsychotic Medications for Bipolar Disorder)

Medication for Bipolar Mania

Acute hypomania is often not considered an emergency while bipolar mania generally is. The specific bipolar medication choice is based on the presence of aggression, psychosis, agitation and sleep disturbance. Often, patients will be prescribed more than one medication. Common bipolar meds for the treatment of mania include:

• Antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), ziprasidone (Geodon), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidon (Risperdal)
• Valproate (Depakote)
• Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam (Klonopin) and lorazepam (Ativan)
• Lithium

Medication for Bipolar Depression

Acute depression can be tremendously dangerous if the person is suicidal or has lost the ability to take care of themselves. Degree of depression severity, including likelihood of suicide, and presence of psychosis is taken into account when choosing medication for bipolar depression. Common medications for bipolar depression treatment include:²

• Antipsychotics like quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Anticonvulsants like lamotrigine (Lamictal)

Antidepressants can be prescribed but, typically, only with other mood stabilizing medication. For some patients, antidepressants may be considered too destabilizing to risk at all (antidepressants may induce mania). For very severe or treatment-resistant depression, electroconvulsive therapy is often considered a frontline approach.

(In-depth information: Bipolar Depression Medications)

Bipolar Meds as Long-Term Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

Most of the bipolar medications used during acute treatment can be used long-term. Common long-term bipolar meds include:

• Lithium – still typically the number one choice for future episode prevention
• Anticonvulsants like valproate (Depakote) and lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• Antipsychotics like aripiprazole (Abilify) and olanzapine (Zyprexa)

Top Universities of Canada like Algonquin College, Georgian College, Humber College, Seneca College, Sheridan College, Brock University, University of Waterloo and University of Victoria provide high quality education in diverse fields like Science, Engineering, Humanity, Law, IT and Business. Canadian students consistently rank among the best in the world on international tests of reading, science and mathematics, proclaimed international leaders in government, business and academic circles have studied language skills and/or academic subjects in Canada. To study in Canada also means to experience a high level of cultural intermingling which broadens the horizon of a person about the peoples and places of the world. A person acquires skills to communicate effectively with people from different places of the world and work as a team with which in turn increases the opportunity of landing that dream job in the MNCs.

Canada is ranked as one of the best five countries to live in the world by UNO, it has a high level of living standard with excellent infrastructure, health care system, effective government and world class education system. This country also ranks among the top in per capita income, to study in Canada also means to get an opportunity to work while studying, students studying full term courses in Canada with a valid work permit can do part time jobs and earn while they learn. Many of the Universities offer scholarships on the basis of academic success, community involvement, athletic excellence, references from instructors or employers and financial need.

Canada is also a very beautiful country, by land area Canada ranks 2nd among all the countries of the world whereas the population is just above 35 million, which means it is very sparsely populated. A lot of space to live with abundant greenery and varied landscapes make Canada an ideal destination for the pursuit of one’s academic goal. The sparsely populated swathes of land outside of the population centers are destinations for holiday and adventure, skiing, cycling, hiking, camping, sightseeing, or even ice sailing are regular activities among students in weekends and holidays. With a world class standard of education oriented towards research and application of the knowledge, wonderful infrastructure and life changing opportunities study in Canada is highly rewarding for one’s career and promises a richer and better life ahead.

All teams represent Canada in various international competitions throughout the course of the hockey season. With the love and passion for the sport of hockey in Canada, it is no surprise that in most cases the Canadian squad is one of the most talented in the World.

Some analysts believe that Canada could put together two different squads in a competition and both would still be on the medal podium at the end of the day.

The year 2010 could go down as a historic year for Hockey Canada and their Canadian fans. Come December 2009 (and ending in January 2010), the Team Canada Juniors team will face the toughest teams from around the world at the World Junior Hockey championship.

This World Junior tournament is being held in Regina, Saskatchewan this year, and will certainly bring a lot of Canadian fans to watch. Team Canada has won the event the past 5 season, and many people believe a 6th championship is not out of the question.

Following the World Junior tournament, the world will be focused on the 2010 Olympic Games being held in Vancouver, British Columbia in February 2010. With the Olympics being held in Canada, there will be extra eyes surrounding the two competing Canadian hockey squads.

The Team Canada Mens, and Womens teams will be looking to take gold medals in what expects to be a very loud and noisy crowd of Canadian fans. The Women’s team will be looking to repeat as Olympic champions while the men’s team will be looking to avenge a disappointing 7th place finish in Turin. The rosters for both squads will be named on December 31st.

One of the best aspects of competitions involving Canadian hockey teams is the passion and unity that Canadian fans display. It really is second to none! Even international tournaments that occur across the world are attended very well by Canadian fans. One of the best ways to display Canadian passion is by wearing a Team Canada Jersey.

These jerseys can be worn at home, at work, or when watching Canada games with friends. Other ways of showing off your Canadian pride and passion is with other Team Canada Apparel. Throughout the country you will see many people wearing Maple leaf shirts, jackets, hats, and even scarves.

If Canada comes away with gold medals in the World Junior Tournament, Men’s Olympics, and Women’s Olympics, it will probably represent the greatest hockey achievement of any country in the world. To do it on home soil would be very special.

1. Compare the rates

Remember how consumers are always educated on shopping around before buying anything to get the best deal? We often shop around and compare prices before we buy our clothes, cars or even houses.

However, when this comes to buying auto insurance, we would just pay whatever rates offered by insurance companies. This is because we often thought that the rates are same between companies. This is totally a false belief as the rates between companies can vary as much as $1000 sometimes! You will never get cheap auto insurance in Canada if you do not put any effort to compare the prices. Therefore, start going around and research the companies before you take up any policies.

2. Raising deductibles

A deductible is the amount of the claim that we have to pay before our insurance company pays the rest if we are involved in an accident. We usually take the lower deductible because we do not want to pay so much when we file claims.

However, when you opt for lower deductible, you will get higher premiums that cause you to pay more than the amount of a higher deductible. This is because we do not involve in accidents every single day. So why not pay higher deductible to save more money in the long run?

3. Be careful when you drive

Accidents are unavoidable but we can prevent it from happening. When you are involved in more accidents and get a lot of speeding tickets, all these go into your driving record and leave some bad marks there.

When insurance companies review your application for auto insurance, they will look at your driving record first. If you do not have a clean driving record, it is hard for you to secure cheap auto insurance in Canada.

4. Discounts

Get all the discounts that you are applicable for and cheap auto insurance in Canada is sure to be yours. Most of the time, insurance companies do not give out the discounts without you asking for them. If you know you are eligible for certain discounts like multi-policy discounts, open your mouth and ask from your insurance company or you will lost the chance to secure cheap auto insurance in Canada.

Take the Right Equipment:

This is especially important if you’re a first time hiker. It’s worth investing in some proper gear – there’s no reason to spend a fortune on the best-known top end brands, but it’s also very likely that buying the cheapest stuff will turn out to be a false economy. If you buy decent equipment, you’ll be taking the correct steps to protect your body during your hike. As well, the Canadian climate can be changeable, so it’s important to pack according to the season, and which part of Canada you will be visiting.

Prepare your Legs

So, you’ve had a look through the brochures and you’ve begun dreaming about standing on top of the world, looking out across the vast wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. But a walking or hiking holiday will be all the much more enjoyable if your body is prepared. A training period of light walks that gradually increase in difficulty will improve both your fitness and make your feet used to your walking shoes – essential for getting the most out of your Canada hiking holiday.

Be sure to Insure

For many it’s an important step to take before a holiday at anytime, but when it comes to something like a walking tour in the Canadian Rockies, it’s vital to be covered by travel insurance. If anything unfortunate does happen, you might be far away from immediate help and any costs of rescue will have to be covered. Travel insurance is very affordable and will give you some peace of mind if things go awry.

Everything in Order?

It’s vital that you have fully valid documentation including passports and visas and that your vaccines are up to date. If you’re travelling from the UK, you can check on endemic diseases, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s travel advice pages for Canada.

Dig Beneath the Surface

Before you embark on your Canada hiking holiday makes sure you take the time to find out about the local culture and people in this fascinating country. Even though you might think you know some of the history, in Canada, there is always a surprise around the corner if you take the time to do a little digging.

Travel insurance in Canada is crucial because if you become ill or have an accident outside of your home province, your provincial health plan may not cover all of the medical bills. Additional travel insurance can cover unexpected expenses such as if you require immediate medical attention, if your possessions get stolen or damaged, if you experience a flight or travel accident, etc.

Without Canadian travel insurance, you may be required to pay unforeseen medical expenses and you would not have coverage for lost, stolen or damaged luggage, flight delays or cancellations. Anyone planning a trip outside of his or her home province or territory should obtain travel insurance so that they are covered anywhere and everywhere they travel.

You are also advised to have your passport and birth certificate with you in your travels. If you have a family, make sure they have all of the proper identification and information as well. Other than that, doing the proper research and properly planning out your trip well in advance will go a long way to ensuring a successful journey.

Canadians should visit as much of Canada as possible in their lifetime. There are so many incredible things to do and unbelievable sights to see that it is almost impossible to see them all! After traveling all or most of Canada, not only will you learn a lot about your home country, you will also be able to tell people how great it is and recommend the best places for them to visit.

2. Cross-Country Skiing – Not all people are as courageous (or crazy enough) to strap boards to their feet and hurtle down a mountain. For those who are downhill-challenged, try cross-country skiing instead. It’s like walking but only faster; similar to skating but without the falls; akin to running but not as strenuous. There are only a few nordic centers in the country dedicated to cross-country skiers but any snow covered trail is worth exploring. To get in shape at the beginning of the ski-season, try training at a local golf course. Then head out to the backcountry for a cool day of sliding and gliding.

3. Snowmobiling – Snowmobiling is fast, fun and exciting. Enjoy a family outing zipping through snowy fields, sparkling powder and spectacular scenery. Whizzing along forest trails is a great way to spend a sunny, winter day in the Canadian backcountry. Guided snowmobile tours in Canada are available to take sledders along pathways to places usually inaccessible at other times of the year. Ontario alone has over 30,000 kilometers of trails while Revelstoke, BC offers 12-18 meters of the white stuff (yes, meters). The quiet beauty and virgin snow is breathtaking and unforgettable.

4. Skating – Indoor arenas are fundamental to every community in this hockey-loving nation and many municipalities also maintain outdoor skating areas as well. Calgary has a natural rink in Bowness Park; Winnipeg has the 5.7 kilometer River Trail and of course, Ottawa has the Rideau Canal, a World Heritage Site. Enjoy a warm winter day on a frozen waterway and bring back childhood memories of playing on the ice.

5. Snowshoeing – Hiking in Canada doesn’t have to come to an end once the snow accumulates on the ground. As a winter substitute, strap on some lightweight snowshoes and follow your favourite trails to see the frozen backcountry. Snowshoeing is similar to hiking except trekkers can make their own trails. Scrub-brush and felled trees are buried deep below the powdery snow allowing showshoers to easily float on top. Take more direct routes up hills, tromp over buried thicket and follow frozen creeks and streams to secret winter locations.

6. Winter Camping – Instead of packing the tent away for 6 months, try a winter camping trip! Die-hard campers can pitch a tent and hunker down for the night any place that is sheltered from the wind. Combined with snowshoeing, winter camping is quiet and uncrowded. The soft snow under the tent makes for comfortable bedding. And hot chocolate has never tasted so good.

7. Caving – Caving in Canada is warm! Buried deep underground, the natural warmth of the earth keeps caverns at a constant temperature throughout the year, usually around +5 C. Once inside, winter quickly fade as cavers descend into a dark and damp chute below the surface. Guided tours provide protective equipment and gear to take you into a different world of narrow passageways, mineral deposits and crystal-clear pools. Those people who are claustrophobic will find the narrow
crevasses truly a once-in-a-life-time experience.

8. Sailing – The North Pacific Ocean near the BC coast is always +10 C making for year round sailing adventures. From November to March, rain showers are frequent but avid sailors can still get their thrills amongst the Gulf Islands and fjords of Vancouver Island. The westerly winds are strong and constant off of the Pacific Ocean, making for exciting and anxious sailing adventures. Bring rain gear and a VHF radio to monitor the weather since winter storms can produce gale force winds. Fog is west-coast trademark.

Outdoor adventure travel in Canada is a year round pastime. When the snow starts to fall and nature goes into hibernation, there are plenty of things to do and places to explore in this magical winter wonderland.

Prospects in Canada:

For real estate investors, Canada has two types of added bonus:-

- It has a huge population of wealthy expatriates who either seek retirement or residence in Canada, or take up important employment positions under the skilled worker programs of the Canadian Immigration Department.

- Such immigrants seek properties for resale and rent and bring in a constant flow of “new” money into the property market. This adds to the sustainability of the real estate sector. It also creates a focus on investment in some areas and cities popularly known to such group of people.

- Within its borders, Canada has emerging markets. As safe and neutral country, it has changed from political strength to economical strength.

- It has registered growth in plenty of business sectors, right from the urban expansion in Canada to the development of commercial and residential real estate sectors of their own.

Real estate investment in Canada is organized and profitable. It is a safe haven for people who want to invest in real estate but could not do so due to the effect of housing crash in the United States. Hence, it is better to take this opportunity and invest in real estate of Canada for long term smart gains.