Alcohol and Drug Addiction

Drug and alcohol abuse is more prevalent in today’s society
than ever before. According to the National Institute on
Drug Abuse, 21.6 million people in the United States admitted
that they had tried cocaine at some point during their lives.
An astounding 20 percent of individuals surveyed stated that
they were currently using cocaine on a regular basis. Current
estimates state that at least one thousand people die each year
from using heroin, and approximately one third of new
AIDS cases are a result of IV drug use. 

Alcohol is also a drug, and it is one that deserves significant
recognition and attention. A survey involving 20,000 adults
concluded that more than 13 percent met the criteria for
alcoholism. Alcoholic individuals are 2.5 times more likely
to die than someone who uses alcohol sparingly or not at all.
The impact of alcohol extends largely beyond the individual
consuming the substance. Many cases of domestic violence
involve alcohol. 

Drug and alcohol abuse are a societal problem that affects
everyone. Families are torn apart by alcoholism as spouses
must struggle to see their loved ones held back by the power
of addiction. Children become confused as they see someone
they once knew in a different and negative light due to poor
decision and judgment making skills. Society as a whole
should be concerned with the abundance of alcohol and
drug use. It contributes to problems in the workplace,
increased arrests and more frequent crime. Alcoholism
alone contributes to 117 billion dollars a year in law
enforcement, workplace-related and other costs. Cocaine
use and abuse costs the country close to 35 billion
dollars each and every year. 

The reasons that people use and abuse drugs and alcohol
range from the desire to feel a sense of euphoria to an
attempt to escape from the stressors and struggles they deal
with on a daily basis in real life. The result is a temporary
sense of feeling good without thoughts about the consequences
that occur after consuming the substance. The temporary effects
are not worth the long-time results that plague the individual and
those they interact with on a regular basis. The benefits of taking
drugs and alcohol may seem to outweigh the costs at first, but
casual use quickly becomes regular and the consequences quickly
consume the user. 

Treatment is the first step to helping someone with a drug or
alcohol addiction. Many individuals benefit from attending meetings
on their own, such as AA or NA, but treatment can also be on
an in-patient basis for addicts that need more structure and help than
they can obtain on their own. Treatment for addiction involves support,
counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy and the desire to get and
remain drug and alcohol free. These programs can last anywhere
from a few weeks to a few months. It’s essential for an addict to
seek assistance not only with getting clean, but also with preventing
relapse by utilizing the tools and support available from family and
addiction organizations. 



Alex Kerwin writes articles to to help raise awareness of the dangers 
of drug and alcohol addiction.

Aromatherapy: Making Hospitals Smell More Welcoming

Hi everyone:)
I would like to introduce you to guest blogger Allison Brooks! She has written
a wonderful piece on aromatherapy. Please read the blog below and feel free
to share it with others. To read more of Allison Brooks blogs, please visit the
additional links below.


Wouldn't it be nice to step inside a major medical center and smell the calming
fragrance of lavender or sage instead of the harsh, medicinal hospital odor?
While products containing fragrance oils have been used in shampoos, soaps
and lotions for decades, natural fragrant oils, called essential oils, are now being
used in medical facilities. Certain essential oils are being used in hospitals and
nursing homes are to induce sleep, relieve anxiety and reduce pain.

Susan Shields, the cancer program director at Harris Methodist Hospital in
Fort Worth, TX has seen the values of aromatherapy and has begun to use
them in her facility. Shields uses essential oils in aromatherapy with cancer
patients to help reduce anxiety and situational depression by massaging
several soothing oils, along with carrier oil, into the patient's hands and feet.
Pure essential oils contain chemicals that can affect the patients' physiology
and induce responses that can reduce inflammation, improve circulation
and even affect mood.

Other cancer and integrative treatment centers are following in Shields
footstep. Some places even require weekly massages with essential oils
for patients with aggressive cancers, like pancreatic or mesothelioma cancer.
Since these cancers require heavy treatment plans, aromatherapy-massages
can aid in healing and survivability.

Many patients--and their loved ones--experience anxiety when in a hospital
setting. Pain, the fear of pain, and the unknown can all cause an increase in
adrenalin and other "fight-or-flight" hormones and chemicals. These chemicals
can cause an increase in heart rate, breathing and muscle tension and can hinder
the healing process.

When essential oils are used to decrease a patient's anxiety, the body is free to
release healing chemicals, use energy to repair cells, and allow the patient to rest.
The fact that essential oils release their fragrance into the air can also affect the
nursing staff and a patient's visitors, whose anxiety can negatively affect the
patient. The chemicals in the oils are not only benefiting the patient through
dermal absorption, but their visitors through inhalation.

Many practitioners have found that aromatherapy can help alleviate pain in
some patients. If pain is caused by an inflammatory response, some
anti-inflammatory essential oils can help reduce the inflammation in the skin,
joints and muscles. Rosemary, chamomile, lavender, peppermint and white
camphor have chemical properties that can help reduce pain an inflammation.
Always mix essential oils with carrier oil, such as olive or jojoba, before
applying to the skin.


Because the sense of smell is directly connected to the limbic system, an
area of the brain where emotions are stored, just the scent of a hospital
can cause fear and anxiety. When hospitals and other therapeutic centers
use essential oils, comforting, familiar smells, like roses or cinnamon, can
enable a patient to feel less anxiety and stress, which can encourage the
healing process.



Additonal work by Allison Brooks:

http://liveloveyoga.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/the-proven-abilities-of-mind-body-therapies/

http://neemyd.blogspot.com/2012/01/laugh-day-will-keep-side-effects-away.html

http://mrdavidemmanuelnoel.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/allison-brooks-the-use-of-colour-therapy/

http://progressivebuddhism.blogspot.com/2011/12/mantra-meditation.html

http://curiousmindmusings.blogspot.com/

Gearing Up For 2012!

Happy New Year and greetings from blogland! Though my desire to
blog consistently didn't fully come to fruition in 2011,  I am hoping
for a better track record in 2012. Hence, here I am once again!

Well, I don't know about you, but, I sure was happy to say good bye to
2011! Don't get me wrong, 2011 had some wonderful times; my children's
birthday's, visiting with out-of-town family, re-connecting with old friends,
working with amazing clients, etc. But, in the greater landscape we call
life it was a very tough year for me, for many. Yet, even in the midst of
my melt downs, frustrations and exhaustion (I'm a mother of 4, it comes
with the territory!) I'm strapping on my boots, putting my best foot forward 
and once again, getting into the ring! I know, I know, most of us have that
"can do" attitude when the new year rolls around and I'm no exception.
We can feel invincible, determined, courageous and of course, inspired 
by what the new year can bring. It certainly can allow each of us the
opportunity to learn, change, grow and even share with others our
experiences that have helped shape who we have become, or perhaps,
who we would like to eventually become. So, in saying this, here is what
I wish for  each of you in this brand new year filled with brand new doors
that have yet to be opened, or for some of us, that are to be revisited
with a vengeance...of positivity.

For you, I pray this new year beckons you to step out of your comfort zone, 
accompanying you to places within yourself you have never explored, forgiving 
those you felt you never could-including yourself -and being open, receptive
and faith-filled to the miracles and blessings God can pour over you in 2012
and beyond! So, what are you waiting for? Here's to gearing up for 2012-
may it be absolutely amazing for you!  

Have a magical, mystical-filled day everyone!

T.L.

Founder of Within The Light
Windbirdge Certified Research Medium