What happens to your brain when you take drugs?

Drug addiction is a very powerful disease. The body becomes so dependent on the drug that the withdrawal cravings feel impossible to resist. We now know exactly how drugs effect the brain as well.

The Effects of Stimulants

A stimulant is a substance that produces an arousing effect on the mind and body. Some examples of dangerous stimulants are crack, cocaine, and methamphetamine. When these drugs are used, it stimulates the central nervous system. This drug addiction can give the user a sense of energy and alertness. The brain is not equipped to handle the excess stimulation associated with addiction. Over time, this damage to the central nervous system can lead to seizures or convulsions. Cocaine has even more adverse effects on the brain. It produces a high by transmitting large amounts of dopamine. Dopamine is one of the chemicals that send messages of pleasure. This chemical, in extreme amounts, can permanently rewire the brain, and even cause hallucinations.

The Effects of Depressants

Depressants have the opposite effect of stimulants on the central nervous system. It slows down the brain, which hinders your body's ability to function properly. The most common depressant substances are alcohol and prescription muscle relaxers. The produce temporary feelings of euphoria and intoxication. In large doses, however, they can wreak havoc on the brain. Slow-firing neurons impair speech, motor skills, vision, and other bodily functions. In extreme cases, this particular addiction can relax the heart and diaphragm to the point of a coma or death. When alcohol is mixed with prescription depressants, the effects can also include blackouts. Blackouts are significant, and often permanent, memory loss.

The Effects of Narcotics

Narcotics are drugs that increase relaxation and relieve pain. Two of the most powerful narcotics are morphine and heroin. Morphine is prescribed to help people manage severe pain, but both substances are highly addictive. Like certain stimulants, this drug effects the central nervous system by flooding it with dopamine. With each use, the rush becomes more difficult to achieve, which leads to larger amounts being put in the body. This creates both a biological and physical dependence. The brain becomes convinced that just a little more of the drug will repeat the intense pleasure of the first time. Because of the severity of this drug particular addiction, you may need to consider a facility for treatment. There are facilities available to help you towards sobriety. Explore the possibility of contacting a drug rehab center in Utah.


Overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol is extremely difficult to do alone. People who believe that they have a problem should seek assistance as soon as possible. Do not be afraid to speak with a counselor, therapist, or doctor about your concerns. If you consider a drug rehab center in Utah, Pathways Real Life Recovery can help. We have several services, treatments, and programs designed to cater to your individual needs. Our treatment team is available 24-hours a day/7 day a week, so feel free to contact us at any time.


About the Author:
Michelle Amerman is a licensed therapist and President of Pathways Real Life Recovery. Pathways is a mental health counseling and addiction recovery center in Utah. Her treatment approach is based on 30 years' worth of groundwork and has been assessed and validated by pioneers in the field of recovery research.


Pathways Real Life Recovery
8706 South 700 East #205
Sandy, UT 84070
801-895-3006

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol has been a huge part of human culture for centuries, and there's definitely nothing wrong with having a few drinks now and then. However, the problem is that alcohol can be highly addictive, leading millions of people around the world down the path of alcohol abuse and eventually addiction. The fourth leading cause of preventable death in the United States, excessive alcohol consumption shortens a person's life by an average of 30 years.

Therefore, if you or anyone you know begins showing signs of alcohol addiction or abuse, it is important that you get help before it's too late. Our alcohol treatment center in Utah has experience helping people of all ages overcome their addiction problems, and we can provide the advice and treatment needed should you begin noticing any of the following issues.

Drinking is Creating Problems for Your Personal or Work Life

One of the biggest signs of alcohol abuse is when it begins directly affecting a person's family and work life. If alcohol is causing you to be late to work or miss days altogether, it’s a sign you need help. The same is true is alcohol is causing you problems with school or has led to fights and arguments with friends and loved ones. Of course, getting into legal troubles due to drinking is also another major warning sign of addiction.

You Can't Control How Much You Drink and Frequently Have Blackouts

The majority of people know their limit and have no problems stopping after a few drinks. On the other hand, drinking until you are sick or pass out is a sure sign of abuse. As well, if you often wake up not remembering what happened the night before, it's also a sign that you're drinking too much. Like most things in life, the key to drinking alcohol is moderation. If you find yourself unable to moderate your drinking, it's often best that you stop altogether. Otherwise, you'll end up risking your health and your future.

You Keep Drinking Despite Worries and Warnings

Over time, family and friends are bound to become increasingly worried by a loved one's alcohol abuse. Unfortunately, oftentimes alcoholics will continue to drink even after being confronted or given ultimatums. Similarly, many also continue to drink despite warnings from their doctor that alcohol is seriously damaging and threatening their health.

The problem is that alcohol is highly addictive both mentally and physically, meaning the person may not be able to quit no matter how much they want to. In this case, addiction treatment is really the only option. Therefore, if you or anyone you know is suffering from alcohol addiction, Pathways Real Life Recovery is here to help. Contact us today to see how our alcohol treatment center in Utah can help put you or your loved one back on the path to a happy, healthy life free from alcohol abuse.

About the Author:

Michelle Amerman is a licensed therapist and President of Pathways Real Life Recovery. Pathways is a mental health counseling and addiction recovery center in Utah. Her treatment approach is based on 30 years' worth of groundwork and has been assessed and validated by pioneers in the field of recovery research.

Pathways Real Life Recovery
8706 South 700 East #205
Sandy, UT 84070
801-895-3006

The 3 Most Abused Prescription Drugs

Many prescription drugs are abused by individuals in the United States on a yearly basis and according to experts, this trend is expected to continue. The American Medical Association states that approximately seven million men and women have admitted to using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. Below are the three most commonly abused prescription medications in the US:

Narcotic-Based Painkillers

Opioid analgesics are the most frequently abused drug in America. These narcotic-based painkillers are prescribed for moderate to severe pain, particularly the acute pain that follows injuries and accidents. Additionally, even though they are only recommended for short-term use, some doctors also prescribe drugs of this type for pain brought on by specific illnesses or disorders, such as diabetic neuropathy or spinal stenosis. Because of the fast acting euphoria they produce, they are effective at distracting one's nervous system from the sensation of pain but unfortunately are also highly addictive.

Tolerance to such medication occurs quickly, meaning it takes a continuously higher dose to achieve the same effect. The most commonly abused opioid analgesics on today's market are Percocet and Vicodin. A synthetic narcotic, tramadol, has also recently been classified as a controlled substances at the state level in various parts of the country, despite the federal government's failure to recognize its opioid characteristics. Approximately five million out of the seven million men and women who abuse prescription drugs in America are addicted to opioid analgesics.

Benzodiazepines

Sometimes called “benzos,” benzodiazepines are classified as central nervous system depressants. Although originally developed for the treatment of panic attacks and still the drug of choice for this disorder, they are now prescribed for a broad range of problems, such as general anxiety, acute stress, convulsions and even sleep disorders. This is another type of medication that was never intended for long-term use but is nevertheless often prescribed in this manner. Therefore, the risk for dependency or addiction among patients is high. The most common drugs in this category are Xanax, Valium, and Ativan. Approximately a million individuals in the United States abuse some type of benzodiazepine.

Stimulants

Stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin were initially intended for children or adults with Attention Deficit Disorder–ADD. However, they have become a common recreational drug and those who abuse them typically do so to improve their mood and experience a sense of elation and invincibility that this class of drug appears to create. There is evidence that this type of medication is abused by at least a million individuals in the United States and many experts anticipate that this trend will only escalate in future decades.

Hope for Addiction

At Pathway Real Life Recovery Program, we understand that addiction can happen to anyone at any stage of life. Our objective is to help you achieve long-term change through our customized programs and eliminate the unhealthy behaviors and beliefs that are stopping you from breaking free from your addiction. We work together with you and your loved ones to individualize the appropriate treatment plan and give you the skills and tools you need to live in addiction-free, purpose filled life. If you are struggling with addiction, do not hesitate to contact PathwaysRealLife.com to begin your recovery.

About the Author:

Michelle Amerman is a licensed therapist and President of Pathways Real Life Recovery. Pathways is a mental health counseling and addiction recovery center in Utah. Her treatment approach is based on 30 years' worth of groundwork and has been assessed and validated by pioneers in the field of recovery research.

Pathways Real Life Recovery
8706 South 700 East #205
Sandy, UT 84070
801-895-3006

3 Symptoms of Drug Abuse

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that the number of drug-related deaths from overdose has been steadily increasing in the United States. In 2015 alone, the number of deaths was more than 50,000. When a loved one starts abruptly acting and appearing differently than we are used to, it can be alarming. You may suspect a problem with drugs or alcohol, but are not sure. If they do have a problem, getting your friend or family member help, to prevent a death due to overdose, is important. What are some signs to look for?

Physical Changes

Different types of drugs cause different physical effects in users. These outward symptoms range from blood shot eyes to extreme weight loss. People who are abusing drugs exhibit many changes in their physical appearance. The main focus in their life becomes getting and using their drug. Because of this, personal hygiene and eating can become afterthoughts. 

You may notice your loved one’s physical appearance changing drastically over the course of weeks, or even days. They may stop showering everyday and start to smell unpleasant. They may stop combing their hair or wearing makeup. Brushing their teeth may stop. If they stop eating regularly, you may notice a huge drop in their weight, especially with stimulant abuse.

Emotional Changes

Your loved one may have always been outgoing and happy-go-lucky. Now, they are unusually aggressive with you, or spend most of their time alone in their room. Changes in a drug abuser’s personality are typical and vary depending on the drug abused.

Stimulants, like crystal meth or cocaine, can cause users to act out in negative ways. Users may pick fights with you or become physically violent. Depressants and opioids, like Valium or heroin, can cause users to withdraw from you. You may notice they are sleeping a lot and spend much of their time alone.

Behavioral Changes

Drug users change their professional and personal behaviors when they become addicted. A person may have held down a job for years and then lose their job because they can not function at work. Users may lose close, personal friends because of their behavior.

People who are addicted to drugs will often do things they would not normally do. Loved ones act differently when they are intoxicated than they usually do. Acting boisterous and expressing emotions in inappropriate ways are common behaviors. A person going through withdrawal because they can not get their drug can end up stealing from work, their friends and their family to satisfy their addiction.


It is hard to admit when you or a loved one has a problem with drugs. But, you know what is harder? Dealing with the death of a family member or friend. If you do suspect your loved one is abusing drugs, Pathways Real Life Recovery can help. Please reach out and contact us today.

About the Author:

Michelle Amerman is a licensed therapist and President of Pathways Real Life Recovery. Pathways is a mental health couseling and addiction recovery center in Utah. Her treatement approach is based on 30 years' worth of groundwork, and has been assessed and validated by pioneers in the field of recovery research.

Pathways Real Life Recovery
8706 South 700 East #205
Sandy, UT 84070
801-895-3006

10 Addiction Recovery Quotes

We here at Pathways Real Life Recovery know that addiction recovery is an act that is accomplished day by day, minute by minute. Sometimes the cravings, sadness and stress can lead you back down a road of using, and tempt you to undo all your good work so far. According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse between 40% and 60% of addicts will eventually relapse. This does not mean treatment is all for naught, as a relapse can often indicate a renewed commitment or a needed change to treatment. Of course, the best way to stay in recovery is not to relapse, and here we give you ten quotes about addiction recovery to help inspire you to stay on your recovery journey.

1. Trials Can Lead to Strength

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” – Helen Keller

2. We are our Greatest Achievement

“As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world… as in being able to remake ourselves.” – Mahatma Gandhi

3. Never Give Up

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

4. Know Your Past

“I understood, through rehab, things about creating characters. I understood that creating whole people means knowing where we come from, how we can make a mistake and how we overcome things to make ourselves stronger.” – Samuel L. Jackson

5. Learn From Your Mistakes

“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.” – John Wayne

6. The Good News

“Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” – Anne Frank

7. Have Patience

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them – every day, begin the task anew.” – Saint Francis de Sales

8. Rely on Yourself

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger — something better, pushing right back.” – Albert Camus

9. Keep Going

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein

10. Just for a Today...

If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.” – Benjamin Alire Sáenz


If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction recovery, reach out to us at Pathways Real Life Recovery. You are worth it!

About the Author:

Michelle Amerman is a licensed therapist and President of Pathways Real Life Recovery. Pathways is a mental health counseling and addiction recovery center in Utah. Her treatment approach is based on 30 years' worth of groundwork, and has been assessed and validated by pioneers in the field of recovery research.

Pathways Real Life Recovery
8706 South 700 East #205
Sandy, UT 84070
801-895-3006

3 Signs of Pornography Addiction

 

Statistics have shown that one third of all men in the United States reported that they are addicted to pornography. Many of us would consider that a startling statistic, but what do you think? Does it surprise you? If you think you might be addicted to pornography, you're not alone. Below are three signs of porn addiction you should watch out for.

1. Secretly Watching Porn Several Hours Per Day

Do you find yourself spending more and more time watching pornography than when you first started? And if so, is this something you hide from your partner? It's true that many people who watch pornography are not addicted to it, but if you find yourself spending several hours per day watching porn, there's a good chance that you are addicted or are in the process of becoming addicted.
Make no mistake: pornography is a real problem for many people, and it can be just as addicting as cigarettes, alcohol or illegal substances. And just like addictions involving substance abuse, pornography addiction can be just as difficult to permanently overcome without professional counseling.
The amount of time spent watching pornography is not by itself proof that an addiction is present, though. In cases of true psychological addiction, other signs will be present.

2. Losing Interest In Having Sex With Your Partner

If your interest in pornography is starting to interfere with or take the place of physical intimacy with your partner, then that is definitely a sign that something is wrong. Sure, there may be times when you are simply not in the mood for sex, whether due to physical exhaustion, mental exhaustion or conflict in the relationship. Everyone experiences those situations sometimes. The problem occurs when you start to see a pattern of behavior in which pornography becomes a substitute for sexual intimacy on a regular basis.
If you are viewing pornography on a daily basis yet have not had sex with your partner for several weeks or months, then that is a red flag that should be taken seriously. Regular intimacy is a necessary part of a healthy relationship, and if you and your partner are not connecting with each other but are finding sexual satisfaction in pornography instead, that can lead to serious consequences.

3. Unable To Stop Watching Porn

The most telling sign of porn addiction is the inability to stop watching it for any meaningful length of time. When was the last time you went through an entire day without watching porn? How did you feel about that? Did you feel like something was missing? When was the last time you went a whole week without it?
If you find it difficult or impossible to go through an entire week without watching porn, then it's safe to say that you have an addiction to it. Do not take this addiction lightly. It will eventually interfere with your relationship with your partner, if it hasn't already.
But help is available.

At Pathways Real Life Recovery, our licensed therapists are fully trained and experienced with helping couples just like you improve your relationship and experience the kind of intimacy and closeness you long for. Browse our website today and please contact us with any questions you may have regarding our services.


Author statement:
Michelle Amerman is a licensed therapist and President of Pathways Real Life Recovery. Pathways is a mental health counseling and addiction recovery center in Utah. Her treatment approach is based on 30 years' worth of groundwork, and has been assessed and validated by pioneers in the field of recovery research.


Pathways Real Life Recovery
8706 South 700 East #205
Sandy, UT 84070
801-895-3006

Outpatient Alcohol Treatment

Given that alcohol is both legal and extensively offered in stores, it's often easy to ignore the seriousness of alcohol addiction. Alcohol use is incredibly typical. Per the National Institute on Substance abuse and Alcoholism, the bulk (87.6 percent) of individuals over the age of 18 states that they have used alcohol a minimum of when during their lifetime. Alcohol addiction is a growing problem worldwide. Dependency to alcohol can have serious repercussions, both for the alcohol addict, and for those around them. The effects range from health issues for the alcohol dependent person, to the destruction of household and social relationships, and a failure to work successfully on the planet of company and work.

Signs of alcohol addiction include; drinking alone or drinking covertly, a change in your tolerance for alcohol (and withdrawal signs when you stop or reduce your drinking), rejection of alcohol-related issues (for instance, blackouts, regular falls, missing out on work or school), malnutrition, and medical problems affecting your nerves, digestion system, liver, heart or brain. Alcoholic abuse is an issue that can have major consequences.

Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Does Not Require an Overnight Stay

For the most part, the alcohol treatment is similar in. Individuals participate in detox programs, therapy, aftercare advice and so on. However, in residential care, recuperating addicts remain on the properties 24-7, while outpatient programs enable the specific to go home at the end of every day.

Outpatient Alcohol Treatment is Just as Effective as Inpatient Programs

Many individuals incorrectly believe that because a person is allowed to go home at the end of the day that outpatient drug treatment is not as extreme or results-oriented as its domestic cousin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Individuals who go through intensive outpatient alcohol treatment experience the very same challenges and developments as those in residential care.

Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Cannot be Finished in a Few Days

Beware programs that assure recovery from alcohol addiction can be achieved in just a few days. Outpatient alcohol treatment programs that get outcomes usually run One Month or longer depending upon the intensity of the dependency and the specific needs of the individual.

Utah Outpatient Alcohol Treatment

For alcoholism treatment in Utah contact Pathways Real Life today. Treatment of alcoholism and alcohol abuse frequently includes a mix of therapy, self-help and medication. Paths provides a distinct and effective combination of evidence-based alcohol rehabilitation techniques that provide amazing results for those looking for relief from the pain of alcoholism.

Pathways Real Life Recovery

8706 South 700 East #205

Sandy, UT 84070

801-895-3006