AToN Center

Most Common Substance Addictions Afflicting Americans Each Day

Drug abuse has plagued the United States for centuries, and it continues to endanger the lives of children and adults alike. Fortunately, there is a way out for those who have developed a dependence on drugs and alcohol. If you are interested in learning about the most commonly abused substances in America, then review the information below.

• Marijuana - There is controversy surrounding the opinion that marijuana is an addictive drug. However, statistics show that it acts as a gateway drug to more addictive substances. Marijuana can also interfere with a person’s life in many of the same ways as other addictive substances. For example, it slows users down, inhibits their ability to react appropriately to situations, and can lead to a variety of lifestyle changes.
• Alcohol  - Alcohol addiction can start during childhood or late in life. Those who begin drinking during childhood typically start around the age of 12, and become full alcoholics by their early 20s. These users usually turn to alcohol because they have poor coping skills and may struggle to make friends, while adults who develop a dependence on alcohol usually do so as a way to deal with stress from a divorce, post-traumatic stress disorder, a demanding job or a variety of other reasons.
• Heroin  - Heroin is a powerful opiate that is considered to be one of the most dangerous drugs in the world. Users risk experiencing overdose and respiratory failure, long-term health problems, and the contraction of HIV/AIDS. Heroin is a highly addictive drug, and as such, it is the most commonly abused substance in the world.  
• Prescription Drugs - The Internet has made it easier than ever to obtain access to prescription drugs, which is why prescription painkillers have become the popular drug of choice among teens. Drugs like Vicodin and OxyContin are highly addictive, and can often be found in your home medicine cabinet. When abused, these prescription painkillers can be just as dangerous and deadly as heroin.

If you or a loved one is in need of help to overcome an addiction, contact AToN Center at (858) 227-4613. We’re a full-service support and treatment center that offers collaborative and motivational counseling, holistic healing activities, and more.

The Role of Yoga in Overcoming Addiction

Yoga is an ancient holistic practice that can effectively dismantle compulsive behaviors commonly associated with addiction. Yoga can provide a method for achieving self-confidence and mental health, while helping those with drug or alcohol addiction regain physical health and learn self-control. Learn more about the role yoga can play in overcoming addiction in the following article:

Yoga as a Means to a Stronger Self

Many addicts suffer from physical, psychological, and emotional stress as a result of the guilt, destructive behavior, and lifestyle consequences of addiction. According to proponents of yoga as a path to addiction treatment, yoga poses, breathing techniques, and deep thinking can help practitioners establish a peaceful union between the body, mind, and spirit.

Confront Negative Emotions

Those suffering from addiction typically struggle to deal with negative emotions such as anger, grief, and shame, so they resort to extreme, compulsive behaviors that often include drug use, alcohol abuse, and binge-eating. Yoga helps people to confront negative emotions by encouraging them to embrace their individuality and their faults. Yoga teaches that it’s okay to be fallible and offers tips for loving oneself despite imperfections.

Ease Physical Discomfort and Pain

Those who begin abusing prescription drugs as a way to cope with overwhelming or debilitating physical pain can also benefit from yoga. The poses used in yoga are designed to increase blood flow, range of motion, flexibility, and balance. As the muscles become stronger, the pain decreases, allowing for a reduction in substance dependence.    

If you’re seeking a holistic approach to overcoming addiction, contact AToN Center at (858) 227-4613. Our comprehensive treatment center sits between the Pacific Ocean and Rancho Santa Fe in San Diego County, allowing you to get in touch with nature while learning how to overcome negative feelings and addiction.

Eye To Eye With Katie Couric: Rx Drug Abuse (CBS News)

In this video, Katie Couric sits down with a drug addiction specialist to discuss the recent rise in prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse. Watch to learn which warning signs to look for, who is the most at risk, and more. Knowing this information could help you protect your child from a downward spiral of addiction.

If you know someone struggling with addiction, then get the professional support he or she needs by calling AToN Center at (858) 227-4613. Visit our website to learn about our private and beautiful facility and the many healing services and activities we offer.

Living in Denial

There is a paradox to denial that is often confronted in treatment.  How do you know if you are in denial?  What happens if you deny that you are in denial?  What if you have been controlled by others in the past and feel that being confronted is another attempt to destroy your sense of autonomy?  In my work at the AToN center I have seen how our approach is to meet the resident right where they are.  Our program is based on abstinence from substances of abuse and dependence but at the same time we do not create a therapeutic environment of disrespect where we tell people how they are supposed to live their lives.  We offer assistance to those who are struggling with their addictions, but this is done with respect for that individuals' intelligence and free will.  In my role as a psychologist I assume that each individual is an authority on themselves but also ask that they have an open mind.  For a person to grow and change it requires acknowledgement of the individuals role in the problem and the desire for improvement.  Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if you are in denial.  If you reach this conclusion, know that there are mighty forces willing to support and fight for you.   

Dr. Chad K. Cox PsyD

Psychologist

The Many Faces of Addiction

Public perception about addiction is that it is limited to drugs and alcohol. While these forms of uncontrollable abuse are common, psychiatric professionals are constantly recognizing new forms of addiction.

• Alcoholism: Alcohol abuse is characterized by patterns of regular and excessive consumption of alcohol. The path of the alcoholic typically begins with social drinking at healthy doses. As drinking becomes habitual and tolerance increases, alcoholics begin to lose interest in activities or outings that do not involve alcohol. Binge drinking is another known pattern of alcoholism. Binge drinkers choose to consume huge volumes of alcohol in one sitting. Though the long-term effects of alcoholism may not affect binge drinkers as quickly, this pattern carries its own risks of physical harm and alcohol poisoning.
• Behavioral Addictions: Not all addictions are linked to chemical substances—hobbies and harmless interests can quickly hinder an individual’s life if they trigger addictive behavior.
  • Gambling addiction compels individuals to risk their entire savings for the rush of winning big.
  • A sex addict often compromises important personal relationships by following compulsions for intimacy.
  • Exercise is normally healthy, but unregulated physical strain can take a heavy toll on the body.

Any behavior that begins to take priority over family, friends, and work may be the first sign of an addiction.

• Substance Abuse: Chemical dependence begins with experimentation and regular use. As this use develops into habitual routines, the user is more likely to begin participating in risky behaviors. Driving under the influence and dosing at work or school are common for users who have reached a state of true dependency on their substance of choice. As this dependency grows into an addiction, the user’s entire life begins to focus on obtaining an additional fix.

At the AToN Center, our holistic treatment programs incorporate the most effective elements of recovery unique to each person. Visit us online for more information on our recovery strategies for patients suffering with behavioral and substance addictions. Reach our understanding staff today at (858) 227-4613.