How to Deny A Drink?
Former addicts understand that undergoing treatment for an alcohol addiction is a process that requires hard work and persistence. However, this is not to say the effort stops once the treatment is over. For former addicts, sobriety is a choice that must be consciously made every day. Those who are now living outside of a halfway house or treatment facility must understand that it is very possible and very likely to be put into a situation where they are offered a drink, and it’s important to know how to properly navigate these types of scenarios.
If you are newly sober and participating in social situations, it is likely this will happen more often than you imagined. People will probably offer you drinks at dinners, bars, parties, concerts, events, and even at brunch. They may be offering you a drink to treat you to something, or to get you invested into a conversation with them. While their intentions are probably friendly, you might instantly feel all kinds of pressure that can overwhelm you: the pressure to accept, the pressure of explaining your situation, the pressure of politely refusing the offer, the pressure of hurting the person’s feelings, and even the pressure of discomfort or embarrassment.
The unfortunate truth is that sometimes being open about not drinking can feel harder than not drinking in the first place. Some people are uncomfortable with talking about their former addiction, or don’t want it to hinder their social life. Not to worry – Treatment Alternatives, an inpatient rehab in Boca can share simple tips on how to deny a drink.
Understand your options. The very first tip we recommend is to recognize that you have various options in this situation. You don’t necessarily have to deny the drink, get upset, leave, or even get into a conversation about the fact that you don’t drink. You can simply accept the drink and just not drink it – it’s as easy as that. If, however, you don’t feel this would be the best option for you, Treatment Alternatives inpatient rehab in Boca suggests simple solutions like “re-gifting” the drink to a friend, or gracefully declining.
Keep It simple. A lot of times, people feel the need to justify why they are saying no to something, but consider this: we don’t typically question people on why they’re having their third drink of the night, so why do we harp on someone who won’t even have one? Always remember that you do not need to justify your denial at any time. A simple “no thank you” is just fine. If they persist, repeat yourself, or just say “I don’t drink.” – this should do the trick. If, however, you would like to provide an explanation, go for it.
Practice ahead of time. Getting the right response down ahead of time can make the situation much easier to control. To get yourself comfortable with handling the scenario of someone unexpectedly buying you a drink, try practicing simple excuses that require little to no explanation:
Say thank you and offer it to a friend
“No thank you, I’m the designated driver”
“Thank you, but I’m pacing myself”
“Thank you, but I’d rather not drink”
“No thank you, I’m not drinking this evening.”
“Thank you, but I’m not feeling well tonight.”
Don’t take other people’s reactions personally. After kindly denying a drink offer from someone, it’s important to know that they may have a reaction that isn’t exactly what you hoped for. The professionals at Treatment Alternatives inpatient rehab in Boca remind you not to take it personally. It is likely they are not familiar with your circumstances. Remind yourself why you’re staying strong in your sobriety, and brush it off.
Above all else, never put pressure on yourself to drink. The first few times you are offered a drink you may feel embarrassed and wind up accepting the drink to avoid an awkward situation or making someone feel bad. But remember, there is a fine line between being considerate of another person’s feelings and defending your own boundaries.
Following this guide on how to deny a drink from our inpatient rehab in Boca can ensure you navigat
Cocaine Withdrawal: What You Should Know
Friends, family, and spouses of addicts may be hesitant to urge their loved one to join a drug rehabilitation program for their cocaine addiction. It is natural to be concerned about the detox process, withdrawal symptoms, and the treatment phase itself. At Treatment Alternatives, we know everyone is more comfortable when they understand how the process will work, so we want to make sure you are prepared when it comes to what you should expect when sending the person you care about to Treatment Alternatives.
Even though cocaine only provides a short-lived high, an intense depression follows it. It alters brain chemicals, so long term users become physically dependent on it, requiring higher doses to achieve the same high. An individual that is looking to receive treatment for a cocaine addiction will first have to go through the detoxification phase, which is the process of removing the drug from your system entirely. Detoxing from cocaine is different than other drugs, since it is water soluble and travels through the body quickly.
During the beginning stages of receiving treatment for cocaine addiction, the individual may experience the cocaine withdrawal symptoms that are both physical and psychological.
Psychological symptoms from cocaine withdrawal include:
Cocaine cravings
Depressed mood
Fatigue
Increased appetite
Restless behavior
Slow activity
Vivid or unpleasant dreams
While the cocaine withdrawal symptoms only last for about one to two weeks, the help of our Boca Raton rehab center will help make sure you are safely guided through the process.
Along with psychological symptoms from cocaine withdrawal, there are also physical side effects to take into consideration.
Physical symptoms from cocaine withdrawal include:
Body aches
Excessive sweating
Exhaustion
Pain
Tremors and shakiness
Withdrawing from any drug means the body is going into shock, so medical management of cocaine addiction treatment is highly recommended to avoid complications and discomfort. Without medical management, the cravings can become too strong and lead to a relapse. Cocaine can be difficult to withdrawal from, which is why our facility creates an individualized plan for you based on your needs and length of drug use. The licensed, medical professionals at Treatment Alternatives can help you learn how to handle the associated side effects from cocaine withdrawal.
Aside from assisting you through a detox and withdrawal process, our medical professionals at Treatment Alternatives will provide the necessary tools and proper guidance for navigating the world sober. The risk of relapse is much higher when the former addict is simply put back into their old life with no coping mechanisms or support system. With the professional care from our Boca Raton rehab center, you or your loved one will have all the guidance and support to create a structured life, find a job, and replace old habits with healthier ones.
If you or someone you know is struggling to overcome a cocaine addiction, call our rehab facility
Why We Should Choose Treatment Over Incarceration?
There is much speculation over society’s natural tendency to demonize someone who has the courage to say, “I’m an addict”. For those who admit to alcoholism and ask for help, there tends to be a greater feeling of support and sympathy from others. Outside of recovery circles, however, the public tends to want to treat those addicted to drugs in courts of law, not detoxification and rehab centers.
Is it because alcohol is legal, while drugs are not? Is it because our country is battling a “War on drugs” that make it seem so criminal? Could it be the government mandated increase in the number of judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to take a stronger stance against drugs?
If you love an addict or you’re struggling with an addiction yourself, chances are you understand the grip an addiction has on you: it causes irrational behavior that a sober-you would never validate. Millions of Americans are suffering from drug addictions, but this does not mean they are inherently bad people. In a 2015 interview with CNN, President Bill Clinton acknowledged the mass incarceration that has taken place due to drug abuse in the United States, even stating “Our prisons and our jails are now mental health institutions.” – meaning the incarceration approach has failed our nation.
A drug addiction requires treatment and support, two things that a jail cell does not provide. Incarceration in the confines of a tiny cell invites fear, anger, isolation, and confusion – all driving factors for continued drug use. It forces people who are struggling with a disease to spend time with others who have committed considerably worse crimes – encouraging them to develop violent criminal tendencies. Once an inmate is removed from society for so long, then reintegrated, they are likely to use drugs again as a means of coping. Incarceration simply does not address the root of the addiction the same way rehabilitation does.
Rehab, on the other hand, offers a supportive environment for those fighting substance abuse issues. It provides an individualized plan for each new client to best meet their immediate needs. Clients can meet with therapists, doctors, nurses, and life coaches that will assist them through each step of the process. When everyone agrees that the rehabilitation stage is complete, rehabs then work with the client to teach them proper life skills to stay sober and avoid relapse.
In 2016, Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates pointed out a steady decline in federal prison population thanks to revised drug sentencing guidelines and revised policies for low-level nonviolent drug offenders. Her point was clear: too many prisons are locking people up for the wrong kind of behavior.
Warm Water and Lemon
What you do first thing in the morning is very important. If you make time for at least one morning ritual you can improve your health. Warm water and lemon is part of Chiropractic Health’s practitioner routine as it helps to:
Improve your immune system: Lemons are high in vitamin C which is essential for fighting colds.
Balance pH: Lemons are alkalising for the body. With many processed foods consumed in modern society our bodies turn into an acidic state.
Aid digestion: Warm water stimulates the gastrointestinal tract and lemons are high in vitamins and minerals which help to detoxify the body.
Act as a gentle diuretic: Lemon juice helps to flush unwanted toxins by increasing rate of urination – less stagnation of unwanted materials within the body.
Hydrate: Water is extremely important for body processes. Being dehydrated may lead to body fatigue, constipation, stress and so much more.
Why Exercise
Exercise helps to promote an overall feeling of “wellness“. It helps to develop and maintain lean muscle mass which leads to increased fat burning. It increases your basal metabolic rate (BMR), and therefore, your fat burning capacity.
Exercise improves:
- Circulation
- Bone density
- Endorphin production (regulates pain response and relaxation)
- Blood pressure
- Sleep quality
- Ability to manage stress
- Blood sugar levels
- Flexibility/mobility
- Strength
- Muscle tone
- Energy levels
Here are some exercise tips:
- Aim for half an hour each day
- Generally for fat loss, exercise is most effective first thing in the morning, before breakfast. Eat within 1 hour after exercise.
- Vary your routine – try walking, swimming or cycling.
- Ease into your exercise program – don’t do too much, too soon.
- Remember – “No gain when in pain!” Avoid exercise that becomes painful.
- Don’t forget to warm up before exercising and cool down afterwards.
- Use stairs where you can – avoid escalators/lifts.
- Walk the long way home and utilize hills where possible.
- Invest in a set of 1-2kg dumbbells or resistance bands – you can do a full-body workout with just these simple pieces of equipment.
- Stretching the body will increase flexibility and reduce your risk of injury.
What is stopping you?
- Is your energy low? You may need vitamin or mineral support.
- Are pains and aches getting in the way? You may need a musculoskeletal assessment.
- Do you need help with motivation? Talk to us about diet and lifestyle.
- Do you have trouble finding out which exercise is fitting into the day? We can talk to you about ways to fit it in.
Tummy Time
In 1994, the Back to Sleep campaign was established and recommended that parents place their infants on their back while sleeping. Since then there has been a positive reduction in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, chiropractors are now noting a rise in Plagiocephaly which is flattening of the cranial bones from prolonged back lying.
Unfortunately, it is not an aesthetic issue, chiropractors are seeing the effects of Plagiocephaly such as developmental delays and poor tone in infants.
Parents should note the importance that Tummy Time plays on a child’s development. This ensures they are lifting and turning their head. Chiropactors suggest at every nappy change, Tummy Time should occur for atleast 30 seconds. The lifiting of the infants head aims to stimulate the nerve pathways at the back of their neck improving the messages which travel to and from a part in the brain involved in cognitive (attention and language processing) and motor (muscle strength) development.
Boost Your Immunity
Now that winter is upon us we need to prepare our immune systems for the cold, flu and cough season. Naturopath’s suggest warming foods, hot drinks, supplementation along with plenty of rest.
If your immune system needs a boost, a naturopath will recommend dietary, nutritional and herbal support.
- Fruits for boosting immunity
- Immune system boosting vegetables
- Herbs and other natural supplements
- In addition, a naturopath may recommend specific vitamins and minerals as immune system boosters.
As well as recommending healthy foods, herbs and supplements, a naturopath will also give advice about substances to avoid. These foods often contain high levels of unhealthy sugars and fats and low levels of nutrients.
Stress also have ruinous effects on the immune system. Stress reductions strategies to boost immunity may include regular exercise, meditation, breathing exercises or just time away from a stressful environment.
Keep Your Iodine Levels Healthy: Critical Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Advice
Let’s face it: pregnancy and breastfeeding can be really hard on our body, depriving us of normal vitamin and mineral levels we take for granted any other time. Your body, after all, is working harder to nourish your child and ultimately, to fuel your child’s physiological development.
One mineral that has been falling to low levels in pregnant and nursing mothers is iodine. So dire has the situation gotten that doctors have been voicing their concerns in papers published in some of the world’s leading medical journals.
From the research conducted concerning the low iodine trend, doctors are coming to a clear consensus.
Iodine supplements are essential for pregnant and nursing mums!
Iodine is absolutely important for growing babies and their mums, because it is essential for thyroid hormone production and foetal neurodevelopment. The thyroid gland helps keep metabolic processes kicking along nicely, and a deficiency of iodine can result in illnesses for you, that can also harm your baby.
Iodine helps babies develop neurologically, and a low level of iodine in pregnant women actually increases the likelihood of retardation in children. Iodine deficiency causes preventable mental retardation all around the world.
So what can you do to increase your iodine?
Although iodine is naturally found in dairy products, seafood, eggs, bread, select vegetables and iodised salt, your body will see iodine levels fall during pregnancy and breastfeeding. That’s why it’s best for you to find a good quality iodine supplement, geared specifically to pregnant and breast feeding mums.
You’ll find what you need by visiting a Naturopath.
The current recommended daily dose of iodine for pregnant women is 220mcg of iodine, so a supplement is definitely your best bet for yourself and of course, your baby.