TIPS for Surviving the Holidays; Stay Sober During the Holidays

TIPS for Surviving the Holidays

Tips for Surviving the Holidays

Do you want to stay sober during the holidays? The holidays can be a joyful or painful time of the year. Tis the season for greetings, family, cheer and beer but for addicts it can be a time of triggers, running emotions, stress and disappointments. What does one in recovery do when the holidays come and family is too far away to see and you start to feel a little lonely or when that one cousin is insisting that just one drink won’t hurt? Here are 10 helpful tips on how survive the holidays without substances.

Relapse prevention

Prepare or amend your relapse prevention (RP) plan.

The purpose of a relapse prevention plan is to proactively set boundaries and guidelines in order to keep your sobriety. Relapse is not a onetime, overnight event, it is a process that can begin days, weeks or months before you use again. A well prepared RP plan can help you better prepare and navigate through the various stages of relapse (emotional, mental and physical). Check back later for more details on the various stages of relapse. Check out the links below for more information on relapse prevention.

  1. Keep calm and work the steps.

Attend 12 Step meetings before and after any big events and continue to go to the meetings during the holiday season. The importance of meetings cannot be stressed enough. This is where you can develop support systems, remain strong in your commitment to recovery and gain a sense of stability, comfort, and confidence.

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Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Court Approved Counseling & Programs

Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Court Approved Counseling & Programs

What is an #Alcohol and Drug Evaluation used for?

Probation, Parole,  Pretrial, Drug Diversion, Pre-employment, Department of Transportation (DOT), Division of Family and Children Services, Attorneys or pre-indictment/arraignment purposes. Individuals are referred to be evaluated based on many situations. It could be an arrest, sentencing,  testing positive during a random on the job,  a divorce or custody battle case or just as simple as someone who needs help with addiction.

The types of cases and situations may vary for an #alcohol and drug evaluation. Some of the most common cases are (driving under the influence), (possession of marijuana)s (possession of controlled substances), (possession with intent), (reckless driving), (theft by receiving), (minors in possession of alcohol-MIP), (criminal trespass), (battery), (disorderly conduct), (failing a drug test on the job), (inquiries as to parenting ability based on substance dependence), etc..

Given that #Alcohol and Drug Evaluation, along with the Counseling recommendations provided, are often used to minimize and alleviate court sentences, individuals are highly encouraged to undergo Assessments as soon as possible, which demonstrates to the court and prosecution your willingness to take responsibility for your actions and follow-thru with the suggested Counseling plan. If you or someone you know is in need of an Alcohol and Drug Evaluation#, please contact us for a comprehensive, personalized assessment or make a referral, please call 800-683-7745.

Based upon the assessment a recommendation is made on the appropriate course. Most individuals are encouraged to refrain from using substances and lead a healthy lifestyle.
An evaluation is the first step..

To know more related to Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Near me visit us now. or to set up one for yourself, be sure to call us at 1-800-683-7745 or visit us at www.aacscounseling.com

AACS Sober Living

AACS Sober Living in Atlanta

We are a group of professionals who have devoted our careers to help educate young-adults,  their friends and families about addiction, and to bring affordable sober living facilities in the Metro Atlanta Area.

AACS Sober Living

Our goal is to provide affordable sober living care to all who need healing and growth. At AACS Sober Living, recovery is made simple. We walk with you through this important transitional journey and assist you in regaining self-confidence, new coping skills, healthier choices, and reconnecting with loved ones.

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AACS Sober Living

Aftercare sober living at AACS

For long-term success, our statistics show aftercare is key.  At AACS Sober Living, individuals are encouraged to actively participate in at least 12 months of aftercare which includes continued individual and group therapy for the first year, random drug screens, and the completion of working a 12 step program with a sponsor.

Accountabile case management

AACS Sober Living uses a comprehensive strategic model of case management focused on client accountability, holistic Counseling planning, successful client outcomes, and community awareness. Counselors and case managers provide each client with intensive supervision and a supportive network, which enables the client to meet the expectations of daily living and decrease the likelihood of relapse.

Designed to provide immediate Counseling to individuals referred to by self or from various sources, participants will be engaged in a range of supportive activities while working on bettering their life and current circumstances. The center’s aggressive strategies are proving successful in addressing some of the most difficult problems associated with addiction, co-occurring disorders, medical status, etc.

  • Anger Management Group
  • Daily Spiritual Meeting/Group
  • 12-Step Meetings
  • Individual Therapy
  • Monthly Family Group
  • Weekly Community Group
  • Relapse Prevention Group
  • Weekly 12-step Study Group

 

 

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Relationship Groups; Saving your marriage

Creating and cultivating healthy relationship is a two part process; first learning how to have a healthy relationship with the self, and then manifesting reciprocal behaviors with others.

The goal of the Relationship groups; Saving your marriage serries is to help members be more intentional in interpersonal relationships while providing psycho-education and support.

Relationship Groups
Relationship Groups and Couples Therapy.

Relationship Groups are very popular form of therapy in the modern world. Group therapy is an effective form of psychotherapy that is based on interdependence and interaction among the group members who mutually disclose personal challenges and issues in their relationships during group sessions.

Relationship Groups
Relationship Groups

The focus of the Relationship Groups; Saving your marriage series is to regain confidence in your communication with your partner. It’s based on the premise of interpersonal learning. The process serves as the agent of change.  The group presents realistic challenges to maladaptive interpersonal belief systems and behavioral patterns via feedback from participants and encouragement to experiment with healthier alternative behaviors, first within the group and then outside the group.

According to Irvin Yalom (2005) the following is s brief list of the benefits group psychotherapy can provide.

Universality – feeling of having problems similar to others, not alone.

Altruism – helping and supporting others.

Instillation of hope – encouragement that  recovery is possible.

Guidance – nurturing support & assistance.

Imparting information – teaching about problem and recovery.

Developing social skills – learning new ways to talk about feelings, observations. and concerns.

Interpersonal learning – finding out about themselves & others from the group.

 

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Addicted to Drugs

Brief Description of article from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Addicted to Drugs

Addicted to Drugs

Many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. It is often mistakenly assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs work in the brain than ever, and we also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives.

What Is Drug Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her. Although the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, the brain changes that occur over time challenge an addicted person’s self-control and hamper his or her ability to resist intense impulses to take drugs.

Addicted to Drugs

Fortunately, Counseling are available to help people counter addiction’s powerful disruptive effects. Research shows that combining addiction Counseling medications with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Counseling approaches that are tailored to each patient’s drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without drug abuse. Click for entire article on NIDA

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ASAM Level I Classes and Substance Abuse Counseling

ASAM Level I Classes and Substance Abuse Counseling

ASAM Level I classes are designed according to the ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) criteria for addiction Counseling. Specifically, ASAM Level I classes and Substance Abuse Counseling provide individuals with a supportive and instructive environment where they are encouraged to develop deeper insights into the causes and conditions, as well as the effects, of their addictive and abusive behaviors.

ASAM Group Location and Hours

ASAM Level I Classes

 

It is well understood in the medical and scientific communities that substance abuse is associated with more fundamental or rudimentary cognitive deficits. Some of these deeper issues may be deficits in emotional regulation, diagnosable affective disorders, or a consequence of a myriad of other sociocultural, environmental and/or genetic factors. Regardless of their specificity, instructors of the ASAM Level classes and substance abuse Counseling are trained to assist clients in beginning to illuminate these underlying psychological issues in order to alleviate the drive to pursue addictive avenues to cope with life stressors. Often, additional resources such as one-on-one counseling or pharmacological therapy from licensed and certified clinicians may be necessary to support the Counseling process.

Substance Abuse Treatment

Clients are highly recommended to fully participate in this collaborative recovery process in order to gain the greatest benefits. The multi-dimensional approach advocated by the ASAM has led to the development of Counseling resources intended to meet clients at different levels of self-awareness and overall readiness. Regardless of the individual’s level of self-understanding, open-mindedness and willingness to fully engage are critical for long-term abstinence and inner contentment. Our instructors of the ASAM Level I classes and substance abuse Counseling are equipped to facilitate a supportive dialogue and provide the necessary resources to evoke sustainable transformation, which has been shown to reduce recidivism and lead to overall well-being. To register for an ASAM Level I Substance Abuse Counseling class, call 800-683-7745.

 

Behavior Modification for Recovery

The importance of change and what it takes to modify our behavior.

Behavior Modification for Recovery

Behavior Modification for Recovery from Alcoholism and drug addiction are primarily brain- and behavior-based psychological disorders that have foundations in neural and biological substrates along with persistent conditioning brought about by repeated behavioral patterns. There exists a strong reciprocal relationship between the mind and body of the addict and alcoholic. Science has revealed a variety of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to our current understanding of addiction and subsequent prevention and Counseling  approaches. Furthermore, these developments have helped to shape the current societal views of addiction from a moral failing to a health problem. This shift has consequently altered our focus on solutions from punitive measures to therapeutic Counseling and preventative education.

Although medications can alleviate many of the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and side effects associated with substance abuse (along with assisting with some of the deeper, often undiagnosed, psychological phenomena that were being ineffectively self-medicated with the substance of abuse, such as depression, bipolar, and anxiety-related disorders), the need for behavioral modification and self-regulation is essential to long-term recovery and overall well-being.

There are numerous theoretical models which thoroughly outline the development and progression of addiction—virtually all of which posit the necessity for cognitive and behavioral modification. Essentially, it is well-understood, from a variety of perspectives and disciplines which deal with addiction in some capacity, that removing the substance of abuse alone is not effective in ensuring long-term sobriety, in that the underlying causes and conditions that led to the abuse (even in the wake of devastating consequences) must also be addressed and corrected.

 

Behavior Modification for Recovery

The second element necessary of behavior modification for recovery is one of unwavering persistence and dedication to the task. Because the modification of thought and behavioral patterns that have invariably developed over an entire lifetime can take a considerable amount time and energy, a certain level of tenacity and inner determinism to persevere is often required. Along with such a drive comes the need for an attitude of compassion and patience with oneself. Deep and enduring change is neither easy nor quick, and the probability of the recurrence of old behaviors and thoughts in certain familiar contexts is highly likely, if not inevitable. For example, no matter how much one commits to avoiding anger and frustration, given the appropriate circumstances (e.g. traffic, arguing with a loved one, etc.), the feelings are bound to be elicited because of their conditioned nature. The key is to constantly remind oneself of the desire to change the ruminative thinking and habitual responses which have always accompanied such emotional reactions. Compassion is necessary when undergoing this painstaking task. Cultivating this kind and loving relationship with oneself is what is often meant by “parenting oneself,”  or behavior modification for recovery, which is what the process of recovery demands. Moreover, it is important to avoid labels such as “success” and “failure,” and instead respect the evolution of change as you embark upon it. The specific practices and resources one incorporates to assist in this process depend on the nature of Counseling and therapeutic services provided. Regardless of the specificities, in light of the difficulty, this inner transformation presents to the addict or alcoholic, some form of Counseling and support is highly recommended.

For help with Counseling classes

For help with DUI arrest and classes

Marijuana can’t help PTSD and anxiety

Marijuana can’t help PTSD and anxiety

Marijuana can’t help PTSD and anxiety

At AACS Atlanta, we deal with many veterans who have been using marijuana to deal with their PTSD and anxiety issues.  The article below discusses that marijuana can’t help PTSD and anxiety.  For a long time, people have used marijuana as an alternative temporary and a quick fix to get relief from PTSD and anxiety. Although we don’t advocate for medication dependence to deal with PTSD, we encourage our clients to seek help from mental health professionals to begin working on cognitive restructuring immediately.

New Counseling modalities and best practices have shown learning how to cope with stress, traumatic experiences and PTSD are the healthiest methods to gain a life long skill to deal with these uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.

There are several studies that indicate marijuana can’t help PTSD or anxiety.  Most people experience a brief period of relief only to return to a higher state of anxiety. PTSD can be addressed in several therapeutic models. The editorial published on July 10, 2015, by The Gazette identifies the adverse effects of THC dependence on PTSD.

Marijuana can’t help PTSD and anxiety

If you or a loved one is depending on marijuana to deal with PTSD or anxiety, please visit our site for immediate help or to schedule a free consultation. 

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Shoplifting and Theft Prevention classes

Get off probation-Complete your SHOPLIFTING and THEFT Prevention Classes. 

Shoplifting and theft prevention classes are designed to address several issues. Courts require habitual offenders to complete a 3 or 8-hour shoplifting and theft prevention class.  The individual’s mental health and behavior are addressed to get to the root issue for the repeated offense.  Kleptomania is not the only disorder associated with chronic shoplifting. Depression, organized crime and socio-economic circumstances are contributing factors for shoplifting.

Shoplifting and Theft Prevention classes are designed to meet the needs of those who have been accused of shoplifting, theft by receiving, forgery, passing a bad check, and all theft-related charges. Participants are supportively led to identify and understand the issues (e.g., thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes) that caused them to shoplift. Shoplifting and Theft Prevention classes follow a curriculum that assists the clients in developing a better understanding of the social, financial, and personal ramifications of their behavior

To register for a Shoplifting and Theft Prevention class, call 800-683-7745.

Shoplifting and Theft Prevention classes

Among the topics explored in this class include impulse control, enhanced decision making, cognitive restructuring, personal development, behavior modification, and a serious assessment of lifestyle. Participants in the Shoplifting and Theft Prevention class will work collaboratively to develop an action plan to ensure the prevention of any future impulse to shoplift. Instructors foster an atmosphere of change in group discussions by instilling a sense of personal responsibility.

Shoplifting and Theft Prevention classes
Shoplifting and Theft Prevention Class

We assist clients to develop insight into their reasoning abilities by reinforcing better decision making and illuminating the consequences of illegal behavior.

To register for a Shoplifting and Theft Prevention class, call 800-683-7745.

Anger Management Classes

Anger Management Classes are the newest trend in the US and around the world.

Couples, family members,  and even victims play an equal part in unhealthy relationships.  Untreated anger may lead to self-destructive behavior, loss of trust, respect, and even uncontrollable rage, which can result in violence.

Juvenile judicial officers, behaviorists, schools, and families enroll their loved ones in anger management classes to improve their quality of life and establish healthy relationships.

History of Anger Management

Participating in anger management classes is an excellent way to treat individuals who suffer from these symptoms.

Anger Management ClassesMindfulness, relaxation, and breathing techniques are some of the most simple ways to avoid anger.

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