Marijuana Addiction Treatment: 5 Steps to Avoid Relapse

Published on: 06 February 2019 Last Updated on: 29 February 2020

As told by science and modern research, marijuana addiction is a chronic illness, and like any other chronic disease – hypertension, diabetes, asthma – long-term treatment is needed. However, marijuana addiction always has a possibility of relapse. The relapse rates of substance use disorders are between 40% and 60%, which are highly comparable to other chronic medical conditions.

However, don’t be under the impression that relapse can’t be prevented just because it’s common. An alcohol or drug relapse can quickly waste a lot of rehab work and can also be fatal. But don’t worry. If you’re struggling or if you know someone who’s struggling to avoid a relapse, then continue reading this article to learn about the steps you can do to prevent it from happening.

Marijuana Addiction Treatment: 5 Steps to Avoid Relapse:

Stages of Relapse:

You should know that relapse does not happen overnight; it’s a process. For you to understand how to avoid relapse, you’ll have to know its three stages. Relapse begins a few weeks or months earlier before it reaches its final stage. Here are the three stages of relapse:

Emotional relapse – In this stage, your mind does not consider using marijuana again. However, your behavior and emotions are setting you up for a possible marijuana relapse. Here are some signs of an emotional relapse:
Poor sleep and eating habits
Isolation
Anxiety
Defensiveness
Intolerance
Mood swings
Anger
Mental relapse – It this stage, your mind will be torn about the dos and don’ts. There will be a part of you that wants to use marijuana, but there’s also a part of you that doesn’t. In the early stage of mental relapse, you’d idly think about using it again, and this gets worse as the mental relapse continues. The signs of mental relapse are:
Lying
Fantasizing
Thinking about relapse
Glorifying past use
Hanging out with friends that use
Physical relapse – In this final stage, you’d be physically using marijuana again. Some people only use once after realizing that they’ve made a mistake and try to focus again on recovery and moving forward. Unfortunately, there are others that will continue to use. In such a case, getting help is the best option.

Avoiding Relapse:

Here are 5 steps to avoid marijuana relapse:

1. Know and identify how to manage relapse triggers:

Relapse triggers can be anything. They can come from a similarly scented substance or simply just being with people that use. The triggers can also be a specific place, person, or emotion. These things can make you crave, think about, and use alcohol or drugs.

You can easily identify these triggers with the help of therapy sessions. A relapse therapist can teach you effective ways to cope up with triggers, keeping you away from drugs or alcohol when your cravings are fortuitously triggered. There are treatment centers in Los Angeles that provide recovery services, such as Nexus Recovery; these services can help you identify and manage relapse triggers and monitor your progress.

Here are some tips to manage or avoid triggers:

Change your daily route and avoid passing through places that cause a trigger.
Keep a list of people you can call when you’re feeling triggered.
Practice relaxation techniques.
Avoid triggering situations such as becoming stressed, lonely, tired, or hungry.

2. Follow a healthy lifestyle:

Avoiding relapse needs long-term commitment, and this commitment includes building a new and healthier lifestyle. This can be a long and difficult process, but making significant lifestyle changes has been seen to decrease the risk of relapse.

These lifestyle changes include learning and utilizing healthy coping methods for mental pressure and negative emotions, recognizing and managing mental illnesses if any, and promoting positive activities such as meditation, exercise, and art.

Here are some healthy lifestyle ideas:

Avoid having too much caffeine or sugar.
Plan and prepare healthy snacks and meals in advance to avoid becoming hungry.
Write a journal and keep track of your mood and daily thoughts.
Be active. Engage in sports or work out.
Drink plenty of water.
Practice gratitude.
Find a new hobby.

3. Use appropriate medications:

With the ever-evolving addiction research, the development of medications that help patients to avoid relapse and manage their cravings was made possible. These medications, such as buprenorphine and methadone, when adequately used under supervision, can significantly decrease cravings and relapse urges. For some, taking these medications is the key to their relapse prevention and recovery. Talk to your doctor about taking such medications.

4. Undergo long-term treatment:

Just like any other chronic disease, your recovery will not be quick and easy, especially when recovering from substance abuse. Doing two months of therapy or medication will not guarantee that you’ll not start using it again. For better long-term results, getting involved in an intensive treatment within a suitable period of time will surely help you.

Participation and engagement in long-term addiction treatments have been known to help decrease the risk of relapse. A study involving more than a thousand patients found out that relapse rates decreased for patients who had continuous treatments, aftercare, and support group engagement.

5. Get a support group:

It’s essential to know that going through the process alone may not provide desirable outcomes in recovery. Keep your supportive friends, loved ones, and family close. Do your best to surround yourself with people who really care for you and people who don’t use drugs or alcohol. A crucial factor in your road to recovery is social support; it can significantly help you to recover fast and resist relapsing.

Here are some tips on how to create a good support network:

Engage in recovery groups – You can search the Internet for marijuana recovery groups near your area, such as Marijuana Anonymous.
Find a sponsor – A sponsorship is one recovering person sharing and talking to another recovering person. You will attend recovery group meetings regularly, discuss issues on the recovery, and work on recovering together.
See a mental health or addiction counselor.

Closing Thoughts:

If you’re under treatment or recovering from substance abuse, you should be realistic and understand that a relapse can occur anytime. However, you should also do your best to avoid it by following these steps. In addition to these, always make sure to work with your counselor or therapist in developing an effective relapse plan. By following this plan in case of a relapse, you will be able to minimize its negative consequences.

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Importance Of Digital X-Ray Tests In Modern Healthcare Services

In healthcare professionals' dynamic and complex world, X-rays are a basic tool, providing unparalleled insights into body structures. While healthcare revolutionized diagnostic practices, weighing both sides of their uses is important. Thus, one of the greatest advances is the switch from analog X-ray systems to digital X-ray machines. This alteration in healthcare practice not only offers new scopes for diagnosis but also comes out with many other significances compared to conventional ones. In this article, we will emphasize the significance of digital X-rays and make it clear why they are vital in modern healthcare services. Importance Of Digital X-Rays Within Modern Healthcare Service Below is a list of the importance of digital X-rays within modern healthcare services. 1. Is More Accurate Digital X-ray systems stand out because they offer rapid and accurate diagnoses. Similarly, they are significantly effective in emergency situations when the patient is suffering critically. For example, in situations of trauma, an X-ray can quickly showcase the injury and extent of a fracture, leading to immediate treatment decisions. On the other hand, they are valuable in detecting different health conditions, such as lung infections and dental issues, allowing appropriate and prompt medical treatment decisions. Hence, it is the accuracy and speed that not only benefit patient care but also enhance the efficiency of medical care facilities. 2. Non-Invasive And Convenient One of the major reasons healthcare prefers to adapt to digital X-rays is because of their non-invasive nature. Thus, this makes it a patient-friendly diagnostic choice, avoiding the risk and discomfort of invasive procedures. Similarly, this means less discomfort and anxiety for patients, as X-rays need minimal preparation and less recovery time. Therefore, the convenience of X-rays extends with the widespread availability in hospitals, dental offices, and clinics. This makes it a readily accessible tool that healthcare professionals can use for different medical aids. 3. Comprehensive Application The versatility of X-rays lies in the broad range of applications across the medical discipline. They are integral to orthopedics in assessing bone injuries and lung examinations. In addition, it is also used in dentistry for oral assessment and even in cardiology for analyzing certain heart conditions. Furthermore, specialized x-rays procedures like XRD services offer real-time imaging, resolve complex medical treatments, and guide surgical procedures. Similarly, the portable system allows better care for those in remote communities. Thus, this versatility makes x-rays indispensable for comprehensive patient care and capable of addressing different diagnostic requirements. 4. Provides Improved Image Quality Digital X-rays provide pictures of higher resolutions than those made by conventional x-rays machines. Thus, the technology enhances image processing, offering clear and precise pictures. They are of great importance while examining minor irregularities that are associated with different diseases. Hence, it increases the chance of conducting a correct diagnosis. In addition, digital X-rays can be tweaked after capturing, thereby adjusting the brightness and contrast level. In addition, the ability to change the image enhances the optimal preparation of an image for a typical condition. Moreover, the diagnostic system can be utilized in different disease disorders. 5. Reduced Radiation Exposure The digital x-rays have been engineered to generate less harmful radiation than conventional X-ray machines. Hence, the ability to reduce patients' and healthcare specialists' exposure to radiation is one of the significant healthcare concerns. Similarly, the problems with ionized radiation exposure are less, making digital x-rays safe for frequent and routine diagnostic procedures. However, the digital x-ray equipment comes with a special dose setting where you can reduce the radiation dose. Hence, these attributes ensure that as little radiation is used to generate a diagnostic picture as possible. 6. Faster Results A major significance of digital x-rays is their fast response time. In comparison to conventional x-rays, it requires the development of films. Therefore, digital x-rays give immediate results that can be reviewed instantly. It becomes imperative during emergencies, leading to better decisions when dealing with a patient. Furthermore, x-rays are easily transmitted electronically to other departments and hospitals, facilitating health workers' work. Thus, digital distribution of medical images enhances consultation, joint diagnosis process, and second opinions. 7. Enhanced Retrieval Digital X-ray images can be stored and recorded electronically, reducing the need to store physical film and including retrieval requirements. Rather than filling up space, the medical images are electronically archived in an orderly manner, thereby making them easily available. Thus, this is useful in the healthcare center in tracking health status alterations among patients and allows easy access and review of patient histories. Therefore, having a convenient way of storing digital images in electronic health records further assists in achieving effective coordination of care offered by healthcare professionals. 8. In Long Run Saves Money Although buying digital X-ray machines is usually more expensive than conventional x-rays, their lifetime cost is always lower. Therefore, cost-effectiveness is attained by eliminating chemicals and films, lowering maintenance requirements, and boosting operational efficiency. In addition to that, the flexibility of digital x-rays caters to greater profits within healthcare facilities. Why Is Radiology Significant In Healthcare? Here is a list of reasons why radiology is significant in the healthcare services: Based on radiology requirements, it can offer enough guidance for treating the disease. Similarly, the radiographers who conduct therapy utilize highly complex equipment to deliver proper treatment. Screening offers a preventive measure emphasizing catching disease early to provide effective treatment. Similarly, detecting disease at an early stage assists in early treatment that prevents it from altering into a fatal condition. Moreover, it improves the scope of evolution and treatment of better technology. Tracking and evaluating disease with radiology assists the patient in seeing changes that occur in their condition. This eventually assists doctors in assessing whether to continue with the current treatment and look for another alternative. Summing Up Digital X-ray technology heralds one of the biggest milestones within medical imaging, signifying great progress compared to traditional and old X-ray systems. Thus, with superior image quality, faster results, lower radiation exposure than traditional films, and streamlined retrieval, it is obvious that digital X-rays are a must-have within healthcare services. Hence, digital X-rays play a bigger part in improving patient safety and the diagnostic process. Read Also: Are X-Rays Dangerous? When You Need To Go To A Chiropractor: Here’s What Experts Say The Upsides Of Choosing Urgent Care Facilities For Immediate Medical Attention

Ways to Sleep Well at Night as You Age

You might realize that as you age, it’s not easy going to sleep anymore. Even if you try hard to sleep, it takes time, and it might be worse if you had sleeping problems even when you were young. Age will only compound the problem, but don’t blame everything on age, since your lifestyle might also have something to do with experiencing sleeping problems. Sleep Experts contributed a Sleep Habits Survey among different age groups to better understand sleep habits and their impact on everyday life. Try these tips to make it easy to fall asleep. Have a warm bath Before you hit the bed, take a warm bath since bathing in warm water will make you feel sleepy. If you soak your body in a tub for a while, your body temperature will drop, and it helps you easily fall asleep. It’s recommended that you do this an hour or more before bed, to give time for your body temperature to fall. Calm down before you sleep Regardless of the problems you might have faced during the day, you need to stay calm. Let go of everything that causes stress and read a book or listen to soothing music; try anything that helps you unwind. A significant reason why you might be having a hard time sleeping is that several things are still bothering you. Do not eat or work in your bed When you see your bed, you need to send a signal to your brain that it is time to sleep - the problem is when you eat or work in your bed. Train yourself to use the bed only for sleeping and if you try hard to sleep, but after 20 minutes you are still awake, get out of bed for a while. Wait until you start feeling tired before you go back to bed. Do not sleep in the afternoon It is easy for you to feel tired when you age. When you are exhausted, your first instinct is to find a place to sleep. Sometimes, it is easy to sleep in the afternoon because the environment seems conducive for sleeping.It’s okay to nap if you want to, as naps of only 30 or so minutes won’t bother your night’s sleep. Try not to nap too close to your normal bedtime, as these naps can affect your ability to fall asleep at night. Schedule your exercise well You need to exercise and hit the gym if possible. You do not need rigorous exercise to stay healthy; you can benefit from a moderate exercise like jogging and brisk walking. Make sure that your workout schedule is set for earlier than three hours before bedtime. Exercising keeps your heart rate up and makes it difficult for you to calm down, and sleep. Take supplements You need to select the right kind of food that will help you sleep well. If you cannot get all the nutrients you need from the food you eat, you can try food supplements. There are many different types available, so look for something that will meet your needs. For example, if you are aged 40 or over and hitting the gym regularly, then building muscle over 40 supplements will help you with your fitness goals and also help you fall asleep easily. See your doctor and ask which food supplement would be suitable for your needs. You need to be consistent in your intake to see results. With these tips, you can look forward to a better night’s sleep. It’s okay to start slowly and build up your new routine. Make gradual changes at first and build an exercise, nutrition and anti-stress program that contributes to restful sleep. Read Also: 3 Health Advantages Of Good Night’s Sleep Things To Do Before Bed For A Perfect Night’s Sleep Effects Of Sleep Deprivation On Your Skin & Good Sleeping Habits

7 Signs Which Indicate That You Need To See a Vein Specialist Right Now

Vein health is imperative for keeping your circulatory system in a good condition because veins are responsible for pumping the blood from the body organs back to the heart. However, a majority of people are averse to vein health as they think that pain and discomfort in the veins are minor issues. No wonder, problems such as spider veins and varicose veins are becoming so common. People seldom seek medical guidance right from the initial stages and suffer in silence while the disease aggravates. Lack of timely treatment sometimes even results in serious complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis. If you are struggling with even minor vein issues, you should not ignore them and take medical guidance. 7 Signs Which Indicate That You Need To See a Vein Specialist Right Now Here are 7 signs that indicate that you need to see a vein specialist right now: 1. Your experience leg weakness after standing for long intervals You may think that it is normal to feel weakness in the legs after standing for a while even if you do not have any other medical problem. This could, however, be an early indication of poor vein health. Varicose veins make your legs feel heavy and weak, particularly after standing or sitting in the same position for hours. See a specialist immediately if you experience this issue regularly. 2. Your leg pain is hampering physical activity Leg pain could be a symptom of varicose veins though there could be some other factors at play. If you experience aching and throbbing in your legs for a prolonged period and are unable to do your daily activities due to the pain, it is time to seek vein clinic help. The specialists here can evaluate whether the pain is due to vein damage and chalk out a treatment plan for you. 3. You have rashes or dryness near your ankle Another telltale sign that you may be suffering from vein problems is a rash or dryness of the skin near your ankles. This could be an indication that your veins are damaged and are not doing their job properly. The condition may get worse if not treated in time as the itch or rash may lead to a venous ulcer at a later stage. So it is better to see a doctor and address the problem before it is too late. 4. You have developed leg ulcers Ignoring rashes and itchiness can cause leg ulcers, which are commonly seen in the calf and ankle areas. Diabetic patients are at high risk of having them. This is one problem that you should not ignore because it points out the presence of vein disease and diabetes (if not diagnosed yet). A vein specialist can offer the right treatment for ulcers before they get worse. 5. You have swelling in one of your legs and it goes after resting Swelling in your legs could be caused by a number of health issues but if it happens it one of the legs, it is probably because of venous insufficiency. Diagnosis is even more likely if the swelling goes after resting for a while or after waking up in the morning. If you experience such symptoms, you should see a specialist at the earliest. 6. Your veins have turned blue and are bulging The most noticeable signs of vein issues are discoloration and bulging of the veins. If you find your veins turning purple or blue in color along with visible bulging, a medical consultation is warranted. These are the symptoms of varicose veins and should be addressed at the earliest to prevent the formation of blood clots. 7. You have a tender lump in your leg Another concern that you should not ignore is the presence of a tender lump in your leg. This may not always mean that you have a vein-related issue but it could probably be caused by a blood clot in the vein. If you spot anything like this, do not delay an appointment with a vein specialist. These signs are the danger signals that your body sends and you should never ignore them. Pregnant women should be particularly vigilant as hormonal changes and increase in weight and vascular volume can aggravate varicose veins during pregnancy. Those who have suffered from vein issues during their first pregnancy should be extra careful during the subsequent ones. Timely consultation and proper treatment from an expert specialist can help to resolve vein-related issues effectively. Your veins play an important role in keeping you healthy and they deserve all the attention and care that you can give. Read Also : 5 Mental Health Benefits Of Massage Therapy That You Must Know How Can Stress During Studies Affect The Health Of Your Children? 7 Health Benefits Of Black Seed Oil

Marijuana Addiction Treatment: 5 Steps to Avoid Relapse

Marijuana Addiction Treatment: 5 Steps to Avoid Relapse:

Stages of Relapse:

Avoiding Relapse:

1. Know and identify how to manage relapse triggers:

2. Follow a healthy lifestyle:

3. Use appropriate medications:

4. Undergo long-term treatment:

5. Get a support group:

Closing Thoughts:

Ways To Protect Against A Traumatic Brain Injury

Passing A Marijuana Urine Drug Test- How To Pass Pee Narcotics Tests

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Marijuana Addiction Treatment: 5 Steps to Avoid Relapse

Marijuana Addiction Treatment: 5 Steps to Avoid Relapse:

Stages of Relapse:

Avoiding Relapse:

1. Know and identify how to manage relapse triggers:

2. Follow a healthy lifestyle:

3. Use appropriate medications:

4. Undergo long-term treatment:

5. Get a support group:

Closing Thoughts:

Share this Article

Ways To Protect Against A Traumatic Brain Injury

Passing A Marijuana Urine Drug Test- How To Pass Pee Narcotics Tests

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related