Substance abuse is a disorder that is characterized by a destructive pattern of using a substance. Chemical dependency and substance abuse leads to significant problems or distress involving tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance, as well as other problems that use of the substance can cause for the sufferer, either socially or in terms of their work or school performance.
Virtually any substance whose ingestion can result in a euphoric 'high' feeling can be abused, including but not limited to: alcohol, amphetamines, anabolic steroids, benzodiazepines (xanax, valium, etc.), marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, inhalants, opiates (heroin, narcotic painkillers, etc.), phencyclidine (PCP) and sedative, hypnotic or anti-anxiety drugs.
While the specific physical and psychological effects of drug abuse and addiction tend to vary based on the particular substance involved, the general effects of abuse or addiction to any drug can be devastating. Psychologically, intoxication with or withdrawal from a substance can cause everything from euphoria as with alcohol, ecstasy, or inhalant intoxication to paranoia with marijuana or steroid intoxication, to severe depression or suicidal thoughts with cocaine or amphetamine withdrawal.
Like the majority of other mental-health problems, drug abuse and addiction have no single cause. However, there are a number of biological, psychological, and social factors, called risk factors, that can increase a person's likelihood of developing a substance abuse disorder. The frequency to which substance-abuse disorders occur within some families seems to be higher than could be explained by an addictive environment of the family. Therefore, most substance-abuse professionals recognize a genetic aspect to the risk of drug addiction.
An unfortunate fact about the treatment of substance abuse, alcoholism and drug addiction is that it remains largely unutilized by most sufferers of this condition. That doesn't have to be the case. Help is available.
In order for the recovery process to be most successful, the proper groundwork must be laid. The best place for this to happen is in an environment that serves as a safe haven for women in recovery. A key element of recovering from addiction is being able to open up enough to explore and work through past issues that might have led to or intensified the use of drugs or alcohol. If a woman does not feel comfortable and safe in her environment, she is highly unlikely to share and explore feelings.
Sure Haven provides a safe, healthy, supportive and structured environment where women can embrace sobriety and recreate their lives. Our goal is to help women halt the process of addiction, improve life skills, and reclaim a sense of self-worth on the road to achieving long-term success and happiness in recovery.
A TOUR TO SURE HAVEN
