Alcohol and Drug Addiction: Issues of Self-Esteem

When a person struggles with chemical, alcohol or behavioral addictions, self worth often suffers and in a strange manner, it perpetuates the addictive process.

Self esteem means the appraised and felt "self worth" of an individual at any given time. We all suffer with periodic poor self-esteem. For example, when we lose a competition, or making mistakes that hurt others, etc. However, many people have fixed, chronic low self-worth.

In the early days, weeks and months of substance abuse the effect is euphoria, "top of the world". However, this is a false, delusional reality. You've done nothing to earn such a euphoria. That is the drug's allure! Later, when you cannot stop the addiction, you begin to realize how the drug, alcohol, sex, etc. has caused you tremendous personal, interpersonal, vocational and economic crises.

How to sustain a healthy self-worth? First, to understand you are vulnerable and permit others in to assist you. Later, you may be one of those people and help others. Once you gain your self-worth back you will feel no greater, no lesser than anyone. You are able to thrive...being FULLY ALIVE!

NO DRUG ADDICT OR ALCOHOLIC CAN TRULY ATTEST TO BEING FULLY ALIVE! If you, or someone is suffering with drug/alcohol addiction please call us at our 24/7 Call Center at (866) 478-9898 and speak with one of our recovery counselors.

Recuperatio Primoris,

Dr. Bill

Gay and alcoholic: Beauty and the Beast

The gay communtiy struggles with significant alcohol and drug abuse. The allure of a gay club is strong. The need to look, and more importantly, to "feel" a certain way in the clubs are extremely common. In comes alcohol! Alcohol looks attractive at 8 pm, but have you ever seen a drunken queen at last call? It's not pretty!Alcohol is a depressant drug that also works on social inhibitions. Taken in moderation, alcohol is not necessarily an abuse drug. The combination of alcohol and alcoholic however is necessarily abusive and could even be deadly!

The following are signs to watch for when you ask yourself whether you are an alcoholic:

1) Cravings - A strong need, or urge to drink. For example, drinking BEFORE you head out to the clubs.

2) Loss of control - Not able to stop drinking once you start. You often say to yourself "this is my last one --- NOT!"

3) Physical Dependence - Withdrawal symptoms (e.g. sweating, nausea, vomiting, tremors, and experiencing anxiety, or elevated fears, after drinking binge

4) Tolerance - The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to gain the same "buzz".

5) Problems related to drinking - losing a job, a relationship, friends, physical health, etc.

The alcohol industry has for too long exploited the problem of alcoholism in the gay community. The gay community needs to back gay-affirming rehabs and treatment cetners to help all of us affected by drugs and alcohol. If you, your partner, or a loved one is experiencing some of the above symptoms of alcoholism, please call our recovery counselors at (866) 478-9898. We offer an extrememly effective alcohol detox program and treatment. Don't hesitate, call today!

Recuperatio Primoris! (Recovery above all else!)

Crystal Meth and Gay Men: Can't stop Tina?

Crystal Methamphetamine, or "ICE," or "Tina" still remains a significant problem in the gay community. A quick search on Amazon.com will show you the number of books written on the topic. The immediate, intense effect on apparent self-esteem and sexual performance makes the drug immensely popular among gay men who are emotionally struggling with an affirming relations with sexually and non-sexually intimate others. Crystal Meth is a treatable addiction and admitting to a holistic drug rehab could assist you with detox and addiction treatment!

Cystal meth is a stimulant drug that makes the Kama Sutra look like an issue of National Geographic! Those who use crystal meth and their partners, report an intense, exotic experience and have a hard time returning to non-meth sex!

Some reporters have spoke about the connection between crystal meth and a collective "community of grief" in the era of AIDS and the losses that most of us had to endure and continue to endure. The drug is a synthetic way of feeling great for a while. However, you become a slave to the drug as it eats away the intelligent network of your brain and other staggering physical destruction secondary to the drug. Also, it terribly alters your mental status and the meth addict often engages in non-safe sexual behaviors and becomes careless about their careers and loved ones.

A most recent case is the international correspondent for CNN, Richard Qwest, who was found in NYC's Central Park with crystal meth and in a public sexual exhibition. He is currently in treatment and we wish him well. It shows you the power of the drug and the disease of addiction.

There is a treatment for crystal meth addiction...its called RECOVERY! Many clients have come to our facility, gay men who were addicted to crystal meth and often had co-morbid diagnoses of sex addiction and HIV. Crystal meth is often used with other addictive substances including: alcohol, marijuana, heroin, etc.

If you, or a loved one has an addictive problem, please call our 24-Hour HelpLine at (866) 478-9898 and speak with one of our counselors.

Recuperatio Primoris! (Recovery above all else!)

Why choose a gay rehab?

It is a worthwhile discussion whether to choose a gay rehab vs. non-gay rehab. Of course, you should be choosing a rehab that has all the best practice components: excellent therapies, a blend of traditional and complimentary medicine, good community supports, highly trained staff and good direction for aftercare.

What an excellent gay rehab could offer you is: 1) A program that has as its mission to assist gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) individuals and their families; 2) Knowing the program is owned and operated by gay and lesbian professionals in the field of addiction recovery; 3) gay resources back in your home community; aftercare that would continue the gay-affirming work begun in primary treatment (rehab).

There is a reason why some gay folks live in similar urban neighborhoods, shop at similar stores and do not spend money in other businesses. The gay rehab can offer you a safe, familiar environment where the difficult work of recovery can begin!

Even though there are good and excellent programs that say they are "gay-friendly," they fall short of offering what a gay rehab can offer you and your recovery.

Recuperatio Primoris.

Gay Rehab: A Few Considerations

There is an active discussion about whether an all gay rehab is better suited for a gay client, or a gay-friendly rehab. Well, it's an interesting discussion, especially since both discussions result in a person getting treatment. I would be less interested in a discussion of whether a gay person should go to rehab or not! Ugh!

The answer is, obviously, it depends on the client. Many quality addiction treatment programs provide an affirming environment and make efforts to match the client with therapists who are sensitive to GLBT issues and concerns while in treatment. However, what they cannot provide is a homogeneous environment and a stated mission that their program treats GLBT and its particular issues related to homophobia, heterosexism and affirmation needs.

The gay individual needs to look at their life and what they may need from a program. Sometimes, the need for a homogeneous group in the gay rehab is greater than blending in with a heterogeneous (gay, bi, and straight) treatment group.

Be aware that some drug rehabs are not gay-affirming and you should check this out before agreeing to admit to their program. It could be a disaster!

Above all, each person needs a safe, validating, at times challenging environment to start the all important journey towards recovery.

Recuperatio Primoris!