There are a lot of time consuming aspects of being an addict in active addiction. It seems that every moment of your day is spent thinking about drugs (wishing you had them, or how to go about getting them), finding drugs, using drugs, or recovering from using drugs. With so much time dedicated to the activities of active addiction, one of the biggest challenges in recovery is how to fill up the time that was spent dedicated to perpetuating the cycle of addiction.

Recovery is about getting to know who you really are while remaining clean and sober. Part of discovering who you are is by trying new things. Make a list of new things you would like to try – a hobby you have always wanted to take up or visiting places you have always wanted to go. Boredom in recovery can be alleviated by learning more about yourself and the things you enjoy.

Goal setting in recovery can also be helpful in fighting boredom. Now that you are clean and sober, what would you like to accomplish? Perhaps you would like to take a class at a community college, or go back to school to earn a degree. Maybe you want to dedicate yourself to being a better parent and spend more time with your children. Your goal can even be as simple as improving your physical health by eating healthy, exercising, and getting adequate sleep. Whatever your goal, focusing on the things you want to accomplish will not only keep you motivated, but fight boredom as well.

While conquering boredom by working on enhancing your mind and body are important in recovery, honoring your spiritual self is just as important. If you already have a connection to your concept of spirituality, your time can be spent doing things to strengthen this connection and make you feel more at peace. If religion and spirituality has never been your thing, start thinking about your concept of a higher power, or what having a spiritual life means to you. Connecting to a power greater than yourself is one of the biggest gifts of recovery; taking the time to find it and develop it can be a major task in recovery.

Another way to fight boredom in recovery is by taking the time to give back to others. One of the most helpful things you can do in recovery is to make a list of all of the things you are grateful for. This not only serves to give you a new positive perspective on your life, but may inspire you to show your gratitude for these things by volunteering your time to help others, or even just saying thank you to those that have helped and supported you when you needed it most.

While feeling bored is quite normal, especially in early recovery, it is important to know what to do in order to deal with these feelings and refocus your energy on something positive in order to avoid relapse. Overcoming boredom in recovery might not just serve to change your life for the better and keep you on track, but may also be able to positively affect the lives of others as well.

Jessica Parks is a certified alcohol and drug counselor in the state of Illinois and has her M.A. in art therapy counseling.

Methadone is a medication that is used in the treatment of opiate addiction. Methadone is a long-acting opiate that is designed to stay in the system for 24-48 hours, making it possible for addicts to only take the medication once a day, as opposed to a short-acting opiate like heroin, which many addicts use every few hours in order to avoid symptoms of withdrawal. Methadone works very similar to other painkillers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin, and can be prescribed as part of an ongoing pain management regimen, and researchers have found that it’s a very effective form of treatment when used to treat opiate addiction.

When a person is prescribed methadone to treat addiction, the person comes to a methadone clinic once a day to get a dose of methadone that is taken in front of a nurse. Methadone is usually dispensed as a liquid, although also comes in pill and wafer form. Addicts are closely monitored by a doctor to make sure they are not taking too much methadone and that there is no interaction with other medications. Addicts also provide random urine specimens on a regular basis in order to be monitored for illicit drug use. As part of treatment, addicts are also expected to attend individual and group therapy in order to address some of the issues that may have led to initial drug use.

Benefits of Methodone

There are several benefits to using methadone as a way to treat opiate addiction:

• When a person is on the correct dose of methadone, the medication allows them to feel normal, and not “high.” Methadone allows the addict to avoid symptoms of withdrawal while performing activities of daily living such as raising a family and going to work.
• Methadone only has to be taken once a day, as opposed to other opiates that need to be taken several times a day to avoid withdrawal. Addicts do not have to worry about trying to get their next “fix” and, therefore, the amount of crime and illegal activity associated with active drug use drops dramatically.
• Methadone is often times much cheaper for the addict to take, as addicts often times spend hundreds of dollars a day on street drugs.
• Methadone is regulated by the FDA and is, therefore, much safer for the addict to take than street drugs, which can be laced or cut with chemicals or poisons.
• The incidence of contracting or spreading diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV is also reduced, as addicts do not use or share needles to take methadone.
• Finally, methadone that is taken by pregnant women helps to reduce the chance of miscarriage and risky behavior while pregnant, and the fetus will not be going into withdrawal. Women also have a greater chance of seeking out healthcare and seeing an OB regularly if they are able to be on a stable dose of methadone.

Many people that subscribe to an abstinence based model of treatment believe that because methadone is still a drug, people taking methadone are not really clean and sober. When viewed from a risk-reduction model of treatment, methadone can be seen as a medication that helps opiate dependent individuals lead healthier, productive lives.

Jessica Parks is a certified alcohol and drug counselor in the state of Illinois and has her M.A. in art therapy counseling.

Drug Programs in California for Teens

Teenagers, as a group, are particularly vulnerable to drug and alcohol addiction. The combination of peer pressure with all the social and psychological issues that surround adolescence creates a “perfect storm” that leads to substance abuse as a means of both entertainment and escape.

For some, drug use is a social thing, and does not develop into a serious addiction. For far too many, however, the euphoria and release from stress are dangerously attractive. Adolescence is a time of great stress and personal pain, and it’s little wonder that the escape provided by drugs is so often sought.

More and more teenagers are using illegal drugs, and using at an earlier age. In recent years, there has been a particular emphasis on “party drugs” used at raves, such as ecstasy, ketamine and rohypnol. Marijuana use is widespread, and heavier drugs such as cocaine and even heroin are being used by people as young as twelve.

Because of the very specific stresses and issues that accompany adolescence, specialized drug programs in California devoted to treating teens have become common. Residential treatment serves to remove the teen from his or her usual environment, thus limiting the accessibility of drugs and removing the influence of other users.

Wilderness Drug Programs in California

Wilderness drug programs in California offer a specialized form of treatment that has been found to be particularly useful for adolescents. After any necessary detox procedures, teens go out into wilderness areas in small groups, accompanied by one or more counselors. By learning to fend for themselves, clients develop a wide range of life skills that will help them resist the lure of drugs. They learn to rely on themselves and their own judgment, and they also learn how to use teamwork and trust others. Wilderness programs have a high rate of success, and can offer a life-changing experience to the young drug user.

Find a Specialized Drug Treatment Center

Marijuana has a far different effect on the body than amphetamines. Prescription drug abuse takes a different toll than use of cocaine. Every type of drug has its own set of symptoms and effects, so the treatment for each type of drug must differ as well. It is highly recommended that those seeking help for their addiction choose a drug treatment center that specializes in treating that particular drug’s effects.

Crystal meth, for instance, is one of the most difficult addictions to beat. Those who use it tend to use it far more frequently than those who use other drugs. It also stays in the body for a much longer time. Even a fairly casual user is likely to need six to eight months to effect a recovery. Those who use more frequently, as so many meth addicts do, can take a full year.

People who are addicted to prescription drugs often got addicted when they used painkillers for a legitimate purpose. For these clients, learning pain management techniques is one of the most important aspects of recovery. Other types of drugs have a stronger psychological basis for addiction, and require a different approach. Many people also have addictions to more than one substance. This is especially true of those who use marijuana. In such cases, you should look for a drug treatment center that has a specialized focus on dual diagnoses.

Find an Appropriate Drug Treatment Center

At SoberRecovery.com, we maintain a list of reputable drug treatment centers for you to use as a resource. We have also provided a set of filters to help you narrow your choices. Use the filter “Programs by Drug” to help you find the best facility to treat your particular addiction.

You Can Find Affordable Drug Treatment

A lot of people claim they can’t afford to get drug treatment, but that’s just an excuse. These same people can find the money they need to get drugs. However, if you are truly concerned about the cost of rehab, be assured that you can get affordable drug treatment.

Your first approach should be to investigate not-for-profit and publicly funded options. Most communities have at least one such facility, and larger cities may have many. If your addiction is controlled enough that you don’t need detox and can manage your recovery without needing a residential program, outpatient clinics are highly affordable, or even free. Narcotics Anonymous is entirely free of charge, and you can find meetings almost anywhere. Just look in your local phone book or call social services to get a listing of these programs.

If you do need detox, that must be medically monitored. Your local hospital might be a good resource for you, especially if you have health insurance or Medicaid/Medicare. Health insurance might pay for private residential treatment as well. Check your policy if you are lucky enough to be insured.

If you need residential care and you have no insurance to cover the cost, many private facilities will work with you to provide affordable drug treatment. They may be able to set you up with a payment plan that you can manage, or charge you on a sliding scale, or both.

Find Affordable Drug Treatment in Your Area

With money as an issue, you probably don’t want to have to travel far to find affordable drug treatment. You can use the filters on our list of resources to find a treatment center near you. All facilities listed on our site are fully reputable treatment centers.

If you need drug treatment, don’t let the cost stop you. Just think of the much greater cost of continuing your addiction.