Changing Your Life? It’s Time for a Fresh Start with Stairway to Freedom Sober Living. 

Whether it’s alcohol or drugs (like opiods), if these items are being abused it will inflict pain upon yourself and the people you love. It’s an addiction and a problem. Most people look for a bottle to find some sort of solution to their temporary problem. But in reality it’s their temporary solution that leads to a life time problem.

A fresh start is a beginning to a whole new life. It’s not easy to give up on something that you’ve been so dependent on. It’s also not easy to start right now! Most people that have an addiction abuse tend to procrastinate. We can all find guilt in that, even if it’s not drugs or alcohol. Finding a substitute for the substance is not healthy either. One of the best methods are to write down your goals and have someone help you stick to them. Start off small. Start by staying active. When you get that urge to take a sip, transition that feeling to a goal that you wrote down. It may even be going outside for a walk, or mowing the grass. You might be liking this idea or hating it, but it’s worth a try right? It’s the self-motivation that keeps you moving forward to a fresh start.

Writing down goals isn’t for everyone though. There’s always other methods of advancing to overcome this obstacle. It’s not only a physical struggle and a major health issue but there’s also a financial aspect of it. How much do you spend a month or even a year in substance abuse? Think about the money you will have now that you are changing your life around. Use that as an incentive to keep going. Use that to represent and to physically remind yourself of how hard you’ve worked towards getting your life back. You have to come up with a positive attitude each time, knowing that temptation is right around the corner. You know there will be times you’ll fall off track, but you need to prepare yourself and create a safety net to protect yourself in the future. It starts with disposing all harmful substances in the house.

No matter what age you are, it’s never too late to start trying for a fresh start. You’re going to look back on your life and start trying to find the good things and major accomplishments you’ve done in this world. This could be your chance to change that. Set an example for the younger generation. Tomorrow’s generation is the future. There is a lot of hurt in this world. But they only follow by example. “When I grow up, I want to be just like you.” Words are everything and only time can heal that. It’s the mistakes we make in life that make us better people. It’s time to move on and enjoy life in happiness.

One of the most accurate and succinct descriptions of experiencing halfway house living is “Spartan.” In ancient times, men and women were often forced into the wild to have an opportunity to build character, survival and combat skills and an appreciation for society.

Most people who underwent ancient trials died from their inability to cope with weather conditions and brutal, primitive conditions. Those who survived re-entered society with a brand new set of skills, a new outlook about their place in society.

The modern halfway house reflects the ancient ideals of rehabilitation, transformation and character-building. Some people who have lived in a recovery house say it’s like a prison without iron bars. Others say it is a sketchy environment that leads to relapses in poor judgment. Others still, will testify that their time spent there was an outright blessing that helped them see a manageable path to a clean future.

These facilities are refuges for all types of men and women with legal troubles arising out of the abuse of many substances. By far, these shelters are used by recovering alcoholics who have undergone medical rehabilitation and are continuing a supervised program like Alcoholics Anonymous. In many cases, time spent in these residential centers is the result of a bargain with the local judicial system for the avoidance of extended incarceration periods.

Recovery residences can be smaller homes approved by the state to house recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, or they can be more like a large institutional dormitory. For these reasons, a wide range of personality types and backgrounds can end up living together. This can be extremely stressful for the residents. Fortunately, strict programs, work and activity itineraries, and supervision moderates the resident’s unique needs.

1. Financial Requirements for Halfway House Living

Residents of halfway house are required to pay a “room and board” fee. This fee is usually established by the state and promotes the training of self-reliance and the desire to secure regular employment. Residents usually have equal access to appliances, meal prep facilities, personal quarters and storage room.

2. Personal Obligations While Living in a Halfway House

Residents of these facilities must respect the privacy of other residents. In most cases they must also keep accurate and detailed journals about how their time is spent. This includes sleeping hours, house work contributions, employment schedules, and weekly meetings with court-ordered supervisors. Cleanliness and security are a top priority. In some halfway houses, coed non-fraternization is also strictly maintained.

3. Zero Tolerance Policy in Recovery Homes

Recovery houses are overseen by a litany of state and legal authorities. For this reason, there is usually a zero tolerance policy regarding all house rules. Recovery houses are meant to bridge the gap between hardcore intensive rehabilitation and a new semi-independent existence. Breaking the rules of the house can result in re-admittance to an institution, or probationary discipline. It is understood, that once an individual agrees to living at a recovery house, they are capable and willing to obey all policies. Some house are more strict than others. Some are surrounded by environments that make relapse more enticing. Regardless of location and living arrangements, zero tolerance is under the auspices of the house landlord, superintendent or assigned officer.

Alcoholics living with a long period of recovery and adaptation can find living in a recovery home to be difficult and nearly overwhelming. From recovery sickness symptoms to psychological problems, transitional alcoholics can choose to make living at a recovery home excruciatingly unbearable, or a prime opportunity to rediscover life without substance abuse. There are innumerable examples of recovering alcoholics who made the most out of transitional housing, and have used societal resources to the extent for a complete reintroduction into society.

Do you need support on your road to recovery? Learn more about sober living in Chicago at Stairway to Freedom.

Are you addicted to drugs or alcohol?

When a person has an addiction, they are no longer in control of their actions or their use. It may get to a point where the addiction becomes destructive, unsafe, or dangerous. Addiction can cause serious problems with family, work, school, and friends.

Addictions can be anything, not just substances like drugs and alcohol. It can be anything, from gambling to Oreos. We can then differentiate addiction into two main categories: Substance dependence (drugs or alcohol) and behavior addiction (sex, work, internet). We are going to focus on the Substance Dependence and abuse. In years gone by, addiction was categorized by the abuse of chemicals that change the natural state of the brain, like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Health care professionals today now include the behaviors because the same effects happen within a person for both substance and behavior abuse. A person may become anxious or humiliated, feel hopeless, shameful or guilty. Failure and rejection permeate daily life. The ultimate mark of an addict is to use in desperation, despite the obvious wreckage of continued use.

Medilexicon’s Medical Dictionary defines addiction as: “Habitual psychological or physiological dependence on a substance or practice that is beyond voluntary control. Withdrawal has many meanings, one of which is a psychological and/or physical syndrome caused by the abrupt cessation of the use of a drug in a habituated person.”

The current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), published by the American Psychiatric Association, defines Substance dependence as: “When an individual persists in use of alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of the substance, substance dependence may be diagnosed. Compulsive and repetitive use may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped.”

Habits sometimes build up into addictions. When someone is addicted, they are unable to control their use, and are dependent on the substance to deal with everyday life. Many people can use a drug or do an activity without it causing major problems. However, there are those who may have negative and lasting mental or bodily repercussions of usage once a habit changes into an addiction. If a habit crosses over into addiction, the person can no longer control the usage without help because of the mental or physical compulsions that develop along with the addiction. Habit, on the other hand, remains a choice. Someone with just a habit may choose to stop at any given time, and is able to successfully without outside influence.

Tolerance

Substance dependence often leads to a chemical tolerance, when a person requires greater and more frequent doses of the substance or activity they are addicted to in order to have the same effects. In many cases, the initial “high” is no longer felt, and a person keeps using simply to avoid painful withdrawal, which can be quite severe.

Physicians believe there is a connection with the repetitive use of a drug or addictive substance and how a person’s brain perceives pleasure. The use of the substance is rewarding and pleasurable, leading to increased frequency of usage. The chemical composition of the substance, over time, will begin to make physical changes in some of the neurons, or brain cells. Many drugs mimic the neurotransmitters, or chemical signalers, in the brain that transmit good feelings of pleasure or euphoria. As tolerance increases, a person will need to use more often and a greater amount to get the same good feeling. After a while, the pleasure fades altogether and the addicted person needs to use just to feel normal. Once a person develops some sort of tolerance, the chances of addiction increase greatly.

Risk Factors

Anybody can become addicted, regardless of age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. There are certain factors, however, that increase the likelihood of a person becoming addicted.

– Genetics. It is widely acknowledged that there is a predisposition among families for addiction and alcoholism. If there is addiction within a family, a person is much more likely to engage in drug use and therefore more likely to become addicted.

– Age of initial drug consumption. Studies show that those who use at an early age are more likely to become addicted

– Use of more addictive substances. Some chemicals found in cocaine, heroin, and some prescription drugs are more likely to cause addiction from the first use.

– Preexisting mental illness or disorder. People with abnormal mental conditions are more likely to become addicted.

– Sustained high stress levels. A person experiencing regular stress may develop addiction to cope with their experience

– Loneliness. Again, addiction can arise from a person using a substance to cope with their feelings.

– Peer Pressure. Addiction may arise when a person uses regularly in order to gain acceptance into a group, sometimes of addicted persons.

– Gender. Studies show males are twice as likely to develop addictions.

– Family Ties. There is a correlation between the bonds of family and the tendency towards substance abuse. The stronger family attachments are, the less likely a person is to become addicted.

Warning Signs

Signs and symptoms vary from person to person, based on substance, tolerance, genetics, or other circumstances. Symptoms are effects of addiction a person may notice themselves. Signs are effects that others, like physicians or family members, may notice. Here are some signs and symptoms of addiction:

– Substance withdrawal. This is when the amount of a substance falls below a certain level within a person’s body, and the body and mind ache for more. It can manifest in lack of sleep, increased apatite, drug cravings, moodiness, depression, anger, frustration, and violence. With more addictive substances, withdrawal can sharply affect a person physically with diarrhea, shaking, sweating, vomiting, or seizures

– Unsuccessful attempts to quit – a serious attempt is made and a person finds that they are unable to stop

– Denial – a person will not talk about, admit, or acknowledge any substance problem exists

– Problems in relationships – Sudden changes in behavior, lack of caring, and meanness or seclusion can coincide with addiction

– Problems with the law – Impaired judgment, desperation, and increased risk taking lead to addicted persons often having trouble with authority and law, and increase chances of incarceration for drug related crimes

– Problems with finances – when a person is addicted, the substance becomes more and more important no matter how much it costs, and other necessities become less necessary as the need to use increases

– Ingesting or using large quantities – this indicates that use is for a desired effect of being high or drunk, not for recreation

– Secrecy and isolation – often those addicted use by themselves and hide it from others

– Awareness of health problems arising does not stop the use

– Giving up things or people in their life to continue to use – a person may not want to go on vacation because they don’t know where they are going to get drugs from. A smoker may not want to go out with friends to a smoke-free bar or restaurant.

– Obsession – increased time spent thinking about using, drinking, or the circumstances surrounding it

– Taking risks – addicted persons take unreasonable risks to get the substance they need and also when they are under the influence. They can become dangerous to themselves and others in pursuit of the next high

– Keeping a stash – if there is a supply of drugs or alcohol kept safe, and the person is constantly aware of the state of this reserve, there is a very strong likelihood of addiction. An addict will keep stashes in secret, hidden places so that no other person would happen upon it.

If you are suffering from an addiction in Chicago or anywhere, consider entering into a recovery program