Individuals who drink excessive amounts of alcohol can experience a blackout, a period during which the drinker literally does not remember what has happened in the recent past. Blackouts can range from being mildly annoying to life threateningly dangerous. I found this out first hand on the day of my 23rd Birthday when I came out of an alcohol induced blackout and found myself in jail. I remember talking my sixth or seventh “birthday shot” but that’s the last thing that I can recall about that night. I don’t remember getting into a friend’s car, I don’t remember my friend crashing his car into a palm tree doing 65 mph, and I definitely don’t remember being pulled out of the car by police and being arrested.

When I awoke in jail later that evening, I had no idea where I was or how I got there.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, blackouts are periods of alcohol-induced amnesia. During these times, an individual actively participates in events yet has no memory or only partial memory of what occurred during the blackout.

Blackouts occur more frequently when alcohol is consumed rapidly. Someone not used to consuming high levels of alcohol quickly can succumb to a blackout, which is totally out of character for them. Many college drinkers, like me, suffer from blackouts and the ramifications can range from embarrassing to illegal.

Regardless, blackouts are frightening and potentially tragic. These periods represent a dangerous extreme of impairment and are a clear warning sign of problem drinking. Luckily for me, I was only charged with public intoxication and subsequently released from jail. But this was a wakeup call that my drinking habits had gotten out of control. After this near death incident, I realized that my life was spiraling downward into depression, binge drinking, and alcohol addiction. So I sought out a residential treatment center to help me put the pieces of my life back together.

If you are concerned that perhaps you or a loved one has suffered from an alcohol induced blackout or you’ve previously thought you may be drinking excessively, please contact us at Creative Care in the Los Angles area for more information on treatment for alcohol addiction.

Labels: Alcohol, Alcohol-Addiction-Treatment, Alcohol-Blackouts, Binge-Drinking, Blackouts, Depression, Problem-Drinking, Residential-Treatment-Center, Warning-Signs-Of-Alcohol-And-Drug-Addiction

Cocaine addiction and abuse is a major problem throughout the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 1.1 million people tried cocaine in 2001, and use has continued to increase since then. Cocaine addiction can start off by the person being introduced to the drug at a party. Once having tried cocaine, an individual may have difficulty predicting or controlling the extent to which he or she will continue to use the drug.

With drug experimentation and addiction so prevalent, chances are you know of someone who has dealt with the uphill struggle of addiction. If you have suspicions that someone you care for is using cocaine it is important to look closely at the warning signs, which may be financial as well as physical and emotional.

Cocaine is an expensive drug. Users are typically propelled into financial problems as a result thus justifying their decision to isolate themselves. They may repeatedly ask for money in order to finance their habit or sell personal belongings of sentimental value to feed their addiction.

The physical signs cocaine addicts frequently exhibit include nose bleeds, weight loss, high blood pressure, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, constricted blood vessels, tremors, nausea, perspiration, chills, higher temperature, runny nose, sniffing, hyperactivity, as well as emotional changes.

The emotional changes include strange behavior, isolation, change in work or school performance, changes in friends, always needing money, talking quickly, suicidal, spending time away from family, missing work, stealing, financial problems, lying, withdrawn from normal activities, and no longer taking pride in personal appearance.

If you know someone who has all of a sudden changed and exhibits some or all of the symptoms above then they may be in the beginning stages of cocaine addiction. Please don’t hesitate to contact Creative Care today for cocaine addiction treatment in Los Angeles, CA. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you might have about cocaine addiction treatment.

Labels: Cocaine, Cocaine-Addiction-And-Abuse, Cocaine-Addiction-Treatment, Los-Angeles, Warning-Signs-Of-Cocaine-Addiction