Not all spiritual books are created equal however. Some are excellent reads, and others are just kind of a lot of baloney that make you feel even more confused or uncertain. We’ve decided to spend some time reading these books and pick the “best of the best” that can help someone overcome addiction and stay recovered for good.

Our picks for Spiritual Books About Overcoming Addiction:

Mindful Recovery: Mindful recovery is a book that is meant for someone who has already made the decision to quit and looking for ways to remain sober and deal with life without the use of drugs or alcohol. It’s written in a non-threatening manner that gives many suggestions on how to avoid addiction for good. Combining both Eastern and Western practices along with science, it is a nice refreshing book available about overcoming addiction spiritually. Click here to learn more about Mindful Recovery: A Spiritual Path to Healing from Addiction.

Willpower’s Not Enough: This book is written in a very straightforward style and really helps a person understand addiction and the triggers that can cause someone to continue their addictive behavior. It offers many practical suggestions and the encouragement and hope one needs to overcome their addiction. It does not focus on any one particular addiction, but can work for just about any addiction problem one may face. Click here for more on Willpower’s Not Enough: Recovering from Addictions of Every Kind.

The Last Addiction: This book is the one for someone looking for a book that is based on Christian faith and Biblical teachings. It goes into much detail about what makes us prone to addictions and what can be done to to change the way of thinking to help overcome addiction for good. The book brings hope and courage to anyone facing any type of addiction - not just necessarily drugs and/or alcohol. Learn More about the Last Addiction.

The Spiritual Self: Written by Abraham Twerski, the founder of Gateway rehabilitation program based in Pittsburgh, PA, this book takes an insightful approach in understanding how spiritualism - independent of religion - can help overcome addiction and lead to successful recovery. Having written over 50 books on topics ranging on self-help and addiction, if you enjoy this book, it is certainly worthwhile to check out his others. Learn More About The Spiritual Self: Reflections on Recovery and God.

Freedom From Addiction: Deepak Chopra is a leading author in holistic healing, and we found this book to be equally enlightening as many of his other books we’ve read and enjoyed. In addition to teaching how to overcome addiction and avoid relapse, this book also focuses on finding meaning to life and dealing with the underlying causes of addiction. It is very different from many of the other books we’ve read, but still worth browsing through for additional insight. Learn More About Freedom from Addiction.



Do you have any other spiritual books for help with addiction to suggest? Have you read any of these books and want to share your thoughts? We’d love to hear your comments below!

Sleep deprivation can have many effects on people, causing everything from nausea to hyperactivity. It can cause people to be more irritable, suffer from headaches, and even hallucinate. Sleep research studies have shown that people need sleep in order to function properly and the lack of proper sleep (including the REM phase of sleep) can create many problems, both physical and mental.

Many accidents are caused by sleep deprivation. Many people have fallen asleep at the wheel while driving, and the likelihood of work related accidents also increase due to a person being tired and unable to react as quickly as someone who is awake and alert. Many people have even said that driving while tired is equally as dangerous as driving drunk.

Sleep deprivation unfortunately is common - the average person works over 50 hours per week, and demanding schedules and responsibilities often push sleep to the bottom of priorities, even though it should be one of the first. Other people may suffer from sleep disorders, ranging from anything such as sleep apnea to general insomnia. Unfortunately, many people with problems sleeping do not seek medical advice or change their lifestyle habits for a better night’s sleep, which can result in many other problems being caused by sleep deprivation.

It is not surprising that our reaction time is altered when we are sleep deprived - much like alcohol abuse effects, our bodies tend to slow down when we don’t get enough sleep. In fact, several of the alcohol abuse effects are the same - relationship problems (often caused by increased irritability), decreased job performance, and as mentioned earlier accidents are more likely also. Not getting enough sleep can affect your ability to make decisions or cope with the everyday stress of life.

A catch 22 exists with the relationship between sleep and alcoholism and drug abuse. Many people use drugs or alcohol to help them sleep - but often the use of drugs and alcohol can cause problems with sleeping also. Alcohol has been tied to making a condition such as sleep apnia worse, and withdrawing from alcohol or drugs can make sleeping very difficult as well. Becoming addicted to sleeping pills is also another possibility.

<strong>Here are some tips for staying sober during the holidays:</strong>

1. <strong>Have Excuses Ready</strong>: There is often a lot of pressure for someone to drink during the holidays - or many hosts may even just casually offer an alcoholic drink. Have a list of reasons why you do not want a drink and practice saying them out loud. Good excuses include “I’m driving” and “Ah, it’ll just put me to sleep”. Maybe you have to work in the morning? Be creative and you’ll be sure to find a few good reasons why not to drink that your hosts should graciously understand without getting into your rehab story.

2. <strong>Have a Substitute</strong>: Just because you’re not drinking alcohol doesn’t mean your drinks can’t still be fun. Go for a flavored coffee, add a cherry or lime to your soda, and even enjoy it in a fancy glass. There are plenty of great non-alcoholic drinks to make (see our list coming soon!). Also, once you get past the initial offer, chances are no one is really going to take much attention to what you’re drinking anyway. (Unless it looks so good they want one too!)

3. <strong>Give Your Mind Rest</strong>: The holidays can be stressful for many people, from the usual family demands to even Christmas shopping. Some people just have a natural depression around holiday time, especially if it reminds them of people who are no longer around to enjoy it with. Be sure you talk to someone about any stress or feelings you have, as well as use healthy ways to alleviate stress and anxiety.

4. <strong>Keep Busy</strong>: Plan some fun activities you might enjoy that don’t involve alcohol - baking cookies or going to see holiday shows or displays can be a fun way to forget about drinking all together. Volunteering during the holidays can also be a very rewarding way to help others as well as meet and make new friends.

The holidays can be a wonderful time to celebrate - so however you do it remember that it doesn’t need to be about drinking to have fun - and you might be surprised your first sober holidays can be some of your happiest moments!

Here are some Famous Heroin Addicts who did not survive their addictions:

River Phoenix: River Phoenix was young and at what some would consider at the peak of beginning his career in film and music when he overdosed on heroin and cocaine at a night club. He has starred in movies such as Indiana Jones, Parenthood, and Sneakers. He also often performed with members of the band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He died October 31st 1993.

Kurt Cobain: Kurt Cobain was the lead singer for the popular band Nirvana in the 1990’s. Years of drug addiction and abuse led to several heroin overdoses and failed rehab attempts. Eventually in April 1994, he was found dead, apparently having shot himself while on heroin.

Janis Joplin: Singer song writer, famous for songs such as “Ball and Chain” and “Mercedes Benz”, died at age 27 from a heroin overdose in her hotel room.

Brad Nowell: Singer for the band Sublime died of a heroin overdose at age 28

John Belushi: Actor probably best remembered for his performance in the movie Animal House died of a heroin overdose.

Heroin addiction can affect anyone - from a teenager to a famous celebrity. All of these deaths are tragic and unfortunate and not only did the person lose his or her life, but they no longer had the opportunity to share their gifts of entertaining with the world. Seeing the devastating consequences of heroin use in these Famous Heroin Addicts can hopefully be a lesson to anyone just beginning to get involved in illegal drug use to stop and get help immediately - before the addiction grows and ultimately ends their life.

The symptoms of Vicodin addiction are much like the symptoms of other drug addictions in which the person becomes controlled by their need for the drug. Vicodin is easily to become addicted to, especially if the person begins taking it more than prescribed or if they are in pain and it is not helping relieve the pain.

Vicodin is a commonly prescribed pain reliever that is made from acetaminophen (the same thing as Tylenol) and hydrocodone, which is a synthetic codeine. Because it is so commonly prescribed, many people can find themselves becoming addicted to Vicodin.

Vicodin has several possible side effect symptoms that first-time users may feel. They include nausea and upset stomach, drowsiness, and dizziness. Emotional symptoms of vicodin use may include euphoria, apathy, and “warm and fuzzy” feelings. Any other symptoms while taking Vicodin should be discussed with a physician immeditaely.

When Vicodin is prescribed as pain medication, users may decide to take more than what has been prescribed and/or start taking them more frequently than prescribed, especially if the pain is severe. Unfortunately, doing this causes you to build a tolerance to the drug, which then lessens its effectiveness in reducing pain. It also begins the habit of becoming dependent on vicodin as you begin to rely on it more and more.

Vicodin can also sometimes be abused by someone without the need of any pain medication at all. Illegally using the drugs that are someone else’s prescription (commonly done in high school - someone will be prescribed it for a sports injury or having wisdom teeth removed for example, and then share it or sell it to friends) can also set up someone to become addicted to Vicodin, especially if the use is frequent and their only objective of using Vicodin is to get high.

Here are the Symptoms of Vicodin Addiction:

• Feeling physically ill - nausea, shaking, cold/hot flashes, muscle and/or bone pain, and restlessness.
• Going to extreme measures to get a prescription (looking for it online, going to multiple doctors for multiple reasons, stealing it from people, etc.)
• Family and Friends express concern over use
• Use of Vicodin when operating a vehicle, at work, school, or other times when you should not take it.
• Feelings of anxiety and panic when you are almost out of Vicodin or completely out.
  The symptoms of Vicodin addiction can be moderate to severe, depending on how long the person has been using the drug and their level of dependency.

  Abusing Vicodin or taking more than prescribed and for an extended period of time can cause several long-term health consequences, including liver failure. If you are concerned that you may be starting to show the symptoms of Vicodin addiction, do not hesitate to speak to your doctor who can help you decide if your use if becoming a problem.

  ]]> http://talkrehab.org/symptoms-of-vicodin-addiction/feed/ http://talkrehab.org/movies-about-drug-addiction/ http://talkrehab.org/movies-about-drug-addiction/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:05:42 +0000 admin http://talkrehab.org/?p=311 There are many movies that depict drug use and its effects. Some people may question movies about drug addiction - are they realistic? Do they portray the truth? Do some movies glamorize drug addiction?

  The answer to this is that anything from Hollywood is likely going to be a little less than “realistic” - however some are pretty close and accurate. Movies about drug addiction that depict drug use and its effects realistically may be helpful for others to understand addiction better, as well as help others understand what can really happen by getting involved with drugs or alcohol.

  Below we’ve listed some movies about drug addiction:

  Acts of Worship: This movie is about a young girl’s struggle with addiction in a non preachy or glamorized manner. Learn More

  Trainspotting: Trainspotting is one of the most well known movies about drug addiction. It is about four Scottish friends who battle with drug addiction and one who tries to get away from it all. The scenes are very graphic, so a strong stomach helps! Learn More

  Basketball Diaries: This early Leonardo DiCaprio film is about a teenager who enjoyed playing basketball but begins to get caught up in addiction. Learn More

  Addiction: This documentary is about addiction and the effects it has on other people as well as some interesting research about drug addiction. Learn More

  Clean and Sober: This 1988 film starring Michael Keaton may seem slightly out dated, but it still has the basics of a high profile businessman going through cocaine addiction and rehab. Learn More

  Drunks: This movie is about men who meet to talk about their drinking problems. It is a somewhat realistic example of how raw and uncensored rehab can be. Learn More

  28 Days: 28 Days stars Sandra Bullock as an alcoholic going through rehab. It’s a little on the light hearted side, and not entirely realistic, but does have some good points on what you can expect during rehab. Learn More

  Traffic: This movie is about a newly pointed drug czar, his own teenage daughter falling into drug addiction, and the “war on drugs”. It’s an interesting movie, though somewhat glamorized and overdone. Learn More

  Our list of movies about drug addiction may not be the best movies ever or all Academy Award winners. All of these movies that depict drug use and its effects could possibly be good examples for the prevention of drug abuse and addiction and teaching others what addiction and treatment can be like.

  ]]> http://talkrehab.org/movies-about-drug-addiction/feed/ http://talkrehab.org/how-can-i-tell-if-my-teenager-is-using-marijuana/ http://talkrehab.org/how-can-i-tell-if-my-teenager-is-using-marijuana/#comments Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:12:52 +0000 admin http://talkrehab.org/?p=309 Many parents at some point ask themselves “How can I tell if my teenager is using marijuana?”

  It’s a common concern amongst parents of teenagers, and its a good sign that you’re asking this question, because it’s quite possible that if you’re suspicious of your teenager’s marijuana use that you have a good reason to have that suspicion. Of course, it is not always obvious to tell if a teenager is using marijuana or not. Some signs may also signal other underlying problems that while displaying the same signs of marijuana use may be other issues at home.

  Here are some signs to help you tell if your teenager is using marijuana:

  1. Disinterested in family events, sports, and other hobbies: When a teenager is using marijuana, there is a good chance they will give using the drug their attention. They may not care about going to sports practice or would rather hang out with their friends than come to the latest family gathering. They may suddenly seem withdrawn or uninterested in things going on around them.

  2. Change of Friends: While teenage friendships can come and go, it’s a good chance that if your teenager has stopped hanging out with their “good” friends and now have a new crowd of friends they spend more time with, it’s quite possible it is because they are using drugs. People who use marijuana will spend less time with their friends who do not do drugs to spend more time with their friends who do.

  3. Obvious Signs of Being Stoned: Teenagers who use marijuana will from time to time show the obvious signs of being stoned. This includes red puffy eyes, extreme hunger (also known as the “munchies”), extreme giddiness, extreme tiredness. It is also possible that he or she will smell like marijuana/smoke OR smell heavily of cologne or another perfume if they are trying to cover up the smell of marijuana on their clothes.

  4. Secretiveness and a Concern for Privacy: If your teenager never cared about you coming in their room before or suddenly has a new bag or backpack they have started carrying around that you’ve never seen, it could be a cause for concern that they are hiding something.

  5. Drug Paraphernalia: It can be hard to know what drug paraphernalia looks like. Common smoking devices include rolling papers, pipes (which can be glass, wood, or metal) and water bongs, which look pretty much like a vase but with an area to put the marijuana in to smoke on the side. Teenagers may also may their own homemade smoking devices out of soda cans or plastic soda bottles. If you see soda cans with burn marks in them, it’s a good chance it was used to smoke marijuana. Another sign would be if you notice your child wearing pro-marijuana clothing, listening to pro-marijuana music, or having other pro-marijuana related merchandise or accessories.

  It can be difficult to determine if your teenager is using marijuana. If you notice one or more signs listed above, you now know the answer to “How can I tell if my teenager is using marijuana?” and respond appropriately. If you think your teenager might be using marijuana, be sure to read our article on How to Help Your Teenager Stop Smoking Weed.

  ]]> http://talkrehab.org/how-can-i-tell-if-my-teenager-is-using-marijuana/feed/ http://talkrehab.org/binge-drinking-statistics/ http://talkrehab.org/binge-drinking-statistics/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:44:25 +0000 admin http://talkrehab.org/?p=304

  Binge drinking, commonly associated with teenagers and college student is a big problem that can lead to a dependency on alcohol. Today we’ve put together a few binge drinking statistics to help you understand binge drinking more.

  Binge drinking is what we commonly call the process of someone drinking large quantities of alcohol in just a short period of time. This is extremely dangerous, since someone can consume more alcohol than their body can handle before they even begin to feel “drunk”.

  Here are some national binge drinking statistics according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

  92% of U.S. adults who drink excessively participated in binge drinking in the last 30 days.

  70% of binge drinking episodes are done by adults who are over the age of 25

  Men are twice as likely to partake in binge drinking than women

  Binge Drinkers are 14 times more likely to drive drunk than non-binge drinkers

  90% of underage drinkers (21 years old or less) consume their alcohol in the form of binge drinking

  It is estimated that 70% of college students on any given campus participate in binge drinking, while 42% of college students admit to binge drinking.

  Approximately 1700 college students die each year from binge drinking related deaths

  Alcohol is the third leading cause of death between people ages 15-24

  1 in 5 college binge drinkers drink on a weekly basis, with 50% of all college binge drinkers participating in binge drinker more than once a week

  College students who frequently binge drink are more likely to have lower GPA’s and excessive absences from school.

  As you can see from these binge drinking statistics, binge drinking is a serious problem on college campuses as well as even for adults who currently drink. Factors such as drinking with others, low prices for drinks ($1 draft night for example), and self serving one alcohol can cause someone to drink excessively.

  If you or someone you know is falling into the habits of binge drinking on a regular basis, it is likely that the patterns for alcohol dependence are being formed. To learn more about alcoholism, visit our pages the signs of alcoholism, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, how to detox safely, and where to find help.

  ]]> http://talkrehab.org/binge-drinking-statistics/feed/ http://talkrehab.org/causes-of-teenage-drinking/ http://talkrehab.org/causes-of-teenage-drinking/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:43:18 +0000 admin http://talkrehab.org/?p=300 Many concerned parents often wonder what the causes of teenage drinking are and if identifying them can help prevent the causes of underage drinking. It’s no wonder they are concerned - underage teenagers who drink are at risk for legal consequences such as stiff penalities and fines, and underage drinking is often associated with drunk driving and alcohol poisoning, both of which can be fatal.

  Here are some of the common causes of teenage drinking:

  It relaxes them: Being a teenager is never easy. Even for well-off seemingly achieving teenagers, there is a lot of stress and pressure to get good grades and live up to their family’s expectations. For others, it can be a way of coping with other problems or stress in their lives. A teenager experiencing alcohol for the first time will likely be attracted to its ability to make them feel care-free and forget about their troubles for a little while, making it likely they will be seeking to try it again.

  Automatic Inclusion: Everybody as a teenager always want to feel like they are included. Whether it’s by being invited to the big party at someone’s house or thinking it will make their friends think they are cool, drinking it a simple way to acheive that automatic “I fit in, I belong” sense. It also can cross the divides of the standard social classes of “jock” and “nerd” since it suddenly becomes a mutual interest.

  Genetic Disposition: Alcoholism has been often considered a genetic disease, as many families can trace a line of repeated alcohol and drug abuse or mental illness such as depression or bipolar disorder. If an underage teenager is already at risk for this, it is not surprising that their teenage drinking can quickly become a habit that may last well into adulthood. For teens who may already have a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental illness, alcohol may be their way of subconsciously self-medicating themselves.

  Parental Influence: It’s tough being a parent when it comes to your influence on your teenager drinking. Be too strict or too uptight, and they might blame that for their rebellious side. On the other hand, if you’re too lenient and relaxed, they will feel like you don’t care what they do anyways and that you’re not paying any attention. Some teenagers may even drink subconciously wanting that negative attention from their parents. If you catch your teen drinking, it’s equally important to analyze your own behavior.

  Underlying Causes: As mentioned above, for many teenagers drinking is a solution for their problems. Maybe they’re bored, maybe they feel lonely, maybe they have an untreated condition that needs addressed. These underlying causes can be difficult to identify, especially if you as a parent are not having the best of relationships with your child. But once they are identified and addressed, you may be able to curb the causes of teenage drinking.

  Public Education Health Classes: This is one no expert will admit to, but kids each year are brainwashed to sit in health classes and other public education programs to teach them the dangers of alcohol use. They may watch movies or read stories about teenagers drinking. Sure, while the classes try to stress the negative effects of alcohol, it can spark interest in a subject they otherwise may not even think about. The snickering of other students can further ignite their curiousity on what it feels like to be drunk and what will happen to them if they drink.

  Social Media: This of course leads to another potential indirect factor. While its hard to believe that seeing movies about people drinking or beer commercials on TV or even a song might influence your teenager, it is likely that it subconciously shapes their values that drinking is a normal part of life.

  Now that you understand the causes of teenage drinking, you may wonder what you as a parent can do to prevent underage drinking. Here are some ideas:

  1. Create an Open Relationship With Your Child: This isn’t easy to do, especially when hormones are raging and in the teenage years the parent often seems to be the enemy. Talk TO them, not at them. And listen to what they have to say. Sometimes parents don’t give kids enough time to talk and really explain what’s going on. Once you establish this, it opens the door to seek alternative solutions for your child instead of drinking.

  2. Identify Problems Early: Parents often want to deny that something could be wrong with their child, especially when it concerns their behavior or emotional state. Instead, be proactive. If you notice issues with a 5 year old child, address them before he or she reaches 10 or even 15.

  3. Don’t Be Afraid of Counseling: Encourage counseling even if you don’t see any obvious signs of a problem. Counseling should be seen in a positive light, not as punishment for something they did wrong. It should never be used as a threat, but seen as a solution. If you and your teenager are having communication problems or you are worried about their new extra curricular activities with drinking or drug use, don’t wait until something terrible or dramatic happens. School guidance counselors or your health insurance plan should be able to help you find the right kind of assistance for your individual needs.

  4. Become Involved: Many teenagers don’t feel like their parents care or understand. If you’re not spending at least one hour of one-on-one time with your teenager without distractions such as television or phone calls, you’re not involved enough. Find fun activities the two of you enjoy, or even create an atmosphere where your teenager and his or her friends can have a good time without the use of alcohol or drugs.

  5. Don’t Encourage Drinking: Some parents may bargain with their child, saying you can drink if you don’t drive, or some may even buy their children alcohol. Obviously this only enables them to begin underage drinking. Be firm, and let your teenager know that you care and do not want them drinking. Brainstorm for alternative things they can do instead of turning to drugs or alcohol.

  Now that you understand the causes of teenage drinking and what you as a parent can do, you can help take some important steps in preventing and curbing your child’s underage drinking.

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