The Basics of Overdose

According to the 2014 statistics from the Utah Department of Health, 32% of Utah adults had been on prescribed opioid pain medication. Drug poisoning deaths in Utah have surpassed deaths due to other causes such as firearms, motor vehicle accidents, and falls. Misuse of addictive prescription medications such as opioids can result in personal and legal consequences. It is estimated that 23 Utahns die every month from prescription drug overdoses.

Here is an overdose 101 detailed look at the basics of overdose and what to do if someone overdoses. Below are some overdose basics to aid in understanding the topic better;

What is an Overdose?

A drug overdose occurs when one takes a drug or a combination of different medications above and beyond the prescribed limit. Overdose signs differ with the type of drug used. As such, it is vital to know the right amount and time of taking your medication to avoid an overdose.

Rehabilitation / Root Causes of Addiction - 07/04/2018

International Overdose Awareness Day - Aug 31st

International Overdose Awareness Day is a worldwide event that is usually celebrated on August 31^st every year. The day was set aside to raise awareness of drug overdose and reduce the stigma that is associated with such incidences of overdosing. The overdose awareness day is also celebrated to acknowledge the grief that is felt by numerous families and friends globally who gather to remember their loved ones. International Overdose Awareness Day seeks to spread the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable and participants are encouraged to wear a silver badge or wristband to show their support for overdose awareness.

Statistics indicate that they were approximately 200,000 drug-related deaths in 2016. The United States alone accounts for more than 25 percent of the estimated number of drug-related deaths worldwide. In fact, the number of drug overdose-related cases in the United States has tripled between 2000 and 2017 with more than 55,000 people dying from fatal drug overdoses every year.

Drug Overdose Is a Global Problem

Therapy & Counseling - 07/04/2018

4 Ways to Be Happy During Addiction

[ffb_param route="o gen text"]Published in 1998, ‘The Art of Happiness’ by the Dalai Lama, defines happiness as a state of mind, which can be achieved through, repeated conscious efforts. As such, being happy during addiction is a mental battle that can be won by channeling more energy to positive thinking and positive habits.

Pursuing Happiness During Addiction

Why We May Be Unhappy During Addiction

Negative thoughts are the main culprits of unhappiness during addiction. In some instances, these thoughts may are fueled by external factors such as societal discrimination or internal factors such as self-pity. In the long run, negative thoughts puncture our esteem and happiness. The good news is that it is possible to be happy during addiction. Here are some five ways we can achieve this endeavor;

Addiction Counseling - 04/26/2018

5 Tips To Help Your Loved One Post-Rehab

One in ten people in this country suffer from some type of dependency on drugs or alcohol. Today, that equals to approximately 23.5 million Americans. People who have suffered from an addiction and sought help through rehabilitation services have only just begun their journey as a clean and sober individual. Once they leave the privacy and intensive care of a rehab facility, they must learn to adjust to everyday life that can be filled with challenges. Here are 5 tips to help your loved one begin their journey sober, post-rehab.

1. Adjusting Requires Help

Returning to their lives requires the help of those who are closest, such as friends and family. The stronger their support system, the more likely they will maintain their sobriety.
Knowing there are people to lean on when times are tough gives people battling addiction hope. They know they have people to rely on when they need someone to talk to or to assist them with steps in their recovery.

Addiction Counseling / Anxiety Counseling / Confidence Counseling - 04/20/2018

Providing Treatment not Punishment for Addicts - Pathways Real Life Recovery in Utah

Why We Should Provide Treatment Versus Punishment to Addicts

Approximately 66% of Americans believe that addicts need treatment and not jail sentencing, according to a study conducted by Pew Research Center Statistics. The study shows that the way citizens view addiction is turning over a new leaf. The White House also supports the idea. In 2015, they proposed the drug mitigation strategy aimed at setting aside funds for treatment and prevention. The approach notes, “substance abuse is not only a criminal offense but also a public concern.” Past researchers have shown that addiction is both treatable and preventable as any other disease.”

Despite the growing support for the compassionate approach in combating drug addition, there is a strong need to change how we treat addicts. In most cases, we focus on what meets the eye, judging them as weak and immoral instead of identifying real problem behind their actions.

The following are three wrong approaches we use to punish addicts that need to stop.

Defining Addiction as Criminal Behavior

Addiction is a health issue, not a criminal one. When we put an addict in jail for minor crimes such as possession, much less for getting a felony for minor crimes, we inhibit their resources toward finding employment and housing in order to lead a successful life. Addicts commit crimes because they have no other resources available to treat their addiction, certainly not because addicts themselves are inherently criminal in their behavior. Jail time drains the taxpayer instead of helping addicts recover, and jail is not a good environment to find help. The funds used for incarceration and criminal activity if used to treat them could save billions. Moreover, it makes them accountable for their actions reducing their chances of going back to drugs.

Addiction Counseling / Root Causes of Addiction - 04/10/2018

Teen Suicide Prevention

Per the Center for Disease Control more than 5,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 took their own lives in 2015, making it the second most common cause of death in that age group. It was also the third most common cause for people aged between 10 and 14. High teen suicide rates mean that young people of all social backgrounds and ethnicities are at risk, and these tragedies are also indiscriminate to gender. Although boys are more likely to succeed in taking their own lives, the evidence shows that girls are at least as likely to attempt to do so.

Teenage - 03/27/2018

Pathways Real Life Recovery - Teen Suicide Treatment in Utah

10 Tips for Parents to Prevent Teen Suicide

It is sad to lose a child and even more heartbreaking to suicide. As a child develops, it may get difficult for parents to know their feelings and thoughts. Adolescence has its high and low moments. However, a parent may not know when a teen is depressed. It's essential to learn the possible factors that could cause severe depression to your kid that they contemplate committing suicide.
Here are some tips on how you could avert your child's thoughts from suicide:

1. Avoid Ignoring Suicide Threats

Do not underestimate early suicidal signs. Teens may indulge in substance abuse or merely isolate themselves from other family members. At times, the teenager issues verbal or written statements declaring their intentions to commit suicide. As a parent, you should take them seriously.

Often, kids mulling over suicide repeatedly inform their guardians and parents about it. Scientific studies reveal that such people don't intend to kill themselves. Instead, the threats are usually a plea for urgent help and attention.

When your child starts issuing death threats, try to keep cool. Avoid displaying shock or scolding them. Spare some time to tentatively listen to your their concerns as you reassure them of your love and commitment.

Addiction Counseling / Children Therapy / Teenage / Therapy & Counseling - 02/23/2018

5 Ways to Change Negative Beliefs

Beliefs or Believes - Pathways Real Life Recovery
Sometimes the enemy within can be much more dangerous than outside forces. In fact, struggling with negative beliefs about yourself makes it all too easy to lapse into self-destructive patterns. That’s why breaking that no-win cycle of low self-esteem -- and the bad choices related to it -- is the first step to a more peaceful, productive life. Here are a few methods to help you get there.

Consider the Source

A loving family does not inflict harsh judgment on young children, nor do truly responsible teachers and coaches insult impressionable young people. If you were told you were lazy, unintelligent or homely as a child, remind yourself that those characterizations reflect badly on the adult who said them, rather than on you.

Assignment: Write a letter to a person from your past who damaged your self-esteem. You don’t have to actually send the letter but focus on describing that person’s unrealistic standards or constant judgment. The act of writing the letter will help you understand how those unfair words shaped you.

Confidence Counseling / Depression / Self-improvement Counseling / Stress Counseling - 12/04/2017

Anti-Anxiety Drugs Most Commonly Abused by People Under 30

Did you know the rate of overdose deaths from anti-anxiety drugs alone increased fourfold from 1996 to 2013? And there's a common misconception that anti-anxiety medication is safe because it's prescribed by a doctor?

But that's not always the case.

Let's take a look at a few anti-anxiety drugs most commonly abused by people under 30.

Addiction Counseling / Anxiety Counseling / blog - 10/11/2017

Why is Heroin So Addictive?

Heroin is one of the most extremely addictive drugs on the planet, and its use by Americans is rising.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the number of total heroin overdose deaths rose from 2,089 in 2002 to 13,219 in 2016. That’s an increase of 533 percent — a shocking number.

Naturally, the first question that arises from statistics like these is why heroin is so addictive? It’s obvious that those who try the drug have trouble getting off of it almost right away. What’s going on?

Before delving into the science of why heroin is so addictive, let’s first discuss what exactly heroin is.

Addiction Counseling - 10/10/2017

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