Australian Intensive Rehab - Air14

23/11/2021

We’re all human. Just because someone stops using drugs or drinking, doesn’t magically mean they’ll become a saint. The difference between abstinence and ‘recovery’ is a program - a process for driving actions that is mindful and aware.

12/11/2021

Attending rehab is a big step, but it is by no means a cure for addiction. "Substance use disorders" and "behavioural disorders" (the medical terms for 'addiction'), are so called because they are a form of mental illness. And like depression or anxiety, treatment involves providing those in rehab with tools to use when the desire to reach out to the easy comfort of substances or behviours happens.

Sadly, there is no cure for addiction. The solution for addiction therefore is not in some magical one-stop process, but in successful application of a range of different tools to help the sufferer avoid relapse once abstinence has been achieved. The litmus test for addiction treatment, or 'revovery' as it's known, is in the successful application of the tools learned in rehab.

Going to rehab is a big decision. For many people it's one of the last things they try when they identify problems with Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling or other behavioural issues. The hope that rehab offers, is a way out of th...

02/11/2021

The 'mess' of Substance or Alcohol Use Disorders becomes plainly visible when we actually stop drinking and/or using drugs. It is frequently the consequence of substance misuse, but sometimes is not directly linked but exacerbated by "ignoring problems and hoping they'll go away".

This week we investigate ways to begin to deal with the fallout of Substance or Alcohol Use Disorders - the mess our lives become after a period of not dealing with things or the real and unfavourable consequences of alcohol and drug addiction.

We start to address our Substance or Alcohol Use Disorder when we actually stop drinking and/or using drugs. Depending on the substance in question and the extent of use this can be more or less dangerous. It can actuall...

31/10/2021

Given tomorrow’s horse related event in Melbourne, you might think this is the wrong sort of ‘race’.
The point is not the race - but that recovering from substance use disorder takes time. There are no quick fixes or miracle cures.
Like dealing with any health issue, it’s a slow, sometime boring lifelong pursuit. A journey.

20/10/2021

When people make a firm decision to go to rehab, they often decide to quit everything ‘bad’ - smoking, junk food etc. Dealing with years of alcohol or substance misuse is hard enough and statistics show that those who try to quit everything ‘bad’ in their lives (like junk food) at the same time, have less likelihood of success overall. When you’ve made the decision to get help for drug or alcohol misuse, deal with the big things first, and leave other less injurious behaviours until later. First things first.

20/10/2021

AIR14 can be the bridge those suffering addiction and alcoholism need to move from a place of despair and hopelessness, to recovery - where the goal is improvement, not just of substance and alcohol use, but also of all facets of life.
For anyone who has achieved recovery, their experiences are often the same - they tried many times and in many ways to 'get their act together' on their own. Stopping was not so difficult (especially after something really bad happened, it was easy to "swear off the drugs and alcohol for ever") - but 'staying stopped' is always the problem.
This is why such importance is placed on AIR14's LEAD program for those who have completed the initial intensive 14 day program. Twice weekly group followups, with individual counselling and psychology sessions help to support former clients as they make their way through the world post-rehab. It's a living example of the change we hope to institute.

Anyone who's ever tried to stop doing something they enjoy, say for health reasons, will know that it's not easy to just 'stay stopped'. If you've ever been on a diet you'd know that when you're trying not to eat junk fo...

12/10/2021

Drug or alcohol addiction can threaten the very existence of someone. He**in and other opioid overdose is something most people are aware of, but did you know that people can also die of alcohol withdrawal?

Several celebrities have died from alcohol withdrawal complications - Amy Winehouse's struggles with Alcohol and other substances are well documented. Despite many attempts to get treated for substance use disorder, sadly she died from tachycardia caused by years of alcohol misuse and bulimia - both putting tremendous strain on her heart. "Rehab" is almost a cautionary tale. Nelsan Ellis, the actor who portrayed Lafayette in the HBO television series True Blood, was attempting to withdraw from alcohol on his own; he was hospitalised due to serious complications from alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which resulted in his death.

If drinking or drug use has become a problem, don’t just try to fix it yourself - because unsupervised withdrawal can have serious effects. Seek professional help. If you, or a loved one need professional help, please call our team of psychologists and substance use disorder treatment professionals by calling AIR14 on 1300-414-553 or read more below.

Drug or alcohol addiction can threaten the very existence of someone. Alcoholics and drug addicts can and do die from their illness. He**in and other opioid overdose is something most people are aware of, but did you kno...

11/10/2021

Probably the MOST important factor of recovery - is the ability to see things for what they are, not what our emotions or gut instincts tell us they are.
The reality of any situation frequently is only seen after we pause, take a breath and consider that situation. Feelings aren't facts - if we are mindful about our lives, we'll be less affected by things that happen, and therefore less likely to act out.

05/10/2021

The most important thing for anyone suffering addiction and trying to get better.
Don’t overcomplicate it. Keep it simple!

30/09/2021

Can people access addiction treatment services during the pandemic? Of course! As an essential medical service, most rehabs and treatment services continue to operate, providing treatment services during restrictions and lockdowns subject to public health orders. People seeking support and treatment for drug and alcohol addiction can access detox, rehab and counselling services during COVID-19. Regardless of restrictions, travel is permitted to enable access to essential health services which include addiction treatment services. This means that if the treatment facility of your choice is in a regional area, or somewhere outside of the allowable travel zone at any given time, COVID-19 restrictions will not be a barrier to getting help.

Change is possible – even during the pandemic! If you, or a loved one would like to find out more about how to deal with addiction, please call our team of psychologists and substance use disorder treatment professionals by calling AIR14 on 1300-414-553.

The simple answer is "yes"! As an essential medical service, most rehabs and treatment services continue to operate, providing treatment services during restrictions and lockdowns subject to public health orders.

28/09/2021

Pain is inevitable; misery is optional.
In trying to give up anything that someone loves, there’s pain - drugs and alcohol of course, but also junk food, gambling, shopping….
However this, too, shall pass.
It always does.
And with effort comes longer term rewards.

24/09/2021

Quitting or cutting down on alcohol and drugs is hard. Very hard. And relapse happens. But where there’s a will there’s a way. As with anything you want, if you want sobriety, recovery or just a healthier relationship with alcohol or substances, keep trying. Never give up giving up!