Keeping Life Simple
June 6, 2010 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
The world bombards us with messages that nourish feelings of inferiority. Happiness and satisfaction are promised if we will only drive the latest car, wear the newest styles, or build up those muscles while losing unsightly pounds. If we do not guard against the onslaught of commercialism, it will drive the truth of God from our minds, and we will pursue a fruitless search for adequacy and value.
So often we look at externals to prove to ourselves and others that we’re valuable. Or we think, If only I were better-looking, richer, or smarter, I would be accepted and esteemed. It’s not wise to let others’ opinions and standards determine our feelings about ourselves; the only accurate assessment of our worth comes from looking into the eyes of the One who loved us enough to die in our place.
Christ loves us just the way we are, whether we are rich or poor, addicted or not. We don’t have to impress others, or be influenced by their dysfunctional behavior. Read your bible this week. Start with the book of Psalms. It will help give you guidance and strength in difficult times. God bless…
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Gambling Addiction
December 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Gambling Addictions
Most people look at avid gamblers and think that they just like the entertainment. However, it is just like anything else. Too much of it can literally destroy your life. I think most people are unaware of the fact that gambling can be an addiction that is very similar to a drug. The vast majority of people suffering from gambling addiction find the transition from recreational fun to addict to be very fuzzy. They do not understand exactly when it became a true problem for them. However, in this article I want to make it clear about what a gambling addiction looks like so that you can self-evaluate to see whether you have a significant problem or not.
Symptom #1: You need to be secretive
When you get to the point that you have to lie about how much you are gambling, you know that it is probably too much. Obviously, not telling people you don’t know well might be one thing, but hiding it from others who are close to you is entirely different. An addict will often lie to even people that are close to them.
Symptom #2: You are having trouble setting your boundaries
A recreational gambler can go into a casino with a $20 bill and ensure that they do not spend more than that. Someone with an addiction though will go in with the mind of only spending that $20 bill but in the end they find themselves at an ATM or using a credit card.
Symptom #3: Gambling even if you don’t have the money
Most Americans live paycheck to paycheck. This means that not everyone has extra money left over after they pay the bills and buy groceries. If you are using credit cards or funding your gambling with loans then you likely have a gambling issue. This is an extreme red flag that you could be addicted.
Symptom #4: Friends and family are concerned about you
Obviously the above three symptoms are subjective. Someone who is truly addicted would look at those symptoms and perhaps make excuses for themselves about why they are not truly addicted. They might believe that just because they borrowed money doesn’t mean they are addicted. Or perhaps just because they spend a little more money than they had planned every time, that’s like going to a car dealership and never buying a car. Eventually you will. This situation is quite different though! Knowing that family and friends are concerned is a good indication that they have seen that you gamble to much to be considered just a recreational gambler.
The biggest concern isn’t want our family and friends think though. It is our walk with Jesus Christ that is the biggest concern. Most addicts find themselves in a situation where Money or Gambling itself has become a bigger focus than God himself. Therefore, even though the bible doesn’t directly mention gambling as a sin, having an addiction or passion that sits in our heart in the place of where God should sit is a sin.
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How To Break An Addiction To Marijuana
November 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under Marijuana Addictions
Hi everybody…here is a great article on Marijuana addiction. The funny thing is that there are many people who I speak with that don’t believe Marijuana is addicting, or could lead to a Marijuana addiction….here’s a general view of addiction…an addiction is a chronic neurobiologic disorder that has genetic, psychosocial, and environmental dimensions and is characterized by one of the following: the continued use of a substance despite its detrimental effects, impaired control over the use of a drug (compulsive behavior), and preoccupation with a drug’s use for non-therapeutic purposes (i.e. craving the drug).
Christian Shire
Marijuana is addictive and there is a syndrome of withdrawal that will occur whenever a dependent person attempts to quit their habit.
Marijuana is not terribly dangerous over the short run, but the consequences of long term use and addiction are a greater risk for certain cancers, some cognitive and learning deficits, and certain social deficits. People using marijuana heavily are not as able to realize their full potential, and heavy marijuana usage can detract from quality of life.
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms
The withdrawal symptoms of marijuana cessation can include irritability, insomnia, anxiety, headaches, nausea, depression, a loss of appetite and others. The withdrawal is not dangerous, is not as severe as for some other drugs, but is very unpleasant; and during the initial few days the cravings back to marijuana can be very strong.
Too many people trying to quit their habit are unable to resist these cravings back to use of a drug that they know will take away all of these very unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal.
Try exercise…really, it works!
Because marijuana detox is not medically dangerous, there is no current pharmacological intervention to ease the pains of withdrawal, and only time will truly better the discomfort. After 3 or 4 days the intensity of withdrawal symptoms should subside considerably; and if you can make it past the first few days, you’ve got a much better chance of making it for the long term.
One very effective, free and completely safe way to reduce the intensity of the symptoms of withdrawal is through long and enjoyable exercise. To lessen the symptoms of withdrawal, and take your mind off of the constant cravings, you need to get off of the couch, and get out and get your heart pumping.
Exercise helps on a number of levels. Through sustained and vigorous activity you release endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are a “natural” way of feeling high, and a bit of exercise and the corresponding release of endorphins can do a lot to lessen feelings of anxiety, lethargy and depressions.
Sustained and vigorous exercise can also fatigue the body, and hopefully lessen characteristic insomnia that can so often trigger a relapse back to use. With exercise and vigorous perspiration, you can also cleanse the body of toxins and drug metabolites; toxins that some maintain have an influence on the continuation of detox symptoms.
Getting past the first few days
Exercise is free, it will make you feel better, it keeps you busy and keeps your mind off of use; and it may even help you to sleep at night. Nothing will eliminate all of the symptoms of withdrawal but time, but by spending a few days engaged in sustained exercise, you should make those days more bearable, and you should have a much better chance at resisting temptation.
Go for a hike in the mountains, ride your bike across town, play basketball…do whatever you enjoy. It can help a lot!
If you find that you are simply unable to resist the temptations and find yourself using again, you may want to consider professional help. Getting some therapy and getting away from access to marijuana for a period may help those people unable to do it on their own.
Christian Shire is an addictions professional who writes about addiction and treatment options. To learn more about addiction, withdrawal, treatments and substance abuse, please visit http://www.choosehelp.com/
Or read the daily blog entry at http://www.troubleblog.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Shire http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Break-An-Addiction-To-Marijuana&id=754187
I enjoy the part about exercise. Naturally check with your doctor first to make sure you are able to exercise, but after being cleared medically, exercise is a great stress release. Marijuana can be a problematic addiction, make sure you get help.