Drug Detox Rehab

People suffering from addiction need medical and therapeutic interventions. Though most of the people think they can get off the habit by themselves, drug addiction rehabilitation requires professional help.

The first step in drug rehabilitation comes with detoxification. This is the process of cleaning the body off toxins left by drug abuse. And for most patients, it is the most difficult phase of treatment.

Detoxification causes painful symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and uncontrollable shaking. The body in this phase is craving for the substance and is reacting to its absence.

Detox Rehabilitation

Dealing with addiction needs to be immediate. The abrupt withdrawal from drugs can cause sweats, cramping, and constipation, with extreme cases resulting in possible seizures and delirium. With long-term drug abuse, detoxification can be dangerous without proper medical supervision.

A patient who wants to be rid of his addiction must choose the right detox center and program. For quality services, a center must be able to provide a controlled setting where proper medical intervention can be administered. And it must be capable of crafting programs that will help the patient sustain his recovery even after his release from the facility. The center must also adhere to principles that preserve the dignity of patients under their care.

Detox Procedures

Centers differ from each other in terms of the programs they offer. Some offer rapid detoxification. Others require long-term processes.

Rapid detoxification is a medical procedure that puts a patient under general anesthesia. A doctor purges the toxins from the body by administering other drugs. Immediately, the patient undergoes withdrawal. The anesthesia prevents the patient from suffering the symptoms. This procedure contracts the withdrawal period from six days to six hours. This procedure is generally done to deal with heroin, oxycontin, methadone, codeine addictions. As the patient recovers, craving for the addictive drug diminishes.

But while results are immediate, studies show that a patient still needs to undergo continued therapy and counseling. Without follow through support, it is easy for patients to go back to old habits.

Drug Detox provides detailed information on Drug Detox, Drug Detox Centers, Drug Detox Rehab, Drug Detox At Home and more. Drug Detox is affiliated with Drug Rehab Centers

Substance Addiction and Rehabilitation

Addiction is sad, really. The life of an addict is often times harsh in ways that are not always visible. Of course, a lot of times the effects of addiction are visible.

Addiction is something that can hurt a great deal. Whether you are the person addicted or the loved one of someone with an addiction it can be an item of major concern that can manifest in multiple problems. You should seek to overcome the addiction as quickly as possible.

If you are the loved one, I hope you have the strength to stand by the person recovering or more importantly the one that hasn't begun to recover yet. The first step is for the person to recognize the problem. This can be tough, very tough on you. Maybe the worst thing you could do is to abandon that person. You could be the one that keeps him or her from completely falling off the edge.

I'm not an expert on addiction, so you can take all of this with a grain of salt. I'm only approaching things from a level of common sense that is uniquely my own. So take all of this with some degree of skepticism and consult a professional for proper care.

My personal beliefs hinge around compassion. If the one I loved was seriously addicted, I'm not sure I'd be able to get over my guilt if I abandoned that person. If they took a turn for the worse I would always wonder, "what if?".

No doubt about it, addiction brings great pain upon the afflicted and those closest to him or her. Consider that, think about it and mull over what that may mean to you personally and the people you love.

If you are the person with the addiction, or you are not sure if you really are addicted, think about it carefully. Is your substance use causing pain to the people you are closest too? Even if you are causing them only a little pain, you need to recognize that you may be addicted and need help.

Drug treatment and alcohol treatment rehab centers exist everywhere. Consider staying at one for a while. You've got to take a sober and serious look at your situation. Do you value your life and your loved ones more than your addiction? I hope the answer is that you cherish your family most. This is not your typical surface level question where you can get away with saying what you know people want to hear. You have to seriously take a look at yourself and come up with an honest answer.

If you treasure your relationships to others more, then it is time to give up the addiction. Life abounds with people who chose their addictions over their relationships. Their stories are all very sad. One thing is for sure: If you don't take action, the addiction will rule your destiny until you reclaim it.

Those around you may not be willing to wait around to see if you will change or not. Talk to them honestly, admit your addiction and then get help. There is no shame in that, instead it shows that you have some integrity and a strong enough will that may allow you to come back to the land of the living.

I don't intend to be harsh. If you read this far, there might be some question about your status in your own mind. This isn't being blunt but rather a gentle wake up call.

Take charge and take your life back.

This article simply reflects the author's opinions. It is not meant to constitute advice in any way, shape or form. If you have or think you might have an addiction or any other health problem, contact your doctor right away for proper diagnosis and treatment.

David Snape writes for To Be Informed. You can read more specifically about Drug Rehab and Alcohol Rehab there. To Be Informed is a site supportive of health, fitness and wellness

Can a Cure be Found in Alcohol Rehab?

Since the beginning of time, man has been looking for the secret cure, the magic bullet, the fountain of youth that will solve all of our health problems. The truth of the matter is; There is no cure for some of life?s passages such as aging, diabetic problems or even Alcoholism or Drug Addiction. They can be controlled, even the quality of life may be improved, but they can not be completely eliminated. The clich?s appear hot and heavy with sayings like ?One Day at a Time? and a ?Journey of a Thousand miles begins with just one step? and so it is with Alcohol Rehab and finding your way home.

There are so many claims, so many schemes and so many quick fixes that it becomes almost impossible to find an Alcohol Rehab program that really works. Even the United States Government got into the act and spent hundreds of Millions of Dollars to find the magic cure for Alcohol and Drug abuse. After Seven years, a few hundred million dollars later, the PROJECT MATCH STUDY was deemed a dismal failure. Everybody and I do mean everybody, lined up to discredit, find fault in it and basically deny everything from the legitimacy of the parents of the authors to downright fraud. The truth of the matter was simply they did not like the results. And the results were dismal.

They basically took the five top treatment protocols in existence today;

1) In Patient Residential Treatment,

2) Out Patient Alcohol and Drug Rehab

3) Hospitalization or Medical Model

4) Self Help groups like Alcohol Anonymous and

5) Behavioral Modification.

The results were basically the same for all Five groups and that was 43% stayed sober and clean one year from the date of entering into the program. The problem with this statistic was simple: Almost 6 in 10 would fail and the odds were in your favor that it would not succeed no matter what you did.

A funny thing happen however while everyone and their brother were circling the wagons and preparing to fight off the Calvary; Someone discovered by combining a combination of the protocols, that the success rate got better. At first, it was simply incorporating a 28 day in-residence alcohol rehab center with say follow up with AA meetings. The results jumped rather dramatically. In some cases, it climbed to as high as 73% while other studies showed an increase to higher than 75%. They were on to something. Add a couple of more ingredients such as educational protocol and behavioral modification and the numbers went into the Eighties. A non-profit by the name of Manor House Rehab went so far as to combine all known treatment protocols and used an extensive intake sheet to design an individual treatment and they hit over a 90% success rate for a temporary time frame until the results creeped back to ?normal? at about the 83-85% success rate. Not so bad.

The search for a perfect cure for Alcohol and Drug abuse had finally come to pass and success was at hand but only with a combination or a ?cocktail? of various programs combined to achieve success. It incorporated individual one on one counseling; It utilized group meetings, AA meetings and even a mentor program of one drunk or Addict helping another drunk find his way out of the darkness. They stole a few ideas from AA and included a higher power into their program, they copied Zen and Meditation from the East, basically went out and tried anything and everything that seemed to have a chance at success. The more they tried, the more successful their results were.

The manor house went on to published a pretty good article they entitled the ?cure? and it can be found at =>http://www.manorhouserehab.com/the_cure.htm

It sort of rambles on for about ten pages, but it makes the point quite well that a combination of many factors contribute to the success or failure of an Alcohol Rehab Program. Locating a facility on the beach may not be such a good idea because of triggers and cravings. To drink or do drugs is present simply because a beach party seems to be conducive to getting drunk or high or a contributing factor. The Manor House Rehab idea of an Ideal Alcohol Rehab center basically was on a desert Island, a thousand miles from nowhere without any booze or drugs anywhere to be found. Not a bad philosophy since Rehab is not a vacation, not Club Med, but Rehab and changing some of the habits that lead to getting stoned or drunk is the results intended, not a party. For the sake of full disclosure, I guess I should admit that I contributed heavily to the Manor House article, that I am a member of ?those other guys? with professional membership in NAADAC (National Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors), graduate degree?s and about 25 years experience in grief counseling, addiction counseling and spiritual guidance. I decided not to present a professional paper for publication but to state my personal opinion as opposed to my professional opinion that basically, most Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers got it all wrong. In a moment of weakness, I had to admit that the Medical Model of Alcohol Rehab pretty much screwed things up for awhile. I am please to announce that many of the better Alcohol Rehab centers are waking up to the combination approach that the Manor House and a few others put together.

If you need further information, take a look at the links page at: http://www.alcoholsupportprogram.com and the important links of some fifty sites that pretty much answer most questions that could be raised.

Bill Alexander is a professional Counselor and pioneered a combination approach to rehabilitation. He has published extensively in the field of Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Drug Rehab And Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs

There are many rehabilitation programs all over the world. They take into account particular features representing the multitude of personalities of the individuals, the cause of the addiction, as well as the chemical that provoked it. Whatever the professionals may suggest as efficient for a drug rehab, they have all agreed that nothing is more important than the motivation of the person that is going to follow the program. The motivation means an individual will to pass successfully to another stage of your life, a better one.

How do you know that you are a drug addict? If your whole life depends on taking or not taking a particular chemical (either legal or illegal drugs), if you wake up in the morning and the first thing that slips into your mind is to get higher, if your whole life is a mess because of your taking drugs, if people around you told you that you are acting abnormal, if you feel isolated by the others because of your decadent life, then it is high time to change something. This something is to check yourself into rehab to get over your addiction. You may choose to become an inpatient or an outpatient, depending on the degree of your addiction. You might need professionals to look after you not only during the period of treatment but also after the treatment, to ensure a successful rehabilitation.

Drug Rehab Programs

There are more types of rehab programs. To choose the best program rehab for you is crucial because your health, your life and even your death may depend on your choice. Here are some alternatives you should think of: Free standing inpatient drug rehab program ? short term program for less severe addictions; Inpatient drug rehab program ? rehabilitation unit ? for severe mental and physical disabilities; Inpatient drug rehab program ? detoxification unit ? in general this program takes place on an outpatient basis, but sometimes withdrawal from either drugs or alcohol presupposes extreme measures to prevent relapse. It is important to help patients to change their old habits, and this may happen only through a longer-term disruption from the environment where everything remembers them of the urge to return to the substance of their addiction; Long term residential drug rehab program ? is important for those who would relapse easily (youth, chronic addicts, patients with more than one diagnosis etc.).

Detoxification

Detoxification is the first level of a drug rehab. That means to withdraw yourself completely from drug dependency. This level has two stages a physical detox and a psychological detox. The physical detox is achieved by medical specialists who help you to get the substance out of your body, heal the damages the substance has done to you, and attenuate the effects of drug withdrawal over your body. The psychological detox or withdrawal is perhaps even more difficult, takes time, and its failure means certain relapse. You have to achieve counseling meetings which may be organized for individuals, for groups or even for families. We must not forget that most addictions are based on the psychological problems of the individuals: solitude, unhappiness, hopelessness etc. However, sometimes the cause may be of physical origin: unbearable pain, physical disability etc. Unfortunately relapse is still a major problem for rehab programs, as statistics say, that 75-90 percent of drug addicts have relapsed in one year after the treatment was completed.

Access some of the best drug rehab treatment resources, together with alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs on RehabCourse.com You are also invited to visit our new website, Cerebral-Palsy-Med.com and learn about the causes of cerebral palsy

Treating Vulvodynia and Vulvar Vestibulitis with Dilators and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation.

Treating Vulvodynia and Vulvar Vestibulitiswith Dilators and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation.

Vulvodynia is a painful syndrome effecting women of all ages. It is diagnosed as pain in the vulvar vestibule area, which could also be described as the entrance to the vagina.

Sufferers of Vulvodynia find it extremely painful to attempt sexual intercourse, wear tampons, and in severe cases they cannot wear tight clothing without several discomfort.

Whilst there is no know cause of vulvodynia there are a number of treatment options available.

One of the most common and successful methods of treating vulvodynia is through physiotherapy specializing in pelvic floor rehabilitation. Pelvic floor exercises coupled with the use of a dilator will decrease the pain experienced as a result of vulvodynia, and in many cases this pain becomes completely manageable and the sufferer can enjoy a normal, healthy sex life.

To start with, you need to practice pelvic floor exercises, the dilator will be introduced once these are mastered.

Step 1: Lying down with your knees slightly bent, draw your pelvic floor muscles upwards towards your pubic bone. You will experience a feeling of tightness inside your vagina. Be sure to take deep breaths and relax all muscles in your legs and stomach.

Step 2. Hold this 'tightened' upwards state for 5 seconds.

Step 4: Release your muscles. Imagine you are going from being 'upwards' to letting go and dropping back down to the ground floor. Rest for 10 seconds.

Step 5. Repeat 10 times.

It can be quite difficult to master this so be sure to practice. If you have difficulty visualising the 'upwards' and 'resting' states, it helps to practice on the toilet. When you begin urinating try and stop the flow of urine midflow then release. This is the same as what you want to be doing during your exercises.

Once you have mastered your pelvic floor exercise of tightening and releasing, then it is time to introduce a dilator. A dilator is essential a small tube,, it comes in various sizes. The greater your pain, the smaller the size of the dilator you should begin with. If you do not have a dilator you can use a clean finger.

Step 1: Apply a small amount of lubricant to the tip of your dilator.

Step 2. Following the same steps as above, lie down on your back with your knees bent. Relax your pelvic floor muscles and insert the dilator as deep as is comfortable.

Step 3. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles around the dilator. Remember to stay relaxed and take deep breathes.

Step 4. Rotate the dilator. Imagine a clock face, hold the dilator in the directions of 3 O'clock, 6 O'clock, 9 O'clock and 12 O'clock.

Step 4. Hold each for 5 seconds then release and rest for 10 seconds.

Step 5. Repeat 10 times.

When first starting it can help to use your finger instead of the dilator. This way you can actually feel your pelvic muscles tightening around your finger then releasing, so you know that you are doing the exercise correctly.

As your pain decreases, go up a size until you are ready to introduce your partner into the exercises and resume sexual contact.

Living with Vulvodynia aka Vulvar Vestibulitis | Symptoms, Treatment, Real Stories

Sally is a sufferer of Vulvodynia and Vulvar Vestibulitis. To find out more about these disorders check out her blog at Living with Vulvodynia aka Vulvar Vestibulitis | Symptoms, Treatment, Real Stories

Rehab Centres

Choosing drug addiction Rehabilitation is a positive step adopted by addicts in reclaiming their normal life. Choosing the right Rehab Center is crucial in the path to recovery.

There are many Rehabilitation Centers available in the country. But the motivation and program of each may be different. Any one center may offer different kinds of programs. If you are on the lookout for a Rehab Center you have to weigh factors like your level of need, severity of addiction, quality of care and aftercare, and also cost of care and expenses

Various types of Rehab programs exist and four of these are as follows:

Free Standing Inpatient Drug Rehabilitation Program - has effective short-term inpatient programs.

Drug Rehabilitation in hospital-based Rehabilitation Unit - suitable to those who have a severe mental or physical disability. The quality depends on the Rehab unit or the hospital.

Drug Rehabilitation in Hospital Detoxification Unit- where the most dangerous part of withdrawal from alcohol or detoxification under medical monitoring takes place. Increasingly, detox programs are being done on an outpatient basis.

Long-term Residential Drug Rehab program ?These are suited to those patients, especially youth, who have a tendency to relapse after short-term treatment.

Detox is the first stage. It is the process of getting the leftover residues of the drug out of the body. It is designed to help with the physical pain of withdrawal. There are two kinds of detox programs- medical detox and physical detox. Medical detox helps to wean the patient away from the drugs. and physical detox helps in the physical recovery from the effects of residues of the drug.

The key to Rehab is to remember that drug addiction has some insidious causes, like unhappiness, hopelessness or physical pain. Rehab must be sought before the addict destroys his life step by step. The family has the responsibly to contact Rehab Centers and cooperate with Rehab programs.

In Rehab, relapse is a major problem. 75%-90% of all drug abusers will relapse within one year of release from a treatment facility. Drug relapse is heartbreaking for the family. Some Rehab Centers offer ?peace of mind? programs. It is long-term effective care, which treats the bio-physical cravings and underlying emotional causes of addiction. A 3-5 month program followed by a 4-6 month follow up is generally recommended for severe addiction.

Peace of mind programs readmit those patients who had left the facility after successfully completing the Rehab program, but are now facing relapse. They have to pay only for room and board.

Long-term aftercare also comes with the option of ?work exchanges? for those who want long-term after-care. In this, after the patient has successfully finished his first Rehab program, he stays back in the facility for another six months as a helper for other Rehab patients in exchange for room, board, a small salary and aftercare.

There are many centers for drug Rehab. Some are genuine, but some may not look after your best interests and will be running on ulterior motives. They may make false claims and promises to dupe you. Hence, you must make wide enquiries, careful examinations and thorough checks before deciding on your Rehab Center.

Alcohol Rehab provides detailed information on rehab, alcohol rehab, cardiac rehab, drug rehab and more. Alcohol Rehab is affiliated with Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers

Drug Rehab Centers - How To Choose

With so many different types of drug treatment programs, choosing a rehab center can be frustrating and tedious. There are so many from which to choose! How does a person know which drug rehab to select? Can any really provide permanent sobriety?

Finding appropriate treatment does not have to be as complicated as it may seem. Substance abuse is a highly individualized experience. The ever-growing number of treatment centers actually makes it possible to pick the best option for the personal situation of the addict in question. Although research is essential, it does not have to be overwhelming. When the different elements of drug treatment are evaluated on their own merits, unfit drug rehab centers can be easily eliminated. The important factor is to locate a program that provides not only comprehensive, but also individual care and service. By concentrating on a specific person?s wants and needs, a little research can successfully find ideal treatment with lasting benefits.

Separate the ?needs? from the ?wants? when researching drug rehab centers. Maybe a local outpatient drug treatment program seems most hassle-free? Maybe the cheapest rehab seems more desirable? Keep in mind that the goal is not just to stop substance addiction, but to eradicate it permanently. Focusing on this ultimate goal will greatly guide the research process. Remember that quality addiction treatment does usually cost more, and complete healing often requires extensive treatment and a longer length of stay. Nonetheless, the expense and time are worth it. Meaningful addiction treatment requires proper care and should not to be taken lightly.

Drug Detox

Upon entering a treatment center, detox is the first step in the drug rehabilitation process. Before a person can begin to heal psychologically and emotionally, physical dependency of the substance must be stopped. Killing brain cells and sometimes even DNA, drug addiction and alcohol dependencies unnaturally causes the body to rely on harmful substances. As time continues, the body progressively requires larger amounts of the drug to feel ?normal.? Hence, because detox interrupts bodily functioning, the body often reacts, and sometimes very painfully?even possibly harmfully. Many addictive substances of abuse are linked to specific withdrawal symptoms. However, while the jitters of Valium withdrawal can turn into a seizure, and while the convulsions of alcohol withdrawal can turn into a heart attack, round-the-clock professionals must also be ready to handle any additional complications that might arise. Health providers should always include nurses and a doctor who can subscribe medications. Detox medications are often needed to alleviate addiction withdrawal symptoms and counteract any other developing medical problems. Under the care of trained specialists, drug detox becomes a safe and brief process.

One-on-One Addiction Treatment

After detox destroys physical dependency of the harmful substance, true addiction rehabilitation can begin. Careful and extensive counseling is needed to ensure that sobriety continues indefinitely. When looking for a drug rehab, individual/group dynamics and counseling arrangements should always be a priority. Although group activities do offer excellent community-bonds for the healing process, groups should be kept limited in number. Individual attention ensures that no one is ?lost in the crowd,? and everyone receives the care they need and deserve. Regular and private counseling sessions are imperative. Drug addiction is a deeply personal problem with very personal roots. Lasting addiction treatment makes the underlying causes of substance abuse paramount in the healing process. Exploring past and present experiences, people need both the full attention of a professional and the confidential and secure setting of a one-to-one environment. The potential for healing in therapy also greatly increases when specialists? efforts are combined. Together, small-group centers, individualized therapy, and team counseling create the intensive individualized treatment needed for a long, addiction-free life.

The Union of Body, Mind, and Spirit

Holistic addiction treatment is another key component to permanent healing. A complex and individual body, mind, and spirit interdependence constructs every person. In today?s society it is difficult to keep the three harmonized with each other. However, drug addiction turns the body?s regular stress into utter violence. Physically, cells are killed and nutrients are drained. As the substance becomes of dominant importance, the body/mind/spirit connection dramatically severs, and the person?s unique individuality becomes lost. Old interests and other identity components slowly deteriorate. Drug Rehab centers that create individualized and holistic addiction treatment not only attend to the many needs of the addict or alcoholic, but also uniquely mold comprehensive programs to fit each specific individual.

Holistic addiction treatment begins with counseling. When choosing a drug or alcohol rehab program, it is essential to find treatment that addresses every life element that played a role in the substance abuse. The specialized techniques of psychotherapy and hypnotherapy drastically elevate the advantages of on one-on-one chemical dependency counseling. As psychotherapy delves into the past experiences that created conscious and unconscious hurt, hypnotherapy alleviates anxiety, raises self-esteem, and assists in the remembrance of repressed memories and feelings. Three other specific counseling forms (Family/Marriage Counseling, Spiritual Counseling, and Life Purpose Counseling) combine to offer more treatment for the individual. Pulling from a variety of specialized therapy techniques, uniquely catered counseling programs directly address each person?s specific situation.

While counseling functions as mostly therapeutic, a variety of other treatment components are still necessary for complete holistic healing. Physical Treatment, Massage/Bodywork, and Acupuncture Treatment physically reduce tension and enable the body to gain its strength back. Other holistic options include Yoga/Music/Arts Therapy, Image Therapy, and Nutritional Counseling; however, substance abuse treatment programs dedicated to individualized care are always ready to create other needed services. Physical surroundings complete the holistic treatment approach. The comfort of indoor luxury helps clients keep focused on healing. A beautiful and natural setting soothes the senses and provides the optimum serene medium for healing. A drug treatment program that incorporates all elements of body, mind, and spirit rejoin the person into a harmonious whole.

Further Individual Preferences

Research should focus not only on the addict?s specific treatment needs, but also on his/her personal interests and wants. Presence in drug rehab should not automatically mean the abandonment of hobbies and friends. It is not trivial to search for drug rehab centers that include swimming pools and entertainment centers or that permit personal belongings, such as laptops, cell phones, and disc players. In fact, when an addict?s regular personal and professional lives continue as much as possible, sobriety can make a more natural transition.

Finding a drug rehab center does not have to be overwhelming. The optimum individual and holistic drug detox program exists. By focusing on individual needs, the perfect rehab center can be found. Drug addiction is never generic. Why should treatment be?
By Abhilash Patel for Passages Malibu Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center: http://www.passagesmalibu.com/ . Passages offers a unique program to help overcome addiction. Please link to this site when using this article.

Brain injury rehabilitation

FSHC is a major provider of health care across the UK. Four Seasons' origins date back to the late 1980's.The company has developed through both the acquisition and construction of care facilities and has firmly established a reputation for professionalism in all aspects of its care operations. The customer's Care Homes Division comprises approximately 250 homes in England, 50 in Scotland and 60 in Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man. Many types of care are provided in the divisions' high quality facilities including care for people who are elderly and either frail or mentally infirm. In addition, there are dedicated services for respite care, rehabilitation, intermediate care, terminal and palliative care as well as care for younger persons suffering from chronic conditions. The emotional, social and behavioural consequences of brain injury can be enduring and can lead to Neurodisability. FSHC offers assessment and brain injury rehabilitation for moderate to severe brain injured patients who may be going through a temporary phase, or have long term intractable behavioural or cognitive disabilities. The condition of Neurodisability and brain injury rehabilitation is treated by our well established Specialised Services Division, The Huntercombe Group. Brain damage or brain injury is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells. It is caused by a brain bleed in prematurity, trauma, infections, or other events that affect functioning in various ways. Any brain or head injury resulting from the negligence of another party, resulting in serious physical conditions, which may include speech and language difficulties, balance and movement problems, and the inability to care for one's self. For further details and information about FSHC care homes and brain injury rehabilitation centers, browse through the website, http://www.fshc.co.uk/specialist/neurodisability.asp

Do You Want To Sell Your Rehab Fast?

That's an obvious question - we all do! So what is the trick? So much time and money is spent on systems updates, roofs, and structural issues, that many times there's nothing left for what really makes the sale: what your potential buyers see. And more importantly, what they fall in love with.

People don't walk into your house, and say, "Wow, they have all new electric. Let's buy." That's just a core expectation. The trick to selling houses fast is to seduce your customers to fall in love when they walk through. It has to feel like a home to them.

The two most inexpensive yet surefire ways we have found to create this atmosphere is through color and through decorating.

A tastefully decorated house really stands out from the others. New house builders learned this a long time ago. Why do you suppose they hire interior decorators? But they have the advantage of creating one masterpiece to sell many. Rehabbers don't have that luxury. But we discovered that a house can be "staged" to feel like a lived in home. Staging is the art of artistically placing d?cor items around the house. Perhaps a colorful place setting on the kitchen counter along with open coffee beans for aroma, and an open recipe book turned to a colorful picture. Bathrooms dressed up with beautiful towels, sweet smelling soaps, and window treatments as shower curtains. Finally, fireplace mantels decorated as if the family was already living there.

But even staging doesn't create the ambience you need. It is the warmth that comes from color. You may have heard to use a white-on-white color scheme to remain neutral and not turn anyone off. The truth is - no one is turned ON either. Buyers aren't attracted to all white houses. At best, there's no emotion. With the use of contemporary designer colors, however, these same people fall in love with the home. That's the emotion that sells. When they love, they buy. And they fall in love with houses that are brought to life with full color.

Best of Success & Abundance,

Lou Castillo

Yours Free: 6 Full Months Of Specialized Real Estate Investing Strategies - Delivered To You By e-Mail, Audio and Teleseminar - All At No Cost To You... Go here right now--> http://www.freerealestatestrategies.com

Lou Castillo has been successfully investing in real estate since the early '90's, and now shares his vast experience with investors around the country. Unlike many of the speakers and mentors in real estate, Lou has both an undergraduate and a Master's Degree in Business and Marketing, and for 12 years he worked managing a 50 million dollar business for American Express.

He was on his way up the corporate ladder until he recognized that real estate offered a greater opportunity for financial freedom, and for the lifestyle he desired. Using his powerful formulas Lou was able to retire from his corporate job at age 37 and follow his passion - his first love - which is investing in real estate.

Lou has developed proven systems that create massive wealth through real estate investing. He has authored more than 7 books and courses on the subject focusing on the implementation of his techniques. His latest development 'The Investor Riches System' has been helping investors world wide achieve financial freedom through real estate. If you wish to talk to Lou you can e-mail him at Lou@InvestorRiches.com

Drug Rehab: Do You Need It?

Do you have an addiction? The question shouldn't be hard to answer. There are fairly clear lines between an addiction and a casual behavior.

According to substance abuse experts Chris and Pax Prentiss, founders of Passages Malibu, a drug program with residential treatment, addiction is caused by underlying problems in a person's life that they are unable to cope with. When someone is unable to cope with their circumstances they sometimes turn towards drugs and alcohol for relief. In essence it is not the drugs that are the problem it is rather the underlying problems that need to be addressed and healed in order to cure the addiction. When the underlying problems are no longer present the person will no longer need the drug.

People who don't have the individual therapy it takes to become healed will most likely continue taking the drugs.

Tolerance. When you take a habit-forming substance regularly, your body eventually accommodates the substance. You don't get the same feeling you originally got, or at least not the same strength of feeling. This does not mean that you are getting stronger and can handle the drug. Instead, your body is becoming dependent on the drug. Some people addicted to certain drugs may even die if they stop taking the drug suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms. Different addictions have different withdrawal symptoms. The list of possible withdrawal symptoms is very long, stretching from watery eyes to delirium and even death, depending on the substance, the length of the addiction, and the user.

In short, if you're not sure if you're addicted your best bet may be to ask yourself these three questions:

-Do I get the same experience from the substance I got when I first started on it? -When I stop taking the substance on a regular basis, do I feel worse, emotionally or physically? -Is there anything in my life that is causing me pain that I might be self medicating? -If you can answer yes to any of those questions, you are probably addicted.

So, you're addicted. Now what?

Abstention and the Risk of Relapse According to Chris and Pax Prentiss, one of the biggest misconceptions about addictions is that they're a disease. Through years of research they have figured out that addiction is definitely caused by underlying problems in a person's life that they are self-medicating. The addiction will usually continue if the underlying problems are still present. In order to get sober and stay sober it is of utmost importance that the underlying problems be treated.

Every day, addicts everywhere decide to stop. That is, they abstain. But unfortunately, most of those people will relapse. Why is relapse so common? The Prentisses have a few insights:

Habit. Without realizing, you worked your addiction into the everyday rituals of life. Dependence. The physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms can be brutal. In some cases of addiction, simply abstaining from a substance suddenly, without medical supervision, may cause the individual serious harm, even death. Yet many addicts who abstain are able to get past the withdrawal symptoms--and still end up relapsing. Why? Underlying causes. Addictions usually have an underlying cause. There was a reason you took the substance in the first place. Once you are done fighting withdrawal symptoms, you will be back fighting whatever problem led you to addiction in the first place. Finding the underlying cause of your addiction will be the most important step in ending it forever. Ultimately, then, the hardest part of overcoming an addiction may not be stopping, but not starting again. To do that, you need to find and resolve the underlying problems in your life.

Residential Rehab: Do You Need It? According to the Prentisses, some people can get over an addiction without a drug program with residential treatment. But given the challenges of overcoming an addiction, the support of a residential rehab program is invaluable. Have you tried to end your addiction without residential rehab? It might be what makes the difference this time.

Why Do So Many People Fail after Residential Rehab? You've heard of all the people who went to residential rehab and then relapsed--even went and relapsed several times. According to Chris and Pax Prentiss, there are some common causes of residential rehab failure, causes you can avoid.

-Quality of the program. If your rehab program wasn't great to begin with, you won't be in good stead to avoid relapse. Before signing up, find out the success rates of past participants. -Group rather than individualized therapy. Post-rehab relapse is so common largely because most rehabs don't have offer any individual counseling. When someone sits in group meetings all day they don't get the therapy they need in order to get better. When they check out of a rehab like that they usually still have the underlying problems that they checked in with. -Lack of aftercare services. When you leave residential rehab, the whole web of support that kept you out of addiction suddenly falls away. Only choose a residential rehab that provides aftercare support to make the transition easier. -Need to change everything. Without realizing it, you wove your addiction into the fabric of your life. You need to pluck the threads of addiction out of your life, or reweave the fabric completely. If you can't transform your everyday life, you will likely relapse.

Regardless of the difficulties present in the rehab process, the experience can absolutely be a success unlike any other. Please consider the rehab option if you think you or your loved one may be in need. There is always someone there to help.

Abhilash Patel wrote this article with Chris and Pax Prentiss, founders of Passages Malibu, a drug rehab, which also has an alcohol and drug rehab program offering.

Drug Rehabilitation; The Key Component

Drug and alcohol use can be traced back to 4000 B.C., in Egypt. By the 19th century, active substances were being extracted from the raw materials, and these psychoactive substances were being sold without any regulations. By the early 1900s there were an estimated 250,000 drug addicts in the United States. The anti-war upheaval of the 1960s brought with it a dramatic increase in drug use and increased social acceptance. The 1980s saw a decline in most drug use, with a slight increase in Cocaine use. Despite this overall decline, most Americans still regard illegal drug use as one of the nation's most serious problems. Opinion polls show the public favors a variety of different approaches to the drug problem. In addition to strict laws, it is vital to effectively treat individuals already suffering from drug dependence and substance abuse, through education, therapy, medicine, and group support. Drug rehabilitation is a key component to a successful campaign against the use of illegal drugs.

At its fundamental level, humans use substances such as alcohol and psychoactive drugs because these substances give the user a feeling of pleasure. Pleasure is a very powerful force. Our brains are wired in such a way that if you do something that gives you pleasure you will probably want to do it again. All drugs that are addicting can energize and enhance the brain's pleasure circuit. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects ones brain, and ones behavior. Addicted individuals abuse drugs without regard to the consequences of health, relationships, money, work etc. It is a consuming disease that not only effects the individual directly, but others indirectly. If left untreated, this disease can lead to the social death, as well as the actual death of the inflicted individual. Proper management must be instituted immediately to return the individual to a life that is more manageable, and drug free. A program of drug rehabilitation best achieves this goal.

Drug rehabilitation is the process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for substance abuse. The goal of any drug rehabilitation program is to provide comprehensive drug treatment and alcohol rehabilitation services, and introduce individuals to a new lifestyle free of chemicals. Successful treatment of substance abusers depends upon the severity and nature of the addiction, as well as motivation. Some treatment programs use medicines that neutralize the effects of the drug. Acupuncture has also been successful in treating the cravings that accompany drug withdrawal. Comprehensive substance abuse counseling and education is another component for a successful plan. Evaluating the efficacy of any treatment plan is difficult because of the chronic nature of drug abuse, and the fact that the disease is usually complicated by personal, social, and health factors.

Statistics show that getting sober is easy; staying sober is the hard part, and the first year of recovery is the most difficult. It may take a number of attempts before success is achieved. Nobody chooses to become a drug addict or alcoholic, this disease cannot be wished away, it has to be treated.Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Drug Rehab Programs Visit http://newdrug-rehab-center.com/ for more information.

How To Select The Right Drug And Alcohol Rehab Center

A person suffering from an alcohol or drug addiction needs help immediately. Without it, it is highly likely he will continue down a never-ending path of self-destruction that could ultimately lead to death. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol addiction are both extremely difficult to overcome. Therefore, the only way most addicts are able to truly fight the battle against drugs and alcohol is to receive addiction treatment through a reputable drug rehab program. Furthermore, it is essential that the addict find the rehab center that is best suited for him and his personality because if care is not taken to find a program compatible with his needs, a relapse is highly probable.

* The Specialty

Not all drug rehab centers specialize in every type of addiction recovery. Therefore, the first step in selecting the right drug or alcohol rehab center is to identify those that specialize in the drug the person is addicted to. For example, an alcoholic will receive little help from a program specializing in addiction treatment for those who abuse heroin. While the basics of addiction recovery are the same regardless of the type of drug that is abused, there are special considerations to be made with different drugs. The withdrawal symptoms can vary from drug to drug. In addition, the exact approach used to help the person recover from addiction can be different depending on the drug. Addicts may find a higher level of comfort treating in an environment where other addicts have shared the same drug experience.

* The Location

The location of an alcohol or drug rehab center can have an impact on its success with the addict. For some, it is best to find a rehab center that is located near to family and friends. In this way, it is possible for them to maintain more consistent contact with the addict. For others, it is better to find a rehab center that is further away from home because the memories and the people there make it too difficult to refrain from abusing drugs or alcohol. The proximity to home may cause triggers leading to early relapse.

* The Program

The first consideration a person must make when attempting to select the right drug and alcohol rehab center is the treatment program. Most drug rehab centers offer both inpatient and outpatient care programs, but careful consideration must be exercised when making the decision for the level of care. For some addicts, an inpatient care program may be the best option because they do not have the strength or ability to fight the addiction without receiving 24-hour care. For other addicts, outpatient treatment may be sufficient for overcoming the problem while still allowing the person to live a semi-normal life. A preliminary assessment by a physician or qualified counselor/therapist will help determine what level of care is most appropriate.

* The Approach

Nearly all alcohol and drug rehab centers provide physical and emotional care to help addicts overcome their disease. The exact approaches used by various rehab centers, however, can vary. For example, some centers place a greater emphasis on the physical aspect of the addiction while others focus more on the emotional impact. In addition, the way these rehab centers address both components of treatment may vary.

In some rehab centers, patients are provided with another drug in order to overcome the addiction. For some patients, however, there is a risk of becoming addicted to the replacement drug. Therefore, this type of approach may not be best for some addicts. Yet other rehab centers simply have patients go cold turkey, but this approach can be devastating for some patients and can even cause them to give up hope and want to quit.

In addition, the emotional approach used by rehab centers to assist with addiction recovery can differ. For example, some drug rehab programs may utilize less known approaches, such as music therapy and art therapy. Similarly, some centers may focus on hypnosis or acupuncture. Yet other programs may utilize only counseling and group therapy. For an addict, the approach used can make a huge impact on the overall success because if the addict does not believe in the type of therapy being utilized, they will likely be defeated before the recovery program even begins.

There are other questions that should be asked when making a decision about admission into an alcohol or drug rehab facility. Staff credentials, medical supervision, cost, typical length of stay, aftercare programs, 12 step philosophy, sobriety success rates, and family involvement are a few other important considerations to think about when making perhaps one of the most important decisions in the life of an addict.

The California Rehab Guide. Lists and reviews drug rehab and alcohol rehab facilities, lawyers and interventionist and has articles on addiction recovery and addiction treatment.