Nicotine, Alcohol and Other Drug Addictions Treated | Serenity Vista Alcoholism and Addiction Treatment Center

Nicotine, Alcohol and Other Drug Addictions Treated | Serenity Vista Alcoholism and Addiction Treatment Center

Twenty Questions to Ask Yourself - Am I a Nicotine Addict?

Answer the following questions as honestly as you can:

1. Do you use nicotine every day?
2. Do you use nicotine because of shyness and to build up self-confidence?
3. Do you use nicotine to escape from boredom and worries while under pressure?
4. Have you ever burned a hole in your clothes, carpet, furniture or car?
5. Have you ever had to go to the store late at night or at another inconvenient time because you were out of nicotine?
6. Do you feel defensive or angry when people tell you that your tobacco use is bothering them?
7. Has a doctor or dentist suggested that you stop smoking or chewing tobacco?
8. Have you promised someone that you would stop usingnicotine, then broken your promise?
9. Have you felt physical or emotional discomfort when trying to quit?
10. Have you successfully stopped using nicotine for a period of time only to start again?
11. Do you buy extra supplies of tobacco to make sure you won’t run out?
12. Do you find it difficult to imagine life without using nicotine?
13. Do you choose only activities and entertainments such that you can use nicotine during them?
14. Do you prefer, seek out or feel more comfortable in the company of nicotine users?
15. Do you inwardly despise or feel ashamed of yourself because of your nicotine use?
16. Do you ever find yourself lighting up or chewing tobacco without having consciously decided to?
17. Has your nicotine use caused trouble at home or in a relationship?
18. Do you smoke in the presence of children or nonsmokers despite the health risks to them?
19. Do you ever tell yourself that you can stop using nicotine whenever you want to?
20. Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you didn’t use nicotine?
21. Do you continue to use nicotine even though you are aware of the health hazards posed by tobacco use?

If you answered “yes” to one or two of these questions, there is a chance that you are addicted or are becoming addicted to nicotine. If you answered “yes” to three or more, you are probably already addicted to nicotine.

 by Nicotine Addiction Recovery

Smoking Tobacco While in Drug Treatment

Most traditional 'drug rehabs' are a smokey affair. Why do people smoke while in drug treatment?

People who continue to use nicotine have much higher relapse rate with alcohol and other drugs.

We don't think there could ever be a better time to arrest nicotine addiction than in treatment. Nicotine patches taper the physical addiction (not gum or e-cigarettes, which enforce craving and satisfying), and all the other supports are in place for the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects an addict needs help with.

The old thinking is that one addiction should be treated at a time.  It is common knowledge amongst addiction professionals today that the strongest reason behind nicotine use in treatment is financial. They want to keep their tobacco addicted staff, and they don’t want to lose potential clients who will balk at addressing all of their addiction issues at the same time.

Tobacco is the most lethal drug we know of, killing more people than all other drug addictions combined. Nicotine addiction kills, and we all know the effects of 2nd hand smoke. Bill W. and Dr. Bob both died of tobacco related disease.

Serenity Vista Addiction Recovery Retreat in the mountain highlands of Boquete, Panama is a world class facility that knows how to treat nicotine addiction, just like all the others.

Kleenex Box Super Hero

The scene: A 12 Step meeting, a person sharing begins to cry, the Kleenex Box Super Hero arrives with a flourish.

Recognize the scene? You may have played one of the starring roles. What is really going on here is an excellent example of unhealthy co-dependent and manipulative behaviour. What?! Let's examine the dynamics.

When a person shares in a room full of 12 Step peers, they are often getting in touch with feelings that have long been buried. It can take considerable effort for a person to feel safe enough with feelings of vulnerability to really allow themselves to express their emotions. You've seen it, after a lot of talking, a person may begin to tear up, perhaps to really cry, or even sob. One of the wonderful things about 12 Step Rooms is that when a person is sharing, everyone is paying attention, and respectfully listening, probably empathizing and relating. There is a sacred focus in the room, where the person is being held in love and fellowship by the others present. Most people are intently connecting with what the speaker is conveying through words and emotions, and the speaker has an opportunity to feel this connection, and feel enough trust to continue with their painful process.

Enter the Kleenex Box Super Hero (KBSH). Click here for the full story!

Live and Let Live.

Retreat and Counselling for any persons desiring peace of mind and serenity. Treat yourself to the beauty of Panama, and  learn the subtle ways you may be sabotaging your own happiness.

Gratitude in Recovery from Codependence

Attitude of Gratitude

Some people say  A.A. should stand for Attitude Adjustment, and that is exactly what has to happen if a person has any chance at all at staying sober for any length of time. Here are some tips to help you get to an attitude of gratitude.

Make a gratitude list. I suggest leaving the keyboard, and writing this out the old-fashioned way with pen and paper. If you are having trouble coming up with things you are grateful for, think about some really big things like breathing, eating, eyesight, friends and so on. Even if you don't really feel grateful, write them down anyway, and in the process, you may find your attitude adjusting.
Drop blame...

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Happy Mother's Day?

Mother's Day

Now there is an emotionally charged topic – for almost everyone! Popular culture would have us believe that all mothers should be, or have been, nurturing, loving and sweet, dishing out wisdom, unconditional love, and healthy delicious meals. Well, that would be nice, and in some cases this is true. Unfortunately however, especially in homes affected by addiction, there are often big helpings of dysfunction served as the main course, if not also the side dishes and dessert.

If you grew up in an alcoholic home, your mom may have been either the alcoholic or the co-dependent enabler, or both. Your mom may still be drinking, or making excuses for your father’s or sibling’s addict behaviour. Your mom may be trying to keep you, or pull you back into the toxic family dynamic where you got sick. Moms, like any other family member suffering from the disease of alcoholism, may have a large arsenal of behaviors that attempt to engage or snag you back into the family dramas.

Recovery can be, but is not always about reconciliation with family. Recovery and healthy behaviour often means detaching and distancing yourself from toxic situations, even if those situations include your mother and other close family members.

This Mother’s Day, my hope for you is authenticity, and the courage to ....click here to read the full article...

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Why Panama - Serenity Vista - - Panama

Why Panama - Serenity Vista - - Panama

Zen Ghost Story - Serenity Vista - - Panama

Zen Ghost Story - Serenity Vista - - Panama

I work with people who are sick and tired of being sick and tired. They are besieged by ways of thinking that destroy peace. Working in drug rehab is very rewarding. I get to comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comforted. Using a variety of techniques I challenge our guests to look at things in new ways. I love to tell them, change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change. To illustrate and illumine some new angles, stories can be powerful and non-threatening tools. Here is one of the Zen stories I use - Zen doesn't work for everyone - but when it does - watch out!

The Bean Counter

Takashi's jealous wife was very ill. Before the woman died, she made her husband promise that he would remain ever faithful to her even after death. "If you betray me, I will come back to haunt you!" 
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