What is Self-Injury?

Self-injury (also called self-harm or self-mutilation) is the attempt to deliberately cause harm to one’s own body through three main ways:

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There are many signs to watch for that indicate you or someone you know has an eating disorder. Not everyone will exhibit these signs, and not all of these signs mean that an eating disorder is present. That’s why it’s important to discuss these symptoms with a medical professional. Here are some signs an eating disorder may be present (courtesy of www.something-fishy.org):

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Pain reveals a lot about a person’s health, which is why it is often called the fifth vital sign. Not only does pain affect a person’s physical health, but it also affects their mental health and quality of life through things such as mood, activity, sleep, hygiene, appetite, and the ability to focus and concentrate. In order to control pain, it is essential to understand how to assess pain and take your vital signs.

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Studies show that people who engage in cutting and other forms of self-injury often do so in conjunction with, or as a replacement for, eating disorders. This is because eating disorders and self-injury serve the same purpose for these individuals: they help them cope with, block out, and release built up feelings and emotions. Patients who suffer from both of these psychological problems need specialized treatment from therapists who specialize in treating both disorders simultaneously. This is often done through a holistic approach that treats the mental, emotional and spiritual components of the individual’s disorder.

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Acupuncture is a centuries-old form of Chinese Medicine that is becoming widely accepted and used by modern healthcare professionals. Acupuncture treats a variety of aliments, and evidence shows that it provides numerous benefits to people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. When combined with traditional methods of recovery, acupuncture has been proven to be a very effective form of addiction treatment because it minimizes the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal and creates an overall sense of calm.

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Chronic pain is an invisible intruder that leaves those suffering from it feeling isolated and hopeless. The first instinct of many is to turn to prescription painkillers to manage the pain, but this opens the door to risky side effects such as dependence and addiction. Thankfully, there are many holistic, natural methods of chronic pain management that provide relief safely and effectively. One of the most effective ways to relieve chronic pain is through massage.

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Graduating from an addiction treatment program is very rewarding, but your feelings of happiness are probably mixed with feelings of fear and uncertainty. How will you respond to life outside the program? Will you be able to remain sober? What should you do after rehab? This anxiety is normal. Temptations and cravings are bound to crop up, but you can prevent relapse by having a plan after rehab. Here are four things to do after rehab to help you remain sober:

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Addiction treatment builds the solid foundation needed to live without drugs and alcohol. But what about after treatment? Even the most dedicated person risks relapse after rehab, especially during the delicate first days, weeks, and months after graduating the treatment program. For many people, sober living provides the supportive environment needed to make the difficult transition back into the real world.

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Sober living homes have provided thousands of people in recovery a safe place to live as they get their lives back on track after treatment. Sober living homes can be found in communities around the world, but one of the most ideal locations is Malibu, California. The peaceful lifestyle and idyllic weather of Malibu complement the holistic approach of rehabilitation provided by Casa Palmera, which believes that a healthy environment and lifestyle is fundamental to the physiological and psychological well being of any person.
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Recovery from drug addiction doesn’t end once you leave the doors of rehab. Completing a rehabilitation treatment program is just the beginning of a long journey to maintaining sobriety. Drug rehab teaches you the skills needed to remain sober, but the real test comes once you leave the program and enter the real world. Aftercare helps you put your newfound skills to practical use with the support you had in rehab.
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Addiction treatment shouldn’t stop at the end of your residential treatment program. The first days, weeks and months after rehab are when you’re most at risk for relapse and slipping back into old behaviors. Even those who are determined to remain sober can find it difficult to jump from the program directly into the temptations and triggers of every day life. That’s why aftercare programs such as sober living are the single best action any recovering addict can take to increase their chances of remaining sober.
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As parents, it’s hard to watch your child suffer, but it’s even harder to watch them needlessly suffer at the hands of addiction. If your teen is abusing drugs, you’re probably feeling alone and helpless, but there is hope. Entering your teen into a drug detox and addiction treatment program can ease the grip addiction has on your teen and teach your teen how to live a life free of drugs. Detox will flush your teen’s body of all residual drug toxins so they no longer experience the unwanted effects of their drug use. Undergoing drug detox at a drug rehab can provide the additional treatment necessary to help your teen finally maintain sobriety.
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Anyone who suffers from chronic pain knows how difficult it is to lead a normal life. Chronic pain is not only physically debilitating, but can also become psychologically and emotionally debilitating as well. Your ability to perform your job and day-to-day tasks is challenged and your personal relationships often suffer because of the mental and emotional toll your chronic pain takes on you.
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When prescription painkillers are used properly, addiction is rare. Unfortunately for some, long-term use or abuse of painkillers can spiral into physical dependence and addiction. Recovering from opiate addiction can be a painful and difficult process, but a new FDA-approved medication called Suboxone can make the recovery process painless and worry free.
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Ecstasy is often abused for its ‘rewarding’ effects of extreme euphoria, but Ecstasy abuse can also lead to severe psychological effects of depression, anxiety, paranoia, sleep problems and even permanent brain damage. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 43 percent of young adults who use Ecstasy meet the diagnostic criteria for dependency. People who are dependent on Ecstasy can experience acute mental and psychological withdrawal symptoms that can produce a devastating emotional low that’s as equally strong as their emotional high. The best way to combat this low and to recover from Ecstasy dependence is to undergo Ecstasy detoxification treatment through an addiction treatment program.
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Pregnancy is an exciting time that introduces many confusing and often scary decisions about your health and the health of your unborn baby. One of the hardest decisions for pregnant women to make is whether or not to seek drug addiction treatment. Women who are pregnant often resist drug addiction treatment for fear of judgment, fear of losing custody of their newborn baby and other children, and fear of going into withdrawal and harming the baby further. What many women don’t realize, however, is that there are drug addiction treatment centers that specialize in treating women and providing support for all the unique issues they face.
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by Barbara Woods, LCSW, ACSW

Related to: centered, patient, program