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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

I never thought of myself as an addict, but I did end up addicted to anti-anxiety medication after developing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. At some point, the medicine stopped being a way to deal with the nervousness and panic attacks, and became something my body craved. I knew that I needed help fast. Fortunately, a local drug rehab program includes support for people like me. They helped me wean off the medication, use methods like massage therapy to help my nerves heal, and even provided ongoing counseling for our family. I don't know how I would have made it without their help. If you suspect that your medication has crossed the line from being helpful to hurtful, take heart. Let me tell you about my journey out of addiction and back to wholeness.

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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

Tips For Family Caregiving

by Valerie Stevens

Do you have a loved one who has trouble leaving the house and has special medical needs? If so, it's likely that you are responsible for giving your family member the care he or she needs right at home. If this is a recent development, it's understandable if you are struggling with making the adjustment to your own lifestyle. Here are a few tips for family caregivers who want to implement home health care into their daily schedule while keeping their stress level at a minimum.

Build Your Network

Sometimes when you are providing home health care, you can feel edgy after an argument with your loved one or if he or she is not cooperating fully with the treatment you are trying to provide. In these instances, it can be helpful to have someone else to talk to. There is likely a network specifically for family caregivers who provide home health care in your area. Reach out online or over the phone and find someone who can help you get the support you need. These groups often meet in person to share experiences and provide an occasional shoulder to lean on.

Don't Forget About Yourself

Sometimes a caregiver spends so much time worrying about their loved one that they forget to take care of themselves. If you are not eating correctly or getting enough sleep, you are going to start the next day already feeling irritated. This can cause you to snap at your loved one and create other stressful situations. Make it a point to find the time every day to sit down and eat a proper meal. Get out of the house a couple times per week in order to exercise. 

Consider Professional Help

Sometimes you just need someone else to come in and give you a day off. Locate a professional company in your area that specializes in home health care. When you are having an especially stressful week, call them up and ask for a professional to come out and take care of your loved one. You might be able to phase in a professional health care worker so that you can get a couple days off per week. Just make sure your loved one is okay with making this adjustment so that they do not feel stressed out about getting help from someone who is initially a stranger.

If you provide in-home care to a family member, you know that it can often feel like a full-time job. In order to maintain your own sanity, reach out to other caregivers in your area, remember to take care of yourself, and consider hiring professional help so that you don't have to do everything yourself. For assistance, talk to a professional like ComForcare - Mississippi, MS.

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