James Davis
CAS, Interventionist
Free
Addiction and Post Acute Withdrawal Expert
James Davis Quick Facts
- Main Areas
- Addiction, Post Acute Withdrawal, Kindling Effect, Drug Treatment
- Career Focus
- CEO, Founder, Author
- Affiliation
- Recovery First
I'm not just a CAS and Board-Certified Interventionist - I am an addict with more than 30 years in recovery. If you're an addict or someone you love is, I've been right where you are now and have dedicated my life to saving the lives of people who simply can't do it on their own.
Addiction is a progressive, potentially fatal disease that can strike anyone. My hope is that the articles and books I write will educate and empower so that we may one day end the War on Drugs and stop looking at addicts as combatants and crooks. They are our brothers, mothers, sisters and fathers, and we owe it to ourselves to get the facts straight, share those facts accordingly and develop treatment options based upon the reality that addiction is an intrinsic human problem.
Articles by this expert
SelfGrowth articles and saved writing connected to this expert.
Article
The War in Your Brain - Understanding Drug Tolerance and Addiction
One neglected battlefield of the War on Drugs is the one that occurs inside an addict's head. This is because the physiological mechanisms responsible for our survival in the event of chemical infiltration are a seemingly double edged sword that may be more dangerous than beneficial in the long run. This survival mechanism is called drug tolerance - an addict's most wearisome enemy - but not for the reasons you might think.
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Sex and Drugs: Effects of Addiction on Sexuality
Substance Abuse has a Profound Impact on Sex Sex and drugs always seems like a hot topic in the media and in nearly all social circles, but the reality of the situation is that sex and drugs can pose serious, lifelong consequences to those who engage in such behaviors simultaneously. There are always inherent risks associated with drug abuse, and unfortunately there are also serious risks involved with sex. This is true of each behavior independently, and it is a significantly exacerbated truth when the two are combined.
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Post Withdrawal: Do I Need Medication?
Medication for Post Withdrawal (also referred to as protracted withdrawal or PAWS) is one of the most useful tools for people in recovery. Post withdrawal often comes with debilitating symptoms for some addicts, and considering that symptoms can last for as long as two years, medication can play an important role in the management of this condition. If you're suffering from post acute withdrawal symptoms and you think you need medication, ask yourself the following four questions to determine if pharmaceutical treatment is your best option:
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Inpatient Rehab: What Really Happens During Drug Treatment
Daily Life in an Inpatient Rehab for Addiction or Alcoholism Daily life in an inpatient rehab program isn't much like the way it's depicted on reality television shows. While rehab certainly isn't "fun and games," it can be both enlightening and enjoyable when approached from the right perspective. If you or someone you love attends an inpatient program, you'll likely make lifelong friends, meet powerful therapists, learn a lot, cry a little, laugh often and most importantly, change your life forever by putting your recovery first.
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You could be Liable for Your Friend's Drug Related Death
Overdose deaths and drug-related suicides are all too common in the US, and prosecutors have often sought to make others pay the price if they are involved in a situation that ends with an overdose death. Even if you didn't directly contribute to the death, involvement in any way can merit a criminal charge that could come with a severe prison sentence - even if the person ultimately survives the overdose.
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Understanding Support Networks in Recovery from Addiction
Support networks must be made a critical component of an addict's recovery plan in order to prevent relapse and maintain and improve emotional, mental and spiritual health. Recovering addicts that do not have a support network often become depressed, withdraw from social interactions and eventually return to using drugs in order to self-medicate their emotional pain. Consequently, understanding how support networks can benefit a recovery program and what types of networks are available is essential for people who are battling the disease of addiction or alcoholism.
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Soaking Tampons in Vodka - the Facts
Soaking tampons in vodka or other liquor is an alleged trend that has been reported in numerous media outlets. However, most of the stories are unlikely to be true and a number of credible sources have debunked the practice entirely. Nevertheless, there are a few isolated cases where it's possible that some teens or young adults did actually try this disturbing process, and the stories will likely prompt more teens and young adults to try it in an effort to get drunk quickly while avoiding detection.
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10 Ways to Manage Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms
The symptoms of post acute withdrawal are often what lead addicts and alcoholics to relapse, but with the proper mindset and the right knowledge these challenges can be effectively managed. When severe but rare PAWS symptoms such as seizures and suicidal ideation occur, immediate professional medical treatment is required. However, most symptoms of post withdrawal can be treated at home. The following are 10 ways to effectively manage an onset or recurrence of PAWS related symptoms. 1.) Count to 10
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Drug Tolerance: The 7 Clinical Types
There are 7 types of tolerance to chemical substances, all of which have at least some impact on the processes of drug abuse and addiction. Tolerance invariably leads many addiction-prone people to use more and more of a substance in order to achieve the same results, but there's more to it than this alone. In fact, most people are unaware that there is more than one type of tolerance. The following are the 7 types and their descriptions. Acute
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Types of Drug Detox
There are 4 primary types of drug detox available for addicts and alcoholics to achieve the initial stages of sobriety. This includes the cold turkey method, specialized detox centers, medical detox facilities and rapid detox centers. Each type of drug detox has its own benefits and pitfalls that people seeking to recover from addiction should understand before they decide which treatment option is right for them. Cold Turkey Drug Detox
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What is Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome?
Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome is a debilitating condition that affects drug addicts and alcoholics in recovery. In fact, the symptoms of PAWS are widely considered to be the leading cause of relapse - especially in people who have been clean for several months or more. Understanding this condition is a critical part of mitigating the dangerous public health conce that is drug addiction and alcoholism.
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Butt Chugging Trend Isn't a Trend at all
Butt chugging has been making the rounds in the news lately, causing fear and anxiety among parents, educators and healthcare professionals across the country. However, this supposed trend is based almost entirely on two reports of butt chugging; one of which is hotly disputed and may not have occurred. A trend by its very definition involves the participation of many people, which means that one verified case and one disputed case does not warrant the amount of hype and sensationalism that has caused some to think that young people all over the country are butt chugging.
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Websites & resources
SelfGrowth-published websites, downloads, and contributor profile websites connected to this expert.
Website
Post Acute Withdrawal
Post Acute Withdrawal is the leading cause of relapse among addicts and alcoholics, but few people have heard of this debilitating condition. This website is dedicated to providing information, resources and treatment options for post acute withdrawal and living life free from the chains of addiction.
October 15, 2012
Website
Safe Drug Detox
Safe Drug Detox provides exactly what our name states: a safe place to detox from drugs or alcohol. We've been helping addicts get clean and stay clean for more than a decade using the most effective and powerful techniques available today while still keeping our guests comfortable and safe.
October 15, 2012
Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from James Davis
It's a lifeboat; we're all in this together.