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7 Rappers That Struggle with Addiction
No one is safe from addiction. More than 23 million Americans aged 12 or older — or 9.2 percent of the population — have abused drugs in the past month, according to the most recent 2012 data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Alcohol abuse is just as prevalent in 17.6 million people, or one in every 12 adults.
While some superstars are able to overcome addiction and clean up their acts quietly and swiftly, it takes others years of struggle. In “the rap game” it is prevalent and even glorified but addiction is even a problem for them.
Here are 7 Rappers that you may or may not have known have issues with addiction. Here is what they had to say about their addiction:…
Inhalants: Not a Drug of the Past
It seems like a long time ago that our news broadcasts were filled with stories of teens getting in trouble for ‘huffing’ permanent markers and spray paint. Unfortunately, while these stories may not inundate our televisions and computer screens anymore, the threat and prevalence of teens, inhalants and addiction should still be on our radar. There are three main types of inhalants: solvents, gases and nitrates. The use of these inhalants creates a short “high” feeling, similar to the feeling of anesthesia. The numbing, drug-like sensation calms the body down and sometimes causes the user to go unconscious.
Obviously, the extensive use of inhalants turns into addiction and can have serious long-term effects and even instant death. The most dangerous aspect of inhalants and addictions to huffing is that many of the items used can be found in every household. Paints, hair sprays and lighter fluid are among some of the most common inhalants….
Suboxone – Is it Obsolete?
Last week Recovery Unplugged spoke about Vivitrol and how it is helping many people in their recovery from substances. In the not so distant past there was a medication that promised the very same thing: Suboxone. Today, we are going to discuss the facts about Suboxone and the Pros & Cons of this medication. There recently has been some misinformation on the media regarding this medication. We all know or may have heard that South Carolina massacre suspect Dylann Roof had been at one point taking and possibly abusing this medication. Some of the claims were: Suboxone is a powerful mind-altering drug, Suboxone causes mood swings, “Suboxone can make you snap and cause severe depression”. Like any medication but especially a medication like Suboxone it should only be taken under the strict supervision of a qualified certified doctor. This is because Suboxone should only be taken by someone that meets the guidelines, requirements and criteria for the administration of Suboxone. Suboxone does alter the mind and affect behaviour especially when you stop taking it abruptly. There are mood swings such as depression noted as a possible side effect, as well as anxiety and insomnia. There is also an increase of these symptoms if discontinued abruptly. These side effects and symptoms are one of the reasons it should only be prescribed by a qualified certified doctor. A doctor follows his patient closely monitoring all of the possible symptoms and making an informed decision on each patient with regards to Suboxone….
Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Relapse
Jonathan Rhys Meyers is back on the wagon. The Tudors actor, who has struggled with substance abuse for years, opened up about a “minor relapse” he recently had via Instagram on Tuesday, May 26….
What is a Dissociative Disorder?
While the term may sound foreign, it is highly intertwined with drug and alcohol addiction and many times is the condition that must be treated in rehabilitation to help patients obtain sobriety. What is a dissociative disorder? According to Psych Central’s article, “In-Depth: Understanding Dissociative Disorders,” “Dissociation is a common defense/reaction to stressful or traumatic situations…1” that can become a disorder when a severe isolated trauma or a repeated trauma occurs, which “impairs the normal state of awareness and limits or alters one’s sense of identity, memory or consciousness. ” In short, if something bad happens to a person that is horrifying or occurs frequently, it can severely affect them mentally, emotionally and physically….
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler Visits Recovery Unplugged
We were blessed to have a lifetime friend to Richie, Steven Tyler, who was in Florida to visit the Recovery Unplugged drug rehab center yesterday. Steven and Richie’s history goes all the way back to the 70’s, playing music and causing a raucous in New York. As their fame grew, the availability of drugs grew, and the glamorous rock-and-roll party lifestyle took hold. Both men are known around the world as notorious party animals. Richie and Steven shared stories with the clients about their experiences on the road, dealing with their addictions, and the subsequent bottom their respective consequences brought them. The main focus of the day though: recovery. Both Steven and Richie are two of the most passionate people when it comes to recovery, queue the music and the duo have so much love and compassion to share. They talked about what it was like to have everything and lose it to addiction to drugs and alcohol. Together they sang some of Richie Supa’s recovery songs like “Good Intentions” and “Last House on the Block”, and they also played a few of the hits they wrote together like “Pink” and “Amazing”. They had fun with the clients, letting a vocalist get up and sing while Steven played the bongos. After sharing a beautiful message of hope, Steven greeted clients and took pictures with everyone. Steven was well received by the clients, saying “He was so down to earth,” and, “wow, he really loves spreading the message of recovery”….
Long Term Sobriety
For those who have never struggled with addiction, it may seem like rehabilitation is the final step to lifetime sobriety. Unfortunately, the challenge of long term sobriety is a lifelong task as those who complete addiction rehabilitation must constantly battle with old triggers and temptations. This concept became even more vivid to me with the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman and a Chicago Tribune article, “Actor’s death offers lesson in addiction,” which calls attention to the long-term struggle of addiction even five or 10 years after successful drug treatment and sobriety. I am not sure how much you know about Hoffman’s life and struggle with addiction, but the latest relapse came after 20 years of sobriety, which unfortunately resulted in his sudden passing. With his death, the light has been shined on the issue of addiction and the long-term struggle with sobriety that one faces. According to the article, a study in 2007 “found that 2 of 3 people within their first year of sobriety relapsed. But for those with at least three years of clean time, the relapse rate dropped to 1 in 7. 1” Even though the numbers get better, that still isn’t great when you consider that most people expect those in recovery to be completely healed and living in sobriety for life. The article also says the reasons for relapse shortly after rehabilitation are very similar to that of long-term relapse – “the triggers that can prompt a return to drugs or alcohol — stress, poor coping skills, the belief that substance use can be managed — don’t change over time. ”…