The Ideal Time Frame for Drug Rehab

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain.” In other words, addiction affects both the physical and mental health of an individual. Drug and alcohol abuse and mental illnesses can feed off of each other, which is why a treatment program cannot only address the physical aspects of addiction.

That being said, addiction treatment goes beyond the usual methods of detoxification, the process of removing toxic substances from the body, and abstinence, the practice of restraining oneself from consuming substances. The addicted person needs to be treated for both the physical and mental effects that the addiction has had on them, as well as any mental illnesses they may have. This is important because studies have shown that mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety have a strong relationship with addiction. A holistic approach that heals both the mind and body is needed for a successful recovery.

The reason why a holistic approach is needed is because even people who have gone through treatment for a substance use disorder can be susceptible to relapses if they are not equipped with proper resources during their treatment to return to their daily lives. The relapse rate for substance use disorders is estimated to be between 40% and 60%, which is similar to rates of relapse for other diseases such as hypertension or asthma. This may be because individuals were not given enough resources to deal with triggers once they return to their daily lives, or enough support both during and after the treatment. An important factor in determining the success of an addiction treatment and preventing potential future relapses is the time allocated to addiction treatment programs.

Short Term Drug Rehab vs. Long Term Drug Rehab

A typical and tradition addiction treatment is about 30 days and can last up to no more than 90 days. Although this 30-day treatment can be effective for some people, recent studies have shown that long-term treatment (which lasts for more than 90 days) has a higher success rate, especially for individuals who are suffering from severe addictions and/or have been relapses since their previous treatments. Long-term drug rehab is also especially beneficial for individuals with a dual diagnosis, simultaneously experiencing a mental disorder and a substance use disorder.

Short-term addiction treatment provides intensive support within a short amount of time, allowing individuals to return quickly to their daily lives. However, because time is limited, facilities are only able to focus on detox and the management of withdrawal symptoms, leaving little time to individual and group therapy which can be very influential in an individual’s recovery. On the other hand, long-term addiction treatment provides support and resources that go beyond the usual “detox” into the real work of recovery of helping individuals heal mentally, reducing risks of relapse.

Benefits of Long-Term Drug Rehab

Prolonged substance abuse has a strong effect on one’s decision making process and judgment especially since their brains have been altered from their addiction. Because they have been affected for so long, it is only natural that it will take time to get rid of old habits and develop better ones. As the addicted person learns to break the cycle of relapse and dependence on drugs, they are also gaining self-confidence and allowing their bodies to heal physically through proper nutrition and therapeutic activities. The following are some benefits of long term drug rehab:

Drug and Alcohol-Free Environment

In long-term drug rehab, individuals are placed in a positive environment filled with professionals and peers with like-minded goals. Individuals will be separated from negative influences such as enabling peers or environments that look down on sobriety. There will be no temptation when accessibility to illicit substances is prohibited.

Structure

Structure is a very important aspect of your life because it helps you make sense of your life and gives you a sense of ownership. The lack of structure can actually be an enabler for substance abuse especially when one feels unconfident, unmotivated, and overwhelmed. At these dual diagnosis treatment facilities, individuals are given set schedules to follow, bringing order to what may have been a chaotic life. These schedules include any physical treatment they need as well as therapeutic activities that help to reinforce recovery and allow individuals to feel a sense of accomplishment.

Constant Support and Supervision

None of the treatments would be possible without the help of professional staff that support individuals in their journey to sobriety and supervise their progress. During long-term drug rehab, individuals will have 24/7 access during and after their retreatment. Certain facilities have alumni programs that they highly encourage individuals to join after completing their long-term addiction treatments. Since family will not be able to be present, professional assistance and support will be of convenient access whenever needed, especially in critical moments such as the likelihood of relapses.

Sober Peers and Accountability

The drug rehab facility can help create an environment where individuals can meet peers who have similar experiences to them and are also working toward sobriety. These friendships can grow and strengthen over the duration of their long-term drug rehab, even extending to life after treatment. Having peers who can understand them helps them know that they aren’t the only ones struggling through things and that they are not alone. Often time, it is very easy for individuals to feel like an outcast due to their struggles with addiction. A strong support system from their peers helps them attain a feeling of belonging and create an accountability check.

Therapy Options

Another great benefit to long-term treatment is there is access to many more therapy options that can help an individual’s recovery. Whereas short-term drug rehab may only have time to focus on the physical aspects of recovery, dual diagnosis treatment facilities can offer medical, social, and psychiatric services. Instead of focusing on just the detox, the extra time in long-term treatment allows for more time with learning how to function in society.

Practice for Real Life

In my opinion, the most important thing that long term drug rehab can offer to their clients is the time and practice of life skills in a safe and substance-free environment. Different facilities have different methods, but it usually involves a slow transition from partial-hospitalization (depending on how severe the addiction is) to living at the facility to being able to go to work while attending activities held at the facility. It takes time for people to learn new things and adjust. A long-term addiction treatment also includes formal aftercare and community self-help groups that continue to assist their former clients.

Part-Time Barista, Part-Time Student

When I'm not busy studying for school, I'm actually a barista-in-training.

I've been helping out a friend who has his own coffee catering business. My duties include writing the menu, helping set up, pulling shots, and steaming milk. I am not a level where I can pour heart lattes yet 🙁

But, please enjoy some photos from a recent event that we did for Easter!

coffee menu

Why Do Interventions Fail?

In the context of addiction, an intervention is a process by which family members and friends (and maybe a professional intervention specialist) show someone who is struggling with addiction the negative consequences he has on his own life and those who care for him. Interventions are needed when the addicted person cannot be motivated to seek help on his own and his behavior puts both himself and others around him in danger.

I have heard people say that you should wait until the person hits rock bottom and realize on his own that he needs help because he can only go up from where he landed. However, what is “rock bottom” defined as? And what if “rock bottom” means an overdose or a car accident? If you notice that someone close to you is struggling with addiction and is putting not only himself but also others in danger, it is your responsibility to intervene.

You don’t need permission to warn someone that they are about to walk into a door, so why do you need permission to save someone’s life? Done correctly, an intervention can save and change someone’s life for the better. However, interventions can fail very easily when the people involved are not equipped with proper intervention strategies for drug addiction.

Why do Interventions Fail?

According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 21.0 million people aged 12 or older needed substance use treatment, but only 3.8 million received any treatment. One of the reasons why this number may be the effects failed interventions. Interventions staged without professional help or sufficient knowledge are a lot more susceptible to failure because families and friends. Let us explore a few reasons why interventions fail in general:

Intervention costs

Interventions can be costly and not everyone has that money. Depending on whether you choose a company or an individual to assist in the intervention, costs can range from $2,500 up to $10,000. This cost can easily deter people from seeking professional help could be critical in making an intervention successful.

Lacking a Unified Front

A unified front from everyone involved in the intervention is critical to its success. If a participant was not informed properly of the plans ahead of time or they let their heart become soft during the intervention, the addict will be quick to use him/her to his advantage. During the intervention, the addict will be sat in the middle; should he find an opportunity to foil the intervention or break out, he will definitely pounce on it. Thus, it is important that everyone involved has the mental fortitude to follow through with the set plan.

Shaming the Addicted Person

Although intervention requires that the people involved help the addicted person become aware of his dangerous and detrimental behavior, it is not helpful to point fingers or shame him at all. The addicted person has most likely be carrying a lot of shame and guilt that could also be the root of their addiction. Don’t make him feel worse than he may already feel, or else he will simply be unreceptive to anything you say. Try avoiding statements beginning with “you” and talk more about how you feel using “I statements.”

Lack of Planning Post-Intervention

Be prepared for anything. Sometimes, interventions fail because there was no concrete plan immediately following it. If you allow the addicted person time to choose a treatment center or even to pack, you are allowing the addicted person more time to think about his decision and he could easily rationalize that he does not need treatment even though he had agreed to it during the intervention. You can avoid this by having picked out a treatment center (preferably far away, by plane), transportation booked, and bags packed. This way, there would be a smooth and immediate transition that would leave no room for escape.

Insufficient Knowledge on Addiction

If participants staging the intervention are not knowledgeable about addiction in general or know how to navigate the psychology of people who struggle with addiction, the chances of the intervention failing is a lot higher. You may not have all the time to pour over research or comb through articles online, and even if you do, you may not know where to look. You may miss out on certain information or not know how to react if the addicted person says or does something that you did not expect. If you falter at all, the addicted person will notice and use that as an excuse to avoid treatment. Your best bet is to hire a professional who can educate the participants on the statistics of addiction recovery, methods and tips for navigating difficult situations, and he can be a mediator for you and your loved one. A trained interventionist understands the correlation between addiction and psychology, and is properly trained to help guide everyone through the process.

Poor Timing

Timing is critical to arriving at a successful intervention, yet it is one of the easiest components to overlook. Choose when to intervene wisely. Do not stage an intervention when the addicted person is intoxicated because he would not be cognizant to anything that is happening to him.

Why You Might Need a Professional Interventionist

Although a professional interventionist is not always necessary, he can still increase the chances of the addicted person agreeing to treatment. I would personally hire a professional for two main reasons: they have experience and will handle the work for you. Although you may not be considering a professional’s help, but there are certain situations where it would be best for them to step in, such as:

History of mental illness
Abusive or violent behavior
Suicidal behaviors

Whatever you decide, there is no right or wrong answer.

My Opinion on Emerging Adulthood

In 2000, Jeffrey Arnet introduced a new term to our society: emerging adulthood. It is used to describe the transition period that one goes through as they go from being adolescent to an independent fully-functioning adult. The age range is about 18 to 25. For my parents’ generation, this term wouldn’t be applicable because they didn’t go through this weird transition phase. Neither of my parents went to college; my dad graduated from high school and went straight to work while my mom graduated from vocational school and became a nurse. Since middle school, they had been living away from home and taking care of themselves. At the age of 15, they were required to be independent, prepping for them for the responsibilities of being an adult.

For my generation, I’m not quite sure when we become fully independent from our parents. I have seen people my age been taken care of all the way up to college if not after. With this unrealistic idea that anyone and everyone can attend college, everyone has their eye on the prize: a college education. Parents obsess over their kids going into college, especially Asian ones, and that pressure isn’t necessarily healthy for their kids. And even while in college, parents are monitoring their children left and right, helping them fill out FAFSA, paying for their tuition, dictating their majors. Some of these kids could have just been fine going to a vocational school doing what they like, but instead they’re thrust into a vacuum of unknown.

I’m not surprised I ended up with mental health issues and still struggle. While I was baited into going to Boston University and having my parents take out loans for my education, my brother went to De Anza and paid for his education. Sure I learned a lot and grew a lot, but for a while, I was also just confused with what the hell I was supposed to do in life. Sometimes I wish society hadn’t put unrealistic ideas into my head, that your dreams are achievable.

And for those who were lucky enough to have everything paid for by their parents, from college tuition to rent to food, they didn’t need to worry about money. Sure they may have some trouble deciding on a career, but they got a cushion if they fail. My cushion is a lot thinner than theirs. I blame the birth of the term, emerging adulthood, on the pressures of this “need” for everyone to be in higher education, regardless of your wealth status and capabilities. This “need” has thrown young adults like me into a warp hole called emerging adulthood where we technically an adult but unequipped to be an actual adult.

Five Features of Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood covers the transition from dependency to responsibility as people my age prepare for a career, choose a profession, and learn how to live independently. Let us examine the 5 primary features:

Identity Exploration

After graduating high school, you finish one chapter of your life and move forward with the next, whether that be a four year college or straight into work with community college on the side. So begins the start of your journey to figure out the meaning of your life in this world. You are no longer the person you are in high school, and now you come face to face with this question: “Who am I? And what is my purpose?” Going off to college opens up the door to more decisions than you had in high school and some of those decisions could be really risky, either dangerous or rewarding. You begin to question you parents’ values and even your own, when you meet people from different backgrounds and different stories. I guarantee that you will enter college one person and leave college a different person (variability depends on the person).

Instability

During the ages of 18 through 25, you are simultaneously exploring your identity and trying to figure out what to do with your life. Some of you are lucky and have already found something that you do want to do for the rest of your life. For most people, it’s unclear, and we can see the instability in my generation when the average time spent working for one company is 2-3 years. If you stayed longer, people would probably think you’re strange. But, even before you start your profession post college, your instability started in moving away to college. I moved from California to Massachusetts. Both states were pretty liberal so I didn’t experience too much of a cultural shock, but I hadn’t realized how big of an effect moving away from “safe people” like my parents and friends were. I started experiencing separation anxiety when I decided to spend a semester abroad in France. That forced me to be in a new environment, which can be very emotionally taxing, and it made me miss a semester with my friends back at BU. Missing out that semester with some of my friends actually made me really depressed because I felt like the puzzle piece that didn’t fit in. As if I was part of a different puzzle. This all happened in less than four years, and the instability left me little time to emotionally adjust and adapt.

Feeling In-Between

Most people who are in this phase of emerging adulthood feel that they are neither a teenager nor an actual adult because they are still dependent on their parents for certain things, but are also in the process of learning how to be independent.

Self-Focused

I was so self-focused since I graduated high school, because it was constantly about who I was to become in college. I was constantly worried about how I felt and how a situation made me feel. I was so concerned with my own well-being, with how I felt like I let my parents down. It didn’t help that there are so many books now out on the market about self-love and self-improvement. Sometimes being self-focused can be helpful because you can learn new things about yourself, but sometimes it’s not so helpful when focusing on yourself means failing to see what is happening around you.

Endless Possibility

Supposedly, there are endless possibilities for the young emerging adult. We have been made to feel that we are invincible and can accomplish anything that we set our minds to.

I personally think that this is wrong, and can be a significant factor in young people’s development of mental health disorders.

Keeping Your Pet Healthy

Being a pet owner comes with a lot of responsibilities such as caring for, training, exercising, feeding and socializing your pet. As a pet owner, it is also your responsibility to make sure your pet is healthy by making those visits to the veterinarian. You may have to spay and/or neuter your pets, and even administer whatever medicine they may need.

As humans, we make a conscience effort to ignore how foul-tasting medicine can be and choose to consume it knowing that it can help us get better if we’re sick. Animals on the other hand, are unable to understand that eating that disgusting pill will help relieve them of symptoms that make them miserable.

While bombarding you with pictures of cute pets, I’d like to address the importance of prescription medicine for your pets and also how you can best administer pet medication.

Why Prescription Medications?

Your pet may need prescription pet medications for a variety of reasons, some of which humans are also affected by:

Fleas. If your pet has fleas or ticks, they are going to be miserable from scratching themselves nonstop. You can help alleviate the situation by asking your veterinarian to make out a prescription for medication that can treat not just fleas and ticks but also chewing lice, mites, and mosquitoes. Keeping your pet free of those things also keeps you and your house clean.

Heartworm Disease. Spread from the bite of mosquitoes, heartworms are parasites that affect your pet’s lungs, heart, and other organs. Without treatment, it often results in death for dogs, cats, and ferrets. If you recently adopted or are about to adopt, make sure you get your pet checked out and apply treatment if needed.

Issues with Stomach and Digestion. Like humans, your pets can also suffer from pancreatitis, reflux disease, stomach ulcers, stomach inflammation, and other gastrointestinal disorders. Be sure to visit your veterinarian and have your pet diagnosed so they can prescribe the correct medication.

Itchy Skin and Pet Allergies. Nobody, including your pet, likes seasonal allergies, food allergies, and skin allergies. Constant scratching can lead to sores and bald spots. Other symptoms include skin rashes and inflammation or sneezing and watery eyes. You can find prescription medicine that come in capsules, tablets, or liquids, depending on what is easiest for your pet to consume.

Ear and Eye Infections. Often as a by-product of allergies, ear and eye infections also affect your pets. There are prescription antibiotics and antifungal veterinary medicines available to treat these infections.

Hip and Joint Pain and Inflammation. As your pet gets older, they could develop arthritis. Know that there are anti-inflammatory medications available that can help relieve hip and joint pain for your pet.

If your pet shows any of these symptoms, be sure to find your local veterinary compound pharmacy.

Tips on Administering Pet Medications

When provided with medications for your pet, ask your veterinarian for the directions on administering the medicine. Most vets have a preferred method, so always ask for an alternative if that method doesn’t work with your pet. Of all the methods listed below, they all require you to help create a positive and safe environment for your pet because the last thing you would want is for your pet to have an unpleasant experience, making it harder for you to administer medication in the future.

Pills

Hide the pill in food. This method works best with wet food instead of kibble. You can add raw meat into the mix if it helps. Cream cheese and peanut butter are also popular alternatives to consider. The goal is to have your pet consume its meal as soon as possible, without detecting the pill. Make sure that your pet consumes the entire serving and that it does not throw it back up. If your pet starts to eat around the pill, take away the food for a few seconds before giving it back. Repeat this process until your dog realizes it needs to eat that up quickly. Note: this method only works if your dog isn’t aggressive with food.

Place the pill on the back of your pet’s tongue. If the food method doesn’t work, you can administer the medication by hand. Below is a sure method that will get your pet to swallow its medicine:

Hold your pet between your legs, facing away from you
Open your pet’s mouth using your index finger on your non-dominant hand
Place the pill on the back of the pet’s tongue with your dominant hand
Tilt your pet’s head up and gently stroke its throat in order to trigger the swallowing reflex
“Chase” the medication with a treat!

Alternate the pill with treats. You can also create a pleasant experience by sandwiching the pill with treats. With three pieces of your pet’s preferred treats, take one and roll the pill into it. First, give your dog the treat without a pill. Second, give him the treat with the pill, making sure the last empty treat is near its nose. This way they know another treat is coming and you can help hide the unpleasantness in between.

Toss the pill in the air. Make it game for your pet, especially if your pet enjoys playing around! Just as you would toss balls and treats for your pet to catch, toss the pill into the air. Your pet won’t think twice about swallowing it since it’ll be too busy having fun.

Liquid Medication

Mix with food. Just as you would hide the pill in food, you can also mix liquid medication into food and hand-feed your pet to make sure the entire dose is consumed.

Oral syringe. Using the same method found above for placing pills on the back of the tongue, insert the syringe inside teeth and slowly press the plunger while rubbing your pet’s throat to make sure your pet doesn’t choke or aspirate.

Gender and Addiction

Colleges are pretty smart when it comes to alcohol safety education on campus. After officially accepting Boston University as my college of choice, I was immediately directed to fulfill certain requirements like health forms and complete a course on alcohol consumption. Being a rather sheltered child, I had never been exposed to much alcohol (other than the occasional beers I see my dad drink). I knew the consequences of being drunk because there were so many assemblies about drunk driving or texting while driving. Consequently, I was pretty intrigued with the mandatory course on alcohol consumption. I learned a lot about: about how much one serving of alcohol was for different types of drinks, how alcohol prevents you from being cognizant, and what you can do if you find someone intoxicated.

After I joined a club on campus that mandated a workshop on alcohol, I learned more about other factors that affect one’s blood alcohol concentration such as weight, birth sex, food, strength of drink, rate of drinking, and drug use. There is one particular exercise that I always look forward to -- it involved creating a fictional girl (as my club was a sorority) and mapping out a regular Friday night for her going out to drink. We would figure out her BAC levels using an online BAC Calculator. At the end of the workshop, we were also handed little cards comparing BAC levels between men and women.

After the facts and this exercise, I would be reminded that alcohol affects women a lot faster than it does for men. And, this got me thinking about the relationship between substance abuse and gender.

Sex vs Gender

Before we dive into how gender affects alcohol addiction and drug abuse, I want to clear up some definitions. Sex refers to the physical, biological characteristics that we are born with while gender refers to societal roles set by our society.. For my post, I will be using gender to identify the same sexual and gender characteristics.

Substance Use in Men and Women

Substance use differs between men and women because of our their physical bodies as well as their gender roles in society. There are different motivating factors as well as genetic dispositions that influence how one becomes addicted to drugs and/or alcohol

Mental Health

Without a doubt, there is a strong correlation between mental health and substance abuse. Unfortunately, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, women are 70 times more likely than men to be diagnosed with major depression and twice as likely to develop an anxiety disorders. This means that women are more likely to abuse prescription drugs that have be prescribed for their anxiety disorders or depression. In another sense, women are also more likely to self-medicate than men especially when prescription opioids can be help decrease the fatigue from work, child care, and household chores.

Physical Differences

According to research, women are more likely to anticipate pleasure and rewards with drugs due to their estrogen levels. When they take drugs, estrogen trigger receptors that help women feel the effects of the substances a lot faster than it does for women. For example, women have a harder time giving up smoking because their bodies metabolize nicotine faster and the nicotine patches and gum are unable to work as effectively as they do for men.

While estrogen helps women seek after the pleasure aspect of drugs and alcohol, male brains release a greater amount of dopamine from alcohol than women.

In terms of alcohol, women and men also metabolize alcohol very differently. Men have a higher concentration of a particular enzyme that helps metabolize alcohol, thus they sober up faster than women.

Drug use can increase infertility in both men and women. In women, it can even hasten the onset of menopause. Women should also not use drugs when pregnant because the drugs can pass on to their children through the blood system and their breast milk

Societal Roles

One of the reasons why men continue to use drugs and consume alcohol is because these actions reinforce their masculinity. On the flip side, women participate in the consumption of drugs and alcohol as a socializing event.

Addiction Treatment

Drug addiction had been studied from a male perspective and that means a lot of prevent programs and rehab facilities have been designed for men. Now that there has been more research done on the effects of both men and women, we know that men and women need different types of treatment.

Women are often better at identifying and acknowledging their problems and taking the necessary steps to get help for their conditions. However, at the same time, wanting to go in for treatment can be very difficult if they have a family to worry about. Some might even hide the fact that they have a problem fearing that they could possibly lose custody of their children. Women are also prone to a higher rate of relapse, so they should be put in contact with people who can help navigate those situations should they arise. An ideal environment will allow women to feel supported and empowered, provide quality child care options on site, and lead by women.

When approaching treatment, men have a harder time acknowledging that they have a problem and that they need help. This may be because of our society’s ideals on masculinity. Consequently, the only way they can be motivated to accept treatment is if they are faced with ultimatums such as prison, divorce, loss of custody, or loss of employment/enrollment.

Having gender-specific treatment programs allows men and women to feel comfortable opening up about sensitive issues and be free of distractions that the opposite sex could pose.

The Car Scene in Phoenix, Arizona

I was never one to be interested in cars. In middle school, my best friend was already pining for her dream car, and I didn’t really understand all the different car names that she threw at me. Fast forward to high school, I didn’t start driving till the end of my junior year because I procrastinated on passing the written test in order to get my permit. I was perfectly content with my little Honda Accord 1995. It was the perfect car to get roughed up when learning how to drive! I’ve definitely scraped a few sidewalks and maybe left a few paint marks on other people’s cars… During my senior year, I transitioned to a Honda Accord 2013. I still drive it! It is really comfortable and convenient, with a dark silver hue.

As my fiancé and I are preparing for married life, we started talking about buying a new car. He really wants the 2019 Leaf Plus. I am happy that he is interested in an EV (electric vehicle) since it’ll be more environmentally friendly for his daily commute and he’ll have charging stations at work. I’m excited to take over his Scion FR-S. Other than the fact that the car can barely fit my coaching items: balls and cart, I love how sleek it is. I haven’t gone too crazy driving it but it was definitely quite the adventure driving around in the mountainous windy roads. I would never get into it, but that’s how I started looking into drag racing in Arizona.

Phoenix Car Scene

I heard from a little bird that Phoenix is the place you want to go if you love auto events, car shows, and drag racing. There is an exhaustive list of anything car-related. Here are three of my favorite Car Shows:

Arizona Indoor Custom Car Show. If you’re traveling with someone who may not be as interested in cars as you might be, this show will be sure to pique their interest. They’ll be impressed by the customized body modifications and unique paint on jobs on custom lowriders, hot rods, bicycles, motorcycles, and more.

Arizona International Auto Show. If you love keeping up to date with each year’s newest car models and luxury vehicles, you won’t want to miss out on this particular show!

Run to the Pines Car Show. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy anything made before I was born and this show boasts a collection of pre-1973 cars. It’s also nice to know that its proceeds end up going to local charities.

Racing

Another huge component of the car scene in Arizona that you definitely don’t want to miss out on is the speed racing! I had a hard time searching up what the scene might look like in Arizona because street racing or drag racing is actually illegal in the state of Arizona.

Street racing is an unsanctioned and illegal form of auto racing that occurs on a public road. It encompasses drag racing, which is a form of auto racing in which two automobiles or motorcycles compete to be the first to cross a set finish line over a short, straight course. The most common distance is 1,320 ft (402 m), but there has been a popular shorter distance of 1,000 ft (305 m). The races have shortened to 1,000 ft over the years because of safety concerns. Now then, let’s take a look at Arizona’s law on drag racing.

A.R.S. § 28-708(A) states “A person shall not drive a vehicle or participate in any manner in a race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the purpose of making a speed record on a street or highway.” I’m glad I don’t live in Arizona because I sometimes road rage when I drive, especially when people rudely cut me off on the highway or I’m feeling snarky on the Interstate 5 on my way down to Southern California. I’m glad because the things I have mentioned is a violation of the law stated above and I could get arrested for that or for exhibition of speed.

Laws against drag racing, racing on highways, and engaging in exhibitions of speed are classified as Class One misdemeanor offense. The first violation can result in either probation or up to six months in jail, a $2500 fine, a 90-day driver’s license suspension, and community service. If the driver commits another offense of the same nature within two years of the first, the individual may be charged with a Class 6 felony that includes: probation, up to 1 year in jail, a prison sentence between 4 months to 2 years, a $500 fine, community service, and revocation of the driver’s license.

I don’t fully endorse any type of drag racing, however, should you accidentally get involved, here are a few defenses I have heard from people that have luckily gotten out of their sticky situations:

No other vehicles were involved
Not racing but fleeing away from a road rage incident (this only works when your vehicle is ahead of the other vehicle)
You have your Miranda rights, and should the police ignore the Miranda procedure, your statements can be considered involuntary and invalid during court

If you just want to attend any of these speed-racing events as a spectator, feel free to check out the following:

I do not recommend that you participate in these races. However, if you do, please be aware of the consequences it could pose if you were to get caught.

Art Therapy

It has been a little over a year now since I picked up brush lettering. I have always had a fascination with my own handwriting whether it be print or cursive. My younger self had made a few attempts with calligraphy that didn’t go so well, so I never thought I would take up brush lettering in the first place. I had a strong dislike for lettering because my fiancé’s ex is actually one of those people who makes cutesy cards to sell on Etsy. Just thinking about it makes me gag a little.

Now how did I end up brush lettering? Near the end of my junior year, I started experiencing depression and anxiety that crippled my mental health. There were times when I didn’t want to fight it, and I would skip class just so I could avoid seeing people or email understanding professors who would give me an extension on my essays.

I don’t know how I did it, but one night, I decided that I was going to cut the relation my mind had made between brush lettering and my fiancé’s ex. I went on Amazon and purchased a beginner brush lettering set. Mind you, I was really proud of my ability to detach emotions from something that was had been neutral, but tainted with my insecurities. And quite honestly, I am so glad I was able to do that because being open to brush lettering opened up a lot of doors for me as I found community through workshops provided by Caffeinated Letters. Caffeinated Letters is a collective of female artists with the goals to empower and inspire women to be boldly creative and build authentic community. Not only did I find a community, I also stumbled upon a very stress-relieving and therapeutic activity that I could incorporate into my daily life. Brush lettering became a creative outlet for me to cope with stress and control my anxiety.

Healing through Art Therapy

Although I personally never had my depression and/or anxiety treated officially diagnosed or received treatment, I can understand firsthand how art therapy is commonly used to treat psychological and mental health disorders. There is something to be said about breathing in and out as I pull the brush pen downwards and gently moved it upwards, slowly and carefully.

According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is “a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that the creativity process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight.” It not only helps people cope with anxiety and stress, but it is also used as a component of a person’s holistic addiction treatment.

Who is Art Therapy for?

Art therapy can be for everyone and anyone from young children to senior citizens as a means of communication and a way for them to express and explore their thoughts and emotions. Although no prior art experience is required, this type of therapy may not suit everyone. Here are some examples of people that strongly benefit from art therapy:

People with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia.

People with learning difficulties or who are on the autistic spectrum that make it hard for them to verbalize their feelings.

People who suffer from dementia and struggle with feeling like they have a lack of personal identity.

People with a chronic/terminal illness such as cancer, leaving them potentially hopeless and in despair.

People who have a hard time expressing their thoughts verbally and find creative outlets a better communicator.

People who are coping with traumatic events and need medium to help process their emotions and trauma.

Consequently, art therapy can be found in hospitals, community organizations, senior communities, psychiatric rehabilitation centers, crisis centers, addiction rehabilitation centers, and domestic abuse shelters.

Goals of Art Therapy

Although there may be different materials, settings, and outcomes from each art therapy session, there are four concepts that remain constant:

Perception: Art therapy allows an individual to explore his/her own understanding of “self-perception” and “global perception,” leading the individual to recognize and validate his/her emotions.

Personal Integration: Through art, individuals can become more comfortable with their own identities and self-image.

Emotional Regulation: By channeling expression through a creative process, individuals can work on regulating his/her own emotions and impulses, leading to better emotional control.

Behavior Modification: Art therapy provides a space to exercise different responses to stressful situations, and it can help an individual learn how to better manage his/her behaviors in situations that cause them distress.

Types of Art Therapy

Art therapy comes in many different forms, and just because painting works for me doesn’t mean it would work for another individual. Below, I’ve listed some of my preferred mediums of art therapy when coping with stress:

Painting. This is probably the most creative art therapy technique because one has the freedom to paint whatever they please. However, people like me find that a little daunting so it’s helpful to know that trained art therapists can help by providing exercises or prompts to follow.

Collaging. Collaging is an art form that involves searching for pictures, cutting them out, and pasting them together on a piece of paper or board. You can choose any image that expresses your emotions or even inspires you. What I like about this is that you won’t have to draw or paint anything. People often use this technique to create vision boards of their dreams and goals in life.

Photography. Photography is similar to collaging because you can gather images of what you delight in, such as people you are thankful for or objects that you find pleasing to the eye. Once you have the photos, you can print them out and put them into your collage if you wish!

Your Travel Guide to Mesa, Arizona

When people think about traveling to Arizona, they are usually thinking about flying into Phoenix. However, there are a few gems like Mesa, a suburban city located just 30 miles east of Phoenix. It is a popular destination for shopping, museums, and natural attractions for everyone in the family! I’ve listed a few classic favorite places to visit in Mesa, AZ.

Shopping

Mesa Market Place Swap Meet

The Mesa Market Place Swap Meet is one of the most popular attractions in the city not just for tourists but for locals as well. This recreational shopping takes up one and a quarter miles with hundreds of merchants taking over the 1,600 market spaces. Admission is free and there is always live entertainment. It is also 100% handicap accessible and family-friendly. The marketplace gets quite popular, so be sure to arrive early if you want to avoid the crows. If you plan on walking the whole mile and a quarter, which I highly suggest, I would recommend wearing some walking shoes. There are a lot of great deals and a huge variety of merchandise available from trinkets to home decorations to vintage pieces. Also, bring cash since it’s easier for most vendors!

Hours: Friday thru Sunday 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM (varies by season)

Address: 10550 E Baseline Rd, Mesa, AZ 85209-8304

Superstition Ranch Market

Whether you are paying a day visit to Mesa or you have planned a couple days in this city, be sure to check out Superstition Ranch Market for some fresh produce and other products from local farmers and vendors. Superstition Ranch market is a family owned produce and specialty farmers market with a large selection of fresh produce at amazing prices! I’ve heard you can get some delicious jams here as well. What better way to get in touch with local culture and food by shopping at one of their infamous markets.

Address: 4755 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85205-7907

Museums

Commemorative Air Force Museum

If you only have one day to visit Mesa, I highly recommend making a pit stop at the Commemorative Air Force Museum for a couple of hours. It is one of Arizona’s top-rated attractions and boasts of many authentic war artifacts and hundreds of exhibits. Even if you are not a history fanatic or obsessed with airplanes, I guarantee that you will still have a wonderful thanks to the amazing tour guides (who really make or break a museum) and the opportunity to board a couple of planes if they’re available. Adults and children alike are definitely going to enjoy this experience.

Hours: Sunday thru Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Address: 2017 N Greenfield Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215-2401

i.d.e.a. Museum

If you are traveling with toddlers, the i.d.e.a. Museum is the perfect place to take them especially if you just want them to use up as much energy as possible. The museum mission statement is to “provide opportunities for children of all ages to embark on new experiences aimed at helping them see their world differently.” There are various activities, toys, and crafts available on site and these interactive activities will preoccupy and stimulate your child’s mind and creativity. The facility is well-kept, clean and organized with hand sanitizers available.

Hours: Sunday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday thru Thursday 9:00 - 4:00 PM

Friday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Address: 150 W Pepper Pl, Mesa, AZ 85201-7317

Arizona Museum of Natural History

Make sure to stop by the Arizona Museum of Natural History especially if you like dinosaurs. This museum is dedicated to the natural and cultural history of the Southwest and covers the timeline from creation to present. There are many artifacts like origins of the earth, meteorites, and minerals as well as the remnants of creatures of the past. Did I mention there’s also a Dinosaur Hall?!

Hours: Sunday 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday thru Friday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Address: 53 N Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201-7325

Mesa Arts Center

Although the Mesa Arts Center itself is not a museum, it does have one you can definitely check out. This is Arizona’s largest arts center consisting of four theaters, five art galleries, and fourteen art studios. Their mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experience that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. Visit here for some live entertainment and performances. Don’t forget to check out its numerous visual art exhibitions. Plan to spend two to three hours here if you decide to visit. Be sure to check out their website for shows, classes, events, and museum hours.

Address: 1 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201-7403

Natural Attraction

Usery Mountain Regional Park

The sights at Usery Mountain Regional Park are amazing and you won’t want to miss out especially if you enjoy hiking and just being in the great outdoors. There are also plenty of picnic shelters and washroom throughout the park along with a huge variety of accessible trails ranging from easy to challenging. Oh, and bring you dog along!

Address: 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207-2570

Other

Vertuccio Farms

Vertuccio Farms is a great place to bring your family for some friendly farm adventures! It is family-owned and admission is at a very affordable price. They have various activities available around the farm and they regularly have exciting new events. For example, they have annual Fall Festivals in the fall and they host a Christmas Light Show in the winter. This year, they have also planned an East Egg-Sperience in April and a Love Pup Family Fest in September. It’ll be loads of fun!

Address: 4011 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212-3601

Recovering From Addiction

Recovering from alcohol addiction is not easy. It is important for someone going through the process to have a strong network throughout the journey. Alcoholics Anonymous is a good example of what a strong support network is like. This international fellowship consists of both men and women who have had drinking problems. It is nonprofessional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical and available almost everywhere. Within this fellowship, there is a sponsor-sponsee relationship in place to assist newly recovering addicts. In the face of relapse triggers and preventing relapse, we should stress the importance of having a recovery companion.

Do You Need an AA Sponsor?

If you are new to Alcoholics Anonymous, you are not required to have a sponsor nor do you need one. However, studies have shown that having a sponsor correlates positively with more attendance and abstinence over time. It is hard for anyone to by themselves, let alone be on their own in a difficult journey of alcohol recovery.

According to an Alcoholics Anonymous booklet, a sponsor is defined as “an alcoholic who has made some progress in the recovery program and shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through AA.” Not everyone is going through alcohol recovery with family and friend support. Their only support could just be the fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. An AA sponsor can be first and foremost, a friend who will be there for you, through the ups and downs. They can be a shoulder to cry on during difficult times and lend an ear while you are encountering old/new stresses of living sober.

The most important thing a sponsor can provide to their sponsee is hope. The sponsor is an example that sobriety is possible and that it is possible to leave addiction behind. They are also able to connect with the sponsee in their similar experiences and difficulties. It will be easier for the sponsor to express empathy for what the sponsee is going through because they have been there before. They can let their sponsee know that they are not alone in the process. Feelings of hope and fraternity can help keep away negative emotions that could contribute to depression or relapse triggers.

Sponsors can also be accountability partners keeping their sponsee and encouraging them through difficult times or helping them navigate difficult situations. For example, if a sponsee is feeling stressed, they can reach out to their sponsor via phone or text and get immediate support. Last but not least, a sponsor can also be a point of various recovery resources both inside and outside of Alcoholics Anonymous.

In summary, AA sponsors are tasked with encouraging sponsees to actively engage in AA events/activities, providing emotional and practical support, and sharing personal experiences about alcohol recovery.

Things a Sponsor Should Not Do

The sponsor-sponsee relationship is usually between two people of the same genders. However, there are a few exceptions to that in cases which the sponsee is gay and requests a female sponsor and the reverse, where the sponsee is lesbian and requests a male sponsor.

Although there aren’t many rules, here a few things that sponsors should NOT do according to their 12 Traditions:

Impose their personal views or opinions on religion or politics
Act as if they know everything
Claim to be a substitute for AA itself
Take offense when their sponsee decides to ask someone else from the AA community for help

Should You Become a Sponsor?

If you have been sober for at least a year and you feel that you want to give back by being a sponsor in your AA community, here is a list of things you should be capable of doing and willing to do:

Help your sponsee achieve and maintain sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous
Be able to demonstrate to others how AA has helped you maintain your sobriety
Encourage your sponsee to attend AA meeting and activities
Be available to help your sponsee handle challenging and triggering situations.

It would also be a good idea to check with your own sponsor if you are truly ready to become a sponsor yourself because being a sponsor requires a lot of patience, understanding, and willingness to walk with the sponsee on his/her perhaps tumultuous journey of alcohol recovery.

Tips for Avoiding Triggers Battling Cravings

If you are new to alcohol recovery and have not decided on having an AA sponsor, here are some helpful tips to help you avoid relapses.

Figure out what triggers you: Everyone has different triggers including traumatic events, ongoing stress, peer pressure, loneliness, boredom, overconfidence, feelings of shame/embarrassment, or inability to cope. Identifying what your relapse triggers are can help you come up with plans to tackle them when such situations arise.

Create a Plan: Have a plan on how you can act when faced with trigger situations. Perhaps it is counting till 10, stepping out of the room to breathe, or calling up your recovery companion.

Think Rationally: If you find yourself wanting to get that glass of wine after a long day or smoke after handling a difficult customer, take a quick pause and think about why you are feeling stressed out. Think about how you can fix the problem that may be causing you stress first instead of reaching for that bottle of beer.

Find a Distraction: Sometimes, the best way to avoid something is to find something else to do. If you feel a craving, try distracting yourself with some other physical activity. Exercise gives you a boost in endorphins AND helps you reduce any stress and anxiety that you may have. You can also call up your sponsor, if you have one, and they can help walk you through the situation.