Monthly Archives: January 2019

Jan
25
2019

Art Therapy For Children

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Children are lovers of all things fun, creative, and freeing. They won’t hesitate to take a paint brush or pen and create pictures of their wildest dreams. In our world today, young kids are experiencing more stress than usual with school, growing up, and being around technology all the time. With mounting pressures affecting them more than ever before, some parents wonder what will help them naturally take the edge off without being too invasive of their space. For children who already have mental illnesses like high anxiety, PTSD, or depression, the answers can become even vaguer since they aren’t as skilled in articulating what symptoms they are feeling. A child may think the world is crashing down around them, and overly exaggerated what is going on. On the flip side, they may be quiet and hesitate to say they’re feeling “out of it” or in pain because they don’t understand what is happening.

For a child who is showing frequent signs of stress or anxiety at school or at home, using art therapy is a great way to get them to open up and reflect on their environment. They have the choice to connect with their feelings in a safe space and aren’t in fear of being judged during an art therapy session. Better yet, they can work with the counselor leading the session to talk about what they are feeling and learn more about their personalities. This is essential, since children don’t yet have a strong grasp on who they are, why they’re afraid of, and what they want in life. No matter what, children are guaranteed to have fun in art therapy and will want to show the world what magical pieces they can make from it. Let’s look at the ways art therapy works and how it’s perfectly suited to help our tiny tots.

Art therapy has endless possibilities.

Art therapy has endless possibilities.

Using Art Therapy

Art therapy is a great way for very young children to communicate easily and without fear. Originating in 1904 by Margaret Naumburg, art therapy can take on many forms and is used for patients of any age if they wish to start. Like any other therapy process, both the patient and the therapist has to remain patient and open to change for it to be successful. Unlike other methods, however, art therapy is unique for the following reasons:

  • Art therapy can include any kind of art medium. Traditionally, painting, crayons, colored pencil, charcoal pencils, and even clay sculpture were used for patients during their sessions. Typically therapists choose what medium would best suit the patient and after hearing suggestions from the patient. Today, with the amount of digital tools to our use art therapy includes digital collaging, 3D printing, animated drawings, and digital painting done from a laptop. This allows patients to be able to complete sessions in the comfort of their own home if they wish to do so. For children who may be shy of hospitals or confined environments, digital art therapy is a great alternative to improve their mental health over time.
  • Art therapy allows clients young and old to better process their inner thoughts and understand what stress might be present in their lives. Some of the most popular art therapy methods are active imagination therapy, gestalt art therapy, and third hand. Active imagination allows patients to practice free association with words or images that come to their mind while they create art. Gestalt art encourages clients to use art along with language instead of analyzing their external environment. For patients suffering from anxiety, this is great so they can better reflect on their own feelings and thought process instead of reacting to the world around them. Third hand has the therapist helping the client produce artistic images together by digital media, collaging, or other mediums. Through this method, the two parties can develop a strong bond and better communicate their thoughts.
  • Art therapy helps children build self-expression, positive perspectives, and stronger self-independence from the negative events or people in their life. A child can work through any difficult feelings or experiences by drawing about them instead of painfully explaining every detail. It also is a great way for them to unwind after a long school day or get out of the house if they feel stuck at home.
  • Art therapy is exciting and always different. No session will be exactly the same, since art is an ever changing form of self-expression. Every art piece a child draws will take on a different persona or show a different story from their imagination. This is enjoyable for the therapist to see and serves as a fun activity for the child if they build a positive relationship over time. Parents don’t need to worry about the therapist accomplishing this since they have years of intense training in social work, art therapy, and even psychology under their belt. .

Art Therapy In The Future

As technology continues to disrupt our lives and what we know to be true, so will the form of art therapy. The method of treatment was much different one hundred years ago compared to today. Luckily, people of any age can benefit from art therapy since it allows one to decompress, let go of their fears, and gain self-awareness. Children especially have an important voice since they are the future of our society and often have a fresh perspective on our world. They should be given the chance to unlock their inner imagination and help them engage more fully with their environment. Since younger children also usually have a lot of questions about new things like therapy, it’s important that they feel listened to and supported from start to finish. If you also want to learn more about what art therapy services are available in your local community, check out what is located in arts centers, nearby universities, and counseling locations. Some areas might specialize in art therapy for younger patients like children. Be sure to know all your options are before making a big decision that could impact their health!

Art therapy is a great and natural way to improve mental disorders.

Jan
25
2019

Rapid Opioid Detox

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The opioid epidemic is affecting nearly every social class, county, and ethnicity in our country right now. The media has covered more celebrity deaths from opioid overdoses more in the past few years, and the numerous civilians who pass away without a press conference is staggering. In some states like Maryland, over one thousand deaths are connected to an opioid overdose. This is surprising since the amount only accounts for January through June of last year.  If Maryland’s deaths by opioid overdose continue at the same rate, excerpts expect at least over 2,000 deaths by June of this year. We can’t let that happen with the country paying over $75 billion every year in opioid addiction related costs in general. If we let our communities slip through the cracks of drug addiction and don’t take measures to educate them about the risks of the drug, the price our taxes, government, and families pay over the years will only increase.

Don’t let opioid addiction take over your life.

Opioid Addiction In Denial

Some addicts will never admit that they have a drug addiction problem because they can’t come to terms with their reality. They might be feeling scared of judgement, embarrassed of their past mistakes, disgusted from their behavior, and hopeless for their future overall. Maybe they truly want to change but have no around them that is a positive influence or is willing to help them seek treatment.

Unlike other medical illnesses like the flu or an injury like a broken bone, an addiction is so much more complex. No one can simply tell themselves to snap out of it and go back to feeling normal. They may look normal on the outside if they’re a high functioning addict, but internally they could feel practically dead and destroyed. Opioids especially are a dangerous drug to get addicted to since it includes popular prescription pain relievers and chemicals like fentanyl that are deadly. Recently, several people died of overdose from fentanyl in California and caused a national outrage over the fake substance. However, instead of praying for hope and asking our shut down government to make a change, we can spread word about tools that will bring true help to opioid addicts. Right now, the best thing we can do is offer the BRIDGE device. Cleared by the FDA, the BRIDGE relieves pain symptoms to decrease their opioid use. Let’s look at how the device works and how opioid addiction can be improved.

Counteracting Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Opioids include Vicodin, OxyContin, fentanyl, and heroin which are illegal in every state. Anyone is prone to developing an addiction if they aren’t careful.  The BRIDGE provides many benefits without lowering the quality of life for patients with the following traits:

  • It helps get rid of physical and mental cravings for opioids. When patients take the drug, they feel attached to the wave of pleasure and happiness that it brings. The BRIDGE device will target the pain from opioid withdrawals that is normally expected from a decreased use of opioids over time. Through lowering their use of opioids, their breathing patterns will not be as erratic and can slowly become more normal over time. The BRIDGE works by transmitting subtle electrical signals to neurotransmitters which respond to the same kind of pain. A patient then won’t need to use opioids to deal with their aches and pains with it.
  • The BRIDGE lowers the withdrawal effect of long term drowsiness and irritability that affects daily productivity. Opioid addicts who live active lifestyles or have demanding careers will benefit the most from this. Before using the BRIDGE, they may have had to take long breaks between classes or work shifts so they could deal with their pain on their own. This could include taking additional medications which include their own list of side effects. With the BRIDGE, a patient just has to attach the device to their ear and wear it for at least five days straight in the beginning of treatment. Patients have reported that they have lower pain in as little as ten minutes after attaching the device.
  • A patient may suffer from not being able to breathe properly and could potentially lose their life. The BRIDGE prevents overdoses from ultimately happening since it is caused by taking a dangerous amount of opioids at one time. This is groundbreaking since the BRIDGE allows them to treatment without pills, shots, or other common forms of treatment. Every patient has to stay motivated and trust the device to work during the first five days. Usually this period is the most important and the most rough during rehab treatment. After being examined by a doctor after the first five days of wearing it, a patient must then continue a more long-term treatment program.

Rapid Opioid Detox Resources

Detox will never be an easy fix if you want to get truly long lasting results. For anyone to stay sober from opiates, they need to stay patient and trust the process as the learn how to live a lifestyle that doesn’t depend on getting high. Their emotions, mood levels, and energy levels may fluctuate as they navigate this new state of mind. Luckily the BRIDGE radically reduces the national number of opioid addicts and can be shipped quickly within the United States with nationwide carriers. It helps boost our national economy as well since it’s manufactured and distributed from a plant in central Indiana. If you are cleared by your doctor to use the BRIDGE device in your daily life, research what local rehab programs encourage using the device along with their counseling. Every rehab professional needs to understand marketing in the rehab industry as well so patients can review what aspects about their service will help them the most. Make sure you invest in your business and your outreach to help the most people possible!

The opioid epidemic is hitting our nation’s youth hard.

 

 

 

 

 

Jan
25
2019

Gender And Addiction

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Substance abuse and gender are two things some of us rarely think are connected to. If someone abuses alcohol or practices prescription drug abuse enough, there is no doubt that they would develop a strong addiction regardless of whether they are a man or woman. What’s important to know is that more research is finding that gender and addiction is actually linked, as some withdrawal effects can affect women more than men. On the flip side, men have been found to be more prone to developing addiction to alcohol and their overall rates of alcoholism are much higher.

To break down the confusion between the ways substance abuse can affect both genders, let’s look at the ways men and women react differently. Both genders should be judged equally if they stumble across addiction as well since it’s not fair to blame men for “just being men” and women for being “reckless” or “unfeminine”. Our world is known for putting one gender over the other when it comes to drug shaming and it only fuels the fear that either side experiences when they want to become sober. The most important thing to remember is that these findings are not the end all, be all of your health if you happen to be using drugs or drinking a lot of alcohol. These are general statements that are derived from tests samples from the past few years. Your weight, biological makeup, exercise habits, daily diet and family history could all play a role in how you may individually react to drugs and gain treatment success.

Gender and addiction can effect men and women differently.

Substance Abuse And Gender

We’re all human, but men and women have demonstrated key differences in how their bodies react to alcohol and drugs. As rates of alcoholism rise and more opioid related injuries are flooding the media, we have to educate ourselves on the risks pertaining to our gender before it is too late. Some drugs that can affect men and women in different ways:

  • Marijuana: Recent studies have shown that more males using marijuana during their free time, in their workplace, and with their friends who encourage it than females. Men may have more of a need to boost their social reputation among friends or feed an ego that aspires to be respected and accepted within a larger group. Men also experience more intense highs and could metabolize their dosage much more slowly than women who process substances at a quicker rate on average. However, the same research also showed that marijuana more intensely impairs temporary memory in women’s brains than men. This is costly if a woman lives an active lifestyle, has a demanding job, or lives in an environment where she must be highly aware of her surroundings.
  • Heroin:Recent research shows that most women are generally using smaller doses of heroin and for less time on average than men. This makes sense since their bodies are generally smaller and weigh less, so taking the same amount would be very risky. Women have also been found to inject heroin much less than men because of the risk and pain factor involved. With their faster metabolism though, women pose a higher risk for overdosing on the drug than men during their first few years of use. It’s important to report anyone you know who is using heroin too frequently because it’s a one of the drugs that are much harsher on the body.
  • Prescription opioids: Opioids are a huge killer and contribute to the rising rates of substance abuse and gender related injuries the past few years. Some research suggests that women are more sensitive to pain can suffer from more intense withdrawal effects from the drug than men. Since women on average have higher rates of anxiety and stress, they may also use the drug to lower their symptoms and may not realize they have a full-fledged addiction to the drug before it’s too late. For men, they may use the drug to feel more bonded to their peers and relieve feelings of anger, stress, and tension. Men still suffer from the come down of the opioid high and are less likely to stick with treatment with the signs of relapse that can come back to their mind.
  • Alcohol:In general, men have higher rates of alcoholism and suffer from relapse throughout their older years. At the same time girls who are up to twenty years old have demonstrated a slightly increased rate of alcoholism than men. This could be due to social influencers that encourage young adults to try drugs and alcohol at a younger age in high school and in college. For women, their reproductive system could suffer the consequences of too much alcohol as it messes up their regular hormones cycle, periods, and levels of fertility. Pregnant women need to stay away from alcohol at all costs so they can protect their children so they don’t bear future disabilities as a result.

Both Genders Are Strong 

If you are someone who knows they have addiction and needs treatment, talk to someone you trust. Make sure they understand where you are coming from and are willing to provide you support. If you don’t have someone to talk to, that’s fine too but make sure you take matters into your own hands and look up what centers are around you. Even if you’re a man, you’re still not invincible from substance abuse disorder and will need to seek treatment. Do your homework on what location sounds right for you and you won’t be disappointed by the help it provides you in life!

 

Jan
25
2019

Cannabis-Assisted Detox

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You could have different experiences with using drugs, but it’s easy to tell that the topic of medical cannabis is highly controversial. Not everyone is standing behind its medical benefits and think it’s only going to ruin our national security. More teenagers might get addicted on the homefront and it is sparking political feuds around the country. Yet, thousands of people are preaching nonstop about its calming abilities and help symptoms of writer’s block, insomnia, and anxiety. For people who need detox from drug abuse, medical cannabis does a great job as well to block their cravings and prevent relapse in the future.

While no one can justify the “right” way to use medical cannabis and how much the “right” dosage should be, we can take action to learn more about its benefits and how it’s been scientifically proven to help people with addiction. Medical cannabis is already legal in 29 states and at least 85% of the general public supports legalizing it as of last year. No reported deaths have been linked to medical cannabis as well, with exceptions to patients operating dangerous machinery or just doing something out of the ordinary that would put their safety at risk. Since our government makes nationwide decisions by thorough research and party agreements, speaking out about your support and beliefs towards medical cannabis will help the people who really need it. The states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey took initiative to pass the drug and implement it into treatment plans in drug rehab centers throughout its region. People from a variety of backgrounds now use medical cannabis since it’s proven as a dramatically effective way to treat chronic pain and opioid addiction compared to alternative meds.

Let’s walk some of the pros and cons of using medical cannabis and if using it is right for you.

Cannabis assisted detox can make detox successful.

 

Medical Cannabis Benefits

Medical cannabis helps with patient’s chronic pain, opioid addiction, cancer symptoms, acute pain, and even PTSD or anxiety levels. If you’ve wanted to try the drug for your illness or begin cannabis-assisted detox for your drug addiction, think about its benefits:

  • Cannabis-assisted detox works by providing opiate withdrawal help. Opioid overdoses affect over 200
    people every day in the country. With medical cannabis, patients have reportedly lower stress, better sleep and eating habits, less headaches and pain throughout the day, less mood changes, and better peace of mind overall. Compared to anti-craving medications, patients are experiencing many benefits without taking another pill or worrying about a hefty prescription. If a patient takes medical cannabis and doesn’t abuse the drug the same way someone would with a substance abuse disorder, run into the same legal and financial issues that are usually linked to drug-related crimes.
  • Medical marijuana does require a prescription from your personal doctor, not your counselor or your neighbor down the street who’s a dermatologist. The drug is still very unregulated and comes with its own deal of side effects if it is abused to the extreme. Due to its nature, it is only allowed to be distributed in less than half of the states in the country. If you live in a state like California or Colorado that legalizes marijuana for rehab treatment, first visit your doctor. Tell them about your symptoms from your addiction and learn about the risks that are associated with using medical cannabis. From there, they can give you the prescription to legally obtain the drug from a licensed distributor in the area. You’ll also need to explain to your doctor if you have any family history of illnesses, personal medications you take, and possible pregnancy as well. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
  • You need to be aware of your personal health before using medical cannabis. People who are of older age, already sick with an illness, have a family history of addiction to drugs, or are weak in general can affect its effectiveness.For example, If someone is already on a drugs like allergy medicine, asthma inhalers, or antibiotics, they may not want to use medical cannabis or else the risk unwanted side effects. Mixing different drugs together is always risky because everyone’s body chemistry is different.
  • Cannabis-assisted detox may help opioid addicts to keep their relapse rates down. Opioid addiction is hard to deal with because it often causes relapses in even the most desperate treatment followers. Instead of using anti-withdrawal symptom pills that could induce annoying nausea, thinner blood, or loss of appetite, medical cannabis calms down patients. It also relieves their pain naturally and without taking a pill every day. With less annoying symptoms to deal with, patients can regain control of their life quickly and go back to feeling normal again.

Is Cannabis-Assisted Detox For You? 

Using medical cannabis for detox can be an effective way to secure a sustainable treatment method. You won’t be suffering from side effects from medication, pricey medication fees, or risk the relapses that often occur during drug addiction treatment plans. Patients are showing true signs of improvement from their previous pain, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, and even weight management. People who are interested in taking medical cannabis should immediately ask their doctor before taking any other actions. You should know what the risks are for yourself and if you can sustainably incorporate the drug into your lifestyle before committing to a large medical cannabis dose for treatment. You might also have a lot of questions that can be answered if you take a trip to their office. Overall, it’s best to consult a cannabis-assisted detox specialist as your first step and act as a sponge to all the information you can learn about treatment with it!

Learn more about cannabis assisted detox from trusted resources.

 

Jan
25
2019

Marijuana Addiction

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Marijuana addiction and overall cannabis abuse is hot topic in our country addiction. People are abusing the drug in their spare time illegally to get high, while others are using medicinal marijuana for their mental or physical illnesses. Not every state awill completely agree with the use and distribution of medicinal marijuana as well, so not everyone is in the same boat for their available resources for marijuana addiction treatment. Before taking action, it’s important to understand what possible signs of marijuana addiction are before anything dangerous happens.

Marijuana is not as physically dangerous as other drugs like heroin, cocaine, alcohol, stimulants, or opioids, but marijuana addiction can still progress to a fully-fledged disorder that disrupts a person’s regular life. They may suffer from withdrawal effects, financial loss, and broken relationships as a result of an intense marijuana addiction if they don’t get help and treat their problem responsibility. For the country overall, marijuana still interferes with people’s daily life and can lead to the same economic problems caused by other types of addiction in every community. While the public opinion of medicinal marijuana has eased up over the past few years from scientific studies done on its benefits, we need to fully understand its risks and what ways it should be used responsibly.

Marijuana addiction is a huge problem in our country.

Signs of Cannabis Abuse

Some signs of drug addiction can be more difficult to detect than others, especially if a person is a high functioning marijuana addict.A high functioning addict is someone who is highly skilled in covering up their secret and will appear like a normal and functioning human being to the outside world. They could be fooling their spouse, their friends, and even their close family if they are careful enough to cover up their tracks. Unfortunately, this facade only lasts so long as a marijuana addiction can snowball into a much deeper problem.Many people who have a marijuana addiction may either think they do not have a problem or won’t know how to handle the addiction with affordable treatment. Some of the most common red flags of someone having marijuana addiction include:

  • They are heavily in denial. No matter what people say or question about their habits, they tell them and themselves that there is no issue. They believe that their marijuana addiction is the new normal or is totally okay because other people who are successful have a similar habit. Just because the rich or famous practice cannabis abuse doesn’t mean it’s right, healthy, or fashionable to do the same. In most cases, people who don’t treat their cannabis abuse problem will end up in a crisis from losing hours of time, thousands of dollars, important relationships, and even potential careers that could’ve led them to freedom. Don’t let the short term excuses and justifications shadow the bigger problem at hand if you have a marijuana addiction.
  • They have odd behavior. Someone might be even experiencing family members who turn a blind eye to their behavior which further enables their beliefs that everything is okay. Someone with a marijuana addiction will likely experience either weight loss or weight gain, find themselves lying more than often, experience scenes of sudden panic, emotional dependency on the high, and even anger towards people who can sense something is off. Someone may not be able to even last an hour throughout day without thinking about their next hit of marijuana and how to support their out of control cannabis abuse. Their friends may be bad influencers or judge them in general, so they have more of a reason to not tell someone about their problem. People who pressure us or make us feel inadequate are the last people we want to come clean to about a marijuana addiction. If someone starts to come home from work later than before or tend to hide their financial activities something is most definitely off.
  • They look off. Someone who has full-fledged marijuana addiction will start to look more tired, agitated, and just weak in general. They could show up with more dark circles than usual, look a little more underweight or overweight, and seem like their mind is just not present at all. If someone with a marijuana addiction is clever enough, they may play off their difference in appearance as a joke or a response to their friend not believing in them. As someone who lived with a roommate during college who had an intense marijuana addiction, look out for these expressions of dark humor, frequent disappearing, and odd sleeping habits. Humor always has some grain of truth to it you know the person well enough.
  • Someone with a marijuana addiction will suffer from lower productivity. The easiest way to spot someone doing so in college is to see how many classes they are missing, how many times they blow off your plans, or how many hours they oddly sleep in on a weekday. They aren’t present anymore and so is their mind. For a working adult, they routinely show up to work late or take longer than usual lunch breaks once everyone returns back to the desk. They may avoid office parties or after work outings that they once took part in before their marijuana addiction. They’re likely rushing to the car or somewhere secret to get their next hit after going through hours of painful sobriety. Most of all, they could show up with the lingering scent of marijuana and may have bloodshot or tired looking eyes. Watch out for all of these signs of “MIA” behavior to get a sense of a possible habit of cannabis abuse.
  • They start to have different friends. Someone who smokes a lot of marijuana for recreational purposes will seek out people who encourage their behavior. We’re the average of the five people we spend the most time with, so look out for differences in their social circle and locations they seek out. If they’re often at the club or a new guy’s house, there may be something fishy going on. If they are also routinely creating an alibi or are even making up fictional friends, they absolutely need an intervention as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late to bear the consequences of marijuana addiction

Combating Marijuana Addiction

Although some people have no problem checking themselves into treatment, not everyone will be as brave. Our social influencers and work environment can play a huge role in our ability to recognize we are brewing a dangerous marijuana addiction. When someone is frequently taking drugs on and off of work or in the middle of their school classes, their internal drive to get their responsibilities down will be nonexistent as well.  If you or someone see often is starting to perform much worse than usual, help them talk about their daily routine and try your best to go to treatment. Even talking to a school counselor or getting a consultation at nearby rehab clinic can make a world of a difference.

Jan
06
2019

Car Salesmen Tricks 

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Sometimes going to a car dealership is an enjoyable experience that requires no repeating. You’re greeted with free coffee, a nice conversation, and beautiful looking cars set at an affordable price. Or, sometimes things go so sour that you’re scarred from stepping inside a dealership ever again. We all have an idea of what a shady used car salesman could look, talk, and act like to get their deal closed. Regardless of what experience you may have had at a used car dealership, there are a few traits that bad businesses share in common. You’ll feel better knowing what to look out for the next time you step into a dealership that offers financing for cars that seem too good to be true. Always practice safe judgement when you are buying a used car. Let’s look at a few red flags that poor car salesmen exhibit to you as a customer. We’ll also walk through what the right questions to ask are to make sure the car has as much value as the salesmen promises, what the warranties are, and how the dealership manages its inventory overall.

Sometimes the best looking cars can get the worst financing plans at a used car dealership.

Signs of Bad Car Dealers 

Usually a used-car dealer can seem shady  because used cars are more complicated to sell to to customers who want to know everything about its history. Typically, price-gouging, title-washing, covering up bad mechanical problems, offering backhanded deals and sky high interest rates are just a handful of the risks a consumer can face when buying a used car. There’s no guarantee that the car you buy isn’t totally spotless if you don’t do enough road tests and homework from independent sources. If you find yourself at a used car dealership, look out for the following signs to keep your money safe:

  • Poor assortment of inventory. If the cars in the lot look less than remarkable, their performance on the road and overall life span remaining may be lackluster. A good sign is to see fairly new cars that have low mileage accumulated and barely any history of repairs. On the other hand, if the majority of cars have nearly six figures of mileage, former accidents, and just look outdated it’s safe to visit another used car dealership. Everybody wants a great car at the lowest price but you don’t want to sacrifice your wallet for never ending maintenance issues down the road. If there’s a certain model that you’re eyeing, it may be best to go to its actual licensed dealer to try out their vehicles since the quality is likely to be more standardized.
  • A maintenance shop that is not organized or efficient. Many used car dealerships will offer in house fixes and renovations for their cars as another branch of their service. For complex automotive problems, you’re better off buying from a lot that will allow the cars to be fixed at the brand they actually belong too. Any type of car repair can quickly become expensive, but the quality will be more consistent with the actual brand’s dealer.
  • Limited warranties. No used-car lot can afford to offer new-car style coverage, but in some states they are mandated to offer at least a 30-day warranty and certification of inspection. Ask for how long our potential warranty is and don’t be afraid it to extend it to an additional 60 to 90 days to get the best value for your buck. If they’re proud to offer you a better service for your business, they are likely to be much easier to work with.
  • Limited open recalls. Ask the dealership about selling cars with open recalls. That rules out some big used car superstores but it’s best to check for yourself online to stay secure. You can find out whether a car has any open recalls by copying down its specific VIN number and entering it in atwww.safercar.gov. Protect yourself with your next used-car no matter how much time it can take!
  • Fraudulent sounding finance plans. These are a baiting tactic to bring in more customers who want a quick buy for the least amount of money required. While it seems easy to work with used car dealers who offer their own financing for people who especially have a worse off credit score, avoid any at all costs. At these types of dealerships, financing interest rates can range from an average of 19 percent to an extremely high 29 percent. This way over the typically rate for even store branded credit cards that sink your hard earned funds. Save yourself from any long term headache.
  • A difficult time during car inspection. The best way to make sure the used car you want to buy actually runs well like the dealer says is to take it to an independent mechanic and get an thorough inspection done. If the car has any big operating or safety problems, you can use the facts gained from the inspection to choose your decision. Bigger issues are usually signs of more maintenance problems to come in the future to come so be very careful. Any dealer who gives you an attitude for wanting to double check their word isn’t being honest to you in the first place.

On And Off The Road 

If you want to buy a used car from a dealership, make sure you research its customer reviews online. You’ll gain plenty of insight and know better about what cars are on the lot to decide if you should work visit them or not. Check out other used car dealerships  that you haven’t yet heard of as well if they are showing a great track record with previous customers!

Be wary of used car salesmen tricks!

 

Jan
06
2019

Developing Commercial Real Estate

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Instead of locking your hard earned money away in the bank or betting on gaining enough funds with a long term CD, why not look into commercial real estate investments? Many people strive to be an entrepreneur, investor, or influencer these days but few rarely put in the hard work or take the time to educate themselves on how to truly get there. While the upfront cost may be a bit more, if you make the right decisions while purchasing and developing a property a single investment can promise years of consistently strong financial wealth. Investors have positive days and negative days as well while developing properties so growing a thicker skin is essential for survival.

Anything can go wrong in the world of real estate, especially if someone is renting out a property to business or private tenants. Yet, if managed right and safely insured, the right property can become a significant long term asset that can provide financial prosperity. Keep in mind, you can view rent reports like this one to understand local markets before making any investment.

Before you consider purchasing a piece of commercial land, you must consider what your goal is in the process. Are you trying to develop the land first, and then sell it off to a renter? Will you buy it and immediately flip the property after you check its features? Depending on what you intend to do, owning commercial real estate is a drawn out process that needs careful attention to details. Every investor might have a slightly different approach to acquiring and developing their property to make a property. Let’s walk through the different ways investors typically gain, renovate, and sell their land so you can decide which the best for your goals is!

Commercial real estate takes time and strategy.

What Is Property Development?

It’s very important to be aware of the different ways to buy your dream property if you’re looking to become a key figure in the commercial real estate space. The best thing to do is the immediately build up your list of contacts. This will help you know who to call for potential investment opportunities, make helpful friends in the industry, and gain potential discounts on renovation fees or maintenance issues. Wise real estate investors will also want to know all that they can about the area and property since investment will take a lot of legal hurdles, financial payments and sometimes pesky owners. Some key strategies to keep in mind when buying a commercial real estate property are:

  • Buying and holding: A commercial real estate investor buys the land and will hold it for a certain period of time. If they strongly believe that the land will consistently appreciate in value this will be end strong. However, the investor will still have to manage the property’s marketing, current tenant (if there is one), pay any additional taxes tied to it, and fund operational costs to keep it up. Any investor using this method will be hoping that they can hand the property over to a developer to profit from as the area’s overall value rises
  • Buying and selling: The process entails purchasing a commercial real estate property below the market value, driving its value up with enhanced marketing, and locating a proper buyer to pay above the alleged value form the market. In theory, this seems like a no brainer way to get the profit you want. Commercial real estate investors are always eager for a quick sale and quick returns on their investment. Remember that finding a great buyer who is impressed by your property is never guaranteed unless its location has high traffic, is constantly being sold out, or has low turnover. Failed flipping usually leads to vacancy and thousands of dollars of loans.
  • Buying, developing, and renting: If an investor wants to develop their land after buying so they can dramatically increase its market value, they abstain from putting it back on the market. They will take time to adding custom features like nice flooring, new windows, better roofing, or even a more spacious lot overall. This would be deemed more valuable by a business that is looking to buy a commercial real estate space. Then, being attracted to your property, a business owner may ask you to rent a portion or even the entirety of the property every month.

Plan Properly For Property Development 

If you want to lifestyle of a successful commercial real estate investor you need to start taking an honest look at your daily tasks and what your time is going towards. A smart investor always manages his or her own time well to thoroughly invest opportunities, to create a solid list of significant people to work with, to visit properties in person, and to learn about the climate of every area. Once an investor gets into the process of looking at a potential property, they could also run into annoying government restrictions or renovation related challenges that may make the process much longer than anticipated. Make sure that you can mentally and financially prepare for such instances, since doing house inspections and paying off HOA fees can be very expensive. Someone could also possibly deal with natural disasters like mud slides, floods, or tornados (if you’re in the midwest), so look up the area’s geological history as well. A smart investor may even run into sky high tax rates that exceed the property’s value or high crime rates that debilitate its marketable value. All these factors combined should be checked on early in the process since they can make or break your profit potential.

Take the time to educate yourself on all the traits that a good property investment has like reasonable tax rates, a healthy market value, potential for renovations, and minimal restrictions for zoning from the government. Sometimes we have to bite the bullet and stay humble while learning new things about investing, even if we made the mistakes that trusted resources warn us not to do. This is completely okay and is only a warning sign for you to not repeat the same mistake twice. As a result, knowing the best strategies to buy your real estate investment will help you maximize your buying power and become the top commercial investor in your area if you wish.

Commercial real estate is highly profitable.

 

 

 

Jan
06
2019

Are Millennials More Depressed?

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It seems like so many millennials these days are going through depression, anxiety, or other mental issues like PTSD. If you aren’t one, you may think that they deserve the stereotype of eating too much avocado toast, spending too much money on experiences than actual needs, and are babied too much by society. If you are one, you might be angry at the world for leaving an economy trashed by reckless reforms, constantly judging you for using helpful technology, spending money on experiences than useless material goods, and seeing the liberal side of political issues overall. For either party, we can agree that living in society today is tough and almost anyone is prone to developing mental health issues like depression if they aren’t taking care of themselves.

What doesn’t help millennials, however, is the mounting pressure from all sides to perform better than before. Olympic records are becoming faster every year, college is becoming more expensive, iPhones are becoming a necessity to actually stay in touch with peers, and the job market seems to be shrinking. Count in the thousands of dollars of student debt that we have to bear after college that our parents didn’t have to worry about. Jot down the rising costs of healthy food and affording things like health insurance that the older generations keep shouting at us to have. As a millennial myself, I can honestly say that we have it very hard. Not all of us are battle proof enough to go through these struggles with enough family support, healthy routines, and mental tenacity to come out happy and unstressed. Social media plays a huge role in our life’s, and why not? It weaves us together and helps us share important information. Yet, it mainly show us only the highlights of other people’s lives and we never see the times they are struggling just like us. We scroll on our phone and watch Jeffree Star’s latest YouTube video to relax, but in the long run it costs us sleep that could actually benefit us more.

The first step to helping each other with depression is to stop the judgement. If you are feeling strong and care about another person’s well-being, it is time get educated about the types of treatment plans that are available and what affordable activities can actually help!

Social media can contribute to poor teen mental health.

Poor Mental Health

There’s many signs that point to someone (not just a millennial) suffering from depression or weak mental health. Maybe they just look sad or act irritable most of the day, are losing interest in activities that once had their passion, are eating or sleeping differently, or are not doing well in their classes or job. On the deeper level, they could have thoughts of suicide, are isolating themselves from people, or are turning to substances drugs or alcohol. If your suspect these things, come to them with an open mind and don’t accuse them of doing something that they’re not. Catch them at a time when they aren’t busy and put yourself in their shoes. Maybe they’re annoyed or are giving you vague answers to get away. Remember that their tone of voice is just displaying stress they’re experiencing from their mental health.

Overall, tell them that you understand and make it really clear that their emotions are valid. It isn’t wrong to feel upset or stressed if their problems aren’t “as big” as others. Remind them that everyone is going through a struggle of their own. Lastly, be compassionate without point fingers are why they aren’t getting help already. They would not know if a certain treatment is for them if they are so worked up day to day and often can’t give you an answer to such a pressured question.

Getting The Right Help 

Make sure you accentuate how positive someone’s decision to get treatment is. Acknowledging their problem is huge! But that’s the first step. Make sure it fits their schedule and don’t pressure them into seeing the traditional counselor if they want to make diet changes, sleep changes, and exercise changes first. Sometimes seemingly severe mental health issues can be improved in a few weeks with enough sleep and proper nutrition. If they know that their state is much more severe than that, help them look at local treatment or counseling centers that are friendly towards helping younger people. Seeing a younger counselor can sometimes be more comfortable since they might be more relatable to your stage of life. From there, form a plan with possible antidepressants (at a last resort), counseling, support groups, holistic medicine, or another alternative depending on the person’s situation.

Usually the best results are from using a combination of medication and therapy so any other issues besides the depression or stress addressed. The exact plan that the person you’re helping will follow will be determined after all their factors are taken into account. Taking time to tailor a plan to their needs is necessary for successfully completing it.

The Youth Is Strong

You aren’t weak or incapable because you’re young. We millennials are talented, intelligent, and see sides of issues with creativity and with less stubbornness on average. We know how to improvise and deal with life problems with less money in the bank after so many loans. Just having the skills of conquering that is a tremendous feat. Dealing with poor mental health and anxiety disorder in millennials can be hard because we all take on so much each day. We are always adjusting to the stress of school, work, and being a successful person. If you or someone you know is too depressed or stressed, first talk to someone trustworthy. Then, go together to see a counseling expert who can form a battle proof plan. Take action and see where the road takes you!

Millennials can adapt and succeed.

Jan
06
2019

Phoenix auto events

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Cars are some of the most exciting things to watch. Typically the best places to watch cars are in the south where cars can freely run without fear of inclement weather. The Arizona car scene has been attracting serious crowds in the past few years as racing as been growing more popular than ever before. Car line up on a deserted street or track and race as fast as they an for cash or another sought out prize. Sometimes the must show stopping cars and luxurious cars are brought out to keep the audience more engaged.

While Arizona street racing is prohibited and can punish people with a ticket, the show is still going on. Even if a cop sees you drive or accelerate quickly by yourself, you could get a ticket for racing or more likely a ticket for speeding instead. As exciting as it sounds to be a part of the Arizona car scene and its thrilling races, it is more wise to stay safe and refrain from any illegal activity overall. Let’s walk through how drag racing in Arizona is prohibited and what the consequences could be if you try it.

The Arizona driving scene is off the charts.

Arizona street racing consequences

Someone can run into some costly consequences if they are found to be racing by a cop. Many automobile clubs in Arizona have to be wary of these punishments so their members aren’t fined a lot of money and get their privileges taken away. Racing on any street or highway is a class 1 misdemeanor in the state of Arizona. If you happen to be convicted by the local court, a driver in Arizona will face a harsh fine of no less than $250. They might also be ruled to complete a certain amount of community service, and they could have their ultimate driving privileges suspended for up to 90 days. That’s a long time to be off the road, let alone someone who loves driving or racing cars. If a driver is convicted of racing, the court will notify the MVD who will put 8 points on the driver’s license. This will trigger an order from the MVD that the driver must attend an 8-hour traffic survival school class that is held only in person to qualify. Definitely a lot of hassle you don’t want to deal with from the government.

If a driver is convicted of racing a second time in public, they will have to pay a hefty fine of nothing lower than $500. Then, there community service will be multiplied and their will have their license suspended as well. In fact, to scare you even more if the second conviction is within two years of the first, the driver will deemed guilty of a class 6 felony. This means that they will not be able to request for probation, pardon, or any other release until they served at least ten days in jail. Once they paid their dues and are out of imprisonment, their driving privileges will be completely taken away. You don’t want to risk all those privileges for a few minutes of outdoor fun!

Defense for drag racing in Arizona

If you or someone you know is charged with street racing, don’t fret completely until you know all the defenses that you can use to protect yourself. Arizona street racing poses a long list of charges that could be prevented if can proof a few important details. Since the Arizona law requires the involvement of multiple vehicles for drag racing to occur, you could possibly argue in court that no other vehicles were involved in the situation. This defense can be effective when only one driver was cited down from the day of the drag racing incident. Typically police officers work in traffic by themselves so they can only pull over one care at time and could have they can only pull over one car at a time and could have “missed” other people thought to be involved.

Another defense that you can use includes feeling from a road rage incident and not involving another driver who was possibly stopped by the cop. You could argue that you were trying to get away from a driver who was acting reckless and who was trying to work against you by not halting at all. You could say that you were in danger if you didn’t flee from the seen as long as your car was ahead of theirs in the situation. In addition to protecting yourself on that aspect, you have to make sure that the cop said your Miranda rights or else any other evidence could be thrown out of the court. Also make sure that all the photos and videos from the street are definitely your car and are accurate so you aren’t being wrongly accused of something you may have not done. It’s better to take time to look at all the evidence so you can save yourself from the penalty.

Phoenix auto events in the future

It is crucial that auto clubs now in Arizona protect themselves before anyone gets hurt. If you do happen to get caught in the middle of a drag racing issue with the cops, reassess your rights and think of the ways you could have not be directly related to the alleged crime. The Arizona car scene is ever changing and needs to be careful of new changes to laws as well. There’s more than just drag racing to have fun with amazing cars in the state’s beautiful weather. Look at your resources for exciting and legal Arizona car events that are going on for all auto lovers. Get your engines running and explore what’s out there!

Watch out for Arizona racing laws.

Jan
06
2019

Dealing With A Cystoscopy?

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If you’ve dealt with having a cystoscopy before, you might not know what to do first. Some people fear the process is painful, takes a long time, and might require a lot of medication. The truth is that the process of having a cystoscopy doesn’t have to be as complicated as it stands. If a patient is tested and is found to have an increased of a future bladder infection, a doctor will give them the green light to have a cystoscopy done. Typically, they have already reported having issues with some slight pain in the bladder area or having problems with urinating throughout the day. The procedure is more of a simple test than an invasive surgery. The procedure is frequently used for patients who have mentioned slight discomfort or suffer from frequent urination problems. Let’s take a look at what a person can expect if they get a cystoscopy and how they can recover safely after the procedure is over with.

Getting a cystoscopy doesn’t have to be scary.

Why Someone May Have A Cystoscopy

Anyone regardless of their gender, ethnic background, or previous health history could be prescribed a cystoscopy to prevent a future infection in their bladder. Before the procedure is done, patients must take an easy urination test in the hospital lab to look for any premature bacteria. If a patient reports having pain “while they go”, having to go many times during the day, or having trouble not going at all their doctors will used the symptoms as a decision for the cystoscopy. As they arrive in the hospital on the day of the produce, the doctor will give them a dose of anesthetic in case any pain is caused by the small insertion of the mini camera which is attached to a tube. Usually, patients are allowed to stay awake during the procedure since only a millimeter wide cut will be made in the groin area. This drug will make you feel slightly dizzy, but the side effects will fade after spending some time to rest at home. From there, the camera will show the doctor if any infection or possible tumors represent.

If you want to be properly ready for your cystoscopy, make sure you take antibiotics before and after the procedure to block off outside bacteria from infecting the site. Usually, people who are of older age, have history of a weakened immune system, or are already ill are given antibiotics to ward off any potential risks. Make sure using machinery, doing any physically hard work, or driving when you are post-surgery. If anything, ask for a ride home or Uber if you have to after the procedure.

Before Getting A Cystoscopy

Be aware of the risks that come with getting a cystoscopy done. In order to protect yourself, make sure your doctor knows about any previous medications you’re taking that could affect your bleeding after the surgery, any possible complications, and if you are pregnant or not. Some medications and drugs are not safe to be in contact with a forming child if you aren’t careful.

Don’t be too worried if there is some excess bleeding or if you feel a burning feeling after you urinate after the cystoscopy. Bleeding is normal after the surgery, but if you are bleeding a lot definitely tell your doctor and get checked at the hospital to make sure your body isn’t reacting too harshly. You also might face having to urinate more than usual during the night or day after getting the procedure done, but this is also completely normal. Make sure you set your schedule around the possibility that you may have to go at more unexpected times. Definitely don’t hold anything in so you aren’t at risk for a blood clot in the area. As for your diet, make sure you drink enough water during the day and eat as healthy as you can to speed up your recovery process. For a typical person, drinking at least eight glasses of water is sufficient to stay hydrated. Don’t go back to the gym and attempt to smash your most difficult workout after the surgery either. Successful recovery takes time and your body will mend if you are patient with it.

Finally, to prevent any possible infection from germs present in the area make sure you clean the cut. Some signs of a possible infection include unexpected fevers, any feelings of nausea, acute lower back pain, and bad scented urine. You will usually feel or notice if something is off because you know your body the best out of anyone. f this happens, call your doctor immediately to treat the issue. If you called or visit your doctor about your pain, they can allow Advil or Tylenol while you finish recovering.

Have A Successful Procedure

There’s no need to fret about having the procedure done, even if you haven’t heard about it before. Take the steps to set yourself up for successful and a great recovery by following the advice I have laid out. Even though the side effects of a cystoscopy may sound uncomfortable, you don’t need to be afraid.Everyone’s body is different so there’s no guarantee no compilations will happen, but the same can be said for nearly every kind medical surgery you could get. Never be afraid about asking your doctor “stupid” questions either about your cystoscopy. Their job is to keep you safe, comfortable, and at ease from start to finish. It’s better to get an answer for a question you think is embarrassing than get no answer at all!

You don’t have to feel alone when getting a cystoscopy!