One of the things that you might hear from alcoholics and addicts once in a while is that they are functional. What this is intended to mean is that even though they might accept that they are addicted to drugs or alcohol, they are still able to live their lives just fine.
What the deeper meaning happens to be is that they believe that their addiction is not a problem. For […]
Admitting that you have a substance abuse problem and seeking help is very commendable. However, while you may feel like you have beat your demons after completing rehab, it’s important to be aware that there is a possibility that you will relapse. In fact, drug and alcohol abuse experts indicate that relapse is very likely.
Abstinence is key to avoiding relapse, but it isn’t enough to prevent it from happening. Being […]
When you love someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, there’s no denying that you want to help them. However, it can be hard to tell if you are actually helping them or if you are enabling their addiction.
The line between supporting & enabling is a thin one. Crossing it can mean the difference between actually giving your loved one the help that he or she needs and fueling […]
Did you know there is a significant relationship between anxiety and addiction? Understanding that connection can help facilitate healing.
According to a 2017 study published in the journal Psychiatric Services, more than 8.3 million American adults have depression and anxiety. Plus, the 2016 Surgeon General’s report on addiction notes that over 27 million people were abusing drugs and over 66 million were abusing alcohol in 2015.
Depression, anxiety, and addiction are on the rise, and […]
When there’s a celebration, people crack open a bottle of champagne. Bars are regular social scenes where friends meet over a beer. However, is alcohol a drug? Not only is the answer, “yes”, but you could also make the point that it’s among the most dangerous out there.
Understanding the Chemistry of Alcohol
Chemically speaking, alcohol is a depressant. It literally slows down the central nervous system. However, it doesn’t do so at […]
How many people do you know who say they drink/use because they’re bored? Maybe you feel the same. As someone who works in the field of substance misuse, boredom is quite often a main reason given for relapse.
As the statement goes, “An idle mind is the devil’s playground.” This is true for both the “healthy” individual and the alcoholic/addict, but boredom can be a major contributing factor in addiction and […]
One of the most difficult parts of quitting opioid addiction, whether it involves codeine, fentanyl, Vicodin or heroin, is the withdrawals associated with the process.
Many experts believe that both the pain of detox and the fear of that pain are one of the greatest barriers to patient detoxification and rehabilitation. It’s clear that many patients quit before they can be moved to a medication-assisted treatment program.
The Problem of Detox
Statistics show […]
Research has proven when it comes to addiction to opioids, Medication assisted treatment substantially improves the odds of successful recovery for people who
misuse opioids, including heroin
prescription painkillers
Medication Assisted Treatment for alcohol/opioid addiction has proven effective around the globe when combining certain medications with a comprehensive treatment program:
Medication Assisted Treatment improves the survival rate for those dependent on alcohol and/or opioids
Patients are able to retain and apply dramatically more of the skills and concepts […]
It is probably not surprising that so many people decide to pursue sobriety around the winter holidays, mainly because this time of year signals both an ending an a new beginning.
Waking up on the 1st of January is like getting a clean sheet. People want to do things a bit differently than the year before. Such a change can bring many benefits to the life of the individual. For some, it […]
The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for people new to recovery. Especially when old family traditions still exist, and you have started to develop new and healthier ones.
It can be difficult for family members or friends to understand that you can’t join the family for Christmas dinner this year because it raises bad memories or that being near alcohol is just too triggering for you at this point […]