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The heyday drug of the 1960’s that’s still in use today poses some dangerous health risks that everyone should know about. Explore what they are here: LSD remains one of
Drinking can impair your vision … true or false? Get the full scoop here: “Beer goggles”—the evil twin of “rose-colored glasses”—are the point where a drinker’s vision becomes so blurry
The added value of treatment and recovery to families and communities can be hard to measure—especially when obscured by more sensationalist headlines about today’s deadly opiate epidemic. That’s why we
It’s a controversial question, and the answer may be life-changing. Get it here: Once an alcoholic completes treatment and enters recovery, sooner or later he or she will begin to
What’s one community solution to tackling the addiction epidemic that’s enjoying tremendous success at reducing rates of relapse? Explore what it is and how it’s making a difference in a
Staging an intervention for an addicted loved one can be scary and stressful. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. Breathe more easily with this much-needed advice for how
Sharing your story of recovery can be scary, but it’s also a critical step to greater healing and self-discovery. Learn how to share your experience with others in recovery, including
After a night of boozing and binge drinking, how much time does it take for alcohol to completely leave your system? Get a detailed answer from the experts. Alcohol remains
How long it takes for opiates to leave your system is a question that anyone considering treatment for a prescription painkiller or heroin addiction asks—and the answer may surprise you.
What’s one factor that can make or break your recovery? Learn what it is, and how to have more of it in your life. Your friends can be instrumental to
It’s a more common form of prescription drug abuse in today’s spiraling epidemic, but just because it’s “more common” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Get a whiff of the dangers here:
How do two X chromosomes make you more susceptible to cocaine? Explore the latest findings from scientific experts and what they may mean for the future of cocaine treatment and
It’s slang for an eating disorder involving alcohol, and college campuses are its prime breeding ground. Do you know what it is—and how to spot it in a college-aged friend
It’s a popular catchphrase, but is it a clinical phenomenon and could it describe you? Get the scoop here. It’s easy to watch a movie or television show with a
What are the advantages to intervening early when you spot a potential substance abuse problem, and what might “early intervention” look like? Get the life-saving answers that everybody needs to
In the wake of relapse, it can be tempting to question whether you’ll ever overcome an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Don’t despair! There are lessons to be had. Discover
It’s commonly a contributor to addiction and an enemy to recovery. Discover what it is and how to beat it: The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes in its official
If you’re in early recovery looking for a job, don’t let the prospect of an employer drug screening psych you out. Get everything you need to know in order to
When you’re stressed out at work, you’re more prone to relapse. That’s why effective stress management is critical to recovery. Develop some new coping tools for on-the job stress here:
More and more Americans aren’t just taking their lunch to work … the three most popular drugs of choice among U.S. workers may surprise you. Learn what they are here,
Family support can be critical to successful recovery outcomes—but how do you find the encouragement you need when your family isn’t supportive or when you don’t have any family at
There’s no exact science to finding work-life balance when you’re in recovery—but that doesn’t mean a less stressed, more focused and self-disciplined version of you isn’t within reach. Get some
Guilt can be a common obstacle in recovery, but feeling badly over what you have done or failed to do in the past doesn’t have to lead to relapse or
It’s a dilemma that many parents dread: When you’re in need of addiction treatment, how do you break the news to your kids? Discover some helpful and reassuring strategies for
Choosing where to go for addiction treatment often involves considerations about health insurance coverage. Do you know how to get the answers you’ll need? Learn what to ask your health
There are good reasons why alcohol in powdered form is currently banned. Learn what the powdered alcohol dangers are, especially for teens and under-aged users: Though the concept of “powdered
When can I expect to recover? For those considering treatment for a drug or alcohol problem, the answer may be “sooner than you think.” Discover why based on the latest
“High-functioning alcoholism” is a bit of an oxymoron. Discover why, including tips for spotting it in a friend or loved one. Problem drinking or functional alcoholism and binge drinking is
Using drugs or alcohol to shed a few pounds can be medically risky. Whether it’s drinking, smoking or taking Adderall to lose weight, the risk factors far outweigh the body-trimming
As it is, connecting with a teenaged child can be challenging for even the most seasoned of parents … but how do you connect with a teen who’s just home
Not every vacation is good for your recovery. Learn what you can do to ensure your next vacation is. Recovery takes work, no question about it. Yet this doesn’t preclude
Drug and alcohol detox is easier and more manageable when you’re eating a well-balanced diet with the right, nutritious foods. Learn how based on what the experts say: If you’re
Why is Medication-Assisted Treatment important for opiate addicts in early treatment? Discover the reasons here: The gold standard for treating heroin and opiate addiction is Medication-Assisted Treatment, which refers to
Parents who drink can influence their children’s attitudes and behaviors towards alcohol. Discover how here: Children whose parents drink are five times more likely to use alcohol themselves—often before legal
Effective stress management is central to lasting freedom from substance abuse, but many don’t know where or how to begin in managing stress without drugs or alcohol. Discover 10 invaluable
If drinking red wine in moderation is one secret to living longer, too much alcohol in any form is the really scary flip side of the story that everyone should
More of this emotion can benefit your health and boost your recovery … Discover what it is and how to get more of it in your everyday life: “Awe” is
While it may improve focus and energy levels when taken as prescribed, long-term Adderall abuse can have devastating effects on the body. Misuse of this stimulant can lead to serious
The fact that addiction is a chronic disease characterized by relapse isn’t a license for despair. On the contrary, take a look at how addiction stacks up next to other
At-home drug or alcohol treatment has its advocates—but if you’re referring a patient to substance abuse treatment, you may be doing them more of a service by encouraging them to
When a loved one has a drug or alcohol problem, it can be hard to empathize—or to know the difference between empathy that can help heal an addiction and enabling
Leaving drug or alcohol treatment prematurely is a common temptation in early recovery. So is the allure of relapse. Learn how to encourage your loved one not to give up
Stress at work puts men at higher risk of alcohol abuse. Get more acquainted with the one occupational hazard every man needs to know about: The fact that chronic work
Getting help for a loved one or family member who’s struggling with addiction can seem overwhelming, confusing and difficult. Not only are there myriad treatment options in terms of treatment
Drug abuse has a new face among today’s younger professionals … learn how to recognize it and why getting immediate help can be so critical: So, what are smart drugs?
A happy hour without booze can seem unfathomable if you’re a working professional in recovery. Then again, so can the prospect of avoiding happy hour altogether. Check out these tips
When sleep eludes you, taking a prescription or over-the-counter sleeping pill can be “just what the doctor ordered” to get relief … it can also be dangerous. Discover why here:
Alternative therapies for addiction improve treatment outcomes, according to experts — and it turns out there are many. Explore what they are here: Whether the addiction is to alcohol or
Alcoholism kills you by attacking key organs of the body until they stop working. Learn why immediate intervention with any drinking problem is an urgent priority: Alcoholism is a disease
Addiction experts say sticking with recovery really pays off. Explore how, and get the secret to persevering: Sticking with recovery—perseverance—can improve your chances of freedom from addiction, according to experts.
It’s probably safe to say that everyone dislikes Tax Day. When April 15 arrives, along with the date on the calendar is the sometimes aggravating, sometimes worrisome, always necessary requirement
Getting out from under the oppressive, debilitating and often quick downward spiral of opiate addiction is never easy. It’s understandable that a great deal of medical research and attention centers
Although the majority of recovering addicts experience at least one relapse, the person who does give in is usually left struggling with thoughts of “I always screw up things others
Poor family communications are a frequent contributing factor in addiction and relapse. A household including one or more people who abuse drugs or alcohol is typically saturated in untruthfulness, secrecy,
Fentanyl is the most potent prescription painkiller currently on the market, and its classification as a Schedule II substance means it also has a high potential for abuse. The narcotic
Can too much alcohol cause infertility? That question is one many couples ask when trying to conceive. They wonder whether drinking can affect their chances of achieving pregnancy, and if
Alcohol is the fourth leading preventable cause of death in the United States, according to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, which has estimated that each year roughly 88,000
Students who have managed to stay sober in college for months may find themselves dreading new dangers as spring break approaches. Binge drinking is a feature of many spring break
Drug overdose is the fastest-growing cause of death in the United States. The majority of fatalities—as many as 125 a day—are from prescription or illegal opioids, with one in three
The idea of popping a pill or taking a vaccine to eliminate addiction forever has a certain appeal. There’s only one problem: it won’t work. There’s much more to overcoming
Can you get hooked to over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and develop an unwanted addiction? The answer depends on a number of factors. The drug in question and its particular qualities are
They have been called “the game with no winner.” Still, drinking games remain a common rite of passage for high school-aged teens and young adults in this country. On college
While a certain amount of peer pressure is good, some is almost always risky, even dangerous. When teens feel pressured by parents and friends to excel in school, to get
Kidneys are body organs that most of us take for granted. They’re hidden, do their job, and generally require no intervention or attention until they fail. By then, it might
Being a parent is a tough job. You want the best for your children, yet wonder at times if you’re doing or saying the right thing. When it comes to
Spirituality is an important component of recovery from drugs and alcohol. Spiritual practices like gratitude, among others, have also been proven to support overall health and wellbeing. In this sense,
There are notable differences between spirituality and religion that have bearing on a discussion of spirituality as it relates to addiction and recovery. The fact that spirituality and religion are
If you watch the news or spend any time online, then you probably have heard the hype about the benefits of drinking a glass or two of red wine a
Overcoming addiction is not easy, but thanks to innovations in science and the supports we now know to be effective for sustaining sobriety, successful recovery can be a reality —
America’s latest emerging opiate drug threat has a funny name, “carfentanil,” but there is little about this new danger on the streets that warrants laughter. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Actress Carrie Fisher died of heart failure on December 27, 2016, two months after her 60th birthday. Medical experts theorized that years of self-medicating with cocaine and other drugs contributed
The fight against America’s opiate addiction epidemic has a new adversary to contend with: the reemerging drug threat known as fentanyl (Carfentanil), which recently became the latest opiate to send
Love ever after, despite all difficulties, is a consoling concept and does, in many instances, exist. In the best of times, a couple’s relationship goes through ups and downs, sometimes
Valentine’s Day is a special event for many couples, although the candy, flowers and intimate dinners may seem a little out of place when the other half of the duo
Making the decision to go into treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is both highly personal and incredibly life-affirming. Still, it’s often difficult to navigate the different options and settle
“Spirituality” is a term that has been defined in various ways and as a phenomenon can differ from one person to another. In its most basic sense, spirituality refers to
“Speedballing” refers to the process of mixing and imbibing both a stimulant (“upper”) and a depressant (“downer”). Examples of a speedball include Xanax and crystal meth or alcohol and cocaine.
Student athletes are generally at greater risk of abusing alcohol than their college peers. As a result, they are also more vulnerable to the effects of binge drinking and other
“Bath salts” once meant epsom salts (magnesium sulfates) and other substances that were sprinkled into bath water for a more soothing soak. Today, however, “bath salts” can as easily mean
January 2017 marks the start of another memorable year in the life of our drug and alcohol treatment programs. The New Year is also a rare opportunity to stop for
Percocet is the brand name of an addictive painkiller medication that combines the opiate oxycodone with acetaminophen (the ingredient in the over-the-counter pain reliever, Tylenol). As a member of the
The start of the New Year is an excellent opportunity to take a good look at your recovery plan and add some things to your routine to help keep you
Percocet is the brand name of oxycodone, and as an opiate, belongs to a class of drugs commonly prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. This commonly prescribed
Everything’s set and you’re about to go into treatment. But it’s not down the street, perhaps not close to your home environment. Even if this is by choice, it’s understandable
Relapse, or the recurrence of drug or alcohol addiction following a period of remission or recovery, is common among those with diagnosed substance use disorders (SUDs). Rates of relapse for
It is not uncommon for those receiving inpatient treatment for drugs and alcohol to have questions and concerns about life after rehab. Moreover, transitioning back to the real world from
Recovery is about a lot of firsts: first sober date, first sober job, first sober holiday, and on and on. Some sober milestones—for example, one month without a drink—can be
Celebrating the holidays can be challenging for those new to life in recovery. Both the internal and external pressures to drink can be strong at this time of year. Such
Benzodiazepine tranquilizers, commonly called “benzos,” belong to the CNS (Central Nervous System) category of depressants. Benzos bind to the brain’s GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmitter receptors, which helps reduce neuron activity
Christmas and the holidays can be a stressful time of year for anybody, but for those in recovery from drugs or alcohol (especially in early recovery), this reality can be
Vicodin is the name brand for a popular prescription painkiller medication that is a combination of the addictive opiate hydrocodone plus acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol). In recent years,
Every day an average of six people in the United States die from alcohol poisoning by overdosing on the substance, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Alcohol poisoning happens
Relapse occurs when a person returns to alcohol or drugs after a period of intentional abstinence. Though relapse can sound or feel like a sudden process, it is actually a
For those in recovery, the “spirits” of Christmas at work holiday parties can be a perennial concern this time of year. Festive, end-of-year celebrations hosted by employers are often replete
Finding holiday cheer isn’t always easy for those in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs) who also suffer from a dual diagnosis known as seasonal affective disorder, also known as
Vicodin is a pain-relief medication that combines acetaminophen (the over-the-counter pain reliever used in Tylenol) with hydrocodone bitartrate, a semi-synthetic opioid. Like all opioid-based pain relievers, Vicodin attaches itself to
Confronting a loved one about their substance abuse is a complex but necessary step toward seeking help. An intervention can be a powerful tool for initiating change. In this blog
Underage drinking leads to more problems than just a hangover the next day. The life-altering consequences of underage drinking are associated not only with the substance itself but also with
Mindfulness, as defined by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, is a “moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment,” which various
Alternative therapies include various natural and holistic treatments that have been scientifically proven to support recovery from drugs and alcohol, as part of an integrated plan of substance abuse care.
Ninety percent of people in recovery will relapse during the first four years of a comeback from drug and alcohol addiction. That is the widely accepted statistic regarding rates of
Addiction support groups, also known as self-help groups (SHGs), mutual help groups, and recovery fellowships, are an important component of substance abuse care—so much so that they are a go-to
“Mindfulness” is an approach to meditation that has been shown to aid in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. This article will educate readers on mindfulness and what recent research
Cocaine addiction is a serious public health problem in this country, having accounted for more than one in three (40 percent) of all drug abuse-related emergency room visits, in data
Co-occurring disorders (CODs), also known as dual diagnoses, are mental disorders that coexist with at least one substance use disorder (SUD) and can manifest as mood, anxiety, personality or psychotic
Benzodiazepines—or benzos, for short—are a tranquilizing class of doctor-prescribed medications that, in addition to being widely administered to treat anxiety and insomnia in the U.S., can lead to abuse, addiction,
Untreated substance use disorders (SUDs) can wreak havoc in relationships. Spouses are among those who suffer the most, and it is not uncommon for SUD-affected marriages to end in divorce.
Opiate overdose is a major public health crisis in this country. Less than a decade ago, 2,000 Americans were dying from heroin overdose each year, and another 10,000 were dying
The causes of drug and alcohol addiction are varied and complex, often going all the way back to childhood. They fall broadly into two categories: genetic predisposition (a family history
The decision regarding which drug or alcohol rehab setting will be right for you—inpatient vs. outpatient—can be a difficult one. Clients and their families can feel insufficiently equipped to choose
Suicide and addiction are two escalating public health problems in this country that are also inseparably related to one another—it’s hard to talk about the risks of substance abuse without
A “dual diagnosis” or “co-occurring disorder” (COD) denotes the coexistence of another diagnosable mental condition in those with a substance use disorder (SUD). The 2014 “National Survey on Drug Use
Designer drugs are the result of adding chemicals to naturally occurring plant-based drugs like marijuana, morphine and cocaine. Commonly used designer drugs include club drugs such as ecstasy, LSD and
Recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction is a journey, destination and way of life. It’s also a big achievement, one that consists of many smaller but nonetheless significant accomplishments.
Long-term recovery from a substance use disorder requires strategies for preventing relapse that help you cope with various addiction triggers. These cues to drink or use drugs can be especially
Gateway drug theory is a medical hypothesis or, in lay terms, a hunch based on studied trends around first-time drug use. The theory posits that the use of one habit-forming
At the center of today’s drug abuse epidemic and the U.S. government’s effort to combat it, is a group of highly addictive drugs known as opioids, which includes heroin and
Addiction treatment in America certainly has had its low points, including history’s scariest addiction treatments. These ranged from Frankensteinian forms of aversion therapy, from dropping bird dung or live eels
“Stigma” is a common phenomenon with drug or alcohol addiction. The term stigma refers to the negative, often false stereotyping and discrimination that people with substance use disorders (SUDs) receive,
Drug and alcohol addiction is startlingly common in this country. So is the pervasive and persistent stigma of substance abuse, which assigns negative, often false stereotypes to people who suffer
The broad consensus, in both the drug treatment and treatment research communities, is that drug abuse treatment works, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy in a study
On the surface, it’s easy to tell the difference between binge drinking and an alcohol dependency. Binge drinking, simply put, is five drinks for men and four drinks for women
For adult children of drug or alcohol addicts who may be wondering what they can do about a parent’s substance abuse problem, there can be solace knowing you are not
Both those at greater risk of developing a substance use disorder and those in recovery from substance abuse can benefit from knowing what professions are most susceptible to drug and
In late May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first buprenorphine (a.k.a. Suboxone) implant for treating addiction to heroin and opiate painkillers such as hydrocodone, oxycodone and fentanyl.,
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