Below, we cover many different topics relating to addiction and what steps to take to overcome it.
When drug or alcohol use progresses to compulsive, uncontrolled use, this is known as addiction. People who are addicted to substances cannot stop using them on their own, even when continued use has serious and widespread consequences. When full-blown addiction is reached, prolonged abstinence always causes painful and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms to manifest. Also known as substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder, addiction is a complex disease affecting the brain and all of the body's functions and internal systems. Addiction cannot be cured. However, it can be successfully managed with the right approach.
Watching a loved one struggle with addiction is never easy. Unfortunately, addicts can have a hard time admitting that they’re addicted. Denial is a very real and very common part of struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Even when addicts regularly suffer consequences as the result of their behaviors, they often imagine themselves as being …
Staying sober while celebrating the holidays can be a real challenge. Despite all of the warm, cozy feelings that the holidays incite, this time can also create a tremendous amount of stress. Not only is there pressure to see and be seen by countless friends and family members, but there’s also the prospect of being …
Alcohol detox and withdrawal typically occur in two distinct phases. The early stage of alcohol detox is largely characterized by intense and potentially dangerous physical withdrawal symptoms. This is known as acute withdrawal. For most people, the acute withdrawal period lasts between one and two weeks. With medical management and the right interventions, the body …
Millions of people throughout the nation live with undiagnosed and untreated mental health disorders. For these individuals, feelings of anxiety, depression, paranoia, and general distress are a recurring and often expected part of everyday life. When experimenting with alcohol or drugs, the feelings of euphoria and relaxation that result frequently trigger intense feelings of relief. …
Drug addiction isn’t a matter of failed self-control, lack of willpower, or any other personal shortcoming. It isn’t an issue that suddenly develops overnight. Now referred to as substance use disorder, addiction is a powerful and complex disease. It is also a disease that is considered to be lifelong. Addiction cannot be cured. It doesn’t …
Detoxing from alcohol isn’t easy. This is especially true for people who attempt to tackle this herculean task without support. Once the brain and body have become chemically dependent upon alcohol, taking it away suddenly can be downright dangerous. The good news is that the rewards of detoxing are always well-worth the efforts. Becoming sober …
Heavy alcohol use often takes a visible toll. Not only do heavy, regular drinkers look worse for the wear, but they frequently suffer from serious legal and financial issues. From DUI charges and difficulty making it to work on time, the typical alcoholic can be easy to spot. Moreover, when alcoholism is obvious, people tend …
One of the most common questions among people preparing for addiction treatment is, “How long does rehab take?”. Most people want to be rid of their addictions as quickly as possible. They also want to enjoy their freedom and start rebuilding their lives. Most short-term drug addiction programs last just 28 to 30 days. Longer …
If you’re tired of struggling with addiction and are ready to seek professional treatment, you have the option of choosing between inpatient rehab and outpatient care. With outpatient rehab, you’ll spend the majority of your days at an onsite facility attending group and individual therapy, taking part in workshops, and participating in stress management activities. …
Although the terms alcohol addiction and alcohol dependence are often used interchangeably, the two are actually quite different. With dependence, people are still capable of making conscious decisions about their drinking. With addiction, drinking is an uncontrollable habit and one that affects every corner of the individual’s life. Despite this distinction, both can have serious …
If you remember your very first sip of alcohol, you probably recall its pungent smell, and its sharp, acrid-seeming taste. On its own, alcohol is rarely appealing to the palate, especially for those who are just experimenting with it. Because of this, consumers and bartenders have devised countless ways for softening, refining, and even concealing …
Alcohol withdrawal is undeniably the most challenging and intimidating part of the recovery process. People who’ve been using alcohol to mute their physical and emotional pain are generally reticent to face this extended period of discomfort. Fear of the unknown can make this first and absolutely essential stage of recovery all the less appealing. At …
When the world came to a halt the orders for craft supplies on Amazon seemed to triple. Home Depot found DIY home and garden materials begin to fly off the shelves. Peloton increased their revenue by untold numbers and grocery stores couldn’t stock enough yeast and flour to meet the demands of every millennial baking …
Whether you’ve received professional drug or alcohol addiction treatment before, or have tried abstaining from drug and alcohol use on your own, relapsing can make you feel like a complete failure. It’s important to note, however, that for many people, relapse is a part of recovery. Although you might feel disappointed in yourself, disheartened, and …
Completing a drug and alcohol treatment program may leave you feeling strong. After 30 days of examining your behaviors, identifying triggers, and developing healthy coping skills most recovering addicts and alcoholics experience what is known as the “pink cloud” high. The pink cloud refers to the natural high and optimism that sometimes follows a return …
New age meets old school in this approach to treating mental health issues. You’ve seen social media gurus and life coaches post about it. Depression and anxiety, weight loss, and even pain management have all seen an uptick in patients opting for more holistic avenues of intervention. Chief among these is a mindfulness practice known …
It’s a simple solution to a very complicated problem. It often comes from someone who shares no emotional attachment to the person of concern. When you love someone suffering from excessive drinking or drug use, why do most of the solutions sound like “Tough Love”? You’ve tried everything. You’ve tried talking and were met with …
Watching a loved one struggle through addiction can be one of the most difficult and isolating experiences of your life. Unlike most disorders, discussions surrounding addiction are rarely met with the sympathy and understanding garnered by similar potentially fatal conditions. Resources for families impacted by addiction are typically limited and often include sales pitches and …
The Hollywood depictions of addiction create a clear picture of what drug abuse and alcoholism should look like. The emaciated junkie shivers under a bridge in dirty clothes. They stare hopelessly through sunken eyes and matted hair at the track marks that line her arms. Liquor dribbles down the unshaven beard of the alcoholic. He …
As a society, our culture is shifting to destigmatize mental health issues and the use of medication. As a result, the use of some narcotic prescription drugs has become more common. Benzodiazepines are also known as Xanax, valium, and Klonopin are among some of the most prescribed medications today. They are used to treat conditions …
Any family who has lived the perils of addiction knows that substance abuse disrupts relationships. Substance abuse in marriage can destroy trust and hurt families financially. At its worst, substance abuse may also lead to abusive patterns of emotional manipulations and even physical violence. Knowing the damage drug and alcohol use cause families, it’s natural …
An addict walks into a crowded room, “Is this my intervention?” Substance abuse has long been a common cause of anxiety and why shouldn’t it be? Using drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines or other stimulants actually produces heart racing and paranoia. Many addicts and alcoholics report feeling regularly anxious due to their unhealthy lifestyle alone. …
One in four adults with mental illness will also struggle with substance abuse. This statistic from the National Institute of Health (NIH) merely reflects the number of reported cases which unfortunately neglects the considerably higher number of unreported cases. Every year millions suffer from undiagnosed and untreated mental illness. This discrepancy is largely attributed to a …
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