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.
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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