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.
Trauma is a deeply personal experience that can leave lasting emotional scars. For many individuals in Mississippi, unresolved trauma is a driving force behind substance abuse. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center (MSDATC), we understand that healing from addiction means addressing the underlying causes, not just the symptoms. One of the most effective tools …
Trauma informed care plays a crucial role in addiction recovery. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center (MSDATC) in Biloxi, our team helps individuals heal from trauma and substance use disorders with empathy and personalized support. By recognizing how past experiences shape addiction, we offer treatment rooted in safety, trust, and empowerment. This approach supports …
Trauma doesn’t always begin with the individual. In many families, emotional wounds, loss, abuse, or addiction echo through generations. This phenomenon—known as generational trauma—can have a profound impact on mental health and increase the risk of substance abuse. In Mississippi, where close family ties are often central to community life, understanding generational trauma is critical …
Parenting is one of life’s most rewarding yet demanding roles. When addiction enters the picture, it creates additional hurdles that can strain a parent’s ability to provide consistent care and emotional support. Addiction and parenting challenges often go hand-in-hand, affecting not only the parent but the entire family unit. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment …
In Mississippi and across the U.S., growing concerns are emerging around fentanyl laced weed—marijuana contaminated with the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl. While marijuana is often seen as relatively low-risk, this dangerous trend is changing how families, health professionals, and young adults think about cannabis use. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, we hear from …
Synthetic cannabinoids—often sold under names like K2, Spice, or “herbal incense”—are a growing concern in the world of addiction and mental health. Marketed as a legal alternative to cannabis, these lab-made chemicals can be far more dangerous, unpredictable, and addictive than natural marijuana. In Mississippi and across the country, treatment centers are seeing a sharp …
Across Mississippi and the U.S., more people are facing not just one addiction, but two—or more. An alarming combination drawing increasing attention is gambling and substance abuse. While gambling addiction has long flown under the radar, its strong connection to drug and alcohol use is now too significant to ignore. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol …
Addiction rarely begins with dramatic changes or obvious behavior. Instead, it often takes root quietly, with subtle shifts in mood, habits, and health that go unnoticed until a crisis occurs. Recognizing the early, silent signs of addiction can make a life-saving difference—for yourself or someone you love. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, we …
When someone is addicted to more than one substance, the process of detoxification becomes significantly more complex—and dangerous. Polysubstance withdrawal occurs when the body must adjust to the absence of multiple addictive drugs at once. The symptoms can be intense, unpredictable, and even life-threatening without proper medical support. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, …
Long-term alcohol abuse can do more than damage the liver or increase the risk of chronic disease. In some cases, it can lead to a devastating condition known as wet brain—a form of brain damage caused by severe vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency. This condition, medically known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), can result in lasting cognitive …
When a loved one is trapped in the cycle of addiction, it’s natural to feel helpless. One of the most proactive steps families can take is staging a carefully planned intervention. But equally important is understanding the response to intervention—how the individual might react, emotionally and behaviorally, and how you can navigate that moment with …
Grief is a deeply personal, often overwhelming experience. When someone experiences a profound loss—whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a life-altering change—it can disrupt every part of their life. For many Mississippians, that grief is compounded by something even more difficult: addiction. The link between addiction and …
Living with chronic pain is difficult enough—but when addiction enters the picture, it becomes even more complex. Across Mississippi, individuals suffering from long-term pain often find themselves dependent on substances originally prescribed to help them. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center (MSDATC), we recognize the close relationship between chronic pain and addiction—and we offer …
Benzodiazepines (commonly known as benzos) are prescription medications used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. While they can be effective short-term, prolonged use often leads to dependence. When someone tries to stop or reduce their use after a period of regular use, they may experience benzo withdrawal, which can be both physically and psychologically distressing. …
If you’re thinking about stopping drug use, you may wonder what happens next. One of the biggest concerns for people entering recovery is withdrawal. The truth is, drug withdrawal symptoms can be challenging—but with the right help, they are manageable. At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, we guide you through every step of the …
Addiction reshapes the brain. But neuroplasticity and addiction recovery can reshape it again. For individuals struggling with substance use, it often feels like their thoughts, behaviors, and even emotional reactions work against them. That’s because addiction literally changes how the brain operates—strengthening some neural pathways while weakening others. But through a remarkable process called neuroplasticity, …
A new and alarming threat has entered Mississippi’s already dangerous drug landscape: xylazine. Known on the street as “tranq,” this veterinary sedative is increasingly showing up in illicit fentanyl and heroin supplies, especially in rural parts of the South. Unlike opioids, xylazine is not reversed by naloxone (Narcan), making overdoses more complex and more deadly. …
Understanding addiction means more than addressing substance use alone—it requires exploring the emotional and relational patterns that shape behavior. One key factor often overlooked in treatment is attachment style—the way individuals connect with others based on early life experiences. In Mississippi, where family and community ties run deep, attachment styles can significantly influence both the …
Peer pressure is a powerful force—especially for adolescents and young adults—but its influence doesn’t end at graduation. In Mississippi, where close-knit communities can be both supportive and enabling, understanding the link between peer pressure and addiction is essential for prevention and recovery. What Is Peer Pressure? Peer pressure is the influence exerted by people within …
If you’ve ever searched “sober living near me” while in the midst of recovery, you’re not alone. For individuals in Mississippi—especially in Biloxi and the surrounding Gulf Coast—finding a safe, structured environment after completing addiction treatment can be one of the most important steps toward lasting sobriety. Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center understands that …
Substance use disorders continue to affect individuals and families throughout the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with Gulfport being no exception. While the journey to recovery can be daunting, local resources can make all the difference. Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, located nearby in Biloxi, proudly offers personalized, evidence-based addiction treatment for Gulfport residents, helping individuals …
Ketamine therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment for depression, especially in cases where traditional antidepressants have failed. Once known primarily as an anesthetic—or a street drug—ketamine is now being used in clinical settings across the U.S., including Mississippi. But while this treatment offers rapid relief for many, it also raises important concerns for individuals …
For many, holidays bring joy, celebration, and connection. But for those navigating addiction recovery, these special dates can be surprisingly complex. Whether it’s a major holiday like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the 4th of July, or a personal anniversary tied to trauma or loss, special occasions can stir emotions, trigger memories, and challenge sobriety. At Mississippi …
When you think of someone struggling with alcoholism, the image that often comes to mind is someone whose life is visibly unraveling — missed work, financial instability, or broken relationships. But what happens when the person battling alcohol dependency is outwardly successful? In Mississippi, and especially in places like Biloxi, this phenomenon is far more …
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