Benzodiazepines—often known as “Benzos”—for short, is the class of drug that includes Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin, among others. These act as central nervous system depressants that work by slowing brain activity, and are generally prescribed to treat anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal. While...

Navigating the complex world of addiction treatment can be daunting. There are literally thousands to choose from–and a seemingly endless array of treatment approaches. If you’re new to the world of recovery, seeking help for a loved one, or on your 5th stint in rehab,...

For the last few years, we’ve kept a close eye on the annual overdose stats and faithfully reported what we have observed. Each year, the deaths associated with ODs rose, surpassing the deaths from AIDS, car crashes, and guns at their peaks. While we witnessed...

The old adage is true: addiction is a family disease. And as such, a family can play an essential role in a loved one’s treatment and recovery. As addiction can take a massive toll on a family’s wellbeing, getting help for yourself while the addict...

Millions of people suffer from the life-altering impacts of drug and alcohol addiction every year. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, up to 40.3 million Americans suffer from a substance...

A co-occurring disorder is defined as having a substance abuse disorder as well as one or more mental health issues. These can be tricky to navigate while still in the throes of addiction as one issue often amplifies the other. Many people resort to self-medicating...

Evidence-Based Rehab Treatment has become such a buzzword in the mental health and substance abuse treatment communities that it is frequently used without any explanation. While the name “evidence-based treatment” gives a hint, the subtleties are frequently lost or left unclear to the general public...

If you are just starting out on what is, hopefully, a lifelong journey of recovery, it might seem like tough going. We get it and have been there. Early recovery can be marked by anxiety, depression, regret, and fear about the future. Not to mention...

If you’ve been “overusing” drugs and alcohol for years, your life is probably in pretty rough shape. It’s easy to think that simply putting down the booze and drugs is the answer to all your problems – that getting clean will make the mess disappear...

Are the 12 Steps A Cure-All? When I first arrived in a 12-step program, at a tender young age, I had a truckload of issues tailing me. I felt broken and irreparable, and as if I qualified for every 12-step program under the sun. My...

We talked before on this blog about just how super potent gratitude can be for improving your level of satisfaction with life. More than just a perspective, practicing gratitude is linked to improved physical health and mental well-being. It’s associated with better sleep, more energy,...

As a newcomer to a 12-step fellowship, I recall looking around and thinking – with utter despair – “is this my life now?” From that grungy church basement, it didn’t look too promising. Little did I know that years later, rooms like that would become...

Here we aim to answer some of the most common questions about drug treatment, the recovery process, and the various options for addiction help. How do you know if you need help from a treatment center?  You know that it’s gotten bad, but is it...

People, Places, and Things. Sometimes in treatment centers or 12-step groups we hear this phrase thrown around. It suggests that in order to recover from alcoholism or drug addiction, we must change every aspect of our lives—who we hang out with, where we go, the...

Detoxing at home from alcohol or benzodiazepines (drugs like Valium, Xanax, Ativan), can seem easier, less expensive and more comfortable, but can also pose serious health risks. Most people are unaware of the potential dangers of withdrawal and are often surprised to discover that abruptly...

Here at Scottsdale Providence, we are committed to the overall wellness of our community. It’s at the core of our mission, and it goes far beyond just treatment. We are here to support our client’s lifestyles and health in smooth sailing and rough waters. As...

In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, AA’s co-founder, Bill W., describes a trip he takes to Akron, Ohio. He is newly sober—six months—and is pursuing a business venture that he desperately needs to go well. Not only does the business not go well, but...

Oddly, it can be astonishingly difficult to diagnose oneself as an alcoholic or an addict. Our lives can be burnt to the ground, in smoldering flames all around us, and yet we still can’t see it. The spectacular levels of denial and delusion surrounding addiction...

The holidays are upon us! For many, these celebrations center around festive meals with family and friends. Afterward, who hasn’t lamented the overindulgence and vowed to get back on track in the new year? But for alcoholics and addicts in recovery, finding a normal relationship...

Well, it’s that time again. Love it or leave it, the holiday season is upon us. Although this time of year brings both joy and stress to most, for those in recovery it can present additional pressure and worry. From intense relatives to boozy holiday...

Let’s be honest—choosing the right treatment center for the right length of time can make the difference between life and death for someone struggling with addiction. And figuring out how long you should stay for the best chance of success can be confusing! Here are...

With many options for rehab in the Scottsdale area, choosing the best treatment center can be overwhelming! Here’s where to start. Naturally, for families and individuals considering treatment, choosing the right center can feel like a life and death decision – because it often is!...

September is National Recovery Month—a time when people whose lives are touched by addiction, alcoholism, and substance use disorder come together to raise awareness of the problem and celebrate stories of hope and change. Scottsdale Providence is proud to join in the celebration. This year,...

For many in the recovery community, developing a spiritual life has been an absolute necessity to find some peace and sanity. Most of us have found that once we put down the drink, drugs, or behavior that’s been holding us back, we are in desperate...

4 strategies to help you return to life in person after finding recovery online Let’s face it – it’s been a tough year. The coronavirus pandemic brought with it unprecedented new levels of stress, uncertainty, and economic insecurity. Many battled with grief, upheaval, and diminished...

Many people on the road to recovery have discovered that taking a deeper dive into the underlying drivers of their addiction is core for contented, long-term sobriety. While many 12-step groups offer great foundations for addressing these issues, many have found that therapy and complementary...

Josie* had been in recovery for many years and thought she was doing pretty well. When she started dating seriously, she suddenly found herself grappling with intense anxiety, seemingly out of nowhere. Her years of clean and sober living and solid foundations in recovery weren’t...

EMDR, also known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a powerful treatment modality often used with people who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related distress. Research indicates that trauma and addiction often go hand in hand, making EMDR a natural addition...

Here at Scottsdale Providence, we believe in offering our clients the best range of evidence-based, research-backed treatment modalities to help them find lasting recovery from substance abuse, mental health and behavioral issues, and trauma. EMDR is one such modality our team is passionate about. Otherwise...

What exactly makes someone an addict, an alcoholic, or a substance abuser? For those struggling with substance abuse habits that are causing problems, figuring out how to get your life back on track can be overwhelming, especially when doing it on your own. We sat...

Curious about what neurofeedback can do? From 4 to 80, no matter your age or situation; this powerful tool can make an impact. Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback, is a type of biofeedback. During this therapeutic intervention, non-invasive sensors are attached to your scalp,...

Neurofeedback is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention that has a number of benefits. It uses technology to help train the brain to function more optimally and help people become more adaptive, resilient, and efficient. Patients report improvements in their memory and focus, less impulsivity, reduced anxiety,...

Neurofeedback is a therapeutic intervention used to treat conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, sleep problems, PTSD, stroke, concussion, and other neurological issues. Just as a mechanic can assess the condition of your car, neurofeedback uses technology to assess brainwave activity. This technology provides insights into...

Most people who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction have a long history of attachment or developmental trauma. Treating this directly provides the best chance for a patient to thrive beyond treatment. Somatic Experiencing® helps people move beyond a fight, flight, or freeze response to...

The Somatic Experiencing® method is a form of therapy that seeks to relieve the symptoms of trauma and other stress disorders through a body-oriented approach. This modality seeks to re-set the nervous system and address traumatic shock, essential to recovering from previous trauma. Somatic Experiencing...

What is Somatic Experiencing? In short, Somatic Experiencing® is a powerful type of trauma resolution therapy that heals the mind-body connection. Psychology Today defines trauma as “anything that is too much, too soon, or too fast for our nervous system to handle, especially if we...

Overdoses are again on the rise as the coronavirus pandemic rages on. As we reported earlier, fatal ODs surged in tandem with the arrival of COVID-19 and its associated interference with routines, jobs, recovery activity, and essential health services. Recent research suggests that trend has...

For those who are new to sober living, and those who have been in recovery for some time – these are challenging times. People around the world are experiencing unprecedented upheaval and uncertainty. Collectively, we are experiencing conditions that would make even the sanest and...

 Finding the right treatment for you or your loved one’s specific needs can be challenging. Mental illness does not respond to a “one size fits all” approach—which is why our program is designed to offer personalized treatment to address an individuals’ unique needs. Our goal...

There is no denying it – it’s been a rough year. 2020 began with tense political division, followed by a terrifying virus pandemic, economic downturn, and some of the greatest social unrest our country has witnessed in decades. The world has been turned on its...

For many of us, when we enter recovery from substance abuse, we have it drilled into our heads that we must avoid isolation at all costs. People regularly tell us that isolation is the enemy, and will put on us the road to relapse. So,...

Here at Scottsdale Providence, we believe that nothing should stand in the way of change. For people that are ready and willing, transformation can happen under any circumstances. Even lockdown. During the international crisis caused by COVID-19, treatment facilities are considered an essential service. People...

In these crazy times, how can we deal with feelings of overwhelm and panic without our old ways of coping? How do we learn to show up to whatever comes with grace and calm? Many of us in recovery—especially early recovery—have been overcome with intense...

First things first: understanding what drives addiction is not generally enough to beat it. However – an understanding of the way addiction hijacks the brain can help to explain why so many people who want to quit find themselves totally powerless. Cognitive researchers have made...

Recent figures released by the Centers for Disease Control indicate that 2018 saw the first decline in drug overdose deaths since 1999. Overdose fatalities dropped by 4.1%, compared to 2017, and the drop mostly involved natural and semi-synthetic opioids. Despite the improvement, the numbers remain...

2020 has arrived! And if you’re anything like the rest of us, you’ve probably got some New Year’s motivation and maybe even a resolution or two. To be sure, making big goals around the New Year is almost a cliché, even though most of us...

As Shawn took a seat on his first day of treatment, the group counselor stood up and issued a dire warning: “Look to your left. Now look to your right. According to the statistics, two of you won’t make it.” In Shawn’s case, it was...

Welcome to November, when those throughout the recovery community celebrate Gratitude Month! More than just a hollow reminder to be more thankful, gratitude is a principal that many claim is key to a happy, contented recovery. Unsurprisingly, recovering addicts and alcoholics weren’t the first to...

As the fall months roll in, our bodies recognize it. The days get shorter, the weather gets cooler, and the whole world seems to take on a “back to work” feel. Maybe this has to do with back to school schedules, but even for those...

So, you are ready to leave treatment and head out into the world. Now what? Welcome the first installment of our three-part series on Life After Treatment. Here, we offer tools, tips, and tricks for thriving out in the world, beyond the safe confines of...

Now that summer’s finally here, what are you going to do with yourself? Luckily, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the best of what summer has to offer while staying clean and sober. Here is some inspiration… Get out there Studies have shown that...

Can a God skeptic find hope in a 12-Step program? Countless people have wandered into a 12-Step group, only to be put off by the seemingly religious undertones of the program. The church basements, talk of miracles, and G-word are just too much for some....

In most 12-step fellowships, we hear the word “sponsor” thrown around quite a bit. To the uninitiated, the role of this elusive person is hazy at best. Of course, it brings to mind lucrative deals with athletic brands, or Little League teams brought to you...

“The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It is connection.” A chilling thought occurred to me the other day: there was a time, near the end of my drinking career, that if some horrible circumstance were to befall me and I died suddenly—that it would...

Long-lasting recovery from compulsive and self-defeating behaviors is possible, and seeking treatment is a perfect place to start. Although, admittedly, choosing a treatment center can be a daunting and overwhelming prospect. Here we offer some guidance you can trust to help you find your way to...

This is about learning to live comfortably sober. If we are going to stay sober for the long haul, most of us have to find a way to live happily and comfortably in this world without alcohol, drugs, or anything else to take the edge...

So often, around the New Year, we as a society collectively get inspired to do some self-improvement. We make ambitious goals that often fall by the wayside weeks after they were so committedly made. Often, when aiming for greater “wellness” – the much-hyped buzzword of...

The holiday season can be hell. It can also be an opportunity for joy, connection, and wonder. For people in recovery, the holidays often come with some extra challenges—stress, expectations, family, commitments, and booze everywhere. It can be tough to weather this whirlwind with any...

By Christina Rock Mindfulness. We hear this word thrown around with astonishing frequency—so much so that it seems like becoming more mindful can be a panacea for anything that ails us. What does it mean though, and how exactly do you practice mindfulness? Being mindful...

Darcy Van Dyke felt broken. After years—decades—battling substance abuse and bipolar disorders, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to hang in there with life any longer. Her relationships were in shambles. Her life was a mess. She didn’t get it. Other people were living happy,...

Cherie McMahon had always been a nervous kid. Her anxiety increased in her 20s, compounded by bouts of depression and obsessive-compulsive behavior. She was plagued by stress and self-doubt. She had insomnia. Her relationships began to suffer. Last summer, the 34-year-old Phoenix native finally had...

September is National Recovery Month—a time when people whose lives are touched by addiction come together to celebrate stories of hope and change. Every year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sponsors Recovery Month to bring attention to substance use disorders and honor those...

Early estimates suggest that 2017 is the deadliest year yet for drug overdoses in America. Some 72,000 people died—that’s 200 people a day or one death every eight minutes. This means drug overdoses in 2017 killed more people than guns, car crashes, or HIV/AIDS ever...

After a long period of struggling with substance abuse, finding a job can be difficult, leaving you with nothing to do with your spare time but continue the job search and hope for the best. At least, that’s what you thought. In fact, there’s an...

Can you get sober if you don’t believe in God? The short answer is: sure you can, come on in! But there is more to the story… Often people in need of help for their alcoholism or drug addiction wander into treatment centers or 12-step...

What am I doing I thought to myself as I sat in that depressing room. Why am I here? I’m only 21. I was about a month sober. 46 days, as I had just graduated from my 45-day rehab. I was up at the ungodly...

There are two types of people who go to rehab: those who want to be there, and those that don’t. If you’re part of the first group, I have fantastic news. You’re going to love it here. Three square meals a day, comfortable beds, more...

The dawn of sobriety in our lives is not always straight trajectory to joy. Rarely, if ever, do we overcome the grips of our alcoholism unscarred or lacking severe pain. The veil is ripped away; we lay bare with our fear and depression, our desperation...