Substance Abuse

Exploring the Complex World of Alcohol Withdrawal On the road to recovery, the terrain can be treacherous, particularly when confronting severe withdrawal symptoms like Delirium Tremens. Read on as we delve into this dangerous phenomenon, as we seek to make detox a safer, saner experience....

Alcohol blackouts are a terrifying reality for many problem drinkers. “Blackouts” – or memory loss during or after drinking, are often a sign of a deeper issue related to alcohol abuse or addiction. These episodes can be alarming and risky, leading people to make questionable...

With the end of August comes a significant day of remembrance and reflection – Overdose Awareness Day, observed on August 31st worldwide. This day calls us to remember the lives tragically lost to drug overdose, raise awareness about the ongoing opioid epidemic, and extend our...

In a world grappling with the opioid crisis, Fentanyl stands out as one of the most potent and devastating opioids out there. Its grip on individuals suffering from addiction is relentless, leaving a trail of crisis in its wake. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms are a formidable...

For those seeking a fresh start and clear eyes, learning how to detox from weed might be essential information.With legalization sweeping the nation, attitudes toward cannabis have dramatically changed in recent years. And while some may bill it as harmless, or even medically necessary, those...

Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can be powerful, devastating, and ruthless. What may begin as a hapless good time can devolve into a toxic merry-go-round. What’s worse, with the rising surge of fentanyl that’s found its way into the nation’s drug supply, dabbling can be deadly, and...

In recent years, overdose deaths have continued to rise in the US – surpassing the combined total deaths that occurred in the Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars. Partially underpinning this lethal wave is the prevalence of fentanyl in the drug supply, particularly fentanyl in cocaine....

Wondering if it’s time to go to a rehab center? Chances are, if you’re reading this, the answer is yes. Jokes aside, here are some guidelines for those who are unsure if their “partying” has crossed a line. You Are Having Health Issues If you...

Getting ready to leave treatment and feeling unsure about your next steps? Are you wondering if a sober living home is right for you? Leaving the safety of treatment can be scary! Most people will be faced with returning to their jobs, families, and friends...

Benzodiazepines—often known as “Benzos”—for short, is the class of drug that includes Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin, among others. Benzo withdrawal symptoms are common as these act as central nervous system depressants that work by slowing brain activity. They are generally prescribed to treat alcohol withdrawal,...

The old adage is true: addiction is a family disease. Those who have fallen into addictive drugs typically need family for support. As such, a family can play an essential role in a loved one’s treatment and recovery. As addiction to addictive drugs and alcohol...

Prescription drugs – much like anything else – can be lifesaving when used as intended but can often turn into an addiction. No one should have to suffer from extended pain or other debilitating conditions. When over-the-counter drugs won’t cut it, such as when recovering...

What Is Withdrawal and How Does It Work? Withdrawal is a phrase used to describe the physical and psychological symptoms that occur when a substance is reduced or abruptly stopped. After stopping consumption, symptoms of drug withdrawal occur. When someone has depended on drugs or...

Co occurring disorders are 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...

If you are just starting out on what is, hopefully, a lifelong journey of recovery, discovering the do’s and don’ts is complicated. it might seem like tough going. We get it and have been there. Early recovery can be marked by anxiety, depression, regret, and...

Oddly, it can be astonishingly difficult to diagnose oneself as an alcoholic or an addict. Being able to see the signs of addiction becomes nearly impossible when we are in the cycle ourselves. Our lives can be burnt to the ground, in smoldering flames all...

We are in an opioid crisis that is taking lives relentlessly. Tragic Deaths Due to the Opioid Crisis Swainson Brown was a beloved chef at a restaurant on Shelter Island, near New York City. One night in August, he consumed cocaine, which authorities said he...

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...

For years now, we have heard about the seemingly never-ending scourge of the opioid epidemic. In fact, on this blog, we have written extensively about the soaring rates of overdoses associated with opioids that break records each year. Turns out, a parallel crisis exists, but...

As we’ve written about before on this blog, America is in the midst of an overdose epidemic of epic proportions – and it seems to be getting progressively worse. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) just released their annual statistics on the country’s overdose deaths,...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published its ever-more grim overdose statistics, and it’s not looking good. The data set is published annually and tracks the previous year’s deaths attributable to overdoses as well as where those ODs occur and what drugs...

Drug 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...

 Finding the right treatment for you or your loved one’s specific mental health 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 individual’s’ unique needs....

New data is pointing to a dangerous nationwide uptick in drug overdoses since the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic. Recent reporting indicates the spike is being driven by myriad social and economic factors – including a loss of funding for treatment programs, increased social isolation,...

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...

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.” Does rehab work? Shawn asked...

For the first time in over three decades, the US in 2018 recorded a drop in the number of drug overdose deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control’s annual survey. The decline came almost entirely from a dip in the number of deaths associated...

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...

By Megan Krause Neurofeedback Therapy Believe it or not, your brain really does want to be healthy. It might not always seem like that, we know. Sometimes it seems like our brain is attacking us from a million different angles. We’ve been there, too. Our...

The Opioid Epidemic The opioid epidemic continues to rage across the country, with a record 72,000 drug overdose deaths estimated in 2017, up sharply from the previous year, which itself was record-breaking. The statistics are heartbreaking, and often leave us feeling powerless in the face...

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...

An Opioid Epidemic 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,...

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 (SUD) wander into treatment centers or...