Getting Help With Social Anxiety

Mental health and substance use are often linked. People who struggle with anxiety or depression may self-medicate to alleviate symptoms. It is estimated that 34% of the population will suffer […]

The First Year of Sobriety

Addiction recovery does not end when you leave rehab. It is a lifelong journey. Traveling the path is rewarding and worth the effort. It also has some steep climbs and […]

5 Risks of Detox at Home

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, there are numerous options and therapeutic models for rehab—residential, outpatient, 12-step, group therapy, CBT, mindfulness, and many more. But detoxifying […]

Meth and Mental Health Disorders

Meth, short for methamphetamine, is a central nervous system stimulant with a high risk of addiction. In addition to the extremely severe side effects and health concerns associated with meth […]

Adderall Abuse and College Students

Adderall is a brand name for an amphetamine that doctors prescribe for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Annually, about 2.5 million Americans are prescribed Adderall or other stimulant drugs approved […]

Joining an Alcoholics Anonymous Group

Since 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has helped thousands of those struggling with alcohol addiction achieve and maintain sobriety. Based on the 12 steps, the importance of anonymity, and surrender to […]

Dangers of Synthetic Marijuana

Marijuana is used regularly by approximately 35 million people in the United States and has been legalized for recreational use in 15 states. Like alcohol, which has been legal for […]

Recognizing Alcohol Awareness Month

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Why do we need to set aside a whole month? Because without awareness of the toll that alcoholism takes on our population, we cannot create […]

Most Commonly Abused Painkillers

Opiate abuse occurs when people use painkillers outside of the guidelines a doctor sets for prescriptions. Often, people need these medications due to a serious injury or disease that’s left […]

Re-Learning Life Skills After Addiction

Drug addiction creates complications in many facets of life. Even things that seemed simple before, such as sticking to a schedule or preparing meals, can be difficult during active addiction. […]

Alcoholism in Older People

It can be easy to think of alcohol abuse as something that only young people struggle with. College students might binge drink at parties and young adults can overindulge on […]

How Opioid Abuse Damages Your Body

Opioids are some of the most abused drugs. That includes both prescription and illicit opioids. These drugs trigger the opioid receptors in the brain. This is the area of the […]

Xanax Abuse Among Young Adults

Xanax is a benzodiazepine that doctors prescribe to treat insomnia, panic disorders, and anxiety. Used properly, it can be effective and safe to use. Illicit use of the drug or […]

Enjoying a Sober St. Patrick’s Day

Sobriety is a hard-won battle. Holidays can be some of the most difficult times to maintain sobriety, especially when it’s one that has memories of alcohol consumption. A sober St. […]

Using Psychotherapy to Battle Depression

Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by deep sadness and feelings of hopelessness. It has numerous causes, and sometimes medications are a necessary step in treatment. However, psychotherapy and […]

Benefits of Getting Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma therapy is critical for men and women battling a painful past. When the brain doesn’t deal with trauma but tucks it away, that trauma comes back throughout their lifetime. […]

How Does the Cycle of Addiction Work?

Why is it that many people who abuse drugs or alcohol seem to be stuck in a continuous cycle of addiction? Why do some people relapse even after long periods […]

Can I Quit Heroin Cold Turkey?

If you’re struggling with heroin addiction, quitting cold turkey can be a tempting option. You might be ready to make a change in your life, and giving up the drug […]

The Benefits of Long-Term Drug Rehab

It can be tempting to look for shortcuts on the road to recovery. But when a shortcut does not offer an opportunity for real, lasting results, you must ask yourself […]

What Are Synthetic Drugs?

There is a wide variety of both legal and illegal, synthetic and naturally-derived drugs available that can be addictive. Understanding the difference between synthetic drugs and those that come from […]

Finding Creative Outlets in Recovery

Creativity involves finding new ways to express ideas in original or adaptive ways. It helps individuals adjust to changes in their environment and can bring them joy. Substance abuse suppresses […]

Signs of Opiate Abuse After Surgery

The opioid epidemic has impacted millions of individuals and families across the United States. Opiates and opioids were developed to help healthcare providers ease pain and perform life-saving medical interventions. […]

How Alumni Services Help Maintain Sobriety

As most people with even a basic understanding of addiction and the recovery process will tell you, a successful recovery is a lifetime commitment. Those of us who are susceptible […]

Dangers of Fentanyl Abuse

Fentanyl was developed as a synthetic painkiller. The synthetic nature of the drug allows healthcare providers to be more precise with its application, and it is in many regards a […]

5 Reasons to Attend Talk Therapy

Many people have a difficult time deciding whether or not to try therapy. Decades of societal stigma have made some believe that needing therapy is a sign of weakness, and while that […]

Common Depressive Disorders

If you feel sad or depressed, you’re not alone. Depression is more common than you might think. Many of those who struggle with depression never seek treatment and might not […]

How Meth Damages Your Teeth

Methamphetamine or meth is a human-made drug. It is an addictive stimulant that impairs decision-making processes which makes it difficult for meth users to quit. Many times, friends or family […]

The Benefits of Fitness Therapy for Addiction

Few people think of participating in fitness therapy when enrolling in a treatment program for drug or alcohol abuse. You might imagine that you’ll spend all of your time in […]

Five Benefits of an Intervention

An intervention is an opportunity for those close to someone who is using drugs and alcohol to encourage them to get help. Interventions in real life don’t necessarily look like […]

What Is Alcohol Dementia?

Alcohol dementia is a type of brain damage caused by long-term alcohol abuse. Dementia is a broad term that refers to a set of symptoms including memory loss, problem-solving, and reasoning […]

Major Depressive Disorder

If you are struggling with feelings of sadness, apathy, or hopelessness, you aren’t alone. Major depressive disorders affect more than three million people in the United States each year. However, […]

How Stress Affects Your Health

Stress can be positive or negative. Positive stress pushes you to do your best. It gives an extra boost that can improve your performance. However, our bodies weren’t meant to […]

Understanding Behavioral Addictions

Behavioral addictions share many similarities with drug addictions, but they are often harder for people to understand. Substance addictions have a physical component. Drugs and alcohol are known to be […]

5 Reasons to Choose Outpatient Treatment

When it comes to addiction treatment, it’s important to consider your options. Which treatment is right for you will depend on the severity of your addiction, life obligations, and your […]

The Long-Term Effects of Stimulants

Stimulants raise alertness, wakefulness, and energy levels. They also raise blood pressure and heart rate. Strong stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine produce a powerful sense of wellbeing and euphoria which […]

Signs of Heroin Abuse

Heroin is a highly addictive opiate. It causes intense cravings and severe withdrawals. When someone is addicted to heroin, they might try to deny or hide their use. They are […]

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

One of the most common reasons for drug and alcohol abuse is an inability to manage stress and negative feelings in a healthy way. Some people simply have a more […]

Is Faith-Based Treatment Right for You?

When you decide to enter addiction treatment, there are many decisions to make. One of these decisions is whether to choose a faith-based treatment program. Faith-based programs are designed to help […]