Heroin has claimed the lives of millions of people since it became a mainstream street drug in the United States. Heroin alone has not been the only killer. The sharing and reusing of needles has long been a way for diseases to spread among users, costing millions more of their lives. So many people hear…
When you complete your time at an addiction recovery program, it is not uncommon for people to be unsure of where they will end up next. Many people risk returning home to an environment that puts them at high risk for a relapse. A common next step after completing rehab is to enter into transitional…
Addiction Recovery is a process. It can take a few weeks or a few months. During your recovery, it is important to stay motivated throughout your time in rehab. Losing motivation can cause you to undo your progress and cause a relapse. In order to stay focused on getting better, it is helpful to set…
It can be hard for some people to put their lives on hold to get addiction treatment. Many people need to balance their treatment with their career, family, or education, making residential treatment an unrealistic option. Thankfully, most rehab facilities will offer outpatient programs. Outpatient programs do not require patients to stay on campus, meaning…
Everyone loves a good story. We all have different tastes in the kinds of stories we enjoy. Some of us like thrilling stories. Some of us like fantasies or science fiction. When we read a story we get lost in the narrative. Enmeshed with the world on-page, we identify with the characters, we make meaning…
Medical professionals utilize a number of psychotherapy methods to help people overcome addiction and many other mental health disorders. As time moves on and medicine improves, different treatment methods become more and more common. Many people participate in cognitive-behavioral therapy, but not everyone is aware of the benefits of dialectical behavior therapy. When looking for…
It’s no secret that substance abuse issues cut across all professions. Department of Transportation (DOT) policy requires those who violate the drug and alcohol policy undergo an evaluation by a substance abuse professional. Those working in the world of a substance abuse professional (SAP) include doctors, therapists, social workers, and addiction counselors. All who fill this role…
Once you decide to seek treatment, it’s better to get started as quickly as possible. However, many people have reservations even after making a firm commitment to seeking help for addiction disorders. They may also have concerns like who will take care of their pets or making sure their bills are paid while they’re away…
During the COVID-19 crisis we hear a lot about vulnerable populations. This is the intersection where your addiction and COVID-19 meet. Vulnerable populations include: the elderly, those with underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma and those with compromised immune systems. Unfortunately, if you have an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol you fall into a…
Beating a dependency on alcohol takes more than willpower. Too many people consider themselves to be failures if they fail to stop after their first or even 20th attempt. They beat themselves up while asking the question, “How hard is it to quit drinking, and why can’t I do it?” The basic answer comes down to chemistry, or…