The disease of addiction is such that willpower is not enough for us to overcome our dependence on substances. Many of us had made countless promises and resolutions to stop drinking or using, and we truly intended to keep those promises, but we inevitably returned to drugs and alcohol. Despite the loss of friendships, relationships,…
Methadone is a synthetic and long-acting narcotic analgesic often used to treat opioid addiction. Although methadone is an opioid, the mild and gradual onset is supposed to prevent users from experiencing euphoric effects and deter a user from using illicit opioids such as heroin. However, methadone is often abused and prolonged methadone use has been…
Crack is a freebase form of cocaine that is smoked. Smoking crack provides a brief but intense high because it reaches the brain more quickly than insufflating powder cocaine. Crack is a highly addictive drug that can lead to devastating physical and mental health consequences. Crack, the freebase form of cocaine, creates an increased risk…
Benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive drugs with anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxing effects. They are often prescribed because of their ability to provide immediate relief from anxiety and panic attacks. Benzodiazepines work by triggering tranquilizing chemicals, such as GABA, in the brain, which can be extremely helpful in preventing panic attacks, prolonged…
Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that causes on to feel euphoric, energized, talkative, and mentally alert. The drug acts directly on the brain’s reward path, causing surges of dopamine responsible for the euphoric and pleasurable effects. The effects of cocaine are not without consequence. The brain changes caused by cocaine use quickly lead to…
Synthetic marijuana, known as Spice or K2, is much more toxic than cannabis. Synthetic marijuana is a combination of dried plant material and herbs that are sprayed with synthetic cannabinoids that are often toxic and dangerous. Over 700 different research chemicals fall under the umbrella of synthetic cannabinoids—many of which are unregulated and extremely dangerous.…
Fellowship can be one of the best parts of entering into recovery. We go to meetings and are surrounded by others who understand the struggle of addiction and alcoholism—we realize we are no longer alone and can help and be helped by others who are just like us. Yet, there are times when we simply…
Entering into a program of recovery requires one to make a commitment to go to any lengths to achieve victory over addiction and alcoholism. There are moments, however, when we feel overwhelmed with mental, physical, and spiritual pain. These feelings are entirely normal and strike most significantly during the stages of withdrawal. If we are…
Many of us did not realize that we were addicted to substances until it was too late. There are a variety of factors that influence addiction and no single timeline of when substance abuse becomes addiction. An individual is more likely to become addicted if they start young, have biological and genetic predispositions to addiction,…
The first step toward recovering from addictions is admitting that there is a problem. For many of us, it took a long time to come to the conclusion that we were, in fact, suffering from a disease out of our control. We had lost the power of choice, and willpower was not sufficient in stopping…