Amphetamines have grown in popularity among students in recent years for their ability to stimulate the brain and body, reduce fatigue, and increase concentration. Amphetamines are often legal by prescription for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy, but they have an extremely high potential for abuse and addiction. Amphetamines rapidly change the chemistry of the…
Living in addiction is chaotic, and we rarely care to have a healthy, routine sleep schedule. After so much time spent without a healthy sleep pattern, it can be difficult to develop one in sobriety. Sleep is incredibly important in the recovery healing process. Too much or too little sleep can have devastating effects on…
Many men and women in active addiction allow their health to fall by the wayside. We find our lives being driven by drugs and alcohol, and end up caring very little about our own physical health. Proper nutrition and healthy eating habits are rarely considered before sobriety, but we find these to be crucial when…
Alcoholism is a devastating affliction that can cause major damage to the brain and body. The more we drink, the more likely we will be to face problems with our memory. Alcohol can affect both short-term and long-term memory, as well as increase our likelihood of developing neurodegenerative problems later in life. One of the…
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can cause inflammation and damage to the liver. The virus can cause serious health complications including liver damage, liver failure, and liver cancer. Hepatitis C is easily spread among injection drug users and, although it can go away naturally, 80 percent of people develop a chronic and lifelong…
As we enter into a life of sobriety, it may be difficult to address minor aches and pains without the use of mind-altering substances. Fortunately, there are a variety of non-medication-based treatments that are effective in treating aches, pains, and a variety of other mental and physical health conditions. One of the most effective alternative…
It can be difficult to get active when we first achieve sobriety. We often cared little about our physical and mental health when we living with addiction, but sobriety gives us a chance to finally turn our attention to our health and happiness. Working out can feel tedious, but we can find ways to get…
Treating opioid addiction requires that treatment staff take into account gender differences when it comes to drug use. Opioid addiction, in particular, affects women different than it affects men. According to the Center for Disease Control, about 18 women die every day from prescription painkiller overdose and in 2010 there were more than 6,600 deaths.…
The immune system is responsible for the body’s ability to defend against bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, and other dangerous pathogens. Without a properly functioning immune system, we are entirely defenseless against disease-causing microorganisms. Drugs and alcohol weaken the immune system and leave us vulnerable to both common and severe infections. One of the most important…
Conflict, whether internal or external, can be hugely detrimental to our sobriety. When we are conflicted with ourselves or others, we feel all the happiness, joyousness, freedom, and serenity in our lives begin to slip away. A large part of learning to “go with the flow” is by practicing acceptance and allowing ourselves to branch…