Addiction is a complex disease that requires many different physical and psychological treatment methods to overcome. Many people hold the erroneous view that addiction is simply physical dependence, and an individual is cured of addiction once their physical dependence to a substance is broken. The simple fact is that addiction cannot be cured. It can,…
There is much debate on the topic of whether addiction is a disease or a choice. From experience, men and women who have successfully recovered from addiction and alcoholism can emphatically say that they had lost the power of choice. Willpower simply was not enough, and recovery meant more than just making the choice not…
Psychedelics, like LSD, DMT, mescaline, and psilocybin, are a class of hallucinogenic drugs takes because they alter perception and cognition, giving users feelings of heightened and altered consciousness. Psychedelics do not create the same changes in brain chemistry that lead to physical dependence as other drugs, so many people do not believe that addiction to…
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug. The effects of methamphetamine are short-lived so many users take the drug in increased frequency and amount overtime, leading to strong physical and psychological dependence. Like other euphorigenic drugs, methamphetamine creates strong surges of dopamine, the brain chemical responsible for motivation, pleasure, and reward. Methamphetamine use causes major…
Relapse is a frightening prospect. We have worked so hard to achieve sobriety and the thought of entering back into the world of addiction seems unthinkable, but it does happen. If we do relapse, we need to keep in mind that it does not mean we are unable to ever recover. Rather, we must look…
Addiction is recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as Substance Use Disorders. These disorders vary based on the specific substance one is using, as well as the severity of the problem. The current edition of the DSM no longer uses the terms “substance abuse” and “substance dependence.” Rather,…
Alcoholics Anonymous, the first 12 Step recovery fellowship, began after a meeting between Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in 1935. The basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous, known as the Big Book was first published in 1939 and explains the process of the 12 Steps. Since then, many other recovery fellowships have developed using Alcoholics…
There are many different opinions in the recovery community regarding prescription medication. Each person’s medical needs are different, and coming to the decision of whether or not to take prescribed medications depends on a variety of factors—namely, the specific medication, our need for it, and an honest evaluation of how strong we are in our…
Grounding can be an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety in early recovery. Grounding is a coping strategy that allows us to bring ourselves back into the present moment and pull ourselves out of the spiral of anxiety. When we begin to feel overwhelmed by stress or nearing panic, we can utilize a variety…
MDMA, known as Molly or Ecstasy, is a stimulant and hallucinogenic drug that causes feelings of euphoria, pleasure, increased energy, and increased sensory perception. Due to the effects of MDMA, it is often taken as party drug and it popular at concerts and raves. Many users, however, are unaware of the dangers of MDMA, as…