Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) can happen to people going through withdrawal from substances. After detox, the second phase of withdrawal kicks in. Depending on how long the person used drugs, the second phase can last for weeks, even months. PAWS is a collection of symptoms that persist after all physical traces of drugs have left…
Children as young as ages 3 or 4 can struggle with symptoms of depression. Although it is not clinically diagnosed, it is seen in the symptoms they exhibit. Genetics plays a role, along with the environment. Poverty and deprivation are some of the causal factors of depression for children over time. Find out how this…
Social circles change when people are in recovery. There is a new opportunity to move forward and find new people and friends. One of the biggest hurdles when making a change is surrounding yourself with people who are positive influences. Not all social circles are positive. Toxic friendships and relationships can drag down recovery. Find…
Psychiatrists evaluate people with diagnoses to support a treatment plan for recovery. They may need to carefully monitor their detox and rehab journey to ensure there are no contradictions with other medications and the side effects are tolerable. Talk therapy can happen with a psychiatrist or a psychologist, individually, or in a group setting. Just…
As a family member to loved ones who have an addiction, there is bound to be a lot to cope with, including mental health issues, relationship struggles, and economic challenges. To stay balanced and healthy feels almost impossible when a loved one is dealing with addiction. Enabling behaviors to start as a means to an…
Having a few drinks or doing drugs occasionally is some peoples’ way of relaxing. When that is gone in sobriety and recovery, it can feel difficult to sleep at night. Sometimes it is hard to shake those old coping mechanisms and embrace the third way. While it is common for people with sleep disorders to…
Location matters to some people, but not others. Overall, when people look to get sober, they have lots to consider. There is no one factor to look at, but a whole picture of how to pay for it, getting insurance coverage, finding a suitable place to deal with the addiction and any other issues, along…
Many cities and rural places are difficult to be around because they remind a person of their addictive tendencies. It may be triggering to go past old haunts, places they frequented when using substances, or where they have memories attached to addiction. Romanticizing addiction is the last place a person wants to go if they…
People who struggle with addiction may opt for intensive outpatient drug treatment (IOP as a compromise between a traditional program and inpatient work. Understanding what the rewards of going inpatient are can help a person make a healthy decision. It is also possible for people to prepare more effectively when they know what to expect. …
When people are in recovery, they need a lot of support and confidence. Anything that threatens to sabotage this growth can be detrimental, but also triggering, which may lead to relapse. No matter how successful a person wants to become, they will not achieve their goals if they self-sabotage their growth. Mentally, there can be…