Criticism can quickly put us on the defense. No matter how constructive it may be, we can easily react as if we are being personally attacked. Going with our gut instinct to defend ourselves from criticism can keep us from being able to gain valuable insight into possible flaws. If we can learn to accept…
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…
We rarely felt comfortable authentically expressing ourselves to others when we were in a state of active addiction. We became chameleons and changed every aspect of who we are to become who we felt others wanted us to be. Eventually, we came to a point where we lost touch with who we were behind the…
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…
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a range of drugs that mimic the effects of other illicit drugs like LSD, cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy. NPS are constantly changing in chemical structure as a way to circumvent national drug laws. These changes, however, also increase the unpredictability of the drug’s effects and potential to cause major adverse…
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…
Meetings are a great way to get involved in the recovery community and benefit from hearing the experience, strength, and hope of others. In early sobriety, it is suggested to attend a meeting every day for the first 90 days. “90 in 90” is a great way to develop the healthy habit of incorporating recovery…
We almost always enter into recovery thinking that we are alone in the feelings that led us into addiction. Perhaps we faced trauma or suffer from mental health conditions and feel as though we are somehow immune from the ability to recover from our addiction. We may see others as being better or worse off…
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. Heart disease causes one in every four deaths in the United States—about 610,000 people every year. Excessive alcohol use is recognized by the CDC as a major risk factor in the…