Tag: Addiction

Understanding Prescription Opioids What Are Prescription Opioids?  Prescription opioids are one of the most commonly misused medications in the world.  Opioid prescriptions are a major factor as to why the world is still in the midst of an opioid “epidemic.” These (often prescribed) pain medications are highly addictive and bind to opioid receptors in the […]

Understanding Ketamine and Its Uses What Is Ketamine? Ketamine is an FDA-approved medication used effectively in general anesthesia for sedation in brief medical procedures.  More specifically, ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, which means it has dissociative effects that cause you to feel separated or detached from your body or physical environment. Ketamine also has other […]

Understanding Xanax and Its Effects What Is Xanax (Alprazolam)? Xanax is the brand name for alprazolam, which is part of a group of prescription medications known as benzodiazepines.  Benzodiazepines are a group of prescription drugs designed to slow down brain and central nervous system activity. Its ability to slow down brain and central nervous system […]

Understanding Alcohol and Its Effects The excessive use of alcohol can affect you physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Some examples include: An increase in isolation and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed Cognitive disruptions and delays Struggles with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much (hypersomnia) and not sleeping enough (insomnia) Increased anxiety and depression Otherwise […]

Addiction can affect anyone regardless of their background, ethnicity, status, or gender. In many cases, people have a certain stereotype of what someone struggling with addiction may look like. They may expect them to be unemployed. However, this is often not the case, and there are plenty of working professionals who may be struggling with […]

The opioid crisis in the United States has reached an incredibly alarming level, destroying countless lives and tearing apart families. This issue began back in the 1990s, involving prescription pain medications. Since then, it has only continued to grow in severity and has reached the scale of an epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease […]

For many people who struggle with substance use disorder, there is a direct link to past trauma that played a role in their addiction. What exactly that trauma is can look different from person to person. It is critical to address trauma as a root cause of addiction for the person to begin to heal. […]

In many cases, addiction and mental health disorders go hand in hand. This is what is referred to as a co-occurring disorder or a dual diagnosis. In other words, someone with this condition is struggling with a mental health disorder and substance use disorder simultaneously. Treating this kind of disorder can be complex and often […]

Addiction is often referred to as a family disease. Substance use disorder (SUD) and other types of mental health disorders can truly take a toll on the entire family unit. It’s important to educate family members about this disease so that they can work together to overcome the challenges. Family therapy can be powerful and […]

Prescription drug addiction in the US has been an ongoing problem among all age groups, starting at a very young age. It can affect anyone regardless of background, ethnicity, education, or gender. A prescription drug is a medication that a doctor prescribes to treat a specific medical condition. Prescription drug misuse involves using a drug […]

How to Detox from Meth Safely Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth or crystal meth, is an illegal stimulant drug that profoundly impacts the brain by increasing dopamine levels, creating a powerful sense of euphoria. This surge in dopamine often leads to a cycle of addiction, making it challenging for meth users to quit. When someone […]

The family and friends of the alcoholic are often on the receiving end of the lies, deceit, and manipulation from the very person who claims to love them. This behavior is very confusing for the people who love the alcoholic the most as they hurt in often cruel ways.