Having a suspicious mind is not a way to live in a loving relationship. Believing the worst about your wife or husband, constantly questioning, worried, or wondering. That said, a person with a drug or alcohol use disorder is likely to want to keep their dependence a secret. Often even from themselves. The stigma, along […]
On August 15th, 2018, people across the world were shocked to hear of more than 90 people suddenly collapsing in a park in New Haven, Connecticut. In May, more than 25 people suddenly collapsed and were sent to the hospital in Brooklyn, New York. The cause in these instances and many others was the same: […]
There is a bit of an air of mystery around the drug that is known as ecstasy. It shows up amongst young people and has all the signs of a romanticized ideal that makes it attractive to experimenters and uninitiated: easy, quick, available. This “fun drug,” however, is extremely addictive and has a dark aspect […]
The idea of recovery is a profound one. It is someone choosing to take the steps necessary to create an entire new life for themselves. It’s more than simply quitting. Much more. You can stop eating unhealthy foods. You can stop seeing a friend who is bad for you. You can stop doing just about […]
It’s an uphill grind to be sure. The romanticized picture of the glories of alcohol and the people who imbibe is one of the major players in the fight for sobriety. Here in Southern California, the problem is as big as anywhere. The commercials, the rows of bars, the West Coast IPA beer culture. As […]
Narcan can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Here’s info on what happens, where to get it, and … why it’s not the full solution. As was widely publicized and talked about in across the media, in late July, 2018, Demi Lovato, pop starlet and TV personality, overdosed on heroin. However, one of her […]
There are many approaches to recovery and addiction treatment. Every person is unique and each one can respond differently to depending on their personal history, temperament, and more. Some need the steps; some can’t find help in that environment. Some like working with animals, and some get nothing from spending time with horses. However, despite […]
Although selecting a detox program and the right facility is a difficult decision, choosing to leave a home area or even a home state for treatment is often a wise decision. Even though “home” (or home area) feels safe and comfortable, home is also the place where an addiction was able to build. Most likely unchecked. […]
Addiction can be a lonely experience. For some people, the only thing more terrifying than addiction itself is the thought of admitting that they have a problem, which means many users struggle for years without ever getting the help they need. That doesn’t have to be the case. A substance use disorder is a real […]
In the not so distant past, in the minds of most, addiction equated to a lack of self-control. Others simply saw it as a degeneration of morals or values. Of course in the past decade we have come a long way in addiction treatment and education; however, there is still a good deal of misunderstanding […]
There is no way to pinpoint the cause of drug addiction in an individual and the source of substance use disorder overall. We wish there was. It would be wonderful to discover a particular universal cause. Identify a specific gene. But the reality is, even though we are aware of symptoms and some causal aspects […]
The rates of drug and alcohol addiction are on the rise. Its an epidemic in this country and is gaining ground all around the world. For many, addiction will end in painful tragedy for them and their family. The best response to this crisis is twofold: education on the dangers of addiction, and working with […]