In the United States, alcohol is legal and readily available to anyone over 21. People drink to celebrate, relax, and socialize, meaning that the presence and use of alcohol are normalized in our society. Moderate drinking poses no significant issues. But how do you know if your alcohol use has entered the realm of abuse? […]
What Is Considered Heavy Drinking? Read More »
The stigma around mental health is pervasive and, unfortunately, a serious barrier to care for the people who need it. May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to focus on breaking the stigma around mental health and addiction. These are illnesses, not personal shortcomings, and fostering understanding and compassion is crucial. At The Right Step
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As interest in ketamine rises for both medical and recreational use, the risk of misuse grows alongside it. Understanding the side effects of ketamine use and the signs of ketamine abuse is an essential first step in protecting your health or helping someone else. You’re not alone—and you’re not without options—if you or someone you
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The term “opioid” refers to a wide range of substances, including natural opiates derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum) and synthetic drugs like fentanyl and oxycodone, which scientists create in laboratories. They all bind with the same opioid receptors in the brain and have similar effects. The main difference among the various opioids
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Marijuana is legal in about half of the United States—but it’s still a psychoactive drug derived from a particular strain of the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa). Like alcohol, it’s considered by many to be safer than meth, opioids, or cocaine. However, since people can abuse cannabis, experience negative side effects, and struggle to quit, it
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You may have heard the phrase, “Addiction is a family disease.” This saying holds some truth, as the impact of addiction extends far beyond the person struggling, affecting their loved ones in profound ways. Families are torn apart for several reasons—including loss of trust, eroded communications, and the chronic stress and worry that family members
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Trauma can deeply affect mental, emotional, and physical well-being, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders (SUDs). Healing requires specialized care that addresses its lasting impact. At The Right Step Houston, we provide compassionate, evidence-based trauma therapy, including trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), to
Understanding the Types of Trauma Read More »
Xanax® is the brand name for one of many benzodiazepines (benzos). These tranquilizers are used for medical purposes to treat mental health issues like anxiety, but their use can lead to abuse, dependence, and addiction. Benzo abuse is concerning because it can lead to serious consequences based on its sedative effects. Taking too much or
Substance use disorders (SUDs) and other mental health issues have been successfully treated with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) since researchers first developed it in the 1970s. Based on an earlier and also highly effective behavioral modality called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), DBT provides a whole-person approach to treatment that’s based on principles of mindfulness to achieve
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Addiction affects many thousands of people across the United States, though not nearly enough of them have access to addiction treatment. Others don’t understand the benefits of addiction counseling. The stigma associated with addiction includes shame about having a substance use disorder (SUD) and distrust of the rehab process. Most people entrust their physical care
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