Substance abuse is characterized by a pattern of harmful use of any substance. This can include alcohol, drugs, and even some legal substances. People who abuse substances often do so because they feel that they need the substance to cope with things like mental health concerns or past trauma, or because long-term use of the […]
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When we hear about someone “working the 12 steps,” our minds go to recovery. After all, the 12-step treatment approach was developed to help people all over the world reach sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous. You may have a close friend or loved one progressing through the 12-step treatment approach right now. If so, you probably
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Would all the humans please stand up? How about those dealing with shame in addiction recovery? How can we work to overcome the guilt and shame that comes with recovery? Okay, if you’re standing and reading this article, you probably know what it’s like to deal with shame. That’s because we all have at
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Diabetes, a broken arm, a heart attack—these are all widely recognized as medical conditions. But what about a chronic brain disorder? How does it relate to addiction? In some cases, the patient may have even contributed to the onset. Right? And yet . . . A sedentary woman diagnosed with type 2 diabetes receives understanding,
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Substance use disorder and mental health issues often deliver a one-two punch—occurring at the same time for people who could really use a break. Or, to borrow another cliche, these dual diagnoses kick folks while they’re already on the ground. What’s up with that? Why do we see a prevalence of co-occurring mental
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DBT. Ah, the elusive acronym. Ever find yourself in the middle of a conversation nodding your head along to phrases like “Send a QFE to the BCD, ASAP, will ya?” Okay, so maybe that’s an exaggeration, but the feeling remains. Before we agree to do something, we’d like to get our heads around that
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Expectations matter – especially when considering a substance abuse treatment center. When we know what’s to come, we can set our mind to the task at hand. We can prepare to work hard, practice patience or all sorts of things in between. Expectations also offer hope. The reward becomes easier to imagine and
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Before you or your loved one enter a drug addiction treatment center, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with the different approaches used to find healing from substance use disorders. There are many models to choose from whether it be evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), group therapy
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When you need treatment for an anxiety-related condition, that is when you might receive a prescription for benzodiazepines (benzos). Like many other medications, there is documentation that you receive regarding the dangers of mixing benzos with alcohol. Due to the interactions between benzos and alcohol, those who mix the two could face severe health risks.
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Beyond that of connecting with your support network, the benefits of an alumni program are much more than that. Maintaining these connections creates not only a safety net that protects your sobriety. After recovery, you are learning how to live without being dependent on a substance. You are also learning how to cope with the
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