Addiction |

It is estimated that 23 million alcoholic/addicts are in some stage of recovery. Even the definition of recovery is slippery. Some experts, and the alcoholic/addict is included in this group as an expert, say it is when the person no longer uses any mood altering substances. Others think mood altering substance is a phrase that...Read More

Addiction and mental illness can often be a vicious relationship cycle feeding off of each other. To better understand the relationship between the two, the following information may be helpful. What is a dual diagnosis? A dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder is a medical term for one experiencing both a mental illness, such as depression...Read More

Methamphetamine use is truly a study in instant gratification. The first time a person uses meth there is an instant sense of euphoria, concentration, and well-being. Users report feeling focused and confident. Meth reportedly is equivalent to six times the effect of dopamine, the natural release found with exercise, sex and a few other activities....Read More

The fight against addiction is nothing new. For decades, society and community leaders continue to use their voices to fight the war on drugs. Although awareness has been at an all-time high, the battle against addiction continues as the number of overdose deaths has been increasing every year. From 2001 to 2014 alone, overdose deaths with relation...Read More

When a woman is pregnant, she shares everything with her baby, from what she ingests to her emotions. Using heroin during pregnancy can cause serious problems, and even be fatal for your baby. Heroin is transferred into the placenta rapidly, and the fetus gets high with the mother. Blood tests at birth have shown the...Read More

Numbers don’t lie, and especially when it comes to opioid addiction and overdose statistics. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving prescription opioid pain relievers and heroin has quadrupled. With that, 78 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. It’s also noted the prescribing of opioid pain relievers quadrupled since 1999 paralleling with...Read More

I couldn’t stay sober. No matter what I did, how many meetings I attended or how many times I called my sponsor – I couldn’t stay away from alcohol. I thought something was wrong with me. I completely believed in Alcoholics Anonymous, seen so many friends in the program staying sober, but I couldn’t. When...Read More

When comparing heavy drinking versus alcoholism, is one worse than the other? Does heavy drinking and alcoholism mean the same thing? Is there a correlation between the two and if one drinks heavily, does it mean they are alcoholic? These are common questions often asked when one is concerned about heavy drinking and alcoholism. Heavy...Read More

When a person wants to accomplish something or achieve a particular goal, certain steps need to be taken. The same is true when a person who is suffering from addiction considers what it might look like to get clean and sober. What is the starting point, and where do you go from there? Recovery from...Read More

Withdrawal symptoms from Hydrocodone can be extremely uncomfortable and intense. Without medical supervision, many have described the experience as ‘the worst flu ever’ and sadly, some decide to use in order to avoid withdrawals.  There are ways to prevent intense withdrawal symptoms, and medical care is available. Since Hydrocodone is short acting, usually withdrawal symptoms...Read More