Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug that can induce addiction with just a few uses. Similar in chemical composition to amphetamine, meth is a stimulant that provides the user with a euphoric-like rush, feelings of grandiosity, and sleeplessness that can last as long as twelve hours following a dose. This high is then followed by...Read More

When I was growing up, the common belief about addiction was that it began with the first hit. During D.A.R.E. week, a school program with the slogan “dare to not use drugs” we were taught to “just say no.” We watched a video once where there was a rabbit addicted to crack. It showed him...Read More

After a moment of silence—incepted by the blackout period—it’s time to communicate with your loved one. How do you do this? What are the right things to say? Is there any topic that should remain off-limits? The answer to these questions is complex as there is no absolute when it comes to communicating. Even saying...Read More

The holiday season can be a time of pumpkin spice, rosy cheeks, and light-hearted spirits. But for people in recovery, the stress associated with the holidays can be trigger inducing. What Is a Trigger? A trigger in reference to addiction refers to any person, place, thought, or event that incites a memory or flashback surrounding...Read More

Saying ‘no’ can be a difficult skill to learn, especially in cases where a person is in recovery and attempting to remedy relationships. While it’s with good intentions to desire to be peaceable, not setting healthy boundaries can add up to a lot of unnecessary stress and discomfort. Obviously, saying ‘no’ should never be done...Read More

Finding the balance between giving too much of yourself and not enough can be a frustrating dance when your loved one is suffering from a substance use disorder. It’s almost impossible not to get sucked into the downward spiral. This is because addiction not only affects the person abusing drugs or alcohol, it affects friends...Read More

While it may seem that substance abuse is isolated to a younger crowd, dependence is prevalent in all communities. In fact, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than one million people 65 and older were reported to have a substance use disorder in 2014. The majority of those, some...Read More

As one of the offerings of Fair Oaks Recovery Center, dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a type of therapy that deals with emotional regulation and stress management. DBT offers individuals skill sets that allow them to more effectively deal with painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships. Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder,...Read More

Understanding the importance of relapse prevention following completion of treatment is vital to the success of long-term sobriety. According to a 2017 US News & World Report study, deaths from alcohol, drugs, and suicide are projected to increase by 60 percent within the next decade. While treatment techniques continue to improve, 60 to 90 percent...Read More

Children are especially vulnerable to the secondary effects of addiction. Without the psychological or emotional maturity to fully understand the nature of substance abuse, growing up with a parent as an addict can lead a child to feel responsible for a parent’s drinking or drug use. Along with other issues children of addicts face, problems...Read More