How do you decide what kind of addiction treatment is best for you? Practical considerations such as cost, insurance coverage, and location are key. However, the choice between inpatient and outpatient may be the most important. In some cases, there is no decision to be made. For people with life-threatening illnesses or infections or who…
Many drugs now sold illegally for recreational use were originally used for other purposes. From religious rites to medical applications, substances derived from the coca plant have been used by humans for centuries. Cocaine addiction accounts for about one out of 10 people in rehab, and yet most people suffering from cocaine addiction don’t receive…
Alcohol has been in use by societies as far back as the dawn of civilization. Fermented plant matter for medicine, religious rituals, nutrition, and enjoyment has been around for 9,000 years, recorded in Mesopotamia, the Indian subcontinent, China, and the Middle East. As we know, alcohol dependence can easily result from regular use, and dependence…
Faith-centered addiction treatment combines spiritual practice with evidence-based treatment. Faith-based practices can help you use your commitment to religion and spirituality to support your recovery. If you have a background in Christianity, are deeply religious, or feel comforted by the practice of Christian faith, a recovery community based on Christian principles will likely help you…
The opioid crisis reached critical proportions in the 1990s with the extensive distribution of Oxy by physicians misled by false claims that it was non-addictive. The prevalence of synthetic opioids such as oxycodone or fentanyl has not pushed out the high incidence of heroin and morphine use. These drugs are opiates derived from the opium…
Cocaine, in either its powdered form or as crack, is abused by more than five million teens and adults annually in the US. The leaves of the coca plant, from which cocaine is derived, have been used since 3,000 BCE. Originally the ancient Incas chewed coca leaves to increase breathing and heart rate and, thus,…
Addiction to heroin, or any controlled substance, wreaks havoc within the life of the person abusing drugs and the lives of their loved ones. Unfortunately, one of the primary casualties of heroin addiction is human connection and the relationships that once played an essential role in your wellbeing and happiness. Do not wait if you…
What are bath salts? The synthetic form of cathinone, which in its natural form is derived from the khat (Catha) plant native to southern Africa, is known colloquially by the name bath salts. This lab-synthesized stimulant, much more potent than the original, is becoming increasingly common along with other so-called designer drugs. This addictive and…
Sober companions are called recovery companions, sober friends, or sober accountability partners. These are people who have specialized training to help people coming out of residential rehab or shifting from partial hospitalization to outpatient treatment. They help those in recovery maintain their sobriety and become healthy, positive contributors within their families, jobs, and society as…
As a new year dawns, feelings of possibility and hope abound. People often view a new year as a new chapter—an opportunity to rewrite the parts of the story that were not working before and reaffirm aspirations and dreams. For those in recovery, whether just beginning the journey or staying the course, every new year…