Those struggling with addiction and mental health issues need special care to recovery. You may have heard about and want to know what is dual diagnosis. It may be the kind of help you or your loved one needs. Dual diagnosis, also called co-occurring disorder, affects nearly 8.9 million Americans each year. Thus, it makes…
Spirituality is a broad term. It is designed to encompass many faiths and beliefs. But, you can understand it best as believing in a connection to something greater. The high power or greater entity may be a god, a traditional faith, or a concept. The purpose of spirituality in recovery is to give individuals a…
In 2017, nearly 47 million Americans, or 1 in 5 adults, were dealing with a mental illness. Not only do these conditions make it difficult for individuals to lead productive, satisfying lives, it also can lead to substance abuse and addiction. Therefore, it makes sense to educate yourself about some of the more common mental…
New Year’s is just around the corner, and with it comes great expectations: parties, resolutions, kisses at midnight—and, of course, copious amounts of alcohol. It’s meant to be a celebration, of course, but for those struggling to maintain their sobriety, it can be an absolute nightmare. With everyone around you encouraging excess, how do you…
Despite its straightforward nature, the question “Am I an alcoholic?” can be a tricky one to answer. Some people can drink socially or occasionally and have no trouble stopping when they feel so inclined. But many can’t. Like a person with cancer, alcoholics have a disease. They didn’t ask for it. They certainly don’t want…
When dealing with addiction there are often underlying issues behind the cause of the addiction. Rarely does a connection with alcohol or a controlled substance develop and remain without another issue at play. Despite this many individuals do not receive the appropriate diagnosis of this secondary issue. Known as a dual diagnosis, it is essential…
There are a number of ways to go about becoming sober and moving past addiction. Not everyone is the same so what works for one person may not work for you. That is why understanding the different options out there will help point you in the right direction. A detox center can help provide some…
The first step towards recovery from any kind of addiction is detoxification. Your body needs to rid itself of the drug. As your body has become reliant on the drug, there will be symptoms of drug withdrawal. Depending on the drug, the length of time you use it and how reliant your body became the…
Painkillers come in a number of forms. Some are derived from the poppy plant (opium) to form a kind of morphine, while others are a synthetic variation to this. Regardless of the form (known as either opioids or opiates), the painkiller blocks pain receptors in your brain from receiving signals, which allows you to live…
When you’ve made the decision to seek out drug or alcohol addiction treatment, you probably don’t imagine yourself enjoying the outdoors or spending time on horseback. Yet, these types of experiences can change your outlook and provide you with the support you need for one of the most intense times of your life. What is…