For anyone dealing with addiction, you may often wonder how you got to that point. When you try to stop using a substance, you might also find that there are certain situations that make it more difficult for you to stop your addiction. These are considered common addiction triggers, such as wanting to smoke when…
People abuse drugs for various reasons. For some, it may be because they want to get over a difficult time. For others, it may be for recreational purposes. Whatever the reasons, it is important for you to know that drug abuse can be fatal. In the U.S. alone, 67,000 people died as a result of…
While it has proven itself to be one of the most effective forms of treating addiction, especially opioid dependency, there are still stigmas around MAT (medication-assisted treatment) programs. The vast majority of these stigmas spring from misinformation, bias, and lack of education about how medication-assisted treatment works. Fortunately, individuals in the medical and recovery community,…
The dangers of Xanax are not as obvious as they would be with other drugs. Patients are prescribed Xanax when they have anxiety or panic disorders, and that makes the drug look a little bit innocent. It should be noted, that people you know who are using Xanax are not automatically going to become addicts.…
The 12 step approach to recovery is a concept that has been around for over 70 years. Addiction treatment centers in California regularly adopt the 12 steps because of how effective they have been in helping individuals recover from addiction. Each treatment center has its own way of integrating the 12 steps into its programs.…
Although drug abuse has declined in the past 20 years (1), teens are using certain substances, like marijuana, more than ever. Mental illness and substance abuse in teens requires treatment, as co-occurring disorders can make it difficult to live a healthy and normal life. While all teens and adolescents experience anxiety, stress, and sadness, some…
While those who have substance use disorders (SUD) experiencing physical processes that affect their behavior, there is also a psychological component. That means that an addicted individual is mentally dependent on a substance. Psychological dependence describes an individual’s emotional and mental processes regarding SUD or drug addiction. The Signs of Psychological Dependence When you define…
In recent years, marijuana has gained increasing coverage in both the media and politics. However, that doesn’t mean the substance is safe for everyone. Though many states have legalized marijuana for either recreational or medical use, the substance has always had an addiction potential. And with the growing legalization of the substance, there’s been a…
The risks associated with addiction and your physical health exist on a daily basis. This is true among people that have an alcohol use disorder (AUD), a substance use disorder (SUD) or a dual diagnosis disorder. Some people use more than one drug. If you use alcohol and also use other drugs, the consequences associated…
A National Survey on Drug Use and Health, released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2017, stated that about 18.7 million adults in the United States had a substance use disorder. That equates to 1 in 12 adults, which means that everyone likely interacts with someone who is struggling with…