The Dangers of Fentanyl and Addiction
What is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. Producers make it in a lab and chemically modify it to be stronger than other opioids such as heroin or morphine. Doctors prescribe it to patients in severe pain, most commonly after serious surgeries. Although fentanyl is present in a number of legal prescriptions, it’s now increasingly […]
How to Rebuild Your Immune System During Addiction Recovery
Many people recovering from addiction are unaware of their immune health. It can be a tough topic to address, especially when there are so many other things to work on. But your immune recovery is an essential part of your new life. Substance abuse over an extended period of time has harmful effects on a […]
Living in Recovery: How Aftercare Can Help
What is Aftercare? Aftercare programs are one of the most important parts of the recovery process. They include any type of care offered after the detox or residential treatment. Now that you’re sober, aftercare programs focus on how to keep it that way. They offer tools, strategies, resources, and support networks to make sure you […]
Social Anxiety and Addiction Recovery
What is Social Anxiety? Anxiety and fear are natural human reactions designed to keep us safe from perceived danger or threats. When we feel threatened or stressed, our bodies start to feel physical sensations of anxiety. This is a normal—and even healthy—response to perceived danger. But what happens when we experience these reactions without any […]
What’s the Best Way to Set and Meet Goals in Addiction Recovery?
Knowing how to set goals is a valuable skill in all areas of life. But it is especially important when you are recovering from substance abuse or addiction. The process of setting realistic and achievable goals will give you milestones to look forward to on your recovery journey. These milestones make an open-ended and sometimes […]
Getting Outdoors in the Spring Season: How Can it Help the Recovery Process?
Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth, and new beginnings. With the changing weather, outdoor and leisure activities are more appealing than ever. But activities associated with leisure are often a sticky topic for those recovering from substance abuse and those newly committed to sobriety. For these folks—and maybe you’re one of them—leisurely activities might […]
How Important is Predictability? How Residential Programs Can Heal Adverse Childhood Experiences
Addiction and Adverse Childhood Experiences In today’s culture, stress has become an almost inevitable part of life. And children are no exception to having these experiences. But there is a difference between “normal” types of stress and what have become known as “Adverse Childhood Experiences,” or ACEs. One of the biggest amplifiers of ACEs, studies […]
How to Overcome Your Fears in Addiction Recovery
Recovery from addiction or substance abuse is not an easy journey to embark on. For many people, some type of fear often keeps them from even starting the process. For others, different fears may arise during recovery that make you want to quit your treatment program and just give up. If either of these sound […]
What’s the Difference Between Behavioral Addictions and Substance Addictions?
Addiction can be expressed in a number of ways. These include behavioral addiction and addiction to substances. Although sometimes tricky to identify, behavioral addictions share common biological and behavioral characteristics as substance addictions. Behavioral addictions come in a variety of forms, including conditions such as pyromania, kleptomania, compulsive sexual behavior, compulsive gambling, and compulsive shopping. […]
How to Spot Early Signs of Methamphetamine Addiction
The Dangers of Methamphetamine Abuse Many people have heard the terms “meth” or “crystal meth.” Despite its common use in movies and television, methamphetamine is one of the most dangerous and illicit substance addictions. Since its chemical components are so corrosive, the drug’s effect on the user are incredibly damaging. Αs a highly addictive substance […]