How to find help for you, your friends and family members dealing with opiate addiction.
The truth is that a life of substance abuse and addiction is no life at all. The constant emotional, physical and financial stress takes a toll. Relationships are damaged. If you are completely honest, you know that addiction makes life miserable. If you feel this tension right now, know you are not alone. As hard […]
Coming to terms with the fact that you have a drug problem can be a tough process, but accepting that you need help is a brave and admirable step. Asking for help can open the door for many positive and affirming life experiences. Once you accept that you have a problem, you are finally free […]
There is a clear link between stress and substance abuse, with each possessing the ability to cause the other to occur: 1) Stress not only increases the likelihood of initiating alcohol and other drug use, but it can also trigger relapses following detox and rehab treatment and perpetuate the compulsion to use – jeopardizing recovery; […]
Addiction is never purely a physical battle. Indeed, often the social, emotional, or psychological aspects of addiction can be far more challenging to overcome. A negative self-image is a particularly difficult battle for the addict. An opiate addict, for example, can easily believe that she is not worth anything, simply because she is an addict. […]
When you struggle with an opiate addiction, it is important to pursue healthy activities instead of being a participant in drug abuse. When you spend your time with a focused hobby or passion, this helps your recovery on multiple levels. First, it helps the brain heal, the body rebuild and your memory improve. A healthy […]
Seeing a loved one wrestle with opiate addiction is a confusing and frustrating experience, but it’s particularly painful when that person is your child. As a mother, your instincts are to nurture and care for your child. But if your loving support is actually promoting your child’s continued drug abuse, what then? (more…)
Hope for recovery comes from within, and it also comes from community, family and professional support. When one of these elements is missing, recovery is still more than possible, but it becomes more challenging. National Recovery Month helps break stigmas surrounding mental health and addiction issues so that those in need of help are better […]
In the early stages of addiction recovery, addicts can receive great support from residential and outpatient addiction services. These programs provide individual therapy, group therapy, psychoeducational training and a variety of complimentary therapies that help begin recovery. These programs also recommend that when you leave the treatment facility, you continue to sustain recovery through individual […]
Opiates bind to specific receptors in the central nervous system to relieve pain and produce euphoria. Some opiates, like heroin, are illegal and can oftentimes lead to abuse and addiction. Prescription opiates include: hydrocodone (one brand name for it is Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin and Percocet are commonly seen brand names for it), morphine (alias Kadian […]
Art therapy focuses on the opportunity to share emotions or feelings often not easily identified or put into words through artistic expression. The process of creating art is very fulfilling to many people and allows each person to use their talents and dig deeper into their thoughts. Art therapy connects with each individual in a […]
