Due to widespread overprescribing of opioid pain medications in the U.S. since the 1990s, more people are being exposed to narcotics and becoming addicted to them. This has resulted in the current opioid epidemic and escalating drug overdose deaths. But this problem is not new. “A similar thing happened just over 100 years ago, and…
High school prom is a milestone in the life of nearly every American teenager. Unfortunately, prom night drinking typically occurs in tandem with this special event. For many teens, prom may be the first time they ever drink alcohol, or the first time they binge drink and get truly drunk. Prom may also be the…
A drug assessment is usually one of the first steps in treatment when entering a drug or alcohol rehab. These evaluations help clinicians develop an appropriate detox and treatment plan based on the types of substances abused and severity of addiction. Specific drug assessment tools vary by treatment program and provider. According to substance abuse…
Addiction can take our lives down a difficult path and set us off in the wrong direction. We may struggle, and we may fail on the first attempts at sobriety. But it’s never too late to seek help and get a fresh start. Everyone deserves a do-over. It can help to start a new journey…
There have been enough popular films and television programs about substance abuse and addiction treatment that most people are familiar with the terms “detox” and “rehab.” For those unclear about the distinctions, detox, or detox treatment, refers to the process of physical detoxification from an addictive substance. Detox is usually just the first step of…
High-functioning addicts — a term attributed to people who have substance use disorders yet manage to maintain a job, support a family and sustain busy social lives — often perform well in the workplace while things start progressively spinning out of control in their personal lives. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and…
A young man who entered recovery of his own volition shared that he sought crisis intervention because, “I just felt like something bad was going to happen soon.” Fortunately, he followed the sense of impending doom and found his way into treatment. Sometimes it happens that way. There is an epiphany, a moment of clarity,…
For those with food-related challenges or an eating disorder, the holidays are full of events that can trigger addictive thoughts and behaviors. Triggers can be anxiety-provoking and stressful, setting a negative tone for the entire holiday season. Depending on which type of eating disorder your loved one has, giving in to temptations — or even just…
At what time of year is drug or alcohol rehab treatment the most affordable? For many people, the last few months of the year are the most practical. “The holidays can be a hard time for everyone, especially for people with addiction and their families,” says David Sack, MD, chief medical officer at Elements Behavioral…
Enjoying life when things are going smoothly is simple, but when the rough times appear it can be so much harder to be contented. Yet whatever your circumstances and more significantly whoever you are, you can discover how to be happy even when you’re not. #1 Enjoy where you are on the way to where…
