By Christian Castaneda, LCSW, Program Director, Promises It’s human nature to feel a connection to holidays. People relate to familiar anniversaries and hold certain dates as significant or sacred. That’s why so many people plan to make healthy changes at the start of a new year. While some holidays are designated for specific people and […]
Why the New Year Could Be the Best Time to Get Sober Read More »
An estimated 23 million Americans and nearly 30 million people worldwide are addicted to a substance—from alcohol to prescription medications to illicit drugs. Addiction is the unintended outcome of misusing or overusing an addictive substance. While there is much debate over the role that free will or choice plays in addiction, it can certainly be
The Dangerous Dozen: The 12 Most Addictive Substances Around the Globe Read More »
The number of senior citizens with drug addiction is on the rise in the United States, and prescription painkillers, such as hydrocodone and other opioids, play a major role in drug problems among the elderly. Opioid painkillers are the fourth most commonly abused substance among senior citizens in the U.S., following close behind alcohol, marijuana
Hydrocodone Addiction in the Elderly Read More »
Adults aged 50 and older are among the more than 3 million people in the United States who have opioid or opiate addictions. Overuse or misuse of prescription painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone is so widespread that President Trump has declared the opioid epidemic a public “health emergency.” But opioids aren’t the only substances
6 Substances Commonly Misused By Older Adults in America Read More »
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning on the “deadly risks” associated with the use of kratom, an herbal supplement touted as a treatment for anxiety and depression and more recently as an alternative to opioid pain pills. What’s more, individuals who have become addicted to opioids are now using kratom as a do-it-yourself
FDA Warns Against Use of Kratom to Treat Opioid Addiction Read More »
The fear of intimacy can ruin relationships. We all crave connection, but due to trauma suffered in childhood, or perhaps as the result of a relationship in adulthood that went terribly wrong, some people learn that it’s safer to keep others at an emotional arm’s length. But doing so is counterproductive and often leads to
Fear of Intimacy and Rejection Read More »
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
Drug Assessment: What to Expect Read More »
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
Drug Abuse Quotes: Inspiration for Recovery Read More »
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
What Is Social Model Detox? Read More »
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
Recognizing & Helping a High-Functioning Addict at Work Read More »