Understanding Triggers: How Environmental Cues Challenge Recovery
How Triggers Influence Relapse Today we understand that addiction is far more than just poor choices that lead to physical consequences, such as dependence and withdrawal. Evidence shows that the true nature of substance use disorder is complex, and psychology plays a major role. Furthermore, it isn’t just about what leads people to addiction. It . . . . Continue Reading
How Gabapentin Is Getting in on the Opioid Crisis and Causing More Overdoses
Due to the devastating effects of the opioid crisis in America, there is a new movement to restrict access to powerful opioid medications such as Oxycontin and Oxycodone. Even though heroin and fentanyl are now the driving force behind skyrocketing opioid overdoses across the nation, prescription drugs have been a contributing factor to the opioid . . . . Continue Reading
The Truth About Psychological Trauma and Drug Addiction
The connection between trauma, victimization, and addiction are often overlooked when it comes to treating addiction. However, going to meetings and getting a sponsor is not enough to ensure a full recovery for everyone. For some, it is necessary to address the underlying traumatic reasons for developing and sustaining addiction. Challenges Brought on by Trauma . . . . Continue Reading
New Treatment Approach Could Help Depressed Smokers Quit
Author: Shernide Delva Quitting smoking is hard. Quitting smoking when you’re depressed is even harder. That’s why researchers are testing a new smoking cessation treatment combining medication and behavioral activation therapy targeted at this particular population. Researchers from Northwestern Medicine have pinpointed why quitting smoking is so difficult for depressed people. Now, they are testing . . . . Continue Reading
From Peer Pressured Drug Addict to Helping Others Recover
Do you remember high school? I sure do. For many, high school is a time of experimentation and exploration. During this period, many feel intense pressure to “fit in” with the “in” crowd. Keisha Anderson was not any different from the norm. Growing up in Kentucky, Anderson was a self-proclaimed “people pleaser.” She hung out with . . . . Continue Reading
5 Ways to Release Emotional Attachments
Whether you are in recovery or not, we all struggle with emotional attachments. Often emotional attachments occur due to insecurity and simply not believing we can move on to something different or new. Instead, we remain emotionally attached and avoid connections to ourselves and those around us. In an intimate relationship, you may struggle to . . . . Continue Reading
Heroin Addiction Making Huge Impact in Congress
Author: Justin Mckibben Over the years the old-school no mercy and no-holds-barred approach to the War on Drugs in America has been the law of the land and in recent years we have seen the real tragic impact of this kind of drug policy dogma being pushed onto the people, watching households and communities topple . . . . Continue Reading
Taking Control of Your Self-Destructive Behavior
For many of us, it can be easy to resort to self-destructive behavior as a way to cope with feelings of loneliness and unworthiness. However, self-destructive behavior can be incredibly harmful especially when it comes to your recovery. Learning how to take control of your self-destructive behavior can put you on the right path to . . . . Continue Reading
The Transformation of Drug Prevention Programs
Do you remember a police officer coming to your school and raising awareness about never doing drugs? If you do, you probably were in school around the time when schools all across the country participated in D.A.R.E programs as part of the “Just Say No” campaign. The campaign was initiated as part of the U.S. “War . . . . Continue Reading
University in Maine Offers Addiction Rehab Certificate
In response to the addiction epidemic all across the United States, a new certificate program is being offered at the University of Maine at Farmington to prepare students for a career in the addiction field. Demand for substance abuse and behavior disorder counselors is expected to grow by 31% through 2022, according to the U.S . . . . Continue Reading