Every June, we celebrate Pride Month in the United States to honor members of the LGBTQ+ community. Since there have been stigmas surrounding LGBTQ+ people for decades, members of this community have been fighting to feel heard and respected for as long as they can remember. Because of all the hardships and discrimination they may…
Drug & Alcohol Detoxing: An Analysis and Timeline What Is Drug & Alcohol Detox? Detox is the natural process of ridding drugs or alcohol from the system. It is usually the first step toward sobriety for people who have addictions and want to get better. Since detoxing alone can be potentially dangerous, individuals are…
Depending on the severity of a person’s addiction, they will require a different type of care. Rehabilitation centers typically offer varying levels of care in order to fit these needs. These levels actually have a term of their own: the 5 levels of care. What Are The 5 Levels of Care? The 5 levels…
The 3 Most Common Types of Interventions Substance abuse not only affects the person struggling with the addiction, but the people who love them as well. Addiction can lead to destructive behaviors that can have a negative impact on friends, family, and coworkers. Sometimes, if the individual with the addiction or addictive pattern does not…
Home for the Holidays Even though the holidays are portrayed as the happiest time of the year in television and movies, it can be stressful for those who are dealing with any mental illness or addiction disorders. People with alcohol or drug abuse issues may see holidays like Thanksgiving as days that simply come with…
Think about it: right now, most individuals who are in prison or jail for substance-related crimes are battling with addictions. Those who are arrested for selling or using in public (and even some who are in jail for unrelated reasons) are likely to have a dependence on their drug of choice. To stop these…
Alcohol abuse and dependency impact millions of Americans annually. Alcohol is prone to addiction because of the euphoric effects it causes when you become intoxicated. It can make you physically and psychologically dependent, causing painful and serious withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. Alcohol abuse and alcoholism increase your risk of engaging in dangerous behaviors,…
Making the decision to go to rehab can be the biggest and hardest decision you may ever make. Stressing about what you can bring to rehab doesn’t have to be a part of the process. It seems like the simple question of what someone can bring to inpatient rehab can become a huge stressor for…
If you’re planning for life after addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one, there may be many questions going through your mind about what to expect or do. While treatment is a structured, contained environment that provides safety and security, the thought of leaving can often be scary. Since treatment doesn’t last forever, it’s…
Understanding the root causes of substance use in Veterans and identifying treatment services available towards those individuals affected: By Alisha Barnes, M.S. Presence of Addiction in Veterans Addiction is categorized as a complex brain disease, characterized by changes in the wiring of the brain and affecting aspects of judgment, decision-making and the management of behaviors.…