The Difference Between Hallucinations and Delusions
More than 23.5 million Americans are addicted to substances such as alcohol, opiates, cannabis, and benzodiazepines. Many of these substances are harmless in the short-term, or with moderate use, but over time, build up to toxic levels which strongly affect the brain and its ability to function. Drug-induced psychosis is a common side-effect of
What is OxyContin?
OxyContin is a brand name of Oxycodone, a semisynthetic opioid, and the most frequently prescribed painkiller in the United States. The drug, which is synthesized from an opioid alkaloid, offers fewer side effects than morphine and is commonly used to control moderate to severe pain from illness, injuries and surgeries. It’s also one of
How to Deal with the Grief of a Loved One’s Overdose
I had slept in that Saturday morning. When I got up, I saw that my husband hadn’t come to bed at all, again. As I made my way downstairs to get some coffee, I noticed that the house was strangely quiet. He should have been awake by now or had at least been awake
Emotional Sobriety – Do I Have It?
I had no idea that sobriety was anything more than getting clean. I thought, “I stop drinking, and I get my life back.” I quickly realized, however, that abstinence was only the first step towards my happily ever after. Suddenly, I was being repeatedly slapped in the face with all of these emotions that
The Correlation Between Stress and Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse affects millions of adults every year, with some studies showing that as much as 29% of the population binge drinks regularly. This is further compounded by the fact that alcohol abuse and addiction costs the U.S. more than $200 billion annually, through alcohol related accidents, injuries, and errors. Stress is widely recognized
7 Ways to Deal with Cravings in Early Recovery
Detoxing from drugs or alcohol is a long, painful process, where your body adjusts to not having a substance. While the worst is over after the first few weeks, you still have to deal with cravings, which will range from mild to extremely intense. Learning to cope with cravings in early recovery is crucial
When a Child and Parent Share an Addiction
More than 24 million Americans suffer from some form of substance use disorder, and as a result, nearly 25% of children are exposed to substance abusers and addicts at least once during their childhood. These children then go on to become more prone to developing addictions themselves, either as a means of coping, lashing out at
How Meth Damages Your Brain
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that works on the central nervous system, used recreationally because it creates a sense of euphoria, well-being, and empowerment. Many also use meth because it suppresses the appetite, speeds up the metabolism, and greatly increases the libido. While harmful, more than 1.4 million people, or about 0.4% of the United States
Heroin Addiction – Signs, Symptoms, Withdrawal, Treatment
Heroin is one of the most popular street drugs in the United States, with an estimated 900,000 people using or addicted to it in the United States. The drug, also known as diamorphine, is a product of the opium poppy and similar in nature to other opiates such as morphine and fentanyl. While used
Can I Go to Rehab Instead of Jail?
Yes, in many cases you can go to rehab instead of jail. However paying for going to rehab versus jail is something you must be prepared for. If you have medical insurance from an employer it may cover 90 days of inpatient treatment. 90 days of inpatient treatment is typically what is required for