Addiction Recovery Blog

Boredom is a fact of life. The problem is that it can also be a trigger for relapse. But here’s … Continue reading The Link Between Boredom and Substance Abuse →

Nobody knows the exact cause of bipolar disorder, although both genetic and environmental factors are thought to be at play. … Continue reading Can Oxycodone Cause Bipolar Disorder? →

Did you know that avoidance relates to addiction on several levels? In fact, avoidant behavior can lead to addiction, perpetuate … Continue reading The Tie Between Addiction and Avoidance →

  Spend five minutes on the internet and you’ll quickly read about dozens of different treatment centers—all offering different promises … Continue reading What Type of Detox is Best? →

If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere. That’s a line from Frank Sinatra’s famous love song to … Continue reading How to Start a New Life in New York After Addiction →

This question torments many new mothers. On one hand, we worry that painkillers could hurt our new baby. On the … Continue reading Is It Safe for a Breastfeeding Mom to Take Painkillers? →

Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. And while it’s true … Continue reading The Truth About Alcohol and Heart Health →

When you first start in recovery, you have a lot of things to keep in mind. Success in recovery depends … Continue reading An Addiction Recovery Checklist →

Imagine you’re about to battle a three-headed dragon. Would you debate whether to take a grenade or a gun? Of … Continue reading Should I Take a Nutritional or Medical Approach to Addiction Rehab? →

They say that you don’t just move to Texas. The state moves into you. Texas is, after all, a state … Continue reading How to Start a New Life in Texas After Addiction →

Topamax, or topiramate, is a drug mainly used to treat seizure disorders, migraines, and weight loss. It is currently being … Continue reading Can Topamax be Used to Treat Addiction? →

Terminal uniqueness, or personal exceptionalism, is the belief that you are special and not subject to the laws and rules … Continue reading How to Overcome Terminal Uniqueness →

People used to think that rehab and detox were the same thing. In other words, as long as you get … Continue reading What is Social Detox? →

  Some 25 percent of kids under the age of 18 are exposed to family alcohol abuse or dependence, according … Continue reading How to Shield Kids From Signs of Addiction →

Lexapro and cocaine are obviously two very different drugs, but they are the same in one potentially very dangerous way. … Continue reading The Dangers of Mixing Lexapro and Cocaine →

Naltrexone, or Vivitrol, is best known for treating opioid addiction, but it is also used to treat alcohol addiction. It … Continue reading Will Naltrexone Stop Alcohol Cravings? →

In 12-step programs, they say you shouldn’t date during your first year of sobriety. This can be a challenge for … Continue reading Why You Shouldn’t Date for Your First Year of Sobriety →

Find sober friends. Focus on your mental and physical health. Seek support. Those are the three things that just about … Continue reading How to Start a New Life in California After Addiction →

You need help, too. Yes, it’s your loved one who is battling alcohol or drug abuse, but the impact that’s … Continue reading Getting Help: Addiction Support for Loved Ones →

Medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder is often a complex and personal journey. If you are currently taking methadone as … Continue reading Switching from Methadone to Suboxone: Here’s What to Know →

Hypnosis has a sensational reputation. Most people have seen a hypnotist perform, convincing people to forget their own names, bark … Continue reading How Does Hypnosis Work to Treat Depression and Anxiety? →

For many people, the mere thought of curtailing their drug or alcohol use scares them. That’s because, for some addictions, … Continue reading What Is Medically Assisted Treatment? →

The FDA recently approved two generic versions of Suboxone, the sublingual form of buprenorphine combined with naloxone. These are the … Continue reading The FDA has Approved a Generic Version of Suboxone →

  It’s an undisputed fact that alcohol can boost your mood. After a few sips of a nice Chardonnay or … Continue reading Can Alcoholism Cause Depression? →

Alcohol is blamed for about 2,100 overdose deaths a year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease … Continue reading Alcohol vs. Cocaine →

There’s a reason cocaine is known as a party drug—it keeps you up, alert and energetic. But the flip side … Continue reading What’s Keeping You Up: Cocaine Insomnia →

It’s a big moment when your loved one agrees to get help for drug or alcohol abuse. But it doesn’t … Continue reading 5 Ways to Help Your Loved One Stay Sober →

  When we find out a loved one is battling addiction, many of us have a similar reaction: how could … Continue reading How to Show Empathy for Addicts →

Rates of excessive drinking in the United States are at an all-time high, according to a recent report by Newsweek. … Continue reading Why Binge Drinking is Bad: The Effects of Alcohol on the Heart →

  Addiction and genetics have a complicated relationship. Just because your parent battled addiction, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to. … Continue reading Is Alcohol and Drug Addiction Genetic? →

It’s possible that you could use heroin without getting addicted. However, it’s also possible that you could become addicted quickly. … Continue reading How Long Does it Take to Become Addicted to Heroin? →

One thing you don’t want during recovery is to feel bored too much. Many people find they suddenly have a … Continue reading 5 Ways to Manage Boredom in Recovery →

  Research shows that men and women tend to use drugs for different reasons. Women are seeking to self-medicate bad … Continue reading How Cocaine Affects Men →

  Cocaine is obviously a destructive drug for anyone to use, but research shows that it can hit women particularly … Continue reading Cocaine Side Effects on Women →

After 52 years of conflict, Columbia has reached a fragile peace. But that peace has come at a cost the … Continue reading Cocaine and Deforestation in Columbia →

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, that was originally developed to treat … Continue reading What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy? →

Dealing with cravings is one of the biggest challenges you face when trying to stay sober. Even if you’re careful … Continue reading 5 Coping Skills to Deal With Urges and Cravings in Recovery →

The short answer is yes, according to an Australian study that found the participants’ odds of developing psychosis were 5.2 … Continue reading Does Meth Cause Hallucinations? →

When you’re recovering from addiction or mental illness, positive lifestyle changes are often a big part of the equation. Improvements … Continue reading What are Keystone Habits? →

No one likes to admit she’s made a mistake or that she doesn’t know what to do. Even when things … Continue reading Why Humility Matters in Recovery →

The face of drug addiction is never pretty, but it may just be at its worst with crystal meth. Methamphetamine … Continue reading How Meth Affects Your Skin in the Long Run →

  Alcohol is full of empty calories, and the result is often an expanding waistline. And it’s not just a … Continue reading How to Drink Moderately Without Gaining Weight →

More than 40,000 people die each year from chronic liver disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. … Continue reading How Does Alcohol Damage the Liver? →

Gambling addiction is no joke. It ruins lives as surely as addiction to cocaine or heroin. In fact, you can … Continue reading 5 Ways Casinos Trick You to Keep Playing →

After decades of declining use, cocaine use is on the rise again in both Europe and the United States. The … Continue reading The Resurgence of Cocaine →

Schizophrenia and addiction is a common dual diagnosis. Studies have found that about half of people with schizophrenia also have … Continue reading Do Drugs Cause Schizophrenia? →

  It seems unfair that someone could suffer from both anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon. Before we get … Continue reading How Depression and Anxiety Disorders Are Related →

If you’ve never been to group therapy before, the thought of it might not appeal to you. After all, if … Continue reading 4 Benefits of Group Therapy in Recovery →

Whether you’re recovering from addiction or mental illness, empathy is a valuable skill to cultivate. It can improve the quality … Continue reading Why Empathy Matters in Recovery →

  Your whole world can change in an instant. It could be a car accident, a heart attack, or even … Continue reading How a Family Heals from PTSD →