Precipitated Withdrawal
When an individual is recovering from addiction, experiencing withdrawal is almost inevitable. Withdrawal occurs when a person in recovery suffers a combination of mental and physical side effects after quitting or reducing intake of an addictive substance. Some may also experience an intensified form of withdrawal symptoms in response to the medication prescribed throughout medication-assisted […]
A Guide to Drug and Alcohol Rehab
The path to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can be a long, difficult one—but you don’t have to do it alone. With the right help and support, you can find the strength to put your life back on track. This guide to rehab is here to provide information about the different steps of rehabilitation […]
Group Therapy: What Do Groups Provide?
Group therapy is an essential part of the recovery process. Recovery groups provide what all human beings need—and what chemically dependent people need more than anyone: recognition by others of their humanness, affirmation of their value as human beings, and validation of their feelings. In a group setting, people are able to share more openly […]
A How-to Guide: Set your Recovery Up for Success
Generally speaking, the goal for anyone in recovery is to maintain their sobriety for the long-term. Everyone knows that it begins with stopping the addictive substances, but how do we continue to be successful in the long-term? Setting yourself up for success early on is extremely important when it comes to recovery, but it’s not […]
I Can Use Other Stuff as Long as It’s Not My Drug of Choice, Right?
As an addict myself, I can say that getting sober wasn’t easy. The first couple of times I went to treatment was under threat from my parents, they said I wouldn’t be allowed to live with them anymore if I didn’t go to rehab. So, I went, but staying sober never lasted very long. Fast […]
How Do I Know I Need Rehab?
So, things have gotten bad since your addiction has taken hold of you. But, you’re still not sure if they’re bad enough to enter into a treatment facility. Well, you don’t need to be physically addicted or suffer terrible consequences before you make the decision to enter rehab. When substance abuse starts to affect your […]
Recovery Is Filled with Paradoxes
First you are told that chemically dependent people are ego-centric and self-centered. You are instructed to breakdown your ego, admit to all your worst faults, and learn humility. Then you are told your worst problem is a lack of self-esteem, and in recovery you are advised to build up a sense of yourself and belief in yourself. […]
Detox vs. Recovery
You’ll Starve If You Just Get Detoxed: You’ll Feast for Life with Recovery Detoxification is like a few small appetizers before a multicourse meal and is very short lived and essentially useless without recovery. Recovery is the antipasto salad, the mixed green salad, the pasta, several entrees, and dessert. Detoxification is a thin slice in time and […]
Anabolic Steroid Use: How it Affects Your Brain and Body
What are Anabolic Steroids? Anabolic steroids are derivatives of testosterone. This is the abbreviated version of the full name, anabolic-androgenic steroids. “Anabolic” means it helps build muscle, and “androgenic” means it increases male sex characteristics. Anabolic steroids are frequently referred to as Roids, Stackers, Gear, and Juice. Most people who illegally use steroids are male weight-lifters […]
Who Gets High on Methamphetamine Made from Wasp Spray?
Is wasp spray really the latest pawn in substance abuse? The answer will follow. But first let’s look at a more profound and pertinent answer regarding why reducing availability of a particular drug or alcohol does not often stop or reduce substance abuse. So, for example, a beer lover is more likely to drink wine […]
