Why Counseling is Critical in Addiction Recovery
Substance use counseling promotes successful, long-lasting recovery. Evidence shows that the most effective approach to treating addiction is a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and counseling. Millions of people suffering from substance use disorder have found their way back to a healthy life with this combination. Counseling with addiction treatment is a mainstay to ensure […]
How Substance Use Affects Overall Health
Drug use carries many health risks, even if only taken occasionally. Your body can experience a wide range of long-term and short-term health concerns when exposed to drugs. These effects impact you both directly and indirectly. Every case depends on the substance used, how long and how often the drug was ingested. Still, health […]
The Role of Fentanyl in the Opioid Epidemic
Illicit fentanyl is now the leading cause of opioid-related deaths. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, continues to make alarming national headlines. Illicit fentanyl continues to flood American streets, adding to grim overdose statistics. As many news reports state, only a tiny amount of fentanyl can prove fatal. It is important to understand the role of […]
Foods to Avoid During Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Foods to Avoid While Taking Methadone Methadone interactions with common foods are sometimes overlooked. Opioid addiction recovery involves changing many aspects of your life, sometimes including eating habits. If you take methadone as part of a medication-assisted treatment program, pay special attention to what you eat and drink. Certain foods can cause interactions or side […]
Chronic Pain Treatment without Opioids
Prescription painkillers are no longer as accessible as they used to be. For those seeking pain treatment without opioids, alternative therapies are becoming essential. Chronic pain is a widespread issue in the United States. In 2021, an estimated 20.9% of U.S. adults struggled with chronic pain. That means approximately 51.6 million adults may seek out medical […]
How Drug Addiction Affects Relationships
Substance use disorder affects all areas of life, especially relationships. Learn how drug addiction affects all relationships. Addiction makes it difficult to maintain trust, respect and open communication – critical elements in a healthy relationship. When a person has a substance use disorder (SUD), their life can become largely focused on obtaining and using the […]
Living With Opioid Addiction During the Holidays
The holidays can be a stressful time for those with opioid addiction. Everywhere we turn, we’re reminded that it’s supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” However, the holidays can also bring challenges like financial strain, family conflict, loneliness, grief and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you or a loved one is […]
Does Addiction Change how People Think?
Does Addiction Change how People Think? Advancements in addiction science have uncovered some remarkable new information regarding how substance use disorder (SUD) affects the brain, helping demystify an illness that has, only until recently, been seen as merely a bad habit or moral failing. The research presented that shows various brain scans between those with […]
Developing an Opioid Recovery Management Plan
Whether once or repeatedly, some individuals may return to substance use after a period of sobriety. This experience is normal and doesn’t mean that your treatment plan has failed — it just needs to be revised. While common, you can take steps to plan and prevent a recurrence of substance use. How to Develop a Recovery Management Plan A recovery management plan can help you reduce […]
Everything You Need to Know About Suboxone® Treatment
Opioid use disorder is an ever-growing issue, the effects of which are widespread. Virtually no community or demographic has been spared of the consequences of prescription drug misuse, which is the primary cause of the opioid epidemic in the U.S. In 2017, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and […]
