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 […]
Chronic Stress and Opioid Addiction
Stress is more than a feeling — it can have significant effects on your overall wellness. For some people, stress can also be chronic. People dealing with chronic stress feel consistently pressured and overwhelmed for extended periods. Stress is a primary risk factor for opioid addiction. It can increase cravings, contributing to relapse and treatment failure. […]
Can I Get Fired for Going to Rehab?
If you’ve been struggling with opioid use disorder and are ready to begin recovery, it’s normal to wonder what impact treatment will have on your life. Treatments, even outpatient appointments, will mean time away from work. Many individuals often wonder if they’ll need to tell their employer about their opioid use disorder — or even […]
5 Healthy Coping Skills for Addiction
Addiction recovery is an ongoing process. Many people living with addiction struggle to stay sober. Opioid addiction, in particular, has an exceptionally high relapse rate. Emotional triggers, such as stress, depression and anxiety, and environmental triggers, like places and people that remind a person of using, can make recovery challenging. While it may feel virtually […]
Preparing for Outpatient Opioid Addiction Treatment
Individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, or opioid addiction, can find help and hope through an individualized outpatient treatment plan. Opioid addiction treatment preparation can streamline the process for patients. Preparing for Rehab Outpatient opioid addiction treatment lets patients continue their daily tasks and responsibilities. You’ll receive treatment and then conveniently return to work, school […]
Do “Addictive Personalities” Exist?
The short answer is no. The concept of an addictive personality has no medical or scientific basis and is more of a colloquial expression people use to signify something that is much more serious and complicated. As addiction science progresses, researchers and medical professionals who are specialized in the field have come to resent the […]
How the Anticipation Molecule Drives Addiction
How the Anticipation Molecule Drives Addiction The human brain contains something called dopamine, commonly described as the pleasure molecule. Each time a person engages in something that satisfies a need or makes them feel good, like eating food, having sex, and using mind-altering substances, dopamine is released in the nucleus accumbens. The release of dopamine […]
How Addiction Negatively Impacts Intimate Relationships
How Addiction Negatives Affects Intimate Relationships Substance use disorder affects a person’s intrapersonal connections with others due to the disease’s all-consuming nature, making addiction and relationships a widely discussed topic within recovery circles. Whether one or both partners in a romantic relationship are misusing drugs regularly, several likely factors will alter the connection between two […]
Opioid Deaths Rising in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has one of the highest overdose death rates in the country. Despite progress in recent years, 2020 saw a rise in overdose deaths in New England. Opioid-Related Deaths Increased Statewide in 2020 The latest report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that overdose deaths in the state rose by 5% in 2020. […]
