Relapse is a terrify but all too common situation that men and women in recovery find themselves facing. Relapse does not mean that one has failed in recovery. It simply indicated that an individual must summon the courage to try again and re-enter...
Many people have the experience of going through the difficult process of detoxifying their body of alcohol and drugs, only to relapse quickly after leaving treatment. It is not an uncommon situation-- about 85% of people who seek treatment relapse...
Many people view the disease model of addiction with skepticism. They may assume that people who are addicted to drugs are making the conscious decision to continue using simply because they enjoy the feeling. In the beginning stages of drug use,...
Prayer and meditation are suggested in the 12-step program of recovery. However, they an be effective tools regardless of what recovery program we choose to follow. Although prayer and meditation sound like religious practices, we can benefit from...
The initial wave of the baby boomer generation turned 65 years old in 2011. Currently, older adults make up 30% of the population in the United States. The rates of older adults are increasing, and so too are the rates of alcoholism and addiction...
Recovery is an extremely fulfilling and rewarding process, but it can be difficult in the beginning. We may face all sorts of mental, physical, and spiritual problems during the beginning of our journey. However, if we can get past the common...
When we first enter into a life of sobriety, we may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of avoiding any and all things related to drugs and alcohol for the rest of our lives. Fortunately, this is not the case. We will eventually reach what 12-step...
Crack is a freebase form of cocaine that provides a brief but intense high when smoked. Smoking crack allows the drug to reach the brain very quickly and create a strong surge in dopamine, leading to short-term feelings of euphoria. Crack is less...
Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in the United States. Benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Xanax, are a class of drug often prescribed to treat anxiety. In the short-term, benzodiazepines can be effective in treating mental health...
We are often surprised to find that many of the people attempting to help us recover in treatment have their own personal experience with addiction and recovery. Their experience, strength, and hope will be invaluable as we enter into a process of...
