Binge drinking, a pattern of excessive alcohol consumption within a short period, is a concerning issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide. While the immediate effects of binge drinking can be detrimental, the aftermath can be equally challenging. One such...
Have you ever relied on alcohol to feel like yourself or overcome social anxiety? You’re not alone. According to recent estimates, around 63% of adults in the U.S. consume alcohol, with many using it as a means to relax and...
Emotional sobriety, a term originated in the 12-step community, goes beyond the concept of merely abstaining from addictive substances. While physical sobriety focuses on the cessation of substance use, emotional sobriety equips a person with the necessary skills to maintain...
Discover the essential qualities to look for in a rehab center and why Wellness Retreat Recovery is the premier boutique facility in the Bay Area For those facing addiction in Northern California, it is crucial to find a rehab center...
The word part ‘poly’ refers to ‘many.’ Therefore, polysubstance abuse refers to the act of using multiple drugs simultaneously or in rapid succession to achieve a desired effect. Polysubstance abuse can involve different combinations of drugs such as alcohol, opioids,...
Addiction recovery is a journey, and it’s not always a linear one. Relapse can happen, and it doesn’t mean that all the progress made so far is lost. If someone has experienced a relapse, it’s important to know that there...
Both cancer and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are complex matters. Each involves an intricate web of factors and correlating issues, making it hard or impossible to determine their singular cause. However, alcohol abuse can increase the risk of developing cancer. ...
When most people think of drug addiction, they often jump straight to the concept of illegal drugs. In reality, however, several commonly-used products, including many available over-the-counter (OTC), are abused by many members of the population. Using those medications incorrectly,...
ADHD medications help people manage their symptoms. However, these medications may also cause side effects. ...
Many who walk the path of recovery are surprised to find just how much underlying shame fueled their addiction. Once discovered, it can seem like a big step back just when one strives to move forward. However, it’s essential to...
Fentanyl, like many other illegal substances, began as a synthetic opioid developed to alleviate severe pain after serious medical procedures or accidents. Fentanyl’s potency as a pain reliever makes it useful even at low doses. The CDC warned medical personnel,...
It’s normal for people to be concerned about a loved one’s or their mental health, and this concern increases with medication and substance use. Thus, it’s essential to know the dangers of mixing Wellbutrin (Bupropion) with alcohol. When mixed with...
The pancreas is one of the most essential organs in the human body. It’s directly responsible for converting food into energy. The pancreas regulates blood sugar and an endocrine function that keeps the body healthy. When the pancreas begins to...
Starting a new prescription medication often comes with additional risks that can affect the user in different ways. Gabapentin is no different. This prescription drug is used to treat nerve pain from seizures or shingles. As of writing this post,...
Every year Newsweek published its list of the top Addiction Treatment Centers in America. In 2022, Wellness Retreat Recovery Center reached the top 10 position. For the past three years, Newsweek has partnered with the global market research and data...
Many people enjoy a cocktail, a glass of wine, or a can of beer after a particularly difficult day or on the weekends. Some people, of course, over-consume those products. Some of the dangers of alcohol are well-known and visible. ...
Long-term alcohol abuse and excessive drinking can come with far more dangers than addiction. While some of the potential diseases that result from it may be rare, they can become serious quickly–especially when they involve a patient’s heart. Cardiomyopathy is...
Like substances such as ketamine, salvia, LSD, and ecstasy, marijuana causes depersonalization. Mostly, depersonalization from weed affects teens and young adults below 28 years — it is rare in older adults. Read on to understand how marijuana depersonalization presents and...
When a person’s body is exposed to allergens such as pollen or dust, it produces a chemical known as histamine. The chemical helps the patient’s body fight seasonal allergies, most common in fall and spring when there’s a lot of...
Clonazolam is a so-called research chemical, meaning it was developed in the lab to mimic the actions of other chemicals. These chemicals tend to be dangerous, and clonazolam is no exception. What is Clonazolam? Clonazolam is another name for triazolobenzodiazepine....
Sending a child away to college is a big milestone for not just the child but their parents. Parents have many legitimate worries about their child living somewhat independently for the first time, which might range from whether they are...
Americans are getting lost in the fog. 47% of COVID-19 patients who have prolonged symptoms experience brain fog. Applied to the general population, this is thousands of people. Yet COVID-19 brain fog is just one type of brain fog. Alcohol...
Did you know that almost 6.7% of people in the United States alone suffer from alcohol use disorder or AUD? The abuse of alcohol can damage your life in a variety of ways. Not only can it destroy your relationships,...
If you could spend a lifetime frolicking through Neverland with a ragtag team of rough-and-tumble companions, would you? You’d be able to stay a child forever and would never have to take on the responsibilities of adult life. You would...
If you’ve ever experienced a hangover and prayed to your higher power to make it go away in exchange for a vow of sobriety, you’re not alone. Almost 70% of people feel hungover a night of drinking alcohol. While hangover...
Once someone has gone through rehabilitation for their alcohol addiction, they’ve taken several important steps to improve their lives. Not only have they admitted that they have a problem, but they’ve also made lifestyle changes and chosen to get help....
According to the National Institutes for Health, in 2019, over 14 million adults aged 18 and older had alcohol use disorder (AUD). If you or someone you know wants to quit drinking, you may have questions about what happens to...
Alcohol and drug addiction affect 20 million people in the United States. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use or addictive behaviors, you might be wondering if drug rehab is the answer. Rehab has helped many...
It’s dangerous to be in isolation in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction because we tend to be our own worst enemies. Loneliness is a common contributor to relapse of drug and alcohol treatment. We are addressing the risks of...
The 12 steps and 12-step programs are a huge part of building a foundation for longevity in sobriety. There are certain factors that come with being a part of a 12-step recovery program that is essential to a well-rounded journey...
If a loved one is suffering from addiction, how can you tell if they are just moody? When should you intervene if you suspect a loved one is abusing heroin? What is Heroin? A white or brown powder, or a...
Intoxicated people create whole new lives that they were not aware of before they drank and used drugs. Despite your modesty when sober, don’t be surprised if you dance on the bar and take off clothing items. Find out more...
You can still enjoy concerts and shows without jeopardizing your sobriety and recovery in the process. You can find a group within your fellowship that wants the types of events that you do. Come up with a plan while you’re...
Alcoholics are people who always drink too much and whose lives are in ruins because of it. However, that’s not always the case. High-functioning alcoholics exist. Despite abusing alcohol, some people seem just fine. Alcoholics with a high level of...
You need to take care of yourself as a recovering addict. Long-term health and happiness depend on the belief that you are worthy of it. A healthy lifestyle begins with self-care. Practicing self-care every day in sobriety is essential. Self-care...
One thing you learn after you enter treatment is that relapse is a part of the process. Now more than ever, it’s time for us to begin taking a more in-depth look at the relapse prevention model to stop relapse...
Substance addiction has a way of affecting the most important aspects of life. It can sabotage your health, relationships, finances, career, etc…Consequently, it only makes sense that recovery, too, should involve each essential part of your life to ensure your...
Living in sobriety can be fun and fulfilling after struggling with drug addiction. Statistics show that between 40 and 60 percent of the people who complete detox and rehabilitation programs often relapse, and you do not wish to be part...
Sometimes people will try to cope with their anger by having unhealthy coping mechanisms. But, unfortunately, people who have unhealthy coping mechanisms, like abusing drugs, don’t often see the correlation. Nevertheless, drug abuse and anger issues are closely related. If...
About 20.1 million Americans 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the span of a year. Prolonged drug or alcohol use can have a lasting and sometimes permanent impact on the body. For example, your immune system could...
Have you ever gone out for a night with friends, had one too many drinks, and woken up the next day with no recollection of how you made it home? If so, you’re not alone. Not only can having alcohol...
In 2019, almost 25,000 Americans died of alcohol-related liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease is more common than you might think. Anyone drinking just two to three drinks a day likely has some form of liver disease. Liver disease has serious...
In 2017, close to 20 million Americans struggled with substance abuse, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. When you are taking the steps to become sober, there are many side effects to your health. This is...
Is someone in your life addicted to drugs or alcohol? This might even describe you. If so, you are not alone. That’s because substance abuse remains a huge problem in this country. In fact, there are more than 67,000 drug...
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, every year over 19.7 million Americans fight against substance abuse. This means that well over 40 million Americans have a friend or family member with drug addiction issues. That’s more...
Continuing to Serve The medical and clinical staff at Wellness Retreat are working together to provide a safe and secure environment for our patients during the unique situation and challenges brought upon by COVID-19. While we cannot reduce the risk...
One of the most difficult things you’ll encounter when you try to stay sober is other people getting drunk or high around you who don’t understand why you are working so hard. To them, it is easier to bring someone...
The life of active addiction or alcoholism is full of secrets, lies, and manipulation in order to get the substances we need or to hide our behavior from loved ones. Addiction happens as the result of many factors, but it...
It’s entirely unfortunate, but due to the prevailing opioid epidemic, thousands of families lose loved ones to drug overdose deaths every year. It’s unlikely that you haven’t known someone who died of an overdose in your lifetime. Even more unlikely...
It can take years before a person decides to get help for a drug or alcohol addiction. But even if a person does decide to get help, they may not want to continue on the path of recovery for long...
With the opioid epidemic continuing to rage on and affect thousands of individuals and their families every day, a number of new treatments have developed to address this specific addiction. However, due to the many different types of opioid addiction...
Anxiety and addiction are a common pair. In fact, almost half the individuals who get help for addiction also need help for a co-occurring disorder. And often, the co-occurring disorder paired with addiction is an anxiety disorder. Since concurring disorders...
Most people who struggle with addiction don’t want to get help. And even the ones that do may be terrified of what sobriety may bring. This is because they’ve lived so long consumed by the cycle of addiction that they...
During recovery from substance abuse disorder, it’s best that the entire family is involved. Even if only one person in a family unit struggles with addiction, each and every member is affected. And, can either attribute to helping or even...
Certainly, addiction can lead to a host of negative effects. The effects of drug addiction can range from physical illnesses and organ failure to the loss of finances and even professional careers. But, did you know that the effects of...
If you are looking for a drug rehab facility for yourself or a loved one, undoubtedly, you have a few questions. There are thousands of rehab facilities all over the country. And each one offers different methods of treatment, therapies,...
Did you know that sleep plays a big part in successful recovery? Without proper sleep scheduling, individuals may be at a higher risk for relapse. This is because a lack of sleep can bring about a number of psychological issues...
Addicted individuals may have a false conception that their addictive behaviors affect them alone. But, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Unfortunately, addictive behaviors and their effects are not confined to only the addicted individual. And, family, friends, and...
Addiction comes with its fair share of negative emotions. Before an individual finally comes to terms with the fact that help is needed, he or she is likely to experience a wide range of emotions including shame, anger, and guilt....
Funding addictive behaviors is not cheap. Whether a person forks over loads of money to pay for prescription pills legally or buys illicit drugs off the street, buying addictive substances is expensive. And, the nature of addiction is that it’s...
Since there are many different approaches and methods to addiction treatment, you’ll come across a number of different terms treatment centers use to describe their treatment plans. One of these characteristics of treatment is an individualized or personalized approach. But,...
Addiction affects each individual person differently. Furthermore, the causes of the development of addiction may differ from person to person. However, grief and trauma are two of the most common underlying causes of addiction. To give an example, according to...
All too often, people believe what they want about addiction, leading to the current harmful stigma of addiction we face today. This stigma keeps people struggling with addiction from getting the help they so desperately need because they don’t want...
It’s normal to have questions about how addiction works and what you need to do if you think you may be struggling with addiction. The important part is that you’re asking questions and willing to learn about addiction to help...
When it comes to treating the disease of addiction, there are many different treatment approaches and therapies to consider. Everyone may have their own opinion on what types and methods of treatment may work best to achieve lasting recovery. While...
Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to upgrade your life, work on yourself, and remove the threat of substance abuse from your life for good by going to an addiction rehab center. The hardest part is over. But, you still have...
During and after treatment for addiction, you will experience a lot of exciting changes in your life! Having a clean slate is really an amazing feeling. You should feel proud of yourself for reaching out for help. It’s not always...
Substance abuse is a major problem that a lot of people are dealing with today. Addiction affects people in many different areas of their lives. It can cause people to become physically ill. It can also lead to emotional and...
The media has painted a picture of a heroin addict. Usually, they are homeless, jobless, without family and friends – huddled in a dark alley with a needle in their arm. They exist on the brink of life and death,...
Drug overdoses are always scary and tragic events, and many of them lead to fatalities. In fact, since 2000, more than half a million Americans have died of an overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And,...
When you are in treatment for drugs or alcohol, the biggest thing you want to prevent is a relapse in recovery. It is a lot of hard work to stay sober, and the end goal is to stay away from...
With the mass legalization of medical marijuana and the beginning of legal recreational marijuana use in a few areas of the country, the stigma of marijuana is changing. A large portion of the American population is not opposed to the...
Addiction is a very difficult thing to overcome. Sometimes, people who are dealing with substance abuse and dependence struggle to feel connected to others. In many cases, this lack of connection is due to the way drugs and alcohol affect...
In this day and age, people are using everything they can get their hands on to get high or try something different. Just look at the Tide Pod Challenge that once took social media by storm. It seemed like a...
Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug that can be snorted, smoked, or injected by users. It is commonly understood that a cocaine addiction comes with a range of negative consequences for both casual users and individuals who are completely...
As you may already know, there are many different kinds of substance abuse and dependence problems. Many people are suffering from an addiction to alcohol. Others are struggling with drug abuse and dependence. But, no matter what kind of addiction...
Unfortunately, many families have suffered from the negative effects of substance dependence. Parents, children, spouses, siblings other family members, and friends of addicts have all dealt with the way addiction affects their loved ones. But, in most cases, individuals have...
After you go through treatment for addiction, you will find that new challenges will arise. There will be obstacles that you didn’t know you would have to face. You’ll struggle with things in a new way. It will be very...
Drugs and alcohol have caused many problems in the lives of individuals all over the world. Many people have suffered at the hands of addiction. And many families have been torn apart because of this issue. Countless individuals have encountered...
Sadly, our world is full of things that have the potential to tear families completely apart. Financial burdens, domestic violence, divorce, various disagreements, as well as general stress all have the ability to cause problems within a family. In fact,...
It’s a new year! Maybe last year was full of disappointments. Maybe you hit a few brick walls. Or maybe you felt lost sometimes. There may have been moments when you felt as though you would never be able to...
For most people in society, the word “methamphetamine” conjures images of illegal cooking labs in the desert, psychosis-fueled violence, and fear-based anti-drug ads featuring the “faces of meth.” Adderall use, by contrast, is most often associated with prescription medication for...
Amphetamines are a class of stimulants which include illicit substances like methamphetamines and cocaine as well as prescription drugs like Adderall and Vyvanse. Some of these drugs can help to treat medical diagnoses such as ADD or ADHD. Others may...
Recovering From Addiction When a person is dealing with an addiction problem, he or she will experience a lot of difficulties in life. Using drugs and alcohol can change a person’s brain structure, altering the way he or she thinks....
When it comes to addiction recovery, there are many treatment paths. Different recovery facilities offer various methods of treatment. One treatment method that you may or may not have considered is acupuncture. This is something most people think of in...
Let’s face it. There are a lot of myths out there about addiction. These myths have found their way into the hearts and minds of far too many individuals. They’ve lead people to believe that substance dependence is a choice....
It is certainly not easy to overcome substance abuse. Addiction has a way of taking over a person’s life. It causes a lot of negative changes in a person’s world. Substance dependence can cause an individual to experience emotional, physical,...
Addiction can cause some major issues. It brings negative changes to the lives of the individuals who are suffering from it. But it also has a negative impact on the families of those individuals. In most cases, addiction causes issues...
Since addiction is such a widespread issue, very few families are left untouched by it. Many people have seen how substance abuse has affected their parents. Others have watched addiction take over the lives of their siblings. Some have even...
Alcoholism. It’s been the cause of many problems throughout history. It’s caused the deaths of unsuspecting drivers. It has caused separation between spouses. Alcohol use has created friction between parents and children. It has caused people to lose their jobs...
The truth about addiction is that it happens for various reasons. And it affects people in various ways. There are many possible underlying causes. So, when it comes to treating drug use and abuse, it’s important to identify and address...
Addiction is a very general term. When people think about addiction, they likely think about alcoholism or illicit drug use. But it’s important to realize that addiction extends past those two categories. Sometimes, people become addicted to or dependent on...
It’s challenging to overcome an addiction problem. Many individuals struggle to ask for help when they recognize the signs of a substance abuse problem in their lives. And some have a difficult time while they’re going through treatment. It’s not...
One thing that people should know about recovery from addiction is that it takes time. Recovery is a process and it doesn’t happen instantly or quickly. Many say that’s it’s a lifelong journey. The truth is, people who have worked...
When a person is dealing with an addiction problem, it’s important that they get the best kind of help for their situation. People who have become dependent on alcohol or drugs often struggle to end that dependency on their own....
You might have heard a lot about substance use, abuse, dependence, and addiction. There are plenty of resources out there with information about all of these issues. But, it’s not always easy to know when a person is suffering from...
It can be very dangerous to quit using a substance that you’re dependent on without having the right kind of help. You may have heard of the phrase “quitting cold turkey”. When people quit using drugs or alcohol “cold turkey”,...
Drug dependence. Alcohol addiction. Substance abuse. These issues are real. They have been impacting families for years. There have been treatments. Then, even more treatment approaches were developed. And now there are plenty of treatment facilities out there. There are...
People who are dealing with addictions and substance dependence problems may often wonder, “Is there any hope for me?” It’s very difficult to overcome addiction. It’s especially challenging to accomplish this without help. In many cases, addiction causes people to...
Recovering from an addiction requires a lot of dedication. As you work to overcome substance abuse, you will encounter some challenges. But, with the right kind of therapy and treatment, you can get through the recovery process. Group therapy offers...
Substance abuse and addiction are continuing to spread rapidly amongst our world’s population. Countries all over the place have been impacted by the effects of drug addiction. Families in every city have experienced how addiction can negatively affect them. The...
When it comes to drug addiction treatment methods, many people are unsure of which ones work best. It seems like there are so many options from which we can choose. People who are struggling with substance abuse may feel overwhelmed...
A lot of people are afraid to go through the process of recovering from addiction. Unfortunately, this fear keeps people from taking the first step to a new life. What exactly makes people feel afraid? Misinformation. Many times, people are...
If you are struggling with a substance abuse problem, the best thing you can do is get professional help. With the help of therapy and treatment, you can find your way to a new way of life. But, treatment is only...
Addiction recovery is a process that is different for everyone. Treatment may take longer for some than for others. Some people may begin to develop healthier habits before others do. But, in every case of recovery from substance abuse, relapse...
Every year, there are new cases of addiction. Another person becomes dependent on and starts to misuse prescription drugs. Another individual experiments with an illicit drug and develops an addiction. Yet another person begins to consume far too much alcohol...
The process of recovery from substance abuse is a long one. It takes time to get past an addiction problem. Remember that addiction problems don’t occur right away. They develop over a period of time. Likewise, recovery doesn’t happen overnight;...
If you’ve struggled with a substance abuse problem, you know that it’s important to have the right kind of people around you. Many times, people relapse or begin to deal with other issues because of a lack of support. Some...
Excessive alcohol use has caused many issues in families all over the world. It has impacted people and their loved ones in various ways. Thankfully, there is help and hope for people who want to overcome this problem. But, it...
When it comes to addiction, it’s easy to forget that more people are being affected than the person who is addicted. The individual has loved ones who are also feeling the impact of this issue. Sometimes, the family members aren’t...
When it comes to inpatient therapy for addiction, there are a lot of misconceptions. Some people have beliefs about this kind of therapy program that just isn’t correct. Unfortunately, some of those thoughts sometimes hinder people from getting the help...
Addiction is a mental health disorder that is commonly paired with others. When a person living with mental health issues isn’t diagnosed or doesn’t have medical help established, they often look to the numbing effects of drugs or alcohol to...
When a person goes through treatment for addiction, he or she encounters many challenges. Therapy and treatment need a lot of hard work. People who are working towards sobriety often find themselves feeling lots of pressure and discomfort throughout the...
Addiction affects countless people all over the world. Every year, babies are born with a dependence on a substance their mothers used during pregnancy. Each year, a teenager abuses alcohol or experiments with a drug or two. Then, there are...
Addiction and recovery could be considered as polar opposites. It sometimes seems as though there is a large chasm between the two. How does a person move from a life of addiction into a life of sobriety? For a lot...
What do you think about when you hear the word “addiction”? Do you think about drugs like heroin and meth? Does your mind immediately think about alcoholism? It’s true that these are all different types of addiction. But there are...
If you’ve been dependent on a substance, you know that it’s not easy to overcome addiction. Sometimes, the very thought of going through detoxification and rehab makes people fearful. The idea of talking about your struggles can make you uncomfortable....
What do you think about when you hear the words “treatment for addiction”? What images come to mind? Maybe you think about a group of people saying, “Hi, my name is such-and-such. And, I’ve struggled with alcoholism.” Or, perhaps you...
It’s hard to live with addiction. Both the people who are struggling and their families face many challenges as long as addiction continues. But, substance dependence isn’t usually intentional. People who begin to abuse drugs or alcohol don’t do normally...
Billions of people are currently living with chronic pain. Millions of those people are right here in the United States. Chronic pain might impact the lower back. It might affect the neck area. Some people, more women than men, deal...
To recover from an addiction is an incredible accomplishment. If you’ve recently completed treatment and therapy sessions for a substance abuse problem, you’ve done something to help you and those around you. But, even though we know addiction recovery is...
The fear of detox symptoms can be one of the main things that prevent you from getting sober. Withdrawing from any substance brings with it discomfort, sickness, anxiety, and a whole host of other unpleasant symptoms. Many addicts can’t get...
Many people make the mistake of thinking that prescription medication addiction isn’t possible. After all, if your doctor prescribes it, it must be safe, right? False! There are a number of drugs that are often prescribed that can be extremely...
Drinking alcohol has long been a part of society. Unfortunately, with that comes many cases of alcohol abuse. It is drawing the line between the two that is sometimes difficult. As a result, many people who need help don’t get...
When you go to rehab, you’ll encounter a lot of different things. One of those things will be different kinds of addiction therapy. It is important to avoid getting overwhelmed by all the different kinds of therapy or think it...
Most people aren’t exactly sure what to think when they hear the term “luxury drug rehab”. Usually, rehab is not a place that you think of as luxurious, rather you are one of the thousands of patients who go through...
The mere idea of drug detox usually makes most addicts cringe. Often, the very thought of it is enough to make you continue using drugs even if you want to stop. Or, you may have tried and given up when...
Have you ever noticed that a lot of people in 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous smoke a lot of cigarettes? If you haven’t, next time take a look around. You’ll notice the same thing in a lot...
Drug addiction is infamous for being a lonely experience. Addicts usually keep their problem a secret, and what exposes it is usually a bad event that includes the person hitting their rock bottom. The importance of speaking up about your...
There is a lot of terminology thrown around when you decide that you are going to rehab. It is important to know what it all means so that you make the best possible choice for you. It is very important...
Heroin addiction is something no one can prepare for, especially when it is one of your loved ones who has fallen into heroin’s grasp. The majority of the time, family members have no idea that their son, sister, mother, or...
Abusing Adderall is commonplace, most notably amongst college students and young people. It is easily obtained and readily available on college campuses, and many people share it with their peers, even though doing so is both dangerous and illegal. Adderall...
Heroin addiction is a tough battle for everyone involved. Certainly it is hard for the addict, as well as all the people around them who love them dearly. If there anything that was ever cunning, deceitful, and sneaky, then it...
Xanax and alcohol are two substances that should never be mixed together. There have been countless cases of people who overdose by combining the two, primarily because each exaggerates the effects of the other. Both xanax and alcohol suppress your...
When it comes to addiction, it truly is a family disease. No matter what the addiction is, how bad it is, or what it is to, addiction affects everyone involved – children, parents, friends, spouses, and siblings – everyone. For...
If you just went through an addiction relapse, chances are you are beating yourself up. When you relapse, you are bound to feel a deep sense of shame, guilt, regret, and self-loathing. After all of your hard work to get...
Getting your methamphetamine facts straight is important and often hard to do coming from unreliable sources. Methamphetamine is often called meth for short, and it is an extremely powerful and addictive stimulant. You might be familiar with the name Crystal...
It is no surprise that there are many dangers of alcohol, especially alcohol abuse. What is surprising to many people is that it doesn’t take much alcohol to be abusing it, because the “healthy” levels of alcohol are actually quite...
Maybe you recently got prescribed Xanax. Or, you’ve heard people talk about it and find yourself wondering what is Xanax. Either way, it is important to know what this drug does because while it can work wonders for people when...
There are a lot of people who try to get sober and fail. Just looking at the statistics can really make you feel like there is no home. However, it is important to realize that a lot of the people...
When you commit to get sober, it goes beyond a New Year’s resolution. It is ultimately a move that can save your life, or at the very least make huge improvements to your well being. No matter what your situation...
Trauma and addiction very often go hand in hand, with one feeding into the other and causing a situation that spirals out of control. Sadly, many people never acknowledge trauma they go through, so they end up using addiction as...
Opioid abuse is rampant in the United States. Currently, overdose is the leading cause of death in people under the age of fifty. The majority of those deaths can be attributed to opiates like heroin, fentanyl, and prescription medications. Many...
As the year comes to a close, it isn’t a bad idea to set some sober goals for the new year! Setting goals and celebrating their achievements has been proven to help you in your recovery, even when the goals...
Drinking alcohol is completely socially acceptable and widely practiced in all cultures. In the United States alone, 86.4 percent of people over the age of eighteen have drank or do drink alcohol, according to the 2015 NAtional Survey on Drug...
Addiction relapse happens often, and that is a scary thing for anyone who is in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse. After all, you have worked so hard to come this far, and the worst thing in the world that...
If you are in addiction recovery, chances are you have heard a lot of talk about a higher power. You may have even heard about it in treatment. If you aren’t a religious person, the idea of a higher power...
There are so many myths out there about drug overdose that many of you may be confused about what is fake vs. what is a reality. And, sadly, you may be one of those people who think that an overdose...
When you or a loved one first goes to rehab, there are a number of questions and uncertainties. It is an uneasy time during which emotions are high and there is a lot of stress on everyone. If it is...
Living in a solid sober home after you complete treatment can be one of the best things you do for your ongoing recovery. It gives you accountability, rules, and keeps you surrounded by your peers as a support system. At...
Addiction recovery requires a lot of work. No matter if you were addicted to alcohol or heroin, you need to make your recovery a priority, because that it is the only way to achieve success. It will require lifestyle changes...
Staying sober is a large task that many people attempt and fail. Failure happens because of a number of different reasons, most often because a person doesn’t seek treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Getting professional help is one of...
;”>Withdrawal symptoms can be one of the scariest parts about quitting drugs or alcohol. No matter what the substance, your body will have some kind of reaction to quitting. The severity of the reaction depends on the length and severity...
Being a recovering alcoholic is hard. The truth is that alcohol is available everywhere you go. Not only that, but around the holidays it is advertised everywhere, given as gifts, and an accepted and expected part of any and every...
Many people associate cocaine addiction with celebrities and rich kids who have nothing better to spend their money on. While it is true that cocaine is a party drug, there are lots of people addicted on a much more serious...
Dealing with any opioid addiction is a painful experience. When it is your spouse, it is likely to alter the course of your relationship. Many couples don’t make it through addiction together, but it isn’t impossible to do. It will...
00;”>Addiction relapse happens more often than you think. Most people mistakenly think that a person can go to rehab and come out on the other side after a month or two, “cured’. If you have experience with addiction, you know...
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is something that can happen to anyone who goes through a traumatic event. The disorder is something that is individual for everyone who goes through it. You may handle stress and trauma differently from a...
Once you get to rehab, your time spent there can seem like a breeze, as far as staying sober goes. First of all, you have all of the support you need to talk about your problems, and professionals to stop...
Watching a loved one struggle because they are addicted to drugs or alcohol is a terrifying thing to have to go through. No matter who that person is – your spouse, child, a parent, sibling, or best friend, the concern...
Everyone is talking about the opioid epidemic, from people at your school or office and the news to the President of the United States. Unless you live under a rock, it is impossible not to be aware that America is...
A codependent relationship usually happens before you even know what is happening. In addiction and recovery, these kinds of relationships are especially prevalent and also incredibly toxic. It is important to know how to recognize one so that you can...
If you are thinking of coordinating an addiction intervention for a friend or loved one, chances are that you feel as though you have run out of all other options. You and other friends and family close to the person...
When it comes to treating addiction, mood disorders are extremely important to diagnose and treat as part of the process. Mood disorders include things like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. All of these can be incredibly debilitating for the people...
One of the best things you can do to protect your sobriety after treatment resides in a sober home. Equally as important is that you find the right one that works for you and what you need. There are many...
Having a friend who is addicted to drugs is difficult. You want to see them get help, but there is nothing you can do to force them to do so. If they are over the age of 18, legally they...
Alcohol is a funny thing. It is completely socially acceptable to throw back a few beers. As a matter of fact, it is accepted almost anywhere you go, from a first date to a family dinner to a football tailgate...
A person in active addiction is a person who is currently using drugs and alcohol to any extent. If you are trying to cut out alcohol, for example, but still drink a little bit each day, you are still considered...
Getting sober is tough work. No one can argue otherwise. There are many steps that you need to take to ensure that you stay sober, and this includes avoiding triggers in recovery. It is amazing how easily a trigger can...
Everyone in early addiction recovery knows that bad news and bad luck can trigger a relapse. Some of the more common and obvious triggers include things like financial problems, divorce, or a death in the family. However, misfortune isn’t the...
When it comes to recovery, all help is useful. Thankfully, there’s much of it. Over the years addiction recovery has grown to adopt many ways to provide help. Currently, in this period of technological advancements with the internet and cellular...
There’s no getting around it. Relapse is part of recovery. In fact, it’s such a part of recovery that up to 60 percent of recovering individuals relapse. Whether you or a loved one is on the road to recovery for...
Anxiety is something that the average person has to deal with on a daily basis. But, although anxiety is a normal emotion to experience, it can be a risk for those in early recovery. Relapse rates are highest in the...
Alcoholism hurts more than just the alcoholic. As the close friend of someone struggling with alcohol dependency, you have an important influence that might aid in his recovery. There are ways you can help your friend recognize the problem and...
There are many people who still falsely believe that drug addiction is an issue of morality. However, the truth of the matter is that most addicts don’t choose to continue using drugs once they start. In fact, continued use is...
Rehab may have helped you detox, but once you sign those discharge papers, the responsibility of staying sober falls on you. Once you’ve left your inpatient treatment program, you’ll need to devote yourself to maintaining your sobriety for the rest...
If you are looking for the best addiction treatment centers for either yourself or a loved one, you’ll have to know what qualities characterize the best addiction treatment centers in our country. Undoubtedly, you only want to have to go...
High blood pressure and anxiety are sometimes conditions of impaired blood flow. These conditions can be threatening to a person’s health, so it’s vital that they get treatment. For those affected by these conditions, clonidine is commonly prescribed. It works...
With the talk, research, and numerous fatalities revolving around the opioid epidemic sweeping across our nation, it’s no wonder that you’re worried about a spouse who may be struggling with pain medication addiction. But, it’s important to understand that you...
Substance abuse is a problem that affects more than the adult population. Unfortunately, more and more teenagers are falling victim to addiction issues. In fact, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) has determined back in 2015 that...
Anxiety and addiction are an all too common pair seen in every corner of the world. The mind of an anxious person is very rarely quieted, but many realize that their anxiety can be controlled or managed with the use...
If the opioid epidemic has taught us anything, it is that anyone can become addicted to painkillers. Opioids are completely legal with a prescription, but their addictive nature can cause dependence on the substance in even the most strong-willed of...
If you or a loved one is looking for help through drug addiction treatment, you may be overwhelmed by the many different options to choose from. Not to worry, educating yourself about the differences in programs can help you choose...
The number of individuals misusing opioids in our country is steadily increasing as each day passes. As the number of individuals affected steadily rises, the number of harmful chemicals being found on the streets does so as well. Fentanyl, an...
Individuals all around the country are being affected by the opioid epidemic on a daily basis. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), anywhere from 26 to 36 million Americans struggle with an opiate addiction. The harmful stigma...
Substance abuse is a huge health risk that changes the way your brain is wired. When done routinely, substance abuse triggers a physical and psychological dependency that renders the drug a primary source of pleasure. This is why quitting can...
Choosing a rehab center that fits your personal needs can be exhausting and even overwhelming. However, taking a peek at California, it’s easy to see why so many people seek treatment at California drug rehab centers. From the weather to...
What Exactly Are Opiates? Opiates are drugs that use the sap of the opium poppy plant as its chemical base. They are popular on the black market and can be found out on the street in the form of heroin....
This may come as a surprise, but nearly 40 million adults in the United States suffer from severe bouts of chronic pain. With the number steadily growing, it’s no wonder that narcotics are in such high demand. However, some of...
Overdoses are terrifying- even just being a witness to an overdose can cause symptoms of PTSD and trauma. When overdoses aren’t treated in time, they can and often do result in death. However, there is a way to fight back...
Drug and alcohol addiction affect every aspect of life for people who suffer from substance use disorder. Addiction has the capacity to destroy family relationships and friendships, to cause financial ruin, and to create emotional turmoil. The workplace is no...
Many people ascribe to the idea that in order to recover from alcoholism or addiction, the individual has to reach what is called “rock bottom”, or a point so low in their addiction that they are willing to do the...
What do you think of when you heard the words “vending machine?” An ice-cold Coke, a bag of chips…clean needles? That last one doesn’t seem to belong- it sounds like a work of fiction. But in Las Vegas, brand new...
Using legal substances as a way to get high is popular among many people. The appeal of legal drugs is that they seem safer than illegal narcotics, like heroin and cocaine, they are easily accessible and often cheap, and you...
My academic pursuits were one of the things that I had to abandon (or at least put on hold) when I reached my rock bottom of addictive behavior and decided to go to treatment for help. In my active addiction...
A large part of recovering from drug or alcohol addiction is preventing relapse. A relapse occurs when someone returns to their addictive behavior by using drugs or alcohol, but it’s not simply the actual event of picking up a substance-...
Alcohol and cocaine are often used together in party atmospheres. Some people enjoy the feeling of combining the lowered inhibitions and sedation they get from alcohol alongside the stimulant effects of cocaine. However, mixing these two substances is dangerous- the...
There are multiple approaches being used to fight the opiate addiction epidemic in the United States. One of the most controversial is the use of harm reduction strategies that aim to make drug use safer and minimize the damage caused...
The leaves on the trees are starting to return, the wildflowers are blooming, and things are looking a lot more green. As the temperature steadily rises and the sun stays out for a little bit longer each day, it can...
Being stuck in active addiction or alcoholism certainly comes financial, mental, physical, and social difficulties. A lot of the time, the focus is on the person who suffers from substance abuse and dependence. However, for their family members and loved...
Marijuana has been legalized in multiple states for medical use. Those in favor cite evidence that medical marijuana can treat a wide range of conditions, from chemotherapy-related nausea to glaucoma. For people in recovery from addiction or alcoholism, it may...
The majority of society’s fears about the drug epidemic in the United States today is focused on the increasing rates of heroin and prescription opiate use. We are in the midst of a crisis with this class of drugs, as...
If drug addiction was happening in your home, would you even know? A lot of people think of drug addiction as something that has obvious signs, arrests or overdoses. While addiction can end in either or both of those consequences,...
Heroin is an example of a highly addictive, dangerous opiate drug that can cause users years of pain and misery or even a fatal overdose. Narcotic pain medicine, such as Oxycontin and Percocet, is legitimately prescribed and used to treat...
When some people decide to give up alcohol and drugs and get sober, they also consider quitting cigarettes in order to live a fully healthy life and have a fresh start. There are a lot of different opinions on this...
Opiate dependence is a growing problem in the United States. While the illicit drug heroin has caused massive destruction in many communities, legal prescription opiates are also fueling the crisis that United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called “the...
Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription drugs commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia in patients. However, these pills can also be very addictive for many individuals and can lead to serious dependence and withdrawal symptoms when taken over a long...
Drug education and prevention programs usually cover the basics of the dangers of drugs like heroin, cocaine, and even alcohol. However, society- and the law- is having trouble keeping up with the influx of new designer drugs on the market....
Untreated, long-term alcoholism can result in a host of negative consequences, from social isolation and unemployment to fatal cirrhosis of the liver. Wet brain syndrome is one of the physical risks of alcoholism that can’t be treated once it has...
Everyone knows that AA meetings provide colorful coins for individuals for their time in recovery, but what is the point? Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and any other accomplishment in life is usually celebrated, so why can’t recovery? Many individuals may feel...
Mental illness is not a new thing in the addiction world. In fact, almost half of all the individuals who seek treatment for either alcohol or drug addiction have concurring mental health issues. Patients struggling with both OCD and addiction...
Recovery from substance abuse or use disorder is difficult in its own right, without any additional diagnoses or complicating factors. For patients with a bipolar diagnosis, this recovery process can be even more complex. Studies show that substance abuse often...
For patients with chronic conditions that result in terrible pain, opioids are a blessing that brings relief in a time of great suffering. But pain medication is only meant to be used for so long. The intent for opioids as...
The effects of opiates on individuals who suffer from addiction are significant and dangerous and can include an overdose-related fatality. Most people are aware that using opiates can cause social isolation, addiction, incarceration, health problems, and a host of other...
Aversion therapy has been used as a psychological treatment method for stopping compulsive behaviors since 1932. Aversion therapy also referred to as conversion or reparative therapy is the method of exposing a patient to the object of their obsession at...
Parenting is sometimes overwhelming for anyone that has the experience of being a mother or a father. But, for parents in recovery, parenting can be even more challenging. Parents in recovery have to live with the knowledge of their experience...
We’ve all heard Albert Einstein’s quote, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”. Addiction is just that, a cycle of decisions that lead to the same results. This is not...
For years, people thought that those who struggle with addiction were lacking moral character or just didn’t have enough willpower to break the cycle of addiction. This opinion formed the stigma of addiction that is still evident today and fueled...
Several published studies claim that sugar is just as addictive as drugs like cocaine and heroin. These publications cite research that shows lab rats are just as and sometimes more likely to choose Oreos over injections of drugs like morphine when...
In many treatment facilities, 12 step programs are used to help addicts and alcoholics recover from addiction. While these programs can be helpful for many people, unfortunately, they are often treated as the only solution to active addiction, and there...
There’s something about treatment that works much better than just deciding to go cold turkey. In fact, treatment is not just about quitting the use of drugs or alcohol. It is about understanding why addiction developed in the first place,...
A lot of people experiment with alcohol in adolescence or young adulthood. The common image in the media of the college experience is that of twenty-somethings at a frat party, complete with kegs and beer bongs. In many movies and...
Since addiction is now proven to be a disease that affects the brain, Wellness Retreat Recovery believes in utilizing methods in addiction treatment that take the brain into account. If we do not know how addiction is affecting the brain,...
Since the discovery of mood and mind-altering substances, people have struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Over the years, huge advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism and addiction, and today individuals who suffer from...
The opioid addiction epidemic in America has affected every segment of society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 1999-2014, the sale of prescription opioids quadrupled. For many chronic pain management patients, long-term prescription of opiates...
For many that develop a drug or alcohol addiction, it stems from a cause of deep-seated traumatic experience. Although many think that dealing with trauma can be risky during addiction treatment, it is vital to include methods of healing from...
Have you ever woken up from a night of drinking and could not remember what happened the last half of the night? You aren’t the only one. In fact, over half of college graduates report having had memory blackouts induced...
The Wellness Retreat and Recovery Center, a California drug rehab, specializes in the treatment of addiction in those that wish to rid their lives of addiction. There are many options in rehab, and every person is affected by addiction differently. For...
One of the 12 steps in the infamous 12 step Alcoholics Anonymous program is developing a connection to a higher power or establishing spirituality in life. For many that feel they have been wronged by religion or just have never pictured...
Strange videos of individuals with extreme paranoia and zombie-like behavior have been bringing new light about a drug that is gaining popularity in the streets of the United States. Bath salts are a terrifying drug that has the potential to...
Maintaining sobriety takes much more than refraining from drug or alcohol use. It takes recognizing the underlying problem that caused an individual to seek release from drugs. Also, it takes repairing damaged relationships and implementing lifestyle changes to encourage positive...
Deciding to enroll into an addiction treatment center is stressful enough, so managing stress during the duration of your stay is important to the success of your treatment. Early recovery can be extremely stressful for a number of reasons whether...
Many come to treatment for alcoholism or drug abuse and think it’s just thirty days of rehab for a lifetime of sobriety. This just isn’t the case. Sobriety takes time and commitment, and working on sobriety does not stop when...
Addiction recovery is often seen as a process for only the recovery addict to have to go through. In reality, all loved ones of a person enrolled into drug treatment are affected by his or her addiction. Implementing loved ones...
Meditation is a state of peacefulness and awareness one finds when the mind is silenced. This practice has been used throughout different cultures as early as 1500 BC. Although thought to be used in early Hindu practices and even Judaism,...
Love for the self is the most essential component to healing during drug rehab and early recovery. Without an appreciation and love for oneself, how can an addict truly move forward and begin a new way of life? Learning the...
It is important to understand addiction as a family disease. The addict is not the only individual who is damaged by the effects of drug and alcohol abuse. Every relationship in an addict’s life is influenced by their addiction. If...
This Problem is Bigger Than Your Family’s Ability to Solve it, but, sobriety starts with addiction intervention. As the loved one of someone struggling with an addiction, you are probably scared, frustrated, confused, and possibly discouraged about your loved one’s future....
If you have ever been close to a drug addict or alcoholic, you know that there is a fine line between helping and enabling. It is hard to make decisions that could affect your loved one’s well-being if you don’t...
Cocaine is one of the most highly addictive drugs and it is derived from the leaves of coca plant Cocaine is one of the most highly addictive drugs and is derived from the leaves of the coca plant (Erythroxylum Coca)...
Early recovery is a time filled with self-growth and altering your life for the better. Feelings of discomfort are only to be expected when going through the stages of detox, inpatient treatment, sober living, and then aftercare. Those stages are...
