How Do I Know If I Have a Drug Problem?
Do I Have a Drug Problem? Drug addiction is a growing epidemic, affecting millions of people all over the world. In fact, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 21.5 million American adults battled a substance use disorder in 2014. There can be many reasons someone might fall into a drug […]
What is Medically Assisted Detox?
What is Detox Like? When a person is ready to get sober from drugs or alcohol, one of the first things they will experience once they’ve entered treatment is the detoxification process. The good news is, medically assisted detox is available to help make it easier. Detox is the process of the body getting rid […]
The Fentanyl Crisis and What You Need to Know
What is Fentanyl? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine, but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a schedule II prescription drug, and it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain, for side effects surrounding aggressive cancer […]
Disease of Addiction
Is Addiction a Disease? According to The Center on Addiction, addiction is a complex disease of the brain and body that involves compulsive use of one or more substances despite serious health and social consequences. Addiction disrupts regions of the brain that are responsible for reward, motivation, learning, judgment and memory. In addition to these […]
State Autonomy or Federal Negligence? Medicaid Cuts in the Fight Against Opioid Addiction
State Autonomy or Federal Negligence? Medicaid Cuts in the Fight Against Opioid Addiction State and federal governments pay deeply for addiction. One study conducted by researchers at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control estimates that the opioid addiction crisis has cost the United States more than $78 billion. The cost is staggering. As […]
Voting Yes for Medical or Recreational Marijuana Legalization Will Probably Save Lives: Your Vote Matters
Voting Yes for Medical or Recreational Marijuana Legalization Will Probably Save Lives: Your Vote Matters This year’s election is already underway and while most of us are paying attention to the presidential candidates, there are a lot of other elected positions and ballot measures that are important to consider. One issue, being voted on in […]
Apples and Honey, but No Wine: Here’s How the High Holidays Can Support Your Recovery
Apples and Honey, but No Wine: Here’s How the High Holidays Can Support Your Recovery A plane ticket home can burn a hole in your heart. Just thinking about how you’ll handle your family’s controversial politics or misaligned values can make even the calmest among us look around desperately for some way to make it […]
Three Meditation Myths that Keep You from a Healthier Life
Three Meditation Myths that Keep You from a Healthier Life Meditative practices offer a simple, intuitive approach to improving your life and mental well being, yet many who could benefit from meditation are quickly deterred by misinformation. Meditation is not difficult, it has a huge positive impact on the brain, and anyone can make […]
Five Simple Steps to Start Learning Mindfulness
Five Simple Steps to Start Learning Mindfulness Mindfulness is a practice that can help you in all aspects of your daily life. Practiced since ancient times, modern science is now recognizing its importance in building psychological health. Mindfulness is the intentional focus of your attention on your thoughts and feelings, observing the moment with a […]
A Stroll in Nature Improves Mental Health
A Stroll in Nature Improves Mental Health Before I earned my graduate degrees and changed my career to focus on addiction treatment and recovery, I worked for the Girl Scouts. I absolutely loved my work, especially in my last years with the organization, during which among other things, I oversaw Girl Scout camp. As a […]