Withdrawal is how your body experiences quitting a substance. Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on which substance a person has been taking. In some cases, withdrawal can be dangerous if it’s not supervised by professionals. It’s a common question heard by addiction treatment professionals - “Is benzo withdrawal dangerous?” The short...
Explaining addiction to a non-addict might seem like a tall order. People carry deep misunderstandings about substance use disorders. Changing their thinking about addiction takes time and patience. However, it is essential to make the effort. Misconceptions of addiction have very real consequences for people who need treatment. Many of...
Diabetes is never cured. Likewise, doctors rarely tell a cancer patient that their condition is cured; it’s far more likely that if signs and symptoms are gone, they are told that they are in remission. Just like these diseases, there is no cure for addiction; there are strategies to manage...
Shame and guilt are some of the most powerful emotions in a soul. Both of these emotions are similar, in that they deal with remorse and inadequacies - the same feelings that often compel users to start taking drugs. Shame can be caused by committing a crime and it could...
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) offers hope to people who have been deeply affected by one or more traumatic events. People have complex reactions to trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and several other chronic psychological conditions. EMDR therapy is a form of psychotherapy that provides a promising approach...
Most people’s understanding of substance use disorders is clouded by decades of misinformation. We know more about addiction than ever before, but public awareness simply hasn’t kept the pace. Misconceptions not only hinder people from addressing the challenges they face; they can also cause much harm. How people think and...
Detox is the first step to recovery. People with a substance use disorder often wonder what to expect when taking that brave first step. Though there are a few things people in drug detox can expect, the process looks different for everyone. Detox varies from person to person partly because...
Sobriety and recovery. While the distinction between the two may be confusing to the general public, anyone who has participated in a treatment program for addiction will understand that there is a major difference between being “sober” and being “in recovery.” Sobriety Without Recovery Sobriety without an accompanying support structure and...
The first phase to overcoming addiction is to address the body’s physical dependence on alcohol or drugs. This is best accomplished through an individualized, substance-specific detox program provided by addiction treatment professionals. Taking this step can be intimidating for clients and loved ones alike – what is detox like? What...
The treatment of addiction is complex enough on its own, but unfortunately, many who struggle with drugs and alcohol must contend with the added difficulty of mental illness. When these two concerns combine, physicians refer to it as dual diagnosis: co-occurring mental health issues and substance use disorders. Rates of...
