We are taught that an addict can be easily pinpointed just by watching their behaviors. Things like irregular sleep patterns, moodiness, irritability or a change in friends are often cited as signs of a drug addiction. Yet these signs can also signal an underlying depression or personality disorder.
Of course, there are the more obvious telltale signs, such as enlarged pupils, profuse sweating, confusion or slurred speech. Unfortunately, unless we see someone on their high, it can be...
Alcohol abuse affects millions of Americans, yet it continues to be underrecognized in elder patients. About one-third of these elders develop alcohol problems later in life, while the other two-thirds grow older with an existing dependency. When you add up all of the factors that affect us as we grow older - sickness, loss of loved ones, retirement, declining health, less money, fewer friends, more time - we can easily see how an alcohol dependency can emerge. Yet alcoholism is dangerous at...
There’s no shortage of information on the internet when it comes to the drug Molly, which is also known by its pharmaceutical name “MDMA.” The problem is that Molly is often portrayed to be safe, pure and natural, and this misinformation can have dire consequences for the people who take the drug. The truth is that Molly is just like any other drug, and it has a high likelihood for addiction.
A Brief History: How Molly Came to Be
MDMA was first patented by...
For many people, the profile of a drug addict is someone in their 20s or 30s who is living a life that is irresponsible, unhealthy and unstructured. Yet drug addiction is not limited to a type of person, especially when it comes to age. Older adults are just as much at risk for drug abuse as our youth, and sometimes, these risks are even greater as elders require more medication and a may have a liberal view of illegal substances from the 1960s and 70s.
In fact, new research shows that...
Some of the most popular drugs have remained consistent throughout the years: heroin, cocaine and marijuana, to name a few. Yet there are some drugs that emerge over time and replicate the effects of drugs like cocaine and heroin. Today, these illegal substances are called synthetic drugs. They are an emerging threat that have been generating more awareness and concern. Still, synthetic drugs quietly lurk in the shadows, especially in the wake of a heroin epidemic. It’s important that...
Drug cravings are persistent curses that come with addiction. These cravings are what take over the addict’s mind and body, preventing them from being able to focus on anything else. If these yearnings weren’t a part of the addiction cycle, more people would be able conquer their dependency. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case, which is why it’s important that cravings are addressed and recovering addicts know how to deal with them.
It can be difficult for the...
Imagine that after a long and debilitating 4 years, your loved one finally makes the decision to attend rehab for a drug addiction. They complete the 30-day program and are provided with an aftercare plan when they leave. At this point, the risk of relapse is a very real concern. Is it normal? Can it be prevented? Does it mean the end of recovery?
Understanding relapse is just as important as understanding addiction and recovery. While there are conflicting statements about whether or...
Addiction treatment has made many strides over the years, and for this, we can be grateful. In the past, society viewed addiction as a moral flaw. Addicts were sent to asylums or prison and received inhumane methods of treatment. As the years progressed, addiction wasn’t as much as a flaw as it was a weakness. Society believed that addicts chose the path of addiction because they were weak on the inside. Today, addiction is widely accepted as a brain disorder, and rehab centers focus on...
When you think of a drug rehabilitation center, what comes to mind? For many, it’s images of crowded halls, group meetings and cafeteria-style dining rooms. It’s these images that can scare people away from seeking treatment for themselves or others. Like in other areas of life, we turn to media to learn more about the things we don’t know about. Drug rehabs are often portrayed as being dark, scary and disconnected from society. Many people believe they can overcome addiction...
For the individual who has acknowledged their addiction to drugs and alcohol, treatment is the next step that can make the difference between life and death. Yet not everyone has the same opportunities when seeking treatment. Some people have insurance and are able to seek out a private rehabilitation center that will be partially or completely covered by the insurance plan. Others are left without any type of insurance or assistance and must rely on the state's resources.
As in...
For an addict who has successfully completed an inpatient rehabilitation program and has returned home with supportive family by their side, it would seem as if this individual would be on the track to sobriety. Looking at it from a textbook point of view, the addict would go through detoxification, attend therapy sessions, uncover the underlying reasons for the addiction and treat the mental, physical and emotional sides of the addiction. Their family would offer a supportive environment when...
The first decision that needs to be made after admitting to a drug or alcohol addiction is the type of treatment you will be seeking. For serious drug and alcohol problems, inpatient treatment is the best option. While it can be difficult to take a leave of absence from life for 30 days or more, residential rehabilitation offers the most rigorous program.
Even when making the decision to attend residential treatment, there are several different types of rehabilitation centers. The ones...
If you are searching for a drug treatment center for a loved one or yourself, one of the first questions you’ll have is how much rehabilitation costs. It’s difficult to pinpoint a general cost of treatment since each facility varies based on their location, types of treatment and amenities. Additionally, there is a significant price difference between luxury addiction treatment centers, standard treatment centers and addiction recovery programs offered by the city and state. Also,...
The word ‘relapse’ has negative connotations to it, but the truth is that relapse is common in people who are recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction. Relapse does not mean failure, it does not mean that you should give up. The goal is to try again to pursue the sober life you want while identifying triggers so that you can prevent these episodes in the future.
Relapse is Not the End of the Road
If you or a loved one is recovering from addiction, it’s important that you...
It may sound harmless - Purple Drank - but this concoction poses real risks to our society, and the drug’s image is made worse by the acceptance it has received from the sports and hip hop cultures. Other names for the drink include purple jelly, sizzurp, Tskiuni, lean, syrup, drank or barre. It may also be referred to as Texas tea since the drug was popularized by Texas producer DJ Screw.
The underground rap scene became particularly interested in the drug in the 60s and 70s, and...
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Oxycontin ER, 80mg tablets brought me to The River Source. I was addicted with no way out. My life was like a rotting wooden structure with the walls and ceilings falling down upon me and there was nothing I could do about it. I was hopeless, delusional, in denial and broken.
Treatment was my last shot at stopping a life revolving around peeling a pill, shaving and snorting it. This was the most important ritual in my life. The River Source inspired new rituals and routines in my life. I..."
