Drug overdose is the leading cause of unintentional death in the United States. Opioid addiction is driving the epidemic. The Public Health Institute believes that solving the opioid crisis will be a collective effort.
Depression and addiction are often linked. Symptoms of depression can drive people toward substance abuse to help cope with their condition. However, self-medicating with drugs or alcohol usually leads to a downward spiral and addiction.
Coming off opioids is extremely difficult, but with a good strategy, it can and has been successfully done. Scientists and doctors that try to find new ways to help opioid addicts focus on finding treatments that are both safe and effective.
Receiving treatment for addiction is the only proven way to break the cycle. In the US, about 8 percent of the population, or 21.7 million people, need or regularly receive treatment for substance use disorders.
To better fight opioid addiction, the first step is understanding what it is and how it works in the human body. Having an understanding of the mechanics of opioid addiction gives us perspective and empathy for those suffering from it.
Addiction and anxiety go hand-in-hand. A lot of addicts use to control anxiety, not realizing it only leads to more anxiety. Alcohol, for example, changes serotonin levels and other transmitters in the brain, which can elevate anxiety.
Opioids come from natural and synthetic painkillers derived or based on the poppy plant. Opioids are often prescribed by doctors to relieve acute pain stemming from injuries, surgeries, toothaches, or other medical procedures.
When your life is being destroyed due to drug or alcohol addiction, the best thing you can do is find a treatment center and stop the downward spiral before it’s too late.
If you or someone you care about is suffering from opioid addiction, seek help as soon as possible. Opioid addiction is a rapidly growing problem in the United States. In 2017 there were nearly 50,000 deaths from opioid overdoses.
Every day, more than 130 people in the United States die from an opioid overdose. The misuse and addiction to opioids have become a national crisis that is affecting public health and social and economic welfare.
Physical Activity and Addiction Recovery When you use drugs and alcohol to the point of addiction, your body and mind take a beating.
The Subconscious Mind and Addiction Your subconscious mind always listens to what you tell it – and it believes you. If you tell yourself you’re afraid, your subconscious mind responds.
How Meditation Can Help With Addiction When you’re recovering from addiction maximizing your recovery tool kit is always a good idea. If one tool isn’t working for you, then having access to other outlets can be a lifesaver.
We need better responses to drug misuse and the Opioid Epidemic – Drug Courts are part of the solution!
Writing, next to action, is the most powerful thing you can do to bring life to your thoughts. When you put pen to paper or strike the keys and watch the words fill the screen you are breathing life into your ideas.
When talking about addiction it’s important to understand the difference between psychological and physical dependency. The more you understand how these two different addictions operate within the body, the better you’ll be able to understand what you or your loved one is going through.
Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous both recommend finding a sponsor to guide you through the recovery process. Finding the right sponsor is important. Here are some tips to help you find the best match.
OxyContin (oxycodone hydrochloride) is a long-acting opiate prescribed for moderate to severe pain when pain relief is needed for an extended time. There is a risk of drug interactions, overdoses, and dependency when taking this medication.
The key to successfully cutting down is to find something that works for you. Try these tips and if one doesn’t work, try another until you find one that helps you cut back on your alcohol consumption.
Joe was in his early 20s when he first took prescription opioids. He got in a serious car accident, landing him in the hospital, where doctors prescribed him OxyContin and morphine. His injuries took some time to heal, but his addiction to the pills stayed with him for years to come.
Chris first experimented with prescription opioids as a teen, when he discovered a bottle of pills in his mom’s medicine cabinet. He continued to experiment and use throughout his teens. So years later, when Chris got hurt on the job while working as a plumber’s apprentice, his doctor wrote him a prescription for opioids—the drug he had experimented with as a teen.
When Amy was 14, a knee injury on the soccer field put her in the hospital and resulted in a prescription for Vicodin. Over the next five years, she endured several surgeries on that knee and received a flood of opioid prescriptions.
Your addiction can be mild, moderate or severe. No matter your diagnosis, getting treatment is important for recovery.
Watching a friend struggle with a drug addiction can be overwhelming and heartbreaking. You want to help, but you’re not sure how to. Different scenarios of how to approach your friend’s drug addiction may run through your mind: what if you say the wrong thing? Is it the right time to say something? What if it ruins your friendship?
Anger addiction is real. If any of this sounds like something you’re experiencing or a loved one is experiencing you’re not alone. Counseling is available for anger addiction and has helped many people suffering get their life back into a healthy place.
The Serenity Prayer: The Core of Recovery The Serenity Prayer is apart of your recovery, you say it every day, but have you really thought about what it truly means? How does it actually apply in your life? The more time you spend really thinking about it, you’ll...
Acceptance is a willful and courageous action. It’s an active dialogue, there is nothing passive about it. It’s not a fleeting thought. It’s a hard commitment, and that’s why it’s so difficult. You can’t fake acceptance; your mind won’t let you.
Serenity Recovery Centers offers certain prescription medications for treating the cravings and withdrawals of opiate dependence, such as Vivitrol and Suboxone. If you or someone you love is struggling with opiate abuse and addiction, learn more about how we safely use medication-assisted treatment to aid in the recovery process.
Children who live in a home with conflict and substance abuse problems are often frightened and insecure. It’s easy to forget how adult behavior affects a child.
As a recovering addict, having a celebration, could be a recipe for danger. Instead of staying away from the people you love, make a plan to deal with the cravings and old patterns.