Addiction as Grief Avoidance: Are You Numbing or Mourning?

Addiction as Grief Avoidance: Are You Numbing or Mourning?

Experiencing a loss is an inevitable part of life, yet do you notice how our culture often pressures us to “move on” fairly quickly after we’ve experienced trauma or life change? For many, substances such as drugs or alcohol can become a sanctuary from those emotions that might otherwise completely consume us. They’re a way…

Heart Disease and Cocaine Use: When Stimulants Become a Silent Killer

Heart Disease and Cocaine Use: When Stimulants Become a Silent Killer

Cocaine abuse has many harmful effects on the body and mind. One of the common complications is damage to the heart and cardiovascular system. A study from the Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance surveyed 94 people who struggled with cocaine addiction and found that 71% experienced some form of cardiovascular disease, including many with coronary…

Halfway House: What It Is and How It Supports

Halfway House: What It Is and How It Supports

After completing inpatient rehabilitation or fulfilling court-ordered treatment, many individuals face a challenging transition. You’re likely leaving the structured support of a facility but may not yet feel fully prepared to manage the complexities of everyday life on your own. This is where halfway houses can fill the gap, offering a transitional period between treatment…

What Is a Detox IV? Benefits, Risks, and When to Consider It

What Is a Detox IV? Benefits, Risks, and When to Consider It

Detox IVs have gained popularity for treating illness, hangovers, or combating general fatigue. But is IV therapy good for drug detox? Can it help manage withdrawal symptoms? Throughout the detox phase in recovery, your body needs all the help it can get. Detox IVs deliver essential vitamins, minerals, and fluids directly into your bloodstream to…

Alternative Addiction Treatment: Holistic & Non-Traditional Approaches That Support Recovery

Alternative Addiction Treatment: Holistic & Non-Traditional Approaches That Support Recovery

Recovery from addiction isn’t merely about stopping the use of the abused substance. It’s also about addressing the whole person—mind, body, and soul. And this is where alternative addiction treatment can play a role in your recovery journey. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, boost mood and fitness, and keep…

What Is the First Step in Recovery? How to Begin Your Journey Toward Lasting Change

What Is the First Step in Recovery? How to Begin Your Journey Toward Lasting Change

In recovery, that first step is often the hardest one to take. Standing at the crossroads of addiction and healing can feel overwhelming. But change and recovery are possible. So, what is the first step in recovery? While many people delay getting help because they fear judgment or failure or believe they must hit rock…

Life Skills in Recovery: Building a Strong Foundation for a Sober Future

Life Skills in Recovery: Building a Strong Foundation for a Sober Future

Recovery is about more than just quitting substances; it’s also about learning how to live well without them. True healing means rebuilding the everyday skills that may have been lost, neglected, or never fully developed during active addiction. In the early stages of recovery, the main focus is often just staying clean. Inevitably, this is…

Opioid Rehabilitation: How Does a Methadone Clinic Work?

Opioid Rehabilitation: How Does a Methadone Clinic Work?

For those battling opioid addiction, withdrawal symptoms can be a significant hurdle toward recovery and getting the holistic treatment and care necessary for lasting recovery. Yet, methadone clinics may offer a path forward, setting the stage for a life free from opioid addiction. Methadone clinics offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and stability for many who have…

Does Going to Rehab Go on Your Record? What You Need to Know About Privacy & Confidentiality

Does Going to Rehab Go on Your Record?

Before entering rehab, it’s natural to have concerns about the process and how it’ll affect you going forward. That includes questions about privacy and confidentiality. Will future employers or schools know you went to rehab? Is rehab public record information, or can you keep it private? In many cases, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act…