Rehabilitation, often abbreviated as “rehab,” serves as a beacon of hope for individuals grappling with addiction, injury, or mental health challenges. Its purpose is profound: to facilitate recovery, restore functionality, and ignite the flame of renewed hope in those navigating the often arduous journey toward wellness. Central to understanding the efficacy of rehabilitation efforts is…
While “functional alcoholic” or “high-functioning alcoholic” isn’t a formal medical diagnosis, it is commonly used to refer to someone who is able to perform day-to-day tasks, i.e., going to work, childcare, and participating in social activities without much difficulty. Someone who is not able to do this typically exhibits signs of impairment that are in…
The mind is the central victim of substance abuse and addiction. It can condition our minds in unconventional ways and leave long-term effects on our behavior and personality. But how can we identify the impact of addiction on the mind? Is a sobriety test enough to determine how deeply a drug has affected the personality?…
After taking prescription medication, such as opioids or stimulants, it’s common to wonder how long it might take for the substance to leave your system. This is especially true if you’re worried about passing a drug test, had a bad reaction to it, or are struggling through withdrawal symptoms after extended use. Whatever your circumstances,…
Is heroin a stimulant? As an opioid, heroin is a central nervous system depressant. That means it works to reduce the function of the brain and the related components of the central nervous system. As a result of this, it can help to make a person feel less pain and, in some situations, feel calm…
Cocaine is used by people who are seeking a fast high. Yet, there are many myths about cocaine that get in the way of understanding just how powerful and addictive this drug can be. Cocaine addiction treatment is the only real way to stop using this drug if you’ve used for a long time or…
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) for addiction treatment is one type of treatment program designed to help people with moderate to severe drug or alcohol addiction. This type of treatment allows a person to live at home while coming in to see their therapist on a consistent and often intense basis for treatment. However, it…
Heroin is a highly addictive substance that can change the function of the brain within a matter of weeks. This drug creates dependence, which leads to intense heroin withdrawals. When a person is engaged in consistent use of dangerous drugs, utilizing a heroin detox program is critical to ensure success and minimize the risk of…
Cocaine is a stimulant drug. Too much of it can cause rapid heartbeats and breathing. It can cause toxicity that leads to overdose within minutes. A cocaine overdose can happen at any point, even when you are not using a lot of the drug. In other words, there is no safe dose of cocaine to…
Addiction occurs when a person compulsively engages in using a substance even when they know doing so is dangerous. Dependence is different. What is physiological dependence, and why does it often get in the way of treatment for addiction? For those with it, residential addiction treatment and detox tend to be the most important first…
