Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management
Options for Pain Management Without Opioids When you live with constant, unrelenting pain, even the smallest daily tasks can be excruciating. That’s why opioids exploded in popularity over the last decade or so, with Vicodin, Percocet, Demerol, OxyContin, and others becoming familiar brand names. These opium-derived prescription painkillers are powerful, with the double whammy capability […]
How to Cope With the Loss of A Loved One to An Overdose
The loss of a loved one is a monumental event that can leave you awash in grief, sadness, anger, and a host of other emotions. When that loved one has died because of a drug overdose, those emotions can feel even more intense due to the tragic circumstances. In 2019, International Overdose Awareness Day is […]
Elton John’s Journey from Addiction to Sobriety
Rocketman, the recently released biopic on singer, songwriter and performer Sir Elton John, has reignited interest in and the popularity of this famous man. This is no surprise as Elton John has lived a long and incredible life. Most biographical films are created after the death of the primary subject, but that was not the […]
Trauma and Addiction: How to Counter Trauma Triggers During the Addiction Recovery Process
Traumatic events sometimes trigger addictive behaviors. They may also make a person more susceptible than others to substance use disorders (SUDs). Fortunately, an individual who knows how to counter trauma triggers is well-equipped to manage his or her addictive behaviors and prevent a relapse during addiction recovery. Trauma and Drug Abuse: Here’s What You Need […]
Signs of Drug Addiction You Need to Know About
It is easy to identify signs of addiction and lose control of your addiction – and for good reason. A drug addiction is a brain disease that impacts how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. If you abuse drugs for an extended period of time, the urge to use illicit substances may become overwhelming. The […]
Cocaine Use Disorder Cardiovascular Health and the Risk for Heart Attacks
People can easily become addicted to the propulsive high that comes with cocaine use, but that intense stimulation can have detrimental effects on the heart that last much longer than any high. Cocaine’s unique effect on the body can lead to a bevy of cardiovascular problems—and in severe cases, it can even lead to fatal […]
6 Mindfulness Meditation Apps for Addiction Recovery
Mediation is wonderful! It will change your life, and in some ways, it will even set you free. Although meditation may, for some, seem shrouded in mystery, it is actually quite simple, and can easily be enjoyed by all. Mindfulness is meditation in action, and can be experienced truly anywhere and at any time to […]
Magic Mushrooms Decriminalized in Oakland
On June 4th 2019, Oakland, California became the second city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms for personal use. This decision came on the heels of Denver, Colorado doing the same thing a little less than a month earlier on May 8th. Oakland went a step further than Denver, however; not only did […]
SMART Recovery for Addiction
SMART Recovery is an international non-profit organization that works to help people around the world with their recovery from drugs and alcohol. Begun in 1992, this project was originally called the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Self-Help Network (ADASHN) before transitioning to its more easily remembered name in 1994. Although similar in some ways to twelve […]
Opioids on Trial in Oklahoma
Oklahoma became the first state to bring a pharmaceutical company to court over opioid addiction on May 27th, and they are just one of forty-four different states currently planning to sue. The opioid crisis is out of control across the United States by anyone’s standards. Every day, more than 130 people in our country die […]