OUR blogs

The Relationship Between Trauma and Addiction In the realm of the human experience, the correlation between trauma and addiction represents one of the most complex and compelling areas of study. Over the years, a growing body of research has shed light on the way...

Five Ways to Support Someone in Recovery   The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA) finds that recovery from substance use disorder, alcoholism, or addiction is improved through relationships and social networks. If someone you love...

What is a Relapse? A relapse can be defined as a return to substance use after an intentional period of abstinence. When a relapse occurs, individuals may resume use at either a higher or lower rate than previously experienced. Another word used to describe a relapse...

Top 7 Addiction Recovery Songs Music can help to capture and explain feelings and emotions in a way most other mediums cannot. In fact, a whole therapeutic modality, called music therapy, has been developed with that in mind. If you or someone you love is struggling...

What Are Benzodiazepines? Benzos are intensely habit-forming Benzodiazepines aka benzos are an assortment of prescription drugs typically prescribed for anxiety and or panic disorder. In some cases, they can also be used to treat muscle spasms or even seizure...

Alcohol Cravings and How to Handle Them What Are Alcohol Cravings Exactly? Although this topic is contested in scientific communities, there are some symptoms that can be used to create a definition for our purposes. Alcohol cravings are a state of anticipation: we...

Sobriety in the Summer   Summer is filled with activities, including everything from pool parties and barbeques to weddings and beach outings. In many cases, these activities are paired with alcohol. For individuals in recovery, these events can be triggering....

How do I stop enabling my loved one? Does this situation feel familiar? Someone you love has a substance use disorder. You’ve tried to help them time and time again. You’ve loaned them money, you’ve offered your home as a place to stay, and you’ve begged him or her to...

What Is Tranq Dope? Tranq dope is a mix of synthetic substances which is commonly sold in place of heroin. The primary ingredient is xylazine, a potent animal tranquilizer that depresses the central nervous system including respiration and heart rate. Drug dealers...

Alcohol use and related Anxiety Anxiety is a feeling of worry, unease, and/or fear which can also be accompanied by physical sensations like nausea and chest tightness. “Hangxiety” (hangover anxiety), is similar except that it typically follows an episode of drinking....

How Do Young Adults Get Addicted to Drugs and Alcohol?   There are a variety of factors that can lead a young adult to become addicted to drugs and alcohol. Some are raised in situations where substance use is a part of their daily lives or in families with a history...

Women and Alcoholism Alcohol use is fairly common in the United States  While most adults in the US drink alcohol without it becoming problematic, a growing number of Americans are struggling with alcohol use disorder, alcoholism, and or problematic alcohol use....

Common Misconceptions about Fentanyl Fentanyl has become a buzzword in addiction treatment circles as of late, primarily because it has been a major factor in the surge of overdose deaths. Increasing awareness about and around Fentanyl is the first of many steps to...

Alcohol Use and Depression Are you or someone that you care about suffering from depression and drinking to excess? You are not alone. Alcoholism is commonly found in individuals with depression. These two conditions will exacerbate each other in many cases.  ...

Warning Signs of Fentanyl Abuse and Addiction This article is an informational guide for those who suspect someone they care about may be using fentanyl. Before we discuss the warning signs of fentanyl- we will discuss what fentanyl is and why it is so dangerous. What...

Alcohol Use Red Flags   While alcohol use is an enjoyable part of a healthy social life for some, for others alcohol use can become problematic and unmanageable. According to the CDC, as many as 6% of all Americans meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder also...

How to navigate the Holiday season in recovery   For many individuals, years end brings with it images and memories of family, food, and happiness. For others, especially those dealing with addiction or alcoholism, the holidays can be a less enjoyable time....

How to support an addict or alcoholic who has relapsed   Dealing with reentering recovery after going through a drug addiction or alcoholism treatment program and subsequently relapsing can be extremely difficult. For some, this process can be more difficult than...

What are Synthetic Opioids?   We are in the middle of one of the worst drug overdose epidemics in recorded history. Substance use disorder including addiction and alcoholism is at an all-time high. While there are many factors involved in the spike in drug...

What is a high-functioning alcoholic?   What is alcoholism or alcohol use disorder?   One of the most misunderstood parts of alcoholism is the misconception that in order to be an alcoholic, your life needs to be falling apart. This couldn’t be further from...

What is National Recovery Month?   National Recovery Month occurs every September as declared by presidential proclamation. National Recovery Month aims to educate Americans on the merits of substance use disorder treatment for those suffering from alcoholism or...

What is OP?   If you are looking into substance abuse treatment options for yourself or a loved one, you have likely come across the acronym OP. What is OP? OP is an acronym for Outpatient Program. An outpatient program, or OP, is a level of care in the substance...

What is PC?   If you are looking into substance abuse treatment options for yourself or a loved one, you have likely come across the acronym PC. What is PC? PC is an acronym for Partial Care Program. A Partial Care Program, or PC, is a level of care in the...

What is IOP?   If you are looking into substance abuse treatment options for yourself or a loved one, you have likely come across the acronym IOP. What is IOP? IOP is an acronym for Intensive Outpatient Program. An intensive outpatient program, or IOP, is a level...

Meditation in Recovery   What is Meditation? Meditation is an ancient practice that may date back to as early as 5000 BCE. Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or...

Is DUI or DWI a Sign of Alcoholism?   What is a DUI or DWI? Before we get into whether or not DUI or DWI is a sign of alcoholism, let’s discuss what a DUI/DWI is. DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) occurs when a motorist is...

Summer Activities for People In Recovery   For those in early recovery, one of the major obstacles to sustaining sobriety long-term can be boredom. Boredom is a silent killer. That is not to say that one needs to be busy 24/7 in recovery because that is not...

Are Drugs Becoming More Mainstream?   Like it or not, alcohol and the entertainment industry have gone hand in hand for as long as most people can remember. This is not new. Up until a few years ago though, drugs were less mainstream. Many entertainers were doing...

What is JCAHO?   JCAHO is an acronym for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Also known as “The Joint Commission”, JCAHO provides oversight and accreditation to healthcare organizations that meet its stringent safety standards. It...

Why do Individuals Relapse? Relapse might seem like the end of your recovery, but it actually can be a part of the recovery process. If you are in treatment for addiction or alcoholism, it is important to know that relapse and recovery are not mutually exclusive....

7 Days With No Prayer Makes One Weak Program “7 days without prayer makes one weak (week) program” is a simple play on words that is passed around the 12 step community. This phrase is a somewhat humorous albeit corny way of reminding fellow members of the 12 step...

Shocking Facts About Addiction and Alcoholism On average, globally, alcohol plays a role in approximately 5% of all deaths (1 in 20) Approximately 21 million Americans meet the criteria for substance use disorder Out of those 21 million Americans, only approximately...

Groundbreaking New Addiction Treatment Modalities It is estimated that over 89,000 Americans have died in the last 12 months as a result of a drug overdose. It is also estimated that a total of 95,000 Americans died last year due to alcohol-related causes. In total...

Fictional Addicts Telling Untold Stories Since entertainment and media began, the entertainment and media industries have attempted to tell stories that are relevant and relate to real issues that society is facing through the medium of fiction. This tactic can be a...

Famous Addicts and Alcoholics in Recovery Drug Addiction and Alcoholism do not discriminate in terms of who they affect. A prime example of this fact is the scores of celebrities today and in the past, that have battled with the disease of addiction or the disease of...

Compulsions Without The Chemicals - 5 Other Forms of Addiction When most people think of addiction, drugs or alcohol are the first two things that come to mind. That is because almost 20 million Americans suffer with varying forms and severity levels of substance...

Narcotics Anonymous Frequently Asked Questions If you or someone you know struggles with substance abuse disorder or drug addiction, you have likely heard of the organization known as NA. NA, formally known as Narcotics Anonymous, is an organization whose aim is to...

Best Prayers in Sobriety In recovery, and in 12 step based recovery programs especially, prayer is a major component of the recovery process. We feel it is important to clarify that prayer DOES NOT have to be religious at all. The prayer that is prescribed as a means...

5 Sober Social Networks to Follow One of the core tenets of most self help sobriety programs, such as AA, NA, CA, Smart Recovery and Refuge Recovery is peer to peer support. There is something comforting about talking to and relating with someone who is on the same...

The Ultimate Guide to Gratitude in Sobriety   What Does Gratitude Mean What does gratitude mean? Well, according to Dictionary.com, Gratitude is a noun that can be defined as “the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful”. While the official definition is...