Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Blog

You probably have heard one of the versions of the advice on how to sober up fast: take a contrast shower or eat something fatty, and you’ll feel sober in no time. It’s promising to believe in the quickest way to sober up, especially when responsibilities are waiting the next day. However, it is impossible to deceive the physiology. While you can try tips from the internet to feel better, time remains the only real solution. We prepared this guide to bust popular myths about how to sober up fast and explain what to do to get your head clear.

Watching how someone close to you ruins their life due to addiction is a painful experience. Endless worrying makes families feel powerless because they’re afraid of making things worse. They sincerely want to help but don’t know what to say to eliminate the outbursts of anger and denial, or how to get someone into rehab. Our guide makes the situation clearer. Recognizing the indications of addiction and understanding how to start a conversation to sound convincing, you will help a family member not to dig deeper into dependency and overcome the problem. Detecting the Signs That Help Is Needed Addiction

Imagine someone who’s been sober for a few months, but suddenly, after a difficult day at work, something is breaking inside. Old thoughts creep in that one drink is not a problem, it is a way to calm down and regain control in stressful situations. In such situations, the risk of relapse is very high, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is able to help you. Below, we will discover the core concepts of this kind of therapy and how the sessions are conducted. What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT therapy is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy. Its aim is to

When people talk of substance misuse, they rarely picture retirees or grandparents. Unfortunately, statistics show it doesn’t have any age limits, but it has specific features that differ depending on the age of the individual. Behind closed doors, however, a large number of adults in their later years silently struggle with dependence on alcohol or prescription medications without asking for aid. As loss, loneliness, or illnesses enter one’s life, the line between medical use and misuse can blur. This guide will shed some light on the problem of substance abuse in older adults and how it differs from that of

Substance use disorder (SUD) is seen as one of the major afflictions of modern society. More than 35 million people worldwide suffer from problems with drugs and alcohol. Addiction affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It ruins families and even promising careers across the globe. The peril lies in how substances affect brain chemistry. They initiate a cycle of craving and loss of control, which grows into dependency. This state is difficult to escape without medical help. In this article, we’ll overview the five most addictive drugs and why they’re so dangerous. What Makes a Drug Addictive First, we

For individuals with substance use disorder, or simply SUD, starting rehabilitation is the first step to rebuilding their lives. One of the most overlooked tools in this process is self-care in recovery. Typically, people associate personal care with simple acts like eating well or getting enough rest, but for those in recovery, it means much more. It becomes a daily commitment to healing and restoring self-respect that was previously ignored. In this article, we’ll explore the difference between normal and recovery-focused self-care. Also, we will share an example of a self-care routine you can adjust and use. Differences Between Normal

Today, one in four patients in the emergency room is admitted with side effects caused by mixing prescription drugs and alcohol. Such experiments are not as harmless as many think. A glass of wine while taking painkillers or a cocktail during antibiotic therapy leads to unpredictable results. If you’re wondering: Why is it dangerous to mix prescriptions with alcohol? Read our article to know what happens to you when drugs react with alcoholic beverages and how to secure yourself if you’re taking any doctor-prescribed pills. What Mixing Prescription Drugs and Alcohol Does to Your Body During treatment, your organism is

When you quit substances, your brain initiates numerous internal processes. It needs time to get rid of toxins and to adjust to living without the negative pressure. The first process you face is withdrawal. It is the body’s instant reaction to the absence of the substance, accompanied by specific physical and emotional symptoms. One of them is post-acute withdrawal syndrome. It can appear suddenly, even after weeks of stability. Despite its discouraging character, it is a natural period of your healing. Keep reading to learn more about PAWS and how long it lasts. Explaining the Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome The abstinence

Substance use is an everyday routine for millions of people worldwide. Someone relieves migraine pain, someone takes painkillers after surgery, so not all cases must be considered as harmful. Beneficial substance use vs abuse are two opposite points on the same behavioral continuum. What starts as a scheduled prescription can gradually transform into a chronic disorder. In this article, we will explain in simple terms how substance use differs from abuse or addiction, and share useful tips on how to control your prescription drug intake. Spotting the early signs of addictive behaviors minimizes treatment terms and makes rehab programs more

Marijuana (weed or cannabis) is a herb known for its mind-altering effects. It can be smoked, vaporized, eaten in edibles, or applied in oils and tinctures. Today, its popularity is growing thanks to prescriptions by doctors for recreational purposes. Every 3 people out of 10 using this drug in one way or another have cannabis use disorder, or simply CUD. Marijuana is not as harmless as most believe, and can cause serious medical problems, including addiction and cognitive issues. In this guide, we will clarify the distinctions between CUD and addiction and describe the main marijuana addiction treatment methods. Cannabis

Recovery is a non-stop work. This period requires honesty with yourself, admitting your weaknesses, and accepting your mistakes. To go through this process, you need to build your own inner support. Coping skills for substance abuse are your personal toolkit for passing through the darkest moments of life without turning to alcohol or drugs. They don’t appear in one moment. Let’s dive deeper into how to cope with addiction using coping strategies and what practices you can try out to resist. Control Your Reactions Stress refers to the most popular and strongest triggers. When you are in an uncomfortable situation,

When hearing the word “alcoholic”, most people have a stereotypical image in mind. It is someone untidy who drinks strong liquor daily. But the reality is far more nuanced. There are several types of alcoholics. Each has specific drinking patterns, warning signs, and therapy needs. Consequently, people suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) can look and live very differently. Nearly 27 million Americans have problems with alcohol. In terms of scale, that’s like the entire population of Australia. In this article, we will explore the most widespread types of alcoholics, how to distinguish them, and how to determine the severity

A correct diagnosis is the foundation of effective therapy and positive outcomes. Doctors have made considerable progress in treating people with psychological dysfunctions combined with substance abuse, called “dual diagnosis.” Such patients have a greater risk of relapse than those with a single disorder. In this guide, we’ll discuss the most common dual diagnosis and their possible treatment to explore how to deal with such situations. The Definition of the Dual Diagnosis This issue describes a state when an individual faces a mental health issue and a substance use disorder (SUD) concurrently. Mental conditions can include depression, anxiety, PTSD, or

It’s not always easy to spot when someone has a problem with alcohol, especially if, on the surface, everything seems fine. A high-functioning alcoholic might look like the model of success: showing up to work on time and maintaining a social life that appears balanced. Yet, beneath that structure, there’s often a struggle. The person relies on alcohol to unwind or to feel “normal,” even though they’d never describe it as dependency. Understanding what high-functioning alcoholism is helps us recognize patterns that could easily go unnoticed. Awareness is often the first step toward helping someone. In the article, we’ll learn