Withdrawal Symptoms: Prescription, Illicit, and Alcohol – People who abruptly stop or dramatically cut back their use of addictive substances often encounter withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be physically and psychologically unpleasant and sometimes painful. Withdrawals are the result of the body struggling to regain equilibrium without the substance to which the brain and body […]
How to Reduce Anxiety Without Substance Abuse
How to Reduce Anxiety Without Substance Abuse – Anxiety, although it is an entirely normal human experience, is also an emotional response that can cause us to over-analyze situations and paralyze us when we encounter critical decisions. An anxiety disorder may develop when anxiety continues for a prolonged period and begins to interfere with daily […]
Am I Enabling an Addict?
No one wants to think of themselves as an enabler, but you may be contributing to actions or thought patterns that are enabling the addict in your life. Let’s learn ten signs you’re enabling an addict, so you know which specific behaviors to look out for or correct. 1. Chronic Relapse Chronic relapse is the […]
What are Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms?
Let’s imagine a scenario: You were drinking every day for thirty years, but you decided to get sober. You checked yourself into a local detox center, went through the hell of the detox process, flushed the alcohol from your system, and were released happy, joyous, and sober for the first time in several years. For […]
Benzo Withdrawal
Benzo Withdrawal – Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” are central nervous system depressants commonly prescribed to treat a multitude of conditions, including anxiety, panic disorders, seizures, muscle spasms, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are prescribed under several brand names, including Valium (diazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Xanax (alprazolam). Although these drugs are relatively safe […]
What Are Barbiturates?
What Are Barbiturates? – Barbiturates are synthetic, central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs used as sleep aids and to treat anxiety and seizures. They vary in action from producing mild sedation to general anesthesia, resulting in a medicated coma. What Are Barbiturates? Barbiturates are prescription drugs that may be short-acting, intermediate-acting, or long-acting. Common barbiturates include […]
What is Wet Brain – Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?
Wet brain is a type of brain damage that develops after repeated, excessive exposure to alcohol. Also known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome or WKS, wet brain is the result of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Thiamine is a vitamin essential for the body that doesn’t occur naturally – a person must consume it to reach their daily […]
Alcohol and Drug Detox: The First Step Toward Recovery
Alcohol and Drug Detox: The First Step Toward Recovery – Treatment for abuse or addiction to drugs or alcohol often begins with detox, the process of allowing the body to eliminate toxins while managing the symptoms of withdrawal. Alcohol or drug detox can be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Medically-supervised detox is strongly […]
What to Expect During Tramadol Withdrawal
The opioid crisis has been ravaging its way across the US for close to 20 years, and while opioid overdoses are slowing in 2018 – its undoubtedly still a crisis. Powerful opioids like fentanyl and heroin own many of the headlines on the crisis, but there are several other opioids playing their own part in […]
Codependent Behavior and Drug Addiction
Codependent Behavior and Drug Addiction – Codependency is characterized by a relationship in which one partner has profound physical or emotional needs, and the other partner is forced to contribute much of his or her time responding to those demands, frequently to the detriment of the codependent partner’s life and other relationships. Codependency can lead […]