Although many have been describing the new street drug W-18 as an opioid, and although illegal drug manufacturers have been using it as a fentanyl substitute, recent news suggests that it is most likely not an opioid. What Is W-18? W-18 was originally found in drug products in Sweden in 2014 and later in Canada in 2015. Fake OxyContin pills are usually laced with the opioid fentanyl, but in a recent drug bust in Calgary they were instead laced with W-18, an analgesic. These pills are sometimes referred to as “beans” and/or “shady 80s.” It is presumed that, since there are more crackdowns on th ..read more

When a relative is struggling with addiction, everyone in the family can be affected; this is why we say addiction is a family disease. The person addicted to drugs often develops financial, emotional, or psychological problems and becomes unreliable, causing others to have to fill in for and perform their responsibilities. This increases the stress of all people involved and can cause resentment and distrust. Family Members Take on New Roles In families that have problems with drug addiction, relatives often take on the following roles: The Enabler. The enabler is often the addicted person’s ..read more

Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are both opioid pain relievers. Opioids are a class of chemically related drugs that interact with opioid receptors in the nervous system throughout the body. This drug class includes both legal substances, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and fentanyl, and illegal substances, such as heroin. The interaction between opioids and their designated receptors causes pain relief and euphoria, and this combination results in a high abuse potential. Oxycodone and hydrocodone are both very potent and therefore typically prescribed for moderate to severe pain ..read more

Women are more likely to have chronic pain, receive a prescription for opioids, and stay on higher doses of opioids for longer periods than men. As Two Dreams founder and CEO Andrea Barthwell, MD, DFASAM points out, “there are real biological differences in the way in which we handle these chemicals.” To learn more, click here: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20170607/opioid-addiction-women The post Women more likely to have chronic pain, receive a prescription for opioids, and stay on higher doses of opioids appeared first on Two Dreams ..read more

When Fall comes around, so does sports season and the tradition of tailgating. When most people think of tailgating they think of alcohol. 82 percent of tailgaters reported having two or more drinks at the big game. Whether it’s chugging a keg or making cocktails, there’s no doubting that alcohol is an integral part of the tailgating tradition. But that doesn’t mean that tailgating can’t be enjoyed just as much when you’re sober. Sober Tailgating is Easy and Fun! Sober tailgating may be a new phenomenon for most people, but it’s one that allows you to enjoy the spirit of the game and the festi ..read more

Why and How We Live Rhythmically at Two Dreams The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken – Samuel Johnson Every living organism has a natural rhythm. These rhythms are disrupted by illness, particularly drug and alcohol use. A drug can create false sleep. A drug can stimulate alertness. A drug can suppress appetite. Another can stimulate appetite. The science behind living rhythmically, strategies that promote and restore natural rhythms, and the role of sleep, nutrition, meditation, and exercise in the 21st century approach to healing onesel ..read more

  Dr. Andrea Barthwell is one of the most highly respected and well recognized names in all of addiction treatment. After all, she’s served as president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, received the Betty Ford Award from the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse, and has been named one of the “Best Doctors in America” in addiction medicine. Read more about her as InRecovery Magazine celebrates her as their luminary of the month. The post Andrea Barthwell is the InRecovery Luminary of the Month appeared first on Two Dreams ..read more

Special Event Advancing Women Leaders in Behavioral Health: Masterclass in Leadership Development Ponte Vedra, Florida March 4, 2018 1:00 – 4:00 PM    The Willow Institute in collaboration with C4 Recovery Foundation, proudly presents the Advancing Women Leaders in Behavioral Health Series. This will be an ongoing series that will be presented at the WCSAD, CORE, and CCSAD C4 events. The relative shortage of female leadership presents an urgent challenge to the behavioral health sector. Technological, financial, legislative, and other factors are advancing and furthering the industry ..read more

When it is time to start searching for an addiction treatment center, you may have many questions. In fact, the whole process may seem overwhelming to you right now. Whether the treatment center is for you or a loved one, when you don’t know very much about the treatment process or even finding a good treatment center, it can feel daunting.       Rest assured that though it may require some time and effort, finding a suitable treatment center for you or your loved one is certainly possible. It’s alright not to fully understand the process right now. Continue to do your homewor ..read more

As a parent, you want the absolute best for your children. You spend quite a bit of time teaching them how to make decisions that will benefit them now and down the road as an adult. When it comes to drinking, you certainly want to educate your children about alcohol and encourage them to steer clear from the substance. At the very least, you don’t want your children to try drinking at a young age. Maybe you can be on board if they want to have a social drink when they are adults, but as teenagers, you may be inclined to believe that they are not old enough to handle the responsibility. As suc ..read more