Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health illness causing undesired repetitive thoughts or urges to do something over and over again. For example, a person with OCD may walk into a room and switch on a light but then switch it off to turn it back on again. They may switch the light on and off four or five times before stopping to complete their original task. There are levels of OCD that involve sensations or urges, lingering thoughts, and emotional instability. Due to the mental distraught that OCD may cause, making it difficult for someone to enjoy the day, people with OCD turn ..read more

Binge drinking and alcoholism share many similarities, and binge drinking may eventually lead to chronic alcohol consumption. People who do not drink daily or often but feel overwhelmed or stressed and drink a large quantity of alcohol in a short time are considered binge drinkers. Although, the individual does not need to feel adverse emotions to binge drink. So, is binge drinking alcoholism? Keep reading to understand the critical comparisons and differences related to both diagnoses.   Binge Drinking vs. Alcoholism The difference between binge drinkers and alcoholics is how freque ..read more

If a person endures obsessive overthinking, this does not necessarily mean they have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). When a person’s repetitive thoughts disrupt everyday activities and decline proper functioning, they have OCD. Types of thoughts that are discouraging urges or may seem disturbing cause anxiety and possibly other mental health conditions.   Typically, people will turn to drugs like prescription pills or alcohol to cope with the overwhelming thoughts. Unfortunately, the action may turn into substance abuse and lead to life-threatening health issues. Learning how to brea ..read more

When morphine was first developed during the Civil War, it was viewed as a miracle. Soldiers dealing with unimaginable pain from battlefield injuries were able to find some relief, and conditions that were unmanageable before were able to be overseen because of morphine. However, in the modern era, while morphine is still a useful medicine in some cases, the strong potential for abuse and addiction makes it a drug of last resort for doctors. The dangers of morphine abuse are now clearly understood, and long-term use of the drug is known to carry the potential for severe and dangerous side eff ..read more

Many people may think that once the detoxing process is over, the symptoms of withdrawal are over. In some cases that might be true, but researchers are beginning to study a syndrome called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Post-acute withdrawal syndrome is a collection of symptoms that persists for weeks or even months after the acute phase of withdrawal from certain substances. Treatment programs and detox centers across the country are on the front lines of treating those who experience PAWS, as well as educating the public about this poorly understood condition. At Compass Detox Reha ..read more

Having a loved one who is struggling with drug addiction or alcohol use disorder can be challenging. Witnessing someone that you care about engage in dangerous behavior is painful, and families often do not know what to do or who to ask for help when things get out of control. Loved ones of a person dealing with addiction sometimes choose to stage an intervention in hopes that the person will realize that they need treatment. But how do you plan an intervention? Who should be there?  These are only a few of the many questions that need to be answered in order to stage an effective interv ..read more

The relationship between addiction and mental health has been observed and studied by researchers for many years. Whereas before the two conditions might have been treated as separate, nowadays it is understood that the treatment for co-occurring disorders should be integrated. It is very common for a person seeking treatment for mental health issues to also have substance use issues and vice versa. Therefore, most programs that treat clients with substance use disorders also assess them for mental health conditions so that clients with dual diagnoses will be given appropriate treatments for ..read more

When morphine was first developed during the Civil War, it was viewed as a miracle. Soldiers dealing with unimaginable pain from battlefield injuries were able to find some relief, and conditions that would have been unmanageable before were able to be managed because of morphine. However, in the modern era, while morphine is still a useful medicine in some cases, the strong potential for abuse and addiction makes it a drug of last resort for doctors. The dangers of morphine are now more clearly understood, and long-term use of the drug is now known to carry the potential for severe and danger ..read more

Almost every substance use disorder treatment program incorporates group therapy as part of the methods used to help clients who are struggling to recover from addiction. Although it is by no means the only effective treatment method for people experiencing substance use disorder, group therapy can be one of the most effective elements of a comprehensive treatment program. At Compass Detox, our group therapy program provides many benefits for those ready to embrace the recovery process. If you or someone you care about would like to learn more about the benefits of group therapy at Compass Det ..read more

Many people may think that once the detoxing process is over, the symptoms of withdrawal are over. In some cases that might be true, but researchers are beginning to study a syndrome called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Post-acute withdrawal syndrome is a collection of symptoms that persists for weeks or even months after the acute phase of withdrawal from certain substances. Treatment programs and detox centers across the country are on the front lines of treating those who experience PAWS, as well as educating the public about this poorly-understood condition. At Compass Detox, our ..read more