The opioid epidemic’s devastating impact has been a challenging issue for communities nationwide, affecting countless lives. With the urgent need for effective treatments, opioid replacement therapy has shown tremendous promise. This approach, part of the broader medication-assisted treatment methodology, seeks to help people break the cycle of addiction by using prescription medications in conjunction with counseling and behavioral therapies. What are ORT’s benefits, and how does it play a role in today’s most cutting-edge addiction treatment strategies? How Does ORT Work? Opioid replacement ..read more

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a leading evidence-based therapy. Originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, this method has evolved and broadened its reach, helping people with other mental health challenges reclaim control over their lives. But what can you expect during an EMDR session? How does it channel the power of the human brain to process troubling memories? Read on to learn more about this transformative therapy. Understanding EMDR At its core, EMDR aims to alter how the brain stores and retrieves distressing memories. While many other therapies r ..read more

The nursing profession involves high stress, long hours and life-or-death decisions. Many nurses report feeling dissatisfied and underappreciated at work, which may compromise their ability to do their jobs well. Easy access to potent prescription drugs can be a dangerous temptation for nurses, putting them at higher risk of substance abuse and potentially compromising the safety and well-being of the patients in their care. The Prevalence of Nurse Substance Abuse Like many other professionals, nurses are susceptible to stress and burnout, which can pave the way to substance abuse. Their roles ..read more

Two new substances linked with illicit opioid use have been spreading in North America, increasing drug abuse complications and overdoses. “Frankenstein opioids,” or nitazines, are Schedule I drugs increasingly mixed with fentanyl or heroin. Xylazine, which goes by the street name “tranq,” is a veterinary sedative. Many people unknowingly use these substances and become addicted, which has worsened the drug epidemic. The Opioid Epidemic: From Fentanyl to Nitazines and Xylazine The deadliest wave of the opioid epidemic traces back to the introduction of a synthetic opioid called fentanyl. Origi ..read more

“Am I self-medicating?” If this question has ever crossed your mind, you’re not alone. Many people use unhealthy behaviors to cope with emotional pain, stress and mental health issues – often without even realizing it. Here’s the reassuring part – help is within reach for people who self-medicate. Various non-judgmental, empathetic treatment options are available to help you navigate your way to recovery. In this post, we’ll help you understand self-medicating, recognize its warning signs and learn how addressing the root causes of this behavior can lead to lasting, positive change. What Is Se ..read more

Life in recovery will sometimes have challenges that can take you by surprise—especially if you’re not prepared with the knowledge you need to navigate those situations successfully. If you have experienced alcohol use disorder, these challenges might include finding alternatives to alcoholic beverages or discovering new ways to spend your time without drinking. Check out these alcohol substitutes and alcohol-free activities to help you stay sober while enjoying all life offers. Alcohol Substitutes Sometimes you might find yourself in a situation where people feel expected to drink, or maybe y ..read more

Having a narcissist in your life can be challenging. While many people have narcissistic traits like self-importance and entitlement, people who meet the official diagnostic criteria for narcissistic personality disorder are emotionally draining, manipulative and need constant admiration. Ways to Tell Someone Around You Is a Narcissist Narcissistic people have high self-esteem and crave the spotlight. The characteristics they share are typically easy to spot and include: Feeling unique, special or superior to others Arrogance Taking advantage of others to get what they want Exaggerating achie ..read more

Ideally, all your relationships would be positive, affirming and leave you feeling good about yourself. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Some toxic people prey on low confidence and self-esteem. In the worst-case scenario, these emotional vampires make you feel unlovable. Others gradually chip away with snide comments that make you feel bad about yourself. 5 Types of Emotional Vampires An emotional vampire is someone who diminishes those around them with tactics like gaslighting and manipulation. You can tell you are dealing with an emotional vampire if every interaction with them le ..read more

Though our understanding of mental health disorders is continuously evolving, trauma remains one of the most complex conditions to treat. Trauma can change survivors’ brains, specifically affecting the regions governing memory, decision-making and emotions. The resulting hypervigilance and fear can take over every aspect of your life. By shifting the focus to helping you process what has happened to you, trauma-informed care fosters long-term healing. The Long-Term Effects of Trauma A traumatic event might affect your thoughts, feelings and personality for a long time. For many people, this co ..read more

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medicinal cannabis use with passage of the Compassionate Use Act. Today, Californians can legally purchase marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. Many people use cannabis because they believe it is harmless and has no potential for addiction, but that isn’t the case for everyone. If you worry that your marijuana use has gotten out of hand, here’s what you should know. What Causes Marijuana Addiction? When you smoke, vape or ingest cannabis, you introduce THC to your body’s endocannabinoid system. THC is a psychoactive component t ..read more