Adderall and Ritalin are most commonly used to treat the same neurodivergent disorders – but they are made from different chemicals that affect different individuals, meaning some people will respond to one stimulant better than the other.  For those with neurodivergent conditions like attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), medications are often prescribed ..read more

Alcohol consumption is often associated with headaches. The "hangover" headache experienced the morning after a night of heavy drinking is especially notorious. But why does alcohol give you a headache in the first place? The answer lies in the body's reaction to alcohol.   Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production, leading to ..read more

The term “high-functioning alcoholic” refers to individuals who maintain a façade of normalcy in their daily lives while secretly struggling with alcohol dependence. Despite their appearance of stability, these individuals face serious risks and challenges. Recognizing the signs of a high-functioning alcoholic is crucial for timely intervention and support.  What is a High-Functioning Alcoholic?  A ..read more

Opiate dependence is characterized by withdrawal symptoms that set in when opioid use suddenly stops. How long does it take to detox from opiates? The opiate withdrawal timeline depends on several factors. The type of opioid and body chemistry impacts the length and severity of withdrawal symptoms.Withdrawal from opiates can be excruciatingly painful and ..read more

Have you ever heard the phrase, "make amends"? It's not one we use too frequently in our everyday language, but it still holds significant meaning. To make amends means to apologize for something you have done or for wronging someone in some way. It means mending, or (quite literally) fixing, the relationship. When held in ..read more

If you find yourself struggling with what to get your loved one in recovery, you’re not alone. Recovering from an addiction is likely one of the hardest things your loved one will ever go through. Addiction dramatically alters the chemicals in a person’s brain, destroys their mental health and physical health and can lead to ..read more

It was once believed that it took 21 days to break a habit, and that it took the brain a little less than one month to switch from one learned pattern of behavior to another. However, research has proven this number to be unrealistically optimistic, if not woefully outdated. In 2012, a study detailed the ..read more

Cocaine is a stimulant drug with short-term effects – that is, a high that wears off quickly – and a high potential for abuse and addiction as a result. Those who abuse cocaine usually find themselves needing to take more of the drug in higher doses to continue feeling the same effects. But even though ..read more

Innovative approaches to mental health treatment are continuously emerging to address the intricate interplay between trauma and addiction. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has gained significant attention for its effectiveness in treating both trauma and addiction. In this article, we delve into what EMDR treatment entails, how it works and its profound impact ..read more

In the journey of recovery from addiction, one of the most formidable barriers individuals face is the stigma surrounding substance abuse. Despite progress in understanding addiction as a complex medical condition, societal misconceptions and judgments persist, hindering recovery efforts and perpetuating shame and isolation. In this blog, we explore the stigma of addiction, how it ..read more