Developing Recovery Skills: A Roadmap to Lasting Sobriety Recovery from addiction is an ongoing process that extends beyond the period of rehabilitation. Individuals must cultivate recovery skills to maintain sobriety and lead a fulfilling life, as these building blocks serve as the foundation for a lifelong journey of recovery and personal growth. This journey involves transforming the despair of addiction into a life filled with purpose, confidence, self-respect, and joy. We work to equip recovering addicts with the tools and aftercare programs they need to successfully re-enter society c ..read more

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome can be a challenging experience for individuals considering discontinuing their antidepressant medications. In fact, about 20% of patients develop antidepressant discontinuation syndrome following an abrupt stoppage or a significant reduction in dosage of an antidepressant that has been taken continuously for one month.1To guarantee a secure and effective transition, it is crucial to be informed of the symptoms, causes, and possible treatments available.  The decision to sto ..read more

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention: Benefits and Techniques In the journey of addiction recovery, individuals face various challenges, including the risk of relapse. Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) is a powerful program designed to help individuals in recovery maintain their sobriety by incorporating mindfulness techniques.  We aim to equip individuals with the resources and aftercare programs they need to achieve and sustain lasting recovery. With that in mind, we’ve compiled this guide that explores the concept of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, its benefits, tech ..read more

What are the Benefits of Psychotherapy for Addiction? Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a type of treatment that can benefit individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. It involves working with a mental health professional to explore the underlying causes of addiction and develop coping strategies to manage triggers and cravings. If you become aware of signs of addiction, several types of psychotherapy can be helpful, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy. Below, we discuss each of these approaches in mo ..read more

Recognizing Signs of Prescription Drug Abuse: What to Look For and How to Help Prescription drugs can be a valuable tool for managing pain and other medical conditions when used properly. However, when misused, they can also be highly addictive and negatively affect someone’s physical and mental health. Prescription drug abuse is widespread in the United States, with 5.1% (or about 14.3 million people) reporting misusing a prescription psychotherapeutic drug in 2021.  With that in mind, let’s review what prescription drug abuse is, discuss the signs and symptoms to look out for, and ex ..read more

How to Ease Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms Did you know that around 30.6 million adults have reported benzodiazepine, or “benzos,” with 5.3 million of them misusing the drug?1 Additionally, between 15–44% of benzo users experience benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms and signs of benzo addiction, even after using for as little as three to six weeks.2 If you’re struggling with benzo detox withdrawal symptoms, you may be wondering how to ease them.  Overcoming benzo use and withdrawal can be an intimidating and demanding experience due to the physically and mentally taxing symptoms that come al ..read more

Signs of Benzo Addiction: What to Look for According to World Health Organization, around 62 million people used opioids in 2019, and around 36.3 million of them suffered from use disorders.1 Almost 14% of fatal opioid overdoses in 2021 also involved benzodiazepines.2 Benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” are known for their calming properties but can be easily misused or abused. When it comes to signs of benzo addiction, it can be difficult to recognize the changes that indicate a problem. However, benzo abuse can cause a wide range of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Understanding Be ..read more

Signs of Stimulant Abuse Stimulant abuse has become an increasingly serious problem in the United States. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 5.1 million Americans aged 12 years or older misused prescription stimulants in 2020.1  However, it may be difficult to identify any signs of stimulant abuse since they can manifest both physically and mentally. Signs can include changes in physical appearance and behavior to even long-term health issues. So, to help you identify symptoms, we’ll go over everything you need to know when it com ..read more

Long-Term Effects of Stimulants Stimulant drugs are known for their ability to increase alertness, attention, and energy. However, when abused over a long period of time, can also have a detrimental effect on physical and mental health. To fully comprehend the long-term effects of stimulants, there are many factors that we must consider.   To grasp a full understanding of the implications of stimulant use, we must look at their long-term effects on both our physical and mental health, as well as their associated risks, from addiction to the potential dangers associated with their ..read more

Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug derived from morphine—and it can be incredibly difficult to quit. This is partially due to the intense opioid withdrawal symptoms many users experience as they begin to detox from heroin abuse.  However, heroin addiction symptoms can also be severe. In scenarios where both continuing to use and quitting heroin abuse are extremely hard on the body, giving up on heroin can feel like a zero-sum game early in addiction recovery. This is one of the many reasons why quality support systems are critical in opioid treatment programs.  While this arti ..read more