There’s no clear-cut alcohol addiction treatment. For it to be successful, it requires a comprehensive treatment that is designed specifically for the individual. But regardless of the severity of their alcoholism, the involvement of family members in the treatment is critical for its success.   Sometimes, the family members of those with alcohol addiction deny the fact that their loved one struggles with this condition. Worse, they try to forcibly control the addiction. However, that shouldn’t be. What your loved one needs is your proactive involvement in their road to recover ..read more

The world has almost come to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of this disease are widespread and shocking. It spans many facets of life. Maintaining sobriety during the coronavirus pandemic is one of such. The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a hard blow to people who need addiction treatment. This adverse effect is pretty obvious. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why this is the case. It is well known that people struggling with addiction need support. Social distancing to curb the spread of this virus is critical. However, this isolation does not help with sobriety. Sadly ..read more

Utilizing telehealth for addiction treatment is not a new trend. It is, however, not as widespread as it should be, considering the ongoing addiction crisis. The opioid epidemic remains a public health issue in the United States. It does not appear that there are enough services to curb this crisis. In many areas of the country, there are shortages of mental health and addiction professionals. Thus, many people who need help have no access to services. How can we address this acute shortage of addiction and mental health services? While there is no one solution to this problem, there are quite ..read more

Coronavirus and drug addiction. What are your chances of having a more severe COVID-19 infection if you have an addiction to drugs and alcohol? Until a few weeks ago, there was little or no concern about a possible interplay. However, these are strange times! The world is slowly grinding to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic. Even though we know things will get better, the chaos so far remains shocking. Sadly, there have been multiple fatalities from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). One question people are asking is – how do I keep myself safe? Due to the global spread of the coronavir ..read more

Samantha was stunned when she was told she had an alcohol-induced blackout. She had never experienced this before. It shocked her that she had no recollection of events leading to her current situation. She was lying on a hospital bed. Feeling very bruised and exhausted, talking was a chore. Her left leg, broken in two places, was in a cast. She felt something strange on her face. She tried to touch it but could not move her left hand. It was also in a cast! Samantha was puzzled as to how she ended up this way. As hard as she tried, however, she could not recall. The last thing she remembered ..read more

Quitting or cutting down on your drinking can be quite tasking. You have likely tried several times. Grit and determination alone may not always work. Obtaining professional help is necessary in a lot of cases. Technology can also help with this goal. One way is using apps to cut down or stop alcohol. There are several helpful apps for alcohol use disorder. Cutting down or quitting drinking also involves changing your habits and lifestyle. Apps for alcohol use disorder can help you achieve these. We have looked through several apps to bring you the most helpful. These are based on their usabil ..read more

Technology addiction. Phone addiction. Internet addiction. These are all used to refer to an overuse of the internet and technology gadgets. Does this, however, exist as a disorder? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) does not recognize technology addiction as a disorder. Gambling disorder is the only behavioral disorder in the DSM-5. However, some other behavioral disorders show similarities to drug and alcohol addiction. For such conditions, the word “addiction” is commonly used in nonmedical settings. Technology addiction is one of them. Also, Internet Gaming D ..read more

Greg did not fit the public stereotype for alcohol dependence. A 42-year old functioning banking executive, who never blacked out or showed fits of rage. He did not struggle at work, and his home was never strewn with empty beer cans. He had never received a ticket for driving under the influence of alcohol. Even though he was able to function, Greg knew he was struggling. He found alcohol rehab programs unappealing for several personal reasons. He was, however, interested in trying magic mushrooms for alcohol addiction. There is actually no stereotype for alcohol use disorder. Dependence on a ..read more

What is Vivitrol? Vivitrol is a once-monthly non-addictive injection that contains naltrexone. It is proven to help reduce heavy-drinking days in alcohol-dependent people when used with counseling. It is not a narcotic, but rather, works by blocking the opioid receptors in the brain. If you are ready to quit or cut back on drinking, there are different approaches. Examples include behavioral treatments, counseling, self-help groups, and medications. The use of medications, in combination with counseling, is known as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Vivitrol is a consideration for MAT. Note ..read more

Have you struggled with excessive alcohol consumption? Have you tried to quit drinking? How was that experience for you? In addition to possible withdrawals, alcohol cravings can severely affect your ability to remain sober. Cravings for alcohol is a real struggle for many people. Perhaps, you are one of them. It is also a reason for multiple relapses. This struggle highlights the reason why recovery is often described as a journey. Relapsing on alcohol can be a frustrating experience. This frustration is especially so when you have gone to great lengths to curb this habit. Imagine, going thro ..read more