Reading Time: 4 Minutes The building blocks of addiction: Why addiction is a disease and not a personal choice? The term “addiction” has unfortunately become a very stigmatized word used among society and medical science. Unfortunately, society often views addiction as a lack of judgment or the inability to break out of bad habits because people lack self-control. However, […] The post The building blocks of addiction appeared first on AKUA MIND BODY ..read more

Reading Time: 5 Minutes Formal addiction treatment, such as inpatient rehab, is an excellent start to your recovery treatment in a safe, structured, and supportive community, but what happens after you complete this stage of addiction treatment? One of the most challenging experiences of recovery is re-learning how to “live” in the real world and stay steadfast in your […] The post Choosing a Sober Living Home appeared first on AKUA MIND BODY ..read more

Reading Time: 5 Minutes 12-step meetings are community support meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous and are an integral component of treatment. They provide a supportive and empowering environment for people in recovery to connect with others on their journey toward recovery. For many people in recovery, venturing into a 12-step meeting can feel intimidating at first. […] The post 12 Step Meeting Etiquette appeared first on AKUA MIND BODY ..read more

Reading Time: 4 Minutes Group therapy is a cornerstone in addiction treatment, where a group of people meet and attempt to address distressing problems such as substance abuse. This form of psychotherapy is offered in substance abuse treatment facilities, including AKUA Mind Body, and is a necessary element of a comprehensive residential and outpatient treatment plan in addition to […] The post The Power of Group Therapy in Addiction Treatment appeared first on AKUA MIND BODY ..read more

Reading Time: 5 Minutes A variety of factors, such as genetics, an underlying co-occurring disorder, and environmental stressors cause drug and alcohol addiction. Environmental stressors can be past trauma, financial strain, divorce, or a big life change that can contribute to drug and alcohol addiction. People may use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate when dealing with these intense stressors, […] The post Jobs with the Highest Addiction Rate and Why This is Important for Your Recovery appeared first on AKUA MIND BODY ..read more

Reading Time: 4 Minutes Social media apps such as Snapchat have a long history of being used to buy and sell drugs. However, another trend has emerged in recent years: using popular dating apps to push illegal substances.  While dating apps are supposed to be a place to find love, they are no stranger to controversy. Studies published in […] The post In the News: Drug Dealers Using Dating Apps to Sell Drugs appeared first on AKUA MIND BODY ..read more

Reading Time: 4 Minutes We often tell “little white lies” to our healthcare providers in terms of our diet, exercise, taking our medications as prescribed, and the amount of alcohol (and if we consume any drugs) we drink. We may say that we eat healthy, but in reality, we have a soft spot for fried food and drive-thru restaurants. […] The post It’s Important to Be Honest About Substance Use with Your Doctors: Here’s Why appeared first on AKUA MIND & BODY ..read more

Reading Time: 5 Minutes Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court is a new program in California that launched in October 2023 and slowly rolled out throughout the year to other counties to help people with mental health and substance use disorders get the support they need while combating California’s homeless crisis. Eight counties are enrolled in this plan: […] The post Care Courts in California to Combat Mental Health Substance Abuse Disorders appeared first on AKUA MIND & BODY ..read more

Reading Time: 4 Minutes What do drugs, alcohol, sex, social media, and food all have in common? They all create the same “instant feel good” response in our brains. Fueled by the neurotransmitter dopamine, pleasurable activities significantly impact our brains’ reward and motivation center. Dopamine is a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) released from your nucleus accumbens, a tiny structure within […] The post The Relationship Between Instant Dopamine and Addiction and Earned Dopamine and Recovery appeared first on AKUA MIND & BODY ..read more

Reading Time: 5 Minutes In the world of addiction recovery, the path often meanders rather than runs straight. There are ups and downs, progress and setbacks, and because addiction is a complicated disease, recovery is not a streamlined journey. Addiction is not only a physical dependence on substances; it intertwines with mental health, emotional well-being, and environmental triggers, forming […] The post Addiction Recovery is Not Linear, Here’s Why appeared first on AKUA MIND & BODY ..read more