Blogs

Real people sharing real stories about their experience with substance abuse and mental health.

The Insanity of a Family Disease

During my twenty-five year career in substance abuse treatment, I’ve frequently heard family members (and clients) insist that "Alcohol isn't his/her/my problem - drugs are!" and "Alcoholism isn't his/her/my problem - addiction is!" as if the same principles of recovery from chemical dependency don't apply to any dysfunctional situation where alcohol either isn't present or isn't present enough to be identified as the primary drug-of-choice.

medication used with an alcohol use disorder

Medications Used with an Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Program

Alcohol use disorder is a condition that includes both alcoholism and the dysfunctional use of alcohol in non-addicted people. In the U.S., more than 15 million people currently meet the terms used to diagnose this condition.

Using Naltrexone to Treat Co-Occurring Disorders

Alcohol and opioids are different in many ways, but they both can result in a substance use disorder when consumed inappropriately or in excessive amounts. When used together, these substances can also trigger a dangerous reduction of activity inside the central nervous system.

Treating Prescription Pain Reliever Drug Addiction

Year in and year out, prescription pain relievers rank among the most abused medications in the U.S.[i] People who consume these medications improperly can develop symptoms of a condition called opioid use disorder.

Subutex vs. Suboxone: An Honest Comparison

Treating opioid addiction poses many challenges. Quitting ‘cold turkey’ is usually not recommended due to continued cravings and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Certain medications can be used to supplement traditional behavioral therapy and group counseling session to help people in recovery.

The Benefits of Drug Rehab

Drug rehab (rehabilitation) is another term for substance use treatment, especially treatment for people affected by drug or medication related issues. While millions of Americans have substance use and abuse problems, relatively few people currently seek or receive appropriate care.

Anti-Anxiety Medication Pros and Cons in Teens

Roughly one-quarter of all American teenagers will develop symptoms of an anxiety disorder at some point during adolescence. Most of those affected do not receive proper treatment, however; many teens do receive a course of treatment that includes anti-anxiety medications. While these medications can produce tremendous benefits, they also come with some potentially serious risks for a few teenagers.