Benzodiazepines (benzos) are a class of medications typically prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, and muscle tension. Benzos, such as Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and other anti-anxiety medication, are designed for short-term use, usually a few weeks or months because they are highly addictive. “After four to six months, they generally stop working which is […]
Author Archives: Drew Powell
15
Jun
Jun
Social connection is one of the most important parts of recovering from addiction. People who feel like they have friends and family they can trust, rely on, and confide in tend to feel less stress and generally happier. So it’s important to be socially active and nurture those connections. However, we also live a culture […]
14
Jun
Jun
Many people argue that marijuana is safe because the withdrawals are not as intense as they are with other substances. There is also a misconception that marijuana is not addictive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2018), “marijuana use disorder becomes an addiction when the person cannot stop using the drug, even though […]
10
Jun
Jun
Getting enough quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for your recovery and to improve your life in general. Deep sleep is when your body heals from injury and illness and it’s when your brain sifts through everything that happened during the day, turning the important stuff into long-term memories and […]
10
Jun
Jun
Addiction does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone from any background, social status, race, and gender. When you are addicted, it can be difficult to understand why you developed an addiction in the first place. Some people are at a higher risk of developing an addiction than others are. There are factors that contribute […]
07
Jun
Jun
In treatment, your loved one will learn how to stay sober, avoid triggers, and completely change his or her drinking and drug-using lifestyle. Detox and treatment are hard and recovery is a lifelong process with challenges to avoid relapse. Staying sober is a huge commitment and takes a lot of determination, encouragement, and support from […]
05
Jun
Jun
A substance use disorder can make your life worse in many ways. It can damage your career, your relationships, your health, your finances, and even get you in legal trouble. Friends and family members are often most troubled by how substance use changes their loved one’s behavior and personality. Substances have a powerful effect on […]
04
Jun
Jun
“The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).” The anniversary of a traumatic event can evoke feelings of despair and make us relive the experience, bringing back symptoms of post-traumatic […]
01
Jun
Jun
“The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).” Addiction is isolating and for those who suffer from a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as PTSD or depression, the feelings of […]
29
May
May
It’s very hard to understand what addiction is like if you have never struggled with it yourself. It’s normal to be concerned about a friend or family member who seems to be out of control. It might be extremely frustrating or stressful to watch their self-destructive behavior and wonder why they can’t just get it […]