From an old American idiom referring to a straightforward, no-frills manner of speaking, ‘cold turkey’ has come to mean taking a similarly direct approach to addiction: simply stopping one’s use of drugs, alcohol, or any other addictive substance. This method can have lasting benefits but can also come with dangerous side effects and increased hazards […]
A person who is ready to enter a recovery program often wonders if they will be a good fit and what other people in the program may be like. Valiant Living is an excellent choice for those looking to enter sober living. Our variety of treatment options include medically supervised detoxification, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, […]
Whether you’ve had a wake-up call in the form of an unsettling experience, been shaken by the recovery or overdose of someone close to you, or simply feel a growing sense that something is going wrong inside you, you must pay close attention to your feelings. You know yourself; if you think you might have […]
When a spouse or partner develops an addiction, it affects both people in the relationship. While the addicted person may suffer a great deal, the brunt of their addiction lands squarely on the people around them. Neither person may know what to do, complicating the situation, and increasing the odds that the relationship may not […]
If you suspect that your romantic partner struggles with addiction, you may feel hesitant to say something to them. You may worry that they’ll laugh it off, get angry with you for doubting their self-control or even retreat further into isolation and substance dependency. The last thing you want is to make things worse. Unfortunately, […]
When a person is addicted to alcohol or drugs, they often find themselves in need of detoxification, also called detox. The idea of going cold turkey off alcohol, prescription drugs, or street drugs frightens most people. Still, getting off the substance they abuse is critical to their physical and mental health. Even when a person […]
Many people who attend 12-step groups ask someone in the group to be their sponsor. A sponsor is someone farther along in recovery who feels comfortable offering support and guidance to another group member. After a certain time of benefitting from having a sponsor, individuals may feel they are ready to step up and become […]
An avoidant personality disorder is a lesser-known mental health condition that affects one percent of the general population. People who deal with this disorder are often reluctant to participate in everyday life events, such as work, social, or school, due to an overwhelming fear of rejection or criticism. Feelings of inferiority support a person’s belief […]
When someone hears the word ‘addiction’, they typically think of drugs and alcohol. A less commonly known term is a process addiction, although this can be just as harmful and destructive to a person’s life. The focus of process addictions includes gambling, shopping, video games, pornography, eating, and sex. What Addictions All Have in Common […]
As we head into the cold and flu season, many people stock up on medicine cabinet supplies such as cough syrup. When used as directed, this product is safe for consumption. However, some people develop an addiction that can quickly spiral out of control. Dextromethorphan, which replaced codeine in cough syrups decades ago and works […]
