As a recovering addict myself (with 23 years “clean and sober,” thanks to working a program of recovery in my life each day), I’m sometimes inspired to reflect upon the gifts I’ve gotten since “putting down the dope and picking up hope.” Mind you, I don’t take for granted there are countless blessings I‘ve received……
The shift into fall and winter doesn’t just mean a change in the weather. You might notice a considerable difference in mood or outlook in a friend or family member. Many people experience an occasional bout of the winter blues. However, a recurring and persistent depression that sets in with the change in seasons may…
Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the country, overdose deaths rose more than 30%, compared to the previous year, according to the latest CDC report.[1] Higher than any other overdose toll on record, approximately 100,000 U.S. citizens succumbed to drug overdoses this past year. U.S. health officials link this to both the ongoing…
A recent article posted on the website, RegisteredNursing.org, paints a clear picture of “how things have changed” regarding the way nurses with substance use issues are currently handled; i.e., with more understanding, support and options for getting treatment and (when ready) resuming their nursing career – that is, in contrast to how, even just 40…
Everyone feels blue now and then. However, a negative shift in your mood as the seasons begin to change may indicate that you are dealing with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Especially severe cases of seasonal affective disorder may require the intervention of a depression treatment program. It is easy to identify some of the common…
With over 30 years’ experience working in the field of substance abuse and mental health, Dr. Carol Anderson knows a thing or two about how challenging withdrawal symptoms can be for those seeking to recover from addiction. “Withdrawals from substance abuse can be uncomfortable, and even life-threatening in some cases. Medically-assisted detox seeks to…
Like many prescription opioids, heroin gives patients relief from intense pain and a euphoric high. In fact, when a prescription runs out or a person can’t afford the cost of their medicine, heroin offers a relatively cheap and accessible alternative to achieving a similar effect. However, heroin addiction can take a devastating toll on a…
If you are in recovery from alcohol abuse or addiction, the holidays can be a difficult time. But, there are many practices and principles available which will help you remain sober during the holidays. Navigating recovery during the holidays may seem daunting. But there are many grounding techniques that can help you keep sober during…
In July 2020, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) put out a publication titled, “Treatment and Recovery,” and right up front it has what I consider to be one of the most important “affirmations” I’ve ever heard – that is, in terms of affirmations regarding my, yours or anyone’s capacity to recover from a…
According to Dr. Steven Melemis, the author of an article in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine titled, “Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery,” one of the main reasons people seek treatment is relapse prevention. In his 30 years of working in the field of addiction, both in treatment centers and private…