Having been devotedly involved in my own recovery program—and being an active part of the recovery network of many others’—over the past 23 years, I’ve learned a few things about the concept of ‘freedom.’ I’ve learned that, as far as recovery from a substance use disorder (aka addiction or chemical dependency) is concerned, the sooner…
In an article by Daniel Angres, M.D., et al. titled, “Nurses with Chemical Dependency: Promoting Successful Treatment and Reentry” (published in The Journal of Nursing Regulation), the authors state the literature on chemical dependency in nurses lags far behind that for other health-care professionals, particularly physicians. “However,” they point out, “with nurses on the front…
When we arrive at our dentist’s office for an appointment, not one of us would expect—or want—to find out he or she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, right? Yet according to Michel A. Sucher, MD, medical director of the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners’ Monitored Aftercare Treatment Program, “About 10 to…
Taking the first step to seek treatment for substance abuse is a challenge. It takes courage, fortitude, and honesty to move forward and begin a treatment program. However, there are other obstacles to overcome during recovery, especially in the early stages of healing. Understanding what these challenges are will enable each person to be successful…
Clearly, since its arrival here in the U.S., the COVID-19 pandemic has increasingly wreaked havoc upon the American population and the U.S. healthcare system. However, according to recent CDC (Center for Disease Control) numbers, so has the opioid epidemic. Specifically, between May 2019 and April 2020, 76,000 people died from an opioid overdose, “setting 2020…
When struggling with an alcohol use issue, it’s critical to seek the treatment that will assist the patients in healing. Many different types of treatment programs exist to assist people with withdrawing from alcohol. Finding the best one for each patient will ensure they stick with it and can prevent relapse. When determining whether to…
When I first came to the doorstep of recovery, I’d convinced myself I was never going to have fun again. I had spent years and years, day after day, chasing after “the next high,” having left far behind as a distant memory the time when a game of dodgeball at the playground or looking at…
A study published in March 2020 in the Journal of the American Medical Association – Internal Medicine[1] shows the use of the nerve pain reliever gabapentin—with brand names such as Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant—may be helpful in treating people with acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The study’s results also demonstrated gabapentin is effective in promoting abstinence…
When dealing with a substance abuse issue, addicted professionals must deal with it differently. Being a professional puts addiction in a completely different light and calls for distinctive addiction treatment solutions. There are many professionals who are addicted to some substance or another, but people often don’t realize the extent of their problem. Sometimes professionals…
Products made with cannabidiol, or CBD, a chemical in the cannabis plant, seem to be everywhere these days. But a recent Canadian study finds CBD won’t help cure a person’s cocaine addiction or benefit them during detox. Improving the treatment of cocaine addiction would be a blessing to many. According to the 2019 World Drug…