According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 9.7 million people misuse prescription pain relievers annually. And it’s estimated that in the nation’s over 14,000 substance abuse facilities, 1.27 million people a year are receiving medically-assisted treatment (MAT) for drug addiction, with a high percentage of those…
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For those people who have an alcohol use disorder (AUD)—i.e., reliant on alcohol to “normally” function—stopping drinking is more demanding than simply saying “no” to the next drink. The withdrawal symptoms that can arise when one attempts to decrease one’s alcohol consumption or quit drinking entirely can quickly become intense, even so severe as to…
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I just finished reading a recently published article titled, “I Was a Functional Alcoholic – Here’s What Happened Behind Closed Doors.”[1] In it, the author describes his ‘journey’ with alcohol, focusing on the not-all-that-uncommon arc of being a high-achieving, award-winning person, distinguished in his field and respected by friends and associates alike… until he wasn’t.…
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When nurse practitioners (NPs) find themselves grappling with a substance use disorder (a.k.a., chemical dependency, addiction to alcohol and/or drugs), their problem is not solely an individual one. That is, the inevitably detrimental and health-damaging consequences of addiction do not simply affect them alone. Why? Because an NP being impaired at work can cause harm,…
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Love I’m not sure how many of you reading this are in ongoing recovery from a chemical dependency; that is, addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. But if you’ve had experience in both addiction and successful recovery—you know what it’s like to have been enslaved by addiction and you also know what it’s like to be…
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An e-pamphlet recently published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) simply titled, “Buprenorphine,”[1] provides anyone seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder (a.k.a., chemical dependency/addiction to opioids) with a clear description of this FDA-approved medication, including how it can be a powerful ally in one’s recovery. Often prescribed as part of…
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Holidays such as Valentine’s Day can put a lot of pressure on a couple, whether they’ve been together for a week or they’ve been together for ten years. If one or both of those in a relationship are experiencing problems with substance abuse, however, holidays and day-to-day life can become even more stressful. When one…
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Decades of research on substance use disorders (a.k.a., addiction to alcohol and/or drugs chemical dependency) confirms one ugly truth about addiction: it can affect anyone at any age, from any race, any gender and any income level. And this includes nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, even though their job entails committing to the health…
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If you’ve never given alcohol or drug rehab a chance, you could be hurting your chances for complete rehabilitation. It is important to not let preconceived notions about rehab prevent you from seeking the professional help you need. Real recovery oftentimes involves treatment that is spread out into various stages. For many people, the first…
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Being afflicted with a mental health or substance use disorder can cause great challenges to a person’s life. When someone struggles with both at the same time, it’s referred to as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder. Perhaps not surprisingly, research data has shown that substance use and mental illness are associated. For example, one…
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