Most people are familiar with 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, but fewer people know about SMART Recovery. SMART stands for Self-Management And Recovery Training and was founded in 1994. SMART is a non-profit created to help people struggling with addiction by teaching them strategies shown by research to help control addictive…
Many people who find themselves in treatment or at 12-step meetings are there because they have no choice. They may have pleaded guilty or been convicted of DUI or drug-related charges and been sent to treatment as part of sentencing. It certainly seems like a better sentence than prison, but does sending someone to treatment…
Stimulant psychosis is a mental disturbance caused by an overdose of stimulants, typically meth, cocaine, or methylphenidate, better known as Ritalin. It can even be caused by caffeine, but not in the concentrations found in coffee. Stimulant psychosis is usually temporary. About 80 percent of people with stimulant psychosis recover within 30 days. About five…
Many people who struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol also smoke. Not only that, they tend to keep smoking after they get sober. Studies have found that AA members smoke more heavily and at a much higher rate than the general population. Other studies have found that smoking correlates with a much higher risk…
Xanax is one of the most frequently prescribed medications in the world. It is a powerful, fast-acting benzodiazepine that is typically prescribed for panic disorders and insomnia. Unfortunately, Xanax is also extremely addictive. You can develop a physical dependence in two weeks of daily use. People often find they soon have to take a higher…
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, and dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT are both common models of psychotherapy used to treat a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, and addiction. Each has its uses and they may be used together or separately. In fact, DBT is a specific form of DBT, so in a sense, they…
Fighting cravings is one of the hardest parts of fighting any addiction. It’s a pull that defies logic or reason and feels inescapable. Learning to tolerate cravings is one of the most important skills to learn during recovery. One thing that might help is simply taking some deep breaths. Smokers who have quit often find…
Some occupations have higher rates of addiction than others. Among the most vulnerable are lawyers, food service workers, manual laborers, and medical professionals. It’s strange to think medical professionals, including doctors, surgeons, EMT workers, and nurses, would be more likely to struggle with addiction. Many of them see first-hand the damage addiction can do to…
Adderall is a stimulant typically prescribed for ADHD. It’s a common medication and it’s frequently diverted or misused. It sometimes even misused by people who need it for ADHD. Most of the time, Adderall is misused by students who need to get a lot of studying done, as Adderall’s whole purpose is to increase focus…
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself in recovery. Exercise strengthens willpower and executive function. It improves your mood by increasing serotonin, endorphins, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which actually grows brain cells in certain parts of your brain. Exercise also makes you healthier and repairs some of the…
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