Right now, most people think of addiction as a disease. This idea has largely been popularized by AA. The idea is that people who struggle with addiction are physiologically unable to resist whatever they are addicted to. Fighting addiction isn’t a matter of willpower, according to the disease model, because addicts have a disease that…
You hear about opioids a lot in the news lately, specifically how the opioid crisis is killing thousands of Americans every month. However, many people also use the word “opiate.” What’s the difference between an opiate and an opioid? There is a difference between opiate and opioid, sort of. An opiate is technically a drug…
Addiction rarely happens right away. You might hear stories about someone who tried cocaine or heroin once and became addicted immediately. If those stories are true, they are rare exceptions. Usually, addiction develops gradually and by the time someone realizes she’s addicted, she’s already stuck. No two people have the exact same experience of addiction,…
In broad terms, addiction is similar for most people. It involves regular use, physical dependence, fixation, frustration, and loss of control. Whether you’re a man or a woman, you can probably recognize the familiar features of addiction. However, there might also be some important differences between the ways men and women experience addiction. It may…
The idea behind neurofeedback is simple and powerful: When you can actually see what your brain is doing you have much more control over your mental states. Learning new skills requires immediate feedback. When you learn to write your name it’s much easier when you can see where the pencil is going and make corrections.…
Lack of motivation can be a major impediment to getting sober. Only about 10 percent of Americans with substance use issues seek and receive treatment. The vast majority of those who don’t seek treatment are just not ready to quit. They might not believe they have a problem, they might fear change, they might fear…
The majority of people struggling with addiction have another mental health issue too. This is called a dual diagnosis. Often, the other issue is what leads to addiction in the first place. People often use drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with mental health issue, or to self-medicate. Sometimes they use drugs or…
During active addiction, people often tell themselves they are fine, even if they don’t feel that way. They often blame other people for their problems. It’s not until they get sober that they see the full extent of the damage addiction caused. Here are some things people in recovery regret most. Alienating friends and family.…
There is a common saying in AA: We’re only as sick as our secrets. It’s strange that keeping a secret could have a big impact on your life. After all, what is keeping a secret besides neglecting to mention something? It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Unfortunately, keeping secrets is a big…
The FDA recently approved a new drug to treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Lucemyra, or lofexidine hydrochloride, is the first drug to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms that’s not derived from opioids. Most importantly, Lucemyra is believed to be non-addictive. There are currently three ways to minimize opioid withdrawal for people trying to quit. One…
We are a Platinum Provider with Optum/United Healthcare and in-network with BCBS & AETNA!