A man smiles as he listens to music and wonders if there is anything good about addiction

Is There Anything Good About Addiction?

The many downsides to addiction are well known. Addiction can damage your health, stall your career, undermine your relationships, ruin your finances, lead to mental health issues, and even cause death. No one with even a vague awareness of the problems addiction typically causes would choose addiction. Millions of Americans struggle with addiction every year… Continue Reading Is There Anything Good About Addiction?

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A doctor tells a woman 3 reasons why MAT isn't just replacing one addiction with another

3 Reasons Why MAT Isn’t Just Replacing One Addiction with Another

Medication assisted treatment, or MAT, means using FDA-approved medications as part of an integrated treatment plan. For people with opioid addictions, this typically means taking methadone or buprenorphine, a strategy called opioid replacement therapy. Among people who study opioid addiction, MAT, along with therapy or counselling is considered the gold standard of opioid addiction treatment.… Continue Reading 3 Reasons Why MAT Isn’t Just Replacing One Addiction with Another

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A woman sits on a park bench and tries to remember 4 ways to cope with social anxiety disorder

4 Ways to Cope with Social Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorders are common co-occurring conditions with addiction because people who suffer from them desperately want relief from their symptoms, which sometimes include intense panic attacks. Often, people who suffer from anxiety disorders will be prescribed benzodiazepines such as Xanax that relieve anxiety in the short term, but are highly addictive. They may also self-medicate… Continue Reading 4 Ways to Cope with Social Anxiety Disorder

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A group of people listen to a man talk about why you should consider outpatient programs after treatment

Why Should I Consider Outpatient Programs After Treatment?

The recovery process can be a complicated one, and it is a lifelong commitment that lasts long after we’ve completed treatment. When we’re recently finished with a treatment program, we can be presented with unique challenges that can threaten our sobriety. We’re reintegrating into our regular lives, with the old routines, lifestyles and relationships that… Continue Reading Why Should I Consider Outpatient Programs After Treatment?

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A woman stands in a field of flowers and turns her face to the sun as she wonders why people want to leave addiction treatment early

Why Do People Want to Leave Addiction Treatment Early?

It can take a lot of time and effort to convince a friend or family member to enter treatment for addiction. Many people find it difficult to accept they need help. While entering treatment is a big achievement, it’s only the beginning of recovery. There’s a lot of work left to do and studies have… Continue Reading Why Do People Want to Leave Addiction Treatment Early?

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People at an LGBT parade waver flags as they wonder why LGBT have a higher addiction risk

Why Do LGBT People Have a Higher Addiction Risk?

There are several factors that can increase your risk of addiction. Genetics is a big one. If you have a close relative who has struggled with addiction, you are more likely to struggle with addiction too. Mental illness is another major risk factor. Depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health… Continue Reading Why Do LGBT People Have a Higher Addiction Risk?

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A scan of the brain reminds viewers of 3 ways depression changes your brain

3 Ways Depression Changes Your Brain

We typically think of depression as mainly a psychological problem with symptoms like sadness, irritability, pessimism, lack of motivation, and anxiety. These are certainly important aspects of depression, but if an episode of depression persists long enough, it may cause physical changes in the brain. Here are some of the effects depression has on the… Continue Reading 3 Ways Depression Changes Your Brain

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