In the last few years we’ve had no shortage of bad news about the opioid crisis. The death toll keeps rising and the media is full of stories about detailing how opioid addiction has destroyed families and communities. Finally, it looks like there may be some good news on the horizon. A recent report by…
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Recovering from addiction is not just a matter of abstinence. It requires a holistic approach that includes therapy, medical care, building social connection, and making healthy lifestyle changes. Being active outdoors is one of the best things you can do for a healthier lifestyle. It combines several elements for a whole greater than the sum…
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Most people are familiar with ‘meth mouth’, the bad teeth of long-time meth users. Photos of meth mouth are sometimes used in anti-drug advertisements. Is this just a scare tactic or is it a real problem? And if it’s real, what causes it? Meth mouth does appear to be a real phenomenon. According to the…
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There is no age limit on addiction. Some older people struggle with addiction just because they always have and addiction hasn’t managed to kill them yet. Other people develop addictions late because of new life challenges. Either way, substance abuse is more dangerous the older you get. The substances continue to cause damage but the…
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There has been a lot of research into the link between schizophrenia, or psychosis more generally, and marijuana use. A statistical link has long been evident. By some estimates, about half of people diagnosed with schizophrenia struggle with addiction too. Two recent studies shed some light on the complicated relationship between marijuana and schizophrenia. The…
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People in recovery are often discouraged to discover their money situation is in bad shape. They may have made a lot of bad decisions during active addiction, including taking on a ton of debt and ignoring other financial obligations. When they get sober and have to face these problems, it can feel overwhelming. Here’s how…
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You may be at a point where you realize you have a problem and that something has to change, but you can’t quite decide to make a change. Or maybe you’ve taken the first steps toward recovery, but it’s just not going very well. It could be that although you have had enough of addiction,…
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Transfer addictions are a way of filling the void left by the original addiction. This is both behavioral and physical. From a behavioral perspective, a transfer addiction gives you something to do. Whether you’re bored or stressed, the transfer addiction is the new thing you reach for to help you feel better. From a physiological…
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Addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Addiction often has roots in the family dynamic. Poor communication and dysfunctional patterns can lead to distress and trauma and people often use drugs or alcohol to cope. People who struggle with addiction often have parents who struggle with addiction. About half of addiction is genetic, but learned behavior…
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Adderall is a stimulant primarily prescribed for ADHD and sometimes for narcolepsy, but it is often misused either recreationally or to enhance productivity. Whether you have been using Adderall as prescribed or not, you may start to feel you would be better off without it and want to quit. Is Adderall safe to quit abruptly?…
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