No one who has experienced withdrawal would think it was something to be grateful for. Depending on the drug, you might experience anything from irritability and cravings, to diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and hallucinations. The fear of withdrawal keeps many people using substances long after it stopped being fun. Withdrawal has ended many attempts at recovery…
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a chronic anxiety disorder that involves intrusive thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors. Someone with OCD may have obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior, or both. These can be hugely disruptive and take a significant toll on your life. Typically, people with OCD know their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, but they…
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is depression brought on by a change in seasons. It most commonly affects people during the fall and winter, although some people, especially people with bipolar disorder, may experience symptoms of anxiety or mania in the spring. SAD is thought to be caused mainly by a disruption in the circadian…
We’ve long known that exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, especially for anyone in addiction recovery. Exercise improves your physical and mental health is many ways. Physically, it helps heal the damage done to your cardiovascular system, it helps you maintain a healthy body weight, it encourages you to eat better and…
Everyone has different needs in addiction treatment. A quality addiction treatment program will help you create an individualized program that takes into account your specific background and issues. Different groups of people tend to share certain needs and risks. Here are some of the problems men are more likely to face in addiction and treatment.…
Recovery capital is whatever you have working in your favor to help you stay sober. An easy way to think of is that anything that makes you happier, healthier, and more connected to others is recovery capital. The more recovery capital you have, the easier it will be to stay sober. Recovery capital can be…
It’s not easy to quit drinking. Alcohol is difficult to avoid, and you will often end up around people who drink. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. In addition to proven methods like therapy and social support, there are now three medications that can help make staying sober a little easier. Antabuse Antabuse,…
Much of the media coverage of the opioid crisis in the US calls addiction a “disease of despair” and points to the high levels of unemployment in the areas most heavily affected by opioid addiction. There does seem to be a significant overlap between between addiction and unemployment, but does that mean unemployment causes addiction?…
With more than 16 million American adults suffering a depressive episode every year, there’s a good chance you or someone close to you will be affected. Public awareness of depression has spread in recent years, but some misconceptions still persist. Here are some of the most important ones. Depression is just sadness. It’s true that…
With the days getting shorter and colder, many people will experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is a form of depression caused by the change of seasons. People who have struggled with depression or bipolar disorder are particularly vulnerable. Symptoms of SAD include feeling depressed most of the time, having little energy or motivation,…
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