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…
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…
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.…
Perhaps the biggest predictors of addiction is whether you have a close relative, especially a parent, who has struggled with addiction. Nearly all parents want their children to grow up to be happy, healthy people. If you have struggled with addiction, you might wonder if your children are fated to the same struggle. There is,…
Every year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. May is Mental Health Month, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and participants across the country help bring awareness to mental health. Each year they fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for equal care. Each year, the…
For as long as drugs have been around people have used them, abused them, and faced addiction. Even ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Greeks all show signs of using different substances. Native Americans have been using peyote for spiritual and ritual reasons for thousands of years. The concept of addiction treatment, drug rehab and recovery has…
There are many books written by and for those in addiction treatment and recovery. Of course one of the most well known is Alcoholics Anonymous: The Big Book. This is a list of just 13 books but keep in mind there are many more out there. If you enjoy reading or just looking for some…
We are in-network with University of Utah Health Plans, Select Health & PEHP!