Not everyone likes to read – we understand that. However, there are some great books about recovery that should compel you to want to take it up again. After all, if you’re sitting in rehab or undergoing substance abuse treatment, you’ve probably got some free time and you could sure use some encouragement, right? For…
When a loved one is recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, chances are pretty good that they’ll end up in a sober living facility at some point. In Southern California for example, one finding a sober living facility in Orange County is easy. What draws recovery patients to Orange County sober living facilities is the…
How To Truly Define Sobriety “Sobriety” is a word whose 12-step misuse now pervades our entire culture, along with ruining addiction treatment. To truly define sobriety means putting conventional definitions in their place and taking a fresh (and often controversial) approach. Sobriety actually means, first and foremost, not being intoxicated. It does NOT mean abstinence,…
Alcohol related disease is a very real threat for those who abuse alcohol.While the debate continues to rage over how much alcohol consumption is good vs. how much is bad, few topics have been studied more thoroughly or for a longer period of time. So what’s the difference between substance abuse and addiction? We all…
Knowing how to find a drug rehab counselor isn’t something that is public knowledge. To this day, addiction is a disease that has been stigmatized, largely by people who simply haven’t researched its causes and effects. In fact, for decades, drug addiction has been viewed as more as a criminal act than a disease. Because…
Is marijuana addiction a possibility? Studies point to some interesting findings. Back in early 2018, National Institute on Drug Abuse released findings that suggest 30 percent of those who use marijuana may have some degree of “marijuana use disorder.” The study also suggested that who use marijuana before age 18 are four to seven times more likely…
Recognizing an Addiction Problem Identifying the signs of narcotic addiction isn’t difficult provided you know what to look for. Unfortunately, most people have no idea what those signs look like because they’ve never been around people suffering from addiction. First, you must know what addiction is as there are differences between substance use and substance…
The Early Days of Designer Drugs Designer drugs made their debut back in the 1990s. They’re more appropriately described as synthetic drugs. While chemically similar to actual drugs, the formulations have been changed just enough to escape regulation by the DEA. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the agency tasked with regulating the use of…
Hallucinogens distort one’s perception of reality by changing the way the brain’s prefrontal cortex processes information. This critical area of the brain control conscious thought, perception and cognition. Even short term abuse of hallucinogens may result in temporary psychosis. The long term effects of hallucinogens include a host of unpleasant possibilities. These include persistent psychosis…
Substance Abuse vs Addiction: Understanding the Differences Substance abuse and substance addiction are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably. The truth is that people who are addicted to substances and people who abuse substances are quite different. While both actions can have consequences in an individual’s life, understanding the difference between substance abuse vs addiction…