Medication-assisted treatment programs use a few alternatives to dangerous opioids. Medications, including buprenorphine (Suboxone®, Subutex®), methadone, and extended-release naltrexone (Vivitrol®), are effective for the treatment of opioid use disorders. Buprenorphine and methadone are “essential medicines” according to the World Health Organization. A NIDA study shows that once treatment is initiated, a buprenorphine/naloxone combination and an…
The Drug That Could Combat the Heroin Epidemic On the other end of the spectrum of opioid agonist drugs like methadone and buprenorphine are the opioid antagonists, including the drug naloxone. In addition to being able to inhibit the activation of opioid receptors, naloxone acts as a competitive antagonist and is able to actively reverse…
Working While in Recovery: Can it be done? The short answer is – it depends. Since there are different stages of recovery, let’s focus on which stage of recovery is most conducive to working while in recovery. First, let’s quickly cover the stages of recovery: Rehab/Detox – The first step on the recovery journey is…
The role of a Sober Living Home Research highlighted in PsychCentral suggests that it can take up to 66 days to create just one new habit. Until all of your drug habits shift, you’re at risk for a relapse to addiction. How can you keep yourself safe during that time? Assuming you’ve gone through Rehab/detox,…
YOGA & MEDITATION FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY Through a blend of breath, flow, and meditation, yoga promotes healing and relieves stress in men and women recovering from substance abuse. Yoga is one of the more popular holistic therapies offered by The District Recovery Community. We actively integrate yoga and meditation practices throughout all phases of our…
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…
When alcoholism has taken hold of a loved one, their addiction can be overwhelming. Knowing how to help an alcoholic requires a bit of homework and research. At first, families struggle to cope with the lies and self-destructive behaviors, not to mention the denial. Their actions or inaction may challenge your sanity and the consequences…
Confessing anything to a loved one is never easy. It takes a sense of dedication, honesty and coming to grips with the fact that you’re not perfect. Knowing how to tell someone you’re an addict requires some careful consideration. Substance abuse problems bring with them a whole host of problems not the least of which…
Some of the most common co-occurring disorders found in chemically dependent people include mood and anxiety disorders. An even higher percentage of people with severe mental illness also have co-occurring disorders that are substance abuse related. Called severe because of the severity and length of episodes of illness, these mental health disorders include schizophrenia and…