According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), five out of every six people age 65 or older are prescribed and taking at least one medication, and half of the elderly population in America are taking three or more medications. Additionally, over half of the elderly population throughout the country are medication non-compliant, which means that these seniors fail or refuse compliance to necessary medications and/or that the elderly patient does not take the prescribed medication or followed the prescribed course of treatment. Causes of Medication Mismanagement in the Elderly Some of the more common causes of medication mismanagement within the elderly population are: Financial Memory loss Vision or hearing problems Physical limitations or issues such as swallowing Social isolation [...]

Many people that suffer from addiction, substance abuse, substance misuse, or substance use disorder after a sustained period of time using drugs and/or alcohol find that they cannot quit on their own. Some are unable to quit for even a short period of time, while others may be able to stop using or drinking for a short period, but immediately pick back up. Others, based on the types of substances (such as heroin or other opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol) become physically dependent and any stoppage of use can immediately cause dangerous and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Even others may use substances, such as marijuana or cocaine, that may have some slight physical withdrawal symptoms, but have even worse mental or emotional [...]

For those individuals suffering from addiction, the typical first step of the recovery process is detox. Detox is the short-term medical process by which an individual physically stops using drugs and/or alcohol. Often, depending on what substances they may be using, detox also includes managing withdrawal symptoms, both physically and mentally, that may occur and reaching a place of medical stabilization so that they may continue their treatment and recovery journey.   There are many benefits of a stand-alone detox. The first is time. Depending on the types of substances being used, the amount of substances being used, and the duration of the active addiction, a detox may last anywhere from 4 days to 14 days, making sure the drugs [...]

A recent report from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) demonstrates that while America has been dealing with rising rates of addiction and mental health for a while, the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the drug overdose epidemic in America.   The CDC report highlights rising rates of overdoses and fatal overdoses in the 12-month period ending in May 2020. Over those 12 months (the latest available data), over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in America, which is the highest total of drug overdose fatalities ever recorded in a 12-month period.   Unsurprising for anyone that has followed America’s addiction epidemic or tracked the rising rates of overdoses and fatal overdoses throughout the country, the number one culprit substance [...]

People often ask the question why they should enter into a detox for drugs and alcohol, rather than trying to go through withdrawals on their own or detox themselves. Entering a detox facility can certainly be a scary proposition. It is frightening to think of starting a process of stopping drug and alcohol use, especially when substances have been such a normal part of their lives for so long.  It is frightening telling family, friends, and/or an employer that you are having issues with drugs and alcohol and you need to go away to detox, even for a short time. People are frightened by the stigma of addiction, worrying what others may think or say about them if they enter [...]