When most people think about “sobriety” or “recovery”, for those people who have never done it, they think about having to stop drinking or drugging. They think that sobriety or recovery equates to abstinence. They think to themselves “If I can simply stop drinking alcohol or using drugs, everything will be fine.” Unfortunately, for the many people living life in recovery from addiction, they know that simply stopping drinking or drug use is the first step in sobriety, and that to receive the freedom and blessings that come from recovery, one typically must engage in lifestyle changes that support the transformational power of recovery and not using drugs or drinking is literally step one. So, for many individuals, they believe [...]

Cost is often a large consideration for an individual or family member when they are calling into a detox facility or addiction treatment center, seeking help for themselves or a loved one. Typically in a crisis, the first questions revolve around what the specific rehab does and if what they do is appropriate in offering treatment services for the individual suffering from addiction. However, once there is a mutual understanding of the nature of the addiction for the person needing help, and that the treatment center, detox, or rehab appropriately can offer medical, clinical, and therapeutic services to meet the needs of the person in active addiction, there is often questions surrounding financials and health insurance. Addiction treatment is not [...]

Addiction doesn’t discriminate. The old thought process of the homeless person under the bridge clutching a bottle in a brown paper bag is no longer what society thinks of as a person suffering from alcoholism, addiction, or substance use disorder. No matter someone’s employment, financial situation, or life station, addiction is the great equalizer, and for someone suffering from addiction, detox is the first necessary step to overcoming active addiction and beginning a life of recovery. However, for those people that often do have more work responsibilities than most, such as business owners and company executives, it is not as easy to say go to detox, leave your work alone, and focus on your recovery. Many of these people work [...]

A question that has been making the rounds in drug addiction circles lately is, exactly what is ibogaine and can it be used to treat addiction?  In this blog post we will learn more about what ibogaine is and whether it is a recommended treatment for drug addiction.  What Exactly is Ibogaine? Ibogaine is actually a psychedelic compound derived from a shrub known as iboga in Western and Central Africa. The compound has long been used by tribesmen in Africa for initiation rituals and healing ceremonies. Used in small doses, ibogaine can work as a mild stimulant but when taken in large doses it can put you into a severe psychedelic state.  This is probably why some people use large [...]

Struggling with addiction is usually a very traumatizing experience. If you or your loved one finally decides to quit using drugs or alcohol, detox is usually the first step of the journey to recovery. When you stop using harmful substances, you’ll need to rid your body of toxins, eat healthily, and constantly rehydrate your body.  With the prolonged use of drugs or alcohol, harmful toxins accumulate in your body which could cause harm to your body’s organs and tissues.  Fortunately, the body is designed to heal itself gradually under proper treatment and care. That’s why it’s important to attend detox in a medical facility after you decide to quit using.  However, detox can be both physically and mentally draining, which [...]

For someone suffering from substance use disorder, the first step in overcoming addiction is typically detox. If a person is drinking or using drugs every single day, or binge drinking or using, there is a definite period of stabilization that is needed, both physically and emotionally, before any clinical treatment would be effective. Additionally, for many people using certain specific substances, such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, there is a large chance that the person had developed a physical dependency to those substances. This means that their bodies are now physically dependent (or addicted) to those substances, and they will certainly develop physical withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop their use. This is why detox is a vital piece [...]

Drug detox can be an incredibly uncomfortable experience. The use of certain shampoos during drug detox can help you get the most out of your treatment and make the whole process easier on your body and mind. Read on to learn why patients sometimes use a "drug detox shampoo" while undergoing detox. 1. To Remove Toxins When certain aspects of drug detox are done in the home, many patients find that using shampoos to remove toxins from their hair can help them feel better.  This can be done by either using a drug detox shampoo or by following specific instructions for making a homemade shampoo with ingredients found at the grocery store.  Shampooing your hair and scalp can help remove [...]

Depending on your drug and alcohol of choice, detox can be an extremely uncomfortable experience, especially if it’s your first time going through the process.  Fortunately, there are a number of vitamins that have been shown to help you through this difficult period and even make the process easier to handle.  Detoxing from drugs or alcohol can be tough. The symptoms of withdrawal can range in severity depending on how long you've been using substances, how much you use, your age, and your health status.  Common symptoms can include anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills, as well as more intense symptoms like seizures.  It's important to know that detoxing is not a one-time event but rather a process [...]

There's no quick fix for addiction, but the four pillars of recovery may help you stay on track over the long haul.  These four pillars are health, home, purpose, and community, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA. Let’s look at each of the four pillars of addiction recovery. 1. Health Addiction can be controlled via the recovery process, but there's more to long-term wellness than just cutting down on drinking or drug use.  According to SAMHSA, long-term wellness involves “making educated, healthy choices that enhance physical and emotional well-being.”  Maintaining a sober lifestyle entails the following:  Not partaking in any illegal substances Understanding the importance of a healthy diet Establishing a routine of [...]

It’s no secret that addiction and obsession often go hand in hand, but what you may not know is that there’s actually a reason behind this link.  When you look at the brains of those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), they process information differently than those without it, which can trigger impulsive or addictive behaviors in sufferers that they may not even be aware they’re exhibiting. In other words, those who suffer from OCD might also be at risk of developing addictions later in life. This does not mean that everyone who suffers from OCD will develop addiction issues, but it does suggest that the two conditions are related in some way that science has yet to fully understand.  Nevertheless, understanding [...]