Recovery Blog

Hydrocodone is an opioid medication that’s prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe pain. It’s often prescribed in combination with other medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to help manage pain after surgery or injury. As an opioid, hydrocodone has the potential to be highly addictive, particularly when misused or taken for an extended period.

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and a lack of judgment, a practice that can be hugely beneficial to addicts and alcoholics trying to recover. It involves cultivating awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment.

Negative thought patterns, also known as cognitive distortions, are irrational or exaggerated ways of thinking that can cause emotional distress and negatively impact your mental health. In many cases, the best way to break free from them is through cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). These thought patterns can be triggered by all kinds of situations, each unique to the person experiencing them, and can lead to feelings of anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression among others.

The devastating effects of methamphetamine addiction can destroy lives, families, and communities, but there is hope. Understanding the nature of methamphetamine addiction, recognizing the signs and symptoms, and seeking professional help can be the key to recovery and a healthier, drug-free future.

While many people believe that marijuana (also known as weed or pot) is a harmless drug, research suggests that it can be addictive and lead to serious physical and mental health issues. As marijuana continues to become legalized or decriminalized across the nation, it’s important to understand the health risks of this drug. Just like alcohol, marijuana being legal doesn’t make it 100% safe.

Adderall is a prescription medication that contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It's commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Adderall works by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which are neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating mood, attention, and motivation. To put it simply, Adderall can make you feel high, which is a big reason why many people eventually become addicted to it.

Anxiety and addiction are closely related. If you're in recovery, anxiety can be a significant obstacle — it can trigger a relapse, keep you from going to 12-step meetings or IOP, make it difficult to manage cravings, and generally make you miserable. Unfortunately, benzodiazepines like Xanax — the most commonly prescribed type of anxiety medication — are highly addictive and dangerous. Detoxing from benzodiazepines can even be deadly.

Holistic addiction treatment is when you combine traditional treatment modalities, like the 12 steps, with other types of treatment, like trauma therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Addiction is a chronic disease that affects your brain and behavior — it’s that second part that’s most important when it comes to therapy.

Addiction is a complex and deadly illness that affects millions of people around the world. Many people who struggle with addiction also have underlying mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. This makes treatment even more difficult as both the addiction and the mental health condition need to be addressed simultaneously. In some cases, the mental health condition has nothing to do with the addiction, while in others they’re closely linked.