Summary: National Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month, supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) occurs every year during the month of October to increase public knowledge about addiction prevention. Key Points: The goal of this month is to raise awareness about the proactive prevention of substance use and misuse among young adults and adults […]
16
Oct
Oct
Summary: No, while kratom may temporarily reduce the severity of some symptoms of opioid withdrawal, kratom does not help addiction recovery. Key Points: Kratom is not an illegal substance, but the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) identifies it as a drug and chemical of concern. Kratom is available over the counter in gas stations and […]
16
Oct
Oct
Summary: The reason most parents are afraid of sending their adult child to addiction rehab is a combination of emotions that revolve around fear of the unknown. Key Points: If your adult child has an alcohol or drug addiction problem, lives at home, and needs addiction treatment, you may be surprised by the emotions you […]
Addiction Recovery, Drug and Alcohol Treatment
How Do You Know If You’re Making Progress in Addiction Treatment?
30
Sep
Sep
Summary: You know if you’re making progress in addiction treatment when you meet the goals you set for yourself, in collaboration with your treatment team, at the beginning of your addiction treatment program. Key Points: Your goal for treatment may be abstinence from drug or alcohol use. When you maintain abstinence for a period of […]
Addiction Recovery, Addiction Treatment, Mental Health, Mental Health Treatment
How Can Anxiety Lead to Addiction?
23
Sep
Sep
Summary: Anxiety can lead to addiction through a behavior called self-medication, which is when a person uses alcohol or drugs to relieve the painful, unwanted emotions and patterns of thought associated with anxiety disorders. Key Points: 40 million + adults in the U.S. have anxiety. 25 million + adults in the U.S. have an alcohol […]
Addiction Recovery, Addiction Treatment
Should I Stay or Should I Go: Why Stay in Addiction Treatment After I Start Feeling Great?
16
Sep
Sep
Summary: In the early stages of recovery – about a month in, give or take – your mood and outlook may improve dramatically, but there’s a good reason to stay in addiction treatment after you start feeling great: this phase typically doesn’t last long, and leaving treatment may have negative long-term consequences. Key Points: There’s […]
Addiction Recovery, Addiction Rehab, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy? Can it Help People With Drug or Alcohol Addiction?
10
Sep
Sep
Summary: Mindfulness based cognitive therapy is a form of psychotherapy that combines cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. It’s an effective, evidence-based technique that can help people with mental health disorders, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, or co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders. Key Points: Mindfulness based cognitive therapy […]
Addiction Recovery, Cannabis/Marijuana, Mental Health
Can Using Cannabis During Adolescence Increase Risk of Developing Mental Health Disorders by Adulthood?
02
Sep
Sep
Summary: Yes, new research shows using cannabis during adolescence can increase risk of developing mental health disorders by adulthood. Key Points: Recreational cannabis use is illegal for all adolescents in the U.S. Some states allow medical cannabis use for adolescents under strict guidelines Previous research indicates a minor association between adolescent cannabis use and sleep […]
Marijuana/Cannabis, Mental Health Treatment
Does Cannabis Improve Treatment for Mental Health Disorders?
02
Sep
Sep
Summary: No – data from the most comprehensive study ever conducted on cannabis for mental health shows that cannabis does not improve treatment for mental health disorders, with exceptions for a small number of symptoms in a limited number of disorders. Key Points: Cannabis and several of its derivatives have received approval for use to […]
02
Sep
Sep
Summary: Addiction treatment is really like a lifelong journey from a state of physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual distress and dysfunction to a state of ongoing healing, growth, personal awareness, and overall wellbeing. Key Points: A helpful way to understand what addiction treatment is really like is to reframe it as a recovery journey. […]
