Substance abuse and addiction can negatively impact the body in many ways, including leading to malnourishment and nutritional deficiencies. Often, individuals who are addicted to drugs or alcohol begin to neglect their physical wellbeing. This may look like skipping meals, as many drugs decrease appetite, or choosing foods with little nutritional value. A healthy diet…
When it comes to addiction recovery, choosing the right treatment approach is crucial for long-term success. Two of the most common options are inpatient and outpatient treatment, each offering distinct advantages based on individual needs. Inpatient treatment involves staying at a rehabilitation facility for a set period of time, providing a structured and supportive environment…
What Is Somatic Awareness? Somatic awareness can be summarized as the experience of being aware of the physical body and being aware of sensations experienced through the body’s five senses: smell, touch, taste, seeing, and hearing. Somatic awareness is also referred to as somatic mindfulness, and is the foundation of somatic therapy. Somatic therapy, or…
Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive psychostimulant drug. Tolerance to meth can be developed quickly, leading a meth user to depend on more and more of the substance to feel its effects. As tolerance increases and larger quantities of the drug are taken, physical dependence and addiction develop. Meth produces an intense but short-lived high that…
Not everyone is aware that there are medication assisted treatment (MAT) options for alcoholism. It’s important to keep in mind that these treatment options are not a cure for an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Medications are used to help individuals who struggle with alcoholism get their lives back on track. This is similar to the…
There are many risks and dangers of combining substances. One of the original uses for the term “speedballing” specifically referred to the combination of cocaine and heroin. The meaning of “speedballing” has shifted over time but the basic concept remains. In the case of cocaine and heroin, an individual is abusing a combination of a…
Alcohol recovery can be a difficult topic to approach at first. There are many methods to wean off, reduce, or cease alcohol consumption. The utility value of tips is somewhat based on if an individual only has the occasional drink, has a daily habit of drinking within moderation, has an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or…
When it comes to alcohol abuse, there are many short-term and long-term affects that can accompany an addiction to drinking. However, there are notable warning signs of alcohol abuse that can help you understand when it’s time to take your recovery seriously. Alcoholism, or an alcohol use disorder, is one of the most prevalent addictions…
The effects of smoking crack cocaine are immediate and intense, but short-lived. This fleeting high, in combination with the drug’s drastic comedown, quickly produces a desire to use more and more of the substance. This creates a high potential for overdose. Crack cocaine has a number of harmful side-effects, both short-term and long-term. In addition…
When a person has been using drugs habitually, their body begins to adapt to the effects of those substances, and develops a physical and psychological dependence on it. If they stop taking the substance, they will likely experience uncomfortable symptoms and intense cravings for a period of time, known as withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms range in…
