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Opioid abuse is common – and hard to ignore once you know the signs. Opioid use often starts innocently when narcotic drugs like fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, codeine, or hydrocodone are prescribed by a doctor for acute or chronic pain management. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of opioid abuse may help you or someone you know get needed help before it is too late. Opioid addiction is treatable with professional intervention and ongoing therapy.

The prescription drug benzodiazepine – commonly known as Xanax – is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that can be used as a short-term solution to calm and relax patients suffering from anxiety and/or panic attacks. Some people who use Xanax as prescribed can develop dependence when using the drug long-term. Xanax addiction often happens unintentionally.

If you're here, it probably means something doesn't feel quite right. Maybe you've started to notice changes in your partner's behavior, and you're wondering if those changes could be related to substance use. Or perhaps you've had that quiet thought—Could this be addiction?—and immediately pushed it aside. 

Addiction is a devastating disease – not just for you, but for everyone close to you. It doesn't just affect your health or behavior; it can deeply impact your spouse and entire family dynamic.    If you are suffering from a substance use disorder, you may have noticed yourself becoming secretive and emotionally distant. Perhaps you've become a less reliable partner or parent as a result. These changes may have happened in an attempt to hide the severity of your disease or because you want to protect your family from the worst parts of your struggle. However, very few people are successful in hiding the changes in their lives as their addiction worsens. 

Learning that you must serve jail time for a DUI conviction can be incredibly overwhelming. It may bring feelings of uncertainty, shame, embarrassment, and even fear—especially about how it will affect your family. These are all normal responses. But while you can't change the past or avoid the consequences, you can choose how you respond to this situation. With the right mindset and support, DUI jail time can be a powerful turning point in your recovery journey.

Does the mention of randomized drug testing at work, school, or for an athletic program have you running to Google to ask, “How long does meth stay in my system?”? If you know your eligibility may be at risk due to your recent use of meth, read on to understand how long meth can be detected in samples from your hair, blood, and urine.

Alcohol struggles don’t always fit the stereotype. Someone can appear to have it all together — excelling at work, supporting their family, and socializing with friends — while privately battling a dependence that gradually takes hold. This is often referred to as functional alcoholism, and while it may not present the same obvious warning signs as severe alcohol addiction, it carries significant risks. It is important to note that “functional” or “high functioning” alcoholism are not medical or diagnostic terms. However, they are commonly used descriptions of a common experience. Many people who are struggling with serious alcohol use disorders appear to be managing their daily lives successfully. However, the ability to function does not mean they are free from harm. These individuals are often privately experiencing great stress and pain that is only made worse by hiding what they are going through.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), or alcohol dependence, is a medical condition that occurs when someone becomes physically and mentally reliant upon alcohol. It is time to seek help when alcohol use detrimentally impacts your daily life: you neglect your work and family responsibilities, you crave alcohol, it takes more and more to feel the same effects, you experience mood swings, you hide or try to minimize your dependence from others, and/or have repeatedly failed to quit.

Facing opioid dependency can be overwhelming for those struggling and their loved ones. With more than 2 million Americans currently struggling with opioid dependency, choosing effective treatment is not just about managing withdrawal, it's about reclaiming your life and well-being. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including medications like Suboxone and Methadone, has been shown to reduce opioid overdose deaths by up to 50%, making it a critical part of the drug detox process and overall recovery. Understanding the distinctions between these medications can help you determine the best path forward in your recovery journey.

Seeking treatment for a substance use disorder is an important step toward reclaiming control of your life. But selecting the right treatment option can be difficult, as the difference between offerings is not always clear. How do you know which treatment to choose? Things you may want to consider include your substance of choice, duration and frequency of use, current health, work, and lifestyle goals, and your insurance benefits. This blog sheds light to help make your decision easier by answering the vexing rehab question: Do I need residential inpatient, outpatient, or a combination of both?