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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. 

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.

Polydrug use is the practice of combining multiple substances and can have severe and unpredictable effects on your body and mind. One particularly dangerous combination is mixing stimulants and depressants. While some people believe these drugs can "balance each other out," the reality is far more concerning.

Given the widespread prevalence of alcohol use (75% of Americans, 12 years and older, have consumed alcohol), it is not surprising that 28.9 million Americans suffer from alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder. Alcohol dependence can impact a person's ability to function - physiologically, emotionally, and psychologically – and those same systems are affected during withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is the body's reaction to the sudden absence of alcohol after prolonged, regular use. As the nervous system adjusts to functioning without alcohol, patients may experience a variety of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. When detoxing from alcohol, medical supervision is highly recommended to manage and monitor severe withdrawal symptoms to prevent complications safely.

Choosing the right therapeutic approaches in addiction recovery is a vital step in overcoming a substance use disorder. For many people considering treatment for a substance use disorder, uncertainty about what to expect from group therapy and individual therapy can feel overwhelming. At Buena Vista Recovery, our comprehensive treatment programs recognize that group and individual therapy play essential roles in the healing process. These modalities often work together to provide comprehensive support. Our treatment programs integrate both approaches, utilizing evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to enhance communication skills and support mental health. While it is possible to engage in only group or individual therapy, we find that most patients benefit most from a comprehensive approach. In this blog, we will explore the unique challenges and benefits of group therapy and benefits of individual therapy for addiction, helping you understand how they can complement each other in your recovery journey.

Group therapy can be a great way for people in addiction recovery and substance use disorder therapy to achieve long-term sobriety by providing a supportive and structured environment to work through their recovery journey with others in similar situations. Unlike individual therapy, group therapy settings foster a sense of community, allowing participants to share experiences, gain insight from others, develop interpersonal skills, and reduce feelings of shame. Structured group activities help people at all stages of recovery by reinforcing coping strategies, improving emotional regulation, and building confidence in navigating recovery. These activities foster accountability and encourage open communication, making therapy sessions more effective.

Vicodin is a prescription pain reliever that combines hydrocodone, an opioid, and acetaminophen, a non-opioid pain reliever. Medical professionals commonly prescribe Vicodin to manage moderate to severe pain following surgery, injury, or chronic pain conditions. Hydrocodone is a substance that binds to opioid receptors in the brain, altering your perception of pain and inducing a sense of euphoria. While it can be effective in certain situations, Vicodin carries a high risk of dependence and addiction, especially when misused. When taken beyond prescribed limits or for extended periods, you can develop a tolerance, which requires higher doses to achieve the same pain relief. This increases the likelihood of forming a dependence, which can result in severe physical and psychological effects. Let’s discuss the short-term and long-term effects of a Vicodin dependence and the potential risks and treatment options.