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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.

Drinking alcohol can affect people differently, but excessive consumption can be potentially life-threatening and lead to dangerous consequences. Learning the distinction between being drunk and having alcohol poisoning is the difference between a fun social gathering and the loss of life as alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Understanding the difference in symptoms can help prevent severe health complications or death.

Withdrawal from prescription medications is a complex process involving physical and psychological challenges. Whether experiencing drug withdrawal or noticing drug withdrawal symptoms from medications such as opioids or benzodiazepines, understanding these symptoms can help you better navigate this difficult phase of recovery. At Buena Vista Recovery, we emphasize that safe management, including the use of evidence-based practice drug withdrawal medication and expert medical assistance, can make all the difference in overcoming substance withdrawal and achieving lasting recovery.

Navigating the dual challenges of maintaining a career while evaluating the need for treatment for a substance use disorder can feel overwhelming. People struggling with substance use disorders often wonder, "can I still go to work while I’m in rehab?" Many of our patients find themselves questioning whether they can manage returning to work while in recovery, especially when transitioning from our residential treatment to our outpatient programming. This blog sheds light on these questions and emphasizes the importance of putting recovery first when returning to work by providing actionable tips to help you balance work responsibilities, protect your mental health, and make informed decisions as you progress through addiction treatment.

When planning for sobriety, having a customized treatment plan for substance abuse is critical, as individuals experience addiction differently, and studies consistently reveal the benefits of personalized recovery plans. Many factors influence the development of substance abuse treatment plans, including the type or types of substances used, the duration of the addiction, co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, personal life circumstances, and underlying psychological factors. Buena Vista’s compassionate, experienced medical and clinical professionals craft treatment plans to meet each patient’s unique drug and alcohol recovery needs.

It is important to note that throughout this blog, we use the word “relapse,” as it remains a commonly used term in the recovery community. We understand, however, that this term can be associated with a stigmatizing view of recovery. However, we want to make it easy for people seeking help for themselves or a loved one to find the information in this blog. Therefore, using the term “relapse” increases the likelihood that those looking for lifesaving resources will find this blog. At Buena Vista Recovery, we believe the most successful paths are ones in which each person determines their own goals and is supported and encouraged throughout each stage of their recovery. We recognize that framing a “relapse” as a “setback” or “return to use” can be a less stigmatizing way of viewing this frequently experienced part of recovery. This blog uses a mixture of terminology to reach all perspectives.