Author Archives: Alta Loma

Your Ultimate Guide to Mindfulness for Addiction Recovery

Your Ultimate Guide to Mindfulness for Addiction Recovery

It’s already hard to focus in on the present moment with all of the stressors that bog us down, but those who battle with addiction face an added layer of distraction. Substances like alcohol and other drugs bring us out of our natural element and into a state of mind that goes against our natural […]

What Are the Dangers of Drug Injection?

What Are the Dangers of Drug Injection?

People have used a variety of ways to consume drugs, and it’s mostly been dependent on the type of drug and the “high” that is produced. Drug injection is said to be the quickest way to achieving fast-acting euphoria, as the substance is entered directly into the bloodstream; with a fast peak comes a fast […]

Combatting the Opioid Epidemic with Community Support Efforts

Combatting the Opioid Epidemic with Community Support Efforts

It’s no secret that the opioid epidemic has taken thousands of lives each year; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explains that in 2017, a total of 11.4 million people abused prescription opioids – with over 130 people dying each day from this tragic occurrence. With so many people losing their friends, children, […]

Are Illicit Drugs More Dangerous Than Prescription Medications?

Specialist Teams Provide Treatment

The opioid epidemic has taken thousands of people’s lives and has sparked an increasingly high rate of concern for children and families affected by it, yet many Americans hold the belief that prescription medications are “less dangerous” than illicit drugs. Prescription medications are, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), the […]

The Biggest Challenges People Face in Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

The Biggest Challenges People Face in Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 7.9 million people throughout the United States experience both a mental illness and a substance use disorder (SUD) at the same time. This is also known as a co-occurring disorder, comorbidity, or dual diagnosis. Unfortunately, many people miss seeking treatment altogether because they don’t believe […]

What Role Does the Hippocampus Play in Addiction?

What Role Does the Hippocampus Play in Addiction?

For over 4 centuries now, humans have studied the brain and the hippocampus; sources state that the name comes from the Greek word hippo, which means “horse” and kampo, which means “monster” – as the hippocampus is shaped similar to a seahorse. A part of the limbic system, the hippocampus is symmetrical and comes in […]

Rebuilding Self Identity While Recovering from Substance Use Disorders

Rebuilding Self Identity While Recovering from Substance Use Disorders

When we’re actively abusing substances, we surround ourselves with people that perpetuate the lifestyle we’re leading. We begin spending more time with other people who like to drink or use drugs, and it becomes harder to spend time with our loved ones who perhaps don’t partake in these activities. Over time, we become distant from […]

What Is It Like to Have a Flashback?

What Is It Like to Have a Flashback?

You’re walking through the grocery store, not paying attention to much else besides the list that’s in your hand. Your browsing through the aisle, trying to find a specific ingredient for a recipe that you planned to make – and then suddenly you were overcome with feelings of panic. Your mind starts racing, and for […]

Emotional Wellbeing in Dual Diagnosis Recovery: What Helps Us Grow

Emotional Wellbeing in Dual Diagnosis Recovery: What Helps Us Grow

We often talk about mental health and the importance of maintaining a healthy psychological state of mind, but there’s another important side to the story: emotional wellbeing. It plays a part in the bigger picture of mental health, but it’s still a crucial aspect of healing that deserves special attention. Selfgrowth.com, a website that publishes […]

Are Electronic Cigarettes A Better Option?

Are Electronic Cigarettes A Better Option?

Traditional cigarettes are used by more than 34 million Americans – and tobacco continues to remain a staple addiction amongst those recovering from other substances. The rise of e-cigarettes, a battery powered device that converts liquid nicotine into a mist or vapor to be inhaled], has been deemed as a healthy alternative to smoking traditional […]