Having a co-occurring mental health disorder alongside addiction has its own set of unique challenges. Many often wonder if addiction can cause mental illness or vice versa, but the truth is that they both feed off each other, making each other worse over time if treatment is not sought out. Bipolar disorder is a mental […]
Category Archives: Addiction
06
Jan
Jan
Co-occurring disorders, such as addiction and mental health disorders, are often treated simultaneously at numerous treatment facilities across the United States. Common mental health disorders treated at these facilities include depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. Understanding how addiction and co-occurring disorders affect each other can give individuals a better idea of what […]
29
Nov
Nov
Detox is short for detoxification, meaning that your body is purging itself of toxins. There are two different methods to detox from heroin. One way is by cutting down heroin usage and enduring withdrawal symptoms. Another way is through medication-assisted treatment through opiate replacement therapy. Detoxing is an essential part of recovering from opiate use […]
12
Nov
Nov
Opioids are often found in the form of prescription medications for pain relief; however, some illegal opioids include heroin and fentanyl. This class of drugs can be highly addictive, and withdrawals can be intensely uncomfortable if undergone without assistance. Withdrawal symptoms can be a significant barrier to full recovery from addiction, but medications can often […]
08
Nov
Nov
Psychosis is defined as a disconnect from reality, in which an individual experiences hallucinations or delusions they perceive to be real. While psychosis can be a symptom of many mental health disorders, it can also be caused by marijuana use. If you have are experiencing psychosis as a result of heavy marijuana use, it may […]
05
Nov
Nov
A dual diagnosis is given when a person has a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, about half of those who have a mental health disorder will also have a substance use disorder at some time in their lives. Having both […]
25
Oct
Oct
You should never ignore warnings on medication that caution against using alcohol while taking them as prescribed. In the short term, mixing even small amounts of alcohol with medications can lead to impaired coordination and drowsiness. There are also significant physical and mental side effects from combining substances that can lead to dangerous long-term problems […]
23
Oct
Oct
Teens may think that smoking or consuming marijuana is harmless compared to abusing “harder” drugs like cocaine or heroin. However, even casual marijuana use comes with its own risks that pose negative side effects for teens’ developing brains. The CDC states that marijuana use in teens “can have harmful and long-lasting effects on a teen’s […]
23
Oct
Oct
Everyone has bad days, but they aren’t life or death. However, bad days can hold much more significance for individuals recovering from addiction than they do for the average person. Bad days can be a recipe for relapse if the person is unsure how to cope with them in healthy ways. Therefore, a bad day […]
22
Oct
Oct
When it comes to addiction, there are many variables that make it complicated to understand. Many often wonder if their drug or alcohol use is “bad enough” to constitute an addiction and, therefore, a need for help. While early intervention is always best, knowing the difference between addiction and dependence can help you answer this […]
