Marijuana use has long been hotly debated. Its proponents have touted it as a harmless, natural, and even beneficial drug, but for every person who supports it, another opposes it. Historically classified as a Class I drug, the general perception of marijuana use has changed in recent years. It has been legalized for medical or…
Independence Day, commonly referred to as the Fourth of July, is the most popularly celebrated holiday in the United States. Declared a federal holiday in 1941, it’s a time of the year that people across the nation come together to celebrate with fireworks, parades, barbecues, and a lot of alcohol. Americans spend more than $1.5…
The opioid epidemic has swept through our nation at an alarming rate. Opioids are drugs that impact the nervous system by blocking pain and creating feelings of euphoria. There are many drugs involved in the opioid epidemic, but because it is inexpensive to purchase and very easy to find, heroin is the most commonly abused…
A partial hospitalization program (PHP), sometimes referred to as a “day program,” is a mental health and addiction treatment option that falls in between residential and outpatient programs. A PHP provides the structure and intensive approach of an inpatient program but affords patients the ability to return home or a sober living environment for nights…
Mental illness encompasses a broad range of health conditions that affect a person’s emotions, mood, thinking, and behavior to the degree that it negatively impacts their daily functioning. It can be acute, coming on quickly and lasting for a short time, or chronic, where symptoms are long-lasting and persistent. There is clear evidence to support…
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed the last Monday in May to honor and mourn American military personnel who have died in the line of duty. Memorial Day is widely considered the unofficial start of summer and is often celebrated with picnics, barbecues, and parties involving alcohol and possibly other substances. These social events…
One of the main things people rely on as they begin their recovery journey is the support of others. Face-to-face contact can be vital in helping you stay on track and not fall back into addictive behaviors. The onset of the novel coronavirus that began in earnest in the U.S. in March 2020 has understandably…
Are you struggling with recovery? Getting quality treatment during COVID can be a challenge, and that may mean you’re struggling to stay on track with your own care. It’s not always easy to make the right decisions when dealing with stress from many more obstacles than before. Yet, getting treatment during a pandemic is important…
Of the tens of millions of Americans struggling with addiction, only a handful will get the help they need. This sad fact is true for many reasons. Many people feel that making time for recovery will get in the way of their responsibilities to work or school and family. If you or someone you care…
There is far more to recovery than just stopping your drug or alcohol use. Most individuals who have struggled with substance use issues have found that the real work of recovery begins after all use has stopped. The challenge becomes about reintegrating yourself into life; the inevitable “starting over” that must come after you have…