Detox and Treatment

Many states require you to have a master’s degree for addiction counseling licensure and certification. There’s not a single cause of addiction — it’s a very complex condition. A significant part of how addiction develops is through changes in your brain chemistry. Addiction is a chronic (lifelong) condition that involves compulsive seeking and taking of […]

In-patient treatment programs can help people go through cocaine withdrawal in a safe and medically monitored setting. Medical and mental health professionals can provide guidance and can treat any symptoms as needed. This can make withdrawal easier and might make success more likely. In 2013, cocaine accounted for almost 6 percent of all admissions to […]

Counselors are an important part of addiction therapy, and their role and involvement in the treatment process is instrumental to recovery. While this trust takes time to develop, patients should eventually feel comfortable speaking freely during sessions, feel relief after an appointment and feel a desire to go back. Others work with a counselor and […]

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are similar to PHP because they don’t involve live-in services. While relapse is a normal part of recovery, for some drugs, it can be very dangerous—even deadly. If a person uses as much of the drug as they did before quitting, they can easily overdose because their bodies are no longer […]

Living with someone who misuses alcohol can be stressful, so receiving support can often be very helpful. Read more about the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and alcohol support. One of the main beliefs behind AA is that alcoholic dependence is a long-term, progressive illness and total abstinence is the only solution. It’s also called alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction […]

It isn’t mandatory to identify yourself but it might be helpful if you are attending your first meeting. Many meetings begin with a reading from the Big Book — frequently a portion of Chapter 5 (“How It Works”) or Chapter 3 (“More About Alcoholism”). A statement about anonymity in A.A. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), voluntary fellowship […]

The important thing is to remain engaged in whatever method you choose. Based on clinical experience, many health providers believe that support from friends and family members is important in overcoming alcohol problems. But friends and family may feel unsure about how best to provide the support needed. The groups for family and friends listed […]

Are you ready to quit drinking or cut down to healthier levels? These tips can help you get started on the road to recovery. Understanding the available treatment options—from behavioral therapies and medications to mutual-support groups—is the first step. The important thing is to remain engaged in whatever method you choose. Research shows that most […]

Amass Riverine ($35 for a 750 mL bottle at the time of publication) is peppery, astringent, and overwhelmingly piney. You may like this drink if you go for forest-floor flavors, and we should note that several experts recommended it to us. Offering tame bitterness and light botanical flavors, these sodas are like a cross between […]

We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. For example, if you are struggling with grief and the loss of a loved one, acceptance can help you effectively work through your grief without reacting to it and making the situation worse. For example, identify a dysfunctional belief you have about […]