We read the headlines about opiates and the opioid crisis here in the United States. We see the damage these drugs are doing among people we know and love as well as in our communities. But what do we really know about the way opiates affect our bodies? Do we know the difference between opioids and opiates?...Read More

After skyrocketing addiction rates and associated deaths, the nation’s opioid epidemic has finally come into the spotlight. Many factors have contributed to this crisis. Among the most abused drugs is Percocet. Percocet is a combination of oxycodone (a strong opiate) and acetaminophen (think Tylenol) that doctors widely prescribed to treat for patients to manage pain.  This short...Read More

Headlines are crowded with stories about opioids, but there are other medications that lead to addiction. One such medication is benzodiazepine. Benzos for short, this drug is a hypnotic sedative. It is commonly prescribed for conditions like anxiety disorder, insomnia, epilepsy and alcohol dependence. If you or someone you love is struggling with benzo addiction,...Read More

If you or a one of your family members are in the military, you may know that alcohol abuse and drug abuse are on the rise in the armed forces. From concerns over deployment and being away from loved ones to the stress of enduring wartime and living within military culture, substance abuse in the...Read More

Recovery is quite a process, one that can be a challenging for both you and your loved ones. Each person’s process is unique. You may find the earliest stages of physical and psychological addiction to be the most challenging. Others who struggle with drugs and alcohol may find it difficult to maintain long term sobriety....Read More

Addiction nearly took this former NFL wide receiver’s life. Now, one of the “three amigos” is giving back. ORLANDO, Fla. – January 17, 2019 Addiction is not a common topic at the Pro Bowl, albeit a relevant one. Retired NFL players are four times more likely to misuse prescription opioids. This year, one former Denver...Read More

Resisting cravings in recovery is something that everyone who struggles with addiction experiences. These cravings tend to be tied to memories and can be “defined as an intense, conscious desire, usually to consume.” When you experience alcohol or drug cravings, the “immense neurotransmitter release that is often brought on by the ingestion of drugs is responsible both...Read More

The National Safety Council has just released its findings for the leading causes of death in the United States. And for the first time in history, opioid overdose has overtaken the odds of dying in a motor vehicle crash. The new report states there is a 1 in 96 chance of an American suffering an...Read More

You or a loved one may have been prescribed codeine to relieve mild to moderate pain. It is commonly used in combination with other medications. It’s been glamorized in pop culture over the last several years as an ingredient mixed with soft drinks and promethazine in a concoction referred to as lean, codeine lean or purple...Read More

One of the most challenging parts of recovering from an alcohol addiction is helping your body become accustomed to the absence of the substance. You may be ready to stop drinking, but you may not expect the strength of your withdrawal symptoms. They can last for a few hours up to a few weeks, depending on...Read More