Male or female, finding out that a loved one is using – or addicted to – drugs is devastating. You may be wondering how this could have happened, or why your loved one chose this path. The truth is, no one chooses to become addicted. Rather, no one thinks that they will become addicted. But […]

Did you know that most addictions start as drug and alcohol use during adolescence? As much as we want to believe our teens are just experimenting or “going through a phase,” their early substance use can pose great health risks down the road. Approximately 90 percent of people with a substance use disorder started using […]

The United States is facing an overwhelming overdose epidemic, which has killed more than 700,000 Americans since 1999. Today, drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Opioids – ranging from painkillers to heroin – are involved in close to 70 percent of poisoning deaths, therefore fueling the nation’s overdose crisis. […]

Prescription painkillers – such as Oxycontin (oxycodone) and Vicodin (hydrocodone) – are opioid drugs used to treat pain. They are prescribed after surgeries, for injuries or painful illness, and can also be found in prescription cough syrups or other medications. These drugs, while legal and safe when used as directed by a doctor, also have […]

Let’s be honest for a minute. No one really wants to go to rehab – at least not at first. For many addicts and families, “rehab” is a scary thought. The word itself carries an overwhelming stigma, and the idea of actually going away to rehab can be equally (if not more so) overwhelming. For […]

It’s an unfortunate reality that of the 20-plus million Americans battling substance addiction today, only 10 percent will receive any type of treatment. Only a fraction of those treated will receive treatment at a clinical rehab facility. Usually, people do not pursue professional treatment because they are not ready to stop using, or not ready […]

Mental illness is difficult to talk about, along with drug addiction. But as parents, we must always recognize this risk. We must educate ourselves about mental illness and substance addiction, and about the dangers these disorders can pose to children today. For those with children who are currently battling a mental illness and/or substance abuse, […]

More than 20 million people in the United States are battling a substance use disorder. Close to 44 million American adults are experiencing a mental health disorder. More than 8 million adults in the U.S. today are battling both mental health and substance use disorders simultaneously. There is a clear link between substance abuse and […]

A drug and alcohol treatment center is a facility designed to help addicted individuals stop compulsive drug seeking and substance abuse. These individuals may be suffering from an alcohol use disorder, a drug use disorder, or multiple co-occurring disorders involving substance abuse. Easy enough, right? Well, when you are researching potential treatment options for a […]

Over the last couple years, we have taken great strides in the way we perceive and understand substance addiction. The ongoing opioid crisis – declared a national emergency in late 2018 – has especially shed light on the dangers of substance abuse and the reality of addiction as a disease. Coupled with a heightened state […]