Addiction Archives

May 15, 2019 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Blog

Mindfulness in Addiction Recovery

What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is more complex that its simple name would lead you to believe. It’s defined as the ability to be fully present in the moment, aware of what we’re doing and where we are, without being overwhelmed by the things happening around us. While this state is natural, some people struggle more than others with maintaining it in their day-to-day lives. Luckily, it’s fully possible to cultivate mindfulness through dedicated practice. Mindfulness can be practiced through a variety of proven techniques. Perhaps the most well-known of these is meditation. What you may not have heard is that […]

Apr 30, 2019 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Blog

How to Manage Chronic Pain Without Opioids

An estimated 50 million Americans live each day with chronic pain. Until recently, opioids were the drug of choice for everything from osteoarthritis to fibromyalgia. Without knowledge of their addictive properties, doctors had no way of understanding how detrimental these prescriptions would be; today, over 11.4 million people have misused these medications, and 2.1 million have an opioid use disorder. No one should have to suffer from either chronic pain or addiction. We believe that symptoms can be managed successfully without these highly addictive substances. Opioids vs. Opiates We should begin by explaining what exactly these substances are. While […]

Apr 25, 2019 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Blog

Holistic Addiction Treatment: Healing the Whole Person

What is Holistic Addiction Treatment? At BRC Recovery, our treatment philosophy involves caring for the whole patient throughout the entire continuum of care. From intervention to treatment and aftercare, we seek to empower our clients to live fulfilling, productive lives in recovery. We’re very proud to offer a holistic approach to recovery. Addiction is a disease that affects every aspect of your life, not just your physical fitness or your mental health. Therefore, it stands to reason that it is best treated with a comprehensive approach. BRC Recovery services are designed to care for the whole patient: mind, body, and […]

Aug 28, 2018 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Recovery

6 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Opioid Addiction

The number of prescription opioids sold to doctors’ offices, pharmacies and hospitals nearly quadrupled between 1999 and 2010, and in 2010, 1 in 20 Americans ages 12 and older reported using prescription painkillers for nonmedical reasons, according to the CDC. The United States is grappling with an opioid crisis that was declared a national public health emergency, and many people are understandably worried about the risk of addiction these prescription painkillers pose. Prescription opioids are effective in relieving pain, but they’re also highly addictive. However, there are a few steps you can take to avoid the risk of developing an […]

Aug 21, 2018 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, drug addiction

Genetics can increase or decrease your risk of opioid addiction

We know genetics can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer, diabetes, heart disease and a number of other conditions, and the same goes for opioid addiction. Over the last decade, a growing body of research has focused on minute differences in a person’s DNA, called single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, which can indicate your risk of addiction. Some people have an opioid receptor gene that protects them specifically from opioid dependence, and substance dependence in general. There are also gene variations for three dopamine receptors in the brain–the molecules that signal pleasure–that are linked to a heightened risk of opioid […]

Aug 16, 2018 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Recovery

How the Family System Informs Individualized Treatment

Addiction is a family disease, and in fact, research shows that long-term recovery success rates increase when the entire family is involved in the addiction recovery process. Addiction places family members under a great deal of stress and, as a result, the family system becomes fragile and dysfunctional. By addressing the family system while exploring your own journey, you can heal the family dynamics and work on issues like codependency and enabling, which often drive individuals to substance abuse in the first place. Here’s a look at a few ways dealing with family issues will help your recovery: You’ll learn […]

Aug 7, 2018 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Drug News

Preventing Opioid Addiction Through Prediction

Researchers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering have found that computer mapping could be a powerful tool in preventing opioid addiction before it even begins. USC Viterbi researchers in the interdisciplinary USC Machine Learning Center used computer mapping to study opioid addiction, adverse effects and patient profiles. By programming computer-learning models, similar to iPhone X facial recognition software and self-driving cars, researchers filtered through patient medical history and identified patterns that could predict opioid dependency and addiction. These patterns included a patient’s prescription history and whether they had been diagnosed with other disorders that could signify a heightened risk […]

Jul 31, 2018 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Recovery

Do You Need to Hit Rock Bottom Before Entering Treatment?

We often hear about the concept of “hitting rock bottom” within the recovery community. While some people are motivated to finally seek treatment for addiction once they’ve reached the end of their rope, “rock bottom” is a dangerous misconception. In its most basic sense, hitting rock bottom means that before you can recover from addiction, you have to reach the lowest point of your life due to substance abuse. It’s often associated with the loss of relationships with friends and family, a job, housing and good health. But thinking about addiction and addiction treatment in such an extreme way carries […]

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