Jun 21, 2019 / By BRC Recovery / In Blog

The Link Between Alcohol Use and Early-Onset Dementia

Alcohol and Early Onset Dementia

Alcohol is one of the most abused substances in America. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the U.S. averages 88,000 deaths each year caused by heavy drinking, binge drinking, and other issues related to alcohol use disorder. In addition to causing these deaths, alcohol is a key factor in thousands of car accidents, is responsible for damage to internal organs (especially the kidneys and liver), and increases health risks including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. As if all of this wasn’t enough, studies show that alcohol can also increase the risk of dementia.   […]

Jun 5, 2019 / By BRC Recovery / In Addiction, Blog

The Dangers of Fentanyl and Synthetic Opioids

Fentanyl

Synthetic Opioids and Their Addictive Properties Synthetic opioids are a class of pain-relieving drugs that mimic naturally-occurring opiates, such as morphine and codeine. Their high levels of potency mean that they are intended to be used in small amounts. These substances, such as oxycodone and fentanyl, are produced by pharmaceutical companies, who initially misled doctors and other medical professionals about the dangers of synthetic opioid medications. They claimed that these medications were not addictive in a clinical setting, and that they were safe for management of chronic and acute pain. Today, we know that our country is in the midst […]

May 31, 2019 / By BRC Recovery / In Blog, Health and Wellness, Recovery

When Getting Sober Reveals Another Illness

Health in Addiction Recovery

While getting sober is often touted as the solution to all your problems, it’s not a magic bullet. As you grow accustomed to repairing relationships and waking up hangover-free, you may think that nothing could ever go wrong. In spite of the numerous benefits of recovery, everyone will eventually experience some sort of difficulty with their physical and emotional health. As your body recovers from prolonged drug and alcohol misuse, it’s not uncommon to start noticing some issues. Below, we explain what to be on the lookout for, as well as what to do when you uncover maladies associated with […]

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

Mindfulness in Addiction Recovery

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 […]

May 9, 2019 / By BRC Recovery / In Blog, More News

Dual Diagnosis: Treating Addiction and Mental Illness

Mental Illness and Addiction

Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Mental illness and addiction are diseases that affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Unfortunately, they often combine to create a complicated mix of issues. In 2014, over 20 million American adults had a substance use disorder – of these, roughly half also had a mental illness. Experiencing these two issues at the same time is referred to as dual diagnosis or a co-occurring disorder. This can make treating addiction more difficult, but if handled correctly, addressing both of these concerns simultaneously will result in better quality of life and improved outcomes over time. […]

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

How to Manage Chronic Pain Without Opioids

Chronic Pain

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

Holistic Addiction Treatment

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 […]

Apr 12, 2019 / By BRC Recovery / In Blog

Stress Awareness Month: The Stress-Addiction Link

stress awareness month

In honor of Stress Awareness Month this April, we’re shining a light on stress and addiction. We all experience stress and it can even be useful when it helps us react to imminent danger or motivates us to take the proper course of action or perform better. For most people, occasional stress is normal and doesn’t pose a health threat. Chronic stress, on the other hand, can cause lasting physical and mental problems, including a vicious cycle of addiction. Without the right tools to manage stress, some people self-medicate with mood-altering substances. A seemingly innocent drink to de-stress after work […]