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 […]

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 […]

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 […]