“You will lose everything” – Alcohol I saw this on a billboard years ago and I remembered thinking to myself, “how is that even possible?” Surely there had to be other factors causing someone to lose everything. Not just alcohol… Eight years later my life became an epic example of the words on that billboard.…
Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has become a deadly public health concern in recent years due to its high abuse potential and potency. While fentanyl can be an effective pain reliever for patients with severe or chronic pain, it can also be deadly if misused or abused. Let’s discuss various fentanyl side effects and treatment…
In this edition: Emily’s Story • 2023 in Review: Your Impact • Christmas Gift Bags Bring Our Patients Hope • Words from Kris • Double Your Donation This Christmas!
Heroin is a highly addictive illegal drug that can have severe consequences on the body, mind, and social life of its users. It’s a derivative of opium, a naturally occurring substance obtained from the poppy plant. This drug creates a strong sense of euphoria and relaxation when it enters the bloodstream. However, it can also…
Addiction can take a toll on individuals and entire families. It destroys the health and well-being of everyone involved. Addiction affects not only the person struggling with it, but the people around them, making them feel helpless, hopeless, and exhausted. That’s why making amends is essential to the journey of healing from addiction. Let’s consider…
Heroin, an opiate derived from the opium poppy, is still widely abused in the U.S., with about one million people self-reporting taking heroin in the past year and an estimated half a million who are chronic heroin users with an addiction. Heroin is relatively easy to acquire on the street, unlike black-market prescription opioids. It…
Opiates are widely used for pain management and relief. However, with the high risk of addiction that comes along with usage, it’s important to understand the impact that these drugs can have. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the misuse and abuse of prescription opiates, which has led to numerous fatalities.…
It’s very difficult for people to recognize the signs opioid addiction or opioid dependence in themselves. Part of addiction means that the brain maintains its denial in order to continue having access to the drug it depends on to function. However, this stand-off doesn’t have to be a life sentence, with someone’s health and sobriety…
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that drastically affects one’s physical and mental health. The effects of meth on the brain not only physically damage an individual’s brain but also change an individual’s thought process, emotions, and behaviors. There is a significant risk factor associated with taking this drug, which can cause long-term damage and…
Substance use and mental health issues go hand in hand. In fact, between 40 and 60% of Americans who suffer from addiction have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis. Experts agree that treating co-occurring conditions in a coordinated plan is far more successful than treating one and then the other or providing simultaneous but uncoordinated treatment.…