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Image by University of the Fraser Valley via Flickr

It’s hard not to love animals, and many people experience a calming effect when petting a cat, dog or other furry friend. Human beings are by nature a pack animal, which is why co-existing with animals comes naturally to us. This is the reason there are so many benefits to caring for and spending time with an animal. Animals also have an extremely therapeutic benefit in addiction treatment, which is something that has been…

Activists and lawmakers alike are constantly investigating new ways to deal with the rising problem of substance addiction in America. In recent months, a high-profile endurance athlete Ryan Burke has revealed an entirely new approach to addiction therapy called ‘Mind Strength.’

The high-ranking international athlete has developed an unconventional approach to addiction treatment based on working the heart to maximum capacity to retrain the brain and eliminate addictive behaviors. Through extreme cardiovascular exercise, where the body is pushed to the limit in regular daily sessions, it is possible to significantly…

During drug and alcohol rehabilitation, it is not unusual for your sleep patterns to change. This is mainly because most addicts have a long history of using specifically to give them a good night’s sleep and unless this is controlled within a treatment program, constantly battling an inability to sleep can hamper your progress.

Here we take a closer look at the importance of getting enough good quality sleep when you’re on an addiction treatment program:

Sleep Reduces Stress Levels

Coping…

Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr

In a recent TV interview, well-known former opioid addict Jamie Lee Curtis spoke of her…

Dealing with nonmedical prescription drug addiction can be a minefield because of the barriers that exist both in society and the healthcare system preventing easy access to necessary treatment. These barriers are significant enough to deter many addicts from seeking the treatment they need.

Here we take a look at the barriers many addicts believe stand in their way of successful rehabilitation:

1. Social Stigma

There remains a stereotypical perception of an addict’s character that still serves to stigmatize, even in this day and age. However, more and…

Image by Dannel Malloy via Flickr

A new nasal spray that prevents opioid overdose was trialed at the beginning of the year and is successfully being implemented in other states where opioid abuse is an issue. The Narcan nasal spray is being made available to police departments, drug users and relatives of addicts across the US as a way of preventing drug overdoses, and has already been proven to save lives.

Narcan is the brand name of naloxone, the only drug with the potency to stop an…

Drug addiction is a serious mental illness that requires professional treatment, and yet there are many myths about addiction that are still being perpetuated.

Here we take a closer look at 10 addiction myths and debunk them once and for all:

1. If drugs have been prescribed, they are somehow ‘safe’.

Although this is the case when prescribed doses are adhered to, it is often easy to exceed doses particularly when taking pain relief. Some prescription drugs are obviously more hazardous as others and many are potentially addictive.

2. ‘Natural’ drugs like cannabis or mushrooms are completely…

Alcohol abuse can have a dramatic effect on the body, particularly after extended years of drinking, and the signs can be very visible in your skin. Alcohol is basically a hepatotoxin, meaning that it ultimately damages the liver. You only have to think about the sallow skin color of someone with liver disease to know that, over time, alcohol can wreak havoc on the skin’s complexion.

Other ingredients in alcohol are substances produced during fermentation, known as congeners. Congeners are the ingredient responsible for alcohol’s unique smell and taste, not to mention the hangovers suffered the morning after heavy drinking. The more congeners there are in your…

As with most diseases, intervening during the early stages to motivate people to seek treatment is extremely beneficial, particularly with substances such as alcohol and opioids as they can cause critical illness following prolonged addiction. Early intervention requires people to be vigilant for the signs of addictive behaviors in loved ones, and to be aware of the risks they potentially face unless they seek treatment.

The Heightened Risk of Addiction in Adolescents

Young adults are at a greater risk of drug abuse…

One of the hardest aspects of recovering from alcohol or drug abuse is the cravings that can easily drag you back into bad behaviors and addictive patterns. In order to achieve the maximum benefit of drug or alcohol addiction treatment, learning some coping mechanisms to deal with the inevitable cravings can significantly boost your chances.

Here we take a look at seven ways you can prevent, manage and even stop cravings for alcohol:

1. Recognize the Triggers

The urge to drink can be triggered by either internal or external stimuli. Recognizing the early…