medication-assisted treatment

MAT: Combination of Psychotherapy and Medication

Addiction is a complex disease that requires a multi-pronged treatment strategy to address all its facets simultaneously. One of the most successful approaches has proven to be medication-assisted treatment, which involves the use of specific, FDA-approved medications to relieve the withdrawal symptoms and cravings caused by the chemical imbalances related to prolonged substance abuse. One…

Most Addictive Painkillers

Opiate addiction can include a physical dependency on Vicodin and OxyContin, which are among the most addictive painkillers. Addiction can cause you to experience troubling withdrawal symptoms and powerful cravings, making it hard to recover without the help of holistic pain management. Tens of millions of Americans struggle with a substance abuse disorder, alcoholism and…

a female doctor talking to a teen patient about naltrexone vs suboxone

Naltrexone Vs Suboxone

During your naltrexone treatment program and recovery, you may wonder what the difference between naltrexone vs Suboxone is. Both are prescription medications that can reduce cravings and improve recovery outcomes. Opiate abuse in the United States has reached record heights. In 2017, the severity of the opiate epidemic in the United States led to President Trump declaring…

a group therapy session talking about international overdose awareness day

International Overdose Awareness Day

Improving access to a substance abuse treatment center in California and supporting recovery are both important elements of International Overdose Awareness Day, which is an annual event that started in 2001. But what is International Overdose Awareness Day 2019? Drug overdoses are one of the leading causes of accidental death worldwide, causing nearly 200,000 premature deaths annually.…

Sleeping Pill Addiction

For those that suffer from insomnia, doctors can prescribe sleeping pills, which are sedatives that help you fall asleep. Unfortunately, while medications like Ambien can treat insomnia, sleeping pill addiction can occur. Sleeping pill addiction can create significant issues, including preventing you from sleeping without prescription medications. Sleeping pills can be both physically and psychologically…

two people upset because the man cannot decide between addiction and relationships

Addiction and Relationships

Substance abuse, drinking problems, and addiction are family diseases, meaning that they impact more than just the user. Addiction affects more than 10% of Americans, making it somewhat common for addiction and relationships to existing side-by-side. When you struggle with a substance abuse problem, you are more likely to experience domestic violence, conflict, and instability.…

a young woman deciding between vivitrol vs suboxone

Vivitrol Vs Suboxone

Street heroin laced with dangerous additives like fentanyl led to a rash of fatal overdoses, a major reason why unintentional drug overdoses have become the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. With roughly half of all people in recovery experiencing at least one relapse, medication assisted treatments have modernized to offer more…

a man wondering about what are gateway drugs

Gateway Drugs

Drug abuse, addiction, and substance abuse problems often start with experimenting with gateway drugs, recreational drugs, nicotine, and alcohol. Drugs and alcohol all produce intoxicating effects by causing changes to your brain chemistry. Your brain releases excessive amounts of neurotransmitters whenever you use drugs or alcohol. This process can cause a rush of pleasurable emotions,…