Addiction Recovery Blog

The other day I rented the film, The Girl on the Train starring Emily Blunt who portrays Rachel, an alcoholic who rides a train every day through upstate New York. While doing so, she gazes out of the window of the train, looking at a beautiful Colonial-style house, which is across the tracks. It turns out that the Colonial was her old home, where once upon a time, she lived with Tom, her ex husband,

What demographics are more in jeopardy of heroin dependence? People who are addicted to opiate painkillers, cocaine, marijuana and alcohol are high up on the list. Usually when addicts are already hooked on one or two other chemical substances, transitioning to heroin is not a far-fetched idea. Sometimes making a choice to try dope is not made with a clear mind, especially is a person is stoned or intoxicated. And once a person is hooked

Women, more than men, are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Why? Women are more susceptible to being victims of sexual assault. As opposed to men, females are more likely to condemn themselves for traumatic events. Not all women develop PTSD after a horrifying event. Those who do usually have mental health issues like depression or anxiety, or have previously undergone a distressing event, or the incident was life threatening and/or caused injury.

Prescription stimulants or “uppers” are pharmaceutical drugs, which includes amphetamines (e.g., Adderall) and methylphenidate (e.g., Ritalin and Concerta), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin, Attenade) and Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvance). These drugs are prescribed to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents and adults. ADHD is a medical condition, which often starts in childhood. People with ADHD are restless, have a hard time focusing, sitting still and paying attention. Out of all the drugs listed above, Ritalin is the most

According to a recent Washington Post editorial, the irony of the opioid epidemic is that the drugs that are mainly at fault, including opioid painkillers, do not always come from drug dealers. Rather, blame can be attributed to the physicians who fill prescriptions for opioid painkillers, and these prescriptions often do not undergo heavy regulation. One case in point is opioid painkillers prescribed for clients who suffer from chronic pain. Often frustrated physicians don’t have