How to Forgive a Loved One Addicted to Drugs When someone you care about is addicted to drugs, one of the hardest things to endure is how much it affects that individual’s family and loved ones. This can be especially difficult when things like deception, lying, stealing and even worse offenses have cost them the
Finding Reputable Iowa Heroin Addiction Treatment Admitting to yourself that you have an addiction to heroin is a big step, but it’s merely the first on the road to long-term recovery. The next step, finding reputable Iowa heroin addiction treatment, is every bit as crucial—and it can be every bit as challenging. With so many
Reasons to Go to a Des Moines Drug Treatment Center When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it may be difficult to quit without help. There are many resources available that can make the process more effective. For example, many individuals enter rehab. If you are contemplating attending a rehab, here are five
Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale or COWS is just that. It is a scale that a clinician uses to measure opiate withdrawal symptoms. A trained clinician will use this scale in an inpatient setting or as part of outpatient treatment. The scale is used most often to measure the extent
Relapse Prevention after Iowa Drug Rehab When a person enters an Iowa drug rehab facility, he or she looks for help with an addiction problem. A rehab facility is a useful tool achieve long-term sobriety. It offers a safe haven so that a patient can concentrate on getting away from drugs and alcohol and begin
How to Reverse Fentanyl Overdose and Next Steps for Des Moines Rehab As this country’s opioid crisis keeps growing, more and more people are falling victim to fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl is a drug that impacts the parts of the brain that are responsible for emotions. With use, dopamine levels are heightened, which causes a relaxed
Forgiveness in Addiction Recovery Through the process of healing from a substance abuse process, you may discover that you hold onto feelings of resentment, anger, and disappointment in yourself. While these feelings are very common for people in your situation, they can also hinder your progress. For this reason, forgiveness in addiction recovery is a
Should Drug Dealers Face the Death Penalty? Since 2000, more than 500,000 Americans have lost their lives due to drug abuse. The toll from the ongoing opioid crisis continues to rise; in 2016, more than 64,000 Americans fell victim. If these Americans are indeed victims, who are the perpetrators—and shouldn’t they be punished? Laws for
Reverse an Overdose with Naloxone Opioid overdoses are becoming increasingly common. Fortunately, the counteractive drug naloxone has been available since the 1970’s and has become available in a non-needle form, through nasal spray in 2014. Considered by many as the best medicine to reverse an opioid overdose, naloxone distribution needs to be broadened to prevent
Drug Withdrawal Management Drug withdrawal management, commonly referred to as “detox,” is a vital first step toward combating drug addiction. Substances like prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, heroin and alcohol can all cause severe withdrawal symptoms in the initial period after cessation. In some cases, attempting to quit a drug “cold turkey” can have serious health consequences;
Going Back to Work After Rehab If you are facing a drug or alcohol addiction and have decided to go to a rehabilitation center, you will need to know how to go back to work after rehab. Switching back to a normal life once you have defeated addiction can be an overwhelming experience if you
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Addiction Treatment Admitting that you have a problem with drugs or alcohol is the hard part. Now, it’s just a matter of reaching out to caring professionals who are committed to your recovery. Addiction treatment is widely available, but not all methods have proven track records of success. Cognitive behavior therapy
Alcohol Abuse in the Elderly If you have an elderly loved one and want the best for her, you likely take every step to ensure that your loved one is as safe and comfortable as possible. As your friend or family member ages, you will need to watch him so that you can keep him
Drawing Closer to God in Recovery If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol and want to recover as soon as possible, you have likely tried many things without much success. Addicts take different steps to reach their goal but don’t know what will give them the best possible results. The problems we face in
Getting Healthy After Addiction Rehab If you’ve gone through rehab, the hardest work is behind you. However, depending on the severity and duration of your addiction, there’s still much to do. Recovery is a lifelong journey of physical, mental and emotional rebuilding. Your overarching goal is to stay sober. Giving special attention to these areas will dramatically
Overcome Guilt in Addiction Recovery You may or may not have felt guilt when you were in the depths of your addiction. Perhaps you did while you continued to take the substances that were ruining many aspects of your life. Or maybe you were so focused on your addiction and continuing to meet it that
Not Another Checklist – Why 12 Step Programs Aren’t the Best Choice Thanks to the popularity of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and other similar addiction treatments, 12-step programs have become practically synonymous with addiction recovery. A majority of addiction treatments throughout the country are affiliated with these organizations or utilize their methods. Unfortunately, 12-step programs
You’re Not Alone: Trusting God in Addiction You know how it is. Those easier days keep you going because you are relieved to reach the end of the day without mishap. That’s when you begin to think it’s not so bad. Maybe you can handle this after all. It feels as if you don’t even
Drug Manufacturers Blamed for the Opioid Crisis The risks of opioid addiction to society cannot be overstated. An estimated 55,000 Americans die annually as a result of drug overdose. This figure has increased threefold over the past 15 years, and it will continue to grow if strong efforts are not made to treat addicts and
When to Seek Medical Help for Withdrawal Symptoms Did you know that over 10 percent of Americans over the age of 12 are classified as current drug users? Alcohol and addictive drugs are all capable of altering the way a person’s brain works. They can change a person’s brain chemistry so that the only time
Giving a Choice – Addiction Treatment or Jail Katherine is 34 years old and lives in Dallas. She’s never been fond of school, but she’s always loved working. When she was just 17, she landed a coveted position of leadership in an upscale restaurant. She was the first female and the youngest person by far
Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act With the opioid epidemic overtaking the country, there are new laws and regulations in place to help those who are trying to help the people who are using drugs as well as the person addicted. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act is one that encourages people to seek treatment if
Rebuilding Trust After Addiction After you’ve started the recovery process from addiction, you might find that it’s hard to rebuild trust with family and friends. This is a process that will take faith on your part as well as faith from those you have relationships with. They will need to see the change in you
What Is Codependency in Addiction, and Why Is It Harmful? Codependency in addiction is almost as serious as addiction itself, and therapists believe that it has many of the same contributing factors. Chemical imbalances in the brain, traumatic experiences in the past, trying circumstances and rocky relationships can all lead to codependent behavior. Let’s talk
Christ-Centered Addiction Treatment Nobody expects or plans to become addicted to drugs or other harmful substances, but it can happen before you know it. If you or someone you love is facing problems with addiction, finding a viable solution is vital. Without the right treatment, an addiction can consume a person’s life and create a
Prescription Pain Pill Addiction Rates Rising Every day, ordinary people gratefully accept prescribed painkillers following surgery or a serious accident. People with chronic back problems or other ongoing issues have little choice but to stay on painkillers. The alternative is to suffer through every day in agony. Codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl and other opioids can
Alcoholism in Family Alcoholism is a terrible disease that has already harmed many people and will continue to do so until we find a solution. When learning the factors that contribute to alcoholism, it’s important to consider the role a person’s family plays in the issue. Genetics and a range of other factors can cause
How Opioid Use Impacts the Brain The opioid problem is becoming increasingly severe and is impacting lives around the world in profoundly negative ways. Although police and mental health professionals have been searching for an answer that could put an end to the crisis, the problem is still out of hand. If we want any
With the Right Support, There is Hope in Addiction Recovery Although nobody plans to become addicted, once you begin using drugs or abusing alcohol, the problem can sneak up on you before you spot the warning signs and cause your life to spiral out of control. Feeling shame, frustration and a range of other negative
Finding Your Faith in Addiction Recovery Whether you have a relationship with Christ or have doubts about his existence, he longs to reclaim your life and set you free. Faith-based treatment is a powerful tool in addiction recovery, even if you don’t believe or put your trust in God. Finding a rehab that allows you
Dual Diagnosis Treating an addiction without addressing a coexisting behavioral or mental health issue is seldom successful. Many people who become addicted to alcohol or drugs also have other conditions, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Approximately 45 percent of people suffering from addiction meet the criteria for a dual diagnosis according to an
Have a Little Faith If you’re struggling with substance abuse or supporting someone who is, you may experience addiction testing your faith. When relationships are strained, job performance is poor and finances are a mess, it’s hard to imagine a future life of freedom, peace and fulfillment. Biblical faith isn’t blind, unreasonable belief in something or
Is There a Link Between Mental Health and Addiction? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, drug addiction is a mental illness. Addictions can alter people’s behaviors and interfere with their work, school and interpersonal relationships. However, in addition to their chemical dependencies, many addicts also suffer from another diagnosable mental health condition. Having
What Are the Signs of Opioid Addiction? Opioids are a type of drug that help alleviate pain. They work by reducing the amount of pain signals that the body transmits to the brain. Doctors often prescribe opioids to help patients who are dealing with an injury or chronic pain. When used properly, prescription opioids can
How Can We End the Stigma of Addiction? When people struggle with an addiction, one of the main barriers to healing and treatment is the stigma surrounding their condition. Unfortunately, there are common beliefs about addiction that evoke deep shame and encourage harmful behavior. People suffering from an addiction often face hostile attitudes, discrimination, disrespect,
Unless you pay close attention to digital news, you may not have noticed the announcement that Google has put a stop to all addiction treatment center sponsored ads. This decision came after reports of illegitimate rehabs coming under scrutiny for their mistreatment of people in need of help. Google is receiving praise for the decision,
Experience Advanced Inpatient Alcohol and Drug Rehab in Iowa Discover a comprehensive solution for substance abuse that encompasses every aspect of your life. St. Gregory Recovery Center offers an exceptional inpatient rehab program rooted in the latest evidence-based treatments. Our internationally accredited program yields unprecedented results by prioritizing your complete transformation. Discover Holistic Drug and
EPISODE 1 – Part 2 Originally Aired 11/9/2013 Mike Vazquez: You’re listening to Renewing Hope on Ave Maria Radio. To call in with a question or comment dial 888-778-5833. That’s 888-778-5833. Vazquez: Welcome back to Renewing Hope. I’m Mike Vazquez your guide on this journey. Are you one of the three Americans being impacted by
For many people, addiction is seen as a social condition. Those who end up addicted to drugs are often seen as morally weak. They are expected to simply stop their behavior and make better choices for themselves. And in fact sometimes that happens. However, this is not usually the case. There is a science behind addiction and
When you are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, you are bound to experience cravings. Perhaps you will experience these cravings late at night, when you might have been accustomed to partaking of alcohol or drugs. Not only did you create a ritual that you were mentally accustomed to, but you’re body became accustomed to
People who struggle with addiction come from all walks of life; from skilled professions like chemistry and law to careers like retail and food service, thousands understand what it’s like to struggle with addiction. Even when a person is otherwise completely well adjusted, addiction can pose an unexpected major challenge. However, when drug use is
Do you suspect your teenager is depressed or has a drug addiction? Parents of teenagers may have difficulty discerning whether their children’s mood swings are part of the normal turmoil of adolescence or a sign of something more serious. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 11 percent of adolescents develop a depressive disorder by the
Addiction can be a real struggle. Anyone who has gone through it themselves or watched a loved one battle it knows that to be a fact. Sometimes people have the ability to get themselves into a treatment facility on their own. They have the presence of mind to make change and the will to follow through.
Although it may appear that the mind and body are two completely separate entities, medical professionals have long determined that both are intricately entwined. While it is unclear how much one entity affects the other, there is a strong link between physical health and psychological distress. In other words, you cannot have a perfectly healthy
A truly comprehensive rehab program should include an intensive aftercare program. Aftercare helps those who have accomplished recovery in rehab and their loved ones adjust to their new sober lifestyle. It also provides valuable resources and support that will help to make maintaining a sober lifestyle easier. An aftercare program also helps to keep those in
According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs at some point for non-medical reasons. Prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic levels in our country. By some estimates, more people are dying in our nation from prescription drugs than cocaine and heroin combined. While
An effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation center will employ the most advanced technologies medical science has to offer in medicinal and behavioral therapies. This includes a dynamic treatment environment – one in which therapeutic programs continuously adapt to current best practices. Drug and alcohol addiction is a complex affliction to overcome. The fact is, addiction
When someone begins to face their substance abuse problem, they know that some of their relationships have to change. If this relationship is with a life partner or spouse, however, the issue can become complicated. While there are no formal statistics for co-occurring substance abuse in a family, most substance abuse counselors will tell you
The St. Gregory Program is based on the core principle that a person must be well enough to recover. Prolonged substance abuse harms the body’s ability to function efficiently and effectively and can create a significant barrier to recovery. Health and wellness stimulate the body and help to reduce or to eliminate cravings. During their
There are a number of myths about rehab that likely stop people from seeking help for themselves or for a loved one. These untruths must be cleared up so people can have a better understanding of how much they can benefit from a focused rehab program. Myth #1“Every rehab is identical.” Unfortunately, a lot of