-
The efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for addiction treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a type psychotherapy used in addiction treatment. But how effective is CBT? Is it a successful part of addiction therapy programs? The answer to these questions is YES! Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as been ...
... needs and self-development goals where you are RIGHT NOW. Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy work to treat addiction? Yes, CBT works and HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE in substance abuse treatment. In fact, evidence from ... continue reading -
The efficacy of depression treatment while treating addiction
Many people who are addicted to drugs are also diagnosed with co-occuring mental health disorders… and vice versa. So, with depression fast becoming the #1 mental health issue in the U.S., can you treat depression and addiction at the same time? ...
... and addiction treatment are effective when strategies are employed. In fact, studies have shown that some people with depression may be successfully treated with CBT only. Others may need both CBT AND medication ... continue reading -
Is private luxury addiction treatment a new necessity?
Is private addiction treatment for you? Private addiction clinics are taking a new approach to treating addiction. We know that the old “one-size-fits all” treatment model is not working because individual needs are just as diverse as people ...
... . My background is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , which is proven to be very successful in the treatment of addiction. CBT is useful for changing the way you think about something, which can in turn change the way you ... continue reading -
Optimizing your brain in addiction recovery: Lifestyle affects everything! – An interview with Dr. Ralph E. Carson, LD, RD, Ph.D.
Your brain on drugs…for real! Chronic exposure to chemical substances disrupts the way critical brain structures interact to control and inhibit behaviors. And quitting drugs is just one part of a long and complex recovery process. In fact, when ...
... to learn coping mechanisms and reduce stress is critical. So CBT and mindfulness interventions also make a significant contribution to the healing process. ADDICTION BLOG: How long does it typically take to start feeling ... continue reading -
Is hypnotherapy for addictions safe?
Hypnotherapy for substance abuse disorders Are you looking for strategies to remain sober in your daily life? If you suspect that you need additional treatment to stay sober, maybe hypnotherapy can help. Hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, is currently ...
... help you will support your healing journey is necessary. ADDICTION BLOG: How often is hypnotherapy used for addiction treatment as part of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? What kinds of overlap exist? HEATHER GOOD ... continue reading -
Emotional recovery after alcoholism or addiction: Mind Over Mood (BOOK REVIEW)
Q: Looking to feel happier, calmer, and more confident? A: Change the way you feel by changing the way you think! Here, we review how you can experience profound internal change through the practices of just one book! If you’re looking for ...
... you’re looking for emotional growth and recovery after addiction, this is the book for you. More here ... book comes from the practice of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), one of today’s most effective forms of ... continue reading -
What is private addiction treatment like in Europe?
Different approaches to the same problem Every country in the world has a different approach to dealing with the social and economic problems that arise as a consequence from illicit drug use, excessive drinking, and prescription medication ...
... on a regular basis and a lot of them already have an addiction. So, it's a little too late…and the money's ... if a person doesn't respond well to CBT , they should not be in a CBT program. Also, from some other reviews ... continue reading -
Dissolving anxiety with Open Focus™ when diagnosed with addiction
By Robert Wright, Jr., Ph.D., COFT Let's face it. By itself, anxiety can be challenging . But, when you add addiction issues to the anxiety equation – if you are not careful – you can set yourself up for potential disasters including repeated ...
... life as you work to deal with, heal and recover from addiction. We'll help you do that here. Then, we invite your ... Acupuncture, Biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Hypnosis, Meditation, MBSR, Neurofeedback or ... continue reading -
EMDR Therapy in the Treatment of Addiction
By Cara McLeod, Enterhealth Therapist What is EMDR Therapy, and How Does it Work? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective psychotherapy technique which has helped an estimated 2 million people of all ages by relieving ...
... form of treatment for patients suffering from drug or alcohol addiction and why it is so often a part of our ... completed extensive training utilizing both DBT and CBT therapy modalities. Cara earned her undergraduate degree ... continue reading -
How does Intensive Outpatient Treatment for addiction work?
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for addiction is at least – if not more – effective than residential addiction treatment. So, how does it work? And what can you expect? Here, we review the main process and protocols for Intensive Outpatient ...
... through the same. 2. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – This type of psychotherapy is effective in ... initial stage of treatment engagement is a crucial point in addiction treatment and may last from a couple of days up ... continue reading -
Sound Healing for Stress Burnout in Addiction Treatment
By Robert Wright, Jr., Ph.D., COFT Let's face it. By itself, wrestling with addiction and recovery can be challenging. But, when you add stress burnout issues to the addiction recovery equation - if you're not careful - you can set yourself up for ...
... life as you work to deal with, heal and recover from addiction. We'll help you do that here. Then, we invite ... such as Acupuncture, Biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Hypnosis, Meditation, MBSR, Open Focus , ... continue reading -
Rehab ecstasy addiction: When to choose inpatient vs. outpatient
Ecstasy is a synthetic, illicit drug that affects a user’s mood and perception. Ecstasy usually comes in the form of a pill and is used to create a deep sense of wellness and closeness. In fact, ecstasy produces energizing effects similar to ...
... treatments for dependence on MDMA . The most effective treatments for drug abuse and addiction are Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) and support groups, focused on helping the addict change the way of thinking as ... continue reading -
Dissolving chronic pain with Open Focus™ when diagnosed with addiction
Let's face it. By itself, dealing with intense and constant chronic pain is challenging. But, when you add addiction issues to the chronic pain equation – if you are not careful – you can set yourself up for a potential disaster. Certainly, ...
... life as you work to deal with, heal and recover from addiction. We'll help you do that here. Then, we invite ... such as Acupuncture, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Hypnosis, Massage, MBSR, Neurofeedback or Physical ... continue reading -
The efficacy of PTSD treatment while treating addiction
There is a significant need for treatment of co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction. In fact, approximately half of individuals seeking addiction treatment meet current criteria for PTSD, and individuals with co-occurring ...
... PTSD treatment include: Congnitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Eye Movement ... on the utility of exposure-based interventions for PTSD-addiction, there is still a great need for further work ... continue reading -
What Is Continuum of Care in Addiction Treatment?
By Cara McLeod, LPC The Components of a Successful Recovery When it comes to effectively treating drug and alcohol addiction, the treatment professionals where I work at Enterhealth agree that a successful recovery is most often the result of ...
... more. These issues may be the cause of a patient's addiction, such as a person using drugs or alcohol to numb pain ... completed extensive training utilizing both DBT and CBT therapy modalities. Cara earned her undergraduate ... continue reading -
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques for holiday anxiety
Do the holidays stress you out? Identifying a belief, a set of emotions, or habits and actions that relate to the stress can help you realize how dynamic systems keep us stuck in our anxiety. More techniques and tips on using Cognitive Behavioral ...
... at the end. What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a method of treatment and a type of addiction therapy that helps us understand the complex relationships between our thoughts ... continue reading -
Rehabs in Thailand - A review comparing 8 popular Thai rehabs
High standards for addiction treatment Thailand is renowned for its stunning beaches, its delicious food and the warmth and friendliness of its people. However, another fast growing sector of the Thai economy is that of another kind of tourism- the ...
... in Thailand? Thailand offers not only traditional addiction rehab facilities that use 12 Step techniques and have an understanding of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), the country also provides an environment steeped ... continue reading -
If Not A.A., Then What?
Most Well-Known Does Not Equal Most Effective For the past 75 years, the most common method of recovery for someone with an alcohol or drug problem has been Alcoholics Anonymous , “A.A.”, or other 12-step programs. However, the most widely known ...
... thoughts, feelings and actions and increase awareness of how these things impact recovery. Alongside addiction, CBT also treats co-occurring disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, attention deficit disorder (ADD ... continue reading -
What’s a day in rehab like?
I’ve been to more than my fair share of treatment centers. At last count – and I mean last in every sense of the word! – I’d been to two inpatients, one PHP, and more IOPs than you could shake a stick at (do people still use that phrase?). ...
... like Gender Issues, Anger Management, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT . This therapy tended towards helping us address pinpoint issues that fueled our addictions. Groups like Anger Management helped me to come to ... continue reading -
Should you go to an outpatient rehab? INTERVIEW with David Lisonbee
Are you looking to go to rehab? Check out our conversation with David Lisonbee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Twin Town Treatment Center. He helps bring light to questions like: Should I choose outpatient or inpatient rehab ? When it is ...
... It’s easy to be sober in a serene environment. ADDICTION BLOG: Is there anything else you would like to share ... no clear winner between residential and outpatient, between CBT, MET or 12-Step Facilitation. What matters is ... continue reading -
Get Rid of Drug Cravings Once and for All
ARTICLE SUMMARY: There is no way to completely eliminate drug cravings. However, you can learn to live with them…and get through them. This article reviews why cravings occur and offers three practical ideas on how to cope. ESTIMATED READING TIME: ...
... for the brain to return to homeostasis after a period of addiction will vary by individual. What’s important to know is that ... meeting facilitation Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Individual Therapy or Group Counseling ... continue reading -
Addicted to negative thinking? A BOOK REVIEW to help you
Many of us in addiction recovery are subject to “Stinkin’ Thinking”. And I am one of them! You might recognize a few patterns in yourself: This [reality] is too difficult. I don’t have what I need. I can’t [FILL IN THE BLANK]. People ...
... More here on why you should add this book to your addiction recovery library. With a section for your questions to the authors ... with therapists. It gives you insights into CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), what is it, ... continue reading -
What is day treatment for substance abuse? INTERVIEW with Fountain Recovery
Day treatment for substance abuse Outpatient (or day) treatment for addiction can vary in the intensity of services offered as well as types of therapies. Outpatient models, such as intensive day treatment, can be comparable to residential programs ...
... . In addition, we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches in our life skills groups. We also ... again? FOUNTAIN RECOVERY: Though there is no cure for addiction (i.e. a treatment that allows and addicted individual ... continue reading -
INTERVIEWS with addiction aftercare programs: Beating Addiction
1. What was the impetus to start BeatingAddiction.com? What is its mission, core beliefs and how is it funded? In late 2004, towards the beginning of 2005, I recognized and realized that social networking and its concepts of getting people together, ...
... ) and then all of a sudden, they're taking steps to curb the addictions they have just by talking. Beating Addiction's goal is to help people overcome addiction. For many that is a very tough goal so, at the bare minimum ... continue reading -
5 Substitute Addictions & How To Steer Clear Of Them
Addiction is Not Going Away In 2010 a report was released claiming that there were 23.5 million people in America who were at that moment addicted to drugs and alcohol. In 2013, further reports showed that while marijuana use was rising, other drugs ...
... . It is easy to become obsessed with physical release or unhealthy emotional attachments in the wake of an addiction. While sex is a natural part of the human experience, it can become a compulsive behavior. How To Avoid ... continue reading -
The 3 Main Addiction Intervention Models for Drug or Alcohol Problems
Who Needs an Intervention? An intervention is a collective effort that is orchestrated by one or more individuals who care about the person struggling with a substance abuse disorder, or a crisis, traumatic event, or some other type of serious ...
... is ultimately used, it has been shown that family members often have a large influence on the one with the addiction. In fact, many won't seek treatment on their own, no matter how much damage or disruption they have ... continue reading -
How long does outpatient addiction treatment last?
By Deja Holley Generally, outpatient treatment lasts from about three (3) months to a year. While each person is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, programs will vary in intensity and requirements. More here on the guidelines for treatment and ...
... outpatient duration If you still have questions about the duration or types of of outpatient treatment programs for addiction…please leave us your questions in the comments section below. We’ll do our best to respond to ... continue reading -
INTERVIEW about addiction coaching : Life Recovery Coach Keith Bray
1. Addiction coaching basics ADDICTION BLOG: What was the impetus to start addiction coaching ? What is your mission and what are your core beliefs? KEITH BRAY: I attended rehab about 14 years ago. Like many others, after I left rehab, I wanted to ...
... want a more joyous and abundant life, I do not restrict my practice just to the addicted. But addiction is my passion!! ADDICTION BLOG: What new programs or features do you plan for the coming months/years that we should ... continue reading -
Addiction & Loneliness: Can You Beat Addiction Alone?
Are You Lonely? Science Says You Can Cultivate Intimacy and Joy This article is a follow up from my previous article, The Opposite of Addiction is Connection, a discussion centered on Johann Hari's, TED talk : “Everything You Think You Know About ...
... because that's our nature, that's what we want as human beings.” We Need Love, Not War Isolation and drug addiction are like the chicken and the egg. We're not sure which is the originator of the deeply social problem of ... continue reading -
Is there a quick fix for addiction?
No. There is no quick fix – not to addiction, diabetes, or any other disorder. For that matter, quick fixes rarely appear in any other context, including climate shift or family budgeting. Here, we explore what it really takes to recover from ...
... , so is the notion of meaning and purpose in life. Another problematic notion of the “quick fix to addiction idea” is that there will be a sudden, powerful “AHA” moment during recovery that defines personal purpose and ... continue reading -
NLP Addiction Technique: Addiction Through the Lens of NLP Presuppositions
What is Addiction? The definition of addiction I like to use is found on the website: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/addiction and states: “Addiction is a persistent,compulsivedependence on a behavior or substance. . . researchers ...
... and wants to repeat the behavior (taken from: http://www.alternet.org/it-habit-or-addiction-what-happens-your-brain-when-you-start-get-hooked ). What is NLP? Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) is the study of subjective ... continue reading -
A New Addiction Intervention Book: INTERVIEW with Dr. Louise Stanger
Addiction and Families Addiction affects an estimated one in three American families. So, how do these families get help? Some struggle along on their own. Other families seek help directly treatment providers: detox clinics, psychotherapists, ...
... BLOG: Would you offer a bit of insight for our readers as to how they can best handle trauma and addiction in their family? What are some of the best steps they can take themselves if facing a drug or alcohol problem ... continue reading -
Using Spiritual or Religious Beliefs when Fighting Addiction
ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Religious and spiritual beliefs can moderate the relationship between life stressors and quality of life. In fact, reliance on your beliefs can give you hope, strength, and provide meaning in addiction recovery. TABLE OF CONTENTS: ...
... First, we are fighting inner demons. Then, we have to fight the world outside. Common beliefs about addiction We find that addiction recovery is an uphill struggle. Not only do we deal with the inner demons, we are also ... continue reading -
Post-Retirement Addiction and Its Treatment
By Scott Trout, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Enterhealth Ranch and Enterhealth Outpatient of Excellence A New And Alarming Trend In recent years, the number of older adults entering treatment for alcohol and drug addiction ...
... 2014 — that's nearly an eleven fold increase since 1999. An additional factor in the meteoric rise in addiction rates for older adults is the aging of the Baby Boomer generation. Another report from SAMHSA shows that by ... continue reading -
Addiction risk factors in the LGBT community
Why such a high risk of addiction? Isolation, abuse, homelessness, family estrangement – these are all consequences of addiction. For some addicts, this is their reality before they ever pick up their first drink or drug. The risk factors for ...
... you'd like to ask or add to the discussion about how to best serve the LGBT community in addiction recovery? All your questions are welcomed in the designated section at the bottom. We try to respond personally and ... continue reading -
Racism and Substance Use: The Systematic Epidemic of Addiction
Is addiction primarily an individual affliction? My biggest issue with the disease model of addiction is that it completely negates society's role in causing addiction by solely framing addiction as an individual affliction. Many believe that ...
... now had options besides drug induced suicide. What does this have to do with racism? Well, Rat Park shows us that addiction has less to do with drugs and biology and more to do with the cage. We know that people who have ... continue reading -
Progressive Disease, Progressive Counselor: What it's like for me being an addiction counselor
Addiction as a Progressive Disease From the first day that I sought help for my problematic relationship with substances, I was told that I had a progressive disease and that I needed to find a progressive recovery. Many people believe that the ...
... college. I was less than one year in recovery when I joined a friend who wanted to go to school for addiction counseling . The only reason I went to school for counseling was because my friend was going and I had nothing ... continue reading -
Integrative treatment: A new approach to treating addiction?
Addiction is a multidimensional process So, what do we really know about addiction? Recent neurological and biological studies have defined addiction as: “a disorder of altered cognition from a psychological and neurological perspective.” But ...
... you leave a lot of suffering people out there to die of this disease. We just can't countenance that. ADDICTION BLOG: Can you tell us how this new integrated approach has been effective in your experience? In what way is ... continue reading -
LGBT addiction recovery and resources
High risks of addiction LGBT health experts agree that discrimination, isolation, and other social pressures increase the risk for LGBT individuals, particularly LGBT youth, to use drugs and alcohol to reduce and cope with stress. In fact, the ...
... clinician and then allow the client to be the teacher. An area that's most impacted by sexual addiction/compulsivity is with individuals who use meth, are sexually compulsive and using GPS enabled apps to find drugs/sex ... continue reading -
Relationship addiction: The symptoms, underlying issues, and their treatment – Interview with Lori Jean Glass
Are you a relationship addict? Codependency, love addiction, and love avoidance are painful disorders. They all stand in the way of our happiness. So, when you have suffered enough, it is time to change. What does change require? Change means ...
... . It is similar to a drunk in a blackout… The fantasy of what I longed for would keep me in. ADDICTION BLOG: So why do we keep seeking the wrong men/women? Are we destined to repeat the same patterns throughout life ... continue reading -
Exercise addiction symptoms: Are you dependent on exercising (in an unhealthy way)?
Regular exercise or compulsion? Regular physical activity plays a crucial role in health maintenance and disease prevention. However, excessive exercise has the potential to have adverse effects on both physical and mental health. While the ...
... a question at the end. We will do our best to provide you with a personal and prompt answer. ADDICTION BLOG: Can you help us first define exercise dependence? DR. HEATHER HAUSENBLAS, PH.D.: May different terms have been ... continue reading -
What is a psychological addiction and how is it treated?
The theory of psychological addiction Psychological addiction is theorized to develop through consistent and frequent exposure to a specific stimulus. Behaviors which can produce observable psychological withdrawal symptoms (i.e. cause psychological ...
... their best interest. That means meeting the patient where they are as opposed to where we would like them to be. ADDICTION BLOG: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? C.A.R.E.: Accept the fact ... continue reading -
Addiction treatment for atheists
Religion and spirituality often play a big part in many addiction treatment programs. While not all treatment programs are affiliated with a religious group, many programs incorporate religion or spirituality into addiction treatment itself. Because ...
... suffering from a substance abuse disorder. An assessment is then done to determine the extent of a person's addiction and decide the best type of treatment. During this time, atheists should make their desires for a non ... continue reading -
Addiction treatment for LGBT
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community are one of the most discriminated against populations in the United States today. Unfortunately, LGBT individuals are also slightly more likely than the general population to abuse drugs ...
... not be as effective as some other types of treatments, and the risk of relapse is often higher. LGBT addiction support groups – Talking with peers who are understanding where you're coming from is a great option for LGBT ... continue reading -
Addiction treatment for Latinos
Latinos and addiction treatment Latinos are one of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the U.S . They are also just as likely or slightly more likely than other ethnic groups to have a substance abuse problem. Unfortunately, they may also be ...
... or detox step is often a difficult one, but it should not be skipped. The majority of Latino drug addiction programs require new clients to be clean and sober before they can enter the programs. This often requires a ... continue reading -
Addiction treatment for minorities
Minority addiction treatment barriers Minorities typically face a number of barriers when entering addiction treatment or trying to complete addiction treatment. Some of these barriers may affect all demographics , while others may be specific to ...
... in your area that offer specific services, such as payment assistance and special language services. Minority addiction questions Finding addiction treatment can be a daunting task. If you or a loved one are ready to go ... continue reading -
Addiction treatment for the deaf
Studies have shown that disabled individuals are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. This holds true for deaf and hard of hearing individuals as well. While part of this can be attributed to the stresses of living with such a disability, ...
... point of view. STEP 4: Treatment aftercare Support and aftercare is an imperative part of deaf drug addiction treatment. Without a strong support system and continued therapy after treatment, a deaf person is much more ... continue reading -
Addiction Treatment in Prison
ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Here, we review basic types of addiction treatment in prisons. Then, we invite your questions about prison addiction treatment at the end. We try to answer all questions personally and promptly. TABLE OF CONTENTS: The Need The ...
... -related offenses, which makes 46 % of all inmates serving time for a drug-related crime. Furthermore, Center on Addiction found that in 2010, of the 2.3 million inmates, 85% were substance-involved: 1.5 million met the ... continue reading -
Addiction treatment for seniors
Seniors and addiction treatment Addiction doesn’t choose gender, race, nationality or age. Today, addiction is a problem that the whole world is facing and everyone form teens to addicted young adults to the elderly are in need of help when ...
... enjoy and less time worrying about their substance use. If you or a loved one need more information on senior addiction, questions are invited in the comment section below. We'll do our best to address your concerns in a ... continue reading -
Addiction treatment for women
Like many things in life, dealing with addiction and approaching addiction treatment is different for varied populations . Studies have shown that it’s more likely for men to drink and do drugs, while women are more likely to develop substance ...
... substance abuse disorder at a routine physical or if she exhibits signs of a substance abuse problem. An addiction specialist can make a positive diagnosis during a more in-depth assessment in which the specialist asks a ... continue reading -
How to pay for addiction treatment
A life free from addiction means a more secure financial future, better relationships, and better physical and mental health. Individuals who pay for addiction treatment rather than trying to quit cold turkey on their own are typically more ...
... known by some as ObamaCare, was signed into law in March of 2010. Under this law, insurance companies that offer addiction treatment coverage are required to do so at a rate no higher and a level no lower than those of ... continue reading -
The Drug, Set, and Setting Model of Addiction (An Intro)
Drug, Set, and Setting: Looking at Substance Use From All Angles Although there is much disagreement about the causes of drug use, one thing is for certain: that substance use is a complicated and multidimensional problem. As addiction theorists ...
... is a useful exercise to do with clients to reduce the harm that they experience from drug use. Both drug addiction and drug harms operate along a spectrum of severity based on the context of the use. To ignore this is ... continue reading -
Addiction treatment for women and children
Women and children and addiction treatment There often comes a time in an addicted mother's life to make a life-changing choice – either get help for her addiction or lose her children. Unfortunately, when it comes to women and children and ...
... women and children, questions and concerns are inevitable. If you or a loved one is a mother struggling with an addiction, we urge you to seek help as soon as possible. However, if you have concerns or want to share your ... continue reading -
How much does addiction counseling cost?
Is addiction counseling expensive? Yes, addiction counseling can be expensive. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. Many addiction treatment facilities will not turn away addicted individuals based on their inability to pay. Additionally, when you ...
... that you choose and how long you receive these services. One study estimated that the average cost of inpatient addiction counseling was around $789 per week, but could run as high as $1,000 or more per week. Outpatient ... continue reading -
Average price of addiction treatment
Many people diagnosed with addiction may avoid treatment altogether because they think they can’t afford it. While the average price of addiction treatment may seem quite high, this doesn’t always mean that you won’t be able to afford it. In ...
... go up. Sliding scale fees – Paying out-of-pocket can greatly affect the total cost of addiction treatment. Many addiction treatment programs and facilities operate with sliding scale fees . This means that a person’s ... continue reading -
How much does addiction treatment cost?
Addiction treatment costs , on average, about $135 per day for outpatient treatment and more than $700 per day for inpatient treatment. There are several ways to reduce the cost of addiction treatment to make it affordable on any budget, however. ...
... be expensive. In fact, it can cost as much as a year of schooling in a private university. For many, addiction treatment costs may seem impossible to cover. In fact, many addicts do not seek treatment because they don’t ... continue reading -
Addiction treatment for men
When it comes to men and rehab, finding a facility that caters specifically to men can be a bit difficult in some areas. The good news, though, is that there are men-only addiction treatment facilities. These types of facilities allow some men to ...
... will question a man about his drug use to get a good idea of the severity of the problem. An addiction treatment care plan can then be developed. 2. Detox A complete detox is usually necessary before entering male drug ... continue reading -
The Benefits of Meditation for Addiction
It Begins with Nervous System Imbalance Imbalance in our nervous system is responsible for a great deal of disease (and dis-ease), digestive problems, high blood pressure, and mood disorders. When we try to regulate how we feel using unhealthy or ...
... the benefits of daily meditation. We'll talk about the research behind the use of meditation in the treatment of addictions . Then, we invite your questions or comments at the end. In fact, we'll try to respond to all ... continue reading -
Dissociation and Association in the Treatment of Addiction
The Relationship Between States of Being In Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), “state” refers to a person's subjective experience of self and the world at a certain time. Positive states include happiness and relaxation; negative states include ...
... when each state is appropriate. The challenge is to choose wisely. NLP Strategies in the Treatment of Addiction There are many NLP strategies to use when managing a person's state. We will discuss four: Dissociation ... continue reading -
11 ways to deal with a narcissistic boss in addiction recovery
By Dr. Louise Stanger LCSW, CIP Trouble in addiction recovery with your boss? You're doing the deal. You are in recovery, working hard, and you've managed to secure a good job. The only problem is you thought working in recovery would be easy. ...
By Dr. Louise Stanger LCSW, CIP Trouble in addiction recovery with your boss? You're doing the deal. You are in recovery, working hard, and you've managed to secure a good job. The only problem is you thought working in ... continue reading -
Addiction recovery ideas for staying on track
Turbulence Ahead It is often times hard to figure out how we have gotten to where we are today. In order to maintain life as is, we must stay on course. In order to change life into what we want it to be, we often must take the storms of life head ...
... ’d like to learn more about this concept, feel free to check out my other articles here on the Addiction Blog. 5. ODOMETER Lastly, the odometer tells you how far you’ve traveled. This is time for reflection, meditation ... continue reading -
Hypnosis for addiction recovery treatment - how to do it?
There’s a lot of skepticism and fear around the practice of hypnosis. I hope here to try to de-stigmatize the practice and explain it a little better. I think that the practice is actually healthy for the mind of an addict! In fact, I consider ...
... shows that it is effective for other chronic pain types as well … so why not the emotional pain that causes addiction? You can create your own hypnosis script. My, my how many there are on the internet! The basic formula ... continue reading -
Teenage and adolescent sleeping problems: The connection to addiction
What Do Parents Need to Know about Sleep Problems and Addictions in Teens? What teenager does not stay up all night chatting or using some social media technology, at least occasionally? Most parents would indicate that their teen child does do this ...
... and substance use problems and how we can help teens. Can treating sleep problems help prevent addiction? Studies have consistently demonstrated that the prevalence of sleep problems is under-reported in teens in ... continue reading -
Getting Better Sleep in Addiction Recovery: SleepPhones PRODUCT REVIEW
ARTICLE SUMMARY: People in early addiction recovery can have sleep problems. While natural sleep aids are best, how might a pair of Bluetooth wireless headphones help? Check our experiences in this product review. TABLE OF CONTENTS: What Are ...
... are fixed to your head, and might even look fashionable to some. How Can SleepPhones Help People In Addiction Recovery? Insomnia is a global problem. According to data from nationwide surveys in Canada and U.S., more ... continue reading -
Addiction Interventionists Online: Are You Breaking Confidentiality?
An Op-Ed Post By Louise A. Stanger Ed.D, LCSW, CDWF , CIP Digital Media Marketing Etiquette Since 1973, I have been a licensed clinician and a proud interventionist. I received my first supervision from Dr. Frank Picard, a contemporary of Vern ...
... Post, Journal of Alcohol Studies, The Sober World, Recovery Campus, DB Resources, Counselor Magazine, Recovery View, Addiction Blog and other media. The San Diego Business Journal listed her as one of the “Top 10 Women ... continue reading -
Living in denial of addiction? A BOOK REVIEW that can help you
The definition of denial Denial is defined as: ……….. “ the refusal or unwillingness to accept something or to accept an unpleasant reality.” Denial applies to many negative manifestations in our lives – from financial issues, to ...
... peek at the tiny spaces most of us are afraid to see. Got questions? If you're looking to grow in your addiction recovery, this is one of the books that may be right for you! Wondering where to find “When Reality Bites”? ... continue reading -
How to help my child with addiction
Even teens are children. And when your child needs help with an alcohol or drug problem, you’ll probably need professional help. So, what can you do to help a teenager struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues? How can you encourage ...
... be looking for? Here, we take a look at what parents should know about helping teens begin the path to addiction recovery . What should you look for in a therapist, for example? What kinds of qualities best engage teens ... continue reading -
Dating in addiction recovery: Should you or shouldn’t you?
By Justin Bagnato I think there are a lot of great things you hear in early sobriety, especially in 12 step meetings. However, much like organized religion, things are sometimes gravely misinterpreted and taken out of context in some of these ...
... ? Correlation does not always imply causation, and I believe that healthy relationships within the community of addiction recovery are not out of the realm of possibility. This is essentially why I created SomebodySober ... continue reading -
New drug addiction treatment ideas: iPhone apps
Is the iPhone a recovery tool? Well, it can be. Just like any other piece of software, the iPhone is as helpful to you as it meets your needs. So what are the needs of an addict or alcoholic in recovery? I talked with Dr. David Sack, from Promises ...
... your sponsors 4. Daily inspirational thoughts or words 5. Guided meditations (Audio files) Should addicts buy iPhone apps for addiction? If you use an iPhone app once a week, I’d say that it’s worth your while to invest ... continue reading -
Hypnosis for addiction recovery treatment - does it work?
Hypnosis for addiction. Now we’re talking controversial. Some researchers believe that hypnosis is effective to the degree that participants possess a hypnotic trait…something inborn and akin to your height, body size, hair color, etc. Others ...
... of street drug use. But similar studies have failed to show that hypnotherapy has a greater effect on addiction quit rates than other interventions or no treatment at all. Skeptics credit the placebo effect to explain ... continue reading -
Hypnosis for addiction recovery treatment - what is it?
Hypnosis is defined as a trance-like state of mind. Trance is a natural state and occurs in everyday life. Like when you get absorbed into reading a good book, zoned out when you’re driving, or stare blankly at a television screen. The hypnotic ...
... light … and gaining mastery over them. This is great news for addicts looking to master an addiction. Given that addiction is at base a physical illness with mind-body interactions, hypnotherapy seems a natural fit to re ... continue reading -
NLP Strategies for working with addiction clients: #1 Building Rapport
Trust Does Not Come Easily With Some Clients Rapport is the ability to connect with another person in ways that create trust and understanding. Building rapport can be particularly challenging when working with clients who have addiction issues. ...
... interests. CASE STUDY: HYPOTHETICAL RELUCTANT CLIENT WITH BULIMIA Paula made an appointment to see me, an addictions counselor, because she claims “other counselors don't understand my problems.” Even though she agreed ... continue reading -
Victimhood & Addiction: How to Identify Victim Mentality
By Kayla Scoumis Stuck In Dwelling? “Life is terrible. I've lost everything. I have no one.” “I've done so many horrible things and burned so many bridges.” “Is it even worth it to pursue anything anymore?” “Will I ever amount to ...
... makes you feel and act helpless. This type of thinking is dangerous for everyone, but it is especially dangerous for those in active addiction. Why Do We Assume The Victim Role? The victim role allows those in active ... continue reading -
The Legal Status of Marijuana in the U.S. and Implications for Addiction Treatment
Current Legal Status Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, the use and/or possession of marijuana for any purpose is a federal crime. Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance, meaning that ...
... and nausea. For more information about the dangers of marijuana use, or if you need to seek treatment for marijuana addiction , visit our website or please leave a question at the end of this article. We'll do our best ... continue reading -
Emotional Release in Addiction Recovery: Your Achilles Eel BOOK REVIEW
Negative Emotions List Do you struggle with any of the following?: anger control criticism discouragement emptiness fear frustration guilt humiliation loneliness pessimism rejection self-sabotage shame Guess what? You're human! And the list of ...
... sole purpose of this short self-help manual is to help you achieve emotional release. Any who among us in addiction recovery doesn't need MORE OF THAT? Here's the idea that Mike suggests: in the darkest corners of our ... continue reading -
Correctional Officers at Risk: The link between Stress, Trauma and Addiction
Correctional Officers and Addiction First responders are in the line of fire daily, at constant risk of danger, and as a result, they deal with incredibly high levels stress. Correctional officers are no exception, facing continual threat of harm on ...
... stress and higher risk on the job. It's a cycle Sonny Silva understands all too well. He struggled with addiction to both alcohol and cocaine for 7 of his 32 years as a Massachusetts Corrections Officer. Today, he helps ... continue reading -
Signs of PTSD in teenagers… and how to treat PTSD and addiction
PTSD Isn't Just for Soldiers People often associate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with soldiers in combat. However, there are a number of life circumstances that can lead to the development of PTSD such as witnessing a death or experiencing ...
... get the right type of help. More about what causes PTSD in teenagers, how is it manifested, and the appropriate addiction treatment for teens with PTSD here. At the end, we invite you to post any questions you still have ... continue reading -
3 simple listening skills for anyone in addiction recovery: “Stop. Open. Turn.” BOOK REVIEW
“Listening is the first act of love” Jennifer Austin Leigh, PsyD , is an award winning author, expert on raising teens, withdrawal coach and a benzodiazepine withdrawal survivor herself. Now, she’s focusing on her spiritual work with people, ...
... . Join us here to learn why the book, “Stop. Open. Listen.” should be read not only by people recovering from addiction, but by anyone who can get their hands on it. You can find “Stop. Open. Listen.” on Amazon and add ... continue reading -
Emotions during addiction recovery: A practical exercise
Emotions in addiction recovery Happy, sad, grumpy, excited, nervous, giddy - these are all things we feel at one time or another and none of them are forever. Despite the fact that emotions are transitory, we have this sense that they are permanent ...
... that can help us feel a lot happier more often. So, what can you do to address your emotional state in addiction recovery ? What can you control? And how do you start to feel better? We review here, then we invite your ... continue reading -
A healthy diet in addiction recovery
Nutritious, caloric-ally appropriate meals should be part of the recovery regimen, in order to manage risk factors related to relapse. How can you balance problems with mood, the central nervous system, vital organs, or sleep? We review here. Then, ...
... healthy, positive way. In fact, we invite you to share your tips or experiences about healthy eating in addiction recovery below. We try to respond to all legitimate comments or questions with a personal and prompt reply ... continue reading -
A New, Happy Direction for Neurofeedback for Addictions
By Dr. Jonathan Cowan, Ph.D. New Neurofeedback Training for Addictions A recent blog by Dr. Tamara Roth, Ph.D. which appeared here on Addiction Blog did a nice job of summarizing some of the traditional uses of neurofeedback for addiction treatment ...
... paper which suggests that there is another type of neurofeedback training which may be very helpful for addiction, which was just published by Adolescent Psychiatry . The paper, which is summarized here , demonstrated a ... continue reading -
8 Ways Addiction Counselors can Build Trust with Clients
The importance of building trust As you may have found, when trust and rapport are not established, a client tends to be more guarded and resistant to the counseling process. So, rather than give advice or try to change a client, I believe a ...
... to focus on the goal of finding joy in life. Now we had a place to begin. Get Personalized Addiction Treatment Text Support Receive 24/7 text support right away and at your convenience. There is no obligation to enter ... continue reading -
Addiction Prevention Strategies for the LGBT Community
Can Substance Abuse Be Prevented? Along with unique issues like institutional discrimination, the LGBT community as a whole suffers from higher-than-average rates of substance abuse and addiction. In fact, the rate of substance abuse (including the ...
... family rejection for many, and a lack of safe, drug-free spaces to create staggering levels of addiction and substance abuse. Substance abuse prevention strategies in the LGBT community must go beyond the norm. Education ... continue reading -
Addiction Interventionist Training | Learning How to Pivot
What do Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and I have in Common? I guess you might say “PIVOT” is the name of the game. While the NBA Championship is over and teams are busy resting, recuperating and figuring out who and what the next best strategy ...
... ball in play away from the opposing team and score points. Passing, screening and taking shots are commonplace. An Addiction Inteventionist MUST Pivot Now while I do not portend to be in the same league as Kevin Durant ... continue reading -
Understanding Stress and How It Can Lead to Addiction
Stress Isn't Going Anywhere… Life can be rough. Sometimes, you may wonder if there is any way to cope with an issue that is happening right now. You are not alone. Dealing with stressful situations is part of living that is never going to change. ...
... the stress. The choice is yours. Will you allow stress to overcome all the good in your life and lead to addiction? Will you seek help and learn how to diffuse and manage the stress so you can enjoy your life? Resist the ... continue reading -
How to deal with chronic pain without addiction (BOOK REVIEW)
No medication can reduce chronic pain to zero. So, how can you cope with chronic pain…without the risk of addiction? We’ve found a book that can help. We invite you to continue reading this review to see what topics are covered by “Managing ...
No medication can reduce chronic pain to zero. So, how can you cope with chronic pain…without the risk of addiction? We’ve found a book that can help. We invite you to continue reading this review to see what topics are ... continue reading -
Addiction and mood disorders: What’s the connection?
What’s the connection between addiction and mood disorders? Mental health disorders are far more common among addicts than they are among the general population, and mood disorders specifically very commonly co-occur with substance abuse. ...
... combined effects of substance abuse and the mental health disorder. A co-occurring mood disorder with alcoholism or drug addiction can make treatment a challenge. So what can you do if you or a loved one is exhibiting ... continue reading -
How to help a friend with addiction
How to Help Your Addicted Friend Watching someone you love struggle with addiction is a very difficult experience to endure. Because addiction is an ongoing and chronic disorder, your friend will be enduring the accompanying ups and downs plus the ...
... fact, you could be the best person to help your addicted friend. So, can you help get a friend into addiction treatment or even help someone get sober ? We review here. Then, we invite your questions or comments at the ... continue reading -
How to cope with addiction: 5 steps for surviving a lifequake
By Dr. Howard Samuels, Author of Alive Again: Recovering from Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Are you interested in finding and keeping emotional sobriety in addiction recovery ? Read on for more about getting balance back in your life, with a ...
... wandered the streets of New York’s “Alphabet City” - lost and despondent - gripped by the throes of my heroin addiction. I’ve been dumped. I endured the death of my mother, the deaths of my pets. I’ve struggled to make ... continue reading -
Identifying Addiction
Q: How to identify alcoholism? A: Medical doctors or licensed psychologists diagnose alcoholism. This process usually involves a physical and psychological examination – doctors will usually ask specific questions about their patient's alcohol use ...
... identify alcohol dependence How to identify alcoholic behavior and alcohol problems How to identify alcohol abuse and addiction Who needs alcohol detox? Who needs alcohol rehab? Q: How to identify drug abuse A: There are ... continue reading -
Addressing Emotional Abuse in Addiction Recovery
ARTICLE OVERVIEW: There are people who try to control other people’s actions by behaving in an abusive way. Often, the abuse manifests through humiliation, fear, guilt, or feelings of embarrassment. So, how can we deal with current or past ...
... appear, which further distances you from others, as a difficult personality. How to deal with emotional abuse in addiction recovery You’ll have to take some steps in the healing process in order to deal with emotional ... continue reading -
How Horse Riding Helps Addiction Treatment & Recovery
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Horses can help us develop emotional congruence, good boundaries, responses rather than reaction, perspective, and instinct. More on how to apply this to recovery here. TABLE OF CONTENTS Getting Started A World of Healing 5 Ways ...
... have been, or ought to have been if only someone in my life hadn’t abused substances. 5 Ways Horses Help With Addiction The more time I spent around horses, the more I realized that I was not only learning how to ride, I ... continue reading -
Addiction and Animal Therapy | How a Pet Can Help You Overcome Anything
By Tim Stoddart The Health Benefits Ask any pet owner and they'll likely tell you about the many benefits of pet ownership. But what most people don't know is that there are health benefits to owning pets. We know that dogs can be service animals, ...
... dog or another four-legged friend. The following are a few examples of how a pet can help you overcome addiction or anything else. 1. More exercise and sunshine. When you're feeling depressed, walking your dog may be the ... continue reading -
The Most Common Medications Used in Treatment of Opioid Addiction
STAGE 1: Medications During Detox Addiction treatment begins in earnest during detox. During drug withdrawal and the subsequent stages in recovery, the body needs to remove the substance remaining in the body, to get back to normal. The earliest ...
... these drugs are useful to help during withdrawal treatment, they can also cause dependency (physical), addiction or other serious impacts. Each of these medications need to be accompanied by proper supervision from ... continue reading -
What is Harm Reduction? How is it Different from Traditional Addiction Treatment?
Journey to Harm Reduction: Facilitator and Member Harm Reduction is an alternative treatment approach, and often thought of as radical. Harm Reduction does make some assumptions and operates on a belief system. What are these? In general, Harm ...
... to drugs ; and they are also all in different stages of their motivation to change that relationship. Both addiction and recovery operate on a spectrum. In my group I had people from all over that continuum of use ... continue reading -
How to assess addiction using NLP Strategies
Addiction Assessment in Psychology Neurolinguistic Programming , or NLP, is an approach to communication, self-development, and psychotherapy that targets how people: communicate externally and internally process, store, and recall information alter ...
... how an individual formulates the thoughts and beliefs that help effect and maintain change. So, how is addiction assessed in the NLP system? How can mental health clinicians take a step back from standardized assessments ... continue reading -
What is holistic health? The real goal of addiction recovery
Holistic recovery: Why aren't many addicts getting better over time? Have you ever wondered why long term recovery rates are so low? Have you noticed that many people who do manage to stay clean and sober for an extended period of time never seem ...
... into the questions For over 20 years I have been studying success and human nature as it relates to addiction and recovery. By way of personal experience, I have discovered if I don't keep moving forward I start ... continue reading -
Top 10 questions to ask addiction rehabs (before you go)
Research before choosing By the time you have decided to seek help for substance abuse, you may feel desperate, ready to jump at the first opportunity. Indeed, your health may be in such a drastic state from abusing drugs and alcohol that the need ...
... your needs. So, what types of questions should you consider? We review the best questions to ask of any addiction rehab center here. Then, we invite your questions or comments in the section at the end. Ask questions ... continue reading -
Dealing with multiple addictions: Detour BOOK REVIEW
How can you cope with multiple addictions? Through hard work. And with the support of others. In the book “ Detour “, Marilyn Lancelot uses story telling, fact sharing, and education to help you connect AND get yourself together. Her narrative ...
... in its intent to help others. Marilyn’s goal is for you to find hope and help if you’re struggling with multiple addictions. She lets you know how she did it…and provides you with a map of how you can deal with your own ... continue reading -
Proven benefits of residential addiction recovery
By Ronald D. Jensen, MSW If you're working in rehab: What should you know? My business partner recently posed this question to me in an email, for careful thought of addiction as relating to our staff: What should you know if you are working in ...
... accustomed to in this era. In the end, I used the search words, “trends” and “best practices” in addiction treatment. What I really wanted to know is where the industry is currently going, and what buzzwords we should ... continue reading
AddictionBlog.org is a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers (AAC). We are here 24/7 to help you understand your drug addiction treatment options.