Cravings are a natural part of recovery. Anyone who’s been addicted has experienced cravings; there’s nothing to be ashamed or worried about. Although cravings may feel awful, if you can stick them out they will decrease in both strength and frequency. All you need to do is wait and stay strong. However, there are some
Scientific experts don’t know exactly why people get hangovers, but they are in the early stages of research to determine prevention techniques and treatment options. We do know the effects of a hangover vary from person to person in intensity and length, and we’ll explore common symptoms and possible causes. People experiencing hangovers
Being a parent of a teenager struggling with addiction is an extremely difficult situation to be in. While many teens simply experiment with alcohol and drugs, some of them end up with problems and addiction. We’ll explore the relationship between a teen addict and their parent(s), and discuss ways to help what might seem like
Many people may ask if sobriety is so easy why failure happens. Relapse rates may be high, with some returning to addiction within a few weeks of recovery. Sobriety is a difficult road which is a daily battle. There is no quick fix or easy answer with individual personalities, situations and determination some of the
The Brain Two systems in the brain work opposite one another: glutamate and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). Glutamate is like a gas pedal which gets things started. GABA slows things down. Benzodiazepines damage GABA receptors so glutamate is free to push the brain into hyperspeed which over-excites the entire body. When GABA receptors are
Xanax (alprazolam) withdrawal symptoms can show up in a short period of time after the medication has worn off. Feelings of being ill and achy may occur, but may also include cold or stomach flu-like symptoms. Withdrawal happens when the body develops a dependency to Xanax, or any other drug, and can take anywhere from
The cycle of addiction has many ups and downs. An alcohol or drug relapse occurs after a person experiences recovery then returns to using their substance of choice. Addiction is a chronic disease, prone to periods of relapse. Triggers and other risk factors may increase the risk of using alcohol or drugs. A relapse is
The keys to avoiding chronic relapsing are a strong support system, planning, and knowledge of the signs of relapse. Remaining drug free can be a struggle, but you don’t have to work through everything on your own. You can rely on friends and family for support, as well as a medical professional or facility. However,
Alcoholics and drug addicts typically go through a common array of emotions in an addiction recovery program. Following the initial period of physical withdrawal, they will experience periods of exhaustion, then elation as they enjoy their first days away from the substances that they have abused. They inevitably hit a period of boredom and fatigue
In their hard rock song, Hurt, the Nine Inch Nails sing the lyric “I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel. I focus on the pain, the only thing that’s real.” This lyric accurately depicts self-harm as a mechanism to cope with numbness and buried pain. If you have adopted this coping mechanism
