Taking Responsibility for Addiction

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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

There’s no Sense in Blaming Others for Your Drinking Problem

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We are quick to point fingers in many situations when we make a mistake, when something goes wrong, or when someone ends up hurt. We’ve all been here. How about the time you stopped for coffee in the morning before work and turned around—not looking—and bumped right into someone, spilling a full cup of coffee

Persistent Misconceptions About MDMA

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MDMA, also known as ecstasy, has many myths surrounding it. Although there are aspects of truth in these mountains of fiction, it is important to fully understand exactly what ecstasy is and what it can do. Ecstasy is a psychoactive drug that causes feelings of euphoria, warmth, and love towards others, in addition to warping

Examining the Steps: Step 2

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Step 2 of the Alcoholics Anonymous program is essentially a stage of hope. It is about understanding that you are not alone, and that you don’t have to be miserable and in pain. Step 2 is about believing that a higher power greater than yourself can restore you to sanity and peace. The key point

Court Ordered Rehab for Young People

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Is it possible to force teenagers into rehab for addiction treatment? Of course. But, does it actually help? The percentage of teens who are mandated to attend rehab via the court system varies, but it generally around 60-65%. There are many factors to take into consideration to answer whether it works, and we’ll explore when

Healing the Wounds of Addiction in the Family

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Addiction causes so much more pain than many people realize, as it affects not only the addict but everyone they’re directly involved with, including family and friends. Growing up with parents who struggle with addiction can cause major damage in children, especially when left untreated. Emotional pain can wreak havoc on our lives, and it

Developing a Tolerance to Cocaine

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One of the most addictive and powerful drugs of abuse, a considerable amount of tolerance can build even after a single use. It can also be addictive during the first time using, due to the intense, euphoric high caused by the drug. There are symptoms to look out for when determining whether one has built

Maintaining Sobriety During Alcoholism Recovery

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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

How Family Therapy can get everyone through Addiction

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When addicts are in need of professional help, families are often the ones to push them to seek it, whether it’s convincing them to attend rehab by holding an intervention or offering to pay for it if they agree to attend. What many people may not realize is how the family could benefit from addiction

5 Things You Should Know About Benzo Withdrawal

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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