How Addiction Affects the Brain

How Addiction Affects the Brain

Addiction, Drug Information, RecoveryBy Beaches Recovery

?Addiction to drugs or alcohol is a particularly tricky disease to overcome. Not only does it cause a host of physical effects on the user, but how addiction affects the brain is what makes it so destructive. When someone takes a substance such as drugs or alcohol, they alter the chemical composition of the brain.…

teen gets an alcohol intervention

Staging an Alcohol Intervention

Alcohol, Alcohol Addiction, Drug & Alcohol RehabBy Beaches Recovery

When someone you love is struggling with alcohol use disorder, then alcohol intervention is an appropriate action. Statistics on drinking in the United States say that alcohol use disorder has increased by 11 percent. This is due to a number of factors, not least of which is the accessibility of alcohol and its social acceptance.…

woman wonders if what she takes is a gateway drug

Definition of a Gateway Drug

Addiction, Controlled Substances, Prescription DrugsBy Beaches Recovery

If you or a loved one is experimenting with drugs or is struggling with addiction, you may have heard the term ‘gateway drugs.’ Finding the definition of gateway drugs can help you understand how they are connected to addiction. A gateway drug is a substance that, while not necessarily addictive or illegal, has a high…

man suffers from PTSD and substance abuse

PTSD and Substance Abuse

Addiction, Dual Diagnosis, dual diagnosis treatmentBy Beaches Recovery

How are post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD, and substance abuse related to each other? Addiction is a disease that can impact anyone, regardless of race, age, or health. It is common for PTSD and substance abuse to exist side-by-side. When this is the case, individuals are said to have a co-occurring disorder…

woman deals with xanax side effects

Xanax Side Effects

Addiction, Controlled Substances, Drug Information, Prescription DrugsBy Beaches Recovery

Xanax is a prescription medication that is most commonly used to treat anxiety-related disorders. Xanax is also one of the most prescribed medications in the United States. Although Xanax effectively treats symptoms related to generalized anxiety disorders and panic disorders, it is prone to abuse. Xanax addiction has become more prevalent, caused by Xanax’s widespread…

man deals with heroin detox symptoms

Heroin Detox Symptoms

Detox, Drug Addiction, RecoveryBy Beaches Recovery

Heroin detox symptoms can be severe, and their intensity makes it difficult for those struggling with heroin addiction to recover successfully. Heroin addiction creates physical and psychological dependence, meaning that when you stop using heroin after becoming addicted, you can feel physically sick while also dealing with complicated and overwhelming emotional changes. This is because…

group participates in addiction rehab

How Long Does Rehab Last?

Addiction, Rehabilitation, Relapse, Relapse PreventionBy Beaches Recovery

When you decide to seek treatment for substance abuse, one of your first questions might be how long rehab lasts. You might be impatient to overcome your addiction and return to your normal life, or you might be worried about having to take extended absences from your responsibilities. Yet healing from the disease of addiction…

the effects of crystal meth

Crystal Meth Drug Effects

Addiction, Drug Addiction, Recovery, RehabilitationBy Beaches Recovery

You may have heard of the drug crystal meth and wondered how it got its name. Quite simply, it’s because the drug looks like rock crystal. Users of this illicit drug have a variety of slang terms and street names for it. The effects of crystal meth can be intense. As a stimulant, the drug…

woman participates in sober activities

Sober Activities Will Keep You That Way

Addiction, Recovery, Rehabilitation, Sober LivingBy Beaches Recovery

If you are in the process of recovering from substance abuse, a big focus in life will be your sobriety. While getting sober is a considerable achievement, avoiding relapse can also be a big challenge. There are, however, sober activities that you can engage in to maintain your sobriety. Perhaps the best way to maintain…