Rehab & Addiction Blog

What Are The 12 Steps? Since Alcoholics Anonymous introduced them in the 1930s, “the 12 Steps” have become virtually inseparable from any discussion of addiction recovery. At least 200 organizations–an “Anonymous” for everything from narcotics to hoarding to pornography–and countless treatment centers employ 12-Step programs for the benefit of their members or patients. Still, many…

Nearly half of all Americans take at least one prescription medication regularly, with more than 23% taking three or more different prescriptions at a time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 3 billion medications are either prescribed or ordered each year. Additionally, the CDC found that the vast majority of emergency…

Benzodiazepine abuse is increasing and can pose serious risks for users. But, what are benzos? Benzodiazepines are a prescription medication that commonly treat conditions such as anxiety disorders. Roughly 5% of Americans are prescribed benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Valium and Ativan and nearly 10% of Americans have abused or become addicted to benzos. Emergency rooms…

Close to 10% of the United States population has experienced some form of a substance abuse problem. Alcohol and drugs are common in communities across the country. Knowing the most commonly abused drugs can help you identify substance abuse issues in yourself or a loved one. In turn, this can help you find appropriate treatment…

Once you have come to terms with your addiction, it is time to get the help that you need. It can be hard to know what to look for in a rehab facility.  What should you look for in a Galveston drug rehab facility? When you look past the polished cabinets and beautiful surroundings, do…

For some, recovery from chronic substance abuse is a straightforward matter of tossing away the bottle, going cold turkey for a few days, and then returning to the old normal life. The former abuser who finds things so simple is the exception, though. Most substance-abuse problems start with a desire to escape the “old normal”…

How close to alcoholism is someone who has an occasional problem with excessive drinking? It’s a relevant question because of the possible implications of the answer. If someone has a habit of binge drinking, they or someone around them need to think about the ramifications of such actions. In far too many cases, the drinker…

Have you ever felt that if you could just express what was bothering you, then you would be able to move forward and heal? If so, then you would benefit greatly from expressive arts therapy. In fact, even if you haven’t thought much about it, expressing your emotions is critical to the healing process. That’s…

Addiction is an isolating disease. It causes people to withdraw from others. In contrast, recovery is a group effort. Support groups are an integral part of an effective aftercare program. During addiction treatment, it can be helpful to hear about the stories of others. Knowing you are not alone can make going through recovery a…

After months of dealing with substance abuse and recovery, you may be up to your ears in sobriety advice. When you still didn’t want to hear it, everyone advised you to cut down or quit. When you began to seriously consider quitting, everyone recommended a different approach. And still, everywhere you turn, people air their…

Houston, Texas is a great place for people to live and work. However, it’s not uncommon for drug addiction to start affecting someone’s life in the process. This article talks about how meth detox can help those who are addicted and provide them with the treatment they need in order to recover from their addiction. …

There’s nothing worse than having friends or family who recognize substance abuse nagging you to change… except for having a little voice in your own head suggesting that the “nags” may have a point. When it seems that everyone you were close to is changing for the worse—because so many people are hinting or saying…