Drug Addiction Treatment 101
Detox vs. rehab: Making the best choice for long-term sobriety
If you’ve identified a need to do something about a drug or an alcohol problem, you’ve got some decisions to make. One of them is deciding on detox vs. rehab — getting on the other side of withdrawal for the substances to which you’re addicted, or enrolling in a program that will go beyond mere…
Read MoreRehab or AA: What’s the best way to get and stay sober?
You’ve identified you have a drinking problem, and you’re ready to do something about it. Now, you’re wondering, what your next step should be: Rehab or AA? More specifically, you’re wondering whether to get help at a drug and alcohol treatment center, or to seek sobriety solely in the rooms of the 12 Step program…
Read MoreCunning, baffling, powerful: Why can’t an alcoholic stop drinking?
Booze flows freely in our society, but not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic. In fact, many people who imbibe, and the vast majority of those who don’t, often see friends, peers and loved ones who struggle with it and ask, “Why can’t an alcoholic stop drinking?” It’s not that simple, but for individuals unfamiliar…
Read MoreWhy can’t an addict stop using drugs? When just quitting isn’t enough
If you follow social media and engage with any news outlets, then stories of addiction inevitably bring out a singular question from a great many people unfamiliar with the disease: Why can’t an addict stop using? From the outside looking in, it seems like a black-and-white solution: Just quit. Reality, however, is much more complex,…
Read MoreWhat is the timeline for benzo withdrawal symptoms?
As with any drug, once you take your last Xanax or Valium — whether you intend to quit for good or you’ve just run out — the clock starts ticking. If you’re abusing it, or even if you’re just physically dependent on it, then you need to know: What is the timeline for benzo withdrawal…
Read MoreHow long does it take for benzo withdrawal symptoms to start?
Do-it-yourself detox from alcohol and drugs is never a picnic, but if you’re asking “how long does it take for benzo withdrawal symptoms to start?,” know this: You’re in for a rough ride that could be life-threatening. Benzos — short for benzodiazepines — “work to calm or sedate a person, by raising the level of…
Read MoreWhat is the timeline for heroin withdrawal symptoms?
Heroin withdrawal is caused by the cessation of the drug’s use after dependence is developed — in laymen’s terms, that means those who have done heroin long enough and repeatedly enough to cause a physical dependence in the body and brain are, shortly after their last use, worriedly wondering “What is the timeline for heroin…
Read MoreHow long does it take for heroin withdrawal symptoms to start?
Heroin addiction is a life-threatening condition that’s often driven by the fear of how excruciating coming off of it can be. In fact, it can be argued that for the vast majority of heroin addicts, asking “how long does it take for heroin withdrawal symptoms to start?’ is the thing that keeps them locked in…
Read MoreWhat is the timeline for alcohol withdrawal symptoms?
If you’re a heavy drinker and decide to quit, then the clock is ticking: What is the timeline for alcohol withdrawal symptoms? It’s important to understand both the nature of those symptoms and when you might begin to experience them — but more importantly, it’s critical that you take into account the severity of them.…
Read MoreHow long does it take for alcohol withdrawal symptoms to start?
You’ve made the decision to stop drinking, but you’re still grappling with your biggest worry: How long does it take for alcohol withdrawal symptoms to start? Withdrawal from any drug, alcohol included, is a cause for concern, because even the most innocuous of substances have such an impact on the brain and body that withdrawal…
Read More