Excuses for Not Going to Rehab: Debunking Common Myths
Quick Summary Common barriers to entering rehab include beliefs about handling addiction alone, financial concerns, denial about addiction severity, work and family responsibilities, and fear of stigma, but options exist to address each of these concerns. Many insurance plans cover addiction treatment, government-funded programs like Medicaid can provide financial assistance, and both inpatient and outpatient […]
How does addiction affect the brain?
Quick Summary Addiction is a chronic disease that changes both brain structure and function by altering how the brain registers pleasure and disrupting normal drives like learning and motivation. Addictive substances and behaviors flood the nucleus accumbens with dopamine, creating powerful associations that drive compulsive behavior, while the hippocampus stores memories of satisfaction and the […]
The Top 5 Evidence-Based Therapies for Treating Alcohol and Drug Use
Quick Summary Evidence-based therapies for substance use disorders include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) for teens and young adults, motivational enhancement therapy (MET) delivered in one to four sessions, and 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. Most people require at least three months of treatment to significantly change their substance use, and therapy […]
Fentanyl Addiction: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Quick Summary Fentanyl is an opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, classified as a Schedule II controlled substance with high potential for misuse and severe dependence. Signs of fentanyl addiction can include behavioral changes like withdrawing from loved ones and lying about drug use, physical changes such as weight loss and track […]
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your System?
Quick Summary Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approximately 100 times more potent than morphine that can be detected in urine for up to 72 hours, in blood for up to 48 hours, and in hair for up to three months. The drug is frequently mixed into other substances without users’ knowledge, and just two milligrams […]
Are You Living with a Functional Alcoholic? Know the Signs
Quick Summary Functional alcoholics maintain jobs, relationships, and daily responsibilities while having a physical or emotional dependence on alcohol, but this dependence is likely to impact their functionality over time. Over fifteen million people in the US have an alcohol use disorder, and signs include drinking more than moderate levels (more than one drink per […]