Opiate Drugs and Addiction – Opiates are intoxicating, potentially addictive substances that occur naturally and have painkilling and depressant properties. All opiates are classified as controlled substances in the United States. Opiates Defined Opiates are compounds procured from the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum. They have potent medicinal properties and are used for pain relief, cough suppression, antidiarrheals, and sedation. The three main …

The 5 Stages of Grief and Addiction – The 5 stages of grief were first identified by psychiatrist Elisabeth in 1969, as published in her book On Death and Dying. She contended that people suffering from a terminal illness, as well as those who experience the death of a loved one, go through different stages of emotions until they can reach a …

Cognitive behavioral therapy exercises help individuals address negative thoughts and feelings to overcome addiction. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely used today in addiction treatment. CBT teaches people in recovery how to identify connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions and improve awareness of how they influence recovery. Besides addiction, CBT also treats co-occurring mental health conditions such as the following: …

Types of Anxiety and Addiction – Anxiety is a normal reaction that manifests from the brain’s “fight or flight” response mechanism. For example, people may feel anxious in hazardous situations or before making important decisions. But for some, anxiety is not just a temporary worry – it tends to be pervasive and may increase in intensity over time. As a result, …

Process Addiction vs. Substance Use Disorder – A process addiction, sometimes also referred to as a behavioral addiction, is characterized by compulsive participation in an activity despite the incurrence of adverse consequences. The same is true for substance use disorder, and the main difference is that individuals who are not exposed to intoxicating substances do not experience the physical symptoms of …

You may have suffered from an overdose or know of someone who has. You may not think that occasional drug use will lead to an overdose, but it can happen to anyone who is abusing drugs or alcohol. Being able to identify the signs of overdose can help save a person’s life. Overdoses can occur with all types of drugs, …

Although it is an entirely reasonable human response, anxiety is also an emotional reaction that can cause us to over-examine situations and paralyze us when we encounter critical decisions or fearful circumstances. An anxiety disorder may develop when anxiety continues for a prolonged period and begins to interfere with daily functioning. Anxiety is an unpleasant and sometimes terrifying emotion, and, …

One of the most common questions asked by people considering treatment is “Will I lose my job if I go to rehab?”. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1992 (FMLA) can help protect people in this situation. Understanding FMLA and addiction treatment is critical for any employee battling drug or alcohol dependence. The FMLA can protect both your job …

Addiction vs. habit. Believe it or not, they are something like cousins. A lot in common, but with one key caveat. Humans need order. We thrive more in order than in chaos. Habits can help give us order. Habits are neither good nor bad. It depends on what the habit is. And what it’s used for. Habits begin in the …

At Concord Recovery Center, we offer Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) plans that help patients to manage opiate cravings in the long-term and help them build a new life in sobriety. However, there are many myths and misconceptions about Medication Assisted Treatment that we would like to clear up. In our facility, we use Suboxone, which we consider the safest option …