One of the biggest challenges for those in addiction recovery is the limited list of options for the management of acute and chronic pain. While most issues are fully covered by typical over-the-counter medications like NSAIDs and other anti-inflammatory agents, sometimes one requires more substantial medication. This is particularly true when undergoing a serious dental or surgical procedure. Those with a history of substance use, particularly those with opioid use disorders, should not use hydrocodone, oxycodone, or other highly addictive opioid painkillers, which are typically prescribed in these cases. Today, researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine have made massive […]

Addiction and Your Finances Nothing wreaks havoc on your personal finances like addiction. Purchasing ever-increasing amounts of drugs or alcohol is probably the costliest habit you could develop. While in the throes of addiction, money is a means to an end – going into work each day is an instrument to fund drug use. For many people, early recovery is a mixture of excitement and fear. In addiction treatment, you learn how to change your thinking, take charge of your day, and control your life. While focusing on all this inner work, it can be easy to overlook the small day-to-day […]

As you leave treatment and step back into your day-to-day life, it’s tempting to believe that you’ll never struggle with addiction again. You won’t see any old using friends; you won’t even feel tempted to use, ever, even once. While this desire for complete recovery is admirable, it’s important to make sure that you’re not setting unrealistic expectations. You may have heard the 12-Step phrase, “Progress, not perfection.” This is a cornerstone of your recovery for a reason. Unbeknownst to many people, perfectionism is a natural enemy of lasting sobriety – in fact, it’s often the driving factor behind your […]

While recovery promises (and provides us with) a fresh start, it doesn’t shield us from all of the negative aspects of life. At some point, we’ll all experience the loss of someone close to us, whether it’s a friend, spouse, parent, or child. It’s important to know how to cope with the surge of emotions (grief) and challenges that come along with the death of a loved one. Protect your hard-earned recovery by preparing yourself and reacting appropriately when times are hard.   What is Grief? Many people will base their understanding of grief on Swedish psychologist Elizabeth Kübler-Ross’s famous […]

  As you prepare to transition from residential or inpatient addiction treatment back to “the real world,” you may hear people talking about sober living. These communities can be an invaluable asset in early recovery, and the people who have stayed in them cite group support and accountability as major benefits they’ve experienced throughout the process. Read on to learn if a sober living community is right for you.   What is Sober Living? Transitioning from inpatient treatment back to normal life can be one of the most challenging components of early recovery. After putting in so much work and […]

Realizing that your loved one needs help for drug or alcohol abuse is downright scary and overwhelming. And you most likely have no idea where to begin. Take heart: There are a lot of resources to help guide you through the process – and we’re one of them. First, know that there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all addiction treatment, so you’ll need to do your homework. In fact, one of the first steps to helping your loved one is to get educated about addiction and addiction treatment. By doing so, you’ll come to understand that addiction is a chronic, progressive […]