A greatly discussed topic in both medicine and psychology is the concept of control and whether or not the loss of it is at the core of addiction. However, it’s difficult to come up with simple answers considering the many aspects of addiction. It's important to first understand the concept of control and human will, addictive behaviors, and substances, and other aspects that circle each ...
How Do We Stop the Social Stigma Towards Opiate Addiction?
The negative misconceptions that surround addiction, drug misuse, and the struggles of those who are dealing with it are all too common in modern day society. The stigma is so prevalent that it carries many negative consequences, especially for those who are too afraid to ask for help for fear of being damagingly labeled. What is Stigma? stig·ma ˈstigmə noun a mark of disgrace ...
Hanna’s Story
“You Are Worth It” is the message that Hanna, 32, of Waco, TX would want to share with anyone who is struggling with substance abuse or addiction. She knows. She’s been there. With an amazing two years of sobriety, Hanna can look back and say that there were times she didn’t believe her life was worth fighting for. But now, after extraordinary success in medication assisted treatment for a ...
Surgeon General Supports Opiate Treatment Programs
The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, has joined thousands of treatment professionals and researchers speaking out in support of opiate treatment programs. Dr. Murthy was appointed to his post in December 2014, and by the latter part of 2015 he was already spreading his message about fighting addiction and preventing the stigma associated with it. He delivered heartfelt remarks at a ...
Passage of CARA: A New Hope for Opiate Recovery
We keep hearing about the opiate epidemic throughout this country, and we wonder how it’s possible to battle such a behemoth monster. Substance abuse treatment professionals who work in opiate recovery centers are excited to report that in February 2016 the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to approve the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). The next step for this ...
Shining a Light on Opioid Addiction
When will we get opioid addiction under control? How can you have any hope for recovery? All we’ve heard for years now is that the number of people addicted to pain pills and heroin has grown to epidemic proportion. Reports continue to show how many more people are dying from opioid addiction today compared to ten or twenty years ago. What words can possibly make a new impact in the fight ...