The Opioid Epidemic is Affecting the Nation’s Youngest and Most Innocent
The nation’s opioid epidemic is affecting everyone, and we mean everyone – even those not yet born. An increasing number of children today are born into families and environments that revolve around an addiction to opioids. These children often grow up in horrible living conditions while being raised by opioid ...
How to Recognize “Sticks and Stones” in Your Home
While many of our blog posts revolve around addiction and recovery, today’s post focuses on another serious problem that takes place in many homes – and that problem is domestic violence. Spectrum Health Systems is well known for its addiction treatment programs, but many don’t realize that we also offer ...
The Next Big Thing: Imodium and Anti-Diarrhea Drugs
Substance abusers who can’t get their hands on opioids are reaching for a drug many people would not expect - diarrhea medicines. Imodium and other anti-diarrhea drugs, which they call the poor man’s methadone, are being abused by those looking for their next high, as well as those in recovery ...
In Recovery? Refrain from Celebrating 4/20
April 20th has long been a day dedicated to marijuana enthusiasts who come together to indulge in the substance. Given the popularity of the day, the celebrations that take place around the city, and the recent legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts, we wanted to remind those on their road to ...
The Next Big Thing: The “New” Drug On The Streets
People in the throes of an addiction are continually seeking their next high, and when the opportunity presents itself, they try something stronger – something that will elevate their high and take them to the next level. And the street market has now supplied them with something new – Carfentanil. ...
It Helps, and It Hurts: Social Media and Addiction Recovery
Alongside many other areas of our lives that have been complexly affected by social media, addiction recovery has been wading through its muddy waters in recent years. Social media has become a huge part of our day-to-day lives: it is where we hear our news, find our information, remain connected ...
Is Addiction a Choice?
It may be valid to say that we always have a choice. We have a choice in what time we wake up in the morning, what we have for breakfast, or whether to take the bus or train to work. Life is full of choices. But when it comes to ...
Airing Addiction: The Many Ways Drugs and Alcohol Can Stop A Promising Career In Its Tracks
Addiction affects everybody. Never is that more apparent than when we hear about the downfall of a talented, well-liked public figure – like your favorite MLB player, for instance. The sports world can be challenging in many ways, and the culture of drugs and alcohol often becomes a slippery slope ...
This Valentine’s Day Say, ‘I Love … Me’
It's Valentine's Day, and love is in the air. Yet February 14th can be tough for a lot of people, especially those in recovery who face a unique set of challenges on this day of celebrating romance. This may come as a surprise beyond the recovery-care community, but addiction experts ...
Financial Ruin: The Cost of Addiction
We've talked about the impact of addiction in terms of lifestyle changes, mental health concerns and family strain. What’s left? When people think of addiction leaving lives in shambles, we think of the families, the physical and mental health of the addict, the environment associated with addiction. In last week’s ...
What is Addiction?
Addiction, or a substance use disorder, is a long term chronic illness of the brain that is much like having asthma or diabetes. It is characterized by a compulsive use of a substance accompanied by negative consequences, and it can affect anyone: rich or poor, male or female, employed or ...
What to Do When Your Loved One Refuses Treatment
When someone you love says no to drug and/or alcohol treatment, feelings of hopelessness, frustration and worry are common and understandable. This type of situation can be extremely scary for friends and family of an individual suffering from a drug or alcohol problem. It's important to comprehend why your loved ...
A Day in the Life at The New England Recovery Center™ Part Two: What to Expect at NERC’s Inpatient Addiction Treatment Program
In follow-up to our overview of the New England Recovery Center (NERC) detox program, we are offering a glimpse into a day in the life at our inpatient addiction treatment program at the Charles J. Faris Recovery Center - where clients typically go after a successful detox. Pursuing treatment for ...
New Year’s Resolutions for Maintaining Sobriety
If you’re in recovery – or currently receiving treatment for an addiction – you’ve already checked the most important and difficult item off your list: taking care of yourself and turning your life around. As we head into 2017, our Vice President of Clinical Development, Dr. Romas Buivydas, offers some ...
Airing Addiction: Demystifying Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
There are many misperceptions surrounding drug addiction and the treatment methods used to help those afflicted. Faulty thinking and misjudgments further contribute to the harmful stigma those who are suffering from the disease face. One that’s received a lot of attention recently is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), an approach to addiction ...
