WHAT IS ADDICTION? The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as a “treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences”. WHAT DOES AN ADDICTION TO…
Q & A with Santé’s Medical Director, Melissa Pennington, D.O. WHY HAVE OVERDOSE DEATHS INCREASED? Drug overdose deaths have increased as deaths from fentanyl escalate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl and other synthetic opioids have had a rapid and dramatic rise; overdose deaths involving these drugs have nearly…
Substance abuse triggers profound changes in your brain. It interferes with normal functions and, perhaps more alarmingly, clouds judgment—one of those risks common to individuals with substance abuse issues is combining substances. Abusing one drug is hazardous enough. The dangers of mixing substances are even more substantial. Medical professionals call this an example of “polydrug”…
Research shows a strong link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction. People who have been through traumatic experiences are more likely to use drugs or alcohol to cope with the pain of PTSD. In turn, those with substance abuse issues are more prone to developing PTSD due to increased trauma exposure. If you or…
For most people struggling with addiction, outpatient rehab is the most attractive option when it comes to professional help. This type of addiction treatment program doesn’t disrupt the lives of its participants much and is often more affordable. However, cases of severe addiction to certain substances—such as alcohol, heroin, or oxycodone—benefit most from an inpatient…
What is the drug detox process? And what does it mean to go through withdrawal? While the definition of withdrawal and detox are often confused, they are two very different, but related concepts. Drug detox is the process of ridding addictive substances from the body. This may require medically-assisted treatment (MAT) to safely manage the…
Substance abuse presents individuals and their families with many challenges. The most important step in addressing those challenges: Admitting there’s a problem. Once done, the focus of your discussion turns to finding the right substance abuse treatment center program for you. Clearly, you want the best rehab in Texas to increase your chances for a…
Addiction is a disease. It doesn’t matter who you are. Addiction can find you or a loved one. However, like most diseases, addiction can be treated. Therefore, you need to think about substance abuse treatment and what it can do for you. With professional help, individuals can successfully heal and recover from dependency on drugs…
Are you one of the many people who have a difficult job with a lot of stress? If so, do you turn to drugs or alcohol to help you with the stress? Addiction among professionals happens often, and when it does, it can impact you in many ways. It can limit your ability to achieve…
The pandemic has changed a lot about daily life. It has layered on the pressure and stress while secluding many people from each other. That makes it very hard for people to overcome the challenges they face with addiction. Managing addiction during pandemic conditions may seem impossible. You may even want to not worry about…