While alcohol can seem like a legal and safe way to unwind and relieve stress, there is a darker side to alcohol use that hurts many people and families. Alcohol use can be an unhealthy coping method for people dealing with the symptoms of depression. For some people, self-medicating with alcohol spirals into addiction, and…
Teenagers are notorious for always being on their phones, tablets, or other devices. Talking with friends, posting on social media, and playing games can take up a large chunk of their time. But could this habit be hurting them? For some teens, anxiety and social media go hand-in-hand. For others, compulsive use of their…
Because it is legal, easily purchased, and a major part of most social events, alcohol is a substance that can be easily abused or lead to dependency. There are several ways an individual can develop an alcohol use disorder or addiction, from regular consumption to binge drinking. Whatever the case, alcohol use can have a…
Is Heroin a Narcotic by Definition? A narcotic is a drug that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, or induces deep sleep. But narcotics, when misused, can cause a stupor, coma, or convulsions. Another aspect of narcotics is that they are physiologically addictive. This means that upon use, an individual’s brain chemistry…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CMAR’s Clinical Director Featured in The Mighty Denver, CO: Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery’s clinical director Michael Damioli has been featured in a recent article from The Mighty. In their article “Why ‘Harm Reduction’ Could Be a Tool for Managing and Minimizing Drug Addiction,” Damioli offers his perspective on the role of harm…
Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as AA, was the first organization to adopt and publish a 12-step program to treat alcohol addiction. People started using the Alcoholics Anonymous program to get sober, and others took notice. Then, the NJ 12-step program started popping up in other treatment settings. For example, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, and Overeaters…
Drug and alcohol addiction and dependence are serious disorders that affect tens of millions of people worldwide. More than 20 million people suffer from substance use disorders every year in the United States alone. Within the medical and mental health communities, which encompass substance use disorders, the terms “dependence” and “addiction” have often been used…
Deciding to utilize a teen mental health treatment center is a big one. It allows your teen to talk to another person about what is happening to them as well as why. Sometimes parents are not sure what’s happening at all. Yet, you may know how important mental health is. By working with a licensed…
Addiction and mental health are often connected. Depression, anxiety, trauma disorders, and other mental health conditions can drive many people to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, and this dangerous cycle can spiral into an addiction When you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse as well as a co-occurring mental health disorder, reaching…
The potential of having a relapse is always present in the lives of individuals in recovery. It can happen to people who have been sober for years. Having a relapse prevention plan to fall back on can help you deal with that possibility. The presence of a relapse plan should be seen as a sign…