Going through detox for any drug is a monumental task, especially when someone’s life is falling apart around them. It is not rare for people who suffer from a substance use disorder to recover and fail to repeat the cycle. Chronic relapse is so common because recovery usually means experiencing the pain of withdrawal symptoms.…
Even after years of synthetic opioids and dangerous new designer drugs, heroin remains one of the most addictive substances known to modern medical science. This highly potent painkiller is derived from the same opium poppy that gave us morphine and other medically useful compounds. But heroin works quickly to hijack the chemical reward system in…
Drinking, like smoking, is a common and deeply entrenched part of our culture today. It can be impossible for people who struggle with addiction to ignore something that is everywhere, cheap, and socially acceptable. Even though alcohol-related deaths like car accidents and domestic violence continue to climb in the United States, it can still be…
Substance use disorders are like any other chronic illness that afflicts the body: treatment is not a cure, requiring long-term work. A person who is in drug addiction recovery is at risk of relapse during treatment, and in fact, this is often a normal part of the process. Other chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer,…