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An effective treatment plan for clients in addiction recovery meets the multiple needs of a person and addresses the contributing factors of addiction. There is not one single form of treatment that will fit everyone. There are a variety of drugs and alcohol that people may use, and they affect each person differently. One of […]
Substance abuse is often talked about as being associated with the use of caffeine since over 50% of drug and alcohol users also consume high levels of caffeine. The most common form of caffeine use in addiction is coffee, but it can also include energy drinks and teas. When it comes to addiction recovery, there […]
One of the most important aspects of being a mental health professional is knowing how to connect with your clients to give them the best quality of care. Your clients are coming to you for help during a time in their life where it is necessary to have people around them that truly understand them. […]
Combining multiple forms of therapy and treatment often proves beneficial in treating mental health and behavioral issues. Some people need more treatment than just medication and talk therapy. Having alternatives outside of the typical therapeutic options gives your patient the best chance of recovering from addiction and mental health disorders. One such option is experiential […]
Substance use disorders can be an incredibly debilitating disease that can affect anyone. While certain images may come to mind when discussing “addiction,” like an individual stumbling drunk in the morning or looking for the next source of drugs, the reality is that these are highly stigmatized notions, and this disorder can manifest in a […]
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect individuals’ social life, dictating one’s regular daily routines and social outlets. Staying inside and coping with the social and political implications of the virus is incredibly stressful. However, the effects of COVID-19 stretch far beyond just how much an individual can go out or meet up with friends. It […]
There are a wide variety of drugs that affect the body in unique ways. For some, drugs may be used to heighten one’s brain functions to reach a degree of euphoria or hyper-functionality, while others may use them to separate themselves from the stresses of reality by attempting to numb their thoughts and nerves. The […]
Risk-taking behavior can be difficult to witness and engaging in such behavior can seem illogical from the outside. However, there are several reasons an individual may partake in these risky behaviors. For some, these dangerous actions can indicate that either an individual may already have an unhealthy relationship with drugs or alcohol or that they […]
Mental illness can take many different forms, stretching far beyond anxiety and depression and into a plethora of other diagnoses, each of which is important and needs care. Despite how common mental illness can be, it is still a taboo subject that doesn’t get much attention and is often met with antagonistic language, judgment, and […]
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a common therapeutic approach used to help individuals cope with the stresses of daily life. Whether it’s sustaining sobriety or dealing with the sources of anxieties or depression that populate one’s mind, DBT is a personalized approach that can be adapted to each unique situation. While DBT was originally […]
There are many treatment options when it comes to addiction recovery. There’s inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and more, all of which include some form of therapy. One therapeutic option is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Here’s a basic rundown of this therapy, the benefits, and what you can expect in a session. What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy […]
How clients and professionals alike approach addiction and recovery is constantly evolving. The field is continuously exploring new approaches to aid in addiction recovery — whether it be new ways to treat withdrawal symptoms or new strategies to help maintain one’s sobriety. Psychedelic drugs are one of these developing strategies. While their general use and […]
For centuries, temptation has been a concept that we have been taught to avoid. The feeling of being allured by something wrong is inherent in many people; it’s almost as if it is part of human nature People condemn those that fall into temptation. However, acting on these desires in some ways makes you human. […]
The feelings experienced after substance abuse treatment can be a mixed bag. On one hand, you may be excited, optimistic, and hopeful of the future. On the other hand, you may be unsure, scared, and even lonely. Post-treatment, you are experiencing the world through new eyes and separating yourself from old habits and people. These different […]
No matter where you are in your recovery journey, the temptation for a drink can still linger. As you gain more time in sobriety, the opportunity for new social events will come up. It can be especially challenging to navigate these experiences and turn down a drink where alcohol is served. As someone in recovery, […]
The phrase “people aren’t perfect” rings true when everyone makes mistakes in their daily lives. It’s a part of human nature. While many consider mistakes to be negative and believe they should avoid them, some positive outcomes of mistakes can help people learn about themselves. It’s normal to feel frustration when experiencing faults and mistakes. […]
Addiction counselors play an integral role in an individual’s treatment program. Counselors act as another ear, shoulder, and voice clients can lean on during their recovery. But what exactly do counselors do, and what role do they play? Another Ear Addiction counselors act as an additional ear for clients going through treatment. The mark of […]
Cigarettes and addiction recovery tend to go hand in hand. There’s a long-standing culture of smoking cigarettes or using nicotine patches in treatment. The belief is that cigarettes are a lesser evil than the client’s preferred substance. Although cigarettes may not be as life-destroying and harmful as many other addictive substances, nicotine is incredibly habit-forming and should be handled accordingly. So, how […]
With technological advancements and the global pandemic, telemedicine is becoming more and more of a viable treatment option. Telemedicine offers comfort, convenience, connection, and more. But what exactly is telemedicine? What Is Telemedicine? Telemedicine is the act of providing care from a distance using technology. It can be used with any smart device, including phones, tablets, desktop […]
It can be difficult to accurately determine whether one of your clients needs treatment for their substance use disorder. On top of that, it can be challenging to select a facility, assist in the process, and help them navigate their treatment. So, what signs should you look out for, and how do you make the right decision […]
On the journey to recovery, getting there is the easy part. It may have seemed like the biggest hurdle you’ve ever overcome, and it very well might be. However, challenges can start to arise once you begin to manage and live a sober life. During your treatment and the process you’ve been through so far, you’ve developed […]
Red, red wine. It’s easy to develop certain assumptions about it. Widely available and one of the most socially acceptable ways to drink, red wine is unique among other alcoholic beverages. Namely, there are frequent studies touting its benefits. The claims are many: red wine helps circulation. It improves thinking ability. It’s filled with antioxidants. […]
After treatment, it can be odd to be open about your recovery. You may not know how people will react or treat you after you tell them. You may also feel odd not sharing about your recovery. Going through treatment can be an integral moment of your life and part of your personality. Whatever you […]
During your stay in treatment, you likely had the benefit of a clinical structure. Leaving treatment to return to the status quo can be jarring – it’s challenging to manage and adapt to day-to-day life. However, building and implementing a routine can ease your process from treatment into a more “normal” life. However, not all of us benefit from […]
One of the most challenging aspects during and after drug & alcohol addiction treatment is managing your emotions. During addiction treatment, you’re experiencing new feelings, thoughts, and ideas. After treatment, you experience more of the same: you have more freedom, options, and choices to make. There are more stressors and different temptations. How can you manage your emotions after you leave treatment […]
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) strike a balance between inpatient care and intensive outpatient programs. Any program you or your loved ones decide to choose will have a different set of advantages and experiences. So, what is PHP, and what can you or your loved ones expect from this type of program? What Is a Partial […]
When it comes to treating and caring for substance use and addiction, there are many different options. All these programs have distinct advantages and different lengths. But one of the most critical elements for choosing a treatment that meets your needs will be the length: What can you or your loved ones expect from a 6 […]
One of the most challenging factors of long-term recovery might be leaving behind your old life, habits, and relationships. Although not everyone will have to go through this, many will have to separate themselves from past relationships, sometimes for the long run. This separation may be necessary to the recovery process, but it doesn’t make […]
The effects of substance use disorders (SUD) don’t care about gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Case in point: In 2018, an estimated 164.8 million people aged 12 or older in the United States (60.2%) struggled with substance abuse.+ However, many people may wonder if SUDs show up differently in men and women? Are there different signs to look out for? Yes to both. […]
Both prescription stimulants and illegal amphetamines can be highly addictive. These substances can take control of individuals’ lives and become highly disruptive for them and the people surrounding them. However, staying informed gives us a chance to see the problem before it spirals out of control. What Are Amphetamines? Amphetamines are central nervous stimulants. Using amphetamines […]
The road to long-term recovery can seem like walking around half of the earth. It may feel untraversable, lonely, and frightening. However, if you can commit to yourself and your treatment, you can conquer all the trials and tribulations that lay before you Going through the stages of recovery is an exciting time that marks a significant change […]
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) provide clients with the clinical structure and support they need without being monitored around the clock. Our IOP program at The Edge Treatment Center allows our clients to continue working and stay close to friends and family while making strides during their recovery. What’s the Difference Between Intensive Outpatient and Inpatient […]
Medical detoxification is the process of ridding the body of a harmful substance. It’s usually the first step towards recovery. Those going through detox may be administered medications and provided with different types of therapies during this process to help mitigate unpleasant symptoms during withdrawal. Individuals will work with a clinical staff which can include doctors, nurses, therapists, […]
Fish addicted to meth? Seriously? If you’re as extremely online as certain blog writers are, you probably recently came across some variety of that headline in your news feeds. At a glance, it sounds ridiculous – how do fish even get meth? Are they smoking it? Is it a SpongeBob-goes-Breaking Bad kind of thing? Not […]
The death of a parent. A distant father. A new marriage under intense public scrutiny – and even attack. Combined, it’s a handful. Add to it the pressure of being sixth in line to the British throne, and you have a situation that’d likely test anyone. Prince Harry has spoken for several years about his […]
One of the most important parts of recovery is sober living. What happens when it’s not possible? We’re not talking relapses. We’re talking about basic living arrangements. Housing’s expensive pretty much everywhere, and sometimes you might need a roommate to keep a roof over your head. In some cases, this could mean living with a […]
Notice we didn’t say “easy” in the title. Quitting substances is hard work and don’t let anyone tell you different. Deciding to change your life and move forward in a completely different way takes bravery and determination. Making your way through a drug and alcohol treatment center program? That’s hard work, too. It’s probably why […]
Quick: What’s the best thing for a hangover? Drinking heavily the night before. It’s a dumb joke, but an accurate one. For most people, drinking a lot will usually result in them being sorry they did so the next morning. A gross mouth, headache, maybe even a quick call on the porcelain phone adds up […]
On May 10th, 2021, Drew Robinson hit a home run. A newly signed outfielder with the Triple-A league Sacramento River Cats, Robinson got his run in a game against his hometown team, the Las Vegas Aviators. Although the River Cats ended up losing the game 11-10, Robinson’s hit received major news coverage for one remarkable […]
Justin Bieber isn’t that much different than a lot of us. Namely, he did some regrettable, dumb things when he was in his teens. Egging his neighbor’s house, for instance. Or drag racing his Lamborghini. Okay, the second one might be hard for most of us to identify with. But you get the idea: We […]
Relapse. One of the most talked-about and dreaded words in treatment, relapse is the exact situation patients and their friends and family dread when they or a loved one enters treatment. Well, relapse isn’t all that. Sobriety isn’t the end of the journey; it’s a condition that needs maintaining; it’s one of the reasons you […]
Eminem recently celebrated his 13th birthday. You read that right. We’ll explain. Eminem’s not really 13, of course, and his fans know his actual birthday is in October. April 20th marks the day the often-controversial rapper (born Marshall Mathers in 1972) decided to get sober in 2008. Anyone who has ever embarked on the difficult […]
In addition to selling millions of records, Demi Lovato has also developed a career as a successful actress and television personality since making her debut on children’s television nearly 20 years ago. She’s also been remarkably open about her journey through substance abuse, relapses and recovery. First entering a treatment program in 2010, Lovato has […]
Like most of us, Earl Simmons had his struggles. He had successes, too – many of them. Simmons, better known to most as DMX, made his debut with two hit albums released only months apart in the same year. When his fifth album dropped in 2003, DMX became the first (and only) artist to have […]
There is a lot of unnecessary fear and misinformation around medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The truth is, medications like buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, etc. are incredibly effective, safe, and essential components of many people’s long-term addiction recovery. There is a reason that medication-assisted treatment is referred to as the “gold-standard” of addiction treatment. The Edge Treatment Center […]
We work an addiction program, we learn the coping skills of long-term emotional sobriety, we grapple with some of our long-term traumas. If we still struggle with shame in addiction recovery, that’s not a big deal right? Wrong. How internalized blame and guilt can derail our addiction recovery: The Seeds of Addiction While it is […]
How do we find self-love in addiction recovery? It’s a more important question than you might think. Rebuilding self-esteem and self-confidence, creating a life independent of substances, becoming a person that we are proud of—all are essential to prevent relapse and find true emotional sobriety. Ultimately, we have to give ourselves the love and the […]
Many programs and support groups outright forbid romantic relationships in addiction treatment. While we don’t do so at The Edge (we believe that you are an adult and can make your own decisions), we do caution against hurtling into a relationship. Here are some of the main reasons that early addiction recovery is a difficult […]
It would be fair to say that most of the news about addiction is bad. The overdose epidemic worsens daily, mental health overall is increasingly compromised of late, and the incidence of substance use disorder is on the rise everywhere we look. In short, it is high time for some good news. Fortunately, amongst all […]
We have all heard it before: addiction is a family disease. What does that mean for you and your family once your family member is in early recovery? How do you go forward, protecting your loved one’s addiction recovery while healing from the hurts of their addiction? Here are a few of our recommendations: Acknowledge […]
How do we talk about addiction, substance use disorders, and recovery journeys respectfully? What is the appropriate sober etiquette for the words we choose? Why is it important? For one, the way we talk about addiction affects more people than we know. Nearly 50% of households in the United States are directly affected by substance […]
In the treatment industry, we often see claims that 30, 60, or even 90 days are enough to fully treat the issues of substance use disorders. For a few, this may be a workable solution, but that is not a common experience. The truth is that 30-day addiction treatment is not enough in most cases. […]
Gratitude – what is it good for? It turns out, practicing gratitude helps us with significant mental health benefits, improved physical health, and even has a positive impact on addiction recovery journeys. Studies into the full breadth of the benefits of being grateful are still ongoing, but what we do know is very exciting. Mental […]
With all the hubbub around election results, you may have missed a crucial piece of legislation: Oregon just became the first state to decriminalize essentially all drugs. Our Clinical Director, Jeremy Arzt, LMFT, MA, says, “This is an opportunity to see if decriminalization is possible from an American cultural standpoint.” We will be watching Oregon […]
You may have seen headlines recently discussing Dax Shepard’s relapse with opiates after 16 years of sobriety, and more recently, his wife Kristen Bell’s response to it on Ellen (you can find the video here). We are so grateful to sober heroes like Dax Shephard for their transparency and openness around substance use disorders, particularly […]
We have discussed how to support friends in addiction recovery but supporting romantic partners can be much more complex to navigate. Whether you are yourself in recovery or have no experience with the sober community, here are a few of our suggestions: What to Know: Reflect before rushing into a relationship Many in early recovery […]
Supporting a friend recovering from addiction? Here are some pointers on being a positive force in their life while avoiding landmines.
With COVID-19 rates increasing in California and across the nation, restrictions could increase again. We’ve recently discussed the effects of COVID on mental health. To sum up: the country is in a mental health crisis. Those already suffering from addiction and other co-occurring disorders are especially at risk. In short, what the world could use […]
Make sure you’re taking care of your mental health during COVID-19.
Just like there’s a certain loneliness in admitting you’re an addict, there’s a loneliness in admitting you love an addict.
If you’re an addict in recovery, or even if you’re not, odds are you’ve heard it said that it’s unhealthy to simply replace one addiction with another.
Three years after being declared a National Health Emergency, the U.S. battle against opioid addiction epidemic is gaining some traction.
One of the fears that keeps addicts where they are is the fear of a crumbled, nonexistent social life if they truly walk away from using.
It takes time to reach the point of addiction, even longer to admit it and take steps to get sober. And in that time, you built a life around it.
What if you can’t stand traditional meditation? Are there any effective alternatives available?
The research is staggering. 1 in 5 Ivy League students acknowledged using prescription stimulants while studying.
What happens when our obsession with love turns on us? What happens when the pattern of love addiction keeps us sick and miserable?
The sobriety journey is a road paved with complicated intentions. Not only must you learn how to live without numbing yourself with toxic substances- but you also may need to identify and clean up the wreckage your addiction caused to the people in your life.
When a craving happens, it can be powerful, fierce, and unsettling. While you may be able to predict some cravings accurately, others can catch you by complete surprise. Successful recovery requires that you tolerate cravings and learn healthier ways to cope with the distress. The goal isn’t to reduce cravings altogether- the goal is to […]
It’s no secret that America is in the throes of a raging opioid epidemic, and heroin has been on the front lines for most of the devastating carnage. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) annual national survey, just over 900,000 people aged 12 and over used heroin in 2020. Worse, the same survey […]
In 2015, over 15 million American adults (6.2% of the population) had Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcoholism is responsible for nearly 100,000 fatalities each year, and it’s currently the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States. It can be challenging to distinguish the difference between recreational drinking and problematic drinking. Because alcoholism can […]
Recovery is complicated, and if you ask a room full of people how to recover, you will receive a myriad of different responses. The recent explosion of the opioid epidemic has increased our societal awareness of the devastating effects these powerful drugs have on our society. In fact, we’re more keened into treatment options than […]
To All The Children Of Alcoholics, You watched other families with insatiable envy. You studied their ‘perfectly normal’ lives and routines with intense fascination. A thousand times, you asked yourself, why can’t my mom or dad just act that way? Why can’t they just stop?! You fantasized about a distant, new life, one that matched […]
You completed your treatment, and you stayed diligent with your sobriety. You learned to love energy drinks and Martinelli’s, and maybe you picked up kickboxing or crocheting to keep your mind and body occupied. Maybe the alcohol relapse felt like a slap in the face. Maybe it seemed like a total surprise emerging from nowhere. […]
They lie, and they steal, and they cheat, and they pretend there isn’t a problem. They tell you that you’re overreacting. They assure you not to worry. They convince you that they’re going to do better and be better. They stand up a few times. They fall down a thousand times more. You see the […]
Maybe you’ve found the hidden stash of empty bottles. Maybe you’ve witnessed erratic behavior that’s very unlike your partner. Or, maybe you’ve known there’s a problem all along- but that problem has now reached a threshold that you can no longer tolerate. Regardless of the circumstance, It can feel scary and frustrating to confront a […]
Trauma hurts. It hurts with intense ferocity, like the most painful itch that can’t be adequately scratched. Left alone, trauma festers into creating a wild mind of its own, into something bigger and scarier than seemingly manageable. Most people struggling with drug addiction have a history of trauma. While getting sober is the first step […]
20.2 million American adults struggle with a substance use disorder. There’s no doubt that the progression of drug and alcohol addiction can be debilitating for individuals and their loved ones. While Alcoholics Anonymous is often touted as the gold standard for treatment, it’s essential to know the alternatives to AA. After all, everyone has different […]
Introduction to Sublocade Treatment Sublocade is the first, once-monthly extended-release form of buprenorphine designed for subcutaneous injection only.1 It can be a life-changing medication for individuals recovering from opioid use disorders. It is essential for potential patients and their loved ones to learn the nuances of this medication and understand both its benefits and risks. […]
It’s a familiar scenario. You collect a month or two of sobriety, but your mindset feels different from the previous times. Maybe you found an excellent therapist who knows how to challenge your thoughts. Maybe you found the perfect treatment facility, and you’re surrounded by people who are seriously ready for making a change. I’m […]