While the rehab experience can be transformative for someone with a substance use disorder, recovery must continue after discharge or the risk is high for a return to use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that 40 to 60 percent of people with a substance use disorder experience a recurrence of use after treatment. These figures are similar … Read More
Orlando’s Restaurant Industry Ranks Highly for Substance Use Disorder
People who work in certain high-stress industries are at greater risk of developing a substance use disorder. The risk is even higher in industries that tend to employ younger workers. That being the case, it is no wonder that the accommodation and food service industries historically have the highest rates of illicit drug use. Orlando, the theme park capital of … Read More
Overdose Rates in Florida: A Historical Look
Opioid addiction is a continuing health crisis that is claiming lives daily in the U.S. In 2016 alone, over 46 people died each day due to prescription opioid overdoses. The Kaiser Family Foundation compiles and releases statistics on opioid overdose deaths. One of the U.S. states particularly hard hit by this crisis is Florida. The U.S. Opioid Epidemic The Centers … Read More
World Health Organization Report IDs Alcohol as a Killer
While alcohol use holds a place in many cultures, there is also another side to the substance when misuse leads to an alcohol use disorder. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a detailed report on alcohol misuse and its potentially deadly health consequences. How Much Are We Drinking? The United Nation’s health agency recently released its third in a … Read More
How Telehealth Solutions Bridge Addiction Treatment Gaps
While telehealth solutions are becoming more widely used as a way to deliver healthcare services, some providers are reluctant to embrace them for the delivery of certain addiction treatment services such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued some materials reminding providers that telemedicine can support traditional treatment approaches in several ways. Medication-Assisted … Read More
The Quintessential Guide to Choosing the Right Florida Rehab Facility
If you or any of your loved ones struggle with a substance use disorder, it is time to get help. According to a recent report, over 150,000 Americans lost their lives in 2015 due to drug and alcohol misuse. These figures continue to rise due to the nation’s opioid crisis. While qualified addiction treatment is available, there are also some … Read More
How to Answer “Why Aren’t You Drinking?”
Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all close at hand. Since these holidays usually involve parties where drinking is a factor, you may find yourself in awkward situations where you formerly used alcohol as a social lubricant. To lessen the potential threat to your sobriety, it helps to be prepared. Here are some tips for those new to addiction recovery to … Read More
Cocaine Withdrawal Timeline: What to Expect
When you misuse any harmful substance over a prolonged period, your body and brain can readjust to accommodate the constant presence of the substance. Removing that drug from your system can result in a period of withdrawal, where the body and mind have to adjust once again to abrupt changes. Cocaine is a highly addictive substance that can produce some … Read More
4 Ways to Safely Dispose of Unused Meds in Florida
Opioids and other prescription drugs are commonly misused because they are addictive. A significant number of people, particularly teens and adolescents, who begin using these substances first get their hands on them by raiding a friend or family member’s medicine chest. Even tossing unused meds in the trash may not be enough. If they wind up in the wrong hands, … Read More
How to Observe National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month is observed each September in the U.S. and has arrived once again. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this is an annual opportunity to honor those who are in recovery from mental health and addiction issues. This is a movement that also seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of substance misuse and … Read More