Addiction Blog. Insight and Advice
from Our Austin Area Addiction Recovery Experts.

Getting sober and working the 12-Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous has provided me with a life I never believed I could have, or even one that I deserved. I will be forever grateful to the program and the people I have met in meetings, treatment centers, and sober living homes. One of the most important aspects…

Step 10 of the 12-step program focuses on taking personal inventory and, where needed, admitting wrongdoing. The first nine steps of the process prepare the way for step 10 and beyond. Building on this pattern of life is important for maintaining sobriety for the long haul. Taking Inventory Self-evaluation is an important part of recovery….

Trying to decide if your teen is using drugs can be difficult and stressful. Realizing that your child may be going through this struggle can be hard to cope with or understand. Support and guidance is important to provide during this time, even if you feel frustrated or angry.There are six main signs that your…

Even when they do not directly incorporate Christian principles, 12-step addiction recovery programs and other rehab therapies will frequently include thematic elements that have a basis in Christianity. Individuals can go through a drug or alcohol detox and learn coping techniques to keep them away from addictive substances, but research has shown that the most…

Transitions are never easy for anyone. There are different challenges depending on the person. Men specifically struggle in unique ways that cause them to view their life differently as a result. When addiction enters the picture, men often use it as a reason to cover up the challenges they face with the transition. The mind…

What is the Role of Spirituality in the 12 Steps? Addiction is challenging for people who are struggling and their loved ones. It cannot be cured and it also changes the way a person’s brain and body handle things. Addiction is still a big mystery, even with how much is known. The medical disease model…

Alcoholism and drug addiction will put even the most stable individual on an emotional roller coaster. If that individual’s emotions continue to swing wildly when he gets into rehab and recovery and he has not developed mechanisms to work with his emotions, his chances of getting through recovery and living a sober and fulfilling life…

With an epidemic ravaging the country by killing 40 Americans everyday, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released new guidelines directing doctors to simply refrain from prescribing opioids. But if a new drug and study gains ground the health agency might make a change in their guidelines.The Proceedings of the National Academy of…

Unrestrained alcohol abuse and dependency has been something of a family business for a few generations now and it was with a certain sense of purpose that I eagerly took up the flag in my early twenties. I’ve struggled with alcoholism for a decade now and it has completely wrecked my career, my relationships, and…

Clonidine is a medication people take that may be habit-forming if taken too long or in too high of doses for a long period of time. The drug is an antihypertensive. The proper uses of the drug include symptoms of ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, or withdrawal symptoms relating to alcohol or opioid use. The drug has…

If you ask a college student on a typical American campus to name a commonly-abused drug on that campus, you might be surprised to hear that the answer is Adderall. This drug is frequently prescribed to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but college and even many high school students have discovered that it can increase…

More than 12 million people in the United States reported having used prescription painkillers in 2010 for non-medical purposes. Unfortunately, many people eventually turn from prescription painkiller opiates to heroin, also an opiate. There are many side effects both from taking and withdrawing from opiates. Drug replacement therapy is a viable option for many people…

A growing libertarian mindset in the United States is contributing to a greater acceptance of recreational drug use. That mindset, however, also ignores the danger created by certain recreational drugs and the personal and societal problems that can result from recreational drug use. Your political views and your opinions of how the country’s criminal justice…

Having a timeline for withdrawing from Xanax is extremely important. You never want to stop using Xanax “cold turkey.” It is better to get help from a substance use treatment program. Substance abuse treatment programs will monitor your Xanax withdrawal symptoms. Staff and doctors will monitor your vital signs, including your blood pressure, heart rate,…

Percocet is a prescription opiate-based painkiller that combines oxycodone and acetaminophen. The generally-accepted philosophy in the medical community is that patients who are experiencing post-surgical or trauma-induced pain will heal and recover better without pain. This is a sound philosophy, but like all opiate products, Percocet is very addictive. Physicians and pharmacists may counsel their…

When heroin finally leaves the body, mere hours later, withdrawal symptoms can begin. Intense cravings will develop, leading to a very uncomfortable process both psychologically and physiologically. Duration of use tends to affect the tolerance to heroin and the amount of it used. As these levels increase, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms will be….

Meth Addiction Needs Long Term Drug Rehab What can I do to get the meth addiction rehab that I need? When you’re struggling against the ravages of meth addiction, then you know by now how necessary it is that you get the drug rehab that you need. But, it isn’t always as simple as that….

Exercise is often cited as a natural high. Endorphins are released which boost mood, relieve stress and aid in overall health. Individuals affected by drug abuse or addiction benefit from exercise and fitness as a regular practice in their lives of sobriety. Substance abuse takes its toll on mental and physical well being. Exercise can…

Alcoholics and drug addicts can be the best resource to help other addicts to overcome their problems. Experience is a great teacher. No one would wish an addiction experience on another person. People who have experienced drug and alcohol addictions are best suited to understand the highs and lows of a substance addiction, the stresses…

How Does Equine Therapy Help Me with Drug Rehab? What are some ways I can enhance my rehab experience that I might not be thinking of? If you’re thinking about drug rehab, then you know by now that it’s the best option for the millions of Americans who are struggling with drug addiction. But not…