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

What is mindfulness therapy? The 11th step in every 12-step addiction recovery program asks a recovering addict to meditate and engage in mindfulness. This is in order to gain an understanding of the plan that a higher power has established for the addict’s life. Addicts who do not believe in or acknowledge God’s existence or…

Psychological addiction may not given much credence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the “DSM”), but individuals who suffers from these addictions often experience obsessions and withdrawal symptoms that mirror the experiences of substance abusers who are physically and chemically addicted to drugs or alcohol. Addictions to shopping, gambling, sex and the…

The term ‘soft drugs,’ and ‘hard drugs’ are arbitrary terms with little to no clear way criteria. The term ‘hard drug’ has been used to categorize drugs including meth and marijuana. Marijuana is usually the only drug included in ‘soft’ drugs, although some people include nicotine and alcohol in this category for legal status use…

As the use and abuse of opioids continue to rise, you may have questions about this complicated situation. While a variety of different drugs have contributed to the opioid epidemic, addiction to opioids usually begins with prescription drugs like Oxycontin and oxycodone. However, what is the difference between OxyContin and oxycodone? Difference Between OxyContin and…

What is the Role of Equine Therapy in Rehab? The benefits of equine therapy are emotional, physical, and spiritual. They include improved self-esteem and relaxation, along with enhanced concentration and a sense of spiritual grounding. Horses are key players in the mental rehabilitation of many people around the world. Equine-assisted therapy is an umbrella term…

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…

Take a listen to Ashley Lopez of KUT Austin Radio interview our very own Austin Berry.Ashley interviews, Austin Berry, Sierra Castedo (Director of CSR UTAustin), and Ivana Grahovac (Executive Director of Austin Recovery) explain what it’s like to be sober in Austin, Tx. https://kut.org/post/what-its-be-sober-austin-where-alcohol-pretty-much-everywhere

Most addicts and alcoholics have very strong reasons for getting sober. We are faced with the countless consequences of our alcoholic behavior: legal consequences, losing our families, rapidly deteriorating health, ultimatums from friends, families, and employers. While there is an endless list of reasons for addicts and alcoholics to get sober, what motivates them to…

After finally admitting to your addiction, you’re ready to find a place that can help. This is not something to delay, since your health and sometimes your life hang in the balance. When looking for a drug recovery and addiction treatment facility, keep in mind these key factors to make sure you attend the recovery…

You hit the bar, say hi to all your friends, and order a drink.It’s cool, refreshing, and gone before you know it so you order another then settle in for your evening.That alcohol is now traveling through your body, headed toward a very porous small intestine. If you haven’t eaten yet, things are going to…

How can I get help for my drug addiction? If you’re struggling with addiction to drugs, rehab is the best choice to begin your journey to recovery. Where can I get men’s rehab that works for me? Men’s rehab is rehab that’s specifically designed for the needs of men. By focusing on what drug addiction…

The path to recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is not easy. Amidst the cravings and awkward relationships, you may find yourself asking why you continue to put yourself through the difficulties involved in getting sober. Quitting starts to look easy. To get past that block, you need to remind yourself of your motivation for…

Enduring the long term stay for receiving treatment at a residential rehab center can be very trying. At some point you might get impatient and want to get back to your own home, family and life. Most residential rehab programs run from 30 to 90 days. Your counselors will tell you that just as no…

How Long Does Ambien Take To Kick In? Ambien is available in both fast-acting and extended-action formulas, but how long does it take for Ambien to kick in? The effects of fast-acting Ambien will be greatest within 1.5 to 2 hours after it is first ingested. How long does ambien take to work on a…

Eating disorders are frequently assumed to exclusively belong to women, due to mainstream culture and widely accepted stigmatization. The number of men affected by eating disorders is rapidly growing. Also on the rise is co-occurring eating disorders with substance abuse. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), 50% of persons affected by eating disorders…

Humphrey Bogart once quipped, “things are never so bad they can’t be made worse.” Alcoholics and drug addicts who have hit rock bottom belie this sentiment. For them, things have gotten so bad that there is no chance of them ever getting any worse. As horrific as this may seem, when handled properly, hitting rock…

If you are living with a substance abuser or your close friend in an alcoholic or a drug addict, the best thing you can do for him is to convince him to enter a treatment program. Most individuals, however, do not have the skills or resources to deal with alcoholics or drug addicts. In these…

Rehab for addiction is a choice, a decision to put one’s health and life first over an addiction. This does not make it any easier of a choice, however, as substance abuse is difficult to break away from and some people may be in denial about the need for treatment. A casual drinker who is…

Why Do Men Relapse in Recovery? Men struggle in recovery for various reasons. They may struggle to remain sober from alcohol or drugs following relapse. There are many reasons why men relapse in recovery. It has nothing to do with not having the will to stay sober. The fact is, addiction is challenging and recovery…

There are probably as many explanations for marijuana use as there are people who use marijuana. Marijuana use has become more acceptable as the medical establishment has begun to incorporate THC into treatments for various ailments, and a few states have relaxed laws to allow for recreational use of marijuana. The fact remains, however, that…