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

Xanax (generic name alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine prescribed for anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, some men take it without a prescription, just to get a quick relaxation effect. Over 100,000 people a year wind up in emergency rooms due to non-medical use of Xanax, often in combination with alcohol or another depressant drug. Even when taken as…

The World Health Organization recently defined a new diagnosis for complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Mental health experts have now summarized the symptoms and issued updated guidelines for clinical assessment and treatment. What Is CPTSD? PTSD is one of the best-known trauma responses. People affected by this disorder suffer overwhelming physical and mental symptoms. But mental health…

Parents Guide For Video Game Addiction. How To Prevent Mental Illness Video Game Addiction, or “gaming disorder,” was recently classified as a disease by the WHO (World Health Organization). It is an impulse control disorder, similar to pathological gambling, which does not involve the use of an intoxicating substance. Most studies indicate that this addiction tends to…

The holidays for many people are a time filled with good times and good memories, a time when families get together to celebrate the season. It’s also a time when addicts find that their struggles with substance abuse are intensified. They often struggle to stay away from people and situations that enabled their addiction. The holiday season…

People who have been diagnosed with ADHD are usually treated with stimulant medication such as Vyvanse or Adderall. These medications are also oftentimes abused by people who want to feel the effects of a stimulant. When this occurs, a prescription drug detox program is necessary for the person to withdraw safely and find healing. What are…

What is the Timeline for a Detoxing from Cocaine? Everyone’s body reacts to the detoxing process differently. Therefore, the detox timeline will depend on several factors, as each case is different. It will depend on factors, such as the length of the addiction and the amount the individual has been abusing. The frequency of drug abuse is…

Xanax is a potent benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety or depression. Although Xanax was designed to be a short-term drug (prescriptions up to six weeks), doctors continue to prescribe Xanax long after its intended use. As a result, you may experience long term side effects of Xanax if you continue to use it….

If you or a loved one has been abusing benzodiazepines for a very long time, it is crucial to know how benzo withdrawals work. Withdrawal happens when a person who is physically dependent on benzos stops taking them. It can cause all sorts of unpleasant and potentially life-threatening symptoms if untreated. What are Common Benzo…

The long-term effects of meth can be incredibly detrimental. Methamphetamine is an incredibly addictive drug that can cause a variety of health problems. Many people end up getting addicted to this drug and have a hard time getting off of it. Addiction is by far one of the worst side effects of meth. The Last…

When you’re first considering professional treatment for substance abuse (or any other mental/behavioral health issue), reviewing the various clinical acronyms can be overwhelming. What the heck is an LCSW? What’s the difference between a CAC and a CAS? And what exactly can you expect from someone calling herself an SAP? No doubt, already struggling with…

Making a complete list of all your addiction triggers is just one part of making an individual relapse prevention plan. If you’re in a 12-Step program, start by revisiting your self-inventory from Step 4. Highlight the factors that had the biggest influence on your turning to—and staying in—substance abuse. Asking Questions When Building a Relapse…

To overcome an addiction to alcohol, clients will need a detox. This process means ending the consumption of alcohol, and it leads to withdrawal symptoms. While this can be an unpleasant experience, the right medical support can make a big difference. Alcohol withdrawal is nothing to be taken lightly. There are a number of health…

When people search for addiction treatment, they have two main options, which are inpatient and outpatient rehab. While both types of rehab have their own benefits, each fits an individual differently. Knowing the differences between inpatient vs outpatient drug rehab can make choosing the right program easier. Inpatient vs Outpatient Drug Rehab –What’s the Difference? The…

As a wife, you have probably already discovered you can’t make your husband stop drinking. Addiction is a powerful disease that often transcends emotions like love and passion. When your man is dealing with the cycle of alcoholism, drinking is his mistress. If your question is, “How can I help my husband stop drinking?”, you’ll…

Heroin’s typically a drug that people make from morphine, which comes from the poppy plant. It’s a potentially deadly substance that quickly hooks its users. A new way of doing the drug is via synthetic heroin abuse. What is it, and how do you get help? What is Synthetic Heroin? Synthetic heroin is a type…

Cocaine is a stimulant that hooks its users by causing a dopamine glut in the brain. Abuse of the substance results in a variety of physical signs. For you, these changes might be gradual. For others, the shocking signs of cocaine abuse can worry them enough to ask you to seek help. How Common is…

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can sneak up on you. One day, you wake up to the shakes and never really thought of yourself as having a drinking problem. Now, you want to quit using. How long does alcohol detox last? Is It Safe to Quit Drinking Cold Turkey? It’s not safe to do it alone. Alcohol…

Benzodiazepines are a prescription medication that commonly treat conditions such as anxiety disorders. Roughly 5% of Americans are prescribed benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, Valium and Ativan and nearly 10% of Americans have abused or become addicted to benzos. Benzodiazepine abuse is increasing and can pose serious risks for users. Emergency rooms are seeing a significant…

Oxycontin, a powerful prescription opiate that is stronger than morphine, is highly addictive. The drug has become a well-known gateway to heroin and the face of the opiate crisis. Oxycontin side effects are extensive, with the most serious of which is its addictive qualities. The drug has led to changes in policies that restrict the…

You may wonder whether alcohol is a depressant or stimulant because it can create both types of intoxicating effects. If you drink, you may experience both stimulating effects and depressant ones. It can be either of these effects that attracts you to alcohol and traps you in the cycle of addiction. Understanding the effect alcohol…

While many times addictions involve physical dependency, the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction must be considered as well. Addictive behavior is just as difficult to treat than physical addictions. Addictive behaviors, like physical addictions, result in changes to your brain chemistry. You can even experience psychological and physical symptoms of withdrawal when you stop…