Hi, my name is Dennis and this is my recovery journey. A Frightening Reality My life nine years ago was unmanageable at best: my marriage was barely holding on, I had a broken relationship with my two sons, and to make matters worse I was a full blown alcoholic. Drinking was the one thing I … Continued
The line between heavy drinking and alcoholism can be hard to detect, especially if you are starting to question your own drinking habits. Many people who have experienced consequences like frequent hangovers, blackouts, regretted decisions, interpersonal problems, or even arrests like DUIs, may find themselves asking, “Could I be an alcoholic?” Long before well-known symptoms … Continued
For some of us, we are so familiar with a life centered around drugs and alcohol that we wonder what our life will look like after treatment. In early recovery, it is not uncommon to grieve the loss of active addiction, even though drug and alcohol use had obviously wreaked havoc in our lives. On … Continued
Addiction is much more than a personal ailment; it is an illness that affects the entire family. Although the individual in active addiction faces personal impairment and the physical and psychological consequences of the disease, the addict’s family also undergoes significant dysfunction and impairment as a result of the addict’s behavior. Families cope with addiction … Continued
Studies have shown that women have specific recovery needs that impact which type of treatment, therapy, and aftercare will best prepare them for lifelong sobriety. Understanding what research has uncovered about women in recovery can help you make the best decisions for yourself or loved ones as you consider treatment options and resources. Until the … Continued
There is a significant link between emotions and substance use. Most people start using because of the euphoric or calming feelings that psychoactive drugs can create. People often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with a stressful day, bad news, or to help them feel accepted when they are lonely or socially anxious. For … Continued
Filling The Void In the wake of the opioid addiction crisis, many “pain clinics” have sprung up all over Tennessee to fill the high demand for prescription painkillers. Many of these clinics fail to meet safe and ethical medical standards and supply prescription drugs to anyone capable of paying a high premium for them. … Continued
Making a decision to come to treatment can be challenging. After all, many of us have families, jobs, and responsibilities that have, at times, been the only source of hope and purpose throughout our active addiction. Although we can acknowledge the need for a drastic change in our lives, it can often feel overwhelming to … Continued
Tennessee state leaders have issued a warning to citizens, particularly those struggling with opiate addiction. The underground market for painkillers, which many addicts find themselves entangled in, has recently been flooded with Fentanyl-laced counterfeit opiates being sold as legitimate drugs, leaving many unsuspecting users at perilous risk of overdosing. These fake pills are being purported … Continued
Facing Up A recent US Surgeon General’s report uncovered some staggering facts about the magnitude of America’s drug problem. Several highlights from the report provide surprising context for just how widespread the addiction epidemic has become: In 2016 more people used prescription painkillers than tobacco. The number of people with substance abuse disorders in America … Continued
If you’ve read the newspaper or watched your local news over the last couple of years, you’re surely aware of several heartbreaking stories involving Fentanyl. This synthetic opioid is one of the most potent painkillers available today. Learn more about how Fentanyl addiction is crippling communities and destroying lives across the country, and what steps … Continued
Over time, substance abuse causes chemical changes in the brain, which results in a physical dependence on drugs and alcohol. This cycle is the hallmark of addiction and creates both psychological obsessions and intense physical cravings for substances. Using both heavily and frequently along with the development of a tolerance are often the signals of … Continued
The death toll from heroin overdoses has surpassed the annual rate of gun homicides in the US for the first time. In 2007, gun homicides outnumbered opiate overdoses 5-1, and a shift this drastic is alarming news for public health officials, who are trying to manage the devastating impact of the addiction crisis. The rising … Continued
Everyone has bad days. At some point, we all experience the emotional weight of break-ups, work-related stressors, loss, family quarrels, or the gripping turmoil of uncertainty. For some, however, emotional lows seem to plague everyday life and last much longer that than the typical events that would ordinarily provoke them. For those experiencing depression, feelings … Continued