Our nation is facing an opioid crisis. Or is it an opiate crisis? If you’ve been reading the news you’ve likely heard about the opioid epidemic, but you might have also heard there’s an opiate epidemic. Obviously, the words ‘opiate’ and ‘opioid’ are similar – but do they mean the same thing? There’s plenty of … Continued
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for pregnant women living with opioid use disorders might at first sound like a risky proposition, but, for many in the addiction treatment industry, it could be just what the doctor ordered. And with nearly 88 infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome every day, health care systems in Kentucky are taking measures to … Continued
Heroin is a deadly and dangerous drug. Even when users want to quit it can be difficult due to the severe detox and withdrawal symptoms that heroin users are likely to experience when they stop using. There’s no question that heroin detox can be an unpleasant experience, but a little knowledge can teach you that … Continued
The United States has an opiate problem. From heroin to codeine-infused cough syrup, opiates are a growing problem that accounts for thousands of deaths and hospital visits annually. One of the toughest opiates to get over is the powerful methadone, which has been prescribed and abused for decades. Let’s learn more about the risks of … Continued
In the U.S., the most common mental illness is anxiety, with more than 40 million people diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. From obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder to generalized anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders like these are conditions that can develop because of biological, genetic, and environmental factors. While millions of people live … Continued
Many people are drawn to meth because of how it makes them feel when they are high. When meth is abused, an increased sense of self-confidence and euphoria come on in a sudden rush that keeps users coming back for more. Because of its addictive properties, it does not take long for someone to go … Continued
Benzodiazepines like Xanax are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. They are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders (e.g. panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder) and sometimes to treat narcolepsy and other sleep-related disorders. Today, more than 40 million American adults have a clinical anxiety disorder, hence why … Continued
There are patients who come through JourneyPure with an addiction to prescription pain medication who say it’s the one drug they couldn’t shake. Michaela S. had abused alcohol, marijuana, even meth. But it was her addiction to opioids that ultimately brought her to treatment at JourneyPure. She described herself as “beaten and broken down,” lying and … Continued
Addiction is a deadly disease that can sneak up on you when you least expect it. One minute you think you have your life under control and the next minute you realize you are lying to everyone, including yourself. You have difficulty managing your work life or even holding down a job and your relationships … Continued
Addiction is a tough disease — both for the person with the problem, as well as their friends and families, who may feel helpless in their ability to keep a loved one out of harm’s way. Though addictions only affect the addict themselves on a physical level, the ripple effects of drug or alcohol abuse … Continued
Walk into the front office of Reform Psychiatry in Smyrna, Tenn., and you‘ll find a waiting room that looks more like the cozy den of the world’s greatest optimist, what with the plush furniture, scores of knickknacks, and a dozen or so pillows, many of them displaying inspirational messages like “Choose happiness.” “It doesn’t look … Continued
At JourneyPure At The River, clients are treated through a variety of treatment methods, or “modalities.” Combining modalities makes a more comprehensive treatment. Addiction affects everyone differently, so combining modalities offers clients the best chance at lasting recovery. One of the most widely used modalities is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. CBT is a psycho-social therapy that … Continued
Dr. Stephen Loyd, Medical Director of JourneyPure’s services in Middle Tennessee, is scheduled to speak at the Nashville Health Care Council’s “LHC Lunch and Learn” event on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. A nationally recognized thought leader and clinician, Dr. Loyd has decades of experience in internal medicine, mental health, and substance abuse services. His background … Continued
It doesn’t take an expert to realize that the transition of any kind can trigger stress. And there’s no bigger transition in life than the transition from childhood to adulthood. Cameron Carpenter, an LPC-MHSP with the Counseling & Relationship Center of Murfreesboro, says that his work with adolescents has shown him that many terms attached … Continued
Branches Counseling Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. launched a grief recovery group to address issues of loss in the community. Led by Marlena Butler, a certified grief recovery specialist and clinical pastoral counselor, the eight-week program helps people work through their grief, embracing the pain rather than avoiding it. “That aim of the group is vastly … Continued
Substance abuse among those aged 50 or older is a growing health problem in the U.S., affecting up to one-fifth of the total senior population. And because of seniors’ unique health issues, as well as a lack of awareness on both the part of the medical community and the public at large, coming up with … Continued
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behavioral treatment used to treat addiction that was developed by Marsha Linehan in the 1980s. DBT was initially developed to treat borderline personality disorder and has proven to be successful in helping clients to manage emotions, regulate suicidal thoughts and ultimately turn … Continued
Married couples know that having a spouse is not always a walk in the park. Of course, most married couples share a strong bond fueled by the love they have for one another, but that does not mean they are immune from adversities in their marriage. They may experience stress related to unemployment or having … Continued
by Kelsey Kirkwood (MA, LADC) and Lynn Moore (MA, LADC), Acres for Life Therapy and Wellness Center (Minnesota) One of the first things counselors are taught in school is the value of individualized treatment planning. Taking into consideration evidenced-based practices and approaches, as well as customizing a plan specific to the individual being treated, is … Continued
A common misconception about entering addiction treatment is that your smartphone will be taken away immediately. This makes sense on its surface since smartphones are many people’s first and most immediate connection to “the outside world,” that place where the addiction started. Smartphones also happen to be pretty “addictive” in and of themselves, pulling the … Continued