Several terms are used interchangeably when referring to drug or alcohol use, such as “substance use disorder,” “dependency” and “addiction.” But aren’t these all the same thing? Not completely. While there may be functional similarities between these terms — for example they all involve some degree of habitualized substance use — there are some important […]
Clinical Care
Does Chronic Pain Lead to Addiction?
Unless you have ever experienced a serious injury or degenerative disease, it is hard to imagine what it’s like to experience debilitating pain on a daily basis. For 50 million Americans, however, chronic pain is an everyday reality, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Doctors face a difficult dilemma when providing treatment for their […]
Benefits of Inpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment Centers
When taking that first step toward recovery — by making the conscious decision to seek out treatment for a substance use disorder — you must consider your unique recovery needs before deciding what type of treatment setting is right for you. There are plenty to choose from — as of 2020, there are about 16,000 […]
What’s the Difference Between Pain Management and Pain Recovery?
Pain management and pain recovery — aren’t these terms interchangeable? Actually, they have two very different meanings. For people who deal with chronic pain and are also in recovery from substance use disorder, knowing that distinction can be lifesaving. Pain always has a negative impact. The key to mitigating its effects is to gain a […]
What is Polysubstance Abuse?
Substance abuse refers to the use of a substance with the intent of achieving desired effects, such as euphoria, an altered reality, or deep relaxation. Therefore, polysubstance abuse involves the use of more than one substance to experience these effects. Polysubstance abuse is a dangerous activity. It may be undertaken with the desire to achieve […]
What are the Different Types of Therapy for Addiction?
After an individual has developed a psychological, behavioral or physical addiction to a substance, it is incredibly difficult to quit without professional guidance and support. Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that requires participation in various types of therapy to successfully overcome. Substance use disorders are as unique as a person’s fingerprint, with complex […]