Can You Abuse Suboxone?
One of the common arguments against medication assisted therapy, or MAT, is that since methadone and buprenorphine are opioid agonists, they may be abused by the people they are meant to help, or diverted for use as illicit drugs. This is of particular concern when the question is whether the government should fund MAT, whether through clinics or prisons. Methadone [...]
Should Prisoners Get Addiction Medication?
Whether or not prisoners should receive medication assisted treatment, or MAT, while incarcerated is a contentious issue. Critics say that methadone and buprenorphine may be used to get high rather than treat addiction. Methadone in particular creates a liability for the facility, should a prisoner overdose while in custody. Taxpayers also object to the notion of paying for drugs so [...]
How a Victim Mentality Sabotages Addiction Recovery
A victim mentality is the belief that bad things are always happening to you through no fault of your own. You’re just the victim of someone else’s evil intentions, or maybe just the victim of rotten luck. There are many reasons a victim mentality can prevent you from getting help and otherwise sabotage your recovery. First, it has to be [...]
Why is Abstinence Easier than Moderation?
You may have heard some version of St. Augustine’s observation that “To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.” 12-step programs emphasize total abstinence from drugs and alcohol. This focus on abstinence, along with strong social support, may be why 12-step programs are effective for so many people. Abstinence is not only necessary for many recovering addicts, but it’s [...]
Antisocial Personality Disorder and Addiction
While only a small percentage of people with substance use issues have antisocial personality disorder, the vast majority of people with antisocial personality disorder have substance use issues, primarily alcohol. It’s estimated that nine in 10 people with antisocial personality disorder are addicted to something, a far greater percentage than any other mental health issue. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized [...]
Are You at Risk for Smartphone Addiction?
Smartphones are useful for sharing pictures, texting, getting directions, checking email, listening to music, checking Facebook, and, occasionally, having a conversation with someone in another place. The downside is that most of us spend far too much time on our smartphones. Apps and games are designed to be addictive and drive engagement so the platforms can sell more ads. As [...]
Treatment Is Possible For Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana is the third most commonly used drug worldwide, behind tobacco and alcohol. People often don’t take marijuana addiction seriously because it is so familiar, it’s grown rather than synthesized or refined, and its effects are relatively mild compared to other drugs. However, marijuana is a serious problem if you’re addicted to it. It may even require treatment. Just because [...]
Is it Safe to Use Cannabis Oil in Recovery?
Cannabis, especially extracts like CBD oil, are increasingly attracting attention for their therapeutic potential. 20 years ago, assertions like, “I need marijuana for my glaucoma” were typically met with a wink and a nod, but now more and more research supports medical uses for cannabis. Marijuana contains more than 80 psychoactive compounds. The most important of these are THC and [...]
5 Roles Family Members Assume to Cope with Addiction
Addiction doesn’t only affect you. It affects everyone in your life, especially your family. Family members take on surprisingly predictable roles to cope with living with someone who struggles with addiction. These roles may help them get by in the short term, but they often cause problems later on. The enabler. This is usually the spouse or partner. The enabler [...]
Does Narcan Enable Opioid Addiction?
Narcan, or naloxone, is an antidote to opioid overdose. It binds strongly to opioid receptors in the brain, dislodging the opioid drugs. Someone in the midst of an opioid overdose usually comes around within minutes of receiving a dose--or sometimes two--of naloxone. There were an estimated 60,000 deaths from opioid related fatal overdoses in the US in 2017. In an [...]