The opioid epidemic has swept through our nation at an alarming rate. Opioids are drugs that impact the nervous system by blocking pain and creating feelings of euphoria. There are many drugs involved in the opioid epidemic, but because it is inexpensive to purchase and very easy to find, heroin is the most commonly abused…
Summertime: the days are long, skies are blue, and fun is in the air. Summer is a time of socialization full of parties, barbecues, concerts, vacations, and hanging out at the lake, pool, or ocean. For most people, alcohol is a central part of summertime activities. For those in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse,…
A partial hospitalization program (PHP), sometimes referred to as a “day program,” is a mental health and addiction treatment option that falls in between residential and outpatient programs. A PHP provides the structure and intensive approach of an inpatient program but affords patients the ability to return home or a sober living environment for nights…
Mental illness encompasses a broad range of health conditions that affect a person’s emotions, mood, thinking, and behavior to the degree that it negatively impacts their daily functioning. It can be acute, coming on quickly and lasting for a short time, or chronic, where symptoms are long-lasting and persistent. There is clear evidence to support…
Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed the last Monday in May to honor and mourn American military personnel who have died in the line of duty. Memorial Day is widely considered the unofficial start of summer and is often celebrated with picnics, barbecues, and parties involving alcohol and possibly other substances. These social events…
Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. This effort aims to educate the public about the wide-reaching impacts of mental illness and reduce its stigma. Throughout the month, organizations work together to advocate for policies that support people suffering from mental illness and their families. This initiative…
Young adulthood – the period between the ages of 18 and 25 – is a time of great change. During these years, people move out of their parents’ homes and so experience a new level of independence for the first time. For many, these are the college years, but others will join the military or…
Drug abuse and drug addiction are interchangeably referred to as “substance abuse” and “substance addiction.” So, what is the difference between a drug and a substance? At the most fundamental level, all drugs are substances, but not all substances are drugs. At Spokane Falls Recovery, we offer drug addiction treatment for you or a loved…
Though the stigmas surrounding it would have you think differently, addiction is a chronic disease that affects your brain. Substance use disorder can happen to anyone, but you’re more susceptible if you have certain risk factors. You can work as the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and still have a heroin addiction. Likewise, you…
When an individual struggles with substance use disorder, getting professional help is the most successful way to heal and recover. Fortunately, there are several different treatment programs available to cater to the unique needs of each individual in recovery. For instance, an intensive outpatient program or (IOP) for drug and alcohol addiction is one program…