Substance use disorders impact tens of millions of Americans from all walks of life. The current opioid epidemic started in the early 1990s when the pharmaceutical industry began a massive marketing campaign promoting prescription opioids like Oxycontin as being minimally addictive. In addition to opioids prescribed for pain, there has been a significant increase in…
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…
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…
Are you battling an alcohol or substance use disorder (SUD) and suspect you also have a co-occurring disorder? Co-occurring capable treatment options in Spokane Falls, WA, or a city closer to you allow addiction specialists to treat both disorders simultaneously. Simultaneous treatment increases your chances of a successful recovery and long-term abstinence. To learn more,…
Does the use of marijuana or alcohol actually lead to more high-risk problems down the road? It’s a misconception that “experimenting” with these seemingly less harmful drugs is okay. There is no level of drug abuse that is safe. Understanding what entry-level drugs to avoid, however, can help you to make better decisions. Along the…
There is a specific moment that I find myself recalling frequently. It occurred when I was in treatment in Spokane, WA about six years ago. I was on the phone with a loved one and I experienced a moment of clarity. It was clear to me that I had much to learn about recovery. I…
The opioid epidemic kills approximately 80 Americans per day. And at the beginning of 2020, we learned that the death toll for opioid-related deaths in the U.S. was almost 30% higher than originally reported due to documentation errors. The current opioid epidemic affects every section of the population, and people are more likely to become…
A friend of mine recently posted on social media that he was looking for support. He had taken someone in who was struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol, as well as untreated trauma from past physical abuse. This person was living with him temporarily, sleeping on his couch, and was “surviving on morphine, nicotine,…
In the United States, drug addiction has reached the levels of an epidemic. According to the Center on Addiction, 40 million Americans struggle with substance abuse. Some factors that contribute to an addiction to drugs or alcohol include mental health issues, past trauma, and peer pressure. Anyone with an addiction to drugs or alcohol should…