Our educational articles span several addiction topics including:
Addiction Science | Alcohol and Its Effects | Family Recovery | Mental Health & Addiction | Mindfulness | Opioid Addiction | Peer Support | Psychotherapy | Sociology and Public Health | Treatment and Care | Podcast
Sadly, we work with families at CeDAR in which a marital relationship is no longer sustainable. A Parental Responsibility Evaluation (PRE) is a commonly used resource for those struggling with divorce and planning for co-parenting. Read more about a PRE.
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The best time to make a reliable plan to exit from any potential relapse situation is when you’re clean and sober. Don’t wait to make a plan during a crisis. Definitely don’t make a plan when you’re high on drugs and alcohol. That’s the worst time to be rational and reasonable. Plan to stay sober while you’re already sober. Here's a basic three-step exit plan.
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How many times have you heard someone say they were “afraid of commitment?” This phrase is so common because it is a normal part of the human experience. Explore the dilemma around commitment and its adversary, ambivalence. These patterns are important to address in relationships and recovery. Get the full story here.
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Early recovery is volatile. The beginning usually involves a structured detox before entering a treatment program. Learn some reasons many people need more days of stabilization beyond just medical detoxification from substances. Take a few minutes and read this one.
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Learn about five of the most popular colloquial phrases often heard in 12-Step programs, emphasizing the recovery meanings at hand. These phrases are meant to provide guidance and hope for members, often utilizing a witty sense of humor. Here's a quick read for you.
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Are you pulling your hair out because your family member is struggling to engage in treatment? This article lists some of the most common forms of resistance in the recovery process so you can offer better boundaries in your support of a loved one. Learn about what interference looks like.
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Recent news reports the lawsuit by the State of Oklahoma vs. Johnson & Johnson for liability across the opioid epidemic. It looks a lot like historical rulings against Big Tobacco and the public health ramifications. Why is Big Opioid like Big Tobacco?
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Review some common forms of drug and alcohol testing, and read about the strengths and weaknesses of different tests. Click here to read the full article. This article also connects with our podcast Through the Trees Episode 18 - Trust but Verify.
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It can be very useful to have a greater understanding of empathy, as this trait is so fundamental to our humanity. Read this quick article about the three forms of empathy, as described by psychologist Daniel Goleman, and how each form is different and necessary for fulfilling relationships. Click here.
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It seems counter-intuitive to eat organic food and spend an hour at the gym, only to lose those health benefits at the bar. Taking a closer look at alcohol intake seems very reasonable, especially in the areas of weight loss and daily energy. Read more about the sober curious trend.
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Attachment helps someone feel safe and understood. It creates an experience of grounding, feeling that one can push through pain and hardship while not feeling alone. This article describes how many people are able to recover through positive attachment, and how that attachment can be to a community or organization. Take a minute and read this one.
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Over the past few years, more patients have outreached CeDAR to address problematic or addictive patterns with the drug Kratom. What is this substance which has gathered national attention, specifically regarding regulatory concerns and safety? This article reviews the substance Kratom, how it affects the brain, and implications for someone in recovery. Read the full article.
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How many times have you said, “I’m addicted to my phone!” Have you or a loved one experienced addictive patterns connected to online sites or video games? This article breaks down a few of the different kinds of addictions to technology. Learn the differences between internet, gaming and gambling addictions.
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This article uses the analogy of a game of chess to describe addiction treatment, specifically that of a solid opening, problem-solving and long-term recovery. As a game progresses, just as someone moves further along in recovery, options become more open and less structured. Find out how it works.
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When we use the concept of wanting what someone else has, it can be used to describe the positive defense mechanism of identification. This article links together a classical psychological defense mechanism with a trait that works well in stable recovery. Read the full article.
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One of the most publicized topics in the news today is that of opioid overdose death, especially as it concerns the opioid fentanyl. What actually is fentanyl and how is this drug so dangerous? Learn about the scientific background of fentanyl.
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For someone who feels a lack of attention or love, they sometimes reach out to find love in the wrong places. Another way of saying this is that they want someone to pay attention to them. This feels good and fills an emptiness inside. Why do people in recovery often find this in the wrong places?
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CeDAR is part of the University of Colorado Hospital, which means it also serves as a teaching hospital. What makes healthcare at a teaching hospital unique and how may that affect someone’s treatment with us? Click here to find out.
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We find that of those who report a prior diagnosis of ADHD, only 30-40% score a positive test through our ADHD screens. Discover some of the rationales behind advanced screening tests, especially for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder, during treatment for addiction. Read the full article.
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This article discusses current events regarding insurance reimbursement of addiction treatment. It is useful content if you or a family member are working with your insurance plan to cover addiction treatment. Please read this.
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What makes Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) a clinical condition is the presence of dysfunction. This article reviews some of the data analysis for patients experiencing mild symptoms of depression and whether or not they should consider antidepressant medication. Find out more.
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Psychic determinism is an abstract concept used in certain forms of psychotherapy. It basically means that people make happen what they want to make happen. This article explains one of the most core psychological principles used in dynamic psychotherapy. Read the full article.
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What is going on behind the scenes in treatment? What are some of the common perspectives of clinical therapists as they are working to help others heal? This article raises some of these questions and is useful for anyone seeking treatment.
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Once someone starts to engage in the process of change, they might want to reach out for additional resources. Some of the most appropriate agents of change can be peer support sponsors or therapists. This article is useful if you are searching for a sponsor or therapist and are trying to make a good fit.
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Are you or someone you know looking to relocate amidst experiencing an active addiction? This question is most commonly asked by a peer or family member of the person struggling. How should we break this question down? Find out more.
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This article discusses the pros and cons of increasing the dose of a medication as compared to adding an additional medication. If you are taking medication and feel that you have hit a wall, this article may be for you. Click here to read this short article.
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One of the most predictive factors of someone building a successful recovery is their length of time in treatment. Why are people leaving treatment early? This article is helpful for family members seeking to be supportive of the treatment engagement process.
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How often have you heard someone ask you “What are your goals?” It's one of the most common questions asked by a therapist, especially as someone begins treatment. This question is necessary to help the counselor develop a course of therapy. Do you want to know more?
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This appetite for empathy can sometimes feel overwhelming to loved ones as they feel the need to continuously show empathy for their addicted family member. This can culminate in someone feeling burned out, callous or detached. Discover how this affects everyone involved.
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Bipolar disorder, historically called “manic-depressive,” is a primary mood disorder characterized by robust and often destructive emotional states over different periods of time. The diagnosis is sometimes accurately given and sometimes in error. Find out more about the difference.
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One of the most tragic and scary outcomes for longstanding alcoholism is the development of liver disease. Our livers are naturally durable and have the capacity to heal and regenerate, but there is a breaking point in which permanent damage occurs. Read this article for the necessary details.
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All forms of therapy require action to be effective. Without action, there’s only talking. Talking alone doesn’t change behaviors. True behavior modification is done through repeated action. Read this short article about the value of action in recovery.
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While healthcare entities have a legal obligation to offer coverage for the addictive disorders we encounter, they make complex decisions about the intensity and level of such coverage. They call this process of determining ‘medical necessity.’ Discover how this affects addiction treatment.
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Recovery is highly contingent on the presence of good therapeutic relationships, and many people of different cultural backgrounds often struggle with feeling supported and understood in healthcare. Learn how treatment centers deal with this issue.
Read OnlineDownload PDFPatterns repeat themselves in life, especially with regard to relationships. For anyone who is seeking counseling or therapy for issues involving today’s relationships, we need to start the process by exploring basic patterns of attachment and links to the past. Read this short article to find out how.
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For someone in recovery from addiction, especially that of alcohol, the holiday season can bring them to the brink of relapse. Paying attention to relapse triggers during the holiday season is of utmost importance for someone in any stage of recovery. Learn what to do.
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Have you or your loved one experienced significantly traumatic events in the past? Do you believe that working through these experiences may be an important aspect of your overall recovery? Find out how your answers can affect your treatment.
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As our third installment for articles regarding sleep and insomnia, we are going to review one of the most evidence-based approaches to treating insomnia through a therapy and behavioral intervention. Read the final installment of Sleep.
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Polarized positions seem to be the norm in journalism and culture these days. This applies to some themes of healthcare just as with many other cultural and political topics. Just as the disease of addiction is a spectrum condition, so are the array of therapeutic options for all individuals. Find out what the solution looks like.
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This is part 2 of Sleep. Chronic insomnia is also a very common reported reason for someone relapsing on substances. The stress and agitation from poor sleep eventually wear someone down. What are the causes and what can I do about it? Find out here.
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If someone repeatedly is acting-out during their treatment course, we will constantly push them to start ‘acting-in.’ Acting-in isn’t a form of acting at all – it’s about talking! What gets in the way of someone acting in? Find out how to deal with 'acting out' by 'acting in'. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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I can’t sleep! Can I take something for this? I’ve never really been able to get good sleep. It takes me forever to fall asleep. Drinking helps. Having some basic understanding of the neurochemicals connected to sleep is very useful. Find out more. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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The evolving awareness around alcohol harm reminds us somewhat of how tobacco was perceived through the 19th and early 20th century. We always need to be mindful of how our health knowledge can change. Find out more about the harms of alcohol. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Since their inception one decade ago, electronic cigarettes are used by an estimated 9 million US citizens. It's imperative that consumers understand the risk factors and medical data. Review the research and find out more. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Trust is commonly mentioned in clinical care as one of the principle ingredients by which a therapist helps someone. This is called a ‘therapeutic alliance.’ In many ways, the presence (or absence) of such an alliance will predict the outcomes of someone’s treatment. Read more about trust in treatment. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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When boundaries are poor, people can feel generally unsafe, in that they don’t know what to predict in any given relationship. Many people who struggle with boundaries describe feeling somewhat ‘enveloped’ by others. Read more about boundaries. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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People can have a wide range of past treatment experiences ranging from highly positive to outright destructive and harmful. These past experiences really shape how you move forward (or don’t) in using treatment for your benefit. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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A treatment contract involves many things important to the therapeutic relationship. It also emphasizes the nature of your relationship as a fiduciary clinical relationship built on trust. You trust your therapist, not the other way around. Find out why. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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As boundaries become eroded, it becomes more difficult to trust other people. As trust becomes less and less, a sense of closeness in your life disappears and you feel alone. Your addicted self loves when you're alone. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Addiction is a disease. The most common addiction is alcoholism and about 85% of inpatient rehab patients meet the criteria for this condition. The disease components seem to be the same from addiction to addiction, so these principles are easily transferrable to you if you have a primary opioid addiction or any other addictive process. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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What's waiting for you when you get home? Are you being honest about what's hiding around your house? Being exposed to alcohol and other drugs may trigger the still vulnerable, early-recovery brain before your “smart brain” has had a chance to become stronger.
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Many people enter treatment more due to the expectations of their family than through an internal desire to fully change. They're also the most likely to manipulate the ROIs at opportune times, effectively tying the hands of clinicians. Find out about Release of Information in treatment. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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The 'addicted self' is often more attractive to us than the healthy self, as the fear displayed by the healthy self can sometimes be construed as weakness. Don’t be fooled! The 'healthy self' has your best interest at heart…the addicted self really is invested in continued drug use. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Tobacco use is quite silent. It is a legal addiction and is not associated with significant criminal components. The number of people who seek residential or outpatient treatment for tobacco use disorders pales in comparison to that of other addictions.
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The path of moving from early recovery to long-term recovery involves the concept of 'building.' Recovery Capital is a term used to describe assets helpful in preserving your abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Read about it.
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Often referred to simply as Detox, the process can actually be highly dangerous for some people. If you or a loved one are entering treatment with the requirement of medical detox, it can be helpful to know some basic things about the experience.
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Balanced wellness can seem overwhelming, even for those not in recovery from addiction. Moving away from reactionary behavior and polarized thinking into a more balanced state of being is a primary foundation for recovery. Get started today!
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How well-trained is the therapist in addiction treatment? Can I strike a balance between desire and best interest? Is the therapist naturally-gifted? These are some of the sensible questions to ask yourself (or to outright ask your therapist) for getting the most of your time, money and effort in maximizing therapy.
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The data never seems to be shocking to anyone who smokes. Especially with the effect on children and teenagers, most parents in treatment seem very aware that they are causing harm. That speaks to the severity of tobacco use as an addiction.
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Many people in recovery have some form of financial difficulty caused by addictive consequences including legal issues, losing jobs and, for some, just never having learned how to manage finances in the first place. Learn how to change that.
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Buprenorphine works for treatment retention, preventing opioid use at moderate or higher dose ranges, and preventing death. If you make numerous changes in your life, you can essentially 'earn' your way off Buprenorphine.
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Treatment planning is a large component of what an addiction clinician does with people entering rehab. To ensure the effectiveness of treatment for long-term recovery, it all starts with building a solid treatment plan. Want to know more? LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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For people entering residential treatment, there is a structured process that a clinical team will follow to ask questions to learn about someone. A good team will strike a balance between both being compassionate and professional. Find out why.
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Traumatic events in one’s life can alter your sense of safety, trust in other people, and basic coping. This session will shed light on a very common past which often connects to drug addiction or alcoholism later in life: the impact of trauma.
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Goal-setting is a powerful tool in recovery. Learn why it's important to make your growth goals Specific, Attainable and Measurable (SAM). Get in the habit of using this model and you will be able to identify, reach and track your accomplishments.
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Through criticism and judgment of the addicted family member, the persecutor is able to cope with feelings of guilt and fear that would otherwise seem too overwhelming to that person. Find out how to deal with The Persecutor. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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As a person is struggling with active addiction, it often feels like a crisis for the entire family. The ability to slowly and methodically choose a treatment path is not always feasible. This article emphasizes some of the core traits of reputable addiction treatment centers.
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Many people have difficulty stabilizing on buprenorphine medication. There can be different factors involved in this issue, and these should be addressed with your doctor. Learn the numbers and the things that can interfere with buprenorphine treatment. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Substance misuse and addiction take a toll on our health. Let’s discuss the importance of developing exercise habits in recovery, and the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of having a strong exercise plan.
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Shameful pasts can haunt people their whole lives and lead to the cycle of self-loathing and continued drug use. Find out about successfully walking through shameful concepts without relapsing on your drug of choice.
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In the mid-1980's, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) started developing such guidelines to build more structure to the treatment matching process. Find out which level of care could be recommended for you. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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This is the first of a three-part article on honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness. Learn about effective ways to communicate with your support system, including peers in recovery, supportive family members, 12-step sponsor, life mentors, spiritual leader, or recovery coach.
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By finding the courage to have an open mind, you are opening yourself up to all of the richness that a sober life has to offer. Think of open-mindedness as opening your ears! Try these steps to becoming more open-minded.
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Willingness means doing something out of choice, not because you were forced to do it. It means your mind is more receptive and that you are embracing change intentionally. Check out this, the third part of H.O.W. Communication.
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It is very common for family members of addicted children to fall into the rescuer role for at least some periods of time. In the Drama Triangle, the rescuer is the quintessential enabler. Find out how this person can learn to break the victim-rescuer cycle. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Evidence from the COMBINE study can help you get the most ‘Bang for the Buck’ in terms of addiction recovery care. Find out more about the COMBINE study and use the science to improve your health!
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A big part of recovery from addiction involves taking care of your body. The right combination of nutrition and calories helps you think more clearly, regulates emotional swings, and invites better sleeping patterns. Find out how to get started.
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There are different strategies to clinically manage cravings, some through medication approaches and some through therapy techniques and coping skills. Learn why they deserve our attention in treatment. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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There are higher than average rates of addiction with professional careers. It's very common for them to develop mental health conditions such as depression or substance use disorders. Find out how can you deal with addiction as a licensed professional.
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Recovery culture looks very different from addiction culture. Recovery is about much more than just abstaining from alcohol and other drugs. There is an entire culture of addiction in which many of us find ourselves entangled. Find out where you are.
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Many times people demonstrate patterns in a repetitive fashion but do not have much thought as to how the patterns actually unfold. Start a deeper dialogue and see how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors connect to one another to form consequences. AUDIO AVAILABLE
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The foundational member of the drama triangle is always the victim. Taking the victim position is not an automatic role. Understand what would drive someone to take on a victim role, and review some of the core psychological defense mechanisms. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Think of psychotherapy as a continuum where one side is more structured, guided forms of therapy and the other side is an insight-oriented therapy in which there is less structure. Get the basics of both.
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A person who is consuming alcohol in large quantities repeatedly will have an overgrowth of the brain’s Glutamate system. Find out about the important balance between GABA and Glutamate.
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Interestingly, not all of the work in the field of addiction treatment is focused on helping people get off and stay off drugs. Find out about the different options for harm reduction and why it's effective in the overall fight against addiction. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Through scientific approaches and embracing a chronic disease model, HIV has reached the status of being a manageable chronic disease without necessary lethality. Where are we at in terms of medication-assisted treatment?
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It's not always convenient or comfortable, and yet accountability has proven to be one of the most important ingredients for long-term recovery. Find out why and what you can do to create accountability in your own recovery.
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You are defined by your relationships. Understand this theory and discover patterns among people to learn how the family therapy models of today can help you heal your relationships. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Once you get clean, the power of your mind can be harnessed effectively in recovery from addiction. Review the science behind mindfulness exercises to support what treatment centers have been teaching for years. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Control tends to change from situation to situation. Look at the balance between when one is a victim and embracing when one has responsibility. This is central to addiction recovery as it is to all of behavioral health.
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The brain has the ability to flex and mold based on pressures that can include both drug use and abstinence. Review the science behind brain change and how you can use it to find a new life in recovery.
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Using medication approaches to help prevent relapse on alcohol, help stabilize the brain, and to treat underlying pathology is nothing new. Find out what obstacles typically get in the way of using MAT effectively.
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The benefits of recovery are so remarkable that you won't regret it! But does that mean that you're ready right now? Learn what to acknowledge in yourself to find out where you are in the stages of change. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Learn the three most common barriers to getting addiction treatment. There are options across the spectrum, but not all of them are made easily available. Which one is right for you?
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Building a strong motivation for recovery sets the stage for any treatment that may follow. By understanding these principles of motivational interviewing, you can actually use some of the same tactics as addiction treatment professionals.
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The wise mind structure allows for a person to hold both logical parts and emotional parts concurrently. See how the model of wise mind is sensible and useful for both therapy and mindfulness efforts.
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One of the greatest things you can help bolster for yourself is resiliency. Mindfulness training builds resiliency. Discover the starting points for developing a mindfulness practice to help yourself in recovery.
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Understand some early recovery topics that you need to be aware of in opiate addiction. Sometimes the reasons to quit using develop from having all the information about your disease. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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The seriousness of a bipolar diagnosis can linger with a person throughout treatment. Review some specific parameters for moving forward with a person who is seeking addiction treatment with a dual diagnosis.
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Neuroplasticity involves the brain adapting and growing. Review the feedback loops and implications related to ADHD. This is important information for anyone who's working in early recovery. AUDIO AVAILABLE
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It is common to see a person who is very committed to treating depression, but very disagreeable about having alcoholism. Discover the reality and benefit of creating a more sophisticated healing path for dual diagnosis.
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Treating addiction as a chronic disease makes sense to professionals. This isn't always the case with families. Learn what to expect as a family member trying to deal with your loved one's addiction. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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The economic burden of opioid painkillers includes the workplace, healthcare, and criminal justice costs. When that total goes into the billions of dollars, it's another major reason why the opioid epidemic needs to be resolved.
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To better understand the impact of mindful breathing on the body, we have to start with basic science on the act of breathing itself. Find out why "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
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The notion of trust as a 'have it or don't have it' paradigm is not psychologically accurate. Get deeper into the discussion about the complicated nature of trust in the addiction recovery process - for you and your family.
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Will you end up shooting heroin if you start using prescription opiates? Find out the numbers and what's going on across the country. Look at different studies to get the information you need before it's too late to decide for yourself.
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The science behind PAWS determines what kind of medical treatments and lifestyle adjustments are needed. Discover the history of research in post-acute withdrawal syndrome and tells you why it's important to acknowledge that it exists. AUDIO AVAILABLE
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Getting thrown into a general category of anxiety results in prescriptions for sedative medications. There's a lot more to anxiety than this. Dr. Patrick Fehling gets specific about the kinds of anxiety and your options for treatment.
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Do I stay in control of my drinking? People who recover from addiction are highly accurate and knowledgeable about themselves. Find out why this is one of the most fundamental things to grasp for your recovery. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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What do families actually support? And why do people have ongoing conflicts with their families? Get a quick rundown of the difference between support and enabling so that you can improve the patterns within your family. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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Reusing needles usually becomes necessary during active addiction. What happens when needles are shared even with yourself? Find out why needle education is an effective form of harm reduction.
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Because addictive disorders often are lonely, isolative diseases, attachment disorders can contribute to addiction. Dr. Patrick Fehling challenges you to see how you attach to other people in your life because relationships ARE recovery.
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Though a program might not fit you perfectly, the willingness to try one of them demonstrates true motivation to change. Learn the different types of peer support groups, their positives, and their negatives.
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The clinical control of buprenorphine differentiates it from older opioid treatments like methadone. Review the advantages of using buprenorphine, especially in combination with a therapy and counseling. LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
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These four mindfulness relaxation steps are easy to do quickly and they have the right amount of distraction to stay focused on each body part. Daily practice of these works well in decreasing the effects of stress on your body and mind.
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Early intervention to prevent new instances of addiction from developing is more than just saying "no." Use information and logical strategies to help yourself understand how to strengthen recovery and possibly prevent teen drug use.
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See the numbers so you can learn for yourself where drinking problems develop. Being informed is only part of the solution. Knowing the points where you can find help can save your life. AUDIO AVAILABLE
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Because we see an abundance of people who diagnose themselves as ADHD, Dr. Patrick Fehling is going to explain the necessary details of a clinical ADHD diagnosis. You'll find out what kinds of ADHD are most common, and what treatments are recommended.
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The first day an addict gets clean and sober is the starting point for their recovery milestones. However, rebuilding trust in the family is a process that doesn't always begin on Day 1. Learn what you can do to help yourself, and the ones you love.
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Anxiety and self-sabotage can destroy what you've built. The sandcastle analogy reminds us that all things are impermanent. Understand the difference between natural cycles and deliberate destruction in addiction recovery.
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A chronic disease model of addiction acknowledges that relapse is an inherent part of the disease cycle. Understand some of the logic behind treating relapse as a symptom and not as a moral failure. Protect yourself moving forward.
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Learn more about the very-real acting out of "drinking at someone." This happens more than you might think. It's time we talk frankly about it so that you know what it looks like and what can do when you see it happening - to yourself or someone else.
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Depression is the most common condition to occur with an addiction diagnosis. Find out about the symptoms of depression, different kinds of depression and the variety of effective treatments available. Being informed helps you decide what to do next.
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Once your family member has reached a baseline of sobriety you can begin working on the Four Horsemen of relationships - Criticism, Defensiveness, Stonewalling and Contempt (Resentment). Learn strategies for handling each one.
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