Better Addiction Care Blogs

In 2017, 3.2 million Americans aged 12 and older struggled with methadone addiction, and 3,000 lives were lost to overdose, as per the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Methadone is meant to help with opioid recovery, but without proper supervision, it leads to addiction. This kind of dependence affects both the body and mind, making everyday life feel overwhelming. If you're facing this, you're not alone—help is possible, and recovery is within reach.

1 in every 311 emergency department visits related to prescription misuse involves alprazolam. This highlights the seriousness of Xanax (alprazolam) addiction, which starts when people take more than prescribed or use it without a prescription, leading to abuse. Alprazolam's widespread availability, with over 48 million prescriptions in the United States in 2013, combined with its unique pharmacological properties, creates a perfect storm for misuse, leaving devastated lives and families in its wake.

Ketamine addiction is the dependence on ketamine, a powerful anesthetic often misused for its hallucinogenic effects. Causes of ketamine addiction include recreational use, mental health disorders, or self-medicating for trauma or depression.

If you or someone you know struggles with fentanyl addiction, you’re not alone in facing a powerful and dangerous challenge. Fentanyl addiction is an addictive behavior to overuse fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. According to NIDA data, illicitly manufactured fentanyl has caused 73,838 overdose deaths in 2022 alone in the United States. This represents a more than 7.5-fold increase in fentanyl-related deaths since 2015, highlighting the unprecedented severity of the current crisis.

Lean addiction is the dependency and addiction on a recreational drug made from prescription-strength cough syrup, often containing codeine and promethazine.The causes of lean addiction include easy access to cough syrup and its misuse to escape stress or anxiety.

To tell if someone is shooting up drugs, look for physical signs like track marks (dark, round bruises along veins), skin infections, abscesses, sudden weight loss, and inappropriate clothing that conceals arms regardless of the weather. Behavioral indicators include increased anxiety and paranoia, failure to meet responsibilities, personality changes, social isolation, and financial problems.

Cocaine use during workouts poses significant dangers, including cardiovascular overload, accelerated muscle glycogen depletion, and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Additionally, the combination of cocaine's stimulant effects and intense physical exertion leads to neurological and systemic risks, jeopardizing both immediate and long-term health.

The difference between being tipsy and drunk lies in the severity of cognitive functioning, coordination, and speech impairments, as well as variations in mood, inhibitions, memory lapses, and risk of harm.

Drug withdrawal occurs when a person who has developed a dependence on a substance abruptly reduces or stops use. It is a natural physiological reaction to the absence of a drug the body has adapted to, creating uncomfortable or even dangerous symptoms.

Drug interactions occur when one drug affects the way another drug works, potentially altering its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. These interactions involve prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or even certain foods and beverages, making awareness necessary for safe medication use.

Those undergoing faith-based treatment could begin their road of recovery by adhering to the AA promises. These promises give people struggling with addiction hope and a sense of transformation.The Twelve Steps approach outlines great emotional, spiritual, and pragmatic achievements that people can reach through consistent sobriety.

A 12-step program helps individuals overcome addiction by following a series of guiding principles focused on self-improvement, accountability, and relapse prevention.

You have probably experienced what it is like to have a mentor. A mentor is always there for you, shares his knowledge, and encourages you to thrive. Maybe your mentor has been your dad, a teacher, or even a supervisor at work.

Five Alcoholics Anonymous tips are being punctual to meetings, maintaining an open mindset, forming supportive connections, sharing experiences openly, and avoiding self-pity throughout the recovery journey. Punctuality builds trust and respect. An open mind fosters healing and growth. Meaningful connections provide essential support and reduce loneliness. Honest sharing and active listening break cycles of denial and shame. Replacing self-pity with purpose shifts focus to empowerment. These strategies enhance the experience of first-timers and lay a strong foundation for successful recovery.

Tramadol was prescribed approximately 15.5 million times in 2021, according to Statista. This widespread use shows how easy access turns into dependence. If you're struggling with tramadol addiction, you're not alone—and recovery is possible with the right support.

Polysubstance addiction presents a profound and urgent challenge that deeply affects your life and those around you, rooted in the simultaneous or sequential use of multiple substances that intensifies the complexity of the disorder. According to Rockhill, K. M.’s 2025 study, "Polysubstance Use Profiles Among the General Adult Population, United States, 2022," the national prevalence of polysubstance use was found to be 20.9% among the general adult population in the United States.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant (antitussive) found in over 120 over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications, including brands like Robitussin and Delsym. It acts on your brain’s cough reflex signals to reduce dry coughs caused by colds, flu, or other conditions.

Differences between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are marked by distinct characteristics and consequences. Alcohol abuse involves harmful drinking patterns that negatively impact various life aspects, while alcohol dependence entails physical and psychological reliance on alcohol.

Drug withdrawal medications play an important role in managing the symptoms associated with substance withdrawal. These medications are designed to ease both physical and psychological symptoms, facilitating a safer and more comfortable detox process.

Drug detox is the first step in overcoming substance addiction, where the body clears itself of harmful toxins. This medically supervised process helps stabilize individuals physically and mentally, preparing them for ongoing addiction treatment and recovery.