Better Addiction Care Blogs

To recognize a functional alcoholic, look for consistent drinking, isolation, solo alcohol use, increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, defensiveness about drinking, prioritization of alcohol over responsibilities, rationalization of use, physical changes, and memory issues.

For those who rely on Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) to manage motion sickness during travel or daily activities, it's important to understand the serious risks involved when combining this common over-the-counter medication with alcohol. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, combining alcohol with medications like Dramamine significantly increases the risk of dangerous interactions, with timing being crucial since harmful effects occur even when substances aren't taken simultaneously.

To support a friend recovering from alcoholism, use compassionate communication, encourage professional help, practice active listening, set healthy boundaries, and provide consistent encouragement without enabling harmful behavior. Your friend is among 28.9 million Americans who faced Alcohol Use Disorder in 2023—a sobering reminder that this struggle affects millions and that recovery requires tremendous courage.

Medically assisted alcohol rehab combines FDA-approved medications with behavioral therapies and counseling to address both the physiological and psychological aspects of alcohol dependence. You undergo medical detox to mitigate severe withdrawal symptoms, ensuring a safer recovery environment.

Morphine addiction develops when your body becomes dependent after prolonged use, especially for chronic pain. As tolerance builds, you need more of the drug to feel the same relief, leading to addiction. In the U.S., heroin-related overdose deaths, linked to opioids like morphine, rose from 3,036 in 2010 to 15,469 in 2016, then dropped to 5,871 by 2022, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. These numbers reflect the serious impact of opioid addiction across the country.

Sobriety presents a challenging journey filled with obstacles from everyday triggers such as places, people, memories, and media. Words of encouragement provide support and remind individuals that they are not alone in their struggles.

Addiction recovery is a personal journey with challenges and growth. Common questions regarding addiction recovery focus on recognizing addiction, the recovery stages, and how long recovery takes. It involves acknowledging the problem, detoxifying, rehabilitation, and maintaining sobriety.

Substance abuse triggers are situations, emotions, or environments that provoke a strong urge to use drugs or alcohol. They fall into two categories: external triggers and internal triggers. Identifying these triggers is crucial for recovery, as it helps individuals manage cravings and reduce relapse risk. Recognizing both types of triggers supports long-term sobriety.

You are a closet alcoholic if you hide your alcohol addiction from others, consume alcohol in secrecy, and make efforts to conceal your habits from your partner, friends, family, and coworkers. This involves hiding alcohol bottles, drinking alone, or making excuses to leave events early to drink privately.

Alcohol bloating refers to the uncomfortable sensation of fullness and swelling in the abdomen caused by factors such as fluid retention, gastrointestinal disruption, gas accumulation, and fermentation of sugars from alcoholic beverages.

The dangers of mixing Lunesta and alcohol are intensified sedation, respiratory depression, impaired cognitive function, increased risk of accidents, heightened risk of dependency, worsened side effects, overdose, life-threatening complications, reduced effectiveness of treatment, and memory blackouts.

Rubbing alcohol is a solution made from isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol mixed with water. It serves as an antiseptic for cleaning wounds and disinfecting surfaces. This colorless liquid has a sharp, musty odor and finds use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and household cleaning.

Edibles are addictive and lead to cannabis use disorder, particularly with frequent and high-dose consumption. Common signs of edible addiction include cravings and loss of control, increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, neglect of responsibilities, persistent use despite harm, significant time spent using or recovering, and reduced engagement in important activities.

Drugs cost anywhere between a few dollars and thousands per gram, depending on the substance. For example, carfentanil, a highly potent synthetic opioid, costs up to $2,311.8 per gram, while fentanyl prices reach $243.1 per gram. Crack cocaine, another expensive street drug, was priced at $120 per gram in 2020. The cost of methamphetamine varies widely, ranging from $20 to $500 per gram based on quality. These prices highlight the financial burden of addiction and the exploitative nature of the illicit drug trade.

A methadone clinic provides medication-assisted treatment (MAT) using methadone to manage opiate dependence. This treatment reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings, blocks the effects of other opioids, and improves your daily functioning under strict regulations.

When someone reaches a breaking point with addiction, waiting days or weeks for help isn't an option. That’s where 24-hour drug rehabs with same-day admission come in. These facilities are built to respond immediately, offering emergency medical care, rapid intake, and around-the-clock support for individuals in crisis.

Starting addiction treatment is a brave decision, but what happens when the program you chose doesn’t meet your needs? Whether it’s due to a lack of progress, an uncomfortable environment, or missing resources, many individuals find themselves wondering how to transfer from one drug rehab facility to another.

Paying for addiction treatment is a major concern for many individuals and families, but the Affordable Care Act (ACA) makes it possible to access high-quality rehab without facing overwhelming costs. As of the 2024 enrollment period, approximately 21.3 million individuals signed up for health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces, marking a record high in enrollment numbers according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The ACA is a federal law that expanded health insurance options across the country and requires all marketplace plans to include coverage for substance use disorder treatment.

Even the most successful professionals find themselves silently battling addiction behind closed doors. The stress, pressure, and constant demand to perform at the top masks deep struggles with alcohol or drugs, hidden behind boardroom doors and busy schedules.

Inpatient rehab is an important step toward recovery, and insurance helps cover much of the cost. Many health plans include benefits for substance use treatment, including detox and residential care. If you're unsure about your coverage, it's best to contact your provider, who helps you review your policy and understand your options, so you take the next step with confidence.