What Substances Can Medication-Assisted Treatment Be Used For?
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications—often in combination with therapy—to treat addiction. Medications like Buprenorphine or Naltrexone help curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms so that people can focus on recovery. Currently, there are medications for both opioid and alcohol use disorder. Naltrexone, for instance, can be used to help with either opioid or […]
Comparing Residential and Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Both residential and outpatient addiction treatment offer quality options for regaining your life and living addiction-free. Multiple factors should be considered when deciding which option best fits your needs and lifestyle. Your decision should ultimately be informed by the advice of a medical professional with a consideration for what will produce positive, long-lasting results. Learn […]
How to Treat Substance Use Disorder
When we talk about substance use compared to substance abuse, we generally discuss the difference between misuse, dependency, and addiction. Alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications are among the most misused and abused substances. In the past, there has been a focus on potential gateway drugs. This term suggests that the use of less dangerous or […]
How Can Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Treat Addiction?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT is a form of psychological treatment pioneered at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. Over the last few decades, CBT for addiction has been understood to be effective in helping people suffering from a substance use disorder start on the road to recovery. If you or someone you care about is […]
What are Partial Hospitalization Programs?
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are a level of care in addiction treatment. These programs offer more intensive treatment than regular outpatient programs, but unlike with residential treatment, you don’t live at the facility while receiving care. PHPs are typically several hours, three to five days a week. They are great for those who may need […]
How Red Ribbon Week Helps Fight Drug Addiction
Since its establishment in 1985, the Red Ribbon Week campaign has focused on awareness and education, advocacy, and providing free resources. Millions of lives have been touched worldwide as schools, families, local, state, and national governments, and more have amplified the messages of Red Ribbon Week, used their resources to disseminate information and education, initiated […]
3 Benefits of a Drug Addiction Recovery Center
The benefits of a drug addiction treatment program for anyone who struggles with addiction are well-documented. From statistics about relapse prevention and long-term outcomes of people in recovery who credit their addiction treatment center with helping save their lives, there is ample cause for gratitude that drug addiction recovery is increasingly available. Breaking down stigma, […]
5 Common Signs of Cocaine Addiction
Although cocaine has been around since the mid-1800s, it is still very much available as a street drug, and about 38 million adults in the US report having used the drug at least once. For most people to overcome this type of addiction, it is often necessary to enroll in a cocaine addiction treatment program. […]
Is There a Difference Between Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon?

Millions of Americans struggle with alcohol dependence, so many resources are needed to help them achieve and maintain long-term recovery. After completing an alcohol addiction treatment program, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Al-Anon can provide ongoing help for those in recovery and their families. The distinction between Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon might not […]
Polysubstance Abuse

Polysubstance abuse occurs when a person becomes dependent on multiple drugs, using two or more substances simultaneously. A person may use numerous drugs to counteract one another, explore new ways of getting high, or just to function throughout the day. Polysubstance abuse can develop if a person no longer feels the drug’s effects and wants […]