Drug and alcohol problems can be a tricky issue for human resource managers. Many Americans who misuse illegal drugs and alcohol are employed. For many decades, employers have been trying to detect job seekers and workers who misuse substances by requiring drug tests. Last year, the percentage of US employees testing positive for a drug […]
31
Mar
Mar
Detoxification is not an easy time for patients in early recovery. Many are still seriously struggling with their addiction while experiencing withdrawal symptoms. At Valiant Living Detox and Assessment, the team likes to start the healing process for patients in a slightly different way—not just with medicine. “We have always been interested in redefining detoxification […]
11
Mar
Mar
“Addictions, including substance use disorders (SUDs), are multistep conditions that, by definition, require exposure to an addictive agent. The wide variety of addictive agents encompasses drugs, foods, sex, video gaming, and gambling. Any of these agents may lead to an ‘addicted state’ through neurobiological pathways partially overlapping with those involved in addiction to psychoactive substances,” […]
18
Feb
Feb
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) still defines addiction as “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.” Although Harvard Professor of Psychiatry in the Field of Addiction Medicine John Kelly et al. were skeptical of the “chronic, relapsing” characterization of addiction in their 2019 study, they still […]
11
Feb
Feb
Some people with a substance use disorder (SUD) who consider medical detoxification for the first time tend to focus on the short term: control the physical withdrawal symptoms for a short period of time after which they think they will be fine. They erroneously believe that purging the addictive substance(s) from their body is the […]
Detox, Perspectives
Innovative Transitional Residential Option at Valiant Living Detox and Assessment
21
Jan
Jan
For many people with addiction, the recovery journey begins with detoxification. However, after completing this important first step, there are sometimes questions as to what to do next. A detox may be an essential part of the recovery process, but it’s not a cure. It’s only the start of a potentially much longer process that […]
07
Jan
Jan
Most people are aware that drinking too much alcohol can be detrimental to their health. Many people are aware that excessive and prolonged alcohol misuse can cause liver damage and “alcoholism,” i.e. a severe alcohol use disorder (AUD). If untreated, alcohol addiction can lead to severe symptoms like delirium tremens and death. According to the […]
23
Dec
Dec
An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in just one year, a never-before-seen milestone that US health officials say is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply. Overdose deaths have been rising for more than two decades now, but sharply accelerated in the past two years, according to new data […]
16
Dec
Dec
Everyone has different needs when it comes to treating a severe substance use disorder (SUD), a “treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences,” according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. “People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and […]
29
Oct
Oct
There are many contributing factors to addiction, including genetics, environmental factors, and mental health. However, trauma can be one of the most significant factors in the development of addiction as the person uses drugs and alcohol to cope. Unresolved trauma can lead to numerous negative feelings of shame, guilt, depression, fear, anger, anxiety, and more. […]
