Sometimes, when the going gets tough, all you need is a little help from a friend. A little push in the right direction can be what changes your life or the life of your loved one. Here is one account of such a story from one of our clients who has asked to remain anonymous. It’s hard to see when you’re being rolled into the ER. I can only remember it in pieces. When you first wake up, all you know is that you’re on your back and moving through a hallway, fast. The lights glare at you as … [Read more...] about Sometimes, All You Need is a Friend
The New Outlook Detox Blog
Treating Pain Without Opioids
Fatal Overdoses Climbed to Record High in 2019 There were 70,980 reported deaths from overdoses in 2019, surpassing the peak of 70,699 deaths in 2017, according to preliminary CDC data. The numbers represent a 4.6 percent increase from the previous year. The increase was largely driven by synthetic opioids like illicit fentanyl, though deaths involving methamphetamine and cocaine have been increasing. A substantial portion of those are combination drugs, where fentanyl is being mixed with … [Read more...] about Treating Pain Without Opioids
The Serenity Prayer, Bite-sized
The Serenity Prayer? You mean that thing that addicts say at the end of a meeting? How does that apply to me? Does it apply to me? The authorship of the Serenity Prayer is a matter of debate, and portions have been attributed to the ancient Greeks and to various saints. In its current form, it was used as a part of a sermon in Heath, Massachusetts, by Rev. Reinhold Niebuhr, who was a first-generation German-American and was, with others like him, attempting to figure out what could be done … [Read more...] about The Serenity Prayer, Bite-sized
How Can I Withstand the Discomfort of Withdrawal?
Withdrawal symptoms do cause discomfort, this is true. The long-term benefits of stopping substance abuse greatly outweigh the harm of addiction. The temporary discomfort of withdrawal is minor compared to a lifetime spent bound by the chains of addiction. If you are going through withdrawal, here is how you weather the process. First, it is important that you see the process through to the end. Understanding the nature of addiction is imperative. Two characteristics of addiction are … [Read more...] about How Can I Withstand the Discomfort of Withdrawal?
What is Detox?
Detoxification, or detox, is the process of letting the body remove the drugs in it. Specifically for substance abuse, it refers to the period of time that the body needs to process or metabolize any drugs or alcohol in its system, therefore clearing their toxic influence. Though it sounds straightforward and easy, it’s the first and often the hardest step on the road to recovery. The purpose of detoxification programs is to safely manage the withdrawal symptoms that occur when someone stops … [Read more...] about What is Detox?
How to Know If A Family Member Needs Detox
When it comes to someone you love, whether it’s a parent, child, significant other, or close relative, it’s hard to admit that they may have a problem with alcohol or drugs. Though addiction isn’t hard to spot, it can be hard to admit. Knowing the signs can help you decide if a loved one may need to pursue detox treatment. A person suffering from addiction intensely craves drugs and uses them even after having negative experiences with them. These addictions, whether drug or alcohol-related, … [Read more...] about How to Know If A Family Member Needs Detox