One of the most challenging parts of recovery, no matter how many days, weeks, or years you have sober, is dealing with cravings and urges to drink or use drugs. Cravings are normal, and the intensity can wax and wane over time. The urge can come on strongly out of...
Addiction recovery is never easy. Overcoming dependence on drugs or alcohol is a huge challenge in the best of circumstances but avoiding relapse can be even more difficult—especially when faced with common relapse triggers throughout day-to-day life. According to...
When psychologists talk about the “neuroplasticity” of the brain, they are referring to the ability of the brain to learn, remember, and adapt to new experiences. Another way to understand neuroplasticity is to think of it as a kind of rewiring of the...
For many individuals, one of the barriers to getting “clean” from drugs or alcohol is the fear that detox will be painful. They wonder if they’ll be in pain while detoxing. Some convince themselves that this pain will be so intense that they...
Substance Use Disorder (SUD), or chronic drug or alcohol use, wreaks havoc on nearly all your brain functions, including the hormones that regulate your moods, serotonin, and dopamine. Your drug of choice replaces the dopamine that your brain naturally produces, and...
Addiction recovery takes time and consistent work. Many people in recovery are learning new, healthy coping mechanisms and, for the first time, may be facing painful emotions sober. Being overwhelmed with emotions while surrounded by temptations and fighting cravings...
