by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | Feb 5, 2023 | Addiction
In the United States, the number of opioid overdose deaths increased by 120% between 2010 and 2018, and this number increased even more during the pandemic. This is partially due to supplies of illicit drugs being laced with fentanyl, an opiate 50-100 times more...
by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | Jan 8, 2023 | Addiction
When a person first starts abusing substances, it may not be obvious to their loved ones exactly what is happening. Because every drug is different, the signs of abuse can also vary. Opioids (drugs derived from the poppy plant or synthetically created to replicate...
by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | Nov 16, 2022 | Addiction, Recovery
It can sometimes feel like the list of things required to build and maintain a life in addiction recovery is unending. Treatment, recovery groups, working with a sponsor, completing tasks assigned by their sponsor, and giving back to the community can feel like a lot...
by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | Oct 8, 2022 | Addiction, Recovery
What you don’t know can hurt you. More specifically, what you think you know, if it’s inaccurate, can hurt you, especially when it comes to substance abuse and recovery. Whether you are a person who is trying to leave substances behind or someone who cares about a...
by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | Sep 23, 2022 | Addiction
Many people use the terms chemical dependence and addiction interchangeably. While the two can be related, important differences distinguish them from each other. Understanding Dependence Dependence can be demonstrated by the occurrence of side effects when a person...
by Jackie Hammers-Crowell | Aug 26, 2022 | Addiction, Recovery
You’re nearing the end of your treatment, and discharge is on the horizon. This can be a very exciting time–but also a scary one. The days and weeks immediately following discharge are when risk of relapse is highest. Having a good plan for life after treatment...