Decrease in opioid prescriptions for the first time in decades

April 6, 2020 / Heroin and Opioids, Prescription Drugs & Cold Medicines, Research/Trends/Statistics

For the first time in 20 years, experts are reporting a decrease in the number of written opioid prescriptions. The hope is that this reduction signals a turning point in the opioid epidemic, that perhaps prescription guidelines and warnings about the dangers of addiction are resonating in the medical community. This decrease has not been correlated with a decrease in fatalities, and the use of illicit drugs is still highly alarming, but at least we are seeing some sign of success in terms of policy-making and education. Read more here

Writing as Therapy: Keeping a Journal

April 7, 2020 / Mental Health, Mindfulness

Journaling is a highly beneficial activity that promotes self-expression, reflection, organization, and more. Our staff encourages clients at Two Dreams Outer Banks to carry a personal journal with them wherever they go, and to take full advantage of the writing and introspection periods that are built into their daily schedules. We ask that they record details about their recovery journeys and deliberate on them in order to create insights and self-awareness. We also go through and review the recorded notes and reflections with each client in order to help correlate their actions with outcomes. Clients are then able to adjust …

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What is the Definition of Addiction Recovery?

April 7, 2020 / Addiction Science, Holistic Care and Treatment

There is no universal definition of addiction recovery. Recovery is highly individualized because so many factors come into play: physical condition, emotional/psychological condition, support network strength, motivation, socioeconomic factors, personality/demeanor, religious beliefs, etc. Recovery goals vary widely from facility to facility and from person to person, but on a basic level the aims are usually to get the individual to acknowledge their addiction, to have them commit to recovery, and to reduce or eliminate their inducements to use. Contrary to popular belief, the goal is not to “cure” people of their addictions; chemical dependence is a chronic, long-term disease that …

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Teen Drug & Alcohol Prevention and Risk Management

April 6, 2020 / Alcohol, Prevention, Young Adults/Teens/College-Aged

Substance use is problematic and extensive in its many forms: alcohol use, cocaine use, hallucinogen use, heroin use, inhalant use, marijuana use, methamphetamine use, sedative-hypnotics, anxiolytics use, etc. Different types of drugs are being synthesized on a regular basis and users are finding more and more creative ways to use and conceal them. How can parents be expected to keep their teens from using drugs and alcohol? What are the best forms of risk management? Teen substance use usually starts off casually, but even minor effects cannot be unlearned once the brain begins associating drugs with pleasure. Continued social use …

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Mindfulness Games for Groups

April 6, 2020 / Holistic Care and Treatment, Mindfulness

Mindfulness is intentionally paying attention, and being present in the moment with compassion, with acceptance, and without judgment. It is a practice to engage in for mind-body health, and an important part of the recovery process. Substance use alters the natural rhythms of the body and mindfulness can help bring you back in tune with those changes. It can help ease you off of autopilot and into a stress-free life of awareness. Practicing mindfulness can be easy and fun. Next time you’re hanging out with a group of friends, try playing some of these mindfulness games and exercises; you might …

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Applying the “Stages of Change” Model to Drug Addiction Treatment

April 6, 2020 / Addiction Science, Holistic Care and Treatment

Individuals with a substance use disorder are oftentimes in denial about their addiction for a period of time. Denial is a simple way to minimize and rationalize any problem at hand. It is a defense mechanism that shifts the blame away from the denier and hands it off to anyone available to accept the responsibility. Disordered substance users will argue against evidence, minimize the facts, and deny responsibility. Denial functions as an ego defense mechanism for them that is meant to ward off discomfort caused by repeated emotional injuries. It results in poor treatment outcomes and is a major obstacle …

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What Does Alcohol Withdrawal Feel Like?

April 7, 2020 / Alcohol, Sober Living

“Alcohol withdrawal” is the term given to the symptoms one experiences after sudden cessation of excessive and regular alcohol consumption. The more (or longer) you’ve been drinking, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms are likely to be. Alcohol withdrawal can be extremely dangerous; if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms, even if you believe them to be mild, please consult with a physician or call 911 immediately.   How do I know if I’m going through alcohol withdrawal? Common symptoms include anxiety, depression, fatigue, incoherent thought, irritability, jumpiness, mood swings, and nightmares. Other symptoms may include dilated pupils, …

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Opioid Outreach Program Could Alleviate Crime

April 6, 2020 / Criminal Justice, Heroin and Opioids, Public Health

The Community Outreach Addiction Team (COAT) hires individuals in opioid addiction recovery. Their job is to encourage active users to seek treatment and provide a relatable point of reference for those reluctant to stop using. This program is still experimental and currently only in place in Maryland, but if it proves to be effective in the fight against opioid abuse and drug-related crimes then others around the country are likely to establish similar platforms. Read more here: http://www.wmdt.com/news/more-local-news/UPDATE-Opioid-outreach-program-could-alleviate-crime/38897486

Should Others Tell Us if We Are in Pain?

April 6, 2020 / Pain, Public Health

The perception of pain is a complex issue that has prompted a wide variety of research investigations. In light of the new, stricter opioid guidelines, and because there is no way to objectively rank pain at this time, healthcare professionals are prescribing opioids conservatively and sometimes to a fault. Anti-opioid campaigns have unfortunately shifted the focus from patient care to regulation adherence. Those individuals suffering with pain, especially chronic pain, are unable to provide evidence of their ailment and often go untreated as a result. Physicians need to take time to listen to and thoroughly assess each patient before deciding …

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What is Fentanyl?

April 7, 2020 / Heroin and Opioids, Pain, Research/Trends/Statistics

Fatal drug overdose rates are on the rise, and synthetic opioid “fentanyl” is partially to blame.   What is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid analgesic and anesthetic, known commercially as Sublimaze, Durogesic, Duragesic, Fentanyl citrate, PriCara, Lazanda, Nasalfent, Subsys, or Actavis. It is a full, mu-opioid receptor agonist, which means that the drug binds to mu opioid receptors in the brain to stimulate endorphin production. Binding causes the release of endorphins and an increase of dopamine in the central nervous system. These phenomena cause analgesia (pain relief), euphoria, relaxation, etc.   When is Fentanyl Prescribed? Who Should Take …

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