a group of people talking about how to quit drinking

Tips to Quit Drinking

If you have noticed that social drinking or having the occasional drink has transitioned into regular or daily drinking, you may have developed an alcohol use disorder (AUD). There are numerous health consequences to AUD and alcoholism. If you have developed a drinking problem, there is no time to quit drinking like the present. Our…

a sad woman on a couch thinking about the common myths about addiction

Common Myths About Addiction

There are many common myths about addiction and dependence regarding substance abuse disorders (SUDs). It’s important to debunk these myths so people do not have false impressions of what real-life addiction can look like. Another problem with myths about addiction is that they promote falsehoods that may lead people to believe drugs or alcohol are…

a woman sitting on a couch with her head in her hands thinking about physical dependence on drugs and alcohol

What Is Physical Dependence?

There are many ways in which a person can become dependent on drugs and alcohol. It’s important to understand that addiction comes in many forms and that forming a dependence is an early sign that a person is forming an addiction. Physical dependence and psychological dependence are two indicators that a habit has formed. Physical…

a woman on a couch thinking about meth and mental health

How Meth Impacts Mental Health

Addiction to methamphetamine, also known as meth, is particularly alarming for numerous reasons. For one, it’s a highly destructive and addictive drug that destroys a person’s physical and mental health. Another issue is that, unlike opiates, there are no life-saving measures like naloxone to use as a medical intervention in case of overdose. This means…

a woman talking to a group of white and black Americans about addiction among minorities

Addiction Among Minorities and a Scholarship to Receive Treatment

Society continues to find more and more ways that the path towards equality has continued to be unequal for Americans. Black Americans are historically treated unfairly by police and the American justice system. Black Americans spend an alarmingly disproportionate time in jail or prison for equivalent offenses to White Americans. Black Americans are not given…

man in group therapy talking about the effects of cocaine

How Cocaine Addiction Is Treated

Cocaine is one of the most commonly abused drugs in America. However, a high-quality treatment program helps people cease cocaine use and get their lives back on track. Cocaine addiction has never been more dangerous. Today, cocaine is often cut with potent synthetic drugs, including the opiate fentanyl. Combining these drugs is a recipe for…

man in therapy session for cocaine addiction treatment

The Dangers of Cocaine

Powder cocaine and crack cocaine are essentially the same drug because they have similar properties. Crack cocaine is condensed into a harder “rock” form that is smoked as opposed to powder cocaine which is most often snorted. Powder cocaine has the perception of being a more expensive drug. However, due to the short-lived nature of…

woman in therapy to overcome meth addiction

How to Tell If Someone Is on Meth

Methamphetamine, also known as meth, is an illegal drug that causes permanent changes to a person’s brain and can cause irreversible damage to their mind and body. If you or someone you care about is abusing meth, it’s best to reach out for help from an experienced team of professionals. At Fresh Start Recovery Center,…

people talking in group about how aftercare programs can help with recovery

How Can Aftercare Programs Help with Recovery?

Aftercare programs are an essential tool for maintaining recovery from addiction. Relapse prevention is a harm reduction strategy that helps keep those in recovery on the right track. When someone in recovery feels that their willpower is not as strong as usual or that they are experiencing cravings and a temptation to abuse substances, aftercare…