man in corner with heroin in foreground

Is Addiction a Disease or a Choice?

Is addiction a disease or a choice? Everyone has an opinion: is addiction a disease or a choice? Many people will argue that addiction is a string of bad choices, some will shame you for comparing addiction to a “real disease” such as cancer, and a few will ask “why can’t they just stop?” On…

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Francesca’s Testimonial

“The last twenty-four hours before I got help were such a blur. I was tired of getting high and ruining my life, but I wanted to use one last time. A part of me just wanted to go to detox and get it over with, but at the same time I was so afraid of…

alcoholic dictionary definition

Alcoholism and Young Adults

Why Don’t Young People Reach Out For Help With Alcoholism? “Alcohol isn’t really a drug…” “Alcohol is legal!” “It’s not as deadly as heroin- you know what your getting!”   Many young adults who meet the diagnosis for alcohol use disorder aren’t seeking treatment, because they don’t think they have a problem. In a recent…

pills spilled out of bottle

What’s Really in Your Drugs?

Drug dealers have taken on a new role as a chef, creating concoctions of multiple deadly drugs. Drug dealers have been marketing what they sell on the street as pills, heroin or cocaine, when in reality it is a mix of different drugs, they created to make more money while spending less. The drugs they…

pills on a desk

College Students and Substance Abuse

College Students and Substance Abuse: Deadly Combinations College is often a time of exploration and learning, but did you know it is also a time of binge drinking and substance abuse? Studies show that college students are more likely to partake in binge-drinking, marijuana use, and prescription drug use, which often leads to substance abuse.…

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What Is Community Housing?

Community housing is one of the most important decisions a patient will make when going from detox, inpatient, or residential to outpatient care. Community housing is the sober living component of outpatient treatment, whether it is PHP, IOP or OP. When you live in community housing, you are adding an extra layer of accountability to…

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Relapse Prevention Planning

Relapse Prevention Planning: What to Avoid When Leaving Treatment At Fresh Start Recovery Center, our care coordinators work with patients on extensive relapse prevention planning and aftercare planning. We know that when leaving detox, residential or stepping down from PHP or IOP to OP, it can be nerve racking. Sometimes, when you have lived with…

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Exercise and Drug Addiction

Food, Exercise and Drug Addiction: A strange combination Eating healthy, exercise and drug addiction may seem like an odd combination, however recent studies show that exercise could decrease substance abuse and reinforce abstinence, while healthy eating may increase mood and long-term recovery. Exercising while using drugs is not recommended and could be very dangerous due…

oxycodone and heroin

Oxycodone Vs. Heroin: Which Is Worse?

Oxycodone Vs. Heroin When it comes to Oxycodone vs. heroin, many people question which is worse. The assumption is that heroin is worse than Oxycodone since one is a pill given out by doctors and one is bought on the street- however are they really that different? When it comes to Oxycodone, heroin and other…