Misinformation about substance use disorders and addiction treatment options can prevent those who are struggling from accessing the help they need to build a brighter future. In this post, we debunk some of the most common myths we encounter when working with clients at our South Carolina drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility.
Tramadol is a milder type of opiate, but it would be a mistake to assume this means it is not addictive. Tramadol addiction is a growing—yet often overlooked—problem throughout all demographic groups in the United States.
It is a narcotic-like pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain in adults. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and is sold under several different brand names, including Ultram, Zytram, and Conzip. There are two forms of the drug: one that is taken on an as-needed basis and an extended-release form intended to be used for around-the-clock pain relief. Ultracet is the brand name of the drug that includes acetaminophen and tramadol.
Watching a loved one struggle with drug or alcohol addiction is understandably frustrating—especially when they aren’t responsive to your attempts to convince them to seek help. However, taking the time to understand the common fears that people with substance use disorders often have can help you tailor your approach to be more effective.
The fear of getting sober is related to concerns about the recovery process and misconceptions about what life is like for people in treatment.
While anxiety disorders can greatly affect a person’s quality of life, the medications used to treat these conditions are not without risks. Valium, one of the most popular benzodiazepines, carries a high potential for abuse and addiction.
Valium was first patented in 1959. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, it was widely prescribed for anxiety, sleep disorders, and panic attacks. Frequently stereotyped as a quick fix for bored and unhappy housewives, it was immortalized by the Rolling Stones in their 1966 hit single “Mother’s Little Helper“.
Burnout can be tricky to spot—especially when it’s caused by stress that builds up over time. However, this toxic mix of cynicism, depression, and exhaustion can lead to feelings of emotional numbness, lack of energy, concentration difficulties, and mood swings that put your recovery efforts at risk.
At Waypoint Recovery Center, we encourage our clients to take a proactive approach to dealing with burnout. Addressing feelings of burnout immediately helps reduce the risk that they’ll lead to relapse.
People in recovery often struggle to deal with anxiety, PTSD, anger management, and the general mental health effects of past trauma. If you find that your emotions trigger cravings, grounding techniques can help you keep your recovery on track by providing a way to bring your mind to the present and keep it from wandering into a negative state.
When used regularly, grounding techniques can:
Ativan (lorazepam) is a type of benzodiazepine medication used to treat anxiety and insomnia, but this drug can be addictive when not used as directed. If you think your loved one might be struggling with an Ativan addiction, learning more about this drug’s effects and the potential dangers can help you determine your next steps.
Ativan is a Schedule IV drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. This puts it in the same class as commonly abused prescriptions such as Ambien (zolpidem), Ultram (tramadol), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Xanax (diazepam). Schedule IV drugs have an accepted medical use and are considered to have a lower risk of addiction than Schedule II or Schedule III drugs and a higher risk of addiction than Schedule V drugs. (more…)
The role of willpower in recovery is often misunderstood. Substance use disorders are biologically based chronic illnesses with complex interconnected environmental triggers. This means a person doesn’t develop an addiction because they lack willpower. However, learning how to strengthen willpower can help promote the resiliency you need to continue to progress in your recovery journey.
Willpower is involved in hundreds of choices we make each day. Whenever you make a choice that prioritizes your long-term well-being over short-term rewards, you’re using willpower. For example:
