We often read news stories and journal articles about a parent addicted to opioids. We may talk to people who are trying to get their spouse to get help for their opioid addiction. However, we don’t often hear stories about people whose elderly parents are addicted to opioids. However, consider that people have been prescribed…

Ask 100 people how they maintain long term sobriety, and you will likely get 100 different answers. A heated area of debate is in regards to total abstinence. On a public health level, addiction is often treated with Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). The concern is less with a total life change, and more about less…

When seeking recovery, most of us who drink and use is trying to get clean…not find god.  Sometimes in meetings, it may seem that the whole program is centered around religion. “God, Him, spirituality” are mentioned throughout numerous recovery readings and even the 12 steps. First, let us look at the beginnings of 12 step…

A question often frantically asked by those seeking recovery from themselves or a loved one, what is the success rate? I’ve heard relapse is so common and treatment doesn’t mean it’ll get better. Some of the statistics are frightening. So many factors go into these figures that it can be hard to navigate.  What constitutes…

One of the scariest and most pervasive thoughts in early recovery is often, “What am I going to do now?”. In our active using and drinking, we generally experience very little enjoyment.  Out life is in shambles.  Whether it be our home life, our self care, our careers, our grades in school…we are generally having…

I remember the exact moment when I realized I needed addiction treatment. I was 21, employed part-time as a delivery driver. It was Christmas day and I was sitting in my old pickup truck outside of my dealer’s house.  I had finally gotten her to answer her phone, and step away long enough from her…

We see it every day, the banter back and forth of whether or not addiction is a choice or a disease. The medical community widely accepts the brain disease model of addiction, and substance use disorder is listed in the DSM V, essentially explained as “patterns of symptoms resulting from the use of a substance…

Are you or someone you love taking drugs for recreation purposes or to manage pain? Are you worried that the occasional drug use may have turned into an addiction? Drug addiction is on the rise in North Carolina, Buncombe County, and especially Asheville. Luckily, if your suspicions are confirmed, there are numerous drug addiction treatment options…

Addiction does not care about your race, gender, occupation, religious beliefs or age.  Often, recovering addicts/alcoholics wonder if it is “their time” to get clean. On one hand, you have the young people, many not even old enough to have a legal drink.  There are fears of missing out, as drinking and drugs are often…