Why Relapse is No Reason to Despair

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) still defines addiction as “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.” Although Harvard Professor of Psychiatry in the Field of Addiction Medicine John Kelly et al. were skeptical of the “chronic, relapsing” characterization of addiction in their 2019 study, they still […]

The Importance of Secondary Intervention Following Detox

Some people with a substance use disorder (SUD) who consider medical detoxification for the first time tend to focus on the short term: control the physical withdrawal symptoms for a short period of time after which they think they will be fine. They erroneously believe that purging the addictive substance(s) from their body is the […]

Innovative Transitional Residential Option at Valiant Living Detox and Assessment

For many people with addiction, the recovery journey begins with detoxification. However, after completing this important first step, there are sometimes questions as to what to do next. A detox may be an essential part of the recovery process, but it’s not a cure. It’s only the start of a potentially much longer process that […]

Detox and Comprehensive Assessment in Addiction Treatment

Everyone has different needs when it comes to treating a severe substance use disorder (SUD), a “treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences,” according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. “People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and […]

The Link Between Trauma and Addiction

There are many contributing factors to addiction, including genetics, environmental factors, and mental health. However, trauma can be one of the most significant factors in the development of addiction as the person uses drugs and alcohol to cope. Unresolved trauma can lead to numerous negative feelings of shame, guilt, depression, fear, anger, anxiety, and more. […]

Prevalence of Co-Occurring Disorders

Many individuals believe that addiction occurs in a vacuum. It is easy to think that a person starts using drugs or alcohol over time and becomes more dependent on it until it ruins their life. While this is part of the truth, it does not leave room for the complexities of addiction. Addiction is more […]

Timeline of Meth Detox

Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, is a stimulant drug with significant addictive qualities. Most individuals that use this drug become addicted, wreaking havoc on their lives and the lives of those closest to them. To recover from meth addiction, the first step is detoxification (detox). Meth detox has an average timeline of 14-20 days, […]

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