Addiction

Change is hard. Change — the kind of transition required to leave a lifestyle of addiction to alcohol and drugs — can often seem overwhelmingly daunting. However, once you realize that you no longer want to let drugs and alcohol control your life, there are ways to make sure your decision to quit has staying…

Most people who have struggled with an alcohol use disorder (commonly known as alcoholism) know that quitting brings its own challenges – not the least of which are physiological effects that can be mild to life-threatening in severe cases. Fortunately, medications are available to assist in alcohol detox, and with medical supervision, you can treat…

Deciding to stop taking drugs or alcohol is an overwhelmingly positive move. Unfortunately, however, for those whose bodies and minds are accustomed to (and psychologically or physiologically dependent on) substances, withdrawal symptoms may occur as the amounts of drugs and alcohol are reduced or immediately stopped. Symptoms typically vary depending on how long someone has…

If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction and wonder if they have an additional mental issue, chances are good you may be exactly right. Addiction and mental illness oftentimes go hand in hand, which is referred to as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. At Choice House, we focus on healing…

Entering recovery after battling drug and alcohol addiction is a noble and impressive step in attaining sobriety. It is also a dramatic life change that comes with unique challenges to overcome. One of these challenges is oftentimes depression. When transitioning to a sober lifestyle, your brain undergoes many shifts that can sometimes result in feelings…

After struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction for months and years, making the decision to enter a drug rehab program is one of the most important choices you could possibly make. Before taking the leap, we recommend that you ask these make-or-break questions to ensure you are choosing the right addiction treatment facility: 1…

Any family that has experienced the pains of addiction understands just how much strain has been put on the intra-family relationships. Trust has been broken, walls have been put up, and hurtful things have likely been said. Our Boulder, Colorado drug treatment center doesn’t solely focus on the individual undergoing rehabilitation. We fully understand that…

Anyone who has worked in the addiction field or struggled with addiction understands just how hurtful the stigma surrounding addiction can be. Due to lack of understanding or personal prejudices, many people have developed a judgmental mindset about addiction that only hinders the recovery process. When groups of people feel stigmatized, they are much less…

Great video by Dr. Kevin McCauley: The last twenty years produced an explosion of understanding about addiction (substance use disorders) and how our brains enable our most human capacities such as assigning value to pleasure and making decisions based upon that value. This lecture summarizes the most current neuroscientific research about addiction — research that…