What Is the First Step of Recovery?

Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Recovery, Substance Abuse Treatment

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: April 8, 2021 Updated: May 17, 2021 Like most chronic illnesses, substance use disorder can have long-term and even life-threatening effects on a person’s life. Similarly, like chronic diseases, it requires ongoing care. However, taking the first step to receiving the care that will start down the road to sobriety is often the toughest. Once patients can acknowledge that help is required, they can actively participate in the journey to a life of health, love, and overall wellbeing. Taking this first step…

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What Are Alternatives to AA?

Alcohol Addiction, Substance Abuse Treatment

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: April 5, 2021 Updated: April 5, 2021 AA is the acronym for Alcoholics Anonymous, an international fellowship of men and women who experience alcohol addiction. It is a support group comprised of people from all walks of life, ages, races, and religions, who come together to empower and encourage one another to overcome their challenges with alcohol and enjoy a sober lifestyle. As members of AA may tell you, sobriety is not easy. However, with the support and accountability of others who…

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What Are the Different Types of Alcoholics?

Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Substance Abuse Treatment

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: April 3, 2021 Updated: April 3, 2021 An alcoholic is defined as a person who suffers from alcohol use disorder. This disease was at one time known as alcoholism, which originated from a person’s intense and uncontrollable need to consume alcohol regardless of its harmful effects. Just as every person has their own unique characteristics, there is no such thing as a “typical” or average alcoholic. However, the National Institute of Health has characterized several distinct groups or types of people who…

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What Can Happen if You Mix Alcohol with Depressants?

Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Substance Abuse Treatment

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: April 1, 2021 Updated: April 1, 2021 The consumption of alcohol is legal in the United States for those over the age of 21. It is commonly consumed in social gatherings and as a stress reliever after a long day’s work. Unfortunately, this intoxicating substance is also very commonly abused, creating a dangerous cocktail when combined with other prescribed, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs. Alcohol has the effect of compounding other substances’ side effects, which increases the risk of alcohol poisoning, overdose, and…

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The Basics of How Doctors Treat a Substance Abuse Disorder

Drug Addiction Treatment, Rehabilitation, Substance Abuse Treatment

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: March 22, 2021 Updated: March 22, 2021 As with any disease or chronic illness, finding the right treatment is the first step in recovery from a substance use disorder. Treating addiction is a process that often requires several months for patients to regain control of their lives and acquire the coping skills necessary to live a healthy and happy life drug and alcohol-free. The best outcomes are patients who participate in a substance abuse treatment program and are monitored by physicians and…

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How Long Does It Take for Alcohol to Leave Your Body?

Alcohol Addiction, Substance Abuse Treatment, Withdrawal

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: March 13, 2021 Updated: March 13, 2021 For many people, having a drink or two after work or arriving home is an everyday occurrence. Others engage in binge drinking, which can lead to alcohol poisoning as the body cannot process the alcohol out of the body as quickly as it is consumed. Most people do not realize that no matter the volume consumed, alcohol remains in the body for a very long time. At BrightView, we are committed to developing the most…

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Consequences of Alcohol and Xanax

Drug Addiction Treatment, Recovery, Substance Abuse Treatment

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: March 11, 2021 Updated: March 11, 2021 Xanax is a commonly prescribed medication that is used to treat panic disorders, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. It is classified as a benzodiazepine, a common sedative, which tends to suppress nervous system activity and have a calming effect on patients. Many patients enjoy the temporary relief that Xanax provides from symptoms of their mental health issues. Unfortunately, as effective as it is, it is also highly addictive. Unfortunately, when taken in combination with…

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What Is the Cycle of Addiction?

Alcohol Addiction, Alcohol Addiction Treatment

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: March 7, 2021 Updated: March 7, 2021 Addiction is a chronic brain disease that affects the brain’s reward system, pleasure sensors, motivation, and memory. While many people can enjoy a casual drink or occasionally use substances, others fall into a cycle of addiction, treatment, and relapse. Why are some people susceptible to this cycle while others are not? Scientists work diligently to understand how a person’s occasional habit may develop into an addiction. The experienced addiction specialists at BrightView are knowledgeable about…

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Finding a Suboxone Clinic

Drug Addiction Treatment, Recovery, Substance Abuse Treatment

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: March 5, 2021 Updated: June 3, 2024 Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an effective substance abuse treatment used to reduce symptoms of withdrawal, improve chances of recovery for addiction, and encourage long-term sobriety. Although this treatment approach is used in many high-quality treatment centers, many people mistakenly believe that using Suboxone for MAT is simply swapping one drug for another. Unlike addictive substances, Suboxone allows individuals to manage pain and find relief from cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Suboxone is a brand name of…

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What Are the Top Most Addictive Drugs?

Drug Addiction Treatment, Recovery, Substance Abuse Treatment

By BrightView BrightView Meet The Editorial Team Published: March 3, 2021 Updated: March 3, 2021 It is estimated that more than 20 million people battle substance abuse disorders costing Americans billions in healthcare expenses, workplace disruption, and legal fees. The National Institute on Drug Abuse carefully monitors and substance abuse disorders in the United States and the trends in the most commonly used addictive drugs. Drugs and alcohol interfere with the brain’s normal function and produce high dopamine levels, encouraging users to repeat pleasurable activities and continue to engage in…

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