Author name: Dr. David Cundiff, M.D.

Addiction not only affects the user but also his or her family. Unfortunately, not everyone truly understands addiction. In fact, some people still think of it as a lack of willpower or control. However, it’s a mental disorder that requires addiction treatment. Moreover, family addiction treatment can be beneficial for everyone in the familial unit. […]

Detoxification, or detox, is a critical part of recovering from addiction. This is an all-important first step, but it isn’t the entire process. Answer the question, “What is detox?”, and learn more about the steps that follow on the road to recovery. What is Detox? At the most basic level, detox is when individuals stop

There’s a big difference between substance use, abuse, and addiction. Getting an exact substance use definition can determine whether individuals need treatment. These are some of the best ways to define and recognize substance use. The Substance Use Definition May Mean Using Prescription Drugs Without a Prescription There are thousands of prescription drugs that individuals

If you’re like most people suffering from addiction to opioids, you’ve probably experienced times where you want to quit but can’t. This is a very common issue for anyone struggling with an addiction to this type of drug, primarily because opioid withdrawal is harsh. In most cases, people continue using just so they can feel

There are many people who ask, “Is addiction a disease?” Individuals who struggle with drug or alcohol use want to know how severe the problem is and what kind of treatment they need. On the other side of that coin, people who know someone with a problem often want to know if addiction is a

It is no secret that withdrawal is a necessary evil of ending a heroin addiction. However, heroin withdrawal can be an overwhelming and confusing subject. Patients with a better understanding of the withdrawal process, what to expect, how long it takes and what comes next will be better prepared for recovery. Average Duration of Heroin

There are tens of millions of people in America stuck in the cycle of substance use, just as you may be right now. Sadly, only a small number of these individuals receive help from an addiction counselor. Finding the help you need can give you the tools you need to chart a better course for

There’s a big prescription drug crisis happening in the United States, and it kills more than 15,000 people per year. In fact, there are more fatal overdoses from prescription drugs each year than heroin and cocaine combined. The United States prescribes more opiates, including codeine than any other country. Physicians prescribe enough narcotic pain medications

Relapse is always a possibility, which is why it’s so important to learn techniques to maintain your sobriety after treatment. While you’re in treatment, you’ll learn a variety of different strategies and methods to stay sober. Not only will you learn how to stay sober, but you’ll see that there’s an incredible life that awaits

Alcohol and drug abuse is a problem that affects the entire nation. Around 20 million people abuse alcohol or drugs, but the damage isn’t confined to the people who use. The damage extends directly to their friends, families, co-workers, and employers. Let’s make a conservative guess that each substance user hurts five other people in