What is Codependency in Addiction?
When someone you love is struggling with addiction, it’s common for the people around them—partners, parents, siblings, close friends—to get deeply involved in their struggles. Sometimes this involvement becomes a pattern known as codependency. Understanding what codependency is, how it develops, and how it interacts with addiction can help both the person with substance use […]
What Is the Cycle of Addiction?
Addiction is more than just a weakness or a series of bad choices — it’s a complex cycle that affects the brain, emotions, relationships, and behavior. Understanding the cycle of addiction is key both for someone struggling with substance use and for loved ones who want to help. It isn’t always linear. People move through […]
How Long Does It Take to Detox from Fentanyl?
Detoxing from fentanyl is often one of the hardest, scariest parts of recovery. But understanding what to expect — both the timeline and the support needed — can make a big difference in how someone can safely move through it. Below is an evidence-based look at how long detox usually takes, what influences the timeline, […]
What to Say to an Addict You Love
When someone you care about is struggling with addiction, it’s hard to know what to say—or even if what you say can make a difference. Words matter. They can hurt, heal, or open doors. If you love someone who’s addicted, your words can be a lifeline. Here are suggestions on how to communicate with compassion, […]
What is a Sponsor for Addicts?
At East Coast Recovery, we provide several levels of outpatient care, and the goal is to help people focus on their recovery with high-quality, affordable treatment. In order to meet these goals, we invite each of our clients to participate in things like group talking sessions on the beach, cookouts, community events, and sponsorship programs. […]
What to Expect in Experiential Group Therapy
At East Coast Recovery, we believe in treating the whole person, both mind and body, and that is why we rely on experiential therapy. These forms of group activities and experiences can help our clients explore their emotions, especially those that might be challenging or traumatic, in a more hands-on approach. Using creative outlets, our […]
What is Active Addiction?
An active addiction refers to a situation where someone is not in recovery, and they are currently using drugs or alcohol. In effect, this describes a situation where someone is either openly or secretly abusing drugs or alcohol and doesn’t currently have the control or willpower to stop. That person might be taking measures to […]
Is There Medication for Cocaine Addiction?
Studies have sought new medication for cocaine addiction, owing to the rise in cocaine dependence across the United States. At present, there is no FDA-approved medication to directly help with cocaine addiction directly. This means that there is no medication you can take to help you stop using cocaine or to reduce your risk of […]
Outpatient vs. Inpatient Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
When Moods Short‑Circuit the Safety Switch It’s just after midnight, and Maya’s at home, in her apartment, surrounded by possibility. She starts painting the wall of her living room cobalt blue, orders piles of camping gear she doesn’t need, and drafts an email to start a start‑up—before the sun rises. Two days later, she cannot […]
How to Get Off Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is fifty to one hundred times more powerful than morphine, propelling the most lethal surge of overdoses the United States has ever recorded. Yet every day, people break free. This resource shows how to get off fentanyl safely and reclaim a full life, weaving brain-science clarity with real-world hope. […]