Can You Work While in Outpatient Rehab? Options in MA
Quick answer: Yes, many people keep working during outpatient rehab. Intensive outpatient programs are often scheduled around work, while day treatment usually requires time off. In Massachusetts, the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program can provide up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave a year, including a reduced schedule, and substance use treatment may […]
Suboxone vs. Methadone vs. Vivitrol: Comparing MAT Options
Quick answer: Suboxone (buprenorphine) and methadone both reduce cravings and withdrawal and are linked to large reductions in overdose deaths. Methadone is dispensed daily at licensed clinics; buprenorphine can be prescribed in an office. Vivitrol (extended-release naltrexone) is a monthly shot that blocks opioids but requires being fully off opioids first. The best choice depends […]
What to Do After Detox: 8 Steps to Protect Your Recovery
Quick answer: Detox treats withdrawal, not addiction, so the days after detox matter most. Line up your next level of care before you leave, ideally starting within a day or two. Ask about medication for opioid or alcohol use disorder, carry naloxone because your tolerance is lower, arrange a safe place to live, and build daily […]
Day Treatment vs. Partial Day Treatment Program vs. Residential: Which Do You Need?
Quick answer: Day treatment gives you several hours of therapy a day while you sleep at home. An Partial Day program (Partial Day Treatment Program) gives you fewer hours a few days a week, so you can keep working. Residential treatment means living at a facility around the clock. If withdrawal could be dangerous, detox comes first, whatever […]
Is Weed Addictive Like Nicotine?
Weed is not considered to have the same addictive properties as nicotine. Nicotine is still considered one of the most addictive substances because of the way it quickly binds to receptors in the brain causing immediate and intense dopamine spikes. By comparison, weed or cannabis contains THC which interacts with the endocannabinoid system instead causing […]
Is Seroquel Addictive?
There are many medications that are prescribed today for a wide array of mental health conditions and with those medications come potential risks of dependence, addiction, and misuse. Thankfully many of these circumstances can be effectively treated with the right level of care. Is Seroquel Addictive? Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic which can be prescribed […]
Can You Get Addicted to Muscle Relaxers?
Muscle relaxers are prescribed for many purposes, usually after things like car accidents or surgery, during the healing process. However, like many drugs, there are muscle relaxers that bring with them the risk of addiction and some that don’t. When clients are prescribed muscle relaxers, they might not be aware of the addiction risk and […]
Is the Drug Meloxicam Addictive?
No, meloxicam is entirely non-addictive and has no risk for psychological or chemical dependency. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that targets localized joint pain and inflammation, often prescribed to manage chronic pain the way many over-the-counter drugs do rather than activating the brain’s reward or dopamine centers. Managing Chronic Pain with East Coast […]
How Long to Rewire the Brain From Addiction
Summary: This article will review what it takes to rewire the brain after addiction and what to expect from that timeline. Figuring out how long to rewire brain from addiction varies from person to person, in large part due to individual neuroplasticity. The brain has a unique ability to regularly build new connections which means […]
What is the Link Between Heredity and Alcohol Addiction?
Summary: This article explores the link between heredity and alcohol addiction, particularly which genetic variations can have an impact positively or negatively on an individual’s risk level for developing addiction. Today, many people believe that genetics is to blame for developing an addiction, and while there are several genetic components associated with addiction risk, this […]