Behavioral Health

Prescription drug bottles
12Aug

What are opioids?

Understanding the drug behind the headlines

You may have read about opioid addiction and the opioid crisis in the news. It is widespread and it is serious. An estimated 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. Approximately 2.1 million Americans are battling an opioid addiction. But what exactly are opioids? Why are they so addictive? And why is their use across America so widespread?   (more…)
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A man battling addiction sits on a couch with his hands clasped looking out a window.
23Jun

Addiction, Relapse and COVID-19

Battling Relapse and Addiction During COVID-19

As COVID-19 maintains its grip on America, fears are growing that the pandemic is creating a health crisis of another kind: a relapse into addiction by people battling substance abuse.   Any recovered addict will tell you that their battle with substance abuse is one they fight every single day, and that certain triggers can make that struggle even harder.   The greatest of these, agree experts, is perhaps social isolation. Safety requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have not only encouraged isolation but demanded it.   (more…)
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30Dec

Getting Clean: asking for help and beating addiction

At the age of 22, Jay Arruda was banned from any family gatherings because of his addiction. He’d hurt so many of his relatives far too many times.   His addiction to oxycontin and fentanyl had taken a toll on the young man, who sold most of his possessions and stole from whomever he could to help pay for the drugs.   (more…)
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