Watching a friend or family member struggle with drug or alcohol addiction is very difficult and can negatively impact your well-being. You may experience feelings of anger, sadness, frustration, guilt, worry, and fear. In general, you will likely feel overwhelmed and confused about how you can help. At times you might feel like giving up…
Much has been done to educate the public about opioid addiction, but there is still a lot of misunderstanding about heroin. If you or someone in your life is addicted to heroin, you understand how powerful it is. The safest and most effective way to recover from heroin addiction is to seek help from a…
Observed the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is a federal holiday to honor and mourn American military personnel who have died in the line of duty. Memorial Day is also widely observed as the unofficial start of summer, usually celebrated with picnics, barbecues, and parties serving up alcohol and possibly other substances. For those…
Stimulants are a class of drugs that impact the central nervous system by speeding up the messages between the brain and the body. Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Dopamine is the body’s natural “feel good” drug. Norepinephrine is involved in regulating the body’s cardiovascular system and breathing. There are…
Kratom is a tropical tree that is native to parts of Southeast Asia, where it has been used in herbal medicines since at least the 19th century. The tree leaves contain compounds that can produce pain-relieving, euphoric, or psychotropic effects, depending upon the dosage. Due to its ability to produce an opioid-like high, kratom has…
Drug detox is a process during which all traces of substances are removed from the body. Detox is generally the first step toward recovery from drug addiction and should be followed by comprehensive addiction treatment. The main goal of detox is to address the physical aspects of addiction so that patients can deal with the…
While you’ve likely heard of group therapy, you may wonder how group therapy works. Group therapy programs exist to help people through all sorts of issues and hurdles. Group therapy can improve one’s mental health by helping one feel more understood and connected with others. Harmony Hills’ group therapy program offers support to those struggling…
In recent years, the opioid epidemic has swept through Florida and the rest of our nation at an alarming rate. Opioids are a class of drugs that affect the nervous system by blocking pain and creating intense pleasure feelings. They have the potential to become highly addictive and even deadly, especially when improperly used. There…
Recognizing the need for drug detox is the first step on the path to successful substance abuse treatment. Equally important is finding the rehab center that is right for you or your loved one. With so many treatment center options, the decision about which to choose can feel difficult. It is important to do the…
Founded in 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was the first 12 step program. Since then, 12 step programs have been effective at helping millions of people throughout the world manage and maintain their sobriety. Given that AA was designed to help those suffering from alcohol addiction, over time exclusively, the 12 step program philosophy has been…