Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was the first 12-step therapy program, founded in 1935. Since then, 12-step programs have helped millions of people worldwide manage and maintain their sobriety. AA was created to help those suffering from alcohol addiction. Because of the approach’s effectiveness, the 12-step program philosophy has been used as the model to create programs…
In addiction treatment, relapse refers to a return to the addictive behavior following a period of sobriety. Addiction is a complicated disease, and relapse is a common part of recovery. A relapse prevention therapy program is an integral part of overall addiction treatment. Creating a relapse prevention plan does not guarantee that you will not…
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…
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…
For decades, people have seen addiction as part of a personal problem that stemmed from a failure of the individual. However, experts today recognize that there are a variety of reasons why people struggle with addiction. At Harmony Hills, we know that by taking an approach toward humanizing addiction, society can reduce stigma, make accessing…
Substance abuse recovery does not happen the same for everyone. There are multiple paths to recovery. Every person is different. Therefore, substance abuse treatment facilities like Harmony Hills rarely offer one recovery option. Some people may need a combination of different types of care to create customized paths to recovery. 12-Step Recovery Programs One of…
Addiction treatment continues to evolve as professionals learn more about how substances impact the brain. As such, we constantly are refining addiction treatment to improve the outcomes for all our clients. When you need recovery services, you need to find a facility like Harmony Hills that seeks to provide the most scientifically proven ways to…
You may think that once a loved one who suffers from an addiction enters recovery, then the worry ends. But concern for their wellbeing continues as they move through recovery. At Harmony Hills, we know that supporting a loved one in recovery is not easy. However, the more you know about treatment and how to…
When we take medications, they often work by directly affecting how our brain chemistry operates. In the case of pain relief, medications block receptors in the brain so that individuals experience less discomfort as they heal from surgery or medical treatment. However, using medications has to be closely monitored so that the body doesn’t develop…
Learning about addiction is a wise choice if you or a loved one struggles with it. Also, you can prevent addiction by sharing your knowledge with others before they fall into substance abuse. However, you must ensure that the information you attain is correct. The places you get your addiction education matter. Find out how…