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…
Contrary to the beliefs of many, addiction recovery involves much more than detoxing from drugs or alcohol. The simple fact is that detox is the first step in the recovery process. Substance use and mental health disorders are diseases whose roots are commonly intertwined. Under particular circumstances, a mental health disorder can come to light…
Benzodiazepines, commonly referred to as benzos, are in the prescription sedative class of drugs. They are primarily used for treating anxiety but have other uses as well. Benzos are some of the most frequently prescribed medications in the nation. Because of their mood- and mind-altering effects, benzos are commonly used recreationally and abused for non-medical…
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) originally developed in the late 1980s to treat borderline personality disorder better. Since then, it has been adapted to help treat several other mental health disorders and is commonly used to treat substance use disorders. DBT therapy places emphasis on the connection between social…
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…
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…
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid pain reliever that is up to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl was designed to treat severe pain following surgeries, cancer treatment, or when a patient with chronic pain has developed a tolerance to other opioids. Like other opioids, fentanyl activates receptors on cells throughout the body to…
Psychotherapy is the cornerstone of any successful mental health program or addiction treatment. For over a century, psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” has been used to improve people’s mental health and help them better understand their minds and behaviors. Today there are many forms of therapy and evidence-based treatments used in mental health treatment programs, and…
Having started in the 1930s, the 12-step recovery program template has been a mainstay in treatment options for a wide range of issues and is based on the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book manual. Here at Harmony Hills, your rehab program in Florida, we base much of our treatment on this very sound platform. 12-step therapy…
For some people, the struggle with addiction occurs alongside other issues. A co-occurring disorder is when some mental health issue happens alongside substance use disorders. Going into rehab for only addiction treatment will not suffice for those who also suffer from mental health issues. At Harmony Hills, we know that to successfully find recovery, those…