a group of people sit in a circle and learn about the benefits of 12 step program

Can a 12-Step Program Benefit Me?

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…

a woman deals with fentanyl withdrawal symptoms

Symptoms of Fentanyl Withdrawal

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid intended to treat severe pain associated with severe injuries or chronic illnesses such as cancer. Like morphine, but up to 100 times more potent, fentanyl is a dangerous and highly addictive drug. Because of its potency, people can become addicted to fentanyl even when prescribed by a doctor. Using fentanyl…

a handful of stimulants fell out of a bottle

What Is a Stimulant?

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…

woman thinking about the future of addiction recovery

What Does The Future of Addiction Recovery Look Like?

It is hard to say exactly what will happen in the future when it comes to addiction recovery. There are many variables to consider; however, science-based theories, along with holistic approaches, are still presumed to be in play. For individuals and families struggling to heal from the disease of addiction, it’s vital to know the…

addiction often starts in the science of the brain

Facts About the Brain Science of Addiction

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…

woman who is treating co occurring disorders

How to Treat Co-Occurring Disorders

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…