Co-dependency and Addiction
Codependency and addiction have a strong connection although they are two different conditions people may struggle to manage. Codependency is when one person develops an unhealthy attachment to another person whose behavior in the relationship is damaging, often because of a mental or behavioral disorder. Addiction is when a person is psychologically and physically dependent on a substance and cannot control their substance use. There are multiple ways codependency and...
Sexual Addiction and Substance Abuse
Substance abuse and dependency is rarely a standalone disease. Most people often have other behavioral health issues or problems related to unresolved trauma and are diagnosed with co-occurring disorders or cross addictions. Cross addictions occur when a person switches between abusing substances and behaviors. Co-occurring disorders occur in a person dealing with multiple addictions at the same time. Cross addictions can take on many forms, including: Alternating cycles or switching back and forth between addictions Combining or fusing addictions to create the perfect high or...
Get Help for Addiction at Our Pet-Friendly Rehab Facility
DreamLife Recovery, located in Donegal, Pennsylvania, is a pet-friendly rehab facility that treats drug and alcohol addiction and co-occurring disorders. Animals provide many benefits for people in recovery. During their inpatient stay, animals can offer our clients comfort and happiness. Our animal-assisted therapies, such as Equine Therapy, provides our clients with a unique form of treatment during recovery. Some people may put off treatment because they don’t know what to do...
Raising Awareness and Ending the Stigma: Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol. There is a stigma surrounding alcohol and substance abuse that Awareness months work to try to reduce. One of the most significant parts to start recovery is recognizing that you have a problem, which can be difficult with the stigmas surrounding it. Alcohol abuse is very dangerous and is the 3rd leading preventable cause of death in...
Facing Benzodiazepine Detox During COVID-19
Everywhere you turn right now, you hear more and more about COVID-19, the coronavirus spreading throughout the world. At DreamLife Recovery, our focus remains on those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Everyone is encouraged to stay home and practice social distancing right now, making the thought of detoxing even harder. You can still get help for your addiction. If you are struggling with an addiction to Benzodiazepines, such as...
COVID-19 and Addiction
What is COVID-19? COVID-19 is a specific type of coronavirus that has not been previously seen. Coronaviruses were first identified in the 1960s. The name came from the crown-like spikes that appear on their surface. More common coronaviruses can cause illnesses such as the common cold or mild upper-respiratory infections. COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus, meaning it has not been identified before. The “CO” represents corona, the “VI” is for virus,...
Fentanyl Addiction in Pittsburgh, PA: What is It and What Do I Need to Know About It?
Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous drugs in the country. Addiction treatment for fentanyl is becoming more and more requested as people are becoming dependent on this drug. Some states, like Ohio, even have booths set up at music festivals and other events notorious for drug use that provide kits to test for impurities and additives to drugs like MDMA. MDMA is considered a party drug by many people...
Equine Therapy for Addiction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Equine therapy is a new type of program that places horses and patients together under the guidance of trained mental health professionals. There are many benefits to equine therapy. What is Equine Therapy? Equine therapy is not having someone put a saddle on a horse and let you ride it. Equine therapy is a reputable therapy in which our patients at DreamLife Recovery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania learn toluene, independence, assertiveness, self-regard, and more. A more complete...
What Are Opiates and How Are They So Addictive?
The opioid epidemic is constantly making headlines. Disturbing statistics suggest that this great plague is decaying our public health. Opiate addiction is now the leading cause of drug overdose in the U.S. But, what exactly is the reason behind opiates being so addictive? Well, they represent natural derivatives of the opium poppy plant. They’ve been used for medicine and recreation over many centuries. Today, they take the form of both prescription pharmaceuticals and street drugs. When...
Medically Supervised Detox: The Answer to Better Addiction Care?
Nearly half of Americans have a close friend or relative who has been addicted to drugs at some point in their lives. This shows how vast the problem of drug addiction is, and that it can happen to almost anyone. When it comes to recovering from addiction to drugs and alcohol, there are a variety of ways you can go about it. From individual therapy to rehab to 12-step meetings, there are...
How to Help Someone With Addiction, When You’ve Tried Everything Else
Addictions can confuse even the most centered and intelligent people in the world. This is because addictions don't follow the laws of logic and reason. For many, this can lead to extreme frustration and a feeling of defeat. Especially, when they feel like they've tried everything to help someone overcome an addiction. Knowing how to help someone with an addiction is difficult. None of us naturally know how to help and...
Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy for Addiction: Separating Fact from Fiction
If you're looking into potential treatment options for alcoholism or drug addiction, it's quite likely you'll come across facilities that offer cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT. So is cognitive behavioral therapy for addiction a good choice? And what exactly is CBT? This article will explore both of these questions so you can make a better-informed choice for yourself. What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? CBT is a type of talk-based therapy. During a CBT session,...
The Most Important Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Drug Rehab
When you're addicted to drugs or alcohol, it can be a negative cycle that's hard to get out of without outside help, like outpatient drug rehab. Pretty much everyone in the world lives according to some sort of cycle; for many people, these cycles are positive. For addicts, substance use creates an artificially positive feedback loop. Drugs or alcohol give you a high, so you continue to seek them out. Breaking...