Author name: Cypress Lake Recovery

Addiction and addictive behaviors have devastating effects on the lives of people who suffer with the addiction as well as loved ones. Addiction leads to severe physical and mental health problems. Relationships with loved ones are negatively impacted. Drugs, alcohol, or addictive behaviors take priority over family and friends. Some people suffer from an addiction [...]

Taking opioids with benzodiazepines (benzos) is extremely dangerous and can be deadly. Opioids, such as Vicodin or oxycodone are used to treat moderate to severe pain. Benzos are used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, insomnia, and muscle tension. The most commonly prescribed benzos are Xanax and Valium. Mixing opioids with benzos increases the risks of

Methadone is a medication used to treat addiction to opioids such as painkillers and heroin. Methadone helps lessen withdrawal symptoms from opioid abuse. The withdrawals are less intense and the methadone provides a more comfortable detox experience. It is designed for short-term use to slowly wean a person off opioids. Although methadone has been used

Cocaine is a drug that is smoked, injected, or inhaled and immediately affects the brain. Neurotransmitters in the brain rapidly release dopamine, which causes pleasurable feelings. When levels of dopamine drop, withdrawal symptoms start. Unpleasant withdrawal symptoms lead the person to use cocaine again and more often. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug. A person

Addiction can happen to anyone. It does not discriminate or affect only one particular demographic. Unfortunately, there is a stigma about addiction. The stigma is a false perception that people who struggle with addiction are homeless, lower class, and uneducated. This stigma negatively affects a person's self-esteem, relationships, and lessens the possibility of him or