Northern Illinois Recovery Center Blog
Every December, many American families get together and make merry. It is a month of glad tidings, and alcohol is often part of having fun. However, if you are in recovery from substance abuse, the holiday season can be difficult to maintain sobriety. The holidays can remind you of drinking…
Due to their availability in the prescribed form, opioids are among the most abused drugs in the United States. Health professionals use opioids as medicine due to their capacity to relax the body and relieve pain. Opioids affect the brain’s reward system to make you feel “high,” which has led…
If you use alcohol regularly, then you may want to know more about the effects it can have on your well-being. Most people know about the dangers of alcohol addiction and the detrimental effects it has on your body. From the effects on the brain to the increased risk of…
Psychoactive drugs are part of our lives, whether we like it or not. Most drugs exist for a positive purpose -- to relieve pain, clear up an infection, and address the effects of illness. Some psychoactive drugs exist in the things we eat or drink, such as caffeine. Other psychoactive…
How can I achieve long-lasting recovery? This is a question asked by almost everyone who is on the road to recovery. While going to rehab is the first step to long-term recovery, you have to put in a lot of work. Without the right tools and skills, you may relapse…
Periodically, the United States faces times when there is a drug shortage. The reasons could range from difficulty getting it from the manufacturer to a sudden flood of prescriptions that can’t keep up with the supply. Benzos have been on a backlog for about a year, but things have gotten…
As the weather cools and the leaves begin to change, some people experience a change in their emotions. It’s a condition called seasonal affective disorder, or seasonal depression, and typically starts in the fall and lasts through the winter. During seasonal depression, people feel sad, short of energy, and lacking…
Life is filled with stress and strain. Sometimes we go down the wrong path. There are plenty of things we wish we could do over again. But all you can do is move forward. If you’re struggling with addiction, one of the first things you might consider is addressing your…
Alcohol probably plays an oversized role in our lives. Most major events involve adult beverages in some fashion. For most people, those moments go by without any consequence. But not for everyone. Alcohol, for some, becomes an addiction, based on interactions between alcohol and the brain. The consequences of alcohol…
Sobriety is a life-long commitment, with several ups and downs. Even after graduating from a rehab facility, you will face challenges in your recovery journey. Cravings are the primary challenge during recovery. While the desire to use drugs or alcohol seems to develop from nowhere, the truth is that relapse…
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