During the pandemic, the LDH (Louisiana Department of Health) reports that there was a 115% increase in opioid-related deaths, bringing Louisiana’s total count to 678. The pandemic itself cut off normal social relationships and ways of coping...
Opioid addiction is a multifaceted condition, as it is often a physical addiction that becomes a cognitive and emotional addiction as well. When you try to overcome your addiction, you can gradually remove opioids from your life, which is an...
There are so many misconceptions when it comes to opioid addiction. For so many Americans, there was no intention of becoming addicted, but it progresses so quickly and intensely that it can be very challenging to prevent. There is a wide range of...
When someone is introduced to opioids, it is only a matter of time before it transforms into an addiction. Even the most resilient person will eventually experience tolerance that causes their dosage to increase and open the door to addiction....
The holiday season is quickly approaching. During this time, the need for a trauma-informed approach is critical. Everywhere we turn, we’re reminded that it is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” While for some that...
Although SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) reports that cases of addiction to opioids are down from 2015, the totals are still staggering. American adults average one in every 12 that are suffering from...
Opioid addiction is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that can cause major health, social, and economic problems. Opioids are a class of drugs that act in the nervous system to produce feelings of pleasure and pain relief. Some opioids...
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA-approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. A common...
NEW ORLEANS ?Kevin Gardere remembers the day he knew it was time to get clean like it was yesterday. In fact, it was some 20 years ago today, his birthday. ?March 31st, which was going to be my golden birthday in 2001 and I spent that day in the...
In a tidy two-story apartment in Hollygrove, 10 women, all former addicts, share a home and a mission to keep each other on the path to recovery. A whiteboard by the door shows a schedule of Walmart runs and movie nights. The women cook dinner...