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 together and play video games in the living room. Each contributes to chores. ?You?re held accountable,? said Kim Christian, a 46-year-old resident from Alexandria who

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 detox unit at Charity Hospital,? said Gardere, who battled with an addiction to opioids and alcohol before getting sober. With a

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 misconception associated with MAT is that it substitutes one drug for another. Instead, these medications relieve the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that cause chemical imbalances in the body. MAT programs provide a safe and controlled level of medication to overcome the

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 are legally prescribed by healthcare providers to manage severe and chronic pain. Commonly prescribed opioids include oxycodone, fentanyl, buprenorphine, methadone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine. Some other opioids, such as heroin, are illegal substances that are

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 substance abuse or 20.2 million people. For those battling an addiction to opioids, the first step is to identify the addiction by checking for common signs. Common Signs of Opioid Addiction The inability to control opioid

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 may be true, yet for others the holiday season is wrought with triggers such as songs, scents, and rituals. Then there is pressure to conform to particular social and familial expectations,