In 12-step programs, the sponsor plays a vital role in a member’s recovery. A sponsor is a seasoned member of the group who has completed the 12 steps with the help of his own sponsor. He is now ready to take on the responsibility of guiding newcomers through the process. Sponsorship is both a service […]

Before making the decision to administer tests at home, however, it’s important to consider the potential dangers and risks. Many experts and school officials are skeptical as to the efficacy of drug tests. The American Academy of Pediatrics knows that drug testing does not come without risk; it can damage the relationship between parent and […]

Avoiding relapse is the greatest challenge that your teen will face after graduating from rehab. Completing an addiction treatment program doesn’t mean that the graduate is free from the influence of drugs, alcohol or addictive behaviors. In fact, statistics indicate that relapse is to be expected among teens who finish rehab. The National Institute on […]

After completing an addiction treatment program, teens should never feel that they’ve been left to fend for themselves. Alumni programs continue to provide support for rehab graduates for years after they’ve left the facility and established new lives in sobriety. When you’re comparing treatment programs for your teen, look for a facility that offers a […]

Drug addiction comes in many forms, If your child suffers from a dual diagnosis disorder and has been abusing prescription medication, it may be of concern as to whether he can receive effective treatment in the form of medications. An individual who suffers from anxiety, for instance, may – under normal circumstances – receive a […]

What Is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs in an estimated 7.8 percent of the population, per the Nebraska Department of Veteran’s Affairs. According to Psych Central, PTSD belongs to the classification of “Trauma and Stress-related Disorders” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Most often, it follows witnessing a traumatizing event that instills […]

A co-occurring disorder is actually made up of two distinct conditions: a mental health illness or disorder and University of Iowa, the research specific to teens who suffer from dual diagnosis conditions reveals several common aspects, such as: The severity of the drug problem is often a factor in the presence of a co-occurring disorder. […]

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number one governing principle for effective treatment is that everything about your child’s treatment plan, from the setting to the services provided, should match your son’s needs. In this regard, your son’s co-occurring disorder isn’t necessarily treated differently than someone with an addiction disorder that does […]

Prescription drug abuse can start for teens when they or another family member are written a legitimate prescription by their family doctor. Without proper supervision or secure storage of medications, teens may be tempted to experiment with the use of these prescription pills and inadvertently develop an addiction or, worse, overdose. The results can be […]

There are a number of different kinds of prescription drugs that are highly addictive and have the potential for abuse. These include opiate painkillers (e.g., OxyContin, hydrocodone), central nervous system depressants (long-term users of prescription drugs will risk health problems that include: Organ damage and failure, especially to the kidneys and liver Tolerance to the […]

“It’s not mine, Mom.”“I don’t know what it is, Dad. I’ve never seen it before.”These are likely the answers you’ll get if you find miscellaneous and unidentified pills in your son’s belongings. It can leave you in a nerve-wracking predicament. How do you figure out what type of pills your son is using? And how […]

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alternative medicine is an approach to one’s physical care that is used to replace the Western, pharmaceutical medicines that many American turn to as a first choice for their care. If an individual has […]