Social wellness is the ability to build and maintain healthy, supportive relationships. It involves communication skills, emotional awareness, and the capacity for connection. In November 2024, the City of San Antonio officially declared substance-related overdoses a public health crisis. In addiction recovery, social wellness is a key factor in long-term success. Strong social support helps…
Although Percocets can help manage pain and other medical conditions, they can also cause several side effects. Percocet is an opioid prescription pain reliever that contains oxycodone and acetaminophen. While Percocets are commonly used to treat short-term pain, the drug can have serious long-term side effects. Percocet can cause changes in mental functioning, including an…
When someone you love is using, there are two versions of them.The one you remember. And the one you live with now. You might still hear glimpses of the person you fell in love with—when they’re clear-eyed, calm, promising again. But then it disappears. The chaos returns. And so does the pain. Addiction turns your…
Dr. Gabor Maté, a pioneer in the field of conquering addiction, advocates a compassionate approach toward those with substance use disorders. He is known for quotes such as: “The question is not why the addiction, but why the pain?” For so many years, the prevailing wisdom was that some people were prone to addiction while…
You showed up. You were willing. You even gave it a real shot. Maybe you tried CBT because someone told you it was “evidence-based” or “what works.” Maybe you went into it cautiously optimistic. Or maybe you were just tired enough to try anything. But then it didn’t land. It felt too clinical. Too surface….
Just like any long-term goal, recovery requires ongoing effort. It’s easy to feel like the hard work is over once you reach a certain point but, as you may already know, recovery doesn’t have a finish line. Think of it like being a runner: if you stop training just because you completed a marathon, your…
Mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUD) often go hand in hand. For many who have struggled with mental illness, they may feel as if there is no way out. They may turn to substance abuse as a way to self-medicate or to cope with the pain. Any potential relief that this yields is…
Summer is often seen as a carefree season—no school, more freedom and time to relax. But for many teenagers, this shift in routine can open the door to mental health struggles and increased risk of substance use. Without the structure of the school year, some teens experience emotional difficulties that can go unnoticed until they…
Over the years the Department of Defense has developed varying policies on how to handle substance abuse within the service. The military’s history with veteran substance abuse is often exacerbated by deployment and combat environments. Policy directives mostly began in the Vietnam era. Currently, policy discourages substance use, but zero-tolerance policies may discourage military members…
Pain is a universal human experience, and for millions, pain and opioid painkillers have become a common issue. While these medications offer powerful relief, their effects on the body and brain are complex and far-reaching. This guide explores how opioid painkillers work, their short- and long-term effects, and what everyone should know before using them…
