Blog
Stress Drinking & Coronavirus: Did You Drink Your Way Through Social Distancing?
By Phil Kosanovich on June 12, 2020
You probably saw memes and social posts about “quarantinis” and relying on alcohol to cope with social distancing and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. For people who are lonely, isolated and struggling with substance use disorders, the jokes about drinking and isolation are less humorous and more a reality. Some experts say they have seen […]
Alcohol and Depression – Are They Linked?
By Phil Kosanovich on June 12, 2020
We all have had bad days, when we feel sad, lonely, tired and unmotivated. When those feelings span several days, weeks, months or longer, it’s likely a sign of depression. Depression can trigger people to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs, which can lead to dependence and ultimately to addiction to these substances. Conversely, one of […]
How to Help Someone Detox from Drugs or Alcohol at Home
By Phil Kosanovich on May 29, 2020
Going through the withdrawal process and trying to DIY detox at home is a dangerous undertaking. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to help yourself or someone you love to detox at home, let us say this: If you or someone you care about has been struggling with alcohol or drugs and are ready […]
Why is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
By Phil Kosanovich on May 22, 2020
Fentanyl is so lethal because it’s 150 times more potent than morphine, and the chances of overdosing are greater. Deaths from drug overdoses have been on a steady increase over the last 20 years, mainly because of fentanyl. The graph below from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows drug overdose deaths from […]
5 Reasons You Should Seek Addiction Recovery in Southern California
By Phil Kosanovich on May 8, 2020
California is one of the most beautiful states with one of the best climates in the country … and while we’re proud of our state’s beauty, that’s not the primary reason to seek addiction recovery here. California has always had some of the best substance abuse treatment centers in the United States, and we have one of […]
Understanding The DSM-5 Substance Use Disorder Definition And Why It Matters
By Phil Kosanovich on May 4, 2020
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition — DSM-5 for short — is published by the American Psychological Association (APA), and it is used for diagnosing and classifying mental disorders. Mental disorders like substance abuse can’t be diagnosed through a blood test, X-ray or some other laboratory test the way that conditions […]
Ingesting Oxycodone — Dangers of Snorting, Shooting, Smoking, and Swallowing Opioids
By Phil Kosanovich on April 27, 2020
The United States is currently in the grip of a nationwide health crisis of opioid abuse. In 2019, more than 70% of drug overdose deaths involved opioids, totaling 49,860 deaths. Despite being incredibly dangerous, prescription opioids have become relatively accessible through doctors and pharmacies in recent decades, leading to a surge in opioid drug abuse. […]
What to Know About the 12 Steps for Alcoholics
By Phil Kosanovich on April 20, 2020
The 12 steps of most addiction recovery programs are based on the 12 steps developed by Alcoholics Anonymous in the mid 1930s: 1. There Are 12 Steps for a Reason — Sort of Some people might guess that the reason for 12 steps is so that you can work one step per month and complete […]