Blog
4 Tips for Facing Fears in Recovery
By Danielle Graniello, LVN on December 14, 2021
Overcoming fear in addiction recovery is one of the most integral steps to sustained sobriety. This is because fear and addiction perpetuate each other and can create a vicious cycle that is challenging to escape. Addiction can have a similar reaction. For example, substances and addiction rewire the brain to avoid fear and satisfy cravings. […]
How To Successfully Prepare For Detox
By Danielle Graniello, LVN on November 19, 2021
The first steps into addiction treatment can be nerve-wracking, and understandably so. Detox can sound terrifying, especially with the laundry list of side effects that can come along with it. However, Cornerstone's detox program in Orange County is one of the long-running medical detox program in the world and is more straightforward than people think, […]
What Are PAWS?
By Danielle Graniello, LVN on November 16, 2021
Upon researching drug and alcohol withdrawal, you might have come across the acronym PAWS. Otherwise known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome, it can be challenging to understand PAWS, especially when there is an overload of information and plenty of unfamiliar terms used. If you are hoping to understand what PAWS is, you have come to the […]
Why Stopping Benzos Requires a Medical Detox
By Danielle Graniello, LVN on November 11, 2021
Benzodiazepines or “benzos” are pharmaceuticals that are most commonly prescribed to deal with anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, and seizures. In the long term, transitioning away from benzos can require additional medical help or therapy. Common side effects of withdrawal include cold sweats, shaking, and seizures. These symptoms may be daunting and can threaten our health […]
How To Find Happiness Without Substances
By Danielle Graniello, LVN on October 26, 2021
The thought of a life of sobriety may fill you with horror. If you use substances regularly, you may also believe that life without them may be boring, leaving you lacking contentment and joy. Running from October 23rd to the 31st, Red Ribbon Week is a week dedicated to raising awareness about drugs in the […]
Heavy Using vs. Addiction – What’s the Difference?
By Danielle Graniello, LVN on October 19, 2021
The line between heavy substance use and addiction is a blurry one. What’s more confusing is that they are sometimes treated as the same condition. One of the hazards of this is that it minimizes the dangers of heavy substance use. However, the blurry line between heavy use and addiction is also a slippery slope. […]
The Show Must Go On – 4 Musicians That Overcame Addiction
By Danielle Graniello, LVN on October 7, 2021
Many Americans are familiar with the phrase “sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll”, and the music industry can seem inextricable from the party lifestyle and substance abuse. So it is no surprise that drug and alcohol addiction has affected some of our favorite musicians. But it is not all suffering; with the help of friends, […]
Understanding the Relationship Between Shame and Addiction
By Danielle Graniello, LVN on September 23, 2021
Shame is a powerful feeling of inadequacy - it is a sense that you are a bad person or that you are somehow wrong. Shame is both a cause and an effect of addiction, leading to a destructive cycle that can drive addictive behavior. What Is the Difference Between Shame and Guilt? While people often […]