Understanding how drug and alcohol addiction affects the brain is a big step forward in helping to end the stigma of this complex disease and encouraging people to choose treatment. The Role of Dopamine in Addiction The balancing act of a neurotransmitter called dopamine plays an important role in both the cause of addiction and [...]
Physical dependence often accompanies substance use disorders. Physical dependence can happen with the chronic use of many drugs—including many prescription drugs, even if taken as instructed. If you are addicted to alcohol or opioids, Medication-Assisted Treatment can reduce problems of withdrawal and craving. These changes can give you the chance you need to focus on [...]
Compassionate conversations and choice of words help those with substance or alcohol use disorders feel more comfortable seeking treatment and starting their recovery journey. What words can we use to talk about alcohol and opioid misuse that convey compassion? Talking about addiction as a medical condition helps to humanize it and remove negative connotations from [...]
Substance use changes the brain, creating long-lasting impairments to key regions and functions. These changes contribute to the “brain disorder” that makes drugs and alcohol so painfully hard to kick. Social stresses like loneliness, poverty, violence, and other psychological and environmental factors also play an important role in addiction. The structure and function of the [...]
"I often say to people, “Whatever your addictive focus, what did it offer you? What did you like about it? What, in the short term, did it give you that you craved or liked so much?” And universally, the answers are: “It helped me escape emotional pain… helped me deal with stress… gave me peace [...]
Addiction can affect all parts of a person's life: their physical health, brain function, emotional well-being, finances, work life and social relationships. Families and friends are also impacted by loved ones’ substance use problems in various ways: grief and depression about the loved ones' deterioration preoccupation with the person using substances loss of trust in [...]
A recent report from the CDC cited a “concerning acceleration” of opioid-related overdoses.  Synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) appear to be the primary driver. Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period. [...]
Canyonlands Healthcare is now offering help for opioid and alcohol dependency at healthcare locations in rural Arizona communities. Medication-Assisted Treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a "whole-patient" approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. By relieving the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that cause chemical imbalances in the body, [...]
Canyonlands Healthcare offers medication-assisted treatment for addiction and substance use disorders in rural Arizona communities. Our staff of trained and compassionate professionals provide confidential and affordable care. View Locations for Treatment Patients can self-refer without a medical provider and same day appointments are available. The intake process is easy and services are designed to be [...]