In recent years, people have become more aware of family dynamics, the patterns of how people behave and the roles that family members take on which can define us as living with a “functional” or “dysfunctional” family. The definition of Families has also changed, from the “traditional family” of two parents (a mother, and father), to a myriad of arrangements we now refer to as a “family.” But how…

Research continues to investigate the possible link between Traumatic Brain Injury and substance abuse. It is well documented that substance abuse can lead to accidents or violent acts that result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). What is being explored is whether experiencing a TBI makes a person more susceptible to developing substance abuse in cases where they did not have one before the injur…

What is Group Therapy? Group Therapy is described as a type of therapy where one or more therapist will work with several people at the same time, often with a central theme. There are specific benefits to group therapy, especially during the early recovery process and when in treatment. Individual therapy is very helpful, though having the disease of addiction often keeps people isolated. This ar…

Is the FDA responsible for the opioid epidemic, the most damaging medical crisis to hit the United States since the turn of the century? There appears to be strong evidence that a single action taken by the FDA in 2001 triggered the crisis. But the blame doesn’t fall entirely on the FDA for the resulting epidemic. Is the FDA responsible for the opioid epidemic in the United States? According to th…

“I can rehab on my own,” is a common sentiment expressed by people suffering from an addiction. In some respects, it is like the belief that “I can quit anytime I want.” And, there is ample evidence of people quitting “cold turkey,” and successfully kicking their addiction. But that’s the exception, not the rule. Self-rehab isn’t an easy or necessarily pleasant path. It can come with its share of…

PTSD and Addiction: Is there a link? People suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often end up also fighting addiction. Statistics show this happens more than half the time. The reasons for the development of addiction vary but generally involve efforts to dull or temporarily remove the anxiety and stress caused by memories of the event. The link between addiction and PTSD can be po…

People on their way to rehab can have a difficult time deciding what to pack. Some may bring a few items, others may grab everything they own, while others enter with only the clothes on their back. Often it becomes challenging to decide because they are packing their clothes on their own. At Carus Recovery, we want to make it easy for you of what to pack for rehab. If you haven’t been to rehab an…

What happens to the brain when substances are abused and cause addiction? An addicted brain can create a bunch of issues that may explain the change in behavior, challenging thought processes, and the inability to stop using substances. What happens to your brain when you have drug or alcohol addiction? Understanding how addiction works will also help you see how to break that cycle and begin your…

Taking too many substances, accidental or purposeful can lead to overdosing, also termed “OD.” Overdosing from drugs and alcohol has been on the rise, mostly due to the access to opioids, both non-synthetic and synthetic in the last ten years. Each year, overdoses from substances are tracked by the National Center for Health Statistics, though not every drug is charted. A person can overdose from…

A 2016 study of Medicare recipients found that in a few years prior, about 15 percent of patients were prescribed a short-term opioid medication when they were discharged from the hospital; and 90 days later, 42 percent were continuing to take it.   Once receiving a prescription from their doctor for pain relief of an injury or illness, it can be difficult for patients to stop. Dependence on pain…