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Keeping Track of Vaccinations for Kids and Adults

Keeping Track of Vaccinations for Kids and Adults

Vaccinations are important for your children’s health, and for your own. They were made to protect everyone from communicable diseases, some of which can be deadly. Vaccinations are also an important part of your healthcare history, so you should keep careful records...

The Role of Technology in Recovery

The Role of Technology in Recovery

Addiction treatment has evolved over time, with new types of evidence-based therapies emerging over the years. In more recent history, technology has become a part of addiction treatment and recovery, offering patients more accessibility to treatment, and tools for...

The Connection Between Nutrition and Mental Health

The Connection Between Nutrition and Mental Health

It’s a long-established fact that nutrition is critically important to physical health. However, recently, much attention from the scientific community is focused on the connection between nutrition and mental health. Research is proving that a healthy diet can have a...

The Science of Long-Term Recovery

The Science of Long-Term Recovery

A substance abuse disorder can have a devastating effect on your life, but it also takes a toll on your brain and your body. However, with treatment, you can reclaim your life and heal your mind and body over time. How Addiction Affects the Brain Substances change the...

How to Build a Sober Support Network

How to Build a Sober Support Network

If you have recently completed treatment for a substance use disorder, you have taken a powerful first step in recovery and should be proud. To continue your recovery, however, it’s crucial for you to have a supportive network of people that you can turn to when...

The Power of Positive Thinking in Addiction Recovery

The Power of Positive Thinking in Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery is a lifelong process, requiring continuous diligence and self-care to maintain sobriety. You have to learn healthy strategies to cope with challenges and to control your emotions and thoughts. One of the most important and powerful of these...

Why Do Cravings Happen and How to Manage Them

Why Do Cravings Happen and How to Manage Them

Recovery is a difficult process, and one of its main challenges is handling cravings. They can be overwhelming and difficult to manage. However, by understanding cravings and how to manage them, you can avoid relapse and be successful. What Are Cravings? Cravings are...

How to Talk to Children About a Parent’s Addiction

How to Talk to Children About a Parent’s Addiction

It’s estimated that one in ten children live with an adult that has an addiction, known as a substance use disorder (SUD), and that most of these children are under the age of five. Children who live in these situations have a higher likelihood of struggling with...

Addiction and Relationships

Addiction and Relationships

Addiction impacts not only the individual but also the people around them, particularly romantic partners. This impact can be long-lasting, affecting the relationship even after the addicted person receives treatment and is in recovery. How Does Addiction Affect...

What are the Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab?

What are the Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab?

If you’re struggling with drugs or alcohol and considering rehab, you have options. Both inpatient and outpatient treatment offer therapy and support, but they have key differences to consider. Inpatient Rehab Inpatient treatment is 24-hour care in a facility with a...

Pediatric Obesity: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment Strategies

Pediatric Obesity: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment Strategies

Pediatric obesity is a significant issue in the United States, with the CDC reporting that 1 in 5 children and adolescents are obese. Obesity can lead to a host of health problems for these youth and a higher healthcare cost burden for their parents. Many programs and...

My Story by Veronica

My Story by Veronica

I’ve been addicted since I was 13. I’ve lost everything—more than once. But the team at Bridges of Hope didn’t give up on me, even when I gave up on myself. That changed everything. Now I’m proud to work here, helping others stay when it’s hardest. Because I know what it means to be met with compassion instead of judgment.

Addiction and Mental Health in First Responders

Addiction and Mental Health in First Responders

First responders have among the most difficult jobs that exist, continuously being exposed to stressful and even traumatic situations. This often leads to mental health issues, and in many cases, addiction, whether to alcohol or other substances. Unfortunately, these...

TRICARE for Mental Health

TRICARE for Mental Health

Mental health issues are common, with nearly a quarter of all people in the United States suffering from a mental illness. That number is even higher for those who are serving or have served in the U.S. military, often due to the stress and trauma that service members...

Can Pets Help with Addiction Recovery?

Can Pets Help with Addiction Recovery?

Pets have long been thought to benefit mental health, offering unconditional love and companionship. For people in addiction recovery, a pet can provide support and a host of benefits that can help them maintain sobriety. Animals can also be helpful during the...

What are the Long-Term Health Effects of Alcohol Addiction?

What are the Long-Term Health Effects of Alcohol Addiction?

Chronic alcohol use takes a toll on the body over time, affecting many systems and increasing the risk of certain cancers. The good news is that if you stop using alcohol, your health may improve, allowing you to live a longer life. You can seek treatment and start...

Is There Medication for Alcohol Addiction?

Is There Medication for Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction, formally known as alcohol use disorder, is rampant, affecting more than 10% of people in the U.S. over the age of 12. Treatment of alcohol use disorder involves therapy and may also include the use of certain approved medications. There are...

Is Codeine Addictive?

Is Codeine Addictive?

Because codeine is widely prescribed, most people don’t think of codeine as a problem drug like fentanyl or heroin, but as an opioid, it’s commonly abused. In 2022, more than 19.8 million people used codeine, with 9.3% of those people misusing the drug. Like any...

What are Symptoms of Xanax Addiction?

What are Symptoms of Xanax Addiction?

Xanax is a highly addictive benzodiazepine drug. In a 2018 study, more than 5 million people reported misusing benzodiazepines. Xanax can be very dangerous when misused, particularly if it’s taken with opioids or alcohol, which is common among Xanax users. If you...

What is evidence-based treatment and why is it important?

What is evidence-based treatment and why is it important?

In the medical world, treatments are based on what research and data have shown to work for your condition. Your doctor prescribes you medicine that has been proven to be effective. It’s an evidence-based decision to give you that medicine. In the mental health world,...