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Addiction transference is the act of applying active or pre-existing addictive behaviors to another substance or compulsive behavior. Once developed, whether by cross-substance relapse or in addition to another substance or behavior, it’s doubly hazardous and potentially lethal to your health. That’s why addiction transference can be as much of a struggle as the substance dependency you battle. It can also be even more difficult to kick. Thus, it’s all the more vital to keep your guard up throughout recovery and beyond. Here is all about addiction transference causes, dangers, and ways to combat it. How Does Addiction Transference Occur? Addiction transference occurs for different reasons for different people. That’s because everybody’s struggle with dependency is unique with different behaviors and impulses. Jaywalker Lodge understands and expects this to be the case. That’s why our mental health and drug recovery specialists take a purely individualized approach to each person’s substance…

Even in this day and age, many still fear what they don’t understand. This has led to many developing a negative perception of certain things that don’t deserve such ideation. One example is men’s mental health stigma, where many believe that people who have mental health issues are dangerous, incurable, and even contagious. What is Mental Health Stigma? A stigma is defined as a negative attitude or discrimination against a person based on specific characteristics, such as disability, health disorder, or mental illness. It could even expand into a broader sense to include race, religion, culture, gender, and sexual orientation. Apart from racial prejudice, mental health stigma is one of the most prevalent negative perceptions that is prevalent in the world today. Many see it as a distinguishing mark of genetic or even racial and cultural inferiority, while others view it as a form of karmic or divine punishment for…

Most people will go through a traumatic event at some time in their lives. And it’s typical to recover after a period of time. But some people have difficulty recovering from the experience and develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Going through a traumatic experience is not rare. About 60% of men experience at least one trauma. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for men with PTSD to turn to substances to cope with their symptoms. At Jaywalker Lodge, we offer comprehensive rehab programs in Colorado to help men deal with co-occurring disorders like PTSD and addiction. Some traumas men are more likely to experience include: Accidents Physical assault Combat Disaster Witnessing a death or injury What is PTSD? PTSD is a mental health condition. It usually develops after a sudden traumatizing event or it can develop after repeated exposure to something upsetting and traumatizing. If you have PTSD, you may be…

Recovering from Heroin Addiction Heroin addiction is a serious problem that devastates many lives in the United States and beyond each year. A heroin addiction can often develop quickly and has devastating consequences. In fact, a heroin addiction can jeopardize relationships, financial security and professional prospects. Criminal activities and legal issues are common with heroin addicts. More than that, heroin use can damage health and even lead to fatalities. If you are addicted to heroin, rest assured that help is available. Many people have overcome their addiction to heroin with professional assistance. How Does a Heroin Addiction Develop? Morphine is naturally extracted from several different types of poppy plants, which are native to areas in Central America and southern Asia. Heroin is processed from morphine. This opioid, available in powders and sticky substances, is highly addictive. In fact, it binds to neural receptors in the brain quickly. By doing so,…

Depression and anxiety are mental illnesses that cause a person to feel restlessness, unhappiness, and a sense of impending doom. They are the most common mental health disorders affecting the world today. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 21 million adults in the United States had at least one major depression-related episode at some point. This figure makes up 8.4% of the entire adult population in the US. These alarming numbers point to serious issues within our society. It is extremely important to regularly check in with loved ones to make sure they are doing okay. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression or anxiety, learn more about our treatment options. What are the Effects of Depression and Anxiety? Those who suffer from depression and anxiety often feel unhappy, nervous, and numb. It should be noted that grief, sadness, and general unhappiness are all…

The NIDA states that somewhere between 40 to 60 percent of individuals who’ve been through alcohol addiction treatment end up relapsing. Much of this is due to the brain and how it associates activities with alcohol consumption. If someone has been engaged in alcohol abuse for an extended period of time, it’s likely that most activities can cause triggers Alcoholic triggers are strong urges that increase the possibility of someone relapsing. While triggers do not force someone to engage in drinking alcohol, they make it much more difficult to refrain. Even individuals who have sustained from alcohol abuse for an extended period of time can fall victim to triggers. What are Alcoholic Triggers? Alcoholic triggers can be external or internal and are typically categorized as emotional, environmental, or emotional. These triggers or cravings are natural responses that result from previous alcohol abuse. In fact, the brain associates any particular activity…

Vivitrol is a medication used to help people dealing with substance use. It prevents the brain from feeling the desirable effects of drugs and alcohol, which reduces a person’s dependency. Vivitrol is proven to work, but there are some side effects that should be considered before taking this medication. While not all side effects of Vivitrol are dangerous, it is important to know what to look out for. Addiction is a disease that requires medical assistance in most cases and it is extremely important to get help from a professional. If you or a loved one may be suffering from substance abuse, seek out treatment as soon as possible. Common Side Effects of VivitrolVivitrol works on the body systems that tend to be the most affected when people are using substances. In the case of opioids, this medication blocks the effect that opioids have on the brain. However, it also…

Precipitated withdrawal refers to withdrawal that has been brought about by medication, rather than abstinence from a substance. It can be expected when naloxone is used to reverse an opioid overdose. As the opioid epidemic continues into its second decade, naloxone has become more and more common. However, a dose of naloxone in the form of a nasal spray, (the most common form) is high enough to cause the sudden, frightening, and painful reaction called precipitated withdrawal. Why Does Precipitated Withdrawal Happen? When using naloxone to reverse an overdose, precipitated withdrawal is expected. But, it can also happen unintentionally when certain medications are used to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). These medications include: Naltrexone (Vivitrol) Buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone, Zubsolv, Bunavail) Buprenorphine (Subutex, once-monthly Sublocade) Precipitated withdrawal occurs when medication-assisted treatments are started without allowing for enough time between the last dose of prescription painkiller or heroin and the first dose of…

The music we listen to is the soundtrack for our lives. They can be direct reflections of past memories both good and bad. Listening to music creates nostalgia and offers a sense of acceptance when you can directly relate to the lyrics and emotions in a particular track. Music can help guide you through the recovery process and provide stability as you move through your journey. Here is a list of 20 songs about addiction recovery and some insight into their direct meaning. Songs About Substance Abuse Songs About Addiction Recovery About Music and Substance Abuse There are many other songs about addiction and recovery as music is ultimately a reflection of society and substance abuse is not uncommon. Undoubtedly, anyone should be able to find songs about addiction recovery in the genre that appeals most to them. Finding music that reflects how you feel can help you heal. How…

Many people learn the hard way that being sober and staying sober are two very different things, and this is the best reason why there is a profession known as the sober mentor. There are people who do manage to stay sober for a time after a stint in rehabilitation, who later on discover that the stress of everyday life is more than enough to drive them right back into seeking escape through substances. In other instances, the person could have taken to rehabilitation quite well, and would have continued to do so, had they not been exposed to an environment where it was immensely difficult to stay sober. This is particularly true for people who are around others who are heavy drinkers or engage in illicit drug use, or happen to work in an industry where they are exposed to the manufacture or sales of substances they could get…