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For some people, sober living can be a defining factor in helping someone to remain sober during and after substance use disorder treatment. A 2021 study found that sober living residents were more likely to remain in outpatient treatment for longer compared to those who were not in sober living homes. Sober living is a transitional space allowing clients to move from a structured residential treatment environment into mainstream society.

Withdrawal is a response, a physical and psychological reaction from your body when you stop using a substance that you have been using for a long time. It is your body attempting to rebalance itself to be able to function “normally” without the presence of the addictive drug. The dangers of withdrawal come from the body’s reaction to extreme changes in the chemical process in which it readjusts to return to a normal state of being before drug use.

Paradoxical effects and reactions are generally quite rare. They are described as experiencing the opposite of what a medication or drug is intended to do. It is an unusual medical response where the drug causes an effect that is opposite of what it would normally produce. For example, when a person uses Benadryl to treat allergies, it promotes sleep and sedation. During a paradoxical effect, a reaction to the drug causes hyperactivity, irritability and insomnia. The exact opposite of what the medication is supposed to do. The exact reasoning and science behind this phenomenon is still very unclear.

Concerta or methylphenidate hydrochloride, is a stimulant prescription medication used to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is a similar type of ADHD medication to Ritalin and according to the DEA, it is even more closely comparable to the illicit substance cocaine. Compared to other medications such as Adderall, Concerta only comes in an extended-release formulation that works by blocking the reuptake of chemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine and producing sensations of energy and euphoria. This allows for more availability of neurotransmitters to be used up by the brain and body. Similar to other powerful and addictive prescription stimulants, Concerta users can develop a dependence on the drug leading to misuse and Concerta withdrawal.

Have you quit drugs? Have you quit drinking? Are you going California Sober? There is no official definition of California Sober. Some people refer to it as only using substances or “soft drugs” such as marijuana while cutting out all “hard drugs” such as cocaine, heroin and alcohol. One definition of the term refers to the occasional use of alcohol or even other hard drugs in a controlled setting because of the belief that it can offer mental health benefits. Other definitions of the term refer to only using marijuana and alcohol in moderation and avoiding other drugs. Advocates for this semi-sobriety approach claim that marijuana offers therapeutic benefits when trying to overcome an addiction.

Sobriety can be a lifelong journey. The physical, psychological and emotional toll substance addiction takes on a person can be devastating. Because of that, the road to recovery and sobriety can become a constant work in progress for many people. One factor that can greatly contribute to sobriety success is finding and surrounding oneself with sober friends. Sober friends are people who also abstain from all forms of mind-altering substances such as alcohol and drugs. Having sober friends can be very beneficial to your emotional wellness, maintaining sobriety and maintaining important relationships during recovery.

Track marks are a series of needle or small puncture wounds across various areas of the body that typically indicate drug use. It is most commonly seen in more severe substance addictions. Track marks are a sign of intravenous drug use and are known as needle marks, injection marks or puncture marks. Puncturing the skin and veins repeatedly over a long period of time causes, bruising, collapsed veins, discoloration, scabs and the development of scar tissue at and around the injection site creating what can look like “track marks” on the skin.

Healing from the throws of addiction is a physically, psychologically and emotionally taxing ordeal. It can be both cognitively and spiritually draining and lead to an overall sense of exhaustion. In some cases, it can even exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression. These feelings will most often manifest during the early stages of immediate addiction recovery and it is also known as sobriety fatigue. Sobriety fatigue is a natural reaction to the time, energy and efforts the user has invested into breaking free from and overcoming the challenges of their addiction.

Cyclobenzaprine is a type of muscle relaxant usually prescribed for short-term pain management from muscle injury including strains, sprains and spasms. It is more commonly known by the brand name Flexeril. Though the medication Flexeril is no longer available, many people still refer to this type of muscle relaxant medication as such. It is one of the most commonly prescribed medications used to treat musculoskeletal pain.

Klonopin is a prescription medication used to treat varying mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, seizure disorders, panic disorders and agoraphobia disorders. It falls under the substance category of benzodiazepines and is a commonly abused drug. All benzos carry a risk of misuse and dependence. According to the FDA, exposure to benzos can increase a user’s risk of abuse, misuse, addiction and overdose. However, an overdose of the anti-anxiety medication alone is rare. In fact, most cases of Klonopin-related overdose almost always involve other substances or doses that are greater than the maximum recommendation from a medical provider.