Understanding RelapseBlogBy The Ranch PAJanuary 10, 2013Every year thousands of people successfully combat addiction. In the months and years following treatment, some of these people relapse, returning to substance abuse. The word “relapse” means “to fall again,” and it’s a possibility all recovering addicts face. In November of 2012, police laid DUI charges against an addiction counselor from Torrance, California. Tragically,…
Holidays, Families and Addiction SupportHelp BlogBy The Ranch PAJanuary 9, 2013Holidays are stressful times for people living with addiction disorders. Social pressure to drink at parties increases, celebrations interfere with daily routines and stress levels rise. Family members can help loved ones avoid alcohol or drug use and still enjoy the holidays. Preventing HALT HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired, all of which…
Heroin: Why More Young People are Using this Devastating DrugHelp BlogBy The Ranch PAJanuary 3, 2013In November, Jon Bon Jovi’s 19-year-old daughter, Stephanie Bongiovi, was rushed to hospital after a heroin overdose. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana possession. Though Bongiovi’s has left the hospital in better health, her overdose serves as a grim reminder that heroin use in on the…
Addicts Aren’t “Bad People”BlogBy The Ranch PAJanuary 2, 2013Addicts often feel a great deal of shame about their addiction. It’s easy to see where this notion stems from. Myths about addiction contribute to the widespread belief that addicts are bad people. Popular opinion, television shows and media stories create the impression that addicts are selfish, weak and lacking self-control. The idea may also…
Drug Courts Recognize Addiction as Disease, Not CrimeBlogBy The Ranch PADecember 27, 2012Substance abuse provides a motivation for many crimes, from petty theft to physical assault. Traditionally, law courts focus on the crime, not the underlying cause. As a result, many addicts find themselves caught in a repeating cycle of arrest, imprisonment and release. The cycle costs the legal system millions every year. More importantly, people suffering…
Myth: Mothers with Addiction Do Not Care About Their ChildrenHelp BlogBy The Ranch PADecember 18, 2012News stories about mothers suffering from addiction are fairly common. Stories about mothers neglecting children during drug binges, leaving children alone in toxic meth labs, or exposing kids to drug paraphernalia, smoke and syringes creates the impression mothers who suffer from addiction don’t care about their children. The truth is much more complex. Mothers struggling…
Former Addict? Share Your Story!BlogBy The Ranch PADecember 14, 2012Because addiction recovery continues after leaving our treatment facility, we offer a customized aftercare plan for you. Your unique aftercare treatment plan will include a variety of support systems and treatments, one of which can be working with others who are struggling with addiction. Many clients find a sense of fulfillment sharing their stories of…
Do You Suffer from a Co-Dependency Addiction?Help BlogBy The Ranch PADecember 11, 2012Co-dependency is a common condition experienced in families dealing with substance abuse or addiction. A co-dependent family member values his relationship with the addict more than his own well-being. Spouses, children and parents can all be co-dependent. In its own way, co-dependency is as addictive as any substance. Symptoms of Co-Dependency Co-dependent family members enable…
Avoiding Alcohol and Drug Counseling Because You Fear Abstinence?BlogBy The Ranch PADecember 6, 2012Traditionally, substance abuse programs take a zero-tolerance approach to drug or alcohol use. While effective for some, many find the notion of complete abstinence — and the withdrawal symptoms accompanying abstinence — a frightening prospect. Unfortunately, concerns about abstinence often delay much-needed substance abuse treatment. A study by the American Psychological Association indicates counselors share…
Have a Loved One Struggling with Alcoholism? You Need Support TooHelp BlogBy The Ranch PADecember 4, 2012As with all addictions, alcoholism doesn’t just affect the individual struggling with it; it affects their loved ones as well. Often, family and friends have a hard time dealing with their loved one’s addiction, and they’re unsure of how to best offer their support. If a loved one is struggling with addiction, there are resources…
