As the United States braces for an unprecedented time of ‘social distancing’ due to coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, a few other countries, according to the United Nations (UN), are…
Written by Futures Community & Outreach Liaison Laura Kunz “The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery.…
When addiction treatment professionals ask patients what substances they are using, they frequently get more than one answer. A considerable number of people who misuse substances typically consume more than…
In the above video, Futures’ Utilization Director Kathy Piccirilli explains Parity Act and how it impact people’s mental health and substance use disorder insurance benefits. Continued Improvements for Mental Health…
Futures’ Outreach and Community Liaison, Laura Kunz, describes sober curiosity and its benefits. Kunz suggests that one of the most positive aspects of the sober curious movement is that it…
Few people outside the field of behavioral healthcare grasp the importance of the therapeutic alliance. Facilitating a process of self-change through which patients become determined to pursue recovery requires the…
In my role as a Clinical Outreach Professional for Futures, I feel it’s vital and rewarding to remain current with the conversations our industry is promoting to the end goal…
Because alcohol is such a large part of our culture, it’s not always easy to identify when drinking has become a serious problem for a loved one. Here are 10…
Adderall and Adderall XR (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) are commonly prescribed to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As stimulant drugs, they can help people living with these…
Adderall is a medication that is often prescribed for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Nervous system stimulants, like Adderall, have a high potential for misuse due to…
Percocet is an opioid-based drug that consists of of oxycodone and acetaminophen (Tylenol is a well known acetaminophen). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the US consumes over…
Percocet is a Schedule II prescription drug. It is an opioid-based cocktail consisting of oxycodone and acetaminophen (one widely recognized acetaminophen is Tylenol). It is a popular choice among physicians…
Ativan is a very powerful benzodiazepine and tolerance can build very quickly. Ativan is generally prescribed for short-term treatment of anxiety, manic bipolar disorder (as an adjunctive treatment), vomiting associated…
Meth and crystal meth are man-made in clandestine laboratories. Crystal meth is short for crystal methamphetamine and is just one form of the drug methamphetamine. It is a dangerous and…
While opioid withdrawal is not typically life-threatening, it is not recommended to stop taking an opioid drug, such as heroin, methadone, and narcotic pain relievers, suddenly or “cold turkey.” Although…
Meetings are the foundation of recovery in 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. It’s here that people learn more about how others cope with the challenges of addiction,…
Whether you are abusing drugs or alcohol, dealing with the unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal can be difficult, and when unsuccessful, can lead to relapse. Coping with cravings means instituting good…
If you are struggling with substance use disorder, getting into an accredited, 30-day residential treatment program is your best option for recovery. You can get your life back, repair your…
We see this scenario time and time again. Families think they’re helping a loved one with a substance use disorder when they’re actually making things worse. A person constantly misusing…
An intervention is any process by which one individual or group of individuals intervene in the progress of a given situation. Interventions can take place in a variety of settings…
To begin exploring DBT Mindfulness skills, we start with the What Skills. Early in the process this may feel like, “What Skills?” – but with commitment to the practice, we…
Unlike most stereotypes that relate alcoholics with failure in their professional, financial, social, and emotional lives, the high functioning alcoholic does not portray any signs of failure. The high functioning…
Heroin overdose kills because it inhibits the body from breathing. Heroin overdose also causes your blood pressure to drop, with heart failure resulting. Other health problems heroin can cause include:…
A well thought-out plan can be the difference between starting a new sober lifestyle and being set back by relapse. As soon as the elation of completing an addiction treatment…
Tough day at work? Head to the bar. Big fight with your boyfriend or girlfriend? Light up a joint. These may sound like “normal” reactions to a stressful or emotionally…
The primary focus of any eating disorder treatment program aimed at helping those living with anorexia is to find balance and health in eating properly. But like any difficult undertaking,…
How do eating disorders start? There is usually no one single cause, but rather a number of different issues that culminate in an eating disorder. These risk factors could be:…
“You exaggerate more than anyone in the whole world!” If you have ever taken part in a disagreement that escalated into extreme statements such as this one, then you know…
Romantic relationships can start out great. They’re exciting and fun, give you something to look forward to, increase your self-confidence, and make you feel like anything is possible. But there’s…
According to the late former US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women ages 15 to 44. It is, in fact, more…
Defined by eating excessive amounts of food and then purging that food from the body, there are a number of health problems that result from bulimia. The constant cycle of…
When examining the DBT concept of Willingness versus Willfulness, we see how Dialectical Behavior Therapy once again presents us with a pair of opposite forces at play within the mind.…
The myth about DBT is that it’s complicated. The reality is that the word “dialectical” sounds complicated, but it really just means that there are oppositional forces at play. In…
“You really get me” is the type of phrase you might hear from your best friend. In fact, it’s indicative of the nature of best friends. You understand each other,…
Bulimia, or bulimia nervosa, is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by the practice of eating large amounts of food in secretive binges followed by compensatory behaviors, such…
The benefits of exercise on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health have been lauded for what seems like decades now. Whether reading peer-reviewed journals or scrolling through pictures on Facebook…
Much of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy’s effectiveness for impulse control and relapse prevention can be attributed to the mnemonic devices employed in its teachings. Some DBT concepts provide rich visual associations,…
Sometimes we are asked what are the best books on drug/alcohol addiction we recommend to clients? Can these books be separated into categories for recovering addicts and family members? Our…
The beauty of DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) is that regardless of whether you’re recovering from the disease of addiction or you’re simply someone looking to improve your relationship with yourself…
The How Skills: Non-Judgmentally, One-Mindfully, and Effectively are actions that contribute to a healthy mindfulness practice. Non-Judgmentally – the act of taking a non-judgmental stance. In order to begin observing…
For individuals with a strong desire to lose or maintain their weight, diet supplements may seem like a magical solution. The manufacturers of these products make extravagant promises about the…
Eating disorders are characterized by preoccupations with weight, body image issues, and a lack of control over the food that leads to restrictive eating patterns, binging, and excessive exercise. Individuals…
Generally, for most people struggling with a substance abuse, withdrawal symptoms start out mild and heighten around 2 to 3 days after last use of the substance in question. Many…
Opioid misuse and dependency treatment may start with a medical detox protocol since withdrawal symptoms are often uncomfortable and drug cravings can get intense. What to Expect During Withdrawal Even…
Patients who are ready to put opiate dependence behind them have the option of utilizing medication designed to help them break free from addiction in a slow and controlled manner.…
If Suboxone is taken in conjunction with other drugs or alcohol, it will amplify all of the potential medical related risk factors, including increasing the likelihood of a life-threatening interaction…
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can spiral out of control rather quickly and have negative effects. This is why it is crucial to seek treatment for alcoholism as soon as possible.…
Getting clean from any substance isn’t easy. There are a variety of social, emotional, and cognitive factors that can contribute to the addiction in the first place, and more still…
Alcohol Poisoning can put you or someone you love in immediate danger. If you suspect alcohol poisoning, please call 911. After the situation is stabilized, call Futures immediately to start…
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord, both of which need to be in strong, working order for a person to function at…
Inpatient mental health care provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals experiencing severe mental health disorders. This type of care involves staying at a specialized facility where individuals receive…
A mental health crisis is a situation where an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors put them at risk of harming themselves or others. It can occur suddenly and hinder a…
Choosing the right mental health facility is a crucial step in ensuring effective treatment and support for individuals facing mental health challenges. With various types of facilities and treatment options…
Futures embraces the complexity of addiction, co-occurring mental health, and primary mental health conditions to empower recovery and improve outcomes through evidence-based practice, coordinated care, and mission-driven culture.
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