In a study published in the West Journal of Emergency Medicine[1]—the first published report of its kind—examining the performance and outcomes of emergency room doctors enrolled in Physician Health Programs (PHPs) for substance use disorders (SUDs), it was found emergency physicians (EPs) do well following treatment of SUDs with monitoring in PHPs and generally return…
In defining addiction, the National Institute on Drug Abuse states “(addiction) is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long-lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use drugs.”[1] Importantly, they…
When we arrive at our dentist’s office for an appointment, not one of us would expect—or want—to find out he or she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, right? Yet according to Michel A. Sucher, MD, medical director of the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners’ Monitored Aftercare Treatment Program, “About 10 to…
How to Identify and Help a Health Care Professional with a Substance Use Disorder – PART ONE [Note to Reader: This post is “Part One” of a 2-part blog-post. “Part Two” will follow shortly after publication of this post.] The nature of addiction has been studied by scientists and researchers for decades. The American Psychiatric…
“If we have trouble seeing the miracle of recovery, we’d better look again.” – Just For Today[1] I recall vividly how quietly scared I was when I first came into recovery. One of my foremost fears was simply that I was never going to get free from the grip addiction had on me – it…
“The concerns we have are related to the big challenges people are facing right now with COVID-19: isolation and uncertainty resulting in very high levels of stress.” — Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) According to a White House drug policy office analysis, there was a significant rise (11.4%)…
“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.” – Will Rogers When we’ve “finally had enough” and come into recovery—via an addiction treatment center, an impaired professionals program or a 12 Steps fellowship—most of us are told that abstinence from drinking or using drugs is an essential beginning—”we don’t drink or use, no matter…
“In your mind, you can be okay, you can just do one. But like they say, ‘One is too many and a thousand’s never enough.’*” – Bruce Cherry, Pennsylvania[1] (*: quote from Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text) Regardless of how long a person has been in recovery—one day or a few decades—I have a high regard…
If you’ve been living with a substance abuse problem, there is help available. One of the best rehab programs for men in Florida can help you take the first steps towards reclaiming your life. In fact, you can be well on your way towards a total and lasting recovery in less time than you might…