Caroline McGraw

Deaths from opioids - both prescription painkillers and heroin - have gone up 200% (3x) since 2000. Heroin and synthetic opioids - such as fentanyl - have seen big spikes of almost 5x during this period, driving the crisis.

The tragic death of Prince is just the latest high-profile casualty of the escalating opioid crisis.

What's the link between trauma and addiction? We’re trying to understand traumatic situations that happen in someone's life and how they may impact substance abuse or addiction. Trauma and addiction can be linked even when there is not an obvious (overt) case of trauma. This is Part 2 of our an interview with The Clearing co-founder, Joe Koelzer on the subject.

Read Part 1 here.

Did you know that most people with a substance addiction also have a concurrent mental health condition?

This is often in the form of clinical depression, anxiety, etc.

Too often, there is a mental health stigma pinned on those with these conditions, and they fail to get the proper care to address both problems. And they're related.

What's the link between trauma and addiction? We’re trying to understand traumatic situations that happen in someone's life and how they may impact substance abuse or addiction. Trauma and addiction can be linked even when there is not an obvious (overt) case of trauma. Learn more from recovery expert and Clearing co-founder Joe Koelzer.

If you’ve been thinking seriously about participating in a residential rehab, then you’ve probably been gathering information about various programs while pondering the pros and cons. But let’s face it, when programs describe themselves on the web, it’s hard to know what’s legit and what’s hype.

When it comes to choosing an inpatient addiction treatment program, what really matters is that it works. And the people who can tell you with integrity whether or not it works are those who have actually been through it.

According to the popular poem “My Name Is Toxic Shame” by Leo Booth and John Bradsh'/aw, shame is the “voracious hole that fuels all addictions.” Shame and addiction go hand-in-hand. But shame is not a good motivator; when people are shamed, they shut down and their personal growth stalls.

If you’ve just realized that your loved one has an addiction, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed by the ramifications of the news. You may struggle just to get through your days, and that’s entirely understandable. After all, you’re coping with many practical concerns, from treatment options to family finances to insurance coverage.

If you're a California resident looking to overcome co-occurring disorders, you may be considering dual diagnosis treatment centers in California. However, are they the best option for your recovery? Learn what to look for as you strive toward changing your life.

Not all dual diagnosis treatment centers in Washington state offer the same quality of care. Because of this, it's imperative that you do your research and find out which ones best fit your needs. Learn what to look for in order to begin recovery.

What is holistic addiction treatment? In short, it encompasses the entire person: the physical, the mental, the emotional, and the spiritual. Why is it important? Because if you don't address all these levels, you'll be off balance and will begin using again.