Category: Substances

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Sober Living: 7 Ways It Supports Long-Term Addiction Recovery

sober living and recovery.jpg

Sober living environments (SLEs)1 provide group housing for individuals recovering from substance use disorders.

These living spaces, also known as sober living homes, halfway houses, or recovery residences, create a structured and supportive atmosphere that helps residents’ transition back into everyday life after completing rehabilitation programs.

Sober living homes are designed to help individuals maintain sobriety by addressing the people, places, and things in their environment. These homes provide a structured setting1 that promotes accountability, peer support, and essential life skills. Below are seven key features that make sober living effective:

Infographic titled Typical Rules in Sober Living Environments, listing common expectations such as staying substance-free, following curfew, attending house meetings, respecting others, contributing to chores, participating in random drug tests, and attending therapy or counseling. Each rule is paired with a corresponding icon.

1. Substance-Free Environment

Residents must remain abstinent from drugs and alcohol while living in a sober home. This rule allows individuals to recover in a safe space free from triggers. Eliminating access to substances makes relapse more difficult, giving residents the opportunity to focus on their sobriety and coping strategies. Oftentimes, depending on the type of sober living, drug testing may be a part of accountability and maintaining a drug-free environment.

2. House Rules and Accountability

A lack of accountability is a common trait in addiction. Sober living homes enforce specific house rules, such as curfews, mandatory house meetings, and assigned chores, to instill discipline and responsibility. House managers oversee rule enforcement, ensuring everyone stays on track and remains accountable to themselves and their housemates. This can also include monitoring of activities and schedules, support systems, and even testing for drug use.

3. Support System and Peer Encouragement

Residents benefit from a built-in community of individuals2 who are also in recovery. Living with peers who share similar struggles fosters mutual support, encouragement, and accountability. This social reinforcement helps combat feelings of isolation and strengthens one’s commitment to sobriety. Some sober living homes require 12-step meetings or other types of peer support or social support.

How does sober living support long-term, sustained recovery?

Recovery housing can solidify someone’s journey in their recovery either post-treatment or while someone is attending treatment in an outpatient setting. Recovery housing ideally provides support, structure, community, accountability, and responsibility. Although many people choose not to go into recovery housing and can maintain successful recovery, the relationships and foundation that recovery housing can provide can be invaluable as a contribution to long-term success.

Tanya Kraege LCSW, CSAC, CCAR RC, WI CPS | Ventus Rex
Illustration of a person building a heart-shaped brick wall, symbolizing healing and self-reconstruction in recovery. Text emphasizes that sober living is about building a life where substances are no longer needed. The design uses soft purple and coral tones.

4. Structured Daily Routine

Sober living environments3 emphasize the importance of structure. Residents follow daily routines that may include attending therapy sessions, support groups, exercising, and completing household chores. Establishing a consistent schedule helps individuals develop positive habits and reduce the time spent thinking about substance use. One of the main benefits of sober living is having structure as a next step after more formalized treatment or recovery programs.

5. Transition Assistance and Life Skills Training

Sober living homes often provide life skills training to help residents reintegrate into society. Programs may include budgeting, job searching, cooking, and relationship-building skills. These resources equip individuals with the tools needed to maintain independence and sustain long-term recovery. Depending on the level of care provided in the home, there may be additional options available for life skills or other educational opportunities.

6. Connection to Recovery Resources

Many sober living homes offer access to additional support services, such as therapy, job placement programs, and educational opportunities. These resources help residents continue their recovery journey beyond the sober living environment, ensuring they have the tools to maintain sobriety in everyday life.

7. Affordable Housing Options

Sober living costs vary depending on location, services, and amenities. Monthly expenses typically range from $300 to $2,000. Many homes operate on a sliding scale or offer financial assistance for those in need, making sober living an accessible option for individuals from different financial backgrounds. Some homes are credentialed and some operate like the Oxford House4 model.

Infographic showing a line graph comparing relapse risk over two years for people in recovery with and without sober living. The graph indicates significantly lower relapse rates for those attending sober living. Supporting text highlights that over half of people who attend sober living never relapse, while more than half relapse without it. A key icon appears in the top right.

Optimizing the Recovery Experience

Addiction impacts all aspects of a person’s life, requiring a holistic approach to recovery. For individuals with severe substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health conditions, sober living can provide a stable and supportive environment while they continue treatment. Programs such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) can help address both addiction and underlying mental health issues, improving overall well-being. 

Here are some additional types of recovery support services along a path to sobriety and wellness.

How does sober living differ from traditional rehab?

Sober living offers a structured, substance-free environment where individuals can gradually transition back into daily life, often with fewer restrictions than traditional rehab. Traditional rehab, on the other hand, is typically more intensive with structured treatment programs, licensed therapy, other behavioral services, and medical supervision.

Andrew J. Schreier, ICS, CSAC, LPC, ICGC-II, BACC

Treatment Programs: A Path to Sobriety

Addiction treatment programs provide structured support to help individuals achieve long-term recovery. These programs vary in intensity and approach but generally include the following components:

  • Assessment and Evaluation: Before beginning treatment, individuals undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine the severity of their addiction, identify co-occurring mental health disorders, and develop a personalized treatment plan.
  • Detoxification: Detox is a critical first step in recovery. Medically supervised detox programs help individuals safely withdraw from substances while managing withdrawal symptoms. This step is especially important for individuals detoxing from opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol, as withdrawal can be life-threatening.
  • Inpatient Treatment: Inpatient programs provide 24/7 care in a structured environment. Treatment typically includes individual therapy, group counseling, behavioral therapy, and holistic approaches. This immersive setting allows individuals to focus entirely on their recovery.
  • Outpatient Treatment: Outpatient programs offer flexibility for individuals who can maintain independent living while attending scheduled therapy and support sessions. This option is ideal for those with a stable home environment and strong support system.
  • Aftercare Planning: Long-term recovery requires ongoing effort. Aftercare planning includes continued therapy, support groups, and recovery resources to help individuals transition back into daily life while maintaining sobriety.
  • Support Groups: Participation in 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), provides peer support, accountability, and encouragement from others who understand the challenges of addiction.

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Sober Living with Treatment

Sober living homes serve as a vital link between inpatient treatment and full independence. By combining structured treatment with sober living, individuals receive comprehensive support that enhances their recovery journey. This approach fosters long-term sobriety, equipping individuals with the tools and resources needed to reintegrate successfully into society.

If you or a loved one are seeking the best sober living environment, consider researching reputable options to find the right fit for your recovery needs.

If you or a loved one are seeking the best sober living environment, please consider one of the following that come highly recommended:

If you or a loved one are seeking the best sober living environment, consider ARC Stone Lodge in Louisa, Kentucky, which provides a structured, supportive setting for recovery. The Southeast Addiction Center, with locations in Georgia and Tennessee, offers comprehensive addiction treatment alongside sober living options. The Pennsylvania Recovery Center in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, is another highly regarded facility for those in need of a supportive transition.

For young men seeking specialized sober living, Sandstone Care Young Men’s Sober Living in Maryland provides tailored support. The Massachusetts Center for Addiction in Weymouth, Massachusetts, also offers structured sober living programs designed for long-term recovery. Additionally, Lantana Recovery Connecticut in New Milford provides a supportive recovery-focused community for individuals seeking a sober lifestyle.

For a broader list of recommended sober living homes that match individual recovery needs, check out the comprehensive sober living directory for more options.

This version integrates the recommended facilities smoothly within the text while keeping it natural and informative. Let me know if you need any further tweaks!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of sober living?


A: Sober living refers to a structured, substance-free environment that supports individuals in recovery from addiction. It provides a safe space where residents can rebuild their lives and develop the skills needed for long-term sobriety.

Q: What do you do in sober living?


A: In a sober living home, residents follow house rules, attend recovery meetings, engage in therapy or counseling, complete household chores, and develop essential life skills to maintain independence and sobriety.

Q: How long do most people stay in sober living?


A: The length of stay varies based on individual needs, but most residents stay between 90 days and a year. Some may stay longer if they require extended support before transitioning to independent living.

Q: What does it mean to live a sober life?


A: Living a sober life means abstaining from drugs and alcohol while actively engaging in healthy behaviors, relationships, and coping strategies. It involves maintaining mental, physical, and emotional well-being without substance use.

Q: What is a sober living home?


A: A sober living home is a residential facility that provides a drug- and alcohol-free environment for individuals in recovery. It offers structure, accountability, and peer support to help residents transition from rehab to independent living.

Q: What are sober living house rules?


A: Sober living homes enforce house rules such as maintaining sobriety, attending meetings, adhering to curfews, completing assigned chores, and participating in house meetings. These rules help create a structured and supportive environment.

Q: What is a halfway house?


A: A halfway house is a transitional residence for individuals recovering from addiction or leaving incarceration. It provides temporary housing with structured programs, support services, and supervision to help residents reintegrate into society.

Q: Are you covered for addiction treatment?


A: Insurance coverage for addiction treatment, including sober living, varies by provider and policy. It’s essential to check with your insurance company to determine coverage for treatment, therapy, or transitional housing programs.

Q: Does the sober living home you are considering provide access to mental health resources and community support?


A: Many sober living homes offer access to therapy, counseling, peer support groups, job assistance, and other mental health resources. It’s important to research a home’s available services to ensure they align with your recovery needs.

Q: What are halfway house rules?


A: Halfway houses typically have structured rules, including mandatory sobriety, curfews, participation in treatment programs, job search requirements, and adherence to behavioral guidelines. These rules help residents transition back into society successfully.

Q: How does sober living support recovery from addiction?


A: Sober living homes provide a stable, substance-free environment where residents receive peer support, structure, and access to recovery resources. This setting helps individuals build coping skills, accountability, and a strong foundation for lasting sobriety.

Q: How does sober living differ from traditional rehab?


A: Unlike inpatient rehab, which offers intensive treatment in a clinical setting, sober living provides a less restrictive, transitional environment where residents can practice independent living while still receiving recovery support.

Q: How does sober living help in addiction recovery?


A: Sober living homes foster long-term recovery by reinforcing healthy routines, peer support, and access to therapy and life skills training. They help individuals build resilience, stability, and self-sufficiency after rehab.

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Does Alcohol Really Help You Relax? Understanding the Effects

Alcohol can make you feel relaxed, but it’s fleeting, dangerous, and not a true state of relaxation. Reaching for alcohol to cope with stress can start a self-feeding cycle marked by anxiety and eventual dependence.

Let’s explore the true effects of alcohol and how short- and long-term consequences can hide behind the guise of relaxation.

How Alcohol Affects the Brain and Body

Does alcohol help you relax if you’re stressed? It can, but that’s because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. So it can lower your ability to feel stress—not make it go away.

Alcohol as a Central Nervous System Depressant

Your central nervous system (CNS) controls1 your movement, thinking, speech, senses, and general awareness of what’s happening within and around you. When it’s depressed from alcohol, you may slur your speech, lose your balance and coordination, feel less pain, and lose your ability to think clearly. 

You’ll also feel an initial calming sensation as your CNS slows down. But operating without your central nervous system in full gear can have disastrous effects, including

  • Accidental self-injury due to falls
  • Criminal behaviours
  • Drunk driving
  • Memory blackouts
  • Vomiting
  • Slowed (or stopped) breathing and heart rate

Impact on Neurotransmitters

Alcohol increases ‘inhibitory’ neurotransmitters2, meaning brain activity slows down. This is what causes that initial wave of calmness. Alcohol also acts on the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor, causing a sense of sedation and lowered anxiety. It affects serotonin levels3, too, and over time, these skewed levels contribute to alcohol addiction.

To balance the inhibitory effects of alcohol, your brain produces excitatory neurotransmitters2. If you stop drinking alcohol and the extra excitatory neurotransmitters have nothing to balance, you can develop symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. 

Disruptions to Sleep and Rest

Alcohol lowers the quality of your sleep4. It negatively affects the same neurotransmitters involved with sleep, meaning it can alter your body’s natural cycles and rhythms. You may fall asleep due to the initial sedative effects of alcohol, but it disrupts your sleep later on in the night. 

Sleeping with alcohol in your system leads to frequent wakings during the night5 and poor-quality sleep as the alcohol slowly makes its way out of your body. This means you’ll wake up feeling unrested, groggy, and generally not your best.

Heavy, continuous drinking can lead to insomnia. People with sleep challenges like sleep apnea or snoring are likely to experience more negative effects5 if they drink before bed, even if just one drink. 

The Short-Term vs. Long-Term Effects of Alcohol on Relaxation

The initial slowing of activity in your CNS causes a feeling of relaxation, but it doesn’t last. 

The Initial Relaxing Effect

Drinking alcohol can produce a sense of calm6, and for some, even a sense of euphoria. This can make it seem like a quick solution to stress, but since it doesn’t take away the problem, only distracts from it, alcohol isn’t a true solution.

Alcohol also activates the brain’s reward system6, which can make the act of drinking feel pleasurable or exciting. This excitatory state combined with reduced inhibitions can cause the sense of euphoria some feel.

And, alcohol slows down the parts of your brain that process negative emotions7, which is why it can seem like sadness, guilt, or grief vanish after drinking.

Increased Anxiety and Stress Over Time

Drinking regularly can build a dependence and increase your tolerance7, meaning you’ll need to drink more and more to mitigate the negative effects (like cravings) and feel intoxicated. As dependence and tolerance grow, drinking changes from pleasurable to monotonous—satiating a need for alcohol rather than enjoying its effects.

Feeling more dependent on alcohol can increase your overall anxiety and stress, especially for those balancing other responsibilities and demands.

The “Alcohol Hangover” and Rebound Anxiety

A study reports that “alcohol may reduce anxiety by inhibiting responding to anxiety-provoking stimuli.8” Once those effects wear off, rebound anxiety can occur as the dampened systems in the brain start functioning normally. Rebound anxiety can feel like a wave of symptoms crashing all at once.

Rebound anxiety can lead to a cycle of consumption in hopes of keeping the wave from crashing—but it’s not sustainable. People can inadvertently develop alcohol use disorder trying to stay afloat.

Alcohol and Stress: Myths vs. Reality

Think of how many “person-unwinding-after-a-hard-day-with-alcohol” scenes crop up in movies, TV shows, and books. It would seem to be a perfectly normal stress response.

In reality, the stress-relieving idea and the normalcy of this ritual both prove to be myths.

The Myth of Alcohol as a Stress Reliever

Alcohol only changes your ability to notice your stress—it doesn’t take any bit of it away. It may dampen the sensations of stress, which some people experience more pronouncedly than others9, but doesn’t solve the underlying issue. Momentary distractions like this may feel like an adequate solution, but they can cause much more harm than the initial stressor itself.

The Reality: Alcohol’s Impact on Stress and Mental Health

Over time, alcohol can actually raise levels of stress and worsen (or cause) mental health conditions10 like depression and anxiety. It can also make you more irritable and emotionally volatile. 

Its negative effects on sleep can also worsen mental health conditions and cause additional stress11. Fleeting relief from negative emotions comes with a high price, but it doesn’t have to.

Healthier Alternatives to Alcohol for Relaxation

For a comprehensive list of ways to relax without alcohol, check out our article here.

Meditation and Deep Breathing Techniques

Your mind and lungs can be powerful tools in inducing relaxation. 

Next time stress overwhelms, try sitting down and playing a guided meditation session. Search the app store on your phone to find dozens of meditation apps to choose from.

Either separately or alongside your meditation, try a paced breathing technique. Deep, slow breathing tells your brain you aren’t under threat. Examples of breathing techniques include

  • Box breathing: Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4, and start the cycle again.
  • Belly breathing: Focus on expanding your stomach as you breathe. When you breathe out, decompress your stomach as much as you can. This is also called diaphragmatic breathing—try putting your hand on your stomach to feel it rise and fall.

Physical Exercise

Exercise lowers levels of stress hormones12, helping you feel more relaxed. You don’t have to do certain exercises to get these benefits, just find a way of moving that works for you. You could try

  • Walking
  • Weightlifting
  • Jumproping
  • Running
  • Climbing the stairs in your house/apartment
  • Swimming

Developing an exercise routine can help you stick to your goals, like working out before you head into work. And, you can use exercise as-needed to manage acute stress—like doing jumping jacks before or after a stressful situation.

Music and Creative Outlets

Creative expression can also relieve stress13 by engaging the mind and body in a pleasurable, open-minded way. Art and music can alter your perception of the stressful event by helping you take a step back from it. Keeping your hands busy can also help you process stressful events without feeling overwhelmed.

Examples of creative outlets include

  • Doodling
  • Painting
  • Singing
  • Listening to music
  • Creative writing
  • Poetry

Building Sustainable Relaxation Habits

Identifying Triggers for Alcohol Use

Identifying what triggers an urge to drink can help you proactively avoid and prepare for these scenarios, including stress. For example, maybe certain days of the week feel more stressful, like Mondays. Planning a relaxing activity on these days can help manage that stress, and give you peace of mind knowing you have a plan and won’t need to resort to alcohol.

Other situations could include social settings, like a party or event. You might feel stressed and want to use alcohol to numb the nerves and help you be more social—plan ahead by practicing breathing techniques (or other coping skills) before the event and opt for non-alcoholic drinks to limit your alcohol intake.

Creating a Relaxation Routine

Block off time to relax and write down your favorite relaxation techniques. Do one or more relaxation techniques during the time you block off, like a meditation before bed or spending time outside after work. Incorporating relaxation into your daily routines can help it become habitual. 

Seeking Support for Alcohol Dependence

Sometimes you need more than stress relief—developing a physical and emotional dependence on alcohol takes medical care to safely reverse. Set up an appointment with your primary care provider to voice your concerns and learn your next steps. Helpful conversation points include

  • “Should I be concerned about my symptoms?”
  • “What can I do to stop being dependent on alcohol?”
  • “Will I need a medical detox to start my treatment?”
  • “Would you recommend alcohol rehab?”
  • “What strategies or treatments can I start using right away?”

Your doctor may refer you to therapy, outpatient alcohol addiction treatment, or residential rehab for alcohol addiction. Detoxing at a rehab or hospital may be a necessary first step; make sure you ask your doctor for their medical opinion. You can use Recovery.com to find rehabs and outpatient programs that treat alcohol addiction.

The Reality of Alcohol and Relaxation

Alcohol isn’t a healthy or sustainable relaxation tool, but relaxation techniques relevant to your preferences and needs are. Fill your toolbox with techniques like breathing exercises, meditation, exercise, creative expression, and more to cope with stress without alcohol. Planning ahead for stressful situations can help you feel more prepared and empowered.

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Opioid Misuse and Addiction

Opioids have many forms and uses, from essential painkillers to illicit pseudo-prescriptions with hidden risks and dangers. In any form, prescribed or illicit, they’re highly addictive.

In this article, opioid “misuse” will describe the act of taking opioids, prescribed or not, for purposes beyond their intent. This type of use can quickly spiral into addiction, but many treatment programs offer pathways to recovery.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a type of drug derived from the opium poppy plant1, but can also be lab-created without the opium base. When opioids bind to opioid receptors in the brain, they block pain signals1 and produce a sense of euphoria. This aspect in particular can spur misuse and, eventually, addiction.

Opioid Types and Their Uses

Opioids come in many forms, carefully modified for medicinal uses or haphazardly assembled in clandestine labs for illicit purposes. Here are some of the most common types and their uses.

Pain Relievers

Pain-relieving opioids have been developed specifically for intense pain. Doctors often prescribe them after surgeries or for painful, chronic conditions like cancer. When used as prescribed (usually a small amount over a specific time frame), prescription opioids are less likely to lead to addiction. 

Prescription opioids2 include:

  • Oxycodone
  • Hydrocodone
  • Morphine
  • Oxymorphone
  • Fentanyl
  • Codeine

Illegal Types

Some opioids are never prescribed due to their potency and potential for addiction. These opioids might be naturally derived or synthetic (man-made). They’re classified as illegal, and having them can result in jail time. Examples include

  • Heroin, which comes directly from the opium poppy
  • Fentanyl and carfentanil (when procured and taken without a prescription)

Risk Factors for Opioid Misuse

Although opioids can be highly addictive, not everyone who takes an opioid, prescribed or otherwise, will develop an addiction. Certain risk factors can make addiction more likely, like your genetics, environmental influences, and mental health conditions.

Genetics

Your genes can increase the chance of opioid addiction3. They don’t cause addiction, but slight variations and epigenetics (changes in how your body reads gene sequences) can make you more prone to opioid addiction. For example, variations in your mu-opioid receptors can alter how your reward system works—an integral part of developing an addiction.

Environmental Influences

Growing up in an environment that normalizes substance use can make addiction more likely. Stressful environments can, too, as substances can serve as a coping mechanism. People may also use substances to connect and fit in with peers4.

For example, a child who grows up with family members who drink heavily may get introduced to alcohol early on and view drinking as a way to connect with their loved ones. Someone who grows up in high-stress environments, like poverty or often witnessing domestic violence, may also turn to substance use as a way to cope with the ongoing strain. These types of environments can lead to the initiation of use, which can snowball into addiction.

Mental Health Conditions

Having a mental health condition like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make you more susceptible to addiction5. Someone may use substances to self-medicate6 the symptoms of their condition. For example, someone with anxiety may notice their prescription opioids gave them a sense of calm and well-being that made social interactions easier. Or, a stressed executive may find they can get through the day easier if they take heroin before work. 

Regular use for these reasons can bloom into an addiction. 

Signs of Opioid Use

If you suspect a friend or a loved one has started using opioids not as prescribed or procuring illicit opioids, you can look for key signs of opioid use7 and voice your concerns to them. This can start the process of getting treatment if and when they’re willing.

Physical Signs

  • Seeming tired often, “out of it”
  • Small pupils
  • Disheveled appearance
  • Track marks on their arms or legs and/or unseasonal clothes to hide them
  • Sudden, unexplained loss of pain that previously impaired their functioning

Behavioral Signs

  • Avoiding family and friends without adequate explanation
  • Acting secretive about their belongings and activities
  • A marked change in their attitude or personality
  • They may lose their job or academic standing due to poor performance

Symptoms of Opioid Addiction

The symptoms of an opioid addiction may look similar to the signs of initial use. Their key differentiator is how greatly they affect someone’s day-to-day life. An addiction will rewrite someone’s priorities and motives, while regular use often doesn’t.

Job Loss and/or Financial Struggles

Fixating on using opioids can lead to neglecting work responsibilities, which may cause job loss and ensuing financial struggles. They may lose their home or need to sell personal belongings, like their car and jewelry, to keep paying for opioids. They might even resort to theft.

Health Complications

An opioid addiction can cause various health complications8, including weight loss, infection, and blood-borne diseases from unclean needles. You may notice they seem haggard and generally unwell.

People who regularly take opioids are also more likely to fall, get sick more often, and actually become more sensitive to pain.

Relationship Struggles

Someone with an opioid addiction may neglect personal relationships and friendships to either hide their use or spend more time on getting, taking, and coming down from opioids. Their relationships may fade and crumble as a result. 

Treatments for Opioid Use

Opioid addiction has many paths to recovery. 

Detox

Opioid treatment often starts with detox, which safely removes opioids from the body and allows it to return to homeostasis. Medications like buprenorphine9 and methadone10 can help people detox from opioids more comfortably and lessen cravings. Some people stay on these medications to enhance their recovery since they reduce the effects opioids have and make them pointless to take.

Rehab

Many residential rehabs offer detox and therapeutic care over the course of 28+ days. Rehabs aim to treat both the medical and emotional effects of opioid addiction, helping people address root issues and build practical relapse prevention skills.

A typical day in rehab includes 1:1 and group therapies, plus group activities and likely a peer step meeting or two. Depending on its location, some rehabs may offer daily activities or weekly outings, like hiking.

Outpatient

Outpatient programs offer intensive care with greater flexibility. You’ll attend therapy during the day but go home at night and have time for personal responsibilities. Many clinics also offer medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction recovery.

For example, you may go to outpatient treatment after work from 5-7 p.m. You’ll likely attend multiple group therapy sessions and focus on building and strengthening relapse prevention skills. A more intensive outpatient program is day treatment, which typically runs for 5-8 hours a day, 5-7 days a week. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) often include 3-5 days of weekly treatment for 2-3 hours daily. 

Continuing Support

Treatment for opioid addiction doesn’t end once your programs do—it can continue for years in aftercare and peer support programs. For example, you could attend regular 12-Step meetings like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or secular SMART Recovery meetings. These keep you connected to others in recovery and provide accountability.

Ongoing therapy can support your healing, too. You can meet with a therapist on a regular cadence to discuss current events and keep working through issues identified in addiction treatment.

Find Opioid Rehabs

Opioid rehabs exist worldwide. They offer various approaches and levels of care, meaning you can find a rehab best suited to your needs and preferences. 
On Recovery.com, you can search for opioid rehabs by location, insurance type, level of care, and more. You can also see reviews, photos, pricing information, and read detailed descriptions of each center.

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What is Recreational Drug Use? Risks, Signs, and Responsible Choices

Using a drug recreationally means it’s used for non-medical reasons—primarily to enjoy its effects. Many people use alcohol recreationally and substances like marijuana or cocaine. Caffeine, too. 

Dabbling in substance use doesn’t always lead to addiction, but it can; along with other health risks and consequences. Fully understanding the risks can help you make responsible, healthier choices when it comes to recreational drugs.

Types of Recreational Drugs

Recreational drugs aren’t a certain class of substances; rather, a drug used to recreate or better enjoy an experience. For example, having alcohol at a party, ecstasy at a rave, or a cigarette with a cup of coffee.

Recreational drugs may be used non-recreationally, too. Someone may drink alcohol because they’ve developed an addiction and need the substance to avoid withdrawal symptoms, not to enjoy it. Someone may also smoke marijuana for medicinal reasons, like pain management, rather than to enjoy the high.

All sorts of drugs can have recreational purposes, but these are some of the most common.

Marijuana

Marijuana has medicinal and recreational uses. When used recreationally, marijuana causes a sense of relaxation and disconnection that some people leverage to soothe stress or connect more fully with peers. It also has use as a medical pain reliever and relaxant that doctors may prescribe at set doses.

Marijuana, typically called weed, has become legal in some American states. Most states haven’t legalized it, but that doesn’t keep people from obtaining and taking the substance. Regular use can lead to addiction and adverse health effects. 

Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant1 popularized as a recreational drug by how it’s portrayed in media. For example, movies or shows about raucous executives or wealthy celebrities often include cocaine use in party scenes. People in real life, tycoons or not, may use cocaine for similar reasons. 

Recreational use can spin into an addiction, legal consequences, negative health effects, and damage to relationships and finances.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy, often called Molly, is a synthetic stimulant with psychedelic properties2. Taking it releases endorphins and slightly alters the reality around you, creating a “trippy” experience that makes it a popular recreational drug at raves with loud music and flashing lights. Its association with these settings marks it as one of the more prominent recreational drugs.

Alcohol

You can easily find alcohol at most social gatherings and events—recreation is often the sole purpose of drinking it (until it becomes an addiction, and someone needs to drink regularly to function.)

Alcohol releases dopamine3, giving it a feel-good effect. It also lowers inhibitions, making people feel more talkative, fun, and primed to enjoy social events better. Drinking alcohol also serves as a way to connect with others; for example, your group of friends may want to celebrate with their favorite drinks or try challenges involving alcohol. 

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens include drugs like LSD and psilocybin. Many psychedelics with hallucinatory effects come from plants and fungi; or, they may be synthetically based. People often use hallucinogens to have a spiritual experience or to disconnect from reality. They may do it alone or with others.

Differences Between Recreational and Medicinal Drug Use

Purpose and Intent

Why you use a drug can determine if the use is recreational or medicinal. Ask yourself questions like these:

  • Am I taking this to “fix” something negative I’m feeling?
  • Am I following the prescription guidelines, or only taking this when I want the effects?
  • Do I only take this drug when I’m at parties or other social events, to make the event “more fun”?

If you’re taking a medication because you’ve been prescribed it, and taking it as prescribed, the use of the drug likely isn’t recreational—this would be medicinal. 

If you’re taking a drug or medication to enjoy its effects or to boost your sense of well-being at-will, the use follows recreational patterns.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Using controlled substances for medicinal purposes, like taking opioids as prescribed for pain, doesn’t breach any laws. Taking controlled substances without a prescription does. Purchasing these illegal substances funds illegal practices, which often operate with little ethical guidelines—focusing on profit over safety.

Potential Dangers of Recreational Drug Use

Health Risks

Using recreational drugs can cause symptoms like:

  • Dehydration
  • Serotonin syndrome4
  • Overdose—stopped breathing, heart slowing dangerously
  • Mental discombobulation
  • Bloodshot eyes

Mental Health Impacts

Taking recreational drugs can trigger or worsen mental health conditions5 like anxiety and depression. The unpleasant side effects of substance use, combined with symptoms of a mental health condition, can perpetuate the cycle of use.

Risk of Addiction

Using drugs, even for recreation, opens up the risk for addiction. Regular use builds tolerance, which means you need a higher and higher dose to feel the same effects. Those higher doses can start changing the neurochemical balances and processes in your brain, making it crave the substance and struggle to function properly without it.

Signs of Drug Use and Intoxication

Physical Indicators

If you or someone else has used a recreational drug, you’ll likely notice physical signs like these.

  1. Red or bloodshot eyes—this is especially common after smoking marijuana.
  2. Discoordination when moving around.
  3. Sudden loss of appetite. Stimulants like cocaine can curb appetite and lead to rapid weight loss.

Behavioral Changes

Someone’s behavior also changes when they’re intoxicated. Recreational drugs, often stimulants, can bring about especially noticeable changes in behavior. Look for signs like:

  1. Seeming “out of it,” like they’re in a dream state and not aware of what’s going on around them.
  2. Acting secretive about their whereabouts and activities.
  3. Neglecting professional and personal responsibilities.
  4. Acting unusually erratic as a result of the drug raising their energy and lowering their inhibitions.

Psychological Signs

The better you know someone, the easier spotting psychological signs of drug use may be. Keep an eye out for indicators like:

  1. Abrupt mood swings, where they may seem down then extremely happy, or the opposite.
  2. Paranoia is a common symptom of taking recreational drugs like marijuana. They may feel like they’re being watched, or something’s out to get them.
  3. Cognitive impairment, meaning they’re suddenly struggling to articulate their thoughts, think clearly, or make sense of what’s going on around them.

When to Seek Help

Recognizing the Need for Intervention

Drinking every so often, or even using more ‘extreme’ recreational drugs sparingly, likely doesn’t pose a major problem for the person and their loved ones—though no amount of drugs used or frequency makes them safe, so stopping is always a good idea. Regular use comes with more pronounced issues that could require an intervention.

Behaviors indicating an addiction, like neglecting responsibilities to use substances, could warrant an intervention, as could signs of physical harm. Use your best judgment to determine if someone’s drug use causes harm to themselves or others, and plan an intervention accordingly.

Resources for Support

Fortunately, help for recreational drug use spans far and wide. Whether you’re looking to cut back on occasional use or recover from a painful addiction, help can help. Some of your many options for healing include:

  • Therapy, which you can attend in person or virtually.
  • Residential rehabs provide clinical and therapeutic care for recreational drug addiction, including detox when needed.
  • Outpatient programs like day treatment and intensive outpatient offer regular, structured care for drug addiction, but with the ability to maintain some personal and professional responsibilities.
  • Peer support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or SMART Recovery meetings connect you with others in recovery.

Prevention Strategies

Education and Awareness

Knowing more about recreational drugs and what happens when using them can help people make informed decisions, and know what to do in times of need. Young adults can especially benefit from education and awareness on recreational drug use, as they’re likely to encounter these substances at parties and social events in college.

Colleges can boost their efforts on spreading awareness of the risks and dangers of recreational drug use, and make their support services better-known across campus. For example, many colleges have on-campus counseling services and medical services students may not know about.

Community Programs

Many local communities seek to educate and spread awareness through educational materials, support groups, and by presenting alternatives to recreational drug use. To find one of these programs, search online for drug prevention programs in your city or go to your community center to see what resources they offer.

Support Systems

Strong support systems serve as a preventative measure against drug use and addiction6. Those in your circle can help you identify harmful use, find and practice coping strategies, and support you if you need professional treatment.

Professional treatment providers, like doctors, therapists, and psychiatrists, can offer expert support for recovery through counseling, medical care, and helping you form a personalized care plan. With their support you can identify which practices may help you best, like traditional therapies or a blend of traditional and alternative approaches.

Legal Risks

Some recreational drugs are legal to use, but many aren’t. For example, having ecstasy, LSD, and marijuana (in some states) could incur criminal charges for possession. Criminal charges can lead to jail time and potentially prison. 

This creates a criminal record that can upend future jobs, housing opportunities, and more.

Societal Perceptions and Stigmas

Recreational drugs carry a harmful stigma that can attach to the user—mainly, that they’re irresponsible or prioritize a good time over their safety. For younger people and college students, this stigma might not exist among peers, when using recreational drugs is more commonly accepted. But this often changes as they age and mingle with professional peers.

Certain cultures and demographics may be particularly opposed to drug use of any sort, and any regularity.

Thankfully, the stigmas surrounding drug use and mental health conditions have begun to dissipate. Though the progress isn’t blazingly fast, it’s there—and getting better as more people share their experiences and messages of hope.

Getting Help: Drug Rehab for Recreational Drugs

Help for drug addiction comes in many shapes and sizes, catering to your unique circumstances with virtual treatment, in-person care, medical or non-medical care, and even rehabs on the other side of the globe. They take many different approaches to care; some use the 12 Steps, others may focus more on holistic methods. There’s an option for you and your preferences.
To find the treatment that’s best for you, you can use Recovery.com and filter your search by insurance, price, conditions, and more.

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The 12 Most Dangerous Drugs in the World

If someone is overdosing, call 911, or your local emergency services number, immediately. If you are qualified, administer CPR. Use Naloxone (Narcan) if available.

Dangerous substances like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine are known not just for their immediate effects but for how quickly they can lead to addiction, wreaking havoc on one’s body; however, mental health effects can be as equally severe. In most cases, addiction co-occurs with mental health issues like depression1 or can cause the onset of others, like psychosis. 

The unpredictability of dangerous drugs adds another layer of risk. Often, these substances are mixed with other harmful or deadly chemicals, especially in unregulated street sales.

Recognizing these dangers is vital for not just those directly at risk but for society as a whole. And awareness isn’t just about scare tactics—it’s about equipping people with the knowledge they need to make informed choices, and to understand that one experiment can turn into a life-altering struggle.

1. Heroin

Heroin is considered one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs2 in the world due to its powerful effects on both the brain and body. Heroin acts as a depressant on the central nervous system3, slowing down critical bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate. The drug can be injected, smoked, or snorted, and each method of use comes with its own set of health risks, such as infections like HIV and organ damage. Heroin also damages the brain through deterioration of white matter4, negatively impacting decision-making skills, emotional and behavioral regulation, and stress tolerance. 

Heroin is notorious for being highly addictive. When a person uses heroin, the drug rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier, creating a euphoric rush by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. This intense pleasure, as well as harmful withdrawal symptoms, reinforces the desire to use the drug again, leading to repeated use. 

Heroin users also have a high overdose risk since it’s often mixed with potent substances like fentanyl. Fentanyl-laced heroin has led to a significant spike in overdose deaths5, as users often don’t know they are ingesting such a potent drug. Even a small amount of fentanyl can cause immediate death. 

2. Alcohol

Alcohol, while legal and widely consumed across the world, is one of the most dangerous and commonly misused substances6. It has a perilous long-term impact on physical and mental health, has the potential for addiction, and causes societal harm. Because alcohol is so deeply embedded in many cultures and social practices, its risks are often underestimated, but it remains a major public health issue worldwide.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant7, impairing brain function, motor skills, and judgment in the short term and ultimately leading to adverse changes in mental health. Excessive drinking can also lead to dangerous behaviors like impaired driving, risky sexual activity, and violence. 

Alcohol affects vital organs8, including the brain, liver, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, and kidneys. Additionally, alcohol is a cancer-causing agent9 directly associated with multiple forms of cancer, including liver, breast, colon, mouth, throat, and more. 

3. Fentanyl

Fentanyl is one of the most potent and dangerous opioids in the world, and it has played a significant role in the ongoing opioid crisis. Initially developed for medical use, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and about 50 times stronger than heroin10. Doctors can prescribe it in specific cases to manage severe pain, particularly for cancer patients or those recovering from major surgeries. When used under medical supervision, fentanyl can be effective, but its extraordinary potency and widespread illegal use have made it incredibly lethal outside controlled settings.

Due to its strength, even a very small dose can suppress breathing to the point of being fatal. This risk is amplified in street fentanyl, which is often mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine without the user’s knowledge, dramatically increasing the risk of accidental overdose. The amount of fentanyl required to cause an overdose is so small that just a few milligrams—equivalent to a few grains of salt—can be deadly.

The widespread availability of illicit fentanyl has had devastating effects on communities, contributing significantly to the opioid overdose epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), synthetic opioids like fentanyl are now the leading cause of overdose deaths11, surpassing those caused by prescription opioids and heroin.

4. Cocaine

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant in South America. Cocaine is highly addictive, as the intense craving and quickly developed tolerance make it difficult to quit. This tolerance often leads to higher doses and more frequent use, which significantly increases the risk of overdose. 

Cocaine overdoses are often fatal, especially when the drug is combined with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids. The combination of cocaine and heroin, known as a “speedball,” is hazardous, as the opposing effects of the two drugs can cause respiratory failure and death. 

Cocaine use also significantly increases the risk of heart attacks12, strokes, and arrhythmias, as it raises heart rate and blood pressure while constricting blood vessels. Even young, healthy individuals risk sudden death from heart complications after using cocaine. 

In addition to cardiovascular issues, cocaine can cause long-term damage to the brain, leading to cognitive impairments, memory loss, and an increased risk of strokes and seizures. Chronic users often develop mental health issues, including paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis.

5. Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a synthetic drug related to amphetamines13 but with more intense and longer-lasting effects on the central nervous system. Meth can be smoked, injected, snorted, or swallowed. These consumption methods make meth particularly dangerous, as they deliver enormous amounts of the drug into the bloodstream, amplifying the risk of addiction and overdose.

Meth’s impact on the body is both immediate and catastrophic14, leaving visible consequences over time. Users experience heart attacks, strokes, and arrhythmias, as well as “meth mouth”—or severe dental decay. Methamphetamine often causes users to compulsively pick and scratch at their skin, leaving sores and scars.

Mentally, methamphetamine use has devastating implications. The drug creates intense psychological dependence due to its powerful effects on the brain’s reward system, leading to addiction after just a few uses. Chronic users often experience severe paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis. Eventually, meth can cause permanent cognitive damage, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and poor decision-making.

6. Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines, also known as “benzos,” are a class of drugs primarily prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and other conditions. While Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and Klonopin are highly effective in treating short-term anxiety or helping with sleep disorders, they carry significant risks, especially when misused or taken over a long period of time. The soothing effects that make benzodiazepines helpful also make them dangerous, as they can lead to physical dependence, psychological addiction, and potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

When used regularly over a period of weeks or months, the brain begins to rely on the drug to maintain its calm state15, and natural GABA production (a neurotransmitter) is reduced. This dependence can happen even when the medication is taken exactly as prescribed. If the person tries to reduce their dose or stop taking the drug abruptly, they can experience intense withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal is severe and can be life-threatening. Unlike some other drug withdrawals, which can be intensely uncomfortable but not fatal, stopping benzodiazepines suddenly after prolonged use can lead to serious complications such as seizures, delirium, hallucinations, and psychosis16. Common withdrawal symptoms also include extreme anxiety, panic attacks, muscle pain, insomnia, and agitation. It is vital to detox from benzos under medical care.

7. Crack Cocaine

Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and potent form of cocaine that appears as solid “rocks.” The user smokes the crack rocks, delivering an immediate and intense high that is more potent than snorting powdered cocaine but far shorter in duration. 

The stimulant properties of crack cause a dramatic increase in heart rate and blood pressure, putting immense strain on the heart and blood vessels. This can lead to serious conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and permanent heart damage17. Smoking crack also causes lung damage18, leading to chronic bronchitis, persistent coughing, and respiratory infections. In more severe cases, long-term crack use can result in acute respiratory distress, which can be life-threatening.

Chronic crack cocaine use can lead to seizures and permanent cognitive disabilities18, such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and impaired decision-making. Over time, many users experience lasting brain function alterations, which can leave them struggling with basic cognitive tasks. Crack cocaine also leads to anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis.

8. Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids, often marketed under names like “Spice,” “K2,” “Black Mamba,” or “Cloud 9,” are man-made chemicals designed to mimic the effects of THC found in marijuana19. These substances are typically sprayed onto plant material and smoked, or they can be sold as a liquid for vaporizing. 

While synthetic cannabinoids are sometimes advertised as a “legal” or “safe” alternative to marijuana, they are anything but. In fact, synthetic cannabinoids are among the most unpredictable and dangerous drugs20 in circulation today. They can cause extreme reactions that are vastly different from natural cannabis, posing serious risks to both mental and physical health.

Synthetic cannabinoids are extremely potent—which significantly increases the risk of overdose and severe reactions. Unregulated production causes some batches to contain highly concentrated chemicals while others may be weaker. 

The chemical formulations of synthetic cannabinoids are ever-changing—meaning that one batch of “Spice” or “K2” may contain entirely different chemicals than another, making it impossible to predict how the drug will affect the user. In many cases, the effects of synthetic cannabinoids are much more intense and dangerous than natural cannabis, often leading to severe health problems that can result in hospitalization or even death.

9. Prescription Opioids

Prescription opioids are a class of powerful pain-relieving medications prescribed for pain following surgery, injury, or in the treatment of chronic conditions like cancer. These medications, including oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), morphine, and fentanyl, come with significant risks, like the potential for addiction, overdose, and health complications. Their widespread availability and misuse play a central role in the opioid crisis, as well.

Sometimes, people misuse prescription drugs by taking higher doses than prescribed, using them without a prescription, or continuing to use them after their medical need has passed. This can quickly lead to dependence, causing withdrawal symptoms—such as anxiety, nausea, muscle aches, and intense cravings21—when they stop taking the drug.

10. PCP (Phencyclidine)

Phencyclidine, or PCP, is a powerful dissociative drug initially developed as an anesthetic for medical use, though it is no longer in practice due to its severe and unpredictable psychological effects. Today, PCP is a street drug used for dissociation, hallucinations, and altering perception, leading to violent behavior, self-harm, and life-threatening health consequences. PCP is typically sold as a white crystalline powder, though it is often found in liquid or tablet form. It can be smoked, snorted, ingested, or injected. It is sometimes sprayed on marijuana or tobacco and smoked.

PCP can cause severe psychological disturbances22, even at low doses. Users experience paranoia, delusions, aggression, and psychosis, contributing to long-term memory loss and cognitive decline. Some people slip into permanent psychosis, which may require long-term psychiatric treatment.

11. MDMA (Ecstasy)

MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. Despite its reputation as a party drug, MDMA carries significant risks. In the long-term, MDMA causes serious damage to the brain’s serotonin system23 and has potential neurotoxic effects. Because MDMA releases large amounts of serotonin, frequent use can deplete the brain’s natural reserves of this neurotransmitter, leading to issues with mood regulation, memory, and cognition over time. 

MDMA is typically used in recreational settings and in conjunction with other substances, so it can be cut with other chemicals, such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and caffeine. These substances can significantly alter the effects of MDMA, leading to more dangerous outcomes like overdose, extreme agitation, or psychosis. 

12. Ketamine

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used in both medical and recreational settings for decades. While ketamine has legitimate medical uses, when misused it can cause physical harm, psychological effects, and addiction. 

Ketamine is widely used as a recreational drug, and in these settings, ketamine is typically snorted or taken in pill form. Frequent ketamine use can lead to bladder and kidney damage, including ketamine-induced cystitis24, a condition characterized by inflammation and damage to the bladder. It can also cause memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and impaired cognitive function.

Similarly to MDMA, ketamine can be mixed with other dangerous substances, and as an unregulated party drug, it’s possible to have severe psychological reactions or overdose.

Treatment Options For Dangerous Drugs

A multifaceted treatment approach can support healing from drug addiction. No single treatment works for everyone, and the most effective programs are often tailored to meet each person’s unique needs.

Detox is a crucial first step in recovery, clearing the body of harmful substances while managing the often painful or dangerous withdrawal symptoms. In cases where withdrawal can be life-threatening—such as from alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines—medical detox is a necessity.

For those battling opioid or alcohol addiction, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has proven to be an effective tool. By combining medications with counseling and behavioral therapy, MAT helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making the road to recovery less overwhelming. Depending on your needs, your care team may recommend methadone, naltrexone, or others. 

Residential programs offer a structured, immersive environment, free from distractions, where you can focus entirely on healing. For patients who have been in inpatient rehab for 30+ days, it includes intensive therapy, medical care, and life skills training. You may participate in various evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and holistic approaches like yoga.

Outpatient care is another pathway, offering flexibility for those who need to balance treatment with work, school, or family commitments. With therapy sessions scheduled throughout the week, outpatient rehab allows you to remain at home while still receiving support. Like residential rehab, you may engage in individual, group, and family therapy.

Once formal treatment is complete, transitioning back to daily life can be daunting. Sober living homes provide a safe, drug-free environment where you can ease back into everyday life while continuing to receive support. These residences often require residents to attend therapy, maintain sobriety, and participate in household responsibilities, reinforcing the skills needed for long-term recovery. 

Find the Best Drug Rehabs

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. Taking that first step toward seeking support can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a step toward reclaiming your life. There are resources designed to guide you through the challenges of recovery and help you build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You don’t have to face this journey alone—reach out, lean on others, and know that with the right support, you can break free from addiction and rediscover your strength.
Use Recovery.com to find drug rehabs and see photos, reviews, insurance information, and more.

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Sleeping Pills Misuse and Addiction

Sleeping pills help people get a good night’s sleep. But on the other side of the pillow is a potential for dependence and addiction.

Following prescription guidelines and staying in communication with your prescribing doctor can mitigate the risks of addiction, as can tapering off sleep medications as soon as you can. If you or someone you love develop an addiction to them, you have resources for healing.

Types of Sleeping Medications

Some sleeping medications you can buy over-the-corner, like melatonin and sleep aids with doxylamine or diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl). These medications aren’t likely to cause addiction, though you can get used to your starting dose and need more and more to feel tired—signifying you’ve built a tolerance.

Prescribed sleeping pills are used to treat insomnia1, which is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. Behavioral treatments (therapy) can also treat insomnia by addressing what’s keeping you up, like stress, trauma, or racing thoughts related to a condition like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Here are some common prescription sleeping pills:

  • Ambien
  • Lunesta
  • Sonata
  • Belsomra
  • Dayvigo

Sleeping pills broadly fall into these categories: sedative-hypnotics, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants, since some antidepressants have sedative effects. 

Statistics of Sleeping Pill Misuse and Addiction

Many people struggle with sleep, either in response to a stressor or chronically. A study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC)2 found these statistics in 2020:

  1. 8.4% of American adults took sleeping pills every day or most days over the past month.
    1. 6.3% took sleeping pills every day.
  2. Taking sleeping pills becomes more likely with age, from 5.6% in young adults to 11.9% in those 65 and older.
  3. While the percentage of people who become addicted to sleeping pills isn’t known yet, scientists have estimated an addiction percentage of nearly 20% for benzodiazepines3, which are often used as short-term sleeping pills.

Dangers of Sleeping Pill Misuse and Addiction

Using any medication outside its prescription guidelines can come with dangers, but they can be especially prevalent for sleeping medications due to their sedative effects.

Physical Dangers

Since sleeping pills sedate people, taking too many at once can dangerously enhance those effects. You may sleep much longer than intended, find it extremely difficult to wake up, or in extreme cases, die from your central nervous system slowing too much. Overdosing can lead to a coma and heart failure or stopped breathing.

If you think you or someone else has taken too many sleeping pills, call 911 for emergency medical care or contact Poison Control.

Emotional Dangers

Becoming reliant on anything, sleeping pills included, can lead to anxiety and an overall worsening of mental health conditions. If you can’t take the pills, you may become too anxious to sleep, leading to a cycle of use even if you want to stop. Tapering can help with this.

Depending on which kind of sleeping pill you take, like an antidepressant versus a hypnotic, you could also experience new or worsening mental health conditions as a side effect of the medication.

Harm to Relationships

Addiction can alter priorities, making substance use more important than spending time with loved ones and maintaining relationships, personal and professional. This can damage those relationships over time.

Can You Overdose on Sleeping Pills?

Yes, you can overdose on sleeping pills. You can take too many of almost any pill, but the effects of a sleeping pill overdose can be especially pronounced due to their sedative nature. The more potent they are, the more easy an overdose becomes—which is why following prescription guidelines is so important.

Sleeping pills can react to other substances, like alcohol, and have a much stronger effect. For example, alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant, so having alcohol and sleeping pills can create a dangerous double-strength effect4 even at your usual dose. Be sure to read the warnings on your prescription bottle and ask your doctor about potential drug interactions.

If you think you or someone else has overdosed on sleeping pills, call 911 or your local emergency number. 

Signs of Sleeping Pill Addiction

Someone who’s developed an addiction to sleeping pills typically will show a few key signs that you and other loved ones can look out for—or you might recognize these signs in yourself. In any scenario, identifying the need for help is the first big step in getting it.

Taking More Than The Prescribed Dose

For example, someone may have a prescribed dose of 10mg but take 50mg daily. Or, they might take 10mg throughout the day, multiple times daily. 

For a stronger effect some people may crush up their sleeping pills and snort the powder, dilute it in water and inject it, or dissolve it into a drink for a quicker impact.

Negative Consequences, But an Inability to Stop

Someone who’s unable to stop taking sleeping pills despite clear negative consequences has likely developed an addiction. These consequences could include job loss, damage to relationships, negative health effects, and stress.

Frequently Under The Influence

Overusing sleeping pills can mean someone often seems under their influence—sleeping or sleepy, disoriented, woozy, and disconnected from reality. They may go about daily life in this state or isolate themselves to hide symptoms.

New Habits and Friend Groups

As procuring and taking sleeping pills becomes more imperative due to an addiction, people’s habits and friend groups can change in turn. For example, they may adopt new habits to hide or excuse their drug use, like taking walks at night that could actually be private time to take substances unseen or meet dealers. 

New friend groups might include others in active addiction who can supply substances or connect people to more. At the least, these new friends may not discourage substance use, which can make them appealing substitutes for concerned friends and family.

Treatment Options for Misuse and Addiction

An addiction or dependence on sleeping pills can be treated, often with a tailored combination of behavioral therapies and medical care.

Behavioral Therapies

Therapy aims to reach the root of an addiction and pluck it. You’ll learn the purpose addiction serves in your life and how to address the issues and emotions that led to it, all in a safe and therapeutic space.

Common therapies for addiction include

Therapy occurs 1:1 with a therapist or in group settings. Many rehabs and outpatient addiction programs offer a structured daily routine of therapy and skill-building to address core issues and build relapse prevention skills.

Medical Interventions

Medical care can help people detox from substances like sleeping pills, safely removing them from their body. Detoxing without medical care can be dangerous and even fatal, so be sure to get your doctor’s advice on the level of care you need for your symptoms. You can ask questions like

  • “What treatments will make my recovery as safe and comfortable as possible?”
  • “How can I improve my sleep without sleeping pills?”
  • “Do I need medical detox? If so, what are my next steps for that?”
  • “What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my physical and mental health as I recover?”

Support Groups

“Connection is the opposite of addiction”5 has been touted and found true in many instances. One of the best ways to find connection is through peer support groups like Pills Anonymous (12-Step-based) or SMART Recovery groups (non-12-Step). These groups occur worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can also find connection and support through religious organizations, your workplace, and other community settings (like sports and craft communities). 

Find Help for Sleeping Pills Misuse and Addiction

With medical, therapeutic, and emotional support you can stop using sleeping pills, or cut down to a dose you and your doctor feel comfortable with. Your doctor can be your first point of care, guiding you to your various options and offering treatment.
You can also go to a rehab that treats sleeping pill addiction. Use Recovery.com to find sleeping pill rehabs by what insurance you have, your location, desired amenities and more.

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Antidepressants Misuse and Addiction

Some people, especially those in recovery, may worry about developing an addiction to antidepressants. Thankfully, antidepressant addiction doesn’t occur often, but it is a possibility at non-therapeutic doses. This is due to how they can affect and change the brain, leading to a dependence then compulsory use. 

Anyone worried about their antidepressant use can bring their concerns to their doctor, who can start a tapering plan or even switch to a different type of antidepressant. Behavioral strategies, like therapy, can help people transition off antidepressants while still managing their symptoms.

What Are Antidepressants?

Antidepressants primarily treat depression1 and other mood disorders, plus conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). They work by balancing disruptions in neurotransmitters and boost the reception of serotonin, which can make people feel happier. 

Most antidepressants work on serotonin and another neurotransmitter called norepinephrine1. When your brain can receive and process more of these neurotransmitters, symptoms of depression can fade. Depression can go fully into remission due to neuroplasticity1, where your brain changes and adapts to sustain these positive changes. 

Common Types of Antidepressants

Antidepressants can have a variety of formulas and interact with different parts and systems within the brain. Your doctor and/or psychiatrist will aim to find the best match for you. A genetic test can help you pinpoint good matches. Sometimes, people cycle through a few antidepressants to find the one that works best.

Interestingly, many antidepressants have off-label uses for conditions besides mood disorders. For example, trazodone can help people fall asleep1. Some other antidepressants help patients with chronic pain.

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first line of defense against depression2 due to their low side effects and general effectiveness. Most people respond positively to them, and doctors can smoothly pivot to another if one doesn’t seem to have much effect.

Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, and Celexa are all common SSRI antidepressants. Potential side effects of SSRIs1 include:

  • Weight gain.
  • Dizziness.
  • Nausea, especially for the first couple weeks after starting the medication. In most cases, it goes away.
  • Sexual dysfunction.
  • Headaches.

SNRIs

Serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) work similarly to SSRIs1, but also block the reuptake of norepinephrine, not just serotonin. Doing this helps various synapses in your brain access more of these neurotransmitters, making you feel better. Norepinephrine triggers the central nervous system’s fight-or-flight response, leading to anxiety and panic disorders if these triggers don’t come when needed. SNRIs can reduce symptoms of both depression and anxiety.

SNRI brand names include Cymbalta, Pristiq, Effexor, and Fetzima. They can cause most of the same side effects as SSRIs, like:

  • Nausea that typically goes away after a week or so.
  • Headaches.
  • Excessive sweating.
  • High blood pressure.

MAOIs

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a less-commonly prescribed antidepressant3, often used when an SSRI or SNRI doesn’t work. They’re more likely to have side effects, drug-food interactions, and drug interactions, which is why they’re prescribed with caution.

Common MAOIs include Marplan, Nardinm and Emsam. They can have side effects like:

  • Serotonin syndrome (too much serotonin).
  • Dizziness.
  • Vomiting.
  • Constipation.
  • High blood pressure and potential death if foods with tyramine are consumed (cheese, alcohol, leftovers, certain fruits, and more).

TCAs

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) also inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine4, which can boost mood and attention. Some versions of TCAs are also used off-label to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), insomnia, migraines, and chronic pain.

Common TCAs include Elavil, Silenor, and Asendin. Their side effects1 include:

  • Dry mouth.
  • Difficulty peeing.
  • Constipation.
  • Seizures.

How Are Antidepressants Misused?

An increase in feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin can cause a reinforcing effect, though rare in antidepressants since this boost in mood is often subtle and feels natural. Misuse often happens outside prescribed doses5; for example, someone may take double or triple their prescribed dose (sometimes even 10x more) to achieve a ‘high’ similar to other drugs. This sensation only happens with high doses of certain antidepressants5, like bupropion.

Someone taking antidepressants for the sensation of being high may dissolve several pills in water and inject it using a syringe, take multiple pills orally, or crush them into a powder and snort it. To maintain their high dosing, they might request refills sooner than needed, take out prescriptions through multiple doctors, or request higher and higher doses without a demonstrated need.

Sadly, some people misuse antidepressants with the intent of taking their lives. In 2011 nearly every emergency room visit for a drug-induced suicide attempt came from prescribed medications; 20% of those overdoses involved antidepressants5, the highest percentage after prescribed opioids.

Can You Become Addicted to Antidepressants?

It’s very unlikely. One study answers this question6 with, “antidepressants do not have a clinically significant liability to cause addiction.” This is because most antidepressants don’t cause pleasurable or rewarding effects6, as addictive drugs like cocaine or alcohol do. And compulsive use of antidepressants, as seen in substance use disorders, is “exceptionally rare.”6

Antidepressants can cause withdrawal symptoms7, which raises an argument for their addictive potential since people may need to keep taking the substance to avoid withdrawals, similar to opioids and other addictive substances. Tapering plans can prevent uncomfortable withdrawals.

Factors Contributing to Antidepressant Misuse

Those who misuse antidepressants often have a history of substance use disorders5 or other comorbid conditions. And, as expected, people who misuse antidepressants typically have a mental health condition like depression. Since symptoms of depression can include suicidality8, these patients can be more likely to misuse their prescribed antidepressants in an overdose. 

Signs of Antidepressant Addiction

If you’re worried a loved one struggles with an antidepressant addiction, you can watch for signs and start an open-minded conversation. If you’re worried about your antidepressant use, you can bring your concerns to your doctor and look for signs of addiction in your own life.

Some key signs of an antidepressant addiction include:

  • Taking more than their prescribed dose. For example, you may notice they take three pills when the prescription bottle only says to take one. 
  • An inability to stop taking the pills, even if negative health, work, or relationship consequences arise.
  • Spending excessive time and money to procure antidepressants. 

Treatment Options for Addiction

If you’re struggling with an antidepressant addiction or any drug or alcohol addiction, you have resources available for recovery. Treatment options broadly fall into 2 categories: inpatient and outpatient care.

Inpatient Care

Inpatient treatment includes treatment in a hospital (often for acute withdrawal needs or overdoses) or attending a residential rehab. At rehab, you’ll live with peers and receive treatment from clinical staff, who monitor your health and emotional needs around the clock. 

Each day often follows a structure, with time for therapy (group therapy, 1:1 sessions with your therapist, and family therapy), fun activities, peer meetings, and downtime. Rehabs last 28+ days, aiming to treat both mental and physical needs for comprehensive healing. You’ll also learn relapse prevention strategies and get connected with outpatient levels of care, if desired, to continue your healing journey.

Outpatient Care

In short, outpatient care is the treatment you attend without living at a treatment facility. You return home after treatment and have more flexibility to work, attend school, and meet family needs. Outpatient care could include

  1. Day treatment, where you undergo therapeutic treatment and practice practical recovery skills for 5-7 days a week. Sessions often last 5-7 hours daily, making day treatment the most intensive version of outpatient care.
  2. In intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), you attend treatment 3-4 days weekly for about 3 hours a day. These also offer therapy, peer support, and an encouraging and supportive recovery environment but with a less intensive schedule.
  3. General outpatient can include 1-2 weekly group therapy sessions, lasting an hour or so each. 
  4. Regular 1:1 therapy sessions with a therapist. You may see them once a week, once every two weeks, or at the cadence best fit to your recovery needs.

Help from Your Doctors

As medication prescribers, your primary care physician (PHP) and/or psychiatrist can also help you. They can ensure that, going forward, all antidepressant prescriptions are carefully considered and that you have a clear plan for how to take them without risking addiction.

For example, your doctor may only prescribe a week’s worth and set up regular appointments to check in and monitor your use. Or you can work out a plan with loved ones, like a spouse or parent, to keep your medications locked in a safe. This can also be a preventative measure for people struggling with suicidal thoughts or with a history of suicidal ideation and attempts.

At your appointment, you can ask questions like,

  • “What is the addictive potential of this medication?”
  • “Are there other medications with less addictive potential that I could try first?”
  • “What signs should I look out for that mean this medication isn’t a good fit?”
  • “What can I do if I start to feel like I’m relying on it too much?”

Find Treatment for Drug Misuse

Recovery exists for all types of addictions, including antidepressant addiction. Treatment can help you navigate the underlying causes of addiction and address emotional struggles with healthy coping strategies and new behaviors. 
You can use Recovery.com to find prescription drug treatment centers and see their insurance information, reviews, photos, and more.

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Barbiturate Misuse and Addiction

Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic drugs primarily used for seizure disorders, anxiety, insomnia, and drug withdrawal symptoms in babies. Using them regularly (especially outside prescription guidelines) can lead to dependence and, eventually, addiction.

Like all other addictions, you can recover from a barbiturate addiction with the appropriate care and support. 

What Are Barbiturates?

Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotics1, meaning they cause sedation and sleepiness. They’re often used to control seizures and unwanted muscle twitches, treat insomnia, and relieve anxiety. Doctors prescribe them; you won’t find barbiturates for sale in grocery stores or pharmacies, like ibuprofen or Tylenol. You need a prescription, including instructions on when to take the pill, how much to take, and potential side effects.

Barbiturates work by slowing down the activity in your brain and depressing your central nervous system2, which can relieve intense anxiety, help you sleep, and control seizures. Some barbiturates are more focused on anxiety, sleep, headaches, pre-surgery calmness, or seizure treatment. Notably, only a tiny difference in dosage produces desired clinical results versus coma and death. It’s difficult to get the dose correct3, and many providers avoid barbiturates for this reason (and its addictive nature and life-threatening withdrawals.)

People may use them outside clinical bounds to feel more disinhibited and to self-medicate unwanted effects of illicit drugs4 like cocaine.

Are Barbiturates Addictive?

Barbiturates can be addictive, often for those who take more than their prescribed dose and for longer than they should. You can build a tolerance to their effects, meaning you need to take more and more to get the same impact. 

Studies have noted people can develop a physical dependence to barbiturates1, which can progress into an addiction requiring drug rehab. Closely monitoring how much people take and for how long can mitigate risks of dependence and addiction.

Factors Contributing to Barbiturate Misuse and Addiction

Certain factors can make addiction more likely, though not a guarantee in any sense. 

Higher Doses

If you’re on a notably high dose of a barbiturate, it can have a stronger effect that your brain more quickly adapts to and grows dependent on. The same goes for medications like opioids and benzodiazepines.

Social and Home Environments

Your environment and social life also play a role. High-stress environments can encourage mind-altering substance use as a way to escape the situation and cope with how it makes you feel. If other people in your social life regularly use substances you become more likely to use and grow addicted as well5.

Genetics

Your genes can predispose you to addiction. Epigenetics (changes to how your body reads genetic code) can account for this, or it could simply be the genes you inherit. But it’s vital to note many factors lead to addiction, not just your genes. 

Mental Health Conditions

Mood and brain changes related to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make people more susceptible to substance use and addiction6. Or, conversely, substance use can make you more likely to develop a mental health condition. For these reasons addiction and mental health conditions often co-occur6. 

Signs of a Barbiturate Addiction

Signs of an addiction7 to barbiturates and other substances include

  • Continuing excessive use despite clear consequences, like job loss, financial issues, or broken relationships.
  • Compulsive use of the substance.
  • Taking more than you intended.
  • Developing secretive habits to hide or conceal your use.
  • Feeling anxious and preoccupied with procuring more.

Consequences of Barbiturate Addiction

With the line between safety and death so thin with barbiturates, developing an addiction to them and consequentially taking higher doses can prove deadly. Comatose and death are the top consequences of barbiturate addiction3.

Other more long-term consequences include job loss, homelessness, physical illness, new or worsening mental health conditions, and an inability to maintain good relationships with loved ones. As addiction takes a stronger hold, other areas of life inevitably fall away. 

Treatment can restore these aspects and your overall well-being.

Treatment for Barbiturate Addiction

The first step in getting treatment will likely be setting up an appointment with your primary care doctor; or, you can start by reaching out to drug rehab and admit to their program for detox services and therapies targeted at comprehensive recovery.

Detox

Medical detox removes toxins from your body. This step is especially important for barbiturates as their withdrawal symptoms can be deadly3. Providers will likely use a tailored blend of medications to make the detox process safe and comfortable, preparing you for the next step: therapeutic care.

Therapy

Therapy gets to the heart of addictions, helping you discover what drives it emotionally and how you can cope with distress in new ways. You’ll likely meet with a therapist 1:1 and with other patients in group therapy. Many drug treatment programs also offer family therapy, or you can seek it out yourself. Common therapies include

  1. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which often uses ‘homework’ and practical strategies to catch and challenge untrue thoughts leading to distress, retraining your brain to help you heal.
  2. Dialectical behavioral therapy focuses more on adapting to thoughts and adjusting how you react to them, rather than challenging them with another belief. Coursework and group support are key components.
  3. Therapies like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) focus on addressing and processing trauma at a comfortable pace.

Ongoing Support

Attending support groups can maintain your progress once you graduate from drug rehab or outpatient care for addiction. These types of peer support groups can include 12-Step-based groups, like Pills Anonymous (PA), or secular groups not associated with the 12 Steps.

Any social activity can also support your recovery by surrounding you with people who want you to get better and/or maintain your progress. For example, you could schedule regular meetings with friends and commit to calling a loved one every day.

Find a Prescription Drug Rehab Center

Many rehabs recognize barbiturates as one of the most addictive drugs and offer comprehensive care centered on long-term recovery. At a prescription drug rehab you’ll stay in a recovery-conducive environment for 28+ days, with each structured week filled with therapeutic care, activities, relapse prevention training, aftercare planning, and more.


You can use Recovery.com to find prescription drug rehabs, filtering by your insurance, location, reviews, and more to find the best treatment for you.

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Adderall Addiction Treatment

Many see adderall as a “safe” drug because it can be medically prescribed and appears to lack negative side effects; however, adderall is one of the most addictive drugs on the market today1, especially for teens. Emerging adults, a population with developing, vulnerable brains, are more likely to take adderall to navigate school work, their social lives, and other stressors. 

Understanding the potential for addiction, health risks, and early intervention techniques can prevent long-term complications with this drug.

Understanding Adderall Addiction

Adderall is a prescribed stimulant drug that boosts nervous system activity2 by increasing dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain3. Individuals diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can take adderall to help enhance attention, memory, self-regulation, and executive function4. Those with narcolepsy can use it to improve wakefulness.

While adderall benefits those with a diagnosed condition, it does not substantially improve cognitive function in other individuals4. So for the students using adderall in hopes of better academic performance, or just using it recreationally, they are simply taking a stimulant drug. 

A stimulant use disorder alters the brain5 by: 1.) affecting cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and other functions, and 2.) acting on the brain’s reward system. The repeated use of the drug boosts dopamine, creating a craving to ingest it. With time, adderall use can destroy dopaminergic terminals3 and disrupt the natural production of dopamine—meaning, without consistent drug consumption, mood and cognition decline.

A dependence forms when individuals need adderall to feel happy or “normal,” since, without it, they may experience withdrawal symptoms like cravings, sleep disturbances, and stress. These negative consequences can also enforce the addiction. 

Despite common stereotypes, adderall is a serious drug that can cause addiction. Spotting the signs early can help prevent dependence. 

Signs of Adderall Addiction

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, a renowned treatment provider, lists signs of adderall misuse6:

  • Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep 
  • Often “spacing out” 
  • Decreased appetite 
  • Restlessness 
  • Hair loss (often coming out in clumps) 
  • Headaches 
  • Dizziness 
  • Nausea 
  • Excessive fatigue 
  • Constipation or diarrhea 
  • Changes in libido 

If you are concerned for a loved one, a change in their behaviors can indicate an addiction. They may lie about their adderall consumption, isolate themselves, have mood swings, and lose interest and motivation in important activities so they can use. If their dependence continues, more severe health complications can follow.

The Impact of Adderall Addiction

Adderall addiction, like any addiction, affects all areas of a person’s life, making this even more volatile for the young adult population using it.

Health Risks

As a central nervous system stimulant, adderall alters blood and oxygen flow, contributing to irregular or erratic heartbeat, cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart), and high blood pressure. Over time, these alterations can cause a slew of negative health effects, including cardiac arrest and stroke7. Chronic adderall use can also lead to skin disorders, seizures, brain damage, and kidney damage6.

Additionally, adderall addiction is closely linked with depression, aggression, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, and psychosis-like symptoms.

Social and Emotional Consequences

The impact of addiction goes beyond physical and mental health—it affects all facets of life. Adderall addiction often leads to secretive behavior and isolation, such as lying about drug use or hiding the extent of the problem, eroding trust with loved ones and straining relationships. And as addiction takes hold, the person may neglect their relationships to prioritize using adderall. They may withdraw from social activities, fail to fulfill commitments, and become emotionally unavailable to those who care about them.

While adderall is sometimes used to enhance focus, addiction can lead to decreased overall productivity. For example, someone may become less effective at their job due to the need for higher doses to achieve the same level of focus. They may also frequently skip work due to the physical and mental toll of addiction.

Students may initially use adderall in an attempt to enhance focus and academic performance; however, over time, addiction can lead to a dependency, impairing cognitive function and reducing overall academic performance.

First Steps in Seeking Help

You can ask yourself questions like 

  1. Would you be able to quit using adderall right now?
  2. Has your adderall use caused tension or conflict with friends, family, or colleagues?
  3. Do you miss important events or obligations because you are high?
  4. Do you use adderall to cope with stress, sadness, loneliness, or boredom?
  5. Have friends, family, or co-workers expressed concern about your adderall consumption?
  6. Have you given up hobbies or activities you used to enjoy because you prefer to take adderall?
  7. Are you concerned where your health and happiness might lead to if you keep using adderall at your current rate?

The answers will likely be straightforward and telling if you need medical treatment. Telling a trusted loved one can help get you on the right path to recovery. They can listen to what you’re going through, help make doctors appointments with you, and offer comfort throughout the journey.

Your primary care physician can provide an initial evaluation and refer you to a specialist for a more comprehensive assessment, like a mental health professional or addiction specialist. During this appointment, you can ask questions such as:

  1. How is my current adderall consumption affecting my overall health?
  2. What are the signs and symptoms of adderall dependence I am exhibiting?
  3. Based on my evaluation, do you believe I have a mild, moderate, or severe adderall use disorder?
  4. What kind of treatment do you think I need?
  5. How can I safely reduce or quit my adderall use, and what steps should I take to do so?
  6. Can you refer me to any support groups or resources that might help me?

Treatment Options for Adderall Addiction

As you embark on your recovery journey, you and your care team can explore treatment options to determine the best fit for your needs.

Detoxification

Many people begin their journey by going through the detox process, so you can safely rid your body of adderall. You’ll have medical professionals there to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible. This can help you feel more focused and prepared to take on therapy. It is crucial to detox under medical supervision, as withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

In some cases, FDA-approved medications, such as Bupropion and Modafinil, can be prescribed8 to assist the tapering process. These medications help keep you safe during detox, ease withdrawal symptoms, and alleviate mental health concerns. Medication-assisted treatment can last for a few weeks or for years to maintain recovery. Your clinical team can help you decide what treatments and procedures are right for you.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Programs

Residential Programs

Residential rehab provides an intensive, distraction-free environment to focus on psychotherapies and learning healthy coping skills. Individuals in this stage of care live in the center and have 24/7 support. Ideally, the clinical team creates a personalized treatment plan to address the unique needs of each individual in recovery. 

You might participate in evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as holistic and alternative healing methods like yoga and massage therapy. The center may provide a blend of individual and group therapy sessions. Your loved ones can engage in family therapy, so you can find common ground, improve communication skills, and work towards healthier relationships. 

Outpatient Programs

Your care team may recommend an outpatient program if your recovery does not require 24/7 support. Outpatient treatment has varying levels of care, with partial hospitalization (PHP) providing a more intensive level of care and outpatient (OP) providing the least intensive. You’ll participate in the program for a few hours a day on certain days of the week, allowing you to go to work or attend school simultaneously. You’ll likely participate in therapies similar to a residential program and build your support network as you heal with others in therapy.

Support Systems and Recovery

Joining support groups like Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery provide a sense of community, understanding, and accountability in your recovery. They offer a safe space to share experiences, learn from others, and receive ongoing support.

Family and Community Support

Creating a support network with strong relationships is a foundational aspect of long-lasting recovery. Social support in recovery can reduce stress, increase self-efficacy, and motivate lasting sobriety9. Your relapse prevention plan can detail how you will connect with loved ones who supported you through the treatment process. You may make new friends through sober activities and groups. Try your best to plan regular get-togethers with friends and family, as avoiding isolation and bolstering these relationships can make recovery easier. 

Setting and communicating boundaries in recovery is a practice of self-love and can enhance your relationships. Without boundaries, you may say “yes” to things you don’t want to, avoid necessary conversations, and be consumed by others’ negative feelings. Prioritizing your boundaries ensures that you’re aligned with what’s best for your well-being.

Managing Relapse

Not everyone in recovery will relapse, but it can be a part of the recovery process10—and that’s okay. Relapse prevention can help you address these obstacles and keep you on the right track.

Relapse prevention planning focuses on identifying and addressing early warning signs before they lead to a physical relapse, such as using adderall after a period of sobriety. This approach utilizes cognitive behavioral techniques to prevent relapse while equipping individuals with practical skills to manage relapse if it occurs. It combines education, coping strategies, trigger identification, support network development, and lifestyle adjustments to create a comprehensive prevention plan.

You and your care team can begin to build your relapse prevention plan by reflecting on 3 key recovery components: 

  1. Reflect on your recovery history. In treatment, what worked and what didn’t work? If you’ve relapsed before, what led to it? What were your triggers before you got treatment? Learn from mistakes of the past to make a realistic relapse prevention plan.
  2. Write down personal, relationship, and employment goals to highlight situations you want to be in and people you want to be around. 
  3. Identify your triggers—all the people, places, and things that could cause stress. Developing coping strategies for each trigger can empower you to live life without fear.

One of the most essential parts of a relapse prevention plan is building skills to navigate uncomfortable feelings and situations. You may practice coping techniques such as breathing exercises, regulating emotions through journaling, saying “no” to situations that do not serve your recovery, and exercise. This can help you walk into any situation with confidence. 

Attending outpatient care or talk therapy sessions can help you navigate foreign situations and continue skill-building. During individual therapy sessions, you’ll likely engage in various therapeutic methods like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). 

Creating a daily routine that promotes physical and mental health, including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep, can bolster sustainable recovery11. A scheduling system, such as time blocking in a calendar, can help you avoid idle time that might lead to thoughts or behaviors associated with relapse.

A day of sobriety is a day worth being celebrated! The effort to choose your health and well-being every day is a great feat, so continue to reflect and pride yourself on your hard work.

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Marijuana Misuse and Addiction: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Rolling a blunt one too many times can roll into a problem. Marijuana has the potential for addiction and bodily harm, and with it becoming legal in some states, now poses an even greater risk. 

Many people use weed regularly without understanding the possible risks. We’ll explore those here, plus signs of marijuana addiction and how to get treatment.

What Is Marijuana?

Marijuana comes from the dried leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant1. It grows around the world, mostly in tropical and humid places. The THC compound in cannabis (tetrahydrocannabinol) causes the mind and reality-altering effects2 associated with marijuana use. 

People typically smoke the dried leaves of the cannabis plant or the resin of its flowers. A rolled-up ‘cigarette’ of marijuana is called a blunt; some people roll and smoke their own or buy premade blunts. To smoke the more potent resin, people use bongs. People can also take edibles that take longer to set in but have longer-lasting effects (for example, pot brownies.)

Marijuana for medical use also occurs in some American states. For example, it can help cancer patients experience less nausea1 after chemotherapy. And Jamaican women commonly brew cannabis tea to relieve morning sickness3.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

Despite public perception touting weed as safe and nonaddictive, marijuana use can lead to an addiction4. It’s not safe, either. It can lead to addiction the same way other addictive drugs can: by altering the reward pathway in the brain4 and making changes in its functions. 

You can quickly build a tolerance to marijuana, meaning you need to take more to experience the same effects as your first experience. Taking more and more further alters your brain. Soon, you can start craving marijuana and experiencing intense urges to take it, until it becomes consuming and starts having pronounced negative effects on your life.

Ten percent of people who start smoking weed become addicted5; 30% of those who smoke it regularly meet addiction criteria. Those who start smoking earlier in life run a higher risk for addiction since marijuana can have a stronger effect on an adolescent brain6.

Effects of Marijuana Use

Marijuana has immediate and long-term effects. People often take marijuana for its immediate effects; to relax, fall asleep, or center their focus. Different strains of marijuana give different highs1, known as head or body highs. A head high is more conducive to focus while body highs offer a pronounced sense of relaxation. 

Immediate Effects

After taking marijuana, you’ll likely experience

  • A strong sense of relaxation and calm
  • Miscalculating time and distance
  • Paranoia
  • Red, bloodshot eyes
  • Food cravings

The initial effects of weed7 can last 2-10 hours, depending on its potency. Some people enjoy the effects, while others experience intense anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, and panic attacks.

Long-term Effects

Regular marijuana use leads to various long-term effects8, including

  • Memory damage
  • Schizophrenia
  • Lung cancer due to the carcinogens found in pot smoke3
  • Respiratory conditions from smoking, like bronchitis or regular coughing
  • Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, which means continuous vomiting
  • Poor concentration
  • Poor coordination
  • Cognitive and executive dysfunction

The longer someone uses marijuana, and the more they take it, the more intense the long-term effects can be. For example, someone who has smoked marijuana once a week for several years likely won’t experience the same slew of negative effects as someone who’s smoked daily for the last decade.

Signs of Marijuana Use

Someone who’s ingested marijuana will show a few key signs, both physically and psychologically.

Physical Signs

  1. Red eyes, like they’ve been crying or rubbing at them.
  2. Seeming disconnected from reality, out of it.
  3. Unusually relaxed and giggly.
  4. Talking slowly and not comprehending when other people talk. 
  5. Smelling of weed, which has a mossy, skunky odor.

Psychological Signs

Someone may show psychological signs of marijuana use, either in addition to or instead of physical signs. Examples include

  1. Low mood
  2. Disinterest in their usual activities
  3. Becoming emotionally distant and reserved

Withdrawal Symptoms

Once the brain and body grow accustomed to marijuana, especially high amounts of it, stopping can lead to detrimental effects. Though marijuana withdrawals aren’t deadly and typically not harmful long-term, they’re still uncomfortable3 and can prompt further use to curb the negative effects. People often experience physical and psychological weed withdrawals3.

Physical Withdrawal Symptoms

  • Nausea
  • Insomnia
  • Runny nose
  • Sweating
  • Muscle cramps

Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms

Some people use marijuana to self-medicate anxiety and unease. These symptoms, and a host of other psychological symptoms, can occur once they stop.

  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Discomfort and agitation
  • Pronounced return of anxiety as regular symptoms combine with withdrawals

Treatment Options for Marijuana Misuse and Addiction

Treatment options for marijuana addiction abound. You can go to a residential rehab, where you’ll stay for 28+ days to address underlying emotional issues and build coping strategies to maintain recovery outside treatment.

Rehabs typically combine 2 elements of care: behavioral and medical. You can access this care at an outpatient level, too, separately or concurrently. 

Behavioral Treatment

Therapy addresses the thoughts and feelings leading to marijuana use and, subsequently, marijuana addiction. For example, if your marijuana use started as a way to relax and mitigate anxiety, you’ll find a new approach to managing symptoms through therapies like CBT, DBT, and PE. Here’s what those mean:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and challenging untrue thoughts or beliefs before they can affect your emotional state and lead to unhealthy coping measures. 
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) still helps you identify harmful thoughts and beliefs but focuses on accepting them, rather than challenging them, and managing your responses. 
  • Prolonged exposure9 (PE) works by exposing you to a trigger to help you become desensitized to it. People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can find PE particularly effective for managing the intense emotional responses to triggers that might lead to substance use.

Holistic therapies can help, too. Many people benefit from a blend of evidence-based therapies, like the ones above, and holistic approaches like art therapy, yoga, and creative writing.

Medical Treatment

Medical treatment for marijuana addiction includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as needed. Some medications can alleviate withdrawal symptoms and speed up the onset3, helping the body return to homeostasis quicker. 

The Importance of Early Intervention

Intervening early is one of the best ways to prevent addiction. This applies to all drugs, marijuana included. The sooner someone takes steps to stop their use, the easier and less disruptive returning to sobriety can be. The intervention may come from within, from healthcare professionals, or loved ones.

Family Support Systems

Family members are often the first to notice a loved one’s struggle with marijuana use and addiction. Because of this, they can be the first to intervene through a formal intervention or a more casual conversation voicing their concerns and asking how they can help. How you approach the situation depends on your unique circumstances.

Family members (chosen family or related) also serve as a crucial support system in recovery. Education on addiction, mental health, and recovery can help them become stronger allies for their loved one’s healing.

Professional Help

A myriad of professionals can help people with a marijuana addiction recover. Your first stop may be your primary care provider, or the doctor you see for regular check-ups and arising health needs. They can guide you to the next steps in your treatment and recommend an effective path for you. This may include inpatient care or outpatient services, like therapy.

Therapists can alleviate the emotional factors contributing to marijuana use and addiction, using proven evidence-based methods (or holistic therapies) to treat disorders like anxiety, depression, and trauma. With these underlying causes addressed, you’re less likely to feel a desire for marijuana.

Attending a residential rehab or outpatient treatment for marijuana addiction offers a comprehensive healing package. Regular therapy sessions can too, as can peer support groups like 12-Step meetings or SMART Recovery meetings.

Find Rehab Centers for Marijuana Addiction

Many drug rehabs treat marijuana addiction, offering different approaches, therapies, and amenities to treat the causes and symptoms of addiction. The best rehab is the one that’s right for you.
You can use Recovery.com to find marijuana rehabs and see their insurance information, photos, reviews, and more all in one place.