The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) describes a co-occurring disorder as the coexistence of both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder.  As of 2018, approximately 9.2 million adults in the U.S. had a co-occurring disorder, an increase of over 1.1 million people over three years.  What Are Co-occurring Disorders?...Read More

There is a clear link between childhood trauma and alcohol and drug addiction. Traumatic events children experience often follow them as they mature into adults, creating mental health issues that may cause them to use alcohol or drugs as a way to self-medicate. According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, more...Read More

Substance abuse and addiction among older adults is a growing concern and is often underestimated, overlooked, or underdiagnosed. In the United States, substance use disorders among people over 60 years old are one of the nation’s most rapidly growing health problems. As the population ages, the number of senior citizens struggling with substance use disorders...Read More

Being in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction comes with many challenges. Dealing with relapse triggers is one of them. Relapse triggers are emotional or physical cues that cause the person to want to drink or use a substance. They are a normal part of addiction recovery. Being aware that triggers will arise and...Read More

The opioid crisis continues to spread throughout the United States, killing tens of thousands of people each year and destroying the lives of even more. A drug called xylazine, also known as tranq, is making the deadliest synthetic opioid, fentanyl, even more lethal. Xylazine (Tranq): The Basics Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer, anesthetic, muscle relaxant,...Read More

A person battling addiction does not have much ability to think about or plan for the future. Their sole focus becomes getting more of the substance they crave. Yet it’s essential to understand how the misuse of drugs and alcohol can create complications not just today but well into the future.Studies indicate a significant link...Read More

Grief is a natural, expected emotional reaction to loss. It is painful and can be overwhelming. Many people associate grief with the death of a loved one, close friend, or pet. But the loss of anything important to a person can result in grief.  Everyone deals with grief differently. While some of these methods are...Read More

English Mountain Recovery Center recently received a Center of Excellence Award from Evernorth, the health services business of Cigna Corporation. Providing IOP, residential, and detox services at its campus in Sevierville, Tennessee, EMR is a nationally recognized substance use treatment facility located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. Evernorth’s Center of Excellence...Read More

People once believed a fully developed human brain was fixed and unchangeable. Scientists now know that is not the case. The discovery of the formation of new neurons forming new neural pathways in the fully adult brain showed scientists the power of the brain to change, reorganize, and grow. The brain’s incredible ability to adapt...Read More

The question of whether or not a person suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction needs to hit rock bottom before seeking treatment is not new. The simple answer to the question is no. Hitting rock bottom is not necessary before seeking help for a substance use disorder. Whenever you are ready for help, it...Read More