Addiction Rehab & Recovery

Genesis Recovery is devoted to restoring the lives of men afflicted with the disease of addiction. Our mission is to foster long term recovery, heal relationships, nurture personal accountability and experience spiritual growth.      

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Rehab center scams are the last thing you should have to worry about when you’re trying to get help for addiction. To help you avoid these scams, we’ve put together a guide explaining some of the many ways unethical rehab centers exploit addiction.

Throughout this piece, we’ll explore some of the most common ways some treatment centers exploit addiction and the red flags you should be on the lookout for.

Here is just some of we will cover:

Misrepresenting their services and staff credentials.

Enticing potential and current clients through offers and deals.

Violating patient privacy to gain more clients.

Over-billing insurance companies

Sobriety guarantees

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While the majority of overdoses from prescription pills do not result in death; an overdose is always a significant health crisis. This article will detail the most common types of prescription pills that lead to overdoses, factors that can influence how long it can take to overdose, and we will explain how to spot the signs of potential overdose.

Throughout this piece we take an in-depth look at drug overdose and explore crucial subjects such as:

What causes an overdose?

Common prescription drugs that lead to overdose.

How long does it take to overdose?

Why drugs affect people in different ways?

The signs of overdose for opioids, depressants, and stimulants.

The importance of responding quickly to an overdose.

Seeking treatment after an overdose.

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At the most basic level, Alcoholics Anonymous is a large network of small groups who use the 12 steps as a guide to overcome alcoholism and live sober, happy lives. There seems to be a lot of mystery around what AA is, what it isn’t, and how it all works. Fortunately, we’re here to help get to the bottom of those questions and more with this guide and information on Alcoholics Anonymous.

Throughout this piece, we take an in-depth look at the inner workings of Alcoholics Anonymous.

We’ll answer common questions and explore topics such as:

What is Alcoholics Anonymous?

Why is AA simpler than most people think?

How does AA work?

What are the 12 Steps and Traditions of AA?

Help finding AA meetings and recovery resources.

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More recently, people all over the world have sought out ayahuasca to spur healing from past traumas, addictions, depression, anxieties, and other mental health issues. Let’s explore what ayahuasca really does, what is drawing addicts to use this psychoactive mixture as a potential treatment and what you should know before considering taking it.

Throughout this piece, we take an in-depth look at the history and potential healing applications of ayahuasca.

We’ll discuss crucial topics, anyone, considering taking this powerful hallucinatory drug should know such as:

What is Ayahuasca and what does it do?

The history of ayahuasca

Potential uses of ayahuasca.

What Is DMT?

Is Ayahuasca legal in the U.S.?

What has caused the growing demand.

Why more research is still needed.

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With all of the health issues and lung complications related to vaping being discussed in the news recently the question of how dangerous vaping actually is has become a very serious and relevant concern. Let’s take a look at the potential dangers associated with vaping and what recent studies have to say about the outbreak of illnesses being seen lately.

Throughout this piece, we delve into the dangers of vaping and explore the medical conditions associated with it, as well as discuss what the research has to say about the reported issues and what is being done to put a stop to it.

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With more and more states and their constituents voting to legalize marijuana it raises the crucial question of whether there is any truth to what many claim that marijuana is less addictive and safer than drinking alcohol. Join us as we delve into the risks associated with both of these substances and try to get to the bottom of this question.

Throughout this piece, we take an in-depth look at how smoking marijuana compares to drinking alcohol. 

We’ll explore topics and answer questions such as:

Is Marijuana harmful?

How dangerous is Alcohol?

The potential side-effects of Marijuana and Alcohol use.

The risks of driving drunk compared to being high.

Is Marijuana or Alcohol more addictive?

“It is nearly universally accepted that marijuana is the least destructive illicit drug, but that doesn’t mean that it is not harmful. And while it does have some medical uses, so do other prescription drugs that can cause addiction”

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Unfortunately, drug overdoses are more common than you may think and as rates continue to climb, the chances of having to deal with one become increasingly likely. That’s why it’s important to find ways to prevent overdoses from happening and to have a plan for what to do if someone you know does experience one. To help, we’re exploring what to do to help someone who overdoses on heroin or another substance.

Throughout this piece, we take a look at what you can do in case of a heroin overdose and discuss crucial topics such as:

What Causes An Overdose?

Physical Symptoms of A Potential Heroin Overdose

How Does Narcan Work?

The Importance of Investing in Narcan Training

Preventing Overdoses and Seeking Treatment

Did You Know?

“According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention there has been an increase of 137%  of drug overdoses nationwide since the year 2000″

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Heroin is an incredibly addictive drug, with some users becoming addicted even after the first or second use. Similar to other drugs heroin can cause significant damage to the brain and other vital organs. Some of these damaging effects can be seen almost immediately while others take time to manifest their symptoms. Let’s take an in-depth look a the potential damage heroin can cause as well as its affect on both the body and brain.

Throughout this piece, we explore the harmful and at times fatal effects of using heroin and discuss crucial topics such as:

How does heroin work.

How it affects the body and brain.

How to tell if someone is on heroin.

Short term and irregular side effects of heroin.

What heroin withdrawal is like.

The importance of seeking professional help if you suspect a loved one is using.

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Ibogaine produces a stimulant effect in smaller doses and in larger doses a psychedelic one but can this psychoactive alkaloid be used as a method of curbing and treating addiction?

Ibogaine has been shown to help overcome big hurdles in starting recovery such as getting through withdrawal, reducing cravings as well as improving self awareness however there is still some research that needs to be done. 

 Join us as we take an in-depth look at the potential of Ibogaine to treat addiction and explore topics such as:

What is Ibogaine and where does it come from?

The history of Ibogaine as an addiction treatment.

Whether Ibogaine is legal or not.

The potential risks and dangers of Ibogaine.

What recent studies and research have uncovered.

The psychedelic impact on those in recovery.

The importance of a recovery program beyond Ibogaine.

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Internet addiction disorder describes a condition of excessive and poorly controlled preoccupations, obsessions, and behaviors around devices with access to the internet. Over the last 30 years, an increasing amount of research and attempts to treat internet addiction have been sought to curb a growing mental health crisis.

Join us as we take an in-depth look at the growing concern of internet addiction and explore crucial topics such as:

What is internet addiction?

What are the mental and physical symptoms of internet addiction?

Why the internet is addictive?

Co-occurring disorders and internet addiction.

Did You Know? Experts in behavioral addiction estimate that at least 10% suffer social relationships, experience conflict in marriages and family life, and decreasing job performance due to their internet usage.

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Sometimes addiction is only a part of an explanation as to what is going on. In some cases, addiction can be covering other mental health disorders or even the cause of a new disorder brought on by frequent drug use. While this can make it difficult to determine which is the primary issue for a given person when it comes to treatment both need to be assessed. In spite of how difficult diagnosing these co-occurring conditions can be; being able to be diagnosed properly and then treating all the different parts of the diagnosis is important for a successful recovery and future management of symptoms.

Did You Know? Only about 10% of adults that have a mental health and substance abuse disorder actually receive help for both.

We take an in-depth look at the connection between addiction and mental health conditions as well as try to get to the bottom of the question; if these co-occurring disorders are so prevalent why are so few seeking and receiving the help they need?

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Schema Therapy is an approach to treating mental health that incorporates the most productive elements of cognitive-behavioral, psychoanalytical, interpersonal and experiential therapies into a single collective model. It is most known for being able to help people alter pervasive negative thinking and behavior patterns, at times when other methods are proving unsuccessful. In particular, schema therapy can be well suited to help more resistant and difficult clients struggling with chronic psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and relapse prevention. Let’s take a look at the applications of schema therapy for recovery and its role in treating the issues surrounding addiction.

Throughout this piece, we delve into the concepts that lie behind Schema-Focused Cognitive Therapy which believes that while not having a person’s needs met in childhood can result in self-defeating patterns in adulthood, through meeting those needs as adults it can help in healing and putting a stop to dysfunctional ways of thinking, feeling and behaving. 

Join us as we explore schema therapy as a tool for therapists to help clients start to make better life decisions and changes as well as why it’s especially effective for those more resistant to it.

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Kratom can be very tempting for those in recovery but its use has sparked a great deal of controversy. It can be easy to fool oneself into believing that Kratom is a safe alternative to using other substances, but anything that can affect an addict like their drug of choice and gives the impression that it’s less harmful puts you at risk of relapse. Let’s take a look at what the growing trend of taking Kratom means for those in recovery, how states and the government are responding, and what you should consider before deciding on its use.

While Kratom may help people start their journey in recovery, on the other hand, it may cause people already in recovery to relapse.

Throughout this piece, we delve into the much-debated topic of taking Kratom and why this seemingly safe substance can be a recipe for disaster for recovering addicts; especially for those in early recovery and those transitioning out treatment back into the world.

We’ll explore topics such as:

Where Kratom comes from and what are its effects?

Why it’s so inviting for those in recovery?

How the FDA and DEA are responding to this growing trend?

Whether Kratom should be legal?

What the research says about whether Kratom is addictive?

What you should consider before deciding to take Kratom?

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When a loved one is struggling with opiate addiction, it’s common for you to feel the need to intervene but not know how to offer them the help they desperately need. You might have questions like why they keep using in spite of the consequences or even how do you know if they have a problem that needs to be treated? These tips for helping a family member with an opiate addiction can help answer your questions, get them the support they need, and shed some light on the true nature of addiction.

Throughout this piece, we’ll help you determine if a loved one actually has an addiction problem by looking at the telltale signs of addiction and criteria of substance use disorder. We’ll also share our top tips for helping them get the support they need to recover if you’ve found they do fall under the category of having a problem. 

As you read through the full article for more insights and suggestions on helping a loved one with an opiate addiction; here are some of the tips you can expect to learn and use:  

Determining if your loved one has a problem with opiates.

Reaching out to facilities or medical evaluations to determine the best course of treatment.

Approaching your loved one in a supportive and nurturing way.

Setting limits and boundaries until treatment is attended.

Seeking education for a better understanding of the nature of addiction and how to continue to support them.

Attending AA and NA to help learn how to manage and process your loved one’s addiction.

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Researchers have broken up the cycle of addiction into three identifiable stages. Addicts progress through each stage at different rates but the more it repeats, the more severe the consequences. When going deeper into this model, the addiction cycle revolves around four distinct types of behavior. Let’s take a look at the dangerous cycle of addiction and explore what each of these stages entails as well as the behaviors that help define this model.

Throughout this piece, we take an in-depth look into the three phases behind the cycle of addiction and their consequences:

The binge and intoxication phase.

The withdrawal and negative affect phase

The preoccupation and anticipation phase.

We’ll also discuss the four types of behavior that lead to dependence and of which the cycle of addiction revolves:

Impulsivity

Positive reinforcement

Negative reinforcement

Compulsivity.

The better we understand the disease of addiction, the more acceptance of it there will be, and through that better understanding, the opportunity for more effective and mainstream prevention strategies and treatment options for addicts.

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Acute withdrawal is a physical and psychological condition caused when an addict abruptly stops using. There are a number of factors that play a part in which symptoms present themselves as well as how severe and long they will last. The onset of these symptoms is largely dependent on the half-life of the drug being used. But once these have subsided many users still experience PAWS which can last for a few months up to a few years.

Throughout this piece, we’ll take a look at the onset of acute withdrawal symptoms and the physical and psychological impact different substances have on this condition, including withdrawal from:

Alcohol

Cocaine

Benzodiazepines

Opiates

We’ll also explore the common problems associated with Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, the theories behind its causes and why it’s important to recognize PAWS as a real condition.

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Music therapy has been proving to be effective as a complementary therapy with traditional methods of addiction treatment. Although some types of music therapy are especially well suited for the challenges often faced by recovering addicts; whether it’s songwriting, drumming, singing or movement to music, music therapists use these tools to help guide patients towards treatment goals and improve quality of life. In fact, studies conducted with those in rehab have discovered that other parts of the program benefited from participation in music therapy.

Throughout this piece, we’ll take an in-depth look at the applications of music therapy as a complementary therapy for substance abuse. 

We’ll explore the types of music therapy conducive to those in recovery, how they impact participation in other areas of treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy and the 12-step program as well as why many treatment centers have incorporated it into their recovery programs.