When To Seek Treatment For Your Teen

Addiction Treatment, Teens / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Mood shifts and sometimes unpredictable behavior in teens are often chalked up to the surge of changing hormones coursing through their bodies. However, parents and loved ones should be aware of signs that may indicate a drug or alcohol addiction.

When To Seek Treatment For Your Teen Read More »

How Isolation Can Impact Alcoholism

Alcohol Addiction, Mental Health / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Isolation can sneak up on a person, making it tough to stay in touch with loved ones, stay active, and maintain a healthy mindset. When times get stressful, we tend to become more worried about our health in general.

How Isolation Can Impact Alcoholism Read More »

3 Ways Isolation Can Impact Mental Health

Addiction Treatment, Mental Health, Recovery, Rehab / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Most people thrive when around others. That increases a person’s ability to interact, share thoughts, and express feelings. It also helps make life a bit more enjoyable. When isolation happens, especially during conditions like a pandemic, that becomes very hard to do. Mental health is impacted, leading to instances of anxiety or depression in some.

3 Ways Isolation Can Impact Mental Health Read More »

3 Ways to Break the Stigma of Addiction

Addiction Treatment / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Stigma occurs when someone has a negative, discriminatory view of someone because of something outside of their control, such as the disease of addiction. Because of the negative effects of addiction, the disease comes with a lot of stigmas. Sadly, many people treat those struggling with the disease negatively simply because they are battling the

3 Ways to Break the Stigma of Addiction Read More »

The Stages of Addiction Recovery

Addiction Treatment, Recovery / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Addiction recovery is a long process. It begins when something motivates the addict to change and ends when the individual has regained their financial, physical, emotional, and relationship health and positively changed their behavior. Two University of Rhode Island psychologists, James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente, broke the process into five stages. Those stages of recovery

The Stages of Addiction Recovery Read More »

How Codependency and Addiction Relate

Addiction Treatment, Addiction Treatment / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Codependency often exists alongside addiction. Another way codependency is referred to is as a sort of relationship addiction. Someone who is codependent often has problems establishing boundaries with others, may exhibit people-pleasing tendencies, and may try to fix others. A person who has an addiction is often in a relationship with someone who is codependent.

How Codependency and Addiction Relate Read More »

What Is Trauma-Informed Care In Addiction Treatment?

Addiction Treatment, Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Drug Addiction Treatment, Rehab, Substance Abuse / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Many factors may have contributed to the onset of your substance use disorder. While these illnesses are different for everyone, past trauma is one of the leading reasons for drug and alcohol abuse. Fortunately, the addiction treatment facility at Northern Illinois Recovery can help you overcome trauma and substance use disorders. The program seeks to

What Is Trauma-Informed Care In Addiction Treatment? Read More »

4 Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Painkillers

Addiction Treatment, Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Drug Addiction Treatment / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

If you are suffering from an alcohol use disorder, the risk of abusing other substances is often high. Most people who binge drink also abuse prescription painkillers, such as opioids. Individuals often engage in polysubstance abuse to enhance the euphoric or sedating effects of other drugs. At Northern Illinois Recovery, we can help you overcome

4 Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Painkillers Read More »

5 Signs of Seasonal Depression

Addiction Treatment, Mental Health, Recovery / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

If you experience unexplained sadness every year, particularly during winter and fall, you could be struggling with a mental health condition. Seasonal depression, also known as a seasonal affective disorder or SAD, happens every year around the same time when the seasons change. So, how can you tell when you or your loved ones have

5 Signs of Seasonal Depression Read More »

3 of the Most Dangerous Party Drugs

Addiction Treatment, Drug Addiction Treatment, Drug Information / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Partying and clubbing is a long-held American tradition, especially for teenagers and young adults. Unfortunately, most parties involve party drugs (mostly psychoactive substances) to heighten the enjoyment. Party lovers and parents of teenagers need to gather substantial knowledge about such drugs. It can help maintain safety at parties. In Northern Illinois Recovery, we can help

3 of the Most Dangerous Party Drugs Read More »

5 Effects of Heroin Use

Addiction Treatment, Drug Addiction Treatment, Drug Information, Substance Abuse / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Heroin is among the most addictive substances. If you engage in heroin use for long periods or overdose on it, the drug can wreak havoc on your body. Heroin abusers experience euphoria, but the feeling does not last for long. The user needs to increase the substance's quantity to achieve the same high in subsequent

5 Effects of Heroin Use Read More »

How to Maintain Your Sobriety During the Holiday Season

Addiction Treatment, Sobriety, Substance Abuse / By Dr. Beth Dunlap

Every December, many American families get together and make merry. It is a month of glad tidings, and alcohol is often part of having fun. However, if you are in recovery from substance abuse, the holiday season can be difficult to maintain sobriety. The holidays can remind you of drinking escapades, family problems, past trauma,

How to Maintain Your Sobriety During the Holiday Season Read More »

Author name: Dr. Beth Dunlap