skesaris, Author at Amethyst Recovery Center

Addiction and the Negative Feedback Loop

by skesaris | Jun 2, 2015 | Addiction

“Why Can’t They Just Stop?” This is a question that is constantly asked by people who have a loved one that struggles with addiction. The problem is that nobody can understand the mindset of an alcoholic or drug addict unless they’ve been in that situation....

My Name Is Laurie, and I Am an Enabler

by skesaris | May 28, 2015 | Recovery

When you are the parent of an addict there are so many 3:00 am phone calls. “Mom, I’ve been arrested for disturbing the peace – I’m in jail in Conway, South Carolina.” “Mom, I need you to wire me money right away – some guys are coming to kill me because I owe...

How Can We Afford Drug Rehab?

by skesaris | May 18, 2015 | Treatment

“Oh God, we cannot afford this. We will have to take out a loan, or another mortgage on our house, or deplete our retirement funds or borrow from relatives. And what about families who have no resources at all – what in the world do they do?” Those were my first...

Overview of the Recovery Process

by skesaris | May 17, 2015 | Treatment

Recovering from an addiction is a process that requires a lifelong commitment. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, or NCADD, explains that recovery means that an individual is actively seeking help and solutions to avoid substance abuse and improve...

Heroin Addiction in Maryland and EVERYWHERE!

by skesaris | May 13, 2015 | Recovery

It Can Literally Happen to Anyone! Heroin. Even the word is scary. But when you have seen those tell tale tracks on your son’s arm, that word becomes completely terrifying. I remember the first time I saw them; it was August 2010, and we were taking our son Sam,...

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The Benefits and Drawbacks of a Harm Reduction Model

Jan 15, 2021

What Is Harm Reduction? In the case of substance abuse, harm reduction is a proactive approach to making drug use—both legal and illegal—as safe as possible. These practices address broad social and health issues. Harm reduction is a concept that can be applied to any...

How Being Organized Can Help Life In Recovery

Jan 7, 2021

Marie Kondo’s Netflix may have caused the latest decluttering fad, but psychologists have long known the benefits of tidiness and the positive impact it can have on the lives of recovering addicts. With nothing to lose (but everything to gain), here are 3 major ways...

Causes & Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Dec 31, 2020

Despite being a legal substance, alcohol is very much a drug—and one that has very real and potentially fatal consequences. Alcohol poisoning is the most severe side effect of intoxication that can occur. The CDC estimates that it results in an average of 2,200 deaths...