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Understanding Interventions: A Compassionate Approach
Interventions are often misunderstood, largely due to portrayals in popular media as confrontational and aggressive events where individuals feel ambushed. However, the approach taken by The Blanchard Institute offers a different perspective, focusing on love, compassion, and family involvement. The Invitational Model of Intervention The invitational model used by The Blanchard Institute emphasizes inviting the individual to…
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Blanchard Expands IOP Offering
The Blanchard Institute’s intensive outpatient program (IOP) is designed to support individuals ready to take the next step in their recovery journey. Balancing rigorous treatment with the flexibility to engage in daily life, our IOP offers a structured path to independence while reinforcing the coping strategies and support systems essential for long-term wellness. Everyone should…
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Understanding Alcohol and Brain Changes
Alcohol consumption can lead to significant changes in the brain, affecting both its structure and function. The impact of alcohol on the brain can be profound, especially with chronic use, and understanding these changes is crucial for recognizing the signs of alcohol use disorder and seeking appropriate treatment. Short-Term Effects on the Brain Altered Neurotransmitter…
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Stages of Liver Damage from Alcohol
The liver is a vital organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol and detoxifying the body. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage, progressing through several stages. Understanding these stages is crucial for recognizing the impact of alcohol on liver health and taking preventive measures. Stage 1: Fatty Liver (Steatosis) Fatty Liver OverviewFatty liver, or steatosis,…
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Understanding the Impact of Alcohol on Liver Enzymes
Alcohol consumption can significantly impact liver function, primarily by affecting liver enzymes. These enzymes play a crucial role in metabolizing alcohol and maintaining overall liver health. Understanding how alcohol affects these enzymes is essential for recognizing the early signs of liver damage and taking proactive steps toward recovery. The Role of Liver Enzymes The liver…
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From Recovery Awareness Day 2024: The Dangers of Today’s Cannabis Products
So-called “medical” and recreational marijuana use has become increasingly widespread in the United States after 38 states and Washington, DC legalized “medical” cannabis—23 states and DC have legalized its recreational use. Many well-meaning people around the country have internalized the propaganda of the well-organized cannabis industry suggesting that cannabis products can cause no harm and…
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Strike Out The Stigma!
Charlotte folks, come out and take a swing at stigmatization and prejudice this Saturday. The Charlotte Knights will take on the Norfolk Tides at Truist Field on the 3rd annual Strike Out Stigma night to support mental health awareness. Game time on Aug 3 is 6:05 pm EDT. A portion of every ticket purchased through…
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Brain Disease: The Cognitive Impact of Substance Use
“Advances in medical imaging have revealed that addiction is a complex disease of the brain,” said the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Nora Volkow four years ago. “By understanding how addiction affects different neuronal processes, we can gather insights that give us a better understanding of why the behaviors of people…
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When It Comes to Addiction Treatment, Our Healthcare System Is Broken
More than 70 percent of US adults feel the healthcare system is failing to meet their needs in at least one way, according to Harris Poll data reported by TIME magazine in 2023. “More than half of the roughly 2,500 US adults who took the survey graded the US healthcare system a ‘C’ or below.…
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There Is No Safe Experimentation With Drugs Anymore
American teenagers and young adults—especially college students—used to be able to party and experiment with drugs and alcohol without necessarily risking their lives. Not anymore! The drugs that kids encounter nowadays are much more powerful and in some cases deadly. The THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol) levels in cannabis products have dramatically increased in the last few decades…