National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans about addiction treatment and mental health services and how they can help people with mental health issues or substance use disorder (SUD) live healthy and rewarding lives. Hosted by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), Recovery Month celebrates the courageous efforts made […]
August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD)—a global campaign to end drug overdose. International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of family and friends left behind. Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) […]
Substance abuse in the workplace is a growing concern, particularly as it impacts productivity, employee health, and overall workplace safety. In Charlotte, employers are increasingly adopting proactive strategies to address this issue and support their employees’ well-being. From implementing drug-free workplace policies to offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), businesses are taking steps to foster a […]
The Blanchard Institute recently expanded treatment options at its Lake Norman facility. The new evening intensive outpatient program (IOP) is building on the success of other Blanchard programs. “Our modalities are highly successful because we use evidence-based treatment,” says Jennifer Harris, CADC, who manages the new program. One of the counselors at Lake Norman is […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that life expectancy at birth in the United States was 77.5 years, which is 1.1 years higher than in 2021 but still 1.3 years lower than in 2019. This is a reversal from 2021, when life expectancy dropped to 76.4 years, the lowest it […]
Addiction to substances like alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and cannabis used to be described as “chemical dependency,” suggesting that these substances simply hijack the brain promoting further misuse. In recent decades, neuroscience revealed that reality is far more complicated. “We are all chemically dependent,” declared Ward Blanchard, MA, MBA, CCS, LCAS, the founder and CEO of […]
