By Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.; From Dr. Schwartz's Weblog, MentalHealth.net
Why is recovery from an addiction so very difficult for people? Despite all the efforts made by families and treatment procedures, too many people relapse. In fact, they go through many relapses and other people end up blaming the person out of frustration and anger. The fact it that addictions are extremely complicated and involve more than just ending the use of a substance. They do not occur in a vacuum. » More

I was able to stop using codeine after returning home and to my job in the operating room.  I dodged a bullet– or so it seemed.  I continued to drink wine, beer, and the occasional margarita, but I had convinced myself that drinking was an isolated vice that was necessary given the stress of my job.  Yes, the AA and NA people said that alcohol would take me back to my ‘drug of choice’, but they didn’t understand my special situation, and didn’t know how smart I was.  The scary incident in the Bahamas faded from my memory.  Looking back, it wasn’t that big of a deal. » More

Drug Seeking Behavior in ER Doubles, Feeds Growing Addiction to Pain Pills -- Emergency rooms continue to become a major resource for pain medication addicts; By MIKAELA CONLEY, ABC News Medical Unit -- Oct. 28, 2010 » More

Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media, October 27, 2010
Medication and illegal drug-related problems put twice as many middle-aged and older Americans in the hospital in 2008 as in 1997, according to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. » More

Welcome to OnTrak, a unique treatment program for substance dependence that is covered under your health benefits. We guide you step by step through the transition from substance dependence to sobriety: a process known as recovery. » More