It might be alcohol, legal prescription drugs, or illegal drugs - no matter the substance, addiction is a disease that changes the way your brain works. Even if you want to quit using, the desire alone may not be enough. But with medication management, you don’t have to do it...
An estimated 23.5 million Americans struggle with drug and alcohol addiction — that’s one in 10 people over the age of 12. Addiction is a disorder with mental and physical elements, and it’s a national epidemic. Daniel J. Headrick, MD, and our team at Headrick Medical Center are dedicated to...
When you abuse an addictive substance — like alcohol, opioids, or other drugs — your body becomes dependent on the drug. You build up a tolerance as toxins accumulate in your system, and when you stop using the substance your body begins to detoxify and cleanse itself. Detox is an...
More than 10 million Americans misuse opioids each year. Opioids are highly addictive and dangerous, and opioid misuse, dependence, and addiction are a growing health crisis in the United States. Some types of opioids are legal prescription painkillers, like oxycodone, fentanyl, and morphine. Other opioids are illegal drugs like heroin....
Vitamins are essential nutrients that cells in your body use to grow, develop, and function. You get a lot of these vitamins — along with other micronutrients like minerals and amino acids — from your diet, but you might not be getting the ideal balance of nutrients on your own....
Opioid dependence, or opioid use disorder, is a type of addiction. Opioids are drugs that include many prescription painkillers, like morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. If you’re struggling with opioid addiction, you might be looking for a way out. The addiction experts at Headrick...
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) IV therapy is a type of intravenous treatment that can stimulate cell regeneration in your body. NAD is a coenzyme that binds with elements in your body, offering a host of benefits like reduced withdrawal symptoms during addiction recovery and enhanced cognitive processing. NAD IV therapy...
It’s no secret that the holiday season can be stressful. From long shopping lists to family gatherings, peace and joy might be far from your mind — but that doesn’t mean you have to put your sobriety at risk. When you’re a recovering addict, stress can affect your mental well-being...
Do you struggle to concentrate on the task at hand? Does it feel like your thoughts are fuzzy or that you can’t focus? It could be brain fog. Brain fog is a cognitive dysfunction related to a lack of mental clarity. It’s not a medical condition in itself, but rather...
Addiction is a multifaceted disease. It includes physical dependence on drugs, alcohol, or other substances, but for many people, it goes far beyond physical cravings. Addiction has physical, mental, and emotional elements, and successful recovery requires an approach that addresses each one, from physical dependence to the lifestyle choices and...
Your immune system is your body’s natural defense system. If you come in contact with a virus like the common cold or influenza, it fights off the germs to help you stay healthy. Micronutrients — vitamins and minerals — fuel your immune system and keep it strong. Many essential micronutrients...
Detoxification, or detox, is an essential step in your addiction recovery process. When you use drugs or alcohol, toxins accumulate and your body builds a tolerance to the substance. Stopping drug or alcohol use triggers withdrawal — a period in which your body cleanses itself of toxins. After detox, you...
Substance abuse and addiction aren’t easy to overcome. For an addict, the path to recovery comes with roadblocks, from withdrawal symptoms to intense cravings and more. Successful recovery requires physical and mental transformation, along with an ongoing commitment to stay clean. It sounds hard, but recovery is possible — and...
Summertime brings picnics, barbeques, and gatherings of family and friends. Getting outside and celebrating the summer holidays feels great, but if you’re a recovering addict, it can be a tricky time to navigate. Beach vacations are synonymous with pool bars and backyard barbeques are often fully stocked with beer. Being...
Addiction to alcohol or drugs changes the way your brain works. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, you know that the desire to quit isn’t always enough. Overcoming addiction is possible, but success takes commitment and expert support. NAD+ therapy, a new IV treatment for...
Nearly 20 million Americans suffer from a substance abuse disorder each year. Substance abuse disorders include dependence and addiction to alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medications. They severely impact the health and safety of the people who are affected by them. Though addiction and dependence are terms that are often...
Successfully treating addiction to opioids, alcohol, and other substances usually involves both medication and counseling. Dr. Daniel Headrick and his compassionate team at Headrick Medical Center in San Juan Capistrano, California, help you get a handle on your addiction with medication-assisted treatment (MAT). What is medication-assisted treatment? Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)...
Breaking the cycle of addiction to opioids or other substances is never easy. Dr. Daniel Headrick and his caring team at Headrick Medical Center in San Juan Capistrano, California, help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. While the path isn’t always smooth and you may relapse...
Did you know that almost 20 million Americans are currently struggling with addiction? The problem is that addictive substances take over the brain’s reward system, making it difficult to make smart decisions, even when painful consequences are sure to result. Addiction completely rewires the brain, making it difficult to stop...
Intravenous (IV) therapy is well-known for its ability to deliver medications quickly during hospital stays or surgery, but this isn’t the only way in which IVs are used. According to the Postgraduate Medical Journal, IV therapy is a convenient way for health care professionals to administer saline, medication, and even...
Opioid recovery can be difficult at times. You may experience strong urges and withdrawal symptoms that make you feel miserable. As a result, long-term recovery may seem impossible — but it’s not. At Headrick Medical Center, located in San Juan Capistrano, California, Dr. Daniel Headrick and our team know what...
Addiction is a serious disease that can cause many different issues in a person’s life and the lives of their loved ones. If you or someone you love has decided to seek addiction treatment, this is a great beginning to a safe and successful recovery period. While addiction treatment programs...
Recovering from alcohol addiction takes strength and determination. It also requires personal and behavioral changes, as well as counseling support. However, medical treatment options can help as well. If you're ready to cut back, medications like Vivitrol® (naltrexone) can support you as you reduce your alcohol intake, making it easier...
We’re going to start this blog post by saying that addiction is an incredibly difficult disease to deal with — for the person in the throes of addiction and for those who can only stand by helplessly. If you suspect that your loved one is developing a substance use problem...
