Victory Blog

A significant number of people who suffer from alcohol and drug addiction also have mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. When both addiction and a mental disorder are present, the person is said to have co-occurring disorders.  Bipolar disorder has a particularly close relationship with addiction. Studies show that “people with bipolar I disorder have a 5.8 times increased lifetime risk of a substance use disorder diagnosis.”   If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder...

Addiction treatment doesn’t stop once a client leaves Victory. Having a strong alumni program keeps alumni accountable and educates them on their new journey. It also helps form new bonds between people who are new to recovery and those who have been sober for years.  The alumni program is led by Jon Flowers, a Lafayette native who joined the U.S. Army during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. After spending 12 years as an Air Traffic Controller, including three tours...

People develop addiction for various reasons. In some situations, it may feel like the best strategy for overcoming chronic stress or dealing with emotional trauma. In others, it might result from consistent heavy use due to boredom, peer pressure, or depression. Understanding why addiction occurs can help you break the cycle, freeing yourself from the demands of substances like painkillers, alcohol, or stimulants. What Is the Cycle of Addiction? One of the ways to define the cycle of addiction is...

Addiction is not a “solo” disease, it affects every member of the family. Because of this, Victory invites families to take an active role in their loved one’s recovery through our weekly Family Care Group. This not only benefits the clients but also helps the entire family learn how to best support their loved one in the future and how to deal with past hurts caused by the person’s addiction. “Family Care Group provides families and loved ones the opportunity to...

Opioids are one of the most important pain-relieving medications available today. For Veterans suffering from intense injury and pain after traumatic experiences, medications like this can prove vitally important. The problem with opioids is their high risk of leading to addiction and dependence. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a growing problem for Veterans. It is also one of the factors that lead to early death in some.  The data is clear. Studies published in the Annals of Medicine found that,...

The thought of leaving everything you know in your life to enter into a treatment center for drugs and alcohol is scary. No matter your age, your life experiences, or your mental health, this is a massive change. For many people, it’s also the best possible opportunity for recovery. Without treatment, your disease will likely continue to spiral out of control, leading to complicated mental health and physical health concerns. Inpatient residential rehab in Louisiana saves lives, and the experience...

Opioids are a powerful drug noted for their ability to control pain. To do this, they interfere with the way the brain’s opioid receptors function. When opioids attach to these receptors, they can virtually block off any of the pain signals being sent from any of the nerves in the body to the brain, effectively eliminating the pain a person feels. That is an incredibly important benefit in situations where a person is dealing with intense pain due to severe...

For many people, 2022 and the start of 2023 has been difficult in the job market. With a tightening recession, many have lost jobs, especially within the tech industry. Yet, while some are focused on finding a new position, others are suffering from the emotional and mental struggle that job loss often brings. Why Does Work Loss Impact Mental Health? As noted by the American Psychological Association, a person’s job contributes significantly to their mental health and overall well-being. Work...

Are you self-medicating? Self-medication is a term used to refer to a person using substances to treat mental, emotional, or physical pain. Many people do this, but not everyone realizes what’s happening. For that reason, many people who self-medicate end up developing a substance use disorder. If their mental health symptoms stem from a mental health disorder, they have what is called a co-occurring disorder, or dual diagnosis, which requires professional treatment.  Data from the U.S. Department of Health and...

Your close family member is dependent on drugs or alcohol. It’s taken over their life. Perhaps they started drinking in their teens. Now, 30 years later, they’re experiencing numerous health complications. Can a person with a lifelong addiction stop using substances? Can they maintain long-term recovery? Many who have a lifetime of drug or alcohol use don’t believe they can or even should stop. However, addiction, even long-term addiction, is treatable. While there is no cure for addiction,  most people...