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, […]
Addiction is a complex disease, requiring a concerted treatment effort involving patients, their family members, and their primary care providers. According to the American Psychiatric Association, a “substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences. […] People with a substance use disorder may […]
Addiction is a complex disease, requiring a concerted treatment effort involving patients, their loved ones, primary care providers, and all other relevant healthcare professionals. At The Blanchard Institute, family members and referring professionals are considered part of the treatment team. We believe in inclusion and collaboration when it comes to caring for our clients. Founder […]
Addiction is a family disease. At The Blanchard Institute, we recognize that substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health issues profoundly impact not only the individual but also their entire family. “The family remains the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization for humans in our current society. Therefore, the impact of substance use disorders […]
The opposite of addiction is connection, it has been said. One of the most devastating aspects of addiction is the damage it causes to relationships with parents, family, and friends. The Blanchard Institute recognizes the important role of relationships in the healing process—especially within the family. Recovery from addiction is a challenging process and outcomes […]
The addictive substances that have flooded a person with a severe substance use disorder (SUD)—often for years—typically have overpowered the body’s metabolism but with professional detoxification, there will be a rebound. “In the early weeks of sobriety, your long-abused body works hard to fix the damage,” wrote the authors of the acclaimed Recovery Book. A […]
With substance use disorder (SUD) rates in the United States rising, there is an urgent need for comprehensive treatment approaches. “The utilization of nutrition services in addiction treatment has not been standardized, but there is a growing trend toward incorporating registered dietitian nutritionists into the treatment team,” wrote David Wiss about the role of nutrition […]
Achieving recovery from addiction is worth celebrating! People suffering from a substance use disorder (SUD) often still face stigmatization, even when in recovery. Although the opioid epidemic has led to more understanding, promoting awareness of the disease of addiction and how it can be overcome is still important. Recovery Awareness Day at The Blanchard Institute […]
“Approximately 21 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder (SUD); the number of family members impacted by a loved one’s SUD is exponentially greater,” wrote Alicia Ventura, MPH, and Sarah Bagley, MD in the Journal of Addiction Medicine in 2017. Affected family members of individuals with SUDs are at high risk […]
What is Addiction? According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) “addiction is a treatable, chronic, medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.” In his 2022 book The Myth of Normal, addiction expert Gabor Maté offers a definition that isn’t all that different from ASAM’s. […]
