The Estate News & Blog

Staying Sober Through Crisis, Grief, and Uncertainty

Percocet is a commonly prescribed pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain. It combines oxycodone, a powerful opioid pain medicine, with acetaminophen, another pain reliever that enhances the analgesic effect. 

Synthetic marijuana, also called K2 or Spice, is a dangerous substance that has become a growing concern across the United States. Unlike natural cannabis, synthetic marijuana is made from plant material sprayed with chemicals designed to mimic THC, the active compound in marijuana. These chemicals act on the cannabinoid receptor in the brain but produce unpredictable and often harmful reactions.

Opioid addiction has become one of the most urgent public health crises in the United States. Millions of people are struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), which affects the body, mind, and overall quality of life. Opioid addiction treatment programs are essential for saving lives and helping people regain control.

For centuries, people have described alcohol as both a “pick-me-up” and a “slow-down” substance. You may feel energized and sociable after the first drink, but the science is clear: alcohol is classified as a depressant drug. While alcohol can create stimulating effects in the short term, the longer-lasting reality is that alcohol slows brain function, reduces reaction time, and affects breathing and heart rate.

Being a student intern at Soberman’s Estate has been one of the greatest experiences of my academic and personal journey.  From the first time I stepped onto the property and was greeted by our amazing CRC team, I instantly was welcomed into the supportive environment this is. I was surrounded by beautiful desert views and the gentle rhythm of horses grazing nearby, reemphasizing how special of a place this truly is. What I didn’t realize at that moment was how much I would end up learning. I didn’t only learn about addiction recovery, but how to approach my own practice with empathy, resilience, and the power of human connection. 

PAWS is the acronym used by individuals in the Medical, Clinical, Alcohol / Addiction Recovery field and stands for Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms. We in the field have been hearing a new term used by patients and that is Sobriety Fatigue. PAWS or Sobriety Fatigue is a common and often frustrating withdrawal symptom experienced by many individuals who stop drinking alcohol. This persistent tiredness affects both the body and mind, making the early stages of recovery physically and mentally challenging. 

Alcohol is one of the most widely consumed substances worldwide. While moderate use may not cause significant harm, heavy drinking, binge drinking, and long-term alcohol dependence can have profound effects on the brain. Many people wonder if the brain can recover after years of excessive drinking, and what actually happens when someone stops consuming alcohol. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the science of brain alcohol recovery, the timeline for healing, what changes occur in the brain after abstaining from alcohol, and whether alcohol-related brain damage can be reversed. 

The holidays have a way of amplifying everything—joy, stress, expectations, memories, and sometimes, the quiet pressure to be who you used to be. For men in recovery, this time of year can feel like walking into a room where every light is just a little too bright and every emotion is turned up a few notches.

The journey through addiction recovery is filled with ups and downs. One of the most intriguing and often misunderstood phases early in this process is known as Pink Cloud Syndrome.