Rockland Recovery, Inc

Rockland Recovery

Providing a welcoming environment, our compassionate and inspiring team is committed to helping them regain their health and restore their hope through immediate access to safe and stable housing. The individuals and families we serve are homeless or precariously housed —but their challenges are even more complicated. The great majority have histories of trauma, chronic substance use, and mental health issues.

  1. Employing a harm-reduction model that uses facilitative rather than coercive methods, we meet people where they are with individualized services that focus on their strengths and support them in making life-sustaining decisions.
  2. The Fall edition is packed with inspiring stories and messages of resilience, generosity, and hope from our clients, staff, and supporters who are transforming lives and strengthening our communities.
  3. It’s a “housing first” approach that includes stabilization services, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, and case management.
  4. If you would like to join our mailing list to automatically receive our publications by mail, fill out the form below or email your name and address to

Eliot Community Human Services

Rockland Recovery has helped individuals and families in crisis for over 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. When other organizations will not or cannot take them in, we do.At Rockland Recovery, we don’t judge.

Closest Area Transitional Housing

Rockland Recovery

Our goal is to create a safe, welcoming space for individuals from all backgrounds who are navigating addiction recovery. We established a nurturing community where every member finds belonging and plays an active role in shaping their journey toward recovery. Our services range from recovery support groups like AA or Refuge Recovery to wellness and life-skill activities like resume-building workshops or yoga classes; anything that encompasses healthy and safe choices for the mind, body, and soul. “Sometimes I feel so happy that my heart — I feel like I’m having like a big, good pain in my heart,” she said.

Last year, 4,775 people turn to Rockland Recovery for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Our team of more than 200 staff across 19 programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges they face. On the streets, at our Boston Living Center, and across programs, we work to prevent chronic conditions and overdoses.

Almost half live with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and/or other chronic health conditions. When individuals and families are safely housed, they’re much more likely to address their physical and mental health, addictions, and other issues. Our housing stabilization services, including emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, and case management, move people off the street as quickly as possible, with as few barriers as possible.

Rockland Recovery: Housing. Health. Recovery. Hope.

“I just want to continue.” Giving the individuals that she counsels at The Victory Connector, a low-threshold navigation center in the neighborhood run by the nonprofit Rockland Recovery, a feeling of care, a sense of calm and peace, is what she aims for each day. We follow a low-barrier housing-first clinically driven approach to guide clients towards health and safety. Rockland Recovery operates various programs throughout Boston, all built on our strongly held belief that no person who is struggling should be asked to do the hardest thing first, on their own, before they are offered the fundamental support they truly need. We are excited to bring you the latest issue of Rockland Recovery’ print newsletter, The Doorway! The Fall edition is packed with inspiring stories and messages of resilience, generosity, and hope from our clients, staff, and supporters who are transforming lives and strengthening our communities.

Community Substance Abuse Center (CSAC)

We provide HIV, Hepatitis C, and STI testing and counseling; a healthy meals program; syringe and naloxone distribution; and an array of education, navigation, and support services. Our specialized, short-term treatment programs are for individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder who have additional treatment needs. We provide high-quality, evidence-based services based on individual needs, offering flexible, strengths-based solutions to people’s biggest challenges. The Jamaica Plain Recovery Center (JPRC) is a peer-led community center in partnership with Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The Living and Recovering Community is a 30 to 90 day intensive residential program which offers comprehensive substance use stabilization and case management/housing search services for men and women living with HIV/AIDS who are in recovery. Managed by Rockland Recovery, LARC provides mental health services, substance use disorder services, transitional housing, HIV/AIDS education, and primary healthcare. When individuals and families are safely housed, they’re much more likely to address their health, addictions, and other issues. It’s a “housing first” approach that includes stabilization services, emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, and case management. For Rockland Recovery Review many, Rockland Recovery represents the last possibility for hope and the first chance for sustained success in their battles with addiction or illness.

Social Drinking vs Problem Drinking, Alcohol Addiction, and Alcohol Use Disorder

what is social drinking

Therefore, if someone self-identifies as a social drinker, they should not consume more than 14 drinks per week for males and 7 for females. Asians, on the other hand, generally are thought to have higher abstention rates compared with other racial and ethnic groups, especially when they are integrated within their ethnic cultures (Cook et al. 2012). One measure of the retention of ethnic values and cultural norms is generation status. That is, the longer immigrants have lived in the United States, the more likely they are to acculturate to the cultural norms of their destination community (Berry et al. 2006). Lower levels of ethnic identity may be one explanation for these differences across Asian subgroups.

There Are Multiple Evidence-Based Roads to Recovery

what is social drinking

In contrast, we found that alcohol made people more altruistic, donating a larger proportion of their money (around ten percentage points more than the placebo https://ecosoberhouse.com/ group) to charity. This is a modest effect size, but appears to be highly specific, as it was found at a modest dose of alcohol at which there were no discernible effects on impulsivity or risk taking. We had no a priori expectation about the direction of the effect on altruism.

  • It involves people coming together to enjoy drinks in a social setting, such as a bar, restaurant, party, or gathering, primarily for social purposes.
  • In the United States alone, the costs of excessive alcohol use were estimated at $223.5 billion in 2006, or $746 per person (Bouchery et al. 2011).
  • In this article, we will explore different types of socially acceptable addictions and how they have become established, while also drawing on expertise from Rehabs UK to provide support if you think you may have an addiction.

How many drinks is too many?

what is social drinking

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that we, Indians, love our alcohol, and hard liquor like whiskey, gin and rum are often preferred over wine and vodka here. A 2024 survey found that 48 percent of adults participated in some form of gambling in the past four weeks. According to Public Health England, nearly two-thirds of adults in the UK are overweight or obese, a statistic that underscores how common overeating has become. This statistic shows how in the UK being overweight is normalised, if there is nothing in place to help prevent this from happening it will continue to be accepted.

what is social drinking

Emotional and Mental Health Problems

  • This becomes binge drinking if a male consumes five or more drinks, or a female drinks 4 or more drinks during a general two-hour time frame on at least one occasion within a month.
  • For most people who relapse, it can take years to find recovery again, and many never make it back.
  • Rehabs UK is a leading authority in addiction treatment and recovery and offers a range of services and support including detox and rehabilitation programmes as well as therapy.
  • The detox process can be dangerous without proper support and medical care.
  • The map shows DALYs per 100,000 people, which result from alcohol use disorders.
  • This increase in consumption leads to increased tolerance, so you’ll find yourself drinking more to get the same result.
  • It’s estimated that globally, around 1 percent of the population has an alcohol use disorder.

If no one joins you after the event, you may find yourself having a nightcap when you go home. If you the limits of your drinking extend outside of social situations like events, it may be time to examine your relationship with alcohol. The way you view your behaviors and the way others view your behavior can be different. You may feel that your drinking pattern is no different than the company you keep, yet the impact alcohol has on you can be profoundly different.

  • Macrolevel factors, such as exposure to advertising, may influence family and peer network attitudes and norms, which ultimately affect individual attitudes and behaviors (see figure).
  • Alcoholism is a chronic disease, and individuals in recovery are at risk of relapse, even after a period of sober living.
  • For personal decision making, we did not find an effect of alcohol at the dose given on any of several risk-taking measures or waiting impulsivity.
  • Data on alcohol expenditure is typically limited to North America, Europe, and Oceania.
  • Alcohol consumption has a causal impact on more than 200 health conditions (diseases and injuries).
  • If they drink excessively too often, regardless of the company they keep, they can potentially develop a dependence or addiction to alcohol.
  • At the end of this topic page, we provide a number of potential sources of support and guidance for those concerned about uncontrolled drinking or alcohol dependency.
  • It is so ingrained in our culture that it’s considered a normal part of everyday life.

For a study published in 1988, participants were either mildly intoxicated or sober, and either looked at art slides or sat quietly, after being told that they would soon have to give a social drinking and drinking problem speech. This was assessed using a prototypical task that measures participants’ preferences for rewards delivered at different points in time 33, 34. Participants chose repeatedly between smaller rewards delivered sooner (SS) and larger rewards delivered later (LL).

what is social drinking

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: Causes, symptoms, and treatment

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

One 2018 study found that 32.9% of self-reported frequent marijuana users who’d gone to the emergency room (ER) had symptoms of CHS. And a 2022 Canadian study found that ER visits for CHS-related problems had https://ecosoberhouse.com/ increased 13-fold between 2014 and 2021. (Recreational use and sale of cannabis in Canada was legalized starting in 2018). It’s not clear what percentage of all heavy marijuana users have experienced CHS.

Hyperemetic phase

  • They should also have the freedom and empowerment to speak up to other team members if they feel that this may be getting overlooked in the diagnostic picture.
  • Over time, the symptoms will go away completely unless you start to use again.
  • The ECS is composed of ligands, receptors, signaling, and enzymes (its regulators and inhibitors) [22].
  • With the widespread use, increased potency and legalization of marijuana in multiple states in the U.S., CHS may be becoming increasingly common.
  • When you use weed, these compounds bind to cannabinoid receptors found in your brain, digestive tract (gut), and certain cells in your body.

Further, genetic polymorphisms in the metabolic P450 enzymes lead to a change in the metabolic rate of THC breakdown causing hyper or hyposensitivity [12, 13]. In-depth mechanisms for different CHS hypotheses are presented in Figure ​Figure11. To help you transition to the recovery phase, you can try a few home remedies such as regular hot baths. But too many of them may increase your risk for dehydration due to sweating. In older patients, especially those with hypertension, cardiovascular illnesses such as aortic pathology and atypical coronary artery syndromes may present as vague abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Ceasing and abstaining from the use of cannabis is the only treatment that relieves and prevents symptoms of CHS, according to a systematic review on CHS management.

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

History and Physical

People who use marijuana long-term — typically for about 10 to 12 years — are at risk of developing CHS. But not every person who uses marijuana, even long-term use, develops CHS. Treatment that helps prevent dehydration and loss of electrolytes can help reduce your risk of many of these problems. If you do use cannabis, quitting can ward off future episodes of CHS.

What happens if cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is left untreated?

As CHS is a relatively recently recognized and studied phenomenon easily confused with other diseases, there is a paucity of sizeable randomized control studies. Most resources and recommendations come from case studies and expert opinions. In addition to appropriate antiemetic therapy, fluid resuscitation, and management of the patient’s symptoms, patients must recognize behaviors and exposures that place them at risk for their pathology. For supportive care, a clinician should work together with the pharmacist to see if any medications could contribute to the patient’s presentation. If administering antiemetics, the nursing staff should be familiar with the adverse event profile so they can report any concerns that may arise. Indeed, with any syndrome that results in frequent vomiting, there is a concern for a disorder of electrolytes and fluid balance in the body.

Proving the emetic and antiemetic effects of cannabinoids is difficult due to the overlapping nature of the symptoms with other conditions such as cyclic vomiting syndrome, viral gastroenteritis, and bulimia nervosa [14]. Furthermore, it was only categorized as a functional gastrointestinal disease in 2016 [14]. This syndrome produces consequences ranging from volume loss to esophagus rupture [15].

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

The metabolism of anandamide is principally carried out via fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), whereas the major enzyme metabolizing 2-AG is monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) [18]. CHS symptoms typically present in a cyclical pattern every few weeks to months when cannabis is being used. Experts believe only a fraction of habitual cannabis users develop CHS.

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

Diagnosis and Tests

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

As CHS is a new diagnosis, the manufacturers of these drugs did not design them for treating CHS, but a doctor may opt to prescribe them for this use. Another doctor reported using a combination of injectable lorazepam and promethazine, another antinausea medication. It should be noted that the majority of evidence found for haloperidol were case studies, which had limited generalizability [30, 31, 33]. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Databases were used to search for articles on CHS published from January 2009 to June 2021, yielding 225 results of which 17 were deemed relevant and underwent review by 2 separate reviewers. All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article and its supplementary material files.

In the prodromal phase the patient has morning predominance of nausea, usually without emesis. This is followed by the hyperemesis phase, which is characterized by hyperemesis, vague abdominal pain, and learned compulsive hot bathing. With the emergence of cannabis and its widespread usage in various settings, clinicians and users should cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome be more aware of the long-term effects of cannabinoids. CHS is a potential side effect of prolonged cannabis use, causing major distress to consumers. While synthetic cannabinoids have been accepted as one of the main drugs to relieve N/V, their dosage and duration of administration have not been thoroughly investigated long term.

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

Since it was first identified in 2004 in Australia, researchers have looked at the effects of cannabis on the vomiting centers of the brain. Researchers need to study CHS in more detail to make it easier for doctors to recognize and treat the condition. Further studies are also necessary to determine the causes of CHS and its risk factors. Results from these case studies suggest that lorazepam might be an effective drug to control symptoms during the hyperemesis stage. Some people with CHS require pain relievers if abdominal pain is present.

People in the hyperemesis stage will experience intense and persistent nausea and vomiting. Doctors also noticed that individuals with CHS would take frequent hot showers and baths. Richards and Dutzak [34] presented a single case study that examined an extreme case of CHS in the ER who had intractable N/V, abdominal discomfort and who was unresponsive to standard antiemetics.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome: Causes, symptoms, and treatment

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

Several treatments have been described to relieve N/V in CHS; however, there are limited controlled data to support management decisions. Topical capsaicin and haloperidol are currently the only treatment with efficacy validated in RCTs [22, 32]. Haloperidol showed improvements in N/V and decreased the LOS in the ED; however, caution should be exercised as it has been shown to cause acute dystonia in higher dosages [30, 31, 32, 33]. Other pharmacological interventions, such as droperidol used in the ED for the treatment of CHS, showed accelerated discharge which may help preserve ED resources [27, 28]. Propranolol has also shown relief in N/V for individuals with severe recurrent CHS [34]. Aprepitant was found to rapidly relive N/V in patients resistant to traditional antiemetics [35].

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

Etiology of CHS

You may have symptoms and side effects of CHS for a few weeks after quitting cannabis. Research is ongoing on the exact way that cannabis triggers this problem. In the meantime, the best way to relieve CHS symptoms is to stop using the drug. While it is possible to return to feeling normal during the recovery phase, research indicates that symptoms recur if cannabis use resumes. Along with the discovery of the CB1 and CB2 receptors has been the identification of endogenous arachidonic acid derivatives that bind to these receptors (Figure 1). These compounds are referred to as endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids.

The Three Stages of CHS

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

The prodromal phase4,17 can last for months or years, with patients developing early morning nausea, a fear of vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. Symptoms are most common in early middle-aged adults who have consistently been using cannabis since adolescence. Unlike anorexia nervosa or bulimia, these patients maintain normal eating patterns in this stage. They may increase their use of cannabis due to their belief in its beneficial effects in nausea relief. The mechanism by which cannabis induces hyperemesis is presently unknown.

Signs and symptoms

Although it was considered to be rare, the number of cases has increased with the legalization of marijuana in many places and the opening of retail stores to easily get it. This has increased both the number of people using the drug and the “high” in the available weed. The only proven way to prevent cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is to avoid cannabis (marijuana). Most people with CHS who stop using cannabis have relief from symptoms within 10 days. In one study of frequent cannabis users with potential CHS symptoms, 33% of participants met the definition of CHS.

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

This factor is a key distinguishing feature from cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, where the toxicokinetics of cannabis itself influence the course of the disease. Furthermore, indications, contraindications, and drug-drug interaction should be kept in mind and risks versus benefits weighed in older adults with multiple comorbidities while considering the management options. In older populations, benzodiazepines should be used with caution in the management of CHS due to the potential risk of addiction, cognitive impairment, development of delirium, and falls [45]. Haloperidol should also be used with caution in patients with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, as dopamine blockade can dramatically worsen symptoms causing extrapyramidal side effects and incapacitation [46].

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

What are the symptoms?

The majority of reported cases that have provided follow-up included a period of less than one year [6,52,54,56–60,62,68,71]. A greater understanding of the natural course of the syndrome and response to marijuana cessation may be gained with longer lengths of follow-up. Future studies following patients longitudinally for extended periods of time are needed. Two cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome distinct cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, have been identified in human and animal models. The CB1 and CB2 receptors function as G-protein coupled receptors that act by inhibiting adenylate cyclase [7]. In the brain, CB1 receptors are localized to the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, anterior cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, cerebellum, and basal ganglia [8].

  • Experts also aren’t clear on what causes CHS, or why some people develop it while others don’t.
  • Also, it’s possible there are more cases than have been reported, since not everyone with the illness will seek medical help or tell their doctor they use cannabis, the Cleveland Clinic notes.
  • This could result in excessive levels of pro-emetic cannabinoids or emetogenic metabolites.
  • A large reservoir of stored THC in fat tissue may produce a “reintoxication effect” secondary to increased lipolysis during times of increased stress or food deprivation [23].
  • If symptoms persist and you continue to use cannabis, you may experience more severe problems that require hospitalization for treatment.

A recent review has explored numerous potential explanations regarding various pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors of the cannabinoids [72]. The cannabis plant contains over four hundred different chemicals, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ with sixty possessing cannabinoid structures [76]. The pro-emetic effects of two of these cannabinoids, CBD and CBG, have been discussed in this review and could conceivably play a role in the development of CHS.

  • The syndrome is likely underreported given its recent recognition [74,75].
  • And a 2022 Canadian study found that ER visits for CHS-related problems had increased 13-fold between 2014 and 2021.
  • Although both conditions share an astonishing similarity, there are several significant differences.

This article may discuss unlabeled or investigational use of certain drugs. Please review the complete prescribing information for specific drugs or drug combinations—including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects—before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients. The patient’s urine drug screen (UDS) was positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). A computed tomography (CT) scan of his abdomen and pelvis with contrast was unremarkable.

Information on Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous

what is aa

An example is a famous athlete or television personality—a role model—who gets into recovery and announces to the world that AA has saved his life. What happens if that person relapses? Then, people might think AA is useless and be less likely to seek it when they need to seek sobriety. Tradition 8 allows contributions to be used for support services while the groups provide only non-professional, mutual support, ensuring AA or Al-Anon remains an unpaid, nonprofessional organization.

  • Or, they may engage in prayer and meditation.
  • These can be healthy coping mechanisms someone turns to as they progress through recovery.
  • Sobriety is maintained through sharing experience, strength and hope at group meetings and through the suggested Twelve Steps for recovery from alcoholism.
  • AA’s 12-Step approach follows a set of guidelines designed as “steps” toward recovery, and members can revisit these steps at any time.
  • These are leaders, too, but they do not govern, either.

Notable people who have attended AA

AA is not a religious organisation nor is it affiliated with any religious body. It welcomes members of all religions, agnostics and atheists alike. You don’t have to sign up or achieve anything to be a member. You’re a member of a group if you choose to be. We work through the offer of help and suggestion only.

Ready for your first Meeting?

what is aa

It draws on aspects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) what does aa stand for alcohol and helps members to build motivation, cope with cravings, change addictive thoughts, and adopt healthy habits. While 12-step recovery programs can be helpful, they are not always the best choice for everyone. Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship where individuals come together to share experiences, strength, and hope to recover from alcoholism.

what is aa

Alcoholics Anonymous Helpline

  • Increased more after a 1941 article in the Saturday Evening Post about the group.
  • Tradition 8 allows contributions to be used for support services while the groups provide only non-professional, mutual support, ensuring AA or Al-Anon remains an unpaid, nonprofessional organization.
  • This page tells what to expect from Alcoholics Anonymous.

Published in 1939, the AA Big Book contains 11 chapters that include personal stories and spiritual insights. Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as the “Big Book,” presents the A.A. Program for recovery from alcoholism. First published in 1939, its purpose was to show other alcoholics how the first 100 people of A.A. Now translated into over 70 languages, it is still considered A.A.’s basic text.

  • Like every part of a 12-step program, living up to these 12 Traditions takes work and commitment as you or someone you care about takes the journey toward lasting recovery.
  • AA is not a religious organisation nor is it affiliated with any religious body.
  • Meetings cost nothing to attend and are available almost everywhere.
  • The 12 steps are also used in recovery programs for addictions other than alcohol.
  • Kelly and his team examined studies published in the past couple of decades in which people were randomly assigned to AA or other 12-step programs by health professionals.

In Australia, there are about 18,000 members. They meet in over 2000 local meetings spread around the country. Meetings range in size from a handful in some localities to a hundred or more in larger communities. S.O.S. is focused on helping people overcome addictions by focusing on their values and integrity rather than embracing a higher power.

What Is AA?

A member does not cede this responsibility to a spokesperson or promotion campaign. Anonymity in the media protects not only the individual member but the fellowship as a whole. It is AA’s public relations policy to attract rather than promote. Part of Tradition 11 is not using full names or naming groups. If this tradition is followed, it works to keep the fellowship as a whole from engaging in public controversy, but the principle can also be applied to “all the affairs” of individual members. By creating and maintaining this atmosphere of “true fellowship,” 12-step groups ensure that even the newest members can quickly gain a feeling of “belonging.”

what is aa

A free exchange of ideas is considered healthy, so long as all members are committed to protecting the tenets of tradition 1. In 1946, co-founder Bill Wilson published the “Twelve Points to Assure Our Future” in the AA Grapevine newspaper. In 1953, he published the book, “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.”

what is aa

  • There are a variety of formats for A.A.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
  • It also has a Facebook group and the related group Women for Sobriety, which is based on the S.O.S. principles.

After a discussion of the issue, during which all members have an opportunity to express their opinions, the group votes on the issue, and the majority vote decides the question. In this manner, the group maintains unity by providing an atmosphere where all voices are heard—from the oldest long-timer to the newcomer—and everyone has an equal voice and vote. If no one is in authority, how are “executive” decisions made? Decisions are made by the group as a whole through what is known as a group conscience vote. Any member of the group can request that a “business meeting” be held, separate from the group’s regular meeting time, for the discussion of any issue that affects the group as a whole. Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.