As a detox facility that treats patients suffering from addiction, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorders, we admit patients using, misusing, and abusing many different types of substances. One of the larger stigmas associated with addiction is that people who suffer from substance use disorder are typically individuals using illegal or illicit substances. That is often not the case.   Here at Innovo Detox, we see many different types of individuals dealing with substance use disorders of all kinds, which can include illicit or illegal substances like cocaine or heroin, legal prescription substances like prescription opioid painkillers or benzodiazepines such as Xanax, or legal substances such as alcohol. We often see people that are considered individuals with a polysubstance use [...]

For several years, the mounting opioid epidemic throughout America was Public Enemy #1 on the radar of public health crises. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has overtaken America’s addiction epidemic in terms of being the most threatening public health issue at hand, however, America is now dealing with an epidemic within a pandemic. The addiction crisis in America has not gotten better, and, in fact, due to the rising levels of negative coping mechanisms such as drugs and alcohol to deal with the mental health and emotional health issues taking place by many during the coronavirus, America’s addiction epidemic may be drastically increasing.   Since March, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across America, reports include rising numbers of Americans who are [...]

Overdoses and fatal overdoses are on the rise in Pennsylvania, from urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to rural areas throughout the state. Just as in other states, Pennsylvania is seeing a rise in substance misuse and mental health issues, as the isolation, social disconnection, growing rates of unemployment, and issues surrounding anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide continue to be more prevalent.   Here at Innovo Detox in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, we have seen the impact of COVID-19 related to addiction and co-occurring disorders since we opened our doors on March 16th. We have seen patients from all areas of Pennsylvania (as well as surrounding states like New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C.) come through our [...]

One of the many barriers that people in need of drug or alcohol detox face is the fear of entering a facility to manage their potential withdrawal symptoms. Just like entering treatment, entering detox carries with it fears and stigma for potential patients. Excuses like “I am unable to take time off of work” or “It won’t be that bad” or “I’ll be more comfortable at detoxing at home” are often used by people that call into a detox center while in active addiction.   Our admissions staff often hears potential patients say that they would rather try detoxing at home. However, this can be a dangerous and, sometimes, even a fatal mistake. We are not trying to cause fear [...]

One of the largest issues surrounding the use and misuse of marijuana is a largely antiquated notion that marijuana is “safe” or “not addicting.” Many parents that have young adults using or misusing marijuana often reference the “weed we used to smoke” to make a point that the marijuana being used by their adult child is harmless. Or others point to the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana throughout the country as a reason for it not to be problematic.   However, there are some important points to consider. First, the marijuana and THC products being used today is not the same type of marijuana that people were smoking decades ago. As an example, in the 1970s the average marijuana product [...]