Julia Smillie is a national award-winning freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in lit magazines, consumer and trade publications nationwide. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University Los Angeles and is currently trying to wrangle her way through the maddening stages of finishing her first novel. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan and has been sober since 1996.
The first three parts of this series focused on our brains – how we start to heal them in recovery. Equally important are the ways we can take care of our bodies in recovery, ways that also support our efforts to heal our brains and maintain their neuroplasticity.
In a nutshell, we create new neuropathways by establishing and practicing new habits. The more we repeat them, the more ingrained those neuropathways become. Here are four key elements of the process.
Neuroplasticity is how we learn to speak a new language or play a new instrument – and it’s also what recovery from opioids depends on. It’s hard, but it’s possible.
Combatting Michigan’s opioid crisis involves a myriad of efforts and a number of agencies, from law enforcement to health care systems to addiction recovery initiatives. Working hard among them is the FBI’s Detroit Division. Maureen Reddy, Assistant Special Agent says the FBI approaches Michigan’s opioid crisis from a few different angles, most of them focused on stemming the supply of opioids to the state’s citizens and beyond.
Like most Michigan Counties, Washtenaw County has been working hard in recent years to tackle the crisis of the nationwide opioid epidemic. Also like most counties, Washtenaw has seen an uptick in opioid-related overdoses.
Everywhere you look, news stories and headlines announce the latest scandals: pill mills, doctors over-prescribing pain meds, parents overdosing with their children in their car, even veterinarians having to monitor pets’ owners for abuse of pain medication. It’s hard to wrap your head around the scope of it all. And Michigan, like every state, has been hit hard by the epidemic.
Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) is indicated for the treatment of opioid dependence in adults. Suboxone should not be taken by individuals who have been shown to be hypersensitive to buprenorphine or naloxone as serious adverse reactions, including anaphylactic shock, have been reported. Taking Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) with other opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants can cause breathing problems that can lead to coma and death. Other side effects may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, insomnia, pain, increased sweating, sleepiness, dizziness, coordination problems, physical dependence or abuse, and liver problems. For more information about Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) see Suboxone.com, the full Prescribing Information, and Medication Guide, or talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
All clinical and medical services are provided by licensed physicians and clinicians who are practicing as employees or contractors of independently owned and operated professional medical practices that are owned by licensed physicians. These medical practices include Workit Health (MI), PLLC, Workit Health (CA), P.C., Workit Health (NJ), LLC, Workit Health (OH), LLC, and any other Workit Health professional entity that is established in the future.
Florida
4730 North Habana Ave
Ste 206
Tampa, FL 33614
fax (HIPAA): (813) 200-2822
Michigan
3300 Washtenaw Ave
Ste 280
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
fax (HIPAA): (855)716-4494
New Jersey
5 Greentree Center
Ste 117
Marlton, NJ 08053
fax (HIPAA): (609) 855-5027
Ohio
6855 Spring Valley Dr
Ste 110
Holland, OH 43528
fax (HIPAA): (513) 823-3247
Texas
8229 Shoal Creek Blvd
Ste 105
Austin, TX 78757
fax (HIPAA): (737) 738-5046
Clinic locations
Florida
4730 North Habana Ave
Ste 206
Tampa, FL 33614
fax (HIPAA): (813) 200-2822
Michigan
3300 Washtenaw Ave
Ste 280
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
fax (HIPAA): (855)716-4494
New Jersey
5 Greentree Center
Ste 117
Marlton, NJ 08053
fax (HIPAA): (609) 855-5027
Ohio
6855 Spring Valley Dr
Ste 110
Holland, OH 43528
fax (HIPAA): (513) 823-3247
Texas
5373 W Alabama St
Ste 204
Houston, TX 77056
fax (HIPAA): (737) 738-5046
Quit Opioids
Opioid use disorder
Moderate or stop drinking
Alcohol use disorder
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