by Cristina Utti, MA, MFA | Oct 7, 2016 | Drug Treatment
Group therapy is a key part of substance use disorder treatment.Group therapy typically includes one therapist and six to twelve clients. Although group therapy may not be comfortable for everyone, it has many benefits. It helps people feel less alone, learn how to...
by Cristina Utti, MA, MFA | Aug 29, 2016 | Drug Treatment
Contingency management therapy is a behavioral therapy based on motivational incentives. It works similarly to positive rewards that teachers give in the classroom. For instance, when I was teaching in urban schools, I would begin every year explaining “Utti Dollars”...
by Cristina Utti, MA, MFA | Aug 26, 2016 | Addiction
Substance abuse screening at the dentist’s office has become more common with the rise of opioid abuse.According to a study conducted by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, 77 percent of dentists ask patients about drug use, and...
by Cristina Utti, MA, MFA | Aug 24, 2016 | Addiction
Joblessness and addiction go hand-in-hand.It is difficult to get up and go to work every day when stuck in an addiction, although some people do manage to keep their jobs. Just as addiction can lead to joblessness, so can joblessness perpetuate addiction.Statistics...
by Cristina Utti, MA, MFA | Aug 22, 2016 | Drug Treatment, Recovery
Because addiction is a chronic disease, relapse rates are high. But this does not mean treatment is ineffective or that relapse equates to failure.Relapse happens for many reasons, including stress, poor health, emotional issues, mental health disorders, lack of...
