Addiction Recovery Resources & Insights from Hanley Center
Hanley Center has been helping people and families navigate addiction and recovery for more than 40 years. This blog draws on the experience of our clinical team to offer clear, trustworthy information on substance use disorders, mental health, and what treatment can look like. Whether you’re researching for yourself, a loved one, or a patient you support, you’ll find straightforward answers grounded in real clinical care.
Signs of High-Functioning Alcoholism
Many people picture alcoholism as something that causes obvious problems, job loss, financial struggles, legal issues, or visible health decline. But for some individuals, an alcohol use disorder (AUD) can remain hidden behind professional success, strong...
What is Cychlorphine?
Cychlorphine is a highly potent synthetic opioid, up to 10 times stronger than fentanyl, linked to a growing number of overdose deaths in the United States. Often mixed with other drugs and difficult to detect, it poses a significant and emerging public health risk....
Stimulant Use and Heart Risk
Stimulant use and heart risk are closely linked, as substances like cocaine and methamphetamine can significantly increase heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the cardiovascular system. This can lead to serious complications such as heart attack, stroke,...
What is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)?
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a rare but distressing condition in which a person continues to experience visual disturbances long after the effects of a hallucinogenic drug have worn off. While many people assume psychedelic substances are...
What Is Amanita Muscaria?
Bright red with white spots, Amanita muscaria, often called the “fly agaric” mushroom, is one of the most recognizable mushrooms in the world. But beyond its storybook appearance, this mushroom is increasingly being marketed and sold across the United States in...
How Alcohol Metabolizes Differently as We Age
For many adults, a glass of wine with dinner or a beer with friends has long been a familiar ritual. But as we age, that same amount of alcohol may hit us differently, often more quickly and more intensely than it did years earlier. This change isn’t “all in your...
How to Talk to an Older Adult About Addiction
Talking to an older adult about addiction can feel intimidating, emotional, and even heartbreaking, especially when the person is someone you love and respect. Many families worry about damaging the relationship, offending them, or triggering shame. Others hesitate...
What Is Medetomidine? Understanding the Emerging “Rhino Tranq” Threat
Medetomidine is a potent veterinary sedative, used by veterinarians to induce deep sedation in animals for surgical procedures. Recently, it has emerged as a dangerous adulterant in the illicit drug supply in the United States, especially when mixed with opioids like...
Understanding the Family Disease Model of Addiction
Addiction seldom affects only one person. It impacts spouses, parents, siblings, children, extended family, and even close friends. At Hanley Center, we see every day how deeply substance use disorders disrupt relationships, communication, emotional stability, and...
Recognizing Hidden Signs of Depression in Women
Depression doesn’t always look the same. While many people associate depression with sadness or crying, the truth is that depression in women can present in subtle, easily overlooked ways especially when layered with responsibilities like caregiving, careers, or...
How Aging Changes Our Tolerance for Alcohol
By Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO, Hanley Foundation As we age, our bodies change dramatically, and so does our tolerance for alcohol. A single glass of wine at 75 is not the same as that same glass at 35, and the difference can have very real consequences. What’s Really...
How Substance Use Affects Heart Health
Substance use disorders (SUDs) don’t just affect the brain—they take a toll on the body too, especially the heart. The connection between long-term substance use and cardiovascular health is often overlooked, but understanding this relationship is critical. At Hanley...
Where Recovery Comes Alive: Fellowship Friday
By Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO, Hanley Foundation At Hanley Center, it's more than a meeting; Fellowship Friday is a sanctuary of courage, stories, and shared triumphs. At the end of every week at Hanley Center, something extraordinary unfolds. It doesn't happen behind...
Addiction Isn’t a Choice: Addiction Myths Debunked
Addiction is often misunderstood, and that misunderstanding can prevent people from getting the help they need. Whether shaped by stigma, media portrayals, or outdated beliefs, many of the most common ideas about substance use disorders are simply untrue. At Hanley...
Why Depression Looks Different in Older Adults
Depression is not a normal part of aging—but it often hides in plain sight. Here’s how to recognize the signs in older adults and why getting help early matters. Depression in Later Life: Often Overlooked, Frequently Misunderstood Depression affects millions of older...
What Is 7‑OH? Understanding the Risks of a Potent Kratom Concentrate
At Hanley, we're committed to educating individuals and families about emerging threats in the substance use landscape. One such concern is 7‑Hydroxymitragynine, or 7‑OH, a concentrated and potent derivative of the kratom plant. Nicknamed "legal morphine" for its...
Alcohol-Related Dementia: When Addiction Mimics Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Memory lapses, confusion, and trouble concentrating are often thought of as inevitable parts of aging, and these are symptoms we commonly associate with dementia in older adults. For some older adults, long-term alcohol use or a recent increase in drinking may be the...
Smoking and Recovery from Addiction
At Hanley Center, we understand that recovery is about more than abstaining from drugs or alcohol; it's about embracing a life of wellness, clarity, and long-term health. That's why it's essential to shine a light on smoking and recovery from addiction. Nicotine use...
Why People Don’t Seek Treatment for Addiction
Seeking treatment for addiction is one of the most courageous and transformative decisions a person can make. Yet, for many, it’s a step that gets postponed or avoided entirely. Despite the damage addiction can cause to our health, relationships, careers, and peace of...
Is There a Place for Spirituality in Modern Addiction Treatment?
By Lance Woodley, Th.M, MSW, LISW, CCTP, CMNCS - Clinical Chaplain In the modern landscape of addiction treatment, we often speak about integrated care: the mind, the body, and the emotional self. But what about the spirit? At Hanley Center, spirituality is not an...
Frequently Asked Questions
Who writes the blogs at Hanley Center?
Our blogs are written and reviewed by a collaborative team that includes licensed clinicians, medical professionals, recovery experts, and members of Hanley Center’s communications team. Many articles are developed with direct input from clinical staff to help ensure content is accurate, compassionate, and aligned with evidence-based care. Our content team also brings decades of experience working within the behavioral health field and supporting Hanley Center’s mission of education, prevention, treatment, and recovery.
How often is the blog updated?
New articles are added regularly. Content is reviewed and refreshed as needed to stay accurate, relevant, and aligned with current clinical understanding.
Can I find information about specific types of addiction on the blog?
Yes. The blog covers substance use disorders, mental health and co-occurring conditions, treatment and recovery, and support for families. You can start with our alcohol addiction resource or browse the categories above
Where can I go if I need immediate help for addiction?
Our admissions team is available 24/7 at 561-841-1033 to speak with you about treatment options and next steps. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Insurance Can Cover up to 100% of Treatment
We offer free, no obligation health insurance benefit checks. If you are currently insured, your treatment could be covered partially or in full.
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Address: 933 45th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
