Our latest drug and alcohol detox blogs

A brown prescription bottle tipped on its side with off-white tablets spilled onto a wooden table beside a clipboard with patient intake forms, a pen, and blurred glasses in the background.
Detox: Austin
HJ Miranda

Sertraline Side Effects: Common, Severe & Long‑Term

Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescribed for depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, panic disorder, social anxiety, and PMDD. It is generally well‑tolerated, yet side effects can occur—some mild and temporary, others serious and needing urgent medical attention. Understanding what to expect helps you and your clinician make safe, informed choices.

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Sertraline medication setup with a blister pack, prescription bottle, pen, and glass of water on a wooden surface under soft natural light.
After Detox
HJ Miranda

11 Sertraline Side Effects to Know

If you’ve been prescribed sertraline—or the brand Sertranorm in some countries—it helps to know which effects are common, which are serious, and what usually improves with time. The list below uses clear, plain language so you can speak with your prescriber and make informed choices. (Sertranorm is an international brand name for sertraline.)

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Fluoxetine capsules and a prescription bottle on a clinician’s desk during a medical consultation, with a doctor and patient talking softly in the background.
Detox
HJ Miranda

Prozac and Bipolar: What to Know

People ask this often: “How bad is it to take Prozac if I’m bipolar?” The short answer is that fluoxetine (Prozac) can help some people with bipolar depression, but taking it alone may raise the risk of switching into mania or hypomania. Clinical guidelines and FDA labeling support its use with a mood stabilizer or an atypical antipsychotic—not as stand‑alone treatment for most people with bipolar I.

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Person meeting with a nurse in a modern inpatient detox room at Briarwood Detox Center in Austin, with the city skyline and a small succulent visible in the background.
After Detox
HJ Miranda

How to Help Fight Substance Abuse in Austin

Substance misuse touches families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. If you want to help, you can act in ways that are safe, informed, and local to Austin. This guide explains practical steps anyone can take, and it shows how inpatient detox at Briarwood Detox Center fits into the larger effort to reduce harm and support long‑term recovery.

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A counselor and an individual sit in a quiet room discussing early steps in outpatient drug abuse counseling, with natural light and a small succulent on the table.
Drug Addiction
HJ Miranda

Beginner’s Guide to Drug Abuse Counseling in San Antonio

Starting a conversation about drug use is hard, especially when you’re new to it. This guide explains how to open that discussion, when outpatient counseling fits, and where Briarwood Detox Center can help as part of a safe, evidence‑based plan in San Antonio. It uses plain steps grounded in national guidance on treatment and motivational interviewing.

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A clinician and patient sit together in a calm medical consultation room, discussing inpatient substance abuse treatment at Briarwood Detox Center in Austin, with natural light and a warm amber desk lamp in the background.
After Detox
HJ Miranda

Inpatient Substance Abuse Care in Austin

Substance abuse rarely has a single “fix.” Most people do best with a stepwise plan that starts with safe withdrawal management and then moves into ongoing care. In Austin, Briarwood Detox Center provides inpatient medical detox designed to stabilize individuals, reduce health risks, and prepare them for the next phase of treatment.

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A therapist and client sit across from each other in a calm, well-lit counseling room at a detox center, discussing outpatient substance abuse treatment in San Antonio, with a warm amber lamp glowing in the corner.
After Detox
HJ Miranda

What Is Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment?

Outpatient substance abuse treatment is care you attend on a set schedule while living at home. It may include individual and group therapy, education, medication management, family involvement, and recovery planning. Care ranges from a few hours a week to most of the day, depending on need. Public health agencies describe outpatient care as part of a continuum that also includes inpatient or residential services.

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A caring doctor in blue scrubs supporting a male patient during inpatient detox at a medical facility in Austin, Texas.
After Detox
HJ Miranda

What Are the Stages of Substance Abuse?

Understanding how substance use progresses helps people spot problems early and choose the right level of care. Experts describe the “stages” in more than one way. Many public‑facing guides talk about a behavioral progression from first use to addiction, while researchers also describe a three‑stage cycle that repeats inside the brain. Both views point to the same truth: as use escalates, risks rise and medical support—often including inpatient detox—may be needed.

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Nurse checking a patient’s vitals in a calm Austin medical detox room with monitoring equipment and daylight through a window.
After Detox
HJ Miranda

Are There 1‑Year Drug Treatment Programs?

If you live in Austin and need inpatient drug treatment, you may be wondering whether any programs run for a full year. The short answer is yes—year‑long options exist, though they are less common than 30‑, 60‑, or 90‑day residential stays. Below is a clear look at what a 12‑month program involves, who it helps, how to find one near Austin, and what to expect from the process.

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