Healthy Living Starts Today (Acknowledgements) mental health recovery coach

 Acknowledgments Writing this book has been a deeply personal and profoundly rewarding journey. I am immensely grateful to the many individuals who contributed to its creation. First and foremost, I want to thank the families who bravely shared their stories, offering invaluable insights and reminding us of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Their experiences form the heart of this book. My sincere appreciation also goes to the dedicated professionals in the field of addiction treatment and prevention—doctors, therapists, social workers, and recovery specialists—whose expertise and unwavering commitment inspire me daily. Their guidance and support have been essential in ensuring the accuracy and practicality of the information presented. Finally, I extend my deepest gratitude to my family and friends for their patience, understanding, and unwavering belief in this project. Their love and support have been my constant source of strength. Appendix Glossary Addiction: A chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Co-occurring Disorders: The presence of two or more disorders in the same individual, such as substance use disorder and depression or anxiety. Detoxification (Detox): The medically supervised process of safely withdrawing from drugs or alcohol. Fentanyl: A powerful synthetic opioid analgesic significantly more potent than heroin or morphine. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): The use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to treat substance use disorders. Opioid: A class of drugs that act on opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, producing pain relief, euphoria, and sedation. Overdose: An excessive dose of a drug that can lead to serious health consequences, including respiratory arrest and death. Relapse: A return to drug use after a period of abstinence. Recovery: A continuous process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential. Rehabilitation (Rehab): A structured program designed to help individuals overcome addiction through therapy, counseling, and support. Substance Use Disorder (SUD): A broad term encompassing problematic patterns of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. ( Mental Health | Recovery Coaching | Recovery Coach)