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When a person takes their first alcoholic drink or uses their first drug, they are probably not contemplating suicide. But for many people, the first drink or drug use is the beginning of a life of substance abuse and addiction. When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, they are at increased risk of suicide....Read More

For most people in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction, being part of a 12-Step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) plays a very important role in their long-term success. An essential component in all 12-Step programs is sponsorship. Choosing the right sponsor can be a key element in maintaining...Read More

Since its beginning in 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has played an essential role in the lives of many people in recovery from alcohol addiction. In the years that followed, additional 12-Step groups, such as Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), were developed and have become an important resource for those recovering from an addiction...Read More

In the United States, one of the most common patterns of alcohol overuse is binge drinking. In fact, of all the alcohol people consume, over fifty percent is served while those people are binge drinking. But many people do not understand what binge drinking is or believe that they are engaging in it. Binge Drinking...Read More

A class of anti-anxiety medication, benzodiazepines are usually prescribed for anxiety, seizures, insomnia, muscle relaxation, and acute alcohol withdrawal. In addition, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), they are also often prescribed off-label for depression, restless leg syndrome, and many other conditions. These commonly prescribed medications have the potential...Read More

Whether you have been clean and sober for weeks or years, it is essential that you know the signs of a potential relapse and have the coping skills you need to prevent it. Recovering from alcohol or drug addiction is a long-term process. In rehab, you learned the tools you needed to get clean and...Read More

For thousands of years, meditation has been an important spiritual practice in many cultures. However, meditation can be practiced apart from any religious beliefs, and many people today use it for the variety of ways it can support well-being. In the world of addiction recovery, meditation can help people establish a healthy balance that supports...Read More

When you are in recovery from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you have to learn healthy ways to deal with stress or anxiety. You can no longer use your substance of choice as a way to escape from stress. Because extreme or chronic stress can trigger a relapse, it’s important to understand how stress...Read More

A drug or alcohol addiction has a disastrous effect on the person struggling with the disease. But addiction also has devastating consequences for that person’s family. Perhaps the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) puts it best: “addiction is a family disease.” Addiction Is a Family Disease Addiction puts everyone in the family...Read More

It is natural to want to help someone you care about, whether financially, physically, or emotionally. Helping those in need is certainly a good thing, but when that person has a drug or alcohol addiction, there is a fine line between helping and enabling. Many people who are trying to help are actually contributing to...Read More