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 DiseaseAddiction puts everyone in the family unit under...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
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, people struggling with an alcohol addiction are at an increased risk for serious health problems, including withdrawal. At a time when the nation’s healthcare system is strained, stay-at-home orders are in place, and social distancing is needed, some people suffering from an alcohol use disorder may not be...Read More
This year is the 33rd year of celebrating Alcohol Awareness Month. Started in 1987, the purpose of this month is to increase awareness of alcohol abuse and addiction and its causes. Additional goals for this month include reducing the stigma attached to alcoholism, encouraging communities to take part in events that spotlight alcoholism and alcohol-related...Read More
Blackouts: A Sign of Alcoholism? When a person experiences a blackout from drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, they do not necessarily pass out. Typically, the term “blackout” refers to the amnesia brought on by alcohol. During a blackout, the intoxicated individual is often fully conscious and able to engage in various activities, such as...Read More
