If a person takes a prescription medication in a way other than it was prescribed, they are misusing the medication. Can a person go from misusing a prescribed drug to becoming addicted to it? Yes, they most certainly can. Over time, the drugs create changes in the user’s brain, affecting their ability to make good...Read More
Holiday Socializing Can Be StressfulThe holiday season is a time for socializing with family and friends, whether at dinners, parties, or online gatherings for larger groups. The extra social time can be happy and exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially for those in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction. The social expectations,...Read More
For many people, the holiday season is a wonderful and happy time of the year. For others, that joy is compromised by stress or loneliness. For those in recovery from a substance use disorder, the holidays can be an especially tricky time, with relapse triggers aplenty: stress, substance-heavy parties and events, loneliness, difficult relationships, and...Read More
You made the choice to get treatment for your substance use disorder. You went through detox and completed your rehab program. You received all the tools and learned the coping skills you need to live a clean and sober life in recovery. Things seemed to be going well, but you relapsed. You wonder why it...Read More
Whether you are well into your recovery or newly sober, giving back to others is an important aspect of the recovery process. Serving others will not only make you feel good about yourself, but it will also greatly increase your chance of long-term sobriety.Giving Back – The First StepThroughout the recovery process, many people have...Read More
Weighing approximately three pounds, the human brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It regulates all of your body’s functions and is at the center of all of your activities. It shapes how you behave and what you feel and think. In essence, your brain is who you are.The Brain and AddictionWhen...Read More
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.SAMHSA...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
