Blog

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

June is LGBT Pride Month. Pride came about as a result of individual and systemic traumas endured by the LGBT community, including the Stonewall Riot, which occurred in New York in June 1969. Science has confirmed the link between trauma and addiction, so it should not be surprising that members of the LGBT community would...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

Inaccurate InformationSometimes otherwise well-meaning people can be remarkably insensitive—and more importantly, remarkably inaccurate—when giving advice to someone struggling with a substance use disorder. The journey to recovery is difficult enough without having to listen to ill-informed nonsense about your substance use disorder and what it supposedly says about you as a person.Whether you are the...Read More

Most everyone is familiar with instant coffee. Just add water and your coffee is ready to drink. You can find instant tea, hot chocolate, milk, and fruit-flavored drinks. But instant alcohol? Yes, by just adding water you can have an alcoholic beverage ready to drink instantly. The product is called Palcohol. Palcohol: Not the first...Read More

For many people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, mindfulness is an essential tool that helps them become aware of what triggers their cravings and how to respond to those triggers. The continual cycle of addictive behaviors is broken as the person learns to accept and deal with their feelings rather than giving in...Read More