The COVID-19 pandemic is leading to increased levels of anxiety among Americans, according to a national poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Specifically, 36 percent said they felt the coronavirus was having a serious impact on their mental health, while 59 percent felt it was having a serious impact on their everyday lives….

Substance use disorders and depression often go hand-in-hand. Unfortunately, when a person overcomes an addiction and embraces sobriety, depression can remain. Here’s a closer look at the phenomenon, along with tips for how to manage depression during recovery. Substance Use Disorders and Depression Substance abuse and depression are common co-occurring conditions. In some cases, depression…

No one likes feeling bored. However, boredom can be a particular problem — and a uniquely dangerous one — for people struggling with substance use disorders. Here’s a closer look at the issue, along with tips for overcoming the battle against boredom on your journey to recovery and addiction-free life. Normal and Natural Feeling Whether…

Addiction is often accompanied by feelings of hopelessness — both for addicts and for the people who love them. While finding hope can be difficult when you feel like you’ve reached rock bottom, doing so can have a powerful and positive effect in recovery. Here’s a closer look at how hope supports addiction treatment, along…

It’s not surprising news that too much sugar is bad for us. From increasing the risk of heart disease to promoting tooth decay, the list of ills associated with added sugars goes on and on. Not only that, but scientists are constantly determining new ways that sugar is harmful to human health. One of the…

Drug use has many health consequences on the body and brain. These include a weakened immune system; heart, lung and liver conditions; changes in appetite and weight loss; and seizures, stroke and brain damage. One lesser-known effect? Problems with memory, attention, and decision-making. Here’s a closer look at the impact of substance use disorder on…

How Divorce Impacts Your Addiction Recovery Journey No one enters a marriage expecting it to come to an end someday. Unfortunately, divorce is a reality for millions of Americans, and people struggling with addiction — as well as those currently in addiction recovery —  are far from exempt. Here’s a closer look at the impact…

Substance abuse has many consequences. One that may go overlooked during recovery is dental health. Many people who struggle with addiction also have poor dental health due to factors including the effects of drug use itself and lack of proper dental hygiene and care. Unfortunately, this can end up becoming yet another obstacle on the…

More than nine million adults in the US experienced both mental illness and substance use disorder in 2018, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Known as “dual diagnosis” or “co-occurring disorders,” this phenomenon is very common, and it requires special attention in substance abuse treatment and recovery. Here’s a closer look…

A holistic approach to substance abuse treatment considers the many factors that lead to both addiction and recovery. It also acknowledges the importance of targeted treatment. Not all addicts are the same; nor should all treatment plans be the same. LGBTQ addicts face unique challenges on the recovery journey. One critical area of consideration? Sexual…