Knowing you want to make a positive change in your life is one thing, but it is much harder for the many millions of people struggling with substance abuse deciding to seek sobriety through treatment. If you’ve been hesitating to take this critical first step, read on for some extra motivation in the form of […]
One of the most important facts to remember about alcoholism is its progression. Alcoholism begins in an early stage that looks nothing at all like a life-threatening disease, proceeds into a middle stage where problems begin to appear and intensify, and gradually advances into the late, degenerative stages of obvious physiological dependence, physical and psychological […]
You know that drugs wreak havoc on your body, that they are bad for you. After all, anyone who’s ever taken a middle school health class probably sat through a lesson or two on drug and alcohol abuse and the importance of prevention. However, if you’re like most people, you may also be unaware of […]
While acknowledging that you have a substance abuse problem and deciding to seek help for addiction recovery is a huge step, it’s just one small part of the process. Unfortunately, many substance-addicted people encounter unexpected challenges when it comes to transitioning this decision from the theoretical to the practical—especially given the commitments of daily life. […]
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 17 million adults ages 18 and older have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Unfortunately, in the age of mega, giga, terra, and national debt at or near $20 trillion, a million just does not sound quite as big as it used to. Nor does […]
Probably one of the first questions people suffering from addictions ask themselves when considering rehab options is, “Do I have to become an inpatient resident in a facility, or can I choose outpatient rehab?” That’s a fair question, but there is not one right answer. Every individual is different, and every case is unique. The […]
It is natural to think of withdrawal in terms of the initial, flu-like symptoms that occur in the early weeks of recovery. This period is known as acute withdrawal, and while getting through it is an important step, it is also just the first phase of your recovery process. What comes next? In some cases, […]
Experts regularly issue warnings about the latest designer drugs to hit the streets. One of the most alarming drugs to emerge in recent years is synthetic cathinones. While they may go by the innocuous-sounding name of “bath salts,” the reality is that these dangerous and illicit drugs have been linked to an alarming number of […]
It is easy to recognize the harmful effects of substance abuse on the addict, but addicts are not the only ones affected by substance abuse. Often, addicts become abusive towards their loved ones. Philosophical debates abound regarding whether substance abuse actually begets domestic violence or whether it merely amplifies a previously existing condition, personality, or characteristic. […]
For many people struggling with addiction, vulnerability is the first step on the journey to recovery, but it can’t exist without something else: trust. And the truth is, that as the flip side of vulnerability, trust may be even harder for people battling addiction–not to mention the people who love them. Here’s a closer look […]