By: Sarah Surrey, LCSW It was the mid-1990’s. The field of addiction studies was solidly on its feet, moving out of church basements and into the research labs of the top universities in the world. It was a growing field for researchers, with the ability to see what addiction was doing inside of the…
By: Sarah Surrey, LCSW Moving from active addiction to recovery isn’t like flipping a switch. It isn’t immediate or fast. It often isn’t even linear. There are endless methodologies for categorizing and organizing the process, but it will always remain a process. This article reviews four stages of addiction and recovery beginning with active use,…
Substance abuse is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Just as many factors go into creating addiction, many factors also impact treatment and recovery. While medications, behavioral therapy and counseling, and support groups often come first to mind when we think of substance abuse treatment plans, another element also comes into play when it comes to…
Drug and alcohol addiction treatment comprises many elements aimed at helping individuals develop the skills and strategies they need to achieve sobriety and maintain a healthy lifestyle. These typically include individual and group therapy, family and/or marriage counseling, classes, support meetings, and follow-up care. “Alternative therapies” also make the list, and can include everything from…
Adults defined as “sexual minority,” including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual and queer (LGBTQ), have higher rates of substance misuse and substance use disorders than their heterosexual peers, according to statistics shared by the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Specifically, they’re two times more likely than heterosexuals to have used…
Addiction is an equal-opportunity affliction. It can and does impact people from all walks of life. For certain careers, however, substance use and abuse can present special challenges. One such path is the military. Here’s a closer look at the topic of military service and addiction. An Official Position The Department of Defense is firm…
The Sober Curious Movement Maybe you’re over spending days recovering from one night out partying. Perhaps you’re looking around, and seeing your peers establishing careers, families, and first houses while you feel behind the curve. You could be a person that hits the gym all week, maintains an otherwise healthy lifestyle, and the drugs or…
Open lines of communication are critical to the wellbeing of all human relationships. However, this is sometimes easier said than done — especially when sensitive topics are involved. In the case of substance use disorders, however, a productive conversation can be the difference between life and death. If you suspect that a family member or…
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….
A recent study published in the Journal of School Health reveals troubling findings: transgender adolescents are 2.5 times more likely than their non-transgender peers to use cocaine and methamphetamines in their lifetimes. They’re also twice as likely to report the misuse of prescription pain medication. If you are transgender or if you care for someone who is…