Research indicates that members of the LGBT community have disproportionately high rates of substance abuse. In fact, a full 25 percent of gay and transgender people abuse alcohol, compared to just five to 10 percent of the total population. And while group meetings offer the same important benefits to LGBT individuals as they do to…
Heroin use in the US has been on the rise for more than a decade, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). In fact, just under 948,000 Americans reported using heroin according to the most recent figures from 2016, and countless others will begin using this lethal drug in the near future. The…
Think you’re safe by sticking with the recommended guidelines for alcohol consumption? Think again. According to recently published research, the current thresholds for lowest risk pertaining to alcohol use may be too high. In fact, researchers are suggesting that thresholds for safer alcohol should potentially be lowered. Here’s a closer look at the data, along…
Last month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent out an emergency health alert about the dangers of a particular strain of synthetic cannabinoids which has been linked to deadly bleeding disorders. This is just one of many reasons why synthetic cannabinoid products are a threat to public health. Here’s a closer look…
Just under 40 percent of America’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults say they’ve been rejected by family members or close friends at some point in their lives due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to data from the Pew Research Center. Unfortunately, this rejection can have serious implications leading to complications including…
Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” While this inspiring sentiment applies to many aspects of life, it’s especially suitable for addiction and recovery—particularly when it comes to the concept of forgiveness. Here’s a closer look…
Awareness initiatives focused on educating the public about the dangers of excessive drinking are important; however, recent research published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research shows that there is more work to be done. Here’s a closer look at data revealed by the article, “Trends in Alcohol-Related Emergency Department Visits in the United…
Attitudes toward gays and lesbians are changing for the better, according to the Center for Global Development; however, “coming out” is still accompanied by a host of challenges for many people. For members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community struggling with substance abuse, these issues are often amplified. Here is a closer look at the…
This blog often discusses the importance of stable, drug-free environments for people following substance abuse treatment; however, not all recovering addicts will find this waiting for them back at home. Enter sober living homes. For many people, these drug- and alcohol-free living spaces offer the support they need to stay on track while transitioning back…
The benefits of mindfulness meditation are becoming increasingly well known. Proposes the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine: “Now used in multiple clinical interventions and cognitive therapy programs, mindfulness meditation may be able to reduce stress and depression, treat binge eating and other eating disorders, and contribute to greater cell longevity. Whether practiced daily or intermittently, mindfulness…