Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in the US. While most people only drink moderately or occasionally, as many as 12 percent of American adults have an alcohol use disorder and the rate may be increasing. When you decide to get help for an alcohol use problem, the first thing you have to do… Continue Reading The Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal
By the time you start considering an intervention for a friend or loved one, things are probably pretty bad. Her addiction is no longer a secret and it affects her friends and family. It may have been affecting them for a while. At this point, you have probably already expressed your concerns to your loved… Continue Reading Do Interventions Work?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a condition in which you experience a frightening, dangerous, or harmful event and continue to experience the trauma for months or years. We typically associate PTSD with combat veterans, who often endure horrific experiences during wartime. However, PTSD is actually more common among civilians. It may be caused by… Continue Reading The 4 Kinds of PTSD Symptoms
We all want to help the people we care about. When you see a friend or loved one struggling with addiction, you don’t see an addict; you see someone who needs help. You want to be there, to help her through a hard time. Unfortunately, the wrong kind of help can make the situation worse.… Continue Reading What’s the Difference Between Supporting and Enabling?
Marijuana is now legal for recreational use in 9 states, including Colorado, and DC and in 30 states for medical use. Polls show the stigma attached to marijuana use is declining and more Americans favor legalization or at least decriminalization. A majority of American adults say they have used marijuana at least once, and more… Continue Reading 4 Myths About Marijuana
A quality addiction treatment program has several characteristics. It employs qualified and experienced medical and counselling staff, it uses evidence-based treatment methods, it has clean, safe, and comfortable facilities, and it incorporates aftercare for when you leave. Another important factor, perhaps the most important, is that a great program will create an individualized treatment plan… Continue Reading 6 Reasons Why an Individualized Treatment Plan is Necessary for Addiction Recovery
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly six million American adults struggle with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder accounts for about a third of all depressive disorders in the US. It is a difficult condition to live with and more than half of people with bipolar disorder also have a substance use issue. The… Continue Reading What are the Signs of Bipolar Disorder?
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance in the US. Most Americans drink at least occasionally without having a problem, but about seven percent develop alcohol use disorders. Public awareness has made considerable progress in recent decades but many myths still persist about alcohol addiction. Here are some of the big ones. People addicted to… Continue Reading 5 Misconceptions About Alcohol Addiction
Adderall is typically prescribed for people with ADHD to help them focus. When used as directed, it can work very well, and it might even help protect against addiction. People using Adderall as directed to treat ADHD typically take a low enough dose that missing a few days isn’t too big of a problem, although… Continue Reading What Can You Expect when Quitting Adderall?
Many people become addicted to opioids while taking them as prescribed to manage chronic pain. They also fear that if they quit taking opioids, they would have no other way to treat the pain. However, opioids are typically not the best way to treat chronic pain. Opioids are best used for short periods after a… Continue Reading 4 Ways to Manage Chronic Pain without Opioids