When you’re considering whether to invest your time, money, and effort into a treatment program for a substance use disorder or mental health issue, there’s really only one thing you want to know: Will it work? This is a surprisingly hard question to answer. While a common estimate for treatment success rates is that between…
It’s good to have a hobby in addiction recovery. Hobbies keep boredom under control, challenge you to learn new things, and give you a sense of accomplishment. Trying to learn something new or complete a project gives you a sense of purpose and direction. Immersing yourself in a hobby is also an excellent way to…
Substance use among college students is surprisingly high. One study found that about 40 percent of college students qualify as binge drinkers, compared to less than 20 percent in the general population. College students also use other substances heavily. The study found that 37 percent used at least one illicit drug and about 7 percent…
Whether you have an alcohol use disorder or you just feel like it might be a good idea to cut back, you may feel conflicted about quitting alcohol. The costs of drinking might be apparent to you, but no one drinks without getting something out of it. It might help you relax, cope with emotional…
Getting enough quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially if you’re recovering from addiction or a mental health issue such as an anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, or others. Even a few nights of too little sleep can lead to significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal…
One of the most important aspects of a strong recovery is having social support. This can include friends, family, and mutual aid groups. This presents a bit of a challenge for people just starting out in recovery. Often, they find their old friends were just drinking buddies and they don’t have much else in common.…
Despite all the media attention the opioid crisis has gotten in recent years, many myths about addiction still persist. One of the more dangerous myths is that someone struggling with a substance use disorder has to hit “rock bottom” before she can have a successful recovery. While many people do have a last-straw moment when…
One thing you will likely notice about life in an addiction treatment center or even in a sober living home is that routines are important. There’s a regular time for everything. You get up, you eat, you go to group, you meet with your therapist, you get some exercise, and you go to bed at…
Impulse control has a lot to do with addiction. It’s no coincidence that many mental health issues that involve impulse control also increase your risk of addiction. ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder all have a significant impulse control component and higher risk of addiction. What’s more, the longer you live with addiction,…
AA is probably the best known way to quit drinking. It is 80 years old and has millions of members worldwide. Most people are familiar with the basic ideas behind 12-step programs, including the higher power, the moral inventory, making amends, sharing, and sponsorship. If you need help for addiction and aren’t sure what to…
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