Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, is a major risk factor for addiction. More than half of people with bipolar disorder will struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among people with bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is often mistaken for depression and it takes an average of… Continue Reading What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Several recent studies show that the rate of depression in the US is rising. Blue Cross Blue Shield recently released a report showing that among its more than 40 million customers, depression increased by 33 percent between 2013 and 2016. Although women are about twice as likely to suffer depression as men, both men and… Continue Reading Depression is Becoming More Common in the US
Recovering from addiction is not just a matter of abstinence. It requires a holistic approach that includes therapy, medical care, building social connection, and making healthy lifestyle changes. Being active outdoors is one of the best things you can do for a healthier lifestyle. It combines several elements for a whole greater than the sum… Continue Reading How Outdoor Activity Can Supercharge Your Recovery
Everyone knows step one of AA: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable. The very first thing you’re supposed to do if you want to quit drinking is admit you are powerless over alcohol. It seems a bit paradoxical and it is often misinterpreted. It’s easy to think that admitting… Continue Reading What Does it Mean to Say You’re Powerless Over Drugs and Alcohol?
Relapse can happen at any point in recovery. Typically, your risk of relapse decreases as you have more time sober, and the greatest risk is early on. Soon after you detox and can think relatively clearly, it’s a good idea to write down a plan for preventing relapse. Having a physical plan written down and… Continue Reading How to Create a Relapse Prevention Plan
One of the most important aspects of recovery is knowing your triggers. Knowing what triggers your cravings gives you much more control over them. Often, you will be able to avoid triggers entirely, relying on foresight more than willpower. If you are exposed to a trigger, you can take steps to stop a craving from… Continue Reading How Do You Identify Your Addiction Triggers?
One of the biggest challenges of recovering from addiction is dealing with cravings. When you experience a craving, you feel like you really need to drink or use again, that you are being pulled toward it and you can’t escape. Cravings feel like they will never end. In reality, they typically last only a short… Continue Reading How Mindfulness Can Help You Manage Cravings
Addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Addiction often has roots in the family dynamic. Poor communication and dysfunctional patterns can lead to distress and trauma and people often use drugs or alcohol to cope. People who struggle with addiction often have parents who struggle with addiction. About half of addiction is genetic, but learned behavior… Continue Reading Why Family Therapy is So Important for Addiction Recovery
There is a common saying in AA: We’re only as sick as our secrets. It’s strange that keeping a secret could have a big impact on your life. After all, what is keeping a secret besides neglecting to mention something? It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Unfortunately, keeping secrets is a big… Continue Reading What’s the Cost of Keeping Secrets?
The FDA recently approved a new drug to treat the symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Lucemyra, or lofexidine hydrochloride, is the first drug to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms that’s not derived from opioids. Most importantly, Lucemyra is believed to be non-addictive. There are currently three ways to minimize opioid withdrawal for people trying to quit. One… Continue Reading There’s a New Non-addictive Drug to Treat Opioid Addiction
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