Some of us never consider ourselves to be addicts because our addictions haven’t seriously disrupted our lives yet or caused us any catastrophic circumstances. We haven’t lost our job, been kicked out of school, or had to drop out. We haven’t ruined any relationships. We haven’t gotten arrested or gambled our money away. We are…
There’s much about being a teenager that makes drug use and addiction more likely. According to the CDC, more than 60 percent of teens have tried alcohol, more than 35 percent have used marijuana, and more than 14 percent have misused prescription drugs. While some experimentation among teens is inevitable, it is not inconsequential. Most…
There is a great deal of misinformation about addiction floating around, compounded by the stereotypes that many people have come to believe to be true about addicts and addiction. There is still stigma surrounding addiction, and incorrect assumptions that it is found disproportionately in poor communities and homeless populations. Addiction is often wrongly associated with…
Anger and addiction are closely related. Occasional anger is normal and sometimes healthy. If we see someone being treated cruelly or unfairly, anger is an appropriate reaction. However, expressing anger constructively isn’t easy. Some people are prone to angry outbursts that are destructive and usually make matters worse. Most people go the opposite way and…
Everyone has different problems and needs in addiction treatment. Recognizing and addressing those needs is the key to a successful recovery. There are many factors that influence what you need from treatment, including addiction history, co-occurring disorders, health issues, and family situation. One important factor is whether you are male or female. Here are some…
According to the CDC, more than 72,000 people died of a drug overdose in the US in 2017. Nearly 49,000 of those deaths were from opioids. Those numbers have been rising for decades and now it appears the rate is accelerating despite the widespread attention that has been brought to the opioid epidemic. The statistics…
Everyone has different needs in addiction treatment. A quality addiction treatment program will help you create an individualized program that takes into account your specific background and issues. Different groups of people tend to share certain needs and risks. Here are some of the problems men are more likely to face in addiction and treatment.…
Much of the media coverage of the opioid crisis in the US calls addiction a “disease of despair” and points to the high levels of unemployment in the areas most heavily affected by opioid addiction. There does seem to be a significant overlap between between addiction and unemployment, but does that mean unemployment causes addiction?…
Drug and alcohol use in the LGBT community is higher than in the general population. Exactly how much higher is difficult to say, since the exact size of the LGBT community is unknown and studies on substance use rarely ask about sexual identity or orientation. Despite great strides in LGBT rights in recent years, widespread…
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…
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