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…
Post-acute-withdrawal syndrome, or PAWS, is when you experience lingering mental health issues after acute withdrawal at the start of recovery. Most people experience PAWS as depression, lack of motivation, inability to feel pleasure, emotional numbness, insomnia, impaired concentration and memory, irritability, and anxiety. Some people develop panic disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder. There is little scientific…
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…
Alcohol is the most commonly misused substance in the US. More than seven percent of Americans are estimated to have an alcohol use issue. Symptoms of alcohol addiction include trying to quit drinking and not being able to, lying about how much you drink, prioritizing drinking over more important things such as family, work, or…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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