More than half of people with substance use disorders also have a mental health issue. Common dual diagnoses include depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia. Many people with these disorders will try to mask the symptoms with drugs or alcohol. This works temporarily, but in the long run,…
Most people who struggle with addiction have another mental health issue to go along with it. This is called a dual diagnosis. Common dual diagnoses include depression, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. One common anxiety disorder is social anxiety disorder, which is intense anxiety caused by social situations. About 15 million Americans suffer…
Entering therapy is a great opportunity to grow and overcome past challenges. Many conditions, including depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and even schizophrenia can be improved or even eliminated with the help of a skilled therapist. However, therapy also has its challenges. Many people are not quite sure what to expect from therapy. A good therapist…
Mixing caffeine and alcohol is a bad idea. Although the FDA has cracked down on caffeinated alcoholic beverages such as Four Loko–both because they found these drinks were unsafe and because the makers were marketing them to teens–mixing caffeine and alcohol is still common practice, especially among binge drinkers. Adding caffeine and other stimulants to…
Addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of age. And everyone has a different experience of addiction. It’s not uncommon to think that maybe it’s too late for you to recover from addiction. Maybe you’ve struggled with substance use for a long time. Maybe you’ve burned a lot of bridges, alienated people who cared about you,…
Most people entering treatment share one overarching goal: to stop using drugs and alcohol. That can be a daunting prospect and most people will tell you that’s too big of a goal to think about all at once. A better approach is one day at a time. This is a small example of breaking up…
For many people, holidays can be stressful and chaotic. What’s more, holiday parties and family gatherings often mix family drama with abundant alcohol. If you’re recovering from addiction to drugs or alcohol, the holidays can be a big test. However, the holiday season doesn’t have to derail your recovery. Here are some ways you can…
Many people take opioid painkillers for chronic pain such as back pain, arthritis, or lingering pain from injuries. Fear of experiencing pain is one reason people are reluctant to quit taking opioids, even when it is clear they have become harmful. However, there now better ways to treat chronic pain. Many non-addictive medications have been…
If you’re relatively new to recovery and don’t yet feel quite steady, you may not feel like you’re the best person to be helping others. However, volunteering can be a great way to strengthen your recovery. 12-step groups like AA have always recognized this and made volunteering an integral part of their program. Of course,…
Making the transition from residential treatment to regular life is a tricky time for many people. After living in a safe, supportive environment for perhaps months, you have to go back to dealing with the stress and temptations of everyday life. Most people leave treatment feeling much better–healthier, happier, and more confident. However, making the…
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