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…
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly six million American adults struggle with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder accounts for about a third of all depressive disorders in the US. It is a difficult condition to live with and more than half of people with bipolar disorder also have a substance use issue. The…
According to a recent study, people with autism spectrum disorders are more than three times as likely as the general population to struggle with depression. Nearly 20 percent of people with autism also had depression. What’s more, higher functioning people without intellectual disabilities were even more severely affected. Not only were they depressed at a…
Many people become addicted to opioids while taking them as prescribed to manage chronic pain. They also fear that if they quit taking opioids, they would have no other way to treat the pain. However, opioids are typically not the best way to treat chronic pain. Opioids are best used for short periods after a…
Adderall is typically prescribed for people with ADHD to help them focus. When used as directed, it can work very well, and it might even help protect against addiction. People using Adderall as directed to treat ADHD typically take a low enough dose that missing a few days isn’t too big of a problem, although…
Stress is one of the biggest triggers of relapse. Feeling besieged and overwhelmed can tempt you to fall back into old ways of coping. That’s why managing stress is one of the most important skills to learn in recovery. Here are some ways to keep stress from ruining your sobriety. Change your thinking. Often, the…
For most people, moderate drinking is not really a cause for concern. There is even some evidence that having about one drink per day might have some health benefits, although that finding remains controversial. If you drink much more than that, you risk developing a number of problems, especially if your alcohol consumption continues to…
Watching a loved one struggle with addiction is stressful and painful. It’s very difficult to understand addictive behavior if you’ve never experienced it personally. Watching someone you love slowly self-destruct is hard. If you’re in this position, here are some ways to deal with it. Stay safe. The most important thing is to stay safe.…
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