My therapist in rehab advised me to get a houseplant. She said that once I’d owned a houseplant for a year, I should consider getting a pet. Only after a year of pet ownership should I consider a romantic relationship. At the time, this made little sense to me. It felt like a test. Like […]
Read More »Most people associate drug addiction with illegal substances like cocaine and heroin. However, the reality is that a large proportion of drug addiction starts with prescription drugs. In fact, prescription drug abuse accounts for the largest percentage of fatal drug overdoses. In the face of the evidence of prescription drug abuse, the so-called “War on […]
Read More »There are a number of stereotypes about addicts, which are perpetuated by pop culture. Even people who are struggling with addiction often buy into these misconceptions, comparing themselves to the stereotype to prove they are doing fine. However, these misconceptions are unhelpful at best. Much of the time, they are a destructive force, preventing people […]
Read More »Every addict who enters rehab asks the same question. How likely am I to relapse after I leave? It is a tough question and it seems very compelling. But is there an answer at all? It is no secret that many recovering addicts relapse more than once. People who are skeptical of rehabs point to […]
Read More »On leaving drug and alcohol rehab, many recovering addicts assume that they need to avoid any location where alcohol is served. They avoid parties where people are likely to drink or do recreational drugs. While avoiding places like these can help you maintain your sobriety, the amount of danger more often depends on the people […]
Read More »Over the past fifteen years, we have seen a disturbing trend when it comes to millennials and substance abuse. American millennials are now at higher risk than anyone else for substance abuse disorders than any other generation. While generational divides are often vague and sometimes overblown, the evidence is clear in this case that rates […]
Read More »Inpatient rehab is the most effective way to treat alcohol and substance abuse disorders. But is it worth starting treatment in your later years? My mother was sixty-eight when she could no longer deny she was addicted to alcohol and sleeping pills. She was admitted to hospital, where she got detox treatment. However, when we […]
Read More »Addiction is often described as a family disease. This is only in part because the actions of the addict negatively impact the family. The reality is that when a member of a family becomes addicted to substances, the entire family system is altered. This can be seen most clearly in the case of codependent relationships. […]
Read More »Mindfulness is intrinsically linked to addiction treatment, regardless of treatment philosophy. After all, recovering addicts need to resist or simply get through cravings, and mindfulness provides the primary tools to weather the moment. Mindfulness teaches you to be present, to feel your emotions and physical sensations rather than avoiding them, and to observe them without […]
Read More »At the age of fourteen I did not know much about addiction or gambling. All I knew was that my dad was out of work and somehow still never home. My family worried about him when he failed to come back until late hours, but when asked he brushed us off, saying he was “out […]
Read More »Creative pursuits provide ideal outlets for recovering addicts. They give you space to do something entirely for yourself, and can become incredibly meaningful. With time, you can begin to understand yourself better by expressing what is inside you without your mind getting in the way. However, many recovering addicts never pursue creative outlets, even though […]
Read More »Over the past couple of decades, it has become increasingly clear that alcohol and substance abuse is high among military veterans. Addiction and veterans are even associated in many TV series and movies these days. But why is this the case? It seems strange to many civilians that veterans would struggle with addiction. After all, […]
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