SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE ELDERLY
When you think about monitoring a loved one for signs of drug or alcohol abuse, you probably have a teenager or young adult in mind. They’re a high-risk group, and as a parent you feel responsible for the health and safety of your child, so it makes sense that it would always be on your […]
TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT DRUGS
Talking to your children about drugs and alcohol at a young age can greatly decrease the chances that they’ll use when they’re older. While it might seem too young, you can begin laying the foundation as early as age two. Children at this age are just starting to learn healthy habits, like brushing their teeth […]
ARE TEENAGERS ENTITLED TO PRIVACY?
If you’re raising a teenager, you probably find yourself struggling daily to reach a balance between keeping them safe and healthy and trying to let them have a certain amount of independence to find themselves. Unfortunately, with the prevalence of drug abuse today, it can be harder than ever to resist the urge to hide […]
GUIDELINES FOR ALCOHOL ADVERTISING
The next time a commercial for beer or liquor comes on television, pay close attention to what they do and do not say. Most of these commercials show attractive people doing fun activities, oftentimes outdoors. One recent beer commercial shows a man sitting in a fishing boat while a friend tosses him a beer from […]
COURT ORDERED REHAB
It’s becoming increasingly common for people arrested for the possession of drugs to be sent to a rehabilitation center rather than prison. Not only are prisons in the U.S. overflowing with drug offenders (over 50 percent of offenders in U.S. prisons and jails have a substance use disorder), but if people are punished without receiving […]
BOREDOM AND ADDICTION RECOVERY
You know that being around people or places you associate with drug use, seeing someone do drugs, and even certain sights and smells can all be relapse triggers, but did you know that boredom can harm your recovery? Being in recovery initially takes up a lot of time, and your days are structured with therapy […]
ADDICTION TREATMENT AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
It’s been generally accepted that the best methods of treating substance use disorders include behavioral counseling. This involves helping patients recognize, avoid, and cope with any situations in which they are likely to use or have a craving for drugs. Another popular method is called motivational interviewing, wherein patients consider their need to change and […]
SHOULD YOU TRACK YOUR TEENAGER’S LOCATION?
If you’re parenting a teenager, you probably spent a good bit of time worrying about what they’re doing and who they’re with. Are they getting into trouble? Having sex? Using drugs or alcohol? You can keep an eye on them at home, but short of planting a tracking device on your kid, there’s only so […]
WHY ARE 12 STEP PROGRAMS CONTROVERSIAL?
If you’ve ever struggled with drug addiction or alcohol abuse, someone has probably recommended a 12 step program to you at once point. It’s practically expected – you have a problem with alcohol, you go to AA. However, many people believe that these programs are ineffective or even harmful. The following are some of the […]
JOURNALING APPS
Mental health disorders and substance use disorders often go hand in hand. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, irritability, or stress, emotions are one of the biggest contributing factors to substance abuse. If you do feel that you have mental health issues, you should, of course, visit a therapist or psychiatrist, but there are some things you […]