THE HISTORY OF ALCOHOL ADDICTION: REFORM CLUBS
Substance abuse and addiction have been a problem that societies have been forced to confront for centuries. Long before the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12-step program was formally introduced to American society, those seeking help with their alcohol addiction would attend self-help clubs known as reform clubs or businessmen’s abstinence clubs. Women were, sadly, left behind […]
ROBOTRIPPING
“Robotripping” is a slang phrase that refers to the use of cough syrup or pills for the purposes of producing a “high.” The term stems from the abuse of the brand name cough syrup Robitussin, but the type of cough medication used is not important. It is the active ingredient inside Robitussin and other cough […]
ENABLING ADDICTION’S
The word “enabling” has both positive and negative connotations. On the one hand, you might give someone the tools or confidence needed to enable them to find a new job. When it comes to addiction, however, to enable is harmful. In that case, enabling someone really means teaching them that it’s okay to be irresponsible […]
CLIFF: CLEAN LIVING IS FREEDOM FOREVER
Substance addiction is a problem that cannot be solved by incarceration. Indeed, according to the Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights, almost half of the United States prison population has a diagnosable substance use disorder. CLIFF, which stands for Clean Living is Freedom Forever, is a prison-based substance abuse recovery program that provides intensive […]
FAMILIES ROLES IN ADDICTION
The sad reality about an addiction is, although only one person is actively an addict, the entire family suffers the symptoms. No, families do not feel the highs of addicts, but they are forced to feel the lows, suffer the emotional turmoil, and often find themselves victims of the addiction. A family member’s addiction can […]
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SPONSOR FOR YOUR RECOVERY
The nature of substance addiction makes it a brutal disease. Recognizing your problem and entering treatment is really only the first step of what is likely to be a lifelong process of recovery. Maintaining sobriety after leaving an addiction treatment center or rehab facility can be just as difficult as making the decision to seek […]
GRIEVING FOR THE LIVING ADDICT
Have you ever been looking at someone who’s standing in the same room as you, living and breathing, and caught yourself grieving their loss? Sometimes people can change so much that it feels as though they’re no longer the person you knew or loved. You might be in the middle of a conversation with them […]
AGING AND ADDICTION
Addiction isn’t just a problem for the young. It’s actually more common in people 55 and over. There are several reasons an elderly person might turn to drugs or alcohol, such as depression, loneliness, and financial problems. About sixty-three percent of the elderly people who are experiencing some kind of serious addiction problem has been […]
SIGNS OF ADDICTION
It is not always easy to identify the early signs of addiction. Perhaps a family member you know is suffering from the symptoms of addiction or is undergoing the painful process of withdrawal and remission. Perhaps you yourself are a former abuser or addict. No matter what category you fall under, one thing is guaranteed: […]
MEDICATION-ASSISTED THERAPIES FOR ALCOHOL ADDICTION
Because alcohol can physically alter one’s brain structure and functioning, attempting to refrain from alcohol use can lead to extremely serious and long-lasting withdrawal symptoms. While not everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking, those who experience once are likely to experience it again. Indeed, the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be so severe […]
