WHY YOU SHOULDN’T LET FEAR KEEP YOU FROM LEAVING AN ADDICT
In some ways, addiction is harder on friends and loved ones than for the person with the substance use disorder. Addiction can take the person you loved and twist them in someone unrecognizable. Your husband that attended every single T-ball game and school play is suddenly missing everything or forgetting that he was supposed to […]
EFFECTS OF ADDICTION ON RELATIONSHIPS
Addiction is notoriously hard on relationships. Couples in which one partner uses/abuses drugs or alcohol tend to be very unhappy, as drug use can take over one’s life to the detriment of everything else. It can create both an emotional distance and a physical one if the user is frequently out doing or acquiring drugs […]
WHAT IS ALATEEN?
When Alcoholics Anonymous was officially established in1935, the meetings were initially held at the home of co-creator Bill Wilson. As husbands attended the meetings with Bill, Bill’s wife Lois would gather with the other wives to discuss the stress their husbands’ alcoholism was causing them. By 1951, the wives’ meetings grew into the organization Al-anon. After several […]
WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY & SUBSTANCE ADDICTION
Though it may seem counterintuitive that someone would trade the health risks of obesity for the health risks of substance abuse, research conducted over the past few years seems to suggest that this may be the case, with studies finding that those who have undergone weight loss surgery are at a higher risk of abusing substances. […]
HIGH RATES OF ALCOHOL ABUSE AMONG MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENTS
The problem of alcohol abuse among college students is a well-known phenomenon, but you may be surprised to learn that this problem is even worse among medical school students. According to a 2016 study by the Mayo Clinic, about one-third of medical students have a clinically diagnosable alcohol use disorder, more than twice the rate recorded […]
SUBSTANCE ADDICTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ON THE RISE
According to a new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the number of pregnant women suffering from a substance use disorder has doubled since 2011. While the total number, approximately 4 in 1000, remains small, the rapid rate of increase is giving professionals reason to worry. The addicted pregnant population […]
SIGNS OF RECENT MARIJUANA USE
Despite what you may have heard, marijuana is considered an addictive substance as regular marijuana users can develop a tolerance to the drug and may experience withdrawal symptoms upon the cessation of use. The combination of tolerance and withdrawal, known as physical dependence, is sufficient to classify marijuana as an addictive substance. Young users face […]
CONTINUE ADVENTURE THERAPY AFTER TREATMENT
There are several outpatient treatment programs available, and there are endless options for aftercare treatment. While inpatient treatments offer various techniques and activities for coping with sobriety, being out of the facility doesn’t limit your ability to continue practicing. Adventure therapy is often incorporated into inpatient treatment programs as an effective tool for dealing with […]
WHAT IS AL-ANON?
Al-Anon describes itself as a “mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. The Al-Anon program rests, in part, on the belief that by connecting people with others who can relate to their experiences, those affected by another’s alcoholism will be better able to improve their own situation, regardless […]
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS OF ADDICTED TEENS
In 2013, there were over 2.8 million new users of illicit drugs, or about 7,800 new people every day. Over half (54.1 percent) of these were under 18 years of age. If you’ve discovered that your teenager has a substance abuse problem, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. It’s tempting to try to blame yourself, wondering what […]
