Blogs

Real people sharing real stories about their experience with substance abuse and mental health.

The Insanity of a Family Disease

During my twenty-five year career in substance abuse treatment, I’ve frequently heard family members (and clients) insist that "Alcohol isn't his/her/my problem - drugs are!" and "Alcoholism isn't his/her/my problem - addiction is!" as if the same principles of recovery from chemical dependency don't apply to any dysfunctional situation where alcohol either isn't present or isn't present enough to be identified as the primary drug-of-choice.

Peer Recovery Advocates: Providing Continuing Care After Treatment

Social support is an important part of recovery from substance use disorders. Anyone working an addiction treatment program can benefit from all types of social support, but the guidance of someone who has had similar experiences with drugs or alcohol is particularly powerful. Peer recovery advocates are in recovery themselves, and they devote their time—either as volunteers or as paid staff—to provide recovery services and social and emotional support to their peers.

Preventing Drug Abuse Starts at Home with Parents

Parents tend to underestimate the power they have to affect their children’s lives, especially as they become teenagers and the influence of their peers grows. The truth is that for most young people, parents have the biggest impact on many aspects of their lives from their values to their health choices.

importance of early education to prevent addiction

The Importance of Early Education to Prevent Future Addiction

Many people think of drug and alcohol addiction as problems affecting adults. However, in reality, patterns of substance abuse and addictive behavior are often first established in adolescence, or at an even younger age. This means that early education plays a critical role in preventing the onset of substance use problems in later life.

Symptoms & Signs of Sexual Addiction

Sex addiction, also known as compulsive sexual behavior disorder or hypersexuality, is classified as a mental disorder by the World Health Organization (WHO). Sexual addiction is characterized by a “persistent pattern of failure to control intense, repetitive sexual impulses or urges resulting in repetitive sexual behavior.” It’s estimated that 3 to 6 percent of people experience compulsive sexual behavior in the United States.

How to Stage an Intervention That Works

An intervention is an organized event designed to encourage someone with drug or alcohol problems to seek treatment. The methods used by the people who stage these events can have a major impact on their success.

Symptoms & Signs of Mood Disorders

A mood disorder is a type of mental illness that impacts a person’s state of mind, emotions and outlook on life. It causes changes and distortions in mood that are not…

Gabapentin Withdrawal: What It Takes To End Gabapentin Addiction

Gabapentin isn’t a household name but perhaps it should be. The amount of people taking this drug is staggering. Out of a population of 321 million people in the United States, an amazing 57 million prescriptions were prescribed by physicians.

Gabapentin High: What You Need to Know

Gabapentin may not be a drug you’re familiar with but it is definitely one that has the attention of many. Known as Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant as a generic drug, it is used to treat seizures as an anticonvulsant.

A Guide to Suboxone Treatment

Great strides have been made in the treatment of addiction. And while suboxone may not be a household name, it is an important component as part of treatment for addiction to heroin or opioids. If you want to know more about this drug, here is a guide to suboxone. We will look at what it is, what it is used for, how it helps, and any concerns in taking it.