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.

Symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, and it continues to be present into adulthood. Although prevalence is lower in adults than children based on current diagnostic rates, ADHD is typically a lifelong condition. In most cases, it doesn’t just disappear. Symptoms may become less obvious, but they are still present. Wondering if you or your loved one may have ADHD? Be aware of these common symptoms.

Will My Social Life Change After Rehab?

When someone overcomes addiction, there are plenty of changes they must make. One of the most important is altering their social life to support recovery. This guide provides everything you need for this journey.

The Lifelong Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries

More than 150 Americans die every day from a traumatic brain injury. For those who survive the experience, there’s often a tough road ahead. Severe head trauma and even repeated concussions can lead to detrimental health effects that last a lifetime.

Why Are Some People More Prone to Have Depression?

Major depressive disorder affects over 7% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. That means more than 17 million people experience symptoms of depression and reduced quality of life each year. If you are one of the millions of people suffering from depression, you may be wondering, why me? Is it possible that some people are more prone to suffer from depression than others? Is depression genetic, and if so, will that play a role in your treatment plan?

What Does It Mean To Be Sober Curious?

Contrary to what you might have heard before, curiosity didn’t kill the cat. In fact, it was Albert Einstein who said that the most important thing in life is not to stop questioning. He was onto something with this: It’s actually a good thing to be curious. A healthy level of curiosity in life is…

This is How Alcohol Romanced Me

By: Carol O., Transformations Alumna Nobody chooses to be an alcoholic, nobody chooses addiction. But somehow I found myself in this club. My story is really not that outrageous or for that matter, not too unusual. My drinking story began when I was over 50 years old. In my 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s I was…

Ferris Bueller Nailed It

By: Mike Murphy, Transformations Manager of Alumni Services “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is easily one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s one of those movies that if I see it is on, I am…

How Drug After-Effects Worsen Addiction

Substance abuse is a significant problem in America, affecting millions of people. It can lead to many harmful consequences, such as relationship problems and death. Physical dependence also affects the brain’s development, which can make it harder for addicted people to get off drugs.

Harm Reduction to Lessen the Risks of Substance Use

Many individuals are unfamiliar with harm reduction measures, which have been around for a long time. It isn’t a moral or ethical argument; instead, it is a practical technique for safer drug use. Harm reduction stresses the practical use of effective measures to help people who use drugs reduce or minimize the harms associated with their substance use and other high-risk behaviors.