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.

How Fitness Contributes to Overall Addiction Recovery

People who regularly take part in aerobic exercise have decreased risks for a broad range of serious physical health problems

Substance Use Disorder Defined

Abuse of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs costs the USA more than $740 billion annually in costs related to crime, lost wor

Common Myths About Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Top 6 Drug & Alcohol Addiction Myths

Over 20 million Americans are addicted to drugs or alcohol, or have diagnosable s

Social Effects of Alcoholism

“Alcohol is a very patient drug. It will wait for the alcoholic to pick it up one more time.”

Mercedes McCambridge, 19

Drug Addiction: Signs of Substance Abuse

In the United States, roughly 8 percent of all people age 12 or older have diagnosable problems with excessive drug or alcoho

Suboxone Detox

People withdrawing from opioid drugs or medications typically need help dealing with their mental and physical discomfort. Wi

Kick Fear Out of the Driver’s Seat

For as long as I can remember, fear ran my life. As a child, I let fear stop me from making friends, getting outside of my comfort zone and raising my hand when I had a question in school. I let fear keep me from standing up for myself, even when I knew it was the right thing to do. I let fear keep me from trying a new hobby that I was secretly interested in or even applying for a job that I wanted. I let fear consume my life. My life was no longer based on what “Lisa wanted”, but instead it was a life based on what I thought others expected of me. Needless to say, it was exhausting.

Switch Your Fix: Substituting New Vices for Old Ones

When I first made the decision to give up alcohol and other substances, I was not aware at the time that I am a creature of habit, someone with an extremely addictive personality. Having thought of myself as a “normal” person apart from the excessive drinking and drug use, I truly believed my alcoholism was simply that – an addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Veterans in Recovery; PTSD Among Our Heroes

Military service is a heroic act, and the men and women who have seen active service have truly put their lives on the line for others. Unfortunately, these veterans often face many struggles when they transition from military life back to civilian life