Author: joe

Drugs and alcohol are often used as a form of escape. You might be uncomfortable in social gatherings until you have a beer or two. Maybe you’re uncomfortable just being present in your current headspace. Anxiety, depression, stress and a variety of unpleasant feelings can make sober thinking painful. Many recovery programs are finding that […]

When you see a man being celebrated for something, it’s often related to achieving dominance. From athletes to businessmen, we love to see a winner. He’s often strong, handsome and stoic. Despite the adversity he experiences, he doesn’t let emotions get in the way of achieving his goals. These ideals are held up in news […]

According to several estimates, more than 300,000 people in the United States are victims of sexual assault and rape each year. As if the mental and physical pain felt during and after these experiences wasn’t enough, many of these people will turn to drugs and alcohol to cope—developing issues with addiction in the process. Addiction […]

According to several studies, more than half of those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will develop some sort of substance abuse issues. Childhood trauma in particular can leave long-lasting effects. With well-established links between trauma or PTSD and addiction, what do you need to know about trauma-resolution therapy when you’re researching addiction treatment options? […]

When you’re researching options for addiction recovery, you might see references to things like “a holistic approach” or complementary treatments. Typically, holistic in this scenario refers to treatment that addresses all the ways that addiction impacts you physically, mentally and spiritually. Often, the primary modes of treatment involve counseling in group and one-on-one settings, but […]

Entering a drug rehab program might feel intimidating. Maybe your loved ones staged an intervention and helped you recognize the level of danger you were facing, or maybe you hit rock bottom and decided you had to make a change. Either way, you had become accustomed to a certain way of living, and with change […]

When your loved one is suffering from addiction of any kind, it’s common to feel a little helpless. You can support your loved one and help them seek treatment, but ultimately their recovery and relapse prevention is in their hands. Your role as a loved one is unique. It’s your job to help your loved […]

The legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes is a hot topic throughout the United States. Proponents of the movement may argue that the drug is harmless, while the opposition warns of marijuana use as a precursor to issues with harder drugs. What are the facts about marijuana as a gateway drug? Marijuana Gateway […]

There are so many different stigmas around addiction. And for the most part, they are widely accepted without much thought or consideration. But, once your loved one falls into a bad habit like addiction, it’s time to start questioning addiction and what it really means. It’s time to start thinking about substance abuse differently. What […]

Alcohol detoxification, commonly shortened as simply “detox,” is when you deprive your body of alcohol until it is no longer circulating in your bloodstream. Your recovery journey begins here. Detoxing from a number of drugs is relatively safe. However, alcohol, despite being easily and legally obtainable, can have some of the most serious detox side […]

There is a major difference between social drinking and alcoholism, but sometimes the lines can get blurred. When you go out with your friends every weekend for cocktails or happy hours during the week, it’s easy to fall into bad habits. But, how do you know if you have a problem? And, how much alcohol […]

Painkiller addiction is quickly becoming one of the most fatally abused drugs. And the scary part is, the addiction can stem from seemingly innocent intentions. Doctors initially prescribe many adults opioids, but subsequently patients become addicted or move to stronger drugs over time. The risks associated with opioid use are real and scary. Knowing how […]