The opioid epidemic kills approximately 80 Americans per day. And at the beginning of 2020, we learned that the death toll for opioid-related deaths in the U.S. was almost 30% higher than originally reported due to documentation errors. The current opioid epidemic affects every section of the population, and people are more likely to become…
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In the United States, millions of people struggle with substance abuse. Addiction to drugs and alcohol costs taxpayers billions each year and takes tens of thousands of lives. Many individuals who struggle with addiction never seek professional help, even though addiction (like any disease) often requires formal help. If you or a loved one is…
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A friend of mine recently posted on social media that he was looking for support. He had taken someone in who was struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol, as well as untreated trauma from past physical abuse. This person was living with him temporarily, sleeping on his couch, and was “surviving on morphine, nicotine,…
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A Mindful, Community-Centered Approach A mindful person intentionally pays attention in a particular, non-judgemental way to the present moment. This may seem like a simple concept, but mindfulness is a skill that takes time and energy to develop. A mindful person is aware of (but not consumed by) the people around them. Mindfulness is especially…
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There are many ways in which a person can be vulnerable, but what does it mean for one to show their vulnerability? I had an experience today with a coworker who shared the story of the challenges they faced over the weekend. It was the sort of story that would normally make me want to…
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In the United States, drug addiction has reached the levels of an epidemic. According to the Center on Addiction, 40 million Americans struggle with substance abuse. Some factors that contribute to an addiction to drugs or alcohol include mental health issues, past trauma, and peer pressure. Anyone with an addiction to drugs or alcohol should…
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Addiction affects people of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic statuses. No one plans to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol, but unfortunately, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 20 million people in the U.S. had a substance use disorder in 2018. Of that group, many will never seek…
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If you or a loved one is struggling with an addiction to drugs, you know that addiction can alter the way you think and act. Long-term substance abuse changes the chemistry in your brain, making you dependent on the drug to get through daily activities. Overcoming addiction alone is difficult, even if you have the…
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Alcohol addiction affects people all over the world. Millions of people in the United States are impacted every year by the realities of substance abuse, and those in Washington State are no exception. Once you have become addicted to alcohol, you will likely need the help of a professional alcohol addiction treatment center to stop…
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