Addiction causes significant damage to personal relationships, and the closer you are to an addicted individual, the greater the damage. When addiction has gone on for long periods of time, addiction overshadows most interactions with your loved one. This situation can create a rollercoaster of emotions. Now that your loved one has chosen to attend…
This September marks the 32nd annual National Drug and Alcohol Recovery Month. This year’s theme, “Recovery Is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” reminds the general public that substance use and mental health disorders have impacts that reach far beyond the individual level. It further reminds people in recovery and those who support…
Launched in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) with the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsement, World Suicide Prevention Day is recognized annually on September 10th to promote worldwide action to prevent suicide. Experts estimate that nearly 3,000 people a day, or one million per year, die by suicide. The connections between suicide,…
Sadly, a significant portion of the millions of Americans affected by addiction never seek the professional help readily available. Rehab treatment programs offer individuals and their families the opportunity to recover and heal from substance use disorders and the conditions that often contribute to them. Addiction is a complex disease, and it can sometimes take…
Of the millions of Americans who struggle with substance use disorders, estimates indicate that only one in ten seek treatment, even though it is widely available. There are countless reasons why people choose not to seek professional addiction treatment, but among the top are the time required for inpatient treatment and the restrictions it places…
Witnessing a loved one suffer from an alcohol use disorder is painful and difficult. Trying to figure out how to help can lead to feelings of frustration, confusion, anger, fear, guilt, and worry, all of which take a toll on your well-being. Alcohol use disorders affect millions of people throughout the world. In the United…
Methamphetamine is a derivative of amphetamine, which is a potent central nervous system stimulator. Amphetamines are prescribed to treat medical conditions like ADHD, narcolepsy, and clinical obesity, and when used properly, are highly effective. Methamphetamine, also referred to as meth, crystal meth, crystal, and crank, is commonly illegally produced in meth labs and sold as…
Prescription medications are used daily by millions of Americans to treat conditions that range from anxiety to pain management. There are numerous classifications of prescription medications, many of which have a high risk for abuse and addiction. Opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants are the most commonly abused. Prescription drug addiction has been on…
Alcohol and drug abuse and addiction cause significant damage not only in the life of the addicted person but in the lives of their family members. Substance use disorders know no boundaries and affect people across all demographics. Luckily, the many stigmas surrounding substance abuse and addiction have lessened in recent times, as the medical…
Marijuana use has long been hotly debated. Its proponents have touted it as a harmless, natural, and even beneficial drug, but for every person who supports it, another opposes it. Historically classified as a Class I drug, the general perception of marijuana use has changed in recent years. It has been legalized for medical or…