After initial treatment for addiction, there is still plenty of healing that needs to happen. Family relationships can be particularly difficult to navigate because not all family members are on the same recovery journey together, and everyone requires different types of healing. While some families...
Depression is often portrayed as someone who is sad, lethargic, and lonely. This may be true for many people, even many people at certain points in their depression. However, depression often looks very different for men. Since it looks so different, men have difficulty identifying...
Some people see being diagnosed with a mental health diagnosis on top of having a substance use disorder (SUD) as a disability, while others see it as a challenge. Certainly, from a clinical point of view, co-occurring disorders can make treatment more difficult to manage....
If the shame does not get you, the guilt will. Guilt and shame are like a two-headed beast of negative thought processes that seem to be ever-threatening and nearly impossible to conquer if you've dealt with substance abuse. Given the way the world views drug...
When you hear the words “childhood memories,” most people think of happy, carefree days spent laughing and playing. For too many people, however, those types of memories may have been limited or may not have existed at all. There are those warm, happy childhood memories,...
When one person uses substances, the focus is typically on them and getting them help. How often does anyone look around that person to assess the needs of their family? Substance use impacts more than just the person who becomes addicted; it impacts everyone around...
There is a vicious cycle involving substance abuse and the trauma of violence in the home or community. Using substances leads to violence, and witnessing or being the victim of violence can lead to substance abuse. The cycle is very difficult to live in and...
The consumption of alcohol has its roots in America since colonists first arrived from Europe. The abuse of alcohol has also existed since Europeans first arrived on American soil. The cultural importance of alcohol changes from time to time, but the overall importance that alcohol...
The 12 Steps are a set of principles and actions that underpin the foundation of mutual support groups for individuals recovering from addiction. The 12-Step approach to addiction recovery was developed in the 1930s by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith. They popularized the...
Companionship is a necessary element of human life, and being single can be challenging even in the best of times. Yet, there are several reasons why staying single is beneficial for those in early sobriety. Seeking Comfort Through Substance Use Substance use is often motivated by negative...