So you’re trying out the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) route to sobriety. That’s wonderful, but if might feel a little overwhelming. It may seem like you’re learning a whole new language and culture—so many slogans, acronyms, books to read, meetings to attend, 12 steps to learn and a sponsor to guide you through it all. What’s
Alcoholics in recovery are in a vulnerable state and need the love, support and understanding of everyone who cares about them. Family ties and the bonds of friendship are powerful healing tools, and any person going through a life crisis related to substance abuse can be helped tremendously by the loving efforts of the people
When a friend or loved one with a drinking problem enters into recovery, naturally we want to do everything in our power to support her path to wellness. But at the same time, we recognize the situation is fluid and we know that the person we care about is facing a long road back to
A propensity for interest in pornography among men is well known and documented. When most people think of the people who view porn, they think of men flipping through issues of Penthouse or clicking through online pornographic websites. But women and porn? Aren’t men thought to be the more visual creatures and the ones who
Researchers have found that about half of the variation in how likely we are to become addicted is based on our genetics. For those who have never experienced addiction first hand, it can be easy to blame it on a lack of willpower. If addicts can see the damage they are doing to themselves and
The old one-armed bandit style slot machines live on in our collective memories. But it is the electronic versions of these sly heist-meisters that have been taking the gambling industry to new and unprecedented heights. These modern contraptions are really more video game than mechanical device, and they can eat away bank accounts at a
Prescription drug abuse always has the potential to cause physical and emotional harm to an addict and his or her loved ones. This type of substance abuse is serious enough that it often requires professional addiction treatment in order to recover. However, when the addict is a pregnant woman, the risk of harm extends to
This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Surgeon General’s landmark Report on Smoking and Health, credited with helping to cut the number of U.S. smokers in half. But will the battle ever reach an endgame?
The process of recovery from addiction presents many challenges, but one of the most significant is overcoming the psychological grasp of “triggers” or “cues” to use drugs. Relapse is a daily reality in treatment centers, and one of the main reasons it’s so common is that triggers and cues to use exert a very real
Breaking the Cycle of Triggers, Relapse and Addiction Read More »
Getting sober can be a life’s work—it may seem like a monumental effort, sometimes overwhelming. Right when you think you’ve got a foothold, something always goes wrong—something outside of you, beyond your control, that sucks you in and demands that you face and deal with situations and people that push you to your absolute limit.
Don’t Let Family Dynamics Threaten Your Recovery Read More »