For many people who are new to recovery, they may have not felt bored in quite some time — possibly even years. Using alcohol or drugs often fills in all the gaps of a person’s life, until the addiction takes over completely. So when individuals begin to adjust to life without substances, and the desired…
“Did you bring some?” Chloe asked Ben as he followed her into the crowded living room. Ben had been excited when Chloe invited him to her party. She was in his communications class. She was a sophomore and really good looking. He didn’t tell her but he’d looked forward to the college party scene since…
You’ve seen her productivity go down over the past month, hoping it’s just a season that passes quickly. But this morning, she arrived late for the fourth time in two weeks. And based on what you’re seeing so far, you’ll probably need to send her home. It’s another missed day because of what might be…
Through my years of facilitating adventure-based counseling activities, I have seen the benefits of slowing down so as to get the maximal therapeutic gain out of a particular activity rather than focusing on building successes by moving quickly from one activity onto the next. A recent experience with a group captured this shift in my…
There are myriad health issues associated with alcoholism, including liver damage and heart disease. But there are also other lesser-known side effects that alcoholics can suffer. Alcoholism’s Effect on Smell Did you know that research has shown that chronic alcoholism can affect your sense of smell? Odor judgment, odor identification, odor sensitivity, and the ability…
Most people have a tendency to think about addiction in terms of individuals, which is understandable. After all, this is a disease that develops through the choices and behaviors of individuals. However, addiction is a unique disease in that its direct influence extends far beyond individuals, reaching throughout their families, social groups and communities. There’s…
Jackson closed his office door and sat down before his computer. Taking a deep breath, he typed “find a rehab” in the search bar. He shook his head in disbelief at the millions of search results. Then he saw articles about how to choose the right rehab facility, questions to ask about insurance and even…
Crack cocaine is a powerful, addictive drug. A lot of stigma and misunderstanding surrounds its use, yet dependence and addiction are surprisingly common. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over three percent of Americans have used crack.1 A large portion of these individuals have then struggled with substance use, dependence, and…
On This Page: Helping vs. Enabling Finding Help Even though addiction is a struggle for individuals, the disease impacts entire families. Each person within the addict’s circle of love and influence is changed in some way, even if only slightly. For parents of adult children struggling with addiction, the situation is extremely difficult. Helping without…
On This Page: What Is Oppression Link to Substance Use Successful Treatment 24-Hour Hotline Depression is a serious psychological disorder that often has significant physiological underpinnings. Contrary to popular misconceptions, a depressed person is not necessarily simply sad. Depression involves an imbalance of critical brain chemicals that manage mood, emotional processing, memory function, impulse control, and…
