Why Am I an Addict?
If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs, why are you like that? What is the cause and why have you become someone who cannot stay stopped? Is it genetic or caused by living with a family member who is addicted to drugs and alcohol? Is it trauma? Is it because you are an immoral […]
When Fear Crops Up in Recovery
Fear is one of those human traits that naturally arises from life. Fear is everywhere. It’s in work, relationships, money, parenting. I can either choose to do nothing, and the fear of not acting overwhelms me. Or, I can make a decision, and then I’m overwhelmed with impending doom for fear I made the wrong […]
Why Getting to the Root of Your Mental Health Issues Can Heal Addiction
When it comes to substance use, the number one question to ask yourself is why? Why are you having that drink? Why do you need that pill? Why are you harming your body to feel a temporary sense of relief? If you take a good look at the answers, you may start to realize your […]
Don’t Be so Hard on Yourself: How Self-Criticism Fuels Addiction and Mental Illness
If you are someone who has battled mental health issues and or addiction for a significant portion of your life, you understand the processes, routines, check-ins, and self-criticism involved in getting clean, sober, and healthy — and staying that way. But sometimes, the checklists can feel like too much to bear. Even when we are […]
Addiction and Family: Effects of Drug Abuse and Alcoholism
Effects of Drug Abuse on Family Someone who chronically relapses has trouble staying sober. They continuously fall back into their addiction even if they are trying with all of their willpower to stay away from drugs and alcohol. They are sick with a chronic disease. If left untreated, they will eventually relapse or their addiction […]
I Got 99 Problems and They Weigh a Ton
When we are struggling with mental health issues and addiction, we typically mask our feelings and experiences that we may have been repressing for years. This type of behavior, whether it is conscious or unconscious, creates a cycle of avoidance to ensure we don’t feel pain. When we get in this cycle, it can feel like […]
When You’re Too Smart for Your Own Good
An old portrait of the addict may look like someone living on the streets, a person who is not well-dressed, or someone who is uneducated. But when we look at the spectrum of addiction, we might be surprised to find that most addicts are highly intelligent. They excel at communicating, and they have a keen […]
A Look into the Brains of Opioid Users While They Attempt to Quit
There are scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) beginning to look into the brains of opioid users, attempting to find answers regarding medicines that treat substance use disorders (SUDs). Specifically, these researchers look at medicines for opioid use disorder (OUD), such as methadone, and recognize the fact that they ease cravings and […]
Computer Games May Help Predict Opioid Relapse
Currently, estimates state that more than 2 million Americans have a type of opioid use disorder (OUD); therefore, it is a substantial public health problem. Preventing opioid use in the first place is the best way to battle the opioid crisis. Unfortunately, there are not enough resources available for prevention to be the norm. Furthermore, […]
Stress Can Harm Addiction Recovery
We’ve all experienced stress in some way or another: an intense amount of pressure can build up within us, causing us to experience backaches, stomachaches, headaches, frustration issues and more. In fact, previous studies have explored the issue of stress and have found that the political climate, along with work expectations and financial issues, are […]
