Navigating the Holidays in Recovery
The holidays are often a time for celebrating with family and friends. Whether you love these reunions or find them overwhelming, they can also be stressful. For people who are newly sober or in recovery, these celebrations can also be challenging. You may end up in conversations where you feel pressure to talk about your […]
The Power of Gratitude in Recovery
Did you know that practicing gratitude daily can have a powerful impact on your mental and physical health? The Science of Gratitude Research has consistently shown that gratitude is linked to greater happiness, emotional resilience, and improved health. Harvard Medical School says, “Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, […]
Understanding Co-occurring Disorders: Addiction & Mental Health
Starting recovery can be difficult, especially when mental health conditions like depression or anxiety occur at the same time. When someone faces both, it’s called a co-occurring disorder, also known as comorbidity or dual diagnosis. Understanding the connection between mental health disorders and substance use is important because these conditions can influence each other. If […]
How Parents with Alcohol Addiction Impact Their Children
Children with a parent who struggles with alcohol addiction often experience harm in ways that are not as visible as verbal or physical abuse. Growing up, children need balance between belonging and independence. When parents face addiction, this support is often missing, which can lead to long-term challenges, including: Codependency Perfectionism Impulsivity Codependency: The Struggle […]
What is Alcohol Poisoning? Signs, Myths, and How to Get Help
Understanding Alcohol Poisoning Alcohol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that occurs when someone consumes an excessive amount of alcohol in a short time period. It’s a major risk of binge drinking, which is defined as consuming five or more drinks in two hours for men and four or more drinks in two hours for women. […]
Beyond the Twelve Steps: Personalized Addiction Recovery Options
Addiction recovery is a deeply personal journey, and no single approach works for everyone. While Twelve Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous have helped many people, not everyone aligns with their philosophies and beliefs. If the Twelve Steps approach doesn’t feel like the right fit, there are many other treatment options available. Alternatives to the Twelve […]
Six Questions to Ask If You Suspect an Alcohol Problem
Identifying the Problem If you are worried about someone’s drinking habits or questioning your own, it can be hard to tell whether it’s an occasional overindulgence or something more serious. Asking the right questions can help you assess the situation and determine if professional help is needed. Questions to Consider About Alcohol Use These simple […]
Why it’s Difficult to Quit Drugs
Quitting drugs is not just a matter of willpower. Addiction is a brain disease that changes how the brain works, making it incredibly hard to stop using, even when someone truly wants to quit. Understanding why overcoming addiction is so hard can help you approach yourself or a loved one with more empathy and kindness. […]
5 Warning Signs of Addiction in Family or Friends
How do you know if someone you care about is addicted to drugs? Some signs of drug use can be apparent in day-to-day interaction. 5 Signs of Addiction to Watch for If you think your loved one is using, consider compassionately talking to them about the some of the warning signs outlined below. Changes in […]
Types of Opioids: Understanding the Pull of Addiction
Raising Awareness on Opioids Opioids have become a common part of our society, but many people still don’t understand the full scope of these powerful drugs. By exploring the different types of opioids and how they affect the brain, we hope to provide clarity on this highly addictive substance and offer resources for those who […]
