There are countless misconceptions surrounding addiction. These range from the nature of the condition to the character of those it afflicts, and on to the process of recovery. Naturally, the process of helping those who suffer from addiction doesn’t end at rehab. It’s also essential to help their friends, family, and the general public understand the condition. What is Addiction? If you survey people on what addiction is, you’ll receive many answers. Some might say that it’s a sign of weak character or a deficiency of will, but this couldn’t be more wrong. The science is clear on the cat ..read more

Alcohol abuse can change your personality in big ways. Some people drink to lower their inhibitions and relax. However, many of your normal personality traits succumb to more negative impulses during intoxication. You may notice anger, selfishness and egotistical behavior emerge once you’ve had more than a couple of drinks. Additionally, aggression and extreme mood swings can accompany alcohol abuse. Drinking alcohol slows down the brain synapses and alters the way your brain works. For example, alcohol affects your body’s level of serotonin, which regulates mood, reward centers, learning and ..read more

When people enter alcohol treatment programs, often one of the questions they ask is, “Can I Drink again if I’m an alcoholic?” Everyone is different, and there are degrees of addiction, from mild to severe. In addition, there’s some debate about whether the desire to drink can be cured, or whether a person can drink socially or moderately after a period of alcohol abuse. But let’s explore this in a little greater detail, and see why drinking again after a period of sobriety can be harmful, and have even more negative health consequences than one might realize. Abstinence Versus Moderation The ..read more

Many people entering alcohol addiction treatment have questions about a life of abstinence, and whether they can change their drinking habit from heavy to moderate. The short answer? It’s often impossible for a heavy drinker to become a moderate drinker, simply because of the nature of alcohol addiction. There are many times in an alcoholic’s life when they’re able to have a period of abstinence, whether it’s for months years, or their lifetime. However, when an alcoholic starts drinking again, it’s often easy for them to slip back into their old drinking habits, and relapse. Normal Drinkers ..read more

While alcohol has long been society’s choice for recreational inebriation, the impact it has on our bodies has both short and long-term consequences users should be aware of. A study published in May of 2021 found that there is actually no level of safe alcohol consumption. This means that at any point you choose to consume alcohol, you’re causing damage to your brain that gets worse the longer you continue to drink. Mental Impacts You May Notice Immediately While the damage to your brain and other organs become more of a concern over time, alcohol can still have drastic real-time changes to y ..read more

Recovering from drug and alcohol addiction on your own without medical care can be difficult, painful, and deadly due to possible complications surrounding withdrawal. Drug rehab centers use treatments and services designed to help you safely overcome addiction both physically and psychologically. But do drug and alcohol detox treatments really work, and can rehab truly help you overcome addiction for good? Here’s a closer look at how addiction recovery really works, and whether it can benefit you or your loved one to go to drug rehab. What Happens at Drug and Alcohol Rehab? Substance use di ..read more

The history of the opioid epidemic in America is long, complex, and tragic. Each year, tens of thousands of people die from opioid overdoses, particularly prescription drugs. However, the epidemic has entered a new chapter in 2020. As the overdosing epidemic intersects with the novel Coronavirus pandemic, many new factors are driving a wave of overdose deaths. However, COVID-19 has also led to a few changes that increase availability to addiction care. COVID-Based Factors Increasing Overdose Fatalities Life during COVID-19 is difficult for everyone, particularly those who are most inclined t ..read more

  Watching a friend or family member struggle with alcohol addiction can be difficult and finding help is more challenging. You aren’t sure what to say or whether your friend is willing to accept help. Unfortunately, about 17 million adults above 18 years have Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) at some point in life and 1 in 10 children live in a home with at least one parent with a drinking problem. Waiting longer will only worsen the case, so it is vital to find help as soon as possible, considering AUD is a medical problem. According to NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and ..read more

  Fear and anxiety over getting sober stops many people from seeking treatment for alcoholism. They wonder what’s going to happen to them when they can no longer get drunk and forget about reality–their addiction, their damaged family relationships, their loneliness. They also worry about getting past the withdrawal and cravings stage of recovery without relapsing. Knowing what to expect before entering an alcohol addiction treatment program can be helpful and encouraging. Understanding each phase of a treatment and recovery program removes much of the uncertainty and apprehension substa ..read more

Holidays can be a fun time to party, celebrate, and come together with friends and family. But for some, the holiday season can be sad, stressful, and depressing — especially for those who are grieving, overcoming trauma, or recovering from a substance or alohol use disorder. People who struggle during the holiday season are often more susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse due to the way these substances can make them feel better and help them find relief. However, drugs and alcohol can often make life’s problems worse, and may even result in death when misused. Using drugs and alcohol respon ..read more