Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, has become a growing problem and a dangerous drug. Due to its highly addictive nature and the toll it takes on your body, getting treatment is paramount. This article discusses what crystal meth is, how it affects your body, and the steps you can take to get help for yourself or a loved one. What Is Crystal Meth? Crystal meth is a highly addictive stimulant. It’s synthetic and is chemically similar to amphetamines, which can be used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Doctors sometimes prescribe methamphetamine to treat obesity ..read more

Completing a rehabilitation program for drug or alcohol addiction is a major accomplishment that should be celebrated. Now your focus shifts. When you were in treatment, your focus was on overcoming your addiction. Now that you are beginning your recovery journey, your focus shifts to remaining sober, which is a lifelong process. Assuming that your work is done after rehabilitation can be detrimental while you are trying to stay sober and vastly underestimates the severity of what you’re going through. It takes time to get back to where you were before your addiction took hold of your life. On ..read more

Since there are more than 23 million Americans struggling with drug or alcohol abuse problems, there are many millions more family and other loved ones suffering right along with them. This could make this problem one of our country’s most pervasive ills. One survey reported that 64% of people have experienced addiction in someone close to them. A father, mother, child, uncle, close friend—it’s not hard to find someone who has lost control of their drug or alcohol consumption. So it is both important and useful to have some guidelines when you’re dealing with an addicted person.  When a p ..read more

It can sometimes be awkward for individuals who are not in recovery themselves to broach the topic with a loved one for fear of saying the wrong thing or coming across as judgmental. However, if you have a loved one in recovery from a drug addiction, it’s normal to want to know more and understand what it is they went through and continue to go through. There are some ways to carefully approach the topic if you wish to know more about a loved one’s addiction. If you adhere to the following guidelines and question suggestions, you’re more likely to get the answers ..read more

Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead produc ..read more

Myth: I can stop drinking anytime I want to. Fact: Maybe you can; more likely, you can’t. Either way, it’s just an excuse to keep drinking. The truth is, you don’t want to stop. Telling yourself you can quit makes you feel in control, despite all evidence to the contrary and no matter the damage it’s causing. Myth: My drinking is my problem. I’m the one it hurts, so no one has the right to tell me to stop. Fact: It’s true that the decision to quit drinking is up to you. But you are deceiving yourself if you think that your drinking hurts no one else but you. Alcoholism ..read more

If you’ve been exposed to trauma, there might be things you can no longer do because they bring up bad memories and feelings. There might be random triggers that make you feel angry, irritated, or out of control and you don’t know why. What you might want to consider is how these triggers might be connected to your past trauma. In the past, it is likely that you turned to alcohol and other drugs as a way to self-medicate your symptoms. Now that you are in recovery, you must identify and overcome these triggers as a way to prevent future relapses. A trauma trigger is something that reminds you ..read more

Microaggressions are daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental slights (that may or may not be intentional) that communicate negative or derogatory attitudes to a marginalized or stigmatized group. Microaggressions can negatively impact self-esteem and the ability to trust others, which directly affects an individual’s mental health. Experiencing repeated instances of microaggressions can be traumatic and contribute to the development of PTSD. Those in a position of privilege might not be aware of the lasting harm that microaggressions can cause and the toll they can take on individuals’ live ..read more

Even if you aren’t a California local, you may have heard of the term “Cali-sober.” This term is used to define a person that is sober from alcohol and other drugs, with the exception of cannabis. This article discusses the problems of Cali-sober, why it’s dangerous for people working to heal from addiction, and why total sobriety may be the best option for effective recovery. What Is Cali-Sober? Cali-sober refers to the practice of abstaining from substance use with the exception of cannabis. In some cases, people may identify as Cali-sober but still moderately drink alcohol or use seemingly ..read more

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that uses various mindfulness strategies, such as acceptance. The purpose of ACT isn’t to eliminate negative thoughts and feelings but rather to accept that they exist. ACT will teach you how to co-exist alongside these hardships by learning how to solve difficult problems and process challenging emotions through the recognition of personal values. This article will discuss what ACT is, how it works, and why it might be the right form of therapy for you during your treatment and recovery from addiction. Negative Emotions Are No ..read more