Fundamental differences exist between a mind with a substance use disorder and one without one. Part of it is genetic and part of it is a matter of circumstance. Research also suggests that substance use itself changes the brain in … Read More
Things Your Addicted Loved One Has Trouble Explaining
Chances are if you have tried talking to someone you love about their struggles with addiction, that you’ve been met with some resistance. Often people suffering from substance use disorders have difficulty sharing their experience due to feelings and fears … Read More
3 Myths About Addiction Recovery
There are many myths and misconceptions about substance use disorders, treatment, and recovery. Some of them are well-meaning, others are wishful thinking, while still others are ignorant and judgmental. Misconceptions about addiction and recovery add to the stigma of addiction … Read More
Do You Become a Different Person in Recovery?
People struggling with substance use issues face many barriers to recovery, the majority of which are internal. These individuals may have trouble admitting that they have a problem or asking for help. Maybe they fear the stigma of having a … Read More
What Happens During Opioid Withdrawal?
Detoxing from opioids is one of the biggest challenges in addiction recovery. Opioid detox is not typically dangerous, although there have been rare cases of people dying, usually from dehydration. However, it is considered to be the most miserable detox … Read More
What Makes People Finally Get Help for Addiction?
There are many reasons people resist seeking help for addiction. One of the biggest reasons is that they don’t believe that they need it. Forms of self-manipulation, including rationalization and justification, convince them that they don’t really drink and/or use … Read More
Is There Any Such Thing as an Addictive Personality?
There’s a popular belief that some people have what is known as an addictive personality. Maybe they go from one obsessive hobby to another or maybe they quit drinking only to become addicted to exercise, religion, or food. Although addiction … Read More
Recovery Challenges for People in Rural Areas
If you look at a map of the areas hardest hit by opioids and meth, it’s immediately obvious that addiction is a problem that disproportionately affects rural areas. This may surprise many people, since addiction is a stereotypically urban problem. … Read More
Tips for Avoiding Addiction After Surgery
One of the most common ways people are first exposed to opioids is following surgery or other medical procedures. During the 1990s and 2000s, many doctors were far too liberal with prescribing opioid painkillers. About a third of men who … Read More
When Does College Drinking Become a Problem?
Alcohol has long been part of the culture of colleges and universities in the US. College students drink more than their non-matriculating peers, especially students involved in Greek life. Many students take a work-hard-play-hard approach to classes, studying hard during … Read More