The decision to stop drinking is hard for many people. They may have some good reasons to quit but alcohol may be their only coping mechanism. Or alcohol may be central to how they relate to others or have fun. … 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
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
How to Break Through a Recovery Plateau
The early weeks and months of addiction recovery are challenging but also rewarding. It’s hard to get used to living without drugs and alcohol but you will also probably feel better physically and feel happier while connecting to others in … Read More
Early Signs You Might Be Heading for Relapse
Relapse rates are notoriously hard to track but the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that between 40 and 60 percent of people with substance use disorders relapse within a year after completing treatment. Many people assume relapse is a … Read More
Why Alcohol is a Terrible Way to Relieve Stress
In our culture, we almost take for granted that the way to unwind after a long week is to have a few drinks. The same may be true after a tough day or after hearing bad news. It’s a cliche … Read More
3 Reasons Men Don’t Ask for Help for Addiction
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, only about 10 percent of American adults who need specialized help for a substance use disorder actually get treatment. That number is surprisingly low when you consider that there are now … Read More
3 Ways Addiction Changes Your Personality
When people think of all the bad things about having a substance use disorder, they typically think of negative outcomes–your health suffers, you spend too much money on drugs, you alienate people you care about, you get into trouble with … Read More
When in Doubt, Just Get Started
When starting something new, especially something ambitious or difficult, it’s a good idea to start with a bit of research. What do experts recommend? How have other people succeeded? Is there one approach that clearly works better than another? Is … Read More
Embracing Faith in the Process
It seems that in recent times we have moved from a dominantly religious society to a more secular one; with this trajectory in mind, it isn’t too difficult to see that the way faith has become to be perceived as … Read More