Identifying and adequately addressing the factors that contribute to substance abuse and addiction is an essential step we can take to improve the chances of success for those in treatment and recovery. One factor many overlook when examining the causes of addiction is the role of social isolation in the development and advancement of alcohol…
Even though it is 2020, the concerns and fears around stigma related to addiction remain alive and well throughout the United States. The concept of stigma describes the powerful negative thoughts that affect how an individual is viewed when they struggle with a substance abuse disorder or addiction. Stigma has the potential to adversely affect…
If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, the concept of crisis, whether personal or professional, is likely all too familiar. There is an unfortunate yet common relationship between those who abuse drugs or alcohol and those who have emergencies in their lives. These emergencies can take on a variety of forms ranging from…
When people think of dependence, they often think of physical dependence on something. For instance, when someone is dependent on drugs or alcohol, their body often reacts violently and painfully to the lack of their substance of choice. This person has grown physically dependent on substances. Without a continual intake, they will begin to experience…
Psychological dependence is the term used to describe the emotional or psychological components of a substance use disorder. These mental components often include intense cravings for the substance or behavior and a profound difficulty associated with thinking about anything else. Psychological dependence is also sometimes referred to as psychological addiction. Although the terms dependence and…
Whether it is a dependence on or addiction to alcohol, opioids, “street drugs” or any other substance, statistics show addiction kills thousands of Americans each year and impacts millions of lives. According to various surveys, almost two-thirds of American families have been significantly affected (in some way) by addictions to drugs or alcohol. It is…
We tend to associate drug use with children, teenagers and sexy young singles who are busy doing whatever they want. However, drug use, has no age limit. The idea that there’s an upper level age that someone stops being tempted by or using any kind of drug, whether it be alcohol or marijuana or Oxycontin…
Years of research have shown that the use of substances, including tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, or the misuse of prescribed medications by pregnant women can have severe adverse impacts on infants. The reason for these impacts is that so many of these substances pass through the placenta. Therefore, when a pregnant woman does drugs during…
Historically, addiction was viewed as a choice. In the eyes of many, those who abused alcohol, drugs, or both were making a conscious decision to drink, swallow pills, or introduce illicit substances into their body. Fortunately, over time science has determined addiction is not a choice. Many scientists, addiction treatment providers, and mental health counselors…
Grief can be an overwhelming and crushing emotion. It is an emotion without a timetable. Grief can last for days, weeks, months, or in some cases, even years. Grief is painful, and there is no quick resolution to the pain. Grief and the associated emotional turmoil can arise for various reasons and trigger an emotional…