At one time, addiction was considered a voluntary ailment. It was believed that when someone struggled with a substance abuse problem that it was their chosen course. They wanted to drink or do drugs. Fortunately, time has altered these ill-founded beliefs. Today, the medical community views addiction as a chronic, debilitating disease that sometimes irreversibly…
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The benefits of exercise on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are well known. Whether you are reading a peer-reviewed journal article or looking at your Facebook feed, it quickly becomes clear how beneficial exercise is for everyone. Some people wonder what, if any, connection exists between exercise and addiction recovery. After all, it is…
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Across the United States, countless families have tried as best they can to help a friend or addicted loved one get the necessary treatment they need to recover. Often those efforts are ignored or turned down for reasons nobody can understand. Unfortunately, those struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol are often unable to…
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Over the last decade, approaches to addiction treatment have changed. Today, more people are seeking help from outside support systems beyond therapists, counselors, and traditional support groups. Although all of these professionals and services remain vital components of an addiction recovery team, many find they want or need additional support beyond initial treatment. Going into…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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