The family you are born into determines the first environment you will interact with as you grow. That environment will shape how you view the world, ultimately affecting who you become and how you interact with others. Drug addictions negatively impact every aspect of your life, putting a strain on the family and loved ones.…
The number of individuals addicted to drugs continues to rise every day. Nearly 31 million people suffer from a substance use disorder, according to WHO, the World Health Organization. The causes of addiction vary from person to person. Yet there is a group of people who are at a higher risk of developing an addiction…
As you begin to thrive in recovery, a whole new world is unfolding before you. Living life to the fullest is now a reality, instead of a gift only bestowed on “other people.” Your future is now. It’s important that you celebrate your successes and your milestones in recovery. You’ve begun to make deep connections…
Numerous studies show that the way social media apps are addictive. Similar in the way that casinos are designed to entice gamblers into spending more money, social media apps are designed to entice users to spend more time in the app. Everything from design to the psychology of notifications is a way to get you…
The National Survey on Drug Abuse and Health shows that over 23.5 million Americans suffer from a substance use disorder. Addiction naturally has the largest impact on the addict. It’s important to consider the widespread effects of addiction on the people surrounding the addict. Substance abuse has a significant impact on families, both as individuals…
Alcohol is the most commonly consumed substance in the world and while harmful, it is not only socially acceptable, but expected. Studies show that 56% of the U.S. adult population drinks regularly with some 86.4% drinking at least occasionally. Alcoholic beverages like beer, win, spirits, and liquors are so commonly accepted that you are unlikely…
When struggling with addiction, I thought the hardest thing I would ever do was to take those first steps to recovery. I had an anxiety attack on my way to rehab. I just kept telling myself that it had to get better from there, that having hit my lowest point in my life, I had…
Everyone knows Alcoholics Anonymous but fewer are aware of Al-Anon, a sister support group intended for the loved ones of those suffering from alcoholism. Al-Anon is a support group designed to help the friends and family members of alcoholics recover and move on, and if you’ve never been, it can be intimidating to go, especially…
My brother, John, is an alcoholic. He’s been drinking for 23 years. John has lost everything due to his alcoholism, his wife and children, his job, and his home. He lives on the streets, staying at the local men’s shelter whenever he can get the $2.50 together that is required. Since he has no income,…
Today, addiction affects some 23.5 million Americans who are held captive by their dependence on drugs, alcohol, and prescription pills. These numbers coincide with our increasingly stressful and busy lives, as more and more Americans turn to substances for relief from stress, poverty, home life, and even boredom. Despite our increasing reliance on substances, abuse…