a woman smiles though she remembers reasons women relapse after addiction treatment

4 Reasons Women Relapse After Addiction Treatment

Addiction relapse rates vary considerably, depending on the person and the drug. A commonly cited statistic from The Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that relapse rates are between 40 and 60 percent, while other estimates put the rate of alcohol and opioid relapse at closer to 90 percent in the first year. The… Continue Reading 4 Reasons Women Relapse After Addiction Treatment

a group talks about which comes first depression or addiction

What Comes First, Depression or Addiction?

Most people who develop substance use disorders have some kind of dual diagnosis. They don’t just have an addiction; they have an addiction and something else. That ‘something else’ might be an anxiety disorder, a personality disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, or schizophrenia. A very common dual diagnosis is addiction and depression. For most… Continue Reading What Comes First, Depression or Addiction?

a woman stares out the car window and thinks about ways to be more creative without drugs or alcohol

4 Ways to be More Creative without Drugs or Alcohol

There’s a common belief that drugs and alcohol make you more creative. This is perhaps understandable, since many of the great writers, artists, and musicians have used drugs and alcohol, too often to the point of addiction and self-destruction. Also, drugs and alcohol make people feel more creative. However, studies have shown feeling more creative… Continue Reading 4 Ways to be More Creative without Drugs or Alcohol

a man pulls a pill bottle from his medicine cabinet and thinks about signs of benzodiazepine dependence

Signs of Benzodiazepine Dependence

Benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. They are typically prescribed to treat acute anxiety, panic attacks, or insomnia related to stressful events. They work well when used for very short periods. Unfortunately, benzodiazepines are also extremely addictive. Even two weeks of regular use can lead… Continue Reading Signs of Benzodiazepine Dependence

a man leans against the wall with a hood over his head and thinks about common misconceptions about schizophrenia

4 Common Misconceptions About Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects about two million Americans. It’s best known symptoms are auditory and visual hallucinations, but other symptoms include delusional thinking, disordered or incoherent thinking or speech, social withdrawal, or diminished affect in speech or facial expressions. Although most people know something about schizophrenia, many people misunderstand the condition, leading… Continue Reading 4 Common Misconceptions About Schizophrenia

A woman researches whether there is a link between social media and depression on her smart phone

Is There a Link Between Social Media and Depression?

Anyone who has spent too much time on social media knows what it’s like to come away feeling anxious, irritable, despondent, or angry. Interacting with friends, acquaintances, and strangers online can provoke emotions ranging from envy to outrage. Many people often lament that social media platforms have replaced meaningful social interaction with superficial sharing, which… Continue Reading Is There a Link Between Social Media and Depression?