Most people who struggle with addiction have another mental health issue to go along with it. This is called a dual diagnosis. Common dual diagnoses include depression, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. One common anxiety disorder is social anxiety disorder, which is intense anxiety caused by social situations. About 15 million Americans suffer…
Addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of age. And everyone has a different experience of addiction. It’s not uncommon to think that maybe it’s too late for you to recover from addiction. Maybe you’ve struggled with substance use for a long time. Maybe you’ve burned a lot of bridges, alienated people who cared about you,…
Most people entering treatment share one overarching goal: to stop using drugs and alcohol. That can be a daunting prospect and most people will tell you that’s too big of a goal to think about all at once. A better approach is one day at a time. This is a small example of breaking up…
For many people, holidays can be stressful and chaotic. What’s more, holiday parties and family gatherings often mix family drama with abundant alcohol. If you’re recovering from addiction to drugs or alcohol, the holidays can be a big test. However, the holiday season doesn’t have to derail your recovery. Here are some ways you can…
Depression is the number one cause of disability worldwide. About 16 million American adults suffer a depressive episode every year. Common symptoms of depression include sadness, irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, lack of motivation, feelings of hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide. Depression obviously has a negative impact on your quality of life, so much so that…
Every kid looks forward to the holidays. It’s a time when you can open presents rather than go to school. However, for adults, holidays often mean stress, anxiety, and sometimes, depression. If holidays are a tough time for you, here are some ways to keep depression from taking over. Manage your commitments. Perhaps the most…
There are several factors that determine how addictive a substance is. These factors include how much the drug affects your brain’s reward system, how fast-acting the substance is, how hard it is to get, how quickly you become dependent, and how hard it is to quit. Intense or protracted withdrawal symptoms are among the biggest…
Many people take opioid painkillers for chronic pain such as back pain, arthritis, or lingering pain from injuries. Fear of experiencing pain is one reason people are reluctant to quit taking opioids, even when it is clear they have become harmful. However, there now better ways to treat chronic pain. Many non-addictive medications have been…
If you’re relatively new to recovery and don’t yet feel quite steady, you may not feel like you’re the best person to be helping others. However, volunteering can be a great way to strengthen your recovery. 12-step groups like AA have always recognized this and made volunteering an integral part of their program. Of course,…
Making the transition from residential treatment to regular life is a tricky time for many people. After living in a safe, supportive environment for perhaps months, you have to go back to dealing with the stress and temptations of everyday life. Most people leave treatment feeling much better–healthier, happier, and more confident. However, making the…
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