Tragically, Georgia’s opioid crisis is still a critical health issue. The Georgia Hospital Association shares January 2019 reports from the Centers for Disease Control which indicate: Synthetic opioid overdose deaths—from substances like fentanyl—increased in Georgia more than 45 percent since 2017. Opiate prescribing rates were higher in rural Georgia than metropolitan areas of the state....

Rock Bottom “Hitting rock bottom” during the throes of substance abuse means different things to people. Often, rock bottom is associated with descending to levels of financial, ethical, or moral bankruptcy. While some people may, unfortunately, encounter these circumstances, others experience a simple knowing: this simply isn’t how their lives should be. What’s more important...

The impact of substance use disorder (SUD) on families is well-documented. For example, in 2017, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the following statistics: From 2009–2014, 8.7 million children under age 17 lived with at least one parent with SUD—that’s one in eight children in the U.S. Approximately one in 10...

Yes or No Prevalent theories regarding moderation and substance abuse are usually divided into two camps: yes, it’s possible, or no, it’s not. There are many mitigating factors. Each individual’s unique characteristics, environment, and genetic makeup contribute to the possibility of substance abuse and addiction. While the National Institutes of Health report that “genes and...

Maybe you’ve struggled to find the right words to express your concerns to someone about his or her substance abuse. Or each time you try to bring it up, there’s conflict and anger.Talking to a friend or loved one about problem behavior is never easy.He or she may be in denial. It’s twice as difficult...

When we’re at our worst, it’s nearly impossible to believe we have something to be grateful for, but experts say that’s when the practice is most powerful. Gratitude is studied continuously by scientists and spiritualists alike to determine its impact. Each one of us has the capability to not only understand its power, but also...

Have you ever heard of laughter therapy? Also called humor therapy, laughter meditation, or laughter yoga, laughter therapy is a way to relieve stress, boost your immune system, and change your perspective. And even though the mere mention of it sounds like the set-up of a joke, there continues to be valid research supporting the...

Our men and women of the armed forces often deal with numerous issues that many other professionals can’t comprehend. They may turn to substances as a coping mechanism. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), military personnel who experience combat exposure, frequent deployments, and injuries related to service have the greatest risk of...

For some people, one barrier to an inpatient rehabilitation program for substance abuse is the thought of turning their lives upside down, including losing their jobs. It’s critical for both employers and employees to understand in what ways the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is available for individuals needing time off work for treatment....

Okay—so you’ve suffered a lapse in your sobriety. Now you’re reading this article and wondering what to do next. Good. You’re already willing to return to your path of recovery. The first thing to do is objectively process your actions and determine if you experienced a slip or a full relapse. There are distinct differences:...