Unsettling Numbers Recent research about women and increased alcohol-related deaths made the news circuit in late 2018, and the numbers were unsettling. What surprised many people about these new statistics was simply that the problem wasn’t fully identified until now—even after decades of anecdotal evidence. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), based at...
Recovery Health There are dozens of ways to maintain your health. You can eat nutritious food and exercise on a regular basis. Spending quality time in nature is always a good boost. Building a supportive community is also beneficial to your wellbeing. Another way to influence your health is to volunteer. Giving back helps define...
Comfort Levels Many people don’t feel comfortable sharing their business with others. Regardless of what “oversharers” do on social media, other people prefer to keep personal matters to themselves. This attitude may be a deliberate choice, a reflection of how they were raised, or perhaps a sign that they don’t trust other individuals to value...
“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt. In a brief moment, your emotions shifted a bit when you read that quote. Maybe it doesn’t resonate with you…but if it does, how do you feel? Thoughtful? Curious? Relieved? Positive Results Not everyone uses quotes and affirmations to affect change in their lives. Nevertheless,...
A 12-Step program is successful for many reasons. You’re surrounded by people who understand what you’re going through. You have a network to turn to if you need to work out a problem. You can socialize comfortably. You have accountability, and help others stay focused on their intentions as well. Another benefit of a 12-Step...
Helping children understand addiction is challenging. Every child has a different lens on the world. Most of the time, that world is as big as what happens at home and the people there. The older a child becomes, the more that world expands, but there’s still a strong tie to the perceptions and understanding they...
Men and women are equal, but different. Women have three unique challenges when living with a substance use disorder (SUD). The female body metabolizes drugs and alcohol more quickly and often at higher rates than the male body because of physiological differences. Approximately one in three women experience some form of physical, emotional, or sexual...
There’s a difference between being alone and feeling lonely. Some people have no problem with their own company. In fact, psychiatrist Abigail Brenner points out that being alone often has numerous benefits, and considers it to be a foundational practice for positive development and growth—which are essential qualities to acquire for long-lasting sobriety. In an...
Substance abuse has ravaged rural Georgia. While most people might think simply of the opioid epidemic as the greatest contributing factor for drug and alcohol addiction, there are actually numerous reasons why rural citizens need help. Most have to do with fulfilling basic needs. Lack of Health Services In August 2018, the AJC reported on...
When we see other people accomplish great things, it’s inspiring. Motivation presents in many forms. It’s the reason why someone chooses to act in a particular way. Behavioral scientists believe there are two forms of motivation: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic motivation is an external factor or set of factors that contribute to an individual’s actions....
