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:...

Once you complete an inpatient rehabilitation treatment program, you may feel a renewed sense of purpose. You may also have aspects of life that require more attention. Some people are able to return to jobs they had before rehab. Perhaps they met the guidelines of the Family and Medical Leave Act, and had assurance before...

There are many types of 12-Step programs—some spiritual and others secular. If Christian faith is instrumental for your sobriety, you may be interested in Celebrate Recovery. While traditional 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) refer to a higher power in their tenets and practices, Celebrate Recovery is a “Christ-centered program...

We’ve all experienced cravings for one thing or another—a cup of coffee, a piece of chocolate, even a cigarette. More About Cravings With these substances, our bodies go through physiological changes when we regularly consume them. Each prompts a chemical reaction in the brain: take it away, and our systems begin to wonder where it...

There are many tough conversations parents and guardians need to have with children. One involves drug and alcohol use and the perils of addiction. Maybe your 2nd grader heard something on the playground. Perhaps you’ve noticed your teen’s behaviors are more unusual. Maybe an offhand comment about a relative at a family gathering raised questions...

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) often has many consequences for people during the dark and cold days of winter. For a long time, medical professionals didn’t think that SAD really affected anyone; and that people who complained of feeling blue, lethargic, and generally uninterested in life during certain times of the year didn’t have a problem....

Addiction recovery success is often reinforced by an individual’s support network. For many people, the foundation of that network is family. Make no mistake: one person with a substance abuse problem affects the entire family. It’s a disease without boundaries. In order for true healing to happen, all members should go through some form of...

Let’s be honest: if you need substance abuse treatment, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is. It’s always going to be a challenging, life-changing decision. During the holidays, we often associate an idyllic greeting card experience with resolving all of our problems. We extend a lot of “if onlys” wishes upon the wonder...