Addiction |

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...

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...

Many people choose spirituality as a cornerstone to their recovery process. This enables them to rely on coping mechanisms such as gratitude, mindfulness, and positive thinking. Is spirituality the same as religion? If you want it to be, yes. Some people may feel more comfortable following the particular doctrine of an organized religion. They appreciate...

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...

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...

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...