Addiction |

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...

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...

At any time, someone may become so overwhelmed by certain emotions they revert to unhealthy habits. For someone previously addicted to drugs or alcohol, this tendency isn’t greater or worse—just different. Resiliency has a lot to do with how we react to negative circumstances. The definition of resilience is “the capacity to recover quickly from...

It’s heartbreaking to stand by as someone you love struggles with addiction. It’s devastating to know there’s only so much you can do. Right now, it’s important to understand you have the right to take care of yourself first. Just as you’re advised to do when flying: apply your oxygen mask before assisting others with...

No matter how nonjudgmental of a person you may be, finding out that the person you’re dating is in recovery can be a tough truth to navigate. It Raises Several Questions Depending on your background and how much you understand about the disease of addiction, reactions will vary. For some people, finding out that the...