In order to lessen the stigma involving alcohol use disorder and alcohol addiction, it helps to understand the reasons contributing to it. Addiction specialists are more dedicated than ever to address AUD based on an individual’s background, contributing risks, and other factors to ensure better recovery. What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? The National Institute on...
Addiction is a brain disease that, while not curable, can be managed effectively. However, excessive use of substances or alcohol is also a major contributing factor to additional—and often serious—medical issues. For some people, the road to better health is much more complicated as a result. Damage to Your Health Caused by Drugs & Alcohol...
It’s hard to believe that aspects of the coronavirus pandemic are still affecting us. But new variants and, at press time, a continual rise in cases means that many people still feel the stress and strain of this global health crisis. Another unfortunate side effect of the pandemic is a rise in drinking. High Drinking...
Many people in early recovery wonder if they can still have fun without drugs or alcohol. They feel life might not be as exciting or interesting without some type of social lubricant. But how do we define what’s fun anyway? Let’s find out! What Is Fun? Like humor, what you might consider pleasurable, amusing, lighthearted,...
One of the greatest challenges is recognizing when you or someone you love has a substance problem—especially when they seem to handle daily life just fine. Unfortunately, some people can be what medical professionals deem “high-functioning” but still struggle with drug or alcohol addiction. Misconceptions Hide True Problems There are many preconceived notions about who...
If your teen or another adolescent loved one lacks focus, seems disoriented, has lost interest in usual activities, seems more inhibited than usual, and has more trouble in school, it might be time for a face-to-face conversation. These are just a few potential symptoms of a drinking problem. When Is Behavior “Just a Phase” vs....
There are a few times in your life when a particular moment is crystal clear, and the answers you’re searching for are right in front of you. If the title of this article caught your eye, you might be having one of those moments. Alcohol Use Disorder The medical community has guidelines to determine whether...
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...
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...
