Sep 23, 2022 | Substance Use Disorder
Many people use the terms chemical dependence and addiction interchangeably. While the two can be related, important differences distinguish them from each other. Understanding Dependence Dependence can be demonstrated by the occurrence of side effects when a person...
Aug 26, 2022 | Substance Use Disorder, Recovery
You’re nearing the end of your treatment, and discharge is on the horizon. This can be a very exciting time–but also a scary one. The days and weeks immediately following discharge are when risk of relapse is highest. Having a good plan for life after treatment...
Jul 28, 2022 | Substance Use Disorder, Recovery
The 12 Steps The 12 Steps were initially created by the group Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) but are now used by programs that support people dealing with problems from ranging from substance abuse to eating disorders to gambling or sexual compulsions. Groups of this type...
Jun 23, 2022 | Substance Use Disorder, Recovery
When Should You Share Your Story? People share their addiction recovery stories for a number of reasons. Recognizing why you are sharing your story and who your audience is can help you decide how much you want to tell. Recovery Meetings It is very common in a...
May 1, 2022 | Alcoholism, Substance Use Disorder
I once met a woman who became addicted to alcohol relatively late in life, after she had bariatric surgery. She had needed that surgical procedure to address obesity, which had resulted from food addiction. After her surgery, she could no longer eat large quantities...
Mar 14, 2022 | Substance Use Disorder, Rehab
When I was in my twenties, I met a teenager who lived in a group home nearby. I saw so much potential in this smart, funny, kind, charming young woman. She spent the final months before she turned 18 in my home, and I was eager to see how her future would turn out....
