The signs of drug use and dependency can often be overlooked by parents. As a child grows into adulthood, there may be many personality changes. Some behaviors such as emotional outbursts, having a bad attitude, sleeping a lot, and simply not listening to our rules we often understand or accept as “normal” teenage behavior. Different...Read More
Heroin addiction has become an epidemic across the United States. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), heroin addiction and overdose deaths have climbed 286% from 2002 to 2015. Part of the reason for this is the crack down on prescription pain medications. Individuals addicted to pain meds that cannot obtain...Read More
Dual diagnosis is the term used to identify when an individual is suffering from a mood or mental disorder while simultaneously struggling with an addiction. Historically, mental health conditions and addiction have been treated separately. Dual diagnosis is necessary because these two issues usually occur in tandem. Studies have consistently shown that being diagnosed with...Read More
One rule of thumb in recovery is to not date for the first year. Spending time getting to know yourself again in sobriety lays the foundation for a brighter, healthier future. In recovery, we learn to love ourselves again. You know you’re ready to date other people once you have dated yourself first. We have...Read More
What is the difference between Chemical Dependency versus Substance Use Disorder? The line between chemical dependency versus Substance Use Disorder is very fine. These are just a few of the many consequences associated with substance abuse. Addiction, which is also called substance dependence by the American Psychiatric Association, is defined as a “maladaptive pattern of...Read More
Testimonial on Overcoming Drug Addiction: Is overcoming drug addiction possible? I thought it was, but I didn’t know anything. I spent so much time our time lecturing, begging, pleading, crying, and threatening my boyfriend to stop his drug use. After a rough patch that included a DUI, my prayer was finally answered and he went...Read More
The Holidays With the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays fast approaching, the anxiety and build up is also soon to arrive. The holiday season becomes stressful for everyone to different extents. Which gifts to purchase, what parties to attend, dealing with family issues and relationships head on, traveling long distances, grieving over the loss...Read More
The term “social” can be described as seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly, gregarious. Unfortunately, nothing could be more further from the truth as it relates to the use of drugs. Social acceptance of drug use is a very serious problem in our society. Reality television sensationalism and the detachment of reality in...Read More
Social Media has introduced us to a new life, and within that life is the misinformation, acceptance and glamorization of substance abuse and alcohol. Technology has completely changed the way we socialize, especially the younger generations. The statistics connecting social media and substance abuse is astounding. According to the 2011 National Teen Survey, “American teens...Read More
No matter what the experience is or why it happened, sharing a traumatic event is a vital step towards healing and recovery. Tragedy can happen to anyone and it can come in many forms. Sometimes it is a painful experience that was endured as a child, such as physical or sexual abuse. Sometimes it is...Read More
