American Addiction Centers Blog

A bottle of wine. A case of beer. Multiple shots of whiskey or vodka. When an individual is struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) there seems to be no limitations on how much they consume in one sitting. And when mixing drugs with alcohol misuse, this can be a dangerous, and sometimes deadly, combination. […]

The Queen’s Gambit Every evening, the girls at Methuen Orphanage in Kentucky line up to receive two pills – green and red. These vitamins, so they are told, are good for you. Hurry up and take them. However, a long-time resident, Jolene, advises Beth Harmon, the main character, to veer from this rule. Pretend to […]

Feeling invincible gives an individual the courage to believe in the impossible, to take action, and inevitably to take risks. Channeled through a positive and calculated plan with a specific goal, this mindset may appear to be optimistic. However, if used recklessly while under the influence of drugs or alcohol such as cocaine addiction, it […]

Being a parent is challenging enough. But when the challenges evolve into a substance use disorder (SUD), it can be daunting. Parents may assume that they “know” their teenage son or daughter and may even believe that their child “would never” use drugs. The truth is, even parents who have provided a healthy and loving […]

Alcohol is legally and socially acceptable, which makes it a substance that’s as easy to retrieve as going to the grocery or local convenience store and picking it up. For many, alcohol is just one of many beverages available to drink and is naturally integrated into social settings. However, for some individuals who struggle with […]

Substance addiction isn’t easy for anyone to face. Drug or alcohol misuse can impact any individual, regardless of career, social hierarchy, gender, race, or even celebrity status. From professional athletes to A-list actors and all those in between, the disease of addiction is a reality that society must confront head-on in order to save as […]

Labels aren’t always bad. Labels can reflect positive characteristics, set productive expectations, and provide meaningful goals for us. However, often the labels we use to describe one another are based on unsubstantiated assumptions and stereotypes. These labels may be associated with race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. They may also be the stigmatizing labels […]

A man, who had battled substance abuse for decades and rotated in and out of prison, stumbled upon an approach that helped reverse the course of his life. While behind bars, he saw a loom hook, which is a knitting tool. This item was there for a program to teach inmates how to knit. Intrigued, […]

If fentanyl was a houseguest, it has definitely worn out its welcome in the United States. It’s a Schedule II prescription drug meant to manage pain after surgery or to treat individuals with severe pain. Additionally, it’s a synthetic opioid, which happens to be 50-100 times more potent than morphine. The problem? Some individuals are […]

When discussing addiction, most of the time, people refer to physical addiction that occurs to a substance. However, psychological addiction is just as real. Even though it may not lead to life-threatening physical symptoms, psychological addiction can be just as uncomfortable as physical addiction. What Is Psychological Addiction? One way to understand psychological addiction is […]

Addiction therapy is an excellent way to combat an alcohol or substance misuse problem. When you talk to a licensed therapist about your issues, they may be able to recommend ways to alter your behavior and reduce the things triggering your substance use. Choosing a therapist might be daunting, but you can use the following […]