American Addiction Centers Blog

Addiction doesn’t always look like homelessness, getting arrested, being unemployed, or using illicit drugs. Although, sometimes it does. Other times, the picture of substance misuse is working professionals facing prescription pills and addiction. Addiction materializes in many different forms. And sometimes it’s not so obvious in certain social settings because the parties have become good […]

Purpose provides direction and meaning. And for human beings, this can mean the difference between a healthy quality of life versus one that isn’t healthy. And the emotions that may arise from the latter may bring some individuals to the point of wanting to numb those feelings with the use of  drugs or alcohol. And […]

Engineers. Lawyers. Accountants. Doctors. Nurses. No profession is immune to the disease of substance or alcohol misuse. The high regard that society holds medical professionals in is definitely a category that is well-earned and respected. However, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t human and vulnerable to the obstacles that everyone else faces. Drug and alcohol […]

If you or your loved one are experiencing a substance use disorder and are looking into treatment options, you may be confused about the terms “stepping up” and “stepping down.” Addiction treatment occurs on a continuum, so stepping down in addiction treatment means going from a more intense treatment setting or program to a less […]

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 […]