American Addiction Centers Blog

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 […]

Scholar and Poet Thad Ziolkowski’s writes “…the most addictive sport can help us understand addiction and recovery.” Ziolkowski’s book On a Wave references surfing as the activity that can offer this insight based on Thad’s life experience. The Rush of Addiction vs. Riding a Wave Addiction is a medical disease that’s both treatable and recurrent. […]

The band started playing a familiar tune from years past. What was the name and who sang it? A friend knew it was “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin and added that this artist died from a drug overdose. Jimi Hendrix did too. Jim Morrison was another. Elvis, Kurt Cobain, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse […]

Over 50% of individuals with mental illness, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury abuse either alcohol or drugs. In honor of Disability Pride Month, we want to acknowledge all those with a disability, inclusive of those individuals who happen to struggle with an alcohol or drug addiction. Substance abuse is a challenge that impacts […]

One of the key components of addiction recovery is learning how to resist triggers and cope with the emotional and physical discomforts that used to drive us to drink and/or use. Holistic activities that promote harmony and balance between the mind and body, such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and music therapy, are excellent tools for […]

Do members of the medical community use and abuse substances? “Doctors aren’t immune to addiction” is a Harvard Health blog’s answer to this question. What is the extent of these struggles? The rate mirrors that of the general population. “It is estimated that 10%-15% of all medical professionals in the United States will misuse drugs […]

When someone attends treatment for a substance abuse disorder, it can feel like a relief to the individual. But it doesn’t matter if the treatment lasts 30, 60, or 90 days. It’s only one step on the path to a lifetime of recovery. Recovery is not the same as addiction treatment, nor is it the […]

Those who have battled with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, and have gotten sober despite the obstacles, each have their own unique journey. Substance use disorder (SUD) or an alcohol use disorder (AUD) have a huge impact on the users as well as their families. And although that initial impact may be negative, the […]

For people in early addiction recovery, finding new and interesting activities to engage in that do not involve alcohol and drugs can be a challenge. However, incorporating one or more sober hobbies into your new lifestyle can help strengthen your recovery and improve your overall quality of life. Honing your cooking skills is an excellent […]