American Addiction Centers Blog

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 […]

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, bleak statistics continuously scrolled our television and computer screens. Each day was met with a growing rate of pandemic-related deaths and infection rates. For many of us, these numbers left us anxious and uncertain of the future. As the pandemic continued, new startling statistics began to emerge. Whether […]

In the new non-fiction book The Second Chance Club, all seven of the parolees profiled, who revolve in and out of lock up in New Orleans, suffer from a substance use disorder (SUD). Is that the norm, the prevalence of drug addiction in the U.S. jail and prison population? The percentage is difficult to pinpoint. […]

As part of the LGBTQ+ community, being proud of who you are and how you stand in this world is liberating. And one of the underlying reasons why that liberation is so significant and why there is a celebration of pride is due to a time when so many felt too ashamed to simply be […]

After his breakout roles in the 1983 films The Outsiders and Class, 18-year-old Rob Lowe was thrust into the Hollywood spotlight. Alongside fellow “Brat Packers” like Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, and Andrew McCarthy, he became one of the hottest teen idols of the decade — and adopted a fast-living lifestyle fueled by alcohol and drugs. […]

When you have a loved one with a substance use disorder, it can be both a relief and a challenging time when they enter drug and alcohol addiction treatment/rehab. You may feel helpless and confused about how to best support your loved one while they are in rehab and once they come home. As their […]

If you attended grade school between 1983 and 2009, then you almost certainly participated in a Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, or DARE. In fact, the DARE program was eventually implemented in 75% of U.S. schools in the 1990’s and cost taxpayers an estimated $600 million to $750 million per year. Although immensely popular among […]

It takes courage to serve one’s country. And it takes courage to be willing to sacrifice one’s life in the name of service. The impact of the experiences on the battlefield in foreign lands is a weight that’s all too heavy for most. It’s not the temporary burdens of carrying physical objects that are the […]

If you’ve attended rehab programs or gone to 12-step meetings, you may have heard people use the term HALT. An acronym for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, it’s a tool used to remind people of four of the most common stressors in recovery. While they may seem obvious, these basic needs can be easy to overlook […]

Homer Simpson, patriarch, life philosopher and animated character on the longest-running American TV series The Simpsons has a lot to say about a lot of things. Take this toast he makes. “To alcohol! The cause and solution to all of life’s problems.” It has been described as “one of the best, most truthful Simpsons statements […]

MDMA, also called molly or ecstacy, is known as a party drug. Due to their psychoactive effects, party drugs like MDMA are often taken at raves, clubs, or music festivals. Many use these substances to amplify their experience. While MDMA is often viewed as safe, there are risks associated with its use, especially if you […]