American Addiction Centers Blog
Transform Your Life: 6 Benefits of New Year’s Resolutions in Recovery
October 28, 2024
Individuals in recovery are typically encouraged to take one day at a time. Looking too far into the future can be overwhelming, especially for someone newly in recovery. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set goals, which are really what New Year’s Resolutions are–goals we set for ourselves for the year ahead. Resolutions or goals […]
Entertainment celebrity Andra Day opened up publicly in a recent post. Star of “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” Day realized she needed to tackle her addiction before taking on this leading role. She knew that “any element of sexualization” would interfere with her work. So she dealt with her disorder. Now in recovery, this […]
If your friends use opioids, you’re right to be concerned. Opioid abuse is a serious problem that can not only cause addiction, but can also lead to overdose and death. Having a friend who uses opioids can be stressful and emotionally draining, and you might not know what to do to help. While your friend […]
Everyone wants to be seen a certain way by the rest of the world. And although that comes with varying degrees of discretion, it boils down to simply wanting to be respected and seen as an equal. According to an article published in the National Library of Medicine, research has shown that the news and […]
Becoming sober is a significant accomplishment and one that you should feel proud of. It’s not an easy task to quit drinking alcohol, especially when you are dependent on it. Going through an alcohol detox program helps you manage the withdrawal symptoms and gives you insight into why you may have started drinking. However, what […]
Relapse prevention is a key part of staying sober from alcohol. Whether you just completed your alcohol detox treatment program or did it years ago, there is always the risk of a relapse. What are the alcohol relapse warning signs, and what can you do to prevent it? Signs That You May Be Close to […]
For many people who struggle with addiction, substance use serves as a coping mechanism to minimize the emotional pain of past trauma. Whether it be a physical issue, such as a car accident or military injury, or psychological trauma, such as verbal abuse or the death of a loved one, recovery from addiction is difficult […]
“Just stop drinking or just stop using drugs.” This is not helpful advice to those battling an addiction. According to the Director of News in Health’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Dr. George Koob, the “common misperception is that addiction is a choice or moral problem…” The fact is that having a substance […]
For many people, the use of methadone to aid in recovery from an opioid use disorder is truly life-saving. With years of research backing its use, methadone can be an effective tapering drug in substance abuse treatment. However, the stigma of methadone treatment is something that people on methadone must fight against, and it can […]
Are you thinking about having a few drinks before going to sleep? Think again. If you’re looking forward to a restful night, even moderate drinking may undermine those plans. As it turns out, research shows that alcohol negatively affects sleep patterns. But doesn’t alcohol induce calmness and contentment? Having a couple of drinks to dampen […]
Myriad factors can lead people to use and ultimately misuse substances. However, childhood trauma appears to be a key factor related to substance use disorders. Childhood trauma can stem from any number of things, but some causes include neglect along with physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. These traumatic experiences can make the individual more susceptible […]
To complete this four-part series concerning population underrepresentation in addiction treatment, we’re going to address the underrepresentation of Hispanics, who could be considered uniquely disenfranchised for several reasons. While the previous three blogs articulated the importance of program competency and responsiveness regarding culture, gender, and sexuality for blacks, women, and the LGBTQ community, many within […]
According to Healthline, there are two types of addictions: chemical and behavioral. Chemical, or substance addiction, is the habitual use of a substance, as well as the compulsive need for it; whereas behavioral addiction involves repeated, persistent, and compulsive behaviors that tend to not offer any clear benefit. Although the two may seem similar in […]
