American Addiction Centers Blog

Those who have a loved one struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction likely know how difficult it can be. Some days may be good, and other days are heartbreaking. You may be worried and stressed about what to expect next. You may be wondering how to set healthy boundaries. It’s often challenging to have […]

Is the small screen – not so small in many households – offering programming about addiction and recovery? The answer for broadcast/cable TV and streaming denizens is resoundingly “YES”. In fact, there are way too many tv shows about addiction to cover in just one post. Sorting through the possibilities to come up with a […]

To say the mental health of many Americans has been negatively impacted by the 2020 pandemic is an understatement. Anxiety, stress, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), addictions to drugs or alcohol, among other mental health conditions, may have risen to the surface for those individuals who already were struggling with these conditions before COVID. The invisible […]

For any serious competitor, finding a competitive edge is going to be part of game-planning. In a perfect world with a level playing field, this edge is realized through experience, practice, research, drive, and commitment. However, there’s always the temptation to find a sharper – and more ethically ambiguous – edge to win. From steroid […]

Many people who misuse alcohol and drugs rely on support groups to help them stay sober. In addition to promoting accountability, these meetings provide people in recovery with a safe space to talk about their experiences, receive and provide encouragement, and share coping skills and other helpful advice. Addiction support groups can also be a […]

What is it about well-known writers and addiction? Many famous writers have had strong affinities for alcohol or drugs – some for both. This voluminous list spans time and space. As case in point, the British Romantic poet John Keats (1795-1821) used opium. His countrymen Charles Dickens (1812-1870) used morphine; Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) used mescaline […]

For the last decade, the popularity of ride-sharing apps, such as Uber and Lift, has grown exponentially. According to Pew Research, roughly 36% of American adults had used a ride-hailing app by 2019, compared to only 15% in 2015. The apps are also uniquely popular among young people. The same study noted that over 50% […]

When we first come into recovery, whether by way of rehab, counseling, or a 12-step program, many of us are inundated with new experiences. Our days may be filled with therapy, support group meetings, and other activities designed to show us a new way to live. But as we learn to integrate these techniques into […]

It’s been roughly a year since COVID made its debut in the United States, and at this point, many are experiencing pandemic fatigue. Specifically, the mental health of teens and adolescents is being tested. Place drugs or alcohol in the mix, and it’s a recipe for angst and tragedy. Sadly, in early February 2021, Dr. […]

Music enhances the lives of so many of us. Stevie Wonder captures that essence in “Sir Duke.” “Music is a world within itself/With a language we all understand/With an equal opportunity/For all to sing, dance and clap their hands.” The Hamilton Brothers agree in “Music Makes the World Go Round.” “Music makes my world go […]

Hollywood has created some good and not-so-good movies about addiction over the years. Although subjective to the viewer, the ‘not-so-good’ movies tend to romanticize, water-down, or misrepresent addiction, while the ‘good’ movies offer a level of gritty realism and authenticity on the nature of addiction. While character motivation, drug of choice, and circumstance differ in […]

Thanks to the success of Marvel’s Iron Man franchise, Robert Downey Jr. has become one of the most well-known (and highest-paid) actors in America. But the 55-year-old Oscar nominee—who’s been acting since he was a teen—almost became a statistic instead of a Hollywood heavyweight. A profound example of the power of addiction, his battle with […]