American Addiction Centers Blog

Most of us would agree that the presence of an animal can improve one’s mood and relieve feelings of loneliness. But when it comes to treating serious mental health issues such as addiction and co-occurring psychological disorders, even the most ardent animal lovers might be skeptical about how helpful our four-legged friends can be. Nevertheless, […]

The holidays stir up different emotions for everyone. For those struggling with a substance use disorder, this time of year may serve as a trigger, create anxiety, or even a panic. This is all the better reason to get drug treatment during the holidays. Substance abuse is the habitual behavior of using a substance in […]

As with all forms of anxiety, social anxiety disorder (SAD) can destroy our ability to connect with others. Oftentimes, anxiety can lead us to believe that we’re “different”, “too much”, or “not enough”. Someone with SAD may feel extreme fear or anxiety in social situations and feel uncomfortable meeting new people or simply having a […]

Modern humans (i.e., homo sapiens) have been around for roughly 300,000 years. The digital age, driven by laptops, mobile phones, the internet, etc., has existed since the ‘80s. While there’s no turning back from technological progress, nor would most people want to, it’s important to understand that the digital age constitutes but a miniscule blip […]

**Survey of 3,000 Americans (Google surveys; November 2020)

In a year marked by sickness, economic uncertainty, and social division, the 2020 Christmas season is a welcomed reprieve from the realities of this past year. With a new year approaching, the comforting nostalgia of Christmas past is an alluring proposition. Many will stream Christmas lights, decorate their tree with keepsake ornaments, brainstorm for perfect […]

Plans are in place. You’re on your way to recovery by opting for residential treatment to help get you there. There’s so much going through your head as you embark on this journey. So let’s lessen the load by addressing one aspect. What do you bring with you to rehab? The short answer is as […]

“Being present” is a term you’ve likely heard thrown around in conversations or via the web or social media, whether you’re in recovery or not. But what does it mean to stay present, how do you go about actually doing it, and why might someone want to stay present in recovery? Staying present—or mindful—in your […]

With many states legalizing marijuana, and Oregon going as far as to decriminalize possession of most other drugs, one question is on a lot of peoples’ minds: won’t easing restrictions on drug use (legal or illicit) increase injuries and deaths on the road? Often, a counter-question is posed in response: is drugged driving really any […]

Like Christmas, recovery is a period of time to celebrate. Choosing each day to not drink or to not use drugs is equally as important as the moment when help was sought in the first place. The best Christmas gifts for someone new to recovery are the ones that show them how much you care. […]

It’s often said that necessity is the mother of invention. Considering the ongoing opioid epidemic and the 14 million adults with alcohol use disorder, the demand for addiction treatment is rising. The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has caused stress on the addiction treatment industry, challenging traditional treatment methods. In short, there is an ongoing […]

It’s that time again. The days are short. There’s a chill in the air. Taking that long walk or going for a jog seems unappealing. Instead, hunkering down indoors and feeling blah may transpire. But what if feeling so very blah interferes with life? This may be a case of SAD, short for seasonal affective […]