American Addiction Centers Blog

The path to sobriety from alcohol is riddled with many bumps in the road. An addiction doesn’t end in one day. Instead it’s a series of ongoing daily choices to live a sober life. Free from substance abuse. It begins with the individual taking the first step by seeking help. New York Yankees’ Baseball Legend […]

Feeling stressed? Take a series of slow deep breaths; then repeat. That’s the recommended front-line defense to help us relax and cope with tension. This simple technique is fundamental to Qigong, also known as qi-gong or qi gong. A gentle, yet powerful system of coordinated body, breath and mind exercises, Qi-Gong traces its roots to […]

It can be difficult to understand the level of communication that’s appropriate and effective while your loved one is in rehab. Even before they enter treatment, you might be involved in finding a treatment program. Intake staff may ask you questions about your loved one’s substance abuse patterns or other family dynamics. If your loved […]

Being sober or clean and sober means not using drugs and alcohol, ever. Twelve-step programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous, even consider “clean and sober” to mean staying away from any substances that change how your mind or emotions work. However, there is greater efforts in the United States to legalize medical and recreational marijuana (known […]

There are ways to recognize substance abuse. Those who are suffering from a substance use disorder may not admit to their own addiction or may not even be aware that they have one to begin with. Couple this with a co-occurring mental health disorder, and they can feel overwhelmed by their life experience. At American […]

If you’re newly sober, nutrition may be the last thing on your mind. And while you certainly shouldn’t deny yourself a yummy cookie or a plate of fries every now and then (it’s certainly better than a drink or a drug!), being mindful about what you eat can help make the recovery process easier. In […]

If you have a loved one preparing to come home from rehab, you may be filled with mixed emotions. Completing rehab is a monumental step, and while you are likely excited and proud of your loved one, you may also be worried about them leaving the safe environment of a rehab facility. You could also […]

Despite the pandemic driving up alcohol sales, there are still people who simply don’t drink—pre-COVID and even now. Part of this population are those who used to drink, but have chosen to quit and are now sober. Another part of this population are known as a teetotaler. Teetotalism is the practice of abstaining from alcoholic […]

It’s over. You made it through detox or a full treatment program for addiction. And you attained your overarching goal! You’re walking through the exit of the facility to re-enter the world at large. Moving from the confines of a protected space can be daunting for a newly sober person. Gone is the intensive structure […]

Looking for ways to strengthen your recovery in 2021? The start of a new year is the perfect time to rededicate yourself to sobriety by setting specific goals for the 12 months ahead. Nothing overwhelming, nothing unrealistic – just simple, attainable resolutions to help you reinforce your commitment to staying sober one day at a […]

For most, virtual reality (VR) headsets are a sort of novelty. The technology made its debut in consumer markets about half a decade ago. Since then, VR has branched out into other realms, becoming commonplace everywhere from movie theatres to museums. But only recently has VR made its way into the medical field. Some visionary […]

To those battling a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental illness, may not feel like there’s necessarily a new you just because it’s a new year. And maybe you’re also dealing with the loss of a loved one or a job due to COVID-19. Compound those challenges, and each day may feel overwhelming. Dealing […]