American Addiction Centers Blog
Alcohol Awareness Month: How to Support The Cause
March 28, 2024
Alcohol Awareness Month aims to increase public awareness about alcohol and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). As a public outreach campaign, it cultivates consciousness regarding everything from the adverse effects of alcohol and its impact on individuals and communities to alcohol use disorder prevention and treatment. So what can you do to support Alcohol Awareness Month? […]
When holidays roll around, uncomfortable emotions related to substance misuse often come to the forefront. Whether it’s you or another family member that is suffering from a substance use disorder, celebratory events such as Thanksgiving, Father’s Day, Hanukkah, Christmas, and more can bring up the pain, frustration, anger, shame, etc., that often accompany substance misuse […]
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health disorder that causes an individual trouble recovering from a traumatic event. Symptoms can vary and can range from mild to severe, chronic, and possibly debilitating. Certain groups, such as Veterans, are more likely to suffer from PTSD, though the condition can affect anybody who experienced a […]
June 6th marks the anniversary of D-Day, one of the most important military operations of the 20th Century. The fighting saw heavy casualties, with many soldiers going on to live with physical, behavioral, and emotional wounds. Battle wounds are an unfortunate way of military life, and scar Veterans even today. Veterans struggling with physical and […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a great opportunity for us to not only observe the month, but to learn about mental illness. Social stigma against those with a mental health disorder remains prevalent. Mental Health Awareness Month is about eroding this stigma. We have the non-profit organization Medical Health America (MHA) to thank […]
Modern smartphones and apps have revolutionized how we communicate, and how we engage with sobriety and recovery. Just a decade ago things were very different for those in recovery. Days spent in sobriety would need to be counted with pen and paper, or a good memory. AA and 12-Step meetings would need to be done […]
For those in early recovery, eating at restaurants while sober can be challenging. While the actual eating part should be easy, you may be faced with old temptations, especially if the restaurant serves alcohol. Eating out with friends and family who drink can also place social pressures on you to break sobriety and drink. And […]
Lockdown Jitters: 1 in 3 Americans would consider prescription anxiety/depression medication if lockdowns are extended. Alabamians are least likely to consider prescription anxiety/depression medication during lockdown, while Wyomingites are most likely. Expert advice on how to manage your mental health during lockdown. A survey of 3,193 Americans in quarantine by American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of […]
Parents have some major responsibilities, including raising their children to be healthy, productive, positive contributors to society. Mothers, in particular, tend to take on the nurturing role when it comes to helping their children develop these characteristics. Most mothers do what they can to protect their children from any harm. Unfortunately, addiction isn’t necessarily something […]
As spring sets in and the weather warms, you may find a renewed energy for honoring past resolutions and commitments. Indeed, May is a time for new beginnings, for sticking to new plans to live life to the fullest. Or, in the case of those who struggle with addiction, a time to start again in […]
What is the Link Between Drug Addiction and Unemployment? Research suggests that unemployment rate is significantly associated with substance use treatment admissions. For instance, a unit increase in state unemployment rate was associated with a 9% increase in treatment admissions for opioids. Similar results were found for other substances, including admissions for cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, […]
Stressful times can often lead to stressful situations. If you’re in recovery, you likely know this. Stress can be a major trigger for relapsing into substance abuse and addiction. Sometimes you can minimize the stress you experience, but there are also times when stress comes from areas outside our control. As one might expect, the […]
Many people are terrified of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). And understandably so, for as much as we’ve learned about this virus over the last few weeks, there are still many unknowns. In the end, it’s important to seek facts from reliable sources and to remain updated. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands. Disinfect heavily-touched surfaces. […]