American Addiction Centers Blog

While the cause for addiction is still widely unknown, there are certain contributing factors that may make some people more prone to developing substance use disorders. These risk factors include genetic predisposition, mental health issues, poverty, and a history of traumatic experiences.1  It is not uncommon for those seeking treatment for drug and alcohol addiction […]

Deciding to seek treatment for addiction takes courage. It is a personal choice that can be difficult to make. Often, you’re sitting at rock bottom before the idea of getting treatment even crosses your mind.  Suddenly, you’re thrust into a world of having to decide what the best way to seek help looks like for you. […]

Our public libraries have a treasure trove of resources. There are books, of course. Let’s not forget newspapers, magazines, educational programs, book clubs, computers, movies, children’s and cultural events. The list goes on. Libraries serve a vital role in their communities. Many people remember the experience of getting their very first library card. I know […]

The dominoes continue to fall for opioid makers and distributors. On June 10th, Insys Therapeutics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It is the first opioid manufacturer to do so. The bankruptcy comes just five days after the Phoenix-based drugmaker agreed to pay a $225 million settlement to the federal government over allegations that it […]

It was early in the day on Christmas Eve. Before the dental surgeon went off on holiday, he saw one last patient for a complex wisdom tooth extraction. That’s not quite accurate. All four of the teenager’s impacted wisdom teeth were going to be removed. The procedure went smoothly and the young man and his […]

Funny how finding sobriety after a long and very active illness cleared up so much. Not only do I feel better and think more clearly, but I also look better, my eyes are not as sensitive, my nose has lost the redness and bumps that worried me so much, and I have a lot more […]

What prevents people struggling with substance abuse from undergoing treatment? Start counting the ways. We interrupt this exercise to offer a reason that may not be top of mind. One word sums it up: transportation. Having a means of getting to treatment makes a difference. How important is it? An article in Modern Healthcare explains. […]

Some people consider an office their second home, which is somewhat appropriate. Considering that the average person spends roughly a third of their lives working, it’s only natural to develop a connection to your workplace. However, this also means that sometimes household and family problems can become workplace problems. Case in point: alcohol abuse. Traditionally […]

The Saga Continues… After several months of high-profile lawsuits against some of the country’s biggest opioid companies filling the headlines, we have reached what is perhaps the most dramatic episode yet. Earlier this month, a federal jury convicted top executives at the pharmaceutical producer Insys Therapeutics of bribing doctors to hock its fentanyl-based painkiller, among […]

Did Lynette Scavo deserve the moniker “desperate” in the former TV series Desperate Housewives? You bet ya’. Here’s a case in point. In “Running to Stand Still,” during the first season, this mother of young children had way too much to do in a compressed amount of time. How did she accomplish her must-do tasks? […]

Memorial Day weekend is here, and we know that holidays and family gatherings can be difficult for those struggling with addiction. Old family feuds, drama between family members, or disapproval of things that have happened in the past tend to come up during family functions. All of this can be extremely stressful. There is no […]

When we last left Purdue Pharma and its Sackler family owners, they were deliberating a new line of products. It was the year 2014, marked by massive numbers of users addicted to Purdue’s OxyContin pills and other opioids. The team recognized the crisis they helped make; however, rather than seek ways to stave it, they […]