American Addiction Centers Blog

A History of the ‘Dry Drunk’ The term dry drunk syndrome was originally coined by the creators of the 12-Step program, Alcoholics Anonymous. Author R.J. Solberg defined the term in his 1970 book, The Dry Drunk Syndrome, as “the presence of actions and attitudes that characterized the alcoholic prior to recovery.” Someone struggling with dry […]

Blurred Lines: 1 in 5 Americans admit lying to their doctor about how much alcohol they consume. Half of drinkers would ignore their doctor’s advice to cut down their alcohol intake. Men are more likely to lie about their drinking than women. Infographic included on why not to lie about your drinking habits.  It’s no […]

What Is Alcohol Use Disorder? According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 29.5 million people, aged 12 or older, had a diagnosable alcohol use disorder.1 In 2022, more men than women had an alcohol use disorder—almost 17.4 million men compared to 12.2 million women. Additionally, 753,0000 adolescents—aged 12-17—had an alcohol use […]

What is Alcohol Moderation Management? Alcohol moderation management is a form of harm reduction for those struggling with the consequences of alcohol use and who do not have an alcoholism issue. Alcohol moderation is not the same as alcohol abstinence. Those who suffer from drinking problems, in general, do not respond well to a one-size-fits-all […]

Social media is an undeniably powerful force of our modern culture. From geopolitical governance to trending makeup tutorials, social media has been proven able to shape, shift, and shake our collective consciousness. When it comes to recovery-oriented or sober lifestyles, social media has increasingly become a beacon for many–both for “sober curious” individuals and those […]

Launched in 2006 by then President George W. Bush, National Methamphetamine Awareness Day is observed annually on Nov. 30 as part of an effort to educate the public about the effects and dangers of meth. But given the overabundance of national days, including everything from National Cereal Day (March 7th) to Hagfish Day (celebrated the […]

Some of us may have heard the urban legend about razor blades being hidden in candy apples on Halloween, and some of us are old enough to remember our parents checking every piece of candy to make sure there weren’t razor blades hidden in our loot. Now, parents don’t worry about sharp objects in their […]

The holidays aren’t just filled with parties, Santa, and Aunt Betty’s famous fudge. They’re also jam-packed with time-strapped travel, stress, and high expectations. And for those in recovery, the holidays can also come with a stocking full of triggers, including people, places, and events that present both the opportunity and the lure to return to […]

Why is Thanksgiving the perfect time for rehab? For those struggling with addiction, treatment is the best gift you can give yourself, as few things can change your life as much or as quickly as sobriety. And when it comes to treatment, now—regardless of the time of year—is the best time to start. That’s the […]

For many in early recovery, football season may present challenges to sobriety. With the stresses of tailgating or football-watching from home—both of which tend to include lots of alcohol and food—it can be tempting to slip into old habits. You might ask, “How can I enjoy a whole season of football with friends without drinking?” […]

Importance of Telling Family and Friends You’re Going to Rehab Making the decision to go to rehab and seek help for an addiction is not an easy one to make. One of the hardest steps in recovery is making the decision to go to treatment, but it is also natural to worry about the perceptions […]

What is Stress, and Why are College Students so Affected by It? College can be a blast, filled with friends, adventures, and growth. At the same time, it can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life, as days are often jampacked with classes, studying, and work. Plus, simply adulting on one’s […]