American Addiction Centers Blog
What no one tells you about burnout when loving someone with addiction
September 10, 2026
Addiction acts as a wrecking ball not only for the life of the person struggling but to their entire family unit. Author David Sheff summed up the experience in his memoir “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction”: “Anyone who has lived through it, or those who are now living through it, knows […]
What are Hard Seltzers? Hard seltzers consist of clear carbonated water mixed with an alcohol base—usually derived from fermented cane sugar—and flavored with real fruit or natural flavors. Most hard seltzers are free of gluten and contain 4%-7% alcohol by volume (ABV). Less alcohol means less calories, which is part of the appeal for some. […]
Why is it Important to Have Fun in Recovery? Simply put, fun is a form of self-care that can ultimately help you avoid relapse. But let’s dig a little deeper to better understand what this means. Relapse happens over time and in various stages. That is, you typically don’t just wake up one day and […]
Benefits of Pet Ownership During Recovery When it comes to addiction treatment and recovery, pet ownership usually doesn’t make the top-10 list of therapy recommendations. However, based on a host of studies and anecdotal reports about the perks of pet ownership, maybe it should. Pets—including everything from cats and dogs to lizards and rabbits—can offer […]
Tap the info into your mobile phone, grab your earbuds and click on a program. Or boot up your computer, laptop or tablet, tune in and hit play. Perhaps do the same while traveling in your car, walking the dog, or doing the dishes. Do what? Listen to a podcast about addiction and recovery. A […]
Operating an alcohol and/or substance use disorder treatment center in today’s digital landscape requires a strategic marketing approach. While it’s critical to employ empathy and understanding while trying to reach this unique population, competition is fierce. In fact, according to FindTreatment.gov, a search tool offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the […]
Oh the Places You Can Go Without Alcohol Looking for a last-minute summer getaway or planning a future trip that doesn’t involve alcohol. Traveling can have its triggers, and while it used to be harder to find “dry” adventures in the booze-soaked travel industry, substance-free vacationing is actually a lot easier—and more fun—thanks to dry […]
Is it better for a person to go to drug or alcohol rehab close to home or far away from home? In most cases, traveling to rehab is preferred over going to a place near where you live. While this may seem counterintuitive, expensive, and logistically challenging, in many cases, it may be best […]
What is a Drug or Alcohol Relapse—and How is It Different from a Lapse? A relapse—which is often called a “recurrence” or a “return to substance use”—is simply an instance of substance use that occurs following a significant period of abstinence.1 When someone experiences a relapse, they may return to the same level of use […]
Summertime barbecues and all-inclusive vacations seem to be synonymous with alcohol consumption. So how does an individual in recovery maintain sobriety when those around them imbibe—sometimes heavily? Try these 7 tips to stay sober—and still have lots of fun—during festivities and travel this summer: 1. Throw a Party Summertime barbecues and pool parties typically involve […]
Overt Costs of Alcohol It’s difficult to keep a running total of how much you spend on each alcoholic drink, particularly because prices vary dramatically. After all, the wine you purchase at a local store and consume at home likely has a radically different price tag than the same bottle you purchased at a fine-dining […]
Substance Misuse and Women Biologically, women are different. Sex hormones may make women more sensitive to substance use. For instance, as a result of substance use, women may experience adverse cardiovascular and neurological effects differently than men. Additionally, certain substances may cause panic attacks, anxiety, or depression in women. Furthermore, research indicates that women, who […]
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, unease, and/or fear that’s often accompanied by physical feelings such as nausea and chest tightness. “Hangxiety” (i.e., hangover anxiety), on the other hand, involves anxiety-like feelings that occur after drinking alcohol, most often following a night of drinking. Studies have found that alcohol can cause anxiety, especially when consumed […]
