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According to the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, approximately 1 in 8 children live with at least one parent with a substance use disorder (SUD), a medical condition defined by the uncontrollable use of a substance despite negative consequences.1 Parents can lose custody of their child or children where substance abuse issues […]

Genetics vs. Heredity: What’s the Difference? The terms genetics and heredity are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are differences that are important to understand. Genetics refers to the study of genes or heredity.1,2 Genes are units of DNA that are passed down from parents and specify certain traits.1 Genes are housed on chromosomes. Humans have […]

Are Substance Use Disorders Considered Disabilities? In short, yes. Diagnosable drug and alcohol addictions, or substance use disorders (SUDs), are considered disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.3 The consideration of what defines a disability may vary according to its […]

When you have a loved one with a substance use disorder, it can be both a relief and a challenging time when they enter drug and alcohol addiction treatment/rehab. You may feel helpless and confused about how to best support your loved one while they are in rehab and once they come home. As their […]

Becoming sober is a significant accomplishment and one that you should feel proud of. It’s not an easy task to quit drinking alcohol, especially when you are dependent on it. Going through an alcohol detox program helps you manage the withdrawal symptoms and gives you insight into why you may have started drinking. However, what […]

When you’re in recovery, the people you live with can have a big effect on your well-being—and vice-versa. For you both to succeed, it’s important to think about how you can help each other. It’s particularly important to find clean and sober roommates with a similar desire to improve their lives. To maximize your recovery, […]

The following self-assessment is meant for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be used to self-diagnose any condition. Only a licensed healthcare professional can give a complete substance use assessment and diagnosis. Instead, this questionnaire is designed to assist you with examining your behaviors and the nature of your substance use or the […]

On the occasion of Mother’s Day, we start with at a statistic. About one in five children live with a solo mom. This information comes from a post by the Pew Research Center. It refers to children younger than 18 years of age and to a snapshot of life in the U.S. It’s a big […]

A slice of life about seven parolees, all addicts, filled the pages of The Second Chance Club, a new book about the criminal justice system. These individuals shared the same legal status, penchant for using and parole officer. There was another common thread. Their parents – or, most often, the one and only parent on […]

Desirée Bujanda Misle is the mother of a son with addiction and the author of I, Mother of an Addict. Recently, she took time to write for AAC about her experiences with addiction, codependency, and motherhood. Addiction in the Family As the mother of a recovered addict, I went through this process burdened with guilt […]