Tag Archive

It seems the pandemic has contributed to changes in substance use with both teenagers and adults alike, but perhaps not necessarily in the manner in which we would expect. Nearly two years into this airborne virus, and it more than likely feels just as daunting now for many of us as it did in the […]

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 […]

The end of the year brings people together with Halloween parties in October, Thanksgiving dinner in November, and a plethora of holidays in December such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. These events can be exciting and sometimes overwhelming. The latter is especially true for those battling a substance use disorder or an alcohol use disorder. […]

Suicide and mental health impact all of us but affect men in particular at higher rates. Men are less likely to seek mental health treatment than women. As a national leader in the addiction space, American Addiction Centers (AAC) would like to acknowledge International Men’s Health Week. The purpose is to raise awareness of men’s […]

Veterans Day is a day to honor those who have served in the United States military and is celebrated annually on November 11th. These dedicated men and women have put their lives on the line for their country, and inevitably, for all of us. And unfortunately, after being discharged, many, especially those who have served […]

In addition to Thanksgiving and Veteran’s Day, November is home to Transgender Awareness week, which is observed between the 13th-19th of this month. The purpose is to address the issues faced by the transgender community, in addition to raising visibility about them as well. And visibility is definitely needed. Misinformation, as well as limited information […]

Feeling invincible gives an individual the courage to believe in the impossible, to take action, and inevitably to take risks. Channeled through a positive and calculated plan with a specific goal, this mindset may appear to be optimistic. However, if used recklessly while under the influence of drugs or alcohol such as cocaine addiction, it […]

Labels aren’t always bad. Labels can reflect positive characteristics, set productive expectations, and provide meaningful goals for us. However, often the labels we use to describe one another are based on unsubstantiated assumptions and stereotypes. These labels may be associated with race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. They may also be the stigmatizing labels […]

If fentanyl was a houseguest, it has definitely worn out its welcome in the United States. It’s a Schedule II prescription drug meant to manage pain after surgery or to treat individuals with severe pain. Additionally, it’s a synthetic opioid, which happens to be 50-100 times more potent than morphine. The problem? Some individuals are […]

Scholar and Poet Thad Ziolkowski’s writes “…the most addictive sport can help us understand addiction and recovery.” Ziolkowski’s book On a Wave references surfing as the activity that can offer this insight based on Thad’s life experience. The Rush of Addiction vs. Riding a Wave Addiction is a medical disease that’s both treatable and recurrent. […]