Tag Archive

What Is the Addiction Severity Index (ASI)? The ASI is an assessment tool used by psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists to gauge the severity of a person’s substance abuse and provides a comprehensive overview of a person’s addiction-related issues.1 Established in 1980 in the United States, ASI screening can be used in a variety of settings, […]

“Just stop drinking or just stop using drugs.” This is not helpful advice to those battling an addiction. According to the Director of News in Health’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Dr. George Koob, the “common misperception is that addiction is a choice or moral problem…” The fact is that having a substance […]

According to Healthline, there are two types of addictions: chemical and behavioral. Chemical, or substance addiction, is the habitual use of a substance, as well as the compulsive need for it; whereas behavioral addiction involves repeated, persistent, and compulsive behaviors that tend to not offer any clear benefit. Although the two may seem similar in […]

Just like COVID itself has been polarized, so too are the vaccines to prevent the spread of the dangerous airborne virus. But are those who struggle with drug abuse and/or who are faced with comorbidities like mental health issues able to receive one of the COVID vaccines? Several studies have shown that individuals with a […]

Relapse can be part of the process of someone striving for long-term sobriety. Relapse is a return to using a drug that hasn’t been used for a period of time. It’s normal when it happens because sobriety takes practice. It’s also true that those in recovery should avoid relapse triggers, although this may be easier […]

Parents are protective of their children, regardless of how old they are. They want to keep them safe and want what’s best for them. Suspecting that their teens may hide drugs somewhere in the house can be alarming to many parents. It’s not just the secrecy of it all, but the fact that this may […]

Dealing with the death of any family member is tough. But coping with the loss of a child after an overdose on drugs is a hard pill to swallow. And knowing that the source of receiving the drugs was as easy to find as going to a social media account, makes the experience even more […]

Relapse can happen to anyone. More than likely, it happens to everyone who has battled an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Relapse is using a substance of dependence once again after not using for a period of time. It’s a common occurrence that users should be aware of. Stand-up comedian and Writer with Late Night […]

The holidays stir up different emotions for everyone. For those struggling with a substance use disorder, this time of year may serve as a trigger, create anxiety, or even a panic. This is all the better reason to get drug treatment during the holidays. Substance abuse is the habitual behavior of using a substance in […]

Like Christmas, recovery is a period of time to celebrate. Choosing each day to not drink or to not use drugs is equally as important as the moment when help was sought in the first place. The best Christmas gifts for someone new to recovery are the ones that show them how much you care. […]