Tag Archive

Terms such as “alcoholic,” “alcoholism,” and “alcohol abuse” are generally terms we avoid using in the articles we publish at American Addiction Centers (AAC). Stigmatizing language, like this, can create a negative bias, perpetuate the view that addiction is a moral failing—and not a medical disease—and adversely impact treatment retention. Additionally, research shows that stigma […]

Clinicians who treat individuals with substance use disorders define the term relapse a bit differently than the way the term is defined by laypeople and even the way it is defined in 12-Step programs. In clinical terms, a relapse represents a return to behaving in a way that would constitute an individual being re-diagnosed with […]

What is Insomnia? When a person’s sleep is poor, they are at an increased risk for numerous health problems including diabetes, heart disease, depression, and obesity.1  Some people choose to unwind before bed with alcohol, which can act as a sedative that slows down brain activity.2 However, the research suggests that alcohol consumption generally has […]

I used to think that people beyond my close circle were really paying attention to my “epic” struggle to quit drinking. In my alcohol-fueled self-importance, I imagined that my mere existence was a major concern for everyone. The truth was, my drinking habits were as unimportant to my acquaintances as theirs were to me. Fortunately, […]

Children of Alcoholics Week happens this month, and for many people in recovery, the struggles caused by growing up with a parent living with an active addiction continue to plague their abilities to live balanced and emotionally healthy lives. A child who grows up with a parent or caregiver who drinks heavily and/or uses drugs […]

Terms such as “alcoholic,” “substance abuse,” and “brain damage” are generally terms we avoid using in the articles we publish at American Addiction Centers (AAC). Words and phrases like these are stigmatizing statements, which can create a negative bias, perpetuate the view that addiction is a moral failing—and not a treatable medical disease that individuals […]

Although alcohol can make a person feel happy, pleasant, and sociable in short periods of time, excessive or chronic, long-term drinking can lead to alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction, officially referred to as an alcohol use disorder. Chronic alcohol use is also associated with other cognitive and mental health issues, including problems with learning or […]

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. Though the answers to some of these questions could be taken as an opportunity to speak more specifically with a doctor or other treatment professional about your drinking, they should not be used to make a definitive self-diagnosis. For official diagnoses, qualified healthcare professionals […]

What Is Binge Drinking? The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that increases your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to roughly 0.08 grams per deciliter. While alcohol affects everyone differently, this 0.08 level is typically achieved with 5 standard drinks in 2 hours for men and […]

What is Naltrexone? The opioid antagonist Naltrexone (brand names: ReVia, Vivitrol, and Depade) is a medication that is FDA-approved to treat those who suffer from alcohol use disorders and opioid use disorders.1 The drug comes in a pill form (Depade and the more popular version ReVia) and as an extended-release injectable form (Vivitrol). Naltrexone is […]