Tag Archive

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 […]

  An addiction may be hard to explain and even harder for many to understand. It’s a medical disease that’s both treatable and recurrent. It includes complicated interactions between brain circuits, the individual’s life experience, the environment, and genetics. And specifically, substance abuse can be a challenging addiction to face, but with help and treatment, […]

Over 50% of individuals with mental illness, spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain injury abuse either alcohol or drugs. In honor of Disability Pride Month, we want to acknowledge all those with a disability, inclusive of those individuals who happen to struggle with an alcohol or drug addiction. Substance abuse is a challenge that impacts […]

Those who have battled with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, and have gotten sober despite the obstacles, each have their own unique journey. Substance use disorder (SUD) or an alcohol use disorder (AUD) have a huge impact on the users as well as their families. And although that initial impact may be negative, the […]

“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 […]