The majority of the population has a challenging time understanding the nature of addiction, and what makes someone vulnerable to addiction. Symptoms of addiction may appear baffling to the average temperate drinker, who is able to control and enjoy his or her drinking. Sociability, conviviality, and celebration are typical associations with the moderate drinker’s experience with alcohol and/ or recreational drugs like marijuana, which has now been legalized in several states; however, the alcoholic

If you are transitioning out of rehab, you may be fraught with anxiety. Now that you’re clean, you’re stronger and better equipped to manage life’s challenges. But no matter how solid your commitment to sobriety might be it, it will undoubtedly be tested as you return to “real life.” For many, the world they left behind to seek treatment is filled with the very pressures that fed their addiction in the first place.

“Evidence-based model” has become such a popular buzzword in the mental health community that it is often thrown around without any explanation as to what it means. While the name provides a clue, the details get often lost or go unexplained to the general community. Read on to learn about the history and components of common evidence-based treatment models.

Overview

Evidence-based treatment practices originated long ago in the medical

The belief that certain drugs or alcohol enhance creativity has been around for centuries. Beethoven and Van Gogh had exceptional talent and were alcoholics. During the 1960’s psychotropic drugs were often taken by musicians to expand their mind and inspire creativity. Even today, Silicon Valley tech workers are justifying the use of micro-doses of LSD to facilitate productivity and creativity. It is certainly likely that illicit drugs can lead to original

    “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

Meditation (Step 11 of the 12-Steps)

Once seen as a helpful adjunct to addiction recovery, meditation is listed in the 11th step of the 12-step program.

“Detox” is often tossed around, meaning everything from beauty-boosting juice cleanses to severing ties with poisonous friends. But in the realm of alcohol and drug treatment, detox is a term that holds tremendous significance: it’s the first fundamental step on the road towards recovery. As common as the word might be, many people don’t know what, exactly, detox means—or how long it will last. And within that uncertainty, fear often breeds,

The pressure that comes with the ups and downs of everyday life can be difficult to manage, especially when someone is accustomed to suppressing or avoiding it with drugs and alcohol. The ability to relieve stress in a healthy manner is an important component of long-term recovery.

Purpose and Meaning

Creative expression does not require specialized skills or formal training. It is a personal process, a cathartic method that does not

We cannot erase what we have done or what has happened to us in the past, but holding on to guilt and resentment will hinder emotional and spiritual growth. A negative outlook can lead to anger, hopelessness and eventual relapse. Instead, approaching each day as a new beginning and a chance to make better choices can foster hope and lead to positive action. Thankfully, there are steps that people can take

It is no secret that substance abuse takes a toll on an individual, but the damage might not always be obvious. Usually, the problems that stick out are physical symptoms. Even medical issues that are not visible from the outside, such as liver disease and hepatitis, can be observed and are easily measured by medical professionals. What might not be as evident are three other detrimental effects that active addiction can

There are different levels of drinking, from moderate to heavy. While it is apparent to most people that an alcoholic drinks more than someone at a moderate level, few people understand that the differences are definable by the number of drinks, frequency of drinking, and whether there is a dependence on alcohol or not.

How Many Drinks and How Often?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines