Codependency is quite common in relationships where substance abuse is occurring. Typically, the addict is cared for by their partner. This leads to enabling and codependency. The partner then takes on the role of a caretaker. Such a situation is common for people who have been raised with an addicted parent, which brings in the...
The term “peer pressure” is often associated with children, teenagers, and young adults and it’s usually considered to be something negative. You may think about when your peers encouraged you to skip school or use illicit substances. If you’re a parent, you may be constantly worried that your kids will be pressured into doing the...
The national average for overdoses in the U.S. was 14 per 100,000 in 2016. These numbers originate from what users are reporting voluntarily. Actual numbers are much higher, as the criminalization of drug use encourages secrecy. Substance abuse is a public health problem, not a criminal problem. The less accessible help is for users, the more that...
As the holidays draw nearer, we’ve been seeing a lot of “how not to drink during the holidays” type pieces circling around online. While we love this sentiment (we’ve actually written about before here, here, and here) and we love some people’s takes on the subject, it’s clear that some people really don’t understand the...
“Is there anyone out there who still isn’t clear about what doing drugs does? Okay, last time.” “This is your brain. This is drugs. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?” Actually, yes. Can I get mine over easy? Or is it easy over – I can never remember. All jokes aside, if you...
These days, it seems that everywhere you look, someone is in recovery from drugs and alcohol abuse. You can’t flip on the television, check your email, or even buy groceries without being bombarded with tabloids and headlines boasting the next celebrity rehab fail or relapse. When shed in such a volatile light, it can be...
When you know someone who is recovering from drug abuse or even when you are going through it yourself, the better you understand the science of addiction and what causes it, the better you will be able to move toward long-term recovery. We think that one of the best ways to learn about tough topics...
