When most people think of the abuse of prescription medications, they imagine individuals who are struggling with an addiction to opioid painkillers. However, benzodiazepines also have a significant potential for abuse and addiction. What Are Benzos? Benzodiazepines, often simply called benzos, are a class of prescription drugs most commonly used to treat anxiety. However, they [...]
Weighing about three pounds, the liver is a dark reddish-brown organ located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity. It plays a vital role in maintaining a person's overall health, but about one in 10 Americans suffers from some type of liver disease. Excess alcohol consumption is one of the most well-known risk [...]
If this is your first summer in recovery, you may be wondering how you'll fill those long days without alcohol. Pop culture has programmed us to romanticize drinking as a crucial part of summertime fun, but the truth is that summer is 100% better when you're sober. When your mind, body, and spirit are healthy, [...]
What Is Gray Area Drinking? The concept of gray area drinking was popularized by Jolene Park in a 2017 TED talk. While this is not a medical diagnosis, the concept may be useful in helping you to determine if your alcohol consumption deserves a closer look. A Brief Gray Area Drinking Quiz Pop culture doesn't [...]
Suicide & Substance Abuse According to the CDC, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. There were 45,979 deaths as a result of suicide in 2020—the equivalent of about one death every 11 minutes. Many factors affect a person's suicide risk, including poverty, childhood trauma, bullying, and a family history of [...]
Anxiety Disorders & Addiction It is normal for a person to feel anxious in certain circumstances, such as before a first date or job interview. However, some people struggle with anxiety that is more prolonged and difficult to control. Anxiety disorders are characterized by symptoms such as: Worry and fear that never seems to go [...]
What Is an Addictive Personality? When people say someone has an addictive personality, they are often implying that a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol will be unable to ever meaningfully change their behavior. This simply isn't true. No matter what challenges a person has experienced in the past, there's always hope for [...]
HALT: Anger Management Over time, unchecked anger takes a toll on your mind and body. It can lead to a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms—including teeth grinding, headaches, anxiety, muscle tension, and trouble sleeping. If you've ever heard the HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired) acronym used to describe the most common relapse triggers, you [...]
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States. About 18% of Americans used marijuana at least once in 2019 and roughly 30% of these individuals met the diagnostic criteria for a marijuana use disorder. Medical Marijuana Is on the Scene Now The [...]
Family Members & Your Recovery In a perfect world, you could count on your parents, siblings, and other family members to always have your best interests at heart and to be supportive of your efforts to build a better future. Unfortunately, many of us have learned the hard way that our families are deeply flawed. [...]
