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 [...]
Returning to work after completing addiction treatment represents a major step in your recovery journey. It's normal to feel a little nervous and apprehensive about rejoining the workforce, but these tips can help you make a smoother transition. Know Your Rights When Returning to Work Alcoholism and drug addiction are considered disabilities under the Americans [...]
The relationship between trauma and substance use disorders is complex, but there's no doubt that experiencing a traumatic event can be a trigger for drug or alcohol abuse in vulnerable individuals. Thus, trauma-informed care can be beneficial in promoting a lasting recovery. How Trauma Leads to Substance Abuse Some of the different types of traumas [...]
What Do People Mean When They Talk About Mindfulness? Mindfulness refers to being fully present in the moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. Although the concept is based on Buddhist traditions, clinical psychologists have found that mindfulness practices can offer substantial benefits to people with substance use disorders. While [...]
Over the years, researchers have developed a number of theories to explain why some people struggle with addiction and others do not. One of the best-known theories regarding the development of substance use disorders is the gateway hypothesis. Understanding the Gateway Hypothesis The gateway hypothesis has been around since the 1970s and states that certain [...]
Whether you've known for some time that your friend is struggling with a substance use disorder or you only recently became aware of the problem, it's wonderful that you want to show your support for their desire to seek treatment. Worrying about saying—or doing—the wrong thing is understandable, but to ease your concerns the team [...]
The Christmas carol may claim that “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but for the majority of people who struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the winter months are anything but wonderful. While a small minority of people experience SAD in the spring or early summer, the bulk of sufferers struggle most during [...]
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that focuses on solving immediate concerns and helping people with substance use disorders develop the skills they need to stay sober. It’s much less intensive than other forms of psychotherapy, which means it can typically be completed as part of a 30-, 45-, or 90-day [...]
Addiction treatment plans are personalized to suit individual needs. In some cases, this may include the use of prescription medication to treat withdrawal symptoms, stabilize mood, and promote a solid foundation for recovery. Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction Medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction helps reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms and control [...]
The average adult requires seven to nine hours of sleep each night, but meeting this target can be difficult if you're in recovery for a substance use disorder. A study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that people in the early stages of recovery struggle with sleep problems at rates that are five times [...]
