What’s in That Drink? Why Standard Drink Size Matters
What’s in that drink? And why does it matter? The most visited post on my blog is Alcohol by Volume (ABV) and “Proof” Explained. It’s no wonder. People are desperate for information about drink sizes and what makes one drink more potent than another. They are desperate to figure out why their loved one, friend,…
Read MoreAlcohol-Induced Blackouts – Are They Real?
Alcohol-induced blackouts – seriously — they can’t remember what they did or said? How many times have you found yourself uttering incredulous gasps, “What do you mean you don’t remember?” or engaging in an argument with someone you care about because of something they said or did while they were drunk? Have you ever had…
Read MoreSomeone’s Drinking Ruined the Holidays?
Someone’s drinking ruined the holidays? Perhaps you’re anticipating it will. “They’ve ruined just about every birthday, wedding, anniversary, Thanksgiving, graduation…need I go on? And yet they promise – PROMISE – this time it will be different. This time they’ll keep it to one or two or only drink beer or wine – ‘no hard stuff.’”…
Read MoreBrain Development and Substance Use
Brain development – the growth of the brain from the time we are in utero until we mature (early-to-mid 20s) – is one of the lesser-known factors that has a dramatic influence on how our brains wire and map. And this influence and the resulting brain wiring and mapping have a dramatic influence on how…
Read MoreRelapse | How Often Does it Happen and Why
Relapse is when a person in recovery or abstinence from alcohol or other drugs use disorders starts drinking or using again. I discuss five reasons people relapse after years of sobriety in my post of this same name. These include: Not understanding the basics of how the brain works Not understanding relapse is a hallmark…
Read MoreShame | Darlene Lancer Shares Her Shame Experience
Shame. Shame like that which surrounds all concerned when substance use or mental health disorders are part of a family’s dynamic. “It lurks in the unconscious, undermines self-esteem, and creates anxiety and havoc in our lives. The magnitude of feeling different, inadequate, or inferior can be unbearable. It’s the feeling of being a bad, unworthy person,”…
Read MoreSmoke Rings Rising | Memoir – What Can Happen When ACEs Happen
Unless you’ve personally experienced ACEs – Adverse Childhood Experiences (which are extremely stressful or traumatic events before age 18) – it is hard to imagine what they are, let alone what experiencing them does to a child, let alone what those outcomes do to that child’s brain and lifetime health. [This article, Secondhand Drinking –…
Read MoreFinding Addiction | Mental Illness | CoOccurring Disorders Treatment
Finding addiction | mental illness | co-occurring disorders treatment can be daunting. Where to start, what to look for, what’s it cost, how long should it last, what is IOP…the list seems endless. Not only this, but there is no one or right way to do treatment. Some people construct their own treatment plan, while…
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