Veterans, Suicide and the Substance Abuse Connection

Veterans, Suicide and the Substance Abuse Connection. It’s real, and it’s rooted in the brain changes caused by the mental health impacts of war – anxiety, depression, PTSD, for example. These impacts often cause a veteran (and any person with a mental illness, for that matter) to turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate the…

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Secrecy and Shame Surrounding Addiction Keep Us Stuck

In my opinion, the secrecy and shame surrounding addiction – now understood to be a chronic, often relapsing brain disease – are what keeps us stuck in the old ways of treating, intervening and preventing substance abuse and addiction. The Historical Reasons When Robert Smith and Bill Wilson (Dr. Bob and Bill W.) co-founded Alcoholics…

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Signs of a Possible Relapse | SAMHSA

Understanding that relapse can be part of a person’s recovery is important. But even more important is to understand the signs of a possible relapse so that it can be avoided all together. Addiction Relapse Explained Because addiction is now understood to be a chronic, often relapsing brain disease — one that results in cravings…

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Feelings During Early Recovery From Addiction | Alcoholism

Addicts | alcoholics experience a number of common feelings during early recovery from addiction | alcoholism. Learning what they are and that these feelings and emotions are normal during early recovery is important not only for the addict | alcoholic, but for their family members and friends, as well. Knowing the Common Feelings During Early…

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Relapse Prevention – What’s Your Anti-Drug / Anti-Drink?

Relapse prevention – What’s your anti-drug | anti-drink? Once an addict/alcoholic clears their system of their substance of choice (through detox), s/he must work to re-train and repair his/her brain in order to recover from their addiction. Why? Because addiction is defined as a chronic, often relapsing brain disease. What does this have to do…

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Rehab – What More Could You Want?

Rehab at a 28 days at a residential treatment facility – what more could you want to treat a drug addiction or alcoholism? Short answer: so, so much more! The common perception is that finally getting a loved one with a drug or alcohol addiction into a 28-day residential rehab treatment program will take care…

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