Whether for pleasure or business, traveling can be challenging for those working hard to stay sober. Traveling can feel like the ultimate test of your sobriety. With a little planning and foresight, you can minimize the risk and enjoy travel keeping these tips in mind: Become familiar with your destination When researching a vacation […]
Can Travel be the Ultimate Test of Your Sobriety? Tips for Sober Travel Read More »
Love addiction is sometimes called ‘pathological love’. When healthy feelings of attachment and affection become obsessive and uncontrollable, they become pathological. How does this happen? Why are some people driven to an insatiable need for love? Although currently undefined, there is a consensus that love addiction, is a behavioral addiction. It is described as a
Love addiction: Sometimes called Pathological Love — is There Such a Thing? Read More »
How Survivors Heal From The Trauma To Move Forward . . . According to The Foundation for Suicide, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2017, 47,173 Americans died by suicide and 1,400,000.00 suicide attempts. Of every successful suicide, there are an estimated 6 or more survivors who are
Mental Illness And Suicide; A Common Factor And Powerful Stigma Read More »
Kratom has been promoted as a natural solution to mitigate opioid withdrawal symptoms like sweating, trembling, nausea and cravings that last anywhere from several days to several weeks. Why is Kratom growing in popularity and why is it risky? Because withdrawing from opioids is so unpleasant, many people look for ways to ease the withdrawal
Kratom? A Healthy or Harmful Withdrawal Alternative of Opioid Addiction Read More »
How does the use of pornography affect a relationship? What does the use of pornography mean? Should viewing porn be viewed as normal? These days, pornography is a part of society and some view it as nothing more than another form of entertainment. Below are other considerations- Does viewing pornography trigger trauma in a partner? Does
Porn, the Newer, Slicker Version of Sex? How Porn Really Affects Your Relationship Read More »
If the human connection is the opposite of addiction, can there be addiction where there is a connection? In a 2015 TED Talk entitled “Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong,” British journalist Johann Hari talks about the underlying causes of addiction, concluding that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s the
Did you know? Human Connection just might be the Opposite of Addiction Read More »
As a clinician, I am often asked how addiction is determined. From a clinical standpoint, addiction can be diagnosed using a set of criteria. One of the most common and widely used diagnoses tools in the United States is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The DSM is developed through the American Psychological Association (APA).
We hear a lot about Co-occurring disorders but what is it? A Co-occurring disorder is the presence of both mental health and a substance-use disorder. For example, an opioid substance use disorder coupled with depression is a common co-occurring disorder. Clients with co-occurring disorders (COD) typically have one or more disorders relating to the abuse of
Co-Occurring Disorders and Substance Use Disorders– How do they relate? Read More »
“Happiness is an inside job”- Abraham Hicks Substance abuse often starts as self-medication against internal struggles. At some point, we may extend this concept into other parts of our lives—just as we may have relied on the comfort provided by drugs, we may also rely on the comfort provided by people or things. Depending on
Finding True Happiness Inside of Substance Abuse Recovery Read More »
Having a purpose provides a positive focus to fill the void that substance abuse recovery uncovers. But why is it so hard to identify your life’s purpose? When we were young, we weren’t taught to reflect on our purpose in life. Discovering your life’s purpose takes real self-examination and awareness. You know you are getting
Find Your Purpose in Life and Recover from Substance Abuse Read More »
