Confessing anything to a loved one is never easy. It takes a sense of dedication, honesty and coming to grips with the fact that you’re not perfect. Knowing how to tell someone you’re an addict requires some careful consideration. Substance abuse problems bring with them a whole host of problems not the least of which…
Some of the most common co-occurring disorders found in chemically dependent people include mood and anxiety disorders. An even higher percentage of people with severe mental illness also have co-occurring disorders that are substance abuse related. Called severe because of the severity and length of episodes of illness, these mental health disorders include schizophrenia and…
It’s been said that most people are predisposed to certain traits or activities. Some people might have bouts with depression, some might have anger issues or some people might be temperamental. Others may have difficulty with anxiety. Still others might have a predisposition to addiction in one form or another. Addiction risk factors include far…
To support an addict in recovery means that friends, loved ones and family members must come together and develop a plan. Most important to the success is the attitude and support of an addict’s spouse or significant other. The recovery can be a long process and it takes a toll on those who are patiently…
The challenges of maintaining sobriety are hard enough without the burden of toxic friends. Anything that reminds you of your past is a potential relapse trigger. Having toxic friends in your circle exposes you to powerful of relapse triggers. Recovery is a huge challenge and being around people who, for lack of a better description,…
Over the years, we’ve been led to believe that drug education programs are good for young people, but are they? We look at the effectiveness of this practice. D.A.R.E. As far back as many of us can remember, the DARE program was at the forefront of drug education programs. Therefore, when examining the effectiveness of…
You want to graduate, but don’t feel motivated to go to school. After all, you’re still in recovery and you want to focus on that. There’s all sorts of excuses a person can come up with, but the truth of the matter is that part of your recovery means changing yourself for the better. Getting…