What Is the Pink Cloud?
Why You Need to Know About the Pink Cloud The first few days of sobriety can be overwhelming. Some face difficult withdrawal symptoms. Others face intense cravings for the substance they abused. Getting through these first steps is hard, but it’s necessary for a brighter future. After the initial discomfort, some people in recovery enter […]
5 Alternatives to 12-Step Programs
Peer support groups are an important part of long-term addiction recovery. They are free groups where people recovering from addictions get support from others in recovery. Attending these groups can provide a sense of community as well as accountability in refraining from substance use. Research shows peer support groups are most effective when combined with […]
Dating in Addiction Recovery: How to Be Successful
Dating can be fun, exciting, stressful, awkward, and complicated all at once. Sober dating adds another layer of uncertainty to the mix. In a culture where “grabbing a drink” is a first-date standard and alcohol is the norm at dinners, parties, and other common dating activities, dating can be a minefield for singles in recovery. […]
How to Help Someone with Addiction
It’s not easy watching a loved one go down the dark path of substance abuse and mental health concerns. Family and friends often feel powerless while searching for how. Relationships are complex enough already. When addiction is added, they get more confusing for everyone. The good news is there are ways to help a […]
What to Do When a Loved One Relapses
Watching a loved one relapse can be gut-wrenching. It’s normal to experience a flood of emotions. You may feel angry, sad, scared, and resentful. You thought this was behind your family, and now, here you are again. The fact is, relapse happens a lot, and it doesn’t mean that your loved one is doomed to […]
How to Speak to Your Loved One About Their Addiction
There’s no question: Addiction is a difficult topic to discuss. It’s a chaotic disease that affects the person struggling and those around them. When a loved one is dealing with addiction, it’s common to feel a multitude of emotions. While it’s normal to be overwhelmed, it’s also important to remember that there is hope for […]
International Overdose Awareness Day: A Time to Remember, A Time to Act
Each year, thousands of individuals pass from drug and alcohol overdoses. The number of drug overdose deaths in the United States rose from 38,329 in 2010 to a peak of over 70,000 in 2017. Fortunately, the number of deaths decreased to 67,367 in 2018, but that’s still almost 200 people a day. The global situation […]
How Do You Know If You Have a Drug Problem? The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) Can Help.
Your friends and family have started to show concern. They tell you your drug use is out of control. They are worried about you. Your boss is threatening to fire you because you are often late and your work has become sloppy. For you, using your drug of choice is like an itch that you […]
What to Say to Someone Who Is Suicidal & What NOT to Say
Suicide is undoubtedly a delicate topic. It can be confusing, shameful, and challenging to talk about. Because of how emotionally charged the subject is, people often don’t know what to say to someone who is suicidal. They worry about making things worse and feel panicked by the fear of saying the wrong thing. If you […]
Loved Ones of Addicts Need Help Too
Addiction affects everyone in its path. It’s a family disease, with research showing families of addicts are emotionally, physically, and financially impacted by a loved one’s drug and alcohol abuse. Families play important roles in the development, sustentation, and treatment of substance use disorders. Addiction and recovery involve everyone, not just the substance abuser. Families […]
