Holiday Triggers and Tips to avoid a holiday relapse
Twinkle lights all around, holiday songs playing on the radio, gatherings of friends and family… what’s not to love about the holiday season?!?! It is, as the song goes, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” It is also a time of year when those who suffer from substance use disorder are more prone to […]
Should You Hold an Intervention?
While on the surface, an intervention might seem pretty straightforward and easy, it’s actually an incredibly complicated ordeal that involves a lot of moving parts. Not only do you have to get the group together and figure out a time and place that works for everyone, but you also have to convince the person […]
College Students Can Manage Back-to-School Relapse Triggers
In fall 2019, almost 20 million people will attend college in the United States. A little more than 12 million will go to school fulltime while about 7.8 million will be part-time students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. For many of these people, heading back to school means a blur of activity […]
Thought Stopping Techniques for Addiction
If you’ve ever had re-occurring or intrusive thoughts, you may have wished there were a way you could just erase them forever, or at least take a break from them. Thought stopping is a tool sometimes used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic approaches. Thought stopping gained popularity in the 1980s, but its […]
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 […]
Dry January & Remaining Sober Beyond
For those who are unfamiliar, Dry January is a public health campaign that urges participants to abstain from alcohol for the entire month of January. The origins of Dry January stem back to as early as 1942 in Finland but has recently gained traction and attention in the United States and in the United Kingdom. […]
7 Books to Read If You Want to Understand Addiction Better and Build a Better Life
One of the best ways you can help yourself—or someone else—amidst addiction is to read. Learning from others can help you know what works and what doesn’t. (That’s partly why support groups and an alumni community are so important in recovery!) While no two peoples’ recoveries are exactly the same, there’s no getting through addiction […]
7 Ways to Get Through the Holidays with a Chaotic Family
Imagine driving up to a beautifully lit, snow-kissed house for the holidays. You’re greeted at the door by a great big hug; watch younger family members play with their presents; and sing Christmas carols around the tree, sipping hot cocoa. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? While that description paints a lovely picture, it’s not always how […]
Creative Gifts for Avoiding Financial Stress During The Holidays
It’s the most expensive … I mean the most wonderful time of the year. No, pretty sure I said it right the first time! Gifts for family, holiday gift exchange at work, and children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews asking for everything under the sun. Even if you do a grab-bag, that’s money coming out of your pocket that you […]
Contemplating Addiction Treatment? What to Consider & How to Prepare
Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that impacts an individual’s behavior and ability to function through everyday life. When it comes to addiction treatment, it is important to know what treatment options are readily available to the individual. In addition to being aware of the treatment options, it is important to understand that effective […]
