Addiction

Codeine Misuse Can Lead to Bigger Problems When you think about the opioid epidemic in the United States, the odds are pretty good that codeine does not immediately jump to mind. Instead, you may think of codeine as a mild cough suppressant and source of pain relief. That is entirely understandable. Codeine has been around...Read More

Benzodiazepine AddictionThere are so many different stressors in our lives. So many, in fact, that it might seem impossible to even begin to list them. But here’s a stab at such a list—woefully incomplete though it is:We have stress in our family lives. Our partners, kids, parents, in-laws, and on and on are a source...Read More

There is a famous moment in William Shakespeare’s play The Tragedy Hamlet, Prince of Denmark in which Hamlet asks a group of actors to put on a play that bears a strong resemblance to some misdeeds he believes his uncle and mother have committed. The goal, as Hamlet puts it, is to “catch the conscience...Read More

It Is Easy to Make Exercise ExcusesSometimes it can seem as if there are only two levels of exercise: intense and none.And let’s face it, given those choices, a whole lot of us are going to go with the second option.Of course, we all know that it is a good idea to exercise. But that...Read More

Sometimes it can feel as though you will never be able to go to bed. A Routine for Good Sleep There are dirty dishes in the sink or a school project that your kid didn’t tell you about until the last minute. Maybe your boss sent you an after-hours email and clearly expects a response...Read More

Mindfulness & Your Mental HealthWe have written before about the ways in which mindfulness can support your mental health and recovery from a substance use disorder. On the surface, the practice of mindfulness seems both straightforward and simple. The goal is to be present in the current moment rather than ruminating about the past or...Read More

Both good and bad habits in addiction recovery can be powerful. Sometimes the power of a habit is good for us. Other times, the power of a habit is a problem. Take, for example, a habit like brushing your teeth in the morning and before bed. The odds are good that you don’t spend a...Read More

What Is Boredom? It happens to all of us from time to time. You are simply going about your day when suddenly you find yourself feeling restless or distracted. Whatever you are doing right at that moment isn’t any fun—and worse, you can’t really think of anything else to do that would be fun. Maybe...Read More

Drug and alcohol addiction treatment in a professional setting is critical for anyone with a moderate to severe addiction. It may seem like the solution is simple – just stop using the substance. But willpower alone is not enough. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that responds best to medical and therapeutic intervention.What Happens in...Read More

You have decided now is the time.You are going to get the help you need for your substance use disorder.That’s great news. It is also news you are going to need to share—in greater or lesser detail—with a significant number of people. That might seem scary. Especially if you have been effectively hiding your addiction...Read More