If you love someone who is struggling with a substance use disorder, you already know the ways in which drugs and alcohol can turn a person’s life upside down and make it difficult for them to deal with even the most mundane parts of their day. They are probably underperforming at work or school; they...Read More
An OverviewIt’s more than the occasional headache, a lingering ache from a recent sports injury, or a bit of persistent discomfort. It’s chronic pain—and experts estimate that just over 20% of people struggle with it. That number, which means 1 in every 5 people suffers from chronic pain, is alarming in and of itself. But...Read More
Before the COVID-19 crisis forced many of us to slow down, our lives were extremely busy. There was always another meeting to attend, or an activity to drive the kids to, or lawn work that needed ongoing attention. We talked a lot about how busy we were—complained about it, really. And yet, we didn’t seem...Read More
We can’t overemphasize the potentially catastrophic danger of overdoses. Let us be perfectly clear from the beginning: overdoses require immediate medical intervention. Without that intervention, death is a very real possibility. Even if you survive the overdose, you may suffer severe organ damage or other significant health impacts.Life and DeathAn overdose is easily one of...Read More
When someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder, it is natural to want to help. But sometimes—more often than anyone would like—these efforts to help might seem ineffectual. And exhausting. Addressing Your Feelings and Needs In these cases, you will find yourself feeling frustrated or angry or sad. If those feelings aren’t...Read More
The holiday is called Thanksgiving.Seems straightforward enough. It is a day for giving thanks for all of the blessings in our lives.But for many people, the holiday hardly brings up feelings of thankfulness. Our gratitude can get blocked out by the stress of family gatherings, a huge meal to prepare and clean up, and a...Read More
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”So says Romeo as he considers Juliet—the woman he loves whose family is in constant conflict with his own—in Shakespeare’s play about star-crossed lovers. The young doomed lover is suggesting that it isn’t words or names that define...Read More
Coming to terms with the fact that someone in your life has a substance use disorder is difficult, to say the least. And the need to find your loved one an appropriate place to get help only adds to the stress and upheaval. In fact, it may seem impossible to make such an important choice.Making...Read More
Marketing PloysIncreasingly, marketing professionals want to encourage you to try their products in ways other than traditional advertising. For example, a company might pay to ensure that the beloved characters on a given television show drink a certain soft drink or drive a certain kind of car. The industry name for this technique is “product...Read More
The StatisticsOpioid addiction is one of the fastest and most devastating of all substance use disorders today. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 130 people die every day in the United States as a result of opioid use.Do you have an addiction to pain meds? Are you worried your loved one is using...Read More
