Relapse Prevention

When a person you adore and cherish succumbs to drug addiction, it can turn your life into a nightmare just as surely as it threatens to destroy hers. But when she finally gets clean and sober and you are convinced that this time she is determined to make it stick, the sense of joy and relief you feel can send your spi more...

Throughout college, Bill and his friends partied together, abused illicit substances together, and even suffered from some of the same negative outcomes caused by their use and abuse together. But there was one thing that separated him from the group: While his friends grew up and learned from their mistakes, Bill fell more...

Relapsing is a part of addiction. It is unavoidable for nearly every addict. An occasional setback is to be expected and should not make you feel like a failure or that you have sunk back to the bottom. You can get past a relapse and move on. When relapses get really frustrating is when they keep happening over and ove more...

Some days it seems like it doesn’t pay to get out of bed. You may have a series of small things go wrong, leaving you on edge. The car won’t start, your boss seems to have it in for you and you got in a fight with your significant other. You may find yourself reacting to little things—like several days of bad wea more...

Many people struggling with substance abuse often take part in programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). While AA strives to help unite and support members in the fight against alcoholism, NA works as a support group for people struggling with drug abuse. Both organizations encourage compl more...

The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse defines addiction as “the continued use of a mood altering substance despite adverse dependency consequences, or a neurological impairment leading to such behaviors.” Meaning, an addicted individual will continue to abuse their drug of choice th more...

“After I made the decision to go, I can confidently say that entering addiction treatment saved my life. I now have the tools I need to lead a purpose driven life and the knowledge of what works for me to maintain my recovery.” -Joshua K, a recovering addict   Recovery from addiction is not always easy. more...

In addiction recovery one of the most crucial actions an individual can take is to cut ties with anyone who may pose a threat to your recovery, i.e. your old drinking or using friends. On the other side of the spectrum, one of the most important aspects of addiction recovery is restoring close ties with other individua more...

In the past, drug and alcohol addiction had long been thought of as a man’s problem; a perception that seemed to seep into its treatment as well. Drug rehab was mainly catered towards men, and research subjects were almost exclusively men. However, addiction has now shed that stereotype and is currently affecting an more...

Relapse—an unwelcome guest for men in recovery. Relapsing from addiction recovery has developed a distinct stigma; one that suggests individuals have “failed” at recovery if they fall back into old habits. What’s important to remember is that relapse is an aspect of recovery that can happen to both men a more...