One of the biggest reasons why people become addicted to drugs and alcohol is stress. We all experience stress, either good or bad, in our day to day lives and how we deal with it is very important to our wellbeing. For some people, coping with the problem results in substance abuse or alcoholism. Learn Read more about Harmful Effects of Using Drugs and Alcohol During Stressful Times[…]
One of the reasons many people start abusing drugs and alcohol is due to stress. For those who struggle with alcohol or substance abuse, learning how to deal with stress in a healthy way is incredibly important for maintaining your sobriety. By learning what stress can do to your body and developing healthy coping strategies, Read more about Dealing with Stress Without Using Alcohol and Drugs to Cope[…]
“When I got sober, I thought giving up was saying goodbye to all the fun and all the sparkle, and it turned out to be just the opposite. That’s when the sparkle started for me.” ~ Mary Karr Recovery from addiction is an on-going process. One important element is to find sober activities that give Read more about Alternative Activities for Adults to Stay Sober[…]
Adolescence is an exciting and challenging part of life that everyone goes through. The journey through the teenage years is often rough, but some teens struggle through this phase of life as my move through middle school and high school. As a parent, you may find it difficult to determine if your teenager is simply Read more about Warning Signs Your Teenager Needs Counseling[…]
As a parent, you love to see your child succeed and make something of his or her life. Graduating high school and moving on to college is a huge step toward developing greater independence. College can open up a variety of possibilities for your child. However, college is also known for late night parties and Read more about Preparing Your Student to Resist Peer Pressure During College[…]
When a person is addicted to harmful substances, it takes a toll on everyone around them. Watching someone you care about struggle with drug or alcohol abuse can create feelings of helplessness, angst, and fear. The High Toll of Addiction When you become physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, you can’t maintain your wellbeing, let alone Read more about Getting Help for Yourself When a Loved One Struggles with Addiction[…]
How Teachers and Counselors Can Help Students with Mental Health Disorders School students today face so many challenges as they navigate their way through adolescence. For middle school and high school students suffering from mental and behavioral health conditions as well as substance abuse issues, a day at school can often seem unbearable. But with Read more about Helping Students with Mental Illness[…]
The brain is a very complex organ and the more we learn about how it develops, the more we understand how substance abuse impacts its development process. There are five crucial stages of brain development during a person’s life. Here is a breakdown of each stage and how substance abuse can affect it. Stage 1: Read more about The Stages of Brain Development and Substance Abuse[…]
Ever since Adderall was made available as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 1996, the use of stimulants has been on the rise. What many stimulant users are looking for is an immediate reaction to enhance their alertness, attention, and energy. After experiencing this heightened awareness, users often want more of the Read more about Effects of Stimulants on the Body[…]
Addiction is a disease, but it isn’t the only problem that some people face. As many as one-third of all addiction sufferers are also experiencing a mood or mental disorder. When this happens, they are said to have a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. Although any combination of addiction and mental health conditions can occur, Read more about Most Common Co-Occurring Disorders[…]