Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a well-known program used by millions of recovering alcoholics to get sober and stay sobers. The program focuses on regular attendance and participation in small group meetings to help individuals make necessary life changes and offer long-term support. Begun years ago by men, today 30 percent of those who participate in [...]
Addiction is a terrible disease. Those living with it struggle with temptations, shame, guilt, poor health, failing relationships, and a number of other issues disruptive to a normal lifestyle. Treatments for addiction that are based on medicine, science, and sound research have been lagging. For decades, addiction has been viewed as a lack of will [...]
“…God seems to have a kind of laid back management style I’m not crazy about.” – David Foster Wallace, from Infinite Jest
Men and women experience many things in different ways. One of those is how the two enter, experience and recover from drug abuse. A growing body of research shows that even though men are two times more likely to experience addiction, women tend to become addicted more rapidly and experience the tough consequences of drug [...]
According to Alanon.org, one out of seven people are alcoholics. For each of these alcoholics, their disease directly impacts 16 other people. With all of the lives alcoholism is affecting, it is no wonder a support group was founded over 60 years ago to help them. Al-Anon is a 12-step program for the friends and [...]
Newcomers to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-Step programs may hear about the 13th Step and wonder how they missed an entire step in their recovery. After all, isn’t it called the twelve-step program?
Drug and alcohol abuse is a very real reality among teenagers today. It affects teens from all walks of life, showing no exceptions for race, demographics, or finances. Most statistics today indicate anywhere from 60 – 75% of teenagers have tried drugs or alcohol at some point; many of them end up in rehab. And [...]
Bullying and eating disorders – the connection is becoming more recognized and relevant to patients, mental health experts and even celebrities, such as Disney actress Demi Lovato.
Nurses work in an environment that is characterized by high levels of stress and easy access to medications. As a result, nurses have a significantly higher rate of substance abuse than the general public, with experts estimating that approximately 20 percent of all nurses struggle with an addiction.
Nicotine replacements are entering the market rapidly, ranging from patches to gum to inhalers and lozenges, all designed to help smokers kick their addiction to nicotine. Alternative therapies have also entered smoking cessation treatment plans, including hypnosis therapy, acupuncture, and an emerging type of treatment currently in its research phase – laser therapy.