When someone you care about deeply has turned to drugs or alcohol, the world can become an incredibly uncertain and challenging space. Not only do you have your own life to worry about — and you must always put yourself first — but now you’ve got constant fear over their well-being hanging over your head. […]

The stigma surrounding drug addiction can arouse feelings of shame and disgust in the ones you love the most, which would be disheartening for anyone — not the least someone in the vulnerable position of being addicted to drugs. Substance use disorders often compromise a person’s ability to communicate, eroding their relationships and putting them […]

The stages of change model, also known as the transtheoretical model, was developed by James O. Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente in the 1970s. Addiction is a highly complex disease. Some people find it easier not to fall into addiction, while others are more susceptible. In some cases, a person may be able to overcome addiction […]

If you’re the loved one of someone who’s going through rehab or you’re thinking about entering a treatment program yourself, a big question you have on your mind likely is: Do relationships get better after rehab? For many families and friends, drug or alcohol addiction can be catastrophic. The more you love someone, the more […]

Codependency is a dysfunctional relationship pattern characterized by psychological dependence on a person who has some type of addiction. This pattern often occurs in romantic relationships, but it can also develop between family members – a parent and a child or a pair of siblings. In some cases, codependent individuals are dealing with addictions and […]

Although many people view barbiturates as somewhat of a drug of the past, they are still being prescribed, and they are still being abused. Many people stopped using them when word got out of their high potential for abuse, and since then, they have primarily been replaced by another, equally as an addictive type of […]

Addiction isn’t a self-contained disease that affects only the person with the potential diagnosis. It causes shock waves throughout their lives that can be felt in their personal relationships, financial security, work life while greatly impacting someone’s physical and mental health. If you suspect someone you know is going through this, you likely want to […]

Professionals have to learn to juggle so many activities and responsibilities that incorporating drugs and alcohol becomes all too easy. Some individuals use substances to help them calm down after a hard day’s work; others use them to get a boost that helps them continue at the fast pace they expect from themselves. The extraordinary […]