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The Underdiagnosis of Substance Use Disorders in Young People What are Substance Use Disorders? Most of us are familiar with the term “substance abuse,” or “addiction,” to refer to someone who has a drug or alcohol-related problem. The term “substance use disorder” is a bit less familiar to many. It’s
How can Substance Abuse Lead to Relationship Problems? Are drugs coming between you and your loved one? How did this happen and what does it mean? Maybe you knew he or she was an occasional recreational user when you began the relationship, but it didn’t bother you. Maybe you did
Addiction Recovery: 5 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success All the willpower in the world will do little for you when it comes to addiction recovery. Addiction is a disease that is causing you to crave something, whether it is a substance or an activity. Could you “will away”
Drugs Don’t Love You: 5 Signs It’s Time to Break Away “Oh, I could quit any time, if I wanted to. I just don’t want to.” How many times have you heard this from a friend or loved one with a drug problem? Or how many times have you said
3 Reasons Substance Abuse Counseling is Better Than Quitting Drugs on Your Own Quitting drugs on your own is hard. Addiction is such a multifaceted disease — affecting your physical, emotional, and mental well-being — that it is much more effectively treated with professional help. Whether you’re looking for assistance
There are many firsts in recovery. There is the first sporting event without alcohol. There is the first date without alcohol. There is the first holiday season without using. Facing a social situations without the comfort of liquid courage and the usual coping mechanisms can evoke anxiety. Preparing for those
Overcoming an addiction is largely learning how to control the behavior itself. However further recovery consists of changing ineffective interpersonal patterns. This list addresses these commonly overlooked, yet important skills. 1. Listen to others. When dealing with an addictive behavior, it can be difficult to keep yourself from getting defensive
One of the biggest mistakes people make early on in their recovery is underestimating the power of the group. Our culture is one that values personal independence and free will. This often leads us to overestimate our ability to handle a change in our lives even when with a group
A more modern and controversial viewpoint on substance abuse and addiction is moderation management. As a therapist and counselor, I have been asked about my viewpoint on this very topic. I hope this article can help to provide a well-rounded perspective on a controversial topic, and provide a forum to
Knowing whether or not you are addicted to a particular behavior is not always easy to identify. Part of the problem with this lies in the vagueness of how addiction can be defined. This is one of the reasons why so many clients come into treatment being defensive. There can