If your image of teens who abuse drugs is comprised of kids in inner-city neighborhoods, you are not recognizing the big picture. The reality is, the teenagers who abuse drugs cross every socioeconomic barrier. In fact, privileged, high-achieving teens may be more likely to abuse drugs since they’re often under a tremendous amount of pressure to succeed. They…
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When your loved one is suffering from addiction, you want to help them in any way you can. But it’s easy to feel unsure about the right way to offer assistance. The last thing you want to do is feed their addiction. While you may wish to offer your unwavering support, you don’t want to…
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Take one look at college culture and alcohol seems almost as ubiquitous as classes or homework. Social life is a major consideration for many students when they are comparing colleges – in one study, 40% of students said that the social reputation of the college was very important in their final decision about schools. While the…
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You did it. You managed your addiction in rehab, and now you’re taking the first steps toward sober living back at home. You’re going to the gym, easing back into work, and feeling more like yourself every day. You’ve even met new friends who are clean and enjoy the same hobbies. But here’s the problem: Your…
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Losers. Low-lifes. Weak-minded people who can’t hold down a job. There are many addiction stereotypes, but the truth is that many addicts look just like you and me. What are addicts like? They’re people you’d never expect to be struggling with addiction. They’re mothers and fathers, children and honor students, brilliant businesspeople and gifted artists.…
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Did you know that alcohol and drug abuse in the LGBTQ community is around 20 to 30 percent, while only 9 percent of non-LGBTQ individuals suffer from addiction? Although there has been a massive shift in the public’s perception as well as the rights afforded the LGBTQ community, many individuals continue to suffer from discrimination…
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If you’re like many sober people, you know how difficult it can be to explain to family members and friends why you choose to keep your home alcohol-free. Just because the adult members of your family don’t drink doesn’t mean you can’t entertain, however — yet announcing “my family doesn’t drink” seems a bit blunt.…
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When you grow up around addiction, life is not always easy. Your relationship with your parent or loved one is fraught with tension. Your loved one may be unreliable or unreachable. They may show generous love and then take it away. They are so conflicted by their struggle with addiction that they cannot love themselves,…
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Whether they are a friend, a lover or a family member, being in a relationship with someone struggling with addiction is not easy. Addiction can turn your loved one into another person. He or she may be unreliable, forgetful, anxious, impulsive, inpatient or unrecognizable. Because of this extreme behavior, many people have fears about having…
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If you are thinking about going to rehab, but you’re concerned about what residential recovery is really like, you’re not alone. Many people resist getting the help they need out of fear of the unknown. You might be worried about the side effects of detox. You might be overwhelmed by not knowing how you’ll spend…
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