One of the persistent challenges of fighting addiction is the risk of relapse — the full return to an addictive lifestyle after an attempt to quit. Addiction crosses all demographic borders, and it’s possible for anyone recovering from drug or alcohol addiction to relapse. It’s also possible to never relapse during your recovery. Remember, relapse […]
The Americans with Disabilities Act considers alcoholism to be a disability and offers limited protection to alcoholics who face workplace discrimination. The ADA’s stance is sometimes at odds with the courts, which often rule alcoholism can only be considered a disability if the disease interferes with the performance of major life activities. The ADA’s Stance
Addiction is a Disability — Employers Should View it as One Read More »
Photo: Sweet Beet and Green Bean I have to admit, I’m excited. With the publication of “No More Vodka in My Orange Juice” I’m finally getting a chance to tell my own story of addiction, recovery, and redemption. It’s a story many addicts will find familiar, and one I hope inspires others to find their
No More Vodka in My Orange Juice: My Autobiography Read More »
Prescription opioid abuse is an epidemic in the United States. Prescription painkillers are easily accessible, with over 209.4 million prescriptions written for opioid analgesics in 2010, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Introduced in 2012, the STOPP (Stop Tampering of Prescription Pills) Act could help prevent abuse of prescription opioids. Two Roads to
In 2004, New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey announced he was a gay American engaged in an extramarital affair and submitted his resignation. McGreevey’s governorship had been controversial, dogged by charges of political fundraising extortion. His appointment of Golan Cipel to the position of homeland security advisor was met with criticism that Cipel was unqualified for
Jim McGreevey’s “Fall to Grace”: Rehab vs. Imprisonment Read More »
On February 17, 2013, country singer Mindy McCready was found dead on her front porch, the victim of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. For years, McCready struggled with mental illness and addiction before her tragic end. Her death is a stark reminder that recovering addicts often need continued support for successful recovery. McCready, Fame and
Country Singer Mindy McCready Found Dead After Long History with Addiction Read More »
Yoga has become a staple in holistic substance abuse programs — and with good reason. A combination of slow, conscious movements and relaxed breathing, yoga provides you with physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. Actor Colin Farrell credits his successful recovery from substance abuse, in part, to yoga.Yoga and Body ChemistryMany addictive substances cause low levels
How Yoga Can Play an Important Role in Inpatient Substance Abuse Programs Read More »
Genetics and heredity provide possible explanations for why addictive behavior seems to run in families and why some people are more susceptible to addiction than others. However, actually identifying “addiction” genes has proven difficult, and most experts believe a combination of genetic factors, coupled with environmental influences, determines a person’s risk of addiction. A recent
On December 14, 2012, twenty-year-old Adam Lanza killed twenty children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Lanza then shot himself in the head, taking with him any chance of understanding why he committed such a terrible crime. In the aftermath of the shootings, new media reported Lanza may have suffered
Smokers could be considered the forgotten addicts. Government and law enforcement crack down on illicit street drugs. Most rehab centers focus on treating the “hard” drugs, such as opiates, amphetamines and alcohol. Yet tobacco — which remains freely available and, for the most part, socially and legally acceptable — causes major health problems, ultimately killing
