The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has identified, what they call, eight dimensions of wellness. The thought is that, if individuals focus on these eight dimensions, they can optimize their health. Every aspect of wellness can affect a person’s life so it is important to focus on all eight of them.…
The Washington Post has reported that suspected overdoses ,not all of them fatal, nationally jumped 18% in March 2020, 29% in April 2020, and 42% in May 2020. These numbers were collected from data gathered from ambulance teams, hospitals, and police. The theory is that the culprit behind the spikes is the Coronavirus pandemic. The…
It is always hard to confront someone when you suspect they may be abusing alcohol. How can you be sure? The signs of alcohol use disorder can be difficult to identify. And approaching someone you suspect has a problem can be complicated, especially when you care about that person. If you have been asking yourself,…
No one plans on becoming addicted. And it can be challenging to know when an individual has crossed the line from recreational use into addiction. It is especially difficult for the addicted individual to answer this question for themselves. That is why it is essential to ask yourself, “Does my loved one need addiction treatment?”…
There are several myths about rehabilitation and recovery. One of the most persistent of these is that it is an entirely solitary task. The reality, however, is that addiction does not just affect the individual who is addicted. It also affects every member of that individual’s family, their friends, and their coworkers. For this reason,…
Every May, we celebrate National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM), a declaration that encourages United States citizens to observe the month of May by honoring the current and former members of the U.S Armed Forces, including those who died serving their country. Introduced in 1999 by Senator John McCain, both the Senate and House of Representatives…
On April 5, 2018 the US surgeon general issued a rare public health advisory recommending that more Americans carry the life-saving drug Naloxone. The last such advisory was issued in 2005 and focused on drinking during pregnancy. Naloxone, also known as Narcan ,can be administered to save the life of someone who is overdosing on…
As we all know, making New Year resolutions is a common practice. A new year is seen by many as a new beginning and a chance to improve on the previous year. Those in recovery know all too well that change, a new start, and letting go of old behaviors is important. Sonja Lyumbomirski a…
With Christmas and New Year’s almost here, it is important for people in recovery to have a plan of action to help maintain sobriety during the holiday season. Holiday stress, expectations, and endless holiday parties and gatherings make this time of year difficult for individuals who are trying to abstain from drugs and alcohol. The…
The entertainment industry was saddened by the unexpected death of “True Blood” actor Nelsan Ellis on July 8, 2017. On July 10, 2017, Ellis’s family revealed that he had died as a result of attempting to withdraw from alcohol on his own, without medical supervision. In a statement released through Ellis’s manager to the Hollywood…