Jenny Metz 
The Great American Recovery Initiative represents a broad, recovery-oriented effort to address addiction as a public health and community issue rather than solely a criminal or individual failing. Its strengths include promoting hope, expanding access to treatment and recovery supports, encouraging cross-system collaboration, and reducing stigma through a long-term recovery framework. At the same time, … Read more
Faith-based addiction programs for the homeless play a significant role in addressing the complex intersection of substance use, homelessness, trauma, and social exclusion. These programs often provide shelter, food, community, and recovery support grounded in spiritual values such as compassion, hope, accountability, and service. For many individuals, faith-based approaches offer meaning, belonging, and moral structure … Read more
Combatting drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking requires more than enforcement alone—it depends on coordinated efforts at the individual, family, and community levels. Self-management strategies reduce drug demand by strengthening decision-making, emotional regulation, and resistance to substance use. Family support promotes communication, boundaries, and early intervention, while community resources expand prevention, access to treatment, and … Read more
Using real-life addiction recovery tools for management is essential for turning recovery principles into everyday practice. Addiction often disrupts healthy coping, decision-making, and daily structure, making it difficult to manage stress and responsibilities without substances. Real-life recovery tools—such as routines, coping strategies, communication techniques, support systems, and planning tools—help individuals respond effectively to challenges as … Read more
Life skills are a cornerstone of effective addiction recovery, shaping how individuals manage daily challenges, relationships, and long-term goals without returning to substance use. Addiction often disrupts the development or consistent use of essential skills such as emotional regulation, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving. Recovery, therefore, is not only about stopping substance use but about rebuilding … Read more
Escapism is a key driver of digital addiction, where excessive gaming, social media use, or streaming becomes a way to avoid stress or emotional discomfort. While digital platforms offer temporary relief, reliance on them to escape reality often increases anxiety and avoidance over time. Addressing escapism in digital addiction requires more than reducing screen time—it … Read more
Disappointment is a natural and often painful part of addiction recovery, emerging when progress feels slow, expectations are unmet, or setbacks occur. If not addressed, disappointment can trigger shame, isolation, and relapse risk. Managing disappointment effectively requires more than individual effort—it involves self-management strategies that support emotional regulation, family support that provides understanding and stability, … Read more
News addiction has become an increasingly common challenge in a world dominated by 24-hour media cycles, breaking alerts, push notifications, and nonstop access to information across multiple platforms. What often begins as a reasonable effort to stay informed can gradually shift into compulsive news checking, driven by anxiety, fear of missing out, or a sense … Read more
Addiction sobriety is more than abstaining from substances—it is the ongoing process of building a balanced, stable, and meaningful life. Successful sobriety depends on practical strategies that support emotional regulation, healthy routines, and consistent decision-making. By focusing on daily habits, supportive relationships, and compassionate self-care, individuals can strengthen their recovery and reduce the risk of … Read more
Cravings are a natural and expected part of addiction recovery, yet they are often met with fear, shame, or self-criticism. Responding to cravings with compassion shifts the focus from punishment to understanding, recognizing urges as temporary brain responses rather than personal failures. When cravings are approached with kindness, curiosity, and patience, individuals are better able … Read more