Women Veterans Heal from PTSD

PTSD and alcohol cravings can be challenging hurdles for women veterans, but with awareness, support, and practical strategies, recovery is absolutely possible. I know how stories from other female vets and finding the right resources can change everything when it comes to managing posttraumatic stress and handling the urge to drink. Here’s how women veterans … Read more

Why Veterans Turn to Alcohol

Alcohol is more than just a drink for many veterans. It can become a comfort, a distraction, or a way to quiet memories that linger after military service. I’ve seen how reaching for a bottle often feels like the quickest path to relief after returning home from the deployment chaos. For a lot of folks, … Read more

Veterans: Trauma & Substance Use

Combat veterans know all too well what it’s like to come home carrying not just physical scars, but deep emotional and psychological ones as well. I’ve talked with several veterans who’ve opened up about just how heavy this load can feel, especially when it’s tangled up with substance abuse. Many are surprisingly honest about the … Read more

Why Addiction Is A Family Disease

Addiction doesn’t just impact one person. It sends shockwaves through entire families, changing routines, relationships, and how family members see themselves and each other. When I started learning more about addiction, I noticed how often the stories weren’t just about an individual’s struggle, but about parents worried sick, siblings growing distant, and everyone feeling the … Read more

Quitting Alcohol Cold Turkey

If you’ve been thinking about quitting drinking and considering going cold turkey, you’re definitely not alone. Many people decide to stop drinking suddenly, without tapering off gradually. The experience can range from pretty uncomfortable to fairly dangerous, so knowing what to expect is essential. Here, I’m going to walk through what actually happens to your … Read more

Beating Depression and Addiction

If you’re dealing with both depression and addiction, you probably know firsthand how tough things can get. These challenges often appear together, each making the other feel even heavier. Finding a way through both isn’t always obvious, but real progress is possible with the right tools, mindset, and support. Here’s a transparent and honest walk-through … Read more

Spotting Teen Substance Abuse

Spotting early signs of substance use in teens is a big deal for parents. A lot of families miss the warning signs at first because it’s tough to tell the difference between normal teenage mood swings and hints of something more serious. I’m sharing what I’ve learned from chatting with counselors, reading up on the … Read more

Addiction Treatment Innovations

Addiction treatment has transformed over the past decade, driven by scientific breakthroughs and a shift in how society understands substance use. Once focused on detox and abstinence, modern care now emphasizes holistic, trauma-informed, and long-term recovery support. Advances in neuroscience reveal addiction as a brain-based condition, while technology—like telehealth, AI tools, and recovery apps—expands access … Read more

Breaking the Alcohol–Anxiety Loop

Alcohol and anxiety are deeply connected: while alcohol may briefly ease anxious feelings, it ultimately worsens anxiety and dependence, creating a harmful cycle. Treating both together requires medications, therapy, lifestyle changes, and community support. Yet cultural attitudes and stigma shape how people seek help—some normalize alcohol use while dismissing anxiety, others attach shame to both. … Read more

The Hidden Drivers of Relapse

Relapse is one of the greatest challenges in overcoming substance use disorders, often triggered by stress, cravings, or social pressures. It is not just about willpower—relapse reflects the complex mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors that can make recovery fragile. Preventing relapse works best through a comprehensive, team-based approach. Self-management skills, like coping strategies … Read more