About alcoholism disease and treatments
Rebuilding trust during addiction recovery is a gradual and deeply meaningful process that extends beyond sobriety itself. Addiction can strain relationships through broken promises, secrecy, and emotional distance, leaving loved ones uncertain and guarded. Even when recovery begins, trust does not automatically return; it must be rebuilt through consistent actions, honesty, and accountability over time. … Read more
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with a wide range of serious health risks because alcohol affects nearly every major organ system in the body. The most common causes of death linked to chronic alcohol misuse include liver disease, cardiovascular complications, accidents and injuries, cancers, infections, and mental health–related causes such as suicide. These outcomes … Read more
The 5 D’s of addiction recovery—Delay, Distract, Deep Breathe, Decide, and Discuss—are practical, evidence-informed coping strategies designed to help individuals manage cravings and emotional triggers in real time. Rather than relying on willpower alone, this framework teaches people how to pause automatic reactions, regulate stress responses, and engage rational thinking before acting. Because cravings are … Read more
The idea of the four types of drunks is a helpful framework used to describe common behavioral patterns people may display when intoxicated, such as becoming relaxed, happy, emotional, or aggressive. While these categories are not scientific diagnoses, they offer insight into how alcohol can amplify underlying personality traits, emotions, and coping styles. Understanding these … Read more
The seven stages of intoxication describe the step-by-step way alcohol affects the brain and body as blood alcohol levels increase. Intoxication develops gradually, beginning with subtle relaxation and reduced inhibitions, then progressing to impaired judgment, decreased coordination, confusion, and, in severe cases, dangerous slowing of breathing and heart rate. Because alcohol depresses the central nervous … Read more
The 2-2-2 rule for alcohol use is a simple, structured approach designed to promote mindful decision-making and healthier drinking habits. Built around three checkpoints—two questions before drinking, two limits during, and two reflections after—this framework helps individuals pause, think intentionally, and stay aware of their choices. Alcohol use can easily become automatic or emotionally driven, … Read more
The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, offers a practical lens for understanding alcohol use patterns by suggesting that a small percentage of behaviors often accounts for the majority of consequences. In the context of drinking, this means that a limited number of high-risk situations—such as certain social settings, stress triggers, or emotional … Read more
Survivors of human trafficking who have also struggled with addiction carry layered experiences of trauma, survival, and resilience. Substance use is often intertwined with trafficking—sometimes used as a tool of control, other times as a coping response to overwhelming psychological distress. In this context, addiction is not weakness but often a survival mechanism. Recovery involves … Read more
The idea of using addiction as a source of creativity has long been romanticized, with many artists, musicians, and writers citing their struggles with substance use as a catalyst for some of their most profound work. Substances, in this view, are seen as a way to break through creative blocks, liberate emotions, or transcend reality. … Read more
If you’ve heard mixed things about IV therapy in addiction recovery, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a topic that sparks a lot of discussion and sometimes confusion, especially with all the buzz surrounding IV therapy in wellness circles. More recently, IV therapy has made its way into the conversation about addiction treatment, where its potential … Read more