The Oldest Drug in the World

When you hear the phrase “the oldest drug in the world,” it’s easy to imagine something pulled from an ancient apothecary shelf or a long-forgotten herbal remedy. In reality, the answer is both more fascinating and more nuanced, because it depends on how we define a “drug.” Is it any substance that alters the body … Read more

7 Dimensions of Addiction Care

If you’ve been looking into addiction treatment models, something you might have come across is the 7-Dimensional Addiction Treatment Model. This approach has made a real difference for a lot of people—not just those seeking recovery but also families and counselors trying to understand the bigger picture of addiction. So, here’s a detailed look at … Read more

The Hardest Year of Sobriety

Staying sober can be one of the most challenging journeys a person undertakes, especially during that first year of recovery. For many people, the early months require far more than just avoiding substances; they demand major lifestyle changes, emotional adjustment, and often a complete reshaping of daily routines and social circles. Old habits, environments, and … Read more

The Addiction Cycle: 3 Stages

The addiction cycle helps explain why breaking free from substance use is often far more complex than simply “stopping.” Addiction isn’t driven by willpower alone—it follows a predictable pattern of changes in the brain’s reward, stress, and decision-making systems that reinforce continued use over time. These biological and psychological shifts create a repeating loop that … Read more

College’s Most Popular Drug

College campuses encourage independence and experimentation, exposing many students to substances for the first time. Social pressure, stress, and curiosity play major roles. While the most commonly used college drug is widely known and socially accepted, its impact goes beyond prevalence, involving patterns of use, mental health effects, and risk of dependency. Most Common Drug … Read more

Highest Addiction Rate Country

Understanding which country has the highest addiction rate is far more complex than pointing to one nation and labeling it “the worst.” Addiction statistics depend heavily on how addiction is defined, what substances or behaviors are included, and how data is collected and reported. Some countries track alcohol use disorders in detail but underreport illicit … Read more

Declining AA Membership

AA membership has been declining steadily over the past decade, even as substance misuse continues to affect millions of individuals and families across communities. Having spent years involved in addiction recovery spaces, I’ve watched these trends closely and reflected on what they may signal for people who are considering Alcoholics Anonymous as a pathway to … Read more

Low Addiction Treatment Success

Addiction recovery can be a long and challenging process, not just for those facing it firsthand but also for their families and communities. While many people hope for a straightforward path toward lasting sobriety, the reality is a lot more complicated. Addiction consistently ranks as one of the toughest health issues to treat, with lower … Read more

Most Common Teen Drug: Alcohol

Teen drug use is something I’ve spent a fair bit of time thinking about, mostly because it comes up so often in conversations among parents, teachers, and people working with young folks. Plenty of stories and headlines seem to focus on “hard” drugs, but the real picture is a little different. The most commonly used … Read more