About Cannabis use and addiction
Love should provide safety, respect, trust, and the freedom to be yourself. Yet some people remain deeply emotionally attached to partners who repeatedly hurt, manipulate, intimidate, or control them. From the outside, friends and family may wonder, “Why don’t they just leave?” The answer can be complicated. An abusive relationship can contain periods of affection, … Read more
When we hear an inspiring addiction recovery story, it can sound as though one dramatic moment changed everything. Someone entered rehab, stopped using substances, rebuilt relationships, and created an entirely different life. But successful recovery stories are rarely that simple. There is no single secret medication, therapy, treatment center, or motivational speech that guarantees lasting … Read more
Have you ever walked away from a painful relationship, determined to make better choices, only to find yourself attracted to someone who reminds you of your previous partner? Although the person may be different, the relationship follows a familiar cycle of intense attraction, overlooked warning signs, emotional ups and downs, disappointment, conflict, and heartbreak. Repeatedly … Read more
Recovery information is everywhere. Social media posts promise instant cures for addiction. Influencers promote supplements that supposedly eliminate cravings. Videos claim that one treatment works for everyone, while other posts insist medications for opioid use disorder are simply “replacing one drug with another.” Some recovery information is helpful. Some is incomplete, exaggerated, commercially motivated, or … Read more
Healing is usually described as something positive. A person begins setting healthier boundaries, communicating more clearly, recognizing harmful patterns, taking responsibility for their own choices, and refusing to participate in unnecessary conflict. From the outside, these changes may look like obvious signs of progress. Inside an unhealthy family system, however, personal growth can sometimes create … Read more
Cravings can feel powerful, especially when someone is hungry, tired, stressed, or adjusting to new routines during recovery. One simple strategy that may help some people start the day with greater stability is eating a breakfast that contains adequate protein. Protein is not a cure for addiction, and breakfast cannot eliminate substance cravings. However, a … Read more
Recovery from substance use disorder involves more than stopping alcohol or drugs. Physical health, mental health, relationships, medications, reproductive health, and access to healthcare can all influence a person’s recovery journey. For people who can become pregnant, birth control may be an important part of that larger picture. Birth control does not generally cause or … Read more
Jada Pinkett Smith has spoken publicly about periods in her younger life when alcohol, drugs, and other compulsive behaviors became problematic. Her story provides an opportunity to discuss how addiction does not always look the same from one person to another. Someone can maintain a career, relationships, and public success while privately recognizing that certain … Read more
Celebrity life is often associated with wealth, success, glamorous events, and seemingly unlimited opportunities. Yet behind the carefully managed public image, celebrities can experience the same substance use disorders, mental health challenges, trauma, grief, relationship problems, and emotional distress as anyone else. In some cases, the pressures surrounding fame can create additional barriers to recognizing … Read more
Feeling exhausted, emotionally drained, unmotivated, or desperate for relief can make someone wonder: Am I burned out, or is something more serious happening? Burnout and addiction can sometimes look similar from the outside. Both may involve changes in mood, declining performance, withdrawal from other people, disrupted sleep, irritability, and difficulty managing everyday responsibilities. They are … Read more