Birth Control During Recovery

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

Break the Binge-Watching Cycle

Streaming services have made entertainment available almost anywhere, at any time. Watching several episodes of a favorite show occasionally may simply be a relaxing way to spend an evening. The problem begins when binge-watching becomes difficult to control and repeatedly interferes with sleep, responsibilities, relationships, exercise, or emotional well-being. Breaking the cycle does not necessarily … Read more

Social Media and Compulsive Use

Technology helps us stay connected to family, friends, work, entertainment, and communities around the world. A smartphone can provide companionship during a lonely moment, information within seconds, and opportunities to maintain relationships that distance once made difficult. But what happens when connection becomes compulsion? For some people, checking notifications, scrolling social media, gaming, messaging, or … Read more

Is Your Job an Addiction?

Working hard is often praised. Staying late, answering emails after hours, skipping vacations, and always being available can even be viewed as signs of dedication. But what happens when working stops feeling like a choice? For some people, work can develop into a compulsive pattern sometimes described as work addiction or workaholism. The person may … Read more

Celebrities Seeking Recovery

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

Is It Burnout or Addiction?

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

Diabetes and Substance Use

Diabetes is usually discussed in terms of blood glucose, insulin, nutrition, exercise, and medications. Yet another issue can sometimes remain hidden behind unstable glucose levels: problematic substance use or compulsive behavior. Alcohol, nicotine, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, and other substances can complicate diabetes management in different ways. Eating disorders and recurrent binge-eating behaviors may also interfere … Read more

How to Spot a Fake Recovery Story

Recovery stories can be powerful. Hearing someone describe overcoming addiction may provide hope to people who are struggling and remind families that meaningful change is possible. Social media has made these stories more visible than ever, with celebrities, influencers, treatment advocates, and everyday people sharing their experiences publicly. But not every recovery story should automatically … Read more

How Celebrities Hide Their Relapse

Celebrity recovery stories are often presented publicly as inspiring transformations. What audiences do not always see is that recovery can include setbacks, and relapse may occur privately long before anyone outside a person’s inner circle realizes something has changed. For celebrities, maintaining privacy may be even more complicated because careers, contracts, public expectations, financial responsibilities, … Read more

Public Figure Relapse

Relapse stories involving celebrities, athletes, musicians, and other public figures often attract headlines, but behind the publicity is an experience shared by many people living with substance use disorders. Recovery is rarely a perfectly straight path. A return to substance use can occur after months or even years of progress, especially when stress, cravings, untreated … Read more