About how addiction affect relationships
Caregivers often provide essential physical, emotional, and practical support to older adults, children, people with disabilities, and individuals recovering from illness or addiction. Most caregivers work hard under demanding circumstances. However, some caregiving relationships can become unhealthy, controlling, neglectful, exploitative, or abusive. Although a title such as “How to Spot a Toxic Caregiver Instantly” gets … Read more
For people trying to cut back or quit vaping, nighttime can be one of the most challenging periods. Cravings that seem manageable during the day may suddenly feel more intense as the evening progresses. This does not necessarily mean nicotine dependence becomes stronger after midnight. Instead, several factors—including nicotine withdrawal, learned routines, fatigue, emotional stress, … Read more
Talking about addiction recovery with someone who shows narcissistic traits can be challenging. They may become defensive when confronted, minimize the consequences of substance use, blame other people, or interpret concern as criticism. However, narcissistic traits exist on a spectrum and are not the same as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which requires professional assessment and … Read more
Reality dating programs such as The Bachelor combine romance, competition, rejection, social status, physical attraction, and dramatic uncertainty into an emotionally intense environment. For viewers, the repeated cycle of anticipation, conflict, romantic validation, and cliffhangers can make these programs particularly engaging. But does that make The Bachelor a “recipe for addiction”? And does hypergamy—the preference … Read more
The phrase “addicted politician” can easily become a sensational label, but substance use disorder (SUD) is a health condition that can affect people in every profession and level of society—including elected officials. A politician experiencing addiction may face many of the same challenges as anyone else: cravings, impaired control, secrecy, relationship difficulties, health consequences, relapse, … Read more
Romantic addiction, also referred to as love or relationship addiction, describes an unhealthy pattern in which the need for romantic attention, connection, or emotional reassurance becomes increasingly difficult to manage and begins affecting a person’s emotional well-being and daily life. Although romantic addiction is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR, the term is sometimes … Read more
Rosalynn Carter left an extraordinary legacy as one of America’s most persistent advocates for mental health, behavioral healthcare, and the dignity of people living with mental illness. Beginning her advocacy in Georgia in the early 1970s and continuing for more than five decades, she worked to reduce stigma, improve access to community-based treatment, strengthen mental … Read more
Fentanyl testing has become an important harm-reduction strategy as illicitly manufactured fentanyl continues to appear in the unregulated drug supply, including counterfeit pills and substances sold as heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Because fentanyl cannot reliably be identified by appearance, smell, or taste, fentanyl test strips can provide potentially lifesaving information by detecting fentanyl in some … Read more
Gerard Butler’s journey with alcohol, prescription pain medication, and recovery demonstrates how substance-related problems can develop at different stages of a person’s life. Long before he became internationally known for films such as 300, Butler said his drinking became excessive in his twenties. In a 2002 interview, he described realizing at age 28 that his … Read more
Ben Affleck’s experience with alcohol addiction and recovery demonstrates that substance use disorder can affect people regardless of fame, career success, or financial resources. The actor and filmmaker has publicly discussed his struggles with alcohol, periods of treatment, relapse, and his continuing efforts toward sobriety. His story provides an opportunity to understand addiction as a … Read more