About how addiction affect relationships
When people are struggling with addiction, one of the most important questions they may ask is, “What are my chances of recovering?” Families may also search for statistics hoping to understand whether their loved one can overcome alcohol or drug addiction. The encouraging answer is that recovery is possible. However, there is no universally accepted … 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
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
Justin Bieber became internationally famous while still a teenager. To millions of fans, his rapid rise represented extraordinary success. Behind the fame, however, Bieber has publicly described periods of depression, anxiety, loneliness, substance misuse, emotional instability, and difficulty adjusting to enormous attention at a young age. His experiences demonstrate an important mental health lesson: success … 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
Britney Spears has spent much of her life under extraordinary public scrutiny. From becoming internationally famous as a teenager to highly publicized personal difficulties, psychiatric interventions, and nearly 14 years under a conservatorship, her experiences have generated worldwide discussion about mental health, personal autonomy, and the way society responds when a celebrity appears to be … Read more
Fergie, best known as a member of the Black Eyed Peas and for her successful solo career, has spoken openly about a difficult period involving crystal methamphetamine use before achieving greater stability in her life. Her experience demonstrates an important reality about substance use disorders: outward talent, ambition, and professional success do not necessarily protect … Read more
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
Most people occasionally return to make sure they locked the door, turned off the stove, or unplugged an appliance. With obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), however, checking can become an exhausting cycle. A person may check the same lock repeatedly and still walk away thinking, “But what if I didn’t check it correctly?” OCD is not simply … Read more