About how addiction affect relationships
If you’ve ever wondered why having money, or even thinking about it, can throw you right back into old addictive habits, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve seen firsthand how money gets tangled up with addiction, whether it’s gambling, alcohol, drugs, or shopping. It’s not just about the cash itself; it’s what money comes to represent … Read more
Many people picture addiction as simply a problem with substances, but for a lot of folks, it actually starts with searching for relief from uncomfortable feelings. Drugs often get used as a way to escape from stress, anxiety, sadness, or past pain. When the escape becomes the reason for using, that’s where addiction can quietly … Read more
If you or someone you care about is facing a substance use problem, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about both detox and emergency intervention. People sometimes mix these two up, but they each play a different role in the recovery process. Knowing how they work and when each is appropriate is really important for … Read more
Changes in the brain caused by addiction aren’t always obvious at first, but they can really shape how a person thinks and acts. These changes can show up as switches in mood, motivation, and even memory. Addiction goes way beyond cravings or struggles with willpower. It’s linked to real, measurable differences in the brain’s wiring … Read more
Parenting approaches can have a big impact when you’re supporting a child or teen through recovery, whether it’s from trauma, addiction, anxiety, or other tough patches. The two styles that get talked about a lot are gentle parenting and permissive parenting. The tricky part is, these two sound pretty similar on the surface but work … Read more
Opioids are a topic that comes up more and more, especially for teens. Whether you hear about them in the news, from friends, or in school health classes, they can sound a bit confusing or overwhelming. Knowing the facts is really important for making smart choices and looking out for yourself and your friends. I’m … Read more
Emotion regulation is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotional experiences in healthy and adaptive ways. It is a critical psychological skill that influences how individuals respond to stress, disappointment, fear, anger, sadness, and other challenging emotions. In the context of addiction, difficulties with emotion regulation often contribute to the initiation, continuation, and recurrence … Read more
Elton John’s life story illustrates that addiction and mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of fame, talent, or financial success. As one of the most influential musicians in modern history, he achieved extraordinary professional accomplishments while privately struggling with substance use disorder, depression, low self-esteem, and the emotional pressures associated with fame and personal … Read more
Addiction is more than repeated substance use or compulsive behavior—it is driven by powerful patterns in the brain that become stronger over time. One of the most helpful ways to understand these patterns is through the habit loop, a cycle consisting of a cue (trigger), routine (behavior), and reward. A stressful event, emotional discomfort, or … Read more
Alcohol misuse remains one of the leading preventable causes of illness, injury, and death in the United States, affecting millions of individuals, families, and communities each year. Excessive alcohol use—including binge drinking, heavy drinking, and alcohol use disorder (AUD)—contributes to chronic diseases, mental health disorders, motor vehicle crashes, violence, lost productivity, and significant healthcare costs. … Read more