Love Addiction vs. Healthy Love

Love can sweep you off your feet or leave you uncertain and lost. Finding your way between love addiction and healthy affection isn’t always straightforward, especially when intense emotions are involved. Recognizing where genuine, healthy connections end and obsession or dependency begin can make a huge difference in your emotional well-being. I’m going to break … Read more

Love Addiction Myths Debunked

If you’ve heard the term “love addiction” tossed around online or in self-help talks, you’re not alone—it’s a topic often clouded by confusion. Some dismiss it as being overly romantic. In contrast, others fear that deep attachment means something’s wrong. In reality, love addiction isn’t about enjoying love—it’s about becoming emotionally dependent on it in … Read more

Spotting Teen Substance Abuse

Spotting early signs of substance use in teens is a big deal for parents. A lot of families miss the warning signs at first because it’s tough to tell the difference between normal teenage mood swings and hints of something more serious. I’m sharing what I’ve learned from chatting with counselors, reading up on the … Read more

How to Spot Codependency

If you’ve ever wondered whether you might be codependent, you’re not alone. Codependency often shapes how we connect—with partners, friends, or family—by putting others’ needs ahead of our own. Over time, this can make relationships feel draining or one-sided. Recognizing these signs is the first step toward breaking the cycle and building healthier, more balanced … Read more

The Power of Art in Recovery

Art therapy has brought a fresh perspective to mental health and addiction recovery spaces. Instead of relying solely on talk therapy and medication, this creative approach invites people to express what’s often hard to put into words. Over the years, I’ve seen how art therapy makes the recovery adventure less intimidating and more personal. I’m … Read more

Home Environment for Recovery

Creating a supportive home for recovery means setting up your environment to help promote healing. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, illness, mental health struggles, or substance use, the space you live in can make a real difference. I’ve seen how even small changes can improve comfort and motivation. I’ll walk you through how to turn … Read more

The Hidden Drivers of Relapse

Relapse is one of the greatest challenges in overcoming substance use disorders, often triggered by stress, cravings, or social pressures. It is not just about willpower—relapse reflects the complex mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors that can make recovery fragile. Preventing relapse works best through a comprehensive, team-based approach. Self-management skills, like coping strategies … Read more

Addiction Telemedicine Barriers

Telemedicine has expanded access to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, but barriers remain, including technology gaps, regulatory hurdles, and stigma. Pharmacies add challenges such as reluctance to dispense medications, limited buprenorphine stocking, and insurance restrictions. Solutions like pharmacist training, stronger provider–pharmacy collaboration, and patient support networks can ease these barriers. Government efforts—through regulatory reforms, funding, … Read more

Increasing Female Drug Overdoses

Overdose deaths among women have risen sharply, driven by factors like opioid use, mental health struggles, trauma, and stigma. In response, governments have expanded naloxone access, funded gender-focused treatment, and promoted trauma-informed care. Women can reduce risk through self-management strategies such as safe medication use and relapse prevention. Families support recovery by fostering open communication … Read more

Spotting Addiction in Family

Addiction can be a tricky thing to spot, especially when it’s happening to someone you care about. It’s easy to miss the early warning signs, thinking they’re having a rough patch or going through a stressful time. The reality is, catching addiction early makes a big difference in how quickly that person can get support … Read more