Lyme disease is best known for causing fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog. But when it shows up alongside a substance use disorder, everything gets more complicated. I see a lot of confusion, both physical and mental, when Lyme disease and addiction overlap. Untangling these symptoms and figuring out the right treatment plan ask for … Read more
Daytime naps sound like a quick fix for tiredness, but they might not be doing your body any favors, especially if you’re trying to recover from an illness, tough workout, or ongoing fatigue. There’s a big difference between grabbing a nap and getting a solid night’s sleep. Understanding where naps fit into the sleep and … Read more
If you’re on a recovery adventure, you might notice that some friends seem to have a knack for showing up with “just one drink” or not-so-gentle reminders of the old days. It’s a tough situation, and it’s surprisingly common. Friendship is usually a source of strength, but in the context of relapse, those closest to … Read more
Vaping gets a lot of attention, both from people curious about alternatives to smoking and from those concerned about health. It’s super easy to see why it’s grown in popularity, but the impact of vaping on your heart and blood vessels doesn’t get talked about as much as it should. I’m here to break down … Read more
Fentanyl has become a headline topic in recent years, popping up in a lot more places than you might expect. Traditionally, this drug was seen mostly in hospital settings or prescribed for severe pain, but now, trace amounts are being found in drugs where you’d never expect it. That’s causing a whole new set of … Read more
Cheating in relationships is a tough topic, and when addiction is involved, things can get even more complicated. Addiction—whether it’s drugs, alcohol, gambling, or another issue—puts a huge strain on trust and communication. Having seen people close to me deal with these kinds of relationship challenges, I’ve learned that recognizing early red flags is really … Read more
Sobriety celebrations have become increasingly visible on social media, at gatherings, and within recovery communities. Recognizing milestones can provide encouragement, strengthen social support, and give people an opportunity to acknowledge how far they have come. However, recovery celebrations can also bring unexpected pressure, uncomfortable attention, difficult emotions, or even triggers for some individuals. Recognizing both … Read more
If you’re someone who tends to need alone time to recharge, it’s easy to wonder whether you’re just introverted or if there’s something else going on, like social anxiety. Both terms show up a lot in conversation and on social media, but they don’t actually mean the same thing. While introverts and people with social … Read more
Teens today are facing a tough environment loaded with new pressures, and one of the biggest concerns coming up is the rise in fentanyl use among young people. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that’s far stronger than other opioids you may have heard about. The scary thing is, more teens are either using it … Read more
Addiction does not discriminate based on who you are, where you come from, or what you believe. It can affect people regardless of their career, income, age, social status, background, or political views. When addiction becomes surrounded by political debate or harmful stereotypes, we can lose sight of the reality that substance use disorders touch … Read more