Dating apps have transformed how people meet, flirt, form relationships, and search for companionship. With a smartphone and a few swipes, someone can encounter dozens of potential partners within minutes. For many people, these apps are simply useful tools. For others, however, checking profiles, chasing matches, waiting for messages, and seeking validation can develop into … Read more
A night out with friends, a celebration, or a few drinks at dinner can sometimes be followed by an unpleasant morning of headache, nausea, fatigue, thirst, dizziness, stomach irritation, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms are commonly known as a hangover. Although countless products promise an instant hangover cure, there is no scientifically proven remedy that … Read more
Stephen King is known worldwide for novels such as Carrie, The Shining, Cujo, and It, but behind his extraordinary literary success was a serious struggle with alcohol and drugs. His experience demonstrates an important reality about substance use disorders: professional success does not protect someone from addiction. King has spoken publicly about heavy drinking, cocaine … Read more
Paula Abdul became internationally known as a singer, dancer, choreographer, and television personality. Behind her energetic performances, however, she has publicly discussed years of injuries, surgeries, chronic pain, and sleep difficulties. Her experience offers an opportunity to discuss an important issue in addiction medicine: the complicated relationship between chronic pain, prescription medications, physical dependence, and … Read more
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
Cravings can feel powerful, especially when someone is hungry, tired, stressed, or adjusting to new routines during recovery. One simple strategy that may help some people start the day with greater stability is eating a breakfast that contains adequate protein. Protein is not a cure for addiction, and breakfast cannot eliminate substance cravings. However, a … 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
Mental health can be difficult to explain to someone who does not believe psychological conditions are “real.” A skeptic may view depression as sadness, anxiety as worrying too much, addiction as poor choices, or ADHD as a lack of discipline. Others may believe that people should simply become stronger, think positively, pray more, work harder, … Read more
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects attention, impulse control, organization, motivation, and emotional regulation. Alcohol affects many of these same brain functions. When ADHD and alcohol use overlap, the combination can create challenges involving decision-making, relationships, work, school, medication management, and mental health. Some people with ADHD may initially experience alcohol as relaxing. It might seem to … Read more