Read more about current alcohol and drug addiction news and resources from Gateway.
We know how hard recovery can be after years of alcohol consumption and abuse. Sometimes, all you need to get started on the road to recovery are simple reminders of why stopping alcohol use is beneficial for your overall well-being. Here are five ways stopping alcohol use can improve your life. 1. Save Time One…
Many alcoholics do not realize the impact their addiction has on the people around them. Through secondhand drinking, alcohol addiction affects friends, spouses and children, causing family problems and damaging relationships. Secondhand drinking refers to how a person’s alcohol abuse and behavior negatively impact other people. In the United States, about one in five adults…
Being the parent of a child suffering from addiction is hard, and it can be a challenge to keep them on the road to recovery. Here are five actions you can take to keep your child on track. 1. Express Words of Encouragement Remember that addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. Blaming your…
If you’ve received professional addiction treatment, you probably learned that self-care during your recovery journey is not selfish. In fact, caring for your needs is one of the keys to relapse prevention. During recovery, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. You are cleansing your body, learning how to cope with stress and individual triggers, mending broken…
Many people refer to college as the best years of their life. The time period has the potential to pave the way for your future success as you devote yourself to learning, personal growth and social networking. That said, college has also often become synonymous with partying, drinking and drug use, which can lead to…
A set of cultural expectations surround a 21st birthday party, as the newfound ability to buy alcohol indicates that doing so is, naturally, how you should spend your day. As a result, this milestone birthday is typically tied to alcohol consumption — but it’s certainly not the only way to celebrate. If you’re in recovery…
If you have a loved one who battles addiction, you know firsthand the painful price of your love. You likely feel infinitely helpless as you watch someone you care for battle this stubborn opponent. Even more difficult is knowing how to continue showing them love while putting up necessary boundaries. Here we’ll offer some guidance…
Keeping drug and alcohol cravings under control while you’re in recovery can feel like a daunting or even impossible feat. Even with the strongest motivation to remain sober, a combination of willpower and determination likely won’t be enough to avoid a relapse in the early stages of recovery. Instead, building a strong foundation of guidance…
When addiction recovery gets tough — and there are times when it will — you may find yourself wondering, is living sober worth it? We’re here to tell you that the road to recovery is worth every grueling mile. It may feel like there’s no end in sight, but while addiction is in many ways…
Being a parent is not easy. Being a parent of a child who struggles with addiction is harder still. Deciding how best to care for them and navigate a treatment plan can feel like a complicated journey. Know that you’re not alone — many resources are available to help you understand your child’s addiction and…