Becoming an athlete takes years of training, practice and endurance combined with a healthy lifestyle and innate talent. Professional sports players are some of the most popular celebrities. But there’s a dark side to the lifestyle of being a star athlete — substance abuse. Many of today’s top athletes have struggled with addiction to drugs or…
Most people don’t truly understand addiction. They see an unhealthy dependence on drugs or alcohol, and mistakenly think addicted individuals lack willpower or have some kind of moral failing. Most don’t understand why an addict can’t just stop using. The truth is addiction is a complex brain disease. This means quitting takes more than just…
Social drinking is a huge part of our culture. Alcohol is available everywhere, from bars and restaurants to people’s homes. It’s a popular way to socialize, relax and even celebrate special occasions. Occasional drinking or even drinking alcohol a few times a week is considered normal and harmless. This ingrained cultural attitude remains mostly unchallenged…
The legal profession is a time-honored field. These stewards of the law study for three grueling years to gain the knowledge and insight they need to help others navigate the ins and outs of the legal system. While this profession offers incredible advantages in status and financial stability, there is a darker side to the…
Alcoholism is a pervasive issue through the United States. When someone struggles with an alcohol use disorder, they feel an overwhelming compulsion to drink alcohol. Even when not drinking, they’re preoccupied with the urge to drink. Over 15 million Americans struggle with this disease, and that’s only those over the age of 18. An additional 623,000…
Addiction is a disease with far-reaching ramifications. Not only does it impact the individual and their loved ones, but drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace exacts a high toll on employers and co-workers. The majority of people who struggle with a substance use disorder maintain some form of employment. That means, whether or not…
The Stages of Alcoholism and Recovery Alcoholism is one of the most dangerous addictions a person can have. Alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of death in America, yet few people get the help they need to address alcohol abuse and dependence. The good news is that most people can benefit from some form of treatment, but many…
The ability to move past anger and into forgiveness is a healing experience. Unfortunately, the process of forgiving can be very difficult, especially when someone has hurt you time and time again. If your parent is an alcoholic or drug abuser, that experience can alter your perspective and lead to anger and bitterness. Growing up…
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…