When you picture an addict, images from movies or the media of the stereotypical junkie probably come to mind. Substance abuse isn’t limited to this stigma, however. The number of older adults struggling with drug or alcohol addiction is growing every day. From alcoholism to opioid abuse, this unique issue among people 65 and older…
Everyone feels a little nervous when meeting new people, but social anxiety is much more than feeling a bit anxious in public spaces. Feeling shy usually goes away once you meet people or have a great conversation. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) causes heightened self-consciousness and an intense fear of being negatively judged by others. It’s…
Addiction is a deeply personal experience. During your recovery, you may find it difficult to communicate your story or verbalize how you feel. Unfortunately, many addiction programs focus on talking about what you’ve been through. When the words don’t come easily, art therapy for substance abuse can help bridge the gap between you and others, giving…
Whether you consider yourself a social butterfly or a wallflower, all humans are social beings. There’s hardly a moment in your life when you aren’t interacting with someone else or benefiting from their activities. It’s not surprising, then, that our happiness connects to our relationship with others. Loneliness is a serious epidemic that is overshadowed…
There’s something pure and healing about the natural world. Hiking through the mountains on a crisp fall morning. Sitting on the shore, watching waves crash on the sand. Staring up at the dark night sky. These images evoke powerful feelings within us. Nature therapy for depression and drug addiction is the idea that spending time…
Over 19 million people in the United States struggle with substance use disorder. This number represents countless lives impacted by drug and alcohol abuse. Spouses, parents, children, family members and close friends — addiction brings devastation and trauma to everyone it touches. Addiction is a disease that destroys trust and wreaks havoc on the family dynamic.…
If you’ve ever been to a rave or dance party, you or someone you know may have used club drugs. These chemical substances are meant to stimulate the senses and heighten the experience of the party. Yet club drugs are far from innocent — in fact, they are quite dangerous and even deadly. What Are Club…
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…
The disease of drug or alcohol addiction can damage healthy and loving relationships, creating trauma and dysfunction. Addiction and toxic relationships are often linked, with substance abuse co-occuring with intimate partner abuse in 40 to 60% of cases, although it can extend to other relationships as well. Toxic relationships and addiction go hand in hand, creating…
Rural communities make up 97% of America’s land area, yet less than 20% of the population lives in these smaller communities. Many don’t suspect these seemingly idyllic rural areas are impacted by substance abuse — a disease that wreaks havoc on both individuals and their families. From the early 2000s, the number of substance use-related deaths in rural…