You’ve heard about the stereotypical alcoholic. This person lost a job, family, and home. In contrast, what is a functioning alcoholic? Do you recognize yourself as the individual who’s keeping a job, home, and family while struggling with chemical dependency and doesn’t even know they need an addiction treatment program? Alcohol Abuse is an Addiction…
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Debbie became a teacher because she wanted to help other people, especially kids. On a typical weekday, she would drop her son off at the high school then go to her own classroom of fourth-graders, where there’s no typical other than the subjects. Well respected by their small town and church, Debbie’s son had his…
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Let’s face it, change is hard for most people—this reality can be observed each year in the weeks before and after January 1st, as countless numbers of people either forgo making a New Year’s resolution or give up on their goals shortly afterward. For someone struggling with a substance use disorder or other form of addiction, the…
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Vaping is the act of inhaling and then exhaling aerosol or vapor from a liquid that contains nicotine or other drugs, like THC. The vapor is produced by an e-cigarette or other device, like a vape pen or Juul. Juul and other e-cigarette companies have come under fire for deceptive advertising targeting their products to youth,…
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Although treatment for substance abuse and mental disorders takes place in centers, addiction recovery is a lifelong process. September is dedicated to the awareness and celebration of recovery. The theme for Recovery Month 2018 is “join the voices of recovery: invest in health, home, purpose and community.” To kick off Recovery Month, Gateway Foundation’s Director of Alumni Events Marty Cook speaks…
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One of the biggest concerns many teens and parents find themselves facing is alcohol and drug use. An estimated 1.3 million adolescents in the United States have a substance use disorder. Equally as worrisome, the majority of people who have a teen substance abuse disorder started doing drugs before the age of 18 and people who start drinking before 15 are four times…
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What is Marijuana? Cannabis, also called marijuana, pot or weed, is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. Marijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of dried, shredded pieces of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. The main compound of marijuana, THC, is what is believed to alter chemicals in the brain to produce a “high.” Addiction…
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Staff and friends celebrated the Gateway Foundation Chicago River North opening with a ribbon cutting August 23. The new Gateway Foundation River North site is located at 415 N. Dearborn St., blocks from Merchandise Mart and Illinois Center and less than a 20-minute walk from Union Station and Ogilvie transportation centers to accommodate busy schedules with Outpatient care.…
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The most important thing you can do if you think your teen is struggling with teen drug use is to talk to them about it. Even if you aren’t worried about teen drug use yet, drug and alcohol prevention should start early. Research indicates that when parents talk to their kids openly about drugs and drinking,…
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At McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition‘s first Ride for Recovery on August 12th, about 25 motorcyclists stopped to cool down at Gateway Foundation Lake Villa. McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition works with community stakeholders to reduce and change attitudes about substance abuse. About Gateway Foundation Lake Villa Located in Northern Illinois, Gateway Foundation Lake Villa offers a…
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