3 Serious Dangers of Binge Drinking
Binge drinking isn’t something that’s acceptable to do on the weekends. It can create a number of health risks the first time you engage in it. Over time, the more you drink, the higher your risks become. Understanding binge drinking dangers is important for anyone that engages in routine alcohol use. For some, it can […]
3 Ways Stress Leads to Alcoholism
Stress is a part of everyday life for many people. Sometimes, we can learn to push that stress away and focus on what needs to be accomplished. Other times, it does not get better. That’s when alcohol abuse begins. Alcohol dependence and alcoholism can occur at this point, putting you at risk for many more […]
Top 3 Differences Between AUD and Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcohol addiction have many things in common. These similarities relate to the way alcohol causes changes in the brain. However, there are differences between the two that you may not know be aware of, and knowing the difference can help you decide which treatment is best for your overall health. […]
How to Help an Alcoholic
While it’s true that a person with an alcohol use disorder has to take the initiative to overcome it, the support system needs to know how to help an alcoholic curb addiction. Family members and close friends should create a safety net for the alcoholic to maintain sobriety and avoid relapse. For alcohol addiction treatment, […]
The (Sometimes Surprising) Health Benefits of Long-Term Sobriety
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When I was in active alcoholism, I couldn’t be in a room with an animal without needing an inhaler. Now, I have a cat. Alcohol was exacerbating my once-mild allergies. Starting six months into being sober, I was able to be around animals and have no noticeable symptoms. For years now, I’ve been able to […]
Can You Get Sober Without AA?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When I decided I would get sober on August 1st, 2015, I knew I would do so without Alcoholics Anonymous. I had tried the program in 2009, but hadn’t connected with it. I didn’t stay sober for long that first time—not because of AA, but because I wasn’t ready. I hadn’t taken the time to […]
Treat Both: Mental Health and Addiction Need Your Attention
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]People with substance use disorders (SUD), commonly referred to as addiction or alcoholism, often have co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But which condition came first? When seeking addiction treatment it is important to also enter mental health treatment, or vice versa. This is often called a dual […]
National Vodka Day: A National Obsession with Alcohol
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”National Vodka Day” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Today is National Vodka Day, yes you read that right, National Vodka Day. Lately, it seems that every day is “national something or other” day, whether it be real or fictional- Americans find something to celebrate. It comes as no shock, in a culture seemingly fixated on drinking, that many of […]
Treating Trauma is Paramount in Treating Addiction
[vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Experiencing or being exposed to violence is one of the leading causes of trauma. We all experience trauma differently. For some it could be from sustaining an injury during a car accident. For others it could be from experiencing military combat. Others could have been subjected to physical, emotional or sexual abuse. As much as […]
Should Treatment for Alcoholism be More Personalized?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]One of the defining characteristics of alcohol use disorder (AUD), commonly referred to alcoholism, is having an often-insatiable urge to consume alcohol despite the negative consequences being intoxicated causes. Persistent cravings to drink are one of the single largest barriers standing between active drinking and recovery from AUD. Acamprosate, sold commercially as Campral in pharmaceutical markets outside of the […]