Some individuals may have difficulty reaching out for help with substance use disorder (SUD), process addictions, and related mental health conditions. Families and friends of individuals experiencing substance misuse want their loved ones to have the best treatment possible. However, sometimes it can be hard to know where to look for reliable and effective recovery […]
Coping With Shame in Addiction
Internalized stigmas can cause some people to refuse help for their substance use disorder (SUD). Family or social expectations can cause individuals to feel shame, regret, or fear when they consider reaching out for help. Unfortunately, this shame can prevent people from seeking treatment, which may be necessary to help them recover from substance misuse […]
Importance of Family Involvement and Family Education
Individuals experiencing substance use disorder (SUD) or mental health issues benefit from family support before, during, and after treatment. If someone you love is in recovery, you can help them heal by educating yourself about their condition. The realities of substance misuse and mental health disorders can surprise family members and friends. Truly understanding what […]
How to Support Friends Who Struggle With Mental Illness
Close friends are in a unique position to provide support to individuals living with mental illness. In fact, friends may see warning signs and recognize potentially problematic changes in behavior before family members. However, you may not know how to support your friend in a respectful and effective way. Watching them struggle with mental health […]
Long-Term Physical Effects of Adderall Addiction
Although Adderall can be very effective in helping people who have been diagnosed with ADHD, it can be harmful when used by people who do not have ADHD. It can also be harmful if taken by someone at higher doses than prescribed to them. In either case, long-term Adderall misuse can lead to significant physical […]
The Differences Between Compulsion and Addiction
Substance use disorder (SUD) is caused by physiological changes in the brain that limit a person’s ability to make healthy choices. Although compulsions are a symptom of SUD and other conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), they do not necessarily indicate a disorder. A mental health professional can help families determine if an individual’s compulsions need […]
Education on Other Types of Addiction
Substance misuse is one form of addiction. However, many other addictive behaviors can interfere with an individual’s treatment and recovery. The side effects of substance use disorder (SUD) often include physiological changes that impact the reward centers of the brain. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), substance misuse “amplifies or disrupts the […]
Q&A on Interventions
People struggling with addiction frequently notice negative consequences of their substance use or other addictive habits, but their addiction will not allow them to stop using on their own. Whether it involves the use of substances like alcohol and drugs or other destructive behaviors, addiction is a complicated disease that changes brain function and behavior. […]
How to Recognize Addiction in a Loved One
Recognizing addiction in a loved one can be painful. Often we do not want to acknowledge the warning signs. Regardless, addiction is a serious condition that needs to be taken seriously, or it will continue to get worse. In the book Addicted?: Recognizing Destructive Behaviors Before It’s Too Late, author Marilyn Freimuth discusses addiction in […]
How Do I Know if My Loved One Is Right for an Intervention?
When a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or mental health problems, it can be challenging to see the big picture and know the best way to help them. If you haven’t confronted them yet, you may be waiting and unsure how to approach them, not wanting to make things worse. If you have […]