Taking Responsibility for Addiction

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Being a parent of a teenager struggling with addiction is an extremely difficult situation to be in. While many teens simply experiment with alcohol and drugs, some of them end up with problems and addiction. We’ll explore the relationship between a teen addict and their parent(s), and discuss ways to help what might seem like

There’s no Sense in Blaming Others for Your Drinking Problem

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We are quick to point fingers in many situations when we make a mistake, when something goes wrong, or when someone ends up hurt. We’ve all been here. How about the time you stopped for coffee in the morning before work and turned around—not looking—and bumped right into someone, spilling a full cup of coffee

Examining the Steps: Step 2

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Step 2 of the Alcoholics Anonymous program is essentially a stage of hope. It is about understanding that you are not alone, and that you don’t have to be miserable and in pain. Step 2 is about believing that a higher power greater than yourself can restore you to sanity and peace. The key point

Court Ordered Rehab for Young People

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Is it possible to force teenagers into rehab for addiction treatment? Of course. But, does it actually help? The percentage of teens who are mandated to attend rehab via the court system varies, but it generally around 60-65%. There are many factors to take into consideration to answer whether it works, and we’ll explore when

When OxyContin is Abused it’s not Medicine Anymore

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OxyContin is an opioid pain medication, or narcotic, which is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is meant to be used as an around-the-clock treatment of pain rather than on an as-needed basis. When used properly, the medication can relieve pain for up to 12 hours, but when used in excess it can

Maintaining Sobriety During Alcoholism Recovery

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Many people may ask if sobriety is so easy why failure happens. Relapse rates may be high, with some returning to addiction within a few weeks of recovery. Sobriety is a difficult road which is a daily battle. There is no quick fix or easy answer with individual personalities, situations and determination some of the

How Family Therapy can get everyone through Addiction

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When addicts are in need of professional help, families are often the ones to push them to seek it, whether it’s convincing them to attend rehab by holding an intervention or offering to pay for it if they agree to attend. What many people may not realize is how the family could benefit from addiction

Examining the Steps: Step 1

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The first step in the 12-step process is admitting powerlessness over addiction. To admit powerlessness for some is to admit defeat, when society seems to promote individuality, managing life without anyone else’s help and finding ways to keep pushing through struggles. To admit the need for help is a first step towards receiving the necessary

Admitting that You Have a Gambling Addiction

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Gambling is an addiction which gets talked about less than other problems but is no less dangerous or damaging to an individual. Financially, it can be devastating. Along with the addiction will be a cycle of lies, half-truths and deliberate attempts to hide the reality of what is going on from the people who care

Handling Your Liquor is Not a Sign of Manliness

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Men consume significantly higher amounts of alcohol compared to women. They are also more likely to report higher frequencies of intoxication, alcohol abuse, and dependency. Young adult males are twice as likely as women to suffer from alcohol abuse. Driving under the influence, violence and arrests related to alcohol are also higher in men. One