Are the 12 Steps Enough to Beat Addiction?
Since AA began in 1935, 12-step programs have helped millions of people quit drugs and alcohol. AA was far better than the alternatives of the time, which were pretty much limited to jail or being [...]
When is it Too Late to Recover from Addiction?
Addiction affects people of all ages. Although substance use most often initially becomes a problem between the ages of 18 and 25, you can develop a substance use disorder at any age or a substance [...]
How to Stop Ruminating
Rumination is a negative thought pattern where you keep thinking about bad things that happened in the past or bad things that might happen in the future. You might keep thinking about past mistakes, perhaps [...]
Are Addiction and Dependence Different?
We often use “addiction” and “dependence” interchangeably to refer to a substance use disorder but they don’t quite mean the same thing. However, they are closely related and there is a large area of overlap. [...]
6 Signs You Might Have an Anxiety Disorder
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, more than 18 percent of American adults, or about 40 million people, struggle with an anxiety disorder every year. Anxiety disorders include many conditions, such as [...]
4 Ways Depression and Sadness are Different
You often hear people say they’re depressed when they mean they’re sad. You might say you’re depressed after a bad day at work or after arguing with your partner. Sadness is also the primary characteristic [...]
Which Comes First–Addiction or Depression?
At least half of people with substance use disorders have a co-occurring mental health issue. Common dual diagnoses include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, OCD, personality disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia. For [...]
Is Social Media Bad for Your Mental Health?
Sometimes it’s hard to separate the legitimate concerns about social media from the hysteria. For example, there was a mild panic about social media addiction. While it’s true that social media platforms are designed to [...]
2 Challenges for Introverts in Recovery
Broadly speaking, an introvert is someone who gets energy from being alone while an extrovert is someone who gets energy from being around others. While no one is completely introverted or extroverted, the extroverts do [...]
Is it Bad to Dream About Relapse?
Many people recovering from drug or alcohol addiction have had a similar kind of dream. In the dream, they drink or use drugs, immediately feel remorse or disbelief, then wake up and feel relieved it [...]
