Treating Pain or Enabling Addiction? Painkiller use has skyrocketed in the past decade, but has it made a difference in pain? According to a new study, the number of office visits for pain hasn’t changed. The government is trying to address the problem with new labeling rules. Can these changes make a difference for people…
Taking Action and Making Change
The moment you realized your life was unmanageable was the day you knew you needed to make a change. You might have been afraid of this decision, but going to alcohol and drug rehab is the best way you can turn your life around. But things won’t change just by going to rehab. Making positive…
5 Ways to Establish Healthy Boundaries in Recovery
When your loved one was actively drinking and using drugs, you felt helpless. You might have been stuck between doing what is right or doing what he or she wanted and that created stress. In the end, it feels like you were walked all over by your loved one. Now that your loved one is…
Alcohol Consumption and the Risk of Cancer
For many, alcohol is a way to relax on weekends or unwind at the end of a busy day, while for others its use may be an addiction. Regardless of why a person drinks, that glass of wine or can of beer could mean an increased risk of health problems like cancer. According to the…
Dorm Room Pharmacy
College is a time for learning and self-discovery. It’s the first time you are on your own. For many, this is a time to have fun and make memories to last a lifetime. Making bad decisions and mistakes is just part of the learning experience. The misuse of “study drugs,” prescription drugs like Ritalin, Adderall…
Deadly Happy Pill Epidemic in Women
Deadly Happy Pill Epidemic in Women When you think of health risks for women in the United States, the first thing that comes to mind may be cancer. You may not think of prescription drug addiction and overdose, but maybe you should. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that more women died…
Breaking Bad: A Glimpse into the World of Crystal Meth
AMC’s “Breaking Bad” has taken the nation by storm. The show has offers a glimpse into the dark and gritty world of crystal meth. Creator Vince Gilligan created a story and characters that are complex and frightening and crystal meth is at the center of it all. Art Imitating Life From the beginning of the…
U.S. Domestic Violence Centers and Shelters
Domestic violence can happen to any person, at any time. While statistics show that a majority of victims are women, individuals of all ages, races, sexual orientation and socioeconomic statuses are affected. Men are also victims of domestic violence and often suffer similar physical and mental injuries inflicted by another person. Most people think about…
Being Your Own Best Friend in Recovery
You were on a self-destructive path, using alcohol and drugs to punish yourself. You convinced yourself that being happy just wasn’t in your cards; you didn’t deserve it. Now that you are in recovery, the guilt and shame of all your bad choices are overwhelming. You might even go as far as hating yourself. But…
Coping with Suicide in Recovery
You spent years numbing yourself from the emotional pain, anger or anxiety. Although you thought using alcohol and drugs was a good way to deal with or rather NOT deal with these feelings, it really wasn’t. Reality showed a completely different picture and it was difficult for everyone around you to watch the chaos. Now…
