Is Fighting the Opiate Epidemic Getting People Hooked on Heroin?
Opiate addiction, be it prescription or off the street heroin is a devastating and deadly affliction, and there has been a conscious effort these past few years to highlight the public health crisis and opiate epidemic caused by the overprescribing of pain medications, resulting in the tens of thousands of deaths. Prescription painkillers have become public . . . . Continue Reading
Suburban White Women now Leading Heroin Users
50 years ago researchers avidly stood by the statistic that the average first-time heroin user was a 16-year-old male of color. However today the drug culture has changed a great deal, and that average first-time heroin user is actually much more likely to be a 23-year-old white woman. This may seem strange to some, but . . . . Continue Reading
Prescription Painkillers: Public Enemy Number 1 for Overdose
You might ask why I say prescription painkillers are Public Enemy Number 1, but the answer may be a little more than you expected. If you really need a reason, let’s just say that according to recent research, opioid overdoses are a leading cause of death in the United States! By that count, over . . . . Continue Reading
Heroin Overdose on a Rapid Rise
Nationally rates from heroin overdoses increased by over 50% in a decade, and recent polls suggest that this trend is still on the rise. While the overdose rates do vary from state to state, there is still a great amount of concern because the problem does not seem to be solving itself anytime soon. With . . . . Continue Reading
10 Signs You Are Using Relationships to Fill a Spiritual Void
All you need is love. I am a firm believer this is the truth, the only problem is some people tend to believe that love has to be a romantic love. I believe wholeheartedly love is the essence of life, and it should be unconditional and without bias. That it is, in my opinion, . . . . Continue Reading
Women, Depression, and Addiction
Addiction and depression are common coexisting conditions, and statistics show that women who struggle with substance abuse are at an even higher risk of depression. When a woman has a depressive disorder, it interferes with daily life and normal functioning, and causes pain for both the woman with the disorder and those who care . . . . Continue Reading
10 Signs You’re Not Really Willing To Go To Any Lengths For Your Sobriety
The first 2 questions my sponsor asked me, and the first 2 questions I always ask a sponsee are simple: Are you willing to go to any lengths for your sobriety? Are you willing to follow a few simple suggestions? The ironic thing is when you ask the first question, the person says yes, and . . . . Continue Reading
The 7 Most Surprising Things about Being Young in Recovery
Recovery is no longer limited to an older crowd, and actually has had a growing young community for decades. Most young people who are addicts and alcoholics that are early in recovery usually do not know what to expect out of joining this community, and there are plenty of surprises in sobriety that you . . . . Continue Reading
What is ‘Terminal Uniqueness’ and How Can I Know If I Have It?
What is Terminal Uniqueness? As someone recovering from substance abuse and addiction, I can say that I personally have dealt with periods of what is called ‘Terminal Uniqueness’ (also referred to as personal exceptionalism). This is the false belief that the situation an addict or alcoholic is facing is unlike anything other addicts or alcoholics . . . . Continue Reading
Creating Healthy Boundaries vs. Being Selfish: 5 Ways to Know the Difference
Being selfish is one of the things we as addicts and alcoholics are best at. We like to think of ourselves in almost every aspect and justify it in any way we can. It can be positive or negative, and we can even convince ourselves we are being humble or helpful but in many . . . . Continue Reading