One dangerous potential complication from chronic drug or alcohol abuse is dehydration—the loss of too much water from the body. Many people erroneously discount the dangers of drug and alcohol related dehydration, due to the fact that when sober, we naturally drink water when feel extreme thirst. However, this natural process of hydration gives us [...]

In the wake of severe, repeated or life-threatening trauma—such as abuse, rape, war or disasters—survivors can develop a condition known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Sufferers of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder experience indelible psychic scars from their traumatic experiences, leading to hyperarousal, debilitating fear, and reexperience of the trauma long after the traumatic incident has [...]

For those with chronic PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), traumatic experiences do not end when life-threatening situations are resolved. Because of the severe trauma to the brain and body, sufferers of PTSD find that traumatic memories disrupt their daily lives on an ongoing basis. Those suffering from PTSD tend to experience health risks, immense levels [...]

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which can manifest after an individual witnesses or survives a life-threatening event. The overwhelming psychological trauma involved leads to difficulties in memory processing, allowing the experience to resurface as if it were recurring in the present. The trauma symptoms in survivors of PTSD range from flashbacks [...]

Especially when you have been traumatized by a life-threatening event, discussing its effects on your life with loved ones can be intimidating. You may feel embarrassed at some of your reactions to triggers, as well as reluctant to share your Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis with others. However, recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder begins [...]

Sometimes, the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) appear even when no trauma is recognized or remembered. In some such instances, trauma has occurred that is so incredibly painful that the mind cannot bear to dwell on it. As a protective mechanism, denial surfaces in order to avoid the painful memory. However, while denial [...]

At least 100,000 deaths each year in the United States can be attributed to alcohol related causes. On average, an alcohol dependent individual lives 10 to 15 years less than non dependent individuals. Both behavioral and physiological responses to alcohol consumption can lead to a significantly reduced life span.

Alcohol Related Behaviors That Reduce Longevity

Individuals who [...]

The physical effects of injection based drug use create the potential for dangerous—or even lethal—repercussions. Dependency on injection drugs can cause a host of problems if left untreated, from the contraction and spreading of terminal diseases to long-term damage to the body’s circulatory system. While much of the damage caused by injection drug use can [...]

Chronic drug use takes an incredible toll in the body, and can also lead to unhealthy levels of fatigue and exhaustion. The body’s systems become overtaxed by drug dependency, from days spent artificially awake on extended benders to physical fatigue from extended hyperalertness. Additionally, when side effects of drug use begin to manifest (such as [...]

Most of us already know that drug and alcohol abuse causes harm to the body, but few of us fully realize the impact recreational drugs can have on the development of cancer. Many recreational drugs have harmful and dangerous carcinogens, either due to the method of ingestion, or because of the drug production process itself. [...]

One of the most challenging parts of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is the repairing of relationships where trust has been broken. While chemical dependency still remains a problem, the relationships we used to hold dearly often fall by the wayside. The physical and psychological components of addiction often lead us to act in [...]

As parents, we all endeavor to build trusting and open relationships with our children. However, children’s vulnerable nature can mean that trust can be difficult, especially when a family has been affected by drug or alcohol addiction. While entering a private drug rehab program and recovering from chemical dependency is the first step in reestablishing [...]

Many of us desire high levels of trust in our relationships, but sometimes, past experiences or lingering hurt can get in the way of intimacy. Sometimes, the existence of an alcohol or drug addiction can break trust within a relationship, as secrecy and the drive to use or drink lead to emotional pain in our [...]

Sometimes, those who recover from drug or alcohol addiction find themselves with marriages that have suffered in the process. Even after drug and alcohol inpatient recovery has taken place, you may find yourself in a coparenting situation with your ex-husband or ex-wife. Of course, the primary goal of coparenting is to provide the benefit of [...]

Over the course of a marriage, trust is continually built with each interaction. Trust in a marriage can also become eroded—especially when an alcohol or drug addiction has developed in one or both partners. Fortunately, once alcohol or drug treatment has been completed, both partners can begin to take steps to restore and rebuild trust [...]

For those with undiagnosed mental disorders, the risk of drug or alcohol addiction can increase dramatically. Whether individuals experience common mental health issues such as depression and anxiety or more complex disorders such as Bipolar Disorder and schizophrenia, attempts to manage symptoms on their own can lead many individuals to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. [...]

Some individuals grow so weary of unresolved psychological, emotional and physical pain that they make attempts to eliminate symptoms through self-medication. Over time, brain chemistry adjusts for the presence of the substance used to self-medicate, making the user chemically dependent. Finding recovery after self medicating with drugs and alcohol can represent a turning point—a time [...]

Though millions of people nationwide suffer from anxiety disorders, only one-third of sufferers ever seek professional help. Ultimately, this leads many sufferers of anxiety disorders to attempt to self-medicate—using sedative drugs to regulate and eliminate symptoms of anxiety. Unfortunately, this leaves many with anxiety disorders feeling worse in the long run—with fewer coping mechanisms, no [...]

Especially in cases where pain has not adequately been managed by physicians, physical pain can be debilitating. As a result, many sufferers of severe and chronic pain self medicate with illegal drugs. Unfortunately, this practice of self medication often leads to drug or alcohol dependency, while the source of the physical pain remains untreated. Fortunately, [...]

Trauma symptoms can range from panic attacks and hypervigilance to dissociation and nightmares, all making it difficult to cope with daily life. As a result, many who encounter physical, sexual and emotional trauma attempt to reestablish calm and control by self-medicating with alcohol. In fact, abusing alcohol is one of the most common ways people [...]

As parents, many of us rolemodel our parenting after the guidance and principles we learned as children. While our parents can be a wonderful source of inspiration for how we parent our children, many of us recovering from drug and alcohol abuse did not have adequate parenting rolemodels growing up. However, as we begin our [...]

Children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) often can benefit from extra care and patience in order to realize their full potential. While children with ADHD are often intelligent and kind-hearted, they tend to thrive in nurturing environments with structure and predictability. By adding to your cache of parenting strategies, you can provide your ADHD [...]

Whether through divorce or widowhood, single parenting can be a challenging experience. Single parents face the singular challenge of providing guidance, inspiration and encouragement to their children alone. If you have recently found freedom from a drug or alcohol addiction, recovery presents a new opportunity to become a better single parent for your children. You [...]

One of the primary concerns for parents of teenagers is the fear that their children will develop drug or alcohol addictions. By talking to your teenagers about their drug or alcohol use, you can lay a foundation of trust and communication that will foster healing. While your teenager may need inpatient drug or alcohol rehab [...]

We oftentimes get so wrapped up in the details of our own lives that we forget that we also have an impact on others. By practicing acts of kindness, we can impact others in positive ways, elevating our own spirits and theirs in the process. While many of us naturally demonstrate kindness to those we [...]