Why do many of the most effective addiction treatment programs separate men from women in recovery? Just as there are physical differences between the two, there are also significant differences in the causes and impacts of their addiction to drugs or alcohol. It makes sense, then, that men and women differ in their addiction treatment approaches and results as well. Biological Differences Researchers have found that women use and respond to substances, such as drugs and alcohol, differently than do men. Women tend to use smaller amounts of certain drugs for less time before they become addicted to those drugs. […]

Building up your sense of self-esteem can be a positive factor in your addiction recovery. If you feel better about yourself, you are more likely to want to continue to stay healthy, mentally and physically. February is International Boost Self-Esteem Month and the perfect time to look at ways to boost your self-esteem. Healthy Self-Esteem Positive self-esteem can give you the confidence you need to overcome daily challenges. If you are going through addiction treatment, building up your image of yourself and of your abilities can contribute significantly to a successful recovery. Self-esteem is essentially trusting in yourself. When you […]

If you are the parent of a younger addict, you may be frustrated that your son or daughter did not listen to you when you were trying to teach them the practical skills they would need to succeed in adulthood. In addiction, the focus is typically on where and how to get the alcohol or drugs that fuel daily life and not on the skills necessary to get a job, maintain a bank account, or even hold onto a healthy relationship. Whether you are the addict or the parent of an addict, here are some things you need to know […]

Relapse is not an indication of failure. Staying clean and sober is challenging. in fact, about 70-90 percent of recovering addicts experience “at least one mild to moderate slip,” which doesn’t mean the recovery program failed or the recovering addict failed. It is important, however, to know what to do after a relapse. Treatment for chronic relapsers involves the recovering addict, the addict’s family and friends, and a quality treatment program. WHY DO PEOPLE RELAPSE? Triggers and temptations abound for the recovering addict. A relapse can happen to you or to your loved one when something familiar triggers a desire […]