Addiction Recovery Blog

The opioid epidemic is becoming increasingly rampant in the United States and across the world. This past year, the drug overdose deaths reached an all-time high of approximately 100,000 in the US, and about 65% of these deaths were related to opioids. 

Unfortunately, the coronavirus and all the uncertainty that came with it, only made the opioid epidemic worse. With health departments spending so much time and money on COVID, the spotlight has shifted away from the opioid crisis. 

October is here, and it's a time when people from all across the world participate in the Sober October challenge. 

The first step to recovery is acknowledging that you need to help. Substance use disorders are complex and it requires time and commitment in order to attain sobriety. While going to treatment may seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be that way. September is National Recovery Month, and it’s important to be aware of the types of treatment that are available across the country so that you can decide which one is best for you.

It is so common nowadays to ask someone “What they do for a living” as a means of small talk. For 6 years my answer to this question was “I’m an addiction counselor” and as a response I would receive some variation of “Bless you, that must be so hard to work with them”. It took me a long time to realize that people did not know how to respond because of the stigma attached to addiction and mental illness in general.

There is a common misperception that some addictions are more “serious” than others, that alcohol addiction isn't as serious as an addiction to heroin, crack, or methamphetamine. 

Common stereotypes paint images of alcoholics getting drunk at home and heroin addicts as engaged in criminal behavior, unemployed, homeless, or giving up on life. After all, alcohol is a legal and socially acceptable substance here in the U.S. Thus, it is perceived as less serious.

You might not think that your loved one’s substance use disorder is a family business, but their struggles are a complex battle that come with very real consequences to your family.  Substance use disorder is often referred to as a family disease, which is true both from a genetic and social point of view. 

You might already understand that there are physical, mental and societal challenges that come with substance use disorders and that jeopardize your family’s well-being. Let’s take a closer look at the true impact substance use disorder could be having on your family:

For many people, substance use disorder is more than just a physical struggle with drugs and alcohol; it takes root in unresolved issues, trauma and mental health. In fact, nearly 6 in 10 individuals who struggle with substance use disorder are also affected by at least one co-occurring disorder, making the acknowledgement or discovery of these conditions a critical component of treatment.

Retaining valued personnel is a key factor in the success of any business. When you have an employee who is battling a substance use disorder there are often several ways that it will impact your workplace – even if they are sober while they are on the job.

A key to component for recovery from substance use disorder is by setting S.M.A.R.T goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Time Bound). Goals help you prioritize, achieve your aspirations, augment your motivation for growth and enhance confidence and self-worth.

When someone suffers from a substance use disorder and a mental health or psychiatric disorder (such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, OCD, or a personality disorder), the conditions are considered co-occurring because they are occurring at the same time.