Keeping you in-the-know about addiction and recovery.
Healing the Whole Person: Treating PTSD and Addiction
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. Most of us experience trauma in some form during our lifetimes, and trauma can shape our lives in unseen ways. If trauma leaves a lasting imprint, it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—a mental health condition marked by ongoing emotional distress that can sometimes
Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. What Are Co-Occurring Disorders? Co-occurring disorders—also known as dual diagnoses—refer to the presence of both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health condition in the same individual. This combination is far more common than most folks realize. In fact, more than half of
Get the Facts: Substance Use in the LGBTQ Community
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care Addiction impacts people from all walks of life. However, certain groups experience addiction at higher rates than others. Even though members of the LGBTQ community are more likely to use to drugs and alcohol, there aren’t many studies that focus specifically on why this might
How Are Men Really Doing?
Reviewed by: Lauren Grawert, M.D. June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. So, how are men doing? Well, unfortunately things could be better. Despite all our progress in other health arenas, there is still significant stigma and misunderstanding surrounding male mental health. Current American expectations still dictate that men should
Your Brain Can Heal: How Recovery Helps Rewire and Restore
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care It’s a fact that addiction changes the brain. Most of us are not born dependent on substances, though addiction can form over time from learned behaviors that create habitual pathways in the brain. Thankfully, the reverse is also true, and the brain can change once
Understanding Alcohol’s Toll on Mental Wellness
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care It’s not uncommon to turn to alcohol to cope with trauma, mental health struggles, and plain old stress. All around us, cultural messages perpetuate the myth that alcohol can soothe and heal our psychic ills. Just turn on a TV sitcom and you may see
Why Sooner Is Better: The Power of Early Intervention for Alcohol Use
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care It’s never easy to see someone struggle with alcohol use, which can take an emotional and physical toll on everyone in their midst. The transition from gray-area “problem drinking” to full-blown alcohol dependence can happen quickly. That’s why it’s critical to act early—whether it means
The Hidden Toll: How Alcohol Affects Your Body from Head to Toe
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care For many people in recovery—or those supporting a loved one who’s struggling—alcohol isn’t something to take lightly. Whether you’ve experienced the painful cycle of addiction firsthand or witnessed its effects in someone close to you, the physical toll alcohol takes on the body is a
Women, Hormones & Substance Use: What We Know Now
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care Women and men are not exactly the same when it comes to substance use. Yet, as medical science has historically focused more on male subjects, there are gaps of knowledge around women and substance use, which modern science is only now beginning to fill. Let’s
How to Rebuild Family Relationships in Addiction Recovery
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care The impact of addiction reaches far beyond the person abusing substances—it can negatively affect everyone in that person’s life. Among those relationships, family can be most affected. On top of the legal and financial problems caused by addiction, families can experience stress and emotional trauma.
Understanding Medicaid Coverage for Drug Rehabilitation Services
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care Insurance coverage can help cover costs associated with substance use rehabilitation. If you are covered by Medicaid, Medicaid can cover treatment services for drug and alcohol addiction. The level of coverage you receive is determined by your insurance plan and the state in which you
Couples Rehab: Addressing Addiction Together
Reviewed by: Aware Recovery Care You may be considering couples rehab, which would allow you and your significant other to attend inpatient rehab together. During couples rehab, you are able to address substance use that has affected your relationship. Both you and partner may be dealing with substance use disorders.