Once you’re able to peacefully discuss a common interest, it may be easier to get your teen talking about the more sensitive issue of alcohol use. Trying to talk to a teen about drinking when they’re watching their favorite show, texting with their friends, or in the midst of a heated argument with you about something else isn’t going to be productive. Choose a time when your teen hasn’t been drinking and you’re both calm and focused—and turn off your phone to avoid distractions. It’s normal for parents to worry about their children using alcohol. As disturbing as it can...
Finally, a transitional housing center with a sobriety requirement could be of great help if you’re struggling with housing insecurity, mainly due to addiction struggles. Due to how interchangeably these terms are used, it is important to ask questions about expectations and structure to determine which home is the right fit for you. Julia Childs Heyl is a clinical social worker who focuses on mental health disparities, the healing of generational trauma, and depth psychotherapy. Residents usually sign a contract or written agreement outlining all of the rules and regulations of living at the sober living home. Sober living homes...
Make a list of the reasons you might want to continue use and why you want to quit. But when I looked at my life, I was overworked, overcommitted, and yet still not where I wanted to be. That is why this year, I’ve committed this year to fast from something every single month. I needed to let go of things that I was tightly clinging to, for my own comfort. I am someone who used to white-knuckle my way through life. Many people drink that glass of wine before bed thinking it will help them fall asleep, but in...
While admitting powerlessness over a substance may seem at odds with efforts to hold addicts responsible for their behaviors, the opposite is true. By accepting that you’re powerless over alcohol, drugs or addictive behavior, you’ve come to terms with your personal limitations. Recovery is a journey that can seem intimidating if you’re just beginning, but in AA, you just have to take it one step at a time. Asking for help seems like such a simple concept, but admitting powerlessness is a humbling, courageous act. In recovery, we learn that it takes far more strength to surrender and admit powerlessness...
If you do drink, there are healthy alcohol choices you can make. Here’s what you need to know about the healthiest alcohols and which you should avoid. Loose use of the terms “moderate” and “a drink” has fueled some of the ongoing debate about alcohol’s impact on health. Similarly, another 2017 study found that participants with a dependence on alcohol had lower oral hygiene scores and a higher risk of dental and periodontal diseases. Heavy alcohol drinking can affect the absorption of or increase the loss of zinc and other nutrients. A 2022 review suggests that alcohol consumption may have...
Like all unhealthy relationships, it’s time for you to end things with your addiction once and for all. It starts with you confronting your addiction head on. I’ve always feel a bit odd about writing unsent letters in therapy. I find the process artificial, and sometimes inhibiting. You might not see yourself as much of a writer, but give it a try! Start writing a letter yourself, and you might be surprised just how much it helps you. As much as I’d like to blame you for what’s happened to me, our relationship started out with good intentions and just...
The data that will be collected in this study will be available from the principal investigator on reasonable request. While living in the residential addiction facility, the staff will work to maintain your comfort. You will receive intensive daily therapies and will regain some of the life skills that addiction may have stunted. The full texts of the identified papers were assessed by two independent reviewers (M. K and M.R). The researchers were not blinded to the objectives of the study but they used the same criteria and worked on the review procedures independently. Any disagreement on the eligibility criteria...
Your healthcare provider can help you evaluate the pros and cons of each. When seeking professional help, it is important that you feel respected and understood and that you have a feeling of trust that this person, group, or organization can help you. Remember, though, that relationships with doctors, therapists, and other health professionals can take time to develop. Scientists are working to develop a larger menu of pharmaceutical treatments that could be tailored to individual needs. As more medications become available, people may be able to try multiple medications to find which they respond to best. It’s possible that...
