Alcoholism, formally known as alcohol abuse disorder, is the psychological and physical dependence on alcohol. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), in 2015, 15.1 million adults in the United States had an alcohol use problem. Individuals who are addicted to alcohol will go to extreme lengths to hide their addiction, will go through
“According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 1.6 million people (0.6 percent of the population) reported using methamphetamine in the past year, and 774,000 (0.3 percent) reported using it in the past month”. As methamphetamine-related deaths continue to rise, drug addiction treatment professionals are continually faced with challenges to
How does your sexual orientation contribute to your addiction? Are you comfortable in your own skin? Have you told anyone your sexual orientation? Do you have anyone in your life that supports your sexual orientation? Have you told anyone about your struggle with addiction? In the early those of addiction treatment, LGBTQ individuals need support,
Addiction is a family disease, meaning that if an individual is struggling with a substance use disorder, it will affect the rest of the family in various ways. As they respond with a wide range of coping mechanisms, their reactive behaviors influence their loved one who is struggling with addiction. The family dysfunction that results
“And after a long time the boy came back again. “I am sorry, Boy,” said the tree, “but I have nothing left to give you- My apples are gone.” “My teeth are too weak for apples,” said the boy. “My branches are gone,” said the tree. “You cannot swing on them-“ “I am too old
Genetics indeed play a significant role in the development of substance use disorders and mental health disorders. An individual is more likely to develop depression or alcohol use disorder if their mom or dad also had one of these disorders. The common phrase “addiction is a family disease” has nothing to do with the actual
“A codependent person is one who has let another person’s behavior affect him or her, and who is obsessed with controlling that person’s behavior.” ― Melody Beattie, Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself What is codependency? Codependency is a negative factor that is encountered in many relationships that can destroy
The holidays can be a stressful time of year for anyone and can be even more stressful if you are in recovery. Addiction is more pronounced during the holiday season, and when one individual is struggling with a substance use disorder, the entire family unit is affected. Family gatherings, hectic preparations, holiday shopping, financial stress,
October is known as National Substance Abuse Prevention Month since 2011. It is time to highlight the vital role of substance abuse prevention in individual lives and the community. It is also a month dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives to substance abuse and recognizing those in recovery and children, parents, and loved
Trauma is the Greek word for “wound” and the Merriam Webster definition of trauma is: A: an injury (such as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent B: a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury C: an emotional upset As a society, we
“It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one.” ― George
Awareness in June: PTSD Awareness Month “Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When it is ignored or invalidated the silent screams continue internally heard only by the one held captive. When someone enters the pain and hears the screams healing can begin.” – Danielle Bernock, Emerging With Wings Earlier
“In a historic decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian, and transgender employees from discrimination based on sex. The ruling was 6-3, with Justice Neil Gorsuch, President Trump’s first appointee to the court, writing the majority opinion. The opinion was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts
Earlier this month, we discussed the importance of men’s mental health in a blog post titled “Why Men Matter”. We continue to raise awareness in June by introducing the next important awareness day: International Day Against Drug Use and Illicit Trafficking, June 26th. This year’s theme for International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
“You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him discover it himself.” -Galileo Galilei Men’s Health Month For June, AKUA Mind and Body will be speaking out about the importance of men in society, highlighting how men are affected by both mental health and substance abuse while simultaneously highlighting the importance of these
Everyone will most likely agree that establishing friends in childhood is much easier than building friendships in adulthood. Children are more innocent, less judgmental, and will bond over the simplest things like stickers and orange crayons. As individuals age, they become more stuck in their ways. However, no matter what age, friendships, and social bonding
AKUA Mind & Body celebrates World No Tobacco Day to raise awareness about its harmful effects and its increased use among teenagers and young adults. We recognize the importance of this day as it is with the start of these small addictions that the addiction to major substances/drugs begins. Hence, we believe in taking any
Our mind, body, and spirit are interconnected, and we can manage our anxiety by practicing mindfulness, taking care of our bodies, and staying in touch with our spiritual health. “Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn’t more complicated than that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant
Teletherapy, also called telemedicine is virtual counseling with a licensed professional through the phone or videoconferencing. One of the main reasons why teletherapy was not as popular in the past is because insurance companies were hesitant to get on board. Now that teletherapy is the only way individuals are seeking therapy due to COVID-19, insurance
Why Are Women Prone to Addiction? Taking a Look At Four Common Factors Specific to Females National Women’s Health Week (NWHW) is a weeklong health observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH). The week May 10-16, 2020, serves as a reminder for women and girls, especially
SAMSHA National Prevention Week Cross Addictions: Trading One Habit for Another National Prevention Week is an annual national awareness week that takes place during the third week in May (May10th-16h this year) in order to improve community involvement, enhance mental health partner engagement and increase mental health resource sharing within a community, state and national
April is dedicated to Alcohol Awareness Month by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD). Alcohol Awareness month is a national movement to raise awareness of the causes and effects associated with alcohol use disorder and is also a way to educate and inform the public on the importance of eliminating the stigma
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (
“Dry January” is 30 days during the first month of the year, where individuals refrain from drinking alcohol as a way to cleanse their body and their mind. Alcohol consumption usually peaks during the holidays, fueling addictions and mental health disorders, often leaving individuals feeling a plethora of negative feelings. Alcohol acts on the neurochemical
A trendy new type of e-cigarette called “JUUL” is becoming increasingly popular, especially among children and adolescents. “JUULing” is another term for “vaping,” which is the use of electronic cigarettes, commonly referred to as “e-cigs” or “vape pens.” Specifically, JUUL is a brand of e-cigarette that is shaped like a USB flash drive. This battery-powered
Talking to Your Partner About Your Diagnosis. Mental illness and addiction carry a heavy stigma. It can be hard enough just to talk about depression, anxiety, and relapse when you’re struggling. Maybe you’re embarrassed to admit the hurdles you face every day. Even couples who have been together for years may struggle with sharing details
The opioid epidemic has been ravishing through the United State of America since the 1990s and it has been worsening over the years. According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control, the number of individuals who have died from opioid overdose since 1999 has nearly quadrupled and in 2014, the most recent year for
Drinking after sobriety or using drugs after kicking the habit can be extremely discouraging; especially after you have successfully completed a drug and alcohol addiction treatment program. You may feel like you have not only let yourself down but you have let everyone around you down. Keep in mind that the relapse itself is not
National Prevention Week is an annual national awareness week that takes place during the third week in May (May12th-19th this year) in order to improve community involvement, enhance mental health partner engagement and increase mental health resource sharing within a community, state, and national level. Substance abuse and mental health disorders affect millions of individuals
Opioids are natural pain relieving medications cultivated from the poppy plant since 3400B.C. Today most of these prescription painkillers are man made and synthesized by pharmaceutical companies or through illegal makeshift laboratories and are sold on the street and are distributed all over the world creating an addictive opioid epidemic. Naturally occurring opioids such as
Prescription Pill Abuse & Addiction Treatment in America. According to statistics, prescription drug abuse causes the largest percentage of deaths from drug overdoses. Of the 22,400 drug overdose deaths in the US in 2005, opioid painkillers were the most commonly found drugs, accounting for 38.2% of these deaths. Without professional treatment, addiction to prescription drugs
According to statistics, alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the United States: 17.6 million people or one in every 12 adults are diagnosed with an alcohol abuse disorder and millions of more individuals engage in risky behaviors such as binge drinking that can potentially lead to alcohol abuse disorder. Alcohol can affect
So you feel that you or a loved one may be ready for treatment. The next step would be to choose the right treatment facility. If you have done an internet search or had a friend or family member who has been in treatment, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of facilities offering
Addiction is defined as a condition in which a person engages in the repeated use of a substance despite increasing negative consequences. Initially, it is one’s own choice to try a substance; however, the drug or alcohol generates pleasurable, rewarding effects that lead to increased urges in that person’s brain to use. This cycle of
Alcoholism Signs and Symptoms Alcohol addiction influences numerous aspects of an individual’s life, including financial, physical, emotional and social matters. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), over 18 million Americans are struggling with an alcohol abuse problem. As indicated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) alcohol
Do you experience difficulty controlling how much alcohol you drink? Or you keep drinking despite the fact that alcohol has negative repercussions on your life? If you have either of the characteristics, you most likely have alcohol abuse disorder. As per the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), nearly 18 million people in
Substance abuse has had a devastating impact on the lives of millions in the United States. As substance use and abuse continue to ravage communities, researchers are working on treatment approaches that can ensure a successful recovery from addiction. Religious beliefs and spiritual practices in preventing use and relapse were commonly thought of in the
We live in a society where millions of Americans are addicted to drugs and alcohol but only a small portion receive proper treatment. Addiction is a disease that influences one’s mind and behavior. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health NSUDH 2014 report, nearly 22 million Americans age 12 and older had a substance use
Over the years, advanced technological innovations have brought about major changes in the field of communication. With the advancement of internet, cell phones, and other electronic gadgets, the lives of people have substantially changed. Although the changes have brought positive outcomes to our lives, an addiction to cell phones has developed. This is demonstrated by
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. population drinks alcohol regularly, and, consequently, four million adults are identified as having some form of liver disease, as stated by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Liver disease is one of the most prevailing and remarkably responsible factors for morbidity and mortality due to alcohol, yet it remains one
5 Signs You May Be an Addict/Alcoholic. If you’re worried you may be an addict or an alcoholic, here are a few signs you might be right. Unfortunately, no one but you can decide if you are truly addicted to a substance. Interventions can sometimes help bring the severity of a situation to light, but
In my active addiction, I don’t remember my family being affected much at the time. Of course, that’s ridiculous, but the truth is: I was so immersed in my own pain and struggles that I didn’t realize that not only was I suffering from this devastating disease, but that it had spread to my loved
