It is no easy thing for parents to watch their sons struggle with addiction, substance abuse, and related behavioral problems. It can be an incredibly difficult and confusing time for a parent. You want to help, but you have questions about what the best approach is. It can be...

Guilt can tear you up inside. It is a demon that some people fight for the rest of their lives. Guilt will creep up in your life, wrapping around and strangling you, leaving you drained and crippled emotionally. For those fighting addiction, guilt is just another layer on top...

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder? Characterized by pervasive mood instability, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, negative self-image and harmful behavior, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness. BPD is associated with high rates of self-harm and, in severe cases, suicidal behavior. The high risks for suicide and greater...

The number of deaths from benzodiazepine overdoses has risen steadily in the past 15 years. The number of those seeking treatment for addiction to benzodiazepines has likewise spiked during that same period. While generally safe to use when taken according to a physician’s directions, these medications pose a serious...

It’s commonly believed that women suffer from anxiety disorders more than men, but the statistics can actually be misleading. In fact, men suffer from anxiety and depression as frequently as women. Men simply aren’t diagnosed and treated for these mental illnesses as often as women are. This means that...

Why is it that we feel those awful feelings of guilt, shame and self-blame in the months and years after stopping the use of drugs and alcohol? When one makes the decision to “clean up” and get sober, it is a good decision. If anything, we should feel happier,...

There’s a strong correlation between addiction, mental illness and trauma. People who experience one of these circumstances are significantly more likely to experience the other two. That’s why when you’re looking for a drug or alcohol treatment program, it’s important to consider the staff’s ability to address co-occurring disorders,...

In any addiction case, identifying and addressing the root cause of the addiction should be the first line of treatment. “Dual diagnosis” describes addiction cases in which a mental health disorder runs in tandem with an addiction. Over time, the symbiosis between the mental health issue and the substance...

It’s common for men who have experienced trauma to turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the emotional pain. But while substance use may provide some temporary relief, addiction ultimately destroys their lives even further. Addiction treatment for men with trauma needs to not only address the addiction but...

When a person struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, the substance often becomes the person’s only means of feeling pleasure or contentment. Both physically and behaviorally, addictive substances can replace activities that once brought the user joy, such as eating, physical activity and favorite hobbies. Drugs can alter the...