The stigma attached to addiction is extensive and shameful for those who struggle with substance use particularly for professionals with addiction. Society has a way of seeing people as labels. When someone is faced with addiction, there is the fear of being labeled as an “addict” or “junkie,” rather than a person who is struggling [...]
Throughout my career, I have heard various experts suggest that Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) did not work or that 12-Step programs were not evidence-based treatments. My mentor, while a leader in the use of medications in opioid use disorders, taught me to take patients from the Yale Emergency Room to AA meetings for alcohol problems. He [...]
Television news, health policy leaders, and politicians frequently discuss the high toll of deaths from COVID-19, cigarettes, opioids, HIV, firearms, and drug overdose. They focus on the absolute numbers of casualties. For example, 4,000,000 Americans die each year from cigarette smoking, 40,000 die each year from second-hand smoke and related illness. For firearms, they cite [...]
Alcohol is the most used and abused drug among young people in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) [1]. And while many youths think drinking underage is no big deal, research shows underage drinking comes with sobering consequences. Here is an honest look at the truth about underage drinking, plus [...]
Alcoholism is a serious problem in the United States. In fact, millions of Americans abuse substances [1]. Addiction can negatively impact several aspects of someone’s life, including their relationships. Failed relationships are common when dealing with alcoholism. Even if someone’s addiction is kept a secret, the effects of alcohol abuse make it harder to have [...]MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER: The service, and any information contained on the website or provided through the service, is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained on or provided through this service is intended for general consumer understanding and education and not as a substitute for medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All information provided on the website is presented as is without any warranty of any kind, and expressly excludes any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.