One of the fears for anyone struggling with an addiction is relapse. Even after long periods of abstinence from a behavior or substance, people in recovery are at risk for relapse. Even if you have successfully stopped drinking, using drugs or acting out for several months or even years, you are still at risk of [...]

We all know that an addiction is an extremely powerful force that can influence an individual's behavior and lifestyle in unpredictable and unmanageable ways. But how exactly do they work in the brain on the cellular and biochemical level? How does the object of an addiction change the brain's chemistry to result in the addictive [...]

Whether a recovering addict has been sober for 2 weeks or 2 years, a relapse can be a devastating experience.  Emotions such as shame, fear, inadequateness, and disappointment can easily take over and this can ultimately lead to reverting back to the full blown addiction. That is why it is so important for you to [...]

Sexual addiction is very much a "real problem" and is estimated to affect 3 to 6 percent of Americans. In order to fully appreciate sexual addiction as a genuine disorder, it helps to examine the question: What is the difference between a sexual addict and a promiscuous person? One major difference between a sexual addict [...]

There is a common misconception that abusing prescription medications is safer than abusing illegal street drugs because they are often prescribed by a physician. This is one hundred percent false! Prescription drug abuse is defined as taking a medication that isn't prescribed in the manner which you are using it. (Unfortunately, today there are many [...]

Although it is not discussed as openly as alcoholism or drug addiction, sex addiction is a growing problem in today's society. The taboo nature of sex makes it difficult for sufferers to reach out and get the help that they need. Women in particular find it difficult to admit to being addicted to sex, due to the [...]

An addict causes a tremendous amount of damage to himself because of his addiction. Often overlooked though are the effects that an addict has on his or her family, friends, and loved ones. An addiction can destroy relationships, break families apart, and cause a great deal of pain to everyone involved. The first step to [...]

Fighting an addiction is one of the most difficult things anyone will tackle. If you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol, drugs or sex, your mind is consumed with obsessing about your next fix. Recovery from this extremely powerful disease requires recognition, determination, and support. Taking the First Step Realizing and accepting the problem [...]

A journal can serve many purposes. It can act as a sounding board, a shoulder to cry on, a cheerleader and a support system to name a few. These are all things you need when in recovery from an addiction. It's amazing how powerful a tool writing can be. Here are just a few ways [...]