Caroline McGraw

According to recent statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, substance abuse costs the United States over $600 billion annually. And while effective treatment certainly lessens these costs, addiction prevention has the power to reduce them even more.

Dr. Gilberto Gerra, an addiction expert who runs the Drug Prevention and Health Branch for the UN Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC), advocates a strong family-based addiction prevention approach.

What does it feel like to check yourself into rehab? Recently we interviewed journalist and author Neil Steinberg of the Chicago Sun-Times on his struggle with alcohol, his time in rehab, and his ultimately successful recovery.

One of the most pervasive myths about mental and emotional trauma is that it is only “allowed” in the wake of major abuse or violence.

While physical and sexual abuse are certainly traumatic - and frighteningly common - they’re not the only requirements for trauma.

What is Spiritual Wellness? Some people define spiritual wellness as an alignment between your values and the way in which you live your life. Others say that it has to do with finding your purpose and living life with compassion for yourself and others.

Are you ready to get clean, but unsure of how to choose a medical detox center? If so, you won’t want to miss this exclusive interview with Dr. Peter Coleman, detox expert and founder of The Coleman Institute.

How much does inpatient rehab cost? What constitutes an affordable inpatient drug rehab program? The cost of addiction treatment—specifically inpatient—varies dramatically. Inpatient rehab will cost more than outpatient rehab, and available substance abuse programs range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per day for a 30-day program. 

Here's our advice...

Addiction is easy to fall into and hard to escape. It destroys the lives of individuals, and it has a devastating cost to society. The National Institute of Health estimates that seventeen million adults in the United States are alcoholics or have a serious problem with alcohol.

What do you do when your partner has an addiction? Stay or walk away?

Perhaps you’re wrestling with this question, having heard well-meaning advice from friends and family who tell you to just leave rather than run the risk of enabling.

That leaves you wondering, Does simply staying in a relationship with someone who abuses drugs or alcohol constitute enabling?

Did you know that addiction literally changes your brain? Abusing addictive substances physically alters the structure of your mind, leading to a destructive spiral. Does this sound familiar to you?