In the last twenty years, the idea of addiction and the brain disease model - in other words, the concept that addiction is a disease - has soared in popularity.

It is supported by many respected individuals and organizations. For example, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) currently defines addiction as “a chronic and relapsing brain disease.”

Similarly, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) calls addiction “a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry.”

But does that mean that the millions of Americans who struggle with addiction cannot recover fully?

Do these definitions encompass the true nature of addiction, or is there more to the story? 

If you could just stop drinking, you would’ve by now. So, why don’t people understand that you quitting is difficult? More importantly, what can you do to overcome your alcohol dependence? The answer is simple. You need more than just willpower, you need professional help.

The connection between trauma and the potential for developing addictions in your lifetime is greater than experts previously believed. But understanding what this means can be difficult for individuals. In fact, it’s even difficult for experts. However, the majority of authorities in the behavioral health field agree on a workable trauma definition.

Have you ever felt hopeless and powerless in the face of your anxiety? Have you ever found yourself wishing that you could just feel better for good ... while simultaneously believing that recovering from anxiety isn’t a possibility?

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.

Some say that the spouse is the last to know. When looking for signs of alcoholism, this might be true. Hiding an alcohol addiction is easy when you consider that society accepts openly drinking. If you believe your spouse may have a drinking problem, what should you be looking for?

You have heard of the 12 Steps. However, do you know about the substance abuse treatment that uses 21 principles instead of 12 steps? Many people struggling with deep-rooted addiction issues swear by this method. How does it work?

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.

Many rehab centers adopt the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to treat addiction. However, not everyone believes that this treatment method is effective. In the realm of alternatives, there's one popular method. Although many people have heard of it, they often ask, "What is cognitive behavioral therapy?"