A 12 Step program takes its cues from Alcoholics Anonymous. It acknowledges that you’re powerless over your addiction. Moreover, it encourages you to call on a higher power for assistance. If you have a difficult time with one or more of these concepts, non 12 Step treatment centers may be a better option.

Addiction affects more than the person struggling with drug or alcohol dependency. It can have a negative impact on loved ones as well. As a concerned friend or family member, maybe you've noticed changes in someone and you suspect drug abuse. What signs of addiction should you look out for?

When a friend or loved one is always anxious, you want to do something. The big question you face is how to help someone with anxiety. Since there’s no obvious injury, you can’t put a bandage on it or get them an ice pack.

Yet, they're obviously in real emotional and physical distress. Don’t give up, or assume they’re hopeless. There are things you can do, and things you shouldn’t do which will prove helpful.

"Anger is the only healthy response to injustice." — Dr Martha Beck

Trauma and addiction are linked. Many people suffering from substance abuse or even depression have some underlying trauma that has not been resolved.

This is a topic with a lot of myths and misconceptions swirling around, so we’re going to shed some light on the painful places.

“My drug of choice is food. I use food for the same reasons an addict uses drugs: to comfort, to soothe, to ease stress.”

So said Oprah Winfrey, media mogul, producer, and philanthropist. Oprah’s candid words highlight the link between food and drug abuse, capturing the addictive struggle that millions of Americans face daily.

Thanks to decades of research, we have a stronger understanding of the neuroscience of addiction.

Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you picture a person who is addicted to drugs? Even if you’ve heard about the opioid crisis, we’re willing to bet that you imagined a twitchy teen or a drunk twenty-something.

Have you battled with addiction off and on throughout your life? If so, you’re undoubtedly familiar with various types of residential addiction treatment centers. However, do you know what separates the high-quality ones from the rest? Typically, it pays to look at what the therapists focus on—and for how long.

What would you do if one day you started hearing voices in your head?

Would you seek emergency care for schizophrenia, only to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital that offered little more than coloring books in the way of mental health care?

Suicide prevention is all about healing from the underlying core issues of hopelessness and despair. Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts are all a function of these feelings.

Is it possible to take proactive steps to stop these thoughts and dispair?