--- title: Residential Rehab and Recovery Blog | Substance Abuse description: Substance Abuse | Blog articles on addiction recovery, how to stay clean, breaking addictions, and self-healing through spiritual practices. --- [![20130627_TheClearing_Logo_WhiteType_Transparent_215x78](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/20130627_TheClearing_Logo_WhiteType_Transparent_215x78.png?width=215&name=20130627_TheClearing_Logo_WhiteType_Transparent_215x78.png)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/) - [Home](https://www.theclearingnw.com) - [Program](https://www.theclearingnw.com/substance-abuse-programs) - [What We Treat](https://www.theclearingnw.com/program/what-we-treat) - [Dual Diagnosis](https://www.theclearingnw.com/program/what-we-treat/dual-diagnosis) - [Underlying Core Issues](https://www.theclearingnw.com/program/how-were-different/underlying-core-issues) - [Our Non 12 Step Program](https://www.theclearingnw.com/program/non-12-step-rehab) - [Spiritual Psychology](https://www.theclearingnw.com/spiritual-psychology) - [Testimonials](https://www.theclearingnw.com/rehab-reviews-and-testimonials) - Resources - [Video Resource Center](https://www.theclearingnw.com/program/addiction-treatment-video-resource-center) - [Recovery Resources](https://www.theclearingnw.com/recovery-resources) - [Blog](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog) # Substance Abuse ## [Financial Distress Due to Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/financial-distress) Post Date December 17, 2018 Comments [0 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/financial-distress#comments-listing) Author [Clearing Staff](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/clearing-staff) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) [![Financial Distress Due to Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/Financial-Distress-Due-to-Substance-Abuse.jpg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/financial-distress) Substance abuse can feel like a losing battle. The desire for a drug or alcohol of choice overpowers the person’s judgment. With addiction, they lose self-control and reject responsibility for anything other than the next high. This can create severe consequences in their life. They may suffer health problems, get in trouble with the law and face financial distress. [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/financial-distress) ## [What is Lean? Learn the Dangers](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/what-is-lean) Post Date January 16, 2018 Comments [5 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/what-is-lean#comments-listing) Author [Clearing Staff](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/clearing-staff) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) [![What is Lean? Learn the Dangers](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/medium%20(2).jpeg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/what-is-lean) Not all drugs come in pill or powder form. Lean is one of the most dangerous drugs out there, and it comes as a beverage. What is Lean? Learn more about the drug, why it's dangerous, and how you can fight back against a lean addiction. [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/what-is-lean) ## [Will the Opioid Epidemic Ever End?](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/opioid-epidemic) Post Date September 15, 2017 Comments [0 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/opioid-epidemic#comments-listing) Author [Gregg Makuch](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/gregg-makuch) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) [![Will the Opioid Epidemic Ever End?](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/medium%20(5)-1.jpg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/opioid-epidemic) More than three million people in the United States are addicted to opioids, and over 33,000 of them die each year as a result of accidental overdoses. The opioid epidemic is a serious and growing problem, leading some to question whether there’s an end in sight.  [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/opioid-epidemic) ## [Why Addiction Is Not a Disease: An Interview with Dr. Marc Lewis](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/why-addiction-is-not-a-disease-an-interview-with-dr.-marc-lewis) Post Date August 15, 2017 Comments [41 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/why-addiction-is-not-a-disease-an-interview-with-dr.-marc-lewis#comments-listing) Author [Caroline McGraw](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/caroline-mcgraw) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) [![Why Addiction Is Not a Disease: An Interview with Dr. Marc Lewis](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/medium%20(5).jpg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/why-addiction-is-not-a-disease-an-interview-with-dr.-marc-lewis) Is addiction a disease or not? That’s one of the most pressing questions in addiction research and recovery today. Neuroscientist, retired professor, and author Dr. Marc Lewis is convinced that addiction is not a disease, and he explains why in this fascinating interview. [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/why-addiction-is-not-a-disease-an-interview-with-dr.-marc-lewis) ## [Sobriety Quotes: Neil Steinberg on The Adventure of Recovery](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/sobriety-quotes-neil-steinberg-adventure-of-recovery) Post Date July 20, 2017 Comments [0 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/sobriety-quotes-neil-steinberg-adventure-of-recovery#comments-listing) Author [Caroline McGraw](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/caroline-mcgraw) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) [![Sobriety Quotes: Neil Steinberg on The Adventure of Recovery](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/addiction-recovery-adventure-800px.jpg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/sobriety-quotes-neil-steinberg-adventure-of-recovery) When our team did a Google Image search of the term “Sobriety Quotes” recently, the first item to pop up was a Pinterest graphic with these words: “Wanna find out who your friends are? Get sober.” This anonymous quote reminds us of a powerful, often-painful truth: When we change, our relationships to the people around us change too. [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/sobriety-quotes-neil-steinberg-adventure-of-recovery) ## [Is Addiction a Disease? What Medical Experts Think](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/is-addiction-a-disease) Post Date July 19, 2017 Comments [12 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/is-addiction-a-disease#comments-listing) Author [Gregg Makuch](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/gregg-makuch) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) [![Is Addiction a Disease? What Medical Experts Think](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/Is-Addiction-A-Disease-1-1.jpg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/is-addiction-a-disease) Some say that struggling with a substance abuse problem is a sign of bad decision-making and poor moral fiber. Experts disagree with this somewhat flip assessment. Sure, a bad choice might have gotten you started, but biochemical changes make it extremely difficult to stop. So, is addiction a disease, and if so, what is its target? [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/is-addiction-a-disease) ## [Is Addiction a Disease? An Interview with Dr. Sally Satel (video)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/is-addiction-a-disease-interview-sally-satel) Post Date July 12, 2017 Comments [10 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/is-addiction-a-disease-interview-sally-satel#comments-listing) Author [Caroline McGraw](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/caroline-mcgraw) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse), [Videos](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/videos) [![Is Addiction a Disease? An Interview with Dr. Sally Satel (video)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/Dr-Sally-Satel%20230x153-1.jpg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/is-addiction-a-disease-interview-sally-satel) 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?  [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/is-addiction-a-disease-interview-sally-satel) ## [Sobriety Quotes: Neil Steinberg on Going to Rehab](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/sobriety-quotes-neil-steinberg-on-going-to-rehab) Post Date May 09, 2017 Comments [0 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/sobriety-quotes-neil-steinberg-on-going-to-rehab#comments-listing) Author [Caroline McGraw](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/caroline-mcgraw) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) [![Sobriety Quotes: Neil Steinberg on Going to Rehab](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/SteinbergSet_1221.jpg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/sobriety-quotes-neil-steinberg-on-going-to-rehab) What does it feel like to check yourself into rehab? Recently we interviewed journalist and author Neil Steinberg of the [Chicago Sun-Times](http://chicago.suntimes.com/author/nsteinbergcst/) on his struggle with alcohol, his time in rehab, and his ultimately successful recovery. [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/sobriety-quotes-neil-steinberg-on-going-to-rehab) ## [Will the Heroin Epidemic Kill You, Too?](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/heroin-epidemic) Post Date April 03, 2017 Comments [0 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/heroin-epidemic#comments-listing) Author [Clearing Staff](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/clearing-staff) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) [![Will the Heroin Epidemic Kill You, Too?](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/medium-2.jpeg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/heroin-epidemic) [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/heroin-epidemic) ## [Healing Addiction with Dual Diagnosis Treatment](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/healing-the-root-causes-of-addiction-with-dual-diagnosis-treatment) Post Date January 28, 2017 Comments [0 Comments](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/healing-the-root-causes-of-addiction-with-dual-diagnosis-treatment#comments-listing) Author [Caroline McGraw](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/author/caroline-mcgraw) Category [Substance Abuse](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) [![Healing Addiction with Dual Diagnosis Treatment](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hubfs/Healing-Addiction-with-Dual-Diagnosis-Treatment.jpg)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/healing-the-root-causes-of-addiction-with-dual-diagnosis-treatment) Did you know that most people who have a dual diagnosis - an addiction coupled with a mental or emotional health issue  - aren’t receiving treatment for either condition?  Unfortunately, it’s true. The recent US Surgeon General’s report *Facing Addiction in America*  found that more than 40% need to treat an addiction with dual diagnosis treatment, yet fewer than half of these people receive treatment for either disorder. [Read More →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/healing-the-root-causes-of-addiction-with-dual-diagnosis-treatment) [See all blog posts](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/all) [See next blog posts →](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse/page/2) Search this site Search ***Subscribe by Email*** Sign up for weekly updates ### Popular Posts ### Follow Us ### Categories - [All Mental Health (54)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/all-mental-health) - [All Rehab & Treatment (73)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/all-rehab-treatment) - [Depression (8)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/depression) - [Detox Resources (19)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/detox-resources) - [Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment (16)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/drug-alcohol-addiction-treatment) - [Dual Diagnosis (59)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/dual-diagnosis) - [Emotional Health (14)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/emotional-health) - [Family / Loved One Resources (15)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/family-loved-one-resources) - [Inpatient Treatment (14)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/inpatient-treatment) - [Limiting Beliefs (5)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/limiting-beliefs) - [Non 12 Step Treatment (16)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/non-12-step-treatment) - [Spirituality (6)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/spirituality) - [Substance Abuse (15)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/substance-abuse) - [Suicide (4)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/suicide) - [The Clearing (16)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/the-clearing) - [Trauma (5)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/trauma) - [Treatment Cost and Payment (6)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/treatment-cost-and-payment) - [Treatment Resources (37)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/treatment-resources) - [Videos (15)](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog/topic/videos) see all categories ### Top 10 Rehab Blog The Clearing’s Blog was recently ranked one of the ten best rehab blogs on the internet. [![Rehab Blogs](https://blog.feedspot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rehab_216px.png?x13245 "Rehab Blogs")](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog) [Check it out >](https://www.theclearingnw.com/blog)     ***Subscribe by Email***     Sign up for weekly updates ![Logo-transparent](https://www.theclearingnw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo-transparent.png?width=300&name=Logo-transparent.png) - [FAQ](https://www.theclearingnw.com/about-us/faq) - [About Us](https://www.theclearingnw.com/program/non-12-step-rehab) - [Contact Us](https://www.theclearingnw.com/contact) - [Resource Center](https://www.theclearingnw.com/residential-addiction-treatment-resource-center) - [Privacy](https://www.theclearingnw.com/privacy-policy) © 2013 - 2020 The Clearing, SPC ![](https://bat.bing.com/action/0?ti=5035676&Ver=2) ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/982797435/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=341897&fmt=gif)