Marijuana addiction has become a serious problem that affects millions of people worldwide. An estimated 6 percent of Americans are on the Cannabis Use Disorder spectrum. If you are concerned you may be addicted to marijuana or are struggling with marijuana addiction, there are many resources available to help you. Many people who research marijuana…
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Articles, updates, and perspectives
Fentanyl and Meth: What you need to know
May 9th is National Fentanyl Awareness Day in the United States. The use of illegally-made fentanyl is driving a national health crisis as people use it unintentionally and die from overdoses. Fentanyl is now involved in more deaths of people under age 50 than any other cause in the country, including even heart disease, cancer,…
How to keep sober on holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions
Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and any special occasion where people gather and celebrate together can be mine fields for the person who is protecting their sobriety or trying to manage their consumption of alcohol. No matter where someone is in their recovery journey, the temptations and pressures are always there. There’s that dreaded awkward moment when…
Methamphetamine Awareness Day
The opioid epidemic has commanded national attention for years while methamphetamine abuse lurked in the shadows. A lot has changed since President George W. Bush declared the first National Methamphetamine Awareness Day on November 30, 2006. There were some declines in meth use for a while. 16 years later, the epidemic has gotten worse –…
Gaslighting and Addiction
Every year, the Merriam-Webster dictionary selects a word of the year. For 2022, it’s “gaslighting.” The dictionary publisher noted that look ups for the word increased by 1,740% over the course of the year. Gaslighting and addiction are intertwined. Read on to learn more about how addicts gaslight others as well as themselves, and what…
How to stay sober and manage drinking during the holidays
Holiday time is often called “prime time” by the sober community. Starting with the Thanksgiving holiday and running through New Years, the season is full of both triggers and pressures to drink or use drugs. How can someone in recovery stay sober during the holidays? How can someone moderate their drinking if it’s becoming a…
Virtual, Online, and Telephone AA & NA Meetings
A virtual Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meeting can be a lifesaver when you’re struggling or feeling low, whether you’re working a treatment program to get sober or managing your sobriety. There are many online AA and NA meetings from both local and national groups at all times of the day. There are also call-in…
Helping American Indians Get Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol and drug addiction hit American Indians much harder than the general population. Methamphetamine in particular has reached epidemic proportions. But there’s hope through partnership and better means of treatment to help those in need, including digital treatment programs that can be accessed from anywhere and health plans that cover the costs of treatment entirely.…
Candy, cash, gifts: How rewards help recovery from addiction – AP article on Contingency Management
Carla Johnson covers how the contingency management approach to treating substance use disorders is more effective in this article. She quotes Harold Lewis, who had been struggling with an addiction for years and started getting better when he got into a program where he earned rewards for staying in treatment: “Recovery should be fun because…
Overdose Awareness and Prevention
International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st. We here at Affect join those fighting to help people win the battle against Substance Use Disorders by helping to raise awareness and give information and resources when overdoses occur. You can get involved, honor a lost loved one, or donate at www.overdoseday.com The number of overdoses is…