If you go to an AA meeting, you’ll inevitably hear an old-timer introduce themselves as a “grateful recovering alcoholic.” How can someone be thankful that they’re an alcoholic and addict? It’s because they didn’t just achieve sobriety, they found recovery. People in recovery aren’t just grateful that they’ve stopped drinking and using, they’re grateful for…
Get Telehealth Intensive Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment on your Phone
Affect’s telehealth treatment program for alcohol and drug addiction has helped thousands of people gain control over their lives and manage substance use disorders through our smartphone app. Now the program has expanded to provide intensive outpatient (IOP) rehab services in Ohio and Kentucky, with Florida and other states coming soon. This higher level of…
Addiction Treatment Works Better with Rewards and Technology
If you’re interested in decreasing your substance use and living a healthier life, Contingency Management (CM) is a novel, evidence-based approach that you should know about. CM has been shown to be highly effective in helping individuals reduce substance use, make positive lifestyle changes, and maintain abstinence. Until recently, CM has largely been limited to…
How to celebrate a sober 4th of July
The Fourth of July is upon us, and while it’s a time of celebration and fun, it can also bring its own set of challenges for those of us on the path to sobriety. From triggering situations to social pressures, this holiday weekend might seem overwhelming. We wanted to share some practical tips and tricks…
Saying “I need a drink” is a red flag for alcohol use
The simple sentence “I need a drink” is one of the biggest red flags of alcohol use disorder. It means one of two things: you need a drink to cope with something, or you need a drink because you don’t feel right without it. If you say it, take a pause and think about what…
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…
Women who drink to cope are at greater risk for alcoholism and negative health effects
Research indicates that people who drink to cope have a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder. And studies have found that women are more likely to drink to cope than men. While men once outdrank women, the gender gap in alcohol consumption has narrowed. For the first time since researchers began measuring consumption, women…