Addiction begins with the hope that something ‘out there’ can instantly fill up the emptiness inside.” – Jean Kilbourne Do you think addiction can’t happen to your child? As a substance abuse counselor, I have seen many individuals from “good homes” with “good parents” who started down a bad path with drugs/alcohol during their teen years.…
If you’ve been in the workforce much time at all, I’m sure you’ve noticed varied types of behavior from other employees. Some of this is simply due to individual personality traits. But other times, behavior may signal something deeper, such as a mental health issue. The conduct of co-workers is learned over time—after watching them…
Do you (or a friend) need a support group to help with struggles related to substance abuse? A 12-step meeting may be the perfect answer! The term “12-step meeting” refers to a group of people from the community (peers, not professionals) who meet together to support one another as each person recovers from addictions. The…
What do you use to get through your day? We all have ways of coping with life. Some individuals eat, and eat, and eat in order to satisfy an emptiness of joy or fulfillment. Others spend money they don’t really have in an effort to obtain inner happiness. Still, others seek contentment through substances of various types. September is National Recovery…
If you’re hoping for growth in more than vocabulary and math this school year in your kids, here are five areas where small shifts will create big differences. Car rides Conversations may normally happen face-to-face, but if you really want to get the words flowing, drive your kids somewhere and you’ll be amazed at what you learn. Either…
Have you wondered when, and how, to discuss the topic of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco with your kids? Perhaps you’ve seen the devastation of substance abuse in families close to you and hope to keep this problem from entering your own doorstep. Benjamin Franklin is known to have said, “An ounce of prevention is worth…
Lorraine Looney, LMSW, shares practical insights for how to encourage a friend or family member struggling with addiction.
As soon as John walked into my office, I knew he was suffering. He was in his mid-40’s, a former EMT, yet as he sat down he looked anything but strong and alert. He was sweating bullets on a cool Fall day, doubled over with pain and nausea, and could barely speak to answer the…
If you are the parent of a teen, you’ve probably heard the word “vaping,” but do you really know what comes along with this trendy addiction? It can be tricky to sort through the myths to get to the truth behind this latest craze of teens and young adults. The new ciggie First, it’s important to…
Stress has become commonplace in our households over the past month or so, even for those who typically function in a relaxed manner. When life sends us into a whirlwind, how do you deal with those aggravations? There is a myriad of ways—both good and bad. People with addictive-ridden lifestyles often use substances to “cope”…