The debate as to whether addiction is a genetic disease or acquired behavior has not been settled among scientists, but both can be true. Within the family, both genetic and relational factors impact one’s risk of addiction. More discussions have focused on how environmental factors increase the risk of addiction, but it is just as … Read more
If you are concerned about your own substance use issue or that of your loved one, understanding more about what causes it and what symptoms might co-occur can help you take steps forward. This is especially important for people who experience or observe compulsions that might accompany addiction. Compulsion and addiction have an intertwined relationship … Read more
Addiction recovery is a long journey. It is certainly not a linear process but rather one with bumps along the way. Based on research and holistic treatments, generally, there are a few distinct stages to address challenges in recovery. They are known as “the stages of recovery.” These stages help highlight the different factors that … Read more
When you stop using drugs or alcohol, your impulses and cravings to use do not immediately go away. They will linger and make you uncomfortable. Such a response happens because, when you are using these drugs and alcohol regularly, they have reshaped the physiological structures, thus causing a reward response from your brain when you … Read more
Why are some people more likely to become addicted while others are not? Does this have to do with genetics? For years, scientists have discussed the biological link between genetics and their influence on addiction. Thanks to more recent genome sequencing techniques, there is more information to help shed light on the connection between genetics … Read more
Do you realize the need to rebuild your life after deciding to enter a recovery program? Do you wonder what it looks like to embark on this rebuilding journey? The word “rebuild” may indicate a big project, and in some ways, it is. From managing your cravings to use to healing the social relationships that … Read more
