Building a Sober Support Network That Lasts
Recovery from addiction is not just about abstaining from substances—it is about building a life that feels worth living. One of the strongest predictors of long-term recovery is the presence of a supportive network. A sober support network is more than just people cheering you on; it is a web of relationships, accountability, resources, and […]
The Impact of Addiction on Native Communities
The Importance of Community Programs in Prevention
When it comes to preventing substance misuse, mental health struggles, and other public health crises, the old saying “it takes a village” could not be more true. Prevention is not only about what happens in treatment centers, clinics, or schools—it is also about what happens in neighborhoods, community centers, faith groups, and grassroots organizations. Community […]
Social Media and Substance Use: What Parents Should Know
For today’s teens and young adults, social media is more than a pastime—it is a way of life. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube shape how they connect, learn, and see themselves. Social media can provide creativity, community, and opportunities for expression, but it also carries risks, particularly when it comes to substance use. […]
How to Talk to Teens About Drugs and Alcohol
Conversations about drugs and alcohol are some of the most important talks parents, caregivers, and mentors can have with teenagers. Yet they are also among the most intimidating. Many parents wonder when to bring it up, what to say, or how to avoid pushing their teen away in the process. At the same time, teens […]
How to Cope With the Guilt and Shame of Loving Someone in Addiction
Loving someone who struggles with addiction is often described as a rollercoaster—filled with highs of hope, lows of despair, and an ongoing sense of uncertainty. Yet for many family members and close friends, the emotional toll extends beyond stress and worry. Guilt and shame become constant companions. You may feel guilty for not doing enough, […]
What Siblings of Someone With Addiction Need to Know
When people think about addiction and its impact on families, the focus often falls on parents, children, or partners. But siblings are also profoundly affected, and their experiences are often overlooked. Brothers and sisters of people with substance use disorders live in the same storm, yet their voices may go unheard. They may struggle with […]
Understanding the Family Disease Model of Addiction
Addiction is often thought of as a personal struggle, something that belongs solely to the individual who uses drugs or alcohol. But decades of research and lived experience tell us that addiction does not exist in isolation. It ripples through families, affecting parents, children, siblings, and partners in profound ways. These effects are not just […]
When to Stage an Intervention and How to Do It Safely
Addiction is a disease that not only affects the person using substances but also touches the lives of everyone around them. Families and friends often find themselves watching helplessly as someone they love spirals deeper into addiction. They may try pleading, reasoning, or threatening, only to feel ignored or shut out. At some point, many […]
Codependency and Addiction: Breaking the Cycle
Addiction rarely affects only one person. It weaves itself into the lives of everyone nearby, especially close family members and partners. In many cases, the relationship dynamics that emerge can become just as harmful as the substance use itself. One of the most common and damaging of these dynamics is codependency. Codependency develops when one […]
