American Addiction Centers’ Winter Guide on Addiction
Winter and the holiday season is upon us and this signals that the year is coming to an end. We’ve put together a guide of our top 10 articles for the 2016 winter season; key pieces and issues that we feel need close attention.
Last month, US Surgeon General Murthy issued an unprecedented report detailing the nature of drug abuse and addiction in the United States. In this comprehensive and well-researched report is all the latest information on how hard this medical disorder has struck our nation, what is currently being done about it, and what needs to change in order for positive progress to be made.
This one report sums up everything we need to know about addiction in 2016 and where we need to focus in 2017. Here are some of the highlights.
2. Heroin Epidemic 2016: What You Need to Know
It is clear that heroin use and abuse have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. There is no area of the country that has not been hit hard by the drug. People young and old, in all neighborhoods, employed or not, and in all income brackets are being impacted by their own or a loved one’s struggle with use of the substance.
As we prepare to enter 2017, it is important to not only recognize where we are in terms of the heroin epidemic but what steps must be taken going forward to turn the numbers in the opposite direction.
3. Home for the Holidays: 10 Signs Your Loved One Is Struggling with Addiction
It is an exciting and happy time when family members come home for the holidays. Reconnecting after a long time apart is one of the best ways to spend the season. But when a loved one comes home and seems different in ways that are worrisome, it is important to pay attention to what is going on and try to determine the cause if there is no reasonable foundation for the changes.
If you are concerned that your loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder, here are 10 signs that may indicate the problem
4. 5 Tips for Managing Your Mental Health in Recovery during the Holiday Season
Stress is a killer in recovery, and for many, the holiday season is little more than an onslaught of one stressful situation after another. If you are in recovery, make a commitment to give yourself a few treats this holiday season. Gifts that will not only preserve your sanity but also give your recovery a boost and ensure you get through the next few weeks without relapse.
5. Holiday Drinking: Normal Indulgence or Sign of Addiction?
During the holidays, our culture is saturated in alcohol. From eggnog to specialty cocktails to bottles of wine as gifts, there is no shortage of opportunities to imbibe. Indulgence, too, is key to the season, and when the two come together, it can mean chaos.
But does overindulgence in alcohol during the holiday season indicate a serious problem, or is it “normal” for this time of year?
6. Codependence and the Holidays: Make Healthy Relationship Decisions This Year
Being in a relationship can be a truly rewarding experience, especially when you and your significant other are on the same page. Codependent relationships can be unhealthy, even if you aren’t aware that there are negative aspects. Here are a few signs to look for and some tips to making healthy relationship decisions for 2017.
7. 10 Ways to Stay Fit in Recovery during the Holidays
In recovery, staying fit is synonymous with staying functional. When you exercise regularly, you not only improve your mood, you also boost your immune system’s ability to fight off winter colds, improve the quality of your sleep, and increase your body’s ability to metabolize food efficiently. All of these things contribute to your ability to manage stress and stay sober in the face of triggers leading to possible relapse, both during the holiday season and beyond. Here are some tips on how you can stay fit during the holiday season!
8. Top Recovery Stories of 2016
In 2016, heroin addiction and the steadily increasing rate of death due to drug overdose dominated the news, but there were also moments in which recovery and treatment were in heavy focus — something new for mainstream media. Here are some of the top stories regarding recovery that occurred in 2016.
9. 6 Ways to Stay Sober on New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a great opportunity for people in recovery. Whether you are in your first week of sobriety or your 20th year, you have the awesome challenge of staying sober on a night when it feels like everyone in the world is drinking to some degree, if not to excess.
The good news is that you can make this challenge easier if you make a few simple choices that keep your recovery in sharp focus on the first night of 2017 — and every night thereafter.
10. How to Include Your Sober Loved One in Your New Year’s Eve Party
Hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration is a great way to spend the holiday. If you have sober friends and family that you would like to include, your invitation could help them to bring in the new year surrounded by great people having a great time.
It is not uncommon to have a few questions about how best to support someone in recovery when you host a celebration, especially if you intend to serve alcohol. Here are some of the most common questions and answers that will help you to make your sober event welcoming to all your guests.
