Making the decision to accept help SHOULD be the most difficult part of getting help for addicts. After all, it’s not easy to move through the stages of change toward ...
Looking for Something Specific?
Is your son an addict? Maybe it’s your husband, your daughter, a friend… no matter how this person relates to you, being the loved one of an addict is an incredibly confusing and tumultuous relationship. The outwardly explosive effect of substance abuse creates some pretty awful situations. A few scenarios come to mind: stealing, lying, overdose, neglected children, failed potential… How do you help someone who either doesn’t want help, or isn’t ready for it?
You’re Not the Only Powerless One
We are the first to admit that addicts are accountable for their actions. But part of the reason their recovery is either flailing or a non-starter is that they can’t admit their powerlessness over drugs and alcohol. Understanding the role of control for both addicts and loved ones is essential to moving forward. We address these blogs to loved ones.
Discussion Topics
- Recognizing the signs of addiction
- Getting your addict into treatment
- Understanding your own emotions
- Helping versus enabling
The Small Window for Addicts Wanting Help
The mind of an addict is chaotic. Even once they’ve hit rock bottom (or somewhere close), the rational mind remains chained beneath chemical dependency. Addiction hijacks the brain in a …
Separating the Addict from Their Addict Behavior
One of the most gut-wrenching results of addiction is how it turns people we love into strangers. Somewhere along the line, loved ones who once thrived with shining personal traits ...
What are Levels of Care in Rehab?
“My son/daughter needs help.” “I can't keep doing this… it’s time to get right.” Either of these sound familiar? For most families and people who struggle with addiction, the need ...
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Mark your calendars: this Saturday, April 28 is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day! This initiative began with DEA-sponsored drug take-back events in 2010. Last year’s Take-Back Day, over 5,300 sites …
Faces of Opioids: Nurturing Empathy from Stigma
There’s just something about the disease addiction that feels… dirty to a lot of people. Like it’s something you should be ashamed of to understand, or God forbid, to experience ...
Rising Drug Use in Middle Class Suburban Homes
We’ve all heard the “just say no” chorus since Nixon declared drug use to be America’s public enemy #1 in 1971. But until quite recently, drug use in America felt ...
Support Your Loved One’s Sobriety During Holidays
We have a ton of holiday articles about avoiding relapse during annual festivities. But this year, New Start would like to encourage and remind families to foster a supportive environment ...
Beware of Bait & Switch: 6 Signs of an Effective Treatment Center
Let’s get down to brass tacks: for most people, substance abuse is not a well-understood disease. Getting help feels daunting and foreign. Loved ones often find themselves at a loss ...
Sober Thanksgiving: No One Likes Cold Turkey
Holidays have a way of reminding us about the long-term cost of substance abuse. As the itch to use occupies our minds through holiday gatherings, we lose focus and memories …