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 …
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
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 …
Sideline Suffering: Addiction is a Family Disease
Chronic substance abuse is unique among diseases because it has such a harrowing effect on not only the individual, but the family as well. The problems present interpersonal complications like …
Narcan Over the Counter: Available in 48 States
With the opioid epidemic in full swing, we urge all our readers to spread the word: Narcan over the counter is now available. Narcan is the brand name for naloxone. …
PTSD Veterans Need Treatment, Not Narcotic Medication
Veteran's Day is here and it's important to recognize the individuals who fought for our country. But what exactly are we recognizing? We can say our troops are strong, powerful ...
Opioid Public Health Emergency: Too Little Too Late
It’s been painful for us to read news outlets buzzing about opiate addiction in wake of the White House’s announcement last week. We agree that the problem has been a …