According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, over 20 million people suffered from some sort of alcohol use disorder or alcoholism this past year. Adding the people who suffer from drug addiction brings the number to over 40 million people. It is estimated that the number of children exposed to alcoholism and drug addiction in their families...
All Posts By Joseph Barker
There is a lot of misunderstanding and stigma surrounding alcoholism and addiction. Loved ones often struggle to understand substance use disorders, asking themselves questions such as: Why? Why did they start using drugs? Why do they continue to drink? Was it something I did or said? What could I have done differently? These questions are common for family members and...
When considering options for drug and alcohol addiction, one common and effective approach is called abstinence-based treatment. This model focuses on encouraging the individual to stop using substance entirely, while aiming for achievable goals like strengthening recovery and long-term sobriety. While there are many different programs of substance abuse treatment, abstinence-based treatment is the most effective way to enjoy long...
1st Annual Running Towards Recovery 5k will Help Offset Treatment Costs When a loved one is struggling with alcoholism or substance use addiction it often can be challenging to get them to accept help. They may say that can stop on their own, or maybe not even accept they have a problem. Getting a person to see the need and...
[lwptoc] Things have changed for the families of people struggling with alcohol and substance abuse. Trying to intervene and help a loved one takes different strategies now. Once upon a time a philosophy to help your loved ones become motivated for change was “Leave them alone and they’ll come home.” Meaning the best motivation for change would have to come...
People struggling with drug addiction and alcohol abuse often experience high levels of shame and guilt. This shame and guilt comes from doing things while we were using that we normally wouldn’t do. To some, even the fact of being physically dependent on a substance is enough to create high levels of guilt and shame. To others the memories of...
Alumni Successful Sobriety Strategies Bay Area Recovery Center’s Alumni are an important part of the recovery process. Alumni are individuals who have successfully completed their programs, have remained in recovery, and continue to return to our facilities to provide peer support. Our Alumni Association organizes sober BBQs, camping trips, dances, and other recreational activities. These events provide opportunities for newcomers...
It may be difficult to distinguish between an alcoholic and someone who has a drinking problem. The problems and consequences are often the same for an alcoholic and a heavy drinker. They may have legal problems due to alcohol or drug use. Their relationships might be suffering, their health deteriorating. They might have lost or may be about to lose...
Strategies to Stay Clean from Drugs and Alcohol Most everyone who has had too much to drink has woken up the next day with a headache and hangover and told themselves they weren’t going to do that again. Or maybe someone makes a mistake or has a lapse in judgment and gets a DUI after a night of drinking. They...
The Role of Gender in Addiction and Treatment Men and women experience substance abuse disorders and substance abuse treatment differently.1 Women start using alcohol and drugs for different reasons, keep using alcohol and drugs for different reasons, experience addiction differently, and women have different needs during and after treatment. Gender makes a difference when seeking help for alcohol or drug...