I've already written about one reason why cravings make quitting difficult (find it here). However, cravings and triggers are not just abstract concepts; they are well known, important players in ...

In cognitive behavioral therapy they're a big part of the "Five W's" = When, Where, Why, With, and What. In the various 12-step programs they're simply referred to as "People, places, and things." But ...

The Fourth of July is an incredibly festive time. Millions of American families celebrate freedom and independence. There are barbecues, festivals, fireworks and families spending quality time ...

The holiday season can add extra stress to our lives, and for those struggling with addiction this time of year can easily lead to a relapse. Numerous addiction triggers can spark temptation, from the ...

Opioid addiction is a long-term, manageable disease. Like other ongoing conditions – such as high blood pressure and diabetes – setbacks, including relapse, can happen. About half the people who have ...

Substance use recovery is a life-long process, but environmental triggers, such as alcohol at social gatherings or pain medication advertisements, can put individuals in recovery at risk of relapse.

Addiction has causes that are neurobiological, psychological and structural. Treating these drivers is as important as managing the initial withdrawal. Medically managed withdrawal does not restore ...

Why are some individuals able to use recreational drugs in a controlled way, whereas others switch to the compulsive, relapsing drug-seeking and -taking habits that characterize substance use disorder ...

I never get over the weirdness of introducing myself to a group of people at a 12-step meeting. “Hi, I’m T and I’m an addict,” is how I have started a lot of conversations. Other people in recovery ...

Over six months, more than 60 people receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder answered surveys on their smartphones about their mental health, psychological state and ...