Both addiction and depression share common risk factors, such as changes in brain chemistry. Self-medicating with drugs or alcohol can quickly spiral into a full-blown addiction.

Addiction impacts the whole family. When a parent, older sibling, or even a close friend starts using drugs or alcohol, there is a long ripple effect that can happen.

Make the decision to get drug and alcohol treatment. It’s one of the most important life-changing decisions you will make. When you do make this decision, you want to be sure it is the right place for you, offering the type and level of care you need.

Addiction is a complex disease that often causes a person to face numerous changes in their daily life. Some people are more withdrawn. Others struggle with health complications. Some become abusive and neglectful of family.

If you believe a family member is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, it’s time to take action. The question is, what can you do. Many people with addiction realize they need help, but they may not be willing or able to accept it easily.

For many people, social anxiety is a mental health challenge. When you’ve decided to stay sober, it may be challenging to get through parties and other social situations while staying true to your recovery.

It's said that you don't recover from an addiction by stopping using. You recover by creating a new life where it is easier to not use. If you fail to create a new life, then all the factors that brought you to your addiction can find you again.

Isolation and addiction go hand in hand. In the early stages of addiction, many use alcohol or drugs in social settings to feel less alone and more connected. As the use becomes more repetitive and progresses, the brain chemistry shifts in a way that produces obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions.