Have you ever heard of the term “co-dependent relationship” or “co-dependency”? Both are the same buzzwords that are usually attached with addiction and mental health. They both describe unhealthy, often destructive, relationships. Read More
Substance abuse can easily turn into substance addiction. In fact, there’s a thin line that separates the two, making it hard to recognize, especially on someone you know and care about, like a friend. A friend’s addiction can also be hard to face. There may be times when you wonder if you should mention about your friend’s addiction or just keep mum about it.
Enabling behavior never helps an addict. This is because it shields the addict from the full impact and natural consequences of their behavior and actions. Enabling is very different from supporting or helping the addict, because on the contrary, enabling behavior further draws the addict deep into the addiction. Read More
For many people, alcohol is a seemingly harmless reason to unwind and celebrate. In fact, it’s part of many cultures all over the world. People drink alcohol such as beer, wine, champagne, cognac, and all sorts of liquors for many reasons. Some do it for fun, socialization, relaxing, escape, get sleeps, and even to relieve symptoms such as stress. Read More
At Bridges of Hope, we know personally the pain of addiction. Addiction is a disease based on biochemical changes in the brain that affect a person’s behavior, motivation, decision-making, and learning.
As a parent, you can do a lot to help your child stay away from drugs. Aside from drug education, you can create a healthy, happy, and non-threatening environment for your children to thrive in. Read More
Time and time again, you may hear about your loved ones not wanting help. However, day after day, you see him deteriorating right before your very eyes due to addiction.
The thing about addiction is that the addict may think there’s nothing wrong. After all, he’s not getting the full repercussions of his actions, with his family shielding him from them. There’s also the fact that the addict may be in denial.
And this is why intervention is important. Read More
Stereotypes and myths about addiction and recovery are dangerous. They never get addicts the help they need. Often, they can even make situations worse. Such myths about addiction and treatment can cause those who are struggling with addiction to sink deeper into this deadly cycle and succumb to denial. Read More
Having a life led by and centered on substances like drugs and alcohol, imagining a life sober can be very difficult. After all, the addiction is on the wheel and can have a very tight grip on the addict’s life. However, once they get to be treated in facilities such as Bridges of Hope, they will understand that how they have been living their lives is totally wrong and destructive. They will also learn more life skills that will help them cope and make better decisions instead of resorting to these addictive substances.
Dealing with a gambling addict can be stressful. Living with someone who has an addiction such as gambling brings a whole new dimension to any relationship–and all of it isn’t good. As someone who cares about the gambling addict in your life, what you can do is to let them see the consequences of their actions and be there for them should they eventually acknowledge the problem. You should also encourage them to seek help.
Those who have undergone addiction rehab and is embarking on their recovery can very well understand just how tough it is to deal with day-to-day life. Every day is a choice of whether to put down a drink or refuse to use drugs–or get on a bender and start the destructive cycle again. Read More
