Alcoholism, Drug Addiction, and Recovery

Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction, Prescription Abuse, and more are a worldwide health and social crisis facing those afflicted and everyone around them. Join Discussions Now

The term Substance Abuse brings up varied emotions and thoughts in us all. Designer drugs like Ecstasy ("E") and GHB flock the headlines, and deaths from heroin, oxycontin, morphine, and other narcotic prescriptions seem commonplace. Underage drinking continues despite education, and drunk drivers repeatedly offend. Some argue for the legalization of marijuana while others want eradication of tobacco.

Substance Abuse and Addiction are a worldwide healthcare crisis, as well as a social issue that effect not only the drug abuser and alcoholic but their spouses, children, siblings and other family members, as well as friends, co-workers, and even strangers. Lives are torn apart by lies, violence, poverty, theft, illness, and the wake of an addict's spree, often made worse by the comorbidity of other conditions such as anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Codependents are created as family and friends try to and care for their loved ones in earnest attempts to help.

From the wreckage of the pills, drugs, and booze there is hope however. Many who were once caught in the seemingly endless grip of addiction found have ways out, and have remained living their lives in abstinence. Some chose a 12-step fellowship such as AA (Alchoholics Anonymous) or NA (Narcotics Anonymous), others have reached out to other support groups in their communities and online, their spiritual path and religion, psychology, or science. For many who once were sure they would die drunk, recovery is a daily reality.

I'd like to extend an invitation to let me know what topics are most important to you. I want to know what you're curious about - which aspects of substance abuse, addiction, and recovery are most pressing in your life.