When people hear the word “infidelity,” most immediately think of physical cheating. But infidelity wears a lot of faces—and many of them don’t involve sex at all. Sometimes it’s the text messages that never get shared. Sometimes it’s the long, secretive chats with a co-worker. Sometimes it’s the hidden social media accounts. And sometimes, it’s porn use that spirals into secrecy and emotional withdrawal.

Trauma, Attachment, and Addiction: Why the Past Won’t Stay in the Past. So many people I work with come in thinking their addiction is the problem—but more often than not, it’s actually the symptom. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I keep doing this when I know it’s hurting me?” or “Why do I feel so empty or anxious all the time?”—you’re asking exactly the right questions. And to answer them, we have to go backward before we can move forward.

Reward and Motivational Systems in the Brain: How Addiction Hijacks Our Natural Circuitry. The reward system, also known as the mesolimbic dopamine system, is a group of interconnected brain regions that process and reinforce rewarding stimuli.

My approach to addiction treatment is based on my own personal journey of recovery. I have been in the shoes of my clients, and I understand the struggles they face. This experience has given me a unique perspective and has inspired me to become a highly effective addiction counselor and lecturer.

Diagnosing addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), is a complex process that requires careful assessment by trained professionals. Diagnosis is crucial for determining appropriate treatment and support strategies. This blog post will explore the current diagnostic criteria and challenges in diagnosing addiction.

For years, the familiar ritual had controlled his life - the frantic search for the next high, the fleeting euphoria followed by the crushing emptiness. Moshe's world had become a relentless cycle of craving, using, and crashing, as the needle’s grip tightened around his mind and body. But now, after another terrifying overdose, he knew he had to break free, no matter what the cost. Addiction Kills and enslaves.

Understanding Addiction and Confronting Its Stigma Addiction is a complex, chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug...

Why do most people seek treatment? Stopping the next relapse is why most people come seeking help. By the time a person sits down at their first treatment they have tried to quit on their and could not come up with any solutions that worked. Relapse as a multistage process and the first key in recovery is learning to recognize these early stages. Relapse and subsequent recovery can be a process of gradual growth and personal development. It is during this time that something

Many people contend that relapse is a forgone conclusion – this is NOT true! First, a person needs to be aware of their relapse triggers. These triggers can be categorized in a few groups: environmental, mental, and emotional. One of the easiest ways to start addressing possible relapse triggers is becoming aware of HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). This acronym describes the feelings a person gets when they are in high-risk situations.

Relapse occurs when a drug addict or alcoholic abstains from using or drinking for a period. Then, as if by surprise, this person finds themselves drinking or drugging again. This is how most people understand what relapsing is. However, it is important to understand that relapse begins before a person “picks up” (uses drugs or alcohol again).  People can become dysfunctional within recovery, lose control of behavior, and can develop emotional problems before they pick up.

Addiction is a complex and insidious disease that ravages the lives of those it affects. It can take hold of anyone, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic status, and cause untold devastation in its wake. The consequences of addiction are far-reaching and can include physical and mental health problems, relationship difficulties, financial ruin, and legal troubles, to name just a few.