Addiction to nicotine products like cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco can quickly take hold of your life. Because most smokers remain, for the most part, fully functional and contributing members of society, nicotine addiction often has less of a stigma associated with it, especially compared to addictions to such substances as cocaine or heroin, for example.

Stress can be a major trigger for both the initial development of addiction as well as relapse on the former substance of abuse. Stressful situations cause the body to produce hormones that prepare the body to deal with that situation. The brain also produces neurotransmitters to create emotions that will, in turn, elicit a response from the person. Because stress can be unpleasant, many people look for ways to relieve the potentially distressing emotions. According to the National Institute of Health, addicts may be hypersensitive to stress; even minor stressors, like traffic jams, could be the cause of relapse.

It’s been years – perhaps even decades – now since your last drink. Sobriety was the key to turning your life around; you’re happy and successful. But recently, you’ve started to miss having the occasional drink at a social gathering, business dinner, or sporting event; and, you’re wondering, “Is one drink now and then really that bad?” and “Do I really have to abstain from alcohol for the rest of my life?”

The first of the 12 steps in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous is simply for an alcoholic or addict to admit that they are powerless to control their problem with alcohol or drugs. As much as you would like to take this step for them, you can’t. So, what can you do to get them to see reality and help yourself cope with the situation?

Science has not yet found a cure for addiction, and relapse is a relatively common part of the recovery process. However, research on what makes recovery more “successful” indicates that certain factors may contribute to increasing the chances of avoiding relapse or increasing the period of sobriety before relapse occurs. Some of these factors are discussed below. Although following the guidelines below may be helpful, please realize that doing so is not necessarily a “guarantee” for success.

Your loved one agreed to enter treatment: great! But what happens when the rehab “honeymoon” is over and you and the addict are faced with the day-to-day challenges of maintaining lifelong sobriety? What happens when the wounds from the past start to resurface? How do you interact with this new, sober person?

Because some addictive substances are more powerful than others, certain addictions – usually to opiates, alcohol, and tobacco – are sometimes treated with replacement drugs. These drugs mimic the original substance (and, in some cases, delay withdrawal symptoms) but are not as addictive, in some cases actually blocking the potential for a high from the original substance. Although researchers are still attempting to find a replacement drug for cocaine addiction, this article will focus on the personal and social benefits of replacement drugs as well as how to live with the replacement drugs used to treat opiate, alcohol, and tobacco addictions.

Perhaps you have heard of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) but don’t know much about what the group does. This article will elaborate on what SAMHSA is and does, and what resources are available to you on the agency’s website.

When an individual leaves rehab, it can be difficult to re-learn how to lead a fulfilling, sober life. If you or a loved one is in this situation, the list below can help give you some direction in how to get the most out of your new life!

Yes, drug use has wreaked havoc on your loved one’s physical health. Yes, the substance has altered their moods and personality. But drug and alcohol use is also associated with a number of other risky behaviors that can cause further harm to the addict and may pose a danger to others as well.