American Addiction Centers Blog

Employers deal with a multitude of human resources challenges regularly. From hiring to firing and everything in between, it’s a full-time job keeping employees motivated and productive. You want your employees to be content with their working environment so they can produce their best work efficiently and effectively for your company. However, sometimes valuable employees […]

Current events, especially those that impact our economy, our health, and our safety impact all of us in more ways than we may know. For some, events outside of their control can affect their mental health and/or their drug and alcohol use. For parents, who need to maintain their usual responsibilities of keeping a roof […]

After you’re out of rehab and in recovery from a substance use disorder, you may be looking for ways to get your life back on track. If you’re single, one of those ways might be to start dating again. Online dating is a way to tackle the social anxiety aspect of finding a partner. Online […]

Opioid medications have long been the standard for the treatment of moderate to severe short-term pain.1 However, while prescription opioids can be used to manage significant pain, they also carry a risk of physiological dependence and addiction, particularly if misused.2 In 2023, more than 5 million people in the United States aged 12 or older had […]

What Is FMLA and How Does it Work? FMLA is a federal act that entitles employees of “covered employers” to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons.1 An employee can take this leave while maintaining their group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as […]

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro—regardless of the brand name you recognize, semaglutide has firmly established itself in the current health conversation. From trending social media posts to mainstream news reports, a fascinating pattern has emerged among individuals using this medication for weight loss or diabetes: an unexpected side effect — their cravings for alcohol seemed to decrease. […]

The recent transfer of power in Washington has brought a great deal of uncertainty for many across the U.S., but particularly for Veterans and their families. While the new administration has pledged to improve healthcare for our nation’s heroes, the slate of executive orders and budget cuts has resulted in many questions about what the […]

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSUDH) estimated that more than 48 million Americans (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2023.1 Substance use disorder, the clinical term for addiction, is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking behavior and use that is compulsive or difficult to control despite harmful consequences.2 […]

Most people associate St. Patrick’s Day with raucous parties, historic parades, and copious amounts of alcohol. But the holiday’s origins have little to do with these associations. According to insights from the History Channel, St. Patrick’s Day is historically a Roman Catholic celebration marking the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland (who, […]

Most addictive substances increase pleasure and make chemical changes in the brain. Often, they interact with the production, absorption, or pathways related to the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is closely tied to how a person feels pleasure and experiences reward. Mood regulation, memory, willpower, and the decision-making processes are also impacted with drug abuse. These changes […]

There’s no two ways about it: We are living in unprecedented times. From extreme and catastrophic weather events to shifting political and economic landscapes, everyday life can feel unsafe, chaotic, and challenging.  With so much uncertainty, it can be difficult to decipher what’s a “normal” reaction to circumstances and what are warning signs that your […]