Your Path to Recovery Starts Here

MBA, CADC II, CAI, CRPS

Ashley Loeb Blassingame

“Physical relapse does not have to be a part of the recovery process, but it is not uncommon. The first step to restarting recovery after a relapse of this sort is to admit that using is still a problem and to reach out to other recovering people to ask for help.”

LPC, EdD

Dr. Lea McMahon

“12-step programs such as AA are often a good foundation for a person seeking recovery. They are affordable, accessible, and widely available. However, no program is perfect, and every person will respond differently.”

MD

Dr. Ryan Sultan

“To stop addiction, building a support network, which could include a counselor, support groups, and trusted friends or family, can also be beneficial. Structuring time, setting clear boundaries around the use of technology, and finding healthy alternatives to pornography can also help manage the addiction.”

PsychD

Dr. Michelle Dees

“People need to know that while casual [substance] use does not always result in addiction, there are many things such as genetics, mental health, social environment, and the drug itself which can greatly increase the chances of this happening.”

MD

Dr. Michael Kane

“...Some individuals may be more genetically or psychologically vulnerable to developing a substance use disorder. For example, those with a family history of addiction or who have experienced trauma may be more at risk.”

Advocacy & Policy Strategist

Na'ilah Amaru

“...Underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or trauma can increase the risk of substance abuse which is important to consider when exploring policy solutions to this issue.”

MD

Dr. Jordan Calabrese

“There is still a societal stigma today too that prevents some from entering treatment. The fear of family, friends, or employers finding out that you have a problem causes many to delay seeking treatment.”

Licensed Psychotherapist

Gary Tucker

“Access to help varies widely based on location, socioeconomic status, and the substance in question. While there has been significant progress in integrating addiction treatment into healthcare systems, challenges persist.”

MD

Dr. Bart Kachniarz

“Alcohol weakens the immune system and disrupts DNA repair, potentially increasing skin cancer risk. Research suggests a link between heavy drinking and various skin cancers, though more studies are needed to define precise risk ratios.”

LCSW, CCTP, CASAC

Alexis Cate

“With increases in overdose deaths over the past few years, opioid use disorder is a public health crisis. Opioids are highly addictive and have been on the rise since the focus of pain management and prescription painkillers in medicine.”

LCSW, LCADC, CCS

Heather Brown

“Alcoholism is a common but potentially severe substance use disorder that affects millions of Americans. What starts as a casual drink to relieve stress can quickly turn into habitual or binge drinking and progress into dependence on the substance.”

EMSEC, LLC

Dr. Jared Ross

“In general, in the Southeastern U.S. methamphetamine and other stimulants are the most commonly abused substances. While in the Northeast we see more opioids. Marijuana use is common across the entire US, however, abuse is rare and dependence is even less common.”

MD

Dr. Jordan Tishler

“Tolerance, in general, is not a good thing, and can lead to escalating dose, dependence, and even addiction. The best way to avoid increasing tolerance it to find the minimum effective dose with your cannabinoid specialist and stick to that regimen unless instructed otherwise.”

DABOM, ABFM, CCFP

Dr. Phyllis Pobee

“The potential misuse among individuals with eating disorders is a profound concern. The promise of weight loss can be dangerously attractive, underscoring the need for a therapeutic alliance between patient and physician, ensuring use is ethical and beneficial.”

PsychD, FHCA, HCPC & BPS reg

Dr. Raffaello Antonino

“Compared to harder drugs like cocaine or heroin, nitrous oxide might seem less harmful, which coupled with a general lack of awareness about its potential dangers, leads to its widespread use in party scenes.”