A Deadly Disease: Discussing Alcohol Use Disorder

alcohol use disorder

The 2013 updated version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) reclassified two previously separate issues—alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse—into one diagnosis, termed Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). With all of the technical jargon, information, and misinformation on the Web in relation to this subject, one may find themselves wondering what is the difference between […]

Should I Worry About Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

fetal alcohol prevention

Fetal alcohol syndrome is an alcohol use disorder that is classified as the most severe type of the disorders on the fetal alcohol spectrum. While the condition is relatively rare and affects approximately 200,000 babies annually, the consequences of the disease can be lifelong and widespread. As with other spectrum disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome affects […]

Sober but Angry: What Is a Dry Drunk?

dry drunk detox

The idea of recovery is a profound one. It is someone choosing to take the steps necessary to create an entire new life for themselves. It’s more than simply quitting. Much more. You can stop eating unhealthy foods. You can stop seeing a friend who is bad for you. You can stop doing just about […]

Helping Someone Stop Drinking

help loved one stop drinking

It’s an uphill grind to be sure. The romanticized picture of the glories of alcohol and the people who imbibe is one of the major players in the fight for sobriety. Here in Southern California, the problem is as big as anywhere. The commercials, the rows of bars, the West Coast IPA beer culture. As […]

How Sobriety Is Beautiful

sober is beautiful

As we have discussed previously, getting clean from drugs and alcohol is a whole-life transformation. There are plenty of concrete benefits to finding lasting recovery. With those things in mind, as well as being a drug and alcohol detox located in Orange County, California, we are very aware many other benefits of recovery. One of […]

The Problem With Dry January

Problem With Dry January

Moderation in alcohol consumption is a fine aspiration for many; however, for those with an alcohol use disorder, there are some dangers in short-term abstinence.

Alcohol and a Social Life

sober social life

No alcohol means no fun. Or does it? So many people think getting treatment for alcohol addiction will diminish their social life, but the opposite is true.

What Is Substance Use Disorder?

what is substance use disorder

  Language is important. How we see things, their importance, and their influence is directly connected to what we name them. Where addiction is concerned, the stigma of the disease is often enough to keep a person from seeking treatment. Admitting to struggling with addiction means a person is akin to putting themselves at risk […]

What You Should Know About Alcohol Poisoning

alcohol poisoning and detox

The commercials on TV of attractive people throwing a few back, movies of people taking shots until they fall down, the weekday contention amongst friends that, “I can drink you under the table”—it’s these things and more. A major reason alcohol poisoning is so prevalent is the common misconception that alcohol is pretty much innocuous. […]