Ashley Cullins
Ashley Cullins is a writer with a passion for creating engaging, understandable content on complex topics like addiction and mental health. She has over five years of experience writing for healthcare websites and publications. Having experienced addiction first-hand in her family, Ashley deeply connects with Ria Health’s mission to make treatment easier and more accessible. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, reading, and cooking.
Articles by Ashley Cullins
Antabuse vs. Naltrexone: Which Works Best for Alcohol Use Disorder?
Medication is a proven option for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD), and there are several FDA-approved choices available through prescription..
How to Help My Partner Cut Back on Drinking
When your significant other struggles with a drinking problem, it can have a major impact on the health of your.
Does Alcohol Cause Inflammation? Drinking and the Risk of Chronic Illness
As scientists investigate the causes of dangerous and deadly diseases, they’ve found one factor common to almost all of them:.
7 Sober Valentine’s Day Date Ideas
Picture Valentine’s Day, and you probably think about roses, chocolate, a nice meal, and a bottle of wine. But if.
How To Have a Sober Super Bowl: 7 Tips for Game Day
Football fans across the country are getting ready for the biggest game of the year. Whether that involves major Super.
What Is Holiday Heart Syndrome? Drinking Safely During the Holidays
“Holiday heart” sounds like a warm and fuzzy term, but holiday heart syndrome is actually a dangerous phenomenon. It refers.
How to Deal With Family Drinking and Stay Sober During the Holidays
Holidays bring up a lot of mixed feelings. Most of us just want to have fun, visit, and be accepted.
How Do Beer and Alcohol Affect Your Cholesterol?
38 percent of Americans suffer from high cholesterol, and many also consume large amounts of alcohol. Does alcohol increase cholesterol?.
The Nonalcoholic Beverage Explosion
In the last few years, the demand for nonalcoholic drinks has gone through the roof. Sales of no- and low-alcohol.
BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It impacts how we view ourselves, handle stress, build relationships, and.
Why Do Hangovers Get Worse With Age?
You’re never too old to have a good time. But when the good times involve alcohol, you might notice that.
Should You Try Dry July?
Following in the footsteps of Dry January and Sober October, Dry July encourages people to press pause on their drinking..
Grief and Alcohol: How To Cope With Loss Without Drinking
Grief is a response to deep sorrow, often caused by the loss of a loved one. It’s a heavy emotion.
Is Alcohol a Stimulant or a Depressant?
Most addictive substances fall into one of two categories: stimulants (“uppers”) or depressants (“downers”). These terms refer to the opposite.
Overcoming Anhedonia After Addiction
While recovery from addiction generally makes you feel much better in the long run, some people find themselves in low.
How Does Alcohol Affect Men’s Health?
Alcohol is a global health issue, but research shows that it’s also a serious men’s health issue. An estimated 16.
What Is the Difference Between Naloxone and Naltrexone?
Naloxone and naltrexone are both FDA-approved opioid antagonists. They bind to opioid receptors in the brain to block the effects.
Why Is Alcohol Addictive?
Glamorized in movies, consumed with dinners and sporting events and parties, and considered socially acceptable in most circles, alcohol is.
Can You Take Spironolactone To Treat Alcohol Use Disorder?
There are currently three FDA-approved medications for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD), along with several off-label options. But medications aren’t.
How Does Alcohol Affect Your Brain?
It’s well-known that alcohol affects the brain. After all, most people have experienced feeling euphoric and excited, confused, or even.
Should You Stop Drinking When Trying To Get Pregnant?
We all know that drinking during pregnancy is harmful for the baby. But what about when you’re trying to conceive?.
What Happens When You Stop Drinking?
Choosing to give up alcohol is the start of a challenging journey, but it’s incredibly worthwhile. Long-term, excessive drinking changes.
How Long Does Alcohol Stay in Your System?
There is no set answer to the question “How long does alcohol stay in your system?” It depends on how.
Why Can It Take People So Long To Realize Their Drinking Is Unhealthy?
You probably have an image in your mind of what alcohol addiction or being an “alcoholic” looks like. Whatever that.
What Are My Options For Non-12 Step Recovery?
So, you’re interested in changing your relationship with alcohol, but you’re not sure if 12 step recovery is a good.
Moderation vs. Abstinence: Should You Cut Back or Quit Drinking Completely?
Many people think that abstinence is the only solution for problem drinking. Abstinence means giving up alcohol completely, and it’s.
No Alcohol for a Month: The Benefits and What To Expect
Giving up alcohol forever may seem intimidating or even impossible, but what about going alcohol-free for one month? As people.
What Is the Role of Willpower In Addiction Recovery?
The word “willpower” is a double-edged sword when it comes to recovery from addiction. On the one hand, it’s important.
Delirium Tremens: What It Is and How To Treat It
When long-term heavy drinkers suddenly quit, they generally experience withdrawal symptoms. That’s because, over time, the central nervous system (CNS).
Alcoholic Nose (Rhinophyma): The Real Cause, and How to Treat It
Long-term, heavy consumption of alcohol affects nearly every part of the body, including your physical appearance. One physical side effect.
What Is the Role of Denial in Alcoholism?
Denial is one of the biggest barriers to treatment for alcohol addiction. When people can’t admit to having a problem,.
Alcohol and Your Face: Why Do You Get Puffy or Red After Drinking?
It’s well-documented that alcohol can cause serious health problems. But it’s not only your liver, heart, brain, and other internal.
How Does Alcohol Affect Your Oxygen Level?
Alcohol has a number of effects on the human body, many of which are well-known and often-discussed. But one topic.
Can Acupuncture Help With Alcoholism?
Acupuncture has been used to treat chronic and acute health conditions for thousands of years, but has only recently become.
Dangers of Drinking and Driving: How Does Alcohol Affect Your Driving?
Alcohol and driving is a dangerous and frequently deadly combination. About one-third of fatal car crashes in the United States.
Alcohol Addiction Statistics and Facts in the United States
Many people in the U.S. have felt the impact of alcohol abuse on their own lives, but few realize the.
Breaking the Seal: Why Does Alcohol Make You Pee More?
As many of us know, drinking alcohol on a night out can involve a lot of bathroom breaks. It’s common.
Alcohol and Women’s Health
Alcohol use is a growing health concern among women. While men have historically consumed more alcohol and shown higher rates.
7 Tips for Planning a Fun Sober Wedding
While some people may be taken aback by the idea of a dry wedding, there are many good reasons to.
Why Don’t People Get Help for Addiction?
In 2019, 21.6 million people aged 12 and above in the United States needed substance use treatment. Only 4.2 million.
Why Does Red Wine Stain My Lips?
Have you ever enjoyed a glass or two of red wine, only to find yourself with an embarrassing case of.
How to Remove Wine Stains from Your Teeth
Wine is arguably the alcohol with the best reputation. It’s seen as classier and more socially acceptable, and we often.
Is Alcohol Bad for Your Teeth?
Most people are familiar with the impacts of heavy drinking on the liver, brain, and other organs. But excessive alcohol.
My Sister Drinks Every Day: How Can I Help Her Quit?
It’s extremely difficult to watch someone you love struggle with addiction or alcoholism. If you’re worried that your sister is.
Alcohol and Breastfeeding: Is It Safe To Drink When You Have an Infant?
It’s common knowledge that drinking alcohol while pregnant is not safe for the baby. But what about after the baby.
Alcohol and Chronic Pain: Does Drinking Hurt More Than It Helps?
People have used alcohol to numb or relieve pain since ancient times. It’s even a popular TV trope: characters in.
Alcohol, Hazing, and College Drinking
Along with football games, dorm life, and late-night study sessions, alcohol consumption is a staple of the college experience for.
How To Tell Your Friends You Don’t Drink Anymore
When you first decide to stop drinking, navigating your social life can be tricky—especially if alcohol has typically played a.
Pancreatitis and Alcohol: How To Limit Your Risk
The pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach which regulates blood sugar and aids in digestion. When the.
Is It Okay to Drink Around Your Newly Sober Friends?
When a friend or family member makes the decision to get sober, you want to support them. But if your.
Can Two Alcoholics Get Sober Together?
It’s common for people who drink or use drugs to do so with their romantic partner. Couples spend a lot.
How to Stay Sober When Your Spouse and Loved Ones Still Drink
Long-term sobriety can be challenging—but it’s even more difficult when your spouse and loved ones continue to drink. Socializing with.
What to Expect When Your Spouse Stops Drinking
Alcohol use disorder can put a strain on any long-term relationship. If your spouse has decided to stop drinking, you.
What Is Secondhand Drinking?
You’ve probably heard the term “secondhand smoke,” which refers to environmental tobacco smoke accidentally inhaled by nonsmokers. Secondhand smoke is.
Celebrating Recovery This September—And All Year Round
Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors National Recovery Month. It’s a time to share.
7 Tips For Keeping Party Drinking Under Control
Have you ever told yourself you would take it easy on a night out, only to wake up with a.
Are You Drinking 8-12 Beers a Day?
When people think of alcoholism and alcohol dependence, they often picture a person knocking back hard liquor. Beer tends to.
Dating an Alcoholic: 11 Signs, and What You Can Do
Have you noticed that your significant other is drinking more than they used to? Or have you recently met someone.
How to Deal with Hangxiety (Hangover Anxiety)
If you’ve ever had a long night of drinking, you’ve likely experienced the physical effects of a hangover. These might.
Can An Alcoholic Ever Drink Normally Again?
It’s often thought that those who struggle with alcoholism can never return to a normal pattern of drinking. Even one.
9 Mental Health Apps to Help You Reset Your Habits
Mental health care is among our society’s greatest needs, yet it’s also one of the most neglected. Mental health apps.
Did You Know that September is National Recovery Month?
Addiction and mental illness are issues that affect our lives and communities every day. National Recovery Month, sponsored by the.
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