Category Archives: Blog

Holidays bring up a lot of mixed feelings. Most of us just want to have fun, visit, and be accepted at family gatherings. But for many, there are also certain minefields we dread having to navigate this time of year. One of these is worrying about how to handle family members who drink too much […]

“Holiday heart” sounds like a warm and fuzzy term, but holiday heart syndrome is actually a dangerous phenomenon. It refers to heart arrhythmia, and most frequently atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a racing or irregular heartbeat that can lead to serious complications if left untreated. The term “holiday heart syndrome” was first used in 1978 […]

Even though the holidays may look different this year, there is still a lot to look forward to. The holiday season means spending time with family and friends, exchanging gifts, and, for many of us, attending parties where alcohol may be served (even if those parties take place over Zoom this year). Whether you are […]

Naltrexone has been shown to be highly effective in treating alcohol cravings, as well as opioid addiction. In the last few years, as medication-assisted treatment has become more widely accepted and available, use of naltrexone has increased. But smaller amounts of the medication, known as low-dose naltrexone (LDN), are showing promise in the treatment of […]

When dealing with unpleasant emotions or circumstances, we all sometimes struggle to face things head-on. Avoidance, anger, or other similar reactions are all perfectly ordinary. However, sometimes our reactions to situations and feelings don’t contribute to solving the problem. Instead, they may make things worse. This is what’s known as “maladaptive behavior.”  Put another way, […]

Many of us have heard that alcohol can affect hormones. But, aside from reproductive health, what does this really mean? Could excessive drinking be throwing one of your body’s most crucial systems out of whack? Can alcohol cause hormonal imbalance? Hormones—produced and released by the endocrine system—have an impact on almost all aspects of our […]

Long-term sobriety can be challenging—but it’s even more difficult when your spouse and loved ones continue to drink. Socializing with people who are drinking, having alcohol in the home, and even the smell of alcohol are common triggers for people in recovery. So, what happens when you get sober and your spouse still drinks? Is […]

Alcohol use disorder can put a strain on any long-term relationship. If your spouse has decided to stop drinking, you may be overjoyed. “But,” you may be wondering, “what should I expect as they begin the recovery process?” Many spouses of heavy drinkers harbor the hope that, if their spouse would only quit, everything might […]

If you’ve ever experienced a bad hangover, you know how awful it can feel. A pounding headache, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, poor concentration—all symptoms that can ruin your morning, or even your day. You may feel you’d do just about anything for a quick cure. Many people may turn to After-Alcohol Aid, or other marketed hangover […]

Each year, millions of people go home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Many, especially college students, haven’t seen close friends and family in months. The night before the big feast, many people gather to catch up—and drink. So much so, that this evening has earned the nickname “Blackout Wednesday.” There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get […]