Different cultures and groups of people have different belief systems and practices when it comes to alcohol. Those of us who have used substances, particularly alcohol, may have experienced a lot of familial, cultural, or social pressure to drink. That pressure can be very real....
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Sometimes life can feel a bit lonely as a non-drinker, especially when it's a new identity. It can feel like EVERYONE drinks, and you're the only one on the planet who chooses not to. In some circles, this perception is not totally inaccurate. Since we...
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Women differ from men in many ways, and the way that they metabolize alcohol is no exception. When we drink alcohol the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase breaks down alcohol in our bodies. Alcohol is toxic to the body and it compromises the functions of our central nervous...
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In working with residents at the AToN center I am often struck by how easy it is for a person to underestimate the strength of their addiction. Many people can spend years in a cycle of dependence on their substances and still the story they...
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We humans are communal by nature. We depend on each other for our physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs. Drinking alcohol and using drugs, however, separate us from our community. That separation fuels the addictive cycle and causes further negative consequences. Part of the recovery process...
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Social support in early recovery has been proven to be a huge help in a transition from a life of addiction to a life of recovery. Bonds with other people in recovery can help bolster confidence and conviction that a life fueled by alcohol and...
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According to the National Sleep Foundation, as many as 20% of adults use alcohol to go to sleep. Especially when suffering from insomnia, alcohol can seem to offer some very quick relief. But research shows that alcohol can actually wreak havoc on your sleep cycle,...
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In conducting therapy with clients at the AToN Center I often see many highly functioning people with multiple responsibilities who are sustaining their complex lifestyles, often temporally, with drugs and alcohol. I often recommend that people get back to the basics. This can include eating...
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People who come to receive treatment at AToN come from a myriad of different backgrounds and cultures. Most share a common goal or bond, that is their desire to achieve freedom from the life damaging consequences of alcohol and drug use. Developing and nurturing this bond with others...
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The progression of alcoholism and addiction usually passes through several declining stages before an individual makes the decision to enter treatment. What might have started as a path to increase socialization and well-being often can lead to a solitary and lonely existence. This isolation can even...
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