Gene Duffy, founder of Duffy’s, consistently used to say that “Duffy’s was a family business for a family problem.” Addiction doesn’t affect just the addict or alcoholic–it affects his or her entire family and circle of friends. The following are a collection of blog posts and articles designed to help you understand the disease of addiction, so you can better support and encourage your loved one during this difficult time.
If you’re familiar with the recovery process, you know that detox usually comes first. Most rehab centers include medical detox in their programs, but is it really necessary? Is it possible to safely detox from home? The answer depends on your loved one’s addiction and health history. Detox offers the safest and most comfortable way to clean out the … Read More
Substance dependence and other addictions are influenced by many factors including genetics, environment and personal character, but the family plays a key role in shaping the development of children. Because children often take on the habits of their parents, family dynamics are very important. Healthy parenting is one of the most powerful factors in preventing … Read More
Addiction is hard—we all know that. But as a mother, going through an addiction means your baby girl or little boy goes through it with you. The documentary On Life’s Terms: Mothers in Recovery tells the gripping stories of five mothers battling addiction while trying to care for their children. Since its premiere in April, the film … Read More
So your family member or friend finally went to rehab. With all the events leading up to this point and all the effort you’ve made to help them get here, the big day may seem anticlimactic. You may be relieved or apprehensive. You may feel hope, or you may be waiting for the other shoe … Read More
Have you ever considered rehab, but then thought “No way?” If so, you’re not alone. While rehab isn’t the right solution for everyone, many have rejected the idea of rehab due to preconceptions that are completely false. To truly know whether rehab is right for you or a loved one, you need to separate fact … Read More
April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, a national effort sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to raise awareness about alcohol-related problems and recovery. This year’s theme is “Help for today, hope for tomorrow,” with an emphasis on underage drinking and its effects on young people and their families. The destructive power of alcoholism … Read More
If you place a magnet on a table and push another magnet toward it, they will repel each other or “snap” together. People are like this—coming together by the nebulous forces of love and friendship or “repelling” each other due to disagreements or unforgiveness. The ultimate “snap-together” relationships are the ones sealed by holy matrimony. … Read More
It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. But if your loved one’s in rehab, no matter how deeply you inhale, it feels lonely when the one you love is so many miles away at treatment. Alone on Valentine’s Day Even though you’re happy that they’re in a place of healing, you still miss them … Read More
“Just Say No” is so last century. Plus, it didn’t work for everyone. To make an impact on our teens, we must use engaging resources that tell the facts about drugs without sounding manipulative or judgmental. Most importantly, these resources must be useful and enjoyable enough that teens will return to these sites and eventually share them … Read More
Lisa Frederiksen is the owner and brains behind breakingthecycles.com—a website and blog that exists to help end the stigma, misinformation and shame so often surrounding addiction. Lisa also conducts presentations, workshops and training programs at schools, businesses and rehab facilities across the country. We were able to pull Lisa way from her busy schedule and drill … Read More
