5 Tips for Navigating the Holidays if You’re Newly Sober

How To Spread Awareness For International Overdose Day In 2019

Top 5 Alcohol-related health issues, and options who need help

You would be surprised at the number of packaged and already cooked foods that contain small amounts of alcohol, including many specialty foods found in delicatessen or gourmet shops. Pure vanilla and almond extract, and some brands of Dijon mustard are examples. Marinara sauce with wine, whipped cream and even fruit cake can all pose problems. For many of us this is not an issue. Adding “a little something extra” can make any meal special, especially during the holidays.

On June 10, 2015, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) celebrated its 80th anniversary. Founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio by New York stockbroker, Bill W and Akron Surgeon, Dr. Bob S, both of whom were alcoholics, AA has helped countless people maintain sobriety over the past 80 years. AA groups and members quickly popped up all around the world.

Prom and graduation season is a time for celebration but also a time when underage drinking develops into binge drinking by some teenagers. 

Taking a sip of alcohol before the age of 21 seems pretty harmless to most teens, but the truth is drinking has damaging effects when abused. It’s important to educate kids at a young age about the risks associated with alcohol, which is why "For the Health of It: Early Education on Alcoholism and Addiction" is the theme of this year’s National Alcohol Awareness Month. 

As fall arrives, college students are settling into their routines. The pressures of college create a great deal of stress for students. Keeping up with school work, getting good grades and navigating new social circles can weigh heavily on a young mind. How does one keep up?

An estimated 17 million Americans have an alcohol use disorder. For those who seek treatment, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is often part of their recovery. On June 10, 2014, AA will celebrate its 79th anniversary. 

April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the health and social problems caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Many people are aware that heavy alcohol use poses dangers, but few realize how widespread the problems are.

A week of beaches, parties and bottomless cocktails. This is a picture of spring break for many college students in the US. Although it’s portrayed in the media as a week of non-stop fun, spring break can quickly turn dangerous. 

A recent report from the CDC suggested that at least 38 million Americans drink too much and that binge drinking is a growing problem. Our Physician-in-Chief, Dr. Eric D. Collins, an addiction psychiatrist, explains what binge drinking is and helps to clarify how to determine when binge drinking crosses the line and becomes an alcohol use disorder.

Holiday celebrations and alcohol seem to go hand-in-hand for many, but for the 18 million Americans who have an alcohol use disorder the season might be a struggle, especially with the added stress that comes along this time of year.

If you're avoiding alcohol this holiday season, try one of these festive alcohol-free drinks.

Many schools will soon be hosting their senior proms, and while we do need to be concerned about all the excess that seems inherent to the event – indulgent spending, drinking, wild behavior – proms can be fun and meaningful events for you both.

The first thing to understand is that alcoholism is a disease, not just a bad habit. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a full 20% of adults actually have a genetic marker for alcoholism—and while genetics do not necessarily dictate outcome, people with the genetic marker do have a higher risk of becoming abusers of alcohol.  However, even if you do not have the genetic marker, you could still become an alcoholic. In other words, if you drink enough for a long enough period of time, you will become addicted.

St. Patrick’s Day, a wonderful celebration of Irish culture, is this Saturday. A time of family, friends and proud heritage. A day when even those of us not of Irish descent celebrate this warm and vibrant culture.

Move-in day is an annual ritual if you are the parent of a college student. But while lugging heavy suitcases up too many flights of stairs may leave you exhausted, it probably leaves your son or daughter feeling adventurous and excited. Chances are, you go home and collapse and they go out to one of many welcome parties where old friends are reunited and new friends are made — and chances are, there will be plenty of drinking.