Blog

Alcohol: the most legal addictive substance in the United States. Each year, hundreds of thousands of lives are lost either to alcohol-related accidents or disease. Beyond that, lives, families, and communities are ruined due to the consequences of alcohol abuse. Yet somehow, we continue to blindly believe that alcohol is safe and we are above the dangers. […]

Addiction affects everyone differently- we know that. What may not cause any problems for one person can trigger a life-altering substance abuse disorder. Some people may be able to give up their substance of choice and never look back; others will experience relapse along their journey. While each sober journey is definitely unique, there’s still […]

A common misconception about addiction and substance abuse is that recovery is as simple as ‘stop using.’ From the outside it may seem that simple, but knowing the kind of hard work and dedication that goes into recovery is part of understanding that sobriety is a lifestyle change, not a goal to be accomplished. Quick […]

Here at Harbor Village we receive a lot of questions from concerned family members and friends looking for ways to help their loved ones overcome substance abuse and addiction. While it remains true that you can’t force sobriety on anyone, there are things you can do to help encourage recovery and support your loved ones […]

Cost of care should not be a deterrent for seeking treatment, but for thousands of people living check to check or without income, it is. This unfortunate reality impacts all aspects of healthcare, but when it comes to addiction and substance abuse things are further complicated. Frustration with inability to cover the costs often gets […]

The path of addiction recovery is different for everyone: we all have individual needs, concerns, and unique situations that impact our sober journeys. We also recognize that our recovery affects more than just our lives, but those of the people we hold dear. But what about when those people include children- your children? The decision […]

We’ve touched on the topic of dating and relationships while in recovery before: some believe a good relationship can aid your recovery, while others urge focusing on yourself without a partner. While I tend to believe each case is unique and should be treated as such, there are a few valid reasons for concern: The […]

Deciding to enter treatment for a substance abuse disorder is a big step- larger than most people give you credit for. Sobriety is more than completing a program and getting a fancy certificate: it’s a lifestyle change that takes a lot to commit to. It’s the greatest gift you can give yourself, yes, but we […]

Double the trouble, double the stigma: being diagnosed with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders can make recovery feel impossible. The reality is that co-occurring mental health disorders are more common in the recovery community than we think. In fact, there’s a lot you need to know- let’s start with these 5 things: When it […]

You often hear that recovery is a road you have to walk alone, but that’s not strictly true. Yes, you and only you can put in the work to get you to your recovery goals, but the company you keep along the way is important. We’ve already talked about toxic people and knowing how to […]