Michael's House Blog

Drug Treatment

Newly Diagnosed with HIV/Hepatitis C? Here’s How to Best Get Help

Deciding to get help for an addiction is a brave first step. The situation turns more challenging, however, when seeking treatment comes with news of an HIV and/or hepatitis C diagnosis. Fortunately, there is plenty of help for former addicts living with these diseases. In some cases, injection drug users learn they are infected with … Continue reading Newly Diagnosed with HIV/Hepatitis C? Here’s How to Best Get Help →

November 9, 2015

Addiction Recovery

Surviving the 12 Steps: Advice for Newcomers and Not-So-Newcomers to AA and NA

On This Page: The First 24 Hours The First 30 Days Meetings Work the Steps Sober Birthdays Phone Numbers Romantic Attachments Sharing at Meetings Sponsors Giving Back 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are excellent ways to supplement drug rehab. Though these programs do not provide addiction treatment, they offer … Continue reading Surviving the 12 Steps: Advice for Newcomers and Not-So-Newcomers to AA and NA →

January 19, 2015

Addiction Recovery

10 Things NOT to Do When Your Loved One Comes Home from Drug Rehab

Rehab was the first big step, but now it’s time for recovery. The excitement of feeling empowered by being sober is the honeymoon phase when people just out of treatment are optimistic but may have unrealistic expectations. It’s also a time of adjustment for family members who don’t know what to expect. Plan for Success … Continue reading 10 Things NOT to Do When Your Loved One Comes Home from Drug Rehab →

August 29, 2014

Addiction Recovery

A New Obsession: Replacing Addiction with a Healthy New Goal

Alcoholism and drug addictions involve an obsession with getting and drinking or using. When those with a substance use disorder go through detox and rehab, they should be coming out the other side with goals for a whole new life – a life without drugs. It’s a quality-of-life issue that’s central to a long-term recovery.1 … Continue reading A New Obsession: Replacing Addiction with a Healthy New Goal →

December 16, 2013

Addiction Recovery

Can a Vegetarian Diet Improve Your Mood During Drug Addiction Recovery?

Most everyone has met the yoga-practicing, meditation-touting vegetarian that claims no one should ever ingest the soul of another living animal; to them, it’s a matter of preserving good karma, spiritual self and physical health. Recent findings may support this concept, at least in part. Although it’s obviously impossible to accurately “test” people’s karma, some … Continue reading Can a Vegetarian Diet Improve Your Mood During Drug Addiction Recovery? →

September 21, 2012

Addiction Recovery

What Happens When a Drug- or Alcohol-Addicted Couple Seeks Treatment?

On This Page: Recipe for Success as a Couple in Drug or Alcohol Recovery Be Wary of Attempts to ‘Eliminate the Witness’ We often only hear about one family member struggling with addiction while everyone else tries to intervene and provide support. However, it is not uncommon for couples to be struggling with a substance … Continue reading What Happens When a Drug- or Alcohol-Addicted Couple Seeks Treatment? →

August 31, 2012