Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences. People with SUD have an intense focus (sometimes called an addiction) on using a certain substance(s) such as alcohol, tobacco, or other psychoactive substances, to the point where their ability to function in day-to-day life becomes impaired. People keep using the substance even when they know it is causing or will cause problems.
For years, students in middle and high schools across the country were urged to “just say no” to drugs and alcohol. But it’s no secret that the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, which was typically delivered by police officers who urged total abstinence, didn’t work.
Yale Medicine: "Addiction is now understood to be a brain disease. Whether it’s alcohol, prescription pain pills, nicotine, gambling, or something else, overcoming an addiction isn’t as simple as just stopping or exercising greater control over impulses."
Mayo Clinic: "Some people appear to overindulge more than others or seem incapable of saying "no" or "enough already." You may have heard the term "addictive personality" to describe people who believe that too much of a good thing is never enough. But is this an actual diagnosis, and do some personality traits increase a person's addiction risk? Here's a closer look at addictive personality traits and their effect on the likelihood of addiction."
Hold the light is a call to action that appeals to us at the highest expression of our own humanity. It is a call to each of us to be beacons of kindness, love, compassion, generosity, liberty, justice and humanity for the sake of one another in this world.
In today's edition of ALXnow, publisher Ryan Belmore explains that Mayor Alyia Gaskins hosted her third annual back-to-school salon event on Tuesday, Aug. 12, providing free professional hairstyling, backpacks, and food to girls living in Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties across the city.
Sikh activist Valarie Kaur traveled to Guatemala to learn about the 20th-century genocide of Mayan Indigenous peoples. While there, she joined CAC teachers in an online event to explore how we might honor and learn from our anger.
The big-beautiful-actually-big-ugly bill that passed through Congress and hit the President’s desk on July 4th will cause untold damage to our country. Ironically, the pain will be felt most acutely by those who have supported the President most.
Andrea Walton is a seasoned HR executive, published author, and purpose-driven philanthropist committed to building pathways to education for Black and Brown girls around the world.
Natalie Jacobsen is an award-winning journalist, writer and marketer who devotes her time and talent to the nonprofit sector, inspiring others to take action and change the world.
Who she is: Based in Harbor Beach, Michigan, Eva Ross is a lifelong learner, seeker, and a student of life with a varied professional background. What she does: Helps people become their own life leaders.
YEAR 1 Under Authoritarianism: They will come to power with a campaign based on fear, scaremongering and distorting the truth. Nevertheless, their victory will be achieved through a democratic electoral process. But beware, as this will be their argument every time you question the legitimacy of their actions. They will claim a mandate from the People to change the system.
Tim explains: "President Johnson was sworn into office after the Kennedy assassination in November 1963. In the waning days of 1963, President Johnson had those misgivings about escalating in Vietnam. And in the early months of 1964, he was not yet committed to an increased level of military involvement, but he had an election to think about as well as how he would be politically attacked if he didn’t fight communist aggression. After the events in the Tonkin Gulf in August 1964, the path toward greater U.S. military involvement in Vietnam was made easier."
When does the killing of political leaders become morally justifiable? Killing the Hitlers, Stalins and Pol Pots of the world is easy to justify. Murderous tyrants need to be killed. But what if our leaders are merely idiots, or perhaps corrupt, petty tyrants who aren’t in the same league as Hitler, Stalin or Pol Pot? How much damage can we allow them to do, how many of our rights can we allow them to take away, before killing them becomes justifiable homicide?
Ancient Egyptians are said to have sworn by burning beeswax candles: The beeswax didn’t just purify the air but was also was used in rituals to help their loved ones cross into the afterlife. Short of that, here are some benefits you’ll enjoy when you bring home a set of hand-rolled beeswax candles by Hope.
Today’s interview tells the tale of this important book that offers parallel narratives that touch upon several fascinating ideas, including the reach of Nazism—even in rural America—during WWII, the lasting impacts of the January 6 insurrection on today’s world, and the similarities between two time periods each burdened with an oppressive sense of dread. Don’t miss it!
When Tom Haney retired, he wanted to spend some of his spare time giving back to the community while also staying in shape. in 2020 he had another idea: to participate in as many polar bear plunges as possible.
The mood was surreal: ash falling from the sky, news reports showing flames racing across hillsides and communities, and an eerie wind rattling windows in neighborhoods uncomfortably close to the danger zone. Los Angeles was burning.
Who she is: A goal-oriented, purpose-driven woman on a mission to stand up for one another, support one another, and push forward, even in the face of resistance.
My family’s bus stop was at a busy intersection for many years. This crossroads brought together not just two roads of traffic but dozens of FCCPS students and their families. These families represented almost every house within a block in each direction. While the time spent at the bus stop was usually brief — just 10 minutes once or twice a day—over the years, it added up to hundreds of hours spent building the kind of community I believe is the Secret Sauce of FCCPS.
Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) is an excellent, award-winning school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia. However, objective student achievement data alone doesn’t tell the whole story of who we are as a division and community.
With the goal of helping entrepreneurs supersize their small businesses, Hope and her team of 10 publish online magazines (including InkandescentWomen.com and BeInkandescent Health & Wellness: BeInkandescent.com), produce dozens of podcast shows on InkandescentRadio.com, and film, direct, and produce videos featured on Inkandescent.tv
Ana Oliveira has increased the Foundation’s grantmaking from $1.7 million to $11 million annually. In its 36 years, The Foundation has distributed $125 million to over 350 organizations advancing economic, gender, and racial justice.
An emotional intelligence coach and storyteller, Rena specializes in helping people get clear on how they want to feel in their lives, where they've abandoned themselves, and how to find their way home
Today on Margaritas with Marguerita: Meet Akeiva Ellis, MSFP, CPA/PFS, CFP®, ChSNC®, co-founder of The Bemused, where she and her husband promote inclusive financial literacy for young adults.
Ah, November, the month of gratitude. By now, many of us are aware that practicing gratitude is good for us. Gratitude helps us put things in perspective. It helps us shift away from stress or bitterness over what we lack and feel more grounded and at ease with what we have. This is powerful for our daily well-being.
