Find Recovery Editorial Team, Author at Find Recovery

Alcoholic Hepatitis: 5 FAQs Answered

Alcoholic hepatitis is a common condition among heavy drinkers, with approximately 20% developing fatty liver, the first stage of the disease. About 10% to 15% of heavy drinkers reach cirrhosis, the final stage of alcoholic hepatitis. However, a common undiagnosed or misdiagnosed condition, some still have questions about alcoholic hepatitis. Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about this condition.

1. What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Alcoholic hepatitis is a liver disease caused by alcohol consumption. The liver can tolerate up to a certain amount of alcohol and regenerate damaged cells and tissues. When alcohol consumption exceeds the liver’s limits for long periods, the liver becomes inflamed, and scars accumulate in the damaged areas, disrupting normal function and causing symptoms in other organs.

Alcoholic hepatitis has three stages, each more severe than the last:

Stage 1 – Alcoholic fatty liver disease: the liver suffers inflammation and enlarges, accumulating fatty tissue. The liver can become fatty within a few days of heavy drinking and is reversible if the person stops drinking. Fatty liver has no symptoms.
Stage 2 – Alcoholic hepatitis: after years of alcohol abuse (generally five or more), alcoholic hepatitis develops. Symptoms appear, but there’s still time to prevent further damage if the person stops drinking. It can be life-threatening in severe cases.
Stage 3 – Cirrhosis: the final and most severe stage with a higher potential to be lethal. The scarring has become so extensive that liver failure is likely, and chances of survival may be around 50% in 5 years. Abstinence is necessary to prevent further damage and improve outcomes.

2. What are the Symptoms of Alcoholic Hepatitis?

One of the biggest issues with alcoholic hepatitis is that it can remain asymptomatic for years before the illness advances. Mostly, people who don’t get annual health checks will only recognize alcoholic hepatitis when it reaches the end of stage two and the beginning of cirrhosis.

The most common signs and symptoms of hepatitis include:

Yellowing of the skin, teeth, and white of the eyes (jaundice)
Abdominal inflammation and pain
Fatigue and overall weakness
Appetite loss and subsequent weight loss and unexplained malnourishment
Nausea and vomiting
Built-up fluids in the abdomen
Fever
Light-colored feces

As the condition worsens, most people will also experience the following:

High fever.
Severe feelings of weakness and fatigue
Faster-than-normal heart rate
Thrombocytopenia (frequent bruises and bleeding)
Confusion and cognitive deterioration (hepatic encephalopathy)
Severe liver scarring
Higher likelihood of tumor formation and development of liver cancer

3. How is Alcoholic Hepatitis Diagnosed?

Because alcoholic hepatitis shares symptoms with other diseases, sometimes it remains undiagnosed. However, there are a series of tests that can help diagnose alcoholic hepatitis:

Blood tests determine whether there are infections, cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia, and other symptoms.
Abdominal imaging, especially ultrasound, computer tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, especially in the upper right abdomen section.
Liver function tests (LFTs). Specific blood tests measure levels of proteins, enzymes, and bilirubin. LFTs help determine the scope of liver damage.
Liver biopsy. A biopsy is extracting a small tissue sample to perform tests and determine the extent of organ damage. A biopsy may be necessary if other tests have been inconclusive.
Endoscopy in the esophagus to determine whether varices have formed. Varices are an advanced symptom that may lead to internal bleeding, a life-threatening condition.

Tests can help determine whether a patient has alcoholic hepatitis, some other form of hepatitis, or both. It can also help determine the extent of the damage for treatment planning.

4. What are the Treatment Options for Alcoholic Hepatitis?

There are various treatment alternatives for alcoholic hepatitis:

Abstinence. Alcohol abstinence is the number one factor that helps patients prevent further damage and potentially regenerate at least some of the damaged tissue (in cases without extensive scarring). Alcohol rehabilitation services may be necessary.
Nutritional support for malnourishment. Alcoholic hepatitis patients are often malnourished due to a diminished appetite caused by alcohol consumption. A nutritionist can help them identify deficiencies and provide advice to compensate for them.
Short-term steroid use in severe cases. Although controversial due to potential side effects, short-term steroid use can increase survival rates in severe cases.
Liver transplants. Transplants are partial or total replacements of the patient’s organ with liver tissue from a donor. Transplants are reserved for severe cases where medical therapy is no longer effective.

Treatment for alcoholic hepatitis should be accompanied by lifestyle changes on the patient’s side, including a commitment to proper long-term nutrition and regular exercise. It’s essential to seek medical treatment as soon as possible when symptoms appear. An early diagnosis when the disease has not yet advanced to the later stages can help improve outcomes and quality of life.

5. How Can Alcoholic Hepatitis Be Prevented? Can It Be Cured?

Alcohol reduction or abstinence combined with improvements in overall nutrition is the best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis.

As part of treatment for ongoing alcoholic hepatitis, abstinence, and good nutrition help alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage.

At the fatty liver stage, several weeks of sobriety improve the condition. At the alcoholic hepatitis stage, permanent abstinence is recommended and will lead to a gradual recovery from symptoms. At the cirrhosis stage, scarring is generally irreversible, but quitting alcohol helps prevent further scarring and damage.

Whether it can be cured depends on how advanced it has become. At early stages, it can be reversed, but at later stages, it may become a chronic illness that can only be managed rather than cured.

Treating Alcoholism Helps Prevent Alcoholic Hepatitis

It usually takes multiple years of regular alcohol abuse for alcoholic hepatitis to develop. Still, one of the problems is that the first stage of the disease, fatty liver, shows no symptoms. Treating alcoholism early is the best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis.

Don’t wait until alcoholic hepatitis has taken hold. Seeking treatment early is the best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis and create healthier habits that can last a lifetime. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse, consider seeking help from an addiction specialist to prevent consequences like alcoholic hepatitis.

10 Signs of Opioid Addiction

Opioids can be natural (opium, morphine, codeine, etc.), semi-synthetic (heroin), or fully synthetic (fentanyl, methadone, etc.). These drugs have legitimate medical uses, generally for chronic and post-surgery pain. However, they also have a high potential for abuse and addiction.

As of 2022, opioid use disorders affect over 16 million people worldwide and close to 3 million in the US alone. Over 120,000 deaths every year are attributed to opioids. Being so widespread, learning to recognize the symptoms of opioid abuse and addiction is essential to help someone struggling with addiction.

While some signs of opioid addiction are easy to recognize, others can indicate different ailments. Here are the most common symptoms of opioid addiction to watch out for.

1. Constricted Pupils

“Opiate pupils” are a common sign of opioid abuse. When people use opioids, their pupils shrink, and they no longer change size as a response to different intensities of light exposure (as they usually would).

One of the side effects of abusing opioids is altering how the iris sphincter muscle works, making it permanently contract while the opioid is in effect. Opioid abuse has other potentially severe but little-known effects on vision, such as eye infections that could lead to pain, eye discomfort in bright light (photophobia), and vision loss.

2. Borrowing or “Losing” Medication

People addicted to opioids will likely ask friends or family members for their prescriptions. They won’t necessarily ask for specific drugs, but they’ll go to great lengths to get their hands on some medications. They might also claim that they “lost” their medication and need a refill or will ask someone for multiple pills until their refill is ready.

3. Doctor and Pharmacy Shopping

To help control opioid addiction, doctors and pharmacies have stringent prescription guidelines to follow. The idea is that if patients no longer have access to prescribed opioids, they will discontinue their use.

However, people addicted to opioids will engage in “doctor shopping,” a practice that involves going to different doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions. This way, they can continue to maintain a supply of opioids.

4. Noticeable Changes in Appearance

When someone abuses opioids, they’re more likely to neglect their appearance and personal hygiene. You’ll likely notice unexplained weight loss, less care for their appearance, and poor hygiene, like not bathing or washing their hair. You will also notice puncture wounds, scabs, and sores if they use IV drugs.

5. Changes in Social Circles

Surrounding one’s self with others who use drugs or otherwise enable drug use is one way to justify what would otherwise be a clear poor choice. It is a way to avoid guilt for making bad decisions. aturally, people can and do change and expand social circles. That’s not a cause for alarm on its own. But if a loved one shows signs of opioid abuse and has a sudden change of social circles, that may be an additional cause for concern.

6. Neglecting Responsibilities

When someone is addicted to a drug, their entire life eventually revolves around obtaining and consuming them. This makes establishing or maintaining personal and professional relationships with them hard due to the excessive attention they place on their drug use and recovering from drug use.

7. Risky Behaviors

Being addicted to any substance impairs judgment and may lead someone to risk their health and the health of others by engaging in risky behavior. This may include unprotected sexual relations and driving under the influence.

8. Obsession with Obtaining and Using Opioids

Drug addiction is characterized by drug-seeking behaviors, compulsive drug use, and the inability to interrupt use regardless of negative consequences. People addicted to opioids may try to manipulate their loved ones into providing them with opioids, spend large amounts of money on opioids, visit multiple doctors searching for prescription opioids (doctor shopping), and engage in other drug-seeking behaviors.

Bear in mind that they will not hesitate to lie about pain to receive prescriptions for opioids. They will go to lengths to steal from friends and family to continue their opioid supply.

9. Changes in Mood

Opioid addiction is associated with various behavioral changes, including unexpected and sudden mood changes. This looks like going from extreme joy to anger in short periods due to unpredictable triggers. People abusing opioids may also experience sudden, unprovoked outbursts, mainly when dealing with withdrawal symptoms.

Other psychosocial symptoms include depression, paranoia, and irritability.

10. Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal syndrome is an array of symptoms caused by the absence of the drug that the body has become used to receiving. Withdrawal symptoms may appear 12 to 48 hours after the last use and may last 10 to 20 days. Suddenly interrupting opioid use without treatment for withdrawal symptoms can be risky, so going through withdrawals in a medical setting is essential.

The most common opioid withdrawal syndrome symptoms are:

Severe anxiety
Restlessness and insomnia
Goosebumps and shaking
Frequent yawning
Runny nose and watery eyes
Abnormally dilated pupils
Aches around the body
Profuse sweating
Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps
Fever
Rapid breathing and heartbeat
High blood pressure
Hallucinations
Seizures

The Importance of Identifying the Signs of Opioid Addiction

Identifying signs of opioid addiction early and seeking treatment can be a lifesaver for loved ones who would’ve otherwise never sought help by themselves.

If you notice these signs in a loved one, seek help to schedule a professional intervention. When your loved one is ready, support them in seeking addiction treatment. Recovery is a long and uphill battle, but it’s worth fighting for. Be there for your loved one every step of the way, and seek help and support for yourself.

Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Religious Program?

The fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been around since 1935. During its 78-year history, some things have changed, and others have stayed the same. The AA organization has received its fair share of criticisms for various reasons. One of the most common is its perceived “religiousness.”

This article will explore AA’s relationship with religion and how this relationship has evolved over the years to become more “spiritually-minded” than religious.

Understanding AA’s Religious Roots

The first AA fellowship was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (“Bill W.”) and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith (“Dr. Bob”) in Akron, Ohio, USA. They were members of a fundamentalist Protestant Christian movement, the Oxford Group. Some of the fundamental beliefs of the Oxford Group were absolute surrender to the Holy Spirit, purity, love, honesty, and unselfishness.

They had strong religious beliefs – a key part of their approach to sobriety.

The original “Alcoholics Anonymous” book, also known as “The Big Book,” was published in 1939 and contained the initial 12 Steps. The Steps remain at the core of AA to this day and have been adapted to other substances, like narcotics.

Of these original 12 Steps, Step 2 introduces the idea of a “power greater than ourselves” capable of returning us to sanity after falling into alcoholism.

Step 3 is the first to directly mention God “as we understood Him,” indicating that even in its original Christian form, the Steps allowed for some flexibility on the member’s part to input what they imagine to be their God or equivalent.

Steps 5, 6, 7, and 11 also directly mentioned God. Step 12 is focused on a “spiritual awakening.”

Steering from religiousness to spirituality

Over time, AA’s religious roots have caused some controversy, with some people refusing to participate in AA meetings for considering the group religious or going as far as to call it a “cult.”

In practice, however, AA meetings are inclusive to all kinds of people from all walks of life. AA members and speakers are open to all religions, including Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, Native American faith traditions, atheism, and agnosticism. It is not a core AA belief to pressure people into understanding the term “God” in the Protestant Christian context of its founders.

Even in their original, more explicitly religious form, the Steps clearly state that each attendee can understand God in their way, contrary to the belief that AA forces anyone to conform to the Christian God.

The word “God” remains in the 12 Steps the official AA website provides. However, some groups prefer providing non-religious support and have removed it from their Steps to offer a secular alternative.

Other practices, like reciting the Lord’s Prayer at the end of meetings, have slowly faded in all but the explicitly religious AA groups. And even in groups who still recite it, people are free not to participate if they wish.

Do Scientists Consider AA To Be “Religious”?

Finally, the opinion of experts is essential, too. On that note, a recent review categorically determined that dismissing AA as “religious” is a mistake.

AA also provides the added benefit of being free and available long-term for the communities around it. Denying the documented benefits of AA as a significantly valuable part of addiction treatment due to its perceived “religiousness” is contrary to decades worth of evidence.

Can AA’s spirituality drive some people away?

Even if AA’s concepts have become more spiritual than religious over time, the spiritual emphasis still resonates the most with people who already are religious or deeply spiritual before joining. Not religious or spiritual people may find it hard to relate to the Steps if they’re not used to engaging with terms like “Higher Power.”

If you want support groups, don’t let AA’s spirituality drive you away. AA members should not force others to share religious beliefs to participate in meetings. You will be welcomed regardless of religion, origin, background, race, or any other part of you.

Additionally, there are agnostic and atheistic AA groups.

Ultimately, Is AA “Religious”?

AA has clear Protestant Christian roots and does mention God in its 12 Steps. However, the Steps still clarify that every member can understand “God” in their own way.

Over time, the explicitly religious overtones have faded from many AA groups (though they still exist in some). AA has remained an all-inclusive mutual-help support structure for many recovering alcoholics.

Furthermore, there’s scientific evidence that suggests AA meetings can have a positive effect on recovery, especially when combined with other forms of treatment. Don’t overlook AA for being “religious,” or you may miss out on a precious resource for your recovery.

4 Reasons Why Opioids Are Addictive

The US is going through what has been deemed an “opioid epidemic,” caused partly by the increased availability of legal and illegal opioids. Another critical factor is that opioids are simply naturally addictive for various reasons. This article will explore the way opioids work and how it makes them ripe for abuse, provide statistics about opioid abuse in the US, and give you four specific reasons why opioids can be highly addictive.

1. Opioids are designed to take advantage of nervous system chemistry

Opioids work by attaching to the natural opioid (Mu) receptors in our brains. Our body creates natural opioids (endogenous opioids), including endorphins and dynorphins. When secreted, these endogenous opioids make us feel pleasure and pain relief.

What exogenous (not produced by our bodies) opioids like morphine do is generate an exaggerated response in our opioid receptors, leading to powerful pain relief effects and euphoria.

While this can be extremely useful in controlled medical settings where experts make informed decisions based on the patient’s needs, it can easily lead to addiction in people who misuse them without supervision.

2. Opioids can cause dependence very quickly

Dependence and addiction are complex issues caused by factors such as past drug abuse, genetics, and more. Some people may experience intense euphoria when taking opioids, even when used as prescribed by their doctors, while others may not.

Experiencing euphoria from medical opioid use may be a warning sign that someone is vulnerable to opioid addiction. The exact number of days of opioid use necessary to cause dependence varies individually. Still, it may be as early as five days for opioid-naive people.

Taking opioids for longer increases the probability of becoming addicted within one and three years.

3. Opioids relieve intense pain

Some people become addicted to opioids initially prescribed for chronic pain.

Patients may misuse prescription opioids by taking them in ways other than recommended by their doctors, such as taking them at higher frequencies or in larger quantities. They may also take someone else’s prescription opioids or use them to get high rather than for pain relief.

It’s also possible to become addicted to them when taking them as prescribed if they’re vulnerable to opioid or drug addiction.

4. Opioid medications are sometimes overprescribed

A considerable amount of opioid prescriptions are handed to patients in the US every year. In 2015, about 92 million individuals in the US used prescription opioids.

Millions of Americans suffer pain and are often prescribed opioids to treat it. Due to their abuse potential, prescription drugs are often misused, and pain patients may become dependent on them. Sometimes, patients continue to use prescription opioids indefinitely with no intention of stopping or gradually reducing doses.

Despite the increase in opioid prescriptions since the 90s, pain reported by Americans has not decreased. Furthermore, the amount of opioids in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) prescribed per person is around three times higher than in 1999. MME measures how many opioids are available in a given place at a given time.

Opioid Statistics to Understand

Opioid abuse has skyrocketed in the 21st century, and opioids are by far the drugs associated with the most overdose deaths in the US. The following are some statistics related to opioid abuse in the US:

Around 3 million persons suffer from opioid addiction in the US.
In 2015, almost 92 million persons used prescription opioid medications in the US.
More than 106,000 persons died from drug-involved overdoses in 2021 in the US. Approximately 80,000 of those deaths involved opioids.
Every year, almost 10 million people misuse opioids in the US. It’s estimated that 3.8% of American adults abuse opioids each year.

Opioid misuse is a severe public health issue in the US and continues to increase yearly. Informing yourself about the risks of opioid abuse is the first to avoid it.

Opioids can be helpful but also risky

Opioids can be beneficial in treating chronic pain under controlled medical settings, but their use is fundamentally risky due to their high potential for abuse and addiction.

If you or some you know misuses opioids, whether prescribed or illegal, seek help. Opioids get a firm hold of your nervous system and are nearly impossible to leave alone. Seek treatment from addiction professionals to have a better chance of recovering and laying the foundation for a sober rest of your life.

Do Your Friends Support Your Recovery Journey?

Science has proven that having friendships in recovery can have major benefits for recovery. Support networks provide motivation and all-important accountability, which have been shown to significantly decrease the odds of relapse and increase overall recovery success.

That said, achieving this supportive friend group isn’t always easy.

Many who come home after rehab find that those close to them may resist the idea of their new sober selves, especially if these were people that a recovered person used to cavort with when doing their drug of choice. In these instances, it’s best to ditch your toxic, unsupportive old friends and find a new tribe of like-minded people who respect your new lifestyle and will support you in upholding it–here’s how to do just that.

How to ditch unsupportive friends and cut ties

When it comes to friendships, especially for a person who’s newly sober, you want quality over quantity. It’s better to have few or no friends than to be surrounded by bad ones that don’t support your sober lifestyle. These are the “friends” that urge you to resume your old ways, scoff and belittle your attempts to better yourself, or continue to drink or use drugs around you. These individuals will actively hinder your progress and lead you to relapse.

Even if your old friends aren’t actively deterring your progress, there’s still a strong chance they’ll keep you anchored to your previous not-so-great way of life. Addiction and cravings are strongly tied to memories. If you’re hanging out with the same people or in the same places, it becomes harder to distance yourself from your old ways.

There’s no one right way to cut ties. If you feel inclined, you can let them know you’ll be stepping back in order to focus on yourself and your recovery — though they’re invited to stick around if they’ll be supportive. If the relationship is highly toxic, it might just be best to ghost them entirely without a formal farewell.

Finding a new friend group

First, what not to do. At least in the beginning, steer clear of places where you know people are dealing or using drugs like nightclubs and bars. For the best odds of success, put yourself in the mindset of a person who’s already sober and stable. Where do they hang out? What hobbies do they have?

Apps, video chats, and social media have made it easier than ever to connect with others and find highly specific communities. There are plenty of events and resources dedicated to sobriety and recovery communities, and finding them is as easy as a quick search on your phone. Here are a few ways to find your people:

Follow sober social media accounts

There are lots of accounts dedicated to recovery content–some funny, some uplifting. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll feel comforted seeing their mass of millions of followers and know that you’re far from alone in your journey. Want to connect with people one on one? Create an account on recovery-exclusive communities like Sober Grid, which is like Facebook and Snapchat combined, but a platform dedicated to those recovering from addiction.

Take a workout class

If you’re looking to expand your circle beyond people who are sober or in recovery but who are likely to uphold similar values to your new lifestyle, fitness classes are a great place to look. These are people who are (at least somewhat) committed to being healthy and likely to be very understanding of your drug-free ways. Bonus, you’ll also get a workout buddy!

Volunteer

If you’re looking to surround yourself with upstanding people, joining others with a desire to give back to the community is a sure bet. Here you’ll find people with compassion and patience who are sure to be super supportive in your recovery journey.

Keep in touch with your treatment facility

Graduation from rehab doesn’t have to mark the end of your relationship with the professionals and clinicians who care about you. Odds are, your facility has an alumni program that regularly hosts events and other gatherings that allow you to either meet other graduates or those who are still in treatment. Either way, it’s a guaranteed place to find your peers without the burden of you having to initiate the first move.

Join a 12-Step group

Whether it’s Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Dual Diagnosis Anonymous, or any of the many other peer-based support groups, attending a meeting is a very low-stakes way to meet others who are in recovery. These groups are host to people in various stages of recovery (including those who have yet to begin), which could be beneficial for you, giving you a glimpse of how far you’ve already come as well as a peek into what success looks like.

Smart Phone Apps To Guide You Through Recovery

Addiction, and addiction recovery, can sometimes be a lonely experience. Digital apps are helping to close that gap, providing a sense of community, a source of accountability, and support on virtually every aspect of recovery. But there are hundreds of apps out there — where do you start? Whatever you’re looking for in your journey, here are 9 of the best smartphone apps for recovery,

9 Must-Have Mobile Apps for Addiction Recovery

Most addiction recovery apps fall into these general categories, and many offer more than one feature:

12 Steps resources
Directories
Habit or sobriety tracker
Information
Peer support
Relapse prevention assistance

The apps we selected are all free mobile apps, though some may require in-app purchases to unlock the full features.

12-Step Meditation Daily Reflections for AA, NA, Al-Anon

A great option for members of 12 Step groups. This app makes it easy (and pleasant) to work the Twelve Steps outside of group meetings. There are hundreds of guided meditations, soothing music and sounds, and audio recordings of the twelve steps and prayers that you can layer to create personalized audio tracks. You can also make a playlist with all your creations, making it the perfect app when you’re traveling or just need to create a calm, quiet space for yourself.

AA Big Book Free — For Alcoholics Anonymous

An essential app for anyone involved in AA. This app is chock full of useful features with full access to the Big Book and the ability to make notes, mark passages, and search the text. It also has AA prayers, podcasts, a meeting finder and a sobriety tracker.

I Am Sober

There’s no shortage of sobriety trackers apps out there, which I Am Sober is. Besides being one of the most user friendly apps and thorough (it counts sobriety down to the second), our favorite standout feature is that the tracker also tells you how much money you’ve saved since quitting drinking. The practical nature of this side function makes it a great form of positive reinforcement when motivation is running low.

I Am

I Am allows users to customize their phones with aesthetic and soothing images paired with positive affirmations. You can also have pretty and empowering messages delivered as push notifications throughout the day. While not specifically an addiction treatment app, a big part of treatment is undoing the negative thought patterns. This does that in a user-friendly way while being cute to boot.

Recovery Path: Addiction Recovery & Addiction Help

This app does it all, offering CBT-based motivations and reminders, posting abilities, and even a directory. What we love most is the related support app for loved ones and even clinicians, providing a rounded-out community that offers encouragement and accountability in all forms.

Sober Grid

Imagine a Facebook that was exclusively for people who are sober or in recovery. Well no need to imagine, it exists! Sober Grid is a full-fledged social networking app that allows you to make posts, connect with others, and message people. Joining is completely free, and so is the app! It also features 24/7 live coaching available, making this one of the best apps for finding social support.

SoberTool

This app is backed by science, as it was created by a licensed counselor. It offers the usual features you’d expect in a recovery app, but what makes it stand out is its craving analyzer which helps you recognize and work through triggers when they strike. There’s also a built-in community forum feature where you can speak to other people who are in recovery.

Nomo — Sobriety Clocks

Nomo keeps things simple, making it the perfect recovery app for people who want no-frills recovery support. It’s a sobriety tracker that lets you set as many clocks as you want, allowing you to celebrate both big and small addiction recovery milestones. Plus, collect virtual chips when you do! Nomo also has minigames to serve as a distraction when cravings strike.

WEconnect

Spoke to your sponsor recently? Went to an AA meeting? With WEconnect, you can earn gift cards and other tangible rewards for completing small and large tasks in your recovery program. This app can only be used by a person enrolled in a substance abuse treatment program at a facility that has partnered with the app — so this one isn’t for everyone. Those who are able to get an access code will find this a powerful complement to their recovery program that offers great incentives for creating good habits.

Did we miss your favorite apps for addiction recovery? Let us know in the comments! If you’re ready to go offline and get IRL support, find an AA meeting or NA meeting near you, today.

Al-Anon Vs. AA

Is there a difference between AA and Al-Anon? Yes! Despite the similarity of the organizations’ names (and the fact that they share the same acronym), Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon are two distinct groups that offer support for individuals affected by alcoholism.

Key Differences Between Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous

The two organizations are separate but related. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill W; Al-Anon was founded in 1951 by Lois W.–the wife of AA’s founder, who recognized that alcoholism didn’t just affect the drinkers, but their families and loved ones as well.

In addition to their closely intertwined origins, both organizations share the same basic principles, including the 12 Steps, along with meeting and leadership formats, and the same commitment to confidentiality and judgment-free support. Still, there are several key differences between how these groups operate.

Membership

First and foremost, the main difference between Al-Anon and AA is the focus of the support. Alcoholics Anonymous is intended for the person dealing with alcohol addiction. Al-Anon is part of the family groups of AA (which includes Alateen) and is for the people who are affected by the addiction of a loved one.

In short. Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group for people who are recovering from alcohol addiction. Al-Anon is a support group for the friends and family members of people with a drinking problem.

Goals

In AA, individuals recovering from alcohol addiction are encouraged to admit their powerlessness over alcohol, turn their lives over to a higher power, and make amends to those they have harmed. The focus is on helping the individual achieve and maintain sobriety. One of the key differences between AA and Al-Anon is their focus.

Al-Anon, on the other hand, is a support group for friends and family members of alcoholics and focuses on helping loved ones cope with the impact of someone else’s addiction on their lives. This includes learning healthy ways to manage their emotions, emotions towards the person with alcoholism, and how to better support their loved ones.

Addressing Addiction

Another key difference between the two organizations is their approach to addressing addiction. AA encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and make amends to those they have harmed, while Al-Anon focuses on helping individuals understand that they are not responsible for the addiction of their loved one and that they cannot control the actions of the alcoholic.

AA also encourages individuals to find a higher power, a spiritual force that can help them overcome their addiction. Al-Anon encourages individuals to find a higher power too, but the organization does not promote any specific religion or spiritual belief.

Structure

In terms of structure, both AA and Al-Anon are self-supporting groups and do not charge for their services. Further, both organizations are autonomous without a central governing body that oversees their operations. Meetings are typically 45 minutes long and follow a similar format.

The one difference lies in AA and Al-Anon anonymity policies. AA encourages members to keep their involvement in the organization confidential, while Al-Anon allows members to share their involvement with others.

Chips & Tokens

AA chips are a well-known aspect of the organization as a way to celebrate members’ sobriety milestones. These tokens are not limited to AA and are used by both Al-Anon and Alateen, but celebrate different types of accomplishments.

Alcoholics Anonymous tokens are color-based, signifying a certain sobriety timeframe, ranging from 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, and over a year. Al-Anon and Alateen chips feature popular slogans and prayers from the organization (like the 3rd Step Prayer or the Serenity Prayer) and are given to celebrate member anniversaries. However, these traditions vary from region to region and not all groups use these physical tokens.

Find Alcoholism Recovery Resources

Whether you struggle with alcoholism or are a bystander who’s impacted by a loved one’s drinking addiction, there’s a support group for you.

Learn more about these 12-step-based support groups, how they work, and what to expect, by exploring our other articles. You’ll find guides for working each of the twelve steps and how to apply them to your own recovery journey.

Or, check out our directory to find an AA group or Al-Anon group near you. Search by city to find local group meetings and connect with others who have been in your shoes. Before attending a meeting, be sure to contact the group and inquire whether the meeting is open or closed. Closed meetings are restricted to current members, while open meetings welcome any and everyone, including newcomers.

Common Topics At Al-Anon Meeting

Al-Anon is a support group for friends and family members of individuals who struggle with alcohol addiction. The meetings provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to share their experiences, strength, and hope with others who understand what they are going through.

A Breakdown of Al-Anon Meeting Topics

Addiction is an all-encompassing disease, so naturally, there’s a very broad list of potential topics for discussion, ranging from managing family relationships to finding humor during hard times. Al-Anon meeting topics tend to fall under the following categories:

Understanding the nature of alcoholism

Members learn about the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of alcohol addiction and how it can impact relationships, finances, and overall well-being. This insight helps for better understanding and empathy with the loved one struggling with a drinking problem.

Coping with the impact of alcoholism

Providing support and guidance for the emotional pain, stress, and confusion that often accompanies loving someone who struggles with alcohol addiction is one of the main goals of the organization. Members learn how to take care of themselves, set healthy boundaries, and manage their emotions. They learn about the importance of self-care and self-compassion for the sake of themselves and the addicted person they want to support.

Finding hope and healing

Alcoholism hurts everyone around the drinker and can leave loved ones with feelings of anger, guilt, or hopelessness. Some topics offer messages of hope and healing for members who may have felt helpless and alone in their struggles. They learn that they are not alone in their experience and that there is a way forward.

Building healthy relationships

Al-Anon members will be encouraged to explore how alcoholism has affected their relationships and how they can build healthier ones in the future. They learn how to maintain healthy relationships with the person struggling with addiction without enabling them.

Taking responsibility

Although Al-Anon members are not responsible for the alcohol addiction of their loved ones, they can take accountability for their own actions and reactions. This means taking ownership over their behaviors that may have been enabling or triggering to their addicted loved one; or a guilt trip that can leave a person feeling more isolated than inspired to change.

Letting go and Living in the present

Al-Anon members learn that they cannot control the behavior of the person struggling with addiction, but they can control how they respond to it. They learn how to let go of the need to control and accept the things they cannot change. Al-Anon members learn to focus on the present moment and to let go of the past and the future. They learn how to live in the present and enjoy life despite the challenges that come with living with someone who struggles with addiction.

Spirituality

Al-Anon isn’t a religious organization but many members find that their spiritual beliefs can be a source of strength and support during the recovery process. Meetings may include discussions of spirituality and how it can be incorporated into recovery.

Types of Al-Anon Meetings

The topic discussed as an Al-Anon meeting is largely shaped by the type of meeting that’s being held. There are twelve different formats that meetings may rotate between. Meeting formats will also change how the discussions are conducted, and who’s allowed to attend.

Step Study – Study of the classic Twelve Steps. Typically covered once a month. Closely related are the Concepts and Principles meetings.

Traditions Study – The group studies one or more of the Al-Anon or Alateen Traditions, keeping in mind their value in maintaining the unity and growth of worldwide Al-Anon as well as of the group itself. Applying them to family relationships may offer new insight.

Slogans Study – Al-Anon involves many slogans. Members are invited to explain how they apply a particular one in their lives or how the slogan could be used to solve a specific problem.

Personal Stories – One or more members are asked in advance to speak at the meeting and tell how the Al-Anon program helped them find a new way of life.

Topic Discussion – The chairperson or leader presents a topic to help members share the principles of the program and discuss the subject as it applies to them.

Panel Discussion – Members are invited to write anonymous questions which are answered by the group or the chairperson.

Exchange Meeting – An individual or team of speakers from another Al-Anon/Alateen group may exchange speakers.

Open Meeting – Non-Al-Anon members may attend. This includes friends, A.A. members, students, and professionals are welcome.

Outside Speakers Meeting – May include A.A. members, a husband, wife, and child team, members of the clergy, doctors, social workers, or other professionals in the field of alcoholism.

Beginners Meeting – An introductory meeting may be held 30 to 45 minutes before the regular meeting to acquaint newcomers with the Al-Anon program

Group Inventory Meeting

These are some of the main topics that may be covered in Al-Anon meetings, but the focus may vary depending on the specific meeting and the needs of the group. The meetings provide a supportive, non-judgmental space for individuals to share their experiences, gain insight, and find hope and healing.

Ready to get started? Check out our directory to find in-person and virtual Al-Anon meetings near you.

How Compliments Can Complement Recovery

Everyone loves a good compliment. But can they contribute to our mental health during recovery? Can they motivate us to stay on track? Can they contribute to better physical health? This article will explore these and other questions and provide guidelines for complimenting someone recovering from addiction.

Why Compliments Are Important

Compliments show that words can be compelling. A well-placed and genuine compliment can make others feel good and make them want to be around you. These are some of the most essential benefits of compliments.

They increase confidence

One of the most immediate benefits of compliments is that they make the receiver feel good. Being told they have admirable qualities is a confidence boost that few other interactions provide.

They build trust between the giver and the receiver

Both giving and receiving compliments are vulnerable acts. The giver opens up their inner thoughts and feelings, and the receiver makes themselves vulnerable by allowing a personal comment.

They make us happy

A study found that when people spend money on others, they find it more gratifying than spending it on themselves. We are conditioned to derive happiness from benefiting others. Both the giver and receiver get a happiness boost from compliments.

They contribute to good mental and physical health

Lonely people are less resilient to stress and more often suffer from inflammatory disorders like obesity, high blood pressure, and others. By making people happier and improving trust, compliments actually make us healthier.

Compliments For Addiction Recovery

There are multiple compliments you can give someone recovering from addiction. Regardless of the specific compliment you give them, the most crucial consideration to make is that the compliments are authentic, genuine, and relevant to their recovery efforts.

Here are some examples:

I’m proud of the effort you’re putting in
You’re strong for making an effort to improve and recover
You’re on the right path
You’ve made so much progress
You’re making progress every day
Recovery is a process, and you’re making it happen every day
You’re capable of achieving your goal
You’ve been very strong a resilient
You can overcome the challenge of recovery
I trust your recovery decisions
You’ve been capable of getting out of your comfort zone for recovery
I’m proud of your commitment to sobriety
You’ve come so far in your recovery path
I can only imagine how hard it’s been, but you look so much happier since your recovery started

When you compliment someone recovering from addiction, emphasize their effort to improve their lives and stay sober. Focus on things they can control, like making positive choices for their lives and recovery.

Finally, remember to emphasize the results they’ve already achieved: how long they’ve been sober, the research they’ve made when they’ve had doubts and how it’s helped them, their consistency in attending therapy or taking their medications, and more.

Your words can significantly contribute to their mental and physical well-being. They can play a major role in helping them stay consistent in their recovery process.

How To Give A Good Compliment?

While there’s no specific guide to give a good compliment, there are some guidelines to consider; here are some of them:

Don’t underestimate their power. We often overestimate how awkward a compliment may come off and underestimate its positive effect on the receiver. If it’s true and comes from a genuine place, rest assured that they will appreciate it.
Be specific. Pay attention to the efforts your loved one makes for their recovery and compliment them on it. Generic compliments can be great, but it’s so much more meaningful when you can share the intimacy of appreciating each other for being grateful and observant.
Give them as frequently as your loved one feels comfortable with. This study suggests that some people have trouble receiving compliments because they have self-esteem issues. If the compliment they receive clashes with their ideas about themselves, they may not be flattered. Since mental illnesses can affect self-esteem, be sure to balance genuine compliments with a frequency your loved one appreciates. Giving too many can backfire, but giving too little may not work either. Find the balance.
Be sincere. This seems obvious, but we’ve mentioned it before. Still, your compliments should be something you feel deeply about and want to convey to your loved ones. If your loved one is making an honest effort to get better, it won’t be hard to find things to compliment them.

Mental Health Is Just As Important As Physical Health During Recovery

It’s easy to confuse addiction as a purely physical illness. In reality, it’s caused by a very complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. Contributing to your recovering loved one’s mental health is very kind and may encourage them to stay on their path.

Complimenting them sincerely and thoughtfully can be a great way to boost their mental health. Still, you must find a balance in the frequency: too many can be overwhelming, and too few can make them feel underappreciated.

Ultimately, you know them best and are in the best position to know what to say and when. Above all, be observant, patient, and compassionate.

Intervention Options for Alcoholism

Interventions are a great way to help people get started on the path to recovery from alcoholism. However, they are a serious process that can be emotionally draining and requires a lot of preparation. Interventions are performed when you feel like a loved one is heading for a dark path of addiction and want to step in before things get worse.

What is an intervention, and how do you know when to perform it? In this article, we’ll answer these questions.

What Is An Intervention?

An intervention is any effort to help someone struggling with addiction, whether with alcohol, drugs, or other issues. “Intervening” essentially means stepping in and preventing your loved one’s addictive tendencies from worsening, altering their life’s course for the better.

It can be a meeting or series of meetings in which you, and potentially other family members, try to convince them to seek treatment for their substance use disorder (SUD). In this case, alcoholism.

The goal of interventions is to get them into treatment for alcohol addiction and ensure they stay in treatment long enough for it to be effective. You don’t want to shame or scare them into sobriety but rather help them see how their drinking affects them and those around them.

Loved ones can hold an intervention anytime, but it’s most effective before things become too risky—no need to wait for something extreme to happen. If you feel like your loved one is sinking deeper and deeper into addiction, it may be time for an intervention.

Types of interventions

These are four common intervention options for alcoholism, along with information on what they entail, who they are best suited for, and whether professional help is required.

Personal Intervention

The simplest intervention method. It generally involves only the struggling alcoholic and a concerned family member. The concerned family member may or may not seek help from a professional interventionist and then will hold a relatively informal meeting with their loved one.

In the meeting, they will express their concern for how addiction is affecting the struggling alcoholic and the family as a whole.

Classic intervention

A classic intervention aims to direct your loved one into treatment by showing them they have a support system that cares about them. It involves confronting your loved one about their addiction and its impact on those around them.

In this process, family members, friends, and potential romantic partners come together to express their concerns about the damage their addiction causes. Usually, the group or a group member meets with a professional interventionist to prepare for the intervention. During the meeting, the group shares their concerns about their loved one’s addiction and asks for ways to encourage them to seek formal treatment.

The point of a classic intervention is to show the person that they have support in their family, even if they’ve been isolating themselves and avoiding confrontation.

Family intervention

This intervention involves only family members who want to help their loved one get sober. It’s the most common form of intervention for alcoholism.

It’s often part of a more extensive treatment program that includes other forms of therapy and family sessions, where everyone learns how to support their loved one once they leave rehab and start rebuilding their lives.

This kind of intervention helps families come together and support each other as they navigate recovery.

Crisis Intervention

Crisis interventions can help pull an addict out of a dangerous situation. Crisis interventions are reserved for extreme cases where your loved one’s addiction has progressed to the point of risking their life, such as an overdose or an accident while driving under the influence. The priority is to ensure their safety.

Once you have done that, you can begin addressing the larger addiction problem.

This intervention is unplanned, moves quickly, and requires a parent or friend to take direct care of the addict for at least some time to guarantee safety. Once they’ve been cared for and the immediate danger passes, the family may direct them toward the appropriate recovery resources.

What Type Of Intervention Does Your Loved One Need?

The type you choose will depend on many factors, including:

The severity of their addiction.
How long they’ve been abusing alcohol.
The relationship between your loved one and yourself (if you’re not very close, then a formal intervention is likely, not appropriate).

Whether you’re intervening for a friend or a family member, it is essential to remember that forcing them into getting help will likely make things worse. Only they can decide if they want to get better, so make sure you are willing to accept their decision before proceeding further.

Signs It May Be Time For An Intervention

These are tell-tale signs that it may be time for an intervention.

Alcohol Use Is Excessive And Uncontrollable

Your loved one frequently drinks at unusual times, such as first thing in the morning.
Their alcohol consumption affects their performance at work, their behavior during family gatherings, or they drink at risky times, like when driving.
They can’t stop drinking once they have started.
They’ve failed to reduce alcohol intake before.

They Suffer Alcohol-Related Health Issues

Alcoholism causes many health issues, such as hypertension, heart and liver disease, stroke, and digestive problems. Other, more immediate effects of alcoholism include the following:

They get sick more often (alcohol weakens your immune system).
Their cognitive abilities weaken, leading to poor professional and school performance.
Drowsiness, vomiting, diarrhea, and frequent upset stomachs.
Headaches.
Slurred speech.
Perception, awareness, and coordination issues.
Hearing and vision issues.
Breathing difficulties.
Blackouts from excessive drinking.

Their Drinking Harms Them And Others

If they frequently engage in risky behavior, such as driving under the influence, having unprotected sexual encounters, or starting physical altercations, these are signs that their alcohol abuse is getting out of hand.

Talking To Them Hasn’t Worked So Far

If passing conversations about their excessive alcohol use haven’t worked so far, it may be time to plan and intervene.

How To Stage An Intervention For An Alcoholic?

Interventions can be highly effective for getting someone into treatment, but they’re also intimidating. The following is a general outline of how interventions could go:

Start sharing your concerns more seriously: start telling them firmly but compassionately that their alcoholism concerns you. Tell them the signs of alcoholism you’ve noticed and try to have open conversations about how they feel about it.
Enroll the help of people who they love and respect: if you think the situation merits having a big meeting or getting other loved ones to express their concerns, too, you can try to enroll their help for the upcoming intervention.
Intervene: it may be a good idea to prepare yourself ahead of time by scripting at least some of the essential points. The main message you need to send is that you’re deeply concerned for their well-being. The time and place depend on many factors, but it should be somewhere comfortable where they don’t feel cornered. Not a public spot.
If nothing else works, give them an ultimatum: it’s never easy, but it may be necessary. They need to know that you will not continue to support them unless they agree to enter treatment. The goal is that they find the lack of support overwhelming and give in to treatment. Treatment doesn’t have to be entirely voluntary to be effective.
Seek professional help: explore treatment alternatives near you and pick the one that best suits your loved one’s needs.

Treatment Options For Alcoholism

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

MAT is the combination of medications and behavioral therapies to provide a complete treatment approach for any substance use disorder. Your loved one may use FDA-approved medications for alcoholism, such as disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate.

Detoxification (“detox”)

Detoxing is the process of eliminating toxins left in the body by excessive alcohol use. It’s usually the first step. One of its main benefits is that your loved one will receive treatment from professionals who know how to manage the inevitable withdrawal when they stop drinking.

Detox often involves medicine use, medical monitoring, and counseling.

Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapies help recovering alcoholics develop skills and attitudes that help them avoid addiction by directing them toward healthier lifestyles. The most common behavioral therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and multidimensional family therapy (MDFT).

Support Groups

Drug and alcohol support groups provide nonprofessional assistance for individuals with similar conditions seeking long-term recovery from substance abuse. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most popular and widespread support group for alcoholism.

Integrated into a complete recovery program, support groups can positively impact your loved one’s recovery.

Find Help For Loved Ones Struggling With Alcoholism

If you’re worried about alcoholism affecting the life of someone you love, intervening may be an excellent way to help them get better.

The process will be complicated and unpleasant, but if you can make them see that they have a problem, they may choose to seek treatment and take the first steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.