Stigma of Addiction

Stigmas of Addiction

Addiction has been recognised since 1952, when it was added by the American Psychiatric Association into the first edition of their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, more commonly known as the DSM. It was listed within the Sociopathic Personality Disturbance section, and included subtypes of ‘alcoholism’ and ‘drug addiction’. Despite the large strides…

Read More

International Day Against Drug Abuse

International day against drug abuse

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is an annual observance held on June 26th. It’s a day to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of seeking help for addiction. For those in addiction recovery, it can be a reminder of the struggles they’ve faced and the progress they’ve…

Read More

Giving Support Without Enabling Addiction

supporting without enabling addiction

Watching a loved one struggle with addiction can be incredibly difficult, and it’s natural to want to help in any way possible. However, it’s essential to be mindful of the potential for co-dependency, a pattern of behaviour in which an individual becomes overly involved with their loved one’s addictive behaviours and loses sight of their…

Read More

Pro Footballers Seeking Help for Growing Snus Addiction

footballers and snus addiction

Since 2018 there have been reports of Premier League footballers being seen with “snus”. However, use of the nicotine pouches is reported to have been widespread and popular among many pro players long before this, with Jamie Vardy quoted as stating he started using when he joined Leicester City Football Club in 2012. Since these…

Read More

The Link Between Trauma and Addiction

trauma and addiction

Addiction is a complex and multifaceted issue, often rooted in a person’s past experiences and emotional state. Trauma is one such experience that has been found to be closely linked to addiction. Trauma can cause a variety of emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms that may lead to self-medicating behaviours, including substance abuse. Research shows that…

Read More

Lena Dunham’s Addiction Recovery: Celebrating 5 Years of Sobriety

Lena Dunham Addiction Recovery

Lena Dunham is a well-known actress, writer, and director who has been open about her struggles with addiction. In her memoir, “Not That Kind of Girl,” she revealed that she had been addicted to prescription drugs, specifically Klonopin, for many years. Her journey to recovery has been a difficult one, but it has also been…

Read More

What Are the Differences in Addiction Between Women and Men?

Gender bias and differences in addiction

Addiction affects each individual person differently, dependent on a variety of circumstances and factors, including but not limited to, family history, environment, mental health issues, or even genetics! This week on the New Leaf Recovery blog, we’re unpicking the relationship between gender and addiction. How exactly is addiction different between men and women, and why?  …

Read More

The Importance of Stress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Week, April 2023

Stress is a common trigger for addiction relapse, making it crucial to develop healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress during addiction recovery. That’s why we’re highlighting the importance of stress awareness during the month of April: National Stress Awareness Month.  This Year’s Theme: ACT NOW This year’s theme takes a slightly different approach to previous…

Read More

Easter, Excess, and Addiction

Excess in Addiction over Easter - easter eggs

Easter is a time of celebration, renewal, and hope – a great time to commit to something like addiction recovery. However, for many people, it is also a time of excess, whether it be overeating, overdrinking, or overindulging in other ways. For individuals in addiction recovery, the holidays can be a challenging time and a…

Read More

Leaning on Others: Building a Support System for Addiction Recovery

Building a support system in addiction recovery

Building a strong support system is an essential part of addiction recovery. The journey to overcome addiction can be difficult and challenging, and having a supportive network of people can make a significant difference in your ability to stay on track and achieve long-term recovery. Steps for Building a Support System: Identifying Supportive People in…

Read More