The Addiction & Recovery Resource Blog

Addiction Replacement: How to Spot and Stop It

• Mandy Sandhu
• 14 Nov 2022

When addicts attempt to recover from addiction, they may find themselves substituting their former addiction with another in an effort to stay sober or to lessen the stress of treatment. Sometimes, the addiction replacement is obvious, but other times, the patients are not aware of the substitution. This is especially the case when the substituted behaviour seems like a positive...

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Understanding the 5 Types of Alcoholism

• Mandy Sandhu
• 7 Nov 2022

There are several different classification systems that identify types of alcoholism and alcoholics. These typologies are created to effectively understand the cause of or the influence behind alcoholism, and hopefully with that knowledge, be able to treat them. One widely-acknowledged classification system is physiologist Elvin Jellinek’s 5 Alcoholism Species, which identifies 5 different forms of alcoholism differentiated by level of...

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The Best Mental Health Podcasts You Should Start Listening To

• Mandy Sandhu
• 17 Oct 2022

Humans are social beings. It’s inherent for us to desire some sort of connection with other people. When this desire isn’t met—and this happens from time to time—it’s perfectly normal to feel lonely. Loneliness isn’t a mental health concern in itself, but there’s a strong link that ties the two together. Fortunately, there are mental health podcasts you can turn...

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Burnout Culture at Work: Why It Shouldn’t Be the Norm

• Mandy Sandhu
• 10 Oct 2022

The word “burnout” was coined by Herbert Freudenberger, an American psychologist, to describe the symptoms of severe stress caused by certain professions. While originally used to refer to severe exhaustion experienced by people in “helping professions,” it has since become the term to describe an occupational phenomenon that results from chronic workplace stress. Some people credit the birth of burnout...

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Getting Support: What To Look For in an AA Sponsor

• Mandy Sandhu
• 3 Oct 2022

If you’re wondering what to look for in an AA sponsor, you’re probably already on your path to recovery. Well done! Getting support from an AA sponsor can improve your chances of overcoming addiction. This is because AA sponsors intimately know the struggles of being an addict and can urge and support you to be more proactive. So, if you’re...

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15 Facts And Statistics On Cocaine and Cocaine Use In Canada

• Mandy Sandhu
• 22 Sep 2022

Cocaine, also known by its street name “coke,” is one of the most notorious substances that lead to drug addiction.  Discover the 15 most critical facts and figures about cocaine use in Canada.  1. Cocaine Is Made From a South American Plant Cocaine is an illicit drug made from cocoa leaves, a tropical shrub indigenous to South America. As part...

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5 Simple Ways To Celebrate Addiction Recovery

• Mandy Sandhu
• 15 Sep 2022

Anyone who has lived through substance abuse—whether first-hand or by experiencing it through a loved one—can attest that the road to addiction recovery is a long and arduous one.  You’ve been through a lot. You’ve made the brave decision to go into treatment, complete your treatment program, and stay sober for 365 days and counting—and that calls for a celebration. ...

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Human Trafficking Statistics in Canada

• Mandy Sandhu
• 8 Sep 2022

Human trafficking is an an abhorrent criminal act that exploits vulnerable people. One would like to think that such an act doesn’t happen in this day and age, however, human trafficking affects around 40.3 million people around the world today. This article dives deep into human trafficking statistics in Canada, showing the reality of how it happens, who it affects...

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How To Help A Sibling with Addiction: 5 Things To Know

• Mandy Sandhu
• 18 Aug 2022

Addiction doesn’t just affect the individual experiencing substance abuse. It affects those around them as well, including their families. Siblings of people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) are especially affected because they tend to struggle with various conflicting emotions: shame, resentment, guilt, confusion, and hurt all at the same time. They also tend to feel frustrated about not knowing how...

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The 7 Drug Categories Explained

• Mandy Sandhu
• 11 Aug 2022

Countless factors contribute to each person’s addiction story, and the types of drugs they use is one of them.  To effectively understand the nature of a loved one’s addiction, you have to go beyond identifying whether it’s a recreational or prescription drug that led to their substance use disorder.  It’s crucial to learn more and delve deeper into the different...

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