The month of April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to educate others and communicate the risks related to alcoholism and other health, safety, and personal issues that can be tied to the overconsumption of alcoholic beverages. If you’re looking for ways to spread the word about the dangers of alcohol this April, keep reading for a list of ways to participate.

Basketball fans from coast to coast are getting ready to place bets and fill out their March Madness brackets, but we’re honoring another event during March – Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

Nothing goes better together than February and hearts! While we usually think of hearts in the sense of love and Valentine’s Day, February also marks another important celebration in the U.S. – American Heart Month. When it comes to heart health, it is paramount to consider the ways illegal drugs and alcohol affect your system as they can be associated with dangerous (and sometimes fatal) side effects. Keep reading to learn more about the adverse risks drugs and alcohol place on heart health.

It’s officially January, and those living in the Midwest know the brisk winter season has only just begun. For many, Jack Frost serves as a perfect reason to stay inside, but that doesn’t stop more adventurous folk from spending some time in the Great Outdoors. While you may get that warm fuzzy feeling after a couple of cold ones, alcohol mixed with cold temperatures can add up to an extremely risky situation if proper precautions are neglected. Keep reading for a list of tips to stay safe this winter.

Christmas time is arriving soon, and for many, this means that seasonal depression and anxiety are also well underway. If you are someone who takes to your favorite foods as a coping mechanism, you’re not alone. However, as important as it is to take care of our minds, it’s equally important to be taking care of our bodies.

The month of October brings many opportunities to come together for the prevention of substance abuse. October is National Substance Use Prevention Month – a time dedicated to highlighting the struggles related to substance abuse and the people it affects every day.

Keep reading to learn more about this annual campaign and how you can get involved with substance use prevention this year.

Sports betting has become increasingly popular among college-aged students, especially in the era of online gambling. Keep reading to learn more about this pressing issue and find resources if you or a loved one is struggling with problem gambling. 

The death rate due to overdose continues to rise in the United States each coming year, solidifying our country’s state of emergency in the face of the opioid crisis. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding individuals who use drugs poses a barrier to both receiving and administering life-saving treatment.

When we think of summertime fun, we often see images of pool parties, family reunions, days at the lake, and any other activities that involve spending time outside. For many, having a drink or two goes along well with the season’s celebrations. When consumed responsibly and in moderation, alcohol can be conducive to living a healthy lifestyle. However, excessive alcohol consumption, especially during the summer months, can lead to serious injury and death.

Summer has arrived! The month of June brings smiles, laughter, and fun in the sun, but it’s not always easy to stay healthy and safe during the summer months. Summertime blues can be hard to snap out of, but there are a multitude of coping strategies to meet your needs. Here are five ways to start your healthy and safe summer. 

Mental Health Awareness Month is the perfect time to focus on your mental health and take proactive measures to ensure you are on the right path to healthy physical and mental well-being. Self-care is all about taking extra time out of your day to ensure you participate in small activities that will help reduce regular stress.

Achieving health equity means addressing system-wide problems, unfair practices, and discriminatory conditions that have a negative impact on the health of specific groups in our society. Commercial tobacco is a huge health disparity for the African American community.

As 2023 begins, many people are setting goals for the new year.  Most of their resolutions include saving money, losing weight, or taking that vacation they’ve been dreaming about.  But, for someone in recovery from addiction, setting goals for the coming year can be a little more complicated. To set practical goals for yourself, follow the principles outlined in the acronym SMART.

Sometimes the most wonderful time of the year, does not feel so wonderful. If it feels like it’s harder to find joy in winter, you’re not alone.

For many of us, the holidays are a season of peace and joy, where we decorate our memories with calm and happy moments. But the reality often looks quite different, and the holiday stressors quickly pile up for the person in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction, making it a difficult time of year to stay sober. Here are a few tips for how you can celebrate with care this holiday season.

Alcohol, when consumed responsibly, can have short-term positive effects on your mood. However, in the long term, alcohol has been linked to mental health issues from depression and memory loss to increased anxiety and, in extreme cases, suicide.

National Recovery Month began in 1989 and is a national observance held each September to promote new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices as well as support those in the Recovery Community and those on their path to recovery.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose and remember those who have died without stigma and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.” – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Summer is usually a time full of fun with friends and family—and for many of us that may involve drinking and enjoying the warm weather. However, that is all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  

Addiction can affect anyone, regardless of economic status, age, sex or race. Substance abuse not only harms the individual who is using but also those who are close to and care about them.

Staying sober during summer can be difficult, especially if your peers are drinking. Here are a few tips we gathered to help you stay on your road to recovery.

Alcohol Awareness Month is a national observance designed by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) to raise awareness as well as increase outreach efforts and public education regarding the dangerous impacts of alcoholism and other issues related to alcohol abuse.

Here at CADS, we offer a variety of programs and services for both addiction prevention and treatment. In this blog post we wanted to give you a more in-depth look into all that we do here, how we do it and what you and the community can do to support our efforts.  

Big Tobacco has a long history of using racist tactics to target the African American community—especially when it comes to their marketing strategies for menthol. 

Every February, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLB) honors American Heart Month by raising awareness about heart health in the hopes of urging Americans to lower their risk for developing heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. 

The month of December marks the start of winter holiday festivities, which for some may entail indulging in alcohol or drugs at holiday parties. However, at CADS we want to remind you to take a moment to think about the consequences of driving impaired.  

In honor of Tobacco Awareness Month, the CADS team is joining the Great American Smokeout. This event is held on the third Thursday in November to mark the start towards a smoke-free life. 

September is a busy month. It’s full of national observances aiming to educate Americans about a variety of topics. 

Young adults deal with constant life changes from graduating high school to attending college and joining the workforce. 

A light is approaching the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 pandemic. During the periods of stay-at-home orders, drinking increased across the country. The rise in drinking was met by a new and growing trend, non-alcoholic beers and mocktails.

The stigma of addiction is still prevalent today and does not discriminate in who it effects. Stigma can prevent struggling individuals from seeking help, the stigma fosters from private shame and public misunderstanding.

Addiction is a disease that can be overcome, with evidence that treatment is effective and long-term recovery is possible. By talking about it, we can break down the stigma and stereotypes surrounding addiction.

For everyone, this past year was strange and stressful in all aspects. With the government-mandated stay-at-home orders, people became more lonely and anxious.

If you’ve read the news lately, it’s probably no surprise to you that vaping has become quite common among teens. However, making the decision to quit vaping can be easier than you think when you prepare in advance, surround yourself with those who support your decision, and have resources on your side.

Winter, for most of us, we’d love to avoid it by flying far away to somewhere tropical until the harsh temperatures of winter retreat. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the luxury of jetting off to paradise until spring. Sure, the snowflakes and twinkling lights are pretty at the beginning of the holiday season, but once that all fades away and we’re wrapped into the dark long days of winter it can make some feel particularly down

It’s November, which means we’re nearing the end of the year, but don’t worry, there’s still time to crush your goals before the year’s end. No excuses, no waiting until January 1st, just steps toward progress.

Now, we know what you’re probably thinking, “it’s already November, there’s no way I can reach my goals by New Years,” but that’s not true! All goals don’t have to take months or years, there are steps you can take toward those and in the meantime, there are plenty of other manageable goals that are more than obtainable!  

So, now that you’re feeling a bit more motivated, let’s talk about 20 goals you can accomplish before 2020 is here!

Dog owners can tell you that the favorite part of their day is coming home to their dog. Having your best bud greet you at the door with a wagging tail and a sloppy puppy kiss, it’s the best feeling a dog owner can have

Seeing a family member struggle with addiction can be difficult. Having to witness a loved one going through something unbearable can cause strife in your own life. Stress, worry, and feeling hopeless are all usual emotions tied to caring for someone you know who is struggling. Attending to your own health can allow you to be much more present for the family member that needs your help. It can be hard but here are a few ways to be serene and find peace of mind, even when a family member needs help.

Recovery is an extremely difficult process for everyone involved. It takes countless hours of trying to get out of bad habits to make healthy ones, which sounds way easier than it is, and can sometimes feel like there is no end in sight. When this feeling arises, just remember one thing – make time for self-care. Not only should self-care be enjoyable, but it can be a major key in improving your mental health. Here are some self-care tips to help your mental health.

If you are beginning your journey towards recovery, you may be finding yourself unsure of where to start. Is it to change your daily routine? Is it to change your diet? Maybe it is. Of course, recovery is different for everyone, but we still want to help give you that extra push to begin this new chapter in your life.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and the Center for Alcohol & Drug Services, Inc. is taking the time to raise awareness by understanding the effects it can have on people.

Ever hear the phrase ‘new year new me’? Make it a reality, entering in to the new year by making yourself a priority this coming year. Believe that you can make a change for the better and stick to it. Prioritize yourself, specifically your physical and mental health. Your addiction is a hill, it is large and imposing, but not impossible. You just need to start climbing and not stop until you reach the top, then continue down the other side as you leave your addiction behind you. This new year your focus is improving yourself, and how might you do that? Here are a few ways to improve upon yourself in the new year

Many people need help, especially during the holiday season. Feelings of loneliness or regret from the past can be very hard to suppress over the holidays. Please consider donating to the Center for Alcohol & Drug Services, Inc (CADS). Our job at CADS is to support you, make you feel comfortable to seek help, and get you the help you require. We offer a variety of services including support, care, and treatment.

The holidays can be especially tough for those overcoming addiction or recovery. Generally, holidays are about people coming together, enjoying one another’s company. Being able to show someone your gratitude, whether you are the one struggling or assisting someone struggling, it can make all the difference in their holiday experience. Here are a few ways to spread your gratitude this holiday season.

Addiction comes in many forms and can mean a lot of things. By definition, addiction is a condition in which an individual is obligated to continue pursuing a certain behavior, despite the damaging consequences. It comes in multiple forms, including drugs and alcohol, or a behavior like gambling.

How do you approach someone that does not want to speak with you? People struggling with drugs or alcohol may not want to discuss their addiction. Learning how to communicate in other ways may lead to a breakthrough with that person.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health , about 21.5 million Americans, ages 12 and over, have battled with substance abuse. Of that large number, only about 10% of people go to a rehabilitation center.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2016 nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by suicide. This number has risen over the last few years and is predicted to continue to grow if suicide prevention efforts are not taken. We live in a big world, and at times, we feel alone. Some people can pull themselves out of these feelings, but others need more help.

Whether we like it or not, we are our siblings first and best friends. No one knows your brothers or sisters better than you do, not even your parents. This strong connection is even more powerful than you think.

We have heard it a thousand times, the world isn’t the way it used to be. Back in the early 1900s, the way people lived was much slower and there were not as many distractions.

Marriage is a commitment to another person. You must love, support and encourage your spouse. According to the American Addiction Center, in over 12 million marriages in the United States, one spouse struggles with addiction. Whether it is an alcohol, gambling or drug problem, there are many warning signs to watch out for to find out if your spouse is struggling with addiction.

From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend and everything in between, summertime offers plenty of opportunities for people to socialize and spend more time outside. As a result, the summer months tend to see a substantial increase in both alcohol-involved crashes and Operating While Intoxicated charges

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 155 people in the United States die every day from opioid overdose. At CADS, we know this issue is prevalent in the communities we serve, and we want to give you the information you need to know about opioids.

Difficult conversations are just that – difficult. Trying to talk to someone about a destructive habit ranks as one of the most uncomfortable conversations to have. We know there is a difference between abuse and addiction and that abuse can lead to addiction. However, if you can intervene with a loved one before they become addicted, you might just be saving a life. 

We know parenting a teenager can be difficult, especially this time of year. In the Midwest, we’ve just made it through an awful winter and we can bet your child is ready to go outside, drive around with their friends, attend prom, and get ready for graduation.

According to the State of Mental Health in America, 18.29% of adults struggle with mental health problems and 8.47% of adults report having a substance use or alcohol problem.

Now that your high schooler is back to the grindstone after Spring Break, odds are, they’re looking forward to prom!

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and at CADS, we take this opportunity to focus on increasing awareness and understanding of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. 

The opioid crisis that is currently plaguing our country is shedding light on the dangerous effects of drug abuse. If you know someone who needs help recovering from addiction, help them find the help they need.

Support means different things to different people. Often, when you’re trying to support a loved one recovering from addiction or abuse it’s hard to know what to do. Should you be stern? Should you give advice? Or should you just listen?

At CADS, we know you care and we want to give you some tips for how to be supportive during recovery.

Early intervention is the best thing you can do for your loved one.

At CADS, we’re here to support individuals 24/7 on their road to recovery. Fighting addiction is difficult and as a supporter, we want you to know when it’s time to intervene.

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘addict?’ What about ‘getting clean?’ For most people, these words have negative connotations. As a society, we need to change the conversation about addiction.

Addiction and abuse are both difficult issues to face, but we can help at CADS.

Life is full of unknowns, so we want you to know exactly what happens when you come to CADS.