Addiction is a life-long illness with relapse a risk, whether you have recently left rehab or have been in recovery for a long time. This is why long-term recovery is about so much more than detoxing and getting through the first few weeks of sobriety.

Cocaine causes a short-lived, intense high. It is this high that cocaine users are continually chasing and with prolonged use, the user has to take larger and larger quantities to get this same high...

Witnessing the addiction of a loved one is one of the hardest things to experience. It is not something most people are prepared for, and the resulting actions, although intended to help, can in fact enable their continued addiction.

Increasingly in our society we are never without stimulation. You only need to look at people who immediately turn to their smart phones whilst waiting for someone or in the TV ad break. We are programmed to seek stimulation and the idea that boredom is the enemy.

There is a strong scientific consensus that drinking alcohol can cause several types of cancer. The US Dapartment of Health and Human Services, lists the consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen.

Once you are clean, whether through detox or a longer supported rehab programme, being able to move on with your life is exciting but also scary. Learning to navigate a new sober lifestyle will bring up challenges and getting through the first few days and weeks can seem particularly daunting.

A recent study published in Addiction by the University of Bristol has found some evidence that links children and teens suffering from higher levels of anxiety to be of greater risk of developing alcohol problems in adulthood.

The terrible affect having a parent who is an addict has on a child.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated Linwood House, Residential drug and alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation centre ‘Good’ in a recent inspection.

If you have a loved one who is dependent on alcohol or drugs, in addition to watching them battle with their addiction you may also be battling with their denial.

How can you help and support someone who won’t admit or face up to their addiction?