Many patients in Portland, Oregon find that Alcoholics Anonymous is a bad fit. Why?

As an addiction medicine doctor, I’ve found that many patients begin their recovery journey with a 12 step program. For some, this works wonders. For others, the 12 steps don’t feel like a good fit.  So, what happens if Alcoholics Anonymous isn’t effective for you? What can you do now?  The answer is: plenty. Here’s […]

Here’s How Trauma Changes Your Brain and Makes You More Susceptible to Addiction

   Note: Trauma can impact us deeply. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, reach out to Lines for Life right away. Local, understanding people are available to listen 24/7. Their number is 800-273-8255. This article deals with trauma. If you do not feel safe to read material about potentially upsetting subjects right now, please […]

What Causes Addiction? Here’s What We Know – And Don’t Know – About the Disease

     If you struggle with addiction, it can feel very important to know why substance use has become a problem for you. If you have a friend or family member who struggles with addiction, you may want to know if there’s something you did to cause substance abuse in that loved one.  Although the […]