Recent Posts

How to Stop Financial Infidelity

Financial infidelity, like sexual infidelity, is about dishonesty, but it's also about underlying, unresolved individual or relationship problems.

Financial infidelity, like sexual infidelity, is about dishonesty, but it's also about underlying, unresolved individual or relationship problems.

Today's Epidemic of Disconnection

In a world of constant contact, true connection fades. This shift invites us to slow down, be present, and rediscover what it means to feel seen, heard, and genuinely human.

In a world of constant contact, true connection fades. This shift invites us to slow down, be present, and rediscover what it means to feel seen, heard, and genuinely human.

“California Sober” or Abstinence

"California sober" refers to the belief that a person can abstain from their primary drug of abuse, but it's okay to use other drugs. Here's what experts think.

"California sober" refers to the belief that a person can abstain from their primary drug of abuse, but it's okay to use other drugs. Here's what experts think.

Spring Break 2025: College Binge Drinking in Context

Media depictions of college students on spring break show wildly drunken students. Yet, researchers have found binge drinking is down considerably over previous periods. What's up?

Media depictions of college students on spring break show wildly drunken students. Yet, researchers have found binge drinking is down considerably over previous periods. What's up?

Latest Innovations in Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Awareness

New treatments like GLP-1, TMS, and gene therapy offer hope for alcohol addiction recovery. Discover how these options could change addiction treatment.

New treatments like GLP-1, TMS, and gene therapy offer hope for alcohol addiction recovery. Discover how these options could change addiction treatment.

When We Experience Cravings, We Grab What’s In Reach

We all experience cravings. Sometimes, our cravings prompt undesirable behaviors, which can contribute to negative consequences over time.

We all experience cravings. Sometimes, our cravings prompt undesirable behaviors, which can contribute to negative consequences over time.

AA Through the Eyes of a Recovering Psychologist

My personal story of how getting sober in AA as a practicing clinical psychologist worked for me.

My personal story of how getting sober in AA as a practicing clinical psychologist worked for me.

The Death of Science Means a Less Healthy Future

Personal Perspective: Without hard data about drug use and mental health in America, leaders can create false narratives that cannot be fact-checked.

Personal Perspective: Without hard data about drug use and mental health in America, leaders can create false narratives that cannot be fact-checked.

March Madness Masks a Hidden Epidemic

Nonstop media coverage, friendly office betting pools, and high-adrenaline competition make a perfect storm for problem gambling. More people than ever are struggling.

Nonstop media coverage, friendly office betting pools, and high-adrenaline competition make a perfect storm for problem gambling. More people than ever are struggling.

Thwarting the Social Media Algorithm with Behavioural Science

A reward being programmed to occur is one thing, but more important is how it is experienced, and you can organise that for yourself.

A reward being programmed to occur is one thing, but more important is how it is experienced, and you can organise that for yourself.

Addiction and Original Sin

Teens should be provided with complete information about drug abuse and its perils, so that they have a better opportunity to make good life choices.

Teens should be provided with complete information about drug abuse and its perils, so that they have a better opportunity to make good life choices.

The Psychology of Addiction and Obesity: New Treatments

Addiction and obesity share deep neurological roots. Can new treatments like GLP-1 drugs and MEAI help break the cycle? Explore the latest science behind these conditions.

Addiction and obesity share deep neurological roots. Can new treatments like GLP-1 drugs and MEAI help break the cycle? Explore the latest science behind these conditions.

The Real Dope on Cannabis and Creativity

From boosting divergent thinking to altering how we perceive our own ideas, the effects of cannabis on creativity are complex.

From boosting divergent thinking to altering how we perceive our own ideas, the effects of cannabis on creativity are complex.

7 Lessons From Celebrity Addiction Stories

Celebrities with addiction often live their lives (and sometimes die tragically) in the public arena. Yet some have shown recovery is possible, providing life lessons on addiction.

Celebrities with addiction often live their lives (and sometimes die tragically) in the public arena. Yet some have shown recovery is possible, providing life lessons on addiction.

Why Do Some People Become Addicted While Others Do Not?

Addiction is a deeply personal struggle that affects millions. One of the most frequently asked questions is: Why me? Why do some develop addictions while others do not?

Addiction is a deeply personal struggle that affects millions. One of the most frequently asked questions is: Why me? Why do some develop addictions while others do not?

When Is It Time to End This Relationship?

You may be struggling in your relationship and wondering if you’re trying to fix the irredeemable. How can you know whether to hold or whether to fold?

You may be struggling in your relationship and wondering if you’re trying to fix the irredeemable. How can you know whether to hold or whether to fold?

Why Do We Keep Doing Things That Don’t Serve Us?

What if suffering isn’t just what’s happening, but our reactions to it? Discover why we keep doing what doesn't serve us and how small shifts can free us from unhelpful habits.

What if suffering isn’t just what’s happening, but our reactions to it? Discover why we keep doing what doesn't serve us and how small shifts can free us from unhelpful habits.

News Flash: Increased Numbers of Children Poisoned by Fentanyl

The number of children and adolescents exposed to fentanyl has increased in the U.S., and even a tiny amount can cause death. Parents need to be aware of the threat.

The number of children and adolescents exposed to fentanyl has increased in the U.S., and even a tiny amount can cause death. Parents need to be aware of the threat.

The Risky Business of Regular Cannabis and Alcohol Use

What the latest research findings tell us about the risks of habitually using these common recreational substances.

What the latest research findings tell us about the risks of habitually using these common recreational substances.

6 Signs Your College Student Has a Drinking Problem

It’s critical young people with a serious alcohol problem get help as soon as possible so that they can live full and happy lives.

It’s critical young people with a serious alcohol problem get help as soon as possible so that they can live full and happy lives.

How Junk Food Really Affects Your Brain

Short-term munching, long-term weakened resistance.

Short-term munching, long-term weakened resistance.

Are Change and Motivation Really a Merry-Go-Round?

Just like snowflakes, we are all unique, so our journey to change will also be unique. With the right approach and support, we are all capable of making lasting change.

Just like snowflakes, we are all unique, so our journey to change will also be unique. With the right approach and support, we are all capable of making lasting change.

A Neglected Aspect of Recovery From Problematic Sexual Behavior

The experience of violating your own values.

The experience of violating your own values.

The Good News About Overdose Deaths in the U.S.

Some good news: The CDC reports opioid overdose deaths are significantly down, although too many people are still dying.

Some good news: The CDC reports opioid overdose deaths are significantly down, although too many people are still dying.

A Root Cause of Addiction

Addiction is rooted in disconnection. We seek relief when we lack purpose, battle self-doubt, or feel physically tense. In that void, addiction can take hold.

Addiction is rooted in disconnection. We seek relief when we lack purpose, battle self-doubt, or feel physically tense. In that void, addiction can take hold.

I Want It Now! The Psychology of Instant Gratification

Explore how delay discounting—the tendency to choose smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards—relates to compulsive smartphone use, and learn techniques to fight it.

Explore how delay discounting—the tendency to choose smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards—relates to compulsive smartphone use, and learn techniques to fight it.

How to Cope With New Evidence About Alcohol’s Health Effects

To drink or not to drink: If that is a question you are asking yourself, there is psychological research to help you find the answer.

To drink or not to drink: If that is a question you are asking yourself, there is psychological research to help you find the answer.

Why Do We Want Things We Don’t Like?

We sometimes crave things that don't even make us feel good. The neuroscience of "wanting" and "liking" can help explain why.

We sometimes crave things that don't even make us feel good. The neuroscience of "wanting" and "liking" can help explain why.

The Wild West of Ketamine

Ketamine advertisements are popping up all around us. With few regulations in place, might we be witnessing another opioid epidemic?

Ketamine advertisements are popping up all around us. With few regulations in place, might we be witnessing another opioid epidemic?

Digital Media Overuse Prevention Programs in Schools

As technology continues to progress, do adolescents understand the risks of digital media use and how to navigate them? Schools can help.

As technology continues to progress, do adolescents understand the risks of digital media use and how to navigate them? Schools can help.