10 min read The Changing View of Alcohol Problems
How our understanding of alcohol problems has evolved—and what it means for treatment today.
8 min read Is Moderate Drinking Right for You?
Not everyone needs complete abstinence. Learn whether moderation management could work for your situation.
5 min read What is Moderate Drinking?
Understanding what moderate drinking actually means and whether it's achievable for you.
6 min read Why Women Hide Their Drinking — And What Actually Helps
Women face unique pressures that make alcohol problems harder to recognize and harder to talk about. Understanding these barriers is the first step toward getting help that actually works.
5 min read Alternatives to AA: Evidence-Based Recovery Options
AA isn't the only path to recovery. Explore evidence-based alternatives that may work better for your situation.
7 min read Alcohol Use Disorder Spectrum: Mild to Severe AUD
Not sure if you're an alcoholic? Alcohol Use Disorder exists on a spectrum from mild to severe. Find out where you fall and what treatment fits.
7 min read Alcohol & Prescription Drugs: Dangerous Combinations
Mixing alcohol with prescription medications? The combinations that can be dangerous and how to stay safe.
8 min read Can Alcoholics Drink in Moderation? Expert Guide
Can alcoholics ever drink moderately? Expert insights on who succeeds with controlled drinking, who doesn't, and how to know which path is yours.
5 min read When Your Young Adult Comes Home from College with a Problem
College-age substance use can escalate quickly. For parents navigating this situation, understanding the difference between normal experimentation and genuine cause for concern — and knowing how to respond — is critical.
5 min read Treating the Whole Person: Why Dual Diagnosis Matters
Substance use rarely exists in isolation. Anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health conditions often fuel the cycle of use. Effective treatment must address both simultaneously.
7 min read Life After 50: Think You Have a Drinking Problem?
How to know if you have a drinking problem after 50—and what to do about it.
8 min read Finding Your Off Switch: Controlling Your Drinking
Can't stop at one or two drinks? Strategies to develop a reliable off switch and regain control over your drinking.
4 min read The Drink Smartly Program
A structured program designed to help you develop a healthier relationship with alcohol.
4 min read Are You a Problem Drinker or an Alcoholic?
Understanding the difference between problem drinking and alcoholism—and why the distinction matters for treatment.
5 min read Our Four-Step Approach
Dr. Washton's structured four-step approach to alcohol treatment for executives and professionals.
7 min read Group Therapy for Alcohol Recovery
Why group therapy works better than AA for many people. Peer accountability plus professional guidance—without the steps or sponsors.
11 min read High-Functioning Alcoholics: Hidden Signs & Help
Success hides a lot. The signs of high-functioning alcoholism that friends and family miss—and what keeps successful people from getting help.
7 min read Harm Reduction & Moderate Drinking Alternatives
Not ready to quit entirely? Harm reduction and moderation offer a middle path for people who want to drink less, not stop completely.
7 min read Creating Your Action Plan for Abstinence
Ready to quit drinking completely? A step-by-step action plan for achieving and maintaining abstinence, with strategies that work in real life.
8 min read Coping with a Loved One's Addiction & Recovery
Watching someone you love struggle with addiction? How to help without enabling, set boundaries, and protect your own wellbeing.
10 min read Medications to Stop Drinking: What Works
A comprehensive look at FDA-approved medications that can support your recovery from alcohol problems.
7 min read Medications for Alcohol Problems: Complete Guide
Pills that help you drink less or quit entirely: Antabuse, Naltrexone, and newer medications. How they work, side effects, and who benefits most.
7 min read Moderate Mindful Drinking
How mindfulness practices can support moderate drinking goals and help you develop awareness around alcohol use.
6 min read Relapse Warning Signs: Early Detection & Prevention
Relapse rarely happens suddenly. Recognize the emotional, mental, and behavioral warning signs before a slip becomes a full return to drinking.
8 min read Signs of a High-Functioning Alcoholic
Success hides a lot. The signs of high-functioning alcoholism that friends and family miss—and what keeps successful people from getting help.
8 min read What is Smarter Drinking?
Learn about the smarter drinking approach and how it can help you develop a healthier relationship with alcohol.
5 min read Relationships & Recovery During Sobriety
Recovery changes relationships. How to rebuild trust with your partner, navigate sobriety together, and create connections that support your goals.
7 min read Easy to Stop Drinking, Hard to Stay Sober
Stopped drinking before but couldn't stay sober? Why the first weeks are easy but long-term recovery is harder—and what actually prevents relapse.
7 min read Sobriety Sampling: An Experiment with Abstinence
Try a period of abstinence before deciding on long-term goals. Sobriety sampling helps you understand your relationship with alcohol.
6 min read How to Talk to a Loved One About Their Drinking
Approaching someone you love about their alcohol or drug use is one of the hardest conversations you will ever have. Done wrong, it pushes them away. Done right, it opens a door.
5 min read What Parents Get Wrong About Teen Addiction Treatment
Most parents respond to teen substance use with fear-driven decisions. Understanding how effective adolescent treatment actually works can help you make better choices for your family.
7 min read Teen Substance Use: What Parents Should Know
When you discover your teenager is using drugs or alcohol, fear and frustration are natural. But how you respond in those first moments matters enormously. A psychologist specializing in adolescent treatment shares what actually works.
7 min read Total Abstinence: Staying Drug-Free
For some, complete abstinence is essential. Why moderation doesn't work for everyone—and how to stay clean long-term.
7 min read When Do People Realize They Need Help?
Still not sure you need help? The moments that push people from denial to action—and why waiting for rock bottom isn't necessary.