Growing up in a household with alcohol or substance abuse can leave deep emotional imprints. As an Adult Child of an Alcoholic (ACoA), you may carry patterns that once helped you survive but now create challenges in your relationships, career, and self-esteem. Recognizing these traits is the first step. Navigating them with self-compassion is how healing begins. Browse our...[ read more ]
When you’re stuck in a cycle of compulsive behavior—whether it’s endless scrolling, substance use, overworking, or people-pleasing—it’s easy to label the problem as addiction. But what if addiction is only part of the story? Compulsive behaviors often have complex roots, including burnout, trauma, and underlying mental health struggles. In a city like San Francisco, where high-pressure careers collide with a...[ read more ]
San Francisco has long been a city of contrasts—tech innovation alongside counterculture movements, fast-paced nightlife alongside serene wellness retreats. It’s no surprise that in this dynamic environment, attitudes toward substance use, sobriety, and recovery are equally diverse. For many, San Francisco offers opportunities for self-exploration and healing. For others, the same scene can contribute to patterns of overuse or dependency....[ read more ]
When most people hear the word addiction, they think of substance use—alcohol, drugs, nicotine, or even prescription medications. But addiction doesn’t always involve chemicals. Some behaviors, such as gambling, gaming, social media use, shopping, and even sex, can create compulsive patterns that feel just as powerful and difficult to break. Behavioral addictions, also known as process addictions, occur when a...[ read more ]
You might feel it—the creeping exhaustion from endless scrolling, the pressure to always be available, the realization that your day is shaped more by notifications than by your own intentions. Maybe you’re considering a digital detox, hoping to regain balance, focus, or just a little bit of peace. But then reality sets in. Your job requires you to be online....[ read more ]
There are many different ways to approach therapy for addiction / substance use. You may want to quit using all substances or some substances, reduce your use, reduce the harms associated with your use, or make no changes and just discuss the role it's playing in your life right now. Those are all perfectly okay ways to show up to...[ read more ]
Do you find yourself constantly searching for love, seeking out sexual encounters, or unable to be single, even if the relationship is unhealthy? If so, you might be experiencing the grip of love, sex, or relationship addiction. Of course, if you're enjoying the experiences, then there may not be a problem at all. However, if the behavior feels compulsive or...[ read more ]
People seeking recovery from addiction often turn to 12-Step programs because that's what they're most familiar with. However, if you find that these aren't right for you, then what are your options for recovery? Actually, there are many alternatives to 12 Step Recovery. Why Seek Alternatives to 12 Step Recovery? 12-Step Recovery, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Overeaters Anonymous, is...[ read more ]